- Feb 4, 2006
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Good point, although it is worth pointing out that "people of color" is now considered a benign term, not a put-down.
Agreed.
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Good point, although it is worth pointing out that "people of color" is now considered a benign term, not a put-down.
"One will sail through calmer waters if one charts their own course." -OldWiseGuy
I think you make some excellent points. Of the 3 forms of differentiation you mentioned; Race, Class, and Wealth, I think race gets more attention than the others not only due to slavery and the Civil Rights movement, but mainly because that is the one that cannot be changed. As an American I could be born lower class, poor, and black; but I not destined to remain that way. I can go from lower class to upper class; I can go from poor to wealthy; but I will always remain black. Because of this I believe there is more tribalism centered around race than the others that I can change, and tribalism is one of the main ingredients of racism and bigotry.Race is one form of differentiation. It receives more attention due to slavery and the Civil Rights movement. Wealth is another. Its continuance is dependent on the promotion of ideals (namely the American Dream) which they never follow.
The third is more discreet and subtle in its application. But the ripples are deeply felt. Class receives little notice. Most attribute the philosophy to Britain and assume we evolved beyond its reach. That’s trickle down economics in the flesh and a hallmark of privilege and its spoils.
The disparities are glaring and right in our face. But few notice them. The masses are fed unwholesome morsels (food, entertainment, ideals, hobbies) and the other dines on delicacies (opera, theater, ballet, etc.). If you compare the difference refinement is the tipping point.
Watch a major sporting event and pay attention to the messages reenforced through ads and commercials. Then do the same with another like golf or horse racing and notice the differences in tone, imagery, and subject. Wholesomeness is a constant.
Look at the body language of the spectators. That’s most telling. It’s a snapshot of Veblen’s Leisure Class. Whenever society directs your attention in one direction. You ought to question what’s occurring elsewhere.
As the magician proves, the slight of the hand is a masterful tactic of shifting our focus to less important matters. It doesn’t minimize the gravity of discrimination. But it removes the greater threat from our sight and conscience.
If we recognized the tentacles which reenforce our inferiority. We’d direct our efforts where they belong. This is a distraction. Brilliantly maintained.
~Bella
For me, it’s more fulfilling to devise a plan and walk it out than to follow someone’s lead.
~Bella
I think you make some excellent points. Of the 3 forms of differentiation you mentioned; Race, Class, and Wealth, I think race gets more attention than the others not only due to slavery and the Civil Rights movement, but mainly because that is the one that cannot be changed. As an American I could be born lower class, poor, and black; but I not destined to remain that way. I can go from lower class to upper class; I can go from poor to wealthy; but I will always remain black. Because of this I believe there is more tribalism centered around race than the others that I can change, and tribalism is one of the main ingredients of racism and bigotry.
True. But I think a group ethos is more prevalent in religious practitioners. Or the ideal at least. Whether that holds true when tested is another matter. ~Bella
I think tribalism is not so much about how you feel about yourself, but more of a desire to be around people like yourself. The opposite of diversity; if you will.The answer to that is to not let others decide how you feel about yourself.
As an American I could be born lower class, poor, and black; but I not destined to remain that way. I can go from lower class to upper class; I can go from poor to wealthy; but I will always remain black.
Because of this I believe there is more tribalism centered around race than the others that I can change, and tribalism is one of the main ingredients of racism and bigotry.
I like it. The beauty of America is that here you can do that, if you have the courage.
I never said money will bring you from lower class to upper class, I said the opportunity to go from lower class to upper class is available to youYou can raise yourself by acquiring wealth which places you in a different socioeconomic group. But class isn’t bestowed solely due to resources. You enter a different strata and must be granted a seat at the table. The rituals of entry are longstanding. Money will never set them aside.
That is the reasoning behind attending certain schools, camps, and events. And participating in specific clubs, philanthropy, and seats on the board. All of this ushers the individual towards inclusion. That’s where power dwells. Without access and influence the mechanism to effect change remains untapped.
I am not a religious person so when I said tribalism as a main ingredient of racism and bigotry, I wasn’t referring to it in the context of religion, I was more so referring to the fact that many of the instances of bigotry and racism has almost always had some aspect of tribalism as their base.That is a limited perspective promoted to shield the deeper truths of our makeup. Belief in God should accompany a clearer recognition of our divinity and spiritual DNA. Ignorance diminishes contentment and supports notions of inferiority and physical ideals distributed to the public.
When we grasp our holy blueprint and His design. We embrace our otherness without fear or apology. Thus, if He decreed our hue or imparted beauty and talents. Why are we compelled to question our value in relation to the next that He formed?
You must accept your knitting and view its distinction as marks of Holy perfection. Fearfully and wonderfully crafted. Unapologetically sound. Fashioned through His will.
To descend to man’s frequency and partake of his rhetoric impacts my vision and execution. I see through biases and limitations which don’t exist on His plane. That’s our resting place.
When you move beyond race and consider the nuances of your person you gain insight on each element’s contribution to the whole. As a Creole, I’m moved by the sounds and rhythms prevalent in Black music. And equally influenced by French food and culture. I delight in British etiquette and social customs. My soul stirs in Jewish places of worship and is fed through service and philanthropy for the benefit of others and loved ones.
That isn’t a culmination of color. It’s the reality of the facets (of my being) coming together and forming a harmonious end. If I gravitated to the propaganda, I would question my difference and look askance. Desiring to be like others and rejecting His plan.
That’s unacceptable. I won’t yield one iota He’s bestowed. I know who I am.
~Bella
They used to be them:
Courage isn’t the culprit. Though fear can be an impediment. The greatest inhibitor is lack of planning and follow through. Doing is the difference.
I never said money will bring you from lower class to upper class, I said the opportunity to go from lower class to upper class is available to you
I am not a religious person so when I said tribalism as a main ingredient of racism and bigotry, I wasn’t referring to it in the context of religion, I was more so referring to the fact that many of the instances of bigotry and racism has almost always had some aspect of tribalism as their base.
Leaving the 'tribe' behind is often necessary if one is to seek success. It takes courage to do this, long before any plans are laid, especially if it means abandoning one's 'culture'; getting above one's 'raisin's'.
We don’t teach that. We send people on a laborious goose chase and wonder why they’re failing.
~Bella
The world's system is like a maze that few navigate successfully. Most are still in there somewhere, still bumping into dead ends.
When I was a young teacher, a student's father shared his opinion that "country blacks" were decent enough people, but "city blacks" weren't. I think his attitude was exactly the point of the title of this thread. Too many whites points to statistics (that are perfectly accurate) to explain that it's black peoples' own fault that they are treated badly, since they behave so badly.
There are two huge flaws in this reasoning. The first is that statistics aren't people. Treating a certain individual badly simply because other people like him or her behave badly is wrong. I don't anything about an individual until I get to know that individual.
The second flaw comes from forgetting the principle of mercy. When the disciples came to Jesus and reported that the people in the town up ahead had rejected them, they asked if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven on their heads. Jesus responded with "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." Jesus did not express anger at the town. Neither should we express anger at people who do not behave the way we wish they would.
Ceasing to abuse isn't the same as making up for it or dealing with the injuries. And of course more could be done to invest in certain communities. You put a man on the moon for goodness' sake.
If I meet a homeless man on the street who asks for money I might be tempted to tell him to get a job and take responsibility for his own life and quickly be on my way.
But if my brother from childhood becomes homeless I may well do everything in my power to help. I may let him stay with me even if he steals, give money even though he wastes it, hook him up with jobs even though I know he might not turn up etc. By the time I have to kick him out, it would still break my heart.
Of course everyone has to take responsibility for their own lives. But America hasn't exactly exhausted itself trying to bring black America into the fold.
No? You weren't fighting a foreign enemy, you were fighting amongst yourselves to make a decision you should have made in the first place. You didn't do anybody a favour.