I'm not a racist.

I was just thinking...

Every time I meet someone in this town I always get the question "where are you from?". So I reply "Canada", I was born here. To which they reply "No..what are you?". What is my race.

Really. Why should it matter? Would your perception of me change if I were half Irish, or a quarter African American or even a full blooded Native-American?

When I did go to school I remember the Hispanic kids sticking their flags onto their backpacks. "Puerto Rican Pride", "Salvadorian 4 life", etc. Most of them segregated themselves and would dismember you if you were from another race trying to talk to a member of their group. I'm positive not all schools are up to these extremes- but mine was.

My family is also the type to stick a flag as their car bumper sticker- I've always been opposed. I would take it off, not because I was ashamed, I just didn't want it to define who I was. I'm not a flag. I am not my ethnicity. I am me. My mother of course would think it was my "racist" neighbor that would take off the bumper sticker.

I had a friend who is raising 4 girls and teaching them that their race is the best race. White people are trash and minorities are the better ones. White people are racist and hate it when minorities bring something better to the table- because white people always want to be in the spot light. ← where does this logic come from?


I'm not sure about the rest of you, but isn't it all a little ignorant?

It's one thing to be "proud of your roots" but it's another to make it a production out of it.

What does being "proud where you come from", "proud of your roots", "pride for your ethnicity" even mean?

Anyone out there think the same or are you against this type of thinking?

Sarah

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:eEh2RDQlu_uA0M:http://www.kingcl.com/prodimages/Latino_Proud.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:-1LAybIngI8IMM:http://rlv.zcache.com/prould_to_be_muslim_tshirt-p2358700595879587133nx1_400.jpg http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:wq-COTTRHbRo8M:http://rlv.zcache.com/azn_pride_asian_pride_tshirt-p235936803614643245uyq1_400.jpg

I'm 100% German heritage, fourth generation American.

Do you still like me?

I ask the "what is your heritage" question mostly to find a common place for us to begin a relationship.

There are some historical things that play a part Sarah.

I am Austrian and when I went to meet my wife's parents in Poland she asked me to say that I was American only which I usually do unless someone specifically asks my ethnicity. She explained what her family went through and about the family members that were lost during WW ll. They still hold animosity toward Germans and Austrians and I can understand this.

I am what I am (as Popeye says... ) but I was born and raised here I am not an Austrian American. I see no other reason to think differently, I personally fought for the right to say that I am an American.

Stringer

Anthropologists classify human beings as primarily falling into one of three groups - Negroid, Mongoloid, or Caucasoid. It is generally accepted today that all humans originated in Africa (Negroid) and, over long periods, evolved into the other two groups (there is some dispute about this).

Within each group, differences arose which are called "ethnic". For example, Europe, a Caucasoid area, evolved into Italians, Germans, English, Spanish, etc. etc. etc. The differences were marked in many ways, but primarily by language. The same evolutionary characteristics were at work in the other two groups.

As language became a defining characteristic of identity, nations formed. In addition to language, they tended to have similar culture - food, religion, governance, and some physical characteristics primarily due to their geographical location. People living in southern Europe, because of exposure to the sun, developed darker skin compared to those living in northern Europe where lighter skin was an evolutionary advantage.

As these ethnic groups found themselves in other societies, they were perceived as different - and therefore threatening. The US is a good example of this. Each immigrant group had to find its own way, often at the price of violence and prejudice. This continues today.

To maintain its identity, the group on the lowest rung has to forcefully define itself amidst the dominant group(s). As each group assimilates with second and third generations moving more and more into the mainstream through education and language, the differences (and the prejudice) gradually disappear. Hence, the Italians, Irish, Germans, Jews, etc. have more or less become inculturated into US society after initially being pariahs.

This obviously hasn't worked to perfection - yet. Anti-semitism still exists in the US, and, in Europe, the Germans are still hated in much of that area due to the events of the Second World War. It is always a long process even under the best of conditions.

As long as groups perceive themselves to be discriminated against, they will fight back in the ways you described in your post. It's a matter of survival.

All any of us can do is NOT discriminate to the best of our ability and recognize the other as at least as valuable as us in his humanity. It's never an easy task.

Thanks Athos and Stringer for your input; the personal story and the facts gave me a little more insignt.

As for you Wondergirl, let's not be silly- of course I still like you.

Sarah

I find the whole thing very sad.. people ridiculing others for their ethnic origin or the colour of their skin.

Every day I deal with many races, all of different colour skins,I treat them all exactly the same,because they are the same, just in different shades.
Unfortunately this is not reciprocated,many times I have suffered racist abuse,not by all, but always by the same people.

I am white born in the UK, the racist are immigrants who have recently moved over here,sadly they do not intergrate with the english preferring to remain with in their own communities, up to a point I can understand this but they are given the same curtesy as I give every body else,yet still they remain extremely rude and arrogant... manners do not exist.

However many of them are very lovely people who will have a joke with you. Maybe eventually the rest will treat us with the thanks and respect we deserve.

WE are all the same,just grown into different cultures and beliefs.
Children will develop the doctrine that has been instilled in them by their parents,some of which is incorrect and totally racist, no matter what country they come from.

In the end we are all people of the human race, none of us better than each other, but all of us as good as one another.

We just come in different shades... but we all bleed red.

Well, I think it's rude if people are walking up to you and asking where you're from. Clearly, you must look as if you're not from around those parts, and they're curious, but it's still pretty rude.

As for the ethnic pride, I am one of those people who carries that pride. I have a now threadbare pair of flannel shorts that proclaim "Irish", and several celtic knot-work tees. I'm trying to learn Norwegian (my other ethnic half) in preparation of a trip next year. I've always know who I am and where I come from, and I like that I'm half Norwegian and Irish.

I don't feel superior to anybody based on this pride, however.

Hello mud:

The question doesn't make a lot of sense.. Because it attempts to identify your heritage at a moment in time. But, our heritage isn't about a moment...

Mine is a good example... I'm a Jew. But, my grandparents immigrated from Poland.. But, were they Polish, or were they Jews? I don't know. They didn't start in Poland. I don't know where they were before they were Polish, but it was probably somewhere in the middle east. So, am I an Israeli? Maybe. But, they didn't start in the middle east. They started in Africa. So, I guess I'm African.

I don't know. Some day we'll get past it. The internet is helping that along.

excon

I'm 100% Italian. Most people think I am Puerto Rican because of how dark I am. I usually just say I am whatever you want me to be cause It really doesn't matter. If they insist to know "what" I am I say I am Chinese the puzzled look on peoples faces are hilarious. If the say come on we know you aren't from China then I say I am a human. That really makes people mad. But eventually my wife gets annoyed and says HE'S ITALIAN NOW SHUT IT!!

Racist people are just stupid. Science has proven that human life started in Africa, which would probably mean at the start of it all we were all dark skinned. Over the centuries of people moving all over the world where the sun wasn't as harsh caused the melanin in the skin to die out, causing them to have lighter skin. Does that make them better? No.

Race, ethnicity, background, religion, sexual orientation or whatever should not define someone or a certain group. Just because one white person robs a bank does not mean they are all bank robbers. Just because one black person murders someone does not make them all murders. People who are racist need to wake up and realize that there are more than just their race in the world. However, if black people want to be racist and live in a country of all black people then head straight to Africa. If white people want to be racist and live in a country of mainly white people, Russia is open for business. And so on and so forth. End of story. Watson, bring me my cigar.

I had a friend who is raising 4 girls and teaching them that their race is the best race. []White people are trash and minorities are the better ones. White people are racist and hate it when minorities bring something better to the table- because white people always want to be in the spot light. ← where does this logic come from?

I know this is an older post but I would like to add here.

As human beings our eyes see color in many light spectrum's. That's a good thing. As we grow up we use this to identify shapes and then colors. Our brains start to connect the both together to mean or identify something.

Snow on the ground doesn't look like rain. So when we see snow we think its cold out because that's usually required for snow to lay on the ground. Its what we are exposed to and see with our eyes to represent things.

Why does red mean stop and green go... Its what we accepted it to mean.

As we use our eyes we start to identify people that way. Before the tanning beds we would see a white person with a tan during the winter and say that person must be from the south where its hot and sunny. Or they were on a southern beach vacation. The color identified that person to a point.

Many of the cultures/races is identifiable by color and looks. The comment she looks Italian and has that smooth Italian skin.

All of this is normal and natural and its part of our senses.

When you think about the word racist what's the first thing that comes to your mind. Color. We get stuck on that because of the big difference in color of races. Racist in the U.S. is more of color issue mainly because of two different distinct colors. Generically it's easier to identify certain races. Our eyes recognize the spectrum's differences. I remember back in the 70s I could identify a car at night just by its white headlight brightness and shape and position on the car.

What's very interesting is the Puerto Ricans will refer to another Puerto Rican and say " He's a dark or black Puerto Rican.
Different forms of racism:

We visually look at President Obama and label him African American. He looks like a light skinned black man with black features yet he.s 1/2 white.

By proper Definition he's not an African American. Yet the races call him that because of color and that resemblance of a race.

He is a mulatto
define:mulatto - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLF_en__292US292&defl=en&q=define:mulatto&ei=xFhESp2zLJGGNJKy6asC&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title)

So by true Definition labeling him an African American is being racist to the Mulatto's. Calling him a White president may also be racist to the Mulatto's. Ironically to be correct he is simply an American that happens to be a Mulatto

To get it right, historically he is the first Mulatto American to become the U.S. President.

That being said,lets keep this neutral and in the classroom...

" Mulatto: was commonly used in Europe for centuries and to this day and not as a derogatory connotation.

It seems the U.S. is the only country that negatively pushed the race cards so hard when it came to black and white. One could easily say that for 100s of years there were to distinct races, White and black. Again its our eyes that pick up on this.

Obviously the actual color is not the issue. Its what we perceive it to represent and their lies the problems we have here and all over the world.


I'm not a racist. I think its so sad we need to say this to express thoughts about races.


Race, ethnicity, background, religion, sexual orientation or whatever should not define someone or a certain group

To prove we all have some racist in us lets look at housing in the U.S.

I do find it ironic that we all say Don't be racist, and yet we all usually feel better living with our own race. I drive through neighbors in the cities and see our natural racism.

The Spanish with the Spanish, The blacks with the blacks. The whites with the whites. When The U.S. was more predominately white, the cities were segregated to religion and different white races. It was the Italians with the Italians. The Jews with Jews, Germans with Germans etc... Weather it be simply by nature or design or choice. To this day most would rather live with there own kind for whatever reason. Obviously this isn't everybody. But it does exist..

To prove that a step further go back to U.S. desegregation of schools in the 60s. Now its 2009. The schools today are naturally reverting back to segregated schools. The white fight took place and now we have many all black schools, many all Spanish schools, all Mexican schools. Explain that as not being a type of racist. Why be ashamed of that. We all are racist at some point.

Races will never go away until we all become one color and all look the same. Until then we are what we are. Be kind to all and hope it comes back. Set the example.

How about this, why don't we all just get over it and realize that America is a melting pot and will remain so until the end of humanity. If racist white people want to live in a country where the majority is white people then go to Russia. If black people want to live in a country where people are majority black then northern africa is your homestead, and the same goes for mexicans or any other people of a particular race and is racist. GET OVER IT.

There, I'm done... *snaps fingers* "Watson, bring me my cigar* :D

To this day most would rather live with there own kind for whatever reason. Obviously this isn't everybody. But it does exist..Hello boat:

I don't agree. SOME small minded racist people would rather live with their own. But MOST of the country has grown beyond that.

Yes, racism does exist. For MY part, however, when I look for a place to live, I DON'T look at the color of my neighbors... Maybe that's because I'm NOT racist.

excon

Hi excon,


But MOST of the country has grown beyond that.

Not sure what country you live in but to state that is very naïve to say the least.

Just to point out how prevalent that is look at the rubber stamping here of professing ones view.

Excons part it quote...
Maybe that's because I'm NOT racist.

Mudweiser...
I'm not a racist

See how society's conditioning produces this opposite labeling here, over compensating. I feel this has gone so far one way that it greatly inhibits dialog between the races to iron things out. Its to a point that it stifles us as a country. Take it the next step and all of us must like our neighbors. Odd how many times that is never truly achieved. Funny how that's not an issue unless the other person is of a different race. You may still have the EXACT opinion but are supposed to keep it quite because its considered and automatic racial comment. Gee could it be they happen to be of another race and you just don't like then because they are trash the neighborhood or are to loud too many times.

Maybe some day the other cultures will realize its more about trash and crime period. Maybe they will understand that the U.S. wants there streets back , to be clean, safe, like those streets were 5, 10, 20, years ago.

Excon not sure what country you live in but here in the U.S. there is natural segregation period. All you have to do is open up your eyes and do the visual thing and study the Demographic housing form the white flights and the other race flights.

My city 50,000 went from predominately white to about a 1/3 white 1/3 black 1/3 Puerto Rican. Guess what after, its basically segregated by natural expanding. The blacks complain about living by the Puerto Ricans. The Puerto Ricans complain About the opposite. In a nut shell Whites/blacks/Puerto Ricans all generally have the same feelings and complaints.

Excon please lets not knee jerk your response to this my last sentence to be correct by a 99% statement. I'm stating If had an empty city and lined up all the ethnic groups. Asked them to get together and pick out where there's groups want to live MOST will surround themselves with there own culture/race in the housing pick. That is a natural form of racism. Just study the history of housing in NY in the early days.

I think you are either very naïve here or your ideology's is getting in the way of actual visual facts.

The quite power struggle I see in housing is real and quite often.

Even the Salvadorians in my town have verbally expressed the same thing. Need to wake up here and see the reality of it.

What ever the ideology's you have or even me facts and statistic won't change, at least in the near future.

I personally have no problem with natural racism at all. It actually represent the freedom we have in this country for all races. Within reason we chose how we want to live and where.

Personally I find it all but impossible to find an actual site to discuss races differences. What few forums I find is either an ACLU Jessi Jackson site or the white extremists. Its all but impossible to find a good grown up ( keep it in the classroom ) site and state feelings/opinions etc. It really comes to a halt when One post actual Government reports of crime/ rape/ etc.

What's the old saying. ( Truths can hurt ) My race isn't perfect and I'm not naïve about that.

Too many times Its so bad we can't even get to the " I agree we disagree"

The problem I feel is a poster will use one incident to justify

Just to re a firm the natural racism of 4 million Puerto Ricans on there island the blacks live mostly in Lozia. The Amerciano choose locations they grouped in. As I was shopping for a house in Puerto Rico the Puerto Rican that works full time for a customer of mine in the states as he also lives there was showing me housing doesn't there. He knew me for over 20 years. He started to show me where the white Amerciano lived first, assumed like him back in the states wanting to live beside my own race.

I CHOOSE NOT to live with the white Amerciano. 99% of my neighbors in P.R. is Puerto Ricans. I have some of the nicest neighbors then one can imagine. Old school Puerto Ricans..

Hello again, boat:

We just fundamentally disagree.

You are unable to see the forest because of the trees. The dynamics of racism can't be identified by a particular moment of time. It needs to be viewed as a journey - not a destination.

We're taking that journey. I don't know when we'll get to the end, but I know what it looks like when we get there.

You're taking a moment of time along that journey, and saying that's how we are... But, that's not so. A moment in time taken 200 years ago, when we owned black people, didn't represent us, any more than the moment in time you're talking about now.

excon

I don't believe all have racism. Many do not. It is only an excuse some racists use to take the spot light off their racism... and others fall for it.
I like asking people what their ethinicity is because I find it interesting. I feel that we are losing our culture heritage and many young people don't even understand the question when asked. I think that part is sad.
I remember when people were proud of their ethinicity, heritage and culture.

I like asking people what their ethinicity is because I find it interesting. I feel that we are losing our culture heritage and many young people don't even understand the question when asked. I think that part is sad.
I remember when people were proud of their ethinicity, heritage and culture.

I agree with that and wish it was more often. When I work in the Caribbean I meet many different cultures. And many were very interesting to say the least.

On the flip side I see misplaced pride.

I feel we should all be good ambassadors of our race and wish it was more often on all races.

Bottom line is if one culture has a negative opinion about another culture listen to that complaint to see what validation it may or may not have. If that validation is real then tweak it. What's the old saying. " Lest not give them fuel for the fire" / Lets not give them something negative to talk about"

Lets not be in the news for a negative reason.

My biggest pet peeve is lets not be physically lazy and throw trash on the streets. Show the rest of the communities and the world we are really proud of our cultures and streets and not look like hogs. Think how easy that could be done and not cost money to hit the public trash cans or your own garbage can...

That's real PRIDE of ones culture> What's the other old saying talk is easy doing something is harder.

Sarah,

I'm half Lebanese and half "American"( meaning American descendants from other places, generations ago).I'm darker skinned also, and I live in a small southern town where that is "different" . You were either white or black. But I had friends of both races, ALWAYS have, and ALWAYS will. With all the bad press Lebanon has been getting over the last 40 years, I've had some prejudice, and some smarta$$ remarks, but all in all it's not been bad at all. My paternal grandparents came over from" the old country", and made a good living. I AM PROUD of my roots and will be forever. I cook the food, I play the music, I butcher the language. You see, I believe that where we came from is who we are. Being ashamed of your heritage is an insult to your ancestors. I don't look down on anyone. I don't judge people by the color of their skin, but by their actions. And am teaching my sons the same. I am not sexist, I believe that GOD's greatest creation is woman. I am amazed at the ignorance in the world concerning racism. And we ALL came from somewhere else( except for native indians) , so don't talk bad about immigrants. But I don't think you should "hang" with just your ethnic group. We are all Americans, something that I am proud of . One day, maybe we will all look at each other as equals. In the meantime we'll just have to be tolerant. GOD bless us all.

Science has proven that human life started in Africa

Actually that's a bit misleading. The planet earth Land mass started with one Continent and weather you call if Africa or not The bottom line is, all the continents were formed by continental Drift , period.


A moment in time taken 200 years ago, when we owned black people, didn't represent us, any more than the moment in time you're talking about now. There was a lot more WE that didn't own black people, also blacks owned blacks at one time, Better bone up on complete history. So the WE here is what? Other nations owned blacks,whites etc..

I disagree here completely. Most of the animosity today between the black and white culture is based on the ( 200 years ago) Don't know what cave you are living in. The (S) word is still being brought up to often in present day by the Blacks and I'm not talking history month.


The dynamics of racism can't be identified by a particular moment of timeThe time is the present and the present will come in time. So the statement " During the time of slavery" meant nothing to you... I see by your philosophy that there is no meaning in time, no starting point or grounding to base things on.

Excon I not only see the trees from the forest I study Human beings in responses/conditioned responses etc and how we as a species tick. MOST of what's being said here is are typical responses form what ever side of the fence someone's on.

To get that out of the box and see the BIGGER picture. I was born in the 50s and I have seen a hell of a lot of changes in the U.S. in cultures and Government, not to mention traveled parts of the world and partly living out of the States every year. Real Education different forest. Not just out of a book... Or slanted medias agendas, and knee jerk reactions by quip remarks or trendy statements.


I don't agree. SOME small minded racist people would rather live with their own. But MOST of the country has grown beyond that. First of all it's a choice to live with ones own race. That's not being a RACIST period>>>>

If that's the way you feel then you best get out and visit your country. Also cross check that in time with the census of the demographics in populations through out the U.S. and the geographical shift changes in concentration of races for the past 30 years. Never heard the word "China town" Spanish Harlem" etc etc...

Does it really matter what race people are? America is a MELTING POT. You don't like it, get out. It's as simple as that.

Hello again, boat:

We seem to be missing each other here. I have no idea what you're talking about.

excon

Hello again, boat:

Let me see if I can explain it sociologically.

In the beginning, we were members of tribes. One tribe didn't like any other tribe. It wasn't cause they were black, or green or anything like that. It was because there was only so much game to go around, and the two tribes constantly fought over the resources on "their" land.

THAT mentality continued for 1,000's and 1,000's of years and still hangs on in some circles today - maybe even in your mind.

However, when the industrial revolution began to make borders less and less relevant, the fight over resources became less important... WE as a people started to move OUT of our little tribal cliques and we got to know our neighbors, and we decided that they weren't so bad after all. The internet revolution made that transition go even faster.

We're still on that journey. No, we didn't get to the end yet, but we will make it.

You still want to take a moment out of this journey and say that's how we are. It's like saying cookies are wet and soggy if you happen to examine them during the moment in time before they were baked.

excon

Let me see if I can explain it sociologically.
Huh let me see the word GANG on the city streets are the enlightened. No tribal borders!

Where have you lived??


the fight over resources became less important

Some how you have rose colored glass. Hard to believe you missed this one We are still fighting over resources WOW!


You still want to take a moment out of this journey and say that's how we are. It's like saying cookies are wet and soggy if you happen to examine them during the moment in time before they were baked.

Maybe the leap here was the "Melting Pot" to heat to Oven to cookies. With your theory there is never a time to assess the Life in the U.S.


We're still on that journey. No, we didn't get to the end yet, but we will make it.

Need a better analogy here not a 7th grade Homec class.


With that connotation the getting to the end will never happen unless mankind dies off and what's the point then!

Don't know what your smoking in that pipe, but this really sounds like a burnt out hippie remark. No real depth here.

Amazing in 7th grade I was writing things like

" He who knows what one knows not, Knows not what there really is to Know"

Hard to believe that it applies more then ever today..

No need to re teach me Amerciano History. I didn't flunk school... Now 33 years later still studying History, not to mention I grew up around professors..

Hello again, boat:

Well, if you can't understand it when I put it on a 7th grade level, then you ain't never going to.

We're done!

excon

It should have been done 10 posts ago! Racism is just stupid and wrong. People need to accept change. If they can't, oh well, move to a third world country where change doesn't happen and the race is predominately whatever one they are. Now, it's done.

Well, if you can't understand it when I put it on a 7th grade level, then you ain't never going to
Obviously I did that's why the hit and run.

I can understand it and I feel the logic and philosophy is to broad. Its one of those trendy statements that's says a lot of nothing..


It should have been done 10 posts ago! Racism is just stupid and wrong
Jamm.. You seem to be stuck on the "stupid" word with your post to express yourself, To understand Racism and get a handle on it as to why it exist is what beyond "just Stupid" The Mired cause and effect factors.


People need to accept change.
People don't' really need anything in that area. Its all about do they WANT to accept change and is it a good or bad change.


If they can't, oh well, move to a third world country where change doesn't happen and the race is predominately whatever one they are. Now, it's done.[/
Apparently you are young, For the past 40 years This Country is fast pacing toward the 2nd world look with too much TRASH on the streets and now steel bars on the windows. Not to mention the 80s NY Gangs actually taking over a High rise housing complex and blowing out all the interior walls to turn it into a fort, And yes the city cops were shot by snipers from that building.

Pretty sure that's One of most visible measures of what a 2nd and third world Countries looks like Of one race or different races.. aside from the hungry aspect. We are also heading there when Welfare bankrupts this country,

Whenever anybody asks me. I say the same thing.

I am Canadian.

My wife is canadian too but she says she is spanish. I argue with her, you might have a spanish background but your full canadian.

It should not matter what background anybody is.

My fathers side - Swedish, Armenian.
My Mothers side - Scottish and French Canadian.

P.S. Just to add Toronto is one of the biggest multicultural cities in the world.

We have people living here that is from all over the world.

Obviously I did thats why the hit and run.

I can understand it and I feel the logic and philosophy is to broad. Its one of those trendy statements thats says a lot of nothing..


Jamm.. You seem to be stuck on the "stupid" word with your post to express your self, To understand Racism and get a handle on it as to why it exist is what beyond "just Stupid" The Mired cause and effect factors.

.
People don't' really need anything in that area. Its all about do they WANT to accept change and is it a good or bad change.


Apparently you are young, For the past 40 years This Country is fast pacing toward the 2nd world look with too much TRASH on the streets and now steel bars on the windows. Not to mention the 80s NY Gangs actually taking over a High rise housing complex and blowing out all the interior walls to turn it into a fort, And yes the city cops were shot by snipers from that building.

Pretty sure thats One of most visible measures of what a 2nd and third world Countries looks like Of one race or different races..aside from the hungry aspect. We are also heading there when Welfare bankrupts this country,

You must not understand what a second world country is my friend. Trash in the streets, 80's NY gangs and steel bars on windows DO NOT equal a third world country. Forgive if thinking that high speed internet, HD radios and TVs, satellite communication, hybrid cars and even integrated information systems indicates that America is NOT a 2nd world country nor heading towards it. And if you feel America truly is a 2nd world country (or "fast pacing toward the 2nd world look" as you put it) then why not leave. Get out if that's how you feel. As for your little comment about people "wanting" to accept change... they have no choice. If they did, change wouldn't happen. They would have enough power to stop it. Well guess what. They don't! So they have no choice but to accept it. I'm sure most of the southern states did not want slavery to end. But what power did they have to stop it? None, so, slavery was ended. I'm sure most men didn't want women to vote back in the day. But what power did they have to stop it? None, so women gained the right to vote. So, people don't have a choice in accepting change. They can't choose to "not want" change. No matter what they "want" to happen does not mean it will. So like I said, you don't want change, go to a country where change does not happen.

And to expound on this, lets not forget that America was founded and built on the backs of different ethnicities. If people can't seem to accept that America will stay the melting pot that it is then they should get out and quit complaining about things they have no power to change. There are better things to do with their lives... or there should be.

... they have no choice Not even choosing is choosing " I choose not to choose." You must live in a country where someone is holding a gun to your head to force you to choose. What part of the word do you live in...

Everybody has a choice int this Country.


I'm sure most of the southern states did not want slavery to end
Correct. Even the southern blacks in slaves states owning black slaves probably felt the same way as the white slave owners. They were going to lose there means of making money.


you don't want change, go to a country. Apparently you only know what half that word means. Not All Change is good. Where did I ever post that! Of course I want change, I want this country to be safer and cleaner to walk down our streets like it was in my generation or my dads generation.


then why not leave I was born here, My families direct generations as with others in the U.S. fought to keep this country safe form other countries and safe for people like you and me to live here. My direct generations worked HARD to make a living in this country and were never on welfare,etc. Just coming from abroad or being born here is not a complete entailment. Making a POSITIVE contribution this your country by either working hard, or parent(s) raising a child(s) to have morals and respectfully honor the good and in turn become a good Stewart of this country. As far as I'm concerned, That's a the Change I like to see us get back too. To respect ALL Americans that really works to make this country possible. Apparently that basic hand book is not as popular as the racism card that's so in everybody's face. Everybody professes they want this and that but too many don't want to work for this and earn that!


America was founded and built on the backs of different ethnicities. Sure it was and these people worked for themselves and in turn became very viable Americans hands down, or starved they starved back then. Different caliber of ethnicities. Lets not forget all the ethnicities of child slavery during the beginning/during the industrial age of this country The "sweat shops"


If people can't seem to accept that America will stay the melting pot that it is then they should get out and quit complaining about things

I think you are confused here. The "Melting Pot" is not the problem here. That is so misused to justify the bad situation we are in today. It's the basic morals and caliber of today's melting pot that is so different today compared what it used to be not so long ago and is greatly/disproportionately turning this nations cities into daily killing fields. Maybe you better read your newspapers and statistically see who is killing who and evaluate all the ethnicities. Facts are facts.. Not an opinion. They all have choices


Trash in the streets, 80's NY gangs and steel bars on windows DO NOT equal a third world country. I said LOOKS like. Please read my words and don't take them out of context to justify this all or nothing tactic..

If people can't seem to accept that America will stay the melting pot that it is then they should get out and quit complaining about things they have no power to change. Again where do you live! This countries foundation is based on making changes by having ones freedom to do so. It's the most precious thing we fought for to separate from Britain's rule.. Dam good thing the northern states didn't have your altitude during slavery.. mmm Lets see Britain said the same basic thing. They very fiber of this country is based on changes and as things go what might have worked before may not be working today, again simply the practice and theory was based on different calibers of people coming and or now living in this country.

Does this mean you didn't vote in our last presidential election hoping for change and not happy with no change or the status quo? Again its NOT about the Melting Pot itself, It's the caliber of the melting that should change to better this society not take from it or burden all the working taxpayers to pay to support them and or pay for more police to protect the rest of the Americans that understand work and values this country set in place a LONG time ago..

Study your history and the general mentality of what put this country ahead of most other countries and the general types of people with there thinking. Bottom line it was the combined caliber of people that took us from horse and buggies to moon landings.

Not even choosing is choosing " I choose not to choose." You must live in a country where someone is holding a gun to your head to force you to choose. What part of the word do you live in.....

Everybody has a choice int this Country.


Correct. Even the southern blacks in slaves states owning black slaves probably felt the same way as the white slave owners. They were going to lose there means of making money.

Apparently you only know what half that word means. Not All Change is good. Where did I ever post that!! Of course I want change, I want this country to be safer and cleaner to walk down our streets like it was in my generation or my dads generation.

I was born here, My families direct generations as with others in the U.S. fought to keep this country safe form other countries and safe for people like you and me to live here. My direct generations worked HARD to make a living in this country and were never on welfare,etc. Just coming from abroad or being born here is not a complete entailment. Making a POSITIVE contribution this your country by either working hard, or parent(s) raising a child(s) to have morals and respectfully honor the good and in turn become a good Stewart of this country. As far as I'm concerned, Thats a the Change I like to see us get back too. To respect ALL Americans that really works to make this country possible. Apparently that basic hand book is not as popular as the racism card thats so in everybody's face. Everybody professes they want this and that but too many don't want to work for this and earn that!!

Sure it was and these people worked for themselves and in turn became very viable Americans hands down, or starved they starved back then. Different caliber of ethnicities. Lets not forget all the ethnicities of child slavery during the beginning/during the industrial age of this country The "sweat shops"



I think you are confused here. The "Melting Pot" is not the problem here. That is so misused to justify the bad situation we are in today. Its the basic morals and caliber of todays melting pot that is so different today compared what it used to be not so long ago and is greatly/disproportionately turning this nations cities into daily killing fields. Maybe you better read your newspapers and statistically see who is killing who and evaluate all the ethnicities. Facts are facts.. Not an opinion. They all have choices

I said LOOKS like. Please read my words and don't take them out of context to justify this all or nothing tactic..

If people can't seem to accept that America will stay the melting pot that it is then they should get out and quit complaining about things they have no power to change. Again where do you live! This countries foundation is based on making changes by having ones freedom to do so. ITS the most precious thing we fought for to separate from Britain's rule.. Dam good thing the northern states didn't have your altitude during slavery.. mmm Lets see Britain said the same basic thing. They very fiber of this country is based on changes and as things go what might have worked before may not be working today, again simply the practice and theory was based on different calibers of people coming and or now living in this country.

Does this mean you didn't vote in our last presidential election hoping for change and not happy with no change or the status quo? Again its NOT about the Melting Pot itself, Its the caliber of the melting that should change to better this society not take from it or burden all the working taxpayers to pay to support them and or pay for more police to protect the rest of the Americans that understand work and values this country set in place a LONG time ago..

Study your history and the general mentality of what put this country ahead of most other countries and the general types of people with there thinking. Bottom line it was the combined caliber of people that took us from horse and buggies to moon landings.

Everything you are saying has nothing to do with the asker's question about why ethnicity should (or should not) matter. You go off on this rant about 2nd world countries and 80's NY gangs and people getting shot and trash in the streets. This has nothing to do with why ethnicity matters. I don't know where you are getting your facts but the remain with the fact that we HAVE NO POWER to change anything. If we do, then why isn't the world the way it was during your generation, or your father's as you put it? If you believe you have the power to change everything then do it, don't sit here and post about it. CHANGE IT! But you can't change it can you... no... you can't. All you can do is scream, holler and complain about the things that you wish you could change.

Okay, Can I make some comments about american. America is not the center of the universe. All this debating you have about USA.

Forgive if thinking that high speed internet, HD radios and TVs, satellite communication, hybrid cars and even integrated information systems indicates that America is NOT a 2nd world country nor heading towards it

Rome fell and look how far advanced they were but look at the culture that not only ruined that but many of Romes advanced technologies were lost especially in the science/education areas. This changing of the guards, caliber of the people that took it over weren't advanced enough to continue the sciences of Rome.

Having technologies is not just the only gage here. First what generations/people developed theses technologies and for there generations to grow up with them..

An oil rich country that buys Suvs to ride around in the desert beside Camels talking on there cell phones doesn't make them a 1st world country in the true sense. But you seem to think so buy your gage.

I'm not even sure what the middle East countries invented. For that matter how much Africa or south America Mexico Puerto Rico etc invented in real measurable amounts. For the last 200 years look at what parts of the world and the ethnicities that were the major players in all that you mentioned.

I think you need to understand all measures here. Health care etc.

Can't believe I'm reading this, If you don't think this is a 1st world country then maybe you need to leave and come back to understand the meanings here. I said have cities looking more like a 2nd world country and sliding fast to end up like a 3rd world country.

The gage here is simple. More and more can't walk our streets in the safety we used too.( heading in the wrong direction) Towns with shootings and killings way Beyond what it was before ( sliding scale) Streets with the same houses that been there for decades and had clean streets then. But now these same streets looks so dirty with trash and graffiti everywhere. How do you explain that. Did someone loose there arms and legs. Are trash cans illegal in there streets now? I don't consider Puerto Rico a first world island even though its part of the U.S. The Amount of litter there looks just like our city streets do here where they live. That's a fact not a racial statement

Puerto Rico has the same thing in technology access and usage we have and who brought that there But I don't consider Puerto Rico a 1st world island just because of cars and things. Look at an average of 2.5 killings a day out of 4 million people, The hospitable can't even compare to the states.

The best thing here is at least we are talking about our views and why we think what we think. I thank you for that... Good bad or indifferent. Keeping it in the classroom debate is the way to make changes or publicly express ones thoughts and no one going off the deep end. I appreciate your comment " My friend"

Blah Blah Blah.

Well 21 boat, I have to agree with you there. At least we have the freedom to talk about this without persecution or anything. I still do disagree with the rest of what you're saying/ But as jesus helper stated, it's all becoming "blah blah blah" so let's just agree to disagree and end it here on a friendly note.

Okay, Can I make some comments about American. America is not the center of the universe. All this debating you have about USA

Hay Canada. I'm in the USA and it is the center of my universe in that way first. Wonder how Canada would have faired if we allowed the Japanese to overtake us. So I love my Country what's your problem here... Lest read between the lines , You apparently have a problem with the subject relationship topics and want to squelch it. Usually someone does this to avoid truths or not wanting to addresses them.. or weak in controversial conversations. Your next post shows the problem here.


Blah Blah Blah. Boy that's adding a lot of to the subjects here

Jammixmaster Sorry I disagree

Blah Blah Blah.

I can get that same response from a child who can't speak yet and can't reinforce that coming from an adult no less a human relationship Expert.

Jammixmaster I did enjoy our conversation we had and it keeps the brain muscles working and making full sentences. Couldn't imagine jumping in on a conversation and insulting ethnic people about there views with the interjection being Blah Blah Blah...

It re a firms how we as people from different ethnic backgrounds will never resolve things or kick them around as adults should and air things out.. Stops misconceptions to say the least knowing what one thinks or feels.

The response from Jhelper doesn't' reflect well for a 1st world society does it. What was my comment, heading toward a 2nd and 3rd world manatility...

Until we meet again My friend, Be healthy and kill people with respect and gestures of kindness. I respect you as an adversary and as a person.. Thanks for kicking it around!!

Editing here

Jesushelper hard to believe reading your site name you present yourself as a relationship expert and with a religious connotation and yet it appears you can't handle My relationship with another poster. No bad advice was given here to misdirect anyone. So how's this work. If I read a posts you are on and you keep reposing something I don't want to read I use the ruse " You wanted a rating here it is" Just can't believe the bad behavior here...

You have turned this thread into something it should not be.

It has gone way off on this thread and you need to stop it.

Enough Already. End it. Stop it.

Bad behavior, what exactly are you doing?

This is what gets to me more than anything. People having pride of their race like they had anything to do with it. All they did was, be born. Like white supremacy groups. To me, the only group that I look down on is the group that thinks they are above other groups, just by virtue of being born into that group. What a bunch of jack a$$es they are.

Hay Canada. I'm in the USA and it is the center of my universe in that way first. Wonder how Canada would have faired if we allowed the Japanese to overtake us. So I love my Country what's your problem here... Lest read between the lines , You apparently have a problem with the subject relationship topics and want to squelch it. Usually someone does this to avoid truths or not wanting to addresses them.. or weak in controversial conversations. Your next post shows the problem here.

Read the original post, the OP is from Canada. How we got into a discussion about the US I don't know.

21 Boat, you say a lot without saying anything. Each post is longer then the previous one, yet you still don't make sense.

You are insulting people.

Also, America may be the center of your universe, but it's not the center of everyone's. There are a lot of Canadians on this site, you may want to keep that in mind. You see, I love my country too, just as much as you love yours.

Read the original post, the OP is from Canada. How we got into a discussion about the US I don't know.

21 Boat, you say alot without saying anything. Each post is longer then the previous one, yet you still don't make sense.

You are insulting people.

Also, America may be the center of your universe, but it's not the center of everyone's. There are alot of Canadians on this site, you may want to keep that in mind. You see, I love my country too, just as much as you love yours.

Its not just americans and canadians either :)

Hay Canada. I'm in the USA and it is the center of my universe in that way first. Wonder how Canada would have faired if we allowed the Japanese to overtake us. So I love my Country whats your problem here... Lest read between the lines , You apparently have a problem with the subject relationship topics and want to squelch it. Usually someone does this to avoid truths or not wanting to addresses them.. or weak in controversial conversations. Your next post shows the problem here.

Boy thats adding a lot of to the subjects here

Jammixmaster Sorry I disagree


I can get that same response from a child who can't speak yet and can't reinforce that coming from an adult no less a human relationship Expert.

Jammixmaster I did enjoy our conversation we had and it keeps the brain muscles working and making full sentences. Couldn't imagine jumping in on a conversation and insulting ethnic people about there views with the interjection being Blah Blah Blah......

It re a firms how we as people from different ethnic backgrounds will never resolve things or kick them around as adults should and air things out.. Stops misconceptions to say the least knowing what one thinks or feels.

The response from Jhelper doesn't' reflect well for a 1st world society does it. What was my comment, heading toward a 2nd and 3rd world manatility....

Until we meet again My friend, Be healthy and kill people with respect and gestures of kindness. I respect you as an adversary and as a person.. Thanks for kicking it around!!!!!

Editing here

Jesushelper hard to believe reading your site name you present yourself as a relationship expert and with a religious connotation and yet it appears you can't handle My relationship with another poster. No bad advice was given here to misdirect anyone. So hows this work. If I read a posts you are on and you keep reposing something I don't want to read I use the ruse " You wanted a rating here it is" Just can't believe the bad behavior here....

What does religion and relationship expert have to do with this thread. Do you even know what the original point of the thread was? Probably not. I could get into a lot of things here but that would be defeating the purpose of the thread. I am not going to play these games with you.

I am Canadian and many others here are Canadians and others come here from all over the world. I do not know why this all got into such a heated debate, but all I know is there are a few really arrogant Americans that think they are the center of the universe and savior of the world but your not.

I would also like to say that Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world and I am very proud of my Country and very Proud to be Canadian. It does not matter what any of our back grounds are we are ALL HUMAN.

its not just americans and canadians either :)

Exactly, We have people here from all over the world. Been saying that all along. :cool:

its not just americans and canadians either :)

So very true.

This site is Universal, all nationalities, races, we're the real melting pot. :cool:

I love it.

I live in Canada, have since I was 3 1/2 years old. I'm still a German citizen but I consider myself Canadian, and I'm proud of it.

I love the country I live in. We have a real mix of people here. The one thing we all have in common, we're human beings, people, it doesn't matter where we were born or what color our skin is. What race am I? Human.

That's the way I was raised, the way my children are being raised, and the way the world should be.

That's my opinion.

I was born in Labrador... :cool:

I was born in Labrador.........:cool:

LMAO! Are you a retriever?

I love retrievers.

You can be mine. I will call you Squishy and you will be my Squishy.

Come here Squishy. :D

What does religion and relationship expert have to do with this thread. Do you even know what the original point of the thread was? Probably not. I could get into a lot of things here but that would be defeating the purpose of the thread. I am not going to play these games with you.

I am Canadian and many others here are Canadians and others come here from all over the world. I do not know why this all got into such a heated debate, but all I know is there are a few really arrogant Americans that think they are the center of the universe and savior of the world but your not.

I would also like to say that Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world and I am very proud of my Country and very Proud to be Canadian. It does not matter what any of our back grounds are we are ALL HUMAN.

Joe, I think that you know better than to judge all Americans because of a few. We are not all that self centered, at least you know that I am not. Just as it takes all kinds and types to make up a society here, it does in all countries. Thank God that in most countries the good people win out, even though we all have to tolerate (when possible) those that prove themselves quite unworthy. So I guess what I am saying is, yes we have what I fear is more than our share of those types here, but so does every country.

I agree Stringer.

You know what, I hope I did not offend anybody. I do not judge all people for just a few bad ones. I know you Stringer, and know your not like that.

Like you said though we all have it. I need to remind people that I have good friends from USA, and my fathers side of the family are all american.

So we are not all that different at all. WE ARE ALL HUMAN. I like what Alty has said. It should not matter what country we come from, or our back ground.

We all need to learn to get along. Simple as that. At the same time we can be proud of where we are born but does not need to shove it in other peoples faces and Boat 21 did very well when he clearly stated that united states is the center of the universe. Stringer it is that kind of attitude that does give a country a bad name.

I agree Stringer.

You know what, I hope I did not offend anybody. I do not judge all people for just a few bad ones. I know you Stringer, and know your not like that.

Like you said though we all have it. I need to remind people that I have good friends from USA, and my fathers side of the family are all american.

So we are not all that different at all. WE ARE ALL HUMAN. I like what Alty has said. It should not matter what country we come from, or our back ground.

We all need to learn to get along. Simple as that. At the same time we can be proud of where we are born but does not need to shove it in other peoples faces and Boat 21 did very well when he clearly stated that united states is the center of the universe. Stringer it is that kind of attitude that does give a country a bad name.

Thanks for your comments Joe, we are friends, you know that, for a long time. I just remind you that there are people like that, that should be judged on their own merits or lack of and not the whole country. Trust me, everyday I talk with people here, friends, family and business associates and not once have I heard any one of them speak or comment in this manner. They are what was once called the vast silent majority, and we are still here. Many from Canada, Australia, England, The States and many more countries have given their time and lives to protect our freedoms, I have. So that some of these people can live in their own fantasy world.

Stringer

Every country has bad people because bad people, sadly, are universal.

You can't judge the lot by a few bad eggs.

Most of the friends I've made on this site are American. I love all of you so much.

Bear, M, Shazzy and others are from parts of the world I've never seen, probably never will (I'd love to, but $$$$, too much).

The truly wonderful thing about sites like this is that no one judges based on ethnicity. Unless we divulge where we are from, the color of our skin, no one knows.

That's what I love about this place. No one cares if you're from the US, Germany, Canada, England, Australia or Timbucktwo (sp?).

We are who we are here, not what we are.

You could be rich beyond belief or poor as a church mouse. You could drive a Mercedes or a Pinto. You could live in a mansion or an igloo. No one knows and no one cares. Only a few would make a stink about it if they found out, and those are the ones I want nothing to do with.

Group hug? :)

Love you Alty,

And all my friends from around the world.

Group hug... (;

Were you all waiting for me :)



21531

Love you Alty,

and all my friends from around the world.

Group hug... (;

We could join hands around the world. I'm sure we could.

Love all of you so much.

Still in shock that some of the best friends I have are people I've never met.

It's mind boggling.

Should we sit around the fire and sing? I feel like we should. Something symbolic. We need to do it. :p

We could join hands around the world. I'm sure we could.

Love all of you so much.

Still in shock that some of the best friends I have are people I've never met.

It's mind boggling.

Should we sit around the fire and sing? I feel like we should. Something symbolic. We need to do it. :p



YouTube - We Are The World - Michael Jackson Lionel Richie Cindy Lauper Steve Wonder & Other (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzw6GiqZyD0)

YouTube - We Are The World - Michael Jackson Lionel Richie Cindy Lauper Steve Wonder & Other (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzw6GiqZyD0)

Damn. I was just going to post that.

Great minds do think alike M.

Are you watching me? :eek:

Every country has bad people because bad people, sadly, are universal.

You can't judge the lot by a few bad eggs.

Most of the friends I've made on this site are American. I love all of you so much.

Bear, M, Shazzy and others are from parts of the world I've never seen, probably never will (I'd love to, but $$$$, too much).

The truly wonderful thing about sites like this is that no one judges based on ethnicity. Unless we divulge where we are from, the color of our skin, no one knows.

That's what I love about this place. No one cares if you're from the US, Germany, Canada, England, Australia or Timbucktwo (sp?).

We are who we are here, not what we are.

You could be rich beyond belief or poor as a church mouse. You could drive a Mercedes or a Pinto. You could live in a mansion or an igloo. No one knows and no one cares. Only a few would make a stink about it if they found out, and those are the ones I want nothing to do with.

Group hug? :)

Agreed :)

But no I'm not going to group hug, this is getting too... 'feel good film of the year'y for my liking :D

Every country has bad people because bad people, sadly, are universal.

You can't judge the lot by a few bad eggs.

Most of the friends I've made on this site are American. I love all of you so much.

Bear, M, Shazzy and others are from parts of the world I've never seen, probably never will (I'd love to, but $$$$, too much).

The truly wonderful thing about sites like this is that no one judges based on ethnicity. Unless we divulge where we are from, the color of our skin, no one knows.

That's what I love about this place. No one cares if you're from the US, Germany, Canada, England, Australia or Timbucktwo (sp?).

We are who we are here, not what we are.

You could be rich beyond belief or poor as a church mouse. You could drive a Mercedes or a Pinto. You could live in a mansion or an igloo. No one knows and no one cares. Only a few would make a stink about it if they found out, and those are the ones I want nothing to do with.

Group hug? :)

YES!! Think about it... Justy is from the US and what would we do without her or Sunny?? And of course, all the others too... :eek:

Stringer

agreed :)

but no im not gonna group hug, this is getting too..........'feel good film of the year'y for my liking :D

Agreed Bear, agreed... :eek::rolleyes::)

agreed :)

but no im not gonna group hug, this is getting too..........'feel good film of the year'y for my liking :D

We're an after school special, be proud Bear! :D

I'm hugging you whether you want one or not.

Go ahead, scream, no one will hear. :)

Damn. I was just going to post that.

Great minds do think alike M.

Are you watching me? :eek:

Look behind your left shoulder... go on dare you ;)















You looked didn't Ya :cool:

We're an after school special, be proud Bear! :D

I'm hugging you whether you want one or not.

Go ahead, scream, no one will hear. :)

That damn 'tree in the forest'... again, geese! :rolleyes:

Okay, I've grossed out Bear and Stringer. My work here is done.

Carry on. :)

That damn 'tree in the forest'...again, geese! :rolleyes:

Geese? Where? I thought we had ducks. :eek:

We totally hijacked the thread.

I'm not taking the blame this time.

You boys can draw straws to see who takes the fall. :cool:

Look behind your left shoulder..................go on dare you ;)















You looked didn't Ya :cool:

I tried to 'highlight' all that empty space below your post and damn... nothing, no secret message. :eek::eek::eek:

We're an after school special, be proud Bear! :D

I'm hugging you whether you want one or not.

Go ahead, scream, no one will hear. :)

On AMHD no one can hear you scream! :eek:

on AMHD no one can hear you scream ! ! ! :eek:

Good one Bear.

Off to bed now, this nausea is... well sickening... sleep helps but it wakes me up 2 to 3 times a night...

Good night to you all... it's just after midnight.

Night stringer :)

Good Night almost 1 30 am here.