I, too, was appalled when I read the CBC News article online this morning: Racist graffiti ‘appals’ professor.
“It looked like kind of squiggles,” said Jaya, who was born in India.
“So then I went over to the front and looked at it directly … and it was spray-painted in black, the N-word, the word nigger. It just seemed totally shocking and appalling.”
C’mon folks! This kind of incident is NOT what we need plastered all over the papers and internet. I am angered that this kind of hatred exists in my home province. We are all normally proud of our reputation of being friendly, welcoming and fun-loving. THAT’S what we’re all about.
You Newfoundlanders out there… I hope you are as outraged as I am . This kind of thing shouldn’t happen. This is not who we are.
You non-Newfoundlanders out there… please don’t judge us based on these morons who are so ignorant they can’t even get our ignorant racial slurs correct.
ChrisO
July 7, 2006 at 11:32 am
if they hadn’t specified what “the N word” was, i would have assumed newfie!
Steve
July 7, 2006 at 12:46 pm
I can’t BELIEVE you actually spelled the “N**fie” word out!
You are a daring man!
John Mutford
July 9, 2006 at 11:46 pm
Re: “THAT’S what we’re all about.”
Yes it’s true, if we’re going to be generalized about at all I’d rather it be for our “welcoming” nature rather than racism. However, anyone who buys into stereotypes anyway (good or bad) probably isn’t worth the concern. Generally everbody (not just Newfoundlanders) are good people- the second some moron makes a racist slur isn’t reason enough to condemn an entire group. I wouldn’t be worried that people will hold that against Newfoundlanders on the whole- if someone is stupid enough to do that, would you want their respect anyway?
Steve
July 10, 2006 at 10:45 am
I agree, John. But you know how easily public opinion is swayed. Think about your own preconceived notions of big cities, government officials, used car salesmen, homeless people etc.
It’s the bad apple in the barrel that causes folk to believe the worst of the whole group. Newfoundlanders are made fun of for their apparent “ignorance”, in a lack of awareness kind of way. Many of us take it in stride and go along with the ribbing. However, to sit in silence, passively disrespecting those who may buy in to a negative stereotype is not good enough, in my opinion. It’s worth putting the expression of outrage, so that the momentum of opinion is swayed (even slightly) in our favour.
After all, even Danny Williams got on Larry King to retort Paul McCartney’s ignorance!
MrChills
July 10, 2006 at 10:46 pm
Get over it!
Yes, it is a shame that someone painted it there, but is it really a big deal? Why has it become such a controversial word? So many black people call each other Nigger, or should I say “Nigga” every second sentence. It’s a joke. Perhaps when they stop glorifying the word in every day speech, movies and music the rest of the world will stop it too.
Steve
July 11, 2006 at 9:26 am
Thanks Mr. Chills for your comment. There’s really nothing to get over, though. I doesn’t matter about the word as much as it matters that the negative press directed at Newfoundland which supports the opinion that we are backwards and ignorant. Take this for example… your girlfriend might playfully call you an “asshole” and it’s no big deal. Now, let’s say soemone paints the word “asshole” across the roof of your car. I’d say you’d be pissed of not only at the vandalism (which could be random), but also at the use of the word directed hatefully, squarely at YOU. I simply wish people wouldn’t be so intolerant and ignorant… in general. But it means more to me when it hits home. That’s it. That’s all.