adidasss

Well, she did seem just a little nonchalant about it, what with the "it's not the worst thing in the world" and "it's just a different kind of social system" statements.:\

I don't believe anyone dismissed the notion that slavery was and is about economic exploitation, but as you yourself admit, it was related to race and it would be pretty stupid for anyone to claim otherwise.


I think they did:


Really? What do you base that on? How it is less racist than Great Britain, Canada, Brazil, Australia, France etc.? Honest question.

Sometimes people write consistently stupid things and need to be called on it.




One could also draw a connection between the financial and racial background. I believe it's a widely accepted notion that slavery and consequent racial inequality has been a prime factor in the huge economical rift created between the black and white population of America.

No one is saying America is a racist country. South Africa was a racist country during the Apartheid, America is just a country that has a problem with racism, as do most countries.

__________________
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adidasss

Or what Expletive said...

__________________
“Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle.

Last.fm

riseagainstrocks

How exactly is "America" a racist country. Please show me an example of institutional racism. No one is denying that there are Americans and people who are in/from America who are/have been/will be racist, but the country itself is not, and JJJ is correct in pointing out that as a whole this country is actually very "un-racist".


You are acting like there are not systems in place to account for that. Look, no one is saying that there are disenfranchised youth in America. There are plenty of poor minority kids that get caught up in the world of gangs, drugs, crime, etc. and feel as if that's their only choice. What that is is a matter of upbringing and willpower. For every kid that ****s up, there is another one who develops his/her talents, whether it be sports, academics, music, whatever.

Blaming a persons financial situation for their deliquincy is irresponsible. It's shifting the fault of the blame. Being poor does not force you to do anything. It limits your options, makes certain choices seem more appealing, but in the end it's the choices made.


Again, I'll ask for you to show me an example of this society were prejudice doesn't exist. Of course there are individuals in this country who are willfully ignorant and hate a man for the concentration of melanin in his skin, but to call America a racist country is absurd. (By the way, I'm not voting for Obama because he is an arrogant elitist who does not understand America's history or her place in the world).


This whole topic is crazy. Savannah proved that she might actually be a racist, and most of you proved how shallow your thinking really is.

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right-track

Lets clear one thing up.
This thread was made to avoid off topic posts in another thread following replies to a comment made by savannah.
I don't think for one minute that savannah is racist.
I do think that some of her comments have been blown out of proportion.

Just a reminder, this thread is called 'Slavery' and not 'The Flame savannah Thread'.

Expletive Deleted

Oh, sorry I didn't clarify exactly what I meant when I said that America was a racist country.

My point, which I thought was made very clear, is that racism exists in America, therefore America is a racist country.

If you don't think that 95% of the time someone's financial situation directly correlates to the choices they make in life, then you need a serious reality check. It's certainly nice to think that everyone in America has an equal opportunity to overcome whatever obstacles they face, but they don't.

I'm not saying that criminals should get a free pass just for being poor, but it's obvious why the majority of criminals turn to crime, and if the creation of a better education system and a better financial situation is what's going to help them, then that's what needs to be done.

I didn't say there was a society where prejudice doesn't exist, just that you and JJJ continue to ignore that racism is still a major issue here in America, much bigger than you make it out to be.

:lol: And just what is America's place in the world?

It's shallow to believe that racism was based primarily on slavery and racism still exists? Because I would think that it's more shallow to believe that just because Congress passed a few laws in the 60s racism disappeared.

Son of JayJamJah

My only question to adidasss and Expletive Deleted is: At what point does personal accountability come into play.

There is a distinction between races and average income, but it's moving in the right direction. It can't happen overnight. The reason for that inequality is not modern racism but past racism. White families had centuries of generations able to accumulate wealth while African American, Latin American etc in many cases or amongst the first five generations free in America.

There is currently a greater disparity in the pay between Men and Women then Black and White.

Also on Expletive's suggestion that you can still find a handful of people who won't vote for Obama because he's Black, I can't find anyone who would say that.

ED I feel like you want to believe racism is a major problem and that is troubling to me. What type of racism have you experienced in your life?

Son of JayJamJah

Kind of my point. Good call RT.

Expletive Deleted

Like I just said, I live in a part of America where immigration is still a major issue and see racism directed at immigrants on almost a day to day basis by whites, blacks, and other races alike. There's a large amount of racial tension even in some of the upper class neighborhoods. My high school was in one of the wealthiest parts of Los Angeles, and even there every once in a while you would hear about a fight between blacks and Hispanics on campus.

As for Obama, I've read quite a few newspapers (given that I actually still trust the journalistic integrity of papers like the NY and LA Times and SF Chronicle) with quotes from seemingly average Americans from a variety of backgrounds about how they're uncomfortable with a black President. A while back, in what I believe was the New York Times, there was an entire article on how a lot of Jewish Florida voters weren't going to vote on Obama on the basis of race (among other things).

Son of JayJamJah

I'm not sure it's the skin color of the people in the Southern California area that are creating the tension so much as the clash of cultures. I know there is a lot of resentment towards the Latino immigrants, specifically the illegal ones, though most don't bother to distinguish. The animosity is a result of the effect the influx of illegal residents has had on the school system and economy of the area. There is no tension between blacks and Hispanic's where I live then any other two races. Both are assimilated to the same culture.

It's incorrect to say that because racism exists in America it's a racist Country. That's absurd, America has no more racists then vegetarians and American is not a herbivorous Nation now is it?

Try to understands someones viewpoint before you assume race is the motivating factor. It's hard to hate someone when you understand them and vice versa.

Sparky

Police Brutality is the obvious example. Just recently a local police officer was exposed as a KKK affiliate.

MN POLICE BRUTALITY VIOLENCE & CORRUPTION ARCHIVES

they'res a link to a blog that keeps track of all of the accounts, in MN alone.

Or what about the subtle racism towards Obama from cable news-specifically FOX news. Im sure if you youtube "FOX NEWS OBAMA" you'll get plenty of results.

My step-dad had a film he was writing, but it got refused to be produced unless he made the main characters "white".

Just because the KKK aren't parading down the streets doesn't mean racism isn't around.You and i don't encounter it as much because were white, jay.

i agree it's gotten better over time, and hopefully will continue.