I think I Am A New Aged Racist

I'd have to say guilty as charged, I feel the same way. I lived in Germany for four years, and learning the language was definately helpfull. I wouldn't feel bad about it, it's human nature. I also wouldn't let those infinately smarter than us, hurling insults bother you.....every one has an opinion, some just don't state them very politely....no matter how much smarter they are than the rest of us.

[edit on 6-1-2010 by adifferentbreed]

can anyone remember that case where the british women was arrested for calling a teddy allah which was given to the child. by no means am i trying to imply this is the backdrop to islam, quite the opposite. i would quite like the majority of islamic people to find a voice of the people. a strong voice in opposition to those terrorist and extremeist. i mean if they did it would result in a better atosphere for the uneducated caucasion many of which fear islam. public demonstrations or speaches from islamic communities in comdemation of terrorsim would go along way to attaining public confidence in islam. the media could probably do a better job promoting it as it stands. for example in afganistan ther is plenty of collaberation between the forces and native afgans, they are fighting a COMMON enemy, wouldnt it be nice if the people of these forces could find a common place bettween them.

the veiws on imigration are quite directly linked to the subjected veiws of purpose. i mean steriotypes have been derived of asians coming to britain and claiming benefits for 5 or 6 children when this is not always the case. people dont like this. people are less agreived by say american or west europen movers because in their veiw it brings more to the community ext. media perspective of the problem is the key to undooing this awefull escalating problem

i have a degree in geography and im currently studying physics in a second degree but i dont bring intengence levels to the argument board only valid points. im willing to bet that thers a variety of different intelegence levels in these forums but being smarter doesnt make what your saying any more important than what anyone else might say

reply to post by masqua
Sort of like how the colonists coming to the Americas changed things to the old European way?

Is that what you mean?

If they'd stuck to the native ways, America would look a little different, eh?

Anyways, I guess those newcomers didn't figure the native people of the Americas were in any way a civilization. I guess it's human nature to try and stick to the old ways no matter where you wind up. If I was to move to Southern Sudan, I doubt I'll be burning villages or anything.
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I find it interesting whenever things like this are brought up.............so this history, it will always be an albatross around our neck? It's kind of like saying Obama lied, but it's o.k. because President Bush lied. So, in effect, when the next president lies, it's o.k. because Obama lied. When does today matter, versus history that has passed?

[edit on 6-1-2010 by adifferentbreed]

reply to post by tothetenthpower


This is one of those "you can't serve two masters" things.

You have to decide whether it's more fun/important for you to say what you think is true...or whether it's of more primary importance for you to avoid uttering true-or-seemingly-true things that have racist implications or undertones.

Pick one or the other, and then don't worry about it...there's not really anything exciting about the dithering between the two, it's kind of disingenuous, IMHO...Choose either with clarity, and see how you like it .

I agree with you actually...People native to their country shouldn't be forced to learn another language because of immigrants coming in...

Its sort of like having someone come into your home and tell you what to do....

I don't believe its racism to not want to learn another language. Nor should we be forced to. Is it detrimental to your health or well being to learn a new language? No...but if you enjoy your culture then you should have the right to stick with it without moving on.

It never hurts to try new things though but you can't expect everyone to ride the culture train.

Originally posted by SpeakerofTruth


I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you... my grammar could very well win a trip to the hague for atrocities committed against the English language.

Anyhow I was not trying to slight you, I was only saying I am fortunate not to be annoyed with the language barrier. I do not need anymore upsetting concerns tacked on to my already long list of peeves. I understand your concern, and hope it will improve
in some fashion, either in the people/phones you encounter or in the way you perceive the issue.

take care

Originally posted by adifferentbreed
I find it interesting whenever things like this are brought up.............so this history, it will always be an albatross around our neck?

The Romans were different back in the day. They conquered the armies of the places they invaded, but allowed things to go on as they were, except for government, of course. They adopted the pagan gods and took them back to Rome. That old saw about "when in Rome, do as Romans do" isn't quite true for the Roman Empire. They embraced the different cultures and didn't try too hard to change them.

It was their insistence on polytheism that really made the Empire great, because it was 'inclusive'. In a lot of ways, it was monotheism which sowed the seeds of its fall. But that's another thread.

To answer your post in relation to the European invasion of the Americas; if they had been more accepting of indigenous cultures (with reservation, of course) perhaps things wouldn't have turned out so badly as they had. I can understand not wanting to watch thousands of captives have their hearts torn out of their chests.

The old Roman Way might have been better, though.

[edit on 6/1/10 by masqua]

reply to post by masqua


And it has what to do with today? I'm simply tired of seeing history brought up in this manner. To the op sorry I got off topic.......didn't mean to, great thread.

reply to post by tothetenthpower


Well, if that's the criteria, sign me up as a new age racist too! I've said it a few times here on ATS, and I'll undoubtedly say it again, and again, and again, and again... because I don't see it changing anytime soon. The one line I really love is, "Well in my country..." If things are so much better and you like it so much better in your country, feel free to take your immigrant butt right back to your country!!!

[/rant]

S & F for you, Keeper! Keep up the good work!

Originally posted by adifferentbreed

And it has what to do with today?

We're discussing culture shock, aren't we?

I'm simply tired of seeing history brought up in this manner.

How should histor be brought up? History is full of examples where one culture comes into contact with another. Some end well, others don't.

The idea is to learn from that. Think of China becoming the wealthiest nation on the planet. Within 10 years, they may be flying everywhere, immigrating everywhere and you suddenly feel a need to learn their language because you want their business. Do you think it might be beneficial to learn their customs as well?

That's culture shock.

I do fully agree with the OP, however i do also think that ones opinion can be enforced by ones own experiences, Understanding that they are not all the same, its hard to think that when you have a hand full that live in your community that are the ones wishing for their home country laws to be introduced in to your town, the ones that absolutely refuse to learn the language even though it is offered to them by local government for free. and the fact that some of them are damn rude to the locals.

Like i said its about once personal experience and in my town its not been a good one. I know at lease three whom have come here to gain British citizenship, only to bring others in from other countries not their own to marry and have them become citizens. now waiting for the divorce. and for them to do it again.

You see them on the news in places, complaining, but like the OP says they chose to come here, they should be grateful they have the right here to protest, you know we would not be able to go to their country of origin and do that without being locked up, so i don't understand why they want so much to change things.

Anyway i am not a resist, i think like the OP just a little disheartened by it all, I know we will all learn to get on in the end, because i know they are just a bad bunch and not all the same, its just a shame that some areas get the bad ones which makes it difficult to see the good sometimes. S and F for the thread, and thanks for sharing.

You have expressed the feelings of a lot of, myself included!! It does take a lot of nerve for someone to come here from another country and then not learn our language, etc..My grandparents came from Italy in the early 20th century and while they spoke broken english, they did master the fundamentals.....One time they were visiting for a few weeks...the phone rang and my grandmother answered before I could get to it...it was my mom's insurance man, asking when she would be home....I was amazed to hear her answer, correctly, and in very understandable english! I know that doesnt sound like much, but it really touched me that she knew how to handle the situation, however minor, and the fact that she even was not afraid to answer the phone gave me even more love and respect for her!! WOW I digress........sorry....but as you said, if we went to a foreign country, I don't think our not learning their langauge would be appreciated!!!

Originally posted by tothetenthpower
Now, most of my friends here on ATS would think that this is another one of my joke threads, it's really not. Now I am not a racist just for the sake of saying, I don't like black people, or I don't like brown people.

It's a new kind of racism I think I have developped over the span of perhaps ten years. It has nothing to do with my environment or my upbringing it has literally crept on me.

Here is my problem with people. Immigrants. Why is it that you all have this notion that when you move to ANOTHER country, you MUST have your way of life respected or accepted among us?
I STOPPED READING HERE

You are all humans yet always find a way to hate on each other -Yet if approached by say a sudden threat from another hostile species from earth first you would all gather as 1 for battle for their earth- My point is wth does it take DESTRUCTION to get your minds right on a concensus level why can you all not work as 1 befor being approached. YOU LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT WAS ONCE THE NATIVE AMERICANS YET THROW BOLDER AT A GLASS HOUSE SMH. later

Originally posted by tothetenthpower


It's a new kind of racism I think I have developped over the span of perhaps ten years. It has nothing to do with my environment or my upbringing it has literally crept on me......

Here is my problem with people. Immigrants. Why is it that you all have this notion that when you move to ANOTHER country, you MUST have your way of life respected or accepted among us?

~Keeper

This is well and timely put. As a progressive/conservative, I too question if this country might go the UK route regarding "respecting" the cultures of new immigrants. Could America come to making legal other cultures' actions/practices that are common-sense contrary to the our Constitution? Seems to me, in agreement with this thread's author, the coming to America is always a matter of choice and the reason for wanting to come is because of our basically more appealing (stable and law-abiding) society....which would not remain so for long if contrary practices were introduced.

Good post, thanks for sharing your honest opinion. I agree with you.
It used to be a matter of pride for an immigrant to come to America and learn english and become American. These days people come from other countries and expect us to accommodate their language and customs.

I don't understand why someone would leave their home land and want to make their new country just like the place they left. If you liked the culture so much then why leave in the first place?

I guess it is a symptom of the massive globalization efforts going on in the world. Nationality is becoming endangered.

I dont think it is racist, just as the K.F.C ad in Australia is not racist
here in Australia they are putting up road signs in other languages be those areas dont have any english speaking people at all which is really sad.

[edit on 7-1-2010 by plasterace]

Thanks for this thread OP! I have been asking about this sort of thing for almost 2 years now in Canada. You see, I’m on the other side of the fence. I’m from South Africa, and I’ve been here for almost 3 years. However, and this is the shocker, I’m with you!

I’m amazed at how some immigrants expect Canada to adjust for them, and their cultures. Now I’m going to rant a little…If you want to immigrate to another country, do your homework first, learn about the countries culture, people etc, and if you are satisfied you can assimilate in that society, then fine, make the move.

It’s a big decision to make, I know, so be sure of it first. If you don’t like what you see after your research, then don’t move it’s simple. What gets my goat is when immigrants come to Canada, and want to enforce their cultures and ways onto Canadians. My answer to them is simple, if you don’t like it here, go back to where you came from.

You moved here for a better life, so adjust to the society that has taken you in, and allowed you to benefit from it’s economy, freedoms, ways of life etc etc. How dare I want to have Cricket and Rugby broadcast in TV as main sport events compared to Ice Hockey and Baseball! (Leafs & Blue Jays fans would probably lynch me – LOL!) No, I embrace the country and everything about it, because it’s for me to adapt, not them.

Now, for those who don’t know about immigrating to Canada, you HAVE to be able to speak either English or French (And it’s broken into 3 levels of proficiency – points allocated to each). Read that again, HAVE to know either, or you cannot immigrate legally if you can’t speak either.

Do you have any idea how many people I have met in the Greater Toronto Area, that can’t speak a word of either? This is what has shocked me, and has me shaking my head uncontrollably. How on earth did these people get into Canada? It took me 3-1/2 years to get accepted. I have a business degree from the UK, and still had to go for a 3hr interview in Pretoria.

How do they survive if they can’t speak the languages? They live and work in their own little communities – family owned business etc. So for me, this is where it starts. They become so clingy with each other that they can’t assimilate into Canadian society.

And what if something happens that causes them to lose their jobs. How are they possibly going to get hired somewhere, when they can’t speak the 2 official languages?

Id like to add that this is a subject that makes me think about myself first before i give an answer.

I need to tell myself to be myself, rather than giving an answer that some people would prefer.

I have no problem at all with any person in the world, until i dont like them, then the worst that happens is that I go talk to somebody else.

I am white, I have travelled all over the world, and I can honestly say that there are millions of people like myself out there, that give any person of any colour or background a chance, and if they decent people i stay and talk, if not lets just go our own ways, and you crack on and get on with your own life.

Im not even going to try and list colours or religions, we are all humans, we all do the same thing, jsut some of us do it differently.

I do agree with the original poster though, that I dont think we should change the rules of a country to adapt to anybody, people can make their own decisions, and if they dont like whats on offer, then move on, same as people.

I would never ever expect others to change to adapt to myself, and my ideas.

Anyway, great post and thank you

no, you're not wrong in thinking this way, at least i don't consider your thoughts wrong.

i think anyone should have the right to move anywhere on the world, but if they want to become part of that society, THEY should be the ones that learn the local customs and the most spoken language.

if you think about it, it's actually quit arrogant of them to just expect to be welcomed in without putting in some effort to learn how to communicate with their hosts.