Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

[Q3210]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Tropi, el nino, Emperah, Colle et al good morning!
Tropi, I dont want to dismiss that racism doesn`t exist, but sometimes the victims, usually the Blacks in predominant White societies are more inclined to think it is always Race why they didnt get that particular job.
Could the reason be something else like demeanor, style, charm or lack of it etc etc.
Correct me please or am I right in some cases?

[Tropicana]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Q3210....that is a myth (I thought of using a much stronger word as it makes me angry every time I hear that). It's a convenient copout to divert attention from the REAL issue and I am disappinted that you would fall for that one given your background. Yes there are SOME Black people who cry racism at every turn but that is not the majority.

That argument represents a clear case of blame the victim...it's YOUR fault, something wrong with YOU and YOUR attitude. Yet behind closed doors these same people will admit that they would never hire, date or marry a Black person. Light skinned Blacks who White people can't spot can tell you an EARfull.

I was just talking to a police officer the other day. He said that I am only the third person in his life who doesn't know him and who has been able to spot him as a Black person. His mother is White and his father is a light skinned Black. This type of thing happens to him CONSTANTLY as people don't realize that he is Black.

If anything I get criticized by my friends both non-Black fiends for being blindsided at every turn and missing what THEY perceive as some pretty blatant slights and insults. Basically if it is not right in my face, I don't see it and I sure as heck don't go looking for it. That's why it hurts so much when it smacks me in the face.

[Q3210]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

By his light skin, he passes for being white, but is black by some genetic hereditary trait.
Tropi, I am white skinned. My foreparents at some point whether at grand or great grand were of higher melanin pigmentation or Black since they weren`t White.
Tell me how come there are black surgeons, Black Pilots, Black Accountants, black Actors/ Actresses, Black public servants, Black garbage collectors and black servants and waitresses?
Did they do what to get where there at?
How come some complain and fume and not get selected even amongst their own skin?
Cant it not be the person inside?

[Tropicana]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

How they got to where they are is by hard work, toil, overcoming incredible obstacles and picking themselves up every time they are knocked down and trying again. Their success does not mean that their are no barriers. It speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. Many of these individuals will tell you quite candidly what they had to do to overcome obstacles. Their success does not mean that the obstacles are not present. Instead, it gives each of us hope and the encouragement we need to keep going and try again just one more time.

[Siun]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

The fact that some people manage to overcome racism and succeed on white society's terms does not mean there's no racism just that some for unknown reasons are able to play the game well and fight their way through - and that white society likes to believe that we are "liberal" or fair and therefore not racist - see, we have Colin Powell or Condi Rice! no racism here!

The damage done to people by racism - and I believe the damage becomes more intense the more the racism becomes subtle and hidden - is immense. The argument that some folks manage to overcome so the problem lies with those who don't is so so so wrong - perhaps a way for those who succeed to overcome their own guilt for being on the winning side or to believe that they too are better than others.

I write as a white woman with an asian daughter in a very white, very liberal, little town - as a mother I am called to see, eyes wide open, the very real racism my daughter experiences - and to offer her a voice of strength to fight back - not to become just another one of the powerful but to be an authentic woman of color in her own life.

Raising an asian daughter has helped me see so much - on the surface, the stereotypes of asian kids are "so positive" - they're all so smart, so polite, so petite, so ... submissive. Faced with a real asian young woman who wants to be a hiphop mc, not an mit grad, who speaks her mind and does not submit ... makes many quite nervous, at times quite openly hostile.

All racial stereotypes - whether "positive" or "negative" are attempts to dismiss the real person - we must do all we can to fight the racist - not blame the people who are the targets of this evil.

[Q3210]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Fight it by being smart...and not being hostile.
Fight it by even getting under the domineering`s skin and turning it inside out for them to see the humanity in a soul rather than the coat of one`s skin.
Tropi, I`m with you. I just want to understand more and more as you do so well, Siun.

Tis hard for the un-stereo typed asian girl that is your daughter to be accepted as one of `them`, when she conforms to the enviroment she sees around her wanting to do MCing and the things you say she wants to do.
Imagine when the skin belongs to a jet BLACK person the obstacles compared to the fair skinned Black who passes for White.
Add to that the personal inhibitions therein that has nothing to do with race and skin color.
What a rat race!!

[Q3210]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Fight racism too by being tolerant and understanding of the supremacists nutshell.
Fight it by keeping out of the way at the wrong time keep out of the way when the hostility is burning and when the odds are against the victim.

Fight it by being smart, knowing to keep as best a balance s possible.
Fight it by fighting back when you got the best odds to do so, best timing.

Till it all becomes a part of you. Till you shape yourself to do in Rome as the Romans do.
If not, reparation may or may not be the answer.
Going Back to Africa might arouse same hostility with dofferent vibes.
Use the old broom to keep your self from being overwhelmed by the supremacists. Know your corners, when and where to move.
Also know that within all the hatred there`s a person or persons there who are balanced like yourself and free from the handicap of being a hater.
It is those that hate that also hate themselves and are destructive not only to their opposites but also to their own likenesses.
So let them be..allow them to carry on.
You and I cannot change them.
An exercise in futility.
All you got to do is allow them to trip on their own inhibitionms.
A pity it is that so many hold the reins of power, of being the employer and being the leader in your society.
I tell you, PJ Patterson is a leader of people of his own likeness and what he has allowed to happen regarding abuses on human rights to fellow Jamaicans is not a pretty picture.
If it happens in Canada, always remember the Jamaican scenario.
Make do with what you have.
If not, seek the alternate.
But please dont let them drive you into being violent and unlawful.

[Siun]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

The rat race indeed - just being human is hard enough, eh?

[Night Nurse]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Originally posted by Q3210:
[qb] Tis hard for the un-stereo typed asian girl that is your daughter to be accepted as one of `them`, when she conforms to the enviroment she sees around her wanting to do MCing and the things you say she wants to do.[/qb]

Not so!

I believe in my heart that the "un-stereo typed asian girl", just wants to be accepted as a human being who has the right to share in what this world has to offer her, regardless of her preference.

What is wrong with just wanting to be accepted for who she is? THAT is what all people who are being discrimated against want, IMO. Not condescending pity, or handouts or favors. Just their God-given right to live on God's earth as a HUMAN BEING.

[dahjah]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Originally posted by nYC/N:
[qb]

Originally posted by Q3210:
[qb] Tis hard for the un-stereo typed asian girl that is your daughter to be accepted as one of `them`, when she conforms to the enviroment she sees around her wanting to do MCing and the things you say she wants to do.[/qb]

Not so!

I believe in my heart that the "un-stereo typed asian girl", just wants to be accepted as a human being who has the right to share in what this world has to offer her, regardless of her preference.

What is wrong with just wanting to be accepted for who she is? THAT is what all people who are being discrimated against want, IMO. Not condescending pity, or handouts or favors. Just their God-given right to live on God's earth as a HUMAN BEING.

[/qb]

brap brap rappa ta tappa ta tap [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

dats all mi haffee seh

[elnino]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

So if a Black person decides to pretend that race does not exist [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] :nudge: :nudge: how will that help him or her when they face rejection and they are overlooked for jobs, promotions, dates, housing because their race is not invisible to others?

adjusting your belief system is no easy task, especially since we have all been conditioned since birth to think along these lines. if you truely believe that race is a myth then you won't have to pretend. but this doesn't mean being blind to reality.. believe me, i see and feel bigotry EVERY DAY more clearly than the last. and it makes me suffer. and it makes me strive to be something better

to answer your question... i can only tell you how I myself try to deal with this type of bigotry:
a) set a better example. if someone judges me based on my appearance it is hurts me, and then knowing what this feels like, i make up my mind not to act like them.
b) have compassion and pray for them without anger or malice. when a small child makes a mistake or has a wrong understanding, do you get angry? many people in our lives act like small children who need help. if i realize this, then i just shower them with the good hopes that they will be blessed with the turth, light and awareness.
c) educate them. this will only work if you can find some way to be very kind with your approach and your intent must be coming from a place of love. if you can succeed at this even once in your life, then you have done a great thing.

[Night Nurse]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

Originally posted by elnino:
[qb] I myself try to deal with this type of bigotry:
a) set a better example. if someone judges me based on my appearance it is hurts me, and then knowing what this feels like, i make up my mind not to act like them.
b) have compassion and pray for them without anger or malice. when a small child makes a mistake or has a wrong understanding, do you get angry? many people in our lives act like small children who need help. if i realize this, then i just shower them with the good hopes that they will be blessed with the turth, light and awareness.
c) educate them. this will only work if you can find some way to be very kind with your approach and your intent must be coming from a place of love. if you can succeed at this even once in your life, then you have done a great thing. [/qb]

Uhhhh...those plus others have been tried, tested and rejected from 1812. Read any books bout slavery and a dem dey tactic di slaves used fi many years. Everywhere there is oppression, people are busy using di say "bow and bear it" and "try to beat dem at dem owna game" techniques that helps a few but not the masses.

How about, calling dem out pon di mat and Name and Shame and den Boycott dem baxide whenever yuh can and write letter fi expose dem klaat?

Hit dem inna dem pakkit, where it hurts, and dat will soon decrease.

Truss mi, dem use to di likky-likky tactic by now and are not influenced by dat NO MO. Dem bury dat dey hawrse dey lang time and would juss laff yuh to di stable fi prove it tuh yuh. Yuh tann dey.

Now wha

[Siun]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

nYC/N - nodding ... precisely!

or on her behalf ... word!

[nattydreadgirl]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

I try to stay away from these threads, I will read them, however, they usually stir me up to the point of anger and rage that I know the best thing for me is not to respond and maybe, just maybe I will learn something new.

How about, calling dem out pon di mat and Name and Shame and den Boycott dem baxide whenever yuh can and write letter fi expose dem klaat?

However, I really really agree with this! Shame dem backside, let them know that you know what they are doing! I can't began to tell you how many times when my black sons were growing up in San Diego the racist people they encountered, mostly adults, school teachers, adminstrators, police, business owners, the list continues.

We were not a family to play the race card, but, we nah licky licky neither! When you slap me with racism, bigotry, I am not turning the other cheek. It did not work back in the day and it sure as hell is not working in 2005!

Expose dem backside!

nattydreadgirl clearing throat....you good people carry on with your conversation. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[dahjah]

Re: Rascism on the rise or on the decline...wah yuh tink

wow nattydread, never seen this side of you [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]