Racism in the USA....?

Question

I thought educating more people in the US would open the minds of small town America. It would alleviate all this hatred from the souls and minds of the white man. Please tell me that its gotten better. I am a Canadian and always think twice about visiting the south, I am white but I dont think I could tolerate hearing racist remarks without saying something. What gives..??

I am not RACIST my family is the league of all nations and very very proud of it. I am frightened that all the racists I see on Yahoo and they seem to allow it to be, I am worried its a reflection of the mindset of smalltown America.

Robert S I have read all your bigotted questions and answers, you are one of them that should be removed off of here. I am not saying I do not like Americans..please its just bigots like Robert S and Patriot07 its frightening

Insecure,,how sad,,love to you...it saddens me..Robert S I have black in my family I am far from racist..

To the person at the bottom of the answers who says I am saying only whites are bigotted and small minded..well if you go through yahoo answers and questions its all white bigots all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you about the princess remarks..(staring in the mirror adjusting my crown) lol,,,,

You are all very correct racism appears everywhere, its just I was ranting about a few bigots that seem to be all over yahoo. Montreal where I live has its own problems..you are all very valid,,sorry about this .

Answer 1

Hi Rhonda!
I was just recently in a discussion about this topic and came to the conclusion that racism will never disappear completely. The south is still fairly racist in general, though there are many many people here who will never look at you for your color. There are those who won't come near you if you're not a white Christian (comming from a white Muslim). And there are also those who will love you in front of your face and make racist jokes and comments behind your back. This is the biggest portion of the racists. I've seen it so so many times. It's the one that disgusts me the most. The truth of things is that racism is not confined to whites alone, it's just what I've seen most of being a white person. I've seen racism in all forms, and I think it lies mostly in two places in the human mind. There's the one side that has an issue with self esteem, even the most minute lack of self esteem can cause many promblems in the human psyche. There's also the part where we tend to stick to what we are taught without questioning it's purpose and origins. Some of us grow up in a household that doesn't consider itself racist, but cracks racist jokes when the doors are closed, or blames something on another race when out of earshot of someone from that race. I think total change will come when we've moved out of that idea that what we are taught is right and if we follow another path then we're doing just as much wrong as everyone else. The irony in our way of thinking....

Answer 2

Just a minute. As a lifelong Southerner, I take exception to the idea that only small Southern towns are filled with racism. I believe that the last time I looked, Idaho was the home of the White Supremacist movement and Indiana has a long history with the KKK.

To answer the question, I believe that you find more racism in small towns that are predominantly white. The more we mix, the less we'll hate. Just last week in the Washington Post was an op ed piece by a young black man who had a white girlfriend. He finds that among his generation, he doesn't encounter any problems but acknowledges that he lives in an urban area. It takes a really long time to overcome historical prejudices. It doesn't happen in a day. But it will happen. It just has to.

Answer 3

I hear where your coming from but I think the South thing is Over rated - True, you will run across a lot of "rednecks" but the truth of the matter is that most blacks did not leave the south. If you were to go to FL, Ms, Al, La, Ar, Va, Ga, NC, SC, Ar, you will run into a lot of brothas and sistas. That is why the south has take over hip hop (nothing to be proud of because we are not talking about s#$% in our music) but fact is - there is more Blacks in the south than any region in the country. Many of the raciest here on yahoo.answers seem like youngsters that want attention and do not have the Balls to say that to peoples face so they hide behind a computer with tough typing fingers and talk noise all day. Also, I think you are stereotyping the whites in the south because many of them are not raciest , or, just as raciest as the rest of the country. Just because they have suspenders on with a straw hat makes them no less of a bigot with a suite on. I think a lot of that is imagery because a bigot is a bigot. So don't be afraid to come to the Dirty South! We will show you love!!!

Answer 4

I understand the south or southern parts of America happens to be quite racist but it' not only that way in the south some northern states have racist people in them as well
My point : everywhere you turn you can encounter racism or racist people who either happen not to like you or wants you to participate in hating another group .
I've been to both northern and southern parts , personally i didn't think people with such narrow mind existed being that i haven't had the pleasure to meet one lol
But when i come on here it's amusing how when cowards know they are protected behind a screen they will just let out all the ignorant remarks they can
Honestly though i have been to Canada as well in Quebec (vieux moreal ) or La valle and la salle and my aunt who lives there and works in a hospital as an R N told me how she come across racist people over there
So you see i don't think Racism only exist in America it's all over even in all white or black or Hispanics Country people are racist ,some must create a barrier either it is rich and poor , ignorant or smart , black or white in order for one group to feel superior from one another
Do i condone or support racism ? of course not i treat everyone accordingly to the way i'm treated
Hope you can understand this matter a little better now
Good luck

Answer 5

The racists are here on yahoo in full force because they get to hide behind the annonymity of the internet. Yes, there is still plenty of racism out there although not as blatant as in the past. However, I've never really been to a small town in the south, at least not in my current situation, to determine how bad it actually is.

Answer 6

First of all, racism is not just in the South. That being said, here's a story.

When I was in first grade, some 5 years ago, there was this kid. Our teacher told us to go sit on the floor because she was reading us a story. I sat down and was saving seat for my best friend next to me. This kid comes and sits on my hand. I tell him to move because I was saving it. He goes, "You can't save seats." So I go, "It's a free country." He says, "No it is not. Black people have to sit in the back. You are black. Go sit in the back."

So you be the judge. If little first graders can do this, then wouldn't the hatred just get stronger as they got older?

Not to say that some racism has gone away, largely in part to people like you, but still...

Answer 7

There is racism in the U.S.
Slavery and Jim Crow may be over, but the South is still a nasty place. I've been to the South several times, and to me, the phrase "southern hospitality" is an oxymoron. Physically, I am unmistakenly Latino; when in the South, I have encountered rude behavior and cold stares.
*Here in NY, I have seen with my own eyes how Russians with no English are accomodated better than Hispanics with heavy accents
*According to the General Social Survey, in 2000, 37% of white Americans would oppose if a family member married a black person -- 37%, almost 4 out of 10 people
*Here's something that's right under American's noses: in NY (again) it's ok to have Jewish schools and Greek schools, but when Muslim communities wish to form their schools, it's dealt with heavy criticism.
*Back in the early 90's, a Hispanic NY school chancellor tried to form a school for black and hispanic students (citing poor performance, high drop out rates, and low college enrollment was in part due to lack of role models) -- this was axed; but other schools are OK.
*You have people claiming "oh but minorities have it better. they're more likely to get gov't healthcare and are admitted to college easier"; this healthcare however, tends to be sub-par, and minorities are less prepared for college, so even IF they do get admitted easier, they are more likely to drop out. In addition, black & hispanic college grads have a higher unemp. rate thatn white college grads. White H.S. drop outs earn more in a lifetime than minority COLLEGE drop outs. Think about Bill Gates (a college dropout) -- now think about how many millionaire minority college dropouts you've heard of.

Answer 8

I'm a northern US'er and I don't judge anyone on the color of their skin... I will however judge based on attitude,kindness and character(even the most non-judgemental people judge, they just keep it to themselves).
BUT, I truly do believe that minorities are extremely racist against white folks. They call it "reverse" racism for some strange reason. I've always treated Black people like any other, but have lived with getting dirty looks and having insults thrown at me all my life. Probably because I like heavy metal and have long hair. A few common things about the culture do still bother me and I will list them to edify, these aren't stereotypes, I've seen it with my own two eyes:

1) Slavery is OVER and has been for a very long time. There is no reconciliation to be made. Why? Because there are no former slaves left alive. The bitterness is an excuse for people to justify bad behavior.
2) Schooling is MORE available to minorities than it is to the poor white guy like myself. I've seen the financial aid system for college literally get raped by some black folks, they wanted more and more money. I was happy and appreciative for all that they gave to me and used my education wisely.
3) Government healthcare is easier to get if you are a minority. Again, I have personally witnessed this and had to jump through hurdles just to get medicaid. I have to say this about black people because it does not seem to apply to hispanics in this regard. Black folks in the Social Services center, wear designer clothes and jewlery and some drive cars to the WELFARE office that cost more than the trailer that I live in.
4) If you are American and do not speak the language at least semi-properly, you will not get my respect. I consider it a direct insult to the country that has been so good to you.
5) If you idealize the "thug" life of beating and shooting down people for no good reason and treating women like they are meat. I WILL NOT respect you.
My not respecting someone does not mean I hate them or that I wouldn't help someone in a bad situation. I've seen all these qualities(or lack thereof) in plenty of white trash as well, so it is not a color thing and not really a socio-economic thing either. A lot of affluent people still think its somehow cool to live the gangster life and wave guns in peoples face, because they like the kick and power trip they get from invoking fear from someone else. I've personally seen much more Black on White violence than the other way around.

As far as the Rednecks of the south are concerned, they were raised that way... It's no excuse but it's hard to defy your upbringing (hard for the black man too, when they were raised to hate and distrust whitey). Southerners are extremely courteous and good natured people if you treat them right.

On a side note... Canada is not exactly devoid of ethnocentrism. When I was in old Quebec, my girlfriend and I got treated like garbage. It was not that way in Montreal.

*EDIT* Noone should be removed from here for voicing there opinions, that IS our freedom of speech. To the guy who was treated like garbage in the first grade, the only thing you can do with that type of arrogance is prove them wrong... get a high level degree, make millions and buy that kids apartment building and kick his azz out on the street. MONEY is power, whether in the hands of black,white,chinese or whomever.

Answer 9

Where to begin? If you were in the south, and someone said something racist, then of course you should say something. That doesn't mean that you need to be confrontational and yell at them, but don't let their ignorance intimidate you. But why the south particularlly? I live in Idaho, and I was harrased by drunk rednecks who got angry when I wouldn't say "White Power" to drink one of their beers. (Which was pretty trippy since I'd just eaten some acid). Racism exists everywhere, even Canada. Just be secure, confident, and don't let pricks get you down, no matter where you are.

Answer 10

You do realize that racism comes from people of all colors, not just white people? That was a very narrow thing to say.

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Take your blinders off hun. I have seen just as much racism on this forum and life from black people, Hispanics, Asians, etc as I have from white people. Blinders tend to kill your eyesight, if you take them off once in a while maybe you can tackle the whole problem.

And since you are so quick to label people, what makes you think you have the right to call anyone a bigot? Idealism without realism is dangerous.