(no subject)

[vicarz]

Today I attended another idiotic government agency diversity awareness ceremony, this time for Hispanic heritage month. It was mind-numbingly dull, and included at least 100 GS-13 and higher employees for over an hour (plus prep time and whatnot). I guess the thing cost a minimum of 100 x 1hr at avg at least $45/hr = $4,500. To put us all to sleep so the civil rights group can get another checkbox off the Title VII lawsuit paradigm.

What was odd about this one, while they followed the usual format of cancelled high-ranking officials and reducing culture to the folk dancers of the ethnic group in question - and if you don't find this offensive, try moving your ass to Iran and having their entire understanding of your culture coming from SQUARE DANCERS. So this group of traditional dancers to pre-recorded music was aged 4 to 12 years old, costumed in "traditional handmade outfits from Bolivia." Now, a bud and I looked at each other when the girls came out, because frankly the outfits were a little short and the girls were really young. I explained that Latin cultures don't sexualize children the way we do, that dressing a girl in provocative clothing is supposed to be cute, like a baby in a sailor uniform. He almost bought it, until the older girls came out for dance #2, wearing what could best be described as more colorful versions of the "olde tyme fotos" from every-boardwark, USA. Right down to the peackocky feather on top of each head. I tried to reserve judgment, right through their hip bouncing steps in thigh-high boots, until they turned away from the audience and you saw their panties under their tiny "skirts." It was more disturbing than 4chan.

My bud gave me that look again. I said "Well that's not really..." But then why do all them kids have babies at 15? "Oh, that's because the pope says not to have sex or use condoms..." Sigh. No way to win. That was some fucked up shit there. Thank you, slutty-looking 12 year old Latino square dancers sponsored by my tax dollars!

Comments

[guillotine-lure.livejournal.com]

Hot.

[fsfitz.livejournal.com]

We also had the Hispanic Awareness thingy today and I skipped it. I agree with you that they are a waste of tax dollars and most employees attend to either check off the "participated in EEO/Diversity awareness" on their evals or for the free "ethnic" food.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Oh but wait! Ours is mandatory in our group - and the check goes on someone else's perf app.

They taped off all the seats in the back...

[bentrazor.livejournal.com]

[cobwellac.livejournal.com]

We had that, too, but ours wasn't mandatory, thankfully. That's ALL that's ever presented: Bolivian square dancers. I do have to say that in Argentina, they don't sexualize children that young at all. They'd never dress a child in provocative clothing; it's not considered cute.

[minniethemoocha.livejournal.com]

Actually, their entire understanding of our culture probably comes from old bootlegged Britney Spears videos.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

At least then, like the Germans watching Haselhoff, they'd mostly get it right...

[minniethemoocha.livejournal.com]

*cries*

[fractalwoman.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reminder...