Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Zoo has an African?


"... the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them." - Martin Luther King

Today, I want you to take a close look at the following photograph, which I find totally offensive and consider it to be racist, demeaning and an insult to a decent people:


Can you imagine? Are we in 1960?

Now, I don't know the lady smiling behind the racist sign, but what I know is that she is an angry American at a Tea Party, who for some reason does not like the 44th President of the United States and has no respect for human dignity.

Let me be clear - as an unapologetic African, I'm offended by the sign and feel obliged to speak out and publicly denounce her action. This outright display of racism and narrow-mindedness is completely unacceptable and has no place in a civilized society. Believe it or not!

Considering her age (judging from her looks), I suspect no amount of public outcry will change her views - afterall, you can't teach old dogs new tricks, can you? However, we can't afford to be silent.

By the way, why is she smiling? What's so funny about the sign she's carrying?

When I saw this picture, my immediate concern was whether the bearer of the sign has kids or grand kids. If she has any - what lesson is she teaching them? Has she indoctrinated them with her racists stance? What would be her legacy? What does the future hold for America? What about the dream?

This blatant display of racism is truly disturbing - but even more disturbing is the muted [African] response to the insult. Many have seen the sign, many don't take it seriously, many are offended and many are indifferent. Most [Africans] who have viewed the photograph share one thing in common - SILENCE.

Are we voiceless? For how long shall we be silent?

At least someone made a commendable effort and wrote an open letter to the woman with the sign. Although I find the tone of the letter, dated Tuesday September 15, 2009, a little bit harsh, I understand the frustration of the anonymous author. I hope the person to whom it is intended reads it someday - if she has not done so yet.

While I wonder what the family, friends, neighbors and loved ones of the smiling racist think of her, my wish for her on this Easter is that she gets a vacation and travel to Africa. I'm confident that a trip to the Motherland will be an eye-opener. Besides, Mark Twain was right, when he said - "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness."

4 comments:

  1. That woman's sign is supposed to read "The zoo has an African lion, and the white house has a lyin' African." The was using the picture of a lion as a substitute for the word "lion".

    I am of African descent and I do not see how you can consider this offensive on a racial basis. That sign is not racist. Obama IS of African descent (his father is from Kenya).

    Obama IS a liar - he has done completely the opposite of many of the things he promised during his campaign.

    This isn't the place to play the race card. It doesn't apply here, that woman is not being racist.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Comment will be visible after approval? So is this where you're not going to approve my comment simply because I'm punching your article full of holes? Zuzeeko, you're an idiot.

    That woman's sign is supposed to read "The zoo has an African lion, and the white house has a lyin' African." The was using the picture of a lion as a substitute for the word "lion".

    I am of African descent and I do not see how you can consider this offensive on a racial basis. That sign is not racist. Obama IS of African descent (his father is from Kenya).

    Obama IS a liar - he has done completely the opposite of many of the things he promised during his campaign.

    This isn't the place to play the race card. It doesn't apply here, that woman is not being racist.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Normally, I don't respond to anonymous comments, especially when they came across like naive and aggressive.

    I don't exchange words with nameless cowards who hide behind anonymity.

    That said, take another look at that woman's sign. If your interpretation is right, the picture of the lion would be to the left (before "AND").

    About the approval of your comment. Note that I'm busy with other things. I don't just sit around waiting for comments to approve. Hence comments could take some time before they are approved.

    I encourage your to read the "Rules and Regulations" of this blog before you post your next comment.

    Thanks for your input and please, try to be civil.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I came across this while surfing the web. I read the sign as "The zoo has an African lion, and the White House has a lyin' African. It's just another "birther" who won't let the issue go away. Surely she could find another topic to occupy her time.
    -- Joseph Copsey (joseph.copsey@yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete

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