Postmodern Critic
Morgan Bell
Jeff MusallWhy you should not call a black person 'tanned', Mr Berlusconi
November 27th 2008 02:17
I know that there's only a very small percentage of black people in Italy, Mr Prime Minister, but as the leader of a culturally prominent nation you should know better.
That's like a black person trying to be 'cute' (Silvio B's defense of this statement which sadly doesn't sound like it's been untouched by racist thinking, and is at best grossly inappropriate) about how incredibly different a white person looks by calling them 'bleached'. No doubt you had some magnanimous intent, were somewhat appreciative of Mr Obama's skin colour, and it is true that race should not be ignored at a time when Obama's black African heritage stands out in its singularity (for the country he represents, and the company he is in as President of the USA, that is - unless you're in Africa, chances are you will not see a lot of black leaders in the media).
But if you want to complement a person on their skin colour (and, well, as a politician, I would personally focus on other things), you should think about how it might affect THEM. There are all sorts of complimentary ways to compliment someone on the shade of their skin - chocolate, mocha, cinnamon and ebony come to mind. Tanned can be conflated with 'artificial', which would show a disbelief that a man of Obama's intellect can come wrapped in that shade of epidermis. It's too much like you're saying "underneath all that, you're just like us, white people (and we can be like you, too)."
No, he's not, and you can't. We do not have the technology to change the colour of our skin (or at least its appearance) as suits our mood as yet, and for now Obama represents a race (well, partially) which looks beautiful in its own right, is made up of people who have their own standards of beauty, which should be appreciated if you're going to try and contribute to the discourse around them, and these people will hopefully continue to resist the discrimination they are up against to continue to increase their contribution to world culture.
It was inevitable that Berlusconi would cop a bit of backlash, with a great many Italian CNN readers claiming to be embarassed over such an 'idiotic' comment. However Alessio Vinci, the correspondent for the news network who is deeply embroiled in Italian affairs, suggest there are "many adjectives to describe such behavior, but “racist” is not one of them" on his blog.
Jean Leonard Touadi, the only black member of the Italian Parliament, was not of the opinion that the Prime Minister was racist (is he being too lenient, or thinking wishfully?) either, going on to say “I am deeply disappointed that the first thing that he has to say about such a big and important event for the world and the United States is to say that the new president is sun-tanned.”
In any case, let's hope that Silvio Berlusconi has had some time to reconsider this remark over the last 20 days, and will, at the very least, think twice before attempting to compliment someone in a way that isn't so complimentary after all.
That's like a black person trying to be 'cute' (Silvio B's defense of this statement which sadly doesn't sound like it's been untouched by racist thinking, and is at best grossly inappropriate) about how incredibly different a white person looks by calling them 'bleached'. No doubt you had some magnanimous intent, were somewhat appreciative of Mr Obama's skin colour, and it is true that race should not be ignored at a time when Obama's black African heritage stands out in its singularity (for the country he represents, and the company he is in as President of the USA, that is - unless you're in Africa, chances are you will not see a lot of black leaders in the media).
But if you want to complement a person on their skin colour (and, well, as a politician, I would personally focus on other things), you should think about how it might affect THEM. There are all sorts of complimentary ways to compliment someone on the shade of their skin - chocolate, mocha, cinnamon and ebony come to mind. Tanned can be conflated with 'artificial', which would show a disbelief that a man of Obama's intellect can come wrapped in that shade of epidermis. It's too much like you're saying "underneath all that, you're just like us, white people (and we can be like you, too)."
No, he's not, and you can't. We do not have the technology to change the colour of our skin (or at least its appearance) as suits our mood as yet, and for now Obama represents a race (well, partially) which looks beautiful in its own right, is made up of people who have their own standards of beauty, which should be appreciated if you're going to try and contribute to the discourse around them, and these people will hopefully continue to resist the discrimination they are up against to continue to increase their contribution to world culture.
You wanna rethink that statement, buddy?
It was inevitable that Berlusconi would cop a bit of backlash, with a great many Italian CNN readers claiming to be embarassed over such an 'idiotic' comment. However Alessio Vinci, the correspondent for the news network who is deeply embroiled in Italian affairs, suggest there are "many adjectives to describe such behavior, but “racist” is not one of them" on his blog.
Jean Leonard Touadi, the only black member of the Italian Parliament, was not of the opinion that the Prime Minister was racist (is he being too lenient, or thinking wishfully?) either, going on to say “I am deeply disappointed that the first thing that he has to say about such a big and important event for the world and the United States is to say that the new president is sun-tanned.”
In any case, let's hope that Silvio Berlusconi has had some time to reconsider this remark over the last 20 days, and will, at the very least, think twice before attempting to compliment someone in a way that isn't so complimentary after all.
Silvio Berlusconi
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Comment by alt_ed
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Actually, haha I'm a bit jaded on this subject, partly because my partner is 'legally' classified as being aboriginal 1/8th yet he's the whitest mofo you'd ever hope to see... and well, my heritage is British/Indian. I'm always terribly flattered when someone compliments me on my tan (rather than the smell of curry on my clothes).
Any who, I do see the point you're trying to make, hell, I can even see the validity... but like I said, he's Italian
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i suspect his entire view on the world is more than a little skewed . . .
tanned? haha geez louise
Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by Nothing
And why is it that mentioning anything to do with colour is racist, but to slam Italians, as Alt ed did, is not?
We have long ago crossed the PC line into ridiculous areas that have become racist in themselves. Soon we will not be able to refer to someone as "man"!
Come on, lighten up. Berlusconi may not be to everyone's taste, but his remark, while not particularly successful, was not racist. It is we who have made it so.
Comment by alt_ed
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Comment by Nothing
Comment by alt_ed
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Actually, I've not mentioned any stereotype... I simply said that Berlusconi was Italian... am I incorrect? Is he not Italian? Hell, if I'm wrong, then I do offer my most sincerest of apologies; I just assumed the president of Italy was actually Italian.
--- Um Nothing, let's keep in mind you're the one whine'n that everyone's making a big deal about Berlusconi's comments.
I was backing the dude up! Sheesh!!
Comment by Dianna G
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~Dianna
Comment by Cheryl J
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No, he's not, and you can't.
Yes he is like "us" and we are like "him" it is just our experiences that make us different. We are all people and the colour of skin should not make one bit of difference. I'm sure that is not what you meant but that is the way it was read. As possibly Mr Berlusconi did not intend to offend with his remark, he opened his mouth and promptly stuck his foot right in it.
And this
If I were black I would find these descriptions far more derogatory. I would have thought it would have sounded much worse had he said "young, handsome and a nice shade of chocolate"!
The man is an idiot and well known for his public gaffes but to call him racist and say that what he said is offensive and then put in the same kind of remarks in your writing is equally insensitive. The only context in which it is even remotely germane is in stating that it is an historic event having the first black president in America and what a step forward it has been.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Hi Cheryl J,
I believe this the first time you have responded to a post of mine, I appreciate your interest in questioning attitudes which could be interpreted as problematic. This is exactly what I was hoping to create here at PADSOC.
I don't think his comment was racist just incredibly stupid.
I am of the opinion that the comment ("[he has everything needed in order to be able to make deals with him - my paraphrase]: He's young, handsome, and even tanned.") is relatively racist because it draws attention to Barack's skin colour for no real reason.
What is he had said 'He's young, handsome and black'? Why would his skin colour have anything to do with the PM's ability to make deals with him? To me this indicates an over-emphasis on noticing race. The fact that he then tried to unambiguously cast it in a positive light suggests to me that there is underlying displeasure there. It may not be wholly racial hostility - someone commented that Berlusconi will probably not enjoy the same favour from Obama he currently does with Bush. But his aggression has manifested in a way that I believe is, in this context, somewhat racist. How I wish it weren't so.
Yes he is like "us" and we are like "him" it is just our experiences that make us different. We are all people and the colour of skin should not make one bit of difference.
... The more I think about it, the more both of our statements could be interpreted as racist, depending on the reader and how much they knew about us! It's all about context.
So, let me see... I am interested in promoting a deeper interest in and appreciation of black people specifically. Barack's election is indicative that black people in America will play a more prominent cultural role in the future, as the remnants of entrenched racism continue to be replaced by acceptance and mutual respect on behalf of both blacks and whites. I would like to see every individual become more empowered, and when people are disempowered due to racial factors, I think it's important to address race-related issues. What I have learnt over the years is that African-Americans have culturally specific ways of referring to themselves which are raise interesting questions.
We only say 'we are all alike' because we are all so different. If you think about it, nobody has exactly the same shade of skin. It's all very well to say 'be colourblind' if you should find it liberating, but I think it's better to think about using your ability to perceive other people, and their inevitable difference to you, as a privilege. Unfortunately, one thing most non-black races have in common is that they discriminate against black people. This is true of Asians, Hispanics, and, of course, Caucasians, some dominant ones. I would like to improve world culture in a lot of ways, and one of the biggest one is to create an environment where black people have more opportunities to empower themselves, wherever in the world they can be found.
(Speaking of anti-racist slogans 'we're all pink on the inside' is sort of peachy.)
I don't think Silvio meant to offend either.
As for chocolate, mocha, etc, I wouldn't personally use those because they are cliched, but as long as they are said respectfully, I have no problem with the intended complimentary value. In SB's case, it still would have been clear he was disproportionately concerned with matters of race and appearance. Had he used 'chocolate' I might have thought he had a crush on Mr Obama... like several million other people, of which I can claim to be a statistic. *grin*
And on that note, I believe this post is missing a picture of America's President-elect!
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
You can call it whatever you like, however I would focus on how the remark could be improved, because I think there was some positive intent there, and it's good to appreciate the good that already exists in people.
Alt-ed -
Your comment also deserves a long response:
I am originally Bulgarian, although I've been living in Sydney since I was 7, and Bulgarians are some of the most racist and xenophobic people I know. Through my exposure to Australian and American discourses surrounding race I was able to realise a deep disgust with the ignorance, prejudice and hate of Bulgarian attitudes to non-whites, and I know that I would not feel comfortable being any less than being the tactful, polite, politically correct activist that I am now. I have no intention to be tolerant towards any veiled insults like Berlusconi's (there, I said it). Tact, sensitivity and certain degree of hesitation are things anyone of any culture can practice. No one's stopping anyone from breaking with the mentality of the masses, and a Prime Minister of any nation has already demonstrated a strong ability to think for themselves. Hence, I see no excuse for justifying B's comment.
Touadi also put it in context: "In the United States, a joke like that wouldn't just be politically incorrect, but a great offense to this amazing example of integration, which it seems the Italian premier should take as an example."
Italy, and Europe in general, needs to clean up its act where race is concerned - it has a lot of catching up to do!
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
I think that the blog article is as racist as any article I have read - and certainly more than Berlusconi's remarks.
Why?
If Berlusconi had made his remark about a white politician, would there have been the same outcry?
Well, Alessio Vinci mentioned that Silvio said that the Danish prime minister was "the best-looking prime minister in Europe" and suggested he would introduce him to his wife (the latter seems a bit weird, no?), but then again he was not referring to the colour of his skin (and I have no idea what the Danish public thought about it).
I think it's you that needs to lighten up. If you're going to go around accusing everyone of being racist, you'd better have a bit of substance to your argument, otherwise you're either going to be dismissed or flamed.
Hi Jeff -
That doesn't sound good at all, thanks for the info.
Hi Morgan -
I believe you're thinking of Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader (who makes Berlusconi look cuddly and endearing).
Re: tanned, in high school a black girl gave a speech on racism, and she told us that a girl had started rubbing the back of her neck for no apparent reason, and when asked what she was doing she said 'I'm trying to get the colour off'. So yes, I think it can have very unpleasant connotations, even if Berlusconi didn't meant it to.
Hi Ruby -
You are very likely to be right. But we can always hope. Maybe he'll see the light one day.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Just hope that you don't get invaded - no blood for olive oil!
Just thought we needed a bit of humour, lol.
I also looked up the comment about the Danish PM, and it appears I am pretty naive. Not that I see anything wrong with open relationships, in a way Silvio is pretty brave to say that, especially considering Italy's strong family values-oriented culture. So, in that context, more power to him!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is married to Veronica Lario (the actress)
do you think they look similar? i dont know why i get so confused . . .
THIS ARTICLE might interest you, it seems he has a history of not thinking through his comments
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Those women do look quite similar in many ways, but at least you didn't leave the Putin suggestion unquestioned.
It's nice to know that Berlusconi's comments have had consequences... I wondered how he was able to get away with half the things he is reported to have said! The one that really pissed me off was saying that there were too many women in Spanish parliament... on the bright side, this makes me want to move to Spain! Actually, I might use this article as inspiration for my next PADSOC post...
Comment by Miriam Trenti
Sorry for possible spelling mistakes, I'm only 14.