I'm not a racist, but...?

Question

I am not a racist, but how come so many ethnic groups are allowed to have special programming. I'm speaking about Miss Black America, The Latin Music awards, etc. If we were to have a white only miss America or White only music awards, there would be lawsuits and civil suits everywhere...why the double standard?

Answer 1

Any time you have to start a sentence I am not _____ but...
usually means you have a slight feeling you maybe. It's like saying I'm sorry but ____. Your not really sorry, your just saying you are.

As for the Miss Black America, it was started in the 1968 because blacks weren't allowed to participate in the Miss America pageant. They weren't allowed until the mid 70's and even then the first black women didn't win until a "fair-skinned" Vanessa Williams won in 1984. I agree now we probably don't need it because it served its purpose of opening the door for black women to enter the "real" Miss America pageant but is probably continued because of its history and tradition.

Latin Music Awards, I admit I am not as knowledgeable. An educated guess would say that because the latin music market has grown as such and the genre is probably larger than ever, they needed their own award show. The same as the Country Music awards. Which (to me) is your white only music awards.

Answer 2

I feel bad for answering this, but I know it's something every young white person has asked. "I didn't hurt anyone in the times of slavery. I didn't turn down a black man for a job... why am I punished?"
The answer is simple. because so many people still do. the racial intolerance is still unbelievably high. Just because we don't see it face to face sometimes doesn't mean it's not still happening. Go to any white neighborhood and see who gets an apartment first. It's ugly, but true. When we all embrace another culture is when it finally starts to go in another direction.
For the time being, try not to feel threatened or cheated. As the times change, so will the methodology of pageantry in America.

Answer 3

There is no reason whatsoever why reverse discrimination should exist in today's society. What is ironic, though, is the fact that when the Caucasian population becomes a minority in 35 years or so, these same organizations will still exist, and white Americans, even as a minority, will not be allowed the same luxury.

Answer 4

Did you know that, as of the last U.S. census, non-Hispanic whites made up over 80% of the population with all minorities making up less than 20%. That might have something to do with it. Not to mention that 90% of televised programming showcases the majority, as well. That's probably why there's been programming specifically geared toward minorities.

Seriously, does that really bother you. Would you rather just not have any minorities on television at all. I"m not getting your gripe. I mean, I see your point, but it's a moot point.

Answer 5

when a majority has a long tradition of excluding others, and enjoyes dominance over a wide range of events/programs, it is rather in bad taste to rub everyone else's face in it. Let's face it - how many TV shows still remain focused only (or mostly) on white people? plenty - and a higher percentage than real life.

when we whites become a minority, and no longer have as much of a stranglehold on mass media and culture, white-only events will become acceptable.

Answer 6

What has the white man done lately except keep everyone else excluded from white collar jobs, government(high levels) and security(the middle east).? No double standard, just people of colour wanting to celebrate accomplishments without getting stuck in a cotton field!!!

Answer 7

Hmmm. True.

This PC stuff is getting a bit too much.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Answer 8

I'm glad you brought that up, cause there's something I need to say in reference to racists.
Racists need to be on guard. I eat racists for breakfast. I put them on my cereal.

Answer 9

Yeah i agree with you.

Answer 10

I hope you take the time to read all of this. There's more to this question than you may know. It is not racist to pose such a question as I see you're open to the ideas, comments, and thoughts of others different from yourself rather than making your own single-handed assumptions and conclusion. As racist as Yahoo Answers is, I won't be surprised if you get many answers constituting simply of rubbish, such as "IT'S BECASUE BLACK PEOPLE ARE SO RACIST!!!," misspelled letters and all, without any support whatsoever. I'm not white, but I do think there are some reasons why the "double standard" is what it is. I remember somewhere, (it might've been Y! Answers...or not) there was a white person who posed a somewhat similar question as to the founding of the United ***** College Fund and asked would it be offensive if a "White College Fund" were created? I found it slightly amusing, yet still a good question for some to think of personally. Your question would have much merit there as I think sometimes people of color can at times be overly sensitive. Of course, I cannot speak for an entire mass of people, but I, personally, would not be offended. Additionally, UNCF scholarships are open to all ethnicities, and being that they mainly support historically Black colleges and universities, most of the recipients are undoubtedly going to be Black ( http://www.uncf.org/aboutus/faqs.asp). I've also come across as to, "Why isn't BET considered racist as a White Entertainment Television or WET would be considered racist." Relatively, there was an instance where someone I know was reading Black Men's magazine and a White co-worker made the comment that if a white person made a magazine entitled "White Men's," that there would be an uproar. This comment did bother me as I found it, not racist, just highly naive and inferable.

Now, to explain. I take you for an open-minded individual; therefore, one must look at this through the eyes of another. First, let's look at the Miss Black America reference. You stated "If we were to have white only miss America...there would be lawsuits....why the double standard? Well, I say, let's look at the history of The Miss America pageant. It began in 1921. Throughout the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's, not one Black woman was in the pageant as they weren't allowed. Therefore, for close to 50 years, it WAS a White-only Miss America pageant. The first Blacks to appear in the Miss America pageant "came onstage as 'slaves' for a musical number in 1923." (PBS 1). Rule #7 of the Miss America rule book stated that "contestants must be of good health and of the white race..." What consequently occured in the late 60's, maybe '68, some Black guy [J. Morris Anderson 2] started a local pageant around Philly in protest to the lack of black women in the Miss America pageant. Remember, this began out of the exclusion of people of color in the Miss America pageant for nearly 50 years straight. I think this guy figured basically, "f**k it, if they won't include us, it's obvious they don't want us or recognize us as part of America, so, we'll just start our own." The following year, in '69, the pageant had become national with more than 40 states from being just a local Philly event a year earlier. It was only in the '70's, that the Ms. America pageant began to include any people of color, and by that time, the Miss Black America pageant was already established, so though they came to include the 1st Black woman in 1970, I just don't think that their acceptance was as desired as before. In addition to Blacks, other peoples faced obstacles regarding entry such as Jews, Native Americans, Latinas, and Asians, but even after all said groups were allowed, it would be more than 20 years before the first Black contestant was allowed to participate (Wikipedia 2) (PBS).

As far as the Latin Music Awards, I take it that you mean the Latin Billboard Music Awards. Once again, one must look through the eyes of another. The Billboard Music Awards covers more than 30 categories and in that, only 4 have any relation to Latin Music (Fox 3). Now, think, if you are someone in Mexico or Columbia, the music you listen to may not be represented in those 4 limited categories. What if you don't listen to pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop/ R& B, or country? There are other form of music outside of these categories such as salsa and merengue to name a few. Where is the award show to commemorate the artists that you admire, like, listen to, etc? That's where the Billboard Latin Music Awards come in and there's more than 50 categories in relation to Latino music, so the type of artists/music you listen to is much more likely to be represented. (ASCAP 4)

As far as the BET vs. a potential WET, BET is not owned by a person of color. It is owned by Viacom, which is owned by a White man [Philippe Dauman].That said should be case in point. Also, I don't feel that BET is truly representative of Blacks, but from a business sense it simply caters to a market which is neglected by the other major networks. (http://www.viacom.com/cable.jhtml) (http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Dauman)

In addtion, I made reference to someone I know being asked about the Black Men's magazine and what if there were a "White Men's" magazine. Quite simply, if one goes to Barnes & Noble, Borders, B. Daltons. or anywhere else that a large scale of literary items are sold, one only need to go into the magazine section. For if you do go, look at the vast array of magazine selections, and look at the faces of the people on the covers. The vast majority of said people are not those of color. Many institutions in this country which address the issues, needs, desires of Latinos, Blacks, or any people or color are usually born out of misrepresentation and/or inequality. ( link 5)

I liken these occurences to that of elementary children in a schoolyard. The nerds are teased, never picked or always picked last to play, and they're highly unpopular. What may happen over time is these nerds gain or realise a sense of self and self-worth, deciding, "Fine, since the "cool, popular kids" don't want us around them, we'll start our own club, "The Nerd Club." The Nerd Club over time becomes more accepted by the "cool" kids, but the accompanying praise is welcomed, only the newfound acceptance is not needed or yearned for, as it once was in the past. (My own thoughts)

There are organizations of all ethicities. As this country USA was built on inequality, the representation of peoples in this country is going to be unbalanced. If this country was truly built on equality from its inception, there wouldn't be so many Little Italies', Chinatowns, etc. Additionally, one must understand that many Whites have lost their true culture and over time have become what they feel is just "American". However, as a White person, you do not originate from the US, as most of US citizens don't, and being as such, your forefathers came from somewhere else. Many whites in America have aspects of their culture that they've either lost through assimilation, don't know about, or don't care to know about. As said, those who haven't still embrace their true culture and have celebrations of the sort. The Italians have multiple celebrations, events, and organizations in respect to their heritage. Many still speak the language, some of the elders may even keep the same way of dress. This applies as well as to Croatians, Russians, and Polish to name a few. However, many Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Latinos who have been here for generations, having lost so much of their true culture only attribute their sense of culture-to gifts on Christmas, Thanksgiving turkey, dressing up for church (if attended at all), and hot dogs on the fourth of July. Culture consists on several aspects material and non-material. I hope this has helped provoke some positive food-for-thought. (Gary Howard 6) (some of my own thoughts)