I just had a few comments/questions regarding your post. The first being why haven't you gotten the same feelings for race relations in Chicago, Atlanta, and New York? Seeing as though the cities are very diverse like Houston, you'd think it'd be somewhat similar. I'm very interested in why. My second comment would be that I thought you were hispanic from your nick of course. Had no idea. My third comment being that my ex chewed me out when I talked about "good hair" once. I touched a nerve and boy I had no idea she (and some black women in general) was that sensitive before. Given that it was back in high school, but I know now.
Race doesn't exist. People exist on an indivisible spectrum of physical characteristics determined by their ancestors' adaptation to geographical and climate conditions. "America" doesn't exist, except as a placebo. So we're asking a question about two entities that really don't exist...hence the confusion
I don't think there is really any confusion here. Most people would agree that racism still exists, but is not nearly as overt as it has been in the past. That is, of course, if you accept a few commonly held beliefs. I'd love for the world to have never created the very concept of race. I don't completely understand what you mean when you refer to America as a "placebo" though. Love for you to explain that one.
I don't mean to answer for anyone else. I know for me though, race seems to be of varying importance in different regions. Growing up in Houston, I had friends of all races and never thought anything of it. In San Diego for instance though, it seems like everyone is more consicous of what ethnicity you are. I also get that vibe from people depending on where they're from. It bugs me to no end when people say I'm not a real Mexican or act white because I don't talk with an accent, dress like a lowrider or listen to particular music. For me, I'm normal. I only totally feel that way when I go home. Its hard to explain and I don't expect everyone to understand. Just an observation I've held for some time.
Exactly. For these reasons the north is actually much more racist than the south. Those are the consequences of affirmative action etc. The backwards liberal mindset reduces people to groups of race, causing bitterness and division.
Because affirmative action was only enacted in the North, and racism didn't exist before then? Excepting that it took a Civil War, two constitutional amendments, a century's worth of Court cases and the complete re-alingment of both major parties to "extinguish" the South's racism? What about postwar conservatives "intellectual mindset" of flatly opposing integration for the sake of "state's rights" and federalism? 2-for-2 on the stupidity, Shovel.
I knew a post like this was coming. Liberal hippies this or conservative yuppie that. I basicly don't even come to this forum because of posts like this. Just the "post-race" discussion interested me because I am black, but still. I should've seen this coming.
It's always someone else's fault. It isn't the fault of racists. It's those darn liberal's fault. If it wasn't for them trying to correct centuries of racism that existed before they tried to correct the racism, we wouldn't have racism. I'm sick of people who can't place responsibility where it belongs and are always trying to blame others for problems. Typical...
You do understand that unless an institution shows a history of proven racism affirmative action is not mandatory but voluntary with incentives given to those that participate? The racists are actually the ones dividing people into race in a negative way. Again, quit trying to pass the buck. Let's make those responsible be responsible and stop trying to blame someone else. All the whining on your part is amazing.
Of course when the liberals make state enforced judgments and discrimination based on race it is positive and good. Liberal stupidity and hypocrisy is beyond amazing.
Waitwaitwait....what does this have to do with anything? All the Tea Party-ers are now Klansman? And yeah, when a particular groups exists to further one group and not another, and often in spite of another, I tend to find that group inherently racist. We are all one, and until we realize that and act accordingly, there will continue to be divisiveness amongst race, culture, ethnicity, etc.
the point was at what point am i allowed to think a group is racist without being called racist? do they have to be as overt as the klan again, what groups are you talking about?
Seriously? A group of conservatives rally against liberalism and that makes them racists? Please. Any group that serves to further one group and not another, and often in spite of another. I'm not referring to a group of purple people giving scholarships to impoverished purple college kids. It's their money and they can do whatever the hell they want with it. But when that group gains political power and it begins to affect policy and, therefore, me, then I have a problem with it. And it's not just racism: The left lambastes Palin for not falling into their view of what a woman should be. The KKK believes themselves to be superior because they are white. Black conservatives are routinely derided as not being real black people, whatever that means. People like Jesse Jackson deal in racism because without it he doesn't have a job, power, money, influence, or relevance. The list goes on and on. I think a lot of these groups originally had a purpose that was very noble (NAACP, for example) but virtually all of them have become corrupt and polluted and the only way they can stay relevant is to impede progress. There is a very thin line between activism and racism.
Your post is meaningless. I will be happy to continue the discussion once you post something of any meaning. State enforced judgement? Like Brown V. Board of Ed? Or any other court decision, because they are all state enforced judgement. Sorry, but your post contains such a broad criticism that it no longer holds any meaning.
I lived mostly in the North (Boston area, Maine, Cleveland and Chicago), spent one year in Chattanooga and moved to Houston in my twenties. I grew up with the impression that as bad as the North could be in terms of racial tension, the South was much worse. 'Yall lynch people! Seriously, teachers spend quite a bit of time on the Antibellum South, Slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement but not much is said about the South today. So moving to Houston I was surprised that it is as integrated as it is. Yes, there are large swaths of Houston that are either mostly Black or mostly Hispanic. There are pockets that are largely Chinese. But if a white guy like JV wants to move into a black neighborhood he won't get much flack. Northern cities have pockets of young professionals that are racially mixed but much of the city is very segregated. Walking through part of Chicago to visit a Mexican-American friend I passed through the Cuban and Puerto Rican neighborhoods and had people constantly stopping me to ask if I was from the other neighborhood and just passing through. Chicago has a lot of countries represented but generally they don't mix socially. My grandmother was pleasantly
sorry My grandmother was pleasantly surprised when she visited Houston when she witnessed a wealthy white woman compliment my daughter. She said she never thought she'd see the day! I didn't think it was such a big deal but she's lived in Cleveland her whole life.
The fact that we have to ask should be a hint that we aren't there...... As a man of African descent, I've seen this first hand.
