To the man who, in response to the white woman being hired as executive director of the Africville Heritage Trust, said, “To have someone representative of the oppressor spearheading it does not make sense,” I need to ask, which oppressor is she representing? It can’t possibly be those in charge of the decision to raze and displace Africville and its residents, because she had nothing to do with it. She was nowhere around when this happened forty-some years ago. That can be the only oppressor in this case. Unless, you mean every single white person on this planet are your oppressors. If you do, then I have only one thing to say, racism works both ways, and you sir, have proven that with this statement. —Insulted
This article appears in Sep 15-21, 2011.
Heh, I’m just going to leave this one alone.
*whistles* *walks away*
Disappointed, rather than insulted. A timely discussion, as recently I found myself explaining to my little neice that “Reverse Discrimination” does not exist, but only “Discrimination”.
I don’t know the particulars of the ED’s hiring, but I hope discrimination was not involved. I also hope that discrimination will not be a factor in the resolution of this issue.
For one, I thank the stars every day that I live in a world of differing cultures and ethnicities. Thank gawds for colour, whatever that colour may be.
http://www.motifake.com/image/demotivation…
Look, there’s idiots in all groups. This is just an example of a moron in ‘their’ group. I’m sure this or these person(s) don’t speak with any more authority of their organization any more than those hillbilly crossburners represent windsor. duh.
I’m sure it will be great fodder both online and in print
I can understand the man’s comments and I think the oppressor she represents is obvious, OP. I don’t think you can infer from his comments that he believes all white people are his oppressors. I don’t think you can even infer that he currently feels personally oppressed. I think he’s saying that in his mind he believes that the Trust would be better served by a member of his own cultural background who can more fully understand the issues related to his heritage. He said it didn’t make sense and frankly I can see why he would feel that way. I think your reaction to the man’s statement is quite overblown.
Speaking of which, doesn’t the sign entering into North Preston say “Not responsible for white people.”
well I think you’re a tool lou…
http://www.thebuzzmedia.com/wp-content/upl…
LOL “the oppressor”. Get fucked you racist twat.
Y’know, under the circs. it is a shame that a person of colour couldn’t be found to take this post…just sayin’
Well I guess they could have made Idi Amin or Robert Mugabe or any of the other black African dictator, who oppressed and killed their own, the Executive Director
It’s people like the guy OP describes in their bitch that are the reason people don’t give a shit about these issues.
He’s doing more harm than good.
And lou, you’re a fucking bloody twat.
Xeno & Lou, I agree that it would make more sense for a black person to have the position, but to use the word oppressor is offensive and racist and does not promote progress. It’d be just as bad as me referring to black people as leeches on society or something like that. It’s an offensive racial stereotype.
snoops my man, he wants to be on corrie st
I’m a tool and a twat because I can understand why it may not make sense to a black man that a white person represents his cultural interests? I don’t think so but I can understand why you might feel that way even though I disagree with you. Peace out!
It’s just that that kind of bullshit rhetoric has the ability to turn a dialogue into a monologue, real quick. And that helps nobody.
I wonder who the “oppressor” was who broke into the church and replaced the bell.
From the story I read in the paper, this person who was hired has the best credentials for the job at hand.Has a proven track record in setting up interpretation centre, has been in charge of building sites in the past…& no matter what color she is should never come into it…I’m surprised that the guy who has complained not only is she a white person…But a WOMAN as well ! ! !
What is this world coming to ?
Hiring a woman when there’s lots of men available !
~;p
If a ‘person of colour’ had been appointed because of their race, would that not have been a racist decision? Wouldn’t that make them a token?
And yes, the term “oppressor” was used to indicate whites, what are you, an apologist?
BTW – The Church/Community Center by SVP, who’s paying for it? Real question.
Lou, you’re not a tool nor “a fucking bloody twat” – you articulated your point clearly.
I think it’s pathetic to childishly throw insults at other bitchers just because you disagree with what they’re saying (PK + zzz) but I suppose this is LTWWB…
Funny, I was just going to come on and submit a BITCH about this too. Glad to see I was beaten to the punch. First off, I am white, if that matters to anyone. That man is flat out racist! What about hiring the person best suited for the job, which apparently is what happened. To me it’s people like this holding back not only blacks but every other race on Earth. It’s the Farakhans, Becks, Sharptons, Gingrichs, Gibsons of the world who tell us that there is something wrong with the other race and our relationships with them to “promote” their own foolish agendas and views. Just when we think we have moved forward a little in race relations we get these idiots throwing history back into the picture. Always wanting to make sure that somebody knows they are talking. Well sir, by the way you are presenting yourself to the city, you are coming off as being just as racist as the oppressor you speak of. Tired of this shit! Are white people not welcome in Africville? I know that I had nothing to do with your oppression as I’m too young for that. You are hurting your people more than you know sir!
“I think it’s pathetic to childishly throw insults at other bitchers just because you disagree with what they’re saying (PK + zzz) but I suppose this is LTWWB…”
I think it’s pathetic for a “human rights” advocate to make a racist statement, but hey that’s just me.
I’m with Lou also.
I believe the men’s statements should be examined within the context of the circumstances. I don’t believe that either of the men quoted were speaking from a spirit of racist hate, intolerance or superiority.
Thanks to kelifax and D-BIG.
Peace
It’s true though, Lou: people of colour/ethnicity are more comfortable seeing a familiar face in any setting.
He might not have intended it to sound that way, and might not necessarily hate white people, but it was an ignorant statement for him to make. He needs to choose his words more carefully so he doesn’t sound like a jackass in the future.
How is it ignorant? If you were Black I’m sure you’d feel the same way ‘he’ did.
I’m not arguing that he wants a black person in that position, that’s fine. Referring to white people as the “oppressor” pisses me off. You can refer to a political party, politician, police department, company, etc. but don’t refer to millions of people as “the oppressor”, “the criminals”, or “the savages”.
this is why there is so much tension between the colors and races of the earth. this is just too fucking rediculous for further words. fuck them then.
Funny to see who’s with Lou and who’s not …
Why you all can’t just own it … ffs.
Lolz
And Whites oppressed Blacks. It’s a fact. It’s easy to call it ignorance if and when you were never a member of a minority group.
Amen!
And Blacks oppress/ed Blacks. Just look at the dictatorships in Africa. Oppression is oppression no matter what race, religion, or creed is involved. To deny anyone a position due to anything other than qualifications/abilities is insane.
(I’m gonna hate myself for this)
Rock Jones is the man in question.
Once I realized who the man was, I understand why he said Oppressor.
I’ve met Mr Jones once or twice. I have friends who are friends with him. Mr Jones has fought for his people for a few decades, at least. 30 or 40 years ago, when the discrimination against blacks in Halifax was more obvious, guys like Rocky had the balls to stand up and say “we deserve more”. There was a certain language that was used, and it was meant to be pretty militant.
I believe this is where Oppressor came out of.
Here’s a man who has been speaking for (most of, if not all) his community, for longer than many if us have been alive.
OF COURSE someone should be hired based on her or his credentials.
The reality is one group was historically iwned by another group of people, and used as farm machinery. While none of us here owned or were the machinery, it’s a historical fact.
SOME PEOPLE hold a grudge. Without getting into the validity of STILL holding this grudge, I completely understand why many (if not all) in the black community would like a person from their community (and race) to represent them in something like this.
I would like to also point out, in an interview, the white woman in question admitted to being a Jew, and feeling discrimination in her lifetime, and being a Jew, her “people” have historically been treated like shit at one time or another too.
I think she, in all probability “gets it”.
Knowing some history, I can see why Rocky Jones used the word Oppressors. Rocky, to me, is a hero for all the work he’s done.
I do think the word Oppressor was too strong though I think I understand why he used it, to make a point and cause people to talk. Over 40/howevermany years he’s learned to use the media.
Flame away, but whatevs.
My 2 cenavos.
(all that typing and I forgot to add…)
I think he ‘chose his words carefully’. I believe he used the word Oppressor as a rhetorical dealie, to bring and get attention to this issue.
I wonder who actually appointed the lady in question? Was it the Oppressor (I’m making a point- cut me some effing slack here), or the Oppressed? Would it make a difference if the government chose her, or a board for this church/historic site, made up of people from the formerly oppressed group?
I actually am wondering, because I have no clue.
Meh.
This is what I get for waking up at 5:30am.
Methinks Rocky should learn to judge people not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.
Or, am I just talkin’ crazy…?I assume the lady in question was appointed to the job by a Board of Directors, some of whom were presumably non-white?
In a perfect world everyone would be hired based on qualification.
In a perfect world broccoli would have like 60million grams of cholesterol, transfats, triclycerides and everything else my Doctor hates and a 12 oz Porterhouse steak, expertly grilled with mushrooms & fried onions would have 3.
Meh, wish in one hand; wank in t’other and see which one fills fastest.
…
Listening to the piece on CBC radio this morning Rocky Jones, in my opinion, came across with some reasonable but what might be considered racist points, the person from the board, which are apparently all black, simply stated that after reviewing all the applicants the best qualified person got the job.
oh, I didn’t say why I thought you were a tool….
neither you nor kellifax should be putting words in my mouth.
that’s where food goes.
http://atexashenhouse.com/wp-content/uploa…
right donarious d-bag… I KNOW you know what I’m ‘spittin’
Daurene Lewis, chair of the Africville Heritage Trust, says they hired the best person for the job. “We required somebody with project management skills, financial management skills, plus fundraising skills and experience in all three areas,” she said.
“And of all the people who applied for the position, she was the most qualified candidate.”
– CBC Nova Scotia 16 Sep 2011
I also watched the local news last night where they spoke to Ms. Lewis and asked her the same question regarding the appointment of a white person to this position. She said that the position itself entails project management, financial management and fundraising. It does NOT entail representing Africville in an historical sense or public interpretation. In other words, the person in this position would not be telling the story of Africville nor representing the community in any other capacity other than managing the construction of the church and museum. She also went on to say that ideally, they would have liked to have hired an African-Nova Scotian for the position but none came forward. Of all the applicants, Carole Nixon, an Anglican Minister (sorry Wheelie, I don’t think she is Jewish), was THE most qualified for the position, having extensive fundraising and project management experience from 25 years as an economic development officer. They followed all common hiring practices including using an outside entity.
Based on this, IMHO, I feel you can hardly blame the Africville Heritage Trust. They had to fill a key position in order for this project to succeed and they hired the best candidate for the job. Full stop. Perhaps if Mr Jones feels so passionate about it, he should have stepped up when the call for candidates was made.
avastO = I agree 100%
Great post, Avast.
I believe I read her dad was Jewish, on the Chronicle Haggard app yesterday morning, and their family had gone through some issues when she was young.
Given all the facts(nice, Avast!), it seems reasonable to have this lady in the job.
Rocky is two things: a lawyer, and an advocate.
I think he was just speaking out sincerely, though I still think it was rhetoric.
The guy spouting off about this seems to portray himself as a racist ass, demanding that the woman be removed from her position immediately for one reason only, the fact that she’s “white”. I did t know that that was a determining factor for a job that someone is otherwise qualified for. That seems a little racist to me, and I don’t think that we should be exploring one way or the other what a “black” job or a “white” job is. It seems to me that even equality is a one way street to some people, which is unfortunately a very small minded and uneducated way of thinking.
I would also say that this woman was hand picked by the africville council, which I’m assuming is predominantly black, I have no proof of that but I am assuming it. If this fact didn’t bother the council that appointed her to the position, I believe it to be a non issue.
Fortunately Rocky is about as relevant as the Black Panther Party. Maybe the complaint should be that the new Director is going to be hidden in some back office.
the real funny fucking thing about all this oppresser shit, is that canada welcomed the slaves from the old southern plantations, when they ran away. oppresser indeed rocky, you seem to be doing one damn fine job of keeping the racial kettle boiling.
i think you need to double check everything you say, before you say it. the states were the ones to inslave the black africans, not canada, the u.s. was also the ones that started the bounty on natives scalps in the indian wars of 1800’s. the u.s. is also the blame for about 90 per cent of most wars going o at this time. it is/was their greed that fuels/fueled all this shit. would anyone in this country actually buy a slave, or go out and purposely start a battle, knowing they could never win?
and no big, the u.s was also the instigator to a lot of problems facing natives, to this very day, and the only way canada, was involved, was because they brought their hair brained ideas here. the same about england, they were kissing the u,s’ ass way back when.
If the only population or demographic that would contribute was Black, then MAYBE he had a point; he just made it in a typical “I can get away with this shit because I’m playing the race card” fuckwad manner. Unfortunately for him, this isn’t 1950, and I am sure there will be many contributions from non-Black sources.
I actually worked at a non-profit and sold stuff to non-profits all across the spectrum. The only thing an ED needs to know is WHERE IS THE MONEY AND HOW DO I GET IT HERE. They give instant credibility to a organization that may be relegated to a much lower recognition. If Rocky wants a 2nd-rate ED, or 3rd, whatever, then he can have his wish. Then 6 months later he’d be wailing about how little money they raised so “why doesn’t HRM kick in a few more $$Mill?”.
I know I will get allot of neative feed back fom this comment, but then again, I don’t really care. So here it is.
This man in question is using the word “oppressor” meaning the white man. Well I think the “oppressor” (the white man) should refuse any funding for this project. If we (the white man) are the “oppressors” no more money. You don’t like it, don’t take it. Backwards pregression.
“And Whites oppressed Blacks. It’s a fact. It’s easy to call it ignorance if and when you were never a member of a minority group.”
Egyptians owned slaves, black Africans sold their fellow blacks as slaves, women (including whites) are kept as sexual slaves in every city, Indian caste system, etc. Every race is guilty of racism and inhumane crimes in case you didn’t know, sometimes against their own people. Being a minority doesn’t justify turning around and treating other people like shit and acting like someone is somehow responsible for a past injustice committed by different people. Feel free to prove that I’m guilty of slavery as an early 20’s white male.
Oh, and as an atheist I am a minority in many places and people love to make assumptions about me. “when did you turn evil?” “so you want to ban christmas?” “you probably worship satan”. YES people have said that to me and I don’t treat people like shit for being religious in response. I’m completely fine co-existing and being friends with religious people.
Oh who fucking cares. NEXT!
REFLECTIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE MIND: THE DEBILITATING SEPARATION OF SUBSTANCE AND PROCESS
“We required somebody with project management skills, plus fundraising skills and experience in all three areas.” (Daurene Lewis, Chair “The Africville Heritage Trust”.)
Other than Lewis’ deficient counting skills, she is clearly an embodiment of the “administrative mind.” Having selected Carole Nixon, a white female Anglican minister to run the Africville fundraising drive on the basis of her administrative skills as opposed to a black person who may have been less “skilled” in these matters, Lewis clearly shows that the main issue is not racism, oppression, or any variant thereof but rather the ascencancy of the administrative mind in modern society. But what is the “administrative mind?”
The central characteristic of the administrative mind is “process.” (Philosophically speaking, it is called “proceduralism.”) The administrative mind is governed by the market principle of efficiency, the maximization of benefit and the minimization of loss, however defined. The content of the process is irrelevant to the administrative mind. In the present case such benefit is defined as the maximization of money obtained by fundraising, but it doesn’t matter. It could be anything. It could be profitable pig farming or, at the extreme end of the scale, Adolf Eichmann’s remarkable administrative skills displayed in regulating the train traffic to Treblinka. But, then, what is the “substance” in the present case?
The substance in the present case is the cultural identity of Africville. For Rocky Jones, identity trumps process. He is talking about values, tradition and identity. For him, that is what the Heritage Trust is all about. For the administrative mind, by contrast, values, tradition and identity are “empty concepts.” If anything, they get in the way of the efficient exercise of the relevant “skills.” For Rocky Jones, however, it is precisely that efficient exercise of the relevant “skills” which drains values, tradition and identity of any meaning. The administrative mind, presently assuming world-wide proportions as a result of the forces of globalization, is in effect a cultural anodyne, rendering human beings little more than “skill bearers” in content-free celebration of process at the expense of substance.
Don’t worry about racism, reverse racism, oppression and all the rest. The ascendancy of the administrative mind is what this bitch is ultimately all about.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Now he’s calling for her to be fired. With his inflammatory rhetoric and obstructionist politics, it appears that Burnleigh is now a born-again Teabagger.
I heard that too Ivan. It would appear that Mr. Jones places more value in the colour of a prospective candidate’s skin than actually possessing the necessary qualifications to do the job. If this were a case of Mr. Jones getting passed over for the job and crying sour grapes, then I could understand where this attitude is coming from. But, neither he, nor ANY OTHER AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN APPLIED, so, he just comes off sounding like he’s hell bent and determined to turn this into some sort of a racial scandal, where none exists. The best person got hired for the job so for the love of God, let them get on with it.
RSPs
: Scrotum (Sept. 19, 10:10AM) – I think we have yet another example of the “Administrative Mind” here, labelling Rocky Jones defense of the traditional values and identity of Africville as little more than as “little more than inflamatory rhetoric and obstructionist politics.” Now THAT’s being inflamatory and obstructionist Scrotum and, of all things, in favour of the “Administrative Mind.” Sad, very sad.
: Avasto (10:23AM) – Here’s another classic. “It would appear that Mr. Jones places more value in(sic) the colour of a prospective candidate’s skin than actually possessing the necessary qualifications for the job.”
Didn’t I say that, for the “Administrative Mind,” values, culture and identity are “empty concepts?” Sadly Avasto reduces all of them to skin colour. Who’s the REAL RACIST here? Have another contest. Go Rocky!
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1264522…
http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/changingaging/ch…
You guys fill in the stock 1980’s catchphrase
“Ms Carole Nixon, fired by the Africville Heritage Trust without disclosure as to the reasons why….hmmmm….How conveeeeeeenient. Who could be behind such a thing?….Who could have caused poor Ms Nixon to be fired before ever really starting the job?….Who could be behind all this hiring kerfuffle?…..Well, I don’t know who it could be?….I’m just not sure…….Oh, I just don’t know……could it beeeeee…….SATIN….er….SATAN??!!”
personal reasons of a confidential nature…
and a past of potential fiscal inconsistencies…
I remember what happened with the fire dudes so I’m not going to say much other than…
ridiculous. just literal shock and awe.
Nobody comes out of this looking very good, do they.
Burnley gets his way, but for the wrong reason.
The Trust wind up looking like deceitful cowards and/or incompetents for not doing a proper vetting job in the first place.
And then there’s the accuracy of the allegations. I wonder just who did the digging for the anonymous brown manila envelope.
Shabby all around.
“It’s easy to call it ignorance if and when you were never a member of a minority group.”
– Posted by Donairious BIG on September 15, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Like homosexuals?