race relations lessons

[trof]

Are you a racist?
Are you SURE?
A lesson for us all.
trof

The best race relations lessons come when you least expect them
By Elizabeth Armstrong
I don't remember his face as a whole, but there are details I doubt I'll ever forget. His eyes were dark and flickering; his weathered velvet skin revealed the slightest hint of stubble around his mouth; and the muscles in his jaw clenched as he met my gaze.

But those are details, and they come later.

First, there was only a question: "Excuse me, but do you have any quarters?"

I was walking toward Boston Common with a friend on a staggeringly cold afternoon, and I didn't turn to acknowledge him. From the corner of my eye, all I could make out was the shape of a few men bundled up to ward off the cold. The one asking about quarters held what looked to be a cup.

And there was one more thing: These men were black.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0209/p09s02-cogn.htm

[trof]

1. And I thought this was such a timely story.

:shrug:

[bryant69]

2. Well, what if you dont' give money to anybody?

I have to say in my community I see beggers--usually out by the highway, and by a ratio of 4 to 1 they are white--but I very rarely give them anything, unless I have an extra soda or something like that. I prefer to give my money to organizations.

I guess that's the question if you see a white person and think "Hey that guy deserves a break, I'm sure his poverty isn't his fault" and see a black person and think "Well he'd probably buy booze with this money so I'll keep it." that would be racist.

But it doesn't address the issue of whether giveing people money on the street is a good idea in the first place (particularly if you have limited means, as I assume most of us do).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[trof]

4. Guy wasn't asking for a donation, just change for a buck.

[LeahMira]

3. Your story...

... demonstrates the prejudice that exists among those of us who think of ourselves as well intentioned.

It's hard to rid ourselves of these attitudes because most times we aren't even consciously aware of them. What helps is articles like this one that help make us aware.

I'm not sure if the story is about race prejudice or prejudice against the poor or, since it's a woman writing the article, just a fear of violence, but it does make you stop and think. That's good. Thanks for posting the article, trof.

[Solomon]

5. Kick. Keep this up there for a while.

:kick: