Why can't the black community stop focusing on race?

Question

It seems to me that every opportunity a black person gets to use the "race card" they do? I know the common response will be becuse of slavery, but open your eyes people. SOME white people's ancestors enslaved SOME black people's ancestors 150 years ago. Mine came here 120 years ago and lived in the North, no history of slave ownership. Yet I have to walk on egg shells daily for fear that I may inadvertantly offend a black person. While it is true that white racist groups do still exist in this country, they are shunned by a vast majority of the white community, but black organiztions led by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are thriving in both communities. I am not saying that these organizations are neccessarily racist, but they do envoke a racial divide. We are 40 years past the civil rights movement and have for all intents and purposes become equal. We do not need government enforcement telling us how to be equal and diversified, people will do this on their own.WEAREALLONE

Answer 1

I don't know why some people are saying the questioner is racist - what did he possibly say that could be construed as that? I thought he was seeking equality.

He does have a point, its fair enough that there are black organisations and living in the UK I had not heard about racist attacks from the police so they may serve a purpose in raising awareness but what do they do when theres no trouble going on apart from remind everyone of the differences a functional, liberal democracy would let them happily forget?

I find racist humour offensive. You dont hear it from white comedians anymore - I can think of one exception but its very rate - what is common is black humour directed at whites which seems to be accepted. Why? If I say I find black comedians making fun of me for being white offensive does that make me a racist?? Will Smith is bad for it, in his movies the whites are always shown to be evil or incompetent or simply not as cool - shark tale springs to mind - 'a lot of white fish cant do that' ha ha ha - if a white 'fish' had said dont worry 'a lot of black fish dont pass their college entry test' would you laugh? I hope not.

In the UK there has been a lot of talk about the prime minister saying how much he regrets slavery. OK... fine, slavery was awful but before we bend over backwards who are we apologising for? I dont recall any Scandinavian country apologising to the UK for invading it about 1200 years ago. Can't people of different minorities take pride in their own unique culture without feeling separated from everyone else and alienated? Thats the dream, anyway.

Answer 2

Unfortunately some white people will be extremely racist and some black people are likely so used to it, that they expect it from most people.

Of course some of them just do it because they can get out of almost any situation with it. They're doing something wrong, police intervene, some will automatically say they're racist for stopping them, even if they're doing something wrong.

This is just a small percentage though and most people of any colour seem to be okay. Of course there's also black people who are extremely racist towards white people, but since it's usually the opposite, they don't get picked up on it.

I find it interesting though that the original message was about everyone being together and it's received so many negative responses, including racist remarks against white people for even bringing to topic up.

Answer 3

I agree with you that we are one human race but the reason many people will play the race card is because it is legitimate in their situation. Have you ever went somewhere to apply for a job and knew you werent going to get it because of the people there? Since you are not Black you cannot possibly understand or know what it is like to be constantly looked down upon or shunned by white America and everyone else. You cannot possibly fathom the feelings that are stirred up when as a Black person you realize that someone is treating you unfairly because you are Black. It is a shame that 50 years after the civil rights movement there are still white police officers who beat, harass, and kill Black youth every day. Black families still mourn and are outraged at this violence, but what can be done when society says so what. Thats very nice that you know your families history because of slavery I will never know mine so I am jealous. Now you have a people who's social and historical growth is stunted forever. A people who are hurting and suffering daily and you ask why we "play the race card" . Because we are forced to thats nice that you know you arent racist but there are many people who are and even more who are but wont admit it so excuse us for your discomfort. Try living in our shoes for a while then youll have a better understanding of the world and how it works concerning us.

Answer 4

People of all races play the race card. What really pisses me off is when black people say whites don't understand what it's like to be a victim of racial abuse. Also all the anger about slavery, get over it.
To all the non whites who feel they have had a raw deal they should look at Irish history, Irish people (as well as other white minorities) have been victims of slavery and racism. Why is it I never see Irish people on here moaning about how unfair they have been treated? They don't have a chip on the shoulder because of it.

Answer 5

1) Try being an expatriate in a minority white country.

2) Another thing is that there is an entire history of secret ancestry among "All-American" Old Stock Anglo Whites that still hasn't been adequately dealt with that other 'Immigrant' Whites don't understand any more than they understand the Light-Skin Dark-Skin antagonism within the canonically Black community. My grandmother, for example, grew up in the "Redbone" country of the Deep South, and has dark skin and high cheekbones, but has been conditioned to allude to distant "Royal Indian" ancestry rather than give a straight answer. I really do believe that you are more likely to find Jews or Italians who are openly racist against Blacks than most so-called "Rednecks" (half of whom, like myself, are really Redbones in denial). I would even dare to say that this is the root of 'White Guilt' and 'White Negro' phenomenon. Both Black and White, we all want to be "Tad" on at the Country Club and "T-Bone" in da 'hood.

3) Immigration, to the chagrin of politically correct liberals, has also created a crisis in the Black community. Racism does still exist, but White capitalists would rather 'help' immigrants who don't know their rights, than 'smart' Black Americans who do. And Black politicians are forced to choose between alienating their immigrant (mostly urban) neighbors and constituents or truly representing their own communities. Combine that with the global economy and its irreversible consequences for the American working poor, the race card is the only hand they have left to play.

Answer 6

The scars of slavery are very fresh in the black psyche, it will take longer than 40 years for blacks to work through their pain.

You say that slavery ended 150 years ago, but during the last 150 years white people have done everything that is humanly possible to destroy black people, not only economically but psychologically, and physically as well. It's only the fortitude of the black race that has kept them alive today.

Whites still own 98% of all of all the real estate, businesses and natural resources in this country, so how can we all be "equal now" as you stated?

It will happen eventually but it will take a while longer for blacks to become completely colour blind.

Answer 7

i think that its really sad that people focus so much on the colour of someones skin. what does it really matter if someone is black or white?!!! i do think that people are always looking for opportunities to spark up another racist debate but in the end there are people in ever race that are racist. it isnt just white people being racist about black people it works the other way as well but that is just not broadcast as much.

Answer 8

what a question.... I think that every race invokes the race card... But you know what black people in general (please not all black people) use it more because they have been able to get away with it more. I live in the south so I see it a lot. For the person who wrote about the ups worker im sorry for him but what about the crimes blacks have committed against whites....You dont write about. Now on the same token whites are disgrimenated against as well.. Either way it is wrong. I wouldnt hold my tongue if they whoever you are speaking about get offended then they have issues they need to get over. Racism is an issue because people want it to be an issue People want reasons to hate each other.

Answer 9

Amen, from a 50-something "white" guy. As long as "Blacks" want to continue not blending into Humanity as a whole, you could at least have educated leaders among your people promote learning, as in reading/writing, deductive reasoning, etc. It's a sure sign of how isolating yourselves leads to sub-par knowledge of things. Most blacks call the curb in the street the "curve" for instance. This shows a lack of basic education. And don't blame it on "Whitey", blame the "thugs" in your society who tell kids that getting education is "acting White".

Answer 10

I think it's because their are still lots of racist out there. I just hate it when some of them think that all white people are racist, thats not true. What about that black guy in South Carolina who said that white people should be exterminated, thats racist.
But you should see some of the racist comments on Y!A, they are so horrible that it shocks me deeply.
I don't have any problems with black people. Why would I? They are human just like all of us.
But once at a movie theatre a black woman asked how much a movie ticket cost and I didn't hear because I was listening to my ipod and she started yelling at me calling me a racist. I was so humiliated! I don't think that all african americans are like that, that would be steryeotyping.