links for 2011-05-30

"Executives of the Academy have told us that it is necessary to erase and 'consolidate' these categories because 'the Grammies [sic] have become a huge collage.' The implication of this outrageous and blatantly racist justification is that it is necessary to disenfranchise Latinos, Native Americans, and other minorities for the good of the Academy,” the letter stated. “This is utter nonsense. The Academy was created to promote and ensure diversity and excellence in the recordings arts. The collage is our strength, not a weakness.'
"Sanabria, of course, was among the letter’s more than 30 signees; also signing the letter were Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Andy Garcia and John Santos. Academy officials have not yet responded to requests for comment."

"The family settings in the spots grew out of consumer research indicating that Latina mothers like to 'organize sessions for bonding, like eating dinner together or going to the park,' said Sivonne Davis, Kool-Aid senior brand manager.
"Depictions of family get-togethers appeal to Latino parents 'who are really worried about how fast-paced the American way of life is today, and that kids could be growing up too fast and being pulled away from home,' said Ms. Davis.

…so "risque" is the new euphemism for "racist" Really?–AJP

"The Duke has become renowned over the years for his risque comments.

"Speaking to a driving instructor in Oban, Scotland, in 1995 he asked: 'How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to get them through the test?'

"He told a 1986 meeting of the World Wildlife Fund: 'If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it.'"

**TRIGGER WARNING**

"'Homosexuality is seen as an import from the West. We are seen as betrayers of culture and betrayers of tradition … some kind of imperialistic force that is attacking the African way of life,' says Fikile Vilakazi of the Coalition of African Lesbians. The group's Western funding reinforces suspicions."