Check out this hilarious post by an admittedly un-GAI guy and unhappy Slimmy customer. LOL. Well, we wish him well and really hope he finds something that works in between a George Costanza butt brick and a rubber band.

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CNN: Skin-Deep: Racism in America

I was watching Paula Zahn Now: SKIN DEEP: Racism in America and took a few moments to reflect on my day-to-day experiences with it. Hey, it’s simply not going to go away any time soon and it is and will contiue to be in my neighborhood. Every year I go to our street party and inevitably there are a few people who say the “N” word, make short-sighted comments like “get rid of all the Muslims,” or make a crack against gay people. Interestingly, I never seem to hear them say anything about people of Asian decent, but I am sure they do behind closed doors. That’s just the way it is and we all have to find a way to meaningfully coexist and educate.

On Paula’s show there was one Jewish person who made some great comments. First, as a remedy towards to a different future he called on everyone to not let other people get away with racist comments. Call them out (meaningfully) and challenge them with questions and a different perspective. This is somewhat difficult during social settings, but if you don’t want to hear it, then let people know where you stand. Hopefully over time they and their kids will learn something. Like advertising, it’s the 11th, 12th or whatever time that someone might actually hear what you are saying and take action or change. Second, I really liked his perspective on white people who say blacks “just need to get over it.” As a Jew, he pointed out that NO ONE asks him to “just get over the Holocaust.” Hmm, interesting.

Recently I purchased a Public Enemy hat because I like giving back to those who support KOYONO. I am amazed at the reaction I get wearing it and how it reveals people’s true colors. For example, the other night I did some late night grocery shopping and while checking out was asked by a white woman in her 40s if “I am Public Enemy.” “Excuse me?” I replied. She then asked, “you know - your hat?” like I was missing something. “Oh, Public Enemy. No I’m not, but I believe in their cause and frankly love their music. Also, I support them because they buy our stuff,” I explained. “What cause?” she replied. I further explained that Public Enemy’s songs are about the social injustices around minorities (blacks) and they are really promoting equality. She commented, “they must be criminals.” I could not help but laugh and asked if she knew of Flavor Flav, which she had. She then went on to comment, “he is probably a criminal.” Then she and her coworker both started laughing. I replied that they were not criminals, paid and left. Is racism still alive in my neighborhood - yes. Am I going to stop wearing my Public Enemy hat - no way. In fact, I think I am going to wear it into my next business meeting to see what happens. Who knows, the next time I buy groceries I might wear some God Smack paraphernalia to see if they call me a Satan worshipper and sinner!

Fight the power!

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When I saw this on CNN today I thought about how little I know regarding the Middle East. We hear a lot on the media about what is going (e.g. Sunnis vs. Shi’as) and it just registers with me as two groups that don’t get along. As busy as we all are, we do not always take time to ask why or why not? Thank goodness for Wikipedia (yes cursory, but free and for the most part unbiased); it’s so awesome to be able to quickly and productively gain context and information. I have been doing it from my BlackBerry Pearl and using downtime to gain knowledge. I am also reading Tom Friedman’s “From Beruit to Jerusalem” - fascinating to say the least. A must read for those of you who have read the post this far.

Here is a start. Wiki away!

Iraq:
Iraq
Demographics of Iraq

Ethnicities:
Arabs
Kurds

Religions:
Demographics of Islam
Sunni Islam
Shi’a Islam
Map of Shi’as

Making all of these separatist elements in Iraq work in a unified manner will take a lot of work. Even Ghandi was not able to do it in India; that’s why Pakistan was created as a haven for Muslims (mostly Sunni I suppose) after the British left.

Also, understanding the demographics of Sunnis and Shi’as in the region really tells a story in and of itself (i.e. Iran is Shi’a but Syria and other more developed Arab countries are Sunni). Now look at the map of Iraq Demographics - very interesting. Which Islamic denomination was in control of Iraq? How does Lebanon fit in the picture; what Islamic denomination is Hezzbolah? Is Iraq destined to be another Lebanon? Are we arrogant and/or ignorant?

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Sheesh, is Guy trying to be a hypocrite? All of his talk about “making meaning,” Karma, being a Mensch, and smart people doing dumb things? Oh, let’s not forget his 4 most important start-ups - his kids. Hmm?

Here is the lead into his post:

Apparently I offended many people in my Jon Winokur interview by publishing this Vichyous attack on the French:

This definitely smells like bull shittake as Guy likes to say.

Here is my comment:

I too am put off by this. It feels way out of place. Being Korean-American, and having studied and lived in Japan (no I don’t speak Korean), I can certainly understand how people’s views (biases and prejudices) of others evolve. They are based on history, right and wrong, intolerance and superiority complexities (the normal human stuff) - not the future.

PS - I hope Guy is just trying to get someone/somecompany in France to have him come speak (he might be pulling for a gig). If so, send him his own book and be a Mesnch by reminding him of “making (positive) meaning,” and the Karma thing Oh, let’s not leave out when smart people do dumb things!

What do you think? Go and comment for yourself.

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