If we can be programmed to think less of ourselves, doesn't it stand to reason we can be programmed to think less of others? I believe that's all racism really is, being programmed to believe that different means worse. If you look back to the previous examples, the white man has, since the beginning of American history, dominated others. As a result, that mindset has always subconsciously been passed on. The black man has always, until recently in America, been oppressed. This causes resentment that is focused toward the oppressor and is passed, by enlarge, from generation to generation. When you take these attitudes and put them together, you have exactly the same thing Jane Elliot found in her classroom. Except on a national and global scale . The group that is on top at the moment is the group that is intolerant of the group that is not in power. The group that is not on top has resentment for the group that is. As I mentioned earlier, people can change their programming and snap the chain that has been linked through so many generations and cultures. Many people have already done this. In some areas of the country racism is not as big an issue as in others. Some cultures don't accept change through new ideas very readily. The point here is this: its not just one class of people or one race of people that has to change. Culture, Comfort and Common Ground It's obvious that there are differences between all races of people. It is also true that everyone is prejudice against some group to some extent. It may be you aren't prejudice against someone based on their skin but maybe based on their behavior. The fact is that we are different and we come from different backgrounds and cultures. The problem is not that we are different, it's that we seem to only want to focus on the differences. It's also true that people in general feel more comfortable around people that are like them because they have more in common. That is why interracial marriages are not anymore likely to occur in the absence of racism than in the face of it. There are a lot more differences in cultures than there is common ground to draw from. The key to getting along is simple... We must strive to find common ground. There are similarities between All people that we simply cannot afford to ignore. Let me give you an example, for instance: God is no respecter of persons and Jesus died for all. If you can't except that you'll never be able to except anything I'm telling you as truth. Have you ever noticed when a person gives his heart to the Lord, all the things that used to annoy people seem to gradually fade away? Think about it :smt017 Putting It All Together What are the things that need to be done to end racism in America? Here is my list. There is an old saying that goes; saying it don't make it so, Just because someone has tried to program a person to believe they are inferior doesn't make it true. We are all created in God's image. The race as a whole needs to realize who made them and who loves them as much as He loves anyone. Stop worrying about the past. It doesn't matter how you got here, just be glad you are living in the best and most prosperous country in the world! The English settlers at Jamestown, the pioneers, the Chinese, Greeks, Italians and every other race that lives here had to pay a price as well. Remember that it's the caliber of a person that counts, not the color. God didn't create a superior race of people. You may be one of Ms. Elliot's blue-eyed children or one of her brown-eyed children, or one of God's fair-skinned children or one of his dark-skinned children. It really doesn't matter - God looks at the heart. Racism is a two way street, and even though it's not just a black and white issue, there are racists, both black and white. If the chain of racism and hatred is going to stop, it has to first stop in our own mind. Even if you don't think you can make a difference, it really doesn't matter, you must continue to try because of one simple, yet glaring fact ... There won't be any racists in Heaven. note: Jane Elliott, internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer, and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education, exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors. And if you think this does not apply to you. . .you are in for a rude awakening.
Preaching to the choir, sister! We are the one internet group who lives by everything you just wrote! We are interracial daters! We are wwbm.com!!! Lucifer baby, back me up here! Say something on the subject the way only you can say it!:heart:
What a wonderful post. It's so true. Bigotry of any and all kinds is learned. It can also be unlearned.
FreeOpen, This is one of the best things that I have read here on the forum. Good on you for putting "pen to paper" and writing it out...And good on you for taking what I see as the harder, yet higher road. I would like to add one thing.... That it's not just common ground that we have to find. Because, in my experience, there sometimes just isn't common ground. Or not enough. What we need to do is pause, realise that the person is not, cannot and will not be the same as us and understand and accept that. Then, ensure that you treat that person with the same respect and dignity as what you want to be treated, even if you don't understand a thing about them. (for the purpose of clarity, the following paragraphs are additional dialogue and explanation and are not referring to anyone in particular. I like to say that it's spoken to the neutral third person. Hopefully that and the following makes sense) It is my observation, and opinion, when a person receives respect for no reason other than it is good and right to give respect to people, then a little something changes inside them. For the better. Perhaps that person who you have trouble tolerating or not resenting is acting in the way that bothers you because of the way you treat them. Perhaps it is you that is drawing out their negative energy? Afterall, we can only each change ourselves...In the way that an argument can either be turned into a fight or a discussion, depending on how you handle it, the same is true for any situation. Stop expecting people to behave badly and they might stop meeting your (low) expectations
Thanks I think for the compliment....there are some things I can agree with in refrence to individual experience. The topic was not based on my personal experiences but as a personal view and an educational study of others and I agree. I read your comment a few times and it appears to be that you were assuming this was about me and someone else than it's intended view but something you completely took out of context. (Correct me if I am wrong)Sometimes we may have to read something a few times before we actually have a clear understanding or jist of what we read. In ref to your comment...This has nothing to do with who I am mis-treating or of any expections of a person you decided to throw in the mix. Your assumption that this is directed at a person in my life is completely waaaaaaaay off. In my opinion, the fact that you assumed something that is clearly not referenced in the above read... is revealing more about who you are and your experieneces and not about me or mine.
Hi FreeOpen, Sorry...I think I was using confusing language. When I said "you" in the final 3 paragraphs of my post, I was refering to the neutral third person. not "YOU" specifically. I will review my post and try to ensure it makes better sense. And when I was referring to you in the first paragraph, about taking the higher road...I assumed that by writing all these things that you believe them to be true and follow them to your greatest extent possible. And I was merely commenting that I believe that if someone follows what you wrote that they are taking a higher, yet more difficult path. Hopefully that clears up the misunderstanding. I was just trying to add a couple of points to your already comprehensive and elloquant dialogue.
Hey, who left me bad rep and called me an idiot for my comment above? FreenOpen is on my friends list! I can act stupid on her thread all I want! No more bad rep for me is allowed.
That's generally how rep. works in forums in my experience. (I'm a moderator in another forum, and we gave up using it, as it would be used by people who just simply disagreed on a topic, or even used for plain bullying). Here's no exception, I think, as I've gotten hate/threats via the rep. For posts that are neutral, so it's obviously something personal. Nothing to worry about. Just proves there's a lot of immature people on this forum, as well as the rest of the world.
freenopen: good post. I agree that how you perceive other ethnic groups are a matter of mental programming. IMO the best thing would be if everyone just stopped worrying about it. We're all just human beings.
I don't really care who is was. It just shows me that many human beings are not mature enough to be given the "power" of handing out negative criticism anonymously.
It now makes sense...Your answer was rather mis-leading. I do agree and that is why I placed this post. We must first change the way we think before we can change our actions. Thank you for you compliment my friend.
Moskvichka...Thanks but I would prefer that when I make posts that my friends and other members also know how to answer intellectually and not use my posts as a back and forth place for idiocy. But I truely didn't find anything wrong with your answer when you replied originially so I don't believe you should of received the bad rep.
Ronja...Thank you. In ref to your last comment of to stop worry about it...That would be ideal but this is reality, so we must worry to take positive action...it's being aware of what is still happening today on a national and global scale.
Hey, no worries. I have a bad habbit of writing what I say in my head and not realising that you all can't hear the tone of my voice and facial expressions... Apologies for the confusion. Once again, thanks for writing it all...and posting it!
It would be better if you could see who is dishing out the rep. A little accountability can make people a little less trigger happy.
Okay...:smt090 I agree wholeheartedly with your post. I know though that there is a long way to go for many people from accepting the theory, and implementing it in practice. There is family pressure, community pressure, etc.. When I said that the members of wwbm.com live by what you've written, I wasn't just joking. A wwbm.com member named Superchick, who unfortunately hasn't posted in a while, is a prime example of someone who does exactly that. She's a white woman who not only married a black man, but also waited until marriage to be intimate with him, and he's shorter than her. A lot of unconventional decisions here, but you know what? She's happily married and probably is happier than a lot of people. I miss you Superchick. A strong woman, a real woman, an example to us all.
Moskvichka....I think you have me im-understood. I was not referring to your first post but to the back and forth of the bad rep stuff. When I post I just want to read and get the views of others on an intellectual basis in ref to the post. Makes sense?
