Why did we segregate people??? (middle east, illegal, racist, Obama)

[texdav]

If yuo look at asia where most are of the same color you will still see that the different cultures have a legacy of which is supreme.Even in africa their were salves as there were in many of the most advanced ancient cultures.Equality is a pretty recent idea.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by iColt1

So in English we were discussing Martin Luther King. His speech "I have a dream" he said that in the Declaration of Independence that all people made equal. If so then why did we segregate a black from a white since we have no control over the color of our skin; since it's a pigment in the skin that causes us to be a certain color. actually if this is true then we should never have had a civil war.

It's too bad the discussion came up in English, and not in Civics or History. That's where they ought to be doing the discussing.

[MrSykes]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Because the blacks were brought here as slaves, and designated as an inferior class of people within the context of our society. Human society is based on structures of kinship, and even if people are ths same color and appearance, any group of people will segregate themselves from outsiders.

Segregating your own kind from others is a social defense mechanism, to give strength through kinship, to protect your own kind from the ambitions of others. There has never been a culture, or a family, or a clan, or a tribe, or a linguistic group, or a color, or a religion, or gang, or tattoo pattern that did not do that. And there never will be.

This is the very argument segregationists have put forth to support their position for their preferred social structure for generations. It is divisive, inaccurate, and downright dangerous.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by MrSykes

This is the very argument segregationists have put forth to support their position for their preferred social structure for generations. It is divisive, inaccurate, and downright dangerous.

You mean the blacks were not brought here as slaves, and were not relegated to inferior status within our society when they got here? I stand corrected.

The fact that wrong-headed people use an argument, does not by itself invalidate the argument.

[aveojohn]

It is a cultural issue that still keeps us somewhat separated.It really doesn't have a lot to do with color.

[Memphis1979]

Originally Posted by Chango

Except humans aren''t different species like chimps, gorillas and orangs.

A interesting genetic study shows the average human population worldwide has less genetic variation than two populations of chimps on the opposite sides of the same mountain. Every human has the capability to be any human color; it just depends on whether the genes turn on the melanin production. We are incredibly alike as a species...everything else is superficial

Chimps outdo people in genetic diversity. - Free Online Library

I know we aren't two different species, but we are different.

We have physical differences, caused by muscle specilization, skin specilization, and things of that nature. They were adapting to the plains of Africa, we were adapting to colder climates in Europe. Inuits have physical characteristics that make them naturally suited to live in Alaska.

Yet, the genetic differences are very small, but when you look at them, they are very different.

Dogs are the same way. A Min Pin and a Great Dane are almost genetically identical, but the look like two completely different species.

And Humans didn't know about genetics back in the 17th century, or even until the 20th century really. So why would you think, not knowing anything about genes, was the difference between blacks and whites.

Ignroance is no excuse, but it explains a lot.

[thriftylefty]

Modern society segregates itself along class lines. I guess it is an anomaly that an entire ethnic group could be relegated to the same class with out regard to each individuals values and morals.

[MrSykes]

Originally Posted by jtur88

You mean the blacks were not brought here as slaves, and were not relegated to inferior status within our society when they got here? I stand corrected.

Obviously no one disputes that fact. It is your conclusion that is in question. It is clear that segregationists, in advocating for a state of social distance from the "inferior race", often used the same "self-preservation" and "defense mechanism" arguments you put forth.

[MrSykes]

Originally Posted by 2mares

Interesting. When I was a little city girl, I visited my aunt who raised black angus cattle. We were driving thru the pasture and there was one white calf among the black calves. the black calves were chasing and fighting with the white one. I asked why they were picking on that one and my aunt told me it was because the white one was different and that was common behavior.

I see black cats, white cats, speckled cats, and tabbies hanging around where I live like Heathcliff and the gang - they seem to get along just fine. We humans could probably learn a little from them.

[PantherPride]

agree but humans will never be that pure of heart. Also in the animal world anything sick or weak is singled out.


Humans are very stupid and ignorant about this type of thing, getting better but still.