Lisa Rodrigues
13 December 2011
FD5/Final Exam
We live in the most beautiful state. The melting pot as it is called due to the face we have people of almost every race living here in paradise. Sometimes, there’s a dark side to our paradise. We are not free of the evils of the world. Every day we hear comments people make to about one another. The word Haole, is considered derogatory when used in a malice statement toward a Caucasian. [THESIS] The world would be a much better place if we learn to walk in each other’s shoe and learn to tolerate differences.[THESIS]
We preach “aloha” all the time. We sell the islands to outsiders at the “aloha” state. When these outsiders visit our beautiful island(s), more often than not, they are confronted with raceism. We all use the word “haole” to describe a Caucasian person. However, just the word it’s self is discriminatory. I work at a hotel, we are not allowed to use that word as it can make a person feel harassed or discriminated against. Every year we go through mandatory anti harassment, sexual harassment, and discrimination laws. At the end of the training, we need to sign off on a paper indicating we’ve been through the class and understand the consequences should we violate the policy. I believe this training is a good thing. Companies, schools and universities should offer such training. Educate people. Companies lose money when their employees say foolish derogatory things. If people are made aware of the monetary value involved, they may think twice about using such words. It’s not just companies that lose money, an individual can also be sued. If the pocketbook is what it takes to get people to stop using derogatory words, then that’s what it should be. Greg McMackin knows. In the article “University of Hawaii Coach Greg McMackin Suspended”, he was suspended for 30 days without pay and took a salary pay cut of 7%.
One case that may be familiar with some of the younger generation, is Alexandra Wallace. She made an “Asian Rant” video on youtube. In it she complains of them bring their whole family to the campus on the weekend to do their laundry, how the parents don’t let their children grow up and the use of the cellphone in the library. Mind you the cellphone in the library was after the tsunami in Japan in which it was assumed that a family member was contacting the Asian to inform them of it. Needless to say, after the video, she herself received hate mail and ended up leaving the campus. The school she attended, UCLA.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have our First Amendment. We are allowed to use it anyway we want. Whatever words are said, falls under the protection of the “freedom of speech” clause. Michael Richards did it. He played Kramer on the hit sitcom Seinfeld. He used a derogratory word for African Americans at one of his stand up shows. A guy in the audience was “heckling Richards when suddenly, the comedian lost it”(TMZ). What he said caused many in the audience to leave. It was in poor taste, hateful and wrong. But it did fall under the First Amendment. I’m sure Mr. Richards is felt the wrath of using such language. The repercussions too as many people don’t want to be associated with people that show hate or are racist.
To truly make this a better nation, we need to educate each other in the different customs. Not just Hawaii, America is a melting pot. We have many foreigners who come here to seek a better life than they had back home. As Americans, we don’t look favorable if we sterotype profile other races or act like they have the plague when around us. To help overcome this obstacle, we need to first show our appreciation of being able to live in a country that has freedom. Show appreciation by being nice to people of other race, skin color and nationalities. We know it’s started as there are many people in America with more than one race. I myself have five different nationalities.
To help make this a better world. We need to start educating our children the importance to accepting people for who they are. We should never be teaching our children how to hate other races, as no race is superior.
Arab, Zahid. “University of Hawaii Coach Greg McMackin Suspended.” 31 July 2009. KHNL.com. 12 Aug. 2009 [http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=10830037
[http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/20/kramers-racist-tirade-caught-on-tape]
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