Racial divide - Articles - Zimbio

Isn't it ironic...

Mon, 8 Jul 2008 19:00:00 GMT

posted by GOODEThoughts
Lately I’ve been thinking about irony. I love irony. Irony Rocks! Someone once said that if a person who commits a felony is a felon, than surely God must be an iron.

Last week long time U.S. Senator and even longer-time bigot and hate monger Jesse Helms died. That same day another long time clown, Bozo, died. How ironic.

In Denver, Colorado, a singer who was selected to sing the national anthem during the annual state of the city address by the mayor decided to instead sing the words of the Negro National Anthem to the tune of the Star Spangled Banner. And even though Independence Day celebrates those inalienable rights we citizens possess, like freedom of speech, since Rene Marie had been chosen to specifically sing the United States National Anthem, many are confused as to why she would pull, as she is quoted by the L.A. Times as saying, the old “switcharoonie.” An ironic situation.

In politics, Republican presidential contender John McCain supporter Joe Lieberman recently questioned Democratic presidential contender Barak Obama’s judgment on Iran and Israel. This came despite the fact that Obama campaigned for Lieberman in 2006 when he was challenged (and ultimately defeated) in his primary race for his Senate seat. Very ironic indeed.

In Wimbledon action, it was Williams versus Williams as sisters Venus and Serena competed for supremacy on the grass. In sports (and really, in all contests) I like to have a clear opponent to root for and a foe to root against. In this case, however, as in many previous times at Wimbledon, I really didn’t care who won. I was just happy to seen both competitors uphold the tradition and memory of Althea Gibson. Ironic? Perhaps. Well earned? You betcha.

The new edition of The Chambers Dictionary says irony is “a condition in which one seems to be mocked by fate or the facts.” That’s kind of like when the U.S. Declaration of Independence talks about “we the people” even though it didn’t, at the time, include women or Blacks. Or like when Jesse Helms said in 1963 "Crime rates and irresponsibility among Negroes are a fact of life which must be faced." (New York Times, 1981-02-08) I’ll bet the idea of a Negro potentially inhabiting the white house damn near killed him. Ironic, huh?

What a clown. Not you, Bozo.

Cultural Diversity

Tue, 9 Jul 2008 06:57:38 GMT

posted by imprinted

America was at one time called the Melting Pot, this of course referring to the diversity of the culture- all cultures are welcome to come in to America and live in this great land. Many years later anyone of any culture is free to practice that culture. But from time to time events occur where a certain culture is treated wrongly. When someone makes a comment or something happens then we’ve got problems. Celebrating our cultural diversity, as well as the many things which unite us cross-culturally is important for us to live peaceably. Orange is the awareness color for Cultural Diversity. By wearing an orange awareness pin you can help to spread the awareness regarding cultural diversity and show your support for that issue.

Click here to see more awareness pins

–OR–

Click the picture to see cultural diversity pins

THINK ONLY WHITES ARE RACIST?

Wed, 20 Sep 2007 15:56:00 GMT

posted by alikingone

Throughout my life, I have experienced racial discrimination almost on daily basis. I am a Black African Muslim, born in Sokode in the state of Togo, which is located in the region southwest of the Sahara desert. My family moved to Ghana in 1974. Since I left Ghana in 1987, I have lived in Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Canada. In every one of these countries I have found that racism isn't perpetuated by whites alone-all races are guilty. I have also found that some global events tend to propel the intensity of, and increase the amount of racism.

The monstrous event of September 11, 2001 is one of these occurrences that didn't help matters. This, in spite of the fact that every year on March 21, the day earmarked by the United Nations as International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I see people of all racial background come together in various cities around the world to demonstrate and make statements condemning racial discrimination. This global declaration amazes me, not because I hate the noble idea of annihilating racism. Nor am I against people from all walks of life demonstrating their beliefs. It's their actual belief that boggles my mind.

The significant elements of these demonstrations are the participants and their targets. Excluding a few whites motivated by self-criticism or political correctness, the majority of demonstrators are non-whites who usually direct their anger and venom at what they perceive as white racism. The South Asians, the Chinese, the Hispanics and African Americans I have met all believe that racism is synonymous with white people who victimize them.

However, in my capacity as a political refugee who has shared rooms and apartments and worked with many racial groups in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, I see it differently. I don't believe in the baloney that only whites are racist. I hope I am not accused of being a white apologist. Yes whites may have perpetuated colonialism, segregation and apartheid, and been heavily involved in slavery. And yes white supremacy groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan and other Neo-Nazi groups still exist. But is that all there is about racism?

From my personal experience, it isn't white people who have exhibited the most racism towards me-on the contrary, white people have shown me the least amount of racial discrimination. Unfortunately, the people who top the list of dishing out racism are those who normally complain about being victims. That is why I believe it is a fallacy to say that racism is a white person's thing, especially when this misperception stems from white people dominating the world's Geo-politics.

In contrast, my observation and experience throughout my travels and interactions are that most whites, especially those of West Europe origin, tend to be sensitive and sophisticated with racism issues. They understand the negative impact and take accusations of racism very serious.

From my perspective, the vast majority of white people resent being labeled "racist," even if they are practicing it. I have also noted that whites tend to be more considerate in corporate offices, government departments and commercial institutions where they are in charge as opposed to non-whites who rule the roost. This has given me a guiding principle of usually soliciting services in government office or store from a white person when both a colored and white person are serving.

In general, white people show great courtesy to people of color, perhaps because they don't want the race card used against them if non-whites don't receive what they want. On the other hand, non-whites don't care whether they are called racist or not. Their logic that racism is a white person's thing is deep rooted; therefore if you call them racist, they treat it a a joke.

No doubt trying to eliminate racial discrimination is an uphill battle. It just can be done when some groups believe that racism is only white racism. Racism is racism regardless of its origin and who perpetuates it.

If you have any doubt about the gravity of non-white racism, consider the simple example of relationships and marriages between races. Despite all the myths about black-white frictions, it is an observed fact that black-white unions are some of the most common form of mixed relationships today. For instance, although Germany often gets labeled high as a racist nation, it also has one of the largest black-white relationships per capita in the world.

Unfortunately, mixed race marriages among some racial groups are non-existent. Some racial groups, particularly those from South Asia and Far East Asia, often consider this type of relationship an abomination or a taboo.

Much has already been written about this vast topic. The difference, though, is these books and articles are generally written by people with little or no direct experience in racial discrimination; their works usually are based on hearsay. However, I have felt and experienced racial discrimination.

"Think Only Whites are Racist? Think Again!", is a new kind of book aimed at giving all fronts on the racial spectrum a fair short, and to make them all accountable for their actions, actions which are often detrimental to others. The book is also designed to change the current landscape of this vast topic and to usher in fresh ideas about fighting racial discrimination.

The bottom line is we need to resolve several issues of racism. People of all race, color and creed must agree and accept the concept that the color of a person's skin is no more significant than the color of his or her eyes. The philosophy, doctrine, teachings and ideology that rate one race superior and another inferior, must be realistically fought, discredited and abandoned.

We must genuinely recognize that racism is a menace and fight against it like we fight terrorism. Otherwise, racial discrimination will stick with us forever-despite our demonstration, flyer's and placards.

To read more excerpts visit: www.aliking.net

Noose Intimidation Finally Illegal

Tue, 4 Jun 2008 21:28:00 GMT

posted by gingerbeer25

Lafayette Rep. Rickey Hardy, authored a bill to make it illegal to place a noose with the intention of intimidation. Hardy's HB726 is now heading to the Senate for consideration."Anybody who feels like they've been intimidated" by someone displaying a noose on another person's property or in a public place can file a complaint with a district attorney's office, said Hardy, as reported by the Shreveport Times. After an investigation, the district attorney would decide whether to prosecute under the new law.

Dressed in a white suit, black shirt and white tie, Hardy told the House his bill was plain and to the point — "like me, in black and white."

"I ask you to do the right thing for all the people in his great state," he said, prior to the 97-0 vote.

The House considered an amendment that would sanction use of nooses at school pep rallies but after questions raised by fellow members of the Legislative Black Caucus, Rep. Charmaine Marchand, D-New Orleans, withdrew it.

Marchand said tying a noose around a dummy dressed in an opposing team's colors is meant to "excite the student body, not to intimidate anyone." She said it "happens with students of all races at a function."

Rep. Rosalind Jones, D-Monroe, said a noose is considered a symbol of slavery, since lynching was a common form of punishing escaped slaves, and "these are our children we're trying to set an example for."

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, said it was "unnecessary violence on a campus."

Hardy said his bill would prohibit posting a noose on someone else's property or in a public place with the intention of intimidating another person, regardless of race.

But the bill includes language stating that a noose "means a rope tied in a slip knot, which binds closer the more it is drawn, which has been used in execution by hanging, and which historically symbolizes racism and intimidation."

The bill now moves to the Senate for debate.

There are some who would say that the recent strategic noose placements are isolated incidents, I submit, that they are not. The map courtesy of Diversity Inc illustrates the prevalence of these terror attacks . Discovering a noose is no different from finding a cross burning on your front lawn. It is an act of hatred, meant to incite fear and submission of black people. By authoring the bill Rep. Rickey Hardy has made a statement that blacks will no longer be intimidated. We have the right to live a life that is not subject to fear based on our race.

The reaction to this legislation has not been pleasant. In fact there has been a huge back lash from historical revisionists. All commentary is from the Shreveport Times.

Bullfrog44: "What a crock.."no need to make a noose unless you intend to use it".. as someone who played "Indians, and cowboys" in my youth along with using cap pistols, and riding stick horses I and I dare say all of my friends made a noose with NO intention of using to hang an Indian, a cowboy, or a black person...it was simply to see if you could tie one just part of the game of make-believe we experienced before the days of video games, etc.. Liberals are so concerned about being PC.. Get over it."

How many of his "little" friends wanted to play the black or the Indian that got slaughtered. Let me guess the guy in the white cowboy hat was everybody's favorite right? Sure little children playing lets hang the black, or the Indian was a perfectly harmless pass time. It did not teach white privilege, nor did it reinforce the idea that some people had the right to pursue life, while others should naturally fear death for the evilness, and or savagery of their race.

ColdTruth: "If anyone thinks this law will be equally enforced on the races they are terribly naive. This is yet another 'feel good' law. Blacks DO NOT have the right to claim a noose as their own' victim symbol. Cowardly white politicians make me sick. Just WHO is going to prove "intent" in a courtroom? A jury full of blacks and liberal whites? Proving intent is like trying to read someone's mind. Impossible, but what a black jury convict a white person and ruin their life because they drew a picture of a rope."

It won't be enforced equally because you idiot, whites hung blacks not the other way around. Did I miss an outbreak on the evening news wherein there were stories of blacks burning crosses and placing nooses on the property of whites? That makes about as much sense as a POC trying to join the KKK. After the end of slavery when blacks no longer constituted property, they began to be lynched in mass numbers. They were murdered for perceived slights against whites, including alleged rape of white women, glancing at a white woman inappropriately, owning property, attempting to vote, attempting to run for office, owning property, owning property in better shape than a white persons, speaking out about social injustice, or even just for having self pride.

Other than trying to intimidate a black person, I fail to see any other reason why a white person would strategically place a noose on the property of a POC. Its sole purpose could be none other than reminding us that our bodies have no value in this society. I would suggest that rather than a symbol of black victimology, the noose represents a symbol of white hegemony.

Bullfrog44 (again): Their next logical step will to be to outlaw white sheets being sold by retailers..DUH !

And the final word...

Poodleball: "HOW DOES A NOOSE ... historically symbolize racism and intimidation? "
NOT TO ME IT DOES NOT.

Not to you because you do not have a history of watching your sons and fathers dance with the rope. According to Spartacus Education, "It has been estimated that between 1880 and 1920, an average of two African Americans a week were lynched in the United States."

Why should we claim the noose as a symbol of hatred, violence and murder? Quite simply because that is exactly what it represents. Perhaps pictures speak louder than my humble words. I suggest a visit to withoutsanctuary.org. There you will find a photographic history of lynchings in America, if you can stand the violence and the hatred.

THIS IS A PERPETUATION OF RACISM, BY BLACK LAWMAKERS NO DOUBT. A noose should be a sign of criminal punishment -- in some states, is not there still the option of death by hanging?

The last time someone was hanged by the state? Anyone? Bill Bailey 1996 and all gallows have since been disassembled. However, long before that the most common method of execution was the gas chamber. I will suggest to you in an irony that you perhaps did not intend, more blacks have been executed than whites, and therefore your argument about it being a symbol of capitol punishment alone is baseless. The death penalty is racially biased, and thus the noose could also stand for the racism that is inherent in the legal system.

They diminish themselves as educated people. An attempt to stir the pot , add controversy and garner votes at their next election.
NO ONE IS BEING SOLD IN THE MARKET SQUARE. JUST MOVE ON, TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND DODGE THE BULLETS FROM THE BLACK CRIMINAL ELEMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
DO NOT THESE BLACK LAWMAKERS REALIZE THAT THE LEGISLATURE ALLOWS THESE NUISANCE BILLS TO APPEASE BECAUSE THESE BLACK LAWMAKERS NEVER SUBMIT ANY BILLS OF SUBSTANCE!"

I thought that the next major election was for President of the United States. Did I miss something, is he not a representative of ALL of the people? Since when did it become the black election? While slavery is no longer in existence, commentary such as this highlights the degree to which racism is still an issue in the United States. The fact that a bill like this even needs to be authored stems from the fact that blacks are still considered second class citizens. Fighting racism by making it illegal to display symbols of social injustice is not a nuisance, it is an attempt on the part of lawmakers to address a social wrong, and achieve some sort of racial parity. Be honest, you are only really upset because now you don't have an accessory to go with your white sheet. Halloween just won't be the same for you now will it? Final note, there are whites in jail for committing crime as well.

Subcribe

The N-Word Makes Elisabeth Cry

Thu, 18 Jul 2008 15:59:00 GMT

posted by blacksnob

My good friend the Negro Intellectual sent this to me this morning and I had two reactions to this um ... heated weepy discussion of the dreaded "N-word:"

1) Sometimes I think this debate would go a lot easier if black people would just explain the "N-word" as being what it is, a racially charged curse word. Often (black) people leave the impression that all black people are "OK" with it when in my own household my mother has never used it and forbade us to use it. At the same time my dad and his brothers do use it amongst each other. I was always taught it was a "use at your own risk" word. Sort of like dropping the "C-word" or "fuck" in people's presence. There's a time and a place and sometimes there is no time and no place, but when you say it, you're responsible for it and whatever reaction you get -- good or bad. So white people can say it. Black people can say it. Just be prepared to face the consequences.

2) I actually started laughing when Elisabeth Hasselbeck started crying. I think (she cried) because this isn't an issue can be dressed up with kittens and rainbows. It involves complex, deep drama that can't be worked through in 45 minutes on Dr. Phil. They want to be "done" with the issue of race and wonder why-oh-why can't we just be free, hug a tree and be all "the same" already, because she's there. She's cool! She's totally post-racial! What's your problem? But then there was the whole not realizing that saying "we're the same" and us actually being "the same" are two entirely different things. It think it's a combo of guilt and frustration because she knows she doesn't get it, but doesn't want to go down that scary path to finding out what the "real" problem is.

Crying over shit like this is a cheap way to show you care or that you take it seriously when you're really just crying because you think people are "picking" on you. It's a sort of luxury only white women of a certain caliber can afford. Mainly, non-poor, young and attractive white women. If you're an unattractive, old, broke white woman or if you're a non-white woman and you have the nerve to cry, no one gives a shit about you. No one feels sorry for you. No one tries to help you understand. Elisabeth is just using the tools given to her to demonstrate that she's a "good white person." Not one of those bad white people who teaches their children to hate us darkies. Her tears were trying to tell you that.

If Sherrie had started crying, everyone would have given her the "what is that bitch's problem?" face, as people are immune to black women's tears. Even if we're crying over something legitimate like our sons dying in unnecessary street violence, our elderly mothers drowning in Katrina, having our kids taken away, being rejected by our families or communities, getting our heart broken. SUCK IT UP, BLACK WOMAN! No one cares if you cry! I think I was that rare black girl who's parents allowed to be a "giant girl" and just cry over things from time to time. I wouldn't have cried over whatever Miz Liz's problem was ("Everyone is being so mean when I am a beacon of tolerance! Rodney King was right, ya'll! Why can't we all get along!"), but as I said before, those tears were for herself and wanting to demonstrate that she was not one of "those" white people, but an understanding one who hates the N-word and would never, ever use it.