Correct me if I'm wrong....

[Aikman_TheGreat]

I think one reason a lot of people think that racism is still a BIG deal, is because racism has now grown to more than just "hating one race because of their skin color". It is now discrimination towards a certain race, being a "race assumist", and constantly bringing up racism. If my numbers were correct (which there not, give or take), that would be 98% of the nation is NOT racist. But it would still be a big problem, because probably 50% of those would still be bringing it up all the time, so it would give us the illusion of racism in bigger numbers.

[themanishere]

Weren't you the one who sent me some of your writings about a one-world government and tearing down all boundaries, physical and metaphorical, between people? What you just said made me think of that.

The concept of race will never be eliminated and the basic structure will always be there, although the components might change a bit. The only way to eliminate the concept of race is for everyone to be the same skin color and that will never happen. As long as there are visible differences in the way people look, there are people who will think that makes them different. It's a shame that we can't get past that fact, but I don't think we ever will.

That first part wasn't me. Any way...

"Race" as we know it, should change IMO. The concept may not go away in this country, but people do not have to be the same skin color for it to change.

Take Brazil for example. People are all sorts of different skin colors and ethnicities there (not just Latino or similar) - Brazil categorizes its people on gradations of skin color, independent of biological properties (like in the US). These gradations do have socio-cultural implications, but the hierarchical relations are not strict, and people are pretty free to move from one to another depending mainly on self-identification, intermarriage, and mixing (not so in the US - a half black/white person is practically automatically considered, for intents and purposes, black) although the people themselves do not self-categorize based on their skin color. Furthermore, there are little racial tensions in the country, as even though there are classes like in the US, the racial divisions in proportion to each class are not similar to the US (i.e. many rich people are white in the US, etc). I am basically saying a different conceptualization and institutional implementation of something similar to "race" is possible and can function well.

[underdawg]

I'm just a freshman in High School... so forgive me if I post something ridiculous.

My point of view on racism...

I'm Korean-American. I was born in Houston, and I lived here all my life. I have Houston pride just as much as the next guy, even if he is white. My three closest friends include a Korean, an African-American (black), and a white. For sure, the racism is not like it used to be judging from some stories I heard about back then. But... in lots of people minds (not only whites), race has a big factor in their actions. Surely a lot more than 2%.

I was raised (Baby-Elementary) in a poor-mid class area. It was a decent place, and I had no problems with it. The place was very diverse.

Then I move to a high-class area, where typically it's only whites. (but 16% Asians) Racism plays a major role. Whites only hang out with whites. Asians only hang out with Asians. Hispanics only hang out with Hispanics. Very pathetic, IMO. It's the nationality pride that some of these people have that sickens me. But, they might hang out with only their type maybe because they have more similarities? I don't know...

But.. people assuming everything is making me mad!

Blacks are good at basketball.
Asians have to be smart.
Asians have to be in Orchestra.
All Asians are the same, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese.
Every single joke is about race.
Whites are preps.
Goths are weird.
Asians have to be Buddhist.
And this list could go on and on.

And don't get me started with last year's election...

You want to hear somethings that people get shocked by on finding out about me?

Random Dude: Are you Buddhist?
Me: No, I'm Christian. (And I treasure my religion deeply)
Random Dude: Where is the world ending to?

The last line actually was said. I am not making that up.

Random Dude: Were you born in China?
Me: No, I was born in Houston.
Random Dude: No, seriously, where are you from?
Me: (Now I have to explain to this ignorant prick that there can be immigrants that go to another country and have a family)


And the constant name calling, hey chink, ching chang, Jackie Chan, Yao Ming (this nickname I've been called, since I play basketball), and whatever.

Remind you, racism is not only on the whites. It is in every other race. Many people always think of the terrorist racism... calling Middle-Eastern a terrorist. But there are also Middle-Eastern making fun of other races.

I judge a person by it's action. Not by one's race. And not judging by one's race also includes not having sympathy for one race. I won't have sympathy for a fellow Korean just because he/she is Korean.

Of course, there are many people that are nice and kind. But for some reason, this stereotyping has become facts throughout the school, even to the nicest and kindest of kids. So even though they don't mean to, they'll tend to stay away from a certain race or races.

[aw00d05]

I'm just a freshman in High School... so forgive me if I post something ridiculous.

My point of view on racism...

I'm Korean-American. I was born in Houston, and I lived here all my life. I have Houston pride just as much as the next guy, even if he is white. My three closest friends include a Korean, an African-American (black), and a white. For sure, the racism is not like it used to be judging from some stories I heard about back then. But... in lots of people minds (not only whites), race has a big factor in their actions. Surely a lot more than 2%.

I was raised (Baby-Elementary) in a poor-mid class area. It was a decent place, and I had no problems with it. The place was very diverse.

Then I move to a high-class area, where typically it's only whites. (but 16% Asians) Racism plays a major role. Whites only hang out with whites. Asians only hang out with Asians. Hispanics only hang out with Hispanics. Very pathetic, IMO. It's the nationality pride that some of these people have that sickens me. But, they might hang out with only their type maybe because they have more similarities? I don't know...

But.. people assuming everything is making me mad!

Blacks are good at basketball.
Asians have to be smart.
Asians have to be in Orchestra.
All Asians are the same, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese.
Every single joke is about race.
Whites are preps.
Goths are weird.
Asians have to be Buddhist.
And this list could go on and on.

And don't get me started with last year's election...

You want to hear somethings that people get shocked by on finding out about me?

Random Dude: Are you Buddhist?
Me: No, I'm Christian. (And I treasure my religion deeply)
Random Dude: Where is the world ending to?

The last line actually was said. I am not making that up.

Random Dude: Were you born in China?
Me: No, I was born in Houston.
Random Dude: No, seriously, where are you from?
Me: (Now I have to explain to this ignorant prick that there can be immigrants that go to another country and have a family)


And the constant name calling, hey chink, ching chang, Jackie Chan, Yao Ming (this nickname I've been called, since I play basketball), and whatever.

Remind you, racism is not only on the whites. It is in every other race. Many people always think of the terrorist racism... calling Middle-Eastern a terrorist. But there are also Middle-Eastern making fun of other races.

I judge a person by it's action. Not by one's race. And not judging by one's race also includes not having sympathy for one race. I won't have sympathy for a fellow Korean just because he/she is Korean.

Of course, there are many people that are nice and kind. But for some reason, this stereotyping has become facts throughout the school, even to the nicest and kindest of kids. So even though they don't mean to, they'll tend to stay away from a certain race or races.

Very well said on alot of this stuff I'm 16 and I have friends of all races pretty much and most kids at my school are like that too even the cowboys who people would think don't like black people but some at our school are best friends because they like MMA and stuff like that. It's more of what you have in common and stuff like that than race, because I know white people dress/act like black people and hang out with black people and I know black people who dress like white people and are friends with white people, it's just how your personality is really.

[WilyWestbrook0]

It's more of what you have in common and stuff like that than race, because I know white people dress/act like black people and hang out with black people and I know black people who dress like white people and are friends with white people, it's just how your personality is really.

And I think that's how it should be. Friendships and relationships should be based primarily on shared interests, not outward appearances. People who continually do things just because they think that's what their race or gender is "supposed" to do contribute to a lot of the stereotypes underdawg mentioned. I've had some women criticize me as "insane" because I don't spend "girl time" with other women - i.e., I don't talk on cell phones for hours with them or shop constantly for shoes like they want me to. Well, I don't like it, ladies, and you're not gonna force me to like it. Perhaps some people are walking cliches naturally, but I think a lot of identity is formed by people who are too afraid to go against the group mentality.

[Aikman_TheGreat]

Very well said on alot of this stuff I'm 16 and I have friends of all races pretty much and most kids at my school are like that too even the cowboys who people would think don't like black people but some at our school are best friends because they like MMA and stuff like that. It's more of what you have in common and stuff like that than race, because I know white people dress/act like black people and hang out with black people and I know black people who dress like white people and are friends with white people, it's just how your personality is really.

I know what you're saying, and I understand it. But this is another thing that kind of builds racism. Saying people "dress black", or "dress white". I know that most people you see that are black dress a cetain way, and the same for white people. And this goes into the whole "stereotype" thing. People may say stereotypes are wrong and stuff, and it is wrong to assume someone is a certain way because of their skin color. Its wron to assumes a black person loves fried chicken, or a white person cant dance, or a white person cant jump (haha, there is a movie about it). But all stereotypes have a lot of truths, it just isnt true for all, which is what makes them bad.