Comments on: More words

By: Wes

Wes — Sat, 06 May 2006 21:52:40 +0000

I see, Dave -- so you were essentially answering my question regarding the counterpoints to these views by suggesting that the people who would provide them remain ignorant of or distanced from or just plain unconcerned with the racial dialogue. Is that right? Interesting suggestion. That would explain why the dialogue regarding these issues is so one-sided, since very few people want to argue a non-PC viewpoint for fear of being branded racists. Hm.

By: njwt

njwt — Thu, 04 May 2006 20:46:26 +0000

I'm saying in order to not talk about race, you have to not talk about race.
A person who spends 100% of his time learning to use FLASH will be a more talented programmer than someone who spends 75% of his time learning Flash and 25% of his time learning about "black" issues.
The first person will be more competitive on the job market and therefore more successful than the second.

Therefore, the testament to equality or advancement comes on an individual level from the person who has the least to say on the subject, and you'll rarely hear his story.

Asking that person to sacrifice that 25% (random percentage, obviously) is to create a disservice to that person, in the name of advancement.

So, kind of by definition, you don't hear about the person who successfully ignores race.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 04 May 2006 02:51:51 +0000

Well said, Wes. I wonder if all of the attention placed upon one's skin color, religion or some type of "difference" from the majority is what separates us even further and makes people notice those factors even more.

By: Wes

Wes — Wed, 03 May 2006 19:39:46 +0000

I'm not sure I understand your meaning, Dave. I get that to a certain extent people need the concept of race to fight alleged racism, but at the same time these movements largely exhibit a racist character themselves (e.g. the "FUBU" attitude noted above). But it doesn't seem that race or racism are really necessary to address with respect to the issues that these people want to address -- and I'd argue that focusing on socioeconomic classes might benefit the causes more. It may be true that there are large concentrations of minorities in inner-city environments, but insofar as people really care about ridding these places of crime, improving the schools, etc., they could do that without ever alleging racism among the higher-ups. Emphasizing race entails not only a huge oversimplification of these issues, but also serves to distract people from the more concrete goals. I admit that I'm more concerned about the effect on the individual, though: insofar as people define themselves and others with respect to the color of their skin and act or are expected to act in accordance with racially prescribed roles, they will always be unable to achieve anything approximating to a worthwhile life.

By: njwt

njwt — Wed, 03 May 2006 18:27:44 +0000

I think it's by definition. If someone were not concerened with racial differences, they wouldn't talk about it, hence, no movement. The guy who has a professional degree with a wife and kids in the suburbs, saving for an early retirement is an example of racial equality in america, (notice I didn't mention a race). That guy doesn't make noise about race. He's concerned with day to day survival and or enjoyment. The silence on the topic is the only testament to it's existance.

By: Molly

Molly — Mon, 01 May 2006 21:07:50 +0000

Well said, and I agree. I become frustrated when skin color is brought forth as a major issue. Dorky example, but... for the past few years while watching "American Idol," a friend of mine has become irate whenever a black person is kicked off, or whenever there are more white people than black people in the top 12. When this happens, she declares all of America to be racist, and will stop watching the show. (She's white, but thinks she's very progressive, I guess.) Putting aside the general opinion that the show in particular is rigged, not really fair anyway, etc., I think by the time it gets to the final 12, they've got 12 good singers. At that point, I vote based on how well people sing. One year, I liked a white girl. My friend was like "We have to support black people, they have to work so much harder to get what they want/get respect, so we shouldn't be voting for the white people, who could probably make it in the music industry without American Idol." It's like she was trying so hard NOT to be racist, that she was being... well, even more racist. And completely insulting to everyone. I would not want to be judged on my skin color, even if I was being judged in a positive way. I want to be known in this world for my mind, my talents, my personality, my acts of kindness... not for what's on the outside. It's not like I'd want everyone in the world to be the same color. I think differences are interesting, beautiful. I'm just so tired of the issue causing lines of division among people of the same freaking species. So mad the issue is even an issue at all.