The Official K Chronicles and (Th)ink Website

Hi Keith -Got back from Mass. Sunday. It was snowing!! I like Boston, but I remember how long the winters are.

I just finished Your big book of Cartoons–They are great. We have a lot in common- both have B+ blood (as is my wife who was born in the Philippines)
Mass Natives who moved away, and both love Spike Lee. I have seen every movie he has ever made. I attended the 20th anniversary of “Do the Right Thing” got a pic with him and pizza box of Sal’s Pizzeria. I watched it again with my 15yr. old daughter. It’s a little dated in music and styles, but many of the issues are the same.

As a Baptist white male in the South I am stereotyped as Republican so I probably hear a lot more racist comments than normal. It took me a long time to figure out what to say when I hear stupid racist comments. Years ago my wife’s bosses wife said “Your not sending your kids to public school with those kids are you?” Calling her out on her racist comment was too uncomfortable (and possibly affecting my wife’s work situation) so I said something harmless like
“We feel the schools are good schools and we appreciate the diversity they offer” but I left feeling ashamed , stupid, and gutless. But my wife and I finally figured out how to respond as a white person to racist comments from other whites.

Now I always respond with “What do you mean?” -It puts their comments back on them, and makes them feel ashamed and stupid– not me.
Watching a college Basketball game when an idiot says to me “They sure stole the game from us didn’t they?” I said ” What do you mean?”
“you know……” “No I don’t explain it to me.” The Guy said ” Oh Jesus- never mind” I knew exactly what he ment, but the point was HE WENT AWAY FEELING STUPID AND ASHAMED— NOT ME.

It also works with Gay bashers. The weekend you came to town. I remember being in line for some food with a woman who mad a comment about Decatur being “Dick Hater” GA . (We have a lot of lesbians in our town) I asked her the “What do you mean?” She said ” You know its not natural-it says so in the Bible.” I said ” I’ve read the bible and I know the next line in leviticus after “thou shall not sleep with another man.” is “thou shall not eat pork. Are you going to take a way my pork too?” She said something to the effect “That’s not the same.” and stopped talking to me -Thank God.

Anyway my point is the best way for white people to fight racist/sexist /homophobic comments is to say to the offender “What do you mean”, and make them feel stupid and ashamed. Can you write a cartoon about it to educate folks?

Sorry to rant on but it’s been bugging me a while. Ignore it if you wish.

All the best,

B. Decatur, Ga.

(exxxxx-cellent!!-kk)