I didn't own slaves, my family never owned slaves. We didn't come here to the US till the early 20th century. So why, then, when I suggest that I not be held accountable for something that people who are dead did am I reprimanded for it? Why should I, or anyone else for that matter, be held accountable for something that hasn't existed in this country for a century and a half? What is so wrong with that?
Serious answers only please. No racist comments towards me or anyone else. Thank you.
2007-02-06 05:14:41 · 5 answers · asked by FaerieWhings 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Sally and Mumbly, that still doesn't answer why I should be held accountable for things that I was not involved in, my family wasn't involved in and I have/had no control over. What ever happened to personal responsibility? Or is that just something that people talk about yet rarely practice?
2007-02-06 05:46:31 · update #1
If it was true that I get more because of my skin color then I wouldn't be living paycheck to paycheck.
But then again, being that I am a woman I can claim that I didn't get as far as I did because men are chosen over me. Which actually did happen to me once. I didn't feel then that all men owe me for that reason.
2007-02-06 06:51:22 · update #2
They get mad because they kno your right, and people don't like admitting that they have become what they hated.
keep a pure heart and karma will reward you. Keep a vengefull heart and karma will scron you
2007-02-06 05:19:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Silly girl doesn't sound too silly to me!
One of the reasons is that blacks still feel the effects of this even today. Just because slavery ended, slavery mentality didn't. And neither did racism. Even though you personally may not be guilty of racism or slavery, the powers that be, still have it in force & you are better for it. You are more likely to get the job than me, get accepted to the country club, have a better standard of life.
You should not be blammed for it. With all of the progress that has been made since the civil rights movement (which is not that long ago), there are still many who hold those feelings towards me just because of the way I look.
Racism still abounds in the US. I think what you are experiencing is the frustration of blacks who see you have it made much easier than they, and you dont even know it, its taken for granted. When I go to a store, I have to think to not put my hands in my pockets! Most whites dont have that worry & may not of even thought of it until reading it just now.
I have never been angry with whites. I had, & still do, many white friends. But it is others that ruin the good time. Not saying you, but some still are not accepting of blacks as regular folks. We have been stereotyped as chicken & watermellon eating (I really dont like mellon! sshhh!), basketball players, that cant keep our hands off of women & gang members with bad credit.
It is a much deeper issue than you did not personally own slaves. There are much deeper ripple effects of those that did. This issue so needs a better forum than Y!A can provide at this time. I think you have a very fair & valid point.
2007-02-06 13:58:55 · answer #2 · answered by ricks 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. BUT your white skin made you a better class of citizen than blacks, Asians, Latins, etc. You may have just hopped off the boat from Sweden BUT you were granted more rights than Americans who had been here for generations simply because you were white.
No, we whites today did not own slave but believe me when I say we profitted from the instatutional racism that came after slavery and are still profiting.
I can shop lift...my black friends can't shop w/o being followed.
2007-02-06 13:26:27 · answer #3 · answered by SillyGirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't be. No one should be unless they are a racist and are doing it now. If you do not think your race superior to others than what ever happened in the past is in the past.
That is the way it should be. But why do you feel it isn't?
I live in a diverse culture and feel that we are all equal.
I don't feel that my black friends are looking down on me and I certainly don't look down on them.
2007-02-06 13:23:10 · answer #4 · answered by Steven 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because a lot of people are still suffering from what was done to them a couple hundred years ago, and the people who did it aren't around any longer to apologize.
Edit: OK, nevermind, didn't realize it was just a rhetorical question
2007-02-06 13:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by mumblyjumply04 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋