I read an article this morning titled Talking About Racism. It irritated me so I commented. I don't usually comment. I had to register with the site to comment. When I was done spending an hour or so conjuring my final piece and I clicked to post my comment the site gave me an error message that "The comment you posted has been flagged as potential spam. It will not be visible until the site administrator has a chance to review it." Gay. So here's my views. Love em or hate em, they're mine... Subject to change based on reasonable influence. The first two comments were about people only voting for Obama because he's black and some inventive term of "opposite racism" or something, that is what my first reference is about.
Wow. I really expected more meaningful comments than the two I found after reading this article.
For the record I am a white woman who voted for Obama because he is an amazing leader. I voted for him over Hillary in the Primary as well. I think it's a neat thing that he happens to be of color but it does not conclude my choice of him.
I think the schools in my area (Clark County, NV) are making a concerted effort to include culture and diversity in our elementary schools. I only have children at the elementary level at the moment so I can't speak for the other grade levels. I haven't heard them specifically touch on the subject of racism, although when I was in high school this was discussed during Social Studies courses.
I agree that racism should be discussed, addressed, and shamed up front. My children's school has a very strict "No Bullying" policy and it is thoroughly enforced, that includes racism.
I don't like the way the opinions of the author being interviewed in this article were presented.
She is right that kids are not color blind however.
One of my children never questioned the differences of others in regards to color, mental ability, physical ability, language barriers and so on. She is a lover of all people regardless of any differences amongst them or from herself.
One of my other children constantly points out that she is one of (however many) white kids, one of (however many) white girls, one of (however many) white girls with blonde hair, one of (however many) white girls with blonde hair and blue eyes, etc. She does this every where she goes. She is distinguishing her own identity.
As for the lame smog references for prejudice and such... I am concerned where this author is from because my kids aren't subject to that pollution. My kids don't see prejudice at home, in our neighborhood, in their school, or anywhere else I can think of. Positions of authority that my children are subject to are diverse and well-balanced. My children see that people are different in many, many ways, but that doesn't make them discriminate hatefully.
According to the author being interviewed here, it is typical that as a white person I should feel shame and guilt. Well, I don't. I haven't discriminated against anyone. What the hell should I be ashamed for? My ancestors? I don't know my lineage, I don't even know where my ancestors are from. If they are from here, how do I know if they were discriminating? How do I know that my ancestors weren't discriminated against? Why should I feel guilty? What the hell did I do? I am anti-racist and my kids are anti-racist too. I am doing the right thing and so is my family. We have nothing to be ashamed for, we are not guilty.
The most prejudicial and racial thing I can think of is the taboo of a white person using words like "Nigga". I could understand the implications of such a word had it remained as a term of prejudice. However, in it's variation "Nigga" is used in place of words like "Dude", "Man", etc. To forbid white people from using the term is critically unfair. It is used repeatedly in almost every song I like, it's used everyday every where I go. To say that I can't use the word too is a bunch of crap. It's similar to something I read in history books about when white people had black slaves and out of prejudice they didn't allow them to learn to read because they didn't want them to become educated.
"Nigga" is a part of our society's language and we need to start squashing the prejudice in it's use. Freedom of speech without fear and ass-whoopins please. I should at least be allowed to feel comfortable singing along to a good song or even doing one during Karaoke!
As for the word "Nigger", I've used it a few times by dictionary definition, not by race or nationality discrimination. It is a word in my language and I use it as I see fit. I don't use it very often though because it tends to offend a lot of people. So does the word "Ain't" and I don't use it a lot either.
As for stereotypes, there will always be stereotypes. Stereotypes, in my opinion, aren't prejudice or racial. Genetics will always be a part of human personification. Everyone I know laughs at it. Stereotypes make some of the best comedy skits, don't they?
3 days ago
3 comments:
If you read the negative reviews this book got on Amazon, you will hear some very valid & true opinions in opposition with this author. You are right on!
I'm racist
Hello Cherry,
First, I am an African American woman who read your response to the article. I believe that you don't have to feel guilty or shame for being white. If you didn't do anything wrong, relating to race, don't be. We are all made differently but were created equally. Unfortunately, we are not all treated equally. What most blacks or people of color want whites to understand is that we are treated differently because of the color of our skin. The justice system proves that daily. Just as you are married to a loveable husband, I am too. But I am sure you are not worried if your husband will be profiled for something he didn't do. If you look at the cop shows, look closely at the treatment of the men of various colors. Not at one or two but really see the difference of treatment. Most people of color want to do their jobs, love their family and be able to go places without looking as though they're about to steal or kill somebody because most of us aren't. America has a really deep rooted problem. Because history has proven that the system made up of mostly whites have not considered everyone equal, most people of color think twice before trusting that system. So, whereas you may trust that the justice system is going to come to your defense all the time. People of color won't be so quick to have that same trust. White privilege is real. Just because there is affirmative action doesn't mean its all good. If there were true equality, there would not be a need for affirmative action. Unfortunately, many don't think we belong in particular groups which is why you may have 1 or 2 coloreds in that group. I believe I should compete against anyone simply because I am qualified... Things may have changed some but look at it politically. Prez Obama is extremely intelligent and has spent a little under one year in office but as much good and bad decisions he's made in this short time, people, mainly whites, are already trying to impeach and kill him but in comparison to other presidents (all white) chances after chances with very little impeachment or assaisination threats and/or rates. It's messed up all the way around but just teach your daughters to continue to appreciate themselves and others because we all can bring something to the table even if everybody doesn't want to eat at that table.
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