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October 19, 2006
UNITY IN DISCRIMINATION
Since the newspapers I write to don't want to publish my brilliant views and opinions, I'll reprint them here-with my own permission thank you very much.
This article is in response to an article AM New York published about Ali G's character Borat-who-in my humble opinion, happens to be one of the best characters he's ever created.
I am writing this letter in response to Monday October 2nd's piece on Sasha Cohen's character Borat. While I agree with the ADL's sentiment, I wish there was a peice in the AM news fom African American or Civil Rights groups about Sasha Cohen's "Ali-G" character, who donned a doo-rag, spoke in "hip-hop vernacular" and asked ignorant questions of top US officials, professionals and dignitaries unaware of his true identity. Once, he interviewed my beloved Andy Rooney and his questions were so outrageous, his grammar and usage so poor that it led Mr. Rooney to storm out of the " interview." Rooney was insulted, and rightly so- it seemed that someone who did not have an appropriate understanding or usage of the English language should not be interviewing someone like Andy Rooney who takes journalism seriously.
As an African American I was offended a) because Andy Rooney left the interview unaware that it was a joke, and b) there are people in the world ignorant enough to believe that this is how Black people act and they are left with a negative and false impression of Black people. If ignorance affects one group, it affects us all- we are all responsible for expelling ignorance whenever or wherever we find it.
Posted by renee at October 19, 2006 12:53 PM
Comments
Just a quick suggestion - one I'm sure you've probably already thought of. Forward this Ali G blog to your dear Mr. Rooney. It poses an interesting question re: Rooney's outlook on the acceptance of the "eBonic" subculture as a sign of society (especially North American) giving up on proper education, language, morality. Hell just giving up all together. Kind of like your "count to three and walk away" reference. We as a society have been counting to 3 and walking away from way too much all in the name of political harmony while still undermining entire civilizations for oil, money, land, etc. etc.
Posted by: Anthony at December 13, 2006 9:01 AM