prejudice Archives - TalkAfrique

April 18, 2014April 18, 2014

Why is it Incorrect to be Politically Correct?

By William Manful

Time changes so do people. Maybe people change that’s why time changes or is it the other way round time rather changes people. Either way the world clearly isn’t the way it was. Consciousness of cultural sensibilities and fear of distressing groups emotionally means that one couches comments or views with care and utmost discretion. Satirists are now having a nightmare, struggling to balance the politically correct with that which is considered or regarded as humorous and funny.

When and how did we become so sensitive? The even bigger question is, is it healthy for society to be so self aware? What will this all mean to freedom of expression which is a cardinal feature of democratic governance? The paradox I see is that the quest to frame society along the lines of tolerance and understanding is becoming a premise for intolerance and discrimination. Views and opinions are now suppressed and stocked underneath diplomatic vocabulary that belie how people are truly feeling. Sentiments are repressed just so that conservatives can fit in, or score political points or appear more modern, trendy, educated, erudite and civilized. Marginalizing a group makes us seem archaic accepting same group accentuates a modern mindset. Meanwhile the anonymity of the internet affords users the chance to be truthful, exhibiting mean comments that emphasize hate, racism, prejudice and ignorance. The vitriol that has been veiled by the veneer of political correctness is unleashed with limitless ferocity demonstrating a backwardness that makes the post modern man look like a caveman. If political correctness is an attempt to enhance the notion of civility amongst men then clearly it is not working.

The world now exists in two as it always has anyway. It is just that the duality has taken a new form; the extreme conservative or the ultra liberal. There is no room for a middle ground. You are one or the other as we continue to develop the penchant to demonize dissent and or disagreement. Is democracy serving us well or is democracy finally proving to be a contradiction in terms? An illusory concept that can never be what it purports to be unless it is wrapped in propaganda.

There is now the risk of building tension by fostering the tenets for freedom which increasingly show that inherent to the democratic political credo are facets of tyranny. The majority may carry the vote but what will that mean to the minority? Conversely the minority may be protected but how is it a democracy when the will of the masses is no longer sacrosanct.

The insanity of modernity is trying to please everyone at once which can only guarantee the outcome of leaving us all dissatisfied for the simple reason that political correctness is a call on humanity to go against its nature. We are better off acknowledging what we truly are by trying to find a balance between the two extremes of correctness. After all the concept of cultural acceptance and propriety are predicated on relativism. The absolute is beyond our range and will forever remain within the province of God.

February 20, 2011January 3, 2013

HIV: When They Need it Most, Just Embrace, Do Not Reject

By K. Amponsah-Manager

In an earlier article, I told you a story with the title “I Was Shocked When I Was Told I Have HIV”. Please remember to read that if you missed it.

HIV and Stigma:

We have lived with HIV for nearly 30 years, ever since the illness first came to light in the early 1980s, but the cultural attitudes that drive most of the stereotypes do not seem to be going any where. Globally, it estimated that 7,400 people are infected every day with HIV, a significant proportion of this in Africa.

Stigmatization of HIV rooted in cultural and religious attitudes is perhaps sending as many people to their graves as the condition itself.

Stigmatization may be defined as severe social disapproval of personal characteristics or beliefs that are perceived to be against cultural norms. With regard to HIV stigma is portrayed in prejudice, negative attitudes, abuse and maltreatment directed at people living with HIV and AIDS. In some cases, people with HIV are ostracized by direct family members and the wider community. Even healthcare and education facilities may discriminate in offering service to such people.

Causes of HIV Stigma:

The causes for these established stigmas are widespread ranging from religious and cultural beliefs and expectations and mere misinformation. Personally, the first time I heard about HIV was around 1986 and it was in a church. The Ministry of Health had sent out a team of nurses and Para-medics to tour rural communities in Ghana to educate them on the newcomer HIV. In fact Churches and Mosques were the easiest and cheapest places to get the message across. I was young then, but looking back I am embarrassed by how much misinformation we were fed. And I do not blame the messengers for what they told us. In fact, the world knew very little at that time. Since then much has been learnt about what is and what is not about HIV and AIDS. Some societies have moved quickly in using the available information to undo some of the damage done by the earlier misinformation; other societies are yet to begin the process. This is true of several African communities.

It is sad to say that some communities in Africa still hold the belief that shaking hands, drinking from a cup or eating from a bowl that has been used by a person with HIV, and in extreme cases using a chair previously used by an HIV carrier, will all result in contracting the virus. Again, HIV is normally associated with behaviors that are shunned by society. These include prostitution, drugs, homosexuality, and infidelity. In fact, in some communities, HIV, prostitution and promiscuity are synonyms. HIV was first identified in young gay men in New York and this is always used to tie the illness to the practice of homosexuality. When viewed from the religious perspective, the stigma is even justified since HIV is seen as a punishment for deviant behaviors.

Unfortunately, stigmatization hurts all of us: the patient, the family, and the community as a whole. Early detection is vital to managing the HIV condition but fear of stigmatization makes it difficult for people to go for check up and testing services even when there is reason to believe that something may not be right. The fear of stigmatization holds 1000s of people from accessing care even when it is available to them for free. A sizable proportion of our natural resources is spent in HIV treatment and campaign. We expect to move forward but stigmas and myths continue to be impediment.

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon once said

“Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world.” I couldn’t agree with him any more.

HIV stigma is not a problem with developing nation alone. Even in a developed world such as the US, stigma associated with HIV prevails. HIV is a new disease compared to malaria, TB, and syphilis but at it is least 25 years old. It is about time that we work our way out of the stigmas associated with the condition and help ourselves, our families and society.

The person living with the HIV virus is a sister, brother, father, mother, teacher and an entertainer. He or she is not just the ‘HIV Patient’. What a different it would make if it was that easy to accept that.

Thanks for reading.

[ad#Amazon_468x60]

January 28, 2011

From Negro History Week to Black History Month

by Louise Fenner

Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves in Virginia, realized that the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent were being ignored or misrepresented. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which supports historical research, publishes a scholarly journal and sets the theme for Black History Month each year.

Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles — slavery, prejudice, poverty — as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, African Americans make up about 14 percent of the U.S. population and comprise the second-largest minority group, after Hispanics.

In 2009, the inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s first African-American president, lent Black History Month a special significance. Obama took the oath of office January 20, the day after Americans honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday and national day of service.

In his inaugural address, Obama acknowledged the historical importance of a moment in which “a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”

Honoring accomplishments of Black-Americans

Black History Month was the inspiration of Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar and historian, who instituted Negro History Week in 1926. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Woodson, the son of former slaves in Virginia, realized that the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent were being ignored or misrepresented. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which supports historical research, publishes a scholarly journal and sets the theme for Black History Month each year.

John Fleming, ASALH president from 2007 to 2009 and director emeritus of the Cincinnati Museum Center, said Obama’s heritage — a black father born in Kenya and a white mother born in the United States — “continues to reflect the contributions Africans and Europeans have made to American history from the very beginning.”

Fleming said he believes Black History Month should focus on positive as well as negative aspects of the black experience. “Certainly, struggle has been an ongoing theme in our history from the very beginning. However, we were not slaves prior to being captured in Africa — and while slavery was part of our experience for 250 years, we have a hundred-and-some years in freedom that we also need to deal with.”

He said he has seen “substantial progress on many fronts,” but “at the same time there are still major problems that have to be addressed, one being the permanent underclass in urban areas now. We don’t seem to be able to break that cycle of poverty. And there are still some major rural pockets of poverty” such as in the Mississippi Delta.

“I’m glad to see the National African American Museum being developed on the Mall, which will tell a much broader story,” said Fleming. In 2003, President George W. Bush signed legislation to establish the new museum, which will be located on the National Mall near the Washington Monument. Although the new museum has not yet been built, it launched a photo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery late in 2007 that is traveling to museums around the country through 2011.

“I think that African-American history gets more attention during February than during any other time of year, “ Fleming said, “and I think it’s an opportunity for us in the field to emphasize that it is something that should be studied throughout the year.”

Each year, the U.S. president honors Black History Month, or African-American History Month as it is also called, with a proclamation and a celebration at the White House. States and cities hold their own events around the country, and media feature topics related to black history.

ASALH has its headquarters in Washington, where Woodson lived from 1915 until his death in 1950. His home is designated a national historic site.

October 25, 2010April 16, 2011

Does Civil Rights Equal the Right to Be Scared of Other People?

If like most minorities, you are wrestling with uncomfortable stereotypes, prejudice and bigotry, someone who was once a civil rights activist is making the fight appear fruitless. It is said that if you live in glass house, do not be the first to throw a stone. Juan Williams, a long time respected NPR analyst did not take this with any seriousness. Juan Williams works for both NPR and FOX News. NPR is a public radio station which is listener-supported and has a history of being fair, balanced and accurate. FOX News, in most cases, cannot be described with same adjectives. They want it raw, red-hot and spicy.

Jesus once said it is very difficult to serve two masters and please both equally (especially when the two masters are so opposite as in the case of NPR and FOX News). Mr. Williams gets a pay check from both NPR and FOX. It would perhaps have been manageable if Juan provides commentary for Fox anchor like Shepherd Smith, which I personally like for his fairness, comparatively. Unfortunately, Mr. Williams fell in love with Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, 8 and 9 pm anchors respectively, who are known for making highly outrageous comments.

O’Reilly himself made one of such comments about a week ago on the ABC program The VIEW. He indiscriminately said Muslims killed Americans on September 11, 2001.

O’Reilly, being smart and looking for someone to hold his hand, was able to trick Juan Williams to make a statement that is very uncharacteristic of Juan. This is what he said to O’Reilly

“Look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”

[youtube]V0BSDLuIXZc[/youtube]

Brother, did you just say that? This is not the most outrageous comment ever. It shoud not however be coming from someone who could have been the subject of such stereotypes.

On Wednesday night NPR release the statement. J. Williams “remarks on The O’Reilly Factor this past Monday were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR”. He is fired.

It is fair that people will have the same feeling Juan Williams expressed in the above quote, looking back at September 11, 2001 and other episodes. On the other hand, no one will expect such a seasoned journalist to just say it out so bluntly. Imagine someone say “when I’m walking alone and meet a black guy in jeans and sleeveless, I feel very uncomfortable, I feel nervous”. How would you feel, Juan? This is not an arbitrary example. I’ve heard the exact statement before. I guess some of you have similar stories.

First of all, Mr. Williams has written a number of books on civil rights. Juan of course, is an African American who has spoken out against discrimination and bigotry in any form. Why would he just forget all that and just focus on pleasing his anchor and audience for his bi-weekly check?

Dr. King’s ‘Dream’ is still a long way from fulfillment, but such comments by individuals who also describe themselves as comrades on the battlefield makes the war appear to be a lose-lose effort.

Fear of Muslims or islamophobia is on the rise in the US and parts of the world and it is a tool used by some religious groups and politicians to rally their base.