reply to post by truthorlies
I live in Southern California. This might give you a clue as to what ethnicity is most common here. If there's one observation I've made over the
years, it's that what truly matters among a mixed population is the cultural and moral standards, and this is what separates people the most. It's
the way you keep your front yard, the way you drive on the road, whether you say please or thank you, how friendly you are with your neighbors, how
considerate you are of others, how you raise your children, whether or not you value education, and so on and so forth.
Skin color really doesn't matter. It only matters to the ignorant. It may be hard for some to believe, but the difference in color of one's skin can
actually be overcome with common courtesy and fair practices. The hate and violence erupts when multiple cultures with differing values clash, and are
forced to live side by side. While I believe that each culture has something very valuable to offer the other, it's important to recognize the
positives and negatives of each.
The problem is that these things are not easy to teach or pick up in a matter of days, weeks, or even months. It can take years to instill certain
cultural standards and values in people. It becomes even harder to do when people of one culture gather in a specific area, surround themselves with
like-minded families, and continue to practice the same standards in the midst of a different culture. As this like-minded group continues to grow at
a fast pace, it begins to see less and less reason to try to assimilate into the general culture which they chose to enter into. Soon enough it
becomes a turf war between two or three cultures. There will be those who claim the U.S. has defeated Mexico and the land now belongs to them, and
there are those who will claim that Mexico was here first.
I personally don't like to get into who belongs where, because I view the human species as migratory,.... which means that if you look back far
enough into any race, you'll find they've been here and there, and everywhere at some point in time. Discussion of what race belongs to what
continent is moot.
It is my opinion that if a person of a certain culture flees their "homeland" in order to seek a better life in another country, it is common
courtesy to learn the language, the rules, and the culture of that land. I've had to do it twice now (first Germany and then the U.S.). It wasn't
easy, but it is more than possible. This doesn't mean one must give up their own culture or language. Simply reserve that culture or language for the
appropriate moment, and respect the nation that is providing you with the better life you sought for yourself.
To the nation which welcomes/accepts these immigrant cultures; It would be good for this currently "native" culture to allow the new immigrants some
time for assimilation. Respect your new neighbors, treat them well, and offer some help. When mutual respect is shown, the quality of life can and
will dramatically improve. When we arrived in Germany, we were placed in a home with four or five other families. We shared this big house with Poles,
Hungarians and Syrians. The Hungarian family was on their high horse all day long, dictating who would be allowed to use the kitchen when. Naturally
they clashed with the Syrian family, and verbal fights ensued. My dad was very level-headed. Although he was good friends with the Hungarian family,
he saw that they were treating the Syrians unfairly. He stepped in, broke up the fight, and told the Hungarian to go shove it. From thereon everybody
was fine and we had no problems sharing the house even though everyone came from a different place with different standards.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that no matter where you're from and what color of skin you have, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you STAND UP FOR
WHAT'S RIGHT instead of banding with bad people simply because you share a skin tone. It should be good white/brown/yellow people vs. bad
white/brown/yellow people,... not one color vs. another color.