+9
Normally I don't post in these threads because they're not topics I give a lot of thought. I just live my life and I live by the golden rule. I had a little debate with my wife a couple of weeks ago that got me thinking. She was talking about a couple of racial incidents that were on the news. One was that woman who called the police on the black people for having a public barbecue, and the other was the woman who called the police on the young black girl who was selling lemonade. So I asked her why they were racial incidents, and her response as an intelligent college educated woman was that one party was white and the other was black, and the news said they were racial incidents. This is very troubling to me and it's why I agree with Trump on at least one thing, fake news is most definitely a real thing, and I think the media is playing a large role in dividing the country. As far as these two incidents go, the news reports something to the effect of a white called the police on the black. I think this is despicable. Not long ago, the news would report an incident like 5 white guys jumping a black guy or vice versa, and follow it up with, police are investigating if the attack was racially motivated. A violent attack is newsworthy, but these two incidents were not, save for the race baiting headline. I see those two incidents, and I see one woman who appears to be mentally unstable, and one who just seems like a bitch. I see zero evidence that they are racially motivated, although they could be. Why is the news telling us the color of the parties involved in such meaningless incidents with no evidence of them being racially motivated? It's really sad and you see it every day now. It gives people who take the news as fact the wrong message and it creates the boy who cried wolf syndrome. It's like women who make false claims of rape; they're doing an injustice to rape victims. Back to those two incidents. In general, I'd say that the same people who call them racial incidents are the same people who called Donald Trump a racist for stating that the Mexican judge may have been biased against him. Guess what? You are doing the exact same thing that Donald Trump did! You are saying that someone else is racist simply based on their race with no evidence. Some people would call that racist. I don't because I think racism goes much deeper than that, and don't give me the dictionary definition because that can't begin to cover it. It is human nature to wonder and have conceptions or misconceptions. Racism or racist are ambiguous words, much like alcoholic or alcoholism. Racism is much more than just words. It's what's in your heart, and it's a body of work with how you live your life. There are cultural difference in race, that with understanding, can be made light of and celebrated. As far as this thread goes, I've been playing Devil's advocate a little bit. I'm not 100% against the idea that white privilege doesn't exist in some small form. I'm just yet to see anyone make a convincing argument for it. You could maybe say that being born white, you are statistically more likely to graduate high school, and you would be correct. The only thing I would say about that is I think the context of the term is normally associated with white adults rather than children. Ultimately, your life ends up being about your heart and mind, and the decisions you make. At some point it is all about personal responsibility. Being born privileged doesn't automatically translate into a privileged adult, although it can no matter what race you are. I also called the term white privilege a racist term, and I don't necessarily agree with that. It's most certainly a generalization based on skin color, and I would guess that most people who use the term are guilty of hypocrisy. Again, it depends on your definition of racism. Personally, I associate racism more with hate than with ignorance. I think there are people who came into this thread and left thinking I was racist simply for pointing out factual problems within the black community. I won't hold it against you. These are very real and serious problems, and black America knows it. The funny thing is that there's part of white America that denies it. How can we help the people who need it if we can't agree on issues that are right in front of our faces? There needs to be understanding for all people, including people who have different point of views than our own. In America, that includes racists. I am always tempted to say I hate racists, but even that is a generalization. How about the poor black kid who grew up being taught not to trust white people, and then was a victim of racism at a predominantly white school? Now he's 18 years old and he's racist towards white people. I can't blame him and I can't say he's a terrible person; can you? How about the old fashioned 80 year old man who lives in the sticks who thinks whites are superior to blacks because of the way he grew up in the 40's and 50's. He's never committed a crime or done harm to anybody. He may be ignorant but does that make him horrible? Of course, there's plenty of racists who are horrible people just like there's plenty of horrible people who aren't racist. Let's just not be so quick to judge. The tone of some of my posts may have rubbed some folks the wrong way, but I have had problems in my life because I am too tolerant and understanding. I am hesitant to condemn people, and the people who are not tolerant cannot understand that. My wife and I are trying to start a business. Our dream is to be able to afford to adopt a couple of black children and provide them with a better life. My whole goal with my posts in this thread was to create an analogy. Don't be so quick to judge me by some posts that you may have misunderstood, and don't be so quick to judge others. Most people deserve a break and a chance.
Iroquois
Thank you for being on the other side yet responding like a gentleman. I have seen many of your posts and they are upsetting to me. I don't want to be pushy but when I think of you, I wish you would lighten up. You are one of the best members this forum has ever had and nobody wants you to leave.
ash_is_the_gal
I don't know you well but I do know that I have disagreed with your point of view on topics like these. I see a well meaning person.
I thank everyone here who understands my point of view, even if you don't agree with it.