The Subaltern Cannot Speak?

The Subaltern Cannot Speak?

In response to Rob Ford's refusal to appologize and his continued defence of his comments, Victoria Shen, Co-President of the Chiense Canadian National Council has posted an excellent critique and call for people to challenge Ford.

http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/03/open_letter_re_rob_ford/index.php

While as a friend commented it is hardly shocking to see an elected-official being racist, it is quite unsettling to see the number of, at least they claim, asians and Chinese coming to the defence of Ford. Is this indicative of how sophisticated systems of oppression currently in placea are? Have subjugated peoples internalized their position?

As usual with any internet website, a plethora of illogical comments have been posted...

Quote:
So now the word "oriental" is racist, because Victoria Shen attributes negative stereotypes to it?

Or is only when a white guy says "oriental" that it's racist.

We are not fooled indeed."

... as always, calls of 'reverse discrimination' and double standards. The word oriental is racist because of its inherent eurocentricism, it identifies a group of people in relation to Europeans - 'east of them'.

Quote:
"As a person of Asian heritage who has lived in Toronto and Montreal, I have to say this incident is minor compared to what you get in Quebec."

Possibly true, but this does not justify what had happened, and it's a slippery slope.

Quote:
"I'm Chinese and I wasn't offended by his comments. True, he could've used better wording, but he didn't say anything that wasn't really true. Chinese ARE hard working people and we are multiplying like crazy here in Toronto (Canada) so we are taking over... although the way it came out, it can be misconstrued as racist.

I'm fine with 'Oriental', it's the easiest way to describe Chinese/Japanese/Korean/etc. and people know to which people you're referring to when you say it. Besides, China/Japan/Korea aren't the only Asians, there are the Russians, Indians, Mongolians, etc. so why the exclusivity?"

This person forgets that race is but a social-construct, so any sort of comments, whether percieved positive or not, that results in essentialization is only a defence of this system of oppression.

Quote:
"Did you guys watch all those athletic Negroes at the ACC playing basketball? Boy, those Negroes sure are good at jumping.

What? I'm sorry, was that racist? Is Negro an outdated and pejorative term? But I was just complimenting them on their athleticism, it was an honest mistake. I'm not being racist, it's true that most basketball players are Negroes or of the Negroid race. That is not a stereotype, it is a fact. Just look at the NBA.

I refuse to apologize."

This comment is posted by "angryasianstudent" - I am not sure if this is a jab at me, or if he's trying to claim to be asian. It's not an honest mistake when it's linked to century old systems of oppression, and I am sounding like a broken record now, so I don't need to repeat the other problems with this statement.

To top it off, Royson James, another racialized person, Toronto Star journalist that writes on the city council, comments -

Quote:
"Now, it's politically incorrect and archaic to say Oriental instead of Asian; and to say "they're slowly taking over" is a no-no to most clear-thinking individuals, much less a city councillor in diverse Toronto.

But was Ford being malicious or racist? Unlikely.

When Ford intends to harm, he's usually excruciatingly impolitic and direct ? a trait that inexplicably endears him to some constituents, but earns him disrepute elsewhere.

However yesterday, some councillors, including the mayor, couldn't resist. After all, Ford can't resist pointing out their wasteful spending habits.

"Outrageous and absolutely unacceptable," was how Miller described Ford's comments, a day later. "It's wrong. An elected official should know better. He has to start by profusely apologizing. It's unacceptable in this city."

It is understandable that the majority of councillors hate Ford and salivate at the prospect of finding something to discredit the man. But piling on needlessly when the maverick meant no harm is misplaced anger.

Of course, the boorish Ford and his supporters only added fuel to the fire yesterday when humility would have been the appropriate response. He can't help himself. Wish that council could help us by looking after our (millions of) loonies."

While it may not be absurd to think that other councillors are only outraged given the political opportunity this might provide, it is ridiculas to say that this was not racism. It does not matter whether or not it was intended, the effect is the same. "a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement" - from dictionary.com .

Has everyone internalized their role in this racist society? I remember reading comments from an organizer at the Chinese Canadian National Council about how out of touch the new generation of Chinese Canadians are with their history. Inadequate education etc. Are these the alarming results?

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Submitted by EdwardW on Sat, 03/08/2008 - 11:42.
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