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I will admit I was playing the idealistic card when I talked about everyone thinking of people as humans first. But enough from me. At best I can only be philosophical when it comes to matters of race relations, and I'm only in control of my own personal reactions and behavior when faced with racial issues.
Somewhere in this discussion you mentioned that this was the worst poll that Omninerd ever put forth. I'm sure you realize that the purpose of these "polls" are not to prove anything, or cause anyone to come to any conclusions. They are only here to foster discussion, and I will say in that respect it certainly got your attention on a subject you seem to be most passionate about. In fact I would say you are quite "nerdy" about racial issues, and for that reason I would invite you to write a blog, coffee-shop or better yet, an article discussing some portion or issue pertaining to the racial issues you find in the United States or elsewhere. There are people like myself who really don't understand how black people 'feel' as you put it, and taking your views and eloquent words to the front page would reach a larger audience than having them buried in the comments somewhere.
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RE: Rascism directly related to diversity
to automatically clash with each other at first until they "get used" to each other.
That is exactly what I am saying! It isn't in the nature of human beings to unify. People gravitate towards their "own" kind, which, ironically, is becoming more and more subjective. No matter which racial or ethnic groups that you match together there will be conflicting view-points on every socio-economic, and civil front.
You come across as somewhat angry about my
Not at all angry. Passionate; but not angry. I believe whole heartedly in being "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" I think the more we learn (listen.) the less likely we'll fall subject to the prejudices inherent in our upbringing.
I don't buy that at all, except in the case where intolerance
People rarely tolerate what they don't understand. It's not your fault, its no ones fault really, until it affects the way you act, and feel around the people in question.
or tolerance to begin with if you begin with an attitude that everyone is a human being first?
I think the concept of "human being" is far too organic. In general, everyone believes that everyone else is a human being, but there is something in all of us that thinks that we are more. For example, there are different levels of "respect" you can respect some one for their action (Martin Luther King Jr.) you can respect someone for their passion (Hitler) and you can respect someone because they're human (a homeless man on the street, that you don't know) If there are any other categories of respect that I've missed please let me know....but my point is, everyone is "supposed" to start from the level of "human being" but what is that starting point really? Is it adequate? does it truly accomplish the intended goal? (golden rule; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.)
Are you saying that instead of lynch mobs and cross burnings the new racism is complete apathy?
Yes. To an extent this is exactly what I am saying. This is a completely unique issue...it's confined to the borders of the United States of America. It is not like the starving Ethiopians or the fighting Middle Easterners. This isn't a charity case that gets general acknowledgment but little or no action. This isn't the Mexicans crossing the borders, or the Asians sending their profits back to their own countries. This is the plight of a people UNIQUE to America with no where to turn but to a system who only recently exploited the very core of their human rights. Its the observation of a sick patient hemorrhaging without the necessary resources to heal, or at least recuperate its own losses. Its the step-child in search of an identity upon which she can build a source of real pride, independent of her siblings.
People who hate Mexicans say 'Hey go back to your country!"
People who hate Black people in America say, "Go jump in the sea."
To be honest, its embarrassing (at times) to be black and proclaim your citizenship to this country.
Hopefully that gives you a better visual of they way black people "feel".
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