Thursday 3 May 2012

"It is not getting any brighter..." Part 3


The mainstream press continues to be filled with racist cultural stereotypes about indigenous peoples in the discussion over Elizabeth Warren. I wonder, why is it OK to proliferate these sorts of deeply offensive remarks about indigenous peoples? The outcry that to me should be had is not about whether Elizabeth Warren is or is not indigenous, but why in this day and age anyone--including the press- thinks it is OK to engage in such racist and degrading commentary about indigenous peoples? As I have posted earlier, I find these remarks disturbing and revealing as to the true extent of racism and prejudice that American society harbours towards indigenous peoples.

A few more samplings:

Headline "Elizabeth Warren Won't Get Peace Pipe
"While U.S. Sen. Scott Brown nailed a difficult half-court shot at a Hyannis youth center, Elizabeth “Dances with Deception” Warren has been juggling a political football — and fumbling badly. "

Headline "Sacaja-Whiner: Elizabeth Warren and the Oppression Olympics"
"Elizabeth Warren is the Harvard law professor running for Senate in Massachusetts as a Democratic populist-progressive champion. But don't call her "Elizabeth Warren." Call her "Pinocchio-hontas," "Chief Full-of-Lies," "Running Joke" or "Sacaja-whiner.""

What the uproar about Elizabeth Warren has done is put into plain view the insidious racism that is not only part of, but apparently found to be humourous and acceptable, American society towards indigenous peoples.

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