so yesterday it was Australia. in Australia, its not about race. Riots, where whites and middle eastern men clash because of lots of
different things, like sept 11, the bali bombings, some lifeguards and a bus event, is definitely NOT about race. you need to understand that.
the world has changed since sept 11th, in case you havent noticed.
Something else that wasn't about race is the adminstration's response to hurricane Katrina. Yes, most of the folks who were left stranded in a large dome in a pool of their own feces were black, and yes, most of who remain displaced and homeless/jobless are black, but its not about race.
in france, there was rioting in the "suburbs" of the big city, nearly entirely done by low-income middle eastern men, after two middle eastern teenagers where chased by city cops to a spot where they were accidently electrocuted. but you have to understand, this isnt about race.
none of this is about race.
at least thats what im told.
of course, the riots themselves and the response to katrina, and all of these race based events are so obviously about race that its silly to even think otherwise. Although, it is interesting that people find comfort in the idea that perhaps these events aren't about race. "Bush didn't leave them stranded b/c they are black, he left them stranded b/c they are poor." ..oh, that makes it SO much better. bush doesnt dislike blacks, he just dislikes the poor, don't you understand that kayne west??
Truth is, of course more complicated. The thing is, the riots themselves ARE ABOUT RACE. but the riots aren't initally caused by race, they are caused first by poverty. they are caused by the world having LESS. the race riots are the fruits of globalization ripening. And i don't just mean the problems of joblessness that globalization have caused. Although that matters PROFOUNDLY. I mean the globalization of ideas. The idea, as professed by the bush administration, that violence is the answer, has been taken to the streets. People do as they see done. "Who'd I learn it from...I learned it from you, dad!" remember that commerical??
Truth is, race is at play in the world b/c race is at play in the world. Race riots will continue to sprout up in different places. The result will be more authoritarian government. More need to get "tough" with the bad guys. It is a post- sept 11th, world, you know.