Is Racism Real?

Originally posted by MeSoCorny
reply to post by Death_Kron

 

Agreed, White-Guy-with-Below-Average-Height-but-Above-Average-Strength!

Just imagine if we insulted based entirely off of actual physical traits.

"OH MY GOD. YOU ARE SUCH A BROWN EYED BRUNETTE WITH A NOSE AND MOUTH!"

GASP! "You're nothing but a person with two arms and two legs!"

Well!! You are nothing but a human with a brain and fingers that can type your thoughts!

In heated exchanges, people focus on the obvious. Two kids slanging it out in the playground and one yells at the other 'you fat git' (because the other child is overweight!) and gets 'four eyes' back (because his opponent wears glassess), is not an 'ism'!

reply to post by teapot


Agree! So unless someone brings in derogatory words, it's not racism. If you're simply pointing something out, no foul. Am I right or am I right, you two nostril havin, teeth usin, head sportin, typical human being. I bet you have all ten fingers and toes. You incredibly normal person. It's people like you who make me indifferent.

Originally posted by Freeborn
I think the tone, manner and context in which someone says something is the all important thing to consider.

Using someone's race, colour or creed as an intended and intentional insult is racist.

However, I think some people are far too sensitive and really need to take that chip off their shoulder.

Far too sensitive?? When I can't go in the greyhound station without security guards dragging me into a back office and torturing me, when I can't go into a downtown mall without security guards putting a gun in my face, when my life is in danger because of the color of my skin, then I have a problem with it here in America.

How is a legitimate worry about your safety -- with that being a gross understatement -- interpreted as "being far too sensitive"??? Maybe in britain or uk or whatever you call it, but not here in America. Oh, yeah, and be careful listening to the white chics or doods, because you have to hear it from a black American who isn't scared crapless..

reply to post by MegaCurious


Are you being serious?

Could you please enlighten me as to where racism on this scale occurs in the USA in today's society?

reply to post by MegaCurious


What?! Where do you live in America?

'Round these here parts, with my fellow white, black, mexican, asian "chics and doods", and etc... all get on pretty well. I haven't heard of any racism like that in my lifetime.

[edit on 6-9-2010 by MeSoCorny]

Originally posted by MeSoCorny
reply to post by MegaCurious

 

What?! Where do you live in America?

'Round these here parts, with my fellow white, black, mexican, asian "chics and doods", and etc... all get on pretty well. I haven't heard of any racism like that in my lifetime.

[edit on 6-9-2010 by MeSoCorny]

Are you serious? Never? Unbelievable

reply to post by MegaCurious


Or is it that it is far easier and convenient to put every perceived insult or injustice down to 'racism' rather than one's own doing's and failing's.

That racism still exists I have absolutely no doubt and know some pretty odious and obnoxious people myself, of various races and creeds.
But it is an attitude and belief that is becoming less and less common by the day and great efforts have been made to eradicate institutionalised racism.

Failure to recognise this stinks of self-pity, ignorance and / or an inability to accept personal responsibility.

Examples of racism like you describe need to be reported to the correct authorities and law be allowed to take it's course.
Failure to do so just contributes to allowing the last vestiges of racism to remain.
Or maybe there are other contributing factors and it is simply easier to sit and moan about racism rather than acknowledge the truth or to be a part of the solution.

Edit to add:
Oh, and I said 'some people'.
That you chose to include yourself in that is down to you and you alone!

[edit on 6/9/10 by Freeborn]

reply to post by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep


Yes, I'm serious. I've never seen any blatant racism at all. I've heard about people being racist, etc...but I've never seen anything like what the above poster was mentioning. I don't even hear about it on the news. I live in Chattanooga, TN by the way, so it's pretty diverse here.

I'm not saying racism doesn't occur. Of course it does. It always will. There will always be idiots.

I just think that some people pull out that race card far too quickly and far too often.

[edit on 6-9-2010 by MeSoCorny]

Originally posted by Death_Kron
Don't get me wrong, I do understand that lots of other factors need to be taken into account here such as history, social identity and slavery etc but I'm trying to keep things simple.

If you mitigate the idea of racism by taking out all the factors such as history, social identity and slavery, you're no longer talking about racism. That's like saying let's talk about sex, but to keep it simple, let's not take love, passion and pleasure into account...

You're removing what makes racism racism and then trying to talk about it. Racism is NOT simple. Racism against blacks is ALL about history, social identity and slavery. You can't talk intelligently about it without taking those into account.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

You're removing what makes racism racism and then trying to talk about it. Racism is NOT simple. Racism against blacks is ALL about history, social identity and slavery. You can't talk intelligently about it without taking those into account.

I'm curious...

Do you feel that blacks are the only race who have been victimized by racism?

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic


Okay, that's a fair enough point.

But it still doesn't change the fact that someone calling someone elses skin colour black in an abusive comment inflammatory if their skin colour is indeed what was mentioned in said comment.

Like I said in a few posts above, I'm willing to bet that the majority of coloured people do not have any knowledge of their backgrounds or history and that they simply find it offensive to be insulted about their skin colour because they have learned to be offended.

A personal example; my ex best friend of 15 years was a hindu and half caste. His mother was British and his father was Mauritian, considering I knew him for a relatively long time I would be aware if he knew about his past and ancestors.

Well he didn't, fact of the matter is that although having Mauritian roots and being half caste he was born here in the UK and technically as British as I am.

On one occasion I witnessed him being verbally abused and the person mentioned his skin colour, he was visibly upset and I had to cheer him up and comfort him.

Why was he upset about being called about his skin when that's the skin colour he has?

I'm a short fella as already mentioned and whilst it used to annoy me in my younger years I'm not particulary fussed if someone now wants to make a nasty comment regarding my height.

I am small, it's fact.

A coloured person is coloured, that's a fact.

Obviously, physically attacking someone just because of their colour is a racial attack. I'm trying to draw the line as to why people don't go out and physically attack small people or fat people or people they deem as ugly etc

I think a lot of racisim is learned.

Edit: Oh by the way BH, are you enjoying my series of "Is *subject* real"? articles

I just seem to be questioning a lot at the moment.

[edit on 6/9/10 by Death_Kron]

[edit on 6/9/10 by Death_Kron]

Originally posted by Hefficide
Do you feel that blacks are the only race who have been victimized by racism?

Do you mean in the world? Ever? No. But the majority of racism in the US has, historically, been aimed at black people and other minorities (Hispanics and Native Americans). But there I go bringing history into the "simple" picture again.

Racism has changed over the years. It's gone up and down. Institutionalized racism is probably pretty low compared to the past, but it still exists. And personal racism is pretty high right now especially toward Hispanics.

Originally posted by Death_Kron
Like I said in a few posts above, I'm willing to bet that the majority of coloured people do not have any knowledge of their backgrounds or history and that they simply find it offensive to be insulted about their skin colour because they have learned to be offended.

I don't know why you're willing to bet this and I would take that bet in an instant. You don't seem to know much about black people at all. Your one example of a Hindu friend hardly represents the 40 million blacks in the US.

Why was he upset about being called about his skin when that's the skin colour he has?

The fact that you don't understand his upset should tell you something. You don't get it. I lived YEARS without "getting it" then I finally did. Good luck on that.

I'm a short fella as already mentioned and whilst it used to annoy me in my younger years I'm not particulary fussed if someone now wants to make a nasty comment regarding my height.

When the tall people enslave short people, beat them, rape their women, hang them from trees and sell short people to each other for personal slaves, then you come and tell me you don't mind being insulted because of your height. For you to compare "teasing" at school to the enslavement and abuse of a segment of society for hundreds of years is ludicrous.

I think a lot of racisim is learned.

Of course it's learned. We aren't born racist and we aren't born feeling inferior or superior. It's all learned - from parents, society, experience, HISTORY...

Edit: Oh by the way BH, are you enjoying my series of "Is *subject* real"?

Not particularly. I only post in them to shed some light on what seems to be blatant bigotry, IMO. You don't seem to be asking out of genuine curiosity. Instead, you seem to be looking for support for your bigoted views.

Sorry, you asked. And that's my truth.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

Do you mean in the world? Ever? No. But the majority of racism in the US has, historically, been aimed at black people and other minorities (Hispanics and Native Americans). But there I go bringing history into the "simple" picture again.

I was just curious, thanks for you honest and direct answer!

By the by... My maternal great grandparents immigrated from Ireland and their white skin did not save them, at all, from racism. In fact even my mother has had to deal with anti-Irish discrimination in her lifetime.

Personally I think that focusing upon racial differences, in our day and age, prevents us all from seeing the real class-based issues which do sorely effect most of us. It's not about black vs white any longer - it's all about rich vs poor.

Originally posted by Hefficide
Personally I think that focusing upon racial differences, in our day and age, prevents us all from seeing the real class-based issues which do sorely effect most of us. It's not about black vs white any longer - it's all about rich vs poor.

I agree with you that there is also "classism". Definitely! I don't think one keeps us from focusing on the other, though. They're just two different things. Both exist. Both are wrong.

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic

I don't know why you're willing to bet this and I would take that bet in an instant. You don't seem to know much about black people at all. Your one example of a Hindu friend hardly represents the 40 million blacks in the US.

And I don't know why your limiting this discussion to the USA and only discussing blacks when I've not specifically mentioned either.

I haven't said anywhere in this thread that my hindu friend had anything to do with blacks.

Must try harder.

The fact that you don't understand his upset should tell you something. You don't get it. I lived YEARS without "getting it" then I finally did. Good luck on that.

Thanks for the well wishes. Next you'll be telling me I should be offended if some black guy calls me a white boy...

Must try harder.

When the tall people enslave short people, beat them, rape their women, hang them from trees and sell short people to each other for personal slaves, then you come and tell me you don't mind being insulted because of your height. For you to compare "teasing" at school to the enslavement and abuse of a segment of society for hundreds of years is ludicrous.

So I guess white's have never been slaves then? Christ, I must really have a bad education in history...

Must try harder.

Of course it's learned. We aren't born racist and we aren't born feeling inferior or superior. It's all learned - from parents, society, experience, HISTORY...

I'm glad we agree on something.

Not particularly. I only post in them to shed some light on what seems to be blatant bigotry, IMO. You don't seem to be asking out of genuine curiosity. Instead, you seem to be looking for support for your bigoted views.

Fair enough, I don't really care what you think, just wanted to add some banter and humour to the post but that's obviously escaped you...

Edit: Forgot to mention, are you telling me that the teenage gangsters in Brixton, London walk around understanding their history or that of their ancestors?

[edit on 6/9/10 by Death_Kron]

Originally posted by Death_Kron
And I don't know why your limiting this discussion to the USA and only discussing blacks when I've not specifically mentioned either.

I'm not limiting any discussion. Where have I set limits on this discussion? I am talking about the US (and made that clear) because that's what I know.

Edit: Forgot to mention, are you telling me that the teenage gangsters in Brixton, London walk around understanding their history or that of their ancestors?

I'm telling you nothing of the sort. As I stated in the beginning, I'm speaking of the US because that's what I know. You asked about racism and I'm giving my opinion, from my perspective, as an American citizen. I am not, however, limiting the discussion to the US or to blacks. If others want to talk about racism in their countries, they are free to.

I'm going to ignore all the other prattle in your post. It seems you're trying to "pick a fight" and I'm not interested.

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic

I'm telling you nothing of the sort. As I stated in the beginning, I'm speaking of the US because that's what I know. You asked about racism and I'm giving my opinion, from my perspective, as an American citizen. I am not, however, limiting the discussion to the US or to blacks. If others want to talk about racism in their countries, they are free to.

Then broaden your horizion's, I haven't specifically linked this thread to blacks or the USA.

Racism occurs in every country on the planet, stop linking it to only blacks in America.

So it's only blacks in America that know their racial history? or are you saying that's only what your aware of?

Do you really think every black person in America know's to be offended by a racial slur because of the ties to the past history of the black race?

I think not.

History lesson for you BH

Up to one-half of all the arrivals in the American colonies were Whites slaves and they were America's first slaves. These Whites were slaves for life, long before Blacks ever were. This slavery was even hereditary. White children born to White slaves were enslaved too.

www.revisionisthistory.org...

en.wikipedia.org...(historical)

Now please explain to me why I'm not offended if an American called me a white boy?

[edit on 6/9/10 by Death_Kron]

reply to post by Death_Kron


Don't fool yourself into thinking that I'm unaware of the history of indentured servitude. I used to use all the same arguments that you're using. I used to sound JUST like you. There are people here on ATS that can vouch for that.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
reply to post by Death_Kron

 

Don't fool yourself into thinking that I'm unaware of the history of indentured servitude. I used to use all the same arguments that you're using.

I used to sound JUST like you. There are people here on ATS that can vouch for that.

My point being is that there is no chance in hell that every black person for example is aware of their races history and that's why they become insulted when someone uses an expletive describing their colour.

I don't get offended when someone calls me white, because I am white.

I could use your argument and say well whites were slaves controlled by Americans etc etc So what, I still don't find someone calling my skin tone abusive...