Does Race matter in the United States of America?

[breadbox]

Yes, that is my argument.

[Kalypso]

the origin of all racism is sexual insecurity from lighter skin people... fearing that more fertile and sexual, darker skin people would invade their land and take their women.

and so the cycle of conquest and violence has perpetuated since the indo-aryans, invaded india thousands of years ago.

rape kill, take resources, and capture women as sex slaves or concubines.

In the US, slvaery was driven by the need for workers, but even though it was forbidden for black men to even look at white women... black women we're being raped up and down the black south.

and producing fair skinned offspring like myself. overseer and plantation owner were regularly strolling into the slave cottages, grabbing black women away from their offspring and husbands... and raping them.

this also happened in haiti, where im from.
Modified by Kalypso123 at 6:05 PM 1/21/2009

[OriginalWheelman]

the origin of all racism is sexual insecurity from lighter skin people... fearing that more fertile and sexual, darker skin people would invade their land and take their women.

Thank you Sigmund Freud. This is a joke right?

[Kalypso]

no my friend... its the truth.

you'd be wise to consider it.

[OriginalWheelman]

no my friend... its the truth.

you'd be wise to consider it.

So the truth is because you are darker skinned, you're better in bed than me? This is ridiculous. What scientific study determined this? Where are your facts? This is stereotypical racism.

[Kalypso]

just because you dont understand it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

[breadbox]

I do not think you unearthed some great truth, that racism is a device of "lighter skinned people" as a compensation for sexual inadequacies.

Unless I misunderstood you as well.

[OriginalWheelman]

just because you dont understand it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

I'm still waiting for some scientific proof to back up your seemingly blatantly racist statement. You've gone from amusing to depressing. I can't believe you actually believe this.

[smockers83]

Yes, that is my argument.

Ok, so tell me please, why is that racist? It's not the insurance company's fault. Plus, insurance coverage in terms of health and life cannot be based upon race, but simply health conditions and habits.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

Can we define RACE real quick.

Are we saying RACE=skin color?

Or RACE =a people

Is Jewish a race? Some say its a religion, some say both.

Is there a difference between African-American and Black? There is to me, you are african-american if you have an african parent and are american. If you have two american parents you are not African.

Also there seems to be some dispute between Nationality and Ethnicity.

I would say that in a sense there is no difference between African-American and Black - they are both used interchangeablly to describe Blacks born in america. AND as you pointed out the term African American can also describe Obama as the child of an African and an American.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

How the hell are any of these related to race?

To answer your question of how sentences for crack use, distribution etc is related to race. If you look at the crack epidemic in most inner cities in the 80s and 90s - the avg. crack user was black or latino.

Crack cocaine is a diluted form of cocaine. Cocaine sentences are more lenient than crack cocaine sentences. So the penalty for crack possesion disproportionatly (sp) affects a particular group(s) of people.

The white college student that drives into the hood to buy cocaine will llikely get a lighter sentence and may even be more likely to be able to hire representation to fight that sentence. Where a crackhead will get a heavier sentence and will be less likely to afford representation to fight the sentence.

Both acts are illegal, but the more purer form of the drug is treated more leniently than the diluted derivative.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

In Buffalo we have a radio station called "WBLK" They exclusively play music by black artists, and on Sundays have Blacks preacher on. Some friends from my school did a test. We called, in our best proper English and requested songs they would play, and songs by Eminem. Not one of our requests were heeded. When we had our black friend call and request songs, speaking in broken ghetto slang, his requests were put on the air almost every time. If I opened a radio station named "WHIT" and refused to play music for black requestors, or by black artists, I'd be strung up in the city square.

Furthermore, I'm sick of ignorant black racists treating me like I'm part of the problem. My family was involved in the civil rights movement, and HEAVILY participated int he underground railroad. Despite my family history, and my personal beliefs, I'm labeled a racist by blacks if I don't like their life style. I must have a problem with their race, not that fact that I could smell them before I could see them, and they were shooting in the general direction of my house last night, while they were keeping me up partying until 5:30 AM.

I'm not even gonna comment on your silly experiment. But thanks for leading the fight for equality in garbage music played over the airwaves. But if you are really interested in the history of Black Music - you should check out the movie Cadillac records - it deals with the history of Rock and Roll.

As for you being labeled a racist - what is one to think based on your last sentence. What u described is not THE black lifestyle as u describe it.

This is the type of comment that I didnt want on this thread. There have been some good responses - but unfortunately they are being buried amongst the BS.

[Kalypso]

I do not think you unearthed some great truth, that racism is a device of "lighter skinned people" as a compensation for sexual inadequacies.

Unless I misunderstood you as well.

ok warning... I have to write a long post.

its not exactly a device, for sexual inadequecy...

1.

when speaking of racism in the united states. It all started with the influx of slaves into the west indies

i.e. Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad. A large reason why African slaves were so readily exploited is because there was an infrastructure created in countries like Ghana to export large numbers of them. they became laborers in tobacco and cotton.

the tradition continued in Jamestown, Virginia when slavery was legalized in 1687.

2.

Initially slavery was an economic endeavor, but as with all conquests:slavery has had a legacy of sexual exploitation and violence.

A big part of slavery was Europeans - not only being able to use the male slaves as workers... but also using the female slaves as concubines.

So once slavery was deconstructed. And abraham lincoln kick started it with the emancipation proclamation. two things social constructions remained.

3.

the first.

whites strived to limit the economic opportunities of blacks, so that they couldn't compete with them, and hence forth whites retained as much wealth and opportunity they could favor.

another agenda was to protect their women from blacks, and prevent intermixing of the sexes. hence forth retaining the power white males posessed over their own women.

4.

Emitt till was made into an example because he looked at a white women,and was mutilated for it.

but an entire biological group of Americans were created from the offspring of white males who raped their female slaves. Mulatto's ( like myself, and my great-great grandmother )

this was one of the driving forces of the KKK movement, to prevent intermixing of the races. ( though many whites slept with and raped black women as they pleased )

So yes, I believe that sexual insecurity, and sexism has throughout much of the 20th century perpetuated racism.

Control over both white and black women as well as the fear that white women will sleep with black men. and a movement to prevent this, killing, lynching, and burning to enforce it.

so yes sexuality, and the intermixing of the sexes is a driving force behind racism.

There is one great book that explains this by doing case studies throughout history of every major conquest, from Alexander's armies to the indo aryans.

civilizations conquer in the name of sex, wealth, and power. all things they partake in equally.

[Kalypso]

im not trying to offend anyone or make enemies, but sex and sexuality I believe plays the most powerful role in race identity and race struggle.

[Jesda]

I am my own race, and I am superior to all.

[OriginalWheelman]

As for you being labeled a racist - what is one to think based on your last sentence. What u described is not THE black lifestyle as u describe it.

This is the type of comment that I didnt want on this thread. There have been some good responses - but unfortunately they are being buried amongst the BS.

That is NOT a comment. THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I LIVED ON THE EAST SIDE. After two weeks of nearly getting shot I said screw it and left.

ok warning... I have to write a long post.

its not exactly a device, for sexual inadequecy...

1.

when speaking of racism in the united states. It all started with the influx of slaves into the west indies

i.e. Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad. A large reason why African slaves were so readily exploited is because there was an infrastructure created in countries like Ghana to export large numbers of them. they became laborers in tobacco and cotton.

the tradition continued in Jamestown, Virginia when slavery was legalized in 1687.

2.

Initially slavery was an economic endeavor, but as with all conquests:slavery has had a legacy of sexual exploitation and violence.

A big part of slavery was Europeans - not only being able to use the male slaves as workers... but also using the female slaves as concubines.

So once slavery was deconstructed. And abraham lincoln kick started it with the emancipation proclamation. two things social constructions remained.

3.

the first.

whites strived to limit the economic opportunities of blacks, so that they couldn't compete with them, and hence forth whites retained as much wealth and opportunity they could favor.

another agenda was to protect their women from blacks, and prevent intermixing of the sexes. hence forth retaining the power white males posessed over their own women.

4.

Emitt till was made into an example because he looked at a white women,and was mutilated for it.

but an entire biological group of Americans were created from the offspring of white males who raped their female slaves. Mulatto's ( like myself, and my great-great grandmother )

this was one of the driving forces of the KKK movement, to prevent intermixing of the races. ( though many whites slept with and raped black women as they pleased )

So yes, I believe that sexual insecurity, and sexism has throughout much of the 20th century perpetuated racism.

Control over both white and black women as well as the fear that white women will sleep with black men. and a movement to prevent this, killing, lynching, and burning to enforce it.

so yes sexuality, and the intermixing of the sexes is a driving force behind racism.

There is one great book that explains this by doing case studies throughout history of every major conquest, from Alexander's armies to the indo aryans.

civilizations conquer in the name of sex, wealth, and power. all things they partake in equally.

Rednecks screw sheep. Are they sexually afraid of the male sheep being better in bed? Your whole argument is based on a fallacy. White men raped black women for the same reason black men were not allowed to sleep with white women. Blacks were not considered human. That is the end of the story, you're making broad extrapolations from a set of data.
Modified by OriginalWheelman at 9:02 PM 1/21/2009

[Armelius]

I think it matters to each individual. Each person has his own take on what is a race and how that race relates to him. Older people might be more against a certain race than younger people. I know that other races might be considered foreign and would be called foreigners even if they immigrated here legally or were born here.

As far a being president it shouldn't matter. Just as it shouldn't matter what job you have in America. When you don't have a job or when a job is taken by another race then it might matter more.

I have seen one of my relative being very open to other races then later in life start to turn racist.

It would be better to ask someone who is a recent immigrant that belongs to a cohesive group that speaks other languages or share a "different" culture weather they think race matters.

Racism is always going to be a problem as long as we have prisons.

[Kalypso]

ok whatever f*ck it, lets not get twisted up

whatever you guys do tommorow, have fun and do something mischievious.

peace!

[dirtyNXerchickie]

um, how was that experiment silly? it proposed a question: is wblk racist? the hypothesis: they might be, considering what they have on the show. they gathered field data to see if their hypothesis was true: they called in to the radio station using certain ways of speaking. The conclusion: indeed, they are racist. it's an unfortunate truth in the united states today. the race wars are well and alive in buffalo. it sucks! oh yes, it does suck. but that's the reality.

ok, here is what i learned in my american pluralism class:Racialization: fitting cultural groups into a 'race' that weren't percieved as a race before. Example: Do you think that the Europeans considered themselves white? no. they were christians. they were split up into cultural groups. (more on this, later). when they encountered other 'races,' via exploration, they saw them as the 'other.' as in, "oh, this person looks nothing like me!" the europeans began to see themselves as lighter skinned, aka white. the africans have very dark skin, so they are seen as 'black.' to bring culture into it, the australian aboriginals are also very dark. but are they seen as black? uh uh.

next definition is 'racial conciousness.' This is when one is born with the perception of the "other." People who look totally different from oneself. Generally psychologically speaking, when people see an 'other,' they tend to think of themselves as superior. that's where racism stems from. the europeans went practically everywhere and saw the native folk as 'inferior' and savage. thus, you know history, they used it as an excuse to colonize and take advantage of the peoples. it's not to say any culture is superior or inferior. they all have ups and downs.This also covers distinct cultural differences, not only appearance.

So. Culture. The Irish. The Italian. Native Americans. The Germans. Japanese Americans. Jesda. At one point it was uncool to be any of these. These ethnic, cultural, and racial groups were all severely discriminated against at one point in American History. FOR EXAMPLE: When building the railroads, if the builders came to a very dangerous point, they didn't send their black slaves. Those guys had value! They sent the Irishmen instead. SO, by your logic, the Irish have the most prowess in bed of all. (I rather agree!) All of everyone anywhere has been discriminated against in world history! Even the whites in certain parts of the United States (East side is REALLY bad, as the Wheelman mentioned. So is Lovejoy, but for black people. Ahhh!). Even whites in certain parts of the world. In Africa, where they do in fact keep white slaves, do the black guys feel sexually inferior to the whites?

Do you want to infer that the only thing guys ever think about is sex, especially when looking at other men?

[breadbox]

Which all goes back to DEFINE "race".

Apparently the United Nations does not define "race", but it does define racial discrimination and others.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

um, how was that experiment silly? it proposed a question: is wblk racist? the hypothesis: they might be, considering what they have on the show. they gathered field data to see if their hypothesis was true: they called in to the radio station using certain ways of speaking. The conclusion: indeed, they are racist. it's an unfortunate truth in the united states today. the race wars are well and alive in buffalo. it sucks! oh yes, it does suck. but that's the reality.

Excuse me -i apologize - so you just demonstrated why RACE DOES MATTER. Imagine if you were calling about a job and you didnt have the right jargon, accent or right profile.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

Hey dirty,Please edit your last post to make it clear who you are responding to. I made no reference to sex.

Thanks.

[OriginalWheelman]

Excuse me -i apologize - so you just demonstrated why RACE DOES MATTER. Imagine if you were calling about a job and you didnt have the right jargon, accent or right profile.

Exactly my point. I think I remember 20/20 (or someone similar) doing a story on this a few years back.

[Jesda]

Racism is [often] a product of fear and desperation, thus the reason you see it in prisons and high-crime neighborhoods.

People who perceive their world as dangerous and suspicious revert to survival instinct. They band together tribally and racially to feel stronger.

The pack mentality ruins everything, except sports.

[BoostFab]

Racism is [often] a product of fear and desperation, thus the reason you see it in prisons and high-crime neighborhoods.

People who perceive their world as dangerous and suspicious revert to survival instinct. They band together tribally and racially to feel stronger.

The pack mentality ruins everything, except sports.

this applies to the black community. if their brother become well spoken and into higher education, they call him a sell-out, white washed. they usually become the victim of their own device. just think about it, a black kid from a ghetto stay focus in school and go through college and get a good job, he become successful in life with many opportunities. however many of them are overwhelm with greed and follow the path of crime. i don't believe in government assisted living (projects) if you think about it, how many of the family generation are continue to live there? government cheese ftw... just my observation.... let's hear your thought on this ...

[OriginalWheelman]

this applies to the black community. if their brother become well spoken and into higher education, they call him a sell-out, white washed. they usually become the victim of their own device. just think about it, a black kid from a ghetto stay focus in school and go through college and get a good job, he become successful in life with many opportunities. however many of them are overwhelm with greed and follow the path of crime. i don't believe in government assisted living (projects) if you think about it, how many of the family generation are continue to live there? government cheese ftw... just my observation.... let's hear your thought on this ...

No. This is the misconception. It's NOT JUST black communities. My redneck brother constantly bishez about my "holier than thou attitude" because I went to college. I have nothing in common with most of the people I grew up with. I'm more successful, because I put the work in, and they resent me for ti because they gave up and stayed poor.

[CakeDaddy]

I'll just answer the question... Yes

Im reluctant to give a reason. They aren't ready for my truth.

[nissangirl74]

Cali 2 Balti G,To be honest, I was bit let down. The use of Us and Them in their language is really a telling sign that racism is not finished/dead in this country. Had they said, because of this Inauguration I feel like anyone regardless of race, gender or <fill in the blank> is proof that anyone can achieve the highest leadership position in this country, I would have felt a whole lot better about their perspective.

Racism is unfortunately alive and thriving in many different areas of the country. I live in the South near the Appalachias. If anyone has any doubt that racism doesn't exist should come down here and interview some of the locals on their opinions. If Obama had campaigned down here, it would have been a very dangerous situation indeed. I detest the narrow-minded views of my heighbors but the ideology has been passed down from generation to generation. There is no changing their minds. It's not just a mind-set, it is a way of life.

[Kalypso]

racism doesnt exist... because It doesn't prevent or inhibit me from acomplishing my dreams.

and yes I have a shade of chocolate all over my body...