This is why I love Eddie...
The ClubHouse: Big Brother 2000: General - Archives:
Houseguests:
Eddie:
This is why I love Eddie...
Flint | Friday, August 18, 2000 - 10:56 am  Nina; I lived there for a short time and that was the view I saw. Please don't include me as one of those "downstate" people. I am a Canucklehead through and through. ;) That is the view I saw. I have only driven through NYC, never spent any time there. Mind you driving through it was not a pleasureable time.;) My main experience has been through work. Dealing with people, mainly from NYC, on the phone daily. That is generally a very unpleasant chore. They tend to be rude, obnoxious and profane. And those are the nice ones. Racial epithets and slurs seem to be a common part of their dialouge, regardless of their own ethnicity. Which is why Eddie's behaviour didn;t surprise me. It doesn't mean I condone it, all it means is that I understand why he is that way. That behaviour seems to be endemic to the area. If it does make a person a racist, then you would have to label people of all ethnic bakgrounds as racist because for the most part they all talk that way. I have had whites use slurs about blacks, natives, hispanics, and jews. I have had blacks use slurs about whites, natives, hispanics, jews, and even other blacks. You can switch the ethnic backgrounds around, and add some I haven't even mentioned. In the end, no matter what the ethnic background, in my dealings with people from NYC they all use racial slurs to one degree or another. Not EVERYONE is that way, but from personal experience I would say a good 80% of the people I deal with from NYC are that way. It is sad, but unfortunately true. Femmef8l; "Bravo MVm522, it is hard making a point when people are racially bias and when I am out numbered. " Please don't insult my intelligence, or your own. Just because people don't totally agree with you doesn't make them racially biased. While I don't think the behaviour/joke he made are acceptable (and the joke itself is a racist joke) an argument can easily be made (and has been) that he isn't necessarily a racist. In all the posts made on the subject I can't recall seeing ONE that said it was acceptable. Not everyone ripped into him Eddie and slammed him (although there were a few who did). Some people took the approach that it was more a result of his environment (NYC) than being a racists (myself included). Yet, not one of those people condoned what he said. Maybe my idea of a racist is too liberal. I don't think the odd comment makes someone a racist, If it did we would all be labelled racists because I doubt anyone of us can say we NEVER made some politically incorrect comment//joke at least once in our life. I am also willing to look at all the factors involved with the person, be it Eddie, Will, or the guy next door. Now, if you can show me proof of Eddie constantly exhibiting this behaviour, I would be willing to change my views on him. Making racist jokes whenever he can, putting other races down by his words and actions. Talking about racial superiority and supremacy. Things like that. Show me some of those actions taking place and you will be able to sway me. (That is the same burden of proof I put on those who claim Will was a racist, and I am still unconvinced he is.) Talking down to me doesn't do that. It just gets me to make large rambling posts. I missed the BigGrandMother post, and frankly I am glad. People like that tends to irk me, and sicken me. Some people will do anything just to rile others up. The fact it got such a rise out of you probably gave the dork his/her jollies. Responding to them is generally what they want, the attention, knowing they got to you. Conversely, I am bothered by people who go out of their way to read racism into everything. Case in point, the votes for Cassandra. there are people stating that it was only done because of racism. George, Karen, and Eddie are racists and only voted for her because of that. Once again, I don't like having my intelligence insulted by people who want to espouse some agenda. It couldn't possibly be because she isn't in their clique, or any other reason. It HAS to be racism. Heh, it reminds me of a discussion I had with some friends a few years ago. We were talking about racism, and finding fault with those you don't like. What it distilled down to is the fact that if you begin with the notion that something IS taking place (be it racism, a plot against you, bias in the media, anything) you will always find it. Your preconceived idea will bias what you see, and make you nit pick things enough so you always find something to prove you right. If you look hard enough, and dissect everything you will always find something that you can point to. However, it doesn't always make you right. But I digress. One shouldn't expect to join a thread called "Why I love Eddie" and expect people to jump onto their anti-Eddie bandwagon. Of course you were "outnumbered" if you want to take that point of view. You are posting in a thread where the majority of the people posting are those who like Eddie for whatever reason. You can slough it off to people being racially biased and complain about being outnumbered if you want. However, if you were really surprised to be "outnumbered", well, I am not going to go there because no matter what I say, or how I say it, it won't make a difference. One thing I try to keep in mind when I post is that it isn't realistic to expect a note to immediately sway people to your side. You can post the most eloquent, well thought out, well written message. Unfortunately most people have their mind made up before they read it, and you won't sway them. All you can expect is that those who agree will agree, those who disagree will continue to disagree, and hopefully, with some luck, it may actually provide some food for thought to those who disagree. Turning on those who disagree after you have posted, those who don't immediately say "My god you were right!" doesn't actually help get your point across, it tends to just make people cirlce their wagons tighter. At that point, anything else you say is automatically tainted by the whining/attack, and generally diregarded. Which makes further posts an exercise in futility. Anyway that is just my 2 + 2 + 2 = 2 cents. |
Femmef8l | Friday, August 18, 2000 - 11:50 am  Flint: Do you happen to be white? If so, my point about being out numbered was that the majority posting here is white. But, please do take this discussion to a majority, black - message board and I can guarantee that the comments you read about Eddie's behavior and jokes will be quite simular to mine -- of course, minus the few that would beg to differ. I will make this point for the last time: When Eddie calculated who he would say his N**r joke in front of and chose not to have Cass or Will as members of his "grand audience" (for those who say it was only a joke) then, to ME, he was well aware of the ramifications and social stigma that is attached to them. By choosing to mock -- and I say mock because he wanted to get laughs at other people's expence -- he also chose to expose his charchter that is foul, rude, and insensitive to others. Of couse I got offened. As he knew Cass and WIll would too. Eddie's main complaint about Will was the very behavior that he demonstrates daily. But,since this message board has so few members from the minority group, the posts such as mine, tend to stand out. I am not trying to educate or "sway" nor, am I trying to change the way anyone thinks, I was simply airing my opinions the same way everyone else has on these boards. And maybe Flint, in your world of disbelief racists only burn crosses in people's yards, shave their heads, and lynch folks, but in my world, racism is as much institutional, as is the ignorance that is not challeneged in public schools, politics, text books, jokes and innuendoes perpetuated with full knowledge of the impact. Therefore, my points are as valid to me as yours are to you. However, I live on the end of the minority, so the sting is a little different and not to be discounted. Cheers |
Nina | Friday, August 18, 2000 - 01:30 pm  Flint, sorry about the misunderstanding, I had assumed that you had lived there during your time in NY state. I had no idea that the use of slurs among NYers was such a casual thing and I find it disturbing. I also begin to see the irony in Eddie's comment as I read more of this thread. In this supposed "hillbilly land" where I live I have never once heard someone make a slur toward my husband who is (American) Indian BUT in NYC it would be commonplace? I still don't think that Eddie is a racist but maybe he should rethink who the *backward* ones really are. No offense intended toward any NYers who don't buy into the stereotype... |
Flint | Friday, August 18, 2000 - 07:35 pm  Nina; Well, I was gonna hose you down with a flame thrower, but that might be considered over reacting. ;) I wouldn't mind visiting NYC someday, there are a lot of museums I would like to check out. Unfortunately you are right, your husband would find himself at the receiving end of slurs. I like your thoughts on who the real hillbillies might be. I hadn't considered that one before. |
Spaga | Friday, August 18, 2000 - 10:32 pm  It's interesting to observe from the posts how different areas of the county seem to reject some races and enbraces others. The south rejects blacks and hispanics, NYC's choices were already mentioned, Texas rejects blacks and "damn yankees", Spokane Washington enbraces blacks and rejects indians. I've lived in all these places and yet somehow always felt at home. |
Spaga | Friday, August 18, 2000 - 10:56 pm  Opinion discussion boards like this is exactly that - a place to discuss your opinion. I FOR ONE LOVE EDDIE and am not swayed from my opinion by someone else's opinion of him. I have my own personal reason for admiring and respecting the guy, cussing, farting, NYC attitude and accent, and all. Only one to sway my opinion of Eddie would be Eddie himself. YOU'RE RIGHT FLINT. GO FOR IT EDDIE - WIN, WIN, WIN. |
Mvm522 | Sunday, August 20, 2000 - 07:02 am  Femme---Sadly, I too am a minority, though not due to the color of my skin. I am a married white woman with 3 children, and I have tried to raise my children to not see colors, but embrace difference. (ie. culture) Flint-- that is why racism continues because we still find a way to justify it--(ie.It is due to the society they were raised in). As for me trying to change people's view---I simply felt the need to vent, and I am smart enough to know that people who condone this behavior from others are racist in their own right, and to be racist you must be ignorant, and ingnorance is a hard thing to overcome. There is my 10cents worth (inflation). |
Mvm522 | Sunday, August 20, 2000 - 07:26 am  Just a note---I was raised in a home with a step-father who much resembled the character of Archie Bunker(though Archie showed more heart). So as for that excuse that it has something to do with your enviroment, that is just that, "an excuse." |
Curious | Sunday, August 20, 2000 - 09:30 am  Being a NYer all my life I'll comment that NYC ITSELF is VERY diverse. Racial slurs do occur but are not the norm being that we're a giant melting pot of every culture you can think of. Eddie does not hail from NYC though (remember Curtis and Cass saying "Eddie is NY but not Manhattan"?) he's from a part of Long Island which is NOT very ethnically diverse. I've moved back and forth from NYC to Long Island numerous times and will say that many Long Islanders have far less tolerance for different cultures. As for calling places upstate hick towns, I doubt he's referring to places like Albany, most likely the little towns where the population is less dense and you need to drive 5 miles just to pick up milk - quite different than us spoiled NYers who have convenience stores 24 hours a day within walking distance. I love to get away to upstate NY to unwind, parts of it are beautiful as are parts of Long Island and even NYC, but after a while the slower pace does drive me bonkers - just not use to it. If I was use to living upstate though I'd probably find the NYC pace too stressful. Suppose it's just what you are use to, be it lifestyle, culture or anything else, folks tend to make judgments biased on what they are most familiar with and use to. Not saying it's right but seems to be pretty common. |
Flint | Sunday, August 20, 2000 - 10:24 pm  Mvm522 ; Hmmm....you sure you read my posts? While I have always said I understand where his behaviour comes form I have also ALWAYS said that explains it but does NOT condone it. While I don't feel that the one joke makes Eddie a racist, I also don't think the joke was appropriate. If that perpetuates racism I guess I am guilty then. Venting I understand quite well. Everyone needs to vent sometimes, or if you are me a lot of times. However, I also think a person can do it without flaming, and that it can even be done in a ocnstructive manner. When the venting becomes more than getting something off your chest, it does cross the line. Especially when it is mainly composed of barbs and profanity at people who don't agree with you (and I am not saying that you or anyone else is doing it, it does happen though) or trying to demean someone because they don't agree with you. What I do find is that the vent quickly turns into a lot of scrimonious attacks. In some cases it also ends up driving people away from a forum because they don't want to put up with the B.S.. So vent if you want to, but if a person does it publicly they should accept the result. Thats just ... My 2 cents. |
Chixdigeddie | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 12:08 pm  on a lighter note.......did you guys catch eddie dancing with george...eddie was in prime form cracking jokes about living in the BB house...the guy sure makes me laugh..thats one reason i love the edman |
Slh | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:26 pm  Not sure if this has been discussed or not... We were just having a convo about Eddie where we thought that Eddie made it specifically because of his disgusting side. The thinking was that if he was a sweetheart and had one leg, he'd be the runaway winner because he'd likely elicit a large sympathy vote. And that therefore, anyone whose physical condition made for a potential vote advantage had to be of potentially questionable personality to balance, and to create viewer tension. Our final surmise was that the producers were hoping to find someone who might meet those criteria, a physically disadvantaged person with a cantankerous personality. Not saying I definitely think the producers sought that; more wondering if they did or not. (I think Eddie's great, BTW.) |
Rufusgriswold | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:42 pm  Slh -- very astute comment. I remember an episode of a sit-com (can't recall which at the moment) where a wheelchair-bound character was introduced who was an arrogant, rude, generally nasty person. The lead character tried to be sooooo understanding and politically correct, but the ultimate moral of the episode is that someone can be both nasty and physically challenged. Just like some "homeless people" can also be nasty, drunkards who like living on the street and begging for booze money. Eddie could have worn his prosthetic leg, but he chose not to for obvious reasons. It was a deliberately manipulative move on his (and BB's) part. It doesn't make his filthy mouth or bigoted ideas any easier to listen to. |
Battlestar | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:49 pm  What ---you think him taking off and putting on his fake leg everyday would make people less sympathetic?? I'm sure his fake leg is a very complicated contraption with all sorts of belts to keep it in place---and I bet the thing is damn uncomfortable too and his movements would look like he was wearing it and feeling it. They have not yet made bionic parts. If anything it would get him more sympathy votes not less. |
Rufusgriswold | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:50 pm  He could certainly play it that way, too. |
Pugsrugly | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:53 pm  Remember when Joey on Friends went out with the chick with the wooden leg and mistook it for a log and accidently threw it in the fireplace in the middle of the night. Was that off subject?? he he he |
Battlestar | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:54 pm  Sorry Rufusgirl--not all fat people are jolly, not all blacks have rhythm, and not all disabled people are Pollyannas. |
Rufusgriswold | Monday, August 21, 2000 - 01:55 pm  No need to apologize. That was my point!  |
Flint | Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 05:55 am  Very good observation SLH. I hadn't even thought of anything like that. It makes sense. |
Twiggyish | Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 06:05 am  Spaga, how dare you say "the south rejects blacks?" Excuse me, but IS NOT true of everyone in the South. Do not make generalizations!! That is an offensive remark to me. I am not saying racism doesn't exist in the South, but it exists in every part of this country. To single out one part and then act like it is not everywhere is wrong. Look in your own backyard before you criticize others. |
Mikey | Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 03:04 pm  Why love Eddie? Eddie keeps the rest of the house in line...they can all play games with each other pretending and acting like false friends, but Eddie is the only one who tells it like it is no matter. If Eddie weren't there proving to be a reality check they would all be running around thinking that everything was hunky dory and they were loved by all...hence no one would change their behavior and CHOS would reign... |
Slh | Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 03:13 pm  > Spaga, how dare you say "the south rejects blacks?" Yes, how dare you! The correct way to spell it would be "The South still flies the Confederate flag." *JUST KIDDING!* (Trying to keep it light here.) Continuing w/ Mikey's noting Eddie telling it like it is... I admire the way Eddie doesn't slobber and syrup all over the girls... Eddie just farts in front of them and tells Bikini to wipe herself... That's being real in my book! Crude, yes, real also, yes... |
Spaga | Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 11:21 pm  TWIGGYISH - CUT ME SOME SLACK, RELAX. I WILL generalize if I feel like it. I AM FROM THE SOUTH. I will say what I please. How YOU take it is your business. Get real. Wanna post how much I like Eddie, he is a smart, astute young guy...and so cute. I think he has a lot of self control and a lot of wisdom for a 21 year old. Hope he wins or at least in the finals. |
Twiggyish | Wednesday, August 23, 2000 - 06:43 am  We could spend hours going back and forth on this issue. Personally, I think the rebel/confederate flag should be burned and buried. My point is we can't say only the south, this problem exists in every part of this nation. You wrote, "the south rejects blacks", which isn't true of all people in the south. That was my point. |
Twiggyish | Wednesday, August 23, 2000 - 06:45 am  About Eddie, he is cute but can be crude. Regarding maturity, I agree with you there. Unlike Josh, Eddie seems years older. |
Spaga | Wednesday, August 23, 2000 - 07:38 am  I'm not going to waste my time defending my opinion against yours. Neither will I waste my time on debating a racist issue, there's too much of that nonsense on these boards now. Too bad we don't have anything in common, us both being from the south. Our loss. |
Twiggyish | Wednesday, August 23, 2000 - 08:03 am  We both like Eddie. (He isn't my favorite,but I respect his honesty) |
Spaga | Wednesday, August 23, 2000 - 08:34 am  Yes, we both like Eddie (that makes us both intelligent I think, or at least have good taste.) lol (laugh out loud) |
|