Pseudo-racism

[markyj987]

Since racism is the theme of the week it seems, I want to vent about something.

Racism is certainly a problem throughout the world. In the west, there has been TREMENDOUS progress towards equality; however, those who advocate most for equality tend to take things too far.

I'm not talking about minorities or other REAL victims of racism, agism, et cetera-ism here. I'm talking about those who CHOOSE to get offended on the behalf of others.

I'm talking about the upper-class white liberal who attends an anti-(fill in the name of any Republican) rally because they oppose affirmative action.

I'm talking about people who get offended about the Washington Redskins, the Marquete Warriors, Cleveland Indians, etc..

I'm talking about someone who has spent their life in private schools and surrounds themselves only with people "like them" and complain about how "hateful" people are from the south.

I'm talking about the people who say they represent tolerance--but if you disagree with them on any ONE issue, you're certainly racist or sexist.

I'm talking about the person who has their head so far up their wazoo that they are completely disconnected from the real world.

Of course, this is the same mentality of the meth-addicted, STD-infected 15-year-old girl protesting real furs while wearing leather moccasins, and a hemp-necklace with a shark's tooth on it.

These people do MUCH more harm than good. Ask as many Native Americans as you can if they are offended by the "Washington Redskins." Ask them if they're offended by the term "Indian." The VAST majority are not.

This hyper-activism fuels the fire of racism and promotes reverse-discrimination. I call it "white folks-hating white folks-syndrome." This is an epidemic that started on the coasts and has worked it's way across North America.

It's this mentality that keeps true leaders of the minority community silent--and keeps the media promoting the views of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton as mainstream.

I can't speak for the rest of the world, but I have a few very close black friends in Milwaukee. (By the way, they don't care if you refer to them as black instead of African-Americans). The oversenstive white folks and extremist black leaders like Sharpton and Jackson do NOT represent them.

They hate affirmative action because they work hard--and want the fruits of their labor and not the color of their skin to pay off in the long run. They are productive, hard-working members of society.

It's okay to be proud of your family's background. It's great to have historical connections with your ethnicity and celebrate them. However, I'm sick and tired of everyone being a hyphenated-American. I think labels like that are one of the most divisive things in our society.

We are a people who should not be divided by the color of our skin or the accent our grandparents had. We are Americans and should be UNITED under the ideals of freedom.

There was a time when our leaders could disagree on issues, but held the same basic principles of freedom. Even that has eroded these days--because the silent majority has chosen complacency. People don't remember how HARD it is to keep a nation free, but we've become detached and apathetic about our future.

One theme that has been consistent thoughout history is this. When governments take away freedoms, they don't give them back until there's a revolution. There is still time to save this country and I implore every one here to fight for every freedom we have.

We have to take back the Congress, the courts, and use the power of the ballot box to restore the Constitution and make sure it's used the way it was meant to be used.

If we continue this trend, I would hate to see the kind of nation we leave for our children and grandchildren.

[markyj987]

Thanks, and a belated welcome to the forums. I've been swamped at work since mid-December.

[wtnhunt]

Great post Mark. Very well written out and have to agree with what you are saying here.

[ QUOTE ]
This hyper-activism fuels the fire of racism and promotes reverse-discrimination. I call it "white folks-hating white folks-syndrome." This is an epidemic that started on the coasts and has worked it's way across North America.

It's this mentality that keeps true leaders of the minority community silent--and keeps the media promoting the views of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton as mainstream.


[/ QUOTE ]
On that particular point I could not agree more. I too have known and worked with some fine black people who also did not particularly seem to fond of what often takes place in the way of affirmative action and with those such as Jackson. Really in talking with them, they at times seemed to be very irritated by those who scream racism and try to use race to their advantage.

[Norm Sauceman]

I know people of SEVERAL races. We share meals and work and off-time. I can't see why there are so many racists out there...but I can tell you one thing. It was not a trait brought on at birth...it was a trait brought on after birth.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Dang, that's good stuff Marky. Wish I'd said it... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[slugshooter]

I see where you are coming from Marky, as far as the Redskins thing goes, I think some Native Americans would be more perturbed by that then any of the others, that would be like naming a team the " Honky's " anyhoo, I read somewhere recently that the Indians aren't supposed to be named after Indians, regardless of their logo, it was supposed to be a tribute to a former player before they were called the Indians, I'll try and find the story. On another note, this story hits close to home, about 30 miles away we have the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, their mascot is The Braves, the school was started as Pembroke College to train Lumbee Indians how to be come teachers, now it's part of the UNC system and the NCAA wants them to change their name, well, the Lumbee population is up in arms, because they want the name to stay, they like the logo which features an Indian with an Eagle on his shoulder and they feel it is a tribute to their culture. They have voted before to keep it, as long as people support it then the NCAA should back off.
As far as the other subjects mentioned, I do feel it is rather ironic for people that have no experience in what they are fighting for or against to be involved in it, but, someone needs to fight for people that are being wronged.

[oldksnarc]

Couldn't agree more. Sharpton, Jackson and any other that feels they are owed because of what their ancestors went thru are the biggest racists I have seen. If one works for it they deserve it - whatever their color or origin.

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
I know people of SEVERAL races. We share meals and work and off-time. I can't see why there are so many racists out there...but I can tell you one thing. It was not a trait brought on at birth...it was a trait brought on after birth.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very true Norm, but even with parents who raise their kids not to view those of others races or who are maybe a little different as any lesser, those kids still pick up on how society as a whole in general does have some serious issues with racism elsewhere.

The schools are terrible and that is something parents really have very little control over. We got a paper from the school sent out with the new lunch menu just this week telling us that we need to be cautious with what we say around our kids, becuase the school is having problems with slurs and some language that is not acceptable.

Example they used was apparently many kids are currently saying "that is so gay" and the school will not allow it becuase it is offensive to some other children http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. This is freaking elementary school. I have never heard my 8 year old use that expression, and personally neverheard it used anywhere around here.

My childhood was a pretty good ways back, but in all honesty I do remember some things in school and in being with other kids away from school that I was exposed to. What I was exposed to at school and around other kids after school was far worse than at home. You can teach your kids the best you can, but they will still have those influences outside the home and you can really only hope.

[DSGB]

They made a big deal about Braves fans doing the Tomahawk Chop in the early 90's. They interviewed one of the elders living on the reservation in Cherokee, N.C., and he said, "As long as they keep buying Tommyhawks from me, I have no problem."

[horst]

Good to see were still on this racism thing in here http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Excellent post though Marky, I agree 100% http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[HuntingInMaine]

[ QUOTE ]
Example they used was apparently many kids are currently saying "that is so gay" and the school will not allow

[/ QUOTE ]

My nine year old son came home with that "saying" about a month ago! I was horrified when he said this, but it was something that I quickly put a stop to. You are so right about the pressure from their peers. It is no secret how I feel about things like that, so you know it didn't come from home!

I just started a new semester and in one of my classes a person walked in. I say 'person' because I wasn't sure if this person was a male or female. They had very short hair, shaved on the sides and a little spikey on top, baggy flannel shirt, and baggier jeans with work boots. I was trying to determine gender, but still couldn't tell. The teacher had everyone introduce themselves, when it came this person's turn the teacher said "And you sir...", to which this person replied "That would be ma'am!", in a VERY deep voice.

I was later talking with this woman during break when she told me she couldn't understand why he thought she was a man, and that this had happened 3 times that week alone. I am trying to think how I am going to answer her without offending so I nicely offer that maybe it is because her hair is so short, but she didn't think that was it! LOL

To make an even longer story short, she doesn't need this class, but she did hear that the teacher "seemed to be against women", so she was there to "attack" when he did. People like that ruin the good work that so many before her have done. I will be talking with the teacher privately because I feel he should know he is being set up. There are enough real cases of discrimination and racism without people going out making them up.

[wtnhunt]

All a parent can do is teach their kid love and respect and work with them. You can do your best and hope that they turn out right. Unfortunately you cannot control everything that your kid will be exposed to in life and with how they will deal with it. Everyone is an individual even your children.

[wtnhunt]

Discrimination is discrimination. What difference really does it make who is being discriminated against. Is it any less wrong? Really thought it was terrible that here the elemetary school felt there was such a problem that they had to send home something in respect to hurting childrens feelings by a slurs and by the expression they used as an example "that is so gay".

[johnf]

[ QUOTE ]
Discrimination is discrimination. What difference really does it make who is being discriminated against. Is it any less wrong? Really thought it was terrible that here the elemetary school felt there was such a problem that they had to send home something in respect to hurting childrens feelings by a slurs and by the expression they used as an example "that is so gay".

[/ QUOTE ]

So if I discriminate against pediphiles is that being a biggot? You know it's perfectly exceptable in some countries. Better not talk bad about them. Just because someone says that something is ok or a judge somewhere says that they are a "Minority" doesn't make them one. After all child molesters, rapist and murderes are minorities too based on that standard.

Equating any sin to someones race is a bigger insult to a then using a racial slur. IMO

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
So if I discriminate against pediphiles is that being a biggot? You know it's perfectly exceptable in some countries. Better not talk bad about them. Just because someone says that something is ok or a judge somewhere says that they are a "Minority" doesn't make them one. After all child molesters, rapist and murderes are minorities too based on that standard.


[/ QUOTE ]

Not really sure how to take what you are saying here John. We are all sinners, are you suggesting we group sinners into categories and discriminate against them http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

[johnf]

What I am saying is that I don't think that any sin should be given any sort of minority status. I think it is in incredibly poor judgement to equate a race of people with a lack of self control. Just because many people these days have lowered their moral standards, does not mean the God has or that I have to.

I think anyone who puts the plight of any race in the same catagory with any sin is blind to the truth.

[stevebeilgard]

great job on the post

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
What I am saying is that I don't think that any sin should be given any sort of minority status. I think it is in incredibly poor judgement to equate a race of people with a lack of self control.

[/ QUOTE ]

John, dont think I ever said or meant to say that discrimination in any form was right. Furthermore I dont recall ever saying that discriminating against a race was right. My point is that we all have lack of self control at times thus we are all sinners. Some folks in here seem to be suggesting that homosexuals should have lesser or no rights when it comes to being allowed to worship in a building, all because they are sinners. While I most definitely do not think that homosexuality is in any way an acceptable lifestyle in the eyes of the Lord, I also realize it is not my place to pass judgement on those who chose that lifestyle and suggesting they have no right to enter a place of worship is in a sense in my opinion anyways discriminating against them. These posts have seem to run together all stemming back to the race issue in the post shotup started so I may be a little off the topic.

When I mentioned the school deal, it really struck me when I find out the school is making such a big deal over what elementary kids were saying in regards to expression with the term "gay". The school considers that to be discrimination. Who am I to say whether it is or is not in kids at that age. I really dont think and I hope MY 8 year old daughter does not know what is referred to as being "gay". As far as I know she thinks it means happy, funny that is the definition of the word in dictionaries. The school says slurs and discrimination of the sort were not going to be tolerated, which is not a bad thing. I just wonder at that age how they can really figure a kid is "gay" to be being discriminated against http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

[ QUOTE ]
It's okay to be proud of your family's background. It's great to have historical connections with your ethnicity and celebrate them. However, I'm sick and tired of everyone being a hyphenated-American. I think labels like that are one of the most divisive things in our society.


[/ QUOTE ]

i agree with everything you said except for this paragraph. i am no less american than anyone in here, but i will continue to refer to myself as a mexican-american....because that is what i am....and i don't think anyone should have a problem with being a "hyphenated-American" i believe its important to know where your family comes from and remember you ancestors (sp?)....i know most people say "well you live in america so you should just be an american" and that some will say its unpatriotic or whatever....well i'm just as patriotic as anyone in here....in fact i am working my butt off because i want to join the army and follow in the footsteps of my father and my aunts and uncles and serve our wonderful country....but at the same time family is the most important thing to me and i won't forget where my families (mother side and fathers side) came from

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
i am no less american than anyone in here, but i will continue to refer to myself as a mexican-american....because that is what i am....and i don't think anyone should have a problem with being a "hyphenated-American"

[/ QUOTE ]

Dont take this wrong, but this brings up a question I have had for quite some time. Just kind of curious if a south african(white) moves to America and becomes a citizen, would that person still be considered an African-American???

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
but at the same time family is the most important thing to me and i won't forget where my families (mother side and fathers side) came from


[/ QUOTE ]

While I dont forget where my grandparents came from either, knowing my family on my fathers side came from Belgium, does this mean I should call myself a belgian-american?

I dont forget my family history, but dont really see a point in calling myself anything more than American. After all that is what we are if we are citizens of this country right. Dont take me wrong, it does not bother me for you to call yourself whatever you wish, just think it is a little silly for people to get so bent over it.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

wtn....i would see nothing wrong with you calling yourself a belgian-american....but you choose not to and thats fine.....i guess i should try and explain this better so people don't miss interpret what i am saying....its not like i just go around telling people i am mexican-amreican...its just the way i see myself....i don't go around telling people this, if they ask, then yeah i'll tell them...if they don't like it then fine, thats their own opinion and they are entitled to it. but like i said, i don't go around announcing it to everyone i meet that this is what i consider myself...

[wtnhunt]

I see what you are saying and I am proud of my heritage as I am sure you are. Dont personally really have a problem with people calling themsleves whatever they wish to and can certainly understand your point at the same time can understand how as Americans we all should consider ourselves proud to be Americans knowing what all the men and women over the years have fought for in order for us to remain free to be just that.

[markyj987]

Michigan, I don't have a problem with people calling themselves whatever they wish.

My problem is that as a society, we focus so hard on "celebrating diversity" that we lose the real ideals that made this nation great--we lose our national identity. Not only that, but it seems to me that hyphenating is just a politically correct way to label others--and a great stepping stone for stereotyping.

[HuntingInMaine]

[ QUOTE ]
Michigan, I don't have a problem with people calling themselves whatever they wish.

My problem is that as a society, we focus so hard on "celebrating diversity" that we lose the real ideals that made this nation great--we lose our national identity. Not only that, but it seems to me that hyphenating is just a politically correct way to label others--and a great stepping stone for stereotyping.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very good post and certainly something to think about. I wonder why it is only the african, asian, and hispanics that choose to take on the hyphenation? I mean no racism, bigottedness or stereotyping with that comment, but no one calls themselves Irish-American, English-American, Dutch-American, ect. I am of english, dutch, irish, german, and swedish decent but when asked I would proudly say I am an American. Maybe it is just a personal kind of thing...

[slugshooter]

How many of these groups though actually chose to be called Mexican-American, African-American etc. How do we know that the label wasn't stuck on them by the media or some group that wanted them to be considered separate, none of us are just plain Americans since we are all the result of immigration at some point or another. The only true native Americans are the Indians that were here before any of us showed up, and even they can't escape the hyphen.

[johnf]

So if we go by the FDA rules for ingredience, I would be a French-Irish-German-English-Native-African-American. And Darned proud of it too. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[markyj987]

Great post, slugshooter...

That's really getting at my initial gripe...people who get offended on behalf of other people.

These labels were likely created by some quasi-civil rights guru who wanted to divide rather than unite people.

Our nation has taken great strides towards equality, yet serious issues remain. These offended people do nothing to resolve real issues. By focusing on a label and calling someone a racist who says "black" instead of African-American they do nothing but make it worse for everyone.

[wtnhunt]

Brings me back to this question who noone has answered.

[ QUOTE ]
Dont take this wrong, but this brings up a question I have had for quite some time. Just kind of curious if a south african(white) moves to America and becomes a citizen, would that person still be considered an African-American???


[/ QUOTE ]

[slugshooter]

[ QUOTE ]
Brings me back to this question who noone has answered.

[ QUOTE ]
Dont take this wrong, but this brings up a question I have had for quite some time. Just kind of curious if a south african(white) moves to America and becomes a citizen, would that person still be considered an African-American???


[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

I must have missed that one somewhere along the way or I would have chimed in. I guess in the context of things they would be called that, or they would say they were a South African-American or don't they go by Afrikaan or something, maybe thats just their language.

[buckee]

[ QUOTE ]
Brings me back to this question who noone has answered.

[ QUOTE ]
Dont take this wrong, but this brings up a question I have had for quite some time. Just kind of curious if a south african(white) moves to America and becomes a citizen, would that person still be considered an African-American???


[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]
No they would fit right in...why?...because they are white. They would need a sign on their forheads saying "I am an African, who has moved to American...please label me correctly" http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[wtnhunt]

OK, so another question, would those white "african americans" qualify for the same "minority" help that blacks get?

[buckee]

Your just over-flowing with good questions today aren't ya willy http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
Your just over-flowing with good questions today aren't ya willy http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL. Just curious. Any answers anyone?

[slugshooter]

[ QUOTE ]
OK, so another question, would those white "african americans" qualify for the same "minority" help that blacks get?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably not, didn't you see one of those Lethal Weapon movies where the South Africans were all rich and had diplomatic immunity. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[wtnhunt]

Yeah just thought the idea of a rich white "african-american" getting help from the naacp or such would be interesting.
Technically they would have no choice but to have to help them right?

[buckee]

[ QUOTE ]
Technically they would have no choice but to have to help them right?

[/ QUOTE ]
I would think so. And if they were denied, they could always play the race prejudice card

[johnf]

NAACP-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Aren't we all a different color. My wife, daughter, and I are all a different shade of tan. Does that count. I am 1/64th blacke and my daughter is 1/128th. Does that count for something?

The very title of the organization is pseudo-racist.