Are most Americans still racist?

[_Jumper_]

http://www.diversityweb.org/Digest/W98/research2.html

<Fifty-seven percent of non-African Americans rated African Americans as less intelligent than whites and thirty percent of African Americans themselves rated African Americans as less intelligent than whites.>

< Sixty-two percent of the entire sample rated African Americans as lazier than whites and more than three out of four survey respondents said that African Americans are more inclined than whites to prefer welfare over work.>

[CBGLuthier]

1. If that survey is accurate

Then yes, I guess most are.

Kind of depressing. I knew a lot were but I would have hoped for less than the majority.

[wuushew]

2. Not that I am defending this absurd survey but......

most African-Americans must be more intelligent than then average since they soundly rejected shrub at the polls.

[maveric]

3. And their Christians are more "Christ-Like"

Unlike these hate-mongering, snake handling christian identity groups that drag the teachings and actions of Christ through the mud.

[damnraddem]

4. America is a racist society.

It has changed over the last few decades, but it's still a racist society, in which we are brought up as racists. They key: race is still important, a strong predictor of life chances, of interpersonal relationships, and so on. That includes religion -- as they say, Sunday morning is the most racist time of the week. Race remains an important cultural and sociological construct in this country. It is not a biological entity -- what we know as 'races' does not reflect meaningful biological categories. But rightwingers who preach a 'colorblind' society have it wrong, because they ignore the fact, or want the rest of us to ignore the fact, that race is still an important, potent factor in American society. So long as that is true, this will be a racist society.

[chesley]

8. I'm trying to find

a non-racist society to move to. Somebody help me out here.

[U4ikLefty]

17. Well I'm sure that there are plenty of societies less racist than ours.

You could move to...oh wait...I get your "question" now. Never mind!!!

[chesley]

76. Right!

n/t

[LogicTrueFalse]

35. Africa?

That would be my first guess based on current data.

[_Jumper_]

37. No way

They have many ethnic problems there. They certainly would not be tolerant of those of different "races" and cultures.

Canada is probably the least racist multiracial country. Does anyone agree or disagree with that statement?

[gottaB]

72. ethnic conflict isn't the same as Euro-American racism

with it's history of slavery and social stratification based on color.

Africans can be bigotted against different ethnic groups--with a vengance some times--but you can't really look at modern ethnic conflicts without taking into account colonial histories and forces of neo-colonialism, social upheavals, and some cases of truly abysmal governance. It's not easy to compare, but if the question is are sub-saharan African societies typically marked by instituional racism and the inculcation of racial prejudices in children, I think the answer is no, not really.

I don't disagree with your view of Canada, btw, but I might note that people say similar things about Brazil.

[chesley]

78. People in Africa

enslaved each other even before the Europeans coould go there. their ethnic conflicts are just exactly like "racism', only, currently they are far more violent than even the KKK

[Isome]

84. Bullshit

Don't distort or mischaracterize the facts to minimize the brutality of the Atlantic slave trade.

"Enslavement of Africans by Africans was the result of tribal wars and wasn't the equivalent of slavery in America or other countries. They went to work for the winning tribe. They weren't objectified or dehumanized -- they retained their language, customs, and family structure. With the passage of time (not 400 years of fighting tooth & nail for parity) they simply became a part of the tribe.

[chesley]

85. I don't have to

distort anything. the fact that the transatlantic slave trade was bed does not make African tribal slavery good. What are you doing about salvery in Africa today, by the way, as this issue seems tobe improtant to you?

[Isome]

114. Yes, you did distort it.

When you attempted to equate the two, distortion and 'whataboutery' is exactly what you did.

What am I doing about slavery in Africa? It's strange that you would ask that. What relevance does activism in Africa have to Americans living in America? If I encounter an Irish American who objects to gun control as the edict of a dictatorship, do you think it be appropriate to ask that person what are they "doing" about the IRA in Ireland, since it is so "important" to them? How about an Italian American who objects to suggestions that la cosa nostra is the way of life for most of Italy; do you believe it would be germane to the discussion if I spit out an accusatory question about what he's "doing" to solve the problem in Italy, because it seems so "important" to him?

If you don't understand any of that, then you're beyond reach, and not surprisingly so.

Your puerile attempt to deflect attention from your shallow knowledge of the subject is duly noted.

[chesley]

116. No, I didn't

Slavery is still present in Africa. Not in America. Slavery has not been legal in America for over 100 years. It is you that is attempting to deflect the subject. And yes, I actually do equate slavery in Africa to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. After all, it was African chieftains selling their captives to European traders that was the first step in the chain.

In any event, neither I nor any person alive today is in any way responsible for Slavery in North America. Your ignorance on the subject is also duly noted.

[Isome]

118. It is?

Wow, you're a veritable cornucopia of common knowledge. Again, activism, on anyone's part is irrelevant. But, I see you've dropped that issue in favor of a repeat attempt at minimizing the brutality of the Middle Passage, and subsequent enslavement on these shores, that reverberates through the country to this day.

When you brush up on your African and African American studies, through credible sources, instead of parroting the smegma of excuse mongers like Southern Heritage magazine, or Daughters of the Confederacy, do try again.

[chesley]

121. Tel you what, then

recommend some sources to me. I'm always willing to improve my mind.

[Isome]

122. Since you're so amenable...

You can read about ourstory, instead of hisstory, by starting online:

Africa Within

Unfinished Business

More from Africa Within

Then, of course, you can always go to books:

Black Mother, The Years of Our African Slave Trade: Precolonial History, 1450–1850 -- Basil Davidson

Forced Migration -- Joseph E. Inikore

Christopher Columbus and The African Holocaust -- John Henrik Clarke

In the interim, here are words to remember:

Thus it is not simple ignorance of Africa, but deliberate disparagement of the continent and its people that Africans ...must contend with. - Dr Kwame Nkrumah, 1964

[Karenina]

120. GOOOOOO Isome!!!

:bounce:

[RobinA]

119. Canada non-Racist?

Heck, there the caucasians don't even get along with each other. Ever hear of Quebec?
When it comes to racist countries, you can do a lot worse than the US.

[chesley]

77. Are you kidding?

n/t

[beanball]

5. Racism in the homeland

America has always had a problem with race,its as american as mother and apple pie,we deny and tell bold face lies about it but my fellow american the facts are so very clear that we suffer from that sickness that unless we rid ourselves of it,it will destroy our beloved country.

[carolinayellowdog]

6. Positive change

http://www.hamilton.edu/home/racesurvey/

[_Jumper_]

11. Not much change : (

More than 56 percent said that the federal government should make sure that "black people get fair treatment in jobs."

More than 60 percent said that the federal government should make sure that "white and black children go to the same schools."

Only 47.7 percent of respondents stated that they had dated someone of a different race, but 75.3 percent said that they had dated

someone of a different religion.
Only 47.2 percent said that they would consider marrying someone of a different race, but 64.4 percent said that they would consider
marrying someone of a different religion.

Over 90 percent (91.1 percent) said that they heard racist jokes, comments, or language at least occasionally. Over a third (36.6 percent) said that they heard them often.
Less than half (48.2 percent) said that in adopting a child, the race of the child would not matter to them.

[Kbowe]

7. Yes...! Unequically!!

Just talk to your next door neighbor.

[jagguy]

9. lets see...

... racism implies the notion that a race is inherantly inferior. This poll talks about intellegence and work ethic. While these could represent part of a definition of racism they are only a part and without looking further at the survey there could be mitigating aspects that take into account educational inbalances etc.

Now I don't dispute that there is ample prejudice across the ethnic boards but its a little inflamitory to jump to racism over these two findings. More significant I don't think prejudice is the same as racism. Its a preference vs judgementalism.

[Karenina]

10. Racism is the template

upon which America was built. It is woven into the fabric of her consciousness.

[jagguy]

12. I'm assuming that you're referring to slavery

if thats the case, you point is rather wrong. Otherwise I can't imagine what you're referring to.

[Karenina]

14. You assume incorrectly.

Sigh... :shrug:

[jagguy]

19. OK its a nice quote then

perhaps treatment of the natives but its still about as incorrect as can be. But we can all believe what we want.

[shanti]

27. you just don't get it, dude

:shrug: sorry!

[Solomon]

25. Ah Karenina!

The love of my life. Very few understand. Let me be blunt about it.

"The ultimate purpose of the system is to prevent white genetic annihilation on Earth - a planet in which the overwhelming majority of people are classified as non-white (black, brown, red and yellow) by white-skinned people." Frances Cress Welsing, 1989.

[_Jumper_]

39. Do you believe most whites support that?

Do you think they believe they must do whatever it takes to prevent interracial marriage and sex?

[Karenina]

79. Oh, Jumper

You SO don't get it. You don't HAVE TO GET IT and I dare conjecture that unless it affects you in a deeply personal manner during your lifetime, you won't. Here's another little adage for ya:

It's IMPOSSIBLE to get someone to understand something if his salary depends on his NOT understanding it.

[_Jumper_]

81. I see racism daily

I'm of Pakistani descent so I'm percieved to be Arab so I see racism daily.

[Karenina]

82. Then you obviously know

that "perception" is more powerful than fact. America is a neurotic, pseudo-puritanical, racist nation. Those traits are institutionalized and internalized. The ONLY way she can ever overcome the insanity her denial has spawned is to look the demon in the eye without fear. Racism is an American template. However, she was given an enlightened, if imperfect, document to turn the shit around. I grieve her loss...

[Character Assassin]

87. I think looking at it without smug arrogance if far more imporant

America is a neurotic, pseudo-puritanical, racist nation.

America is a lot of things, and to leave it simply at that truncated list belies a willingness to overlook the good in favor of the bad.

Those traits are institutionalized and internalized. The ONLY way she can ever overcome the insanity her denial has spawned is to look the demon in the eye without fear.

Possibly, but it seems far more important to counteract the self-righteous claims of 'you just don't get it!', implying that someone actually can't get it unless they filter their perceptions exclusively throught the lens that certain people declare the only, singular way to overcome racism.

That in itself is racist and purposefully exclusionary.

Racism is an American template.

Racism is part of human nature, and knows no nationality.

However, she was given an enlightened, if imperfect, document to turn the shit around. I grieve her loss...

Uh-huh.

[noiretextatique]

91. the tradition of denial

is old as the thing itself. there has always been an industry devoted to the denial...one could say it is as institutionalized as the thing itself.

this explains the appeal of david horowitz and other race-manipulators...and the effectiveness of the rw 'cultural wars' rhetoric and imagery.

the appeal doesn't have to be created...it is a tradition. i might add, democrats (the party, and its individual members) are not immune to this tradition.

[Character Assassin]

92. We're on the same page with this.

It is utter foolishness to think either that racism has been expunged from American society or ever will be from humanity.

However, there is a certain subset of people who claim that they are the sole enlightened group of people who have overcome the burden of individual racism and that no others will ever be successful in doing so unless they subscribe to the views (and actions exhorted by) this cetain subset.

The mindset that they have is itself exculsionary and delimited by their own self-righteousness and myopia, IMO.

there has always been an industry devoted to the denial...one could say it is as institutionalized as the thing itself.

Agreed, but conversely there is an industry devoted to the exact opposite of blaming racism for every problem, citing racism as as bad or worse now than it ever has been and preventing real reconcilliation between the 'races'.

The important thing is to call the hucksters on both sides of the equation on their bullshit.

[noiretextatique]

94. i believe karerina was referring to institutional racism

in her post. as to individual racism...i could care less. as long as the individual racist does not harm me...i don't care about his character flaws.

as to the industry of blaming everything on racism, i suppose it's a matter of proportion and power. i don't think these "blamers" have anything approaching the power of the deniers, therefore they don't have the same impact.

extreme forms afro-centrism, for example, aren't popular with many black people, and certainly even less white people. but, as the survey indicates, white supremacy is firmly rooted in the american collective consciousness. this is simply not the case in reverse.

i challenge you to prove the tradition of "blaming everything on racism" is as problemmatic as the thing itself.

[Character Assassin]

96. Perhaps, but it adds up to the same thing.

i believe karerina was referring to institutional racism in her post. as to individual racism...i could care less. as long as the individual racist does not harm me..i don't care about his character flaws.

Perhaps I was unclear. What I was referring to is the conceit that some people exhibit when they consider themselves free of racism and that others will only be able to become so themselves by following the exact same ways and recognizing the exact same things as this first group of people. It could be in regards to institutional or invidivual examples of racism. Or both.

as to the industry of blaming everything on racism, i suppose it's a matter of proportion and power. i don't think these "blamers" have anywhere neat the power of the deniers, therefore they don't have the same impact.

Quite correct; the scale is distinctly disproportionate.

extreme forms afro-centrism, for example, aren't popular with many black people, and certainly even less white people. but, as the survey indicates, white supremacy is firmly rooted in the american collective consciousness. this is simply not the case in reverse.

The survey indicates that based on the sample population queried, such an extrapolation may be justified, but I would have to see the metholodogy used to be comfortable with anything more exact than that.

i challenge you to prove the tradition of "blaming everything on racism" is as problemmatic as the thing itself.

Why? That is a tradition to which I do not adhere or subscribe.

[noiretextatique]

98. i see...it's an attitude

i think it's just indicative of the exhaustion some feel on this issue. there are many people who are clueless.

[Character Assassin]

101. Indeed it is.

But an attitude I feel better left unfelt, at best, and unexpressed, at least, if someone truly desires to show others an example of how to gain a higher consciousness and understanding of one's fellow citizen in regards to the pernicious effects of racism.

It almost always is, to my experience, the most important on an individual level. If there were no individual racists, there could not by definition be any institutional racism.

[noiretextatique]

107. you have a point, however

this is where i think intragroup work has to happen. i don't think i can model a non-racist attitude for a white person. i think that person has to learn it from another white person. i do think i can help dispel myths some may harbor about black people by interacting with a diverse group of people...and vice versa.

intergroup dialogue is helpful, but i can certainly understand the frustration karenina feels...i share it. sometimes it's like trying to communicate with someone who is speaking a different language. i'm sure it works both ways.

messages like king's, so unfortunately manipulated by the rw, certainly helped a lot of people embark on their on personal journeys, and perhaps messages like malcolm x's as well.

racism meant something entirely different at one time...it was the norm. now that consciousness has evolved considerably, individual racists don't have the power the once did...to kill someone without fear of legal sanctions, for example. individual racism, at least, is something of a cultural taboo now, at least in certain circles.

thanks for a most enlightening chat, CA.

[Karenina]

93. Character Assassin

Allow me to defer to your Besserwisserei.

[Character Assassin]

95. Gern geschehen

Aber ich halte das als keine Antwort.

[Karenina]

97. It is impossible to convince a man

to understand a point if his salary demands he NOT understand it.

[Character Assassin]

100. I don't believe that is a maxim that is justified

I have walked of jobs in regards to matters of principle, and I am not the sole example of this in human history.

Granted, entire subsets of the employed population are not going to up and walk off their jobs to protest institutional racism en masse, but I don't think they have to, because I don't buy the assumption that the entirety of the economy is not just rigged to exude racsim, but itself is utterly dependent on it or further promulgates it. Empirical evidence and personal experience indicate, to me, at least, otherwise.

[Karenina]

103. Na ja,

bitte, darf ich dir mehr darüber zu labern geben?

[Character Assassin]

104. Zu welchem Zweck?

Wenn du beschreibst als 'labern' was ich schon geschrieben habe, es versteht sich von selbst du hast keine echte Interesse an ernsthafte Mitteilung.

Hoechst wahrscheinlich von vornherein.

Wie ueblich.

[Karenina]

106. I only point out

that you remain true to your screen name. ;-) I find it somehow familiar and charming!

[Character Assassin]

108. Wenn ich dich wohl falsch eingeschaetz habe, entschuldige mich

Es bliebt mir jedenfalls unklar, wenn du ernst bist und wenn nicht.

[shugah]

44. until such time as white people understand

that they may indeed not "be the man," but realize that "the man" is benefiting said white people, it is most difficult to overcome racism, stereotypes, and bigotry.

how easy is it to decry racism, while all the time you've been going to the best schools, and know that your children will go to the best schools?

fair is fair. unfair is unfair. i will not rest until there is a level playing field. preferably on the high side of the road. every child born in america has the same opportunity--really

[shugah]

49. oh, and yes, i do believe that most white americans

are still racist--even if they are wonderful, tolerant, left-leaning, etc. most of the really great people who are not actively racist want to believe that we have the racism thing under control. i don't blame them--i'd like it to all be fixed and thus go away, too! alas, and alackaday! if we cannot address the real roots, then we shall never alleviate the problem.

so many here on DU are willing to follow the path of who benefits from what. who benefits from racism?

[Solomon]

53. Don't worry, Justice is coming to the planet.

"Once the collective victim understands this fundamental issue, the ultimate organizing of all of the appropriate behaviors necessary to neutralize the great injustice of the white supremacy power system will be only a matter of time." Dr. Welsing 1989.

[shugah]

56. 'tis not the victim

i've referred to.

[Solomon]

61. But It depends on the actions

of the "victim" to end it. This is what will bring justice to the planet. When the dupe stops believing that the white man's ice is colder, the gig is up. Its already happening around the world, Americans are the last to get it. That's why other countries are demanding evidence of what we say now. It's no longer so because we say so. There are other opinions in the world, just as valid as ours.

[ScreamingMeemie]

73. Excellent post!!!!!

Are there any brave enough to go to the root?

[wildwww2]

57. You say the point is wrong. But you do not say why it is wrong.

And when you do it will probably be crap. Because this country is honeycombed with racsim. And the civil war and slavery were both a big factor in our country`s racial problems today. And only a non-thinking repuke type person would be despicable enough to try to argue otherwise.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[shanti]

26. you are so right

too many people have their heads in the sand about racism.

[Nikia]

13. Yes

If it weren't so, we'd see more integrated (close to proportional representation) schools, churches, and neighborhoods. Many white people do not say racist things but that doesn't mean that they aren't racist. Consider this statement made by someone who I will dare to call a friend "You know that I'm not racist even though I sometimes use the "n" word to describe certain types of people just like I call certain white people "redneck". I have close friends of all races and am never uncomfortable being in a black or Hispanic neighborhood. I am never afraid to approach anyone regardless of race. All those people who afraid when they are in the prescence of more than a couple black people and would never make friends with someone of another race, they are the racists and there's a lot of them. They won't admit it and they call me a racist."

[_Jumper_]

15. Look at any poll on race...

...there isn't a large gap in racism between the races. There is a link to a poll in post #6. It only compares blacks and whites but there isn't a huge gap in racism between the two. Remember, both go to segregated churches.

[DrWeird]

16. we've just invaded two countries predominately muslim countries.

the main reason being that they're muslim (and that they can't fight back).

[_Jumper_]

18. That isn't racial

Those nations were Caucasion. You could argue that it is religious.

[chesley]

80. and,

they supported terrorism against us.

[DrWeird]

89. Iraq supported terrorism against us?

Because the administration says they did, even though there isn't the slightest bit of evidence for it. So why would you and millions of other americans think that they did? Could it be, hmmm, that they're muslim?

[BonjourUSA]

109. Is oil muslim ?

:-)

[chesley]

117. we

can go back way before 9/11. There is plenty of evidence. Not to mention the support Saddam gave the Palestinians, who have publicly proclaimed their terrorist acts agains us, and Israel. Read more

[scarletwoman]

20. Absolutely!

"White" superiority is woven into the very fabric of our collective national consciousness -- it is the water in which we all swim, and like the fishes who do not know that they are in water (not knowing anything else), most Americans fail to perceive it.

I find that very few people, even among so-called "liberals", are willing to examine this objectively. Yet for those whose strongest commitment is to truth and not to comfort, it is fairly obvious that our societal and cultural assumptions about what is "normal", "good", "right" -- especially "normal" -- are rooted strictly in a "white"/eurocentric/"western civilization" p.o.v.

sw

[_Jumper_]

21. I'm shocked

I realized that a large segment of the population was racist but the survey I posted showed that most Americans are racist. Now, it was just one survey and could be manipulated but it is still troubling, especially with the lack of contrary evidence being presented. One person presented a poll showing that young people were less racist but still the level of racism among them was high.

[Isome]

86. Don't be ridiculous.

The word racist is imbued with action. The bigotry or prejudice of a person of color is just that. Even if all people of color or of African descent were bigots, it wouldn't affect the caucasians' ability to get a home/car/business loan, to receive the best healthcare they could afford, to buy a home wherever they chose, to shop w/out the shopclerk's shadow or suspicious gaze, to drive w/out being stopped by police on a flimsy premise, to ascend the social ladder (in a myriad of ways) of this nation, etc. On the other hand, because of the bigotry or prejudice of caucasians, those obstacles are placed in the path of non-whites -- whether they are in a position to exercise their prejudice or exert influence over those in that position, their actions and the effect of those actions turn prejudice & bigotry to racism.

Get real, or at least open your eyes. Study after study shows an "unexplained" wage gap, wealth gap, healthcare gap, employment gap between caucasians and all others. Those who hold the power are still grappling, and in many cases denying, their racist leanings. The country is diverse, but it is still suffers from the scourge of racism. What's truly sad is that immigrants, from any country, recognize that no one, and I mean no one, wants to be a Black American, and they quickly adopt the prejudices of the larger community.

[shanti]

28. think white privilege

most white people can't even comprehend that....amazing, isn't it?

[Karenina]

115. What makes racism America's festering

pustule is the inability to look at it. The mythology masquerading as fact obscures the reality. White privilege is the key. White privilege fuels the false assumptions of superiority. It functions like the RW tactic of accusing the "other" of exactly what you yourself are doing.
White people deny it because a) it serves their interests or b) those sensitive enough to "get it" are often deeply pained by the realization.

[0007]

22. I think so

I'd like to think the younger generation is coming around. But if they watch "Cops" most get brain washed.

[burr]

23. Most Americans are bigots, all Americans are racist.

Every human being has the tendency make judgements, whether conscious or subconscious, about other individuals in different races. Those who consciously prejudge the values and ethics of others based on their race, while believing these judgements to be accurate..are bigots. Then there is another group. They know they are making these judgements all the time, but that these judgements are flawed and immoral. These individuals makeup the minority of nonbigots in American society. They are the ones who are exposed daily to the hate and prejustice of the majority, but still bravely endure this to build the American dream for themselves and for their children.

[shanti]

30. sorry

but i disagree that ALL whites are racist. what about the white people with biracial children? they've lost their white privilege.

[_Jumper_]

32. Their kids may retain it

IF they have white skin.

[burr]

41. You just described my cousins.

People are born rascist..just as they are born with sexual desires, reflexes, and basic natural drives. This does not make them evil. What makes bigotry immoral is when they will not marry the woman they have begun to love, because of fears of what others will think of them or of this individual's decision. Even biracial children feel the torture and hatred of others, and wish to belong in one group or another. But they usually outgrow these racist feelings pushed onto them by society, and become stronger and more sucessful people as a result.

I love those who have married out of love, regardless of race. And I still must challenge my morals when I date. Why have I never dated a black girl, although I have been attracted to many?

[_Jumper_]

45. People are born racist?

What makes you think that? People are naturally a bit xenophobic but that isn't necessarily racial. Racism is a learned thing IMO.

[burr]

50. This is probably true.

I think it is a mixture of childhood development, and basic instincts that we pick up over time.

My father's best friend's childhold experience occuried when he was beaten up on the playground by five year olds, just because he was the only Japanese-American in class. The irony is, his name is Billy Rogers. And yet, these kids just beat him up because he was different.

I think it starts at an early age.

[LogicTrueFalse]

42. Sure and those in SA are not racists right?

It's only Americans that are racists right?

[burr]

46. All humans are racist, most humans are bigoted.

However, I believe that a higher percent of Americans are bigoted than human beings worldwide.

[JVS]

110. What countries have you lived in?

[Ein]

24. Yes

And most of them don't even know it.

[JohnKleeb]

29. Ive heard from people who denounce DK's chances

that he doesnt have one because of his last name! Oh yeah, just because someone aint got a western european last name, they dont stand a chance, jeez these people are like those who said JFK didnt have a chance because of his Catholicism. Btw Kucinich is a Croatian last name, and the farthest east our presidents get in their ancestry is Germany.

[_Jumper_]

31. Sadly it does hurt his chances

:(

If you aren't from Western or Northern Europe you're behind the 8 ball, even if you're European.

[JohnKleeb]

36. thats racism then imo

I am half Eastern European, and I really think that sucks ass big time. Its so unfortunate and I prefer the east to the west, with the exception of the emerald isle. My people the Slovenes would call this kinda racism
nesmisel!
nonsense thats what that means

[_Jumper_]

38. It is racism

race1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rs)
n.
A local geographic or global human population distinguished as a more or less distinct group by genetically transmitted physical characteristics.
A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution: the German race.

The second definition is not what we usually refer to racism but technically discriminating against Eastern Europeans is racist.

[JohnKleeb]

40. its annoying and aggrevating

We've been in this country for god only know's how long, and we havent even got one guy in the house yet. Also I am part Irish too, so I know it took a while to get an Irish president not a scots-irish but bonafide Irish Catholic like Kennedy, and also we have only had one Catholic president. To the people who doubt DK I say again, nesmisel, sorry jumper I love using my language. Did you know that DK is also part Irish as well as Croatian.

[_Jumper_]

43. Maybe we should have an intelligence requirement for voters

That way the bigots wouldn't vote and we could actually elect the most qualified person instead of elected a WASP male every 4 years.

[scarletwoman]

51. I hope you're kidding

That's a TERRIBLE idea! Who's going to decide what makes someone "intelligent" for purposes of voting rights? Jim Crow tactics for suppressing black voters' rights are no less heinous if applied in reverse.

There are many ways to improve how voting works; mandatory voting (which some countries do have) and making election days legal holidays, for a start. Combine this with "instant run-off voting", proportional representation, and elimination of the Electoral College for presidential elections. Finally, strictly public financing of campaigns is probably THE most necessary reform.

You cannot support democracy by infringing on the rights of ANY citizens to vote!

sw

[jagguy]

55. eastern europeans are not a race

there is a lot of confusion referring to bigotry and calling it racism.

[_Jumper_]

60. True but some ethnic groups historically are

race1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rs)
n.
A local geographic or global human population distinguished as a more or less distinct group by genetically transmitted physical characteristics.
A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution: the German race.

[JVS]

111. Which president had German ancestry?

I thought that they were all English and Dutch.

[JohnKleeb]

112. Eisenhower and Hoover

weve had a lot of Scot-Irish
the only real blarney Irish was
Kennedy of course
now RFK should had been president too.

[JVS]

113. Eisenhower I should have known

Hoover is not a German name. Interesting.
Considering that about 46% of all americans claim some German ancestry (more than any other nationality) this is a surprisingly low number.

[waggawagga]

33. Idiotic Survey

The survey doesn't measure prejudice but people's knowledge of racial stereotypes.

If I were asked this question:

Evaluate on a scale of one to seven your knowledge of various stereotypes.

Do people in these groups tend to be unintelligent or tend to be intelligent?

I know how I'd answer.

Jews/Asian Americans (tie)
Whites
Latinos/Southern Whites (tie)
Blacks

And everyone here would come up with something similar. This is the hierarchy.

That doesn't mean I don't recognize that these are stereotypes.

[Sweetpea]

34. Yes, I feel the statistics

In my arena of work, I often feel like I have to overcompensate to prove that I am qualified. Sometimes I don't know if it because I am black or a woman....or both.

[iangb]

47. According to a Pew study, Americans are......

.....less racist than any of the countries surveyed.






more... http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=185

[burr]

52. A nice western study...

what are the feelings towards minorities in African nations, in India, and in China?

This would provide a better concensus of the majority of the world vs. America.

[_Jumper_]

62. I'm of Pakistani descent

There is a great deal of more ethnic and religious hatred there than here. They certainly would not be racially tolerant. Poor nations don't have racial minorities but their poor records with respect to ethnic and religious minorities leads me to believe they'd be more racist than America. I think America is probably in the top 5 when it comes to tolerance.

[burr]

64. I find this surprising.

Who is most of the hatred directed to in Pakistan? Is it people who are Hindu, that have roots in India?

While this is bigotry, it is not driven by rascism.

[_Jumper_]

75. True but...

...do you think if they aren't tolerant of neighboring ethnic and religious groups they would be tolerant of other racial groups?

[burr]

83. Much of it depends on what kind of leader they have...

In the neighboring country it was Gandi who led the protests against laws which established racial discrimination. His last fights were focused on uniting the Muslims and Hindus in a campaign of tolerance and freedom for India.

[Dirk39]

48. It's just sad...

that even 30% of the afro-americans believe that BS. Seems to be easier than facing the fact that they would have to fight.
If they aren't less "intelligent" than other people, how should one explain the situation they're in compared to white people.

According to a study published in France about a year ago, it's even getting worse. The rate of marriages between "white" people and "black" people in the USA is much lower than during the end of the sixties and the beginning seventies. And you even find that symptom here in Europe as well. One of my friends, who's a refugee from Jamaica (but he was born in Liberia and his parents escaped from the war to Jamaica), has studied in Jamaica, worked in a bank, speaks 3 languages, and he worked here in Germany 6 days a week, every job, not payed well. And I could imagine that even he would state the same opinion about "laziness".
I don't know anything at all, but now I know that 30% of the afro-americans and 57% of the white americans are idiots...
Hello from Germany,
Dirk

[diamond14]

54. fight hate and promote tolerance (link to Jimmy Carter's Center)

do something positive to 'fight hate and promote tolerance'....if everyone STAND UP against racism....that will certainly help...here are some ideas from Jimmy Carter's web site

http://www.tolerance.org/hidden_bias/index.html


link to human rights groups in USA
http://www.tolerance.org/maps/human_rights/index.html

ten ways to fight hate....#1 Act...(see left sidebar)
http://www.tolerance.org/10_ways/act/index.html

and the Poor People...remember to STAND UP and fight back, sadly it's even necessary here at DU...yesterday, since I posted on this Human Rights March, here on this board, a threat came through for "you and your kind" (refering to the Poor People)...that nastiness was removed...but the writing will occur again and should be stopped every single time by good people at DU...STAND UP....fight hate and promote intolerance...
http://www.kwru.org/march/index.html

[abbyhoffman]

58. Any one who thinks

America is a racist country has never Traveled

[burr]

59. exactly...

one has to travel America and Europe to KNOW it.

[belab13]

63. Consider that a large number of Americans voted for Bush

and continue believe in the administrations criminal agenda. I'd call that complete and total ignorance. It would not surprise me that many of these folks are also racist.


Implementing sterilization procedures..... Now... :hurts:

[burr]

65. Bigots make up shrubs base.

What is scary about these numbers is that 3/4 of those polled said blacks would choose welfare to work. And 68% said that blacks were lazier than whites. And 48% voted for Gore. This would mean that a minimum of 20% of all voters, who backed Gore had this point of view. This makes up a over a third of Gore's voters. And around half of Gore's voters felt blacks liked welfare over work.

Still...this is better than all of our base having this view, but it doesn't always have to be this way.

[TheReligiousLeft]

66. When I realized America was still racist! Jesus Christ Super Star

I kind of figured America was a progressive place, racial tolerance all over the place etc. Then I watched the original Jesus Christ Super Star and saw how multicultural it was. Then I saw the new version, it is very white.
I guess it just struck me that at one point people actually wanted a mingling of the "races" and now we don't seem to. It is very sad.

[angee_is_mad]

67. surveys

One thing about surveys is how the questions are asked and in what context. African Americans view themselves less intelligent than whites? I don't think so. Being an African American woman, I refuse to believe that a black person being surveyed felt that he or she was dumber then a white person.
Not trying to put words in anyones mouth, but maybe the Blacks surveyed felt that Whites were more educated and had better access to higher education than blacks and that was viewed as Whites being more intelligent. Having education doesn't neccessarily make one more intelligent. For instance, my grandfather had a 6th grade education and raise 7 kids and sent all of them to college in the 1950's and 60's. By the way he never made more than 6.00 an hour til the day he died in the 90's.
Now, that's intelligence. Being able to make something out of nothing with adversity at every corner and providing for your family by making sure that your children would have better opportunities. I would pit my grandfather against any man.

[leftofthedial]

68. I don't know. Do you still beat your wife?

[Brewman_Jax]

69. Black Like Me '94

www.mdcbowen.org/p2/rm/white/solomon.html

In this article, a college student recreates John Howard Griffin's journey chronicled in "Black Like Me." He lived life as a black man in 1994 and got to see attitudes up close and personal. The US is not (or not yet) The Federation.

[burr]

70. I still remember reading this ten years ago...

it's just as depressing today as it was then.

[EV1Ltimm]

71. that makes me sick.

[buddhamama]

74. racism is alive and well

whites have been conditioned to think that African Americans are beneath them. and it makes 'us' feel better to play the fuckin' victim.

no matter what situation you throw at them, a racist will find an excuse to justify their feelings.

blacks can't work because they're lazy or too stupid to do so and now i have to support them. and let's not forget they're taking my damn job. damn straight, that's my job. my skin color is white and i'm entitled to it.

[DarbyUSMC]

88. Anyone remember Barry Sobel?

He did a hilarious routine about stereotypes. The things people aren't supposed to say about people of other races was the subject. He goes on a 'rant'.


OK right, you never see Japanese people with cameras around their necks.

Right, you never see Mexican's with a house full of kids and three junk cars in the yard.

Right, African American's butts aren't higher than European American's butts.

Right, Polish people are the quickest on the uptake.

Right, Irish people never drink too much.

Right, Jewish people throw money away left and right.

Right Jamaicans never work more than one job.

Right, people from Arabian countries are more than reasonable to deal with.

Right, Italians have never heard of the Mafia.

Right, nuns are always teaching children that corporal punishment is not good and no priest would never think of touching a boy under eighteen.

Right, the French are impeccable in their grooming habits.

Right, the English have beautiful teeth.

Right, people in Scotland really know how to cook.

Right, Marilyn spent those nights in the White House studying up on American History.

Right, Nixon wasn't a crook.

Right, Americans don't spend more money eating in restaurants than any other country.

Right, the borders of our country are totally secure.


I could go on.

We are a ridiculous bunch of people in so many ways. People have to apologize for what they say if they accidentally tell the truth. As in whoever it was who said black people are better athletes because way back when, slave owners bred slaves like you do dogs, to get the best genes in the offspring. He didn't say it was right that it was done that way. It was just a fact of life. It's no accident that most of the NBA is black. Wake up. We can't say that they are better athletes and other than white professional singers, they are better singers for the most part. Can't say that? Stop by a black church some Sunday morning. The music will blow you away. And we worship differently while we are on the subject. There are some integrated churches for sure but why would a black person want to come to a non emotional, ritualistic church service? Who do they hang around with? The same people who most white people hang around with - - people who are the same as they are. When they show these integrated neighborhoods on TV or friendships where one is black and one is white, they are showing something that in reality just doesn't happen very much. Seinfeld got knocked for not having a black man in the cast. He had the nerve to tell it like it was. "I don't hang around with any black people." None of my friends are black. I have many black acquaintances but I don't hang around with them and they don't hang around with white people. I don't have macaroni and cheese on thanksgiving and they don't have lasagna on New Years. Different strokes for different folks. A black woman and three of us white women were talking about hair color and why white people's hair changes over the years and how it gets to be that color in the first place. Just a discussion about differences in races or cultures. She asked and we all piped in with our thought on that. No earth shaking conversation. She knows she is black and we know we are white. We are not blind. We are in the same boat though. We are on dialysis and most of the people on dialysis are African Americans. (Those who I've asked prefer being called "black" rather than an African American.)

Bigotry isn't telling the truth about someone, it is blaming everyone in a race for what some of those of that race do. I haven't read all of these posts so I hope I didn't repeat what anyone else said.

[Isome]

90. Yeah, ha ha hee hee...

All of those things can be seen in others as well.

It's only considered "funny" because it taps the subconscious desire to pigeonhole groups, to consign them to a pattern of behavior, lifestyle or level of intelligence that justifies our refusal to look beyond the obvious differences in skin color, language or nationality and see the individual, who just might be more like we are than we could ever imagine.

I've heard Barry's routine and routines like it. Yes, on a superficial level it can be humorous, but it loses that comedic value when you delve deeper into the why's and wherefore's.

Oh', and by the way, I'm African American and none of my friends "prefer" Black over African American (for most it's a non-issue) and none of us have macaroni & cheese on the holiday called Thanksgiving. That only shows to go ya' that what you think is commonplace, based on your admitted limited experience and real life exposure, isn't always so.

[DarbyUSMC]

105. That's quite a website.

You should promote it here. http://geocities.com/ablackhaven/BH1.html









Mine isn't too much compared to yours. I've learned a lot even in just 15 minutes.

http://darbythorpe.homestead.com/thorpe4.html

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

99. Those are horrible results.

But yes, I would definitely say America as a whole is still very racist. At least once a day I see some sort of discrimination, whether it be racism, gender bias, etc. It's still there and it's still a problem. Ignorance is hard to fix. Tolerance is hard to teach. The only way it is taught is if people open up their minds and listen.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

102. only the republican ones