Why is this not considered racist?

“Here at work we were given a form letter to sign and give to our representatives. There is such a shortage of help here in the medical field that grant money is needed to encourage people to go to school ESPECIALLY MINORITIES!!!! One of my coworkers teaches at the local college and standards were recently lowed for the med tech program, to encourgage MINORITIES!! He also must give them passing grades, regardless of weather they are learning anything. Quite a few of the last class failed the registry exam (what you have to take after you graduate) so they could just close that program down. They will probably just lower the passing requirements for the exam I imagine.
Recently in Boston there was an ad for law apprentices, you had to be "african american" to apply. Why isn't that considered racist?!?!
I don't remember what city this was in but a black man admitted he beat a white person up because he was white, but he was not charged with a hate crime. During the cinconati (I can't spell) riots blacks were filmed beating up white folks, in one strange incident they were beating up an albino black woman but stopped when someone yelled "she's black"! The only person charged with a "hate crime" so far is a white man for using profanity.
Could anyone explain why those are not racist incidents. Could someone explain why there were riots over cops killing armed black men shooting at them (facts most of the media left out) but in the same period 300 blacks were killed by other blacks. Could someone explain why it is ok for them to call each other the "n" word in life and rap lyrics but the confederate flag is bad? Could someone explain why sudan is still supporting slavery but we are still worried about a flag in this country?
Just wondering.”

“I know that I can't answer all those questions, but I can answer one. I have a real good friend of mine who is African American. We talk a lot about race relations and such, and we get into some pretty touchy areas without hurt feelings or ill will toward each other. As you can tell, it's a pretty special relationship. Any way, I asked him the same qustion you posed here about the "n" word. He told me that the difference is that in songs and on the street when spoken person to person in conversation, the word "Nigga" is different than the more demening word "N". I said that a person can call another, or refer to themselves as "nigga" and it's alright, but the second the "n" word is used, thems fighting words? He said yea. I told him that it confuses the sh!t outta me, but O.K. I think that is the problem, as far as not being from the culture. It's a slight variation on the word that people from that culture can't pick up on. so it sound the same.

One the other things, at U of M here in Michigan, there were affirmative action thing happening here were white students were not being admitted in favor of African Americans with lower test scores. I think they went to court and I think that the school can't do that anymore. I could be wrong about the outcome, but I do know that there was a situation there.”

“Here in Louisiana a few years ago the State Police dropped mental competency tests because they "discriminate" against blacks. So now you can be the stupidest moron in the world and the police will hire you. Smart move.

On a positive note, the Supreme Court did rule a few years ago that discrimination in favor of minorities in admissions to state universities is unconsitutional. Also, the people of Mississippi recently voted by a 2:1 margin to keep the Confederate flag as part of the state flag. Congrats Mississippi!”

“You know, people that fight against the confederate flag call it a symbol of repression and overbarring. I say look at old glory and you've got a flag that has a much longer history of that....”

“I went to a college (U of Michigan) that is now in an affirmative action case that might go to the Supreme Court.

The different kinds of people I met and worked with on campus were an important part of my education. It helped to make me a better teacher.

In many cases, the decision on who gets a job is not clear-cut. There is often no objectively superior candidate. So, picking an individual who better appeals to your clientele/mission from a pool of qualified candidates is not racist.”

“This just happened in Seattle. I heard the end of the news about blacks yelling and protesting and closing down a street in protest of a black man being shot, and he did not have a gun.

Later on, I heard the beginning, which was the black man had a police officer caught in his car and was dragging him. The black man drove into concrete flowers pots that stopped him. The other officer went up to the black man in the car, there was a scuffle, and the black man was shot and killed.

I'm still in shock about the Mardi Gras here in WA where the blacks beat a white young male adult while he was trying to help a girl off the floor from getting beat and kicked. They proceeded to beat & kick the life out of him until he was dead.

All I know is my family didn't own slaves, and I don't want to hear any bullsh!t from blacks taking their past out on me. I've been a victim of blacks being predjudice against me quite a few times.”

“That ruling in MI re: U of M admissions has been suspended while it's being appealed.”

“Some of this affirmative action argument gets down to semantics.

I've heard that Texas colleges were forced to abandon traditional affirmative action - by court order I believe.

So, some colleges instituted a policy of accepting the top 10% of the graduating classes of state high schools. This ensured that kids from predominantly black districts would get a crack at college.

The result is that the student bodies of these schools were essentially as diverse as before. But the policy also passes constitutional muster.

I kind of feel that the people complaining are like a football team that plays a mediocre game and then complains because the referee called pass interference late in a game. If the team/student was really talented, the game or college admission choice would be beyond question.

We are also dealing with potential in college admissions. Colleges need to be able to look beyond past performance. If given a chance, people from nontraditional places can flourish in a new environment.”

“By the way, the only reason the Confederate flag was removed in Georgia and South Carolina was because the decision was left to POLITICIANS in a legislative vote. Politicians are easily intimidated by NAACP threats and have no balls.

But in Mississippi the issue was put to THE PEOPLE in a statewide vote -- and the PEOPLE voted 2:1 to keep the Confederate flag!”

“A few years ago, Mike Tyson said of an opponent, in an upcoming match, "All I know is he's white and he can't beat me". Now if a white boxer had said that about a black boxer, we all know that Jesse Jackson and the NAACP and whoever else that feels they have an ax to grind would have jumped all over it. But if it's "one of their own", it's amazing how they say NOTHING. They are nothing but a bunch of f***ing hypocrites, claiming to want justice and righteousness. Only when a white oppresses a black, but not when a black oppresses a white.

While I'm on the subject.... I used to live in our nation's capital. I saw more prejudice there than you would believe, and it was always the black against the white. BTW, the blacks far outnumbered the whites there, and it was probably a case of shear numbers winning out and they felt like they could get away with it, so they did. Seems to me that the blacks showing prejudice are no different than the whites who do. And that's a sad commentary on both groups.

This happened years ago, but it illustrates how some just want to have an attitude: They didn't want to be called the "N" word, call us negro. Don't call me negro, call me colored. Don't call me colored, call me black. Always informing us with attitude. Seemed for a while there they were choosing a different designation and "educating" us. All the while, we'll call them whatever they want to be called. And you know, it really didn't matter what they were called, they just wanted to vent.

I gotta tell you, My ancestors came from Ireland and Poland, I don't believe that they ever "owned" slaves or oppressed any one group. The pols were pretty well done up by the WWII Germans, and the Irish had to do the real menial work for the rich. Now I don't blame the Germans or the rich, nor do I have an attitude towards them (other than wanting to be rich).

So to all those "People of color", I say ( and I'll politely tell you face to face) get over it. Where are you now being unfairly treated, I'll help correct it. Will you help correct where I am being unfairly teated? That being done, would you like to toss the frisbee with me?”

“where is this going to go? We all know that reverse racism is becoming more and more common (ever hear the "Kings of Comedy") but what is complaining about it on this forum going to do?”

“Well said Uphill.

The NAACP and its constituants have been very successful at inimidating white society over the past several decades. The result is white politicians who roll over and play dead every time the NAACP makes a threat, and media and entertainment industries that follow along in cowerdice. Pretty soon, the black agenda (however outrageous it is) becomes established as "politically correct" and beyond debate. And we all know what that means.”

“Note typo in 2d paragraph: should be "intimidating" (wish there was an edit function in this program).”

“"Reverse racism"? There's no such thing. Racism is racism by any other name.”

“There is a lot of ugliness, bigotry and irrationality about race coming from all sides. Some of it has been unfair to white people, some of it has been very ugly.

However, the overwhelming weight of racism falls on non-white people. The overwhelming benefits of privilege go to white people.

White people whining and cursing and frothing at the mouth about racism against whites is a pathetic and revolting site.

As for the Confederate flag, most states that have had flag controversies adopted the Confederate flag in the second half of the 20th century as a symbol of resisitance to integtration.
I have a lot of ancestors who fought and died for the confederacy. It dishonored them and their comrades to use their battle flag in their name as a pretext for opposing integration.”

“Pedxing, How do you exlain the most recent report from the FBI that show more hate crimes are commited by non-whites than whites? Is this an overwelming weight on non-whites? Is this a white privilege?

We aren't living an plantations anymore.

Which states adopted the conferate flag, post 1950?”

“At university of GA they decided that the "minority" enrollment was not enough (they recently raised standards and eliminated racial preferences) so they are going back to the lower standard quota system.
In texas a 13 year old was beaten and hospitalized because he was carring a book with a rebel flag on it (he was doing a book report on r.e. lee) The "minorities" gathered around him and called him a racist and said they were going to "get their posse". At no time did he fight back even though he holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The school did nothing and said because he raised his hands to protect his face it was "mutual combat". Oh, by the way, hes half lebonese. Read all about it here:
www.sierratimes.com/archive/files/jun/02/arnp060201-txt.htm

We just started a "diversity committe" at work. This week there is a form letter in the lab that we are supposed to sign and send to our reps. It's to get grant money because of shortages in the medical field and we need to attact more people to the field "especially minorities".
I used to think there was more to the story when I read about this stuff but now that it's hit home I see that those that spoke out and were branded as "racists" where right all along.”

“I feel the best to blend in this world is to be a decent person, work and take good care of your kids. That's what my family did. We didn't stand up and shout we are Italians, and we deserve more.

If you act like you are a normal person in life, that's how you will be treated. If you stand up and show yourself to be different, more deserving for no real reason, than you will be looked down upon. Everyone who came to this country struggled. They worked hard, and that's why they have a place in society today.

I'm with Uphill Klimber, get over it!”

“All I have to say is, SOME adult blacks are teaching their children to hate whites. The hate shows in the young adult blacks in WA.
If these perpetuates, there will never be peace.

Okay, we now have angry young blacks. They are already going to grow up to teach their kids to have anger & hate. When will they stop? At this point, the hate some blacks have will be brought into the next century!”

“I thought I smelled an Italian in here! Hee Hee! OK, this Mic will shut up now and go have another beer with breakfast.”

“I agree with Uphill. There were no slaves starving in the potato famine with my ancestors, before they abandoned the Emerald Isle. Everyone has to hoe their own row and stop blaming things on other races.”

“North Carolina started flying the confederate flag in response to de-segregation.”

“Pantscandy, that's...uh....sauce you smell cooking. The mics & wops in NY got along great. They worked together to build NY, and they shared the same Catholic values. Are you sitting? They even married each other, lol.”

“Lipstick,
My pasty white great grandfather married one of those black-haired beauties. Unfortunately, I'm blessed with the pasty white skin. Got the black hair and love for pasta though! Christ, I have all of Western Europe racing through my veins(Even Poland).”

“Pantscandy, black hair uh? You must be one of those "black Irish", lol. Eat pasta, live long.”

“The Irish were the blacks of Europe.

Since we are in agreement that blacks should just get over it, I think it would be fair to tell the Confederate flag clingers to do the same.”

“I agree with lipstick hiker, although i'm not sure what normal is. Blacks should just get over it, that is if they're able to convince people that their mad because they're not getting the oportunities in this country that they could have gotten in Africa if their ancestor hadn't been brought here one hundred and fifty years ago (thats right 150 years ago) damn how long can you hold a grudge or use an excuse. The problem is some minorities don't want to be treated normally or equal they want to be treated special, it's easier that way. Well they are going to have to get over it you can only feel sorry for what your ancestors did so long ago for so long. The hispanic population is growing so much, they may soon be biggest minority, you don't see them crying about being a minority population, I know several hispanics they are hard working people, the ones i know are getting jobs (they will take anything, not like some folks) and building a future for their family and i say, if they want to work hard and carry their weight i'm happy to have them here (i need the help paying taxes).”

“Whatever your color, if you can't look forward in life, you will go no where. Dwelling on the past is never good for anyone.

Brair Rabbit, I thought black Irish referred to Irish people with black hair?”

“I discriminate against the human race.”

“Sigh.....

"Just get over it?"

I hear people talking the talk.”

“Yea, that is discrimination. Here in Indianapolis they hold a "Black Expo" every year. You know there could never be a white expo, because that would be racist.”

“I like the red-haired pseudo-Irish (real Norwegian) who runs our local radio morning show. Here's a few "uff das" to St. Paddy's Day!!

Oh........ and I'd need to look in both sides of my family history to see which it was, but I THINK it was on my mother's side, the "Mc'ss." They had slaves in Virigina (ohmygawd, a late Sunday night confession... [well, they had horsethiefs, too!] And now you're not gonna tell me that this little piece of history doesn't lie in a lot more of your backgrounds, either!!

Surely, doesn't mean I think it's right, cuz I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Yankee. But it's there....... it's history......) They moved to Ioway right around Civil War time. Bet they didn't share that little tidbit with their neighbors. And I guess they started doing their OWN d@mn chores!! ('Bout time!!!)

Now on my dad's English side, there was a long line of NON gun-toting, peaceful Quakers who spent a lot of time befriending and helping Indians, it seems.

And as I said, ain't it interesting how this all comes together in a family relationship? The embarrassing crap and the good. Truly a melting pot.”

“OK, here's one for you to ponder.........

I was at a meeting discussing air quality issues about a corn ethanol plant expansion proposal. There was a packed room of around 150 people, mostly farmers and stockholders of the company there to support it.

The main guy to speak from the State Pollution Control Agency is a native of India. And I'm sorry, but can I tell what the heck he's saying? For the most part, no. We even have sheets with questions he's answering on them, so you can see some pretty technical terms written out. Can I understand what he's saying? Maybe 20 percent of it.

Afterward I talked to a county commissioner, who seems to be a pretty level player. You know what he said to me? He said in all sincerity, "That is a very smart man up there, well-educated. And you know what's too bad? No one understood what he said."

Alas! I was not the only one. Thank goodness there was a second speaker spitting out clear English during a later part of the meeting, or my newspaper story would have been nothing!

Here's the question: In a situation like this, would you (as the state Pollution Control Agency) have this man speak? Or would you get someone else who would be readily understood? What are the "rules" on this? What are people's real feelings, "PC" issues aside?

And to show I'm just not anti-Indian, I am in a photography forum where I chat with Indians all the time.

It's just too bad that in this instance, where the very specific sharing of information was the reason for the meeting, that the vital information couldn't in effect be shared.

I'd like to know if any people complained afterward. The agency asked for written comments for their files. (I'm sure intended on the ISSUE and not on the speaker!)

The bad thing is, this man would not be understood basically anywhere in the Midwest (or most places in the US). What to do about it?

And yes, it does remind me of geology classes in college, with Iranian professors.

What to do??? How to handle???”

“lizs, they should have never had the man speak. What's the point of it, if he can't be understood. If the man is indeed worth listening to, there should have been someone there to translate his speech while he stood by.”

“Joy, I understand what you are saying about complaining on this site. I think we all do it to blow off steam, and make our feelings heard instead of acting out.

It's frustrating to some of us about what's going on between whites and blacks. For me, I moved here from NY for a better life. I was disappointed to see certain blacks acting out here. I thought everyone got along.

I know I've mentioned the Mardi Gras here many times, but the images I saw on tv were so upsetting to me. I look forward to the day that they will fade from my memory, if they ever do.

A nice white young man died for no reason, except that he was trying to help a beaten girl off the floor. He turned out to be a hero in a situation that should have never occurred.”

“Currently 70 percent of Black babies in America are born out of wedlock.

(That means they were born to a single Mother for you Hyper)

I know that I am fully or partially to blame, because I am White.”

“LH, what are YOU doing to foster better relations between the races. You moved here to get away from the "bad blacks" in NYC? Are you going to move again, hoping to someday find that non-existent "perfect place" where blacks behave in a way you find acceptable?

Dis place just gets curisouser and curiouser all da time.”

“It seems to me that most of you are complaining about the same things that a lot of blacks are complaining about. Like, not getting a job because of the color of your skin, having another race treat you differently, and and have the attitude of "OH MY GOD NO they are actually speaking out about a subject that affects their lives."
Yes I fully agree that some of us take it way to far. I've never said that I didn't get a job because I'm black. It happens but not that often anymore. I feel that affirmative action was wrong. It did more harm than good. I believe that if you are the best person for the job, you should get it.
Another thing to remember is that what most of us are fighting is not what happened 150 years ago, it's what's happening now. It was not that long ago that the civil rights struggle was going on. Many people are still alive from that era. And they have children that are now my age. Do any of you think that the entire country saw the light and saw that everyone is supposed to be equal? Do you think that they immediatly started to follow the laws that were passed during that time? Do you think that they would have if there weren't organizations that ensured that they would? No.
Many of the racist whites are still teaching hatred to their children. Just as many racist blacks are teaching hatred to their children. And all of this bitching and crying isn't going to stop it.
Yes there are a lot of problems in the black community, but there are also a lot of problems in the white community also. Something has do be done about it. At least the government tried to help with affirmative action. A messed up plan from the begining, but a plan nevertheless.
Now to Steve Hiker. How do you think blacks would have been treated or taken advantage of over the past twenty-thirty years if their weren't organizations like the NAACP? No I don't agree with everything that they do, but I do think that they are needed.
How about this, the south lost the damn war. Get over it. They lost. Do you see the Nazi flag flying over any state capital? No! Why not you ask? because the Germans lost the Fu@#ing war. Get over it.
I am truly not a racist, I don't condone any form of racism from anyone I meet. I would be the worlds biggest hypocrite. My father is black, my mother is white, my wife is white.”

“Speaking for myself, if circumstances allowed I'd live where there are NO blacks.”

“One of our custodians proudly acknowledges that her unwed son has 14 children. She is black (can I say that?). "The lawd say-ed 'Be fruitful and multiply' " - I heard her say at a recent party.

Several years ago, I was asked by my priest to entertain another priest that was visiting from Africa. We spent an entire day together, and ended with dinner and beers at my girlfriends house. He was a very interesting man with some sobering tales of his native land. At mass the next day, nobody (but me) understood a word of his homily. He was a humerous fellow with lots of commical comments in his sermon - I was rolling in the aisles (and getting some strange looks from the congregation). BTW - he pronounced Budweiser as "boodwaga". LOL!

I was introduced to the black community in the 7th grade - that was the first year of forced integration in GA. The following year, I joined the H.S. marching band. I was one of only four white kids in the band. I was impressed by the resourcefulness of the working and lower class blacks. I made some really good friends during those three years of band. I subsequently "stood up" for blacks within my "racist" circles.

But now? I'm not so sure. I once avered that the black community wanted nothing more than equality. Now, however, I wonder if "revenge" isn't the motive.

I have grown VERY tired of the NAACP's rhetoric and strategies.

I believe that society will see the likes of this thread continue to grow. There is a blossoming debate about reverse discrimination that I feel has a genuine question. I'm anticipating that the white community will become more and more vocal, and that we will reach an equalibrium with which we can ALL use to turn toward the future and resume with the building of the greatest society in the history of humankind.

God Bless America!

BTW - our new state flag really sux! It's blue, with essentially no red or white. Yuck.”

“Stevie, mebbe we can book you on a one-way shuttle to the moon.”

“Not the dark side I hope.

HAAARhhaaaarrrHHAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!”

“Steve, are you that much of a coward. Do I scare you that much?”

“Please explain your last post Mapfreak.”

“Not wanting to live in a place without any other ethnic groups is plain ignorance and stupidity. If you are so uncomfortable around people of different races it basicaly means that you are afraid of them. So, unfounded fear and avoidance is basically cowardice.
Since you don't know me, and don't want to live in any place that I may live means that you are afraid of me for no reason, hence-cowardice.”

“What it means is that I prefer to live around white people. Just as many blacks prefer to live around black people. It is a matter of lifestyle preference, not fear.

The fact that you equate this to fear and "cowardice" seems to indicate you have violence on your mind. It also indicate you didn't listen to what I said.

So no Mapfreak, you do not scare me or intimidate me, nor does the NAACP. Nor will I cease speaking my mind because someone calls me names.”

“I have some questions:

If you have a business that works with many different kinds of people, is it wrong to attempt to have a staff that reflects that?

Is it wrong, in a society in which race DOES matter, to just ignore it and pay the financial consequences of having a homogenous workforce?

I live in an almost completely white, rural area. And I think that we sometimes miss out on the diversity of knowledge/opinion of people with different backgrounds.”

“What I am saying is the reason that people who only want to stay within the confines of their own race do so primarily from ignorance and fear. People are afraid of different situations, and people for no reason.
No I don't have any violent thoughts on my mind. But people think that if they live next to a black person, there will be violence and drugs. It doesn't matter to people like you that the last time I was in a fist fight was when I was is the fifth grade. That was twenty years ago. It doesn't matter to people like you that I don't do drugs. It doesn't matter to people like you that I am in the military and have a second job to take of my family. Yet with all of this I'm still not good enough for you to want to live next door to me! And people here wonder why blacks are so angry all of the time. No matter what we do we're never going to be good enough in your eyes.”

“I guess I don't understand this issue at all. I grew up in a very rural, all white area of MT. There is alot of prejudice and red-neck type attitude, however, I have never shared those opinions. I am fair to everyone, until they (on an individual basis) prove why I should dislike them. I am lucky enough to come from this area and yet still have friends of many colors, religions, and lands. I make the decision to be a person's friend on that person, not on the group they come from. For example: It makes no sense that I would refuse to hang around any Mexican, because I once had a bad experience w/ a Mexican girl. Are all Mexican girls out to try and kick my ass, because they want my boyfriend? No. There are many blacks who support reverse racism and many who don't. Why is it hard to base your opinion of a person on the person? I guess I don't understand this thread.”

“I live in a community that is 95% white. It is so much more pleasant than the communites I lived in that were racially mixed.

I don't live here, because of fear or ignorance. I took a job and moved across the state to go to work. I have lived in both environments and this is much better.”