Racism..?

I have been reading articles for a few weeks now on present and past racist arguments presented upon by the U.S. (Not sure how bad it is in other countries). My biggest question now towards racists statements is this. If a statement that presents itself to be racists only if a white person says it to a black person, a hispanic, or any other nationality is classified as "racist". Then what do we call it when a black is racists towards a white? Obviously it is still racism but rather because they are black should the law be shaped and viewed differently for them just because they're ancestors were persecuted by whites a 100 years ago. I am white so I do realize that the views are different but everyone has been treated unfairly by all races and creeds for thousands of years but you don't see them getting any help. Jew's have been persecuted by every European race imaginable. Indian's were persecuted by the English, Italians by the U.S., the Scots by the English and the U.S. The fact is I am wondering why they want us to feel sorry for them when they could easily change the view which looks down upon them. Most blacks I know aren't trying to better there lives but rather degrade it same with hispanics and whites. There is no real boundary other then the one that they place in front of them to harm themselves. I am an Italian also. I myself even though I am not all that old have been made fun of for being Italian and also for the religion in which I am but I choose to prove them wrong. Why can't others?

Please move this to were it should. I placed it in the spot I thought it should go but there is probably a better spot =P

[edit on 7/30/2009 by VenomR]

Context and consequence are everything.

Both blacks and whites are guilty of doing the same thing - making derogatory statements about the other group.

However, when the one group is much more numerous, powerful, and "in charge"; then the consequences of what they say, do and believe is a much bigger deal than what the smaller, poorer and less powerful group says and does.

That is why racism is often only looked at in terms of whites vs all the other minorities. The whites are the bigger, more powerful group at the moment.

In the end all these groups are made up of people, and people everywhere can be, well, ignorant!

Originally posted by wayno
then the consequences of what they say, do and believe is a much bigger deal than what the smaller, poorer and less powerful group says and does.

Why do you say "poorer" when refering to the other race?

You're not saying it out right but it sounds like your saying white=powerful black or hispanic = poor.

Please clarify! Class has nothing to do with race there are rich and poor of all races!

Edit: spelling

[edit on 30-7-2009 by gravitybender]

reply to post by gravitybender


Of course there are rich in every race; as there are those with high formal education in every race; and individuals with superb abilities in the arts or athletics or whatever human condition you might think of.

It was the overall or generalization that I was speaking of. Generalizations, while true of the big picture do not describe individuals that make up the big picture.

I may be wrong, but I believe that the whites have more power, money and influence than any other group in the US at this time. That is why their whims and desires are more consequential, for good or bad ends.

When they act in a racist manner, it has a more profound effect than when blacks or other minorities exude their racism. That is why they are called on it more so than others who also act with prejudice, but who are part of a minority group.

I was only trying to answer the OP's question.

reply to post by wayno


We, here, in the US will have to change the ideas of racism soon. Have you seen videos of black people confronting Mexicans is Arizona? I have. In those videos blacks and whites confront a new threat. It all is a "brave"
new world. My personal opinion is that blacks thought they were making wonderful headway, and suddenly, a group of people, the Hispanics, are making greater headway into American culture. And so, there is a new enemy, hispanics against whites and blacks. Too much division here. Whatever, TPTB, don't forget the "redman". They knew the powers of this continent before the rest of us arrived. All hail, the Iriqouis! The first confederation on this Turtle Island!

We have not forgotten. Send us the reams of cloth. Ha ha. We will make weapons of this cloth. Oh, wait. I can't speak for my Seneca brothers and sisters. My heritage wasn't passed down through my mommy, just through my daddy. So I am lost. Wake up my brothers and sisters! I will do more for you than you will do for yourselves.

Originally posted by VenomR
I have been reading articles for a few weeks now on present and past racist arguments presented upon by the U.S. (Not sure how bad it is in other countries). My biggest question now towards racists statements is this. If a statement that presents itself to be racists only if a white person says it to a black person, a hispanic, or any other nationality is classified as "racist". Then what do we call it when a black is racists towards a white? Obviously it is still racism but rather because they are black should the law be shaped and viewed differently for them just because they're ancestors were persecuted by whites a 100 years ago. I am white so I do realize that the views are different but everyone has been treated unfairly by all races and creeds for thousands of years but you don't see them getting any help. Jew's have been persecuted by every European race imaginable. Indian's were persecuted by the English, Italians by the U.S., the Scots by the English and the U.S. ....

I fail to see how the United States mistreated the Scots, unless I am reading it wrong and you mean how the English mistreated the Colonials?

As for Racism, it exists all over the world. People would like to demonize the United States, and make you believe that now-a-days Racism, Bigotry, and so forth only exist within our Nation, or they are only a "Big Deal" within the United States, but truth be told We ARE in fact the single most accepting society on Planet Earth. In Africa, the Arab lands, and the Afghan/Paki portion of Asia, tribes hate tribes. In Europe, certain regional based people hate those from other regions. In China, ethnicities have issues with eachother. In Mexico, and other parts of Latin America, people are judged by not simply the color of their skin, but by the very SHADE of their color. Biased perceptions and ignorance exist EVERYWHERE. Once you begin to put everything in its correct scale, and you study the issues all over the World, you will just as soon realize how open and fair the United States truly is in comparison.

Originally posted by kyred
reply to post by wayno

 

....All hail, the Iriqouis! The first confederation on this Turtle Island!

We have not forgotten. Send us the reams of cloth. Ha ha. We will make weapons of this cloth. Oh, wait. I can't speak for my Seneca brothers and sisters. My heritage wasn't passed down through my mommy, just through my daddy. So I am lost. Wake up my brothers and sisters! I will do more for you than you will do for yourselves.

So you are Iroquois? I had family living near the Mohawk Valley in the latter 17th Century onward. I have no idea if they mixed in with my ancestors or not, but my English family managed to survive whilst living amongst the Dutch and Mohawk, so they obviously had stable relations.

Ya sorry about that I meant the English mistreating the colonial's.

The main question I wish to know is though is how racism got started. I realize that certain people are ignorant and idiotic but as a whole shouldn't we stand up to protect the ones being mistreated? Why does the whole wish to ignore it when they could just as easily fight for what IS right. We chose to become petty over trivial aspects that don't challenge are race. We are all human's no matter are creed, color, or sex. Why must the feelings about old oppressions be prevalent when we could just work together to get off this stinking planet?