Bringing race up in front of a minority (thought, racist, Hispanics)

[e2ksj3]

I was at work earlier this week, and we were at break just chatting, I'm the only black person in our small group of white co-workers, anyway kind of out of the blue we got on the subject of the civil war and then race. They just kept going on about how the civil war wasn't about slavery and talking about race and then go on to tell me how they aren't racist and they have this many black friends, etc. I didn't engage in the conversation much (plus I'm a real easy going person, I'm not the type to start ranting or even try to push people's button on "sensitive" topics, b/c I know people feel differently about different things), but they kept talking to me, like they were trying to get me to understand and get my approval. It was so bizarre, and it's not the first time that's happened to me.

I don't want to sound like I'm stereotyping and forgive me if I do, It's like when I'm around a lot of white people and alone, the subject of race always comes up. In college, I had roommates one day just bring up Affirmative Action and told me how much it sucked and how white people are discriminated against, and I didn't argue with them, but it's like they brought it up because I happen to be the only black guy in the room. We'll be talking about something off the wall, and then they'll ask me what rap music I like, despite the fact that if you really knew me as a person, you would know that I'm more into Electronica and Ambient music, more so that rap. I had a white lady I was talking to at a fundraiser and we were just making friendly chat, then she brings up this book she was reading about Botswana out of the blue. I didn't even know where it was until she mentioned it.

So anyway my question is why do some people feel the need to bring race (or issues having to do with race) up in front of a minority and then try to convince them that aren't racist? Believe or not, black people (well this black person doesn't) don't spend every minute of their lives thinking about race and slavery, so why do you need to bring up in front of them?

I try to give everyone I meet the benefit of the doubt, but when you're always bringing race and having to convince me that you have "xxx" amount of black friends, then I really start to wonder. I'm not asking you about race, so why bring it up in the first place?? Also interested in hearing from other minorites on this as well. I just think it is real bizarre.

[Convert 54]

I cant say I have intentially brought up race in a discussion with a minority, but one time a black fellow employee asked me what I thought the civil war was about and I told him in my opinion it was slavery first and foremost. The effort to make it states rights is just white wash.

Just two weeks ago a fellow employee (black female) came in and asked me if I knew what holiday it was and my response astonished her, I replied it was Juneteenth.

She grinned really big and replied I was the first white boy that had ever known that and how did I know to which I responded I was a student of the civil war and a direct descendant of a man who answered Lincolns first call to arms........

[buildings_and_bridges]

I have done that on many occasions, but I haven't tried to prove to anyone that I'm not racist since I was a kid. I have a weird habit of bringing up these subjects to see what other people will say. Kind of silly, yeah. It is presumptuous in that I'm thinking the other person would be somewhat consumed with the subject and want to discuss it. But I have this tendency to try to get people to talk politics.

The people you're talking about, though...geez. They seem clueless.

[bbkaren]

Is that what would be considered "white guilt"?

People seem so cowed by political correctness that even the most innocent mention of race is quickly justified, rationalized, smoothed away, and apologized for.

It's as though people think black folks don't know they're black, (or hispanics, or asians, whomever) or that they'll "go postal" or be offended if someone mentions race.

I feel that apologizing for bringing up a matter-of-fact conversation on race is almost discriminatory in itself.

As though whoever you're talking to isn't capable of having a conversation that involves the color of their skin (or their nationality or whatever).

Or worse, that they're so "unfortunate" to be that race (or whatever), that you feel bad bringing it up.

Just like I don't mind discussing aspects of being a caucasian person, I feel there's no shame in a black person discussing aspects of being black (or vice versa).

We're supposed to be equals and we walk around on eggshells.

As for people who bring up the subject gratuitously, I can only assume they feel like it's something that they have in common with you (in that they know something about affirmative action, or whatever). I don't really get that, although I do find that people are DESPERATE for a topic of conversation. They can't seem to survive more than a couple seconds of silence with another person in the room. So maybe someone who doesn't know you might think "Oh no, what can I talk to this person about? Hey, he's black! I'll ask his opinion on Al Sharpton!" lol

I don't know what makes people do what they do but I can say I appreciate your honest, sans-chip-on-the-shoulder inquiry into the silly minds of the general public, because there are some who would have handled the subject with a whole lot less goodwill.

Thanks!