[Parvan]

I think a lot of that comes from being very unfamiliar with a persons culture and experiences. I was at a party one time and met a really cute black girl. As I have had very little positive contact with black people I was very nervous and ended up turning the conversation to racism within 5 minutes. I realized pretty quickly what a social blunder that was and got embarrassed as all hell. Needless to say I never got a call from her. On the other hand I have known a lot of arabic and jewish people and would never make such a blunder in that case . Your right to find it annoying because it is. It is someone who is unfamiliar with you as a person and unfamilair with your culture and they are essentially pigeonholing/stereotyping you off the bat. When I was overseas in the army I got lots of comments like "Oh your American, I love Michael Jordan" and other inane comments like that. It was very anoying to me.

[bizygurl]

I agree with you Parvan, its hard when you haven't had much contact with a different race or creed most of your life so in a sense most people only tend to rely on what has been told to them through "steryotypes." I don't think its really anyone's fault but you have to rmind yourself that sterotyping is sterotyping and that what one steryotype is for one race doesn't include everyone in that race. I think that is what peple tend to forget.

Every race has a stereotype that they perceive on aanother race that isn't theirs. Its up to us to be mindful of it.

[nwsflash]

I agree with you Parvan, its hard when you haven't had much contact with a different race or creed most of your life so in a sense most people only tend to rely on what has been told to them through "steryotypes." I don't think its really anyones fault but you have to rmind your self that sterotyping is sterotyping and that what one steryotype is for one race doesn't include everyone in that race. I think that is what peple tend to forget.

Every race has a stereotype that they percieve on aanother race that isn't theirs. Its up to us to be mindful of it.

I blame a lot of the problem on the MEDIA! :mad:!

I agree fully that all race's have some kind of type cast.

[bizygurl]

I agree with you Nwsflash,100% The media is the biggest culprit in the stereotyping all the way from current events to sitcom shows and movies. This this the 21st Century, you'd think we would have wised up a little bit. But things haven't changed much in all races and how we perceive each other.:mad: Its very unfortunate

[Chery]

I think a lot of that comes from being very unfamiliar with a persons culture and experiences. I was at a party one time and met a really cute black girl. As I have had very little positive contact with black people I was very nervous and ended up turning the conversation to racism within 5 minutes. I realized pretty quickly what a social blunder that was and got embarrased as all hell. Needless to say I never got a call from her. On the other hand I have known a lot of arabic and jewish people and would never make such a blunder in that case . Your right to find it annoying because it is. It is someone who is unfamiliar with you as a person and unfamilair with your culture and they are essentially pigeonholing/stereotyping you off the bat. When I was overseas in the army I got lots of comments like "Oh your American, I love Michael Jordan" and other inane comments like that. It was very anoying to me.

After being in the military, and being taught that you should not make any racial remarks - as this is part of their teaching, you should have remembered this and not make the mistake you did. Too bad the world and the media do influence us in many ways that we don't even give ourselves a chance to get to know people before judging them one way or another. I was raised in the military and never was racial, but when I visited my brother in Las Vegas and talked to a stranger not of the same color as myself, my brother warned me that people did not like to see this - Hey folks, this is 2006! Get your stuff together, please! Just think of all the things you miss out on by wearing those 'blinders'

Animals don't care about race or religion - maybe we should learn something from them.

[Parvan]

After being in the military, and being taught that you should not make any racial remarks - as this is part of their teaching, you should have remembered this and not make the mistake you did. Too bad the world and the media do influence us in many ways that we don't even give ourselves a chance to get to know people before judging them one way or another. I was raised in the military and never was racial, but when I visited my brother in Las Vegas and talked to a stranger not of the same color as myself, my brother warned me that people did not like to see this - Hey folks, this is 2006! Get your stuff together, please! Just think of all the things you miss out on by wearing those 'blinders'

Animals don't care about race or religion - maybe we should learn something from them.

Wooooooaaaaaa. I didn't make a racial remark, I was talking to her and within 5 minutes brought up the topic of racism and it's effects on black people. As soon as I said it I realized that I would have never brought up the topic of racism with a white person that quickly. I even said something to the effect of Damn I just put my foot in my mouth. Because what I said was not racist, but bringing up the topic only because she is black shows a lot of insensitivity and stereotyping on my part. Basically I was socially aware enough to realize after I said it that it had probably annoyed the **** out of her, but not socially aware enough to realize it before hand. That was the point I'm trying to make is that stereeotyping when you aren't familiar with a culture is kind of natural. Even though it is natural it doesn't make it innofensive to the person being subjected.

[Chery]

Wooooooaaaaaa. I didn't make a racial remark, I was talking to her and within 5 minutes brought up the topic of racism and it's effects on black people. As soon as I said it I realized that I would have never brought up the topic of racism with a white person that quickly. I even said something to the effect of Damn I just put my foot in my mouth. Because what I said was not racist, but bringing up the topic only because she is black shows a lot of insensitivity and stereotyping on my part. Basically I was socially aware enough to realize after I said it that it had probably annoyed the **** out of her, but not socially aware enough to realize it before hand. That was the point I'm trying to make is that stereeotyping when you aren't familiar with a culture is kind of natural. Even though it is natural it doesn't make it innofensive to the person being subjected.

Sorry dear, did not mean you made a remark, but that you made a little mistake - and you did realize that. I was just implying that the military does teach a certain amount of respect in that area, and wanted to pass it on. Sorry if it came across the wrong way. But it does show that the 'civilian' side is more sensitive and still offended whether justified or not - maybe they should take it easier too.

Peace!

[orange]

Babe, don't let anything stress you out, especially right now, please!

My mother was a little German Nazi, my dad from Kentucky, and I have a nose that reveals some Jewish - even though my mother said not, but my dad's last name is Davidson -
I was schooled in military schools all my young life, where race, religion did not count, only rank. - So we used to hear 'oh, my dad is colonel so and so', and I had to live with crap like that all my life. I also wanted to marry a Jewish doctor who lives in Long Beach now, but my mom was against this - I could have been happier than I am right now, but that's life. I am ashamed of what my mother's country did in the past and still don't like it and live here anyway. We (you and I ) will survive anything - because none of what happened is or was our fault and if people can't finally understand this, then they have a problem, not you. Right now, another race is targeted out due to the bad apples in their countries causing terror all over the world, so you see, people always need someone else or something else to comment about to put their problems and/or issues in the background, and some are just plain curious. Next time you get some smart butt asking you questions, tell them you were too young, and that they have great literature in the library. And, of course, let it all out here, we'll be here for you 24/7 to help you. You just think positive about that young one of yours and your health and let the rest of the world do it's thing without you for a while. Lots of love and best wishes, Chery
P.S. Sent the coloring books out tonight, hope you got the messages from yousendit.com, if not, check this link and download them from here on post 7 of the thread.

Thanks so much Chery... good advice. I know the importance of not being stressed out while I'm pregnant... and as I said in another thread, I am now past the time in my pregnancy where miscarriages are common, so I'm relaxing a little more. And I'm not working right now so I'm running into fewer of the people who annoy me! :p

Thanks also for the coloring books! I only got them a couple of days back, because Alex had deleted them, thinking them were spam. Luckily though I went through the deleted items and realized they were from you! Thanks, they are very cute! :)

[orange]

I think a lot of that comes from being very unfamiliar with a persons culture and experiences. I was at a party one time and met a really cute black girl. As I have had very little positive contact with black people I was very nervous and ended up turning the conversation to racism within 5 minutes. I realized pretty quickly what a social blunder that was and got embarrased as all hell. Needless to say I never got a call from her. On the other hand I have known a lot of arabic and jewish people and would never make such a blunder in that case . Your right to find it annoying because it is. It is someone who is unfamiliar with you as a person and unfamilair with your culture and they are essentially pigeonholing/stereotyping you off the bat. When I was overseas in the army I got lots of comments like "Oh your American, I love Michael Jordan" and other inane comments like that. It was very anoying to me.

Thanks for your response, Parvan... and sorry it took me so long to reply. I haven't been on the site much, as I am preparing for my wedding... tomorrow!! :eek:

I totally understand what you're saying... people just don't know any better, and are unsure what to say or do. I guess I have to try and be more tolerant myself and take that into account. I tend to judge people by my own standards and what I would do in a given situation, and that's not right. I usually "see past" skin color, and prefer to talk about subjects such as work, school, favorite books and movies, etc... but I can't expect everyone else to do the same. Very good points made, thanks for sharing!

[Chery]

Thanks so much Chery... good advice. I know the importance of not being stressed out while I'm pregnant... and as I said in another thread, I am now past the time in my pregnancy where miscarriages are common, so I'm relaxing a little more. And I'm not working right now so I'm running into fewer of the people who annoy me! :p

Thanks also for the coloring books!! I only got them a couple of days back, because Alex had deleted them, thinking them were spam. Luckily though I went through the deleted items and realized they were from you! Thanks, they are very cute! :)

You're welcome dear. Just wait till I send the new ones I'm working on, they are funny and whacky. Then I'll work on Easter ones next.
Glad you are progressing well in your pregnancy. I got to hear the heartbeet with my stethescope of my grandchild today - wow what a great b-day present. The first time I got to hear one from a family member..

[orange]

Oh cool... I'm looking forward to the next set of coloring books! This time I made sure the site you sent them from will not be viewed as spam by my soon-to-be husband! ;)

The heart thing is really exciting, isn't it? :)

[Chery]

Oh cool... I'm looking forward to the next set of coloring books! This time I made sure the site you sent them from will not be viewed as spam by my soon-to-be husband! ;)

The heart thing is really exciting, isn't it? :)

It sure is, I used to listen to thousands, but this one was the most beautiful I've heard in my life. Didn't have ultrasound when I was working in OB/GYN, it's so exciting watching a new one each month! Again, enjoy your honeymoon, and I'll post the books here too just in case. It will take a while until I'm finished with them. P.S. Your pictures here are getting cuter and cuter!