Racial insinuation?

[jayel]

When you tell someone that their actions are indicative of an inherently racist society, that implies to me that you are saying they have racist tendencies, thus acting like a racist. Not a hard pattern to follow.

I really don't get why it's such a horrible thing to notice racial differences. Especially when so many people are into celebrating their heritage these days. Is it only okay for me to notice it if you point it out first? Perhaps after I concede that your race is made up of great and wonderful people? What if I told a Mexican that I loved authentic Mexican food? Would that be racist of me because I noticed that he/ she was Mexican?

This 'color-blind society' is a bunch of bleeding heart b.s. What's the goal here? To create some sort of generic generation where everyone is the same? We will always be able to see the differences in others, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. We are all unique individuals within unique heritages. We're NOT all the same, and frankly I think it's a betrayal of yourself to expect others to ignore the things that make you, you. As long as I treat each individual with respect and dignity (unless I have a reason not to) there is nothing wrong with recognizing and appreciating the differences between cultures.

As far as using race as an identifying quality, appearance-wise there's a much greater difference between an Asian and an African than a blond and a brunette. So yeah, I'm going to notice ethnicity before hair color, and so will the majority of the people.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I tend to picture everyone as white unless told otherwise simply because I'm white, I've grown up with white people, went to school with white people, lived with white people. It's just the way it is. Although equally, I have a different picture in my head for "white trash" than I do for "normal" white people.

I'm sure if I were Mexican, I'd picture everyone with those traits and only see differently if the person had been described to me.

I remember reading somewhere that apparently, what you said is what people do for pictures of Jesus. Black people paint him as black, white people paint him as white. It's cuz they automatically see him as being of their own race. Not dragging religion into this debate, just thought of it when I read your post.

[Zyanya]

You still haven't answered my question. I am not going to let this go.

*Please quote me as to where I was "content to call you racist"????????????????*

You were quoted. The relevant parts were bolded.

You made an insinuation, then got pissed off when a similar insinuation was made towards you.

You want me to come right out and quote you saying the exact phrase 'Zyanya is a racist'. Yet I notice an interesting lack of you quoting anyone directly making a racist remark when making your heavy implications of racism. The real problem here seems to be your inherent (and racist) belief that all white people are racist.

You did unto others, and it was done unto you. Now you are crying foul.

Your hypocrisy has been fully exposed. Learn, and move on.


And speaking of answering questions, when are you going to answer mine?

Why are you so shocked and insulted that the organ that makes up 1/12th of your body weight is a noticeable feature?

[jayel]

I just want to say (while I'm thinking about it) that if people feel uncomfortable because they look different, that is their issue, not mine. Stop projecting your uncertain self image onto me, just because I happen to be aware of said differences. I may feel a little strange if someone points me out as the 'white girl', but no more than I do when I am called out on anything else that draws attention to me. I guarantee you I'm not going home crying about it. For someone to get upset because they were referred to as a member of their own race indicates to me that they, themselves, have a problem with said race, rather than the person who said it.*


*As long as it was not said in a derrogatory manner. I admit that this happens in some instances, but for the purposes of this discussion, I haven't seen it as an example.

[DesignFox]

Jayel, I agree. I don't understand why being referred to as a member of your own race is so insulting.

[Boozy]

Were you not implying that because I notice skin color/ racial heritage more so than I notice hair color, that I have underlying racial tendencies? Because that's sure what it sounded like.

Yes, that is exactly what they are implying, though they are trying to backtrack on it.

It is not necessary for you to speak to other people's intentions, especially if you plan to do so inaccurately. Ebonyknight and I can speak for ourselves.

And for the record, I imply nothing. If I have something to say, I try to do so clearly and without ambiguity.

I've been as clear as I can be on this point. I don't know how else to explain myself. There is a difference between being a racist and being a product of a racist society, and if you can't or won't acknowledge that, I have nothing left to say.

[jayel]

I don't have to be a product of a racist society to note some distinguishing physical differences between myself and an Asian/ Mexican/ African. They're really kinda obvious.

I would also like to say that at 27, I am fully capable of using discernment regardless of my upbringing and social experience, to know the difference between right and wrong, racist and not racist. Product of your environment is a cop out for weak people who do whatever they want to do. I take personal responsibility for my actions, opinions, and attitudes.

I'm not really sure what you think the difference is in being racist and being a product of a racsist environment? Does one mean I'm a bad person because of my racist opinions, and the other means I have racist opinions but can't be held accountable for them? (Cop out) Does a racist hate people because of their differences, while a p.o.r.e is simply more aware of the differences? (Not sure why that's such a bad thing, as long as they are judging the person individually.) The way I see it, the distinction between racist and p.o.r.e is either non-existant, or so great that they're hardly worth comparing. I'd like to hear if you have better examples.

For the record, I don't really think society is all that racist anymore. I think a lot of what we experience now is backlash from having "You're racist!" crap shoved down our throats constantly; e.g., some of the comments in this thread.

This doesn't speak for all ethnicities, but I (being white) went to an almost all black college. Seriously, there was maybe one other white person in ONE out of all my classes each semester. I was never treated poorly, and at times felt welcome. But I was more of a curiosity than anything, I think. Everybody wanted to know why 'the white girl' was at a predominantly black school when LSU was right up the road. I took no offense. I thought it was kind of interesting to be the minority for once. Gave me some insight and new perspective.

[anriana]

For the record, I don't really think society is all that racist anymore. I think a lot of what we experience now is backlash from having "You're racist!" crap shoved down our throats constantly; e.g., some of the comments in this thread.

It's great that you personally haven't experienced racism. Lucky you! That doesn't mean society isn't all that racist anymore. Have you followed any of the dialogue over the Dem nomination? Have you heard of the Jena 6 at all?

I really don't get why it's such a horrible thing to notice racial differences. Especially when so many people are into celebrating their heritage these days. Is it only okay for me to notice it if you point it out first? Perhaps after I concede that your race is made up of great and wonderful people? What if I told a Mexican that I loved authentic Mexican food? Would that be racist of me because I noticed that he/ she was Mexican?

Would you seriously walk up to a Latino person and say "Oh, me encanta comida mexicana?" How do you know they're Mexican? How do you know they eat authentic Mexican food? How do you know they're not as Americanized as you? I am picturing this in my head and it reminds me of the scene in Bend It Like Beckham where Jules' mom is talking to Jess about her culture and mispronouncing her full name.

This 'color-blind society' is a bunch of bleeding heart b.s. What's the goal here? To create some sort of generic generation where everyone is the same? We will always be able to see the differences in others, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. We are all unique individuals within unique heritages. We're NOT all the same, and frankly I think it's a betrayal of yourself to expect others to ignore the things that make you, you. As long as I treat each individual with respect and dignity (unless I have a reason not to) there is nothing wrong with recognizing and appreciating the differences between cultures.

And I think it is truly obnoxious to assume that you can determine other people's cultures and "unique heritages" based on physical racial clues. My partner has dark skin/hair/eyes and a large nose - he's had people assume he's Latino, Samoan, and Chinese (his racial background is none of those). P eople are always assuming that he is Buddhist or a big fan of The Rock or that it makes sense to call him Latino ethnic slurs, but he is culturally American, and far more so than me, but people treat us completely different because of our races. Is he betraying himself by not adhering to the culture you see in him? Would you respectfully tell him how much you like Mexican food?

[ebonyknight]

You were quoted. The relevant parts were bolded.

And still fail to answer the quest

You made an insinuation, then got pissed off when a similar insinuation was made towards you.

You want me to come right out and quote you saying the exact phrase 'Zyanya is a racist'. Yet I notice an interesting lack of you quoting anyone directly making a racist remark when making your heavy implications of racism. The real problem here seems to be your inherent (and racist) belief that all white people are racist.

You did unto others, and it was done unto you. Now you are crying foul.

Your hypocrisy has been fully exposed. Learn, and move on.


And speaking of answering questions, when are you going to answer mine?

Why are you so shocked and insulted that the organ that makes up 1/12th of your body weight is a noticeable feature?

Answering questions is a two way street.

Again, Please quote me as to where I was "content to call you racist"????????????????

[ebonyknight]

When you tell someone that their actions are indicative of an inherently racist society, that implies to me that you are saying they have racist tendencies, thus acting like a racist. Not a hard pattern to follow.

I can act like I am the Governor of Delaware, doesn't mean I am.

I really don't get why it's such a horrible thing to notice racial differences. Especially when so many people are into celebrating their heritage these days. Is it only okay for me to notice it if you point it out first? Perhaps after I concede that your race is made up of great and wonderful people? What if I told a Mexican that I loved authentic Mexican food? Would that be racist of me because I noticed that he/ she was Mexican?

Hey, if you don't get it, you don't get it. I can only explain it so many times. Different things offend different people. And as you can see, what's minor to you and me can REALLY offend someone else.

This 'color-blind society' is a bunch of bleeding heart b.s. What's the goal here? To create some sort of generic generation where everyone is the same? We will always be able to see the differences in others, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. We are all unique individuals within unique heritages. We're NOT all the same, and frankly I think it's a betrayal of yourself to expect others to ignore the things that make you, you. As long as I treat each individual with respect and dignity (unless I have a reason not to) there is nothing wrong with recognizing and appreciating the differences between cultures.

If justice should be blind, why not society?

As far as using race as an identifying quality, appearance-wise there's a much greater difference between an Asian and an African than a blond and a brunette. So yeah, I'm going to notice ethnicity before hair color, and so will the majority of the people.

Anriana, beat me to it. How do you know that someone is African or Asian? My wife is mistaken for being Hispanic ALL the time. Doesn't mean it's correct. If you call an Indian a Pakistani or vice versa, they WILL get offended. I had a friend in grade school who's mom was white and dad was black. His hair was straight as can be, and looked white, except his skin was quite dark. I am sure no one thought twice about thinking he is Arabic, yet he was neither.

And these days, you call someone Arabic who isn't, you are going to piss someone off. Hell, if you call a Persian an Arab, you might start a fight. So just because it's no big deal to you, doesn't mean it means nothing to everyone else.

I remember on this very board I referred to a mod as he, instead of she and someone took minor offense to it. Did I think it was a big deal, no. But I understood how it could be taken offensively and understood their position. I apologized and corrected myself. Sometimes, it not just about being right, it's about making an effort to get along.

[Zyanya]

It is not necessary for you to speak to other people's intentions, especially if you plan to do so inaccurately. Ebonyknight and I can speak for ourselves.

Then perhaps you should take the same advice and stop implying people are racist when they happen to notice what color the largest organ on a human body is. Hypocrisy is an ugly trait.

[Zyanya]

Again, Please quote me as to where I was "content to call you racist"????????????????

I did.

Twice now, in fact.

But please, continue to try very hard not to admit to your own hypocrisy. It might mean you have to learn something.

Whatever, willful ignorance isn't worth my time.

[ebonyknight]

I did.

Twice now, in fact.

But please, continue to try very hard not to admit to your own hypocrisy. It might mean you have to learn something.

Whatever, willful ignorance isn't worth my time.

I'm a little slow. Humor me.

Please quote me as to where I was "content to call you racist".

The questions only get more difficult.

[jayel]

I can always tell that a debate is on it's way over, and the opposition has no more points to make, when they start arguing semantics and nit picking over every small wording issue.

[Zyanya]

I can always tell that a debate is on it's way over, and the opposition has no more points to make, when they start arguing semantics and nit picking over every small wording issue.

I'm done dealing with someone who is flailing about desperately trying not to get the point. If he demonstrates a desire for honest debate, then yea, I might respond to him again. But looks to me like he's just going to keep going with the double standards and hypocrisy, so he's not worth my time.