Racism and the Race

[groovedaddy]

This is supposed to be the Democrats’ year of destiny. Bush is hobbling out of office, the economy is in the toilet, voters are sick of the war and the party’s wunderkind candidate is raking in money hand over fist.

So why is the presidential race a statistical dead heat? The pundits have offered a host of reasons, but one in particular deserves more exploration: racism.

Barack Obama’s candidacy has shed some light on the extremes of racism in America — how much has dissipated (especially among younger people) and how much remains.

According to a July New York Times/CBS News poll, when whites were asked whether they would be willing to vote for a black candidate, 5 percent confessed that they would not. That’s not so bad, right? But wait. The pollsters then rephrased the question to get a more accurate portrait of the sentiment. They asked the same whites if most of the people they knew would vote for a black candidate. Nineteen percent said that those they knew would not. Depending on how many people they know and how well they know them, this universe of voters could be substantial. That’s bad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/09/opinion/09blow.html?th&emc=th

[defendandprotect]

1. We have to begin to talk about racism as what it really is -- exploitation.

Racial hatred is simply what is taught to keep exploitation going ---

Gender hatred also continues to be taught --- and the purpose is exploitation --

"You have to be taught to hate and fear . . . you have to be carefully taught" --

and that's true . . .

but again ---

slavery was exploitation for profit of the few . . .

with masses taught "inferiority of blacks" for cover --


oppression of females is exploitation for profit of the few . . .

with masses taught "inferiority of females" for cover ---


But it always was and always will be simple exploitation to benefit the few --

[rasputin1952]

2. Much the chagrin of society, racism exists in every aspect of

society, albeit not often overtly.

people have not changed all that much, there will always be people that will find the lowest common denominator to ostracize others from their aspect of society.

There is plenty of racism to go around, and it most certainly it is not relegated to whites only. Many of us have begun to, and a few of us have succeeded in breaking down racism, but it is taught, a learned aspect of humanity. When I watch young children interact with other races, religions and other aspects, I rarely see anything that even comes close to something that could be considered "racism", all the child sees is another child, and that is their common bond. The aspects of hatred are taught, and only then do these defect5s in the human experience manifest themselves.

This is not to say there are not "bad" people in every aspect of society, but they are not bad because they are of a certain race, religion, gender, or anything else that has to do w/a "group". The thought that a person is "bad" because they are part of a segment different from the one that the
observer is from is absurd...each person should be given an even break, and judged only upon the content of their character.

I have seen progress, but this is something that goes so far back in history, throughout the world, that it will take a a massive shift of worldwide proportions to alleviate the problem, sadly, it is easier to hate, than to understand.

[groovedaddy]

3. when they desegregated the schools in Louisville, things got rough

because racism reared its ugly head. The klan was organizing big time. There were "mini riots" in desegrated schools. But over time, things got better in the schools. The inner city schools got more of the money they needed because the suburban white kids were going there. And race became far less of an issue in the schools. Having worked in that school system, I experienced it. These actions really did break down SOME of the barriers.

Interesting that the communist countries (also done in Iraq) attempted to break down ethnic differences by making sure the populations mixed. But as you pointed out, these things take time.
As soon as Yugoslavia dissolved, the old differences sprang up in a hurry. Same thing in Iraq and the old Soviet Union.

[rasputin1952]

4. It is an evil as old as humanity itself. Like i said, it is far easier

to hate than to understand.

Many years ago, I read some of the speeches by/writings of Frederick Douglass, and other black luminaries. I find it difficult to condemn an entire segment of society when such people have such passion for Justice and Equality.

When I see Neil deGrasse Tyson on PBS's "Science Now", and read his bio, I see what people can become if they have a passion to be what they dream of becoming; and yet I have heard far too often that he, "must have white genes, because no black could be that smart on his own". It is disgusting to hear or read such insane rants.

The KKK and neo-nazi's don't scare me in the least, they are open in their absurd views, what I find bothersome is the undercurrent so many go with, the "secret" bias they have, the un-shown hatred that comes out only when they think they are in "good" company. It makes no difference as to the races involved, each of them has the same problems w/this type of thing.

I look at everyone as a human being first, then, if negative judgment comes, it comes because of the acts of the individual, not because of where that person is from, nor their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or anything else...it all comes down to individual character.

[Raineyb]

5. It will need to be an honest discussion

I'm just not sure how deep or honest a discussion of race can be. There have been times when I mention racism especially when discussion people who claim to be democrats who will vote for McLame instead of Obama and I get the automatic response of "it's not racism they just aren't comfortable with him" or "they just don't like him." All of it is code and all of it is lamer than lame.

Even worse you get the "you're diminishing actual racism by saying that" responses. Diminishing? I thought I was discussing "actual" racism. Sometimes it seems as though unless the person in question is wearing Klan robes or neo-nazi swastikas they don't consider it "real racism."

Racism today is not as obvious as the beatings, hangings, burnings, and law sanctioned discrimination of the past. However, it's still there in the differential perceptions in similar behavior exhibited by different people.

Why is it that when McLame goes to Colombia and Canada nothing is said but when Obama goes overseas you hear nothing in the news but questions about whether he' arrogant or presumptive. Why do you hear some Clinton supporters talk of a nomination stolen. Would these same people say the same if Edwards had won the nomination? I think not. However, when this is mentioned there are plenty of people who get very defensive and it makes for lousy discussion.

I'm not sure if I have the answers but I do know that the discussion needs to be had and it cannot happen with groups of people who absolutely refuse to see the problem in the first place.

Regards