2008 Woodie Awards
Bañes lived sheltered life in lala-land
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Letters to the Editor
- Page 1 of 1
First and foremost, I would like to commend and congratulate Bañes on the naive life he lived prior to his move to St. Louis. Bañes wrote that the first time he became aware of racism against himself was when he was 18, his freshman year. This is an incredible feat. I do not think there is anyone who hasn't been called a name based on their race, sexual preference, height or even gender by the time they turn 18, except for Bañes, that is.
Shouldn't Bañes be thanking St. Louis rather than complaining about it? Had he not moved here and learned about how the "real world" is, dirty, bitchy and racist, he would still be living in some sheltered Lala-land in California.
Now, to more pressing matters: how on earth does Bañes think that being initially rude and impolite to someone who is already uncomfortable and confused on the MetroLink can be defined as anything worthy of a whole article? The poor woman, who righteous Bañes called a 'fat white woman,' was probably trying to be kind; not the heinous racist she was made out to be. Perhaps it is St. Louis that should be happy that such a rude person, someone who wouldn't even help a stranger in need, is going home to Lala-land.
Bañes must have been so caught up in what he was doing, which couldn't have been much considering how perfectly he remembered this event, that he didn't even grant someone in need the time of day to respond to a simple question. Not everyone takes the Metro everywhere and not everyone thinks of using it. Bañes could have simply said, "You're on the right platform." This would have allowed him to prove his language skills before it was even a question.
Perhaps, Bañes should make a t-shirt that clearly states the language he speaks, how he became a citizen "the hard way," and how he too is a racist. By choice, and unnecessarily, Bañes included the woman's skin color; even though anyone, with any color of skin, could have asked him if he spoke English. Likewise, just because she is white does not mean that she is a racist. It's not like she asked him to shine her shoes.
Elisabet Hohl
Senior, International Relations
Shouldn't Bañes be thanking St. Louis rather than complaining about it? Had he not moved here and learned about how the "real world" is, dirty, bitchy and racist, he would still be living in some sheltered Lala-land in California.
Now, to more pressing matters: how on earth does Bañes think that being initially rude and impolite to someone who is already uncomfortable and confused on the MetroLink can be defined as anything worthy of a whole article? The poor woman, who righteous Bañes called a 'fat white woman,' was probably trying to be kind; not the heinous racist she was made out to be. Perhaps it is St. Louis that should be happy that such a rude person, someone who wouldn't even help a stranger in need, is going home to Lala-land.
Bañes must have been so caught up in what he was doing, which couldn't have been much considering how perfectly he remembered this event, that he didn't even grant someone in need the time of day to respond to a simple question. Not everyone takes the Metro everywhere and not everyone thinks of using it. Bañes could have simply said, "You're on the right platform." This would have allowed him to prove his language skills before it was even a question.
Perhaps, Bañes should make a t-shirt that clearly states the language he speaks, how he became a citizen "the hard way," and how he too is a racist. By choice, and unnecessarily, Bañes included the woman's skin color; even though anyone, with any color of skin, could have asked him if he spoke English. Likewise, just because she is white does not mean that she is a racist. It's not like she asked him to shine her shoes.
Elisabet Hohl
Senior, International Relations
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