WHITE PEOPLE...WHAT DO YOU... - Roots (1977) Discussion

[–] A1nut 17 years ago

Well, I'm white, and I have a few things to say.

First off, most of the African slaves were taken from West Africa. That's a historical fact.

Secondly, the majority of the slaves were not captured as portrayed in the movie, they were sold by their own people. Again, a historical fact. Or do you REALLY think a slave ship crew of 15 men could capture 200 slaves on their own territory without help?

Third, in West Africa today, 25% (That's 1 in 4) of the people have AIDS. Also, the entire region is a war zone, controlled by one dictator after another.

If you look at history, you did slavery to yourselves.

If you look at the way Africa is today, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to you. Or would you rather be living in a dirt-poor war zone, and be dying of AIDS? Besides that, it's been done and over with for over 150 years.

Stop complaining about it.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] ae7641 17 years ago

They bring up that Africans sold Africans to be sold into slavery into America. First, what does this prove? Secondly, the Africans who sold Africans had never been to America and had no idea that the slaves they sold were going to be whipped, raped and recieve the brutal treatment. They knew slaves were going to work and that's all. Thirdly, did Africans really sell their own people? Keep in mind that Jews, Poles and Germans are all white and look alike, but they are not the same. The Africans also can look the same but be as different as a Jew is from an Italian.

Slavery was benifical (with its rapes, whippings, torture and murder)? It was a terrible thing and America in the south even up in modern times with cars and man going to the moon, had segregation, whippings torture and more of the same. It would be more sensible to say that certain African Americans were able to make it in America. Otherwise, its like saying, look at the beautiful baby, lady, that was produced as a result of your being beaten and raped.

Even if someone gave all victims of the Holocaust millions, it would not make all the sufferings vanish.

Also, not all parts of Africa is bad.

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

You say giving the victims of the holocaust millions would not ease their suffering. This is true. However, what would giving blacks today millions do? YOU WEREN'T A SLAVE!!! Let me say that again, just so you can understand it. YOU WERE NOT A SLAVE!!!!! Why should we have to give you a nickel? So my great-great-great-grandfather owned your great-great-great-grandfather. Why do I owe YOU anything? That's like saying that you owe me because some 14th cousin of your's stole piece of candy from me when I was 4 years old.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] ae7641 17 years ago

I never said that African Americans should be paid anything because of slavery! I am really not all that hot about the idea, myself. I only meant nothing could ever wipe away what was done to Blacks or Jews or Native Americans. Think I can include Asians and others.

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

Whether they knew what was going to happen or not, the fact remains that the Africans sold their own people into slavery. Toby most likely was not out to build a drum for his brother, it was far more likely that Toby was either a criminal, or a prisoner of war and was sold to the white slave traders by his own people. That's what the Africans did back then. If you were a criminal, or a prisoner of war, you got sold into slavery. Yeah, it's nice to think of Toby being an innocent victim of the slave trade, but the fact is that is highly unlikely.

Also, it has been done and over with for about 150 years. Stop whining about it already.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] MariMcCabe 17 years ago

Secondly, the majority of the slaves were not captured as portrayed in the movie, they were sold by their own people. Again, a historical fact. Or do you REALLY think a slave ship crew of 15 men could capture 200 slaves on their own territory without help?

If you pay attention, the film showed Africans leading the captured as well. Maybe you must of missed it, but it was in there.

They bring up that Africans sold Africans to be sold into slavery into America. First, what does this prove? Secondly, the Africans who sold Africans had never been to America and had no idea that the slaves they sold were going to be whipped, raped and recieve the brutal treatment. They knew slaves were going to work and that's all. Thirdly, did Africans really sell their own people? Keep in mind that Jews, Poles and Germans are all white and look alike, but they are not the same. The Africans also can look the same but be as different as a Jew is from an Italian.

You are right, for the most part. It was a matter of different tribes, not just Africans against other Africans.

Get ready to 'concede' me more. Here we go. How have you singled Black people out. Yes, you should have 'rephrased' that. How do you know what EVERY White person in the WHOLE world thinks? Better yet, I'll give you the States? How do you know FOR SURE, 100% what White people complain about? Whites aren't above complaining? I doubt it. A lot (not ALL) seem to be VERY worried about Mexicans for some reason these days. And don't let me get started with Chinese people. How do you know if they 'complain' as you say? Do you know all of the BILLIONS of Chinese people on earth? Do you speak Mandarin,Cantonese,or Han? See where I'm going with this? I live in VA and I have a home in Queens (NY) also. It's like night and day. I see rebel flags in VA, but do I get mad? Nope. It's a free country. I see bumper stickers saying "The South Was Right", "Proud Confederate" "Never Apologize For Being White",etc. (Like just WHO, give me NAMES is telling you to apologize for being White?) You see some folks can have bumper stickers and shirts and flags about being a 'Confederate' even though they WERE NOT in that war. They may have had ANCESTORS that were. They can say that the South should have won and should be it's own country. But God FORBID if I even SAY the word SLAVERY, 'I'm crying', 'I'm complaining','I was never a slave',etc. Seems like a double standard to me. Luckily I don't sit around and talk about slavery. But I WILL let people know how only 40+ years ago Blacks WERE treated like crap and yes it's TRUE. And the people it happened to are mostly still ALIVE. Ask my father. You should start seeing people as individuals,because THAT'S what it comes down to.

This is an excellent post (of many, that I can't take the time to quote them all).

No, surprisingly enough I do not feel guilty over the actions of people I've never met who died over 100 years before I was born, people who's names I don't know and who's faces I've never seen.

Should modern day Italians feel guilty over the way the romans conquered most of europe? Should Joe Schmoe in London feel guilty about the treatment the native americans received during colonial days? Of course not.

I'm not sure how I feel about the rest of your post, but I like your general example of Italians and the ancient Romans. I notice that Italians themselves forget that is part of their heritage.

http://floacist.wordpress.com

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[–] geometroid 17 years ago

I have not read the previous posts because there are just WAYYY too many at this point but here is my response.

This is going to be a bit of a lengthy post and I just beg you to read the whole thing before ripping my lungs out.. which you are perfectly free to do - I don't offend easily.

There have been some arguments about Roots and the issue of slavery that I have heard over the years (usually by my redneck relatives) that I would like to distance myself from.

1: The first time I heard the N-word was when I saw Roots aired in 1977, I was 3 years old at the time and, as those of you with kids will attest 3 year olds will pick up THE worst word from TV and spit it out everywhere. So I was now a white kid spitting out the N-word with ABSOLUTELY no idea of its implications. Certain people I have known (African-Americans for the most part actually) have said that Roots actually helped damage the healing process. I do not believe this.

2. After the book and miniseries were done, Alex Haley was found to have, um.. fudged some facts OR he was completely discredited depending on who you ask. Some people have used this to try to discredit the things the story showed about slavery in general. They say "Well if he lied about that, why not about the conditions of slavery?." This is a complete crock simply because it implies that Haley was the only person that EVER WROTE ABOUT SLAVERY!!!

Needless to say, I hold neither of these beliefs. I think they relate to some extent to the OP's question.

I don't see a contradiction in the OP. Do I feel bad that some ungodly amount of people were uprooted and brought here as slaves? Absolutely! The idea is horrifying in the extreme and I can't even imagine the suffering and psychological damage played out over centuries. That's not to mention the crap AFTER slavery when white people, instead of trying to heal the wounds, got creative in making NEW ONES!

ON THE OTHER HAND! I live in a black neighborhood, I have for most of my life. I've never been mugged, I've never been carjacked and the people around me are my neighbors. I have never oppressed them, I've never screwed them over, when my house was burglarized I didn't blame it on "some black guy". So yes, to a certain point I don't think that Slavery has anything to do with me.

On the gripping hand however. My primary interest is history. History can only go so far however. What we need to be doing is concentrating on the now, we need to be healing the wounds my ancestors created. We've got a lot of them too, I think Native Americans need to be addressd first even before African-Americans, after all, their oppression continues.

PS: A friend of mine had a kid who was a) a movie fan and b) starting to hang around with skinheads. This friend sent him to me (I have been known for finding the right tool for the job) and I came up with a movie formula for De-skinheading someone who is still relatively new to it.

Watch Roots - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman - Malcolm X - Panther (that one is optional because its accuracy is very questionable) and then American History X.

Thanks for reading this.

My name... is GEO!!!

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[–] ae7641 17 years ago

Intelligent posting, geo. About the n-word, many African Americans don't understand, why some blacks use that word. In my home newspaper, there was a story of a black woman who wanted racial slurs out of the dictionary and when one black writer used the word in his column, he said he recieved a mountain of protest. He claimed their was no other word to use, but blacks and some whites didn't buy it. I did witness an older black man angrily tell a group of young blacks to quit calling themselves by that word. The point is that blacks using it does not give whites the right to do so and not all blacks use it like rap "artist".

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[–] lyndajane73 17 years ago

I haven't seen this film yet, I actually just ordered it from the DVD club. I'm currently re-reading Roots for the second time.

My ancestors didn't personally have anything to do with slavery, that I know of. My paternal great-grandparents were from Denmark and when they came to the United States they settled in South Dakota. I can't speak for the maternal side however, they're in England and I know nothing about them. For all I know their history could be stained with the blood of human bondage.

I'm Canadian, so I don't feel guilty. The fact that escaped slaves found a relatively safe haven in Canada is something that I'm proud of. I know, I know - it wasn't exactly a cakewalk when they arrived. They had very difficult times, they were still horribly discriminated against, and I'm not proud of that, but the fact that they were at least free when they got here is something that I am proud of. There's a church not far from where I live that was built by slave settlers. It's a historical site now, as far as I know.

I'm also white. And no matter how you slice it, no matter your racial heritage, no matter the colour of your skin, WE ALL BLEED RED. Maybe that's an oversimplified way of putting it, but that's the bottom line of how I see it.

Last year in a newspaper I saw a picture of a father and son, they were KKK. The boy was mabye 12 or so, give or take, and he was standing looking at the camera, and his eyes were absolutely cold. There wasn't a single shred of warmth in them. It actually gave me chills to see it.

I'm very much looking forward to receiving my DVD's. I may have to schedule a series of viewing nights to watch the whole thing.

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[–] geometroid 17 years ago

Even when I was ignorant and racist (I was.. I'm ashamed to say) The KKK scared me. I might even make the claim that I left racism behind when I realized the KKK were on MY SIDE! That and the Rodney King beating.

I used to believe that Black people were "Still whining about stuff that happened centuries ago." Then I saw the Rodney King Video and was stunned that this stuff still went on. I couldn't understand it. Seeing that and the KKK's hatemongering I realized that I was wrong.

I've done a lot of studying since then and I've found that racism (at least in the west) can almost always be traced back to some version of christianity. The reason that I say that is that if you think the KKK is scary, watch the film Jesus Camp... watching children being trained to systematically hate muslims makes the KKK look like a sit-com on the creepy scale.

My name... is GEO!!!

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

Rodney King was hopped up on PCP, and driving over 120 miles per hour. Then he crashed his car, got out, and attacked 4 police officers. Some bojo turned the camera on half-way through, and all it showed was him getting beaten. He's damn lucky he didn't get shot!!!!

Know the facts before you spout off something like that.

Think about it like this. What if he had been driving like that, and ran over some kid? I bet you 10 to 1 that the riots never would have happened.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] geometroid 17 years ago

I do know the facts.

Fact one: We have a video of a dude getting the crap beaten out of him.

Fact two: the video does not show King jumping out of the car.

Fact thee: Cops in LA (or anywhere) can always be trusted to tell the truth... wait, that's not a fact...

Fact four: Cops have never lied about a black man being on drugs when he wasn't.. wait.. that's not a fact either.. in point of fact: that's the most COMMON excuse for cops using excessive force.

I'm WHITE and my mom was driving me someplace. She had not touched a drop of alchahol in 7 years and she was driving my grandmother's car and she hadn't touched alchahol in 42 years. My mom had a fender bender with a car that backed out of a driveway with it's lights off. The police took 10 minutes to get to the scene. In the accident report this doughnut muncher said he had been following us and had seen my mother drinking out of a bottle. I was sitting six inches from the woman and there was no bottle. My mom never drank alchahol from a bottle even WHEN she drank.

several years before that some cop decided my grandmother (who was allergic to needles AND terrified of any drug that made you feel the least bit "Funny") was habitually shooting Heroin. This Pig harassed her for 2 years. When she called the police station to report this moron this guy said "If the officer suspects you, it's probably true" not knowing that she was recording the conversation. The harassment redoubled after that until she finally played the tape to someone pretty high up.

Let's not also forget the harassment I have received year after year because I'm legally blind and have odd eye movement... every time I'd be walking to the store.. "What drugs are you on.. you on PCP??"

So pigs lie, I don't now and never have believed ANYTHING a police officer says to me.

So the facts are they essentially caught 4 white policemen beating on one black guy who was laying on the ground already.. even if their lies weren't lies.. they went on beating that guy LONG after he was down.. and then in a South Park Like Manner yelled "HE'S COMIN' RIGHT FOR US!"

And no, the riots wouldn't have happened if he ran over a kid because if the kid was black they never would have chased him and if the kid was white they would have just shot him dead.

My name... is GEO!!!

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

Buddy, you don't need to tell me about how cops lie. I was put on the news 11 years ago for something completely bogus. I was just a kid that owned quite a few 22 rifles, and the cops made it out like I was Carlos the Jackal. More than I really want to go into at the moment, but everything I had was legal. I had a bunch of 22s, and the cops put me on the news like I was some kind of terrorist. (Note to reader: You have the right not to answer questions for the police, use it!!!!)

Rodney King attacked four police officers. This was confirmed by a number of civilian witnesses. The video only shows him getting beaten. If you pay close attention to the video, it only shows them hitting him when he tried to get back up. I don't know about you, but if some guy was on PCP and attacked me, I'd want to keep him on the ground. All Mr. King had to do was stop trying to get up, and the cops would have stopped hitting him. That simple.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] geometroid 17 years ago

Ok, I'll give you the witnesses because it's been 15 years and I'm a little shaky.. but I still don't believe the guy was on PCP.. The police have cried wolf on that particular subject so many times that I just can't believe it.

Assuming that they would have stopped hitting him if he wouldn't have been trying to get up depends on the character of the officers and as already been stated, that's a weak basis to judge.

My name... is GEO!!!

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

I hate to say this, because I don't like cops either, but you cannot discount everything someone says just because they are a cop. You're not much better than a racist that way. "He is a (Insert racial stereotype) he cannot be telling the truth." You're just putting cops in the (Insert racial stereotype) section of that sentence.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] geometroid 17 years ago

Ok, You are absolutely right.. I have to take your point to heart and say I was a bit liberal with my language in that post.

HOWEVER!

There are certain things that certain people say to you in the course of their profession that you don't believe.. for instance...

If a doctor says "This won't hurt" you don't believe him. If he says "You may feel some slight discomfort" you REALLY don't believe him.

If a used car salesman says that an old looking car has "Barely been driven" you don't believe him.

If your insurance agent says there's nothing he can do to help, you don't believe him.

Let's not even go INTO auto mechanics or we'll be here all day..

AND if you hear a cop saying that a black guy that he's just beaten the crap out of was on some kind of drug.. you DON'T F---ing believe them.

Why don't you believe them? Because time and again these things have proven to be LIES. Inductive reasoning would lead a logical person to believe that it's probably a lie this time.

As for me.. When I say cops lie I'm speaking about every cop.. just every one I ever met.

My name... is GEO!!!

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

I don't know why in the hell I am arguing with you about this. I hate cops probably just as much if not more than you do.

Let me ask you something. I don't know if you have any younger brothers/sisters/cousins/nephews/nieces etc. but let's assume that you do. Suppose that a child molester had gotten hold of one of the before-mentioned younger relatives, and had their way with them. You knew that they did it, but you could not prove it in court for lack of evidence. Suppose that all you had to do to catch the person responsible for molesting your relative was plant some evidence in their car, and tell a few lies in court. Tell me you would not consider it, and I will laugh in your face and call you a liar. (Nothing wrong with considering it, only if you actually do it.) You would consider framing the person, to get them off the street, and to get them back for hurting your relative. You know you would consider it. Whether or not you would actually go through with it is between you and your conscious, but you would be lying if you said you would not consider it. Just something to think about when you say that the cops were lying.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] geometroid 17 years ago

Damn right I would consider it. But I'll tell you something else.. if the guy was black and the cops said that said child molester was on drugs at the time.. I STILL wouldn't believe them :)

I also DO understand that cops, as a rule, have to deal with some bad elements of our society. I think they are angry that they can't deal with the WORST elements of our society and take it out on the public a lot of the time.

One of my core beliefs when it comes to the police is that they probably feel that while murderers and rapists and child molesters are getting off on technicalities they are busy busting kids for smoking pot and engaging in prostitution and a lot of other questions of morality that really should be no business of the police. (That's what I believe, but I think that might be for another thread)

All that said however, I still think these particular guys lied through their ases about Rodney King being on PCP.. I don't even think PCP was popular at the time.. although I make absolutely no claim of knowing that for sure.

And for the record, I've really enjoyed this particular argument :)

My name... is GEO!!!

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

PCP was popular in the 80s, and even somewhat common in the 70s. I have a friend who was a drug dealer during that time, that's all I'm going to say about it.

I've enjoyed this argument too. You've been a worthy adversary. Send me a private message if you would like.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] EXPLICITSOUL5 17 years ago

I hate to say this, because I don't like cops either, but you cannot discount everything someone says just because they are a cop. You're not much better than a racist that way. "He is a (Insert racial stereotype) he cannot be telling the truth." You're just putting cops in the (Insert racial stereotype) section of that sentence.

You say you cannot "Discount everything someone says just because he is a cop". But I've read in some of your other posts that "Black people need to stop complaining about slavery". Are you ASSUMING that ALL Black people 'complain' about slavery. Because I'm Black and my own wife of 17 years can tell you I've NEVER 'complained' about slavery or the White man 'keepin' me down'. I think that is a STEREOTYPE that a lot of White people have unfortunately bought into.BTW; being a police officer is a hard job. Not ALL cops are bad just like not ALL White people are racists, Blacks criminals,or Mexicans illegal immigrants. Peace!

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

White people don't complain about slavery. Chinese people weren't treated much better, but they don't complain about it. All I was saying is that blacks do complain about slavery. Some do. I guess I should have rephrased that, and I'll concede to you that much. It wasn't a stereotype response grouping all blacks together, it was simply a statement saying that some blacks do complain about it, where no other group does. That's all.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] EXPLICITSOUL5 17 years ago

White people don't complain about slavery. Chinese people weren't treated much better, but they don't complain about it. All I was saying is that blacks do complain about slavery. Some do. I guess I should have rephrased that, and I'll concede to you that much. It wasn't a stereotype response grouping all blacks together, it was simply a statement saying that some blacks do complain about it, where no other group does. That's all.

Get ready to 'concede' me more. Here we go. How have you singled Black people out. Yes, you should have 'rephrased' that. How do you know what EVERY White person in the WHOLE world thinks? Better yet, I'll give you the States? How do you know FOR SURE, 100% what White people complain about? Whites aren't above complaining? I doubt it. A lot (not ALL) seem to be VERY worried about Mexicans for some reason these days. And don't let me get started with Chinese people. How do you know if they 'complain' as you say? Do you know all of the BILLIONS of Chinese people on earth? Do you speak Mandarin,Cantonese,or Han? See where I'm going with this? I live in VA and I have a home in Queens (NY) also. It's like night and day. I see rebel flags in VA, but do I get mad? Nope. It's a free country. I see bumper stickers saying "The South Was Right", "Proud Confederate" "Never Apologize For Being White",etc. (Like just WHO, give me NAMES is telling you to apologize for being White?) You see some folks can have bumper stickers and shirts and flags about being a 'Confederate' even though they WERE NOT in that war. They may have had ANCESTORS that were. They can say that the South should have won and should be it's own country. But God FORBID if I even SAY the word SLAVERY, 'I'm crying', 'I'm complaining','I was never a slave',etc. Seems like a double standard to me. Luckily I don't sit around and talk about slavery. But I WILL let people know how only 40+ years ago Blacks WERE treated like crap and yes it's TRUE. And the people it happened to are mostly still ALIVE. Ask my father. You should start seeing people as individuals,because THAT'S what it comes down to.

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

The Confederate flag is a symbol of rebellion. It means Rebel. All those bumper stickers mean is that the person believes themselves to be a Rebel. A Rebel against what? That's up to them, but that's all it means.

I had a friend who had a shirt. It said "You wear your X, I'll wear mine" and had a confederate flag. Six black guys jumped him and beat him up for wearing it. He said that several of them were wearing the Malcolm X shirts when it happened. A bit of a double standard, don't you think?

Not only am I white, I'm also of German decent. Does that mean I should apologize for what Adolf Hitler did? I know very little about my father's side of the family. For all I know, my great uncle could have been a Nazi general. Does that mean that I should be held accountable for that?

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] EXPLICITSOUL5 17 years ago

The Confederate flag is a symbol of rebellion. It means Rebel. All those bumper stickers mean is that the person believes themselves to be a Rebel. A Rebel against what? That's up to them, but that's all it means.

I had a friend who had a shirt. It said "You wear your X, I'll wear mine" and had a confederate flag. Six black guys jumped him and beat him up for wearing it. He said that several of them were wearing the Malcolm X shirts when it happened. A bit of a double standard, don't you think?

Not only am I white, I'm also of German decent. Does that mean I should apologize for what Adolf Hitler did? I know very little about my father's side of the family. For all I know, my great uncle could have been a Nazi general. Does that mean that I should be held accountable for that?

Look I can see you are one of these people with a story for everything because you did not answer any question I asked you. The confederate flag was a symbol of the CSA. That's what it was plain and simple. The Confederate flag (and let's be really HONEST here and not this bs "it's about being a rebel,man,crap!)through the years has the stain of human bondage on it. Period. It may have started out a flag but it is more than that now. Just like the Swastika was a symbol of 'good luck and health' in the Far East. Until Hitler,Himmler,and company got a hold of it. As for your buddy getting beat up that's terrible. But again I'm not going there with you. Because it is SO EASY for someone to pick out all the NEGATIVE traits of some other ethnicity (notice I didn't say race?)and ignore their own. I have been BEATEN by racist rednecks who lived across the street from me. I have been jumped 4 or more on one. I have been called *beep* But do I hate ALL Whites? Do I hate a FEW? No. I don't like the ones who did that to me,but I don't go around holding a grudge looking for a fight. And NOBODY (at least I didn't)ask you to apologize for what Hitler did. That's my point. And you still haven't answered my question. Do you think White people don't complain about anything? How do you KNOW what Chinese people complain about? It seems to me (this is just an observation)that SOME White people do the same thing they accuse others of doing. Immigration (Mexicans are 'taking' our jobs) Outsourcing (Indians are taking our TECH jobs)etc...Blaming others for their problems,instead of working hard for themselves. Lol! Me, I've been blessed to have my own company after the military. Why? Because I worked hard. Lol! That's why I can mess around on this computer all day without the lights getting cut off! LMAO! Peace!

There can be only one...

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

I didn't answer your questions because I fail to see the point in them. What difference does it make, really? Really, tell me, what difference does it make? If you want to argue semantics about some comments that I made, then you should probably find an English language forum to go to. So I made a stereotypical statement. Tell me you have never made a single stereotypical statement in your entire life, and I will call you a boldfaced liar. If you want to argue semantics, find an English language forum, because this is not the place, and I am not the person to do that with.

I do agree though that racism is bad. I will admit I am guilty of being racist. I'm really trying to stop being that way. As you said, the actions of a few cannot be held against all. My favorite teacher in my entire school career was a black man named Mr. Stewart. He literally changed my life. If not for him, I almost certainly would have failed 8th grade. A black teacher changed my life. I actually went back and said "Thank You" years after the fact. The smile on his face was wider than the Golden Gate bridge.

I need to drop my racism. I really do. Can you offer any tips on how to do that? Wipe that stupid grin off your face right now. This is not an argument or a debate. You did not just "Beat Me" at anything. I'm genuinely asking you for help. How can I drop my racist feelings?

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] EXPLICITSOUL5 17 years ago

I need to drop my racism. I really do. Can you offer any tips on how to do that? Wipe that stupid grin off your face right now. This is not an argument or a debate. You did not just "Beat Me" at anything. I'm genuinely asking you for help. How can I drop my racist feelings?

Actually, I'm not grinning (sp?). Well, what I can offer you is what helped me. No matter what people say we all have some sort of prejudice feeling. No matter how small. And not necessarily racist. I have, when I was younger and my sister still does. It's why we don't speak very often today. If you are not Black and Latino,she doesn't like you. That's bad. But for me I just grew out of that. It was a phase I guess. I grew up around various people and when I went to the military even more people. It wasn't really a problem. And that was 17 years ago. I don't know if you are spiritual or believe in God but that helped a lot. Plus,just common sense man. I see criminals from ALL ethnicities. I don't think they are criminals because of their color,they're criminals because they're scumbags. It's become a cliche but it's true "there are good Black/White/Mexicans/etc people and bad Black/White/Mexicans/etc people. I don't think you are a bad person, it seems to me you're already on the right track when you spoke of your teacher. My wrestling coach who was a White guy changed my life also. And this was during the first Gulf War when I was getting ready to leave. I was a High School dad and already married. But everything turned out good. You'll be fine and I'll pray for you. Anytime you need anything or need to even rant feel free to PM me...friend! Good bless you!! Peace! BTW, me llamo Kristian!

There can be only one...

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

I did in fact answer your question about how Chinese people feel. You just need to reread the post. I said that I was not going to answer it, because it made no difference. Look me right in the eye and tell me you have never made a single stereotypical statement in your entire life, and I will look you right in the eye and start laughing my ass off. If you want to argue semantics, go to an English language forum. This is not the place or time for that.

I do believe in God. I've heard it said that the names of Noah's three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japeth mean "White" "Black" and "Red" in some language or another. That's not in order BTW, because it's been 15 years since I was told that, and I don't remember the specifics of it. The theory posited at the time is that the descendants of Noah's three sons are the spawn of the 3 main races. Before you start in on me, I know there are more than 3 races, but some of them are off-shoots of others. Jewish race is an off-shoot of white, Asian is an off-shoot of Indian (Red) Middle Eastern is an off-shoot of black, etc.

Please pray for me if you would. And why don't you send me the private message. It would prove you were serious.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] EXPLICITSOUL5 17 years ago

I did in fact answer your question about how Chinese people feel. You just need to reread the post. I said that I was not going to answer it, because it made no difference. Look me right in the eye and tell me you have never made a single stereotypical statement in your entire life, and I will look you right in the eye and start laughing my ass off. If you want to argue semantics, go to an English language forum. This is not the place or time for that.

You're taking my post out of chronological order. I posted that BEFORE I read what you said about the Chinese question. And of course I've said stereotypical things about people. That's why I am so adamant when people say "all____people do this and that". I'm not on some moral horse,because I am not perfect by a long shot. But if you'd like you could go on Black Voices and see some of my posts there. When certain Black people say untrue things about White people, I'd be the first one to say "that's not true,not ALL White people are like that". I don't like when Black comedians make fun of White people, because if it was vice versa it'd be hell to pay. You do sound kind angry though. Why is that and I am being serious. Look, we are all going to the same place in the end. As for 'races' God made ALL men of ONE blood. Now there are various ethnicities,but race is man made. And I will pray for you and send you a PM. Peace!!

There can be only one...

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[–] A1nut 17 years ago

And BTW, I can prove that you have made stereotypical statements, because you made one in your last post. I saw a black man wearing a t shirt with a swastika on it not too long ago. When asked why a black man wore a swastika t shirt, he told me it was because he believed in the original meaning of the swastika. The "Good luck and friendship" you spoke of. So, not everyone feels the same way about swastikas, and not everyone takes their meaning of the Nazi regime. You made a stereotypical statement about the swastika.

"I'm not A1nut because I'm normal...."

John "A1nut"

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[–] EXPLICITSOUL5 17 years ago

Okay guy. If you TRULY believe that the AVERAGE persons FIRST impression of a swastika is NOT Nazism then that's you. Lol! I'd like to have some of what you're smoking. You're going for that vague ONE out of a MILLION that ACTUALLY know where the symbol came from. So I'm NOT stereotyping the swastika. Blame that on Hitler. And while we're on BTW's, there is a motorcycle gang in the North Bronx...made up of Black and Latino bikers the Ching A Lings. They also wear the swastika as a badge. See I'm not ignorant as to who else wears that symbol either. BTW, you STILL haven't answered my question and I won't stop asking. How do you know what Chinese people complain about? Do you have a hotline to Beijing? And do you think White people complain just as much as anyone else? I think it's about equal. See I'm not the type of person to believe any statement without some kind of proof. My Bible tells me to test everything. Proverbs is a great book! Peace!

There can be only one...

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[–] nighttilldawn 17 years ago

Like the majority posted here, my ancestor's immigrated from Russia and were slaves in their own country. I think you should ask this of people who have ancestor's during slavery time in the south. They may have a better answer for you.

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[–] prov35 17 years ago

To uniqueproductions -

I watched this when it was originally on TV back in the late 1970's and do feel bad on how the blacks were treated. Can't respond on how I feel about what my ancestors did as I don't think everyone owned slaves back then. Just like Alex Haley, I looked up my genealogy and in doing so, I was able to look up the Census of my ancestors during that time and didn't see any slaves listed in their household. If there were some that had slaves, I would feel bad about it and apologize for it.

As for slavery (I know that I may get some negative comments here), I do feel that it was a bad choice for people to own slaves. However, I can't see why there are some people who continue to bring up the subject of slavery for the sole purpose of trying to make us feel guilty for something that our ancestors have done (or may not have done). Yes, I agree that we should talk about it as it is part of our history so we won't make the same mistake but don't make people living in the 21st century feel responsible for something our ancestors did.

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[–] anna_mccormick 17 years ago

Do you really feel bad for what your ancestors did to blacks, do you care or do you feel it has nothing to do with you?

It makes me feel sick. We're watching this in African-Canadian Studies right now (I live in Canada) and it's shocking. I know slaves escaped to Canada because we didn't have slaves here and there was less racism, -still a lot but we didnt have slaves. so I know that most of my ancestors wouldn't have had slaves, but it bothers me.

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[–] smartcookie326 17 years ago

Well, not to be picky, but not all white people ARE of British descent. My grandparents (Mom's side) and great-grandparents (Dad's side) came from Sweden, so it would be OK to call me Swedish-American, but not British-American since I don't have any British ancestry at all.

Of course, I don't go around describing myself as a "Swedish-American" because that would just be silly. If I need to describe myself by race, I say that I'm white or caucasian.

Now, I can respect the feelings of those who prefer not to be called "black" due to negative connotations they feel the word has. I personally don't think that it's bad to be "black," and generally use that term. When I find out that an individual has a preference for a particular term, I try to use it in his or her presence.

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[–] bigdas 16 years ago

There have been many euphemisms created for the Negro race spurred mainly from the guilt that they are considered racial slurs by non-Negros. I say return to the scientific designation and be done with it.

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[–] krypton_son 9 years ago

I agree. Africa has at least 3 distinct races that are native to it. Only one is Negro. There are Africans of Arab and middle-eastern decent and even whites. African is a description of nationality African-American would imply that you have both African and American citizenship. If not, you're just American.

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[–] herbsuperb 9 years ago

Indeed. Charlize Theron is an African American. Gorgeous one at that. Quite talented too. Wish more African Americans were like her.

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[–] nickm2 9 years ago

HAHHAHAH! My wife used to work with an Armenian woman who was born in Sudan--and she insisted the 'Homies' at work called her an African American....she was tough as nail so by golly they DID!

Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

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[–] KryptoKO 8 years ago

"homies"? Learn how to regard other human beings with respect, because you're holding back civilization from real progress.

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[–] nickm2 8 years ago

The caucasian from Africa would handle her self.

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Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

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[–] KryptoKO 8 years ago

You're kind of a disgusting racist, aren't you?

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[–] herbsuperb 8 years ago

You're kind of a disgusting racist, aren't you?

Not at all. I'd wager you are though, but have been indoctrinated with a severe misconception as to what racism truly is, probably by some leftist propagandist. My jibe about Ms. Theron really bothers you doesn't it. Why?

By the by. Quote the phrase you are responding to if you are going to respond to more than one person at a time on a thread this long. Hard to follow you if you don't. Especially if your response is such a simple-minded sentiment.

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[–] blurry_6_9 17 years ago

Sorry but Canada DID have slaves as well. Much of the British Empire did until 1833. And many studies have shown that blacks experienced much of the same racism as they did in the USA when they immigrated to Canada.

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[–] hobbitonite20 15 years ago

I think this subject falls under the heading Mark Twain established when he observed "...people can be so cruel to one another.." and I prefer to take responsibility for historical happenings in that context--what potential darkness lives in all human souls.

For individual opinions, ignorances, and actions of the past, I bear no responsibility. If I fail to learn from those opinions, ignorances and actions, I'm not only responsible, I'm guilty. Oppression of people is wrong. Period. In the USA that includes (to name a few) genocide of Native Americans, Black Slavery, Oppression of Women, de facto slavery of Chinese railroad workers, the share-cropping system, industrial slavery of all sorts, persecution and incarceration of Japanese Americans, Jim Crow Laws, McCarthyism, and, denial of rights on the basis of sexual orientation. And the USA represents a just a small sampling of human history on this planet.

Injustice pains me deeply. The fact that I happen to be white has less to do with it than the fact that I am human. Whether I'm watching ROOTS, SCHINDLER'S LIST, or GHANDI it is the same...I'm reminded to what depths human beings can fall in their treatment of others. Hopefully, this serves as a warning: No one is so "good" that they don't have the potential to be "evil," and we ignore history at the peril of reliving it!

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[–] disarrasin 10 years ago

Whats this ish about people's ancestors?? It was only a few Whites in the South who owned slaves. Certianly you cannot pin this on the whole white race! What about the Blacks in Africa who sold slaves to Europeans?

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[–] PamSwear 8 years ago

Sorry but Canada DID have slaves as well. Much of the British Empire did until 1833. And many studies have shown that blacks experienced much of the same racism as they did in the USA when they migrated to Canada.

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[–] jdw7162 17 years ago

well im white, and i am pretty sure that my ancestors didn't own slaves, just because they were all poor bitches..at least as far back as i know my history, i could be wrong.... but watching something like roots, or any thing else that has to do with slavery or just the treatment of blacks in general makes me freakin sick to my stomach.

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[–] kc36613 17 years ago

Yes. I am horrified that slavery existed in this country. There are no words for how disgusted I am at the idea of slavery.

I know that my father's family came here from Scotland at the turn of this century and did not own slaves. My mother's families came here sooner, and I know that several of them fought for the Confederacy. They were mostly poor. I only know of one relative that owned one slave. Literally one slave. That I know of.

Forgive me from deviating from the conversation, but I need to say this. I live in Alabama in the Blackbelt. A really poor part of the state. Unless you get a job at one of the big mills, you are poor. My dad didn’t get a mill job. We never went on welfare, but I remember eating free lunches at school and coming home to a dinner of cornbread and mac n cheese because that was all Mom could afford.

I love my parents, but they didn’t save a penny for my education. They couldn’t. I screwed up and stopped making good grades because I was tired of all the teasing that I received from my classmates. I graduated somewhere in the middle of my class, so scholarships weren’t available.

I got a job in fast food and quickly said, “Nope. Not what I want to do for the rest of my life.” So I got student loans and went to college and graduated after 7 years. It took forever because I was working full time to take care of myself.

Having said that, I now say this. I hear black people in my area blame everything under the sun for their failure. For example, I am apparently successful today, because being born white puts a silver spoon in my mouth. Really? Cause I can still remember meals of cornbread and mac n cheese and hand-me-down clothes from my aunt.

Sallie Mae doesn’t discriminate due to race. I don’t even remember checking my race when I applied for loan after loan to get through college. So suck it up. Decide that you will be responsible for your future and go to school. Stop wasting the future afforded to you by your more recent relatives in the Civil Rights movement and go to friggin school!

I was watching a special on HBO this weekend about the integration of Central High in Little Rock this weekend. One of the first kids to go to the school, I think it was Ms. Brown, was giving a speech in a classroom of about 15 at the school. She stopped her speech to go and wake up one of the black boys!

Sorry, I’ve gone off on my soapbox. Before I get started on the subject of wasting money on useless items, such as 22 inch rims on a florescent painted 20 year old car parked in front of a worn out trailer surrounded by empty beer bottles in the ghetto, let me get to the point. I do not feel responsible for any actions against humanity, unless I cause them personally.

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