hackthis_archive ([personal profile] hackthis_archive) wrote2007-03-01 05:23 pm

Same shit, different day.

I don't know how many of you use gmail, but those of you who do know that gmail has this little feature where they offer ads and news stories and links based on the contents of your e-mail. Today, I sent [livejournal.com profile] ethrosdemon an e-mail about The Roots album 'Game Theory' and the Notorious B.I.G's 'Greatest Hits' -- to which gmail decided that the best sponsored link response was:

Nigga - www.eBay.com - Great deals on Nigga Shop on eBay and Save!.


Oh really.

For those of you who don't know, both The Roots and Notorious BIG (Biggie Smalls) are rappers. So, naturally, when gmail thinks of rappers they think of 'nigga.' Never mind that nowhere in the e-mail was 'nigga' used as I tend to abbhor the use of this word and find is seriously offensive. So, naturally, I think anybody could understand why I might take a moment to say 'wait. WHAT?' Not just as a black person or as a black women, but as a person in general.

Do they do this for Asian people and Latinos? Have I missed something? Has Google been bought by the ignorant and callous? Naturally I went to Customer Service to complain, but since gmail doesn't seem to have a Customer Service area that isn't just 'Tell us How Much You Love Us,' you can see why I'm a little pissed off.

In 2007 you would think a international conglomerate could show a little fucking TACT. Apparently not.

I was just going to let this slide, but you know, my day is already fucked up, might as well go for broke.

The thing is that I really am of two minds about posting this, because on one hand, it's just so fucking typical of American society these days that I shouldn't be surprised. It's the new 'norm.' Everywhere you go people think it's okay to use the n-word (nigger) because their friends use it, or because it they heard it in a song, or because black people use it, so why can't they? Aren't black people past that whole slavery & racism thing? Why are they still harping on about old shit? Hmmm. Let me think on that for a moment.

I don't know if its a generational issue or maybe I'm just pissed off because it's a racial slur no matter how you spell it. Every time someone says "Well, I used 'nigga' instead of 'nigger', and that's not the same thing" I want to slap them, because guess what?

It is the same thing.

Cracka is the same as faggot is the same as spic as the same as chink. No matter what you try to disguise it as, a slur is a slur is a slur. If you don't want somebody else using it, how about you not use it either? How about people step up and admit when they're fucking wrong for a change?

Anybody know of a good competitor e-mail service?

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-03-02 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, god, *dieting*? You know that's just a communist plot right? Dave Chapelle said it best (I was watching some of his stand-up last night) and he was talking about how magazines have made women crazy, and then went on to say 'If pussy was stock, it would be in the toilet"... it's well, it's very funny. I totally don't have the quote right. ANYROAD. ARI! I am so so so please that you got it and I think you will really enjoy it, so you have to come back and tell me your thoughts.

[identity profile] zoetrope.livejournal.com 2007-03-02 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I totally agree with you about dieting. Devi's work. If it's any consolation, I have no desire to become one of those model magazine women, this is a purely health-motivated thing ;)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-03-02 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I have come bringing caramelized rice cakes and green tea. You cannot say no to air and water.

[identity profile] zoetrope.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
Dude, I will take anything you want to give me if you rec me Eric/Vince.

I've already inhaled all of your wonderful Entourage fic which, *fangirls you like woah*, and now I need mooooooore!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[livejournal.com profile] astolat wrote several stories last month, which will have you chomping at the bit for more (esp, Home Sweet Home). Also, check the [livejournal.com profile] yuletide archives, this year was awesome for stories. Let's see, um, check [livejournal.com profile] the_guesthouse, which isn't really active these days, but it's coming up for the second half of season three in April, so it should pick up. I think [livejournal.com profile] wearemany has written some, but I could be wrong. Does that help?

[identity profile] zoetrope.livejournal.com 2007-03-03 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Very much, thanks. And I'm right this second reading Home Sweet Home for the second time today *g*

Have also now finished the first season of Entourage, and am seeing whether or not I can persuade 2am to let me watch the second season tonight.