Alan Howe of The Australian – helped me see why they
don’t see - new rexism.
What do you call that super toxic blend when racism
is tangled with sexism and nestled in the wire wool cocoon of free expression,
vigorously defended by privileged white men? It ought to be called ‘Rexism’ but there was a
fascist party in Belgium in the 1930s called Parti Rexiste. I’ll use it anyhow
as the word works so well on so many levels.
Rexism – is so much more than the sum of its parts as the Serena
Williams cartoon and the reactions to it attest.
In the UK privileged white men reliably roll out to
support our racist ex foreign secretary Boris Johnson every time he is racist (see
two posts back). Many (usually older) privileged white men don’t seem to get
that their views may just be informed by never ever having experienced the
sorts of vile behaviour which go with not being white or male or privileged (or
in positions of privilege). And when you synthesise sexism and racism the
results are diabolical.
I recently wrote a two line letter concerning that
racist/sexist cartoon of Serena Williams. Very surprisingly there was a
bounce-back personal email response from Alan Howe of The Australian broadly
informing me that racism is in the eye of the beholder…
What struck me was that he seemed to have no idea
that his own perspective might have something to do with being a white male in
a privileged and relatively powerful position. And – as if that point needed
underlining – The Jamaica Observer published the concise letter http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/serena-cartoon-also-sexist_144108?profile=1326&template=MobileArticle
Their editor did not feel the need to contact me to
tell me how/when to think.
This is all of our brief exchange -
Alan Howe - responding to the letter - 12th Sept 2018
It [the cartoon] is neither sexist nor racist. Only
someone looking earnestly to be offended by something - anything - might come
to such a conclusion. I am a migrant to Australia myself and like millions of
others I have found it only to be a land of tolerance and acceptance. It's
probably why so many people of so many colours and creeds - uncountable
millions of them - wish to live here.
Me
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your interesting response.
I doubt the Aborigines would agree with your take
but we are not talking about the whole of Australia but a cartoon aimed at
someone who is a sports star at a very high level. It was clearly drawn because
it would draw as much attention to the cartoonist as the subject and it makes
clear play of both the female and black stereotype.
If you can find an equivalent of a white male sports
star at equivalent level after one major bust up I'd like to see it.
Alan Howe
“One major bust up”? No, her bullying follows the
pattern, perhaps of a lifetime. Her cheating is conceded. Her unpleasantness
obvious. Her skills undeniable. The same cartoonist lethally dealt with Nick
Kyrgios’s shortcomings days before, his exaggerated Greek features raising no
offence anywhere on the planet. Think about it.
Me
Dear Alan
I get that you are a white man and I am a black
woman but I don't need to be told when to think about it...
My suggestion was a person of similar rank so - not
NK and also - perhaps you could read around the subject of racism and misogyny
- the weight of the problem depends on the history behind the bigotry. I'm not
suggesting that some Greeks haven't had it rough (Odysseus) but come on...
Alan Howe
I founded Australia’s Immigration Museum. Next time
you are in Australia you should visit it. Every country gets stuff wrong, very
few get it so right. The museum is our evidence- and it is emphatic.
Me
ER - congrats - but I think you just descended into
'some of my best friends are black' territory.
AnyHOWE this was fun but now I have to go
downstairs and visit my 92 year old neighbour Betty for some good political
debate.
G'day mate
Alan Howe
No one I know qualifies nor quantifies their
friendships by colour or creed. It is not an Australian thing. Not that I am
Australian. I wish Betty well.
I’m sure Mr. Howe is a nice, if somewhat pompous sounding
bloke – even if he is far from ‘woke’. However, even if you take a simple
statement like ‘cheating accepted’ – the opposite is actually true. Serena
Williams has been tested more than any other tennis star to the point where
many regard that as racist.
The Serena Williams cartoon is absolutely rexist. I
did email my own doodle (see above). Alan Howe did not respond or comment…
Q. Why do many privileged white men not see rexism?
A. Words 4, 5 and 6 of that last sentence.
*
Try – blog 165. The Penisic Era or 187. British
Boarding Schools Breed Posh Psychopaths.
*
Remember to – check out my books; adult novels, dystopian
sci fi novella, environmental poetry story, adventure trilogy for young readers,
little reader’s picture story book and my sortofautobiography – here - https://plus.google.com/collection/UNSKRE