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[I'm a scholar of Black-Jewish relations and finally have to say that I'm really uncomfortable with the whole minstrelized aspect of the whole "Notorious RBG" thing]
My criticism of "Notorious RBG" seems to be upsetting some people. Some worry I'm a leftist anti-zionist (busted!), some think I have no sense of humor (two old Jews are walking on the boardwalk, etc.).
Just want to be clear that I'm not criticizing the late justice herself.
Just want to be clear that I'm not criticizing the late justice herself.
There are plenty of reasons to criticize Ginsburg, don't get me wrong. See for instance @nickwestes on "Discovery Doctrine" https://twitter.com/nickwestes/status/1307702071307632641
But I'm not criticizing Ginsburg--I'm raising concerns about the history of minstrelsy that is accessed through the Notorious B.I.G./RBG t-shirts and memes and so on.
Jews ran the Blackface game from the early 20th century through its demise in Hollywood in the 1930s: it matters
Jews ran the Blackface game from the early 20th century through its demise in Hollywood in the 1930s: it matters
What's "funny" about Notorious B.I.G./RBG is the distance between them. He was a street rapper she was a Supreme Court Justice. When we put Biggie's crown on her, we are saying something like: isn't it hilarious to imagine this little Jewish genius wearing Biggie's rap bling.
The joke WE are making is the same one blackface minstrels stage performers took off their white gloves to reveal (GASP) that they were actually white--burnt cork notwithstanding!
We knew all along. That's part of the fun, right?
We knew all along. That's part of the fun, right?
The Notorious RGB meme is not mean to honor Biggie Smalls. "Notorious" was his rap name and part of his performing persona. It was not any part of Ginsburg's persona. Calling her "Notorious" is, at least in part, mocking Biggie's hard-earned artistic achievements.
"Notorious RGB" is not mean to honor Biggie Smalls. Far from it. I'm not saying everyone who wears the shirt or shares the meme has bad intention: I"m just saying it taps into a bad history of making fun of Black people by having white people dressed up "like them."
Two geniuses working in two very different arenas: but calling Ruth Bader Ginsburg "Notorious RBG" is a fairly purposeful attempt to elevate her at the expense of Christopher Wallace.
