Posted on 05/11/2009 12:55:10 PM PDT by lewisglad
Vow-renewal ceremonies are always inherently offensive, but Seal and Heidi Klum really took the (Hostess, cream-filled) cake when they decided to give their ceremony a “white trash” theme. Which begs the questions: Is the concept of white trash offensive? Is it mostly or only offensive when implemented by a German model and a British black man wearing a mullet and American flag jacket?
Here’s the thing with Heidi Klum: She’s never been one to tread carefully when it comes to issues of race, either because she’s German and doesn’t understand America’s brand of political correctness, or because she’s kind of dumb and incredibly self-centered. (We’ll venture to guess it’s a combination.)
For example, we had never really thought much of Heidi and Seal’s relationship, despite their best events to prove to a mostly uncaring public how in looooove they are with one another, until we discovered that she got a tattoo on her forearm made in the “same color as Seal’s skin.” Then there was the time she dressed up as the Hindu goddess Kali for Halloween, wearing someone’s faith as a garish and attention-grabbing scary costume. And now this.
We can’t help but feel that anytime someone pokes fun at a culture - especially one to which they don’t belong - they had better be careful in expressing why they chose to do so and what they hope people will take away from it. We think this also holds true for subcultures that are defined by race or nation. We can’t help but feel that if Heidi and Seal had decided to throw a “Chola” or “AZN” or “Gangsta”-themed party, the outcry would be greater, as was the case when mostly Anglo Tulane students threw a party based on Mexican stereotypes. And while we’ve been known to poke fun at the stereotypes associated with white trash culture or the fashions worn by chongas, we like to feel that being from Florida and being directly related to people whose houses have wheels and whose trucks do not (Thanks, Jeff Foxworthy) and having been something of a chonga ourself mean that our jokes come from a fondness for these cultures. Because, here’s the thing: We don’t think we’re above white people who are poor and speak with a drawl, and we don’t think we’re above girls who wear hoop earrings and think acrylic nails are pretty. We don’t think we’re above people because they choose to wear a certain style of clothing, or because they come from a certain part of a country.
We kind of get the feeling that Heidi and Seal, being kazillionaires who are not American, think they are somehow hilariously above this inherently American subculture. And, you know, t isn’t even the fact that a black man is making fun of a white subculture (Because, seriously, go ahead) or even so much that two Europeans are making fun of Americans that bothers us about this, really. It’s the fact that two extraordinarily wealthy people think it cute or amusing to make fun of a segment of the population defined by their poverty. That, to us, is tackier than any lawn ornament or regional hairstyle.
But maybe that’s just us.
What do you guys think of Heidi and Seal’s decision to throw a white trash vow renewal party?
The joke, of course, is those two, looking like they do, calling anyone else “trash.” Obviously not an ounce of irony between them.
Seal in a mullet? Now THAT would be something to see...
I thought James Brown died a few years ago.
Bo Derek is still looking good.
Hey, I’ve made fun of the mulletheads that infest NE Philly. You can’t do anything about being black. But you sure as heck can excercise better judgement than to wear a mullet.
I guess there is an underclass of whites that are trash - Implying, I suppose, something else about people of color.
He’s one fugly dude.
She looks like someone else ...... can’t put my finger on it.
who gives a flip about this? really.
What does Seal have against the Packers?
I think I dated her, too. Rich, Greenich, Connecticut? Name of, Priscilla?
Except then she wanted a man from the Hebrew Tribe to upset daddy.
Someone should do a study on which is more offensive to New England liberal establishment: black college boyfriend or Jewish college boyfriend?
Mama probably did the lesbian thing (until graduation), or that would be part of the study.
Seals? Mullets?
Scotland!
The river bed is home to marine worms, bivalves and larvae. These are fed on by fish, flounders, mullet and eels, which in turn are eaten by cormorant, herons and seals.
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Environment/TidalWeir/tidalweirwildlife.htm
I still say I didn’t realize the depths that Dog the Bounty Hunter would take to redeem himself from his “N-word” tyrade. Turning black? Wow, that’s dedication and apology taken to a whole new level!
I think it’s less ‘racist’ than it is stupid. And might show that these two have some entitlement (guilt?) issues. On the other hand, if Seal wants to, as a black man, poke fun at political correctness, I’m all for that. It would be even better if he wore a sash that said “I’m an African-Briton.”
I just get sooo choked up at second weddings. (sarc)
I've known a few, including some of my relatives over in the shallow end of the gene pool.
Well Zo, I love ya and your rants no matter what color you are.
Autumnraine, your Freeper stalker
;o)
lol!
There are lots of them out there. Ever see Soul Man?
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