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First, how many people REALLY want to discuss race?
Second, how many people REALLY want to discuss race HONESTLY?
Third, most White Americans can talk about race but very few have experienced the level of racism many Black Americans have faced. In others word in most cases White Americans talk about race from the perspective of the racism from the outside looking in. Most Black Americans talk about racism from the inside looking out. The two often completely different perspectives make common ground often difficult to find.
Fourth many White Americans are extremely reluctant about discussing the history of race and how it affects the current dynamics of race in America today. Some don’t even want to know the history. Many White Americans believe these past events have no effect on the social and economic conditions Black Americans face today.
Fifth even if race and racism are discussed hardly any White Americans want to discuss the issue of White Privilege and how it affects the social and economic dynamics in America today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Houston3
Read this post and you have your answer....
like houston said, read jazzytallguys post. it get real tiring when someone starts to talk about race and racism, and they get shot down by people who try to make the claim that they dont know what they are talking about because they have never been there.
A sociologist once said that the only way to discuss race would be to have about ten courteous individuals each with a differing rational, reasoned viewpoints. Political correctness would be off the table, yet each individual would be mandated to be as respectful of the others as possible. Overt anger or an insult would mean dismissal from the table. There could be an audience, but there would be no outside input.
That might work but obviously interactive websites are fraught with essentially built-in problems.
[quote=Rita Mordio;15688482]Let's take a thread title, for instance: Do liberal policies punish wealth, or prevent it?
How many people would hit the report button or cry if it read: Do black policies punish wealth, or prevent it?
I cannot speak for anyone else but I have NEVER in my life reported a thread to a moderator. I know how to ignore something that I find not worthy or offensive. I think forums are the PERFECT forum to speak freely....and people should be allowed to. Allowing people to speak freely allows us to realy learn about each other.
Because in the instance of politics, one can choose where to stand on the spectrum based upon their own personal ideas. Last I checked, people can't just choose their race.
We are all Humans. We don't do things because of color...but because of human traits that we all share. Hence.....on the issue of race....our HUMANITY allows us to choose were to stand.
On the same concept, why talk about polygamy, homosexuality, extramerital affairs when you cannot relate to it from lack of experience? The same kind of assumptions that get you called "angry" or "hateful" are the same as assumptions that "white people don't care about history".
Maybe we are using terms that do not accurately convey what we are trying to communicate. As many times as I have been cast aspersion upon for talking about the history that lead to the reality of today.......it has led me to deduce that white are averse to this (race) history in America.
Or are people not allowed to speak on those topics until they've experienced or could relate to them?
People should be free do say what they want. One's argument is either tenable or not. However, one has to debate their oppositions actual position and not attempt to create a straw man or use other logical fallacies to refute it. If one is using argument fallacies, and that can be proven, then they are holding onto beliefs which are untenable against their opposition.
On the flip side, when one labels an entire population with liabilities and consequences (in a negative manner) for things they had no control over - you will not find many who will even give you the time of day.
That may be true......the way people react to it. However.....that is the way our system has been set up. People pay taxes all the time for things that either they are not responsible for, get no benifit from or are opposed to. The government imposes taxes not based upon what an individual did.....but based upon what the government needs. So in the frame work of the way things work....there is nothing abnormal from that expectation. If that is not how the system is set up....it would be one thing.....but that it how the system works. Its like you might not steal an have never stolen....but the fact that people steal means higher prices get passed onto others to cover those cost. You might have never stolen something or been in an accident or filed a false claim......but the cost of those things gets passed onto you in the form of higher premiums.
Or, to be more precise, a good number of "white people" would like to see an even and clear playing field for all who want to play the game of Life.
Life NEVER starts off even if there is accrued displacement resulting from race and class. Each new generation does not all start off from the same point or with the same score. One inherits the score and or the starting point of their parents and hence their parents displacement becomes their own in the game and competition of life.
Last edited by Indentured Servant; 08-30-2010 at 02:58 PM..
I'm sorry to see that this thread didn't continue. I guess I should be happy that things remained reasonable civil. Good points all around for the most part.
Discussing race with white people is similar to discussing women's issues with men. There is a lack of shared perspective so either people have to come to the table with very open minds and hearts or nothing will be accomplished. Thing is most people have lived closely with the opposite sex for most of their lives (and admittedly we still don't understand each other) but people of difference races don't share that luxury. We are not nearly as trusting or knowledgeable about each other hence a lack of open minds and hearts. Therefore nothing is accomplished in most cases but misunderstanding and amplified ignorance.
As a white man I enjoy certain privileges including I always have a job, can get a credit card with no questions asked, breeze through airport security, and am automatically accepted if I apply for Country Club membership. At least that is what some pundits say. Sorry I have never been black, Asian or Arab so I have no direct experience.
I don't have a problem with assumptions....but its amazing how many people think I am "Angry". I never understood that. How does one deduce or glean anger from anything I say. I am one of the most laid back forgiving people that you could meet. Which brings me to another point; debate or discussion about race seems to always lead to the perception that black people are asking white people for something.
So based upon those two things.....the assumption is that black are angry about history (those who talk about it) and want something from white people in return....like vengance or compensation. Would things be better if whites understood or a disclaimer was made up front that a person is not angry and is not asking for anything....or expecting it? Granted.....some people may be asking for something and expecting something....however....I certainly am not and have not.
Thanks so much for the comment I marked in red.
This will give me a new perspective when I read/hear discussions about race. I never looked it at that way before, at least not consciously.
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