There is too much of this toxic attitude around here...

[Dr. Rich]

Quote:

What do you do to solve that problem?

I try to put myself in the other person's shoes as much as is possible.

Really Woody? I thought for sure you would say to kill 'em all and let God sort them out. This sort of thing was going around during viet Nam uprising (war)

[SivartM]

People enjoy the controversy more than the agreement.

Well, some might just thrive on conflict, but others may feel that the controversial issues can be important. That's why empathy and listening to each person's point of view is crucial.

[Dr. Rich]

OFF TOPIC

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

Why call blacks Afro American? Personally, I think that is a silly thing to do, like calling someone an English American or German American or Spanish American or, will you get the picture. Look, if you are an American who the heck cares what color their skin is? Doing this is what starts racism.

As a sign of respect for their cultural heritage, which for many of them was essentially lost in the period of slavery. You can call black people black too; they won't bite. I use both terms.

Slavery? Seriously now, you don't know your history very well then because there were many more white and asian slaves before there ever were black slaves. And how do you know they will not bite? Just kidding. Here is the thing, my own black kids and grandkids (adopted) have also wondered why people have called the Afro American because they have never known anything about being in Africa. In fact, they hate it. All they want is to be called an American just like others are called.

If something is handed to them to fill out that has a place for their race, I always tell them to write in "Human Race". For sex, I tell them to write in NO. After all, who's business is it anyway>?

[Dr. Rich]

And for Pete's sake, the post was NOT off topic. Don't you know what causes inttolernce and bigotry? It's calling people stuff like Afro American, making them different than others. Good grief

[SivartM]

Well, Dr. Rich, I'm afraid that your black children are not representatives of the entire black community, but I am happy to say that they are free to not call themselves African Americans.

I'd be interested to see your historical documentation of the "many more" white and Asian slaves in America.

Finally, I'm sorry that difference is so frightening to you; a colorblind society is not optimal for the very reason that people are different colors and that's part of their ethnic heritage and that's perfectly good. Many black people find a connection to their ethnic heritage to be important and meaningful. Feel free to call yourself a European-American if the label is meaningful to you. But complaining about other people identifying with a culture is the real cause of intolerance. If I were an African American I would be proud to say so, because I can't imagine why someone would feel ashamed or apathetic about such a rich heritage.

[Woody]

Well I can see both sides on this SivartM. But from what I see - all this pride has interferred with being an American . Being fair is one of the basic foundations of our system. And when race it automatically injected into issues - it does not help our society.

I gave up mind reading a long time ago. It really serves no purpose.

[Bravus]

Here's a radical concept: refer to people the way they would like to be referred to.

[Stan]

Two things that hurt forums, politics and religion...

[Tom Wetmore]

And for Pete's sake, the post was NOT off topic. Don't you know what causes inttolernce and bigotry? It's calling people stuff like Afro American, making them different than others. Good grief

It IS off topic. Part of the problem is not paying attention enough to know the conversation has shifted, being stuck in a rut of ones own ideas without regard to what others are saying. Here, the topic has shifted to looking for solutions.

Originally Posted By: Tom Wetmore

Rather, let's continue the conversation on this in a more constructive direction. Let's assume it is present and real and a serious problem. How does one rectify the problem of bigotry, in oneself, in ones friends and family, in society?

If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.

[Naomi]

Here's a radical concept: refer to people the way they would like to be referred to.

[Dr. Rich]

Do you believe God is "colorblind" or is He too bias?

[Woody]

Do you believe God is "colorblind" or is He too bias?

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

And for Pete's sake, the post was NOT off topic. Don't you know what causes inttolernce and bigotry? It's calling people stuff like Afro American, making them different than others. Good grief

It IS off topic. Part of the problem is not paying attention enough to know the conversation has shifted, being stuck in a rut of ones own ideas without regard to what others are saying. Here, the topic has shifted to looking for solutions.

Originally Posted By: Tom Wetmore

Rather, let's continue the conversation on this in a more constructive direction. Let's assume it is present and real and a serious problem. How does one rectify the problem of bigotry, in oneself, in ones friends and family, in society?

If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.

And I appreciate your attempt to change the direction of the thread Tom. I tried doing the exact same thing on the Martin - Hoodie thread when it moved to politics. Of course - no one allowed the change of direction to a positive manner. Perhaps it just depends upon which side makes the suggestion. I dunno.

[Woody]

Two things that hurt forums, politics and religion...

And the lack of either one will kill it also.

So you can't win for losing.

[phkrause]

Two things that hurt forums, politics and religion...

Absolutely Stan!

[lazarus]

. Here is the thing, my own black kids and grandkids (adopted) have also wondered why people have called the Afro American because they have never known anything about being in Africa. In fact, they hate it. All they want is to be called an American just like others are called.

They hold that view probably because they are "YOUR" kids. Whats else would they think? Of course they hate it. "Called" American like which others?

[lazarus]

Quote:

I tried doing the exact same thing on the Martin - Hoodie thread when it moved to politics. Of course - no one allowed the change of direction to a positive manner.

Stop pretending. At least be honest and say you tried to turn the tide in favor of Zimmerman. That's ok, but lets not make it seem like you are the arbiter of fairness and sanity.

[lazarus]

Why call blacks Afro American? Personally, I think that is a silly thing to do, like calling someone an English American or German American or Spanish American or, will you get the picture. Look, if you are an American who the heck cares what color their skin is? Doing this is what starts racism.

You don't understand your own country. Racism existed in America existed before people started using hyphenated names. It was because of racism in America that people decided to develop their own identity. Black people were not treated as American even though they were Americans. They were robbed of their basic rights and so for a number of reasons they began to assert their identity.

I'm wonder why this hyphenation makes some white folks so nervous? Does it threaten you?

[lazarus]

Do you believe God is "colorblind" or is He too bias?

God is not color blind. He enjoys diversity. He celebrates it in nature and in his people. He created diversity. It is the devilish mind that is anxious about a multiplicity of cultures and "colors" because it is hard for that mind to dominate and control.

[Dr. Rich]

The "tide" should have never moved either way my friend! Wasn't that the point?

[lazarus]

The "tide" should have never moved either way my friend! Wasn't that the point?

?

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

The "tide" should have never moved either way my friend! Wasn't that the point?

?

??

[Dr. Rich]

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

Why call blacks Afro American? Personally, I think that is a silly thing to do, like calling someone an English American or German American or Spanish American or, will you get the picture. Look, if you are an American who the heck cares what color their skin is? Doing this is what starts racism.

You don't understand your own country. Racism existed in America existed before people started using hyphenated names. It was because of racism in America that people decided to develop their own identity. Black people were not treated as American even though they were Americans. They were robbed of their basic rights and so for a number of reasons they began to assert their identity.

I'm wonder why this hyphenation make some white folks so nervous? Does it threaten you?

Please know history. All women were treated as chattel and that has been going on ever since the beginning of time.

Lets get real. NO ONE can change what happened in the past so please let it go. Think future--all treated the same as God would want us to do.

[Dr. Rich]

[lazarus]

Lets get real. NO ONE can change what happened in the past so please let it go. Think future--all treated the same as God would want us to do.

Dude, you are the one who raised the issue. Now you want to let stuff go? African-Americans are not concerned about you not linking their hyphenation. Calling oneself African-American is about the future and a black person calling themselves just American is very much about the past.