So im sitting in class oneday and a black friend made a comment about my race. So i made one back at him. He seemed more offended then I did. So I ask him "whats the problem" He answers me "you can't say that my people are oppressed."
I then explained to him that my people (irish catholic) have suffered more than the africans. After all we have been persecuted for 600 years as opposed to there 250. Also, our persecution continues today. So tell me your thoughts on this subject. And if whether or not you think that people can't say things about black people.
2006-10-08 17:06:35 · 15 answers · asked by Mikey Boy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Because in todays society it is politically incorrect to speak anything negative about blacks. Notice I didn't say African Americans, as is the common practice. An African American is someone (of any race, not just black) that was born in Africa and came to America. There are white African Americans. If a person was born here in America they are simply American, not African American. But back to your question. It is a double standard between blacks and every other race now. Nothing can be said about them but when they say something about anyone else nothing is done about it.
2006-10-08 17:22:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
While slavery iteslf may have ended back in the 1860's (different years depending on which state the slaves lived in), segregation, discrimination, Jim Crow, and the psychological effects of overt racism continue even into this day. The suffering didn't end with slavery, it still goes on.
Now I'm not saying that Irish Catholics haven't suffered also, or even that they don't continue to suffer. But your comment that they suffered more than the Africans will always be met with criticism if you direct it to a black person.
I think you & your friend should just agree that both of your groups have endured suffering at the hands of others and leave it at that. You'll each always support your own agendas and neither of you will ever know what the other has gone or continues to go through. Neither of you will ever know the other's pain. So just agree that both groups have suffered and don't make cracks about each other. Apparently you're both too sensitive to handle that.
2006-10-09 00:38:55 · answer #2 · answered by mztreasure999 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I don't think that any race should put down other races, regardless of how oppressed they are. Also, I was slightly bothered by your comment. Not excusing what your black friend, because his statement was just as ignorant, but what makes you consider yourself oppressed. Also, what makes you think that black people aren't being persecuted today? Instead of both of you sitting around in school trying to determine which group is more oppressed, you both should be debating what you can do to make either group's situation better.
2006-10-09 02:31:30 · answer #3 · answered by Natural Beauty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We Black folks are more sensitive to some things more than others so what you say in jest can have some backlash. Now regarding your 600 years of persecution that's a terrible thing but it didn't happen in America and it's not happening today. Maybe you're not sensitive of the plight of Blacks in America or abroad. If so, you are one of many, Maybe that's why your friend seemed more offended then you.
2006-10-09 01:58:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ummm slavery existed for 400 years not 250. Second we still endure a bunch of BS, the problem is that Racism is not as blatant as it once was. It is done and practiced whole heartedly behind close doors, and very rarely in public. But black people do have hang ups. YOur friend was wrong how dae he say something offensive about your race and not expect it back. he may not be a friend at all.
2006-10-09 08:13:47 · answer #5 · answered by david s 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think, he opened the door for such a comment and should not have made one if he did not want to hear one back. I never feel it is ok to attack someone because of what culture, race, etc. However, it seems that he can dish it out but can not take it. Hopefully, he learned a lesson. And maybe next time he will make comments regarding something that is controllable, like character. If he thinks you have a character flaw. Good luck and God Bless.
2006-10-09 11:35:14 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Years ago in undergard school I attended a lecture given by some female black aossociate professor. One of her beliefs was that black people can't be racist; only white people can discriminate against others...since they (we) hold all the power. One of the other students stood up and asked why then when he spent a summer in Africa (I don't recall which country...besides, there have been so many name changes since the '70s) he was discriminated against by the black africans and some of the people used racist terms when speaking to or about him. He was there with a group helping to improve their irrigation systems....volunteer of course.
This "lecturer" basically called him a liar and that what he said could not have happened; again because only white people can be racist. He bluantly called her racist and that listening to her message of hate wasn't worth his time. He turned and walked out. About half of the people in the lecture hall walked out with him...yes, including me. And what a surprise, about one-third the people that left were black.
I have lived and worked in 27 states (miliary and all), visited 11 foreign countries and lived and worked in the middle east. So when I hear the standard "oppression" and "you can't relate to how I feel" BS lines I simply laugh and tell them to go live in the middle east. The average Arab person that I met in Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and Bahrain enjoyed speaking with most Americans...if only to practice their English. BUT...the typical Arab in my experience avoided any contact with black Americans. I didn't ask why and I didn't care.
It just shows that any race or religious group can be on either side of the discrimination coin. My family was forced from our lands in France due to religious percecution and we came to the American colonies in 1709...OMG, nearly 300 years ago. And I don't call myself a French-American or demand reparations from French government. And we lost over 15,000 acres of land in France.
My answer to your question...keep asking your friend (regardless of race)"whats the problem" until he can come up with a more current reason for his disbelief that you can mention his racein a reasonable conversation.
2006-10-09 00:51:33 · answer #7 · answered by iraq51 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why you feel we should say negative things about about any race! It shouldn't be a contest on who's race was persecuted more!!!
Grow-up! I can't believe people make this crap an issue!!!!!
2006-10-09 00:59:46 · answer #8 · answered by Peachy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wasn't 250 its was more like 500 and we were taken from our homeland. and til this day we are still look at as outcast and people just don't like us. It's wrong that he did what he did because if you can't handle it them don't dish it out. Everywhere I go, not matter if I'm dreesed to impress or ehat ever I'm look at weirdly and if a white couple are together the woman moves closer to her like I'm going to do something in broad day light so I don't know what you race goes through but I can imagine that you don't get look at like that everywhere you go.
2006-10-09 00:12:53 · answer #9 · answered by Young Vito 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I totally 100% understand blacks being very sensitive about being opressed. If you really think about, it is quite possible that any black american you meet might have had a great grandparent who was a slave. That aint that long ago!
However, I would say that if YOu are sensitive about a subject, WHATEVER that subject is, you shouldnt make a joke about it.
2006-10-09 02:13:23 · answer #10 · answered by mark r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋