Date: 9/21/2003 8:32:00 PM
From Authorid: 27046
I think the biggest way we seperate ourselves is by continuing affirmitive action. There needs to be a level medium when it comes to these special considerations for past wrong doings.  |
Date: 9/21/2003 9:11:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
I think these groups or clubs are helpful since people can share similar experiences and feelings. I do agree that they could perpetuate alienation of other races, if they didn't discuss their relationships to them. For instance I think these groups should discuss other races, not just their own for the purpose of understanding and learning to recognize and appreciate similarities. Good post  |
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Date: 9/21/2003 9:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
I also agree with AZ's statement. |
Date: 9/21/2003 9:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 54987
There is nothing racial about wanting to be with people like yourself. It's when people exlude on the basis of color or creed. In answer to your question, I think racism is being perpetuated by the very people who started it in the first place. This is in the form of learned behaviors. Taking on the prejudices of our forefathers handed down to us. Some of us overcome this conditioning, but others don't.  |
Date: 9/21/2003 11:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 53689
I partly agree that things are better now...and that African Americans have more freedoms and opporntunities than they did before...but 60 years ago..most african americans did suffer degredation..maybe not the same as the slaves...but it was hurt just the same. If you ever get a chance..read "Black like me" It was an experiment done by a white man in the 50's in which he darken his skin and traveled the south recording his experiences.  |
Date: 9/22/2003 6:31:00 AM
From Authorid: 2030
Racism is big business, From the NAACP to the rainbow coalition, Jesse Jackson shaking down businesses, Al Sharpton collecting donations, Louis Farakan preaching hate and then selling his line of hair care products, to Hip Hop, to Hollywood. Racism sells, No one is interested in a fight between two kids at school- but have one of them black and throw in a racial insult and There You Go! 6:00 News! Make it more than 1 kid and you're on CNN. Until we can learn to ignore the professional race baiters and learn to ignore the attempts to fan the flames, it will only get worse.  |
Date: 9/22/2003 6:37:00 AM
From Authorid: 13297
I agree. I think that people that want to hang out with this "race-clubs" are taking their cause backward not forward. I don't understand why we fight against segregation and then continue to segregate ourselves willingly. As for the slavery thing I could go on and on but please note that most every race on the planet at some point has been a slave to another (I'm sure every person if they could go far enough back would find a slave somewhere in the family woodpile). The other thing to take into account in regards to "African-Americans" (I dislike hyphenated titles but that is another rant) is that they sold their own people into slavery. Africans worked with the white slave traders to sell their own people into slavery. I don't think anyone should be accountable for others actions. I had no control over what my great-great-great grandparents did. I could go on and on but I will refrain. It should suffice to say I agree with you.  |
Date: 9/22/2003 6:39:00 AM
From Authorid: 47296
I do not like the name African-American, becuase it is an exclusive and biased nomicer for a single group of people. Many consider blacks to be African-Americans, yet forget that many who are not black are also African-American. Such groups as these are hesitant to allow white African-Americans into their circle. If one ever visits the Mediterranian coast, they will see many white African-Americans. When was the last time though that one saw an Egyptian or a Libyan in an African-American group? In fact, it was some of these very African-Americans that were repsonisible for the slave trade for centuries, up through the 1900s. I do not believe their should be such exclusive clubs at schools. In my school days, such clubs were unheard of, because they did force feelings of seperation aming students.  |
Date: 9/22/2003 7:01:00 AM
From Authorid: 15228
I am frankly so sick of the racism card being played that I could puke. What is sad is there IS true racism out there, but it is being used as a club for the Jesse Jacksons of the world to get there way. After a while we are going to grow so immune to the charge that even if there is true racism, we are all just going to yawn and roll our eyes.  |
Date: 9/22/2003 10:33:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 1225
Hooray for Jamie and TwoSpirit! Why can't we drop this "African-American" "Asian-American" "Mexican-American" etc Bullplop and be either one or the other? Either be just plain ol' American, or don't bother to qualify whatever else you may be. There are only three types of people in the world: Nice people, jerks, and full blown wakko's. Why don't we see any calling themself a "Wakko-American" (all you Canadians need to bite your tongue, I KNOW what acerbic remark was on it!)  |
Date: 9/22/2003 10:45:00 AM
From Authorid: 61790
I think that they need to end all forms of racial discrimination, including the hypocritical groups that "fight for the rights" of their group by suppressing the rights of others. (aka affirmative action for one) For example, if a White Entertainment Television were made it would automatically be deemed racist and torn apart by every group out there. Of course they're doing this while surfing past channels like BET (Black Entertainment Television).  |
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Date: 9/22/2003 10:46:00 AM
From Authorid: 61790
I think that they need to end all forms of racial discrimination, including the hypocritical groups that "fight for the rights" of their group by suppressing the rights of others. (aka affirmative action for one) For example, if a White Entertainment Television were made it would automatically be deemed racist and torn apart by every group out there. Of course they're doing this while surfing past channels like BET (Black Entertainment Television). |
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Date: 9/22/2003 11:13:00 AM
From Authorid: 61790
I really need to remember to not just hit refresh after I've posted. :-\ |
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Date: 9/22/2003 11:45:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 1225
Yeah, I do that too sometimes, it's really annoying! |
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Date: 9/22/2003 8:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
TwoSpirit... No offense but I'm curious, if you don't like the name "African-American," what is a better solution to you? I don't think black is nearly as respectable as African-American and I don't know of a more appropriate identifier. |
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Date: 9/22/2003 8:52:00 PM
From Authorid: 47296
Yoy Choose, if it identified all with African ancestory, then maybe it would be appropriate. The fact is though, it is a term used only for blacks of African descent. The fact is though, there are some blacks who claim to be African-American that are not. Some of the island inhabitants that Columbus first encountered were dark skinned, much like the inhabitants of Africa. That is documented in the chronicles he kept of his journies. |
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Date: 9/22/2003 9:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
TS... thanks for the info on that but I'm truly curious how they would properly identify themselves otherwise? I have many friends that only want to be classified as African-American and some that feel "black" is more preferred. I was just curious to know what your solution was to that issue. |
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Date: 9/23/2003 6:32:00 AM
From Authorid: 13297
You choose, how about simply American? I know it's a novel concept but it'd be nice if people would quit hyphenating their modifiers. :D |
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Date: 9/23/2003 8:45:00 AM
From Authorid: 54987
Otherwise we'd have to have Hispanic American, Italian American, German American etc. |
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Date: 9/23/2003 6:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
Eimajic....well, that's a nice idea like you said but unfortunately, there are many good reasons we need to classify races. Medical, just to name one. |
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Date: 9/29/2003 7:30:00 AM
From Authorid: 13297
You choose, perhaps in the health industry yes but in every day life just to impose self-inflicted segregation... naw... I understand certain circumstances call for classification - I just think all these hyphenated modifiers are ridiculous... African-American especially - most "African-Americans" have never been to Africa, know little to nothing about it, don't speak the language and no next to nothing if nothing about the customs. It is a complete misnomer. American of African descent - but as someone said earlier there are white "African-Americans" and there are blacks (heaven forbid we use that term even though generic white is acceptable) that are not of African descent... |
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Date: 9/29/2003 8:44:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 1225
The following terms are acceptable to me when referring to anyone: human, person, man, woman, child. Let's just stick to those and forget all these other classifications, ok? |
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Date: 9/30/2003 10:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
I honestly don't think it bothers races to be classified. Actually, most of them not only prefer it but are very proud of it and want to classify their culture. There are classifications for everything in life and for good reason so long as it's not for racists reasons or segregation. We don't live in a perfect world so someone will always use everything in the wrong way. |
Date: 9/30/2003 10:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 13119
Well, I think that BCAR had the best answer to the real question in this debate! It seems that once again it has gotten off topic, racism is promoted by the very people who cry racism.  |
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Date: 9/30/2003 11:06:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
BCAR usually does have the best answer, no surprise there. |
Date: 12/21/2003 9:11:00 PM
From Authorid: 37900
This is an excellent post, Neptune! Our society's continued use of labels creates and maintains tension between various groups. Once a label has been attached--perhaps a by-product of our scientific bent toward classification--there is a strong tendency to see people as examples of stereotypes and not as individuals. The problem is compounded by our busy schedules, which leave little time for us to learn the subtle differences that distinguish all of us from the categories others would like to put us in.  |
