Race and Gen Y: Are we colorblind?
by Jordan Bartel | October 6, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Posted in Baltimore, b the paper, news, race
From today’s b, the paper
Seventy million Americans, part of Generation Y, have never taken a drink out of a separate water fountain.
They’ve never known a time when interracial relationships were illegal. They’ve only seen photos of lynchings.
For many, the only race riot they’ve ever seen has been on live TV, post-Rodney King verdict. And now a black man, Barack Obama, is a major-party nominee for the presidency.
But is Generation Y, or the Millennials, colorblind?
Washington Post’s The Root, a blog focusing on African-American news and views, recently posed this question in a posting called “Gen Y and the Colorblind Lie.” The story referenced former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw’s views that today’s young people are not bothered by race. Brokaw has also said children of Baby Boomers “don’t see skin color.”
It’s not that simple, theroot.net countered. To Gen Y, the blog continued, racial issues are even more complicated than in the past. Is our generation truly colorblind? Four African-Americans tell their stories:
farajii muhammad, 29, president, New Light Leadership Coalition, Randallstown
In the summer of 1992, my perspective about race would be shaped — forever.
That was the summer I was accepted into the Baltimore School for the Arts. Though the school was predominantly white, BSA’s culture was not about race; it was about talent. But in some part of my heart, it was hard to believe that the disease of white supremacy and black inferiority didn’t permeate. BSA tried its best to keep students from thinking about race by focusing on the arts.
But I knew outside of those doors, society didn’t see me as the next great actor. I was the next great threat: a drug dealer, a thug, a murderer in the making. Every day I left BSA, I knew race mattered.
We are now being forced to believe racism never existed because we see more blacks and whites together in entertainment, the business world and politics. But if that was the case, how did Jena 6 happen? If we lose sight of the past, then we won’t understand what’s going on presently. So I can’t forget when I was 10 years old and a store clerk followed me around to see if we were going to steal something.
I can’t forget when two white police officers pulled me over and questioned if I was going home that night. I can’t forget when a group of drunken white guys called me the n-word and laughed.
Going through life with these experiences, I realized my life is not seen as [being as] valuable as my white counterpart. At the root of these experiences is the idea that a white life is better than the life of any other human being.
This thinking must be destroyed if we truly want a colorblind society. The whole world suffers from the impediment of racism. So I don’t believe we live in a colorblind society, yet.
However, if my generation chooses not to perpetuate this madness any longer, and be truthful about how we got here and where we are, then I believe the future will be bright.
jennifer ogunsola, 23, graduate student, University of Baltimore, East Baltimore
I recently witnessed a murder in South Baltimore.
A 21-year-old African-American man was shot dead right in front of me. Ten minutes later there was not one ambulance, only police officers.
My first thought was that if a white boy was lying there, the EMS response would have been swifter. Whether I was right or wrong, you must wonder why the issue of skin was a factor to me.
I was born in Baltimore in 1984. My father is Nigerian. My mother is African-American. Matters of race are not the same for me as they were for previous generations.
I have reaped the benefits of immense progress made by those who came before me. However, the effects of a complex and controversial issue such as race are still felt.
It has been said that my generation is colorblind. I once was colorblind — but a number of events changed that: My second-grade teacher, the aunt of Thurgood Marshall, said that her nephew had to argue before the Supreme Court that blacks and whites should be able to attend the same schools. My third-grade teacher at Bethel Christian School in West Baltimore showed my class “Roots.” I walked into my first three freshman classes at Temple University and saw that I was the only black person present.
We’ve made progress, but we will never get to the point where race is not a factor in our lives. To think opposite would be a bit naive. Generation Y deals with race in a much different way than past generations. However, we are often affected by race, as much as previous generations.
The unwavering strength and wisdom of people who struggled to eradicate racial inequality has taught us that when it comes to matters of color, progress is very much attainable. But getting to a point where a particular generation is colorblind is virtually impossible. Seeing color is part of our history. Unfortunately, that means it will always be a part of our future.
Every generation will see color, and seeing color does not necessarily mean seeing another individual as having less worth than you. Rather, it’s an opportunity to see the beauty of the entire human race.
eze jackson, 28, political organizer/musician, Station North
Gen Yers are far from colorblind, but the hate is gone.
When my family moved to Baltimore in 1989 from Spanish Harlem, there were very few Hispanic kids in my school. Baltimore, for the most part, was black and white.
I never really confronted race until middle school. One of my white classmates called me a n—–. All I knew then was that when this happens you are supposed to react with violence, so I was on him like white on rice.
I went to Southeast Middle School, which is right between Dundalk and Highlandtown. It was said back then that if you were black and got caught walking through Highlandtown at night, you would surely get beat up. So, we would walk through Highlandtown after school while the sun was out, beating up white boys and taking any money they had.
My high school years were very different though. I went to the Baltimore School for the Arts, where everybody was an artist. I found that most of the kids there were willing to befriend like minds. I learned there that there are cultural differences between races. It’s impossible to be colorblind when you see these differences.
Today, I am in a band that is mostly white. Our drummer is black/Jewish. What I have found is that when my black friends come to our shows there is, at first, an awkward feeling being in a club full of white people.
No hate, just clear differences that even a blind man can see.
r. darryl foxworth, 24, sales representative Laureate Education Inc., Hampden
“You’re a cool black guy, not some n—–.”
I was enjoying the company of mostly young, white suburbanites when a young white gentleman described me as a cool black guy, as opposed to being the n-word. A sound of silence surrounded me. I wasn’t sure how to respond. I was only slightly shocked that the racial epithet had been used in polite company.
It was not the first time a derogatory term was directed toward me. The irony here was that this young man thought he was complimenting me — as if I should be enthused that some random white guy considered me articulate and, I suppose, well-mannered.
I had been prepared my entire life for this moment. His comment came as no surprise because he had merely met my expectations. Does this suggest that I expect every white male to launch into racist, demeaning diatribe? No. Nor am I surprised if and when they do — anti-black racism should come as no surprise to anyone.
Despite the fact that I have maintained primarily interracial friendships over the years, I continue to be skeptical of the majority of white people. This skepticism is fueled by the experiences of the generations preceding me, and my own day-to-day observations.
For me, the idea of a colorblind society — particularly a colorblind Generation Y — is implausible.
Certainly, Generation Y appears to be more culturally diverse and, to some extent, less segregated than prior generations. But colorblind?
Perhaps we are more tolerant and more willing to engage in interracial relationships — platonic and otherwise — but to suggest that we have overcome the barriers imposed by socially constructed race difference is plainly fantastical.
I acknowledge my own color-consciousness. How can I not notice that I am one of the few black faces in the room — often times the only black face? Several white peers have jokingly referred to me as their lone black friend. I imagine that a chorus of self-congratulatory cheers erupts.
If they are color-conscious in regards to me, they should note the racial balkanization of our classrooms or the overwhelming number of black men in prison. But sadly, they are not.
This form of colorblindness is nothing to applaud — in the end it amounts to ignorance, something we should never hope to achieve.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Will Americans ever be able to look beyond race?
Tell us what you think on bthesite.com
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October 6th, 2008 at 11:37 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
First of all - I think the experiences of these people are slightly skewed. They all seem to be individuals that had the opportunity to do something with their lives...mostly, it seems in a mileu that rewards open-mindedness and free thinking. Does that make their experiences any less valid? No, of course not. I just wish "The Root" had gotten a little broader perspective on the issue. The narrow margin can easily lead people to confuse class with race - for example, the Rodney King riot was about class, not race.
Race plays a major role in everyone's perception...regardless of race. As animals we don't trust someone that looks different, at least not right away. Historically, black people have been given just as much reason not to trust white people and vice versa. Now mind you some of that history was created specifically to keep blacks from getting out of pocket...but you know what I mean.
We're only 60 years on from legislated racism in this country. That's not a whole lot of time for any significant amount of healing to take place. Of course it doesn't help that some black people have (wrongly) interpreted the actions of their predecessors as license to act exactly the way racist white people expect. But then again internalized racism is a bitch.
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October 7th, 2008 at 2:04 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
/love YCKTR
October 7th, 2008 at 4:56 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Thanks. Just wait...for my next trick I'll discuss how (some) members of every minority group tend to stereotype and oppress their own members. That's when the real fun start.
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October 7th, 2008 at 9:15 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
looking forward to that!
October 7th, 2008 at 2:55 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
i just wrote damn near a page on that and i had to back off. just to ask that question just shows that the "average american" (of the sarah palin-type) will never understand the 400 years of oppression.
racism in america? i'll put it this way, an african off the boat will think he's better than me because i'm a Black man (the images) and I have a couple degrees and own my own business.
not only is there racism in america, but america perfected it. the fact that obama has done what he's done is extremely extraordinary. and i'm never so effusive.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:48 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Here's the problem with this article... the people here are all African-American. How does this get the feel of a 'generation' when you are simply breaking it down to race? That in itself is the problem; ask everyone to get over racism by simply and subtly enforcing it.
Just because I'm a white, straight male doesn't mean I've never been discrimated against... it just means that people are so super-sensitive to appearances that they refuse to see it. If someone says something to me, using color of my skin as a basis, should I not be offended?
I read here someone saying that "society didn’t see me as the next great actor. I was the next great threat: a drug dealer, a thug, a murderer in the making." I have very much been in that same mindset. I came from a rough neighborhood and constantly was harrassed when in stores or malls by security expecting us to steal something. I was friends with drug dealers and have been suspected of being one I also know when someone looks at me, they don't see me walking my mom down the aisle marrying my stepdad, a black man. They do not see my beautiful nieces and nephew, whose mom, my sister-in-law, is Mexican so they are half-latin. They don't see that I went to a school predominantly hispanic and that my very best friends had always been persons of color (Mexican, mostly).
If we are to truly look at the subject of racism, then shouldn't everyone's view be seen rather than the socially accepted group?
I have worked with Africans. NO, not African-Amricans (though I have) but I mean Africans... from the continent of Africa, here in America to attend school. They are infintely more open to discussing racism and the reasons why. The ones I have known also question very much why black people in America identify themselves as "African-American" when they haven't been to Africa. Hell, there are black people I've known whose parentage is Haitian or Jamaican or some other Carribean island and are incorrectly pegged as "African-American." Great SNL skit? Charlize Theron and Tracey Morgan talking about Theron being from South Africa... hence, African-American."
Look at any social situation and see how people segregate themselves. Inevitably, even people of Gen Y, people tend to seperate themselves along cultural lines. I completely understand humans look for a comfortablility factor and find it in people like themselves but lets not do this then cry foul.
Everyone should see the flick Two Towns of Jasper... and they should see the episode of Oprah the films creators were on. It gives an insightful and thought provoking view.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:44 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
The movie Crash portrayed what you are talking about. There is racism among every race. That movie, even though it wasn't my favorite, showed not just the obvious racism going on, but the small things that people don't think about — and even racism within a race. Racism includes all races and the stereotypes people have of them. That's why it's not called Afican-Americanism, caucasionism, Asianism, etc... etc...
October 7th, 2008 at 11:05 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Actually, racism is defined by percieved power within the social structure - so minorities can never truly be racist. The behavior that is often thought of as racist is usually just part of the spectrum of responses to being part of an oppressed group. I think that was the underlying message of the movie...not the occurance of racism on every level, but how racist acts can create a destructive ripple.
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October 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
And social structures change. We can say broadly that a certain race has power, but that only works in general. Power can shift depending on the social situation. The destructive nature of racism may have been the underlying message but it also sure did show examples of racism on many levels.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:26 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Social structures change? Really? Why didn't someone tell me? I would love to hear an example of how the general social structure in this country has changed.
Sorry, but the hierarchy has remain solidly intact for the last few hundred years. Keep in mind the ERA didn't pass. That's a prime example of how ready for change we're NOT.
The movie did not show "racism" on multiple levels - it showed racial tension. The film encourages you to examine the root of that tension.
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October 7th, 2008 at 11:31 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
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perceived power? yes, but the definition says perceived power that the own race is superior. Minorities CAN be racist. To say they can't be is ignorant... kinda ironic considering the topic at hand.
Aside, all you're doing, ycktr, is pegging down semantics and pragmatics. It's terribly cliche to quote Shakespeare, "a rose by any other name..." but it's also apt. Are you saying that if a black guy calls an Asian a "chink," both minority classes, that you would argue he's not racist because he is "just part of the spectrum of responses to being part of an oppressed group." And who's oppressed? Simply being a minority does not mean someone is oppressed. Was slavery oppression? Absolutely. Are white people to blame? Yeah, the African slave trade can be traced back to the Swedish... but a good portion of slave traders were black. And, to break it down as base as can be, it makes sense because if some white guy in a boat shows up are you really gonna get on it? Nope... black slave traders were quite prosperous for this reason.
Jews were oppressed in Nazi Germany. I guess it's ok to consider them oppressed despite being white because you can break it down to even smaller groups.
So, basically the fight to end racism means it's okay to break people down into smaller and smaller groups, thus ensuring racism thrives.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:33 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
You honestly don't think it showed racism? We watched a different movie then. In general, broadly I agree. When we're talking the country as a whole, yes, sure. But you don't think different races can have the power in different situations — different industries for example. We can't say that always in every situation one race has ultimate power always.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:55 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Oh my god, there are so many straw man flaws in your response I don't whether to respond or plant some corn.
Racism is based on power. Period. And you do know that by posting the dictionary definition you pretty much agreed with me, right? There has never been policy in this country limiting the activities or rights of white people...black people on the other hand...
Look, I'm not just trying to be contrary. I do have a point...I swear. As paranoid animals, we are all wary of one another. And in Bush's America, you can multiply that by ten. But if you are talking about racism as pure concept...you cannot apply it to minority groups...they do not/have not had the power to introduce that response (it is a response you know) into the system at large. That's the drama of being an oppressed group. What you are seeing is a response to a structure that's built on assumptions...one the most significant being that everyone is white/male/straight.
And about breaking people down into groups - that's the funny thing about labels. Usually the person or group being labeled had no say in creating that label. Which is why it's usually hateful. But don't take my word for it...make a list of all the various labels (slurs, assumptions, outright lies) that minority groups are stuck with, then make list of all the labels that straight white men are stuck with. Your list will be very one-sided. Why? Because the power elite is usually responsible for creating labels.
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October 7th, 2008 at 11:58 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
"Ultimate" power? Yes we can. Who owns the factory nine times out of ten? Who owns the fishing boat? Who runs microsoft? Who owns nike? Most importantly...who signs the checks?
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October 7th, 2008 at 11:06 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
ycktr, you're confused. It's the POWER structure that hasn't really changed. Whites still own a majority of the wealth and still author most legislation.
The SOCIAL structure, however, is significantly different.
Old socio-racial taboos are being phased out. Sure, they still exist, but they're not institutionally accepted. If you disagree, find me a White's Only water fountain or a current law in any state that forbids interracial marriage.
The fact that I mention things like this seems outrageous, yes? A strawman argument, yes? Only if you fail to consider they existed within the lifetime of people who are alive today.
There's been substantial progress in 40 years given the context of America's participation in slavery for four centuries. Is it enough progress? Of course not. Has it been as fast as it should be. Again, no.
But to argue there has not been progress is sophomoric and downright soft-headed.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:29 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Actually, I think you're confused. You've GREATLY simplfied the idea of social structure. Taboos and norms are only a small part of what is (academically) understood as the concept social structure. But don't take my work for it - consult your local google.
But sure - a few aspects of the normative structure have changed. But on the whole - the goals and interests of our society have pretty much stayed the same...with the same class of individuals residing in the drivers seat.
You can't just break apart a theory and assess the various parts as discrete topics as convenient (and frankly lazy) method to making your point.
Better luck next time.
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October 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
So I can’t forget when I was 10 years old and a store clerk followed me around to see if we were going to steal something.
Most stores have rules about having x amount of kids in their stores at a time, It wasnt because you were black, it was because you were 10 get real.
A 21-year-old African-American man was shot dead right in front of me. Ten minutes later there was not one ambulance, only police officers.
If he is "SHOT DEAD" why would you need an ambulance?
It was said back then that if you were black and got caught walking through Highlandtown at night, you would surely get beat up. So, we would walk through Highlandtown after school while the sun was out, beating up white boys and taking any money they had.
so just because "it was said" to have happened you proceeded to jump and rob innocent kids because of their race? No WONDER there is still race related issues in this country.
I pointed all that out to say this, As long as people, be it black white asian spanish etc, use their race as a crutch to get something they want, there will ALWAYS be racism. I am not a minority,I know..Shocker. but it is very clear to me that some instances are blown WAY out of contrast. perfect example, when I was 20 years old I went to buy a new car, i had a good job, and I was making great money, around this time the new Nissan 350z came out, and I went to the dealership on 40 to test drive one. I told the salesman(after walking up to HIM because he had been ignoring me walking around the showroom) that I wanted to testdrive the Z. he told me that if I came back with a downpayment and a credit app completed he would let me test drive it. I perceived this as him not wanting to "waste his time" yes it was foolish of him but he was an Ahole, however I can almost Gaurantee that if one of my black friends had been in that same situation I would have never heard the end of it. how he was discriminated against because he was black etc etc. fun end to the story though.. I brought the credit app back, In my brand new BMW that I had purchased from the dealership down the street. The salesman was speechless. I gave him my app, and I said Thanks anyway but I have decided on that car instead.
Anyway, Racism exists, 100% BUT its not just whites that are guilty of racism. I know ALOT of racist black people too. So this discussion will never end because apparently you can say whatever you want if you are a minority and its ok, but if a white dude says something out of context its like armeggedon.
Just like Imus's comment. Yes it was a dumb comment, but It was no more than some idiot old man trying to sound hip. Have you never heard someone who is out of touch try to slip slang into their vocab? Just like the McDonalds, ID hit it commercials, some stuffed suit heard some kids at the mall say id hit it and thought it meant they loved it.. when clearly it doesnt so he created the MickyDs id hit it commercials which were quickly pulled. Im going to stop because I could debate this for DAYS
October 7th, 2008 at 11:18 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Interesting how you blame the oppressed group for responding to oppression. Like somehow if they just shut-up, it'll go away. Sure, some minorities can't wait to scream racist, or sexist, or heterosexist or whatever. But something, some misuse of power got them to that point. They didn't just wake-up one day and think "you know, my low position in life is due to my skin/sex/orientation...I'm going to start getting mad about that more often." No. Most of the time those people have recieved so much negative feedback about their race/sex/orientation that finally they just apply those experiences to every unforntunate situation.
Until we address the systemic issue of racist/sexism/heterosexism, we'll make precious little headway in terms of individual experiences and potential misinterpretations.
You know what I find interesting? The only time the pendulum swings far enough in the other direction is when comes to welfare and foodstamps. The Gov. can't WAIT to get you on some assistance if you're a minority. Too bad it doesn't work that way for things that might improve a life or offer some upward mobility. I know, I know...affirmative action, right? But that's not really offering something real...that's telling someone that you expect them to be less qualified.
Thoughts?
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October 7th, 2008 at 11:38 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Most of the time those people have recieved so much negative feedback about their race/sex/orientation that finally they just apply those experiences to every unforntunate situation.
-------snip-------
not buying it. When there are successful individuals within the race, they are taken to task for being 'out of touch' with 'their people.' Look at Bill Cosby and his inflamatory remarks.
I guarantee, should Barack Obama win this election, he will be called a sell-out among black people. Hell, it's already been thrown out there.
The fact is, every race/group/etc has their good and their bad people. The poor people amongst white are 'trailer trash' and they blame everyone else, affirmative action, etc for them not being able to get ahead. Pretty similar to claims made by others 'oppressed' groups, yeah?
The only way any of this can or will work is to not take swipes at other groups, not blame them for 'our plight' as a group. Until such a time, we will continue to debate why this behaviour persists yet continue to engage in it.
I'm not saying ignore the situationa nd it'll go away... that's the worst thing to do... but rather than bringing it up and complaining about our place in life, do something to make ourselves better... and if we fail, it's our own damned fault, not anyone elses.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:55 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Affirmative Action is a joke, its not the MAJORITY of the Minorities that complain, its Jesse Jackson, Sharpton, etc, all of these "black leaders' they do not want the advancment of racial relations because thats where they make their money. if everyone got along they would be out of a job. Jena 6 is a perfect example, those kids were tried for beating another man to within an inch of his life, they were charged as adults due to the severity of the beating. then jackson and sharpton went screaming to the news about this and that.. well here is a flip side for you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Channon_Christian_and_Christopher_Newsom
You can find the articles for yourself. but this was NEVER national news.You know why? because there arent white activists in this country because it would be construed as racist. People see how jackson and sharpton skew the truth and it angers them, this in turn keeps racism alive.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:59 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Great point! My thoughts exactly, the problem is there is not National Association for the advancement of Trailer Trash or (NATT) as I would fondly refer to it. so there is no anger against that particular group. they skim through life unnoticed. they dont have a trailer trash card to play. THATs what makes people angry. its not the color of someones skin, its the fact that some people use it as an EXCUSE when they are found at fault, get passed up for a job, get caught doing something illegal.. My favorite stats are the Crime stats. Activist XYZ says that police are targeting black men in ABC area, and for every white guy they lock up 5 black men are locked up and the area is 80% black.. those are simple statistics that are being used to skew the views of uneducated people and cause an uproar.. its ridiculious
October 7th, 2008 at 12:03 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
When there are successful individuals within the race, they are taken to task for being 'out of touch' with 'their people.' Look at Bill Cosby and his inflamatory remarks
----snip----
Textbook exmaple of how minority groups oppress one another based on false conciousness and lack of "slots" for upward mobility. Some just call it old-fashioned jealousy. I told I was going to go there...thanks for making my segway. The only people who oppress blacks more than whites are other blacks. And why? Because if you hear "you're worthless" enough times, you begin to believe it. And what could be more frustrating than watching someone else from your "worthless" group make something of himself.
Only1, are you english?
October 7th, 2008 at 12:05 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I couldn't agree with you more. Al and Jesse are the worst thing to happen to black people since tuskeegee.
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October 7th, 2008 at 12:07 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
You're (and activist XYZ) missed the point - why are so many black men being arrested int hat area? That's the real question...and in your answer you'll find the first steps to correcting the problem. But I agree...most of the time people don't want solutions, they want a pound of flesh.
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October 7th, 2008 at 12:34 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I told I was going to go there...thanks for making my segway
----snip----
well, ya know, we work off one another well.
Only1, are you english?
----snip----
Better question... what does it matter? :-p
truth to tell, I don't know my entire heritage, but I know it includes Swedish, Cherokee native, English (yes) and German... possibly some Polish (go ahead, make your jokes!). I believe there's others, but not too sure. I know on my dad's side my family can be traced back to pre-revolutionary days in Maine and someone in the family was General George Washington's tailor. Interesting stuff.
A few weeks back there was a poll shown on Yahoo.
http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-race-in-america
On a website I frequent, we discussed the poll.
http://joebattlelines.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8400
Thought I'd post it up and see some other perspectives going on...
October 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
You're (and activist XYZ) missed the point - why are so many black men being arrested int hat area?
----snip---
Ah, but you must have missed the part saying that area has 80% black people. I'm sure similar statistacs can be found in 80% white neighborhoods, that the majority of people arrested are white.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:06 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
No he didnt, He was MAking the point that it is a low income area, therefore there is very little opportunity to advance from the current situation without turning to crime.. I agree with it in a point, but at the same time, one of the most successful people I know is from one of the worst areas in baltimore city.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I was asking because you spelled behavior as "behaviour" in part of your above post....the english spelling of the word. No fair copying and pasting from other sources.
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October 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
lol.... I guarantee you I didn't cut and paste... for some odd reason I'll throw that out there and not even notice it... like I did here. It's odd and you're not the first person to mention it...
October 7th, 2008 at 3:28 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
It's kinda cool...I wish I did that. Maybe I'll start.
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October 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
not that this isn't completely off topic (and, really, it's refreshing to go off on a non-serious tangent) but I had a friend who whould throw an "eh" or pronounce "about" as "aboot"... just to mess with peoples minds. Wasn't from Canada, just did it for kicks.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:45 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Ah yes: affirmative action. Funny how, in the hands of social crusaders, it's devolved into a glorified racial subsidy.
Affirmative Action, in its original form, was policy created to ensure that, in instances in which white and minority candidates with equal qualifications were competing for the same opportunity, they'd receive equal consideration.
Now, it's become little more than favoritism disguised as political correctness. It's a slap in the face of minorities because it sends the message that they're not going to make it on individual merits. And we're reaping the results of that as evidenced by examples like minority public education.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:04 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Ps zionspa, I dont know WHY but I thought you were a woman LOL
October 7th, 2008 at 12:01 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
PS if everyone in the country took the time to speak about this in a civil way it would really help out.. I love talking to my black friends about race.. we do it all the time.. it really gives BOTH of us a different perspective and Id like to think it makes all of us a little better
October 7th, 2008 at 12:18 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Obama's parents are different races. Yet society sees him as black. Perspective is interesting. We look at people and assume a lot, not just him because it's general knowledge that his mom is white and dad is black, but just the people we see everyday. We assume a lot from what we see. It's sad. And intriguing at the same time. I know this is nothing new... but always interesting to me.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:28 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
The "one drop" rule is strictly an American construct.
!
October 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
As I read the article, I thought long and hard about things that have happened to me, and came to the decision that it's not much I'm colorblind...it's more of a it doesn't matter anyway thought...i was sent a pic today of a guy on a motocycle with a t-shirt that reads"****** please..it's called the white house" mccain/palin bumper sticker in full view...i thought...nope not colorblind ppl just dont care....it's accepted as the way it is...
October 7th, 2008 at 3:23 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
My parents never had much, and I remember having fried bologna sandwiches and fried hotdogs. I remember going to school and being teased because of the color of my skin I remember being told not to show up in school the next day cause there was going to be a riot and I would probally be beat up, And yes I remember being told I had to help my class mates do their homework (actually I had to give them the answers and they would protect me). Through all of this my parents instilled in me there are bad and good people of every race. But why at 13 did I have to have this happen to me it was not fair because of the color of my skin. As I grew I always said I would help people no matter what the color of their skin and I would not hold a whole race responsible for what some may have done. I would talk to you more about this in person and my story is one that often is not heard. You see I am a white male that grew up in Baltimore I love my city and each and everyone in it I understand what and why these young people did what they did, I just wish their parents would have taught them as mine who are both now gone taught me. Mom and Dad thank you so much. And I hope that when we see this election that Americans will show they can look beyound race and look to working together as the Americans we are for a better future.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:33 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
i actually thought you were a chick too Sox fan, you couldn't see me trying to hit on you?
October 8th, 2008 at 8:00 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I read the article on the morning subway and once at a computer, immediately wrote this response, unfortunately it never made it to the right source.
Ya know the more I look around these days the only racism I am finding in objective concrete ways is coming directly from blacks and the 4 responses in todays paper are more of the same. C'mon guys. We start with two individuals who claim racism but then only give hypothetical scenarios, no real instances of being discriminated against. Anyone thinking objectively would see the ridiculousness (with all due respect of course) in Farajii statement that outside of BSA he is a threat. C'mon. There are plenty to black actors doing just fine. Oprah is the most powerful person in the entertainment world right now black or white and the only guaranteed blockbuster star right now is will smith. Is that because on blacks see his movies? Whites consider him a threat, consider you a threat, please! Then Jennifer's statement of "what if a white boy was lying there". Huh. Do the officers call for an ambulance and then say quietly "he is white so hurry up"? How would the ambulance drivers know? When I read this I almost blew up. The ambulance drivers were probably black themselves. My question is did Jennifer call the ambulance since he was shot right in front of her? I feel that in her statements she seems to feel that racism is a white thing. Racism is what you are practicing sister. Racism is when you joke about towel heads in 7 11 or the Chinese owners in corner stores. Racism stays alive because you feel that everything that happens to you is race related. I wasn't admitted to the Baltimore school of Arts or to MICA. I could have said it was racism, but for what. The guy explained what I was lacking and I was man enough to see it. Now I'm a full time artist when I could be sitting back complaining. Eze at least says that the hate is gone but then admits to beating up white kids. Thats disgusting. And you wonder why there is a large amount of blacks in jail. Oh yeah cause of racism, not the fact YOU ARE BEATING PEOPLE UP! Darryl, now now darryl. You been cool with these guys for a while and yet you keep these racist thoughts in mind. No matter what they do you would never believe that they aren't looking at you in that way. To the statement they made- maybe its true. Maybe they have been disrespected by blacks earlier in life. Look at it from their point of view- maybe they were beaten up by Eze and they have had a stereotype in their mind but you changed that. But they haven't changed anything for you. Lets deal with the N word directly. So what? So what. I could care less if I was called one and my white friends have joked with it. So what. I joke with cracker. It seems the only reason why people take offense to the word is because they want to take offense. You want to be upset. But why? Why the extra stress? Lets deal with business. Jews ain't sitting around complaining ,they taking care of business. Blacks get upset because a majority of quarterbacks are white- what about the fact that the majority of players are black. Oh yeah I forgot, they're being exploited! There is always an excuse, a reason to hate. Guys, we gotta get it together.
October 8th, 2008 at 8:40 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I gotta admit, I was iffy on this post. I imagine ycktr having some fun with it later. but I just wanted to comment on one part:
Maybe they have been disrespected by blacks earlier in life. Look at it from their point of view- maybe they were beaten up by Eze and they have had a stereotype in their mind
-----snip-----
So, there's this guy I worked with a long time ago... well over 10 years ago (yes, if you went to the message board I posted then you may have read this)... anyway, the guy I worked with was very honest and up front about not liking black people. It wasn't that he bashed them, he would work with them he just wouldn't include them in his private life.
The reason? When he was younger, he had very little exposure to black people and his first experience was getting robbed by a a group of black people.
A (black) friend of mine described this, aptly, as less racism and more as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anyway, derekofbaltimore's posting reminded me of this and that these experiences very much shape a persons view.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:04 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
This is probably one of the greatest comments I have ever read. I wish more people thought like you. Because as a white guy, I get very offended when I hear black guys complaining about the races of quarterbacks and ignoring the blatant fact that there are more black players overall. Baseball is also turning into this. Tirico and dusty baker were complaining the other day that there arent enough black baseball players.. well guess what? there arent many white guys left either, The majority of incoming baseball stars are coming from south america and japan because they start them on the game as soon as they can walk. ALSO there is a lot more money to be made in basketball and football so if Im a pitcher, white OR black and im 6'5 or 6'6 Maybe I look at the situation and decide Id rather play basketball or be a quarterback and make 20% more a year