oprah has been running this series of awareness for domestic violence on her show for quite a while now; the current story involves this lady (who looks white but is actually mixed) who has been verbally abused by her husband from the very first day of their relationship, it gradually escalated into physical violence and even involved having her children ridicule her and being brainwashed by their father to put their mother down. one of the incidents actually included having the son videotape the abuse and participate in the abuse.
and people accuse oprah on her messageboards of racism. simpy because it shows a black man abusing a white woman.
i understand racism is still a very sensitive issue, and that, it essentially is wrong to discriminate or form judgments based on skin colour. but racism isnt the only issue in the world thats of pertinence; issues like domestic violence is as of equal importance. by focusing on the racism issue really takes the focus off what oprah has been trying to emphasise through her shows - that there are women out there who are in an abusive relationship and that they need a way out, a plan, to get out and live a life without fear of their husband's crazy whims.
but is there such a thing as trying too hard to make racism disappear?
from CNA, "Halimah Yacob, MP for Jurong GRC, said: "For instance, when I attend residents' wakes, I make sure I bring other races as well, so in Chinese wakes, there'll be Malays and Indians. In that way, we break the barriers. "
im not sure what this helps in breaking the barrier. bringing other races to wakes as an educational trip seems to belittle the sombreity of the wake. i understand her point- that we should have an inclusive programme, but i dont know. that statement doesnt seem to resonate with me.
of course there is always such a thing as striking a balance, which i think is quite hard to do. if you over address the issue it highlights the issue even more; leaving it in the dark sends signals of condoning the issue.
true, london deals with this issue by being indifferent. in many ways i guess being in london, and lse makes it easier for me (chinatown is so near;) i guess settling for indifference is always better than outright confrontation. as Avenue Q says, 'Everybody's a little bit racist!'
1 comment:
Wow I don't get her point. I mean if she's an MP, what's wrong with just going without any agenda? But on the other hand, perhaps because she's wearing the tudung, she feels a bit conscious that people will not see through her ethnic and religious identity.
I think people will always focus on things that touch them more personally and sensitively. Of course, it doesn't help in tackling the prioritized issue at hand. On the other hand, these people are defensive of themselves and will try every way to bring the discussion to a different direction.
People just don't know how to confront with the issue. However, Oprah is black and she was brave enough to broach the topic, and she would have thought abt the consequences before putting that footage up. She may be sending across a message, but we are never that sure. Perhaps, that's why the audience is reacting that way. Because they feel as if they have been targeted.
Anyway, what a long comment. Haha i MISS YOU! and yes, don't worry, preparations are still in planning stage. We have yet to settle any dates but with God's will, I pray it will happen. :) Love you gal!
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