Politically correct? No, its racism

 While searching through the library in which I work, I came across two books, both seemed interesting to say the least. The first is a Jim Knopf book and the other is a book called Vater und Sohn, and it is a graphic novel. While both are quite entertaining, I take nothing away from the stories am quite offended by the character representation of the person of color. When I validation of my thoughts, I was told I was being too politically correct on the issue. Politically correct is a term that people throw around whenever you bring attention to matters when you find something offended. I want to say that while I understand people using the argument, I feel my thinking was Just.

I am always looking for books to read. I have searched through the library looking for books for myself and for my future son. I want to have something to read to him whenever. on the shelves we have some very outdated books. The books were written in the early 1900s, but with each addition, they seem to reproduce. I can tell though, that I am in Germany, because someone else would have complained about these books.

    The stories are very funny. The humor in the books are great, but I would like some changes. In the Jim Knopf books, race is part of the focus, since it is black kid with a white man, but the way that they draw Jim Knopf, could be changed without the story losing its meaning. The exaggerated pink lips is how they used to draw the Sambo dolls. Those type of drawings are basically banned in america. It is not the only racism things that still exist in Germany: they still advertise face paint for Karneval and Halloween so people can paint themselves black. That is highly criticized in America. At times I feel that Germany is more advanced when it comes to racial equality, but with these instances, I see that they still have a long ways to go.

with the other book: vater und sohn, it is a book of comic shorts. every two pages was a story. The joke is that the father and son went to a Freak/Folk show, and made fun of the black people there, but then the two black people made fun of the man’s mustache.

I brought this up to my colleagues at work, and they criticized me for being too politically correct. Everyone can have their opinions, but this came from people who seem to always complain about politics, sexism, feminism, always have issues, but as soon as I bring up racism, they look at me as if it is nonexistent and I am wrong for bringing it up. One even used the example of seeing a black person with curves as to say all black people have curves, which is standard stereotype that black people actually prefer, but it isn’t standard.  The real problem though, is that I am questioning things that they have loved and is part of their childhoods. Now, I am forcing them to questioning their beloved characters. The problem is I am not saying the book is problem. Keep the book, keep the story, just change the picture to look normal and not in a way that someone may find offensive.

Racism still exists here in Germany. I am not looking for it, it just happens to pop out, well mainly because they are not hiding it. The people here are very accepting to these things, because they do not see it as racism. The thing with change though, is that we have to have uncomfortable discussions about topics.

Trials of being a Parent post 1!

courtesy of worldartsme.com clipart.

Around November, Justus will be born to two loving parents. I am very nervous about this but I have been wondering about things. Of course I think about topics such as what will my child like to do, will he like similar activities as me. How will his sleep schedule be, etc. I think about both good and bad things like all parents thinka bout. There are other areas though that I also worry about, how will my child deal with racism (he will be half African American and half German)? I think about this because racism does exist and everyone that I know has had to deal with racism and people like my wife, who never seemed to notice it before, has been confroted by it more because of me.

At times, maybe I am a little paranoid. Of course, I know not everyone is out to get me, but I do worry. I think about how old will my child be before he is faced with comments and question, or faced with racism in which people try to be cute. One parent gave the example of what people have said to her when she was with her baby,”I love cute chocolate babies.”

I am sad that I think about this so much, but I hear and read about racism all the time. Whether it is what I am reading about in America right now. It seems a lot worse since I am not there in the middle, and of course I discuss the topic with people here. Just like in America though, it seems that the majority, (Caucasians, whether here in Europe or in America) seems to not notice as much until it is pointed out to them. With all of the terrorist threats happening, many people fear the refugees coming into Europe. When discussing this topic, everyone notices, but with other races, not everyone is willing to understand or to see the racism. Typical responses that I get is ” Oh, you are just being paranoid;” The people just need an excuse, if they work hard they could achieve everything;” “You are overreacting, they didn’t mean it that way.” ” naw it isn’t, racism if it is true, ‘they’ are always stealing, fighting, (fill in the blank). If they don’t want to be judged then they need stop behaving like that.”

While I will admit I do try to see things from their perspective, but what I realize is that no one wants to admit that we all have prejudices and are quite judgemental. In other words, all of us are a little racist, some are just more than others. Why do I bring this up? the people that I interact with on a daily basis, will be in my son’s life. Because of my son, they may be a witness to racism. I just want awareness so that when it happens, because it will happen, they it will play a small role in my child’s life and will not hold him back.