I was born into a country where every man has the right to the unalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A country where EVERY man is created equal. So why do certain groups find it nesecary to seperate themselves into little groups away from everyone else?
I don't get why there are all-black or chinesse country clubs, or all black scholarships, or black only town meetings. I thought the entire idea of this country was to try and get away from seggragation? I was raised to not see the color of someones skin, but to see them as a person and judge them on their charector and personality, not the color of their skin. But i don't find it fair.
Come on, think about it. If an organaziation sponsored a scholarship, and they said its only for white students, or if someone opened up an all-white country club, do you think that it would be aplauded. Do you think a newspapper artical would say that it was a good thing, because afterall, its just helping whites to stay united and stronger as a people.
Seriously. There would be so many protestors lined up and down Washington, riots would break out. People would freak out, and say that we're so exremely racist for openeing a club for only whites or even thinking about openeing a scholarship for only whites.
And yet if a white person speaks out against this they get called racist. Just wait there will be a coment on here calling me a racist because i spoke my mind. I don't see the fairness in it all. Plus its just promoting racism, and separation. If we ever want to be truely united we can't have seperation based on the colors of our skins.
Yup..I don't think you are racist, and I understand what you are saying. I don't know why it is like that, but there are reasons why this sort of thing happens.
I think it's pretty dumb that they can write a book called "The Negros book of Poetry", but there isn't one called "The Whites Book of Poetry".....that's just the way it is. If you wrote one, and got it published then there would be one: so I guess I am saying, nothing will change until it happens, whether that be a white club, book, or a scholarship. And when/if that happened, there would be protests, and/or riots etc...which is why, I guess, that it HASN'T happened yet.
It is essentially the White Book of Poetry. That's why there are special books for minorities. White people choose the canon, and disproportionately choose works by white authors. African Americans are in a better position to choose the authors who are valuable to them than White Americans, right? If White Americans are not taking it upon themselves to value the work of African Americans (or other minority groups), then they are wise to do it for themselves. I certainly don't blame them for wanting to see themselves represented in the media.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I agree on some aspects, but on others I totally don't. There was a quote on the board the other day saying "There isn't Black History, there's only history." And I was more offended then the black people in my class. Especially in America they have overcome so many hardships and I think it's important that we recognize it. Maybe it’s because I’m Jewish and my people have been through a hell of a lot too.
And with the scholarships, it’s easily explained, as the minority they have more to overcome than us white people. They are usually from communities where it’s difficult to strive for something more. It’s hard to overcome the barriers that not only your own race, but other races have set for you.
On my agreeing points though, I’m a minority at my school. And there is a student union for both the Black and Latinos, but when a White student union application was processed, the club was denied. I mean the club for the minorities was denied. It didn’t make much sense.
One day we’ll get there. Although I absolutely don’t consider you a racist there are still tons of people whom are. Education and acceptance is the only way we can tackle discrimination.
I definately agree with you over all, but try to look at the other sides of the issue. As far as there being a Chinese organization, that's just them trying to protect their heritage, and that also exists in Irish organizations or German organizations. As for the scholarships and such directed towards minorities, it's part of affirmative action and an attempt at equalizing some obvious hardships the minorities face. I don't think that affirmative action is the greatest thing in the world, in fact I down right disagree with it, but racism still exists and it may be the best option at equalizing the problem (although I'm sure it winds up creating more racism...) I just think that it would be nice for our society to get to a place beyond separating, or even labling, people on their race.
I think the difference between a Latino club, and a white club is the fact that they are based on different things. A whilte club would be based on skin color, whereas a Latino club is based on heritage. I also think that when they call it a black club, what they might mean is 'of african descent'. If there was a white club, it wouldn't be celebrating heritage, it would be celebrating skin color. Also people are still very touchy about the color of skin. Although it has been a very long time since slavery and stuff like that, people are not willing to let 'the whites' get strong again. That might be understood, but whites don't have as much trouble sticking together. We are already 'on top'. We don't need help getting on an even playing field. I think that is why so many people would protest something like that.
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"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to excercise it, different opinions will be formed..."
James Madison, Federalist Paper # 10
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But you COULD start a Polish Club or a Swedish Club and this wouldn't be racist at all. "White" is REALLY to broad and is attributed only to skin color, not necessarily to ethnic heritage. HERITAGE is truly what it's all about.
With scholarships especially, I don't think it matters if the issuer of the scholarship will only take people of a certain race or ethnic background. It's nice to have scholarships offered to demonstrate to their applicants that they should be proud of their heritage. Their are scholarships out there for minorities, one for people who have worn braces, scholarships for people of specific backgrounds, for almost anything. If you can't apply to a scholarship that is only offered to African Americans, just find one that you CAN qualify for. There are so many opportunities out there, you just need to find the ones that are unique to you.
I see your point that you can't go out there and say, "I'm offering a scholarship to only white people" but there are scholarships for those with Polish descent or Italian descent. Why shouldn't their be scholarships for those with African descent? Everyone has a right to show their ethnic pride without even thinking about the word "racism." I don't think racism is even a factor, just pride about one's heritage.
It's kind of like seeing the glass as either half full or half empty.
White people are the only group able to believe in this myth. In fact, they (we) have a huge investment in perpetuating the myth. If we pretend there is no difference between the colors, then the onus is on the communities of color to solve the problem for themselves. Their failure to thrive becomes their problem, and their fault. It is an easy way for White Americans to avoid responsibility for the inequities in our modern society, born of centuries of unjust policies that keep people of color from achieving the status of whites. I'm not talking about slavery. After slavery, straight on through to the urban renewal of the 70's, and on into educational and environmental policy and mortgage lending practices today, racism has been reinforced by societal and governmental practices. It is less overt now, which makes it even more insidious.
Read "White Privilege: Essential Readings on the Other Side of Racism," edited by Paula S. Rothenberg, if you want to understand exactly how white privilege works. It describes the concept in a guilt-free way, through a series of essays. The theme of the essays is that white people need to understand how white privilege perpetuates the covert racism that exists today, and that if we own it, acknowledge it, and work to allow the same privileges to everyone, we can achieve a truly equal society.
Racism is not about clubs or name calling. It is about equal access to cultural capital and knowing the rules to the game that is society. And that kind of exclusionary racism is alive and well today.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I don't think you are a racist. I agree that there should not be clubs for a certain race. However, somethings will not change so quickly. Slavery is wrong. It will take time for the obnoxious opinion that some are lesser than other to gradually disappear. History shows that a group is always oppressed for some reason. Having scholarships that are specific in race are normally to help those that may not be able to receive other scholarships. Some scholarships have financial need requirements. It is unfair to say that they should be available to everyone because the need is greater in that area. And i say this coming from a well off family which makes it harder for me to get scholarships as my parents will only pay a certain amount for school. Though I definitely see your point and even agree, reality will always set in.
Leah