I believe we call this murder.
Looking for genuine discourse re:Jay-Z/NBA
- Thread starter DutchJazzer
- Start date
I believe we call this murder.
RobDMB
Well-Known Member
Care to elaborate rather than hold yourself aloft of the conversation? I've attempted to explain myself here. Can you explain to me why racism is a problem that only African Americans can relate to? I have made no claim as to the severity of each possible instance of racism; only that there ARE other possible configurations besides whites being racist against blacks. I admit that racism has not had much (if any) impact on my own life, so I'm not perfectly suited to address issue particulars, but to dismiss me completely is just disrespectful.
I do not like racism, it's obviously a bad thing. I just don't see how it can exclusively apply to one group.
RobDMB
Well-Known Member
As it should be called. I love what Morgan Freeman had to say about racism. Can't we just call crime crime? And ignorance ignorance? Why does race HAVE to be an issue? If we are all supposed to be equals, can't we begin by treating each other that way?
I'm sorry. Why is music in quotes here? Please explain.
RobDMB
Well-Known Member
Sure, pick something out to redirect the conversation as you please... Purely a reference to my personal musical preferences, nothing more.
How about you take a stab at answering my direct question about why racism only applies for victims who are African Americans? I'm genuinely interested to hear your explanation.
Fishsticks
Banned
I have been to NYC 15 times a year for the past 6 years and never been called "whitey".
I was looking for the quote you used and must have missed it. Wanted to address RobDMB.
Obviously there is a difference between a white individual (or any other non black individual) using those terms and a black individual using them.
Same as there is a difference in a white individual saying similar things about white people and a non white individual saying them.
Lived in Memphis for 10 years and was never called "whitey". I have been called "cracker", "gringo" and even "pan blanco" before though lol.
Edit: Disclaimer before someone reads to much into that. I'm not equating what I experienced to that of the average minority in that area. Just an observation.
and all I could think of when reading this is to paraphrase that guy who was Ross Perot's running mate and his comment to Dan Quayle...
"I served with One Brow. I knew One Brow. One Brow was a friend of mine. And you, sir, are no One Brow"
Sorry dude, you've revealed yourself. A cultural heritage you don't identify with is incapable of making music. It can only make "music."
In Western culture, racism is not confined to simply having adverse effects against African Americans. It has effects on people of all races.
Your question, however, is steeped in the notion that all relations between races start from some equal footing where people of color are equally free to exercise power over white persons in everyday society as whites are to exercise power over them. Virtually everything we know about the history of this hemisphere of the globe and everything we know about the sociological trends of this country is in direct opposition to the premises and assumptions that you're walking in with in positing a "question." In sum, the answer to what is wrong with your throughline here is "everything."
You are probably incapable of having equivalent experiences because the entire history of humanity has worked to put you in a position where you experience invisible privilege that consists of all the ways you are magically not inconvenienced or benefit because of the color of your skin. A handful of people calling you a name in New York City is not equivalent to widespread social presumptions about you.
RobDMB
Well-Known Member
I see what you're saying Stoked. That isn't a great example. I just think it seems fishy to denounce the use of a term and then spout it out every day. If you want the use of that term to go away, stop using it yourself.
What I'm really trying to understand here (from people who are more experienced on the issue than I am) is why racism is only an issue relatable to "black" people (I'm not sure what term is more desirable to use here...). I think it seems more than a little irritating for people to dismiss racism purely because it didn't happen to a black person. I don't care if it is a million times more prevalent against blacks than it is against whites, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
It might have something to do with 100's years of slavery, followed by another one hundred years trapped under the weight of racism, followed by 50 years of living in the shadows of previous racism that has created structural issues.
I understand white people want to forget the crimes of our fathers and pretend they never happened.