We're not a 'post-racial' society. We're the 'innocent until proven racist' society

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It seems we are a stand off then. You think it's a huge problem. I don't think it is. I think the bigger problem is claiming racism where there's no evidence of it. Which so far is exactly where we're at in this Missouri situation, and where we were at in the GZ/TM situation. The problem in my mind that all these false claims of racism will make true cases of racism seem trivial eventually. You've heard about the boy crying wolf haven't you?

This is short-sighted. I agree that there are examples where allegations of racism have been made, regardless of the facts of the situation.

Even false allegations are part of an overarching narrative.

The basic premise of the OP is that some people are unable to recognise racism because they have deliberately blinded themselves to it. I gave the example earlier about the poster who constantly refers to the President as 'The Kenyan'. He isn't racist for doing that... I mean... he says so ;-)

[decocker 7,198]

Which is probably their main goal. People seem to bite hook, line, and sinker for some reason.

they bite, because they're already fighting just to get a bit of validation that there are issues that need to be addressed.

Edited August 19, 2014 by val erie

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

A job based on an online resume and no face-to-face interview? Fascinating. Tell me more.

Ask Marvin, after years of telling us a black man can't get a job...It happened to him. They even agreed to wait until the Navy was done with him. musta been a fluke, like.. you know Obama getting elected by a white racist society

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You just did.

Let's pretend for a moment that we're having an open discussion where you can choose to respectfully disagree, as is your right. However, if you do - it's only courtesy to provide a rationale for what you disagree with and why.

Getting defensive and throwing out dismissive one-liners is not that.

Can we get back to topic please?

[Karee 4,190]

you're saying you don't think racism is a big deal. but..that's like me saying i don't think prostate cancer is a big deal. what's all the fuss about?

I said it's not as prevalent as you seem to think it is. I stated about a 100 times in this thread and other threads that it does exist, and will always exist on some level. Now people can sit around and blame that for everything that doesn't go their way. Up to them. I'd say time would be better spent making their own lives better instead of dwelling on some perceived injustice.

Let's pretend for a moment that we're having an open discussion where you can choose to respectfully disagree, as is your right. However, if you do - it's only courtesy to provide a rationale for what you disagree with and why.

Getting defensive and throwing out dismissive one-liners is not that.

Can we get back to topic please?

Ready when you are.

[decocker 7,198]

I said it's not as prevalent as you seem to think it is. I stated about a 100 times in this thread and other threads that it does exist, and will always exist on some level. Now people can sit around and blame that for everything that doesn't go their way. Up to them. I'd say time would be better spent making their own lives better instead of dwelling on some perceived injustice.

so basically, you just want people to get over it. because right here, you're saying racism exists but even with everything happening in ferguseon, this is a result of folks just sitting around and blaming others for their lot in life. a perceived injustice - not an actual one.

[Karee 4,190]

Let me put it this way. I'm just making suggestions here on what I think is the issue. I have my own problems to deal with. If some folks what to use racism as an excuse for what is wrong in their lives, there's nothing I can do about that. It doesn't affect me one way or the other.

I'm part of the white privileged class. I'm actually posting this from the back of my limo while drinking Champagne.

[decocker 7,198]

Let me put it this way. I'm just making suggestions here on what I think is the issue. I have my own problems to deal with. If some folks what to use racism as an excuse for what is wrong in their lives, there's nothing I can do about that. It doesn't affect me one way or the other.

I'm part of the white privileged class. I'm actually posting this from the back of my limo while drinking Champagne.

so the issue is laziness.

[Karee 4,190]

so basically, you just want people to get over it. because right here, you're saying racism exists but even with everything happening in ferguseon, this is a result of folks just sitting around and blaming others for their lot in life. a perceived injustice - not an actual one.

See you keep going on about this Ferguson thing No one knows what happened there. Yet everyone automatically assumes that since it was a white cop that shot a black guy, there's racism involved. I would think you would be more concerned about the body count in Chicago on weekly basis, but I guess since there's no racial component to that, no one cares.

so the issue is laziness.

Hmm seems you have some reading comprehension issues, or are just seeing what YOU want to see. Maybe a combination of both.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Let me put it this way. I'm just making suggestions here on what I think is the issue. I have my own problems to deal with. If some folks what to use racism as an excuse for what is wrong in their lives, there's nothing I can do about that. It doesn't affect me one way or the other.

I'm part of the white privileged class. I'm actually posting this from the back of my limo while drinking Champagne.

Everyone has their own problems to deal with.

However, I don't see why it's so unreasonable to suggest that gap between the middle class and the very poor is now so wide that people can't understand the experience of those below them on the socioeconomic ladder. So they would rather fixate on sensationalist accusations of racism, rather than acknowledge that the root of the issue lies in racial inequalities arising from the country's past.

Edited August 19, 2014 by Hail Ming!

[decocker 7,198]

See you keep going on about this Ferguson thing No one knows what happened there. Yet everyone automatically assumes that since it was a white cop that shot a black guy, there's racism involved. I would think you would be more concerned about the body count in Chicago on weekly basis, but I guess since there's no racial component to that, no one cares.

i don't think that the cop killed this kid because he was black. i think it's more about the relationship between the community and the cops that are supposed to serve and protect them. you can't tell me that there's not a bit of evidence currently that suggests there has been a breakdown, and it brokedown along racial lines. is this because the majority of the population is black and the cops are predominately white? i think so.

did you read this? the other michael brown mo cops killed was white. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/19/missouri-cops-license-to-kill.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

i don't think that the cop killed this kid because he was black. i think it's more about the relationship between the community and the cops that are supposed to serve and protect them. you can't tell me that there's not a bit of evidence currently that suggests there has been a breakdown, and it brokedown along racial lines. is this because the majority of the population is black and the cops are predominately white? i think so.

did you read this? the other michael brown mo cops killed was white. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/19/missouri-cops-license-to-kill.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29

Seems reasonable.

Community tensions like that don't come out of nothing.

Edited August 19, 2014 by Hail Ming!

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I still believe it is up to one to make a difference in his/her life to break out of the poverty vicious cycle.

It is not like the minorities are not given access to government welfare, free schools, study loan to better themselves.

Some countries like Malaysia, give huge privileges (or more rights) to the majority malay race (Bumiputera), yet they still fare worse than the Chinese / Indian.

[Karee 4,190]

Everyone has their own problems to deal with.

However, I don't see why it's so unreasonable to suggest that gap between the middle class and the very poor is now so wide that people can't understand the experience of those below them on the socioeconomic ladder. So they would rather fixate on sensationalist accusations of racism, rather than acknowledge that the root of the issue likes in racial inequalities arising from the country's past.

Now we're coming to some common ground. There is a huge problem with economic inequality in this country. How to fix that, I don't know. IMO this is an economic issue, more than a racial one. But I do agree with you something needs to be done about it. This is the real conversation that needs to take place, not pages and pages of posts about some one-off shooting in Missouri.

On one hand it's easy to say to folks, "get off your azz and get a job." That kind of talk doesn't help anything, and I'm probably guilty of saying things similar to that. OTOH it's just as easy to say "I'm black, so I'm screwed" Personally I think the black leaders have more to do with that attitude than anyone else with all their victimhood peddling. There needs to be more programs where businesses are involved with the poor and preparing them for the real world. I saw an awesome piece on 60 minutes a coupe weeks ago where companies were doing just that although on a pretty small scale. Programs like that need to be expanded and encouraged. It's a win win for everyone involved..

[Boiler 45,516]

Not all of us see colour, so what are we supposed to do?