QUIZ to see what "white" is nowadays? (bias, regular, American)
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I don't agree that being LESS race conscious will necessarily lead to a less racist society. I myself am very race conscious (race fascinates me and I like to discuss it) yet am not racist at all. I think we need to learn to be accepting of people of ALL races before we forget about race. I seriously doubt that our society will just skip this step and - voila! - racism will be cured. Things are getting a lot better but we're not ready to just forget about race quite yet.
That's fine to be curious of other races, however, I think we go overboard here. Plus on a personal level the wife and I have become really annoyed over the years of constantly being asked as a first question "where are you guys from?" or "what is your heritage exactly?". I just think it has become an obsession for Americans. I don't even ask people what they are anymore, I could care less, if you're cool, you're cool.
I don't agree that being LESS race conscious will necessarily lead to a less racist society. I myself am very race conscious (race fascinates me and I like to discuss it) yet am not racist at all. I think we need to learn to be accepting of people of ALL races before we forget about race. I seriously doubt that our society will just skip this step and - voila! - racism will be cured. Things are getting a lot better but we're not ready to just forget about race quite yet.
Interesting thoughts there....however, as usual, I'll play 'devil's advocate'....and by that I mean, to the extent that one's race continues to be a valid factor in his/her identity, then it will get attention. The problem with THAT is, it may get negative attention, as well as positive...that's just how life works.
Do I have answers? No, I don't. I'm only making the observation that 'race consciousness' as you describe it, (and I'll agree it's an interesting subject), inevitably will sometimes be used in both negative and positive ways. It can mean just about anything.....depending on who's saying what.
That's fine to be curious of other races, however, I think we go overboard here. Plus on a personal level the wife and I have become really annoyed over the years of constantly being asked as a first question "where are you guys from?" or "what is your heritage exactly?". I just think it has become an obsession for Americans. I don't even ask people what they are anymore, I could care less, if you're cool, you're cool.
Those questions are borderline rude, and I'm sure you know you're not required to answer....unless of course you want to. I've 'been there', and you're right, it CAN get tedious, even if it's done in a friendly way....
Those questions are borderline rude, and I'm sure you know you're not required to answer....unless of course you want to. I've 'been there', and you're right, it CAN get tedious, even if it's done in a friendly way....
Non-mixed race people are asked a lot about their heritages too, you know. Why can't Mach50 just tell people that's he's mixed with Amerindian? He's in a unique opportunity to teach Americans (many of whom are very ignorant about mixed-race people, especially when this applies to Hispanics) what it means to be mixed-race. Honestly, how the hell are we going to stop talking about race if we don't even understand it? I am all for talking about it instead of advancing the belief that it's taboo to talk about it!
Non-mixed race people are asked a lot about their heritages too, you know. Why can't Mach50 just tell people that's he's mixed with Amerindian? He's in a unique opportunity to teach Americans (many of whom are very ignorant about mixed-race people, especially when this applies to Hispanics) what it means to be mixed-race. Honestly, how the hell are we going to stop talking about race if we don't even understand it? I am all for talking about it instead of advancing the belief that it's taboo to talk about it!
No joke there:
A friend of mine gets mistaken for Indian, Filipina. Latina, etc.-----------never mind she is counted as 'Anglo' White, legally speaking.
This woman has the slanted eyes with the inner folds, high cheekbones, etc. of an Asian or some Mestizos...........she is of Hungarian heritage.
Non-mixed race people are asked a lot about their heritages too, you know. Why can't Mach50 just tell people that's he's mixed with Amerindian? He's in a unique opportunity to teach Americans (many of whom are very ignorant about mixed-race people, especially when this applies to Hispanics) what it means to be mixed-race. Honestly, how the hell are we going to stop talking about race if we don't even understand it? I am all for talking about it instead of advancing the belief that it's taboo to talk about it!
Well, that's certainly his call. On the other hand, he may not feel like discussing such matters just to satisfy the idle curiosity of strangers in a public setting. It would depend on the situation.....but generally, when someone says "just WHAT is your ethnic makeup, anyway", one would be perfectly justified in responding, "Before I answer that...what, exactly, is your interest in my ethnicity, and why do you ask?".....
It's a situation that could 'go either way', I'll admit.
On the topic of doing away with, or keeping race definitions, how about the "one drop" rule? It's the craziest thing I've ever heard of. How in the heck does that make sense that if a person has one drop of anything other than white, they are that other race, but if they have one drop of white, they do not become white? Of course, this "rule" is being phased, but it's still really prominent it seems.
On the topic of doing away with, or keeping race definitions, how about the "one drop" rule? It's the craziest thing I've ever heard of. How in the heck does that make sense that if a person has one drop of anything other than white, they are that other race, but if they have one drop of white, they do not become white? Of course, this "rule" is being phased, but it's still really prominent it seems.
You think THAT'S crazy ?--try THIS.....A guy can scratch away for YEARS making sketches, drawings, etchings, etc...and what do the critics say?..."Yeah, he tries hard...but he's sure NO ARTIST"
Yet let a guy commit just ONE TINY RAPE....and suddenly, the whole WORLD says "LOOK ! there goes that RAPIST"
Does that make sense?....
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