Racism. Are you sure?

I think that sounds about right.

 

The best explanation I have ever heard in recent days on the subject of racism was given by a man named Jesse Petersen. He has a recent release of a book, and it figures, I cannot remember the title. The subject is racism in America, and how it is fed to a gullible nation, and overblown by an angry race, ready to blame all their problems on everyone but themselves. This man is black, and has his eyes wide open, hitting the nail on the head.

 

No. Age, race, gender, and stature are basic questions that are asked by police. Such descriptions does not make one a racist.

As noted above, age, race, gender, and stature are basic questions that are asked by police. Such descriptions does not make one a racist.

BTW, why you have the rolleyes icon after African American is beyond me. It's a perfectly acceptible term, though the simple "black" is more common as just as allowable.

As for our use of the term "Nubian", to the best of my knowlege, people from Naboo are of different races.

 

I found this article on Rev.Jesse Peterson. He has an interesting perspective:

Rev. Jesse Peterson

 

I don't think you are right. Well, maybe it depends on your location. Here in the Washington DC Metro area when criminals are classified, they are classified as white/black male/female, and no one thinks anything of it.

 

No, Africa is not in America. However, there are Africans in America. Nuthin; wrong with the term. Neither is there anything wrong with Asian American, Italian American, Jewish American, Irish American, or in the case of Kermit the Frog, Amphibian Americans.

I think that might be an assumption of those who are race hypersensitive. My black friends prefer "black", but don't mind "african american" either.

Except for the aforementioned Italian Americans, Jewish Americans, Irish Americans, etc etc.

It's a good thing for you, then, that your ancestors were not against the mixing of races. Otherwise, you wouldn't be who you were. Praise God!

Seriously, there's nothing wrong with identifying with your roots. I know Jewish, Mexican, German, and Italian families that have been here for a few generations now, that are proud of their heritage. As for me, I'm first generation Dutch. As white as snow, and yes, I'm a Dutch American. 'Cause if it ain't Dutch, it ain't much .

 

In the area I'm in, there are more black people from Jamaica and Trinidad. The really don't like to be referred to as African-Americans and actually prefer being called American.

 

Some news media don't report a person's race, if that's all they've got. If they've got more, such as white male in his 30's, they they'll include it. I can understand that, although I think it's hyersesitivity to an extreme. Some papers in my area that used to do this have since abandoned the practice, and included whatever description they've got.

Huh? Most crimes I read about or see on the news are pretty diverse. Perhaps it's where you live?

Yes, I new that. I was making a word play on the use of the word in the world of George Lucas (Nubian referrs to something or someone from the planet of Naboo).

 

A coworker of mine who's second generation Jamaican preferrs "black". In fact, most my my black friends prefer "black". "African American" also referrs to African culture that was broguth with the importing of slaves. Jamaican culture is different from African culture. If you don't believe me, watch "Cool Runnings". While some of the stereotypes are slightly exaggerated, it's an incredibly inspiring movie .

 

It implies culture. It also can be used to describe race, just like "Asian American", or simply "Asian".

Well, to Hitler, Italians and Asians were not white, but whom did he align himself with? Go figure.

I don't think it promotes racism per se, but it does hypersensitize the issue, which could lead to a racist atitude. But it also appears that culturally, that has been changing. The uses of these labels are a product of the 80's and 90's, and are slowly falling by the wayside. Referring to someone as "black" these days is not considered offensive, except maybe to a non-black hypersensitivitist (is that a word?).

At one point in history, the pendulum was stuck on the "whites are superior" side, with certain terms like the "n" word being intended as derogaroty. Then, the pendulum swung the other way towards hypersensitivity. Now, it seems, the pendulum is starting to settle towards the middle, and hypersensitivity is becoming a thing of the past (while remaining reasonably sensitive still exists). We must allow the pendulum to settle. These things don't happen overnight.

I think you made a good point and made it clearly.

 

I call my dog, "Canine American" and my cat, "Feline American" seriously, I prefer "Black American" over "African American", however if a Black person prefers, to be identified with the continent of where their anscestors came from then pay them respect. I'm Scotch Irish (American), but you can call me White.

 

Just remember: Kermit the Frog is Amphibian American, Miss Piggy, well, she's just a pig.

 

And I think it is all so silly, self-appointed labels meant to divide Americans rather than unite.

(Thisaway, we can live in America and hang on to our "diversity" and our "cultures" and our "languages" and not have to be part of the great American melting pot as was done in generations past. And we can live in our anger.)

Well, you can call me an Irish-English-Scottish-French-Native American-Feminine Gender with a pinch of Jew, thank you. (aka HEINZ 57 Varieties)

A true American is not hyphenated.