Aryan Guard celebrates White Pride World Day in Calgary

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't understand why anyone would want to defend these guys, but there you go.

If someone (anyone) can point to a White Pride organization that differs significantly in ideological outlook from these Aryan folks and doesn't advocate racial superiority - I'll be interested to know.

Its a loaded question of course - but got to put it out there I suppose.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Let's be honest, now - 'white' in America basically means those of European extraction. Sure, there are some people ofd other ethnicities who are fair skinned enough to 'pass' as white, but they are the exception. White more or less means European (in America).

Still, what is the defining connection beyond pigmentation? Also, wouldn't then be more accurate to say you have European Pride?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Let's be honest, now - 'white' in America basically means those of European extraction. Sure, there are some people ofd other ethnicities who are fair skinned enough to 'pass' as white, but they are the exception. White more or less means European (in America).

Still, what is the defining connection beyond pigmentation? Also, wouldn't then be more accurate to say you have European Pride?

Probably - though European Pride sounds like an example of European Union political correctness in my view (like when that French MP tried to petition the British government to change the name of Waterloo Station for being "divisive". Speaking for myself, I identify myself more as a Briton than a European. "European" is rather meaningless term IMO, culturally at least.

Edited March 28, 2008 by Number 6

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Let's be honest, now - 'white' in America basically means those of European extraction. Sure, there are some people ofd other ethnicities who are fair skinned enough to 'pass' as white, but they are the exception. White more or less means European (in America).

Still, what is the defining connection beyond pigmentation? Also, wouldn't then be more accurate to say you have European Pride?

Probably - though that's an example of European Union political correctness in my view. Speaking for myself, I identify myself more as a Briton than a European. "European" is rather meaningless term IMO, culturally at least.

Yep. Such categories really have no meaning beyond one that is symbolic or feel good. I think it's human nature to seek out some kind of cultural identity, but that doesn't mean it's a shallow as the color of one's skin.

[mawilson 2,133]

There is a lot to be proud of in European culture and history. But that never does seem to be the focus.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Irish, German, French, but there is no definitive characteristics of being white beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'white' impotent.

Right back at ya.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Kenyan, Angolan, Namibian, Ugandan, Beninese,

Ghanaian, but there is no definitive characteristics of being black beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then

such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'black' impotent.

[MrsCat 6]

I wonder if the back of their shirts say sponsored by Wonderbread? cause that would be sweet.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There is a lot to be proud of in European culture and history. But that never does seem to be the focus.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Irish, German, French, but there is no definitive characteristics of being white beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'white' impotent.

Right back at ya.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Kenyan, Angolan, Namibian, Ugandan, Beninese,

Ghanaian, but there is no definitive characteristics of being black beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then

such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'black' impotent.

Here is the difference and it's a doozy - people who are of African decent have been systematically treated less than equal and have up until recently denied the same civil rights given to those who are labelled 'white'. The labels, white and black became institutionalized and used against those who were labelled black. And get this...people who we have labelled as Black continue to this day to experience being treated less than equal simply because of the pigment of their skin. Just like gays who've been targeted with hatred and continue to be denied the same civil rights that other Americans have, share that one common thread - prejudice.

They're pride is rooted not in identity based on pigmentation, but shared experience of being treated less than equal.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

There is a lot to be proud of in European culture and history. But that never does seem to be the focus.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Irish, German, French, but there is no definitive characteristics of being white beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'white' impotent.

Right back at ya.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Kenyan, Angolan, Namibian, Ugandan, Beninese,

Ghanaian, but there is no definitive characteristics of being black beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then

such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'black' impotent.

I'd be surprised if my black neighbor has a "Belgian Congo 4-Eva" t-shirt.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I still don't understand how those who're "black" can have any more of a collective culture than people who're "white." Neither term really means anything.

If you look, there are "white" and "black" people all over the world. Their skin color doesn't mean a whole lot. A "white" man who grows up in Africa will feel he has more in common with the many different cultures there than a "black" man who was raised in the United States. Yet if we are to believe in this total solidarity of color, the concept I outlined before couldn't possibly exist. It would simply be impossible.

It's not. It's very possible and everyone here knows it.

This also brings up something that's irritated me for a long time. My brother's best friend -- who is "white" -- was born and raised in Africa. His parents are both American, but for whatever reason, they were stationed there. When my brother's friend became a teenager, his family moved back into the U.S. and due to his parentage, had U.S. citizenship.

When looking at those information sheets that eventually ask you to write down your race, my brother's friend was perplexed. He may have been "white" or "Caucasian" but he was also "African American." He became even more confused when he was told he couldn't write down "African American" because he wasn't really that unless he's "black."

Now tell me what makes more sense: Calling a "black" man who was born in the U.S. and has never set foot on the continent of Africa an "African American" or refusing to allow a "white" man the ability to call himself an "African American" when he is not only a citizen of the U.S. but born in Africa and lived there for many years as well.

Edited March 28, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[Empress of Groovy 373]

This also brings up something that's irritated me for a long time. My brother's best friend -- who is "white" -- was born and raised in Africa. His parents are both American, but for whatever reason, they were stationed there. When my brother's friend became a teenager, his family moved back into the U.S. and due to his parentage, had U.S. citizenship.

When looking at those information sheets that eventually ask you to write down your race, my brother's friend was perplexed. He may have been "white" or "Caucasian" but he was also "African American." He became even more confused when he was told he couldn't write down "African American" because he wasn't really that unless he's "black."

Now tell me what makes more sense: Calling a "black" man who was born in the U.S. and has never set foot on the continent of Africa an "African American" or refusing to allow a "white" man the ability to call himself an "African American" when he is not only a citizen of the U.S. but born in Africa and lived there for many years as well.

Race is not determined by where someone was born. Your brother's friend is clearly Caucasian.

Perhaps what irritates you is the racial categories themselves.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Right back at ya.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Kenyan, Angolan, Namibian, Ugandan, Beninese,

Ghanaian, but there is no definitive characteristics of being black beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then

such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'black' impotent.

There's the slight complication that tracing ancestry is a bit more difficult for American black people--like, very few records were kept as to who came from where, so most have no idea where in present-day Africa their ancestors were from. This is, of course, one of the major differences between the black popluation here and in the UK. Most British black people are relatively recent arrivals and know where they came from.

The major force behind the American black pride movement is creating an identity for a community whose history on this continent has been less than ideal and whose connection to specific parts of Africa is impossible (or at least really difficult) to determine.

I suspect that an American black person wouldn't identify with, say, modern-day Kenya or Namibia. Black pride in the U.S. is a cultural label that approximates the more specific origins that most European descendents are able to determine. Black pride partly comprises a "new" American black identity, one that unites people who are clearly of African descent and whose specific connection to Africa is unknown.

Edited March 28, 2008 by Big Agnes!

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

If everybody who has issues w/race or at least loves to talk about them over and over would be as intelligent as Mr. Morgan Freeman, racial issues would cease to exist in this planet,

Quote from his wiki bios,

"Freeman has publicly criticized the celebration of Black History Month and does not participate in any related events, saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."[8] He says the only way to end racism is to stop talking about it, and he notes that there is no "white history month". Freeman once said on an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace: "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man."

I salute you and AMEN to that SIR!

Edited March 28, 2008 by GueraYTavo

[Scott & Lai 12]

If everybody who has issues w/race or at least loves to talk about them over and over would be as intelligent as Mr. Morgan Freeman, racial issues would cease to exist in this planet,

Quote from his wiki bios,

"Freeman has publicly criticized the celebration of Black History Month and does not participate in any related events, saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."[8] He says the only way to end racism is to stop talking about it, and he notes that there is no "white history month". Freeman once said on an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace: "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man."

I salute you and AMEN to that SIR!

I have a lot of respect Morgan Freeman

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Right back at ya.

Exactly. I can understand taking pride in heritage, whether it be Kenyan, Angolan, Namibian, Ugandan, Beninese,

Ghanaian, but there is no definitive characteristics of being black beyond pigmentation of skin, and even then

such characteristic seems to vary greatly, making the term 'black' impotent.

There's the slight complication that tracing ancestry is a bit more difficult for American black people--like, very few records were kept as to who came from where, so most have no idea where in present-day Africa their ancestors were from. This is, of course, one of the major differences between the black popluation here and in the UK. Most British black people are relatively recent arrivals and know where they came from.

The major force behind the American black pride movement is creating an identity for a community whose history on this continent has been less than ideal and whose connection to specific parts of Africa is impossible (or at least really difficult) to determine.

I suspect that an American black person wouldn't identify with, say, modern-day Kenya or Namibia. Black pride in the U.S. is a cultural label that approximates the more specific origins that most European descendents are able to determine. Black pride partly comprises a "new" American black identity, one that unites people who are clearly of African descent and whose specific connection to Africa is unknown.

Which makes the idea of "white pride" rather redundant. Hence the concept is the exclusive domain of neo-nazis like the Aryan Guard.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

But due to your political correctness... 'white pride' can not be linked to ANYTHING. Even noble endeavors. What about BET? Shouldn't we be allowed to have White Entertainment Television? There are legitimate things for white people to be proud of. They aren't all negative.