Racism and so-called 'friends'....
.....okay, and other subjects I'm pondering.....
I'm mentally and emotionally weary lately. I have lots of thoughts occupying my mind and making my brain tired, which is exactly why I don't feel like taking the time to write them out. But they make me crazy when they just sit there.....getting in the way of living my life and feeling productive. It's a very frustrating feeling.
So rather than spell it all out and elaborate, I think I'll just make note of some of the issues that are causing this pain in my brain!! Getting it out seems carthartic?!
I'm troubled by the political debates going on.....not just the official ones aried between the candidates, but the ones between myself and others.....I'm sure they are happening between folks everywhere. This campaign is unique.
What is troubling me most are comments that surface in conversations that are clearly influenced by what we are being fed by the media. It's frustrating that people are buying into these messages and sharing/using them in conversation/arguments as if they are not aware that they've received them...as if they were given to them subliminally.
Today a 'so-called friend' of mine called me ***'white trash'! He used it in an effort, imo, to win an argument. I suppose he could be considered 'ethnic' though he IS American and that is how I see him. I am digusted that he would stoop so low in order to have the last word. I don't know if my 'friend's' comment to me was a racist one--he says it was just a derogatory remark--either way, I am offended that he used it in reference to me for the sake of winning an argument. Earlier, we had a conversation about Obama and his former minister's remarks, and we talked about racism. I was shocked to find that my friend is truly seeing this political race in terms of race. He stated that he feels McCain represents the 'rich white' population. What is Hillary Clinton if not rich and white?! What a crock!!!!!!!! There are other components to this issue that trouble me (like the references by blacks about their 'all black churches'......if we talked about our churches as 'all white' we would clearly be called racists, right?), but as I stated, my mind is weary, and I just don't feel like going into detail just now....maybe later I will?!?!
And then there is the issue of sexual misconduct by politicians and how it is perceived. I read a comment somewhere that attacked a black spokesperson as catering to a white audience because the black person was not defending a black person accused of a crime that they likely committed. Why can't the black people just be seen as people and not as a race, and if the crime was committed, seen as a crime by a citizen for which they deserve punishment?!?! I guess what I'm saying is that I feel there is definitely what I would consider reverse discrimination in both of these situations I've mentioned. In both cases if the races were reversed and the allegations made by a white person....they would be considered racist, yet I feel when an ethnic/and or black person makes the remark, they are NOT seen as racist....or we're made to feel we should not call it that?!?
My 'so-called friend' has made me feel that he is a racist by the remark he made to me today. I believe this is why I am concerned about the words we hear coming from candidates and those people speaking for or about /in reference to them. There is racism on both sides. I'm tired of hearing that whites are predominately racist. I think there are many 'minorities' who fall into this category as well. It troubles me, especially in this election. I can only hope that it opens a 'dialogue' that heals this ongoing issue rather than perpetuates it. My fear is that we are becoming even more divided.
As for the sex scandals, my only question is: 'If Kilpatrick is found guilty of a crime, then why wasn't Bill Clinton found guilty of similar charges?' I may be wrong, but I think if you read the list of allegations presented today toward Kilpatrick, many of them would apply to Bill Clinton's tryst with Monica Lewinsky. Am I wrong? (Okay, I've been told that Clinton did not lie under oath.....no, only on national television in front of all those who elected him as their president....pahlease!!!!)
Okay...I've had my say for today!!! Whew, I feel better getting this off my chest!!!!
~~~~~~~
***Note....I spoke with my 'friend' further about the derogatory remark, as he labelled it, and I want to note that I do not take the accusation personally, because I do not think I am 'white trash'; therefore, the term does not apply to me. My complaint about the term is that someone would use it as a means for dealing with a problem. It is, at the very least, a low blow, and more about the person using it than vice versa. I feel it can be used in a number of ways, and I do feel that it can be considered a very racist remark. I'm open to feedback. I just feel there are better ways to resolve issues between people.....to resort to name-calling is an immature way to 'problem-solve'. How would YOU view this remark?
I'm mentally and emotionally weary lately. I have lots of thoughts occupying my mind and making my brain tired, which is exactly why I don't feel like taking the time to write them out. But they make me crazy when they just sit there.....getting in the way of living my life and feeling productive. It's a very frustrating feeling.
So rather than spell it all out and elaborate, I think I'll just make note of some of the issues that are causing this pain in my brain!! Getting it out seems carthartic?!
I'm troubled by the political debates going on.....not just the official ones aried between the candidates, but the ones between myself and others.....I'm sure they are happening between folks everywhere. This campaign is unique.
What is troubling me most are comments that surface in conversations that are clearly influenced by what we are being fed by the media. It's frustrating that people are buying into these messages and sharing/using them in conversation/arguments as if they are not aware that they've received them...as if they were given to them subliminally.
Today a 'so-called friend' of mine called me ***'white trash'! He used it in an effort, imo, to win an argument. I suppose he could be considered 'ethnic' though he IS American and that is how I see him. I am digusted that he would stoop so low in order to have the last word. I don't know if my 'friend's' comment to me was a racist one--he says it was just a derogatory remark--either way, I am offended that he used it in reference to me for the sake of winning an argument. Earlier, we had a conversation about Obama and his former minister's remarks, and we talked about racism. I was shocked to find that my friend is truly seeing this political race in terms of race. He stated that he feels McCain represents the 'rich white' population. What is Hillary Clinton if not rich and white?! What a crock!!!!!!!! There are other components to this issue that trouble me (like the references by blacks about their 'all black churches'......if we talked about our churches as 'all white' we would clearly be called racists, right?), but as I stated, my mind is weary, and I just don't feel like going into detail just now....maybe later I will?!?!
And then there is the issue of sexual misconduct by politicians and how it is perceived. I read a comment somewhere that attacked a black spokesperson as catering to a white audience because the black person was not defending a black person accused of a crime that they likely committed. Why can't the black people just be seen as people and not as a race, and if the crime was committed, seen as a crime by a citizen for which they deserve punishment?!?! I guess what I'm saying is that I feel there is definitely what I would consider reverse discrimination in both of these situations I've mentioned. In both cases if the races were reversed and the allegations made by a white person....they would be considered racist, yet I feel when an ethnic/and or black person makes the remark, they are NOT seen as racist....or we're made to feel we should not call it that?!?
My 'so-called friend' has made me feel that he is a racist by the remark he made to me today. I believe this is why I am concerned about the words we hear coming from candidates and those people speaking for or about /in reference to them. There is racism on both sides. I'm tired of hearing that whites are predominately racist. I think there are many 'minorities' who fall into this category as well. It troubles me, especially in this election. I can only hope that it opens a 'dialogue' that heals this ongoing issue rather than perpetuates it. My fear is that we are becoming even more divided.
As for the sex scandals, my only question is: 'If Kilpatrick is found guilty of a crime, then why wasn't Bill Clinton found guilty of similar charges?' I may be wrong, but I think if you read the list of allegations presented today toward Kilpatrick, many of them would apply to Bill Clinton's tryst with Monica Lewinsky. Am I wrong? (Okay, I've been told that Clinton did not lie under oath.....no, only on national television in front of all those who elected him as their president....pahlease!!!!)
Okay...I've had my say for today!!! Whew, I feel better getting this off my chest!!!!
~~~~~~~
***Note....I spoke with my 'friend' further about the derogatory remark, as he labelled it, and I want to note that I do not take the accusation personally, because I do not think I am 'white trash'; therefore, the term does not apply to me. My complaint about the term is that someone would use it as a means for dealing with a problem. It is, at the very least, a low blow, and more about the person using it than vice versa. I feel it can be used in a number of ways, and I do feel that it can be considered a very racist remark. I'm open to feedback. I just feel there are better ways to resolve issues between people.....to resort to name-calling is an immature way to 'problem-solve'. How would YOU view this remark?
posted by Di at 1:08 PM
1 Comments:
My answer to your question isn't worth much... simply my opinion. But some folks will lower themselves to name calling simply to end an argument they know they are losing. Ending the argument in that fashion concedes the loss in the eyes of those that know the tactic.
And waitasec!
Bill Clinton didn't lie under oath? Whoa, Nellie!
What's the definition of perjury?
Why was he impeached? Why did he lose his law license?
Did you win that argument too?
I'm hoping for better days for you, gal!
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