I installed a bull**** detector in my brain, it tells me that the media is into mass manipulation of public perception, and that the government (democrat and republican) is the one behind it all.
no, the last couple lines were tounge-in-cheek, but the actual piece they did was a pretty serious look at the ramifications and "problems" with white people not having kids anymore and immigrants having too many. funny, i never heard the camera/producer type guffawing during the parts where he where he says "do your duty, make more babies b/c half the kids under 5 are minorities". called europe "eurabia" due to their influx of immigrants and their euro-born offspring, or talked about how russia is now paying couples to have children to get out of zero population growth, which he said his generation was misled on.
I don't know. I guess there's a place for bigoted Americans in our free-wheeling media, at least if it's on FOX. I know Lou Dobbs (CNN) gets critcized as well. Some of his views are on the edge, but nothing like Gibson's. I kinda like Dobbs. At least he's not boring, and is certainly not your typical "talking head," Agree with him or not, he's a breath of freah air, IMO. Keep D&D Civil.
Despite the racial undertones of Asians being a Model Minority, I think Americans, wrt to this view, see that as a working framework for all minorities. The typical qualities are: English speaking in formal relationships, class portrayals of having no handouts (welfare despite whites having the largest share), and subservience. Whether this is a red herring isn't important. What gives these Americans the idea that race doesn't matter is the perception that Asians are successes and their willingness to accept the model. "I see Asians driving Lexuses, therefore it's true.""I see Powell and Rice, therefore affirmative action is antiquated." Also, the news of whites becoming a minority is causing the specter of living in a predominantly ethnic enclave (little Mexico, Armenia town, etc...) except on a public scale. The Americans speaking the loudest against immigration are usually isolated by choice. You have some whites who move out of California giving some deluded horrors of being overrun by Mexicans or speaking Spanish, which only reinforces the fears of an overrun culture. IMO, to these whites and likeminded Americans, the culture issue is as similarly relevant as teaching religion in schools or keeping down a hedonistic media. To them it isn't preserving White culture, rather American culture. It's something the Republican leadership has deeply understood since Goldwater.
The sentiment isn't anti-Hispanic in the way that he wants to do harm to them. When Gibson says we need more babies, who do you think he is speaking to? Who does Gibson mean by saying 'We'. It isn't Americans as a whole, I can promise you. Though, sadly, he speaks as if he believes it is Americans as a whole. Clearly it is to White Americans. The conclusion is tongue and cheek, but mentioning the statistics about the infants and their racial make up is, as you have pointed out, factual. The fact that uses those facts to warn against a hispanic majority is indeed serious on his part. He makes a joke about hispanics not doing on the own in an attempt to try have some fun with a message that he is serious about.
Stuff like this really annoys because it buys into the false idea that America is defined by ethnicity and cultures. People think the melting pot is conforming to a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant English speaking culture when that's not what a melting pot is at all. That would be like saying a fondue of Cheddar would still taste like if bunch of Gouda was dumped into it. This country was founded on ideals not on ethnicity and culture and the "We" in the "We the People" aren't just white English speakers. Anyway what is so great about a white mono-culture? When I moved to Minnesota about 11 years ago it was so overwhelmingly WASP that the only place I could get a burrito was Taco Bell. In the last 6 years or so there's been an explosion of Hispanics settling in the Twin Cities and the place is so much better now that I can get a good burrito along with hear some good Salsa music. Compare this to Fargo. Sure its almost all white but its dullest place in America. I've had people from Fargo tell me I should go to liven it up. Its the differnces and diversity that makes this country vibrant and interesting but even besides that cultures change and if Hispanics become the majority here so what? As long as they follow the ideals of this country it shouldn't matter what race or ethnicity they are.
I wonder what some of those whites touting Asians as the model minority for assimilating would think of communities like Monterey Park or Cupertino where you hear Mandarin almost as much as English and where there are some restaurants you can't order unless you do so in Mandarin? I've never liked the Model Minority stereotype because IMO it limits understanding of Asians and also is divisive to other ethnic groups. Further white America loves to tout Asians as the Model Minority but I doubt many of them would be willing to see Asians gain signifigantly in number or culture.
There's over 180 nationalities living in the New York City area. It's not so much a melt but a stew. I love it! America should be more like New York. It can only make us stronger!
Exactly. It is very hard for me to understand what Gibson is worried about? Giddy still hasn't answered if he thinks it is bad for the Whites to lose the majority, or not. I think already there are plenty of people who think of 'we' as all Americans. It just irks me that someone on a nationalized cabel news show speaks of 'we' and he only means the white Americans. Having multiple cultures representing America is a great thing. It should be a strength. There is so much we have to gain from accepting all these cultures into our nation and weaving them together to make our fabric strong. And if for some reason we had to choose one particular culture to represent the U.S. and preserve it, I am not sure Gibson's white culture is the one I would choose. I just don't see the point in having to cheer for one culture over another, and try to preserve it.
YOU can promise us? How do you know? His remark is not limiting in the least. He says: "The rest of you get busy." Who does that exclude? How do you factor in the brief diatribe against Zero Population Growth and the sidebar about Russian population stagnation? Those have no racial component. Gibson says: "Civilizations need people to survive. So far we're doing our part here in America but Hispanics can't carry the whole load." Iisn't that inclusive language which is more of a tribute more than racist rhetoric? The tone of the thing from start to finish is jocular. In the earlier part of the piece he mocks European American's reasons for not having babies... "not to get peanut butter on the leather seats of the BMW." Now there's an argument for racial superiority! I have no doubt, though, that Gibson is more comfortable remaining in the majority. Most people would. I don't see the racist message that you imagine. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill, as they say.
So can we infer from this response that you agree with Gibson? It's a simple question giddy, are you comfortable with white people becoming the minority in America?
Are you asking if I agree with Gibson or with the rabid interpretation of Gibson as a racist? Let's be clear....
By talking about how the hispanics are going to be a majority and then saying 'we' need to make more babies. Do you not understand that 'we' refers to white Americans? You include the part that you and I both agree is joking, and then ask isn't that inclusive? The part about Russian populations stagnation is showing an example of what we don't want to be like, and how serious the problem is for other whites to face. Didn't you understand that when he was saying that about the BMW it was mocking, but not in a tongue and cheek kind of way. It was in a mocking way that accused them of being selfish, in order to show Euro-Americans what we don't want to be like. It only adds to the case that his overall message was a serious one. So you admit he doesn't want hispanics to be the majority race. Do you agree with him, that whites should remain the majority race in the United States?
Is there ever a way for white people to be proud of being white without being a racist? Minorities can have groups and clubs to help further the rights and causes that benefit their races but if a white person even talks about how certain events or eventualities may affect their race then we are racists. I do not agree with Gibson's statements and others like it because the VAST majority of them have garbage intentions but I do get irritated that it is so terrible for white people to be proud of who they are. That doesn't mean that I want to discriminate against others or that I want my life to be better at the expense of others. That doesn't mean I want the races to be segregated or to create an NAAWP. If the gap between the races is closing that quickly, why can't white people discuss it in a civil manner? Do we turn a blind eye to something that is obviously inevitable? I know my questions and comments are going to be unpopular but oh well. I'm white, I'm proud of who I am, and I'm not apologizing for it to anyone. Everyone else should be proud of who they are as well. Honestly, I feel that many of the comments in this thread should be patronizing to minorities. It's what white people "should" say. Sorry, I don't do that. I'm not going to patronize anyone and I think that political correctness is holding back race relations more than helping it.
Yes, but you are making too much of it. His is a white american-- of the pasty sort-- so that is the group of which he is a part. If he is trying to make some profound impactful statement, he doesn't end the piece on a running-out-of-gas gag line like "Procreation not recreation, that's my word." We in American don't have the problem that the Russians do thanks (especially) to the Hispanics! Keep in mind that I think the whole Gibson piece is jocular in nature-- not just that one line. If it were in print only, I could make that interpretation, but I think when you see the video that interpretation is not sustainable. I think quite naturally that he prefers to remain in the majority. Do you prefer to be in the minority? Who does prefer that when you get right down to it? Should remain? Probably not but how do you mean should? I think it is natural to want to be part of the majority-- especially if you have been in that position for your entire life. I don't think that is the "natural order" or the "divine right" or that America will be better off with a white majority if that's what you are driving at. America will be better off with a population that confirms American values and participates in the American political system and works to make America and the world a better place-- REGARDLESS OF RACIAL DISTRIBUTION....
while i don't feel the same as you do, i understand where you are coming from. political correctness is not a value i care about. however, there is a difference between national pride and ethnic pride. this is america and you should be proud to be an american, but why be proud of being white? i don't even know what that means to tell you the truth.
Oh man, that brings back some memories. I had one of the first Zorlac Double Cut decks, won it on a bet as kid. I have scars to prove I learned how to skate on it.
