Is Iowa still promoting the State to Minorities? (title, diversity)

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Lehmaac

I'm surprised you enjoyed Whiteboyz, Rhino, considering that it makes fun of uninformed people making judgments and assumptions about communities and cultures they have no firsthand experience with.

Ha. Trust me, I have enough "firsthand" experience.


However, since you think I'm so uninformed, why don't you start informing me on how I'm wrong here? It shouldn't be that hard if I'm such an idiot, right?

[Lehmaac]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

I wouldn't expect some black dude to get excited about St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, St. George's Day, Columbus Day or any other white ethnic holidays, just as I shouldn't be expected to care about MLK day, Cinco de Mayo, Asian new years, etc.

Um, lots of people who are not 100% Irish (or white) enjoy St Pat's. Non-Germans enjoy Oktoberfest, etc, etc. I would even venture that MLK Jr day is considered to be more important than St George's day to the majority of Americans; white, black or chartreuse. Don't know, might be going out on a limb there.

Let's not forget how the Irish, Italians, and other newer caucasian cultures were treated when they started arriving en masse in this country. They worked hard, assimilated themselves into the culture while also changing the culture, and now they are America.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Lehmaac

Um, lots of people who are not 100% Irish (or white) enjoy St Pat's. Non-Germans enjoy Oktoberfest, etc, etc. I would even venture that MLK Jr day is considered to be more important than St George's day to the majority of Americans; white, black or chartreuse. Don't know, might be going out on a limb there.

Let's not forget how the Irish, Italians, and other newer caucasian cultures were treated when they started arriving en masse in this country. They worked hard, assimilated themselves into the culture while also changing the culture, and now they are America.

Uh, no one ever said that people who aren't Irish don't/won't enjoy St. Patrick's Day. I'm part Irish and I don't really care for the holiday, but I enjoy German and Italian festivals which are not my heritage. I also never said that St. George's Day is more important than MLK day here. Hell, most people probably can't even say what country that holiday comes from. I think you read me wrong. I was basically saying that I don't expect blacks to embrace white ethnic heritage.

What do Irish and Italian immigrants have to do with this?

[Lehmaac]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

However, since you think I'm so uninformed, why don't you start informing me on how I'm wrong here? It shouldn't be that hard if I'm such an idiot, right?

There's a difference between being an idiot and being uninformed.

It seems you are making broad generalizations about cultures other than your own that you haven't taken the time or empathy to try to understand. How many non-white friends have you had? When it comes right down to it, we all have a lot more in common than people will admit. We all want to provide well for ourselves and our families, and experience some joy in our lives.

It's no different than when I told people I was thinking about moving to IA, and they said, "Why would you do that, it's just cornfields and hicks." And this is from people in Wisconsin!

Or when I was little and relatives out East would ask me what kind of farm we had, because everyone in Wisconsin lives on a farm, right?

I just wonder if you give all the white people on welfare, who are criminals, etc as hard as a time as minorities who are.

[Lehmaac]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

I was basically saying that I don't expect blacks to embrace white ethnic heritage.

What do Irish and Italian immigrants have to do with this?

My point is that many of those holidays (except for St George's Day!) are as much American as the country they originated in. Irish, Italian & other immigrants are relevant because they are the ones who brought these traditions here, just like Hispanics and Asians are bringing theirs. Remember the "melting pot" we were taught about in grade school?

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Lehmaac

There's a difference between being an idiot and being uninformed.

It seems you are making broad generalizations about cultures other than your own that you haven't taken the time or empathy to try to understand. How many non-white friends have you had? When it comes right down to it, we all have a lot more in common than people will admit. We all want to provide well for ourselves and our families, and experience some joy in our lives.

It's no different than when I told people I was thinking about moving to IA, and they said, "Why would you do that, it's just cornfields and hicks." And this is from people in Wisconsin!

Or when I was little and relatives out East would ask me what kind of farm we had, because everyone in Wisconsin lives on a farm, right?

I just wonder if you give all the white people on welfare, who are criminals, etc as hard as a time as minorities who are.

Believe it or not, I have had many friends who weren't white and continue to have a decent amount who aren't white. I can't honestly say I've gotten along with many black people, but I've been around plenty. You don't know me, I don't know you, but for what it's worth, I didn't just come up with my views out of nowhere. They're based on personal experiences and what I've thought out. Just because I didn't come up with the same opinion as you must have doesn't mean I'm un/misinformed by any means.

Oh, I also know that not all nonwhites are bad...and not all whites are saintly and good. That goes without saying.

How would I treat a white family on welfare? The same as I would treat a black family on welfare... with a bit of empathy if they were hard working, decent folks down on their luck. I know this happens from time to time. If they were not making any effort and sitting around all day eating Lunchables & grape soda, popping out unruly children and ruining the area around them, I'd detest them. As far as criminals, it depends on the crime. I'd feel empathy for anyone who goes to prison for say, doing drugs, regardless of race. I wouldn't feel any sympathy for those who peddle them on to other people, those who commit selfish property crimes and especially those who commit unnessecary physical crimes against people... Regardless of race.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Lehmaac

My point is that many of those holidays (except for St George's Day!) are as much American as the country they originated in. Irish, Italian & other immigrants are relevant because they are the ones who brought these traditions here, just like Hispanics and Asians are bringing theirs. Remember the "melting pot" we were taught about in grade school?

This thread has covered the whole rainbow, but I thought we were talking about black people specifically right then.

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by Lehmaac

My point is that many of those holidays (except for St George's Day!) are as much American as the country they originated in. Irish, Italian & other immigrants are relevant because they are the ones who brought these traditions here, just like Hispanics and Asians are bringing theirs. Remember the "melting pot" we were taught about in grade school?

First of all, you started the worst pissing match I've seen in a while, lol. Who said any of this stuff you speak of...I'm reading back and can't seem to find it.

Now I think Rhino's "generalization" included saying many of the minorities in Iowa are on welfare and their communities are drug, gang and crime ridden. Hell, I think I may have said that.

Now here is the question,
Can you label a statement as such a "generalization" even if it is true?
Is a generalization only a generalization if it is false?

To me, call it a generalization because in general the statement is true.

Maybe realizing there is a problem regarding poverty in minority communities in Iowa could be a first step to change it?

Now tell me what you think without pulling the race card. I am open for a productive conversation here.

[Not Iowa]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

Actually, coming from Chicago - this is most definitely false. Especially compared to city youth and suburban youth. I've had much different experiences with kids on the west side than I have with kids in the suburbs.

There are many many different cultures in our country.

I thought you came from Iowa City. I've lived in St. Paul, New York, and New Orleans - and as I said, youth dress alike in urban populations. It is doubtful that you, Steve W, or Rhino have experiences outside of white Iowa to make an educated statement to this point - which is why you would have to pull from crappy movies or television shows to create a defelctive statement.

This thread is about promoting the state to minorities. When you, Steve W, or Rhino continue to rant on your white pride mantra, it is off topic. Why not just start a new thread to that effect and leave people who would like a productive conversation to post in this thread?

[my54ford]

When you, Steve W, or Rhino continue to rant on your white pride mantra

Is white pride a mantra? Is it wrong to have pride in your race? or only wrong for white folks to be proud? This is a very confuseing thread .. but I enjoy reading it!