Posts
Rapsnacks
Current mood: maligned
Today, on a recommendation from Daily Candy, I happened upon a snack company called "Rapsnacks". I was intrigued to see that the packaging features celebrities from the world of rap and hip-hop, such as Lil Romeo and Nelly and offered flavors such as Southern Crunk BBQ. I considered buying a case to use as rewards for my students, thinking it might win me some points in the "cool" category.
However, as I explored the website further, I clicked on a page entitled "The Message," that contained an uncredited diatribe against (presumably white) teachers for not educating black youth in the whys and wherefores of entrepreneurship. Being a white teacher who taught for eight years in an inner-city school, I was quite taken aback by this accusation. The implication was that white boys and girls were receiving said lessons while minorities were being given the okie-doke. In short, the person writing the piece was full of shit. Naturally, I had to tell him so:
Dear RapSnacks Webmaster,
I was on the page called "The Message" and read the paragraph about starting your own business. I agree with you completely that black people need to be business owners. However, I don't agree with you when you say, "In most inner city schools throughout America minorities are intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or subconsciously reminded of the importance of finishing school that they may "Get a Good Job". The importance of production and ownership is hardly stressed."
That is so misleading! Let me assure you that at nearly EVERY school, no matter if it's a "white" school or a "black" school, an "inner-city" school or a "suburban" school, the topic of grooming ANY students to become business owners DOES NOT COME UP IN THE CONVERSATION. The school system was designed to create good little workers, not to encourage future competitors to existing Big Business. The way you wrote it, it sounds like you think some mythical rich, white teachers (c'mon, teachers have less money than YOU do, Mr. Rap Snacks) are ushering their white students into a plush, private room and giving them secret lessons on how to be an entrepreneur while telling their black students to sit quietly and color in their coloring books!!!! Basically, you come off as paranoid and racist.
One more thing, there are two misspelled words in that one paragraph. The word "descent" should be "decent" and the word "lesson" should be "lessen". Perhaps you should have paid less attention to what "the man" wasn't teaching you and more attention to what he was!
Peace,
Angel
Racists piss me off. I hope we can all get past this black/white shit and start concentrating on where the real differences lie...namely, between people who were raised by their parents to have some class and those whose parents couldn't give a crap. Don't be proud of your fuckin' ignorance! I welcome the friendship and patronize the businesses of intelligent, well-bred people no matter what their race.
