Subject: Article Submission-- Issue
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 1998 02:13:57 -0600
From: Brad Burnham <eljuapo@ionet.net>
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

Response to Geography/Racism by M.Lund

Hi Frank,

I'd like to start by saying that I've never tried to post to the Dojo
before this and I might not after this. What has gotten me worked up enough
to write to you is the posting by Mike Lund in reference to racism on tour
and the particulars of geography in relation.
The post started well enough (I had been reading the thread on racism for a
little while).But then I saw something that amazed me.
[Quote]
"Then I thought about strange places in America ... like California. I
thought about places like South Boston. I thought about places we're I'd
met people and heard stories about areas where blatant racism was the norm.
Places where to be singled out as a minority was always negative. Places
where diversity of culture and thought were not perceived as a resource of
learning through diversity, but as excuses for violence, ignorance, and
hatred. I thought about how in California a migrant worker from Mexico is
vulnerable and exposed to the worst and most vile abuses of the ignorant
because he is not a citizen. I thought about how I would feel if I couldn't
walk through most neighborhoods without risking my hide."
[End Quote]
I was astounded! This person was doing the thing that he was arguing
against! Painting a certain group of people in a way that is totally wrong
and hurtfull. I've seen some silly posts on the Dojo, but this actually
offended me. I don't get offended easily. I mostly let stuff roll off my
back. I live in Southern California and I don't appreciate people ranting
like this about where I live. I've lived here almost my whole life and
while I've seen and heard of some pretty nasty things this does not depict
the whole of California! Not even just the southern half. However, that
quote alone would not have me writing to the Dojo. The post continued it's
slanted view of So. Cal., if not in so many words, then went on at the end
of post to say this:
[Quote]
"Maybe the Team Sped Lingo, is derived partially from the racist and hurtful
slang of far off LA and South Cal. Perhaps not. I will not assume to speak
for anyone other than my friends in my community. And here, it will never
be an insult unless someone spits in your eye to say it, or some uncommonly
bigoted folks move in."
[End Quote]
That was totaly uncalled for. Whether or not he meant to, he was definitly
speaking for someone other than his friends in his community. While I
respect the opinion and the rights to voice it of other people, I will not
stand idly by while someone rips on the place that I live. I have been to
the PT:LA and many, many other tournaments and casual games at card stores
and such, and have never seen the kind of racism/nationalism that Mr. Lund
seems to think is so prevalent here in Southern California. If he is going
to speak about other locals than his own it might be better if he went to
experiance those locals first.

Thanks for reading, I think I'll get off my soap box for now.
Oh, and Frank, if you do decide to post it, thanks for giving me my 15
minutes.

The Gekko
Brad Burnham
eljuapo@ionet.net