The Race Thread

Well, that could be the reason as to why she didn't respond after I pointed that out to her.

Although there's some truth to Rock's comment, I find it unnecessarily divisive. I'm part Native American and still celebrate Thanksgiving. I don't go around saying "thanks colonials for giving us dinner before taking our land and murdering our people!"

No one's forgotten the history, but I feel like for every step towards bringing people together we do our best to keep ourselves separated too. I'm proud of all my various heritages, but I'm an American first and foremost.

@sophia89:

When America declared its independence, most Black people were still enslaved. I'm not sure what you're trying to argue here. Yes, there were free Black people in the States. But, free Blacks were a minority compared to the number of Blacks that were enslaved at the time. Enslaved Blacks also fought in the American Revolution as well, so that doesn't really change much. Again, it doesn't matter if it's an American holiday, nor does it matter who chooses to celebrate it.

Also, what's going on in Africa isn't relevant to Independence Day in the U.S.A. So, I'm not addressing that.

At the time, White people benefited from their freedom the most. Most Blacks were still enslaved.

It may not be a White holiday now, but might as well have been 239 years ago.

That depends, how much Native American heritage do you have? A lot of Americans have atleast some Native American heritage.

@sophia89: ...........

I literally am not sure what you are getting at (and I have a feeling that a lot of that was irrelevant ), but whatever.

@sophia89: @static_shock:

And I may also add the only country where slavery really exist in Africa is really just Mauritania, other than that the slavery in other parts of Africa is just in the very small rural parts and insignificant compared to the rest of the population. And unlike the slavery that happened in the Americas, slavery in Africa is illegal. But again its small in Africa, besides that one country Mauritania.

But yeah like Static said most of the blacks during the time were enslaved compared to the blacks who were freed. Of course its not a "white holiday", but during the times of slavery it most likely was. I'm just saying. Not saying you're right or wrong Sophia. :)

@frozen: I had a blood test (or whatever) done when I applied for college because I knew it was a fairly decent amount because of my Grandfather (who is really into thay part of our bloodline despite being predominantly white like myself but that's another topic). Anyway long story short you needed a 15% minimum for the tuition payment. I was 11% with a + or - 2% margin of error. So if you figure 10% as a rough average I'm 1/10 Native American. Not a huge amount (I don't know what the American average would be) but when you consider that even my most predominant blood heritage (Austrian) is about 30%...there no overly dominant bloodline in my makeup. I am what you'd call a mutt, through and through.

So you make a valid point that on the US census and in overall appearance I am considered white, but my Grandfather was big into that aspect of our bloodline (and I'm a big history buff) so I was a bit more exposed to that area of my being than most white Americans. I'm not claiming to be Native American, not by any means, but it is a ralevent part of my upbringing and a culture I was exposed to despite being predominantly European.

I was simply making a point about dividing ourselves needlessly, when the history behind it isn't glossed over. One of my squad mates is black and he threw a BBQ, by Rock's standards it sounds like that my him 'less black'. Just a needlessly devisive comment, I enjoy debate and discussion but that was just rage bait in my opinion.

Mmmh, fair enough.

Also, it is quite awesome to have part Native-American heritage and some awareness on your roots; I don't have much solid insight into my ancestry, although it continues to fascinate me. I might try and get a DNA test and look into this shit..

@frozen: I apologize for the TL;DR there...I know you weren't looking for my life story.

But while it would be originally considered a 'white holiday' I would like to think we've moved beyond such thinking, to where we are just simply Americans celebrating an American holiday. I know not everyone has,but that's a separate issue I have lol.

No need to apologize man, I found it interesting (I often find your posts insightful) - I like reading about ancestry, and its gave me incentive to look into mine (if I can). I'd imagine Thanksgiving can be celebrated fine by any American, but I do recall my old thread on the holiday causing a stir...lol - in the future I think there will be less division, it's progressively becoming better.

@frozen: I've done a lot of digging into my various known and predominant backgrounds and cultures. I have a lot of Central European bloodlines as well...Austrian, German, Polish, Greek, Dutch, Slovak...

But first and foremost I am and always will be an American raised in an American culture. Before German or Native American or Irish or whatever. I am aware of that cultural backgrounds but I can't claim I've ever been raised in them. It's important to know your history and where you come from though, at least I think so.

I think I represent the concept of the American Melting Pot quite well haha.

Devils come in all colors

But they are mostly white.

Some could say the same about Black

Some? The only people who say that are the white devils!

@comicace3:

That is 100% False. Many other Races call out on Blacks Devils to. It's just blacks like to keep the Battle between Whites more because easier to win with the Race card.

Let me rephrase my statement. Most of the white devils call blacks the devils! There. Now it makes it less than 100% false. Probably just decreased the falseness by 90%.

Oh the irony......

To be honest, this is just like reading the argument of an SJW, just of a different social/political viewpoint.

@johnnyx5 said:

And who's playing the race card here?

@king_stranglehold_da_first: It reminds me of people that force their beliefs on others while accusing others of doing so.

And you know, this is just ignoring the archetype response of generalizing black people while trying (and failing) to take an objective stance, but whatever.

@king_stranglehold_da_first:

@king_stranglehold_da_first said:

@johnnyx5 said:

And who's playing the race card here?

Thought id post it before somebody does.

@cameron83:

You are more than welcome to correct it. Everything on this thread is really a different social/political viewpoint.

Yet not everyone on this thread makes ridiculously asinine remarks such as this:

Honestly, I expected such a remark from an 11 year old that barely understands social issues or someone from TheAmericanThinker, but hey, whatever....I don't really feel like arguing.

And yes, everyone has a different viewpoint. But SJW's are renowned for their terrible arguments and extremisms, some that are thinly veiled as "logical".

But hey, if some people still want to believe that black people are only known for poverty, crime, and pulling the race card (while secretly or openly hating "da white man"), then that's their belief. Maybe they can have a laugh with other logical intellects such as Bill O' Reilly.....

My great grandmother was full blooded Cherokee, though to look at me, you would never know=)

@cameron83: @cameron83: And the liberal wants to get personal because he cannit defend his case.

But hey, if some people still want to believe that black people are only known for poverty, crime ?

that's all in your head bro ^. Nobody said blacks are the only ones responsible for crime. You have no one to pull the race card but yourself for creating a problem that doesn't exist. And try learning a 2nd language. You will then understand that it's not just one race that talks about others.

Omit the 'great' and I would start to think you are ripping off my shtick. :p

Sadly I am not part Native-American.

I find their culture fascinating.

Too long; Didn't Read lulz

Nothing you said was relevant to my points. Like, nothing. It's like you mixed up my post with someone else's, or you just have no idea what the discussion topic is...which wouldn't be surprising considering your posts above. To be honest, I am a bit baffled about where any of that came from. It's like your post is a textbook example of a Non-Sequitur.

Lol=)

Nope, can't claim anymore than that, so your shtick is safe=)

Racism is stupid and needs to die a quick (bullet to the head) death.

If you're posting here and you're younger than 30, you can end this crap in your generation. Don't believe the things your parents told you about other races, because most every person you'll meet from another race - your age - will prove everything they told you dead wrong. Our parents are d-bags on the topic of race, and our grandparents are even bigger d-bags. Not to say I don't love my parents and grandparents, but I don't want their racist baggage. I want the racism of their generation to be gone when they are gone. If you already have kids, don't fail them by teaching them that people are really the same regardless of what their epidermal characteristics happen to be.

I've discovered that every person I've ever reached out to, regardless of race, culture, or ethnicity, has been really cool once I got to know them, and vice versa. We had stereotypes about each other that we sometimes had to overcome but, to a person, most people just want to get past the idiocy of racism. Nearly all of my lifelong friends were, and are, of a different race/ethnicity than me. Probably due to where I've lived (diverse city) or my occupation (technology/finance), but it's given a hopeful perspective in the area of that ignorant, ill-defined term: "race".

This is a really nice sentiment but completely unrealistic. Racism is partly due to ignorance. Some ignorance is unavoidable. many whites don't see minorities except on rap videos, sports or the news. Look at the stat below". There are entire states that are white only. As long as segregation exist then so will racism. It's not any ones fault in this case. Because many minorities have no desire to live in North Dakota or Wyoming etc

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0019.pdf

@pooty: Yeah, but look at the populations of those states? Is it a coincidence that in densely populated cities, where people are very geographically close, and have to live and work together, there are more progressive attitudes towards "racial" issues than in isolated communities? Education level is another differentiator when comparing groups' racial attitudes. CNN keeps reporting a poll where 57% of Americans polled stated that the Confederate Flag was a symbol of Southern Heritage rather than racism. But that poll cited that among Whites polled, those without college educations were overwhelming in their belief that the Confederate flag is not racist by a 73% to 18% margin (the rest undecided). Whites with college degrees in the poll were more evenly split (51% vs 41% said the flag stood for Southern pride, the rest were undecided).

My sentiment doesn't seem realistic to your life experience, and it won't change the fact that there are brain-wastes still walking around and procreating. But I have made those choices in my life (to reach out to people physically different from myself), and what I wrote has been my life experience because of it. It can be yours as well.

(But you will catch crap from people from your "own" group).

@dogsoldier88: s it a coincidence that in densely populated cities, where people are very geographically close, and have to live and work together, there are more progressive attitudes towards "racial" issues than in isolated communities?

No it's not a coincidence. If you work with and are around people of other races you will see that everyone is basically the same. But there are many places where you don't interact with people who are different. Also, people of similar income live together. Most minorities are poorer so they live together. Middle class whites live with whites

There are some middle of the road places where white children are growing up next door to black children like Bedford or Garfield(i live in ohio). Those kids won't really know what racism is and it's good to see. I think with every new generation racism will be left in the past. But i'm under 30 and I don't see it ending in my generation. But as individuals we can do our part.

People around the world should like each other not hate one another. This thread kinda make those people hate each other. XD

Peace bruhs...............

Personally, if you agree with the tweet, then that is fine, but I don't. As others said, his tweet can be unnecessarily divisive, and they are a bit extreme for my liking. However, that's literally not what Chris Rock said......so if Ben Garrison said it, it probably not going to get a good reaction. And no, it's not because he's white. That would be pulling "the race card". It's because Chris Rock's point was that, at the time, a vast number of people weren't considered "free" and had nothing really to celebrate. To say that they are the same would mean a lesson in English.

However, I doubt that you really agree with him, because so far your posts in this thread seem to either be naive and delusional, or they just vaguely paint a picture.....

12 Years A Slave was based off of a memoir of the same name in which a free black man was kidnapped and sold as a slave, in which he was forced to be for 12 years....you must be joking.

Secondly, it's ironic that you say that when your recalling of the events in history seem to align with wishful thinking. The fact is that America's history is horrible and dark. On every level, this is especially apparent in times like the 1800s.

Anyway, in regards to the topic in general, I commonly find a trend between obtuse people and a lack of understanding in racial matters.....it is an interesting trend, but they seem to not take a lot of effort to understand the other side' point. It's rather interesting, and I've noticed over the past 5 years or so of my life. It's probably nothing, but I can't be the only one that noticed it....

So much truth in this. This may be a ridiculous question, but would you happen to be able to take an educated guess at the attitudes that the almost exclusively white states have towards racial issues?

Did you notice that I said nothing about "a black man was attacked and kept as a slave contrary to law"?

That is because I'm talking about the memoirs, not the events in the movie. The memoirs (which was made in the 1800s) is also titled "12 Years A Slave". If I were using the movie itself as a sole basis for my argument, then you might come closer to having a valid point (but at the same time, zero times zero is still zero). But you don't even have that, so I can't really say much else.

And I literally don't know how black people owning slaves is supposed to be more tolerant than today's tolerance. That literally didn't make any sense for, if there were truly tolerance, then no one would own slaves (and tolerance, in this context, implies equality and freedom, which is literally the antithesis of slavery). But sure, I am guessing that legal slavery is more socially progressive than not.

Honestly, I don't know why reading comprehension is so hard on the internet, I truly don't. Even if I was basing it solely on the movie, that doesn't really mean much to anything in regards to my posts.

Lastly, I don't even know what Reddit is, but I truly don't care.

And? Free Blacks were still a minority compared to enslaved Blacks.

Right, which is why most Blacks in the Americas at the time, were slaves.

Not even sure why this matters, because it doesn't refute anything. Not to mention that you already brought up a similar case to this, regarding Solomon Northup.

This is something you clearly don't grasp, so I'm going to let you believe that you know what you're talking about from this point on. Deuces.

I already stated that I'm not one, but your posts seem way...off. Don't take that to be an act of aggression from me (because I really don't intend it to be), but you seem like the type of person that blatantly misses the point, which is made even more unusual with your opposition. It's pretty much like you haphazardly label things as "liberal" so long as they don't agree with you without even taking the effort to understand the point or even assess if it is valid. Again, I don't mean this to sound condescending, and I truly don't know you to make such a speculative assumption, but it's still just a thought.

And I don't know how you assume such, but whatever (and I still don't know what Reddit is). But anyway, I guess that's it from me (since you're talking to Stat)

This has nothing to do with race but the U.S. won the World Cup....that is all.