Way OT: Racism

[Atrocities]

I under stand that his book "aftermath" is actually quite good, but a bit thick in the anti white sentament but then again I have not read it so I do not know this. I would give him the benifit of the doubt and read the book.

Amazon Link Read the reviews at the bottom.

[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.

[RudyHuxtable]

I think racism is, without a doubt, the funniest of all human endeavors.

Some of us insist on spending energy they could use to feed someone who was hungry or teaching someone to read and use it to tell us how crappy we are because we have darker skin or odder accents.

Some of us think it's great to throw big huge parties and talk about how evil others of us are because we do things like listen to music with deep bass or a twangy banjo instead of putting the money that funded the rally into a bank account for their children to go to college.

And the best, the BEST of all are people who say it's cool to hate others because they don't worship the same God (or worship him a little differently) when He Himself said to love, love, love one another. Isn't that cool?!

"Let's make sure everyone knows we, the (insert dogmatic religious sect here) won't stand for people having a differing opinion! Down with brotherhood and understanding! Hooray for hypocrisy! Poopoo to individualism and harmony! Someone get me a hose with high water pressure so I can blast away diversity!"

And hey Whites! You, too, are all minorities somewhere! Check out this exotic list of incredible, racially unequal destinations!

India
Africa
China
Papua New Guinea
Thailand
Madagascar
Fiji
Guam
Japan
Palau
Middle East
Caucasia (WHERE?!)
Antartica

Wait! That means that "minority" is relative! Say it ain't so!

This very thread continues to fuel the comedy that racism is. I love it!

Hey Atrocities, did you notice that every individual you named as a hatemonger was black? Good job! Let me share a few other names with you, and shame on you for missing these greats! (We've already covered, of all people, LeVar Burton... so we'll give him a pass):

Pol Pot (Asian)
Tomás de Torquemada (Spanish)
Slobodan Milosevic (Yugoslavian, formerly)
Osama bin Laden (Saudi)
Joseph Stalin (Russian)
Adolf Hitler (Austrian, 3/7 Jew)
King Edward I (English)
al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (Egyptian)
Emperor Alexius I (Byzantine)
Juvénal Habyarimana (Hutu)
Louis Farrakhan (Black)

And several other of history's greats (though not necessarily hatemongers, these plucky celebs validated racism):
George Washington
Nathan Bedford Forrest
the Constitution of the United States of America


I hate hate. And ignorance. But I sure love comedy.

[Sivran]

the Constitution of the United States of America

If forbidding racial discrimination at the voting booth is a validation, then this statement is somewhat true. I suppose you could say the mere mention of discrimination by "race, color, or previous condition of servitude" validates that yes, racism exists, but we didn't need the constitution to tell us that.

Otherwise, you're way off base.

[Atrocities]

I did not know this, but slavery is still very much alive and well in Aferica and parts of the middle east. This is very disturbing to say the least.

[RudyHuxtable]

Sivran said:

If forbidding racial discrimination at the voting booth is a validation, then this statement is somewhat true. I suppose you could say the mere mention of discrimination by "race, color, or previous condition of servitude" validates that yes, racism exists, but we didn't need the constitution to tell us that.

Otherwise, you're way off base.

My statement was reflecting the nature of the document prior to the Civil War and the introduction of the 13th, 14th, and 15th and, though not originally as part of my argument, 19th Amendments. I was referring to the Three-Fifths Compromise, specifically. How would you feel being considered only 3/5 human? Pretty racist legislation, wouldn't you say? How would you feel being considered only 3/5 human?

Am I still off base?

[Atrocities]

I can testify to being considered less than human and I paid the horrible price of being discriminated against. The big Red "S" (Safeway) also paid that price after four years of litigation.

It is never about money when the discrimination is real. It is about right and wrong, and brother I can tell you that Safeway was in the wrong big time.

So this is one of the overriding factors in my belief that racism is one of the ultimate forms of discrimination and should be stamped out. We are all human, every last one of us, and those to believe otherwise need a good home town, behind the woodshed, wooden bat beating to within an inch of their lives. Then tossed onto a rail road pike and rode out of town. Tard and feathered if we have time.

[RudyHuxtable]

We all need beating, but some of us need a history lesson it would seem.

The point to my entire argument is this:

If I don't like you, it's because you're a turd. Not because you wear FUBU or a burkha. Because you're an ignorant, self-centered, cowardly turd.

I don't want to hear complaining about Asian Pride Day or the Swahili Hand-holding Festival and all that jazz. Anyone ever heard of Saint Patrick's Day? It's the same thing, only with vomit and green lager. So we whites get our day--a national holiday, no less--too.

Even better for me because I'm Italian American. That means I get the Feast of San Gennaro and "The Godfather".

Hey Atrocities, I would gladly help you dish out a beating to the next turd deserving. I'll also stop buying Safeway products now that you've mentioned that.

[Atrocities]

I thank you for your kindly offer to assit in the beating of turds. It is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bat) event that is long over do for its day on the American calander.

(I should note that I did not face racial discrimination while working for the big red S. Mine was just as personal, and just as devestating as racial discrimination, but far more humilating. I shall never forgive the SOB's responsible for it. I cannot, it is a matter of dignity that transends ones ethical beliefs far beyond his core being. No one should ever have to live with discrimination, any kind of discrimination. It simply is wrong.)