Apple Celebrates Black History Month With Limited-Edition Watch, Featured Apps and Books, and More

[svanstrom]

I said they need to first do, then talk or ask for money.

As the old saying goes: “...You need to walk the talk, otherwise it don’t mean nothin’...."

But you are certianly free to mid-summarise and mis-paraphrase as much as you wish. Anything to avoid the actual point that was made...

They are doing something; you're just not happy with what they're doing.

They're not asking for donations without doing anything, they are creating products that allow people to express what they stand for; and by doing that Apple is actually standing up for something themselves.

That might not sound like much to you, but look around you at the r****t f***s getting triggered by it; and that should be enough to tell you that it is more than doing nothing.

 

[svanstrom]

I also stated that "I would like to think wearing the band would create more positive interractions than negative", which would be supporting of your opinion but I'm not willing to take the chance in todays climate where one moment gets you "canceled".

So, you wouldn't dare wearing something that shows support for people in a bullet-catching pandemic, because you're afraid that in worse case scenario some people might like you less?

What do you think will happen to you if you get caught a victim to "cancel culture" for wearing the wrong coloured AW watchband? Like seriously, what do you expect the consequences to be?

 

[RealPhone]

Today is the International Holocaust Remembrance Day!

We commemorate the memory of the victims and the triumph of Holocaust survivors.

I wish Apple had also honored the victims and those who survived!

 

[svanstrom]

I was just reminded about this thread when I saw an example of why any and all awareness is a good thing; as it is something that makes people more actively notice "unnecessary racism" in both themselves and others:

A local café has the legitimate problem with people coming there and using their free wifi and electrical outlets without making a purchase; a problem made worse by the pandemic (fewer tables available, as well as fewer other places where people could be).

So the staff occasionally, while cleaning etc, very politely ask people to buy something.

All of that is beyond fair, and they even have an 18 USD/mo. unlimited basic coffee/tea-subscription; I love them, and often (ab)use them as my office. 😆

However, I've noticed that there's definitely a correlation between skin color and whether or not a person is able to fly under the radar as far as getting a friendly reminder to buy something.

Sometimes it's absolutely possible to look at culture/clothing/style as a potentially more relevant indicator than skin color; but with more observations that just doesn't hold up. To the point where a scruffier looking white guy are likelier to be ignored than what's clearly a business person, with darker skin.

I don't think there's a single person on that staff that even remotely could be called a racist; but these things happen, regularly and habitually, if we don't pay attention. If we are not aware.

 

[Websnapx2]

Have you been watching the news over the past 5 years or so?

Burrito shop shuts after being accused of stealing Mexican culture

Two white women, Kali Wilgus and Liz 'LC' Connelly, who opened a taco truck in Portland after taking a trip to Mexico, have been forced to close it amid accusations of cultural appropriation.

www.dailymail.co.uk

tl;dr White women's burrito shop forced to close, accused of cultrual appropriation

White woman accused of cultural appropriation for buying a didgeridoo

Social media influencer Sarah Stevenson, gave her partner Kurt Tilse the wind instrument as a gift from their one-year-old son Fox at their Sydney home on Sunday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

tl;dr Aussie fitness influencer accused of cultrual appropriation over musical instrument and hair style

‘Don’t wear them if you're white’: Animal Crossing gamers accused of CULTURAL APPROPRIATION over virtual afro puff hairstyles

Animal Crossing: New Horizons players found themselves at the center of social justice scorn after being accused of cultural appropriation for wearing an in-game hairstyle some say was only for black people.

www.rt.com

tl;dr Non-black gamers accused of cultrual appropration for hair style of in game characters

Black student filmed harassing white student over his dreadlocks

47-second clip viewed more than one million times in just 24 hours

www.independent.co.uk

tl;dr White student accused of cultrual appropriation over hair style (dreadlocks) by a black female student, interesting side argument about the actual cultural origins could be Egyptian.

Overall point:

Your statement is... oddly dismissive of the numerous claims of cultural appropraition in the media over the last few years. If, as you claim, no one would bother with coming up to you and hurl insults over something you are wearing then why any of the above and why the many, many more instances easily found via a web search that involve clothing, hair styles, jewelry, etc? I would imagine that most people do not wear hair styles, clothing, jewelry items, etc in a derogatory or mocking way, they do it because they felt the item was attractive and they feel the item would make them more attractive. I acknowledge that some may unknowingly cause offense to a culture because something was worn inappropriately but simply being not of that culture shouldn't be a reason to be offended.

I believe that @decypher44 expressing concern about how someone could be treated for wearing the watchband in question is valid. I would like to think it would create more positive interractions than negative but it only takes one negative interraction at work or in public that gets filmed an posted to social media to wreck ones life in these cancel culture times and that is reason to think twice.

None of those things are analogous to wearing a watchband made by a corporation. Dreadlocks are a cultural and sometimes spiritual thing, not similar to an Apple watchband. The two women were "forced" to shut it down due to openly admitting they were stealing the techniques of the ladies they harassed while on a trip to Mexico. They were not legally forced, they just lost their customers for being crappy humans. They wouldn't be able to go to a culinary arts school and peer through the windows to learn how to make torts and received deserving backlash. This is nowhere near the same as that.

No one will ever like everything you do — but if it's not malicious or illegal it doesn't matter. As a person of color, I learned a long time ago some people are just unhappy and will find something about you to be unhappy about to compensate. You know your own motivations — if what you do, what you say, or what you wear is respectful and comes from a good place then just ignore the haters. You can't wait for safe spaces — I have never had that luxury — you shouldn't expect it either. Just be cool about it and don't sound like you are ready to teach a class about it and you'll be fine.

 

[redcaptrickster]

As a Black man.
There is nothing wrong with being an ally or solidarity.
Cultural appropriation is when you you use or monetize the culture with no respect for it.
I wear breast cancer awareness bands. I wear pink shirts for the month of October.
I don't have breast cancer.

If you think for one second woke culture -- person or corporation -- gives a **** about you beyond your vote or your wallet, then you better wake up.

I'll tell you what, though. Go to Seattle and observe the herds of wokeness migrating from coffeehouse to coffeehouse, drinking their little specialty drinks, and working on their laptops with "socially aware" stickers on them. Do you know what you won't see in their little herds? People of color. That should be your first clue.

Lots of snowflakes around here.

Yes, there are, and you let them control you. Good luck with that.

 

[svanstrom]

I'll tell you what, though. Go to Seattle and observe the herds of wokeness migrating from coffeehouse to coffeehouse, drinking their little specialty drinks, and working on their laptops with "socially aware" stickers on them. Do you know what you won't see in their little herds? People of color. That should be your first clue.

A first clue of… structural racism… environmental racism… income disparities… and so on…

That place could be whiter than a cocaine factory run by the Swedish maffia on the north pole in the middle of winter, and it would still look friendlier than Random Bar in Hicktown, US.

Showing awareness matters.

 

[Flight Plan]

Identity Politics is never a good thing. It is regressive in effect.

True that!

COVID Survivor Commemorative Series 7

LOL, with the "contageous" symbol superimposed over a pair of lungs.

As a White Cis-gendered male, am I allowed to purchase this band as reparations or is it appropriating a culture that I cannot identify with?

Whichever one gets you canceled from your school, job, family, well..that's the one it will be.

At least that's the one you should ASSUME it will be.

Don't worry there will be a band for you in a few decades once you are in the minority!

Not necessarily. Remember the holocaust. There is no band for holocaust surviving Jews today, and I'd say they're a great example of a minority.

Shouldn't be a problem for anyone; unless you're afraid of being treated the way you currently are treating minorities.

This is a false equivalency.

Saying that just because he sees things differently, or disagrees, that he's evil? That's what you said. There are a LOT of reasons not to go along with anything/everything they say we should.

See, there’s the thing. I love the band. And if this were back in the 80s and 90s, I’d buy it Day 1. But today, if I were to wear it, I’d constantly worry about getting called out for cultural appropriation.

It’s sad. Back in the day, Unity was Unity. Now, not so much.

Today, unity is being forced on us. True unity is WELCOMING. This thing that we're seeing, it's not welcoming at all.

It's just another way of saying, "The daily beatings will continue until morale improves."

I don't think that would happen if you rocked the band. Maybe you are assuming the worst?

And with today's cancel culture, why would he not assume the worst?

People have been kicked out of school (high schools, college) for lesser offenses. People have been FIRED from their jobs for lesser offenses. People have been PREVENTED from getting a new job for lesser offenses.

He has EVERY right to assume the worst, because what's happening right now is NOT welcoming. It's more like, "Comply or Lose Everything".

Well, that's a fear that you've pretty much developed inside your own head. (Not meant as an insult!)

Your opinion, and you've assumed that you're right and all will be well. But evidence shows that it's not always automatically okay. There are TONS of examples in the news telling about how somebody got "canceled" because they wore dreds...or they wore a piece of jewelry, or clothing, and somebody else got offended and made the first person's life absolute hell.

Why don't you go with showing unity, and then put it aside if a non-white explains to you how you had the spirit right; but accidentally displayed it wrong?

Once you've been labeled "wrong", you can't go back. Again, lots of examples of people who got "canceled". Apologies only serve as blood in the water for the sharks.

It's never a good sign by default being on the alt-nut side just because you're worried about showing your spirit wrong. Just ask around; see what the people you are afraid of upsetting actually think.

You can say this, and you might even mean it from your heart, but it doesn't make you right in the real world.

Well said! I imagine if he did wear the band, he would be shown a lot of positivity.

Except for that ONE person who wants to make him suffer. That's all it takes in today's cancel culture. One person who decides to take you down.

And THAT is not "unity".

I appreciate and hear what you and svan are saying, but I see it happen a lot. It’s sad AND true.

You're right here, and you're ABSOLUTELY RIGHT TO BE CAUTIOUS AND WARY.

Yep, I wear my pride band every day and it starts conversations with people I meet who are in the LGBTQ+ community all the time. I’ve had nothing but positive conversations about it. I am conscious of the fact that the things I do may be seen as offensive and/or appropriation but I’m willing to change my behavior if I learn that’s the case. It’s something about loving my neighbor and all that.

Good for you. But remember, all it takes is ONE person to decide your fate should go the other way. Go ahead, say something controversial...even mildly so. Then see what happens.

You seriously need to get over that. Do you honestly think people are bold enough to come up to you and hurl an insult about what you're wearing?

Yes they are and yes they do! All it takes is ONE to create a firestorm. You're not willing to say anything controversial, so you won't experience it. Well, until there's nobody else for the monster to eat. And then there won't be anybody (like me) to defend your right to disagree.

If anyone were to do that they've got real personal problems and are willing to take a risk at getting smacked in the head.

I don't understand this sentence. Are you advocating violence? Good luck with that.

It's just a wrist band. You'd have to be pretty close up to someone to even pay attention to it. You're cheating yourself out on something you like because you're worried about something someone would say to your face about it? You're giving people way too much power in your life. SMH.

No, the cancel culture already has too much power in our lives, and we're just trying to survive; especially those of us who know that we're in the group more likely to be canceled than not. We have families and kids and mortgages and jobs too, you know. So yes, I'd cheat myself out on something I like in exchange for something I need more.

And I'm always on my guard now. I wear t-shirts without any logos or sayings. I don't have bumper stickers on my car. Because this thing we have, where one person could start a big huge punishing action against somebody for just saying they like something?

It ain't unity, that's for sure. Real unity cannot be demanded. It must be EARNED, it can only come from the heart, and that's not happening. People will just say the words, but many are doing so only to avoid being "de-personed", because life gets really hard after that happens.

 

[svanstrom]

No, the cancel culture already has too much power in our lives

😂

"Cancel culture" is simply the right to not buy services/products from racists, sexists, homophobes, and so on.

Sooo… if you're afraid of "cancel culture" you're either neurotic, or something you should stay away from being.

It's so very simple: Don't be an ass and you don't have to fear the consequences of your actions.

 

[jonnyb098]

😂

"Cancel culture" is simply the right to not buy services/products from racists, sexists, homophobes, and so on.

Sooo… if you're afraid of "cancel culture" you're either neurotic, or something you should stay away from being.

It's so very simple: Don't be an ass and you don't have to fear the consequences of your actions.

So thats what you all tell yourselves, eh? Your last sentence just proved why so many are fed up. Do as we say or else.

For those who want the real definition of cancel culture, it's very simple:

Believe in what we say or we will attempt to make your life hell. Don't ask questions, just repeat the feel good slogans till something else comes along to get enraged about. Collect woke points. Rinse and repeat.

 

[svanstrom]

So thats what you all tell yourselves, eh? Your last sentence just proved why so many are fed up. Do as we say or else.

For those who want the real definition of cancel culture, it's very simple:

Believe in what we say or we will attempt to make your life hell. Don't ask questions, just repeat the feel good slogans till something else comes along to get enraged about. Collect woke points. Rinse and repeat.

Honey, all "we" say is that you have to be a big boy and accept that not everyone wants to do business with you when you are mistreating us, our friends, or other people, for who we/they are.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

Cancel culture is a sickness. A totalitarian regime mind set. Go against the desired established order you die is basically where this leads. It's the immature childish act to react to something you don't like. It needs to be squashed now. Before we really live in that dystopian mentality as the ubiquitous norm.

 

[jonnyb098]

Cancel culture is a sickness. A totalitarian regime mind set. Go against the desired established order you die is basically where this leads. It's the immature childish act to react to something you don't like. It needs to be squashed now. Before we really live in that dystopian mentality as the ubiquitous norm.

Kinda sounds like a certain mindset form a certain country where a certain virus came from......little by little thats how you take over.

 

[svanstrom]

Cancel culture is a sickness. A totalitarian regime mind set. Go against the desired established order you die is basically where this leads. It's the immature childish act to react to something you don't like. It needs to be squashed now. Before we really live in that dystopian mentality as the ubiquitous norm.

😂

It's hilarious how the people on the "we don't serve your kind here due to [quasi-religious excuse]"-side of the aisle are the same ones upset when people on their approved list of lifestyles take their business elsewhere.

Apparently their "rights" also include forcing other people to give them money.. 🤷

 

[Websnapx2]

If you think for one second woke culture -- person or corporation -- gives a **** about you beyond your vote or your wallet, then you better wake up.

I'll tell you what, though. Go to Seattle and observe the herds of wokeness migrating from coffeehouse to coffeehouse, drinking their little specialty drinks, and working on their laptops with "socially aware" stickers on them. Do you know what you won't see in their little herds? People of color. That should be your first clue.



Yes, there are, and you let them control you. Good luck with that.

You are lumping a lot of things together that have no bearing here. No one is praising apple for this (they are just saying if they like it or not), and you are not giving Techwiz the benefit of the doubt to be able to discern when people are pandering or not.

There are more than enough "woke" things to be informed in, but just because no one has all the answers doesn't mean they should all be lumped together like this, it's disingenuous. It seems like it's a sore point for you, but I wouldn't project that onto Techwiz, I have a feeling he wasn't thinking at all about Portland when he was sharing his thoughts on this band and his thoughts on cultural appropriation.

 

[Black Magic]

Kinda sounds like a certain mindset form a certain country where a certain virus came from......little by little thats how you take over.

What are your thoughts on storming the capital? How about overturning a legit election because you didn't get your way and are fed lies continuously? Doesn't that sound similar to Russia and China?

Sadly, holding people accountable for their actions is lost on people these days. A quarterback kneeling for equal rights is demonized and "canceled" by the same folks that stormed the capital and spew hate/violence on social media. They then act surprised when they are held accountable. Freedom of Speech is usually the phrase they hide behind to justify their horrible actions.

Apple releases a new product. Folks are triggered. Sad state of affairs.

 

[svanstrom]

What are your thoughts on storming the capital? How about overturning a legit election because you didn't get your way and are fed lies continuously? Doesn't that sound similar to Russia and China?

Sadly, holding people accountable for their actions is lost on people these days. A quarterback kneeling for equal rights is demonized and "canceled" by the same folks that stormed the capital and spew hate/violence on social media. They then act surprised when they are held accountable. Freedom of Speech is usually the phrase they hide behind to justify their horrible actions.

Apple releases a new product. Folks are triggered. Sad state of affairs.

 

[icanhazmac]

How about overturning a legit election because you didn't get your way and are fed lies continuously?

What are your thoughts on this attempt to discredit a lawful election and the lies fed to you by Speaker Pelosi?

PS - Twitter did nothing then and still has done nothing about this misinformation.

 

[techwhiz]

If you think for one second woke culture -- person or corporation -- gives a **** about you beyond your vote or your wallet, then you better wake up.

I'll tell you what, though. Go to Seattle and observe the herds of wokeness migrating from coffeehouse to coffeehouse, drinking their little specialty drinks, and working on their laptops with "socially aware" stickers on them. Do you know what you won't see in their little herds? People of color. That should be your first clue.



Yes, there are, and you let them control you. Good luck with that.

You don't know me so, how in the world do you know who or what controls me?
I said nothing about work culture or anyone caring about me.
I don't think any corporation cares about anything beyond if I'm spending my money.
In the case of social media, giving them my data too monetize.

Don't for a minute get it twisted, that I have bought into the lip service of corporations and their "diversity" initiatives.
Don't tell me, show me.

 

[Black Magic]

What are your thoughts on this attempt to discredit a lawful election and the lies fed to you by Speaker Pelosi?

PS - Twitter did nothing then and still has done nothing about this misinformation.

Love how you didn't answer a single question in my post. Dodge and deflect. Regarding your post, did that tweet lead to Hilary supporters storming the capital?

How do you feel about the alleged leader of QAnon announcing it was all a hoax and that he is currently working on his next project?

Also, are you buying vitamins and water from Alex Jones and Guiliani? You have to know that most of these folks and politicians are profiting off the misinformation. They are taking advantage of the ignorant folks. All they do is throw out a few key phrases like "Radical Left will will take your guns" and "Save your country" to rile you guys up. Meanwhile, they are stealing your social security among other things while you are distracted. It's really sad when you think about it.

 

[techwhiz]

1. By constantly reminding people that they aren't seen in equal standing is the reason why they're not seen in equal standing. We need to stop focusing/talking about race and just treat everyone as individuals. It's the only way to make everyone colorblind.

2. The system is in place for any Black American to be successful. Many examples abound. But by continually talking about them being marginalized or victimized, it creates a mindset for failure and resentment.

3. Relegating black history to one month is a slap in the face to Black Americans. As Morgan Freeman said, Black history is American history. Which month is white history? This is yet another example of some white narcissistic liberals throwing a bone to Black Americans and thinking they've done some good.

1. We had 100 years of Apartheid in America after the civil war. It was called Jim Crowe, The Black Codes and segregation.
Make no mistake. it's application was just a brutal as Apartheid in South Africa. By Calling anything other than Apartheid we sanitize the actions and behavior.

Sorry, we have never had an honest discussion about race in America. To deny that systemic and endemic racism still exists, it just hides the issue and lest is fester.

I don't need you colorblind. It's okay to recognize that I'm different; just don't treat me differently.
The Japanese experience in America is different than mine as a Black man. I can recognize they have a different culture and a different experience without treating them differently.

2. You must have your head in the sand. Systems in place to make any Black American successful?
So discrimination in housing, banking, insurance and education no longer exists?
No discrimination by law enforcement?
Crack addicts get jail, but powder users (usually white get rehab). Now that soccer moms are hooked on opiates and it's affecting the burbs we talk about this being an issue. When drugs affect the black community; lock them up.
Without truly having a discussion about the long running disparities in legacy wealth that was stolen by 100 years of apartheid you keep sweeping the issue under the rug.

3. I agree with this because Black Americans have participated in ALL aspects of history in America, but the teaching of those achievements has long lagged behind the propping up of white inventors.
I can name 50 inventions by Black Americans. I bet most people that graduated from school in America can name 2; if that.
Black History Month is no different than Breast Cancer Awareness month in its goal. It's to make/help people become aware so maybe they will seek more knowledge.

 

[icanhazmac]

Wow, one interraction sure got you riled up. But as you took the time to ask I'll go back over your questions:

What are your thoughts on storming the capital?

It is a really stupid thing to do. Regardless of ones opinion on the election a couple of hundred people ruined what was otherwise a peaceful protest and further plunged the country into turmoil. Stupidity while protesting happens on both sides of the political isle and it is unfortunate that a couple of hundred fools damage the credibility of those working towards a noble goal.

How about overturning a legit election because you didn't get your way and are fed lies continuously?

I think I answered this one with my previous post. Both sides claimed an election was rigged or stolen, only one side got canceled or even condemned for saying it.

Doesn't that sound similar to Russia and China?

I can't really speak to this other than hearing that elections in Russia go however Putin wants them too and I don't know enough about the Chinese Communist Party to speak on how their election process works.

Regarding your post, did that tweet lead to Hilary supporters storming the capital?

No they did not. Storming the Capitol really shouldn't be the bar for if statements are dangerous though. My only point in posting the Pelosi tweet was that posting misinformation can occur on both sides of the political isle and both sides should be treated the same way and suffer the same consequences.

How do you feel about the alleged leader of QAnon announcing it was all a hoax and that he is currently working on his next project?

I do not have any knowledge of who "leads" QAnon and I don't know anything about it other than what one picks up from casual news reports. My uninformed impression is conspiracy theory crackpots.

Also, are you buying vitamins and water from Alex Jones and Guiliani?

Hardly. I have only heard Alex Jones on the JRE podcast a couple of times and I of course know who Guilliani is but no I have never purchased anything from either one.

You have to know that most of these folks and politicians are profiting off the misinformation. They are taking advantage of the ignorant folks.

This happens on both sides of the political isle. For years we were fed "misinformation" from the left that Russia "stole" the 2016 election but YEARS of digging yielded no proof.

All they do is throw out a few key phrases like "Radical Left will will take your guns" and "Save your country" to rile you guys up.

Again, this happens on both sides of the isle. The "left" if you will has done a masterful job of painting anyone who identifies as Republican or Conservative as a Nazi, this of course is just stupid, there are real Nazis and trying to paint somone who just has a different viewpoint from you on abortion as a Nazi is dangerous.

And as to you comment about those that spew hate and violence on social media.... do you really think that is limited to what you probably call the alt-right? There is plenty of hate and violence spewed on both sides. Remember #punchanazi? If everyone that is Republican or Conservative is considered a Nazi this is really dangerous and stupid.

 

[svanstrom]

The "left" if you will has done a masterful job of painting anyone who identifies as Republican or Conservative as a Nazi, this of course is just stupid, there are real Nazis and trying to paint somone who just has a different viewpoint from you on abortion as a Nazi is dangerous.

Just sayin'…

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-nazis-white-supremacists-kenosha-charlottesville-very-fine-people.html

Self-described Nazis and white supremacists are running as Republicans across the country. The GOP is terrified.

The racist candidates are expected to lose, but they could drag their party down with them.

www.vox.com

 

[icanhazmac]

Just sayin'…

Just sayin' what exactly?

I get it and said it, real Nazis exist, my point was people should be very careful in what labels they apply to people who do not deserve them. Again, someone with a different view of abortion or a different view of fiscal policy does not deserve to be automatically labeled a Nazi, its dangerous and stupid.

 

[svanstrom]

I get it and said it, real Nazis exist, my point was people should be very careful in what labels they apply to people who do not deserve them. Again, someone with a different view of abortion or a different view of fiscal policy does not deserve to be automatically labeled a Nazi, its dangerous and stupid.

If you are comfortable with standing next to the nazi when they are supporting what you are supporting, when you are comfortable supporting a party comfortable with supporting a president attracting and protecting the nazi… well… you're no better yourself.