Racism

[jaguarr]

"BY GEORGE I THINK HE'S GOT IT!" You have a good understanding of how life actually is at the moment, and I applaud you for that. I just wish there were others like you who could see it this way.

I agree. Sandman wrote a nice post, there.

jag

 

[The Lizard]

White people aren't white, they're pinky, tan, and creamy.

Some are creamier than others...

HOO-HAH!

 

[jaguarr]

Mr. Cruz that's a silly assumption. Black people referring to themselves as African-American doesn't mean they have a problem accepting the fact that they are black. That's far from the truth. That's just one of the many titles that we and others use to describe us: black, African-American, Afro-American, negro, etc. Over the years, it just came to be accepted (African-American) as the appropriate/PC title since we are descendents from Africa. But hell, if you want to look at it in a broader sense, all of us in America can call ourselves African-Americans because life started in Africa.

I, for one, say that I am black. But, as I was growing up, when filling out application forms, the only title available for black people was "African-American" (which was initially Afro-American). So, some black people refer to themselves as African-Americans because that is what has become accepted, what they have been taught to call themselves, and how they identify with their heritage. So please, let's erase that little bit of ignorance. I have no issue with referring to myself as black...it's a powerful thing, and I embrace it fully as many other people who refer to themselves as African-Americans.

Here's an interesting twist on this, Lex. I have a friend who was born in Somalia who came to the US when he was 17. He now has his American Citizenship. He has had blacks that were born in the US get bent out of shape at him when he refers to himself as an African-American for a multitude of reasons but mostly because he was not born here. If anything, I'd say African-American, as far as labels go, more accurately describes my friend than it does the people who try and exclude him. It's always interesting to me how some folks will go out of their way to try to identify themselves as something different and special that no one else can claim. Particularly when they do so while demanding the same equal treatment that everyone else gets. I think we humans, as a race, tend to get far more hung up on labels than is healthy. I think that many of us also spend so much time trying find the differences between us, that we miss out on so many of the similarities that we share. Sad, but true. We're all humans. Not so different from one another than we'd like to believe.

jag

 

[jaguarr]

Some are creamier than others...

HOO-HAH!

Okay, that got an audible laugh from me.

jag

 

[Hollow Wood Director]

Some are creamier than others...

HOO-HAH!

 

[Victor Von Doom]

To some I am Black. To others I am African-American, but I am only who I see myself to be.

If you want to get mad over a double standard i don't care because arguing has never solved any problems.

 

[LexLuthor]

Here's an interesting twist on this, Lex. I have a friend who was born in Somalia who came to the US when he was 17. He now has his American Citizenship. He has had blacks that were born in the US get bent out of shape at him when he refers to himself as an African-American for a multitude of reasons but mostly because he was not born here. If anything, I'd say African-American, as far as labels go, more accurately describes my friend than it does the people who try and exclude him. It's always interesting to me how some folks will go out of their way to try to identify themselves as something different and special that no one else can claim. Particularly when they do so while demanding the same equal treatment that everyone else gets. I think we humans, as a race, tend to get far more hung up on labels than is healthy. I think that many of us also spend so much time trying find the differences between us, that we miss out on so many of the similarities that we share. Sad, but true. We're all humans. Not so different from one another than we'd like to believe.

jag

]

I definitely know where you are coming from Jag. Some people are hung up on titles and some just don't have the maturity level to realize certain things. When I was in college, my frat brother's roommate, who happened to be white, was from South Africa, and became a citizen of America. So, he was an "African-American". We all use to joke about it when he went out with us to "black parties"..."oh, you'll fit right it"..."after all, you are African-American".
We all got along great and didn't get caught up on titles and so forth. Some people are just ignorant in those things and don't know any better. So, all we can do is try to educate and inform those who have misconceptions about certain things and move forward.

 

[jaguarr]

]

I definitely know where you are coming from Jag. Some people are hung up on titles and some just don't have the maturity level to realize certain things. When I was in college, my frat brother's roommate, who happened to be white, was from South Africa, and became a citizen of America. So, he was an "African-American". We all use to joke about it when he went out with us to "black parties"..."oh, you'll fit right it"..."after all, you are African-American".
We all got along great and didn't get caught up on titles and so forth. Some people are just ignorant in those things and don't know any better. So, all we can do is try to educate and inform those who have misconceptions about certain things and move forward.

Agreed, and it will take folks like you and I from all colors, creeds, religions and sexual orientations who can see past all the labels, trappings and stigmas and just learn to enjoy people for who they are. I swear, for a species that has been around for thousands of years, we sure do get hung up on some of the most petty things. Hopefully evolution will continue thanks to people who are capable of seeing past the bullsh1t. I'll keep doing what I can. Glad you're out there working it from your end, Lex.

Cheers,
jag

 

[LexLuthor]

That's a new one on me.

It's nothing new. I've been to comedy shows and/or seen comedy shows where white comedians, hispanic comedians and so forth have made jokes about black people and I laughed right along with everyone else. No harm was done. Some things just can't be denied when it comes to certain stereotypes involving a percentage of black people, white people, hispanics, asians, and so forth. This one white comedian made a few jokes about R&B singers and how they talk during some of their songs. It was true and funny. Luckily, in this day and age, as the world has progressed, so has the minds of many people. And now, we can laugh at each other's differences and stereotypes. Look at Dave Chapelle and Gary Owens. It's a beautiful thing that can bring us together in so many ways instead of tearing us apart. I welcome it.
As much as many try to put hip hop down, it has bridged the gap all over the world. Sure, you have your mainstream hip hop that talks about sex and violence. But, there are also movies and TV shows(Sex In the City & Desperate Housewives comes to mind) that focus on sex and violence because that is what sells in this day and age. So, seeing that that sells, then why not tap into that market and rap and/or sing about it if it's going to get me out of an unwanted, poor situation and make me a star? There is alot of positive messages in hip hop that empower the youth to accomplish great things, but that realm of hip hop really doesn't get any spotlight because it doesn't have an edge or it's not "urban" enough. So, most of the world will see the negative side of it and turn their heads up to it. Oh, but when they want to party, they'll put on the first popular hip hop track they can get their hands on. Sorry about that rant, but it just irks me when people say hip hop is nothing more than young black kids talking about money, hoes, *****es, cars, and "bling bling". There are so many young black kids today who can decipher the problems of the world today, past, & future and put it in an art form that is so powerful, beautiful, influential, & poetic that is can surpass the likes of Shakespeare. A lot of movies I saw growing up were about high society, expensive cars, big houses, selling company secrets to make a quick buck. But, when you have young black kids who interpret it from their view point and "urbanize" it, it's something silly and uncivilized. When that's the mentality, that creates another bed for misconceptions. And from those misconceptions stem a whole lot of other negative BS.
Okay, I went off on a tangent, but you get my point.

 

[Sandman138]

Oh. I didn't realize you were speaking in generalities. At any rate, ever been a white guy in the middle of Watts/Compton/West Oakland at midnight?
jag

Or Chinatown. Not to meantion that if you aren't Irish and in Southie... you're about as good as dead.

 

[LexLuthor]

Agreed, and it will take folks like you and I from all colors, creeds, religions and sexual orientations who can see past all the labels, trappings and stigmas and just learn to enjoy people for who they are. I swear, for a species that has been around for thousands of years, we sure do get hung up on some of the most petty things. Hopefully evolution will continue thanks to people who are capable of seeing past the bullsh1t. I'll keep doing what I can. Glad you're out there working it from your end, Lex.

Cheers,
jag

 

[Kroc1138]

You'd be surprised what you see on BET.

Or watching Tough Crowd w/ Colin Quinn or Howard Stern. (who has a big Black Audience, I'm one of them)

 

[jaguarr]

One of the great things about guys like Dave Chappelle and Colin Quinn, as well as other comedians who aren't afraid to play in this space, is that they're in a perfect position to point out just how absurd some of the differences between cultures some people insist on clinging to really are, and I'm glad they take advantage of that position. They're helping break down alot of barriers through humor, which is probably one of the absolute best ways to go about it.

jag

 

[Sandman138]

One of the great things about guys like Dave Chappelle and Colin Quinn, as well as other comedians who aren't afraid to play in this space, is that they're in a perfect position to point out just how absurd some of the differences between cultures some people insist on clinging to really are, and I'm glad they take advantage of that position. They're helping break down alot of barriers through humor, which is probably one of the absolute best ways to go about it.

jag

That's why they are some of the best out there.

 

[PLAS]

somebody told me one that I am too white to be a Mexican

 

[Constantine J.]

somebody told me one that I am too white to be a Mexican

Somebody told me that I'm too Mexican to be white, so there...........

 

[Outsiderzedge]

 

[PLAS]

who was smoking what kind of crack when thy came up with this one?

 

[Outsiderzedge]

I like Lois' fishnet stockings.

 

[Corinthian™]

African-Americans, Asian, Caucasians, Latinos... they all look the same to me... they all have legs, eyes, ears, flesh, bones, blood and gooey and squishy things inside

 

[14k london spider]

You forget to leave out the half asian part too huh...

You're half asian? Get out of here you no good yellow bellied chinky-half breed!

 

[strike-hard]

...yellow bellied chinky-half breed!

I guess the same goes for you, well except for the half breed part.

 

[14k london spider]

I guess the same goes for you, well except for the half breed part.

well actually it ALL applies to me.

 

[jaguarr]

African-Americans, Asian, Caucasians, Latinos... they all look the same to me... they all have legs, eyes, ears, flesh, bones, blood and gooey and squishy things inside

Yep. We're all the same on the inside. We all bleed red.

jag

 

[Kaleb]

thought this thread might ruffle a few feathers on here