Racism 101

Know the words you use.

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[Aridaemus]

(continued).... In fact, some might consider it insulting. It's like saying, "Look even someone like YOU can win an award." Or when Tiger Woods became the first black man to win the Masters. Like we were all under the impression that black men were genetically unable to excel at golf. Most people don't really see how significant it is unless you're stuck in the past. I really don't see how anything that Woods or Berry have done that's comparable to acheivements during the Civil Rights Era.

[LLO525Star]

It IS insulting, yes. In the 2000's for us to celebrate ANYTHING done by black people in the US as a first is degrading; as if a) we never tried before or b)we couldn't, when in fact we were locked out.

As far as "the past" goes, I'm reminded of the following: The ONLY difference between "then" and "now" is that we think there IS a difference. Times change, behaviors don't.

[laurenlouiseroth]

It has less to do with color and more to do with one's ancestors' original location. But I still say got over it -- We are all American here; and We are all human. Treat people as you would want to be treated.

[laurenlouiseroth]

Maybe we should just realize that 'race' is no longer a scientific signifier, and that we all are of varying and different ethnicities, and just deal. WE are of the same DNA. Since our physicalities are so easily changed, we SHOULD 'ignore' it, just like we 'ignore' the colors of a person's hair.

[LONDON1KaZR]

goddammit brother, i am going to favorite this, you cleared everything up in one swoop, people (white people) throw that word around trying to make themselves the victims when their own government is racist and benefits them, people have to know the words they use.

[LLO525Star]

I would say that it would be best to have our own institutions --if for NO other reason-- to make sure we don't get locked out again. When it comes to whites being left out...in this society I highly doubt that.

[Aridaemus]

An example of what I feel is a delusion of segregation: When Jackie Robinson became the first African American on a major league team, that was a big freakin' deal. It ended segregation in baseball. But people still make a big deal whenever someone becomes the first black person to do anything. When Halle Berry became the first black woman to win an Oscar, I was thinking, "So? It's not like black women haven't been allowed in movies until now."....

[Aridaemus]

Of course 'white only' institutions where racist. I don't think anyone would deny that. And 'black only' institutions were neccessary... at the time. I really don't see how they serve a positive function now. It mostly just makes white people feel left out and 'segregated'. Most white people today have never experienced a white only institution, so when they see things like the NAACP and BET... it often leaves them disheartned since there is nothing of their own to campare it to.

[LLO525Star]

Nah, man, this is a healthy debate. We're cool. Should we examine why they were 'white only' in the first place..? Black people HAD to have their own schools and businesses during segregation. The majority went belly-up after DEsegregation (not "integration" which was a myth), and most of those left are fronted by blacks, but run by whites (like the Boule, NAACP, VIBE Magazine, BET, black frats/soros and Black Enterprise).

[Aridaemus]

Look I'm not trying to argue or bring you over to my side. You've got some good points and I respect that. But here's the thing: White people no longer have institutions that are 'white only'. They were ammended as an effort to combat segregation. However, 'black only' institutions are alive and well. So who's segregating?