H 18°, L 6° | Tomorrow: Hola to y’all from sunny Puerto Rico. Taking an early spring break, I find myself surrounded by beautiful people from all over the world. My commentary could mirror that of a cheesy ’90s TV beach dramedy, but for your consideration I will limit myself to say that I’m a lucky SOB this week.
Monday was International Women’s Day, something that a roving flower seller was not hesitant to mention to us as we enjoyed our mofongo. He prefaced this by noting how we beautiful ladies should enjoy something special today. He then tried to goad the one adult male who was with us to purchase us roses by saying, “If you don’t treat these ladies right, I know lots of men in this town who would,” adding a not-so-sly wink as punctuation.
My friend and I, both being in possession of the oft-venerated “donk,” are receiving a good amount of attention from young men on this island. Smiles, stares and statements that involve the word “culo” have been directed at us as we’ve walked past. The intricate exchange of dressing up in small amounts of clothing and receiving “inconspicuous” interest is something we all play when we go on vacation, especially when it’s somewhere completely different culturally than what you are used to. And it’s usually deliciously fun, unless of course your dick is a white supremacist.
Someone who I’m betting did not celebrate International Women’s Day was crappy pop song aficionado John Mayer. In the now famous Playboy interview Mayer gave a few weeks ago, he at once identified with the “black struggle” and told his interviewer that he is not open to black women because he has “a David Duke cock.” When interviewer Rob Tannenbaum asked him to get specific, it was clear Mayer was not just hatin’ on women of color. “[Kerry Washington is] superhot, and she’s also white girl crazy. Kerry Washington would break your heart like a white girl. Just all of a sudden she’d be like, ‘Yeah, I sucked his dick. Whatever’… That’s what ‘Heartbreak Warfare’ is all about, when a girl uses jealousy as a tactic.”
John Mayer certainly knows the two ways to my heart: singing “Daughters” and using different races of women as species comparison. While I gave up on him after he wrote “Waiting on the World to Change” (and thus encouraged our generation to mobilize around the fact that we can’t ever effect change anyway), there are plenty of people out there that fucking adore this dude. Tannenbaum wrote, “He is beloved (though not universally) as one of the few uncensored stars, speaking with wit and impetuousness.” And there you have it folks, the buzzwords that give immunity to every lack-of-respect gaffe that public figures make: uncensored, impetuous, maverick.
When I read the article the first time, I had to give it to Tannenbaum; it had a flow. The shit spewing out of Mayer’s mouth almost had a cadence to it, and after the initial shock a lot of it almost seemed reasonable. I actually walked away from it thinking, “Yeah, it’s ignorant, but it’s honest.” And perhaps that’s the real problem here; that “honesty” can so easily translate to “merit.” I can be completely honest about the fact that I don’t find worth in an entire race of people, but would you revere my opinion or use it to raise my value as an honest person around a bunch of nice phonies? Please. I’d be a racist. The end.
John Mayer deserves the same scrutiny. While a lot of us tend to date along a certain profile, often called our “type,” I’m calling him out for saying there is no way he could find women of color attractive. That is blatant white supremacy and something one cannot make up for by saying, “My dick is a white supremacist, but I’ve got a Benetton heart.” No problem, Johnny boy — you obviously know racism is bad, so please go ahead and tell us how you’d never be with someone who possessed something extrinsic that made her so different. This plays into so many stereotypes and internal fears that I can only scratch the surface of it all. Please clarify, Mr. Mayer: Is your privilege so structured that you wish to continue pandering to your perceived all-white audience at any cost? Or does your “struggle” make you realize your privilege, and you thus have a soft spot for those women of color who live like rich white women?
Regardless, we find ourselves in a sad state. By embracing a barefaced bigot as a cultural hero we are taking some major steps backward in the fight for a just society. Yes, he can play the guitar like a Jimmy Page prot�g�, but let’s not forget that Hitler could paint. It’s near impossible to be a famous talent these days and not have your personal life under the microscope. If you know you hold a view that is not respectful to your audience (you know, the people who fund your existence), then STFU. If you offend them, apologize and adapt. John Mayer would do well to get out of his comfort zone and live somewhere that is not so user-friendly. Rich, straight, white men have historically been advantaged by the structure of this culture since day one. It is the furthest from unreasonable to ask that they open themselves up to viewing everyone as having intrinsic qualities that make them desirable as human beings, and maybe, just maybe, try to identify with the actual struggles of those who come from a marginalized class.
Going outside my comfort zone has been essential to getting involved in a very different culture; it has been eye-opening and amazing — a chance to see beautiful people living a very beautiful life, regardless of race, dick or donk.
Nikki Signer is a political science and religious studies major. Send your most burning questions to your fabulous amigas at [email protected]
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Oh please, Ms. Intellectual writer, the guy’s half Jewish himself. Point being, I think he knows a little something about bigotry. He comes from a heritage that has lived it. Your banter is just about as mouthy as his, just not so racy. Give it an intellectual rest, will ya?!
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the jewish reply! never gets old.
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Racism isn’t limited to just groups that aren’t considered victims. A half Jewish guy saying these things is still just as racist. It may be a true feeling of his—he may otherwise not be racist— but the fact remains that racial preference is technically racism. As a side note, I don’t think you know that Mayer has encountered any kind of obstacles or discrimination related to his being Jewish. Just saying
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By that logic, sexual preference would technically be sexism. So a straight person is sexist against their own gender, a gay person is sexist against the opposite gender, and a bisexual person has the whole world figured out.
Wait no, its just a preference. And nothing else.
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Thanks for writing this article. John Mayer is a total idiot, as is the poster above me. Enjoy your vacation!
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wait, is this really the sex column? if i didn’t know any better i’d say a writer’s editorial got bumped from the opinion page for being a poorly developed, weakly grounded witch hunt without any substantive point, so she added a few self-glorifying sentences about having a “donk” and tried to pass it off. because nobody, especially not anyone looking for a sex column, gives a shit about any of this. i mean really, this is very, very bad.
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To the writer of the first comment:
I see you’re one of the few people who feels (for God knows what reason) an unwavering sense of loyalty to this singer. Do not kid yourself for a moment by thinking that this man understands the devastating effects of bigotry. Being half-Jewish does not automatically make one more sensitive to racial discrimination, as his interview with Playboy clearly demonstrated. I am a woman, but that does not mean that i can identify with every other woman who has been the victim of gender-based violence or discrimination; to do so would be foolish and would undermine their experience! Also, don’t trash the writer of this article for being an “intellectual”; her points were a thoughtful reflection of what many people, including this former J.M. fan, have been thinking over the past few weeks. Besides, Mayer has often prided himself on being clever with his incessant need to intellectualize…well, everything, so why should it be acceptable for him and not Ms. Singer? Next time, to get a balanced perspective before you judge.
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Well that was only a little preachy. You do transition (nicely) from berating just Mayer to including “rich, straight, white men” in general, which was just damn considerate of you and not at all stereotyping. I especially enjoyed the part where you likened Mayer to Hitler - because as anyone can see, a music artist’s exercise of free speech in an honest PLAYBOY magazine interview is just as bigoted as a painter’s rise to political power and systematic extermination of Jews and gypsies. Anyone who doesn’t accept your far reaching conclusions and intruding demands… phooey to them. Mayer’s dick is racist, and men think with their dicks, so it’s a foregone conclusion that Mayer is a raging, erect racist and should be ostracized by the public until he grovels for our forgiveness and not one second sooner. I applaud this risky and forward article. It was a bold assessment of what really is the biggest problem, by far, of society today � the enjoyment of a racist musician�s music. Enjoy Costa Rica, you poor, oppressed white woman.
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too funny! But comparing him to Hitler? - come on!
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Can we please, please use some of that oft-advertised intelligence to separate the talent/musician from the man? I am so sick of people merging the two and consequently shaping and broadcasting opinions.
It’s the same problem so many people have had with the Tiger Woods’ recent developments. The dude is an amazing golfer - hands down one of the finest athletic specimens of this generation. But, even according to the man himself, he’s been a crappy person. And he’s apologized. His dalliances haven’t changed my opinion of him as a golfer - and since I’m not his brother, sister, wife, child mother, friend etc. he doesn’t owe me or you (assuming you aren’t one of the previously mentioned either)any sort of explanation. And I - acknowledging that all human beings are flawed - don’t judge him based on those personal issues. If it were my spouse, there would be an issue, but who am I to shame him for things that don’t affect me in the slightest? I’m capable of distinguishing what made Tiger so admirable (his game)and appreciating him for that contribution.
Same goes for Mayer. Here’s a guy who clearly has some social issues - which is sort of standard for many prodigies. From what I’ve seen, he seems to morph into which ever world he’s in and respond or retort accordingly. I’m guessing it’s based on an inherent desire to be accepted and/or liked. But I’m just guessing. What I do know - I like his music - have for years. Some of that affinity is related to the memories I have wrapped up in some of his early work. But I don’t have to like ‘Mayer the man’ to appreciate Mayer’s music. Sure it would be incredibly convenient to always feel some kinship to the artist because he/she is an honorable, stand-up pillar in the community who have never offended anyone in this hyper-sensitive society, but that isn’t realistic? If you like the guy’s music, buy his songs/albums, ante up the dough for concert seats and enjoy the entertainment. But stop looking to these celebrities as role models and stop being devastated when the insert foot (or other body part) in mouth. Accept them for what they are and what they contribute to your life (if anything).
Cynical? Maybe. But at least it doesn’t make me a ‘high and mighty’ prude incapable of acknowledging people’s difficulties in navigating this crazy planet. And at least I’m not rubbing their face in their mis-steps like some hypocrite.
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Ugh.. leave the poor guy alone, he is a 32 year old single male who just tries to hard to please his audience. I am not quite a fan of his but if ever wants to have a non-celeb relationship with a very boring ‘Rules Girl’ then his David Duke Cock can ring me up anytime- Btw, LOVE when someone runs out people to compare someone to so they just pick Hitler (the president is Hitler, George Bush was Hitler, Tony Blair was Hitler, Tom Cruise is Hitler) can’t we just all agree that the Hitler comparison is over? However bonus points if you can compare someone of Jewish descent.
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How ‘bout we have a sex column about sex? And, by the way, Hitler’s art blows.
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The girl who wrote this piece is lacking any discernable intelligence and it appears she’s been molded quite well by her PC superiors.
John Mayer isn’t attracted to black women. He seems to REALLY like white girls.
So what? Who cares?
Any fool knows mens’ attraction to women is primarily based on looks and different races have different physical traits. He’s racist for not being attracted to black girls? How is that any more “racist” that a girl who say she isn’t attracted to short asian guys? It’s not.
I’m a mixed asian and I am not attracted to black or asian women. I like white and hispanic girls. Is that racist? If it is, then I’ll repeat what I initially said:
You’re an idiot. You’re some sheltered liberal white girl in college who has no grasp of reality or real racism. I’ll finish by linking you a study that shows Mr. Mayer isn’t alone; black women appear to be the least popular women to men of all races.
http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/2009/10/05/your-race-affects-whether-people-write-you-back/
PS: Funny how the author brags about being accosted by horny natives on her vacation. You do realize they will hit on anything and it’s not a testament to your beauty, right? I won’t bring up personality because there obviously isn’t much going on upstairs anyways.
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I’m going to have to agree, in part, with this guy. Not with insults directed at the article’s author, but his stance on preference vs racism. You cannot control who you are attracted to and it is not racist to prefer one type of person over another. Yes, I said type, it was for lack of a better word, don’t get too worked up over it, I don’t write papers that often. Ironically, you probably think I’m a racist now. Well god damn, apparently I have to be able to control my feelings and emotions to obtain complete politically-correct nirvana.
Mayer is an entertainer. There are very few people who will make such a bold comment because some people, like the author of this article, will never miss out on a chance to flaunt to the world that they are above any sort of discrimination. Did John Mayer say that black wom…, oh sorry “women of color”, were inferior? No, he did not and I am willing to bet he doesn’t think that way either. Its a pretty steep accusation to accuse him of being a white supremacist. But wait, he was the one calling his dick a white supremacist, wasn’t he? He wasn’t serious. His dick does not have the intellectual capability to discriminate. If people can’t learn to laugh at a comment like that, Dave Chappelle would be out of business, and that guy is one funny son of a bitch. Political-correctness is fine, but too much of it is goddamn ridiculous. Its counter-productive, and it leads to one-sided, emotionally-heavy, sub-par journalism.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just a white supremacist. Who isn’t white.
But hey, it was a well-written opinion article. I normally like to hear from people who are not so far to one side of the political spectrum that they can’t even see the other side, but then again, I’m not so inclined to being outspoken. It has no business being the hump-day article, but I never would have read it had it not been. You seem to be getting a lot of negative comments about it, but thats just the world of journalism. Now go enjoy Puerto Rico and forget your worries.
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I don’t care what John Mayer says, he’s an entertainer and that’s what he does when he makes outrageous comments like this. He’s a guitar player, and he does it damn well. He’s also a celebrity and he knows that if he says ridiculous things, people will listen. I appreciate John Mayer and what he does for popular, mainstream music, unlike shitty R&B stars who beat their significant others, or country music stars who simply make shitty music. Long live Mayer and his white supremacist dick.