Racism in today's society

I would like to have a calm discussion about racism in today's society. - What part does the media the government and the politicians have in it - or if they do have a part in it. - If they do, is it good, bad or ugly and how is it affecting and influencing us?


I really thought that racism was over in our country.. Now I don't mean completely.. I'm not stupid or naive and I am a realistic person and I do want to know the truth.

By the discussion we've had thus far in this forum, I started wondering about it. But when I read what was going on with the Zimmerman/Martin shooing, a better perspective, I believe, of what is going on concerning racism came to me.

The only blacks I've been exposed to on a personal level in a long long time were men my husband and I became acquainted with when we were team truckdrivers. Us being white and them being black meant nothing to us other then we had some great fun and made some great friends and one man in particular that we spent alot of time with. Race was never ever mentioned..it didn't need to be. They were just guys we liked that happened to be black... I loved those men. If you want to know the truth, we made friends easier with blacks when we were on the road, then we did whites...they were friendlier and more real.

Anywho.. I believe if the media, politicians and government would stay out of it as much as possible and let us work it out amongst ourselves, it would virtually go away.... "Most" people, useless they have something to gain by keeping it going, find racism ugly.

When I was growing up, I had two much older sisters that loved all music and black artists were enjoyed and loved.. How could we love to listen to them and love to watch them on television and hate them at the same time? I think without realizing it, that is why my generation didn't adapt our parents attitudes towards blacks..Because of the music industry.

My Father hated blacks and even though I loved him, I found the way he felt absurd and hurtful.

My Mother and sisters never talked about it...it was a non-issue with them.. But my sisters loved the black singers and it was never brought up that they were black...They bought their music, watched them on tv and to this day, I get goosie bumps and nostalgic when listening to the 'oldies but goodies'..

Color is only skin deep. We are of the same color inside.

This is what Jigsaw said, which I find true.

Racism is simply about a certain race thinking that they are superior than the other, it's not only common with black and white people.

I was going to refrain from participating in this discussion..BUT I've changed my mind....
This is the definition of Racism or having a "Racist Additude"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

Such as The fact that in some cultures, a "racist Additude" is prevelent in the treatment of women...
Just being born "Female" is enough To get you Killed,Mutilated,Treated with utter contempt.

Racism isn't just about the pigmentation of ones skin, If we're going to discuss this, then we need to discuss all that "Racism" encompasses.

RESPECTFULLY

MissPlaced

Racism isn't promoted by the media, it's promoted by your upbringing, meaning your parents, your parents parents etc. Some people have an epiphany and realize that one race, (there goes that labeling crap that keeps us divided) is no better than another race. Whether you believe in God, or Evolution, we are all created/born the same (save variations in physical/mental make-up which make us unique and not better than another), we all need to eat to live. we all need sleep to survive, and one day, we ALL will pass on from this known existence. I challenge any "Superior/Master" race to dispute the aforementioned facts


See my first signature for the reality of where mankind is headed if we don't change our mindset

Refer to my second signature if you want to free yourself from the Matrix

@missplaced:yes there are many aspects to racism and they are all ugly.. my post is concerning blacks and whites only.. I'm not sure what you mean because when I clicked on you're link it said "The page "Racism." does not exist". ...so I'm not entirely sure of what you meant.

@santicapt: I got goosie bumps when I read yours.. I was just thinking the other day how what is going on is like the movie the matrix.. so I typed in - people being controlled like the matrix by television..or something like that..and -free yourself from the matrix came up -

btw..what do you mean by your signature and to refer to it?

gayln and alumar - exactly..I agree with you both.

@ lora777,
The link iposted is about the definition of Racism, and it's many discription's and encompasses more then ,
Racism between African American's and Caucasians, as went on to explain, i hope this answer's your question?

Since your the OP, for this thread, is it your intent to only want to discuss "Racism between African American's and Caucasians"??

Perhaps i was confused by the title?

@ SCT1...Agreed 100%!!

RESPECTFULLY

MissPlaced

Yes..This post is about racism in America between blacks and whites. Sorry, I thought that was evident by the content and didn't occur to me to mention it.

@ lora777,
Thank you for the explanation.

RESPECTFULLY

MissPlaced

Your welcome missplaced...

What I meant was and I'm sure I didn't make myself clear again... I didn't mean that I don't want it to go off into a different direction as discussions do, that's just part of it.. I just meant that was the topic,racism between blacks and whites.

But thinking about it..what does it really matter and I wish I had not said anything.

So I take it that the topic of racism is not open to covering the racism predominant in the southwest regarding Mexican-Americans or legal immigrants from Mexico or Latin American countries. Or the racism in Florida regarding Cuban Americans. Or the racism on the west coast regarding Asian Americans. Or the racism in Minnesota regarding Cambodian Americans. Lets not forget the prevailing anti-Muslim sentiment that has overshadowed the entire list of racist factions. This is strictly a White vs African American limited scope discussion?

Intolerance, bigotry and racism all come from ignorance and spiritual isolation. And while no one has a window into men's souls, it is frightening when so large a segment of the American people publicly proclaim all three as well as act on them.

Animal - That was not my intention, no. But if I start another thread, I will certainly be more specific. Since I was not, please close the thread or continue on in any direction you wish.. I don't care.

The topic has been started, and you have framed the specifics of it. I didn't plan on closing it. I wanted it clear to those who wish to participate what the specifics are. If the topic deviates continuously from your original topic subject matter it will be closed.

Thank you for setting the parameters more clearly.

@lora, I was referring to the two sentences that I believe in strongly.

"Either We Learn to Live Together as People, Or Die Apart as Fools !"

There is only ONE RACE and that's the "HUMAN RACE" every other "label" is designed to keep people from looking at themselves. We fear taking inventory of ourselves because we may not like what we see. Mankind also has a propensity to want to dominate those weaker than themselves so that they can feel good about their own failings and shortcomings. It's easier to point out another's negatives or differences than to embrace our own and grow. I have a lot more to say on this matter but it truly doesn't have anything to do with racism save what racism truly does to society and mankind as a whole. Look up the phrase 'Red Herring', better yet, read the story "The Emperor's New Clothes" and see what you can glean from those two tasks that I have assigned to you.

STC1