Pax,

I didn't see your response until just now. I guess I was too busy getting shot down from your friends and supporters. lol. First off, obviously I do not think you are a Klan member, that was uncalled for and I do apologize for making that reference. I do now see the irony in that statement, however, as an "outsider" looking in (which is exactly what I am) it did offend me. I do not know you and how your humor works and since the post WAS serious and WAS very offensive, when I read your comment I was like, WTF??

I am not overly sensitive and I CAN take a joke... Duh.. Jokes and humor are what keep my rent and bills paid. (Not to mention the loads of groceries I purchase) I understand YOUR point and I respect and completely AGREE. I just didn't think it was the best way to express it. However, I am pretty sure he HAS experienced the racism he was spitting. This does NOT justify any of the hate that was coming out of his mouth, not one bit. But sadly, sometimes people tend to spit out the hurt they have experienced. Its NOT a justification, but its a sad fact. He was wrong. There was NOTHING right about what he said, period. I just felt your comment wasn't appropriate in that context.
Its my opinion.

Race relations are such a tough line to attempt to cross. Open dialogue is the source to at least having an open playing field where all of us can express and connect and learn to appreciate and understand each other. I guess I didn't feel that statement was the most welcoming way to start one. However, if my "crying and babying" as many are making my response to be, has potentially started one, good. I have no problem if people want to call me stupid and say I am "wank wank wanking." I do however, have a problem when I offend someone, and I am sorry for making my rant specifically directed to you in a negative way.

Enjoy your day.
Ercell.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
Hey, sorry about my last comment. I was pissed and shot off an angry note to you and bambrew.

I'm sorry you missed my meaning. I figured that using an archaic form of oppression as an example would make it clear that my comment was not meant to be taken literally. When was the last time you've heard of anyone getting sprayed by a fire hose?


I absolutely agree that racism is a huge problem, and it's frustrating to see a member of one of the most oppressed minority groups pick on a similarly oppressed group. Where is the empathy? It's just disheartening. A racist sees this video and says to himself "See, they're racist too!" as if to justify his own prejudice.

I think the racism that is the biggest threat is the internalized racism, the type of racism we don't see in ourselves, that later generations will see more clearly.

Anyway, I happy to discuss this with you if you like. No harm intended.

PAX

In reply to this comment by ercell22:
I like the fact that in an attempt to shame this man for being "racist", Dystopianfuturetoday suggests he should be sprayed with a fire-hose. If thats not the most ignorant racist this to say, I'm not sure what is?
This is why racism STILL is alive right now in 2008. Folks like Dystopianfuturetoday amaze me. You can hide behind a screen name online and say what you feel because you are protected and safe. If thats not the weakest way to express yourself I don't know what it. How are you, myself or anyone for that matter going to began to help heal the issues of racism when there are comments like that reflecting how something thinks, being posted?? However, with a statement like that, I am sure Dystopianfuturetoday does not want racism to change. I guess you are new generation Klan... traded in your sheets for a wonderful avitar. Or maybe its just laundry day. Happy MLK Day!

Nope. Was not a verbal smack down nor me being overly hypersensitive. Its interesting that its okay to "joke" as you put it in a racist way and then say I have my "panties in a bunch" and should enjoy the joke since I am an aspiring comic. Thats bogus. I am not sure what your race is, but as a black man, who is reminded daily of this fact, I find its easy for those who do not have the same history to write off this kind of a reaction as going too far and I should calm down and take a joke. Funny is funny. Offensive is offensive. There are certain things, racially, that ARE very funny. Then there are comments, however their intent may have been, that come off hurtful and cruel. There is nothing funny about being sprayed with water in the context Dystopian used it. Nothing. Yes, making the Klan reference was going too far, I can admit and own that. You are striking me down for responding and saying its people like me that really "undercut the dialogue" here, but I must say, dialogue is exactly what is happening. I was not meaning to be hurtful or cruel, but the comments made were inappropriate. I understand this site is a huge club and since I have not posted enough vids or commented enough or upvoted and so forth I do have the same relationships many of you have. However, friend or not, what he said was offensive to me. Period. Everyone expresses their opinions left and right, which I try to read and so forth when I am on here, so that was me expressing my exact feelings at that moment. I highly doubt Dystopian meant any harm, however, not meaning harm still does not justify the remark and comment he made. I appreciate your words and thoughts, they are welcome anytime.

In reply to this comment by budzos:
Was that your idea of a verbal smackdown? Wow, you really got your panties in a bunch. Yes it's a racist thing to say, but the guy in the video is clearly a hypocritical, racist piece of crap, while Dystopian was pretty obviously making a joke. Funny that an aspiring stand-up would miss a point so broadly made. People like you really undercut the dialogue with your hypersensitivity and need to point everyone out as some kind of secret Klan member, which is really just you playing out some heroic fantasy.

In reply to this comment by ercell22:
I like the fact that in an attempt to shame this man for being "racist", Dystopianfuturetoday suggests he should be sprayed with a fire-hose. If thats not the most ignorant racist this to say, I'm not sure what is?
This is why racism STILL is alive right now in 2008. Folks like Dystopianfuturetoday amaze me. You can hide behind a screen name online and say what you feel because you are protected and safe. If thats not the weakest way to express yourself I don't know what it. How are you, myself or anyone for that matter going to began to help heal the issues of racism when there are comments like that reflecting how something thinks, being posted?? However, with a statement like that, I am sure Dystopianfuturetoday does not want racism to change. I guess you are new generation Klan... traded in your sheets for a wonderful avitar. Or maybe its just laundry day. Happy MLK Day!

First off, I do appreciate where you and all the other folks that have banned together in defense of this fine person whom I know nothing about are coming from. I can appreciate your views and points and expressions. I agree, whenever ANYONE is being racist or speaking in those tones its a MUST to respond to that racism and let it be known we are not going to stand and agree with whatever is being spewed out. However, to attack a man for being racist with a racist comment, joking or not, is a very ignorant approach and is very irresponsible. It interesting that I am being questioned for my ability to take a joke, or how me being a stand up comic should enable me to be able to laugh about anything. I am sorry. I am not overly sensitive and I do not have my panties in a bunch (no, YOU didn't make that comment) but there are some things that are not funny. You do not have images that are still shown to this day of your grandparents and parents having to drink from the "coloreds" only water fountain, or seeing them attacked by police dogs, or....being sprayed by water. Sorry, to joke about that is just not funny. The man on the video did deserve to get angry reactions, however, the same ugliness that you felt as being from Asian decent is the SAME ugliness I felt when I read that comment. Are are you implying or suggesting its okay to act in any manner of anger if its in the defense of a friend? You may need to rethink what you just sent cause ugliness is ugliness, no matter how or why its used. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they are welcome anytime.

In reply to this comment by Issykitty:
I did NOT mean to upvote your comment, ercell, and you COMPLETELY misunderstood DFT's comment, FYI, which is sort of understandable, although your reaction was a bit too much personally attacking him. Seems a bit prejudiced to make that sort of a sweeping judgement of someone you don't really know. If only you knew how dead wrong you were, and what is the deal with bringing up KLAN comparisons? Ridiculous. Let me say this. That man up there on the podium was spewing ugliness and hatred about people of Asian descent, and I AM of asian descent, so I believe DFT was reacting in anger on my behalf because it was a bit personally upsetting to me. I hope that clarifies things for you.

I like the fact that in an attempt to shame this man for being "racist", Dystopianfuturetoday suggests he should be sprayed with a fire-hose. If thats not the most ignorant racist this to say, I'm not sure what is?
This is why racism STILL is alive right now in 2008. Folks like Dystopianfuturetoday amaze me. You can hide behind a screen name online and say what you feel because you are protected and safe. If thats not the weakest way to express yourself I don't know what it. How are you, myself or anyone for that matter going to began to help heal the issues of racism when there are comments like that reflecting how something thinks, being posted?? However, with a statement like that, I am sure Dystopianfuturetoday does not want racism to change. I guess you are new generation Klan... traded in your sheets for a wonderful avitar. Or maybe its just laundry day. Happy MLK Day!

thanks a lot for the support! I just had to clarify cause I didn't want the masses offended. You seriously want that twinkie bake set?? lol

Hey thanks for the kind words on my vid!

hey everybody, thanks for the comments. No, I wasn't reading any cue cards.... I just kept looking at my ugly mug in the monitor.. lol. I know white folks have wonderful taste in gift giving, no question, but those were gifts I did receive (minus the Jay-Z dvd...thats my roommate's) I mean, twinkies for real?? Anyway, I am glad some of you got a chuckle, that was the point. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. I have a few other vids on my myspace page. myspace.com/ercell. enjoy! Ercell

thanks man. I will be in touch. have a wonderful holiday. erce