So…since I’m in one of those modes/moods this week…lemme go ahead and state an annoyance or few.
I think I have a pretty good sense of humor…I like to laugh at myself. Actually I do it alot because I do silly things…some with the intent of making people comfortable around me, but then again, I make many mistakes out of complete ignorance too. Sometimes when people make fun of me and it’s at the expense of my culture, my peeps…then the joke isn’t very funny and the person ends up looking like a joker instead.
Since, this is my blog and you are visiting me and I’m assuming you are my friend and you would never be one of these people, let me take the liberty to say that it is NOT funny when people feel the need to speak to my relatives or to me with a fake “Indian” accent. I assure you…we do not think it is clever and we do not think folks are trying to relate to us when they talk using that stupid accent. It makes us sound like idiots and sounding like an idiot isn’t a compliment in my book.
Another note…it is not funny to describe us “Indians” as either…”dot” or “feather.” Instead, it shows some ignorance on the part of the speaker. Sad that we need to broken down into simple word pictures for simple minds, but if that is necessary, then maybe we should come up with word pictures for all people groups, no?
I will agree that I might have laughed at/with the offenders of these acts of ignorance, but it really is because I try not to be a mean person, (too much). In my head, the ignorant offender, not innocent offender is a joke instead of actually being funny.
Okay, that’s all, just pass that on to people you know that might not be as smart and funny as you are!
Do people really do that? I’m pretty dumb and I’m constantly putting my foot in my mouth saying things I shouldn’t, but now that’s horrible!
I have an uncle who involuntarily copies people’s accents when talking to them. He’s a chiropractor and he does it to his patients, but he swears he doesn’t know he’s doing it. Like an older black woman will come in, and suddenly he talks just like Samuel L. Jackson. I think subconsciously he’s trying to be empathetic.
Amber, you always make me laugh! Yeah, it happens more often than you can imagine. I understand the empathy and sometimes we can’t help talking like people around us…I get that, but it’s when it is goes beyond that into the obvious and intentional mode of feigning the accent that it disturbs me.
I was in a board meeting with an Irishman last week in Seattle…and caught myself twice starting to sound like him! Ugh!
Not as a joke, obviously, but referring to what Amber was writing about.
Can’t believe someone would actually do that to you or your relatives. Wow.
“It’s a small-minded world.”
(You’re not allowed to use that, I’m going to write a book titled that someday!”
Thank you!
I’ve never found the accent funny. It’s always come across as demeaning, whether intentional or not.
I don’t find the “dots not feathers” joke funny either, but that’s because at this point it’s just unoriginal
Very nice post, I like your blog because it feels real one!
there is no problem of laughing for some time
ignorance is never funny. i think in ppl’s ignorance they try to find something comedic in something different, and the translation is often times poor.
good for you for taking the higher road and not getting mad to their face!
So very true, Kris. I know exactly what you’re talking about. It infuriates me too.