Is this racist?

[BA]

[Sarcasm]
It's not racist if you say "African-American" or "Urban"
[/Sarcasm]

 

[Weyoun]

Right, I hoped i would never part take in one of these racist battles on AT, basically for fear of being called a racist myself. I certainly don't view myself as a racist, and have quite a few black friends at school. Now I know, this is just my perception of myself, I try to be as impartial as i possibly can, but I am aware humans do have their limits, so please feel free to judge me.

Regarding AA. Living in Australia, I don't really know much about AA, but from what i can tell it helps disadvantaged Black people to attend college (please feel free to correct me where i am wrong). we have a similar thing here, although perhaps now quite so....dynamic as what AA is, basically UAI (University Admission Index) scores are being dropped for Aboriginals, our black community. BTW, please don't think that i think our black community is metally impaired and needs this UAI cut to part take in these higher level university courses.

Now what i find truly disturbing about this, is what IS it truly promoting? Apparently, according to my father (being a racist himself, i would call this a misinformation), a young aboriginal girl got into a medicine course here, that usually has a requirement of around 99 (it's basically a percentage rating of your finals). She has a UAI of around 70-80. Do I think this is right? I sure as hell know that when I need a doctor, I want the best person there is, wether they be black, white, asian or *insert minority group here*

The fact of the matter IS, that in an ideal society that wants true equality, things like AA and this UAI cutting scheme wouldn't exist, basically because there would be no need for them. But the world is not the ideal society, yet things like AA provide us with a stepping stone, even if it won't be a part of teh final building. So what can we do? Try to destroy the need, raise your family to think in a non-segregatory pattern of thought, influence your friends to think the same. Even if it may be just a little, these people will teach others, and the others will teach others. Slowly but surely, we're either moving towards the ideal psyche, or back to the prejudiced dark ages, it's our choice.

The way i see it IS, that people are too quick to think of their own case. Now classy, you've always been an interesting case in my book, anyone who speaks out against AA, you generally label as a racist, now please, i had no intentions of coming in here and telling you to shut your mouth because i 'don't like your kind'. But what i can see, is that my point of view of an ideal society CANNOT be argued for, because when white people point out a discrimination against them, you go to the history books for past prejudice. We are not the past classy, we are the now and the future. Now, I'm aware that indeed racism is still alive and kicking, but you CAN NOT apply your generalisations about what the white community represents, because that in itself is racist. I'm sorry to single you out here, and I have noticed a lot of white people doing the same but vice versa for your opinion, but i just felt this needed mentioning. The future is the future, not the past. People have reformed in the past, and we will reform again. I'm not saying that i'm fault free either, and I'm sorry if i came across this way, but this was just something i noticed about you.... Thanks for listening

Blessed Be...

 

[MadCowMax]

I ask myself, "Do I care?" I reply to myself "No". People get worked up over nothing to make themselves feel important or that they care or that they are part of something larger than themselves. Talk about insecurities.

 

[SinnerWolf]

I've taken a couple of sociology classes and the like, and they usually spend a few classes discussing this very issue. The only conclusion I have been able to draw from any of those heated debates is....that people are going to believe whatever they want. You can make any number of generalizations about a race with perhaps only the best of intentions, but at some point in your life, you've heard the exact same generalization used as an insult or slur. Statistic supporters can spout all the numbers they like in whichever manner best suits their desired outcome, but that only promotes racism all the more. It's an excuse to hate. Hate something worthwhile...pollution, metallica, country music <----i.e. my biases =)

 

[gUEv]

think of the main demographic of this forum though.
white, 18-35 males.

I'm going to venture further and guess that most of you did not grow up in poverty and are not living in poverty now, because of that, there is a higher chance that you were surrounded more by whites at your same income level. I am going to venture even further and guess that the majority of the main demographic i am guessing makes up this forum does not have a criminal record.


now, stereotyping (which is usually based on truth, like it or not) has led us to believe that a black male of the same age is more likley to be in a lower economic class, and is 12 times more likley to commit murder then his white counterpart.

what seperates us is fear, anger and ignorance. our forefathers have layed the foundation for a very racist society, and we really havent done much to overcome it. It's easy for the main demographic here to say, &quot;you dont need to commit a crime, just go out and get a job you lazy n...!&quot;
why? becuase it's easier for them. If you are a white male, you rolled the dice correctly and got into the right club, you are the discriminator, not the discriminated.

then again..it isnt just white males who are keeping the races subtley apart. Until both we can truly put aside whatever sterotypical differences we have, we will never progress.

 

[classy]

Let me clarify a few things first. First off I see no need to say I am not a racist. Because how I live my everyday life is all the proof thats necessary. Now for all of you here whom I have never met face to face you may feel that I am a racist. Well when you have one voice raising opposition to the status quo, it would seem that one voice may be deemed a lot of things. Here I think its safe to say that there may be but a handful of Blacks that post here in OT on a regular basis. Because of this when the other side of the story, the side which none of you live day in and day out is presented you quickly assume that black person is racist.

Now I wasn't born yesterday and see hundreds of posts from people saying I ain't prejudice because I have black friends. But some of the posts that I have read are so mean spirited and racially motivated, I find it highly unlikely that some of these people have ever had &quot;a&quot; black friend period. Because if you did, there is no way on earth you would say the things that you do. I challenge anyone to do a search of my name and read the things I have responded to tell me I am way off base. Some of things which I have responded to are outlandish lies to say the least.

Lets look at some of the things that have led to racial discussion here. AA has been a big topic. Now our country is founded on racist beliefs. It has been 32 years since MLK was murdered and died not even being able to see none of his &quot;dream&quot; come to pass. Now when you compare where the country has been for 400+ years of racism, how earth do you come to the conclusion that in less than 25 years &quot;all's well&quot;. I have read the attitude toward AA, BET, and even UNCF. These programs were started not because some people thought it was a good idea to &quot;seperate&quot; ourselves. No they were created because we were excluded from the &quot;American Dream&quot;. Black colleges came into existence so we could learn, when the white colleges wouldn't accept blacks. Welfare is problem for whites and blacks. As a matter of fact there are more whites on welfare than blacks.

So now here we are today where now white people are calling for the end of AA and programs of such. But I have failed to hear or read any remedy to the problem of racism and discrimination. AA is but a bandaid on a problem that is still very much alive today. You can be in denial or refuse to look at the facts but thats your problem. Even with AA which only pertains to companies with federal dealings there is an overwhelming disparity between blacks in management roles versus whites. And this ridiculous arguement that blacks are not qualified is absurb to say the least. In any field today from chemistry, to lawyer, to medical doctors, to ditch diggers, for any company of any size and any kind to say they can't find qualified blacks and minoritys is both a lie and cover up for racial bias. As a matter of fact for every qualified white there is black who is just as qualified if not more so.

To take the stance as in the republican party we will do nothing because we don't think there is a problem, is the carrying out of misjustice. It can be thought of as racially motivated or just plain idiotic, but its a fallacy to say the least. To deny there is not a problem in our society is down right wrong. Just here recently these incidents have happened. A riot between black kids and white kids here in Philly happened, but only the black kids were arrested and charged. Just last year as I have posted before the federal goverment found the NJ State Police gulity of racial profiling. How can a group of people which account for only 12% of all the drivers, account for over 50% of all the stops. Oh and please don't give me that well those are the ones breaking the laws. White people speed to. White people do drugs, rape, kill, father babies out of wedlock, and etc. etc. etc. That kid the other day who killed that little girl in Florida thinking it was WWF got life in prison with no parole. He is a 12 year old black kid. He should be punished, but life in prison for a 12 year old? But two white boys here in Philly, 15 and 16, raped a 11 year old &quot;black&quot; girl and only got 4 months of counseling. Huh??????? This is everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday. Routine traffic stops for blacks have become stuggles for life and death. Get stopped for speeding and catch a bullet. Why??????

I keep hearing all the problems with AA and the such, but I hear no alternatives to racial problems AA and other programs try to address. What, do you think its going to just go away on its own. More of us are going to jail now more than ever. Yet literally hundreds are being found to be innocent after years of being incarcerated. Why is this? I read a story the other day where a black man spent 20 years in prison because a white woman accused him of rape. But through DNA 20 years later they found what the black man said was true, he didn't rape her, and he said he had never ever seen her before in his life. The police told her to pick him out of the lineup. The woman then admitted she lied and that she did not know if it was him for sure. Well they found out that it wasn't his semen thats for sure. 20 years gone. Hmmmmmm but you say I am a racist and these things don't happen. Well they happen and a lot more than you would ever even imagine.

And now how all of sudden is racism the fault of blacks and minoritys? I fit the bit as Weyoun says &quot;i 'don't like your kind'&quot;. Well whether you like me or not is really of no matter to me, but I will speak what I believe is right, for respect is what the goal is. I may be loud, brash, and at times annoying but I know in my heart what is right. I rather have 1000 people dislike me, but respect me. Because the only way you will ever see me as an equal is when you respect me. Not because I am black, but in spite of the fact I am black. I tell you what I'll just leave this section of board to u guys. Will that make u all feel better? It is clear outspoken blacks are not well liked here.

PS. Red I know FettsBabe is good looking. I ain't blind you know. It was just a jokey joke .

 

[Demon-Xanth]

IMO: everyone is racist to atleast some degree, by human nature we tend to drift towards similar people. If you put a group of people in a room, half english speakers, half japanese, the room would quickly divide itself into two groups. Also many groupings tend to be from cultural practices and misunderstanding of these practices. To define the label of &quot;racist&quot; you have to define the tolerance level between normal drifting, not understanding, and plain hatred. Only the last qualifies for the label of &quot;racism&quot; in my opinion. Being racist requires a concious thought (or lack there of) to get the label.

 

[Weyoun]

Classy



<< And now how all of sudden is racism the fault of blacks and minoritys? >>



Look, if that's how my post came across, then I'm sorry but that's definately not what I mean't. My point was that blood was on everyone's hands, including the minorities. I more than acknowledge that white racism is still alove and kicking, hell my father is one of them, and lives in a town full of them, luckily enough i don't live with him.

Sorry for just picking out that one part, I'll respond to the rest in the morning, need sleeeppp

 

[sharkeeper]

The ink is black, the page is white. Together we learn to read and write.

Cheers!

 

[pen^2]

<< Its fine to be proud of who you are and where you came from... but you should force it on other people, I see people drivng around with Puerto Rican flags in their windows, sometimes even painted on their hoods. Why? what is the point? If they want equality, why point out the differences? I dont understand. >>

if you are offended by some being proud of their identity then you got a problem. why cant identity and equality coexist? women are treated more equally nowadays but they still wear skirts. doest that offend you as well?

some of you complacent whites seem to have hard time understanding putting yourselves in other's shoes. imagine you were a black person from a poor background and sub standard education (higher wouldnt have gotten you much further anyway) then i am sure you would have a real easy time getting yourself a job. or better yet, imagine you were the a job interviewer, would you rather give a job to your white brethren or a 'suspicious' black person? in no way this represents my view, i am just stereotyping; but isn't this what happens most times? all you naysayers to AA are prolly saying there should be no taxes either... why bother, poor gets poorer and rich gets richer, why would you care? 400 years of destitution and deprivance more than warrants a poor standing at the starting line. the word 'racism', imo, is used not to represent that some kind of pseudo discrimination that is mutual; its more about how disadvantaged minorities are even after decades of civil right movements.