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Edited on Mon Feb-28-05 11:53 AM by The Backlash Cometh
I've finally reached some conclusions that help me find peace with my perspective on AA and other social necessities. First, It's taken me all this time to realize that I will never fit in with them ("them" being right-wing intolerant white Americans), nor do I want to. The cost is too high to make them feel comfortable. I'd have to eviscerate at least 50% of who I am and learn to talk the same hate talk they do in order to bond, and if that's what it takes to be considered "American;" well, then there's a major disconnect somewhere, because that isn't what helped me identify as an American when I was growing up.
The answer is very simple. Whites who cannot see the reason for social programs like AA, don't really understand that even if they can't see the strings behind the curtains, we can. We know about the country club connections, we know about the good ole boy networks. We know the laws are stacked against us in just about every other way, except programs such as AA. I'll even go so far as to say that some day, when we reach true equality, even minorities will have those networks, which will mean we've reached the point where we need to reappraise our situation.
But until then, I can't help looking at the children who are "turning redneck" and realize that this is the third generation of racism I've seen, and nothing is changing because they don't have the background to understand. These kids come to visit my children and some are evolving right in front of my eyes. I have an adult friend who has dated two right-wing nuts back to back, and her children are being influenced by them. I saw them grow up and I try to make light of it when a child I've always referred to as my blonde child, suddenly spurts out comments which I know never originated in the beautiful soul I once knew. She said yesterday that in football and other sports, if there's a white guy and a black guy competing for a position, the black guy always gets picked; She smiled proudly when she said that there were no black drivers in NASCAR; she smiled proudly when I told her that FoxNews is conservative and spews out the President's agenda.
I know where it's coming from. Her mother is dating an ex-marine, who I can otherwise respect because I think he has a kind heart, except that he talks like a marine who hates blacks and other minority people. He is a right-wing nutcase, and the only reason we can get along is because he still has the desire to get along and stops when he realizes he's gone too far. What is going to happen when he decides that he is has no desire to censor himself? I certainly am not going to stick around and listen to him, because if I did, I would have to mention the other reasons they ignore when considering why they do not succeed in this society. I would have to point out the lousy study habits of their kids; I would have to point out the drug records and other juvenile delinquent activity. Some of the most mediocre white students, are also the ones that complain the most.
So, the bottomline is this: These kinds of whites do not have the objectivity necessary to create a safe environment for people in the public sector. They are argumentative, they are confrontational, and I believe that is their end, not just the means. If you concede to them now, it won't take long before they move to the next step of trying to convince everyone that minorities are inferior on a genetic basis. They want to continue taking short-cuts, which we never had. Like knowing they could land a hometown factory job even though they only earned a high school diploma. Those of us who do get in on social programs, have had to be the top in the class and the standards are getting tougher.
What I would like to see is a third culture develop in America. One that recognizes the realities we now face and which simply wants to get through this stage in our American evolution without tearing each other apart. I have seen whites succeed and get through all the adversity and I admire them beyond words. One is very close and dear to me and I have suffered along with him when he was discriminated against due to Affirmative Action, but he only worked harder and stayed focused and he is surviving. He doesn't waste time on the hate talk that his relatives do, and he has my utmost respect because of his attitude.
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