"The term applies to all white people..."

[Athena]

Race relations is a topic worthy of discussion. The opinion expressed by Aelwynn in yesterday's thread regarding equality is a commonly held opinion with some very legitimate points to be made. It is especially held by young white folk who are multiple generations removed from the civil rights movement. See, people my age didn't live through segregation. We didn't live through blatant discrimination. We didn't even spend a significant amount of time learning about it in school.

What we do experience at times is punishment, justified by the sins of generations past. At face value, it's inequality. "They" can get things or do things or behave in a way "we" can't. It's backlash and, as a person who has never disparaged a black person in my life, has never SEEN a black person disparaged due to race, it's hard to simply deal with it. Sure, I know the history, and I do my damnedest to truly understand. But that understanding is awfully hard to maintain when something like the following occurs.

Perhaps some of you may remember the University of Delaware debacle that came to light this time last year. In a nutshell, all university students living in student housing had to attend "life education" training. This training was created to "correct" (you read that right) students' views on everything from race to environmentalism and was developed by the university's very own faculty. After not too long, some students realized that this was plain old indoctrination and appealed to FIRE, or the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. What could possibly be so bad? Let's check out their vocabulary:

“Racist: [a] racist is one who is both privileged and socialized on the basis of race by a white supremacist (racist) system. The term applies to all white people (i.e., people of European descent) living in the United States, regardless of class, gender, religion, culture or sexuality.” - Page 3

“REVERSE RACISM: A term created and used by white people to deny their white privilege. Those in denial use the term reverse racism to refer to hostile behavior by people of color toward whites, and to affirmative action policies, which allegedly give 'preferential treatment' to people of color over whites. In the U.S., there is no such thing as 'reverse racism.'" - Page 3

More exerpts here

Programs similar to this have been used across the nation, to varying degrees. In one west coast university during orientation, all the students were told to stand. If the students answered "yes" to a question, they were told to step back. These questions were designed to draw white students toward the front, questions like, "Have your parents ever been denied a loan?" or "Do you commonly encounter people having difficulty pronouncing your name?" Once the minority students were strained out, the instructor tells the group that this is an illustration of white privilege. White students are then put at some disadvantage for a following exercise to "even things out".

I've always said that attempting to level out the playing field is not the road to equality. Those promoting "diversity" often to do so by defining and then magnifying the differences between us, as illustrated by the examples above. Where do we draw the line? And should we be trying to create TRUE equality where we can?

In an attempt to keep the discussion honest and this thread open, please refrain from inappropriate language and personal attacks of ANY KIND. I will delete posts that do not comply.

[Morbid]

Thanks for showing people how to create a good thread, Athena. And Good luck!

[Nell]

Wow. I would have been livid if I had gone to that college. I also would have complained. You know, I do understand the reverse racism thing and why it angers white people. I will give an example. I work at McDonalds. It has a predominately mexican crew. Now even though I am lily, paper, skim milk white all these people like me. I have a mexican stepdad and two mexican kids, so to them I am "one of them". Now on the other hand, I have witnessed with my own eyes them be incredibly hostile and racist towards the other "white" people in our store. It has gotten so bad that the white people and the mexicans do not hang out or even speak. That is wrong. Just as I would be upset and if my white friends displayed racism towards them I don't like it in reverse. All it does is cause division. I have seen and heard perfectly lovely people go from never having a single negative thing to say about hispanics to calling them "the mexicans" in a snotty tone, and saying they should learn english and move back to mexico.

That said, I would never join in with the racial talk. If they are being bitches, I say "you are being a bitch" and not something racial. But I guess that is just me. I do not do things to others I don't like done to me.

[Sarabei]

My Mama grew up during all the racism and segregation...she wanted me to be color blind. To this day I don't SEE a person and see their color or nationality. I see a person. Plain and simple. However, I have been witness to reverse discrimination and it is real and it is out there. I work for a construction company. The state forces us to send or truck driver's home, no matter the ethnicicty, and used hired haulers of color. We actually have to turn white haulers away, whether they are more qualified or not, and used ethnic haulers. We have to help the haulers prepare their bills, if they can't afford insurance for their own vehicles we have to help them. It is totally messed up. We used a minority of Native American descent and a state rep actually called and asked us why we didn't use a hauler of African Amercian descent. That kind of stuff infuriates me....not at the minority people, but these stupid policies. I think peoples different ethnicities are interesting and should be preserved, it could make this country so much more interesting and diverse, as well as accepting. I think people should be hired, accepted, or whatever based on them not their heritage. Period.

[Dark Star]

Let me just say I grew up with a lot of racism in my school and town.
First a small amount of background on my life. I was born in St. Louis in 1964. Racism was abundant as was rioting. I was a baby but I remember my mother talking about it and my elder siblings. My grandmother's house down the street was "bombed" by white people because my grandmother sold it to a black family. I was raised this way;.... you judge people by how they behave, how they treat others, not by skin color or religion etc....... I remember my parents, especially my father who was raised in the country, being fed up with shit like having to walk my siblings to school with a baseball bat or gas gun in hand, so we moved to the country.

In the rural area that we moved to and I still live in, there are some very small towns. Some are "tolerant" of black folks, some are not. While I was in school, there was ONE black family and that includes through high school. (I graduated in 1982)

I once lived in a town where no BLACKS were allowed. My exhusband's grandmother had a photo of her husband as a boy looking on while three black men hung from a tree. They seemed proud of that shit. My ex-husband was very racist, which was one of the many reasons why we divorced. I was told I could not have "N's" at our house.

I guess I am so sensitive to the "N" word for that reason. I hated the racism. I saw it in my school, my town, people I knew and I hated it. I had patients in the hospital tell me that they did not want a fellow nurse who was black to care for them. I was livid.

I cannot make fun of someone for something as idiotic as their skin color. I won't use the word "N". I don't use any other derogatory words against other races either. That to me is ignorance. I try not to make fun of anyone for any reason.

As a deadhead hippie believe me I have heard plenty of dumb remarks. Sometimes I cannot believe people are so goddamn ignorant. One of my favorite things I've heard though is......"Wow!! Match clothes often you fucking freak"!!! Ha! I love it. I've heard a few meaner things like...."Lazy fucking hippie get a goddamn job"...LOL this was after a dead show and I'd went into a convenience store. Idiots. I've also been told I fucking stink. Thanks I personally love the smell of Nag Champa oil.

Of course none of that bullshit would be as degrading to me though as being called a shitty name because I was black, brown, yellow or whatever. Something that I couldn't change. It is hard for me to believe words like the "N" word are still used. I've mentioned before the word isn't allowed said in my home, but either is any other racist bullshit. I'd rather hear my kid say the word fuck before they would a racist term.

Did you guys get all that, cause fuck I feel like I typed a ton.

One more note. I think mean people suck.

[Aelwynn]

Reverse Racism DOES exist. It exists all over.

Few examples:
- Getting a job, if you have the same credentials as an Asian person - they are most likely to hire the Asian person over a white person due to their needing to have a minimium amount of minorities.
- Getting into college. If you have the same letters as a Black person, and it is head to head between you too. You, the white person, will NOT get in. Seen it more than 10 times in Jersey.

Aside from the job and college, think about all the Black Colleges. If we had a white college imagine the backlash we'd get from that! Oh wait, we DID have white colleges and we were forced to integrate. Why not force the black colleges to do the same?

Or for example, certain jobs white people cannot apply to. I tried to apply to work at an Asian restaurant when I was 15. I was told to leave the store because I am not Asian, and not to come back. I couldn't even APPLY. Reverse racism indeed.

There is BET, yet when someone started a basic (WET) white only channel people were FURIOUS. I personally can't stand BET, but while only a BET? Why not AET or MET? Come on. That's completely wrong.

Why can certain races say certain words about themselves that are racial slurs, but as soon as a white person says it - all eyes are on them? Is it any different when a minority says it? Hell yes it is. Look at what happened to me. If I were black, none of you would have gotten on my ass about. Because I am white, I was called disgusting etc. What if I had said that as a black person? People would have been mildly ticked I used the word, but I wouldn't have been called a racist. Seriously, that's wrong.

There is also the problem with hate crimes. It is NOT legal for white people to claim something is racially motivated because we are white. But an Asian person can do that as much as they want.

Or how about the phrase "it's cause I'm purple isn't it?!" No, honey, it's usually cause your ass did something wrong. There was a really good news piece from a while back, I just can't remember the names of the guys involved, where a black person had killed and raped 3 white women. When the police arrested him, based on his DNA, his entire family claimed racism. There was a HUGE march on WA. Was that really about racism? Nope. But it did get him outta trouble. The wound up dropping the charges because of the stink it made.

There are also black only churches, which we have talked about before. That is complete segregation and wrong to do. If we started up Clan meetings again, just to meet for church etc, we'd be thrown in jail.

There is a black history month, hell there are months for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE, except white people. We don't have a white history month because according to certain minorities it is "white history" all the time. Which is far from true. Black history month is an entire month I don't turn on my TV. Do we even need racially specific months? Nope, we don't. When you guys get a chance, turn to the history channel. There are commercials rampant on there everyday about black history. But I'm sure if we promoted white history like everyone else does, we would be deemed racist.

My point is, you cannot do one thing to one race...and then another thing to another race. One race shouldn't have more "privileges" as another. Like certain ones I listed. That doesn't create it equality. It just helps to create a divide. When these things become TRULY equal, then we will be closer to equality. I don't think equality exists in America at all, not even for white people.

Do I use racially motivated words? Sometimes. Rarely. When they are deserved. If someone can call me a ***** 24-7, I should be able to say racial words as well. It is a reverse racism. Most of these are just words yes. But when you call me a ***** or a cracker, it is NO better than me calling you something else.

For that matter, I don't judge people on their skin color. I was raised in a very racially motivated area. White people were 1 out of every 10 minority. White people were treated terribly and only because we are white. Why is that? In reality, in most cities, white people are not as that great in population as any other "minority". In my mind, there are zero minorities. We shouldn't even call people of other races a minority. If we are truly EQUAL, then everyone gets the same treatment. In my mind, that's how it should be.

[Dark Star]

Reverse Racism DOES exist. It exists all over.

I suppose I do not see a lot of that here because as I've said I live in a very rural area. Nearest town is 5 miles away (give or take) and has < 400 people.

Aside from the job and college, think about all the Black Colleges. If we had a white college imagine the backlash we'd get from that! Oh wait, we DID have white colleges and we were forced to integrate. Why not force the black colleges to do the same?

There is BET, yet when someone started a basic (WET) white only channel people were FURIOUS. I personally can't stand BET, but while only a BET? Why not AET or MET? Come on. That's completely wrong.

Wynn think about what you are saying. There was a time in this country when a black person wasn't thought to NEED education. Remember in the South it was the 1940's before blacks were even allowed into some colleges. African Americans had to fight for the chance to go to school.

Television? You think there should be a white channel? I thought that's what we had when my parents were kids.

There is also the problem with hate crimes. It is NOT legal for white people to claim something is racially motivated because we are white. But an Asian person can do that as much as they want.

Are you sure about this? Not LEGAL?

There are also black only churches, which we have talked about before. That is complete segregation and wrong to do. If we started up Clan meetings again, just to meet for church etc, we'd be thrown in jail.

Come to my neck of the woods. You'll see churches with only white folks. Don't think that doesn't still exist. KKK?.... I am sure they are God loving church going folks. And I am pretty for sure they don't praise their god with a black man in their church. It is sad...it is scary and total insanity in the year 2008.

[Nell]

Sigh....

[Aelwynn]

Hippie I disagree with you.

If there are KKK churches etc, then I am surprised they weren't thrown in jail. The KKK was disbanded already.

As for the colleges, so what? We are no longer at a point where we need racially diverse colleges. Do you realize how hard it was for me to get into college, being a white woman, against hundreds of minorities in my state? It was SO impossible that I had to go out of state to a military college and enlist. I don't care if 100 years ago black people didn't get an education. This is a new time and age where EVERYONE should be equal. Not where minorities get precedence over white people. We should each have a fighting chance in the world.

I see a lot of it in every place I've lived. Even here. The locals are considered "minorities", yet they are the LOCALS. There are white people here, yet the locals out number us so much because we're not...local...

There isn't a white only channel Hippie. There are hundreds of black shows. Aside from black history month and it being shoved down my throat, there are everyday shows like My Wife and Kids, Everyone Hates Chris, Steve Harvey, The Wendy Williams Show, Oprah, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Tila Tequila (she is half black and have mexican), Family Matters, Gs to Gents, and Tyra to name a few. There are MANY more, and tons of re-runs.

As for them being around in your time growing up...Cosby Show, A Different World, Good Times, Martin, Living Single, Sanford and Sons, My Brother and Me...that's about all I can list off the top of my head. Still took me a while though.

Regardless, that doesn't stop me from staying...NO there is NO white only channel. There are tons of channels with white people on them. But there are minorities on there as well. Ever watched BET? They make a conscience effort not to show a white person. I like BET, don't get me wrong some of their comedians are awesome, but why can't we have a White Entertainment channel? Oh cause, apparently according to everyone...ALL channels are supposedly ours, even though they really aren't.

It is not legal. There was a case about a year ago. A white boy was punched in the face by a black boy and called a cracker. The white boy took him to court to civilly sue for damages, and the black boy was also charged with a racially motivated crime aka assault. The black boy served zero time, even though the prosecution went out of it's way to prove that the black boy was VERY racist. The white boy also lost his civil case.

As a white person, and supposedly in the majority, I cannot claim I am being persecuted because of my race. I am white, what do I have to complain about? Supposedly I have every door open to me, and I am not hated for being white.

http://www.loompanics.com/Articles/hatecrimes.html - look at the article there, it's interesting.

Seriously try calling up the cops right now and tell them that a black person called you a cracker. Tell them you want to try them for hate speech. See how fast they laugh at you. LOL ;P

I guess you haven't seen some of the things that racially hateful people say about white people. It is not better than what white people say about black people. In my mind, this shouldn't even be an issue. Everyone needs to take a chill, and make things REALLY fair.

We have made so many allowances for race, that we have almost completely destroyed our rights as white people as well. When things are TRULY equal, I will stop bitching. But like Athena said, I will be blue in the face.

I agree it is pretty fucking sad. This shouldn't even be an issue in this day and age. With all the laws and everything else that has been implemented, we should be on equal footing. But we are STILL not.

[Rotten Apple]

Dammit. It had to be three things to get me posting again...

Here goes.

There are no BLACK ONLY universities. They are all integrated. As a matter of fact, you can get a scholarship from the United negro college fund and not be black as long as you attend a historically black college. My cousin got one of those. As a matter of fact, I got a Martin Luther King Scholarship my freshman year and I am not black.

If all things are equal, when applying to colleges, admissions will often look at extracurricular activities when deciding who gets in. I got a scholarship over a white candidate NOT because I was a minority, but because in addition to keeping my grades up and participating in various things in school, I also worked 30 hours a week my entire high school career. How do I know this? They told me.

Same for hiring. If two people have the same credentials and qualifications, it comes down to the impression they made in the interview. Its simple. I see it happen here everyday.

If anyone denies you a job based solely on your race, they are breaking some laws. I was denied a job because I did not speak Spanish fluently. It was needed to fulfill the job duties. I think that is reasonable. If I did not know how to operate a computer, I could not work where I do now.

Black only churches? I've never seen a black church where I was not welcome. A couple of white ones...yes.

BET is a channel geared towards entertainment for black people. Just like lifetime is for women, TruTV is for reality junkies and true crime enthusiasts, and VH1 is for old people. If you are entertained by black actors and the like go ahead and watch BET, I do. No one is keeping you from doing it. If I want to see what entertains white people, I go to ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. Just because it isn't blatantly labeling itself as such, doesn't mean it isn't.

Black History month and all other histories were in response to a need. People of color and their contributions were conveniently left out of the history books in the US for years. Not to mention that they would not even make it into alot of the books because for years they were not even allowed to participate in the political process.

Hate crime legislation, I do not agree with.

Racial slurs - ahhhh, here we go. I use racial slurs in jest all the time with close friends. There is another member here that I use the words with all the time. I refuse to give those words any power. I will not use racial slurs as a means to insult because I believe it reflects more on the person using it than the person it is directed towards. Someone who uses these words to insult me are not worthy of my time. I often feel pity for them.

Also, if you think that people of color using those words is offensive too, why would YOU use it? That makes no sense. What point are you trying to prove?

Now as a "minority" I refuse to buy into "poor me, I am not equal" bullshit. As an American I am provided the same opportunities as anyone else and I can fight my own battles. I know that racism does exist. I have been the victim of it, my family has been for years. I had children that were not allowed to play with me. I saw adults call my mother names, and I experienced it from everyone, not just whites.

But you know what? Fuck it. It just made me stronger and who I am today. I don't want to be treated in any special way because of the color of my skin and I don't expects any handouts.

If anything, it made me prove that despite societies perceived weaknesses I am just as strong if not stronger than the average Joe on the street. I can handle myself and I can compete against anyone in the academic world, in the job market and anywhere else I decide to put myself.

I think the whole "reverse racism" thing is a bunch of bullshit. It is racism plain and simple. And if you feel you are being discriminated against, no matter your race, quit fucking whining and do something about it. Prove yourself. They WANT you to sit back and take it, it only proves their point.


Whew. I couldn't hold that back much longer.

[Nell]

If there are KKK churches etc, then I am surprised they weren't thrown in jail. The KKK was disbanded already.

Do you really believe that? Ahahahhahahaha!

That said I do have to agree with Wynn on the whole affirmative action bullshit. It is crap, it should just be who is the best for the job or college. Robert was adopted by white people and it says caucasion on his birth certificate. After we found his birth mom we found out she is part hispanic, so by default he is too. Not even mentioning how weird that piece of news was to get at 24, it opened all new doors for him in terms of student aid. Ridiculous.

Side note- I apparently love the mexicans so much I naturally homed in on one that wasn't even aware he was mexican.

[Aelwynn]

My point with the racial slurs is: IF YOU CAN SAY IT, I CAN TOO.

Ok I am not gonna talk about this shit anymore. Tired of having people jump on me. By the way Kathy, you shouldn't said you joke with your friends and say racial slurs. You'll get PMs up the ass about it.

Anyways, obviously you all think I am racist. I am NOT the person to argue this. I will stick to my opinion that minorities ARE NOT minorities, and that will be the end of it. Have fun with your debate.

For record, I'm not racist yet again. So everyone lookin at this thread can stop fucking saying it.

[Rotten Apple]

My point with the racial slurs is: IF YOU CAN SAY IT, I CAN TOO.

Ok I am not gonna talk about this shit anymore. Tired of having people jump on me. By the way Kathy, you shouldn't said you joke with your friends and say racial slurs. You'll get PMs up the ass about it.

Anyways, obviously you all think I am racist. I am NOT the person to argue this. I will stick to my opinion that minorities ARE NOT minorities, and that will be the end of it. Have fun with your debate.

For record, I'm not racist yet again. So everyone lookin at this thread can stop fucking saying it.

I don't think you are racist. i think you may have been fed some misinformation.

I don't care if you use racial slurs as long as you can deal with the backlash from it. If people think you are racist because you use racial slurs, that is part of the backlash. The same goes for me.

I don;t use the N word because I hate it and it sounds ignorant to me. The racial slurs I use are those commonly used for Hispanics and whites and they are more terms of endearment when they come from me.

Like when I call my girlfriends my bitches, they know its cause I love them. But if I say my coworker is a bitch, well its because she knows I hater her skanky ass. It's all in the context.

And I won't get any PMs cause I turned off that feature.

[Kitty]

If there are KKK churches etc, then I am surprised they weren't thrown in jail. The KKK was disbanded already.

I just wanted to sadly add this:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/0...l-debate-site/



"The Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan plan to be on campus for the face-off between Republican nominee John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, the first African-American nominee of a major party, according to a Friday report in the university’s student newspaper."

[Nell]

Love...

[Athena]

I don't think most reasonable people think you're racist, Aelwynn. Like Kathy said, you simply hold some misconceptions, most of which, she addressed.

As far as hate crimes go, you may be surprised to know that black people are actually charged with a disproportionately HIGH number of hate crimes. Anyone of any color can be charged with hate crime. In fact, only 58% of hate crimes in '06 were perpetrated by white people, even though we comprise 66% of the population. So, clearly, hate crime legislation, while disagreeable in general, was not created to target white people.

Also, in most cases, racial slurs are protected as free speech in America. You can't go to jail for calling a black person the N-word unless you're victimizing them in some other way. That's why cops don't care if someone calls you a cracker. Unless they called you a cracker while they were assaulting you or vandalizing your house, it's protected speech.

[Gilbrit]

The state forces us to send or truck driver's home, no matter the ethnicicty, and used hired haulers of color. We actually have to turn white haulers away, whether they are more qualified or not, and used ethnic haulers.

Reverse Racism = Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action was set up during a time it was needed.
In some job areas, it is still needed.
As a whole, most employers will make good and fair choices, bullying them into maintaining a quota system is not right.

I have lived and grown up in areas where being caucasian was the minority.
I have not received jobs because being a female "wasn't enough" of a minority.

I cannot change that and have settled to live with it.
There are "other" battles in my life more important.

Being that I own a business, I could fill out the paperwork to be a woman owned and operated business.
I refuse to do it.
I will not accept special loans or grants and training because I have a set of mammary glands.
I do not want nor desire special treatment like that.
I will succeed or fail on my own.

[Athena]

Since we're at it, it's also worth mentioning that middle-class white women benefit more than any other demographic from Affirmative Action.

On the AA topic - Where I really have a problem with it is in education. The reason is, schools could make the decision process completely colorless, by using numbers rather than names. Unlike some employers, they really could grant acceptance based solely on merit. The fact that they don't feels to me like institutionalized racism. "We don't think (enter minority demographic here) can make it on their own, so we'll give them an advantage." Not cool.

[Gilbrit]

Since we're at it, it's also worth mentioning that middle-class white women benefit more than any other demographic from Affirmative Action.

That information is from 1995...more than 10 years old.
I believe that information was correct during the time it was written but is not accurate for 2008.

[Gilbrit]

The KKK was disbanded already.

Sadly enough, the KKK has not disbanded or gone away.
If you type their entire name out in "google" there are a plethera of sites.
I will not display a link.
I will not give them credit of any kind.

I always keep a watchful eye on them.
I have cousins who are active members.
**no invites at family gatherings for them**

Since my first daughter was born, I have been ducking and dodging this sordid group.

[Athena]

That information is from 1995...more than 10 years old.
I believe that information was correct during the time it was written but is not accurate for 2008.

Actually, these days, in many states, the programs that created quotas and such have largely been eliminated. So, yeah...No one benefits as much from AA anymore. But in the heydays of affirmative action, white women had the greatest advantage.

[Silvahalo]

For those of you who might not know...not like its a big secret. I'm Latina. Some have said to not expose myself too much...but I have nothing to hide. Nothing could be said about me that hasn't already been said before.

You bet I have experienced racism on so many levels I could write a novel.

I grew up with an interesting exposure to racism. My stepfather who is the only father I really know is white. German-American. He was openly racist towards Blacks, Asians and yes Latino's. I hated every vile disgusting thing he said regarding race...his words carried no value and I swore I would prove him wrong one day. Not only racist he is a sexist pig.

What I really wanted to say is that racism in any form reverse, traditional or cloaked with sugar is UGLY and has no place in my life. I cringe when I hear fellow Latino's say racist things about white folks or other races...there is no excuse and I have openly said that to those who would rather kick my-ass then have an intelligent discussion about it.

My hope is that I can give my children eyes that see a person's value and integrity and that they see color as being just that...color. I love color. That is why my photography usually is displayed in color. Life is NOT black and white only...life is color and it is a beautiful thing.

[blue_zombie]

I just wanted to sadly add this:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/0...l-debate-site/



"The Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan plan to be on campus for the face-off between Republican nominee John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, the first African-American nominee of a major party, according to a Friday report in the university’s student newspaper."

Not too long ago in a town approximately 20 miles away from me there was a KKK rally. As much as I wanted to go and protest, I was scared for my own safety because I do not support racism. Not only that, but I've had neighbors quit associating with me because I have non white friends. As a matter of fact, when a non white friend was helping a friend of mine move in, they called to tell me I was being robbed. Simply because it wasn't a white person. How do I know for sure that's why they called? Because I've had lots of people stop over and they've never called when it's been a white person.

There are SEVERAL hate groups functioning in America. If you didn't think that there was, do you really think the Presidential election for 2008 would be the big hullaballo that it is? Race is a real factor in everyone's every day lives, and something we need to address, and frankly we could all be a lot more tolerant. If you don't think race plays a factor, you are sadly mistaken, because regardless of where you live or what race you are, you are dealing with it, whether it be in an upfront in your face kind of way, or the way you think about others. All we can do is continue to seek education and information so that we are a more understanding nation.

Hate is never a good thing. We see that every day on here.

[Pete Bondurant]

I was going to join the Klan, but my mother was Catholic, so my membership was rejected. Can you believe that? In this day and age...religious discrimination.

[Becca]

My hope is that I can give my children eyes that see a person's value and integrity and that they see color as being just that...color.

Goddamn I finally got sucked in....in a good way

I agree wholeheartedly Silva and can tell you why.


Fuck it all. I had this huge post and it's an awesome story but is gonna piss someone here off bcs one point I was going to make is we all are different and can read the same sentence and get 20 different meanings, so again. Fuck it.

Ask me personally and I'll tell you the story that details my daughter explaining tolerance to a child of a different race that disrespected my daughter at my daughter's birthday party in our own house.

Main jist is my 9 y.o. explained to this child that she could be friends with or like any one or have a boyfriend and it didn't matter if they were black, white, or Mexican (her word), and her mommy wouldn't care as long as she was happy bcs it's the inside that matters.


I was halfway up the stairs and heard that teared up. That's fucking awesome right there. She does listen.

[Eagles Mom]

I worked very hard to raise my daughter with the same values many of you are instilling in your children. Judge people by how they treat you, not by how they look. Not an easy task considering both sets of grandparents are extremely racist.

We lived in Mississippi when she was in first and second grade. I had no intention of sending her to the public school as I had heard horror stories about the education, or lack thereof. When we went to look at a house the real estate agent told us her grandchild went to the private school because he couldn't compete with the ****** at the public school in sports. I found out during this little excursion that the private school was nicknamed Segregationist Academy. There were still separate Little Leagues and swimming pools.

Needless to say we enrolled her in the public school. Out of all the schools she's attended it turned out to be the best academically. About a month into school she came home and said that some of the little girls didn't want to be friends with her. When I asked why she said because she was friends with another little girl who happened to be black. The Princess told them that she could be friends with whoever she wanted and it would be their loss, not hers.

I was very proud of her for standing up for herself and what she believed in. She's even asked her South Carolina grandma to please not say "that" word in front her because it wasn't nice.

And for those who think the KKK is defunct...there's a mile or two of road in Southwest Missouri where the KKK has adopted a section of the highway and the State has their name on the sign. It's definately alive and well here in SC.

[Silvahalo]

Goddamn I finally got sucked in....in a good way

I agree wholeheartedly Silva and can tell you why.


Fuck it all. I had this huge post and it's an awesome story but is gonna piss someone here off bcs one point I was going to make is we all are different and can read the same sentence and get 20 different meanings, so again. Fuck it.

Ask me personally and I'll tell you the story that details my daughter explaining tolerance to a child of a different race that disrespected my daughter at my daughter's birthday party in our own house.

Main jist is my 9 y.o. explained to this child that she could be friends with or like any one or have a boyfriend and it didn't matter if they were black, white, or Mexican (her word), and her mommy wouldn't care as long as she was happy bcs it's the inside that matters.


I was halfway up the stairs and heard that teared up. That's fucking awesome right there. She does listen.

You are doing something very right Becca...a good part of the world could use education coming from you and your 9 yr. old daughter.

[WryBread]

My friend sent her resume into the state offices of Texas for a government job. She got a "no openings" letter. She took the same resume and put Maria Gonzalez at the top and got a letter asking her to interview. Why?

My friend whose family is working class Italian immigrants of about two generations received news that one of her scholarships was being terminated. Her family was giving her NO support. The university was going to help make up the difference. This affected many students. The guy in front of her was Latino and they gave him a scholarship. When she got up there, they offered her a loan. Why?

I don't really care what happened 50 years ago or 100 years ago. My own people (women of all races) received the vote 60 years after black men got it even though female activists had been among the most ardent abolitionists. I could wallow in that or I can put my attention in the future.

Racism is a two-way street. If we are ever to progress as a people, minorities are going to have to give up their righteous anger about the past and recognize that it is past. Unless this happens we will see more and more anger all around.

[Athena]

On a side note -

While I was researching the origin of the N-word, I came across this portion of a passage at Dictionary.com:

The term is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years...

I find that to be rather interesting. Does anyone care to postulate as to why that is?

[Nell]

I think it is increasing in offensiveness because it used to be more common and acceptable to say it. So not alot of people would be offended if they heard a friend say it. Because it is now not okay to say it (at least it isn't to me) then it rose in its level of offensiveness. Because it is shocking to hear nowadays out of intelligent peoples mouths.