Is it racism or not?

Question

Why is it that African Americans can be involved with things such as BET(Black Entertainment Television), and Black History month and it's ok but if someone were to develop a white history month or white entertainment television it would be racist. I do believe very strongly that racism exists today. Oppression is a vile, horrible thing but by having soley Black events and businesses etc. aren't African American people promoting differences and segregation instead of trying to promote that people of any race are equal? Isn't that the idea of ending racism? I have a Black friend that I have had this discussion with and she says I'm over simplifing things, but does it really have to be so complicated? If African Americans (or any other race) wan't to end racism it just doesn't make sense to me that they would promote segregation by segregating themselves.
I do not intend to offend anyone with this question and I apologize if my language isn't politically correct

Answer 1

There are things that are unfair about what you ask. But, I think it's important for all people to take a walk in someone else's shoes.

Most African-American people in the US cannot begin to speculate where their ancestors were from. While many caucasian people can say, I'm English, French, Dutch, and Russian, many black people can only say they're from Africa. They have no idea where. They have no idea how to look up this unknown society to even learn about them.

While I may not go back and research my heritage, I could. And, most blacks in the US are descendants from slaves. This is something that people of other cultures cannot understand fully.

On the other hand, whites and others living in America are not responsible for slavery. We haven't put any African-Americans in a cotton field or whipped them. We don't believe we should have to listen to people bring up slavery when its more than a century gone in most places. And, that is something hard for black to understand.

The truth is, beliefs don't change very much. My children will, most likely, believe things very similar to me. And, their children beyond them, and so on and so forth. So, even though slavery is long gone in most people's eyes and minds, those ideas are not so far off.

Luckily the commercial world has the impact it does or else we would even be further off. Luckily after-school specials and movies that deal with important issues have been further influencing our peoples for years. And, with more parents dumping kids in front of the tv rather than raising them, it will influence them even more.

Many people don't like affirmative action. I sort of understand why. On the other hand, with a people who have had fewer advantages, it may be the compassionate thing to do. This world should be about giving to the less fortunate. It should give undeserving people opportunities that could change them and better their children because of it.

This doesn't always happen. There is no perfect formula I think. But, I do think that all minorities, majorities, and people who think they're victims should seek self-improvement information. Life is about perspective more than anything. Too many people are living life as victims.

Imagine the world after slavery was abolished. You probably had people of African heritage trying to make it in a world where they had no education or even social skills. They probably were not integrated as much as they would have liked. They probably told themselves never to be treated like victims again. They probably told themselves they need to exercise self-respect and dignity.

And, what's happened? I think that you now have people who don't move out of your way on the street because they refuse to be victims. They treat a lot of people however they want to be treated because they were taught not to rely on anyone but themselves. Now, we have more victims than ever because these attitudes are the epitome of being victims.

But, all the while, people who are not descendants of slaves step aside and quesion everything they do in the name of not being racist. They tip-toe and walk on eggshells because the slightest altercation with someone of a different culture or ethnicity can be considered racist - and there's not much worse to be called.

We are all struggling, on both sides. No race is wrong or right. Only individuals make choices. Both minorities and majorities make poor ones. There is less of a need for white history month because mostly all of whom we learn about in history are white men. This makes it more important to acknowledge the contributions of other genders, cultures, and races. When a woman sees a woman who has achieved a lot, it gives her identifyable power and hope. The same goes for everyone who learns about people they find similar.

But, one more perspective suggests that it is actually inaccurate to make people learn history in disproportionate ways. Or, represent the world in disproportionate ways. After all, if one race in the US makes up only 12% of the population, why should the entertainment industry be forced to represent more than a 12% ratio of that race in their work? Isn't that inaccurate?

Again, I think asking these questions is reasonable, but compassion must outweigh it. We must ask ourselves the benefits of such. We must walk in others' shoes.

Answer 2

Some of these responses are ridiculous. As an American, I am beginning to realize how racist Britain actually is. Embrace diversity instead of thinking "Oh no!! they are taking over". I literary have friends from almost every culture imaginable, and it has in fact made me a better person. Even the deep south of the US, which has a bad reputation for racism, is not near as bad as what I see on some of these message boards. I grew up in a neighborhood where I was the only white kid, and I was at times discriminated against, but I don't make generalizations of all minorities because of it.

Answer 3

Why is Jesus depicted as white? Why are most corporations run by white individuals? Why is the President white, has been for over 200 years, and seems crazy to not have him white? Why do most commercials and television shows have mainly white actors, with that one black guy in the background with the fewest lines? Oh, I'm so sorry your upset that blacks have one lousy month for a holiday NO ONE EVEN CELEBRATES but printing out a few Black History posters and a television station for blacks when EVERY OTHER STATION ON TV has 98% white actors!!!!! Oh yeah and not to mention 400+ years of slavery, the 60s, and the still existant racism today. And after all this, you call black people racist?

Answer 4

Racism is about prejudice + power. Think about it, who has the power? In the U.S., how many media conglomerates are owned by people of color? Look at the presence of white males in top positions in corporations and government. African Americans are segregated today, because of "red-lining" that still takes place, even though it is illegal. Segregation and the roots or racism were still legal in this country until the 1960's, which is relatively recent history. We cannot say, "oh, racism is gone because the laws changed." There is still a great deal of prejudice against people of color, and white people aren't faced with that every day.
I understand where you are coming from, but disagree. It's not simple, and it is not for white people to say it is simple.

Answer 5

I think you're question is completely valid. If I wore a 'white pride' t-shirt, I'd be censored quickly or even lynched! But 'latino pride' is everywhere. I think the fact lies in that white people have nothing to 'establish'. Races which have been held down have questions within their populations about whether or not they should be proud...which is ridiculous. This is a rally cry for action from within. As whites, we require no such movement so the action itself would be quite pretencious. I hope this helps. And again, this is just one cracker's opinion ;P

Answer 6

I live in Houston, and we took in most of the people from New Orleans, after hurricanes Katrina, as we should have, because we are all human beings and should always help each other.

A few weeks ago, Ray Nagin, the black mayor of New Orleans, got on TV and proclaimed that New Orleans is a chocolate city and that we should keep it that way.

Not only is that a slap in the face to all Houstonians who helped out his people, but it is the most RACIST comment I have ever heard.

And then he gets re-elected. What if the mayor of Houston, who is white, got on TV and said "Houston is a vanilla city and we want to keep it that way"? At the very least, he would be removed from office.

But when black man says the wants to keep his city chocolate, he gets re-elected.

that, my friends--is COMPLETE AND TOTAL RACISM!

Answer 7

You are very correct. Yep, convenient how when you are right people tend to say "You're over simplifying it" or "You don't understand." I agree that there is a duality here. And I am sick of hearing "Well it's about time the black man gets " this or that...like I had anything at all to do with slavery or keeping blacks locked in a ghetto or something. Hey! The true is I am Catholic and we have been totally discriminated against in this country for most of US History, including anti Catholic riots, the burning of churches, the raping of nuns, the killing of priests...didn't make the history books but it happened. And I'm Irish, who were considered less than human, keep the trashy Irish in the ghetto (Harlem by the way, how ironic). And I'm Polish, immigration of my family was about a hundred years ago, welcome only in an ethnic Polish neighborhood, butt of jokes, cheated and discriminated against when it came to getting jobs outside the ethnic neighborhood. NO ONE in my family even lived here before 1865, wee had nothing at all to do with slavery, yet I get lumped in there with all the rest of the white folks. You keep up your correct and logical argument.

Answer 8

I agree with you on this.
I also have a problem with the United Negro College Fund as well.
How is that not racist if there can not be one for every color and race?
If we want to end racism then it has to be everyone pulling to end it.
Not having these things would start the ball rolling in the correct direction.

Answer 9

Right....so what you're saying is that people should continue being perfect until society changes. The whole point of minority groups is that people have support in times of need. And the smaller the minority the more support individuals in that group need right? The herd mentality just tends to drive minorities out of the big herd, so minorities need to fulfill that part of themselves. The other thing is that...who's to say racism will end anytime soon?

Answer 10

It's like that in Canada with the Aboriginals. They have The Aboriginal Games (Similar to the Olympics) and Aboriginal TV. I should start The White Mans Games and only allow white people to compete. Their reasoning behind the games is to bring awarness to all the good aboriginals. Maybe they should stop spending money on things like that and build decent shelters to get the majority of them off the streets. But yesI aggree, it makes racism worse when cultures and ethnics do things like that.

Answer 11

Its good to see that people are beginning to question the one-sidedness of race relations in America. To say you are "oversimplifying" is just a manner of trying to dodge the issue.
If minorities truly want to end racism, they'll begin by rejecting Affirmative Action programs. Its base hypocrisy on their parts.