eflynn 0
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eflynn 0
"Clearly there are strong cultural differences between "White America" and "Black America", but I think there are a lot more similarities than differences. There are a lot of very vocal people in the black community that seem to focus far more on the differences than the similarities."
I accept the differences. What do you want me to do besides acknowledge the differences? Why do so many blacks feel that those differences are huge obstacles to overcome? In the past, it was indeed whites who were putting up the walls between blacks and whites. These days, it seems to be the other way around. What's the deal?"
Outside of everyone's favorite targets in the Black community, those being Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, name two other "very vocal people" who preach about the differences.
Based on what you've said thus far it really doesn't seem like you accept the differences. It sounds more like you think we're all the same, we're just different colors. It's just not that simple. I don't feel like "those differences are huge obstacles to overcome" and neither do friends of mine. If you honestly feel Black people feel that way then I'd say you only know one type Black person.
"That is a very interesting comment. I do not mean this in any sarcastic way, but my perception as a 48 year old white boy (and I've always had this attitude) is that if I get smartass with a cop, I'm not likely to get any slack at all because cops will assume that I know better than to pull that kind of stupid shit. Flunking the attitude test with a cop can truly be a bad thing.
The one time I have mouthed off to a cop was when the cop was threatening me without reason and I figured I was screwed no matter what I said."
Let me tell you about the times I've mouthed off to cops or friends of mine mouthed off to cops. We haven't. Best case scenario they ask you whose car you're driving (I've been asked this question EVERY time I've been pulled over), berate and chastise you, and give you a ticket. Worst case scenario the beat your ass (yes it's happened to me and friends of mine), tow your car, and lock you up until they "drop the charges." I'm not saying the same things don't happen to non Black people. My point is that's more Black people's experience with cops than it isn't. My experience is my reality.
"I mentioned Al Queda because the continued divisiveness between blacks and whites in this country is an advantage to them. They see us all as evil, regardless of skin color. We need to be united as a country."
I really don't see how it's an advantage to anyone outside the country. When the planes hit the twin towers everyone got upset. Black people didn't just shrug their shoulders and say "Oh well. That's what whitey gets." We live here too, so it affected us the same way.
"Years ago, a friend who was very frustrated from dealing with racial tensions in the workplace said this to me.
"Let me see if I've got this straight:
- Blacks and whites don't get along.
- Mexicans and blacks don't get along.
- Asians and blacks don't get along.
Do you notice a common thread?"
I don't mean the above as an attack, but I suspect it is a very common perception among non-black people in this country--whether expressed in those words or not. The perception is that blacks seem to have a lot of hostility toward other ethnic groups and don't seem to be all that interested in letting go of that hostility."
It could also be said Whites and Mexicans don't get along, Asians and Mexicans don't get along, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans don't get along... I could go on.
The perception you speak of comes from a lack of dialogue in part. If these same people with this perception sat down and spoke with someone they viewed in this light I think they'd come away with a different understanding. It's not always about agreeing. Seeing someone else's perspective is just as, if not more important.
"If you really want to get a good discussion going among people who have been working in corporate America for a while, bring up the topic of "Diversity Training". I have heard of "diversity training" being held in a predominately black workplace. Diversity training, from what I've heard doesn't have anything to do with diversity--it has to do with putting a spotlight on how different black people are. To me, that's nuts. Again, I think the focus should be on finding a common ground."
I've never been to diversity training so I realy can't comment.
I accept the differences. What do you want me to do besides acknowledge the differences? Why do so many blacks feel that those differences are huge obstacles to overcome? In the past, it was indeed whites who were putting up the walls between blacks and whites. These days, it seems to be the other way around. What's the deal?"
Outside of everyone's favorite targets in the Black community, those being Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, name two other "very vocal people" who preach about the differences.
Based on what you've said thus far it really doesn't seem like you accept the differences. It sounds more like you think we're all the same, we're just different colors. It's just not that simple. I don't feel like "those differences are huge obstacles to overcome" and neither do friends of mine. If you honestly feel Black people feel that way then I'd say you only know one type Black person.
"That is a very interesting comment. I do not mean this in any sarcastic way, but my perception as a 48 year old white boy (and I've always had this attitude) is that if I get smartass with a cop, I'm not likely to get any slack at all because cops will assume that I know better than to pull that kind of stupid shit. Flunking the attitude test with a cop can truly be a bad thing.
The one time I have mouthed off to a cop was when the cop was threatening me without reason and I figured I was screwed no matter what I said."
Let me tell you about the times I've mouthed off to cops or friends of mine mouthed off to cops. We haven't. Best case scenario they ask you whose car you're driving (I've been asked this question EVERY time I've been pulled over), berate and chastise you, and give you a ticket. Worst case scenario the beat your ass (yes it's happened to me and friends of mine), tow your car, and lock you up until they "drop the charges." I'm not saying the same things don't happen to non Black people. My point is that's more Black people's experience with cops than it isn't. My experience is my reality.
"I mentioned Al Queda because the continued divisiveness between blacks and whites in this country is an advantage to them. They see us all as evil, regardless of skin color. We need to be united as a country."
I really don't see how it's an advantage to anyone outside the country. When the planes hit the twin towers everyone got upset. Black people didn't just shrug their shoulders and say "Oh well. That's what whitey gets." We live here too, so it affected us the same way.
"Years ago, a friend who was very frustrated from dealing with racial tensions in the workplace said this to me.
"Let me see if I've got this straight:
- Blacks and whites don't get along.
- Mexicans and blacks don't get along.
- Asians and blacks don't get along.
Do you notice a common thread?"
I don't mean the above as an attack, but I suspect it is a very common perception among non-black people in this country--whether expressed in those words or not. The perception is that blacks seem to have a lot of hostility toward other ethnic groups and don't seem to be all that interested in letting go of that hostility."
It could also be said Whites and Mexicans don't get along, Asians and Mexicans don't get along, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans don't get along... I could go on.
The perception you speak of comes from a lack of dialogue in part. If these same people with this perception sat down and spoke with someone they viewed in this light I think they'd come away with a different understanding. It's not always about agreeing. Seeing someone else's perspective is just as, if not more important.
"If you really want to get a good discussion going among people who have been working in corporate America for a while, bring up the topic of "Diversity Training". I have heard of "diversity training" being held in a predominately black workplace. Diversity training, from what I've heard doesn't have anything to do with diversity--it has to do with putting a spotlight on how different black people are. To me, that's nuts. Again, I think the focus should be on finding a common ground."
I've never been to diversity training so I realy can't comment.
eflynn 0
"How does it not change anything? You have Blacks that sold blacks into slavery in Africa. And you have Blacks that owned Blacks here....
How am I as a white guy whose family had no slaves owe anything to the decendants of a back man sold into slavery by a black man that was bought by a black man?"
First Africans selling each other in slavery and Blacks owning slaves here are two different issues that occurred in two different countries. Yes, Africans sold each other into slavery. That was a smaller part of how Africans ended up here. The larger part is Europeans capturing Africans and enslaving them. Tell the whole story.
Second, assuming there were "six Negroes" in Louisiana and "125 free Negroes" who owned slaves what do you think the percentage of all slave owners they comprise during it's 400 year history? A drop in the bucket.
Addressing your question about owing descendants of slaves something, I've never in any thread on here said anything about reparations. To me it's tantamount to arguing about who would win in a fight between Captain Kirk and Bruce Lee. It'll never happen so why bother discussing it. Unless of course it could be used as a tool to divide people. Interesting thought.
How am I as a white guy whose family had no slaves owe anything to the decendants of a back man sold into slavery by a black man that was bought by a black man?"
First Africans selling each other in slavery and Blacks owning slaves here are two different issues that occurred in two different countries. Yes, Africans sold each other into slavery. That was a smaller part of how Africans ended up here. The larger part is Europeans capturing Africans and enslaving them. Tell the whole story.
Second, assuming there were "six Negroes" in Louisiana and "125 free Negroes" who owned slaves what do you think the percentage of all slave owners they comprise during it's 400 year history? A drop in the bucket.
Addressing your question about owing descendants of slaves something, I've never in any thread on here said anything about reparations. To me it's tantamount to arguing about who would win in a fight between Captain Kirk and Bruce Lee. It'll never happen so why bother discussing it. Unless of course it could be used as a tool to divide people. Interesting thought.
funks 1
Favor to ask..Can you edit your post and use the "quote" function. I cant figure out which are your statements and which are the person you are quoting....if your not sure how to use the quote feature just click on "quote" at the beginning of the other persons sentence, and then click it again at the end of it. You can then type your response. Continue as needed....thanks!
Quote
"If you really want to get a good discussion going among people who have been working in corporate America for a while, bring up the topic of "Diversity Training". I have heard of "diversity training" being held in a predominately black workplace. Diversity training, from what I've heard doesn't have anything to do with diversity--it has to do with putting a spotlight on how different black people are. To me, that's nuts. Again, I think the focus should be on finding a common ground."
I've never been to diversity training so I realy can't comment.
I've had to go through diversity training, and I don't work in a predominately black workplace. There is a pretty good mix of everybody.
The training was not really about differences between people, but was to encourage people to realize that everyone has a different perspective, and something that seems harmless to one person might offend another. For a boring corporate seminar thingy, it was actually pretty decent.
eflynn 0
"That right there is your problem. Why did you bring your skin color into the cop situation???
What does being black have to do with mouthing off to a cop and facing the consequences???"
My point is the consequences are different. You'd have to be extra naive to believe everyone is treated solely on their actions. In a perfect world, yes. Here, no.
"If I was ever harrassed by a black cop or mouthed off to one the last thing i would do is think that he is being a dick to me because i am white. I would simply think either he is an asshole or perhaps I am being an asshole....Yes, sometimes skin color is an issue, but to rely on that as an excuse or assume that is the cause is a scapegoat."
I'm not relying on color being an issue, I'm saying it's part of the issue. You seem to think it plays little to no part. I'm saying that's a naive way of thinking
"There is way to much crying going on about racial injustices. My point here is that black people tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill."
You keep repeating yourself. And I'll keep disagreeing with you. if something is wrong then ANYONE has the right and responsibility to talk about it. Making a mountain out of a mole hill is sometimes a matter of perspective which goes back to something I said earlier. Dialogue.
What does being black have to do with mouthing off to a cop and facing the consequences???"
My point is the consequences are different. You'd have to be extra naive to believe everyone is treated solely on their actions. In a perfect world, yes. Here, no.
"If I was ever harrassed by a black cop or mouthed off to one the last thing i would do is think that he is being a dick to me because i am white. I would simply think either he is an asshole or perhaps I am being an asshole....Yes, sometimes skin color is an issue, but to rely on that as an excuse or assume that is the cause is a scapegoat."
I'm not relying on color being an issue, I'm saying it's part of the issue. You seem to think it plays little to no part. I'm saying that's a naive way of thinking
"There is way to much crying going on about racial injustices. My point here is that black people tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill."
You keep repeating yourself. And I'll keep disagreeing with you. if something is wrong then ANYONE has the right and responsibility to talk about it. Making a mountain out of a mole hill is sometimes a matter of perspective which goes back to something I said earlier. Dialogue.
I disagree. Once you get in you still have to do the work. The attrition rate for minorities is the same as that of non minorities at major universities. There was a piece on 20/20 about AA at the university of michigan that discussed that exact stat.
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