Legend

As stated in the title, what's your take on how Americans handle race. There aren't many countries out there that have as much diversity as we do, so I understand it will be hard to compare.

Our country seems to take a policy of "tolerance" instead of acceptance. Instead of celebrating and accepting the existence of different ethnicities, race, nationalities, there is a lot of pretending to be color blind. I feel this is the case. Take our media for example, a lot of them are really sensitive and hesitant when it comes to talking about race. Everyone has to choose their words wisely in order to make sure they don't offend anyone.

So what's your take?? Are other diverse countries doing better than us??

Who can we blame?? [just kidding]

__________________
LEGEND IS: UP TO SOMETHING, GOOD FOR NOTHING.

aceman67

Ok, not to offend anyone on the forum, I'm going to speak practicly here.

Alot of the stereo types that are associated with race, quite frankly, have very solid basis in fact. I see this everyday at my job (I'm a High Speed Internet tech support agent for Comcast Cable Systems). The biggest of which, I'm sad to say is "American's are lazy", but thats off topic, and a rant for another day.

Here's a prime example: "African Americans who live in the "Ghetto" are stupid and use alot of drugs"

Alot of people who do live in those area's more then likely don't, but I'm here to tell you that There are alot of them who do. I'd need an extra pair of hands to count how many calls I've taken from someone who was stoned in the last two weeks. When you can't figure out the difference between a phone cable and an ethernet cable when its explained as "One is bigger then the other", then there's some issues that need sorting out.

I do have to say that there is a problem of racisim in the States, and in the majority of the rest of the world, all I'm saying is that I can understand how someone can be racist when almost every stereotype can readily be narrowed down, quite easily too, to a basis in fact.

__________________

Joe Mage

I haveta disagree wit u on 1 thing, Legend, the media isn' as sensitive 'bout race as u have been lead ta believe. The media puts on a "face," so ta speak, and pretends ta b sensitive, but if u pay close attention; the media does alot of things that stirs the "racial" pot, if u catch my drift. For example, when it comes ta important issues concernin' our country, Why is it that the media has ta do separate polls for each race instead of doin' one of the country as a whole? Why is it that the media has ta separate what each race thinks 'bout concernin' the important issues in this country? For example, Why does the media haveta say that African-Americans prefer Barrack Obama, while White-American women prefer Hillary Clinton, etc.? When it concerns these issues, The media is very sneaky and subtle. By playin' the diversity of this country against one another the media generates ratings. The media sensitive? As sensitive as a rhino chargin' a truck, but as subtle 'bout it as a panther stalkin' its prey.

__________________

"Believe in yourself, if in nothing else."
My myspace page: www.myspace.com/joemage

Aleister Sithis

Well, this is not very true.

1. That is true, however it can be very blunt.

I honestly agree with this. And most of the different "raced" people I know agree with this.

My view is America...can treat it horribly, yet in a decent way.

__________________

PhoenixSara

I wouldn't say that other countries are doing better. i would say they are just more tolerant but when it comes to media i would say that they still prefer to put people on the covers of the magazines more pale the better which is how they sell whitening products and well i wish people would accpet their skin. but there are still incidents where when people find out that you are not white they equate that to you are not smart. which is i wish they'd stop doing that. I am asian who grew up in the USA and am proud of my heritage.

__________________

Angels are not supposed to fall in-love, unfortunately this one did.

Clan Rainstorm 2nd Company, Kunoichi Leader

PhoenixSara Myspace / Click Me/Atlantis RPG/Rules and FAQ/MY BLOG / AF

LordCastigator

__________________

Hassun

As long as we keep focusing one each other's race we'll be doing it wrong.
If we focus on not offending anyone because he or she is of a different race then we're doing it wrong. Same for getting offended at any perceived stab at your skin colour or something like that.

__________________

princesslady

America and Race? Wow, interesting topic I actually want to reply in.

I'm 16 and live in the Suburbs in a very well known city. My family and I are the ONLY African-Americans on the block and for that, we recieve dirty looks and snide comments. America-in my opinion- IS A DAMN HYPOCRITE. Your slogan is "Life, Liberty, and Persuit of Happiness" but people of color aren't entittled to that. The law is fair? Justice is Blind? I don't believe half of the stuff the school system teaches me. Democracy in America? Equality? Maybe for your lighter residents, but certainly not for me.

America is delicate when it comes to race because of past events, but they aren't afraid to sugar coat it in a blanket of vague language no one can understand unless read 2-3 times. America is the land of bigotry and tolerance, not what they teach in school
My cousin got accepted to Harvard University just yesterday. She scored a 34 on the ACT and a 1508 on the SAT. Because she filled in that "race" bubble and chose AFRICAN-AMERICAN, the school system needs her to take another test to "guantee" she is tolerant and "able" to do the work. I bet the little white kids didn't have to do that.

Oh and Aceman- Sterotypes have a solid basis on fact? So African-Americans are not as intelligent as whites? African-Americans are lazy sons of bi**hes that do nothing but wait on welfare? African-Americans do drugs? African-Americans will always be in poverty?

Also, how do you know all the African-Americans live in the damn ghetto? Can't they live in the suburbs? White kids do drugs too. SO now that they came to work high as a damn kite, they are classified as living in the Ghetto right?

__________________

Born to rule, raised to lead, taught to establish: The African Queen

EmoNightmareRose

__________________
my relationship recipe:
love, blood, and chocolate

Sazzy

If there is one thing I noticed while I was in America. It was how much people actually use racist comments. I mean even my boyfriends sister-in-law would say something like "wow that's white stuff right there" something like that. There are lines between what race can benefit more from aspects in life. Even when there was a female fight outside on the street, my boyfriend was worried about me watching because I was white and I might get caught up in all.

In honest opinion about living in America - Sorry but hell no, I won't fit in all, and I don't even want to try to either. If people are always going to make snide remarks just because I am white British female living in America, then I would rather not bother even trying with all the hassle and mental problems it will give me. I would rather live here in England, where I know I won't get people from other races trying to patronise me just so they can say I was the one being racist. At least here in England, I know where I stand and how things work without getting people commenting on my accent, taking the mickey out of it and then commenting on how white people are up themselves.

Here in England, you don't very often see a coloured person complain about being going to a school where white people are more dominant. There isn't any limits as to what race you are to get more benefits or even when out looking for a job. They are all equal as every one else. Of course, there might be some form of bullying, but most of the time, its just popular kids hounding the geeky kids because they want to look tough.

__________________

mere

Well you see from what i have heard people liveing in the US they are tolerent sure but they don't seem to be without racesisum. Im sure there is some accceptance there but not much i persume...i really am not positive how it is there...but it's kinda different here..in Canada

well here we accept everyone it is a diverse country and we don't useually use racisum... with the exception of the acasional joke...of curse but it's not as if we truely believe them anyways...

the only discrimination i have heard was the fear of the violence regarding places people have visited in the united states...people clam that they never want to go back to Detroit again once they go there for a hocky game or something..i could describe what they have said but if it isn't infact true i don't feel a need of exploideing the inhabitants that live there...but it does make me suspect that it is very different there predudice wise..i mean...hm.....

__________________