I generally like to keep out of the controversial stuff. I find it is just easier that way. However, on this particular topic, I do not feel I would be doing my duty as women to not respond to the CASA incident with Mr. Kuhn.
I do like Mr. Kuhn, I always have. I think he is very "in your face" and I feel like you always know where you stand with him.
I was very shocked by his character in the recent pageant for CASA. The first thing I would like to address is the "black face" as David Allen stated. I think that he was trying to be tan, and had the wrong color make-up. He does have a body suit on that is tan... and it not too far fetched that perhaps he is trying to be "beauty contestant" After looking at many of the pictures, I really believe that he was not thumbing his finger at our community by being "black faced". (I could be wrong... and really only Mr. Kuhn knows what his intentions were)
I do, however have a huge problem with the name that he used for his character.
You might think that I am being overly "sensitive", that I am reading too much into it... so what he was just kidding you what's the big deal? The fact is I am a career women in a mans world. The big deal is, it is hard enough to teach my girls (or really any of the young girls within our community) that it is doable in todays society to be a career women, and that women are equal in today's working world with out having a situation like Mr. Kuhn put out there to explain.
As an elected official of this community, whether he likes it or not, Mr Kuhn has a certain image that he is expected to live up to. I find it appalling that he used that name to represent himself. As if he did not know that would not make the news!
I find it even more appalling that it was on the front page of both newspapers in the county. We have schools that subscribe to the paper, newsworthy or not, why should we even publish the name?
I really do believe that this is a horrible injustice to women within this community. And I do believe that as working women, I have every right to have this feeling. I am sure that I will have others out there that will feel different. I guess my thoughts on that are, if you are not a women... you really don't count in my opinion. If you are women, regardless on whether you agree or disagree, that is your right... because you live it.
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I read this blog a while back and wanted to comment then but decided it was to personal to tackle. With the newly elected president Obama, racism is rearing its ugly head in my community yet again and I'm disgusted.
First of all, when I heard what current Mayor Kuhn had done at the CASA fundraiser, I was a bit surprised but not at all shocked. I have come to believe that one man's ignorance by choice, is of his own. What did surprise, shock, and even hurt me was when I found out that those in attendance thought his display humorous. So hilarious they dubbed him the best overall. Who was there? Who found humor in an aging white man portraying himself as a black woman using a name that insinuates that black women stink??
And yet after enjoying the entire performance, these same people were quick to hang Mr.Kuhn out on a limb with no support. What kind of society am I raising my children in?
Now, there are vulgar e-mails going around about Obama. These vile and insulting comments are attacking him, not on his policies, but because of his black heritage. These e-mails are being forwarded and passed around by your neighbor in church.
As the mother of future black women, I have to wonder, what will my children face as adults in this community? If you ask them, they love it here. They like their schools, love their friends, cry any time we talk about moving away. I wonder why is that? They feel openly accepted by all in their lives. They feel no difference in the way they are treated yet I wonder, when will they meet up with the truth? How often are they greeted by the very same people that were in attendance for Kuhns performance? How often are they hugged by the very same person who can sit in church on Sunday and claim to truly seek Gods grace and then later in the day laugh at a racist joke about Obama?
Where does that leave you now? While you sit around exchanging racial comments yet your future is going to be dictated to you by a black man. I wonder, is it just me, or does anyone else take a little bit of pleasure in the irony of that?
How did this sit out here without comment. I take exception to the assertion that the offense is proprietarily owned by women. I am a husband who loves his wife and a father who loves his daughter and granddaughters.
I cringe at the notion that any man might take license to malign females and fully understand how the esteem of young girls and young women is eroded almost daily by the inuendo offered, let alone by those females who profit and promote the objectification of females.
I processed this in two modes. One, I knew it was an abhoration of any females that are a part of my life. Secondly, it was a slam against the dignity that strong female exemplars present.
Like most political news, thios has fallen off the radar screen while our ambulance chasing mentality looks for new scandal and offense. However, there remains some unresolved issue as this elected official has, perchance the opportunity to stand before a young audience and represent the voice of leadership for the community.
Thank God that he limits us to only a view of the outward appearance. Yet, we must remember that God DOES see the heart!
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