Way OT: Racism

[Starhawk]

"Come back and complain about all this stuff when you have been a minority for a significant period of time, and been subjected to the whims (ranging from indifferent to malicious) of those in power around you. Until then, realize that you have far more advantages than other minorities in the Western world, and keep your complaints about so-called unfairness to yourself, because they aren't valid. When you can see the bigger picture, you'll realize that"

Unless you were born in the 60s-70s period you don't even know what it's like to really truely be at the "whim" of the government so that argument of yours is a little bit harsh considering you dealt with a minority of jerk offs, I assure you the reverse is true in places like Harlem, or Hampton Virginia or Norfolk Virginia......and to be perfectly blunt I've met more racist black people in my life then I have openly racist white people sorry but should I now go claming I'm at their "whim" since I was outnumbered and they got a kick out of knocking me just because I was "the white boy"?

And my point about black students getting bonus points on their exams is taht if you want to be treated equal you should have to work for it just like everyone else, you only earn respect when you are worth respecting.


OH and BTW the majority of Americans are either White or Mixed race these days so I do kind of understand why they are in main political offices and stuff, simply stated there are more of them then there are black/asian/latino people in this country.

"As things are now, minorities are in a white-dominated culture. I don't know the exact numbers, but I believe fairly soon, whites will not even make up half of the population in the United States, but will still control most of the political and economic power. The cultural celebrations you speak of are an attempt to counteract this extreme power differential. The same goes for things like affirmative action. It's a common misconception among a lot of white people that affirmative action says you must hire a certain amount of minorities, or else some negative consequence occurs. On the contrary, the majority of affirmative action laws on the books simply require that due consideration be given to each candidate, and institutes policies requiring that minorities be given interviews for positions. Laws having quotas have routinely been struck down, and the ones that hold are the ones that will require employers and institutions to interview minorities and then choose the BEST candidate, when before, it would be all too common for all the non-white applications to be thrown out, and never even make it to the interview process. The laws are not there to put whites at a disadvantage, but instead to counterbalance the prejudice held by those in power."

Yeah actually white people and mixed races severely outnumber other races in the majority of the united states so I don't know where your getting your info from.


Anyway to end my statements here on a note of non argument, you have ALL made valid statments and points. None of us are racists that's been made clear, and we all hate racism of any fashion. So let us all say we hope (and pray) that in the future racism is no longer a trait we have to see ever again.

[Will]

Starhawk said:
Yeah actually white people and mixed races severely outnumber other races in the majority of the united states so I don't know where your getting your info from.

How about the US Census Bureau? Current projections have non-hispanic Caucasians at under 40% by the end of the century. I didn't say that whites were already in the "minority", just that they are going to be. (Minority as in not over 50%... we'll still be the dominant percentage)>

And I'm not sure why you're throwing in the mixed race people... usually they get the racism even worse, not only from whites but from other minorities.

For entrance exams, there are very few institutions that add bonuses simply for race anymore. Usually, several factors are taken into account, and exams are mostly used to weed out the low performers, so more resource-intensive evaluations such as reading essays and interviews can occur for better candidates. Everyone is treated equally there. The misconception that there are "bonus points" is often used by racist groups to get people angry over minorities taking spots that "belong" to whites. This is then, unfortunately, picked up by fringe conservative groups, which is then picked up by mainstream conservative groups. It's all just a minor distortion of what usually goes on: the people who never really would have made it anyway get cut, and the people that would make the most interesting work and/or study environment get selected. Anyone who thinks that's "taking spots away from whites", I personally believe needs their head checked.

And I'm not denying that there is racism the other way (see mixed race comment). It's just minorities are not in a position to exploit power as much as white people are. And when minorities get in a position of power, they are less likely to exploit because they know what it's like.

It's all about keeping a balance. Blacks are given a little help to get to the interview stage, in what otherwise would be a white-dominated group. They also have to deal with getting pulled over for a DWB (Driving While Black). You don't. My final point stands.

Also, realize that I'm not angry about any of this. Mostly just frustrated over some of the issues brought up. As a white person, it is just about impossible to understand the daily prejudices that minorities go through, simply because of the ignorance of others. And these comments are showing a little lack of understanding of the situation. Like I said, realize how lucky you are, and all the things you DON'T have to deal with simply because your skin is white. Then it might be easier to understand why minorities need a little help every once in a while.

[Sivran]

Not really surprised that "Token Black Guy A" from ST:NG would be anti-white. "Token Black Guy B" (aka Michael Dorn) always seemed much more reasonable.

As for the N-word, I actually flat-out <i>asked</i> a black girl once. She must've realized I was just another clueless cracker. She just said that, as far as she and her peers were concerned, "nigga" is very different from "nigger."

Yeah, I was young and dumb. What can I say?

I think affirmative action should only come into play when candidates are equally qualified. And I do mean equally. If the minority is less qualified then let that be his motivation to improve. Same for the other guy if he's less qualified. Nothing should be modified by race or gender, people should get where they are on their own merits. Oh, so minorities have to put up with discrimination. Know what? Do something about it then.

My freshman english teacher used to say people aren't white, or black, or purple, or whatever. They're grey. All grey. He's a wise man, if somewhat idealistic.

[Renegade 13]

Will, point well taken (back about 15 posts). It's all too easy to become intolerant. And to not understand the things other people have to deal with.