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RE: Racism is so complicated
What a ridiculous end to your rather thoughtful analysis of the topic.
Boo-the-freakin-hoo! If you're an atheist, it doesn't really matter if people treat you badly. People have no true value, and we all just die in the end anyway, so who cares?
RE: Racism is so complicated
First of all I agree with you, both concerning the statistics, although statistically a middle-aged white man is more likely to be a serial killer, and concerning the cultural differences. Pragmatism says that the hip-hop culture is statistically more dangerous than not.
Second, both Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton profess to be 'men of the cloth'. They call themselves 'Reverend'. That being said, both have had their share of what I would call sin in their lives--affairs, illegitimate children, etc. But, in the Christian vein, they are forgiven by the Lord; I can do no less. They are actual proof, however, that being a religious leader and being a politician can not mix either. That does not preclude one from being faithful, merely that you can't lead both a congregation and a society.
As they profess to be men of the cloth, then THEY should have been the first to accept the repentence of Imus. I can't say for certain what Imus had in his heart when he said what he said, although, I understand that for comedic value Imus has called his wife a 'green ho' for embracing environmental issues. From that I have to assume that his comments were not intended to be racist, just funny. It wasn't, it was totally insensitive. He's apologized for that and now its' time to just move on.
In closing, I would just like to say that if we want to break stereotypes, we have to cease perpetuating stereotypes. On the train back from the Orioles/Tigers game on Monday, my friend and coffee-shop owner heard the 'n' and 'h' (rhymes with Joe) words dropped repeatedly during the trip. If those words are hateful (yes, I realize what was said about the historical context; but context is not always the case)I know that Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey have repeatedly expressed their dismay at the hip-hop culture because of what it purports to represent.
OH, and on your discrimination of atheists posting; just so you know; I would move my desk closer to you, rather than away and embrace with a Christ-Like Agape love. That's what it's all about--genuine love for all creation. Bush is wrong; you can be a citizen as well as a patriot, and be an atheist. I would discuss my beliefs with you, if you wanted, or not---we could talk about sports or the weather too. I would not care.
RE: Racism is so complicated
Very well expressed. I agree totally. It is so hard to say these things without sounding like a racist. God bless you!
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Racism is so complicated
The American Heritage Dictionary defines racism as "the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others."
It's probably going too far to say that racism among whites has disappeared. On the other hand, I've hear some prominent black Americans claim that racism today hasn't really changed, it's merely hidden better. I'd say that's beyond ridiculous.
What makes the issue so complex is that while we now generally agree that race isn't a cause of "differences in human character or ability", it does correlate. If you're mugged, it's statistically more likely that the mugger will be black. If you're interviewing math PhDs, it's statistically more likely your next candidate will be asian. Being black didn't make the first man a criminal, nor did being asian make the second smart. We can all recognize cultural and historical causes for these things.
So, if a white man walks down a street at night and sees a small group of black men wearing hip-hop styles approaching, is it racist for him to cross the street to stay away? Of course not - there is measurably more risk in an encounter with that group than there is in an encounter with, say, a group of middle aged white men in business suits.
There are also some very substantial cultural differences between racial groups in the US as well. The values I see expressed by hip-hop cultural icons are in direct conflict with my own. A culture that seems to embrace ignorance, violence, and misogyny isn't something that I can really find much value in. Is that racism? Race doesn't engender those values, and I have pretty much the same feelings toward everyone who embraces that culture, regardless of their race.
It takes some effort to discern these kinds of subtleties, though.
I'm tempted to say that most of the things we attribute to race are more accurately attributed to other factors, most notably economic. Race doesn't cause economic disparities, but it does correlate with them. I'm tempted to say that, but I also realize that as a white man, I could certainly be biased - my experience is certainly biased. I've been a white man most of my life.
I've not paid too much attention to the details here, I just heard a TV news report while I was standing in line at McD's. I strongly suspect that Imus has been treated pretty unfairly here. Al Sharpton is obviously jumping on this as an excuse for undeserved media attention. He's never shouting from his pulpits about how horrible it is that black men refer to black women with basically the same language Imus used.
On the other hand, I do have some experience as a proud member of "America's most distrusted minority". It's hard to compare the experience - when I walk down the street, you can't look at me and tell I'm an atheist (no horns, and the shoes hide the cloven hooves). But while atheists enjoy the same legal protections as racial minorities (no housing discrimination, that sort of thing), there's very little social stigma attached to blatant bigotry against atheists.
During his presidential campaign, Bush Sr said, "I don't know that atheists should be regarded as citizens, nor should they be regarded as patriotic. This is one nation under God." Several state constitutions only grant the freedom from religious persecution to those who acknowledge the existence of a deity. Atheists cannot join the Boy Scouts.
A few years ago, a woman was fired after two co-workers learned she was an atheist. They became openly hostile and requested to have their workspaces moved away, which was granted. Later, the atheist found a picture of Jesus left on her computer. When she complained, she was told she was a disturbance and terminated. She sued and the case was settled out of court after the company was bought by Citicorp.
In a child custody case, a religious parent will almost always be granted custody over a non-religious one. This even manages to trump the usual "women always get the kids" rule.
Facing this, I find myself much more willing to believe that racial prejudice is far worse than I imagine it to be.
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