The photo followed two responses: #1 - nathoisking [tumblr user]: this is racist as a muhfucka & #2 - vaginafor1000alex [tumblr user]: "this was the dumbest debate ever. i dont think they meant for this to be racist. they’re telling you to buy their shaving cream and stop looking like a damn cave man." If the 2nd response didn't piss me the fuck off, then I don't believe anything could. You can imagine I was pissed. Not because of what she said but because of her lack of knowledge of the tactics and uses of propaganda in the media. I quickly hopped on the response and replied as follows:
---> The people who run "The Industry" knew EXACTLY what they were doing when they made this propaganda. To say this isn't racist only implies that the white man has clearly succeeded in brainwashing you to think in the desired manner that he wants you to [and your parents for not educating you on the subject....don't worry, I'm not coming at you, my parents are the same way, to my knowledge. If they were aware, they never educated me on a subject as critical as this type of propaganda]. Nevertheless, saying that a man with an afro and beard is "uncivilized" [or looks like a caveman, as you so bluntly put] is implying that in order to be civilized, he/she must appear a certain way to the human eye. And that is DEAD WRONG in most cases, such as this one. Was it civilized for the people, who founded America, to go to different parts of the world to discover "new tecnologies" [ones that they were not yet aware of] then rape and kill the majority of the societies that were THRIVING there so that they would have to depend on the Americans for resources to rebuild [Aztecs, Asians, Africans, and even HERE in America with the Native Americans]?? They did this because they wanted to be on top and ahead of "the game" [CAPITALIZATION]. Yet you want to sit there and say that just because you don't shave your beard, it makes you look like a caveman. These people are going to the EXTREMES to push a product; yet another tactic to make African Americans hate themselves for the way they look. The answer is STARING you in the face. Being civilized is the way in which you portray yourself through your actions [BEHAVIOR] from one person to another, not how you keep your hair. So YES, this is Racist/Racism! They portray this image of success, as if we cannot be successful with the "afro & beard" look. Just look at brother Cornel West!
This man is an American philosopher, author, critic, actor, civil rights activist and prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America. West is a 1973 graduate of Harvard University and a doctoral graduate of Princeton University. [In case you're over there scratching your head].
READ some history sista. No I'm not mad at you. I'm mad the fact that you could let yourself reply to this post so quickly and adamantly, as if you knew for a fact EXACTLY what the motives behind this propaganda were. They don't have me fooled for one second [coming from a brotha who rocks an afro].
YES it is used for sales, which is good for THEIR business, but it's also used to once again dehumanize people with this style of hair [YES IT IS A STYLE]. Look at what Andre 3000 did in his commercial for Gillette. I know you've seen it. If not, look it up on Youtube. There was nothing racist about his commercial, because he would have NEVER said some shit like "re-civilize yourself". He simply offered a product that allows you to make your own style.
Putting the phrase "re-civilize yourself" DID NOT need to be put on this picture, is my point in all of this. That's what makes it RACIST, & the fact that they are also perpetuating stereotypes, because of the deep thought process and meaning that goes into these types of productions. Clearly this isn't only happening against Black people. But to all other races who are not white. The only time it's happening when it's towards white people is when ANY other race does it. I'm not some conspiracy theorist. I just put the facts out and try to liberate some of my own people, including others in other racial groups, from blatant ignorance.
Like I told the young woman, I'm not upset with the industry for publishing this, I'm upset at the fact that our people have come to a point in our lives, of the generation I live in, when the majority of the people are brainwashed into being comfortable with the blatant racism taking place. You don't think it's racism? I would love to hear your point of view.
--'Till next time, stay strong brothas & sistas. One Love.
