Black. White.

[mAlice]

I agree. But I also see racism.

Well, that's pretty much what we've already concluded, isn't it?

 

[vraiblonde]

Been to the deep south lately?

Not lately, but I lived in Augusta, GA in the early 80's. I saw blacks and white sitting together at the Waffle House with no problem. I lived in an all black apartment complex (the only other white person besides my ex-husband and me was the gal across the street who was married to a black man) and felt completely accepted.

My ex is from Sheffield, AL and, in his grandfather's church, whites and blacks worshipped together without incident. Nobody looked askance at the black waitress at the Shoneys, nor did they refuse to check out with the black cashier at the Piggly Wiggly.

Sorry. :shrug:

 

[Nickel]

Not lately, but I lived in Augusta, GA in the early 80's. I saw blacks and white sitting together at the Waffle House with no problem. I lived in an all black apartment complex (the only other white person besides my ex-husband and me was the gal across the street who was married to a black man) and felt completely accepted.

My ex is from Sheffield, AL and, in his grandfather's church, whites and blacks worshipped together without incident. Nobody looked askance at the black waitress at the Shoneys, nor did they refuse to check out with the black cashier at the Piggly Wiggly.

Sorry. :shrug:

I technically live in the south right now, in a predominately black town. I do not see racism in any way, from either side of the fence. As Elaine stated, all I see here is respect. My dad's family lives in Tennessee, in a predominately white town. There is racism present, and it's not imaginary. I have heard racial slurs at the grocery store, at diners, hell even at Thanksgiving dinner (no, my dad is not racist, however he is not the norm). It might just be that this behavior has gone unchecked for so long that it's "acceptable" in that environment. I can't imagine that the town I speak of is the only such area in America. No, it's not a representation of how the country feels as a whole, but it still exists nonetheless. I do feel that people blow the issue way out of proportion, but we can't just brush it all under the rug and assume that people aren't being treated poorly.

 

[mainman]

This is still His replacement was a black woman. She fired me. No reason, no explanation. Never a complaint from the customer, or anyone.

I have it on good authority that she had previously been a waitress and recognized you as a former patron...

 

[vraiblonde]

No, it's not a representation of how the country feels as a whole, but it still exists nonetheless.

Murder exists. Rape exists. Pedophilia exists. But it is by no means the norm, nor should we demonize all for the crimes of a few.

But there's big money in racism - and Jesse Jackson, Julian Bond and Al Sharpton aren't about to give up their paychecks.

 

[Nickel]

Murder exists. Rape exists. Pedophilia exists. But it is by no means the norm, nor should we demonize all for the crimes of a few.

I agree. I am not of the opinion that we should bow down at the foot of minorities because of the injustice they have experienced. I'm Polish. My people have been wronged, but I don't lose sleep over it. I am a compassionate person, and when I see people being disrespected, it sickens me. As I stated before, I do not consider racism the norm in America, but I don't deny its existence.

 

[DoWhat]

I have Negro's liviving in my neighborhood.
And we get along.
Hell, they have been in my house.


Should I ban them?

 

[carolinagirl]

Racism by whites is not that prevalent in our society. If you don't believe me, drop the n-word in casual conversation some time, and watch the whities recoil. Wear your KKK hat to your next job interview, then let us know if you get the job.

In some respects I agree in other respects I disagree. Just because a white person isn't running around in a white hat and spouting off racists jokes and comments, doesn't mean they don't have racists views against blacks. Of course, there are white individuals that wouldn't stand for racists comments regardless of the situation, but there are also white people that may recoil at such statements when blacks are in the room, but join in the bashing when they are not. Proof positive is some of are very own Congressman.

Certain segments of the population, black and white, like to pretend that racism is a huge problem in America, but the fact remains that blacks and whites have been working and socializing side by side for decades without incident. The media and the "black leadership" (whatever the hell that means) make a big deal about a James Byrd, like it happens all the time when, in fact, those occasions are very rare and roundly condemned by ALL facets of America.

Racism may not be as HUGE a problem, but it is a problem nonetheless. I also believe the media and black leadership have a negative impact on race relations in general.

About the Apartheid/Civil War comparison: one only need look at the timeframe and history of each to understand why few whites in America are interested in "apologizing" to blacks for slavery. The Civil War was fought 140 years ago and hundreds of thousands of white men lost their lives to emancipate the slaves. Whites don't owe blacks a damn thing - we already paid. In blood.

And we've been paying ever since with welfare, Affirmative Action, special incentives for blacks to go to college and start businesses, etc. And what do we get in return? "That's not enough! We want reparation for slavery! We want MORE! And we don't want to have to do anything to get it because you OWE us!"

That is not the case with all black people and while I believe that most of these programs were started with the best of intentions, as with most programs a select few individuals have found a way to abuse the system and use it as an excuse or crutch. Truth be told most of my friends would prefer to get a job based on their resume and not affirmative action. On the flip side, when I worked of the USDOJ we posted a job for new attorneys. I was directly involved in the application process so I saw every resume/application and was involved with interviews. In an office of over 100 attorneys we had no black attorneys and only 1 asian attorney, and of the 50 or so applicants that were called for an interview only one was black and only a handful were women. I would say 97% of the applicants were white males between the ages of 27-35. I personally don't think that's a coinsedence

And while this attitude isn't demonstrated in all blacks, it is the main theme in the most vocal blacks, i.e. the ones we see on television and in the news.

Lexi whines incessantly that she "grew up in the 'hood" - well, I grew up in the 'hood, too. So did Steve and several other whites on here. What's your point and why do you think we give a crap?

Your skin color means nothing to me.

Racism is prevalent, just more subtle. Take the National Alliance for instance. The leadership of NA gets offended if someone compares them to or says they are connected to the KKK and Skin Heads. Why, not because they aren't racists, but because they are educated racists who don't appreciate the connection because in today's society people tend to think of KKK and Skin Heads as uneducated, ignorant people.

 

[vraiblonde]

I'm Polish.

I'm Irish and Native American. So I REALLY don't give a crap about black slavery.

There certainly is racism in America, just like there is chauvinism and other forms of bigotry. It's never going to go away unless we give everyone with differing opinions electric shock therapy, a la A Clockwork Orange. We are free under the Constitution in this country, and that means all of us, not just the ones with conventional opinions.

 

[DoWhat]

I . I'm Polish.

Do you like Polish jokes?

 

[mAlice]

In an office of over 100 attorneys we had no black attorneys and only 1 asian attorney, and of the 50 or so applicants that were called for an interview only one was black and only a handful were women. I would say 97% of the applicants were white males between the ages of 27-35. I personally don't think that's a coinsedence

Are you suggesting that racism is the reason that only 3% of the applicants were minorities?

 

[carolinagirl]

I have Negro's liviving in my neighborhood.
And we get along.
Hell, they have been in my house.


Should I ban them?

No, you should max out their Krama to show how much you like them.

 

[carolinagirl]

Are you suggesting that racism is the reason that only 3% of the applicants were minorities?

No, I didn't word that well. I meant the applicants that they pick for interviews.

 

[vraiblonde]

Just because a white person isn't running around in a white hat and spouting off racists jokes and comments, doesn't mean they don't have racists views against blacks.

You cannot control people's thoughts - only their actions. People can have whatever views they want, but if they act violently or discriminate illegally, then they will face a penalty for their actions.

Thought control frightens me more than racism.

Take the National Alliance for instance.

I don't know what that is. Is it like an NAACP for white people?

 

[vraiblonde]

I meant the applicants that they pick for interviews.

How would they know what race a person is? Do they have to put it on the application?

 

[carolinagirl]

You cannot control people's thoughts - only their actions. People can have whatever views they want, but if they act violently or discriminate illegally, then they will face a penalty for their actions.

Thought control frightens me more than racism.


I don't know what that is. Is it like an NAACP for white people?

Yes, that is the comparison NA would like for people to draw.

 

[Nickel]

Do you like Polish jokes?

Yes I do. Would you like to share one to lighten up the mood in here? I tried to cut the tension yesterday with a pic of my doggie, but everyone thinks he's ugly. Except for BuddyLee, he thinks he looks like you.

 

[nomoney]

Been to the deep south lately?

you mean ridge?

 

[carolinagirl]

How would they know what race a person is? Do they have to put it on the application?

They don't have to, but the Federal App comes with an optional part that includes race and sex and most if not all, filled it out.

 

[mAlice]

No, I didn't word that well. I meant the applicants that they pick for interviews.

I'm curious what point you're really trying to make here...

I was directly involved in the application process so I saw every resume/application and was involved with interviews.

Are you part of the problem? And what percentage of applicants, whether or not they were chosen for interviews, were minorities?