does racism go away after moving to the US?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

If I am not mistaken, saying you are black and proud is good, but white and proud is racist? Scholarships for blacks are ok, but for white only they are racist?

Being an African American man, I can break this down for you:

Back in the "good ole days" when slavery finally ended, there was still a lot of segregation going on here in the states, especially in the deep south. As african americans, we were told that we were inferior to white people, we couldn't eat in the same restaurants, swim in the same pools, or even go to the same schools. Heck, there are some famous cases of black men losing their lives for whistling at white women. Saying you were black and proud meant we were equal to everyone one else in the world, not 3/4 human like some people believe or part monkey.

Scholarships for black people were to ensure we got the the same treatment as everyone else. Google James Meredith, and you will see what they had to go through back then. He needed an army to protect him on his first day of school.

[Lemerit 4]

I am surprised that some VJers are defending him as not racist. He is racist towards blacks. The fact that he has MLK speeches doesn't mean anything because many bigoted and shallow people like him have Rap and R&B music in their Ipods. As far as I know, no black has ever been racist towards people from India or Muslims.

[Xanax 349]

I am surprised that some VJers are defending him as not racist. He is racist towards blacks. The fact that he has MLK speeches doesn't mean anything because many bigoted and shallow people like him have Rap and R&B music in their Ipods. As far as I know, no black has ever been racist towards people from India or Muslims.

That is kind of naive, sorry No black person, ever has been racist towards an Indian or a Muslim?

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Being an African American man, I can break this down for you:

Back in the "good ole days" when slavery finally ended, there was still a lot of segregation going on here in the states, especially in the deep south. As african americans, we were told that we were inferior to white people, we couldn't eat in the same restaurants, swim in the same pools, or even go to the same schools. Heck, there are some famous cases of black men losing their lives for whistling at white women. Saying you were black and proud meant we were equal to everyone one else in the world, not 3/4 human like some people believe or part monkey.

Scholarships for black people were to ensure we got the the same treatment as everyone else. Google James Meredith, and you will see what they had to go through back then. He needed an army to protect him on his first day of school.

Unfortunately and IMHO, this will be lost on the average VJ'er.

[Lemerit 4]

If I am not mistaken, saying you are black and proud is good, but white and proud is racist? Scholarships for blacks are ok, but for white only they are racist?

Very ignorant. There are scholarships for women only, whites only, catholics..., and so on. How would you feel if you were called names because you are a gypsy from Romania?

[TnJ 131]

I am surprised that some VJers are defending him as not racist. He is racist towards blacks. The fact that he has MLK speeches doesn't mean anything because many bigoted and shallow people like him have Rap and R&B music in their Ipods. As far as I know, no black has ever been racist towards people from India or Muslims.

Islam is not a race nor the only religion of India. Black people are merely people like anyone else capable of bigotry and racism toward any other group of people. Understanding more about India might help better understand the perceptions involved. Perceptions alone do not lead to racism. However, people are raised in many different ways with many different views being shoved down their throats. Ultimately, it is up to an individual to decide, but everyone has preferences regardless. The Philippines is similar in the regard that white skin is found to be "beautiful". This doesn't mean that Caucasian people are thought to be superior no. What it does mean is that the majority of skin care products being marketed in the country come with a pigment whitening solution. One advertisement had a slogan that said, "Stay young, stay white". How racist would that be in America?! Yes, but it has nothing to do with race and everything to do with what the mainstream culture finds to be attractive. Celebrities strive for it. Some citizens envy it, and some don't care at all. Either way, many things are merely perceptions with no kind of hatred attached to it whatsoever.

Edited September 3, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[Peter_Pan 661]

"Nothing is more unjust, however common, than to charge with hypocrisy him that expresses zeal for those virtues which he neglects to practice; since he may be sincerely convinced of the advantages of conquering his passions, without having yet obtained the victory, as a man may be confident of the advantages of a voyage, or a journey, without having courage or industry to undertake it, and may honestly recommend to others, those attempts which he neglects himself." Samuel Johnson

I am sure there was a point to it, I've completely missed it.

Very ignorant. There are scholarships for women only, whites only, catholics..., and so on. How would you feel if you were called names because you are a gypsy from Romania?

First of all, there are no scholarships for whites only. Secondly, I would personally find it insulting to be getting one of those scholarships, or be offered some sort of diversity encouraging job. Either I can do it, no matter whom I am competing against, or I can't. And if I can't, I'd rather not ride the short bus, thank you very much, even if I am given a front seat.

Secondly, you would be wrong calling me a gypsy, because I am not one. Are we calling blacks incorrectly blacks, or what's the point to your inquiry?

Being an African American man, I can break this down for you:

Back in the "good ole days" when slavery finally ended, there was still a lot of segregation going on here in the states, especially in the deep south. As african americans, we were told that we were inferior to white people, we couldn't eat in the same restaurants, swim in the same pools, or even go to the same schools. Heck, there are some famous cases of black men losing their lives for whistling at white women. Saying you were black and proud meant we were equal to everyone one else in the world, not 3/4 human like some people believe or part monkey.

Scholarships for black people were to ensure we got the the same treatment as everyone else. Google James Meredith, and you will see what they had to go through back then. He needed an army to protect him on his first day of school.

Once upon a time stories? I'm sorry, I wasn't aware only one race in this freaking world suffered from racism.

Really? And me thinking affirmative action means something else, shame on me. Seems to me there should be a gender/colour/sexuality/you name it blind policy for scholarships, jobs or anything else.

btw - we are all part monkey, like 99% part.

Edited September 3, 2012 by Peter_Pan

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I am sure there was a point to it, I've completely missed it.

Good.

There are thousands of other posts on VJ for your enjoyment.

[kintu 4]

Hi all. I was just wondering if racist attitudes can change after one comes to the US and is exposed to a more diverse culture. My husband and I are in the middle of the visa process as he still hasn't been to the US yet. He grew up in a small city in India where everyone is like him (at most there are lighter 'fairer' skinned Indians as well as 'wheatish' (tan) Indians). Until he met me, and we travelled together to larger cities in India, he had never seen a white person or a black person or an East Asian person (besides on tv). As such he still has prejudices, and will sometimes say things that make me cringe. For instance, he thinks that white people are really beautiful, as has a fascination with blonde haired women (which I am not, as I am myself Indian-American). At the same time, he openly stated today (to my dismay) that he thinks that some people from Africa are too dark to be aesthetically pleasing (my paraphrase). I told him that he's being racist. He doesn't think he is racist, because he really likes Martin Luther King, Jr (and has MLK's "I have a Dream" speech saved on his cell phone. He has a good portion of that speech memorized). When I mention that I dislike how he is so attached to skin color, he simply dismissed it and says "it's a matter of personal preference. In India, we find fair skin to look better. Your parents don't like Muslims that much, so if they can have their preferences, I'm also entitled towards mine". I'm like "I suppose, but I'd rather live my life in a more inclusive way rather than find shallow and unnecessary reasons to dislike anyone." He was like "It's not that I don't like them, but I think fairer skinned people are better looking."

(On a side note, another thing is that my husband thinks it is okay to use the word "N--ro". I told him we don't use that word here, but say "African-American" or "black" instead, as people find the "N" word offensive. He started arguing with me, and saying that it can't be an offensive word since MLK, Jr himself used that word in his "I have a dream" speech. I told him that that was the 1960s, and this is now. I don't know why things have changed, but couldn't offer him any better perspective.)

I'm just wondering if such attitudes might change after he comes to the US and meets more people. I will definitely make an effort to expose him to a lot of minority groups, whether it be racial minority groups, or those with 'alternative lifestyles' (gay acquaintances, etc). I just want to take him out of his comfort zone and help him to stop fearing the unknown. All these minority groups are unknown to him, as he grew up in such a homogenous society.

I realize this is a sensitive topic, and that this topic can easily degenerate. I will request people to please keep any kind of bigoted or hateful comments (towards any group of people) off this thread. I simply would like to know if anyone here has seen changes in their foreign spouses after the spouse spent some time living in the US. From foreign spouses, I want to know if people have found themselves less fearful and more inclusive of people of other unfamiliar groups or lifestyle after moving here. Although my husband's words make me cringe, I'm just hoping his attitude will open up once he's exposed to the diversity here.

hope he is not from chandigarh ! !

[Peter_Pan 661]

Good.

There are thousands of other posts on VJ for your enjoyment.

Actually, I am enjoying this thread very much, nothing better than ruffling feathers of politically correctness fans.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Actually, I am enjoying this thread very much, nothing better than ruffling feathers of politically correctness fans.

Excellent, we share the same past time. Though I have to watch out for the wrath of Charles.

[Rachel & Tom 9]

Hi all. I was just wondering if racist attitudes can change after one comes to the US and is exposed to a more diverse culture. My husband and I are in the middle of the visa process as he still hasn't been to the US yet. He grew up in a small city in India where everyone is like him (at most there are lighter 'fairer' skinned Indians as well as 'wheatish' (tan) Indians). Until he met me, and we travelled together to larger cities in India, he had never seen a white person or a black person or an East Asian person (besides on tv). As such he still has prejudices, and will sometimes say things that make me cringe. For instance, he thinks that white people are really beautiful, as has a fascination with blonde haired women (which I am not, as I am myself Indian-American). At the same time, he openly stated today (to my dismay) that he thinks that some people from Africa are too dark to be aesthetically pleasing (my paraphrase). I told him that he's being racist. He doesn't think he is racist, because he really likes Martin Luther King, Jr (and has MLK's "I have a Dream" speech saved on his cell phone. He has a good portion of that speech memorized). When I mention that I dislike how he is so attached to skin color, he simply dismissed it and says "it's a matter of personal preference. In India, we find fair skin to look better. Your parents don't like Muslims that much, so if they can have their preferences, I'm also entitled towards mine". I'm like "I suppose, but I'd rather live my life in a more inclusive way rather than find shallow and unnecessary reasons to dislike anyone." He was like "It's not that I don't like them, but I think fairer skinned people are better looking."

(On a side note, another thing is that my husband thinks it is okay to use the word "N--ro". I told him we don't use that word here, but say "African-American" or "black" instead, as people find the "N" word offensive. He started arguing with me, and saying that it can't be an offensive word since MLK, Jr himself used that word in his "I have a dream" speech. I told him that that was the 1960s, and this is now. I don't know why things have changed, but couldn't offer him any better perspective.)

I'm just wondering if such attitudes might change after he comes to the US and meets more people. I will definitely make an effort to expose him to a lot of minority groups, whether it be racial minority groups, or those with 'alternative lifestyles' (gay acquaintances, etc). I just want to take him out of his comfort zone and help him to stop fearing the unknown. All these minority groups are unknown to him, as he grew up in such a homogenous society.

I realize this is a sensitive topic, and that this topic can easily degenerate. I will request people to please keep any kind of bigoted or hateful comments (towards any group of people) off this thread. I simply would like to know if anyone here has seen changes in their foreign spouses after the spouse spent some time living in the US. From foreign spouses, I want to know if people have found themselves less fearful and more inclusive of people of other unfamiliar groups or lifestyle after moving here. Although my husband's words make me cringe, I'm just hoping his attitude will open up once he's exposed to the diversity here.

My fiance is Indian, and i am lucky he lived in the Uk for a long time, but we tend to refer to the Indians who are so narrow minded as "boxed indians" becaue they can only see inside the little box they live in.... not that your husband is one of them, but when in rome do as romans... tell your husband that... when you are in India you can act one way, and when you are in the Us you have to act another way... not that you have to "change" but you need to adapt to other ways of thinking...

In India you cant kiss, or hold hands in public (in most places) but in the US thats okay... and its not that you are trying to change your husband you just want him to be as prepared to come here as you were to go there... when my fiance moves here he will adapt to the ways of the US and when we move to India i will have to adapt the the Indian ways.... Your husband just needs to be open minded about things, as well as you need to be open mind and remember that he has NEVER been anywhere but India.... Eveything will be fine you will just need some time =) good luck

[amerisian 5]

Honestly, I didn't know much about " racism" until I came here in the US and it is very stressful and sometimes wants to quit my job.

[TnJ 131]

Honestly, I didn't know much about " racism" until I came here in the US and it is very stressful and sometimes wants to quit my job.

Seriously? You are from the Philippines right? I know the visual appearances are more subtle there than they are in a society with so much diversity, but your country has racism too among yourselves and among foreigners. I certainly don't wish anyone to feel they need to leave their job. Rather, you should take that to your superiors as you have the right to do so. Honestly though, I certainly don't understand posts like this. You are not the only one, but I sometimes wonder if people are living under rocks. I don't mean this offensively in the least bit. I just wonder why this was not learned at some point in your life. Many people act as if racism doesn't exist any place else but the US, and they are completely shocked. Why? Yes, we have our history and our own brand of it, but seriously people, start paying more attention to the world. We are far from what others would like to make us out to be in this regard.

[Darnell 8,478]

(On a side note, another thing is that my husband thinks it is okay to use the word "N--ro".

As above, this is not the spelling of the 'offensive' word.

Somethings amiss here, I think it's time to declare shenanigans and move on to the next 'culturally-sensitive' post; this one of yers is exceptionally silly, since you never mention 'skin hue-to-caste' linkage in yer story.

Seriously? You are from the Philippines right? I know the visual appearances are more subtle there than they are in a society with so much diversity, but your country has racism too among yourselves and among foreigners. I certainly don't wish anyone to feel they need to leave their job. Rather, you should take that to your superiors as you have the right to do so. Honestly though, I certainly don't understand posts like this. You are not the only one, but I sometimes wonder if people are living under rocks. I don't mean this offensively in the least bit. I just wonder why this was not learned at some point in your life. Many people act as if racism doesn't exist any place else but the US, and they are completely shocked. Why? Yes, we have our history and our own brand of it, but seriously people, start paying more attention to the world. We are far from what others would like to make us out to be in this regard.

I blame it on the content, or lack thereof, at the CenoMar Briefings, prior to the jump .

My fiance is Indian, and i am lucky he lived in the Uk for a long time, but we tend to refer to the Indians who are so narrow minded as "boxed indians"

IME, the boxed indians drive the bicycle carts and deliver tiffen and lunch <EOM> .