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Your task is to find the joke in this post:
For some reason, H wanted to talk about rascism today. Not the vague sterotyping of race that is practically unavoidable in society, but that hate-filled, slur-spilling, loud kind of racsism of a true beleiver.
He wanted to know if I thought there was any "excuse" for rascism in adults, like say, they'd been victims of a crime or multiple crimes by a specific minority. I had to tell him that while I accept that everyone has baggage in life, there really is no reason for a rational, thinking person to hate a group of people based on the actions of a few. Sometimes people are prejudiced because they were taught that by their family. And if that's the case, their religion might even require that they honor the wishes of their elders. But you can't really order someone to hate someone else. Even Hitler relied on negative feelings already in place in Germany at that time. H didn't seem to think I had thought this thru, and that maybe rascists should be cut a bit more slack. But then, H is pretty even keeled about such things.
I decided that the reason I feel so strongly about this is simply because I am an American. I'm caucasian, and female and middle class. But none of those things speak to the whole of who I am. There are people in Europe who think all Americans watch and really, really love American Idol. Asian "america bars" have big haired blondes and people wearing cowboy hats and digging Bon Jovi. I assure you, none of those things have anything to do with me. Not all Christians support murdering doctors to stop abortions. I know how to spell the word "women" and don't feel the need to alter the spelling to remove the word "men" (as in "womyn", "wimmin" or worse yet "womben"). And since I demand to be treated as a unique individual, I think it's only right that I do my best to extend that courtesy to others. I'm not sure H would understand all that. After all, he's black.
Did anyone notice I switched mood themes today? Ah, ChartityCam...how you delight and amuse!
He wanted to know if I thought there was any "excuse" for rascism in adults, like say, they'd been victims of a crime or multiple crimes by a specific minority. I had to tell him that while I accept that everyone has baggage in life, there really is no reason for a rational, thinking person to hate a group of people based on the actions of a few. Sometimes people are prejudiced because they were taught that by their family. And if that's the case, their religion might even require that they honor the wishes of their elders. But you can't really order someone to hate someone else. Even Hitler relied on negative feelings already in place in Germany at that time. H didn't seem to think I had thought this thru, and that maybe rascists should be cut a bit more slack. But then, H is pretty even keeled about such things.
I decided that the reason I feel so strongly about this is simply because I am an American. I'm caucasian, and female and middle class. But none of those things speak to the whole of who I am. There are people in Europe who think all Americans watch and really, really love American Idol. Asian "america bars" have big haired blondes and people wearing cowboy hats and digging Bon Jovi. I assure you, none of those things have anything to do with me. Not all Christians support murdering doctors to stop abortions. I know how to spell the word "women" and don't feel the need to alter the spelling to remove the word "men" (as in "womyn", "wimmin" or worse yet "womben"). And since I demand to be treated as a unique individual, I think it's only right that I do my best to extend that courtesy to others. I'm not sure H would understand all that. After all, he's black.
Did anyone notice I switched mood themes today? Ah, ChartityCam...how you delight and amuse!
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"That would be true if everyone started on a level playing field"
Nor is it the case in any country, or any place on this earth. That does not make it ok to hold individuals accountable for the actions of society as a whole.
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Then you are taking it in a needlessly personal way.
Wow...I'm amazed by how much you are missing the point.
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"It is imcumbent upon us as people of skin privilege to be traitors to that privilege."
"...just that some, in such an effort, must needs renounce privilege."
Being white does not require, nor should it, that one should behave in any way different than any black person. We are unable to control the motives, and minds of those around us. Being white does not inherently give someone a skin privilege.
Here is a thought experiment:
Two candidates are reviewed for a position, their qualifications equal, the job is given to the white man due to racism. It is the fault of the interviewer, not the candidate. Unless I interpret wrong, this man should renounce the position in favor of the black candidate to advance the cause of equality. Is this an accurate example of the scenario?
The fundamental flaw in your reasoning is that the candidate should bear no responsibility so long as he feels that he is capable of filling the position. It is not his fault that the interviewer is racist and he shouldn't suffer as a result.
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No one is talking about suffering. It's funny, because this is very similar to your arguement that it's okay for cig companies to sell addictive poison to people because they can choose not to buy it.
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Personal responsibility goes toward all aspects of one's character. Cigarette companies create a product for which there is a demand. If we were all held accountable for our own actions there would be no racism.
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I think you ae once again oversimplifying so as not to see the big picture.
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And you haven't earned your place in society.
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"And you haven't earned your place in society."
How could you possibly know that?