Is there a place at the table for white men?

[OldWiseGuy]

You do not set a standard for others to emulate, and neither do you set the methodology by which others must demonstrate success, however they choose to define it for themselves. This not a privilege that you have, and I refuse to recognize it.

And yet there is a fairly common measure for success that is basically held worldwide. How different can your measure be from the time-honored standard?

 

[Paidiske]

I've always rather fancied Bhutan's measure of "gross national happiness," myself.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

And yet there is a fairly common measure for success that is basically held worldwide. How different can your measure be from the time-honored standard?

Here is a quick and incomplete list. I haven't thought it completely through, but it's a start.

Family success means raising children who have a relatively safe home, good food to eat; a proper education, all overseen by both a mother and a father.

Economic success means having the ability to earn enough money to be self-sufficient, at the very least, and then begin to acquire assets to ensure family finical success in years to come.

Cultural and societal success means rather than take from other, you being to give. You give of money and time to make the community and surrounding area better for all.

Political success means running for office and winning seats, then using your influence to not only better your own, but society in general.

Career success means finding work that is both fulfilling to self and which serves mankind as well. All work should help to make society thrive. That includes even menial jobs. But those menial jobs should be worked in such a way as to become more an more valuable to a company until you are in management. Not everyone is capable of this, but many are, and they should strive for it.

 

[quatona]

Is there a place at the table for white men?

Sure - you might have to get accustomed to the thought that it won´t be the throne anymore, though.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Sure - you might have to get accustomed to the thought that it won´t be the throne anymore, though.

I'm only here to serve.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I've always rather fancied Bhutan's measure of "gross national happiness," myself.

I think by and large Americans are happy. There will always be malcontents however.

 

[zephcom]

I think by and large Americans are happy. There will always be malcontents however.

In what universe are Americans by and large happy?? Certainly not this one. We are either on the path to becoming a nuclear version of Nazi Germany or an implosion of racial conflict which will make America a cultural black hole.

How can one see either of these futures and declare that Americans are happy.

 

[quatona]

I think by and large Americans are happy. There will always be malcontents however.

The OP sounds rather unhappy, to me.

 

[Go Braves]

The political table that is. If privileged middle class white men are responsible for the problems of minorities and the poor is there room for well-meaning white men at the table of political discussion. Or are we not welcome there? Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other activists want a place for minorities at the economic table along with white folks, but do the white folks have to empty their pockets onto the table, and then shut their mouths as well?

I'm a white man, and haven't had any problems finding a place "at the table".

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I'm a white man, and haven't had any problems finding a place "at the table".

Liberals don't have the same issue with this.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I'm a white man, and haven't had any problems finding a place "at the table".

Is your advice concerning racism being heard? Mine isn't.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

In what universe are Americans by and large happy?? Certainly not this one. We are either on the path to becoming a nuclear version of Nazi Germany or an implosion of racial conflict which will make America a cultural black hole.

How can one see either of these futures and declare that Americans are happy.

Americans have a happy nature generally. That isn't to say that we are content with everything in our lives. That's why we work to achieve more contentment (stuff, power, status).

 

[Shiloh Raven]

I'm a white man, and haven't had any problems finding a place "at the table".

You're a Republican, so you're not a liberal. So, I wonder why you're not experiencing the same exclusion as the OP apparently is. My husband is a white man and conservative too, but he doesn't have a problem finding a place at the table of political discussion either. He's definitely not a liberal.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You're a Republican, so you're not a liberal. So, I wonder why you're not experiencing the same exclusion as the OP apparently is. My husband is a white man and conservative too, but he doesn't have a problem finding a place at the table of political discussion either. He's definitely not a liberal.

But is anyone listening to him? Being afforded the courtesy of sitting at the discussion table doesn't mean anything if your input is ignored (conservative input is generally better than liberal input, however it is seldom politically correct).

 

[Go Braves]

Is your advice concerning racism being heard? Mine isn't.

I don't tend to give advice to grown folks, regardless of their race, unless it's been solicited. So your problem isn't mine.

 

[Go Braves]

You're a Republican, so you're not a liberal. So, I wonder why you're not experiencing the same exclusion as the OP apparently is. My husband is a white man and conservative too, but he doesn't have a problem finding a place at the table of political discussion either. He's definitely not a liberal.

Well the OP calls himself the Old Wise Guy, and I read his story behind why he picked his avatar & the whole "grimly waiting for my cornflakes" line. I don't have his problems because I don't have his attitude.

 

[Go Braves]

Liberals don't have the same issue with this.

Neither do conservatives like me who don't go around with a chip on their shoulder.

 

[bhsmte]

But is anyone listening to him? Being afforded the courtesy of sitting at the discussion table doesn't mean anything if your input is ignored (conservative input is generally better than liberal input, however it is seldom politically correct).

Seems like a lot of opinion you are spouting and you are taken aback, because some disagree with your opinion.

 

[bhsmte]

Neither do conservatives like me who don't go around with a chip on their shoulder.

Well stated.

Lots of chips on shoulders on this site. Some chips are on the left shoulder and some are on the right.

 

[Shiloh Raven]

But is anyone listening to him? Being afforded the courtesy of sitting at the discussion table doesn't mean anything if your input is ignored (conservative input is generally better than liberal input, however it is seldom politically correct).

I'm not sure if you're referring to Go Braves or to my husband whom I mentioned. Concerning my husband, the answer is yes, people listen to him because he's respectful. And like Go Braves, he doesn't offer advice to other adults unless asked and he doesn't impose his opinions on others.