Off-topic but not really.

A "guest" just posted a comment that I believe is made up of racist codes to this thread that I started today

thread.cfm?threadid=123896&messages=42
Songs & Rhymes About Knocking

I know that it's Mudcat's policy to immediately delete racist posts, and sometimes also delete posts that refer to those offensive comments. However, those deletions might lead people to believe that there are never any racist comments posted to this forum. It also means that the opportunity to publicly vent and (probably more important) use those posts as opportunities to teach something about anti-racism, are lost.

I'm posting this comment here to alert readers of this thread to my response to that comment (if it has not been deleted) as a means of documenting that it's not only in corporate emails or television shows or other venues that racist code words are still used. It also happens on Mucat.

I believe that the "Songs & Rhymes About Knocking" thread is a fun thread that also contains some interesting information. I have no desire for that thread to turn into an affirmation that Mudcatters are not racist. I know that most Mudcatters aren't racist. I also know that sometimes individuals use offensive cultural codes to attack a person of another race who they have personal issues with (though I'm unsure what personal issues someone on this forum could have with me).

This month marks my fifth year as a poster on this forum. And racist posts notwithstanding, for the most part I am glad that I decided to join Mudcat. I have learned a lot and have "met" many interesting, talented people throughout the world as a result of my reading and posting on Mudcat threads. And I want it to known that I intend to remain on Mudcat and will continue posting on this forum as long as my spirit moves me to do so.



Azizi Powell