Does Racism hit home with you?

[NaMeaHou]

I have not only worked with, but married an African American woman. I continue to have love and respect for her, and understand, not only why we didn't work out personally, but what she has had to deal with.

We live in the southern part of the country. Not the southeast, but the southcentral. There are immigrants everywhere to learn from, and the small minded bastards seem to be making a small effort to do so.

I believe those with black skin are still more hurt by discrimination than those with brown skin. Lest you think I have something against brown skinned folks, let me tell you that on Nov 2nd will be my sixth year of living with someone from Mexico.

My point is not to place a "on a scale from one to five" question about racism. My point is to ask

Who have you had to deal with interracially? Was it uncomfortable?
Did you wish you knew more about the culture?

Did you just have opinions to begin with?

[mmm]

1. I don't understand your title line

do you feel that racism is thriving on DU?
I certainly do not.

[fishnfla]

2. I'm out too

can you rephrase the question?

[SmileyBoy]

3. I've had many black and other Muslim friends all my life...

My father (a Turk) displays hints of anti-Jewish rhetoric, and being brought up with that type of thinking, for a long time, I had felt inwardly uncomfortable around Jewish people, who exist in large numbers in the town I grew up in in my adolescence. To sum that up, I wish I could learn more about the Jewish faith, but I still am still stridently anti-Zionist, and that's a platform I stand by. It doesn't mean I have to be prejudiced against or uncomfortable around Jewish people. I don't hate Jews, but I felt very uncomfortable and prejudiced around them or a long time.

My father is another story, he seems to be more anti-Jew than anything. He's a staunch Palestinian sympathiser (as am I), but I try to find he good in all ethnic groups/races/religions.

As far as black/latino/asian/native, etc. people, that's no problem. I was raised into a very diverse environment by the time I moved to Minneapolis from Fargo, and made many black,latino, etc. friends. Also, the black guys on the football team that I work with now seem to be the nicest guys I know on the team.

On edit: I should say that even though I'm Turkish and Muslim in this country, it doesn't mean that I'm immune to racism and prejudice towards other groups, even though I and other Muslims I knew were picked on a lot after 9-11.

[scarlet_owl]

4. I am a Hispanic person who went to high school

in a very small town. The town was so small, they had to bus kids in from other towns in order to fill it up to 200 students. Most of these kids had never met personally someone who wasn't white. I did get some shit and I was called some names and I did hear lots of racist remarks aimed at other groups. It wasn't too bad, though. I made it out alright with some really great friends that I still have to this day. The people at my high school (most of them), got used to my sister and I. I think I overcame some predjudices too. Predjudices about small town people all being unintelligent hicks. High school was a learning experience for me. Will I ever live in a little tiny town again? Probably not.

[NaMeaHou]

6. My mexican friend was in South Carolina

and said (she is a little older) during the 60s she and her sisters were treated almost like royalty. They were young, beautiful hispanics in a place which, at that time, had no comprehension of that culture. She didn't, believe it or not, get shit upon until the family moved to Arizona. It turned from being interest in learning to almost hatred.

the next time someone calls someone from the southeast a redneck, dumb ass - think about the fact that they live everywhere.

[scarlet_owl]

8. They do live everywhere. Lots here in Central Illinois.

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. Here are some useful exercises to try, for those interested

Taken from some "diversity sensitivity training" courses.

Here's how it goes.

Imagine that you have the power to change your gender and ethnicity to anything you like at will.

Now choose which ethnicity and gender you would choose for the following situations:

You are accused of a crime you did not commit. You don't have enough money for a lawyer.


You finally got an interview for your dream job!


You met the person of your dreams! This weekend, it's your first time going home to meet your beloved's parents. They are a very conservative, traditional family.


You get lost after dark in an unfamiliar part of town. Then you get a flat tire.


It's midmorning, and you are driving through a posh residential area. The police pull you over.


(The exercise goes on, but you get the idea)

Another even more timely suggestion for those who want to get serious about sensitivity: Put on eastern dress and go to the mall.

[NaMeaHou]

7. Thank you!

ideas are power.

[Clete]

9. Although I am part Hispanic, this has not affected me

as much as being female, especially back in the sixties, before Gloria Steinem came along.

[VelmaD]

10. My ex was Hispanic...

and a very dark-skinned Hispanic at that. I am not (I'm a typical American mutt.) We got lots of second looks from people and some outright hostitily. I had someone ask me one time if "the racial thing" didn't bother me ...my response "you mean he isn't human...how is it you can tell". They just kind of looked at me.

I also had to watch the mistrust people had of him. A little story - we went up to the museum and planetarium at the college we were going to. He was dressed nice - nice jeans and a collared shirt, tucked in even. Not only that - it was his university employee shirt. Anyway, I was looking at a notice on the wall about some coming exhibit and he wandered into the gift shop. The woman working in the gift shop was up front talking to the person at the front desk and when she saw him she practically RAN to the gift shop. He handled it better than I did. I was livid that she appeared to think he was gonna steal something just because he was Hispanic. He was "used to it". That was almost as sad to me as her behaviour was.

[NaMeaHou]

11. My Mexican woman friend

speaks two languages fluently, which is a very big plus in this part of the universe. She has an associate degree, and it still took her three years to get a job that she wanted and was what would make her happy.

The reason the people that hired her gave was:

They were tired of the same old people applying, and they wanted to try something new (someone new).

She loves the job, and is doing great - everyone loves her.

Three years it took her, and I think it was because her primary language is spanish, and she has a big accent when speaking english.

[jiacinto]

12. Not interacially

But I have a friend who is of Middle Eastern descent who happens to be Arab and Muslim. His parents immigrated to the United States. Anyway he is of Jordanian and Palestinian descent.

I have friends in the military who have said very intolerant things about Muslims. One of them said that Islam was "a false religion" and that was even befoer 9/11! I get Ann Coulter and NRO articles sent to me that basically equate Muslims with being terrorists and unpatriotic.

So I know what it's like.

[_Jumper_]

13. "False religion" is par for the course

Each myth considers other myths false, including Islam. One of the most celebrated stories in Islam is Abraham destroying idols of another myth.

[jiacinto]

14. I think it is intolerant

nt

[_Jumper_]

15. It is but all religions are intolerant

Sad but true.

[jiacinto]

16. It doesn't make it right, though

nt

[_Jumper_]

17. I agree

True tolerance will never be possible as long as religion exists.

[jiacinto]

18. I won't go that far

I think religion is a beautiful thing if it is not abused by fanatics.

[Nikia]

19. I have always been comfortable with Hispanic people

I have had many close Hispanic friends and two Hispanic boyfriends. The only time that I feel uncomfortable is if they are all speaking Spanish and not cluing me into what is going on since I am not fluent in Spanish. When I worked at my previous job, the second shift was 80% Hispanic. All the managers (non Hispanics) and such that I met acted like I might be uncomfortable or have something against working with that many Hispanics. I was taken aback by their racism but said something like "I am not uncomfortable with diversity." instead of "I am not a bigot like you" since I needed the job. I became friends with the Hispanic lab tech fairly quickly. One day, I noticed that I was the only non Hispanic in the break room. Instead of being uncomfortable, I thought that it was rather sad. Many of the Hispanics were very nice and welcoming to me, which is more than the white Germanic Wisconsinites. They were suprised that I willingly shared food with them and ate the extra hot Mexican food. My friend's family was very nice to me and offered to help me if I needed anything. I felt more comfortable with them than the white Germanic Wisconsinites. Maybe it is because I felt like an outsider too or maybe I like Mexican culture even though I'm not Mexican.

[Karenina]

21. Simple suggestion...

What I have found to be the most valuable key in unlocking the "us & them" door is an attempt to LEARN THE LANGUAGE. This is also applicable when dealing with people whose mother tongue may be the same but experience is other than your own. All it requires is big ears and a child's curiosity.

Racism reveals itself in "coded speech."

[Cush]

20. oops

wrong thread