Racism today ... (Page 2)

damn it man !

everybody seems to be talking about casteism and racism in india .
I am not talking about blaming anyone or something like that,
i knew the topic would become very vast then,

hence i asked some specific questions based on an article and poll

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Not quite


Edited by ashoka_was_king - 18 February 2009 at 8:18pm

Electing Obama to President is a milestone for the United States of America. Just a year ago even I did not honestly believe there can be a colored President of the United States. When you consider the entire history of the United States of America, it is something that just amazes you.

However, I think Americans tend to err when assuming that the entire world will share this sentiment. Other countries in the world have a different history and historical perspective, not everyone will view it as such. That being said the significance has not been lost on the world. I have even seen Frenchmen and Russians go gaga over Obama.

Another fact remains that Obama is an 'American' president. He is expected to serve the American people. While he may be sympathetic to issues in Africa or what colored people across the world face - he is not their leader. I think Hannah Pool tries to clarify to black people that he is no sort of messiah for them - they still have to work at it. It is nothing derogatory towards Obama. Just a reality check. As an American citizen I expect Obama to have his priorities set on America and think of the world later.

I don't think she is far fetched when she says people think he is articulate for a black man. Subconsciously that plays a part. When I look at it in retrospect, I realize I myself think he stands out for being a black man.

You walk through the mall and watch a bunch of teens with their baggy pants sagging to show their boxer briefs, their oversized FUBU shirts, braided dreadlocks and blinding bling, being loud obnoxious drawing undue attention to themselves, speaking a version of English language that makes even Geordie sound comprehensible and pleasing to the ear - then come home and turn on the TV to watch Obama speak you wonder is he really black or did he just get a strange tan or somthing.

What I do not get is her obsession with Obama failing, and equating it with a black man failing. Yes a lot of people do think Obama will fail. Many think his economic policies are not sound or too left wing. Except for a the ignorant few not one Obama critic has viewed him as a black man failing - they view him as a socialist failing in a free market world. Gauri and Raj in evaluating Obama topic brought up a lot of points against him - but none because he is a black man - but because he is a liberal. I would not go to say that a white christian male would face exact criticism - but it would not be too disparage. I think some black people are  just paranoid that the white world is out to blame them.

As far as racism goes it exists and is very prevalent. It is human tendency to be hostile, unsure or cautious to something that is different.

As majority members white people are unable to see the unearned privelege they receive for being in the majority class. They do not understand the experience of facing the underpriveleges of minority status. Similarly black people are focused on the discrimination that they do not see the efforts some white people put into foster tolerace. From their minority status they do not understand what the majority accepts.

There is intended racism and there is unintended racism. Some people behave in a different manner to colored people because they look down on them, but many behave differently because they live sheltered lives and do not know how to behave. This is especially true of many hick towns in the United States.

Then there is expressed racism and supressed racism. Typically down south people are pretty expressive and vocal of their racist views. But up North and amidst the coasties we have whom I call - pseudo liberal. They participate in charities, pretend to be liberal, have many colored friends. But in reality they look down on other races and classes, they give charity to show themselves up and prove that other people cannot do without them, they have colored friends as a novelty show off. Like OMG have you met my black friend, OMG I am like adopting a Chinese baby. I am so liberal and cool.  I'd rather have the KKK shoot me in the head than become a liberal novelty item.

I totally love the movie Crash because it portrays racism and biases in a raw and real sense. We all are victims and victimizers. John Ryan starts out as your typical racist sexually abusive cop, but as the movie progresses you learn that difficulties of his life due to affirmative action and that he is willing to risk his life to save a black woman in the line of duty. We have Farhad an innocent Persian man constantly harassed due to his national origin and religion, yet he has no qualms on shooting his gun at an innocent Latino just because he assumes he is a gangbanger.

We are all racists because none of us are truly capable of rising above our misperceptions. We didnt start the fire, it was always burning, since the worlds been turning

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Edited by ashoka_was_king - 18 February 2009 at 8:54pm