Palestinian racism?

[Vic]

From today's "Jerusalem Post":
An article which appeared this week in the official Palestinian Authority newspaper, Al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, and translated by Palestinian Media Watch, criticizes US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as "the dark-complexioned lady" whose policies have "dealt a blow to the image of the African-American in the eyes of the vast majority of the world's inhabitants."
...
"But what happened after that was embarrassing and astonishing, especially what happened with the dark-complexioned lady, or, more accurately, black, the National Security Advisor," the article continues.

"What compounds the astonishment is that the Black Lady always makes a point, whether the opportunity presents itself or not, of denouncing the Palestinians, to the point where her positions and statements have come to be nearly daily lessons to the American people and the world, causing regret to every Arab who was optimistic about her arrival on the political scene."

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/Full&cid=1023716564842

Come to think of it: how much financial support does the US give to the PA? The article cited above has appeared "in the official Palestinian Authority newspaper, Al-Hayat al-Jadeeda". Is there any control over the money, for example, of whether it is channeled for incitement against Israel (and the US?), similar to the EU aid? (cf. http://www.israelforum.com/board/showthread.php3?threadid=585 )

[cerulean]

How often does the topic of skin color (or other ethnic and racial features) come up in mainstream Palestinian newspapers when describing officials? Do they ascribe any particular value to being pale-skinned? This is interesting culturally, as Arabs can of course vary a great deal amongst themselves in terms of appearance. What I understand from the article is that the author is saying it's perfectly reasonable to hold Rice's beliefs against the entire African-American population.

[Vic]

In their poetry they mostly praise lily-white skin and black hair in women. I've no idea whether (relatively) fair skin is viewed as a social asset, as in some parts of Africa. No, the ludicrousness of the article is rather that they appear to chime in ("the dark-complexioned lady, or, more accurately, black") with racism of a very "Western" flavour.

Maybe part of the Arab world does have a twisted relationship with Africans: I've read reports that they hold an African minority group as slaves in Mauretania.

[Mediocrates]

It's simpler than that. It's a veiled allusion to 'racism' which is, like some of the people on this board, is the worst thing you can say about someone or some people.

[elke]

This seems to be blatant racism to me, in all its "glory"... This is something that should be pointed out, as much as possible.

[Mediocrates]

Yes of course, what I meant was it is a veiled allusion that we Americans are racist, toward our own.

[cerulean]

Originally posted by Vic
In their poetry they mostly praise lily-white skin and black hair in women.


This, of course, is instantly recognizable as a highly valued type among Westerners also, at least historically, as in this example:
Bald darauf bekam sie ein Töchterlein, das war so weiß wie Schnee, so rot wie Blut und so schwarzhaarig wie Ebenholz und ward darum Schneewittchen (Schneeweißchen) genannt.
Soon after that she had a little daughter, who was as white as snow, and as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony, and she was therefore called little Snow White.
http://www.fln.vcu.edu/grimm/schnee_dual.html


I've no idea whether (relatively) fair skin is viewed as a social asset, as in some parts of Africa.

I've now looked this up some. There aren't any web sites that I'd like to credit, as the topic is only mentioned incidentally, but there may be some slight sense that pale skin is preferable (at least in women) for Arabs. If so, it's mentioned only rarely, although one site claimed upper-class Arabs tend to be paler and lower-class ones darker. In theory, all Muslims are supposed to be equal, and skin color is not supposed to matter.

(I wonder, though, if the color issue affected the choice of Arafat's wife. Maybe she was chosen so she could blend in as a European-looking spokeswoman. Assuming the marriage was not a love match, of course.)



Maybe part of the Arab world does have a twisted relationship with Africans: I've read reports that they hold an African minority group as slaves in Mauretania. [/B]
Look at Sudan also.

[Vic]

Originally posted by cerulean
I've now looked this up some. There aren't any web sites that I'd like to credit, as the topic is only mentioned incidentally, but there may be some slight sense that pale skin is preferable (at least in women) for Arabs. If so, it's mentioned only rarely, although one site claimed upper-class Arabs tend to be paler and lower-class ones darker. Don't the lower-class Arabs tend to mix with Africans and the upper-class Arabs with Europeans?
In theory, all Muslims are supposed to be equal, and skin color is not supposed to matter.Just like the Christians - in theory. (Not to mention some Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic attitudes...)

[elke]

I can't help but wonder why the darker skin would be looked down upon in most cultures. It's a completely irrational view. Considering the wealth of evidence that we have all originated from Africa, most likely dark - and considering the apparent pride humans tend to exhibit in the age of their heritage (the older the better), this makes no sense whatsoever!