Something happened to me today that reminded me that some people STILL cannot see that we as New Yorkers, Americans, or HUMAN BEINGS need to come together in peace and throw away the racism that exists in our world. just after I read a great article how color doesnt matter anymore in NYC, I was simply walking down the street in my neighborhood, when a group of young men began throwing items at me and yelling derogatory comments towards white people. I was simply stunned. I actually stopped dead in my tracks and just stared at them, confused that this was happening to me. I stopped and asked "Why would you do something like that?" I was truly perplexed by the situation. Its just that since the attacks, I felt a common bond within the city, I never felt threatened to walk down a block that is predominately minority. Anyway, they started screaming back at me and threw more objects and said "What are you going to do about it?" "NOthing" I said defiantly to the group which clearly outnumbered me. " I want Peace." I said next. THey laughed in my face and didnt see the connection I was trying to make: We live in a city that has just been the center of a global attack, and less than a month later I am verbally assaulted because of the color of my skin? reverse racism at its finest i needed to vent
That's a shame that you wish not "all" things would get back to normal. Not to belittle the issue, but technically isn't reverse racism, a case of being overly nice to someone because of thier race.
curly, please elaborate, because I am confused by two things. your "all" things back to normal comment doesnt make sense. what are you talking about? and who is being overly nice to anyone else because of their race?
Not in your case.....but if racism is doing/thinking bad things about someone because of thier race...wouldn't reverse racisim be doing/thinking nice things about someone because of their race. Of course I know what the real meaning is...but just playing on the words a little.
just to clear things up, I used the term reverse racism in the sense of when a group or race of people lash out at those who they accuse of being racists themselves. in my case a group of African American men calling me Whitey. it just spreads the hatred even farther in the opposite direction. and since you didnt answer my request, I will further elaborate by saying of course I hope "all" things will get back to normal. When did I say I didnt? Dear Lord, please bring this country some peace, and bring ALL things back to normal. I was simply touching on the sensitive issue of Race Relations in New York City. I feel that in the year 2001, someone should be able to choose the neighborhood in which he wants to live at a decent price and not get harassed. this was the FIRST time this has ever happened, and I have been in Harlem for eight months. I honestly feel like part of the community, a sense of belonging,and I am proud to live here. The neighborhood itself is in the middle of a major facelift, and as real estate becomes available, more and more people are moving uptown from the expensive rent prices of downtown.Its just close-minded people really got to mess it up for all of us.
across110thstreet: Dude, I am sorry to hear what happened to you today. Truly tragic. As a American of Color (my new coined description) I am simply appaulled. If the 9/11/01 attack can't bring this nation together, I fear, nothing will. Although, not my place to apologize on behalf of those particular people or a race for that matte, I still would like to extend my apologies. If possible, always remember what has happened to you. For many minorities go through that on a daily basis, so the next time a friend or associate or what have you displays racism, maybe you can help them understand their misgivings. Keep your head up. Not everyone is like that. Curly: I am curious to your "all" things get back to normal response. Do you mean where White America has "ALL" priviledge, including the right to discrimination? I would hate to think that some of my fellow CC.Net'r are racist. Maybe, we all mis-understood what you were trying to communicate. Please explain.
I am saddened also. I truly hoped that these events as horrible as they are would unite our nation, brother to brother, regardless of race and gender. We're all Americans. This just goes to show that there is always a bad apple in the barrel no matter what race or creed. It's up to us, the one's who have a clue to ignore these clowns.
you couldnt be more correct. I understand that some people project hostility towards others. yes, I often hear dumbfounded remarks these days from other caucasians about members of other races, and it kills me. We, white America, have no more rights than any other American. god, I cant believe I am talking about this, different colors, different races. like I am justifying separation. "Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited, and abandoned, everywhere is war. me say war That until their are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation. Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes me say war That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race. Me say WAR" HIs Imperial Majesty Haille Selassie(Jah Rastafari) adapted by Bob Marley for the song "WAR" "War in the East, War in the West, War up NOrth, War down South. Everywhere is war.......good over evil."
You guys are way too idealistic.... The racists that existed before 09-11 are still racists. Also, Curly's "ALL" comment, meant that racism is a "normal" part of America. Just because it isn't a "good" part doesn't mean it's not a "normal" part.
Ooops, I read part of the post it answered my question. There are racist people in the world, but don't blame an entire race, or assume that that everyone thinks that way. I've seen and heard racist stuff from people who happened to be white, but I don't blame white people. Blame the idiots who said it, and blame ignorance is what I say. You may have been insulted because you are white, but blame it on those kids, whatever race they are. Because that was obviously stupid and racist actions by those people.
Ummm, I'm not Curly but I read the complete opposite thing in his message. I believe what he was saying is that racism, sadly, is somewhat normal. Therefore, when he was saying he wished not all things went back to normal he was saying he wished the racism wouldn't return.
i dont think there is anything wrong with being idealistic right now. If we werent idealistic, the whole world would not be behind us. we are fighting for a concept, and we have to believe that we can change this world. I am starting to understand what some of you are saying. i agree with most of all of your comments, and I guess I was opening up a forum for all discussions, sharing how it affected me personally, but I was really speaking of the type of racism that exists towards average white Americans. Of course this incident on the street had nothing to do with terrorist attacks, but I felt a need to communicate
across110thstreet: You are a cool dude. If all Americans could have your outlook, this nation would truly be great. I really like your analogy with the eyes. I will definitely look out for your posts in the future. DREAMer: Very true, but I can't believe you said that. Yes, there were racist before 9/11/01, but again, if this can't bring a nation together..... Are you saying that there is NO HOPE? If so, MLK, Malcom, JFK, M. Edgars and thousands of others have been punished or died in vain. Ronald Reagan (of all people), once said (and I paraphrase here)....what would this world be like if outside race (meaning human race) threatened this planet? His hopes would be that ALL people, of every nation, color, religion background would come together to fight for the survival of our species. Granted, bin Laden is not an alien present bent on the destruction of Earth, however, he is bent on the destruction on the American way of life. Right now, who is the greatest threat to "white america", Americans of Color or Al Queda (bin Laden)? All of us, you, me, Curly...everyone should realize this. If not, then I fear live will be "normal" for all existence. FC
they were in their late teens, early twenties. I immediately judged them as living with their foks still, but who knows. I think I am sensitive to the subject because I was jumped once, when I lived in Austin, by four punks who happened to be minorities. I dont think its about race to me, its about aggression, and in the heat of that aggression, stupid things get said. Another incident in Austin- A store clerk(probably of Middle Eastern Descent) actually hit me when I told him to f#ck off. he denied me cigarettes when my ID said I was 20. so I told him off, he swung at me. So there you have it, I am a young looking white male who gets in altercations with people on the streets. But in both those incidents in Austin, I pressed charges, I took matters into my own hands. This latest fiasco just leaves me hurt and wondering why I attract so much trouble.
Across11thstreet, I feel bad for ya man. Go tell their mom's. Seriously. Usually, I'm not one to advocate snitching at all, but this is different. Do it with politeness and don't ask them to be punished or anything, but just to talk to them. I've lived with minorities my whole life, and the only racism that I've experienced is from white people, so...it's no big deal. Most people of all races are better than that. Hopefully, this won't happen to you again.
Sorry to hear of your encounter today. There's no justification, period. To shed what little light I am able to on the subject: - no such thing as "reverse racism"; racism is racism - no distinctions available. You might be confusing this with "reverse discrimination" - which is a result of not being in a particular group. - you can never be too idealistic - especially when it comes to being atacked on the street by a bunch of close-minded ruthless thugs. Besides, are we talking about abstract "ideals" here - or actual written laws? Isn't it illegal to attack someone anymore? The epithets used during the attacks would indicate that this was a hate crime, which is a violation of civil rights. - Curly's comments are questionable, at best. My read on the comments is that he feels it's a "shame" that accross110thstreet does not appreciate the return / reappearance of "normal" racism. I guess I understand why one would be mislead to believe that racism is "normal" - as we are constantly being reminded of its existence (as evidenced by this thread). But just because something occurs more than you would prefer does not make it normal. Racism is deviant behavior. Don't believe me? Try going to work and using racially derogatory remarks to a coworker & see what happens. There is nothing "normal" about being a biggot - those actions can only be accepted by fellow deviants! Sorry I can't offer any actual help with what happened - though let me commend you on what appears to be a very level-headed & compassionate reaction to a very dificult situation. You provide a very good example of how we can all respond to confrontations in our own lives. Thanks.
Jeeez...I didn't know that what I said was so difficult. Unfortunatly only dylan read it eggzactly the way I intended. Racism is not a subject that I take lightly. And when people were saying that the best way to keep the terrorists from feeling victory, was to get life back to normal as soon as possible. That being said, the one thing that I didn't want to see come back was the hatred and lack of human compassion.
There are stupid people of every color and creed. Every nation and race has stupid people. People who are racist are stupid. Terrorists are another brand of stupid people. I hate stupid people. Stupidist = person who hates stupid people. I'm one and proud of it.
