In honor of excon, I have spent this weekend doing some introspection, trying to find my inner racist and get rid of it. This was, after all, the weekend of Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the 10 Days of Repentance in Judaism. So I looked hard and deep... and I found that there are indeed strong and blatant forms of racism in the USA that I have been a part of and accepted for my entire life.

Therefore, I propose the following changes to American culture.

1) We need to stop using "K"s to indicate a strikeouts in baseball. The use of KKK to indicate a pitcher's effectivness in the game is clearly racist and harkens back to Major League Baseball's long connection with the Klu Klux Klan.

2) On every shelf of every paint store in the USA, white paint and black paint are kept sepparate from each other. Segregation ended in the 60s and 70s, and we should not be segregating our colors that way.

3) The term "Black Bear" for the Ursus americanus, a very large omnivorous animal that lives throughout most of North America, is racist. The next time you are being chased by an angry or hungry bear of this type, know that your fear is race-based, due solely to the name that WHITE scientists gave this bear. Stop being such a racist and try to make friends with the bear.

4) Watching TV shows like Dukes of Hazzard is racist, since they use the Confederate Flag as part of the show's symbology, and such symbols are racist by nature. The next time you admire a cute girl in a pair of Daisy Dukes, know that you are admiring a racist form of clothing associated with a racist flag.

5) Archie Bunker... nuff said.

6) If you like the TV show The Jeffersons (the spinoff from Archie Bunker), you are as much of a racist as if you like Archie Bunker. After all, here's the story of a Black man who managed to get out of the ghetto and move into a nice apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan... the high rent district. But what does he do for a living? He owns a dry cleaning business. Even though he managed to get out of the 'hood, he's still doing Whitey's laundry. That's racist. If you call yourself a non-racist, you should stop watching that show in reruns.

7) If you are a white person who has ever eaten a Ritz "Cracker"... good for you. You are self-effacing enough to be called a non-racist. But if you have ever eaten a "Black and White" cookie... watch out. You're a segregationist. Keeping the white and black frosting apart is racist in the extreme. Avoid these cookies at all cost.

8) Ditto for Oreo Cookies. Call your senator and have them start an investigation of Kraft Foods, makers of the Oreo Cookie, on charges of racism.

9) If you have ever worn black to a funeral, you are clearly racist. What you are saying is that you associate "black" with death and that you want to relegate "black" to the cemeteries. This practice must stop. Instead, everyone should dress in bright colors to go to a funeral. At the very least, it would make the event more festive, and would keep the racism to a minimum.

10) If you have ever referred to the Plague as "The Black Death" you are a racist. Especially since most of the people who died of the plague were WHITE... it should have been named "The Whitey Death". Naming this deadly disease "black" is an insult to Blacks and an attempt to psychologically instill fear of the Black man in people. Therefore, all historical references to "The Black Death" should be purged and replaced with something more benign... like "The Great Pestilence" or "The Really, Really Bad Disease That Killed 60% of Europe's Population In The Fifteenth Century".

11) Black & Decker tools... nuff said.

If we all make these little changes to our lives, I'm sure we can properly eliminate any traces of racism from the American mindset in short order. We'll even be able to satisfy the most sensitive members of our culture, like excon, Maurene Dowd, and Jimmy Carter.

Elliot

I really hope that this has been posted in jest.

Deleting reply

Damn jews, always ruining everything.

In honor of excon, I have spent this weekend doing some introspection, trying to find my inner racist and get rid of it.Hello Elliot:

You need to look deeper.. But, THAT ain't going to happen.. It IS interesting that you list Archie Bunker.. He didn't know he was a racist either.

excon

I really hope that this has been posted in jest.

Yes, it has, curly. It references some things excon said in other posts about "blatant racism" in America, and makes deliberate jest of them.

Elliot

Damn jews, always ruining everything.

Yep... we're the proverbial fly in excon's logical ointment.

Elliot

Hello Elliot:

You need to look deeper.. But, THAT ain't gonna happen.. It IS interesting that you list Archie Bunker.. He didn't know he was a racist either.

excon

Excon, the only racist among us is you... the guy LOOKING for racism where none exists, the guy bringing up race where none is intended. YOU are the only race-baiter here.

Elliot

I for one promise to stop drinking milk... it's a totally white beverage.

Same with me and Coke - it's so black, it even looks lazy and ghettoish.

Don't forget Michelle Obama's excellent shopping trip for Tuscan Kale.
washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/17/AR2009091703679.html)
Another name for Tuscan Kale is black Kale... nuff said .

Well, Obama's incredulity over the price of arugula at the Whole Foods Market and his decision to ask Gov. Paterson to step down through the media (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/19/obama-paterson-should-qui_n_292526.html) sure seem to indicate he favors his white half.

Actually, NK's comment illustrates the problem. Some people can't seem to see where the line between racism and normal behavior is drawn.

We went from a humorous commentary about accusations of non-existant racism to a full-blown racist comment in one sentence. Why? Because someone here (and I'll let you all guess who) doesn't know the difference between racism and normal behavior.

Fact is that what some people, like excon, Maurene Dowd and Jimmy Carter consider racism, really isn't. It is normal behavior by normal people. But some people, either out of ignorance or over-sensitivity or for political purposes, try to paint those activities as racism... and it can become humorous at times. When people see racism where there is none, it can be pretty funny...

Like the old saw I once heard about Jews all being rich... that's why fancy expensive baubles are called "Jewelry". (Yes, I actually heard someone say that in all seriousness. It took all my efforts not to laugh in his face. He THOUGHT he was making a wise connection.) Such comments can be funny as heck. Trying to find some ominous connection where none exists is often hilarious.

And it is also a fact that some people don't realize when they HAVE stepped over the line rather blatantly.

I would note, however, that at least in this case the person who stepped over the line was not AMERICAN but rather CANADIAN. And a leftist to boot.

Which brings into question the thesis of Maurene Dowd and Jimmy Carter that such racism is part of AMERICAN culture, and is a major motivator for the politics of the RIGHT.

Elliot

... but rather CANADIAN. And a leftist to boot..
If you've ever spent some time here you'd know that we don't have a polarized left/right setup here with all the animosity that entails. Both sides are versions moderates with subtle difference in policy.

And of course my comment was in jest, in keeping with this thread.

And of course my comment was in jest, in keeping with this thread.

What's telling is it's 2 conservatives pointing out to you that it wasn't funny, it crossed the line. But then we're the racists, right?

If you've ever spent some time here you'd know that we don't have a polarized left/right setup here with all the animosity that entails. Both sides are versions moderates with subtle difference in policy.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sorry, I had to get that out of my system.

So... you're saying that EVERYONE in Canada is a moderate... that there are no political fights in your system... that everyone basically agrees on everything.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sorry, I just can't help myself. That's just too funny. Especially coming from someone like yourself who is on the leftist fringe and apparently doesn't even recognize it.


And of course my comment was in jest, in keeping with this thread.

Oh... well, then, since it was just a joke, the use of the "n" word can just be ignored, as well as the implication that all Americans are racists.

Perhaps it would be best if you stay in Canada. Because in New York, a comment like that would put you in a hospital where you would discover how vastly superior American healthcare is over Canadian healthcare as they sewed your spleen back inside your body. And it is just as likely for it to be a white man that puts you there as a black man. Because in the USA, MOST people take an insult of that sort very seriously even if it wasn't aimed at them. (That's one of the ways MOST Americans know that we aren't racists... we're willing to beat the crap out of someone who so blatantly insults someone of another race, even if it isn't OUR race. Apparently that isn't quite so true in Canada, because you clearly never learned the proper modes of behavior... )

That comment wasn't funny, NK. In case you couldn't figure it out.

Perhaps it's the fact that you don't have as much diversity of culture in Canada. In the USA, we learn what is permissible in polite company, and what's not. We learn the difference between humor and... well... what you did.

Yes, you MEANT it in jest. But you missed the mark by a wide margin.

Excon, Carter and Dowd meant their criticism in the best possible way as well. But they also missed the mark by a wide margin.

And all for the same reason... an effed-up compass of moral behavior.

THAT was the intent of my post... to show just how effed up a moral compass can get, and how funny it can be when it happens.

Now do you get the joke?

Elliot

Darn racist cookies.

darn racist cookies.

Yep... and let's not forget "black & white cake"... all those layers of cake, never coming together, always sepparated by those layers of icing. They SAY that they all the layers are separate but equal, but we know the truth. It's segregation, pure and simple.

Elliot

Yep... and let's not forget "black & white cake"... all those layers of cake, never coming together, always sepparated by those layers of icing. They SAY that they all the layers are separate but equal, but we know the truth. It's segregation, pure and simple.

Elliot

Cake can be a real D**k sometimes.

What about the "little black dress statement?
Making it sound like blacks are less than us. Every woman should throw out her little black dress!

I take it I'll have to give up Blue Bell chocolate chip ice cream. All that rich, creamy vanilla goodness with those dark bits of chocolate that can never blend in...

Cake can be a real D**k sometimes.

What about the "little black dress statement?
Making it sound like blacks are less than us. Every woman should throw out her little black dress!

The concept of Naturist cocktail parties does have it's merits.

The concept of Naturist cocktail parties does have it's merits.

Naturist as in "no clothes" or "nudist"? Just making sure I'm following correctly. But I'd say, that would be pretty awkward.

Naturist as in "no clothes" or "nudist"? Just making sure I'm following correctly. But I'd say, that would be pretty awkward.

Yes, nude and outdoors

And outdoors

Oh AND outdoors? That's VERY awkward. Reminds me of "Into the Wild" where he lived by a nudist colony and everyone walked around naked outside.

Cake can be a real D**k sometimes.

What about the "little black dress statement?
Making it sound like blacks are less than us. Every woman should throw out her little black dress!

And buy an Obama dress instead...

http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2009/09/Obama-Dress.jpg

Cake can be a real D**k sometimes.

What about the "little black dress statement?
Making it sound like blacks are less than us. Every woman should throw out her little black dress!

There you go... we'll make a good non-racist of you yet.

Elliot

And buy an Obama dress instead...

http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2009/09/Obama-Dress.jpg

I like the idea of nude better.

OhsoHappy, it's not that awkward when everybody is nude, only when some aren't.

I take it I'll have to give up Blue Bell chocolate chip ice cream. All that rich, creamy vanilla goodness with those dark bits of chocolate that can never blend in...

Hey... I said we had to take sensible step to avoid racism... but that's just going too far!! There is NOTHING racist about Blue Bell Ice Cream!!

And it's even Kosher, too.

Elliot

And buy an Obama dress instead...

http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2009/09/Obama-Dress.jpg

Oh wow, HAHAHAHA!! Tha'ts just too funny!

I don't like wearing clothes with other people's faces on them. It's a cute cut of the dress, But I'm not sure I'd advertise another person on it. :) (No offense to Obama, I voted for him)

I do think the dress is kind of cool in it's own way. :)

Naturist as in "no clothes" or "nudist"? Just making sure I'm following correctly. But I'd say, that would be pretty awkward.

You say "awkward" like it's a bad thing.

:eek:

Elliot

There ya go... we'll make a good non-racist of you yet.

Elliot

Have you ever heard that song "Bahh Bahh black sheep," for children?
I think it's making rude remarks about ethnic hair, and future generations should never hear this song.

Oh wow, HAHAHAHA!!!! Tha'ts just too funny!

I don't like wearing clothes with other people's faces on them. It's a cute cut of the dress, But i'm not sure I'd advertise another person on it. :) (No offense to Obama, I voted for him)

I do think the dress is kinda cool in it's own way. :)

If you'd prefer, we could just do cut-aways where Obama's face appears... :D

Elliot

If you'd prefer, we could just do cut-aways where Obama's face appears... :D

Elliot

You're going to have to explaing to me exactly what cut-aways are first. :p

You say "awkward" like it's a bad thing.

:eek:

Elliot

Lol yeah, I think being naked might be going a bit too far. :) I'd choose the obama dress over nudity any day. :)

you're going to have to explaing to me exactly what cut-aways are first. :p

Just cut out Obama's face from the dress, leaving peekaboo holes...

Elliot

;)

;)

Bwahahahah.

Loved it.

Exactly what I'm talking about!!

Thanks Silverfoxkit.

Just cut out Obama's face from the dress, leaving peekaboo holes...

Elliot

Haha I'd prefer the face to still be on there. :)

haha I'd prefer the face to still be on there. :)

Depends on who's underneath the dress ;)

No matter though, we can't help it if we're racist. Like homosexuals we were born that way.

http://www.theawl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/newsweekcoverbabyracist.jpg

Hell, we're so dang racist that black dogs can't even catch a break.

"It's called “black dog syndrome”. Many loving dogs in need of good homes are being overlooked, under appreciated, and under adopted at shelters nationwide, and they all share one thing in common: their black coats.

There are no hard numbers, but informal surveys done at animal shelters show that black dogs are less likely to be adopted and that black terriers are the most likely to be overlooked and eventually euthanized.

Numerous reasons may result in the fact that black dogs may be adopted less than non-black dogs: superstitions, negative labels, fear, or even that people feel like they can't read expressions from a dark-haired dog. Regardless of the reason, shelters are trying to be creative to get people to adopt black dogs and to stop this “black dog syndrome.”

Depends on who's underneath the dress ;)

No matter though, we can't help it if we're racist. Like homosexuals we were born that way.

http://www.theawl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/newsweekcoverbabyracist.jpg

Oh come on! I really think that babies have no clue what racism is. It has to do with society and conditiong as a young child. It comes from the environment. I'm pretty sure a 2 year old white child would be happy to play with another "colored" child about the same age, and take absolutely no notice in the color of their skin. =P

;)

Bahhhaaahahhhhahahhaaaa!!

:))))))

Oh come on! I really think that babies have no clue what racism is. it has to do with society and conditiong as a young child. it comes from the enviornment. I'm pretty sure a 2 year old white child would be happy to play with another "colored" child about the same age, and take absolutely no notice in the color of their skin. =P
Have you read the cover story, or are you just talking off the top of your head?

Have you read the cover story, or are you just talking off the top of your head?

You mean there are still people who actually read Newsweek?

Why? :confused:

Have you read the cover story, or are you just talking off the top of your head?

I took psychology and sociology classes last year. So I'm speaking from what I learned from those. Also, some off the top of my head. I didn't read the cover story until you asked. :)

Oh come on! I really think that babies have no clue what racism is. it has to do with society and conditiong as a young child. it comes from the enviornment. I'm pretty sure a 2 year old white child would be happy to play with another "colored" child about the same age, and take absolutely no notice in the color of their skin. =P

Don't tell me, tell Newsweek. I would say I can't believe anyone could actually believe that - much less make it their cover story - but nothing surprises me any more.

My son never noticed race until he tried to get out of trouble by claiming he was depressed at being the only pick a color kid in class. I think that was third grade.

Hell, we're so dang racist that black dogs can't even catch a break.

"It’s called “black dog syndrome”. Many loving dogs in need of good homes are being overlooked, under appreciated, and under adopted at shelters nationwide, and they all share one thing in common: their black coats.

There are no hard numbers, but informal surveys done at animal shelters show that black dogs are less likely to be adopted and that black terriers are the most likely to be overlooked and eventually euthanized.

Numerous reasons may result in the fact that black dogs may be adopted less than non-black dogs: superstitions, negative labels, fear, or even that people feel like they can’t read expressions from a dark-haired dog. Regardless of the reason, shelters are trying to be creative to get people to adopt black dogs and to stop this “black dog syndrome.”

And reasons like "black dog hair is more visible on furniture and clothing" just never come up when this is brought up.

My son never noticed race until he tried to get out of trouble by claiming he was depressed at being the only pick a color kid in class. I think that was third grade.

Pick a color kid? Are you serious?

One more thing that has to go, very typical of the trend in white circles... white zinfandel.

I took psychology and sociology classes last year. So I'm speaking from what I learned from those. Also, some off the top of my head. I didn't read the cover story until you asked. :)
Tsk, tsk.

I took psych (including infant development) courses in grad school. It's amazing what babies notice! The article pointed that out. The magazine might still be on newstands. If you're interested in human psychology, I suggest you buy one and read that article. Then we can talk.:D It might be online too -- will check.

P.S. We're in luck!

http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989

I took psych (including infant development) courses in grad school. It's amazing what babies notice! I took Developmental Psych as well, well before I even thought of having kids, and I loved that course. I found what I learnt there did apply while watching my own kids grow up.


P.S. We're in luck!

Even Babies Discriminate: A NurtureShock Excerpt. | Newsweek Life | Newsweek.com (http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989)Ah, see this quote:

More disturbing, Vittrup also asked all the kids a very blunt question: "Do your parents like black people?" Fourteen percent said outright, "No, my parents don't like black people"; 38 percent of the kids answered, "I don't know." In this supposed race-free vacuum being created by parents, kids were left to improvise their own conclusions—many of which would be abhorrent to their parents.Kids watch their parents without the parents noticing it... they watch and listen.

Ah, see this quote:
Kids watch their parents without the parents noticing it....they watch and listen.
The article mentioned what is unsaid by parents is usually more racially charged than what is said.

And this was involving the study with 5 to 7 y/os, I believe (not babies).

Yea, I know. 5 to 7 year olds start processing their own ideas about the world - fascinating to watch.

You mean there are still people who actually read Newsweek?

Why? :confused:
You probably don't read Better Homes & Gardens either. Or the Mensa Bulletin.

Racism runs rampant down here in the Deep South. If you don't believe it come on down. But be forwarned , don't bring any idiotic comments like that have been made here, and removed, rightfully so, with you.

With time, and patience, racism just might get a little better one day. But ignorance will be with us forever. As we can see.

This started as a childish attack on excon, yet an entire race, and a religion have been insulted.

Maybe they should make the computer a little HARDER to use.

In honor of excon, I have spent this weekend doing some introspection, trying to find my inner racist and get rid of it. This was, after all, the weekend of Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the 10 Days of Repentance in Judaism. So I looked hard and deep... and I found that there are indeed strong and blatant forms of racism in the USA that I have been a part of and accepted for my entire life.

Therefore, I propose the following changes to American culture.

1) We need to stop using "K"s to indicate a strikeouts in baseball. The use of KKK to indicate a pitcher's effectivness in the game is clearly racist and harkens back to Major League Baseball's long connection with the Klu Klux Klan.

2) On every shelf of every paint store in the USA, white paint and black paint are kept sepparate from each other. Segregation ended in the 60s and 70s, and we should not be segregating our colors that way.

3) The term "Black Bear" for the Ursus americanus, a very large omnivorous animal that lives throughout most of North America, is racist. The next time you are being chased by an angry or hungry bear of this type, know that your fear is race-based, due solely to the name that WHITE scientists gave this bear. Stop being such a racist and try to make friends with the bear.

4) Watching TV shows like Dukes of Hazzard is racist, since they use the Confederate Flag as part of the show's symbology, and such symbols are racist by nature. The next time you admire a cute girl in a pair of Daisy Dukes, know that you are admiring a racist form of clothing associated with a racist flag.

5) Archie Bunker.... nuff said.

6) If you like the TV show The Jeffersons (the spinoff from Archie Bunker), you are as much of a racist as if you like Archie Bunker. After all, here's the story of a Black man who managed to get out of the ghetto and move into a nice apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan... the high rent district. But what does he do for a living? He owns a dry cleaning business. Even though he managed to get out of the 'hood, he's still doing Whitey's laundry. That's racist. If you call yourself a non-racist, you should stop watching that show in reruns.

7) If you are a white person who has ever eaten a Ritz "Cracker"... good for you. You are self-effacing enough to be called a non-racist. But if you have ever eaten a "Black and White" cookie... watch out. You're a segregationist. Keeping the white and black frosting apart is racist in the extreme. Avoid these cookies at all cost.

8) Ditto for Oreo Cookies. Call your senator and have them start an investigation of Kraft Foods, makers of the Oreo Cookie, on charges of racism.

9) If you have ever worn black to a funeral, you are clearly racist. What you are saying is that you associate "black" with death and that you want to relegate "black" to the cemetaries. This practice must stop. Instead, everyone should dress in bright colors to go to a funeral. At the very least, it would make the event more festive, and would keep the racism to a minimum.

10) If you have ever referred to the Plague as "The Black Death" you are a racist. Especially since most of the people who died of the plague were WHITE... it should have been named "The Whitey Death". Naming this deadly disease "black" is an insult to Blacks and an attempt to psychologically instill fear of the Black man in people. Therefore, all historical references to "The Black Death" should be purged and replaced with something more benign... like "The Great Pestilence" or "The Really, Really Bad Disease That Killed 60% of Europe's Population In The Fifteenth Century".

11) Black & Decker tools... nuff said.

If we all make these little changes to our lives, I'm sure we can properly eliminate any traces of racism from the American mindset in short order. We'll even be able to satisfy the most sensitive members of our culture, like excon, Maurene Dowd, and Jimmy Carter.

Elliot

What a load of blatant krap, it is not even funny, I won'tdignify it with further comment

Actually, NK's comment illustrates the problem. Some people can't seem to see where the line between racism and normal behavior is drawn. Hello again, El:

Bingo!

excon

Tsk, tsk.

I took psych (including infant development) courses in grad school. It's amazing what babies notice! The article pointed that out. The magazine might still be on newstands. If you're interested in human psychology, I suggest you buy one and read that article. Then we can talk.:D It might be online too -- will check.

P.S. We're in luck!

Even Babies Discriminate: A NurtureShock Excerpt. | Newsweek Life | Newsweek.com (http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989)

I'll be interested in reading that article specifically. Some I might agree with, others maybe not, We'll have to see. :) Thanks!

Tsk, tsk.

I took psych (including infant development) courses in grad school. It's amazing what babies notice! The article pointed that out. The magazine might still be on newstands. If you're interested in human psychology, I suggest you buy one and read that article. Then we can talk.:D It might be online too -- will check.

P.S. We're in luck!

Even Babies Discriminate: A NurtureShock Excerpt. | Newsweek Life | Newsweek.com (http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989)



Even babies discriminate? - I certainly hope so :eek: If my child can't tell the difference between races, or genders, or age, or size: there is a problem.

Go to any school yard, kids always discriminate. Woe to the child is "different" - a different skin color, or hairstyle, or body type, or fashion. This is not new.




The spontaneous tendency to assume your group shares characteristics—such as niceness, or smarts—is called essentialism.





Is this not something evolutionists would say is an adaptive selection? Noticing a difference in your environment could mean the difference between life and death.





Moody found that the more diverse the school, the more the kids self-segregate by race and ethnicity within the school, and thus the likelihood that any two kids of different races have a friendship goes down.

Moody included statistical controls for activities, sports, academic tracking, and other school-structural conditions that tend to desegregate (or segregate) students within the school. The rule still holds true: more diversity translates into more division among students. Those increased opportunities to interact are also, effectively, increased opportunities to reject each other. And that is what's happening.






Notice that it is each group that segregates itself, it is not just one group. This leads to a question of whether a society that has a clear ethnic majority and many other ethnic minorities would be better integrated and actually more racially tolerant, than a society with multiple ethnic minorities and no dominant majority?





All told, the odds of a white high-schooler in America having a best friend of another race is only 8 percent. Those odds barely improve for the second-best friend, or the third-best, or the fifth. For blacks, the odds aren't much better: 85 percent of black kids' best friends are also black





See, black kids self segregate themselves as much if not more than white kids.


--------------------------------------------------------

All this being said, I think the focus should be more on what we have in common rather than on our differences.


BTW : We Need to Talk About Death | Newsweek Health | Newsweek.com (http://www.newsweek.com/id/215291)


G&P

Even babies discriminate ?! - I certainly hope so :eek: If my child can't tell the difference between races, or genders, or age, or size: there is a problem. The article showed that they discriminate by saying that black people are bad. That's the problem.

You read the first page? One study with leading questions.
The article goes on to say that "diversity" did not change things, is essentialism bad?

I'm of Asian descent, and have adopted my wife's kids whom are white. Whenever, I pass by Asian kids, adopted, by white couples, it is the Asian kids that look at me more than the Caucasians around them. Are these kids racist ? Or are they merely noticing the similarities.



G&P

Pick a color kid? Are you serious?

One more thing that has to go, very typical of the trend in white circles...white zinfandel.

Fill in the blank, speech, if you're being serious.

Nothing wrong with noticing differences and similarities. I think kids innately judge (and they do) other kids as individuals not as groups of colour, age, language, etc. I think that racism (thinking that a group as a whole possesses negative traits) is a learnt behaviour. That's why this study is odd for me. I agree with you that there is nothing wrong with acknowledging our differences, my daughter recently said "why are they called black, they're more brown". I love the innocence in kids. We have an influx of Korean and Chinese immigrants in our little city and my daughter gets invited to their birthday parties, she's enjoying learning how different cultures do things a little differently.

OK here's a real life example . It goes right to the point of Elliot's sarcastic parody .

Dallas City Hall Blog | The Dallas Morning News (http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/dallas-county-meeting-turns-ra.html)


special meeting about Dallas County traffic tickets turned tense and bizarre this afternoon.
County commissioners were discussing problems with the central collections office that is used to process traffic ticket payments and handle other paperwork normally done by the JP Courts.
Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield, who is white, said it seemed that central collections "has become a black hole" because paperwork reportedly has become lost in the office.
Commissioner John Wiley Price, who is black, interrupted him with a loud "Excuse me!" He then corrected his colleague, saying the office has become a "white hole."
That prompted Judge Thomas Jones, who is black, to demand an apology from Mayfield for his racially insensitive analogy.
Mayfield shot back that it was a figure of speech and a science term. A black hole, according to Webster's, is perhaps "the invisible remains of a collapsed star, with an intense gravitational field from which neither light nor matter can escape."
Other county officials quickly interceded to break it up and get the meeting back on track. TV news cameras were rolling, after all.

Dallas - a perpetual sad comedy,

I'm of Asian descent, and have adopted my wife's kids whom are white. Whenever, I pass by Asian kids, adopted, by white couples, it is the Asian kids that look at me more than the Caucasians around them. Are these kids racist ? or are they merely noticing the similarities.

Did you know that Asian-Americans had the "sharpest drop in home ownership last year (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2009/09/21/20090921biz-minorityhomeowners0922.html)?" There's got to be something racist about that.

Dallas - a perpetual sad comedy,

Yes, ever since it was taken over by liberals... :D

Hellooooo:

No really, HELLOOOOOOO. Is there anybody home?? Do you NOT get the difference between discussing race and being racist??

Are you really THAT DENSE?? I think you need a death panel.

excon

Yes, ever since it was taken over by liberals... :D
I actually wasn't aware it was a bastion of liberalism, the new San Francisco if you will. There I've learned something today.

You probably don't read Better Homes & Gardens either. Or the Mensa Bulletin.

But I acknowledge that both print articles that have value, whether I read them or not.

But... c'mon... Newsweek? :confused:

Elliot

what a load of blatant krap, it is not even funny, I won'tdignify it with further comment

Yep. Right about on par with excon's accusations of racism, don't you think?

Which was exactly the point.

I actually wasn't aware it was a bastion of liberalism, the new San Francisco if you will. There I've learned something today.

Actually the bastion of liberalism in Texas is Austin. Dallas is moving that way but that doesn't mean the rest of the metroplex is following suit. It's a huge area with Ft Worth and all the many suburbs.

No really, HELLOOOOOOO. Is there anybody home??? Do you NOT get the difference between discussing race and being racist????

Uh, yeah. But tell me, how do you discuss race with people that see racism in every perceived slight imaginable and are convinced you're racist?

Actually the bastion of liberalism in Texas is Austin. Dallas is moving that way but that doesn't mean the rest of the metroplex is following suit. It's a huge area with Ft Worth and all the many suburbs.

Actually, I have experienced a similar leftward trend in Houston in recent years... it must be Houston's proximity to New Orleans and the influx of NO "refugees" from Katrina to Houston...

Actually, I have experienced a similar leftward trend in Houston in recent years... it must be Houston's proximity to New Orleans and the influx of NO "refugees" from Katrina to Houston...

You're absolutely right. But pointing that out is racist. ;)

Please tell me the name of the place that has no racism?

I'LL tell YOU, it's called heaven.

Every city of every state, has a certain element of racism. If you don't believe that, you're blind.

It's our job to break the cycle. Or ATTEMPT to anyway.

Don't judge a man by the color of his skin, but by his actions.

This is such a sensitive issue. It's so very easy to offend someone by joking about it.

So, again I ask, WHY?

This is no joking matter.

Uh, yeah. But tell me, how do you discuss race with people that see racism in every perceived slight imaginable and are convinced you're racist?

This thread is not serious. It's a joke to point out how extreme people take it. That's all.

This thread is not serious. It's a joke to point out how extreme people take it. That's all.

ohsohappy, I ohsogetit just fine.

ohsohappy, I ohsogetit just fine.

Okay that's good! No need for sarcasm.

It's our job to break the cycle. Or ATTEMPT to anyway.

Can't be done as long as people in high places incorrectly and inexcusably indict large portions of the American public as racist.


Don't judge a man by the color of his skin, but by his actions.

That's what we've been saying.


This is such a sensitive issue. It's so very easy to offend someone by joking about it.

So, again I ask, WHY?

This is no joking matter.

Elliot was illustrating the absurdity of race-baiters like Jimmy Carter and Maureen Dowd with absurdity. When some of the highest elected officials in the land impugn the American public because they've run out of answers for own failures, that's no joking matter either.

Okay that's good! No need for sarcasm.

But I LOVE sarcasm, and it's dripping all through this thread :D

Okay that's good! No need for sarcasm.

Sarcasm? No need? Did you read the original post? How does one respond to farce without sarcasm?

Please tell me the name of the place that has no racism?

I'LL tell YOU, it's called heaven.

Every city of every state, has a certain element of racism. If you don't believe that, you're blind.

It's our job to break the cycle. Or ATTEMPT to anyway.

Don't judge a man by the color of his skin, but by his actions.

This is such a sensitive issue. It's so very easy to offend someone by joking about it.

So, again I ask, WHY?

This is no joking matter.

When it can become a joking matter... when BOTH sides of the issue can take it as a joke and let it slide like water off a duck... that will be the day we will have made a major breakthrough in race relations.

When both sides have become less sensitive and more open to discussions of race without it becoming race-baiting, when both sides can mention race without raising hackles on each other's necks, that is the day we will have a major breakthrough.

And the day that both sides of a POLITICAL issue can state their positions without being accused of racism for having that position and having the "temerity" to STATE that position publicly... that too will be a day in which we will have a major breakthrough on the issue of race in this country.

Till then, I intend to make fun of those who see racism EVERYWHERE, especially in the most idiotic of places where it was never intended. Because such people REALLY need to lighten up.

Tell me, Joseph, when did you have your humorectomy? Better be careful... having your sense of humor intentionally removed might be considered a pre-existing medical condition. You might get dropped by your health insurance company.

Elliot

Sarcasm? no need? Did you read the original post? How does one respond to farce without sarcasm?

Exactly!!

As I intended!

Thank you for getting the point.

Elliot

Tell me, Joseph, when did you have your humorectomy? Better be careful... having your sense of humor intentionally removed might be considered a pre-existing medical condition. You might get dropped by your health insurance company.

Elliot

Or he could apply for a job with the FBI. Tommy Lee Jones said you can't have one in the Bureau (Men in Black (1997) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/))

I promise, this is not from The Onion (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/092109_arlington_race_a_factor_in_hot_lanes)...


There's a new turn in the debate over high occupancy toll lanes or HOT lanes.

A lawsuit filed by Arlington County last month claims the lanes benefit wealthy white people and discriminates against minorities. While the only rule to get in the HOV lanes on Interstate 395 is you must have three people in the car, Arlington claims adding HOT lanes would cut out poor and minorities by defacto.

That claim doesn't sit well with Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield).

"I don't think race or class warfare has any standing in this argument," Herrity said.

Buried in the lawsuit filed last month, county attorneys argued the HOT lanes, "encourage and enable a financially-able, privileged class of suburban and rural, primarily Caucasian residents from Stafford and Spotsylvania counties operating single occupancy vehicles ("SOV") unimpeded access on toll lanes."

In other words, it benefits wealthy white people.

HOV lanes discriminate against minorities? ROFL! What exactly is impeding minorities from getting 3 people in their cars?

But I LOVE sarcasm, and it's dripping all through this thread :D

I meant directed towards me with the "I ohsogetit" thing , but generally speaking, I LOVE sarcasm. :)

I meant directed towards me with the "I ohsogetit" thing , but generally speaking, I LOVE sarcasm. :)

But you got to admit, in this thread that is a classic stright line.

Why can't we all just get along?

Let's be honest here, this thread wasn't started as a joke, it was
Started as a direct slam at Excon.


In honor of excon, I have spent this weekend doing some introspection, trying to find my inner racist and get rid of it. This was, after all, the weekend of Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the 10 Days of Repentance in Judaism. So I looked hard and deep... and I found that there are indeed strong and blatant forms of racism in the USA that I have been a part of and accepted for my entire life.

If it was really meant to be a joke, a way to discuss racism with humor, then the OP wouldn't have included "In honor of Excon".

If you enjoy laughing at someone else's expense then carry on.

Why can't we all just get along?

Let's be honest here, this thread wasn't started as a joke, it was
started as a direct slam at Excon.



If it was really meant to be a joke, a way to discuss racism with humor, then the OP wouldn't have included "In honor of Excon".

If you enjoy laughing at someone else's expense then carry on.

Alty, this entire thread is simply an extension of their normal repartee, with a side order of ridicule at race baiters. I love reading their conversations, more than Jimmy Buffet or Al Franken.

Alty, this entire thread is simply an extension of their normal repartee, with a side order of ridicule at race baiters. I love reading their conversations, more than Jimmy Buffet or Al Franken.

I know it is Cats, I just don't think we should encourage it.

They're constantly at each others throats, that's their right, but to make fun of
A serious issue just to get at each other, that's not funny or entertaining. At least
Not to me.

Personally I think they should just get together and fight it out already, maybe
Then we can all have some peace.

When it can become a joking matter... when BOTH sides of the issue can take it as a joke and let it slide like water off a duck... that will be the day we will have made a major breakthrough in race relations.

When both sides have become less sensitive and more open to discussions of race without it becoming race-baiting, when both sides can mention race without raising hackles on each other's necks, that is the day we will have a major breakthrough.

And the day that both sides of a POLITICAL issue can state their positions without being accused of racism for having that position and having the "temerity" to STATE that position publicly... that too will be a day in which we will have a major breakthrough on the issue of race in this country.

Till then, I intend to make fun of those who see racism EVERYWHERE, especially in the most idiotic of places where it was never intended. Because such people REALLY need to lighten up.

Tell me, Joseph, when did you have your humorectomy? Better be careful... having your sense of humor intentionally removed might be considered a pre-existing medical condition. You might get dropped by your health insurance company.

Elliot

My sense of humor is fine. Better than average actually. Better than YOURS, I'm sure of that.

But now that I'M an adult, I don't make jokes at the expense of others. You'll see how that works when YOU grow up.

Or will you?

In the same vein as Elliot's OP, I see a real business opportunity.

Just think of all those black and white police cars that need to be painted dark tan!

Just think of all those black and white police cars that need to be painted dark tan!
Dark tan?? I vote for yellow, like the fire trucks.

Add this to the stimulus program.

The same works for anti-semitism that isn't there.

- "I don't really like bagels or matzo soup."
- "You're an anti-semite!"

I thought it was meant as a joke.. .

I thought it was meant as a joke. . .

It was, at excon's expense.

It was, at excon's expense.

Well that's lame. Takes all the humor out of it.

Well that's lame. Takes all the humor out of it.

It certainly does.

ET and excon have been fighting with each other for a long time. This was just another dig.

Personally, I'm getting tired of it.

Meh, it's their way of entertaining themselves.

Just like I'm sure there are some people that are annoyed with the SAG group, or the lounge threads where it's random chit-chat--I've experienced people like that on other sites, anyway.

If you don't like it, then don't get involved. Personally, even when it's random bickering like this thread, I learn a lot about myself from my reactions to whatever they're arguing right and left on.

Yes, it can get annoying--but they have provoked each other back and forth about EVERYTHING for AGES.

Meh, it's their way of entertaining themselves.

Just like I'm sure there are some people that are annoyed with the SAG group, or the lounge threads where it's random chit-chat--I've experienced people like that on other sites, anyway.

If you don't like it, then don't get involved. Personally, even when it's random bickering like this thread, I learn a lot about myself from my reactions to whatever they're arguing right and left on.

Yes, it can get annoying--but they have provoked each other back and forth about EVERYTHING for AGES.

True.

Okay, I'll leave and let the kids play. ;)

This site it biased and I wouldn't even attempt to post anything about how the majority of racists in america now are indeed black, and other FACTS like that. Don't waste your time... if anything you say actually makes sense, it will be deleted. PS. I find your post quite funny, and it fits in with the LIBERAL mindset. Kudos.

This site it biased and I wouldnt even attempt to post anything about how the majority of racists in america now are indeed black, and other FACTS like that. Dont waste your time... if anything you say actually makes sense, it will be deleted. PS. I find your post quite funny, and it fits in with the LIBERAL mindset. Kudos.

Facts?

Prove it.

As for being biased, no, not true. You have continuously posted things that have to be removed because of your attitude. It has nothing to do with being biased, it's about following the rules of this site and treating people with respect.

You have a right to your beliefs, but be mindful that others also have a right to theirs.

Okay, really, I'm out now.

It certainly does.

ET and excon have been fighting with each other for a long time. This was just another dig.

Personally, I'm getting tired of it.

That's my whole point. Why insult entire groups of people with THIS nonsense, when the attack was on one man?

And he asks when I had my sense of humor removed!

I'll ask the same question about his TESTICLES.

Bottom line is, that I live, work, raise children, in a VERY racially sensitive area. I don't think that it's appropriate to joke around like this.

There are some people here that even think the OP was serious, and not a joke.

That's my whole point. Why insult entire groups of people with THIS nonsense, when the attack was on one man?

And he asks when I had my sense of humor removed!

I'll ask the same question about his TESTICLES.

Bottom line is, that I live, work, raise children, in a VERY racially sensitive area. I don't think that it's appropriate to joke around like this.

There are some people here that even think the OP was serious, and not a joke.

Jmj

You've missed the point of this entire satire. The entire group of people being made fun of here are the race-baiters who use racism to explain their own shortcomings, NOT an ethnic group or genotype. Your area isn't that much more sensitive than South Boston or Indianapolis (where there have been race riots in the news more recently than Atlanta) and I am firmly convinced that racism will only be eradicated by the efforts of the little people like you and me. The Al Sharptons and Maureen Dowds and David Dukes in this debate ONLY add fuel to the fires and deserve ridicule.

Well David Duke has been run out of town: David Duke - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Duke#Recent_life)

Here are some more for consideration

White-Out is a racist product

The term “pure vanilla” is racist.

White blood cells are racist

And don't forget Mayor Ray Nagin calling New Orleans a Chocolate City .

Ok, tom, the joke's been done to death here.

Yes Mr Monitor

Go in some of the other forums and help out some people with your knowledge and experience.

As long as we have Poverty Pimps like
Rev.Al Sharpton
Jessie Jackson
and here in houston the illustrious
Quanell X
as long as these men feed off racism there will be racism,there is nothing anyone can do to stop it

jmj

You've missed the point of this entire satire. The entire group of people being made fun of here are the race-baiters who use racism to explain their own shortcomings, NOT an ethnic group or genotype. Your area isn't that much more sensitive than South Boston or Indianapolis (where there have been race riots in the news more recently than Atlanta) and I am firmly convinced that racism will only be eradicated by the efforts of the little people like you and me. The Al Sharptons and Maureen Dowds and David Dukes in this debate ONLY add fuel to the fires and deserve ridicule.

I understand completely Cats. But when you start a satire like this as an attempt to get revenge with another member(excon), you're opening up a can of worms. I totally understand the problem, and am in agreement, actually.

I'm not as stupid as I sometimes sound.

The line has been crossed. The "N" word, and "Jews", it's just not needed.

Some people are getting offended.

We all know what's going on, but why make it worse?

I meant directed towards me with the "I ohsogetit" thing , but generally speaking, I LOVE sarcasm. :)

Nothing personal, it just fit so well with your screen name ;)

Why can't we all just get along?

Let's be honest here, this thread wasn't started as a joke, it was
Started as a direct slam at Excon.

Oh... so you can read my mind now...

First of all, it WAS started as a slam of excon... because what excon was saying was so blantantly, hysterically dumb. It wasn't a slam at excon himself, but rather what he said.

Second, why is that a bad thing? Don't you think that blatant misrepresentations of non-racial remarks as racism SHOULD be slammed as the idiocy they are?

Or do you believe that people who accuse others of racism when it is CLEARLY untrue should be allowed to get away with it?


If it was really meant to be a joke, a way to discuss racism with humor, then the OP wouldn't have included "In honor of Excon".

If you enjoy laughing at someone else's expense then carry on.

Ok... I will.

In the same vein as Elliot's OP, I see a real business opportunity.

Just think of all those black and white police cars that need to be painted dark tan!

Now your making racial comments about Mexicans?

Shame on you!! :D

>Thread Closed<
As it has clearly run it's course.