New favorite blog.

Nessia · December 2011

First, am I the only annoyed with the fact that the guy has 126 messages he hasn't read? I hate seeing the little numbers.

Second, I don't think it's racist. I'm on my phone so I can't really get into it but would it be racist if Bennett and his uncle we're black? I think the blog is making fun of Bennett's stupidity. He happens to be speaking in a way that most relate to the black community. I don't think it's fair to call it racist because they're white. If there wa a blog and "Bennett" was speaking Spanglish or "acting" like a Mexican gangster or whatever, I would not be the least bit offended. I would be laughing at his stupidity

MrsAJL · December 2011

As an aside, Bennett's cousin (who started the blog) is apparently a rapper named MacLethal.

https://gawker.com/texts-from-bennett/

mcurban · December 2011

MrsAJL:
mcurban:
And you get that it's the same, if not worse than this blog?
I lived and worked in England while Ali G was in his prime in the UK, not having made it over to the US. I lived in a well to do suburb south of London filled with people who found Ali G hilarious b/c his comedy was, to them, an accurate reflection of what they saw when going into the city.
Do you think there are not people who will see Bennett as an accurate reflection of what they perceive to be AA hip-hop, gansta culture?
There are people who think that Bennett is portraying exactly what they believe AA urban youth culture to be. Those people are not on this board, I'm sure, but they exist.
AliG is no more offensive than Bennett, however I wonder if intent makes a difference. Sasha Baron Cohen has often used his comedy to expose bigotry and racism in the audience who enjoys it. Bennett is a wannabe.

Maybe. I have no idea what other people think. But, *I* know that it's not an accurate reflection and that's WHY it's funny to me. Again, I'm not laughing at the culture. I'm laughing at him failing, despite best intentions, to be a part of said culture.

L L CG · December 2011

rssnlvr:
I'm insensitive b/c I laugh at LL all the time. She can't help that she's a fool. But it's still funny.

Haters gonna hate.

GuavaGal · December 2011

MrsAJL:

As an aside, Bennett's cousin (who started the blog) is apparently a rapper named MacLethal.

https://gawker.com/texts-from-bennett/

Oh crap, now I have a crush on MacLethal.

Cook with me now, uh

I'm makin' pancaaakes

ali-1411 · December 2011

GuavaGal:
MrsAJL:

As an aside, Bennett's cousin (who started the blog) is apparently a rapper named MacLethal.

https://gawker.com/texts-from-bennett/

Oh crap, now I have a crush on MacLethal.

Cook with me now, uh

Cook with me now, uh

I'm makin' pancaaakes

That's AWESOME.

bluestreet · December 2011

mcurban:
bluestreet:
mcurban:
MrsAJL:
Sorry, ladies, no. The two examples are not really the same. You have to consider context. Stereotyping the English, while culturally insensitive, does not carry the same weight as stereotyping African Americans.
I don't think it's Bennett who is being insensitive. I think he's the fool. It is those who laugh at the fool's behavior, knowing it is not OK, who are being insensitive.
See, this I can agree w/, but not from the aspect of being culturally insensitive. If anything, it's not ok for me to be laughing at this guy b/c I'm pretty sure he's not all there. So, there's that.
Ali G was brought up earlier. Who, btw, bluestreet IS doing the same thing, but w/ a British accent- not a classic "King's English" accent, but there, none the less. I find Ali G (and promoting him) more culturally insensitive than this guy (Bennett's cousin) due to the intent. Ali G is knowingly setting out to make fun of the culture in which he is mocking. People are laughing b/c Ali G is going out of his way to hit up all the stereotypes for the sake of humor.
I just see Bennett (and his cousin) as different. I'm not laughing/judging/whatever the culture, I'm laughing at a guy who is just clueless.
I'm doing a post and run so that I can clean the kitchen while the boys are at school.

Ah, but Ali G is doing a British accent associated with Afro-Carribean/Cockney Brits (specifically Multicultural London English)- it's the British analogue to African-American, socially and culturally. Unfortunately for me in the context of this argument, I find Ali G really funny.
And you get that it's the same, if not worse, than this blog?
I lived and worked in England while Ali G was in his prime in the UK, not yet having made it over to the US. I lived in a well to do suburb south of London filled with people who found Ali G hilarious b/c his comedy was, to them, an accurate reflection of what they saw when going into the city.

Yes, hence the "unfortunately for me in the context of this argument" part.

Now i'm off to Old Navy for the sale mentioned yesterday, but ditto AJL's most recent comments. And I've really enjoyed this debate, btw. Will check in later.