Inauguration of the New President

[Skanky Vamp]

it HAS been overplayed. Especially among the black people. And yes, I get tired of hearing it day in and day out.

I was right there with you.. but there was one thing that changed me and gave me hope. Shortly after the election a news reporter asked our coach Tony Dungy (the first black man to win a superbowl) what it felt like to witness our first black president's election; and he said.. "We did not elect a black president- we elected a president who happens to be black" that remark did give me some hope that he was elected on his laurels more than color- despite everything I see that says contrary.

 

[StuckinTraffic]

I do think he was elected for his charisma, his way of telling people what they want to hear and making them believe it (I'd hate to see him as a used car salesman!), but EVERYONE has made it about his color. I'm SO tired of hearing how this is a great leap forward for civil rights, how America's made huge strides against racism. It's not true! Racism is still a problem in this country...and that's only EVIDENCED by the fact that everyone's making a big deal about the President's RACE!

 

[Cohen]

I know what you mean.
All those centuries of subjugation, slavery, lack of equality and down right appalling behaviour that still hasn't exactly left them, how dare they spend a few months celebrating a turning point in history.

Cheesh, if only the whites had a group, a klan if you will, I could join so I wouldn't have to worry about hearing this tripe!

I see your point, but most of these KIDS at school, and probably even there parents weren't subjected to the slavery, and they've all had the same opportunities (the kids at least) that I've had.

I can understand the older generation and the way they feel. They deserve it.

But my generation doesn't get that from me. Especially since their to moronic that they call each other "niggas", completely overlooking the history behind that word and that if a white person called them a "nigga", it seems different.

In fact, the older generation doesn't even like that word.

Edit:
Also, it's okay for them to celebrate tastefully. I have no problem with that. But shouting "Black Power!" while walking down the halls is in NO WAY tasteful.

I was right there with you.. but there was one thing that changed me and gave me hope. Shortly after the election a news reporter asked our coach Tony Dungy (the first black man to win a superbowl) what it felt like to witness our first black president's election; and he said.. "We did not elect a black president- we elected a president who happens to be black" that remark did give me some hope that he was elected on his laurels more than color- despite everything I see that says contrary.

I respect people like that. But I don't believe that everyone sees it that way.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

I do think he was elected for his charisma, his way of telling people what they want to hear and making them believe it (I'd hate to see him as a used car salesman!), but EVERYONE has made it about his color. I'm SO tired of hearing how this is a great leap forward for civil rights, how America's made huge strides against racism. It's not true! Racism is still a problem in this country...and that's only EVIDENCED by the fact that everyone's making a big deal about the President's RACE!

If this was the second, third or fourth Black President then you would have a point, I would be standing up the loudest and saying 'For Godsake, get over it' but this is THE first time in history that a Black man has taken the office of a country that severely segregated its people half a century ago.
There is a difference commenting on his Race and Racism.

We should never forget who we are and we should rejoice in that, but thats not where the divide is, the divide is in peoples hate and distrust, and a Black President is another stepcloser to getting rid of that.
If you see the President as a positive role model then its likely you will be less quick to judge other black people hastily.

I see your point, but most of these KIDS at school, and probably even there parents weren't subjected to the slavery, and they've all had the same opportunities (the kids at least) that I've had.

I can understand the older generation and the way they feel. They deserve it.

But my generation doesn't get that from me. Especially since their to moronic that they call each other "niggas", completely overlooking the history behind that word and that if a white person called them a "nigga", it seems different.

In fact, the older generation doesn't even like that word.

I respect people like that. But I don't believe that everyone sees it that way.

See, thats not the point.
Its like gay people that use the word 'queer' to say what they are.
Tword used against them was meant as a tool of oppression, when they use the word they use it in a form thats familial.

I will let Whoopi Goldberg explain it better.
YouTube - 07/17/08 The N Word - Elisabeth Trips Over Words

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Its like gay people that use the word 'queer' to say what they are..

Yes, but gay people let non-queers call them queer whereas a white person, cannot say 'what's up my nigga' so no, it is nothing like that. That phrase helps create the "them" and "us" mindset.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Yes, but gay people let non-queers call them queer whereas a white person, cannot say 'what's up my nigga' so no, it is nothing like that. That phrase helps create the "them" and "us" mindset.

Not really, 'queer' is still classed as an offensive term.
I have some black friends that in personal quarters will find it amusing when a white friend uses the N word, but in public, as with 'queer' it is still offensive.

I don't think ANY white person has a right to argue an 'us and them' mindset after what white people have done, and still continue to do.

But as I said, Whoopi and Sherri argue the point better than I care to.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I don't think ANY white person has a right to argue an 'us and them' mindset after what white people have done, and still continue to do.

And I think that is utter crap and why we are in the position we are in.

EDIT:
What about the Jews? What about the Irish? What about the Native Americans? "white people" have done more to them than they ever did to the "black people". I am sorry, but that 'we need to pay for slavery' line is crap. All it does is separate us.

 

[Blondie Bear]

^ See, that's the problem I have. I have never owned slaves. I have never treated a black person as anything other than a person. Why should they be allowed to treat me like the bad guy just because I'm white and some random white people have treated them like crap? Isn't that just as racist?

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

^ See, that's the problem I have. I have never owned slaves. I have never treated a black person as anything other than a person. Why should they be allowed to treat me like the bad guy just because I'm white and some random white people have treated them like crap? Isn't that just as racist?

Are all black people, or hispanics and gays, treated as equal as white heterosexual people in the United States?

Simple question.

Until the answer is yes, they are still fighting for their equality.
This isn't about the individual.
Its great that you have never done anything like that, that you treat them equal BUT thats not the case for the rest of the states.
You're already there, the country isn't so until that time they have to fight for it.

Thing is, when we're all seen as equal, and you know thats not yet, words like this will either become redundant or come back into common use but for now its the rights of the black people to be offended when white people use words like this but are fine when they want to use them because they are 'rebranding' if you.

 

[Cohen]

But as I said, Whoopi and Sherri argue the point better than I care to.

But they also explained that that word is seperating us, and it will continue to seperate us until we stop using it. I agree whole-heartedly with Elisabeth.

Also, how is it okay for them to call us "Crackers" (in which the word reffers to slave owners and cracking whips, and not because crackers are generally white, which I used to think it meant), and us not to call them "niggas"?

That, my friend, is hypocrisy.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

But they also explained that that word is seperating us, and it will continue to seperate us until we stop using it. I agree whole-heartedly with Elisabeth.

Of course you do because you're from the same world as her.
Whoopi is 100% correct in different worlds.
We all live on the same planet.
IF we lived in an ideal world this wouldn't be an issue, but we don't.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Some of my ancestors were slaves, what catch-phrases am I allowed to use?

 

[Blondie Bear]

Women have been treated terribly through the centuries and still are. You don't see me fussing that all men are evil and should give me special treatment.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Some of my ancestors were slaves, what catch-phrases am I allowed to use?

Its not a catch-phrase.

I just have to say how amazing it is that white people are the ones that are taking affront at all this.

I have to say this thread really is proving racism is alive but now its trying to hide itself under a banner of tolerance and a utopian picture of the future.

ANYWAY, this thread is about the actual Inauguration of the President Barack Obama so the rest of this conversation should be taken to another thread.

 

[Cohen]

Okay, maybe we are in two different worlds. But the reason we still are in different worlds, that we perceive each other in different ways is the actions of others. It's because people don't look at the individual, instead of the race.

But we all receive the same opportunities. And I will say that again and again.

One of the things that got me today was after the inauguration when a black kid said "We are now able to see ourselves becoming lawyers, doctors, and the president." But they have the same opportunities that we have. Actually, they have more opportunities because they get a LOT more money to go on to school to become doctors and lawyers and politicians because they are "minority students". But they don't take those opportunities.

Edit:
What I mean to say is for the past at least decade and a half, they've had the same opportunities.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Women have been treated terribly through the centuries and still are. You don't see me fussing that all men are evil and should give me special treatment.

No, but there are plenty of organisations out there that DO and that are constantly arguing things like equal pay.
So you're adding to the point not detracting.

Now, thanks and put it in another thread.

 

[Cohen]

ANYWAY, this thread is about the actual Inauguration of the President Barack Obama so the rest of this conversation should be taken to another thread.

I really don't believe so. That it should be moved. This thread has progressed to a discussion about equality, one of Obama's big "changes". So, why move it?

 

[Kean]

I never in a million years thought I would say this but I agree with Al. (That actually kinda hurt)

I spent four months living in America last year, not very long but long enough to see how seperate society still is. I went to college in a middle to upper class New England town. The white kids stuck together, as did the black kids and the hispanics and the lesbians...and the list goes on. Rarely did different groups mix and there was always this air of unease when groups even tried to mix. I, a white, Irish woman was welcomed with open arms but this was a town 60 miles south of Boston. I can't say the same for the Cape Verdian exchange students or the students from Jordan. The division is there and it's palpable. I'm not saying this is true for the entire country but from my experience it was.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

I really don't believe so. That it should be moved. This thread has progressed to a discussion about equality, one of Obama's big "changes". So, why move it?

Because this was bout the event not about the implications.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I have to say this thread really is proving racism is alive

I think your comment proved that racism was alive. I was out of it until you said that white people were wrong. "don't think ANY white person has a right to argue an 'us and them' mindset after what white people have done, and still continue to do." That is racism, and it is on YOUR part. So again, EB, is labeling. You really like those dont you?