Racism, lets try a different approach.?

Question

So I received some of the same knee-jerk reactions from people as I mentioned in my other question.

Here I want to talk about possible solutions. What do you think we can do to end racial prejudice? As evidenced in some of the responses, some white people dont want to face the realities of racisms effects on marginalized people. When we enter into discussions on it, as one commenter brilliantly pointed out, some people just feel really uncomfortable and would rather not speak on it. How do we get around that? How can we open up the doors to positive communication, so that we can find resolutions? How can we attack the issue, without attacking each other?

I identify as an African American woman. My family, however is so much more than that, but due to racism and prejudice, people only see black, when they look at me. To my knowledge, we are very mixed, black, polish jew, bajan, native american, portugese. My soon to be husband is polish and irish.

when we have children, we will teach them, as our parents taught us, not to hate, nor to pass judgement on people based on race, gender, sexual preference, creed, etc. That will be my greatest contribution to the cause. But at the same time, I am working to bring about a racial consciousness that we are lacking in this country. So with all that, pls consider the many questions and answer as best you can. Thank you for your time and respect.

Angelina, I identify as African American because that is often the box I am pushed into. I identify with TRUE African American culture, and that is what I know. That is what I was taught. I was raised listening to African American, or Black, music. I dont have access to many members of my family who know and understand the other cultures that I am made up of. I'm not picking on over the other... and pls try to answer the question next time and keep ur personal attacks... thanks

Answer 1

Wow! What a question for this forum. The question seems best answered with a question; How many hundreds of years would we need to cure racism? I use the word cure because I believe it an ill placed upon our very being. Racism crosses so many divides other than just racial there is financial predjudice,class,color within a particular ethnic group & so on. The answer.....There is not one that works. We will never be rid of the people who continue to teach this hatred to their children , therefore we will always have a culture of racism in the world. The beliefs are so deep seeded in family history,religion or some other wrong done to people at one time or another that I do not think it will ever be resolved.We can only make an effort to not contribute to it so that there will always be an opposition.

Answer 2

The problem is if you talk about it, and you say something in discussion that someone finds offensive you are crucified for it. You will never be able to have a conversation about racism out in the open because you have to be brutely honest and face the problem, and when people say what they think or feel, they get in trouble. I think the only way to do it is in a forum where people are not identified, screened but not identified. Minorities have no problem saying racist things about whites, because no one will really fight it, but you then get this feeling of everyone piling on you and you start getting angry because they not allowed to vent. I agree, I think it would solve alot of problems if we could be honest about it and not put one group down or the other for being more this or that. There are two sides to everything.

Edit: What I meant to say is monorities seem to be more able and comfortable expressing what the feel is prejudice or how they have been offended, most often this puts white people in a position of defense. So it is hard to have a true discussion based on this. I would like to know how often racism is discussed among minorities in everyday life, is it something that's all consuming?

Answer 3

If you are much more than African American but you identify with African American what do you think others will see? All of your questions concern whites against blacks why is that? Are whites the only ones who hurt you? I am born here but my background is Italian I don't refer to myself as an Italian American because I was born here. If something happens here I will defend this country not one which I am not born in.

Again I answered this in all your previous questions on whites against blacks, I said you have to raise your children correctly which you answered yourself. There is no need to say I am attacking anyone, so that is unnecessary. People see how you project yourself, that is what I said. You didn't indentify with eating pieorgies or knish even though you say people only see black.

Answer 4

This is a great question. First off I think all ppl need to sincerely try to understand other cultures. By understanding I mean read a book by someone of a diff race, go to a church that is not your religion, eat at a restaurant of a diff culture, take a class on a culture that's not your own. That's how an appreciation of ALL cultures can begin.

2nd-lose the stereotypes. Judge others based on the individual, not their color or class.

3rd-Teach your children to love. I know this is a corny cliche but they are our future. And the hate can either stop or continue with them.

4rth-Physically go out and contribute something pos. to this struggle. It could be volunteering to help build homes, teaching ppl to read, etc.

We are still a long way off from that dream, I don't think we will ever be a non-racist society, but we can make it better.

Answer 5

I'm right here with you on that. I just answered a question earlier and It sounds mean to say it, but people just go around acting like little kids who are tattle tailing on each other when it would be so much easier to try and help people understand that we are supposed to be together in this country. People always want to look for the wrong in people first and it's like people are waiting around for another shoe to drop. We should be spreading positive messages instead of finding the negative which separates us even more as a result. Reading what you have just posted gives me hope.

Answer 6

Well first of all I applaud you on your question. I do however agree with jitterbug. I think living without any prejudice is a dream we will never see come true. I live in the south and I am in a relationship with a "black" man. He also comes from a family of many different colors. We have had people say ugly things to us under their breath but never to our face. Which to me is truly cowardly!! But I also have another thing against me that people are ridicule me for. I was born with a clef lip and have to deal with stupid people and their stupid hurtful comments all my life. So there are many different kinds of prejudices that some have to live with other than skin color.

Answer 7

It is really a personal choice and as such you cannot get large groups to participate in making such a change. The choice involves stepping out side your current comfort zone and trying to relate to someone you have never related with before. a good many people have no time for such efforts and many more have no desire for same. I think as individuals that wish to change the mass perception of race making a difference in how a person thinks lives and behaves, we have to step forward and make a concerted effort to spend time in one another's company, get to know each other and present an example to the rest of america. One person at a time, it can snowball and effect a huge change in perceptions, but it really does mean that individuals have to step outside their own comfort zones and reach out to other people with whom they may think they have little in common, when in actuality, all have essentially the same concerns.

Answer 8

Racism is a symptom of gross social injustices. When we live in a society that is equitable in terms of political representation and economics, people will FINALLY start thinking of other things. Words would not have the connotations that they do have now. Until then, the progress will be incremental with one side or the other always talking about victimization. This is the human condition.

Answer 9

I respect your ideas very much, and am proud to see a Black woman doing her thing out there. Unfortunately, the only resolution I see coming in this lifetime is to keep doing what you're doing. Teach your children to respect other's culture and learn about their own, and just pray. They can't stop that. My mom still tells me "Words are the only weapons they have today, and they still can't hurt you."

Answer 10

1. We need to eliminate the concept of "race," since it is truly meaningless.
2. We need to value every person equally as a bearer of God's image.