Sunday, February 17

Stuff liberals like

Some parts of Stuff White People Like are a very funny, dead-on parody of part of the NPR demographic. Others would sound racist if about a minority, and context were lacking (via Sullivan):

Yoga: Yoga is basically the practice of stretching for one hour. Stretching should only take five minutes, other peoples would rather spend the extra fifty five minutes playing in an actual sport or spending time with their families and friends… It gives white people the chance to showcase their $80 pants… deep down in some way, white people feel that participation makes up for years of colonial rule in India. [Link]

Tea: Back in the old days, white people would go all over the world to get teas from places like India and Sri Lanka… But as we moved forward, white people were like “man, one kind of tea is not enough, we need more.” And now people are into Green Tea, Chamomile, Chai, White Tea, Red Tea, Jasmine Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Orange Pekoe… do not remind them about the role of colonialism in tea, it will make them feel sad. [Link]


Wes Anderson movies: If a white guy takes a white girl to a Wes Anderson movie on their first date, and neither of them have seen it, they will immediately commence a relationship that is reflected in songs by Ryan Adams and Bright Eyes. [Link]

Eastern religions: Popular choices include Buddhism, Hinduism, Kabbalah and, to a lesser extent, Scientology… Mostly they are into religion that fits really well into their homes or wardrobe and doesn’t require them to do very much. [Link]

Hoarding

6 comments

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  1. 1shlok

    That is one hilarious Web site. And I think might be white. Cause I love expensive sandwiches, Juno, and NPR.

  2. 2Sam

    I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the website as a whole. Cynicism and irony sure do seem like awfully awkward ways to critique exoticizing, White liberals. Or maybe co-opting their style of humor is the point?

    What do other folks think?

  3. 3UberMetroMallu

    Erm, some of the comments in there are rediffesque.

  4. 4Demondoll

    I think that website does a wonderful job at relaying the attitudes of “White Americans”–especially upper-middle class liberals. LOL.

    Although, I’m desi, I did grow up around plenty of people who were just like that…..LOL. I think this might actually help me to make more white friends. hehe

  5. 5Notsure

    Since when kaballahs eastern.
    I know the line has shifted now, but just 10 yrs ago islam too was taught as a western religion in colleges.

  6. 6dusri larki

    Hey, I AM a white upper middle class liberal, and I’m hurt by these sorts of sites. It undermines my interests by saying it’s all just socio-economic background and race, rather than anything genuine. And, as someone who fits the bill (NPR, Buddhist, aspirations to be multilingual), people are always very quick to tease me as being a closet modern Orientalist. While I appreciate being made aware of where I might be over-exoticizing, it gets tiresome when those people won’t concede that maybe it’s also genuine.