Idaho company defends using blatantly racist imagery on its trucks

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A construction company in northern Idaho has drawn ire thanks to the owner’s affinity for racist imagery. Jim Valentine, who also uses the Confederate flag on his trucks, deflects criticism about using one of the most classic, indisputably racist imagery of Black people: a caricature of a young Black girl happily eating watermelon. Don’t believe me? Check it out yourself:



It’s common knowledge that depicting Black people with watermelon—or even just insinuating that we love to eat it—is racially insensitive at best. If you’re unfamiliar with the reasons why watermelon became such an awful symbol of hatred and oppression, I recommend this piece from the Atlantic (emphasis mine):

But the stereotype that African Americans are excessively fond of watermelon emerged for a specific historical reason and served a specific political purpose. The trope came into full force when slaves won their emancipation during the Civil War. Free black people grew, ate, and sold watermelons, and in doing so made the fruit a symbol of their freedom. Southern whites, threatened by blacks’ newfound freedom, responded by making the fruit a symbol of black people’s perceived uncleanliness, laziness, childishness, and unwanted public presence. This racist trope then exploded in American popular culture, becoming so pervasive that its historical origin became obscure. Few Americans in 1900 would’ve guessed the stereotype was less than half a century old.

But like any good, ol’ racist, Dixie Services owner Valentine wouldn’t let something like history or facts to ruin his racist fun. ABC affiliate KXLY reports reveals that he’s just as clueless as you’d expect (or perhaps he’s just pretending to be): 

Jim Valentine, the owner of Dixie Services, says it fits the image he wants to portray, which promotes the good and happy times for many people in American history.

His landscaping company also uses the confederate flag as a logo.

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/4/25/1655943/-Idaho-company-defends-using-blatantly-racist-imagery-on-its-trucks?detail=email&link_id=2&can_id=861a9125edc6ec9480b5e7910a47b2d9&source=email-angry-trump-adviser-blames-fake-news-abruptly-leaves-university-panel-after-only-five-questions&email_referrer=angry-trump-adviser-blames-fake-news-abruptly-leaves-university-panel-after-only-five-questions&email_subject=angry-trump-adviser-blames-fake-news-abruptly-leaves-university-panel-after-only-five-questions#comment_66273176

[MFM008]

1. WTFF?

they need to be BOYCOTTED.
They just throw it out there nowadays dont they?

[AJT]

5. Unless you use a trucking firm it would be hard to

boycott them.

[NurseJackie]

2. Thanks for sharing this!

[shenmue]

3. Ignorant

[Greybnk48]

4. If the racist pig is so in to Southern traditions

why don't a bunch of people throw on some sheets and hoods a go burn his business and the trucks to the ground? Along with some lovely xtian crosses.



Edited: I called him a pug! Sorry pugs, and pigs.

[sheshe2]

6. ...

[n2doc]

7. Just goes to show that racism isn't just a Southern Problem n/t

[GulfCoast66]

11. I will take that one step further

Only in an all white enclave like much of Idaho could you get away with this. Try this shit in Georgia and you alienate half your potential customers.

Add to the fact that while I would not support it, someone would torch your racist fucking truck!!

[n2doc]

12. You are probably correct

I've never seen anything that bad down here in Georgia, not even in the rural areas.

[GulfCoast66]

14. I am from the Deep South and have seen racism

Still do even from my family. But never right out in public like in a restaurant or other place of business.

My wife is from Lilly white Indiana and I was shocked when I started visiting there how I would hear racial epithets right out in the open like in Walmart. I then realized it is much easier to do when 35% of your population is not of another race.

I am 50 so went to recently integrated schools. I would have had my ass kicked in school had I used that language. Not to mention disciplined by the school and my father.

Have a nice day.

[tallahasseedem]

8. This is terrible.

What the hell is wrong with people?

[eleny]

9. Turning an economic positive to a socal negative

That positive into a negative game sounds familiar.

[sarisataka]

10. .

[Bettie]

13. Completely inappropraite

He might be able to make an argument if he were actually selling watermelons...nope, not even then.

But then, if this evokes his idea of "good and happy times" he means for white male people who have plenty of money.

I hope people stop using his company for anything and he loses everything.