Jaret Manuel
The Bill Cosby – Lanier Phillips connection: This is inspiring and hats off to Bill Cosby for helping to shed more light on this story & a man I would love to meet, Mr. Lanier Phillips.
The Lanier Phillips Story: How St. Lawrence, Newfoundland changed his view of Racism in the world, and Changed his Life! | There is word this may be made into a movie.
CBC Radio Interview with Bill Cosby:
Lanier Phillips Receives Honorary degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
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Hi Janet,
Yes we normally question why people pronounce it Newfinlind but also we don't say it properly. We say New FIN Land and not New FOUND Land. Maybe it's due to “Newfinese”- a combination of Irish, Scottish, French, British and first nations cultures that over time mixed and is our ancestor as a province. For a time I tired to say “New Found Land” but folks looked at me like I had 2 heads so I started to say it the ''normal”' way. . I have never once heard it referred to New-Found-Land from home. Based on the spelling that should be how it is said.I'm a proud Canadian and proud Newfoundlander and I don’t think Newfie is an insult or derogatory and I refer to myself as a Newf/Newfie.
And most fellow Newfoundlanders I know tell Newfie jokes. I don't mean call ourselves dumb, but if you have to take it in stride and laugh at yourself some times
I think there was only one time where heard a joke that I found derogatory as a Newfoundland and it was a reference made on the Drew Carey Show of all places.
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jaretmanuel Reply:
February 13th, 2011 at 5:43 pmJosh,
Thank you for the education lesson although just so you know I am a fellow Newfoundlander nestled in the mostly smoke and mirrors of Toronto. I understand what you are trying to convey and unfortunately, a stereotype of ignorance still exists around the dumb Newfie jokes, yet most people do not realize that many of these tales originated within Newfoundland by her own people, and it is part of our culture to share them in raising some laughter and not taking oneself too seriously.
I agree that calling someone a Newf or Newfie is not always derogatory as I hold the opinion it depends on the context. To help mitigate this ignorance, I say I am from Newfoundland when asked and I deem myself a Newfoundlander (Pron. New-Fun-Lander) – what people choose to make of that is of their opinion.
Jaret … I make for one ugly Janet just so you know.
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jaretmanuel Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Paul,
Thanks for checking in. If you click on the link below the videos I embedded that mentions your name (I am including you now so my apology) it points to BatteryRadio.com. Also, thanks for the Bill Cosby CBC interview link. Bill is the man, and I love how he correctly pronounces Newfoundland not New Found LIND. Many people make fun (understandably) for the way some of us Newfoundlanders speak but where does one get “Lind” from Land?. It is also keen of him to beware of Newfoundland having to sometimes wrestle the ignorance of the dumb “Newfie” stigma. I have to say this is a rarity from my personal experience yet I am well aware it exists.
I mean there are Newfie jokes and there is Newfoundland ignorance, however they are often two very different things. Most often, people light up with great excitement when I tell them I am from Newfoundland.
The interviewer posing the question to Mr. Cosby that being called a Newfie is similar to the N word was preposterous & ignorant to put it mildly. I don't know of a Newfoundlander ever being on a sinking ship and contemplating going down with it for fear of being killed once on shore of a foreign land due to the colour of his or her skin. I know she was maybe stating what others supposedly saying and I mean no harshness to her, rather hearing the suggestion was silly regardless of what hardship or ignorance we have faced.
@JaretManuel
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Alp00365 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 4:30 am
My name is Anthony Lanier Phillips, and yes I’m related to Lanier Phillips, I am his grandson. I agree with your post, why was this question even asked, I think to draw attention from the legit racism my grandfather faced, not from the Newfie’s, but from fellow americans. Just a thought. alp00365@gmail.com
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jaretmanuel Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 12:05 am
Anthony,
Thank you for your note. I think the question was asked because sometimes reporters ask things for the sake of filling up space or to err on the side of human, like all of us – we make mistakes. Or, both you and I are missing her point but being a Newfoundlander I couldn’t relate for a fraction of a millisecond.
Now on to bigger and better things. I would love to meet your Grandfather, provided we remain blessed with his presence here on earth. I think this is one of the best stories out of Newfoundland as it speaks volumes on ignorance, racism, human compassion, and how it all altered a man’s life and others for the better.
After I listened to this wonderful story I told myself that would be a wonderful man to meet one day.
@JaretManuel
Alp00365 Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 3:27 am
I’ve been trying to find time to go see him myself lately, his health is stable but not the best, I’m gonna try in january I’ve got to go to new orleans so while I’m there I plan to shoot over to mississippi to do that, mainly so he he will be able to meet my child due in october. I don’t know if he is still doing interviews, but you show great respect and I will ask for you. You have my email address forward a contact number and I will give it to him. He currently resides at thearmed forces retirement home in MS.