***Disclaimer: The below represents my opinion, nothing more.***
Almost 2 years ago, I wrote a post about what I perceived to be racist practices at Blockbuster. It’s still my opinion that Blockbuster engages in racist practices, specifically their posting of a theft deterrent message in English and Spanish but not providing any other Spanish language translations on any other materials for their customers. But there’ve been quite a few folks who have wished ill on me for daring to speak my opinion about Blockbuster, others still think my understanding of the facts is incorrect. Fair enough, I have my opinion, they can certainly have theirs. The latest opinion, however, really struck me as, well, a bit amazing. Here it is:
Ok listen….i am a store manager at BBV. We put the signs up in both languages because it is required by law…ok BY LAW. So dont think BBV is racist, it is our government. I think you all should realize really quick that the same thing goes for all businesses with a safe on the grounds. I have to agree with our government. The statistics do show that most roberies are done by some sort of ethnic group other than white. Im not racist but if a bunch of mexicans looking suspisious walks into my store i will follow them and make sure my presence is known. This world is ran on diversity, just deal with the racism.
So here we have someone claiming to be a Blockbuster Video store manager. Interestingly, this person claims that signs are posted in both English and Spanish because the law requires this of places of business with safes on the grounds. I find this claim to be curious on a number of levels. First, I’ve noticed that there are video stores, some larger and likely have a greater daily fiscal income per store who are also likely have safes on the premises, but do not post this legally required sign. Second, if what this self-proclaimed blockbuster video store manager says is true, one should notice these signs ALL over the place. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, this is not the case. Now, I don’t know where this person claiming to be a store manager is from but I highly doubt that Grand Rapids, Michigan requires that all businesses with safes on their premises require theft deterrent signs to be printed in English and Spanish.
The statistics do show that most roberies are done by some sort of ethnic group other than white.
I’m curious to know which statistics you’re citing. Where can I find them? What organization or academic completed the research? In which peer reviewed journal did this work appear? What specifically are you interpreting as evidence that people of color commit more crimes than white people?
To me the most disturbing claim is this:
Im not racist but if a bunch of mexicans looking suspisious walks into my store i will follow them and make sure my presence is known.
Wow. I didn’t really expect to have my point made so well. Now, I must reiterate, I have no other evidence that this person actually works for Blockbuster other than their own admission that they do. However, if what they say is true, you’ve just witnessed a Blockbuster employee openly praising the practice of violating the civil rights of hispanic patrons.
I’d be curious to hear an official Blockbuster statement. Furthermore, if any Blockbuster representative would like to do a bit of fact checking about the rogue employee who posted on this blog, I’d be more than happy to turn over any information about this individual (i.e. IP address, email, etc).
Holy shit, friends, has this semester been a ride. I’m just beginning to emerge from the fog that is “getting-a-Ph.D.” That’s why I haven’t written much in, say, the past 4 months.
Fortunately, as one of my professors says, “The first semester of your Ph.D. program is the hardest.” I hope he’s not pulling my leg, I don’t know how much more work I can handle. Anyway, I thought it was only fair to mention a few things I’ve been up to…both personally and professionally.
First, on the personal end of things I had an article appear in Geez magazine over the summer. It was about commuting back and forth to graduate school and the unending frustration that living the commuting lifestyle is. I was fortunate enough to have that article reprinted in the online journal “Catapult Magazine“. So, give it a read if you like!
Now, the longer list…professional accomplishments:
I presented 2 conference papers…one poorly and one well.
I have two manuscripts pending review at an upcoming communication conference.
I have one manuscript waiting to be sent out to joural and another communication conference.
I have three manuscripts for which the data have been collected, analyzed, and are to be written up for submission to academic conferences, and very soon journals.
I have two manuscripts that the data need to be collected.
I took two classes (both of which I hope to have passed with flying colors.)
I ate FAR too much fast food, and drank WAY too much coffee and coke zero.
All things considered: good semester…with one exception.
That exception is this blog…which sat idle most of the semester. I hope to remedy that in the future…no promises though.
I’m finding myself a little nervous to reflect on anything. I fear that you all have come to expext my best attempt at insight into the church, etc. Frankly, I’m not having much church insight lately. Most of my insight regards post-hoc hypothesizing (and presenting it as if it were a priori hypothesizing) and critical thoughts about Hempel’s treatement of the philosophy of science.
On the other hand, I know there’s one or two grad students out there who’d love to comiserate (sp?) with a schmo like me…so, I think I’ve decided to just let my mind wander from time to time. I think the mind needs a little time to aimlessly meander about…the blog might just be a perfect place to let my mind free once and a while…(and no, Ingrid, that’s not a drug reference.)
So, quite often on my way in to school, I listen to NPR on the drive. I’ve rather come to enjoy it (although, this morning Johnny Cash was riding shotgun with me). Anyway, before I switched over to Johnny Cash, I heard an NPR reporter utter something like this (don’t quote me on the content, I don’t remember it exactly. But, this is the jist):
[…]when responding to critics President Bush would argue that the situation in Iraq isn’t as simple as they cast the situation. President Bush would say that [the situation in Iraq] was much more nuanced (emphasis mine).
This may just be a minor clerical error, or some other form of overstatement…nonetheless, this statement struck me as exceedingly odd.
President Bush would never say that the situation in Iraq is “nuanced.”
In fact, the President would probably never say anything was nuanced. He’d never use that word. I doubt he even knows that word.
I suppose you could expect that after a few weeks more of education that I’d be smarter. Fortunately for you, that hasn’t happened.
I think that’s fortunate because if I were smarter, I’d probably stop blogging altogether–probably after realising that I don’t really know what I’m talking about roughly 95% of the time.
Anyway, on the subject of sounding smart, I think I’ve been able to generate a list of things over the past few weeks that will really make you sound smart. (Don’t worry, you’ll be able to do these things without actually being smart…trust me.) Now, you’re probably not going to fool any really bonified smart people with these tactics, but since about 99% of the population that considers themselves smart isn’t really smart at all (they just fancy themselves smart) you’ll probably be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the idiots that think they’re smart, but aren’t really smart. Follow?
Great. Here we go (fair warning, lots of these pertain to the proverbial ivory tower):
Refer to data in the appropriate plural, rather than as a singular noun. For example, “The data were inconclusive.” Or, “those data indicated.”
Nod when people talk at you, it makes them think you know what the hell is going on…even though you and I both know that what they just said was WAY over your head.
Grow facial hair, the more the better. The smaller amounts of face you’ve got showing the less likely people will be to read your blank stare as a blank stare.
Walk around with conviction. Even if you’ve got no clue where the hell you’re going or even if you know that you’re just going to check your mail for the 30th time in the last 4 hour period, striding with confidence is likely to fool idiots.
Drink lots of coffee. Drinking lots of coffee will convince people that you’ve been up late reading the latest research on something…even though you and I both know that you were really just up late playing world of warcraft or reading about the latest news involving Jessica Simpson and John Mayer.
Make sure to use the buzzwords: “Parsimonious”, “Hegemony”, “Hermaneutical”, “Salient”, “Erudite”, “Uncular”, “Hedonic”, or “Antidisestablishmentarianism”. People won’t know what the sweet crap you’re talking about–and neither will you–but at least they’ll assume you’re smarter than they are.
Work in dimly lit spaces. I have no idea why this works, but it does.
Keep a list of tasks. Then, constantly talk about how many items are left on your list and how long, ostensibly, it should take to complete your list.
Use the word “ostensibly” in conversation.
Wear a leather jacket with elbow patches.
During an appointment with a person to whom you’re trying to appear smart in your dimly lit office, program your cell phone to call your office phone and have fake conversation with yourself during which you have a stellar academic debate. (Note: Don’t let your fake self win the argument with your real self. You’ll have to let the fake you throw the argument.) (Second Note: Only try this strategy if you aren’t so ego-centric so as to not be able to let the fake you lose an argument) (Third Note: Unfortunately, you’d ONLY try this strategy if you WERE so ego-centric as to not be able to lose an argument, even if it was only to the fake-you.) (Fourth Note: Damn, I think I just lost an argument with myself.)
Work with your door open. If you didn’t do that, how would people be able to look in and see you working?
Ensure that your computer screen is tilted so that the casual passer-by cannot notice that you’ve just minimized your online poker game in order to check on your fantasy football team.
Always have a word document open that you can quickly pull up in case someone ambles into your office. (Preferably a word document with some completed text already on the screen.)
While looking at your fantasy football team (between online poker hands), ensure that you stare at your monitor in a very pensive manner. Pause from time to time to scratch your head, consult an open notebook or article, and then stroke your aforementioned facial hair. Repeat this process interspersing a few nods from time to time to indicate progress.
When you use the restroom, at least have the decency to wait till the toilet is finished flushing to walk out the bathroom door, that or don’t bother to flush the damn toilet. I mean, we all know you’re not washing your hands (unless there’s somebody else in the bathroom to bear witness,) but at least fake it for crying out loud. And, everybody knows that people who don’t wash their hands are idiots.
Just wanted everyone to know that I am, in fact, alive. However, lately I’ve been trying to look like I’m studying. That and I don’t really have anything to write about.
With the Lights out it’s less dangerous
Here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us
A mullato an albino
A mosquito my libido…
So, I know I said I was going to quit writing here. And, the truth is, I thought I was. Frankly, I ran out of things to say. But, after a month off and a trip to Western Europe in the rearview, I’ve decided I have a few more cultural comments to make before I completely throw in the blog towel.
The truth is: I like what I think about when I live life with the idea of blogging in the back of my mind. To live life critically is something I relish, blogging helps me to do that. So, while I keep writing things for publication elsewhere, too, I think it’s good practice for me to keep on chuggin’ here as well. (Albeit at a bit slower pace than the past two years.)
I hope this doesn’t disappoint anyone–especially not the worldview weekend folks, or the Christian T-shirt zealots, who find this blog so troublesome to their faith. Anyway, thanks to all of you who’ve emailed and really made the decision to keep on blogging much easier. Your kind words mean a lot!
Since I wrote my Christian t-shirt post, a number of you have voiced the concern that if you’re causing people to have conversations with you about God, it’s okay to wear “Witness wear.” My response follows.
Everybody seems pretty fucking wound up about the notion that they should get to wear what they want, don’t they? I’m starting to think that this is more about freedom of speech than anything else. Perhaps it is. Rest assured violent, militant, and defensive Christian T-Shirt wearers that I have no desire to infringe on your RIGHT to wear a stupid t-shirt. It’s written into the constitution, you can–as long as it’s decent–wear whatever the hell you’d like.
Everybody also seems pretty fucking wound up with the idea that if their shirt causes a conversation about God to happen, then their brave attempts at evangelizing the godless bastards–you know, non-evangelicals–should be sung from the mountain tops. (Screw those yodelers, anyway.)
Let me say this directly. Perhaps (and that’s a big fucking perhaps) the conversations that are spurred from the wearing of these “Christian-hip” duds, are helpful. Maybe, but I’m not so concerned with the one conversation that DOES happen.
For me, what’s more concerning are the FIFTEEN or so conversations that DON’T happen because you’ve got to exercize your motherfucking right to have the words “Prayer Warrior” emblazoned across your chest.
Rest assured tacky-shirt-wearers, the vast majority of the world is no longer intrigued by your sometimes-insightful-most-times-idiotic textiles. No the rest of the world sees them and you as a stupid, ignorant fool. The God Hates Fags people use the same tactic, you know. Sure, they craft messages that are intended to catch your eye in order to spur on a conversation. (Side note: Josh and Steve interviewed Shirley Phelps Roper over at Stupid Church People, it’s actually pretty fascinating–give it a listen.)
My suggestion to all of you who desperately feel the need to be identified publicly as a Christian is this: Instead of wearing a shirt that essentially says, “I’m saved”, live a life that practices your ressurection. You shouldn’t need to don a piece of cloth for people to know your faith. And, frankly, I’d bet good money that if you practiced your ressurection on your sleeve rather than a tacky-ass message, a whole lot less people would write you off as a blow hard hypocrite.
Last Friday night, Jen and I found ourselves on the way to the mall. After we’d been walking around for a while–and after I took an upper of anti-nausea medication as a result of my collapsing into the fetal position resultant from a fit of “consumerist nausea” as I entered the temple of Mammon (aka Rivertown Crossings Mall)–we happened by a new Hollister store. We didn’t actually go inside the store, we just walked by.
If you weren’t farmiliar, Hollister is a store affiliated with the Abercrombie and Fitch brand.
What was really interesting, was the scene that was going down OUTSIDE of Hollister that evening.
There was a father holding his infant son. The baby in question was screaming uncontrollably. Not crying, but screaming, wailing, gnashing his gums. This little one looked like he’d seen Satan himself.
Curious enough to eavesdrop, Jen and I slowed our pace just enough to hear that this little tyke had been scared shit-less (though, to be honest, I didn’t check) by being inside the Hollister store.
And now, I’ll end this post with a scripture reference, Psalm 8:2 :
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
Some of you have shared your surprise about my decision not to keep blogging here. Allow me to offer a few points on why I’ve come to the decision I have, and what the process will look like.
I’ve been thinking about this change for a while. And, it’s no one person in particular that’s led me to the choice to stop blogging at badchristian.com. Rather, I’ve just sort of ran out of things to say. Perhaps, over the past two or so years, I’ve said things too quickly. Slowing down would’ve stretched things out a bit…but, without any sort of time travel mechanism, I can’t change the way I wrote.
Also, I’d like to emphasize what I’ve been saying a little more clearly. I’m not going to be blogging HERE anymore. This is, of course, a much different thing than saying I am not going to blog anymore. In fact, as we speak (or as you read) there is another blog in existence, a team-written blog, featuring the ponderings of a quasi-badass son of a preacherman (read: me) and a beautiful young woman (read: my wife). Perhaps, one day, when we both become comfortable with the idea, we’ll let you know where that blog resides.
Another reason, I’m giving up the blog, here, is that I’d like to pursue writing in a bit more polished, and public, of a format. I’m going to try to get some stuff published in various places. A blog, while it can be a good place to flesh out ideas, can be a creative drain and a time sink, if your’e not careful. I’ve learned that the hard way. I’d much rather be working on articles, pieces for a magazine, or even a book.
Now, I’m also a self-absorbed and prosaic son-of-a-bitch. Thus, blogging really appealed to me. Due to this self-absorbed and prosaic tendency in myself, I’ve decided to do a little “outro” blogging. I’ll, hopefully, chat a bit about what I’ve learned about myself, Christianity, computer mediated communication, and the like. If that can be of any help to the blogging public, so be it. Mostly, it’ll be a good de-brief for me.
I don’t know how long that “outro” will take, but it’ll probably happen over the course of the early summer. If you’ve got any other questions, comments, criticisms, advice, or anything else for that matter…you know how to reach me!
