Tiger Legs

tigerlegs

Arlo has been waking up early lately in order to adorn himself with what he calls “tiger legs” before heading off to school. [He’s also been growling a lot more lately.]

Up until yesterday, I’d been fine with it.

Now, though, as a result of the recent news out of Spokane, I feel as though it’s my responsibility to nip things in the bud before this becomes a story in the national press… With that said, here’s my statement.

“Arlo is not a tiger… He has not explained to us why he is doing what he’s doing and being dishonest and deceptive about his identity… It’s very sad that Arlo has not just been himself. His effectiveness within the tiger community would have been so much more viable, and he would have been more effective, if he had just been honest with everybody.”

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11 Comments

  1. anonymous
    Posted June 14, 2015 at 7:41 am | Permalink

    The case of RD fascinates me. On the surface it seems relatively straight forward to me, but everyone I know has a different take on it. Some are even suggesting that racial fluidity is a choice trust should be honored. I disagree but it’s a really interesting idea to consider. What is race? What is ethnicity? What does it mean to be black?

  2. anonymous
    Posted June 14, 2015 at 7:47 am | Permalink

    When I say that I disagree, I’m mostly referring to this case. RD didn’t merely attempt to “pass” — she appears to have also fabricated several hate crimes directed at herself in order to strengthen her position within the community as an credible spokesperson for the black community. It’s difficult for me to get beyond that.

  3. Kim
    Posted June 14, 2015 at 12:29 pm | Permalink

    It’s ok until he starts telling people that he’s being hunted.

  4. Frosted Flakes
    Posted June 14, 2015 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    The online reactions to this story are fascinating. I look forward to reading more opinions and comments…

  5. 88
    Posted June 14, 2015 at 5:53 pm | Permalink

    If she were a black person passing for white, it wouldn’t be a story. There’s a long history of it. The thing that people seem to find so intriguing is that she’s going the other way.

  6. Greg
    Posted June 15, 2015 at 9:58 am | Permalink

    It’s funny that I should see this today of all days, as I’m wearing these.
    http://bit.ly/1KSM2bm

  7. Stupid Hick
    Posted June 15, 2015 at 11:24 am | Permalink

    FF, I think it’s fascinating too. At risk of being shunned as an internet troll, I might ask how this compares to a university’s athletic program identifying with native Americans. When is it ok and who should decide?

  8. XXX
    Posted June 15, 2015 at 2:09 pm | Permalink

    I’ve seen people online defending her, equating her journey to that of Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner. Interestingly, I think at least one of theses people also came out against the Eastern students who dressed up like Indians. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to be a member of this society.

  9. Frosted Flakes
    Posted June 15, 2015 at 6:04 pm | Permalink

    I don’t see an inconsistency problem. There is a big difference between an individual assimilating into and participating in a culture, on the one hand; and a University re-presenting a culture by means of a cartoonish mascot.

    I don’t know enough about the RD case, but culture adaption/ adoption happens all the time….To everyone…..In varying degrees of self determination….I don’t really find it surprising or interesting…..I do find people’s reactions fascinating!

  10. Meta
    Posted June 15, 2015 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    According to Mother Jones, she sued Howard University in 2002 claiming that she was denied opportunities because she wasn’t black. She lost the case. It could explain, however, why she felt compelled to become black. Perhaps, as someone who wanted to be a contributing member of that community, she saw it as her only option.

    A new report from the Smoking Gun claims Rachel Dolezal—the Spokane woman who has lied for years about being African American— sued Howard University in 2002. According to court documents obtained by the site, Dolezal, who went by Rachel Moore at the time, sued the historically black college by alleging discrimination “based on race, pregnancy, family responsibilities and gender.” From the report:

    She alleged that Smith and other school officials improperly blocked her appointment to a teaching assistant post, rejected her application for a post-graduate instructorship, and denied her scholarship aid while she was a student.

    The court opinion also noted that Dolezal claimed that the university’s decision to remove some of her artworks from a February 2001 student exhibition was “motivated by a discriminatory purpose to favor African-American students over” her.

    Read more:
    http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2015/06/rachel-dolezal-sued-howard-university-racial-discrimination

  11. Meta
    Posted February 26, 2017 at 8:45 am | Permalink

    NY Daily News: “Rachel Dolezal, on the brink of homelessness, refuses to admit wrongdoing two years after scandal”

    Two years after she was revealed to be a white woman pretending to be black, Rachel Dolezal is unable to find work and lives off food stamps — but she still believes she did nothing wrong.

    Read more:
    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/rachel-dolezal-brink-homelessness-living-food-stamps-article-1.2982138

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