Racial Discrimination? More blatant examples? More subtle?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is what I don't understand, while affirmative action may have gotten them a place in the Ivy league school, they still have to earn the degree, doing the work and passing. the degree is not handed to them, it must still be earned, no matter how they got into the school.

I think the issue is that many feel that they shouldn't have been given an opportunity due to the color of their skin via AA while a student who likely would have gotten the slot did not b/c of the color of their skin.

Getting accepted into any college is a privilege and it does come across as unfair at times when someone is essentially getting the privilege on something other than the merit of their application.

It's great that they had the opportunity to work hard, but why should skin color be the basis for granting that opportunity? IMHO, it shouldn't even be on the application.

ETA: I understand the reasons--but I still don't think it is fair.

 

[wvjules]

No -but do a search - and what you read will seem too awful to be true - it is. It was determined that the couple (white) wasn't brutalized (for DAYS) before being tortured/murdered because of their race but because the people (all black) wanted her Four Runner. It was a simple carjacking.

If it were a simple carjacking and all they wanted was the car then why didn't they just take the 4Runner? Why abduct Channon and Chris at all?

And I'm sorry but are you implying that the crime was less than awful b/c it turns out they (she actually) were only brutalized/tortured for hours instead of days? Have you read about what was done to her? It is HORRIFYING whether done for days or hours. These men are sick sick individuals and I with they all got the DP!

And "**** that white *****" seems a bit racial to me.



Oh, since when are Blue crabs considered a "black" food? Never heard that one before.

 

[FireDancer]

I think the issue of drugs is a pretty big one when it comes to race too. I think AA are prosecuted much more for drugs than whites. I have nothing to back it up, just observations.

At colleges and universities there were plenty of drugs in soroities and fraternities and elsewhere on campuses. It's not talked about much, but the kids on campuses know. Very rarely is there a bust documented. But there are plenty of busts documented in other targeted areas.

I think there are plenty of examples of racism in an abundance of varieties. Sad no matter where it is found.

Well, I don't see this as race based, people of all races are in fraternities and sororities. Colleges look the other way when their bottom line is involved. The students will get away with more than non-students on campus will. Look how high profile athletes of all colors are coddled and allowed to get away with stuff that no one else would be. It isn't because of their color, all races are involved, it is because of the bottom line.

I have friends of many races, all different religions, different sexual orientations, and of many nations of origin. Maybe it is because I live in a larger city or am of a slightly younger generation but none of us spend a lot of time worrying about where we are from, who we sleep with, or what our religion is. I know there are areas of the country where this is still a big issue for all involved but I just don't see that as the predominant view in America anymore. It isn't like I live a sheltered life in a lily white neighborhood and only socialize with other WASPs. Heck, I'm going to be at an Asian Student even on Friday where being white will be the minority and I am never made to feel out of place by them as I wouldn't want anyone not white to be out of place around me.

 

[missypie]

Like someone mentioned above I think those kinds of things are perspective. I secure my purse and lock my door when any man is near. Actually I do those things regardless because it's how I was taught. As a woman shopping on her own you have certain things ingrained from a very early age. For instance I'm sure I really would have offended your ex because as a woman alone there is no way I would have stepped onto an elevator with a man alone. I would have stepped off had he gotten on with me and no one else was around. That's self preservation not a race thing for me.

I'm with you. I work in a large office building downtown. The public has access to the parking garage elevator. If there is a lone man in the elevator when I'm about to enter, I use the "does he look like he works in our building?" test. If a guy is dressed like an office worker, I'll get in. If he looks like he walked in off the street, I'll pretend to have forgotten something and not get in. Sure, some criminal could fool me by wearing a business suit, but my self preservation is not race based.

 

[smkiya]

I really think it's not necessarily racism, but somewhat of a curiosity when you see a black person where white people frequent, or vice-versa (see my blue crab story above). If a white person is in a "crack neighborhood" it's assumed they're there to buy crack. A black person could be there just to visit someone.

Whoop, there it is!
"Crack neighborhood" = black neighborhood

Nothing against the poster, but you are not the only one who feels this way, you are just the only one who verbalized it.

When I was in college, I was jogging in the neighborhood and had that not so nice racist remarked yelled at me from a couple driving down the street.

This summer in Philadelphia, the young kids in a summer camp were turned away from a swim club, why do you ask?

 

[Sleepy]

It's a shame that only those things pop in your head.

No, they are not the ONLY things that pop in my head. They are an example of a few cases where the media jumps on stories of wealthy or white victims when many people who are poor or minority have suffered the same fate with no coverage.

 

[missypie]

This summer in Philadelphia, the young kids in a summer camp were turned away from a swim club, why do you ask?

If I had been a member of a swim club planning a quiet weekday visit and the club management had rented it out to that many kids of any race - heck, they could be the kids of senators or movie stars - I'd have thrown a fit.

 

[smkiya]

If I had been a member of a swim club planning a quiet weekday visit and the club management had rented it out to that many kids of any race - heck, they could be the kids of senators or movie stars - I'd have thrown a fit.

Agreed. But would you have made comments about the children's race being the reason you didn't want them there, while the children were there listening to you? Because sadly, that happened too...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with the poster who said since President Obama has been elected it seems worse. The pure hatred in some just stuns me.

This is true in reverse.

Without getting to political--I'm sick and tired of being told that my opinions are related to skin color. Never mind that I share no political philosophies with the man. But the only explanation is that I am white and he is black and that must be why.

I wish race could be dropped out of any equation, but it seems that in any situation--when the colors don't match and there is a negative reaction to a person...color is the first thing blamed instead of any other plausible explanation.

 

[wenrob]

If it were a simple carjacking and all they wanted was the car then why didn't they just take the 4Runner? Why abduct Channon and Chris at all?

And I'm sorry but are you implying that the crime was less than awful b/c it turns out they (she actually) were only brutalized/tortured for hours instead of days? Have you read about what was done to her? It is HORRIFYING whether done for days or hours. These men are sick sick individuals and I with they all got the DP!

And "**** that white *****" seems a bit racial to me.

I think you've misinterpreted what the poster was saying. I got from reading her post that those weren't her feelings but what was portrayed in the media and court. The poster was actually appalled by that portrayal not endorsing it.

 

[wvjules]

I think you've misinterpreted what the poster was saying. I got that those weren't her feelings but what was portrayed in the media and court. The poster was actually appalled by that portrayal not endorsing it.

Its quite possible I am reading it the wrong way. I have been following this case closely and I guess its just getting to me. I feel for her parents who are sitting through the 3rd of atleast 4 trails for these animals hearing the torture their daughter endured for hours and hours. I am amazed at how evil these men and woman were/are. I wouldn't wish what she went through on my worst enemy.

 

[smkiya]

This is true in reverse.
I wish race could be dropped out of any equation, (me too!)

but it seems that in any situation--when the colors don't match and there is a negative reaction to a person...color is the first thing blamed instead of any other plausible explanation. (most times it is not race based, I agree. but there are times when it is, and that should not be discounted. I never assume that a person's view is different than mine because of our skin color. If that were true, I never would have married my husband.)

Response in blue..

 

[LukenDC]

There is also a lot of racism and discrimination WITHIN races and ethnic groups. It usually has to do with lighter vs. darker skin or types of hair.

One thing that fascinates me is how a person's race can "change" depending upon where they live. The Washington Post did a story a few years ago about Brazilian immigrants who grew up as black in their home country and their shock at being reclassified as white in America.

 

[wenrob]

This is true in reverse.

Without getting to political--I'm sick and tired of being told that my opinions are related to skin color. Never mind that I share no political philosophies with the man. But the only explanation is that I am white and he is black and that must be why.

I wish race could be dropped out of any equation, but it seems that in any situation--when the colors don't match and there is a negative reaction to a person...color is the first thing blamed instead of any other plausible explanation.

Is this actually what's been said to you or it this how you perceive it? In the way that some may assume you didn't vote for him because he was black do you assume people think that of you because you're not black? I'm not denying it happens, I know it does but if you are in the mind set that people are going to accuse you of being racist it may make you defensive, kwim? Like I said, I know people are accused of this so I'm not trying to argue just wondering if you've looked at it from a different angle.

In any case I think being accused of not voting for a man because of his race is rather mild to some of the nasty, scary things I heard the day after the election and continue to hear.

 

[crashbb]

Then there is the case of the New Haven firefighters, who despite excelling in the written exam, were not given the promotions that they were entitled to, because not enough 'non whites' did well. They prevailed in court. I don't like the term "reverse discrimination". All discrimination is wrong.

They just received their promotions last week. Or rather, 14 of the 20 did (the other 6 would, according to the report, not have qualified for the promotions even if the test scores had been used).

 

[Mrs.Toad]

This is what I don't understand, while affirmative action may have gotten them a place in the Ivy league school, they still have to earn the degree, doing the work and passing. the degree is not handed to them, it must still be earned, no matter how they got into the school.

Maybe affirmative action didn't get them into the Ivy League school, either, though. Maybe they had awesome grades and test scores. I know you used the word "may", and I know you didn't mean it this way, but to me, your post still gives off a little assumption about how the person got into the school.

I took a Poli/sci class a few years ago, and had a conversation with another student (I'm white, she's black, just for prespective). This class was in IL, but she was from the South originaly. She was saying how much better it was up here compared to in the South, even these days. But she did tell me how much more subtle racism is (if more rare) here compared to her home.

Is Florida considered the south? The most blatant racism I've noticed was on a trip to Florida, looking at houses with a realtor. I lived and worked in California and the company was moving to Florida, so took us there so we could get to know the area before deciding if we wanted to move or not.

Anyway, this realtor is showing us around, we drive by a neighborhood of older, but well-kept homes with beautiful, large, shady trees. I asked the realtor about it and she said "oh, you don't want to look in there, that's where all the black people live." I couldn't believe it. Later we got a similar comment from the hotel staff. We asked if it was too far to walk to some restaurant or something and he said it was close enough to walk, but we wouldn't want to because we'd have to pass a black neighborhood.

Funny thing was, some of our black employees loved their visit to Florida and ended up moving with the company (I didn't). I asked them about it, and they said they didn't feel they were treated any different there. To me, the difference was shocking, but then I probably never noticed the more subtle forms of racism in California that they did.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Response in blue..

I get what you are saying and I am not discounting that it does not happen.

However--my history (and that of many I know) suggest and pretty much validate that we would have had our same opinions even if the person was of a different color.

Can't say much more than that as it is prohibited.

 

[tinatark]

Whoop, there it is!
"Crack neighborhood" = black neighborhood

Nothing against the poster, but you are not the only one who feels this way, you are just the only one who verbalized it.

"Crack neighborhood" - where you buy crack. Like it or not, they're typically poor, black neighborhoods. Not every "black" neighborhood, by any means. But you twist it around to read my words however you want.

I think you've misinterpreted what the poster was saying. I got from reading her post that those weren't her feelings but what was portrayed in the media and court. The poster was actually appalled by that portrayal not endorsing it.

You are right, I am appalled by this case. It happened 20 minutes from me. I have watched the families of the victims be admonished by the JUDGE to keep their feelings to themselves. The most recent trial was horrible to even watch - the victims were put on trial by the defense. Sorry I wasn't more clear in my post.

Blue Crabs - I don't know why they're considered a "black" food - but they have been, as long as I remember (N. Florida). At least the steamed ones. My husband was a meat market (and seafood) manager at Winn Dixie - the stores in predominately black areas outsold other stores 4+ to 1. It still seems the same.

There have been many, many cases of discrimination within fire departments. 2 hiring lists, one for white males, one for everyone else. Recently (within the past 5 years), nooses were found on the equipment of black firefighters there. Turns out, the investigation showed they most likely put them there themselves. What the heck?!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is this actually what's been said to you or it this how you perceive it? In the way that some may assume you didn't vote for him because he was black do you assume people think that of you because you're not black? I'm not denying it happens, I know it does but if you are in the mind set that people are going to accuse you of being racist it may make you defensive, kwim? Like I said, I know people are accused of this so I'm not trying to argue just wondering if you've looked at it from a different angle.

In any case I think being accused of not voting for a man because of his race is rather mild to some of the nasty, scary things I heard the day after the election and continue to hear.

Mild or not, it is still discriminatory, no?

And yes, I have been told point blank--by caucasian supporters, no less who share my skin color.

To the point where I can't share at all--b/c there is no point.

My views (and those of many I know) didn't change from prior elections, so not sure why suddenly we are considered to have voted solely on skin color.

I simply stated my views here as I didn't believe the OP was asking for only teh really bad and nasty examples.

It is just another form of reverse discrimination that I have experienced. (And while discrimination is just discrimination the reason for mentioning "reverse" is that often people only focus on a minority being discriminated against, but never the other way around.)

I often wonder what the feedback would have been had a woman been elected and I disagreed with her.

I'm a woman--but I'm sure someone would twist my views to be sexist.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Is this actually what's been said to you or it this how you perceive it? In the way that some may assume you didn't vote for him because he was black do you assume people think that of you because you're not black? I'm not denying it happens, I know it does but if you are in the mind set that people are going to accuse you of being racist it may make you defensive, kwim? Like I said, I know people are accused of this so I'm not trying to argue just wondering if you've looked at it from a different angle.

In any case I think being accused of not voting for a man because of his race is rather mild to some of the nasty, scary things I heard the day after the election and continue to hear.

Yes, I've heard people accused of racism when all they said was they didn't like Obama's policies. I've also heard from people who most definitely find Obama's skin color to be a reason to hate him. And remember, Colin Powell was accused supporting Obama merely because he was AA, too. It goes in all directions.