LIVING IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE!!!!!!!!

I must admit that sometimes it's hard for me to accept the stuff that I am reading here! All this talk about racism disappearing, WW/BM relationships becoming the norm., and this lunacy about "there is no race!"
1. There is a huge divide in the races because there are too many people out there who dont share our views and daily exercise there bigoted ideas. Perception is reality! And unforunately too many people look at blacks as inferior...not just to whites, but to all races!!!
2. Hate crimes are up 8% over last year with over half of them being racially motivated. AND THIS DOESNT INCLUDE "NOOSING INCIDENTS" (WHICH ARE NOT BEING TRACKED, BUT SHOULD)!

The main reason I feel in love with the WW that Im with now is because not only does she try to relate to me, but she also looks at things from my point of view, just as I do hers. But the main thing she understands is that BEING BLACK IS STILL HARD! There are things that I have seen, deal with, and will experience in my life that she will never have to go through. And I love her because she refuses to go through life with blinders on. Its not just about us, but about ALL PEOPLE! Stay concious of the struggles of others. Ask the hard questions that others are afraid to ask. And rid the world of what isnt right or fair.

I think its great that the generation after me isnt experiencing some of the things I did, which pales in comparison to things my mom and grandmom suffered through. It shows progress. But it would be a disservice to my mom, grandmom, and those before me to forget and pretend all the world is holding hands.

Im not being critical of the WW here as much as the BM. Because if they dont know (the BM)...then they should know. And they should inform the WW that they love so much so that these things are not forgotten or swept under the rug!

 

I'm not living in a twilight zone, I am having good conversation with people that have a very special thing in common with me. We are IR couples/lovers. That's it, if we can't talk this way amongst ourselves here and at home, then where can we? I'm not really feeling your post here.

 

I agree with his post it is reality, I don't think he is trying to derail the happy rainbow train here,but I think that we should also look at different views with out getting uptight.(not saying that you are uptight)

 

I very much disagree with the opening of this post. I think on this site there is a balanced number of posts giving an example of both positive and negative race relations. I don't think this is la la land here just because we are open to IR dating.

Racism is not completely disappearing, it's just more concealed in the days of political correctness. I do however hope that is is becoming less. I think our kids may be the generation to actually show and live this.

There is no race? Of course there is!
There is race and within the races there is a distinction between economical classes. (Just this week there were a bunch of articles about the divide in the African American community).

I think that it is in our nature to focus on the differences and "group" together. We do this by race, sex, nationality (that's a big one), education, interests etc. So is making this distinction and looking out someone "like me" always a bad thing? I don't think it is unless of course I am so small minded that I exclude anyone and anything that is not "like me".

 

I do think you raise good points here, jellybird. People are naturally going to present the positive aspects of bm/ww relationships, and justly so, because we enjoy talking to others who understand the joy of bm/ww IR relationships. People also have talked about the difficult issues we face as couples on a number of threads. Compared to how it was thirty years ago, things are better overall for people who want to date interracially. As you've stated, we still are going to have to face the reality of racism and not be complacent with the progresss that has been made. I give the brothas who have ww lovers/wives the benefit of the doubt as to whether or not they discuss these issues with their partners in their private lives.

 

I agree with this, I think there is a balance on the positives and negatives of race relations on this board. There are sections centered around dealing with prejudice and racial sterotyping etc. Its pretty balanced IMO.

I don't think anyone here in there right mind would say that racism is disapearing. Sometimes comments are made about the progress that has been made from decades ago. I wont say we have a long way to go, because I hate that phrase, we really don't have a long way to go because racism will never die, its here to stay. Howerver, we can certainly try to simmer down the flames.

 

Well said, Patterson. Because this forum is an oasis of sorts where bm/ww relationships are not only accepted, they are understood and appreciated, it might seem at times that some people here get a bit complacent. That's why I appreciate jellybird's post. We don't all live in the same environment outside of this forum. Jellybird's post provides perspective and food for thought.

 

I agree with everything you said, especially the bolded part, well said!

 

I think reality is what we make it. This is a big world and it is full of a lot of widely different people and places. I choose to spend my time focusing on the positive things that I value.

This goes beyond the issue of IR and acceptance. There are all sorts of wars, injustice, and tragedies going on in the world everyday, that if you spend all your time thinking about, it would overwhelm you. Most of these things don't affect me, and nor could I do anything to change them. So I focus on what I can affect and do value. That is my life and the people around me. Here on this site, I find people that share some of my values, so I embrace that.

 

Hearts, I'm not saying cure the word of all it's ills, but I feel events in the world do effect you. Maybe not now, but they will in one way or another (sooner or later).
For example...you like to date BM now, but didnt (I assume) when you were younger. Well there are things in the world (past and present) that effect us (BM) that you probably thought would never have any effect on you...that is until you began to date BM!
Think of America's perception of BM as angry manaces. Now, think of the things he may have experienced or seen done to people who he calls "brother." Do you see where I'm going?
And I'm not saying you have been some champion of civil rights, but realize that no one should have a life any less care-free than you because of their sexual peference or the color of thier skin, or for any reason.

The black people of NYC were care-free when Giuliani was elected mayor. That is until he turned the NYPD loose on them like a pack of wild dogs. (Ask Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima, and Patrick Dorismond how Giuliani's election effected their lives.) This man with this history of disregard for civil liberties is going to be our next president!

 

Hey if you have some sort of crystal ball telling you the future let me know, I have some burning questions I need answered :wink:

 

I wish I did! Then maybe I could answer some burning questions that have always bothered me.

Like..."why does jelly toast always fall jelly-side down...?" :?

 

I'm certainly not ignorant enough to think that racism doesn't exist...even in sunny liberal California.

I live with it every day as a white mother with a black child. While I don't see myself as a "white" mom to a "black" child....I'm her mom, she's my child....I do get reminded often how things are. Just as when I am with a black man I do not think in terms of black and white...we are together.

I think it's important to have whatever understanding, sympathy, and compassion for what the men we are with deal with and have dealt with. Just as I want someone to have compassion for the things I have dealt with in my life.

I think it's also very important to be very honest and look at our own prejudices...and we ALL have them.

Just because someone is in an IR relationship or has a multi racial family does NOT mean they don't have their own racism issues. I can tell you that one of the most eye opening experiences I've had was when I was getting ready to adopt my daughter and was on some IR parenting lists.

And absolutely...it's very important to know about the past and as much as I see people want to dismiss it....it's a part of people's reality.

 

You are right. I have to confess to having prejusticed views in the past myself. Not anything hateful mind you. But some ill-informed misconceptions. But I like to think that if I can grow past that, others can too. All it takes is expsoure. We mistrust what we don't understand. Getting closer to each other is the ultimate cure for racism. I've seen it happen. One of my former co-workers would tend to make racist jokes and other negative comments about blacks now and then, until she found out I was dating one. One weekend I made a point of inviting her out for drinks with a group of people and "aiming" a single black guy I knew in her direction. Sure enough, they left together and she was all smiles monday morning! After that it was a totally different attitude.

 

Well, I for one think a person's perspective is mostly what you want it to be, and geographical location to a lesser extent. I being in sunny so-cal, do not see overt racism, be it when I'm with my girl, or just on a daily basis in general. Seek, and ye shall find! I don't look for it.

Now regarding black men in America, I'm hardlined! We blacks have had a full generation (post civil rights) to show other races how to step up, and be productive, positive, and responsible. WE HAVEN'T! It's not racism that we face as our biggest challenge, it's personal responsibility. If we want respect from other races, we MUST earn it. Too many brothers find excuses for why we are at the bottom of the totem pole, instead of just rolling up our sleeves, and doing whatever it takes to be successful, legally. Only then, will we have a platform in which we can stand on for justice, and equality. Most whites are fair, and impartial, but many blacks have long since used guilt, and race cards against the white establishment, and eventually people get resentful of those tactics. Which causes much of the continued racism.

If every black man pushed his way into becoming business owners, and C.E.O.'s then more of us would be that, and people would have no choice but to respect us, simply based on the fact that we would have the power to change their lives dramatically, and in an instant. Instead, we're dodging bullets, jails, and having babies out of wedlock, and not raising them. We cause our own problems. Whites have long since did their part, the slaves were freed, and civil rights has been granted, now what are we going to do?

Hope I didn't hijack the thread.

 

Wow, It takes balls to say that. Bill Cosby made similar comments and people didn't want to listen.

 

Yeah, and I'm sure some may want to shoot my balls off, after that little speech, but the truth sometimes hurts. And I do not apologize for saying any of it. In fact, I plan to write a book on this very subject.

 

Same page rinnaye06. Same page

 

Well said, rinnaye06! Personal responsibility is first and at the top of the page. However, just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And don't turn a blind eye to it. Personally, in my humble opinion, bigots are the worse! Those who enable them (eat and shop at the establishments) are a close second. "Never eat at Denny's/Party like lil Penny!"

Also, I don't think becoming CEO's, business owners, or having financial might has anything to do with being respected as a race. Whatever a person decides to do (that's positive) with their life, wether it be managing a fastfood restuarant or managing a bank, the respect they receive should be equal.

Success isn't a trophy case that must be filled with cars, degrees, or money.

 

Well, becoming C.E.O.'s business owners, and having financial might certainly can't hurt.

Moreso, I'm not focusing on the title, or the money, but the power that comes with the position. If blacks were the Mayors, Chief of Police, and District Attorneys of more American cities, would there be as much police brutality? Probably not. If more blacks were attorneys, would we be filling up the jails, absolutely not. If more blacks were CEO's, and business owners would more blacks be given promotions to top positions? Perhaps they would. You gain power, you'll get respect. People of any color will kiss your black ass every day you want it kissed if you hold the rings to their existance.