Don’t let me EVER hear you use that word!
While I’m at it, the R word isn’t any better: Racism. I can’t even write the N word, it is so abominable.
In Friday’s IHT, mama read me the words of Jesmyn Ward, whose great-great-grandfather was killed by white men in Mississippi, whose grandmother had to hide under blankets when her father (who looked white and drove the car) took the kids through a Klan area of their town, whose mother was ignored completely as a black student in the ’50s, or was spoken to “like dogs.”
Mama is from Texas. In her family, black people were referred to as ‘colored’ and the N word was not allowed. Ever. But she remembers one of her grandmothers using it, and the memory is painful and shameful, she says. “We were all so ignorant,” she says. Not any more.
I’ve mentioned this before and probably will again: black cats are feared, associated with superstition, bad luck. They are cause for changing your course. “Turn around! That black cat crossed our path!” The color black has always been loaded with prejudice, irrational meaning, fear.
On this same morning, papa read me about Oprah Winfrey shopping in Zurich, and when she asked about a handbag in the window, the salesperson said, “Oh, you can’t afford that one!”
Oprah Winfrey, who is starring in a new film called “The Butler” about a man who worked at the White House through seven presidents. What a film this will be, and I hope I can be smuggled in. I won’t make a peep.
Oprah Winfrey, who is worth over two billion dollars and has done more good in the world than can be calculated.
Papa said, “Oprah should have said to that salesgirl—’honey, I just bought your store, and guess what? You’re fired.'”
Prejudice. Racism.
They say that all cats look alike in the dark. It’s time they looked alike in the light.
Loulou, this is such an excellent post. We love Carol & Quinn’s comment too.
Our ape became like a sailor on shore leave, the air became blue when she heard the story about Oprah and the handbag.
The stupidity of apes with their ridiculous prejudice against certain colours makes us wonder how they manage to survive at all, yet alone dominate this poor old planet of ours. That they plaster their bigotry onto we animals too is beyond madness.
Your Papa and the Oprah’s of this world are good apes, we need more like ’em.
Gerry (black)
Mungo (quite black with white bits)
The Ape (a ghastly sort of pale mottle that goes red in the sun with secret ginger genes)
xx
Maybe I’ll start a mew show, like Oprah!!! Will you be my first guests, G and M?
Well, I know it’s weird, but redheads and ginger genes are supposed to be magical. Watch out, kitties! That ape has powers you haven’t dreamed of….
Your Papa is a very wise and intelligent man!
I am a very proud black and white kitty. And Angel Sasha was all black. And, I hear, very cuddly.
Oprah is one of Mommy’s heroes. And no, Mommy is not black. Just almost as wise and intelligent as your Papa. Oprah is a very good role model for all girls. And boys. Mommy can’t wait to see the movie. But she’ll have to wait for awhile. She doesn’t go to movie theaters. They are too expensive for her.
Thank you for your kind words about papa. He is a special man, it’s true. And I’m sorry I can’t take you to the movies, but with those wonderful kitties around your house, who needs movies?
Love from Loulou