Why is racism still so big today?

**collegegirl2010** · 01-25-2011 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Beautiful Disaster

I don't blame you a bit. I think racism is a VERY different thing than what one is attracted to. These comments you're referring to are downright racism at it's ugliest. And the people saying them are ignorance at it's ugliest. Rest assured though, in knowing, that this type of behavior is not the majority for most areas now days.

Martin Luther King Jr's dream was for us all to exist together in unity and harmony, for little white boys to hold the hands of little black boys, and little white girls to hold the hands of little black girls. His dream has come true in so many ways..... but we still have a long way to go. We cannot eliminate ignorance, but we sure can fight it.......that's what MLK Jr did, and that's what we all need to continue to do. That means, not sitting back and saying nothing when you're watching someone be discriminated against, when you hear racist comments. That means when you're sitting at a table with your friends, whether black or white or any other race/nationality/etnicity, and one of them makes a racist comment, you speak up unafraid, against the ignorance and hate they are subjecting you to. Speaking out against racism and hate is OUR way of fighting the fight. Choosing not to associate ourselves with people who are racist, and make hurtful hateful comments and jokes, is OUR way of fighting the fight. Choosing to remove yourself from a situation in which someone is being made fun of, even if the people act like it's just all in good fun, is our way of fighting the fight. And if we don't continue to fight.........we let Martin Luther King Jr's dream die.

I won't. Ever. Will you?

I agree, many people often sit by and watch when others are being wrongfully treated because of race. I haven't been in a situation where my friends were discriminated against but since this happened to me, I know now that I will take a stand. I just don't understand racism. How can anyone look at another person and be disgusted because of their race, not truely knowing who they are. They could be the friendliest person you'll ever meet, but get mistreat because of something they have no control over. And some white people don't realize when they hate african americans they are hating a part of themselves, because we are also mixed with caucasian, it may be down the line but it still makes us a part of them. That's why I truely admire white people that love us, because they see no color and I know it must be hard for them, considering they are being judged for it.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 01-26-2011 07:30 AM

And some white people don't realize when they hate african americans they are hating a part of themselves, because we are also mixed with caucasian, it may be down the line but it still makes us a part of them. That's why I truely admire white people that love us, because they see no color and I know it must be hard for them, considering they are being judged for it.

Realize though that racism is not just for white people. It just so happens those are the ones that most directly affect you. I consider any form of segregation to be racism. On the campus in which I work, I see very commonly meetings and functions that are specifically for black students. Last summer there was one on the calendar called "Black Mans BBQ". Well if you were a white man, would you feel like you were invited and welcome to that? No, not likely. What about the sororities and fraternities that are strictly only for black students? In other sororities and fraternities, they'd be sued/reprimanded and no telling what else if they specified "Fraternity for white guys". But for some reason, it's totally acceptable for the black students to have their own groups and functions and clearly specify race. Segregation = racism. That is not what MLK Jr dreamed about.

Remember that racism is ugly no matter what race is doing it. If you hear your black friends making racist comments about white people or other races.....speak up. That's your duty, just as it is mine. Until we realize, in unity, that we can make these changes, we can make a difference.........nothing will change for the better.

**rcoreyus** · 01-26-2011 08:30 AM

It also isn't just black / white racism. Work in Japan for a while as a Caucasian, as a middle-easterner in much or Europe, as a Tibetan in China, a Palestinian in Israel.

**collegegirl2010** · 01-26-2011 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by rcoreyus

It also isn't just black / white racism. Work in Japan for a while as a Caucasian, as a middle-easterner in much or Europe, as a Tibetan in China, a Palestinian in Israel.

Yea, I know. It's happening everywhere with every race. I hate racism, rather the person is black, white, japanese, or etc. I wish every race could just come together, instead we have the people that are friendly no matter what your race, and then there are racism ones that mess everything up. I guess I look at it this way because I believe in equality between all mankind, and as I can see so do you guys that comment on my question which I think is a great thing. I think it's good to have other races that believe in equality as well as I do. It lets me know I'm not alone.

**collegegirl2010** · 01-26-2011 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Beautiful Disaster

Realize though that racism is not just for white people. It just so happens those are the ones that most directly affect you. I consider any form of segregation to be racism. On the campus in which I work, I see very commonly meetings and functions that are specifically for black students. Last summer there was one on the calendar called "Black Mans BBQ". Well if you were a white man, would you feel like you were invited and welcome to that? No, not likely. What about the sororities and fraternities that are strictly only for black students? In other sororities and fraternities, they'd be sued/reprimanded and no telling what else if they specified "Fraternity for white guys". But for some reason, it's totally acceptable for the black students to have their own groups and functions and clearly specify race. Segregation = racism. That is not what MLK Jr dreamed about.

Remember that racism is ugly no matter what race is doing it. If you hear your black friends making racist comments about white people or other races.....speak up. That's your duty, just as it is mine. Until we realize, in unity, that we can make these changes, we can make a difference.........nothing will change for the better.

I have to say that I strongly agree that any form of segregation is racism. Not just speak for myself, but it disgusts me even more when black people are racist towards whites, because they talk about how racist people treat them but yet they choose to participate in it themselves. I agree that those programs at those colleges are rather immature and stupid, if I organized an organization, I wouldn't say well only blacks can come. Anyone that wants to go, or whos interested should be able to come. I love dearly being around many different ethnics, it so much to learn and you can always find something about the other race that you like. I have a strong interest in learning about ethnic backgrounds and culture, which makes me an open minded and civilized person. And luckily none of my friends have ever did anything racist like that, most of my friends are very well interest in other ethnic backgrounds and cultures like me, and that's a good thing.

**WildChild** · 01-26-2011 11:44 AM

We are in a time of change. Our populations are huge and on the move, we are all, globally being exposed to other cultures and a media blitz at a level and speed never before known. Humans have always been territorial and many cultures and belief systems are purposefully insular. They are set up with a structure that makes any outsider an "other" and suspect or dangerous. As social beings we are wired to connect, to find a place we fit, it is a survival mechanism. A loner is not really a survivor. Not really in the history of human development. So we create ways of being part of an identiable group; family, tribe, community, state, religion, nation, nationality. We find some way to part of something larger and safe.

Some groups, whether a family, tribe or larger group, have a mentality, a sense of safety, that allows them to be more accepting and open. They may recognize that they can gain knowledge and undertanding and new skills by being open to other. Most groups deal from a trauma mentality. This thinking, based on historical patterns, is that the others are a threat, they will take what you have and if possible comsume or destroy you or your identity. The responses to this can become nothing but backlash or pre-emptive aggression.

Just in my eye blink of time on the planet, looking one example, black and white Americans, there have been several shifts. When I was born, American blacks in polite society were Negros, (which is no longer a PC term) in some parts of the country there was legally enforced separation and very obvious and sometimes violent prejudist. Then with some tumoil and protest and more violence, the disparities were pretty much shoved into white America's face and they were forced to deal with it. Many good people of all backgrounds, stood up and said this must change and new laws were made.

Change isn't always easy, some people found it very threatening, some tried to use their religion to support the old system, while others tried to use religion to support change, it got ugly at times because people tend to resist change, even when ultimately it's in their best interests. In some places, such are the part of the country I live in, there had never been slavery and things were a little different, for example the first Sunday school in Colorado was founded by a black woman in 1859. Oddly the end of the civil war brought people with more prejudist ideas and resulted in negative changes. As laws changed there ended up being some tension in many areas.

For a while in the late 60s and 70s there was real move toward integrating society, then new leaders and movements sprang up that started introducing a more voluntary separation by American blacks. In some ways now I see more separation than there was 25 years ago. But in other ways there is far less. My dad's best freind when I was a youth, was a black man. At that time, that was unusual, it really wouldn't be now. I know a woman who married a black man over 30 years ago and there were parts of the country where they had to keep their relationship secret if they traveled there. I hope that is no longer the case. It is certainly not an issue where I live. The very white community I grew up in, is now still a very economically comfortable area and very integrated.

I am bothered by our trend toward identifying ourselves as 'something' American; African American, Asian American, White American, Russian American, its BS. We need to all be American first. No matter how our ancestors got here; over the land bridge 10,000 years ago, as refugees, as colonists, as slaves, as immigrants, we are all in this together now. We will swim together or sink together. We need to start valuing what we have and working together to improve and conserve it. There is no room for 'something' American, we all need to start thinking American. Then we can start thinking Human. Because big picture - humans will thrive, survive or go extinct - together.

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