Exceptions Not A Rule

Thinking further about the previous post, the whole 'shouldn't have to but do have to' theme extends further. When shopping for a (quite scrumpcious I'll have ya know) Sunday roast last week, my friend Marina stated how a magazine editor had once told her the staggering fact that having a black female as their cover photo halves the magazine's sales.


I think the most jarring thing about that statement is not the existence of prevailing racial prejudices, it is the fact that they are widespread to the extent to actually have that sort of effect on such a mass-selling product in such a dominating industry.


In probably our disbelief and wish for this to in fact not be true, we began listing icons we had seen on the front of magazines: our queen and idol of all idols Beyoncé, or elegant and strong First Lady Michelle Obama. But then we stopped ourselves in our tracks. The fact we were listing these 'exceptions' at all said everything about how true it had been. As heroic and valued figures like these are, I can't wait for the day when they're figures in their own right and not viewed in regards of their race. I hate the idea that they are used to prop up the pretence that society is somehow 'over racism' because 'Look! We can't be racist - we all love Beyoncé!'. Just no.

Beyoncé: Sexy AND pregnant?! But how can that be?! I thought all women lost hope of any sex appeal the second they choose children?!?!

Obama and the need to state the obvious

So yesterday the liberal world was in a state of euphoria as President Obama stated: ‘it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married’. The internet sprang into action, sending a mass thank you card to the President and posting fervently their joy and gratitude.

If Cameron stood up tomorrow on his podium and stated that ‘black and whites should be treated equally’ or Hollande sat and gave an exclusive to the world that he agreed with women’s suffrage, I wonder what the reaction would be? I mean sure, the motions would be welcomed by most, yet many would probably speak of the unnecessary nature of such a speech. Or that perhaps words are empty without action. And sure, those are different examples: women already have the vote in France and racial equality is an on-going battle and such a statement is vague and not linked to policy, whereas Obama’s was in relation to a specific motion that states will actually be passing or rejecting.

But a large part of me yesterday, was saying a bitter ‘whoop-de-doo’, one individual has acknowledged his agreement with a right that many people have been fully on side with for years. My friend Leila’s tweet said it better than I ever could:

‘president of one of the most powerful countries in the world acknowledges a basic human right like its so brave WOW THANK U. stfu’

But at the same time I realised that while it shouldn’t need to have to be said, it still does have to be. Especially in a country like America, with such a scarily large proportion of people holding very non-progressive, conservative views.


Obama’s words yesterday were in fact a sad necessity which I welcome hearing, just don’t welcome the need for in 2012.

So cheers Barack, but screw you world.