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HOW I WAS RAISED TO LOOK AT BLACKS
 
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Farmer
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 03:44 pm
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animalcub wrote: Think first, Pete, and poncho; you are all liars. You have never ever walked down pine street or the projects let alone to be greeted with smiles.

 As requested in my original posting:

"Please keep it civil so that this thread can be not only provacitive, but informative as well, and not be removed due to stupid, mean-spirited remarks."

Corn Nugget
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 03:21 pm
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animalcub wrote: Think first, Pete, and poncho; you are all liars. You have never ever walked down pine street or the projects let alone to be greeted with smiles.

You are slam dunking people on here giving their honest opinions on the "roots of their thoughts" as it relates to racism with out revealing your own. It might be good to share that with us.

On your study, I would have no clue to the answer. Shed some light on your expectations.

T.
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:14 pm
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animalcub wrote: T. wrote: I think that Room14 has made some dead on points that are, IMO, things that aren't really talked about.  Racism was and is a bad thing and it has left a gigantic, un-healing scar on so many people.  As a result, it's caused hate, mistrust, stereotypes, and has shaped "how people were raised."  I think it that it is also important to know that everyone's experience with racism is unique.  And I say that to those who say that black folks should give over it and even to those who rebutt those white folks who say that they have never seen it.  You don't live im anybody else's shoes or have lived anybody else's experiences to accurately make that call.

I think that this thread is very interesting and the comments on it are as well.  I look forward to more.

What are you babbling about? You make no sense and lack even the slightest bit of proper grammer. Please try again


Okay let's try this again:

I say to those people that say that black folks should "get" over it (when it comes to racism or things that have happened before) and I say to those folks that rebutt or don't believe those white folks who say they have never seen racism or think it does not exist: you don't live in their shoes to or in their experiences to accurately say that. 

 

4thekids
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 11:45 am
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O.K. since everyone is telling the truth, I wouldn’t walk down Pine Street at night and yes it has something to do with color, but it’s not black and white.  It’s all about one of my favorite colors and that’s RED .  I don’t want to see RED BLOOD on the sidewalks.  But I guess we will never see that happen because I’m smart enough not to walk down Pine street at night and to be totally honest I have BLUE BLOOD LOL.

Pete Macinta
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 11:12 am
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Poncho wrote...
animalcub, you must have missed me. not only did I walk your neighborhood to help save our bay and tributaries by getting signatures on a petition and handing out flyers, I used to sell avon products in "your neighborhood" and had some good customers, you were not one of them. Don't make accusations unless you know the truth.
I've must have missed something.  Animalclub is  African  American and lives in Cambridge.  Animalclub, tell me what street you live on and I might be able to tell you the approximate month and year I was at YOUR door passing out Gospel literature or leaving a church flyer.

God bless,
Pete

poncho
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 05:07 am
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animalcub, you must have missed me. not only did I walk your neighborhood to help save our bay and tributaries by getting signatures on a petition and handing out flyers, I used to sell avon products in "your neighborhood" and had some good customers, you were not one of them. Don't make accusations unless you know the truth. 

IsThatRight
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 02:37 am
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animalcub wrote: Think first, Pete, and poncho; you are all liars. You have never ever walked down pine street or the projects let alone to be greeted with smiles.

I am white...and I myself have walked down Pine St. and all of those other streets.

I was by myself...I was delivering telephone books.   Everyone was nice to me.

A couple people even said, hey...one day many years from now...when you are sitting back in your rocking chair...you can laugh about all of this!

I even had a man that said...hey, I'll take half of the telephone books...and you could be done in a shorter amount of time...  He was joking of course...(Anyone knows delivering telephone books is for the birds!!!  LOL..)

 

They never treated me different. (The people I met along the way)

thinkfirst
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 02:17 am
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animalcub wrote: Think first, Pete, and poncho; you are all liars. You have never ever walked down pine street or the projects let alone to be greeted with smiles.
Why? It's the same where I live, people are suspicious. But when we go out for Ice Cream and the store is full of people, black and white, and the kids working at the  Hyatt from God knows where are in there, everyone is nice and chats and smiles. How come we can all be friends over ice cream? Or sitting in the waiting room at the Dr.? Or late night at Denny's? Or in Church? Who hates me walking down Pine Street or in the projects?   The same people?

Pete Macinta
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:48 am
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animalclub-

Think first, Pete, and poncho; you are all liars. You have never ever walked down pine street or the projects let alone to be greeted with smiles.My foot. I have witnesses.

I dare you to call Octavene Saunders and ask her how many times I have been at the Empowerment Center, which, by the way, I have seen Caucasians there.

Call William Nichols and see if he has not met me on the corner of Cedar and Pine.

And, as a minister of the Gospel I have been on Pine, Park Lane, Greenwood Avenue, High Street, and jolley well more.

God bless,
Pete

animalcub
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:19 am
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T. wrote: I think that Room14 has made some dead on points that are, IMO, things that aren't really talked about.  Racism was and is a bad thing and it has left a gigantic, un-healing scar on so many people.  As a result, it's caused hate, mistrust, stereotypes, and has shaped "how people were raised."  I think it that it is also important to know that everyone's experience with racism is unique.  And I say that to those who say that black folks should give over it and even to those who rebutt those white folks who say that they have never seen it.  You don't live im anybody else's shoes or have lived anybody else's experiences to accurately make that call.

I think that this thread is very interesting and the comments on it are as well.  I look forward to more.

What are you babbling about? You make no sense and lack even the slightest bit of proper grammer. Please try again

4Godncountry
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 12:58 am
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It is not the greetings from folks of different races, I have had the same responces. But park in there parking spot, take the last cart at the grocery store, Call the police on their children or for  loud music, and see what responce you get! I have found it is not the same pleasant greeting from either race!

animalcub
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 12:52 am
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Think first, Pete, and poncho; you are all liars. You have never ever walked down pine street or the projects let alone to be greeted with smiles.

T.
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 12:46 am
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I think that Room14 has made some dead on points that are, IMO, things that aren't really talked about.  Racism was and is a bad thing and it has left a gigantic, un-healing scar on so many people.  As a result, it's caused hate, mistrust, stereotypes, and has shaped "how people were raised."  I think it that it is also important to know that everyone's experience with racism is unique.  And I say that to those who say that black folks should give over it and even to those who rebutt those white folks who say that they have never seen it.  You don't live im anybody else's shoes or have lived anybody else's experiences to accurately make that call.

I think that this thread is very interesting and the comments on it are as well.  I look forward to more.

thinkfirst
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 09:15 pm
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animalcub wrote: Lets do a case study here in Cambridge. Lets let a nice well dressed family of "blacks" walk down sandy hill (the white section of town)  and write down whatever observations they come across. Next lets have a nice well dressed white family walk down pine street and through the projects(the black section of town) and write down whatever observations they come across. You will quickly see who was raised with an open mind and who was raised with boggotry and hate.

Okay, which family? The family I know where the dad had a great job, mom stays home, the kids are smart beautiful and great to be around, the cars are nice the house is nice... OR husband with a wife beater on, pants under his crack, hoping to score some crack, wife covered with tattoos hollaring at her kids to hurry up, kids look unwashed, fat and rude. I know BOTH these families. The first is BLACK. The second is WHITE. Are you referring to race or class? I do hear a lot of nasty things people say though. I hope Cambridge continues to move forward.

poncho
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 09:12 pm
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I've done the same--walking "bad area of town" with no problem. Must admit the purposes of these walks were for a cause for the betterment of Dorchester County in general. I'll hand shake anyone of any color if they are sincere in their shake.

Pete Macinta
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 07:19 pm
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Animalclub wrote...
Lets do a case study here in Cambridge. Lets let a nice well dressed family of "blacks" walk down sandy hill (the white section of town) and write down whatever observations they come across. Next lets have a nice well dressed white family walk down pine street and through the projects(the black section of town) and write down whatever observations they come across. You will quickly see who was raised with an open mind and who was raised with boggotry and hate.Ok, I'm Caucasian and I've been there and done it and still do it.

My observations - people treat me nice. I greet them, most greet me back.

That is also true if I stroll down a predominately Caucasian neighborhood.

God bless,
Pete

animalcub
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 06:44 pm
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Lets do a case study here in Cambridge. Lets let a nice well dressed family of "blacks" walk down sandy hill (the white section of town)  and write down whatever observations they come across. Next lets have a nice well dressed white family walk down pine street and through the projects(the black section of town) and write down whatever observations they come across. You will quickly see who was raised with an open mind and who was raised with boggotry and hate.

4Godncountry
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 06:06 pm
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All of what you said is true. This is what is happening in many homes. I think the very title of the forum says it all. I wasn't raised to look at Black folks ANY differently than whites. I went to school in another E.S. County and in the early 70's I was holding hands with a little black girl as we went on a field trip. I grew up naive to the race issue. It wasn't until I came to Cambridge that I experienced race problems. The problem now is that the racial tide is turning and not for the better, It is a lot of Black folks that are racial to the whites, even though many of us were never racial to start with. This is frustrating to me. I never saw color, but with the new attitude, It would be easy to start. I know however that I cannot do that. two wrongs do not make a right!

hill
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:59 pm
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room14 wrote: Hill, I will shake your hand anytime anywhere!!!!

Thanks R14.  I appreciate that.  Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

DorCouNtyGirL
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:58 pm
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Room14, may I ask do you still believe what your mother said to be true? Also will you or do you teach your children the same? I as a girl in my twenties don't believe that I have ever done anything to hinder anyone else's progress in life and certainly hope that I have never hurt another person emotionally or otherwise. I certainly hope that my "black" friends don't go behind my back and speak of me personally in that matter. If perhaps I would have a conversation on a particular race it would have nothing to do with my friend, as I believe someone has stated before no matter what pre conceived notion we may have of another race once you get to know someone it really doesn't seem to matter anymore. A friend is a friend is a friend...or is it I guess?? :?

Gordy
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:54 pm
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I'm in on the hand shaking.  Anybody else?

Last edited on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:56 pm by Gordy

thinkfirst
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:53 pm
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Room14... My friends say that too. But in the real world, I'm just a minion at work trying to help people, a mom, a struggling person in this economy... I have no need want or desire to hold ANYONE back. I'm no different then "the foreigner" at the gas station, the hostess with the mostest at Denny's, the people of color I see every day, or you... It's painful to see the animosity. I can remember every face of the black people at a birthday party for my son's best friend in Landover. No guest spoke to me and I felt like I made them miserable, though as always the parents were their usual wonderful selves. The racism comes in when ALL people are lumped together as one. If a man hits you, do you hate all men?

Anyway, White isn't synonymous with bad anymore than Black or Asian or Hispanic or Muslim, etc. Racism is a human failing we all need to overcome.

Pete Macinta
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:51 pm
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Room 14,

I got your PM and am about to read it.

I am digesting what you just posted, but is this line right...
She stated that while we attended a multiracial church it did represent the real world.or did you mean to say...
She stated that while we attended a multiracial church it did [not] represent the real world. ?

Thanks,
God bless,
 Pete

room14
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:51 pm
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Hill, I will shake your hand anytime anywhere!!!!

hill
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:49 pm
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R14- I see where you're coming from and hear you.  In this competitive world, I, too, encourage my children to do their best if they want to succeed in life.  I don't come from an affluent family nor does my spouse.  We know hard work and education (and God!) are the keys to success in life.  Telling your children the white man will step on you if you don't do a,b, & c only breeds and harbors fear and resentment.  I say kudos to all those parents who encourage and help their children to succeed but to throw in the part about the white man to promote motivation is somehow wrong to me.  If I put my hand out to shake your hand, I hope you will take it in sincerity. 

room14
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:24 pm
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In the Black community there is a great deal of animosity towards whites. Although many may say hi and appear to be cordial many of those same people go home and discuss the various ways that the white man has destroyed their daily lives. Whether you wish to believe it or not whether you wish to accept it or not there is a great deal of distrust towards white folks in the black community; And people want o know why, I can tell you why...Because black parents tell their children that the obstacles in life that they have to face are much larger and that the ceiling is much lower and that you have to work twice as hard because you are black (unless your an athlete). I remember my mother telling me this countless nights at the dinner table. She stated that while we attended a multiracial church it did represent the real world. She said that it was important that I get an education because it wouldn't be quite as easy for the white man to affect my progress. There are tons of blacks that tell their kids this on a daily basis as a way to motivate and encourage their children to do better in life.

thinkfirst
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:00 pm
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I was raised by older parents, both in the Navy, who travelled the world before marrying and then invited the world to our home. However my mom was very verbal about race- in 1965 Alexandria was in turmoil being desegregated one school at a time.. (it took from 3rd grade until 11th grade before all the schools were)- and she used the N* word a lot. She was MAD that we took a bus to school, but the black kids got to go 2 blocks away. The whites were in a panic, and one even claimed to belong to the KKK. At the same time her closest friends were black. In 3rd grade Lyles Crouch became the first to desegregate. I finally got to walk 2 blocks to school. Although there was SOME holding back emotionally among the kids, the teachers were WONDERFUL, and we kids all played and worked like any kids, with no regard for race.

As we got older, all the Lyles Crouch kids always moved ahead together, but all of us kept changing schools: 1 year at Minnie Howard, desegregated, another year at Parker Gray, then Hammond which HAD been all white, then TC Williams- By the time we got there it was a war zone. The Hammond whites and George Washington blacks, it was one race related event after another. The buses were blacks in the back, whites in the front, by choice I guess. The kids from my elementary school never got radical, but the others hated eachother for the most part. The white kids were the druggies too, lol, the hippies and freaks. The black kids had a lot of hate and violence built up. Gym class was SCARY. Now there is a mix of every race and country going to school there.

What I learned is that the color of your skin isn't who you are. It's about preconceived ideas. I would trust the kids I went to school with since the 3rd grade, black, white or in between, with my life. I've personally never met a person of any race in Cambridge that was unkind to me, made me fearful, or that I thought badly of. If your book has a nice cover, usually the person you meet will have a nice one too. I've read that many countries carry on racism, countries that never knew slavery. My mother had dark hair and eyes in an Irish neighborhood growing up and was taunted for looking like a "lowly" Italian. Pictures of Jesus show Him to be blond & blue eyed usually, though He more than likely was much darker. I don't know the cure for racism, but it sucks.

Last edited on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:31 pm by thinkfirst

hill
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 04:40 pm
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Room14- I find your comments interesting with regards to "country/city blacks".  It saddens me to think that a black person who lived in the country was only being nice because they learned to "respect white's and accept their place".  As a "country white", what would that make me?  That I expected blacks to respect me and accept their place?  I think not.  I don't care whether a person grows up in the country or the city, we should ALL respect each other.  As far as "accepting their place", what does that mean?  I accept my place if that means I will never be rich.  Sure, I would love to be rich, but it is not likely to happen unless I play the lottery, which I normally don't do.  It is not anyone's fault that I am not rich.  It was just not in the cards.  I realize some may look at my home and my car and think I am rich.  I am not.  The bank owns me and probably always will.  I have these things because I work hard to pay my bills.  As stated in earlier posts, racism is a learned way of thinking.  It stems from fear, distrust, negative personal experiences, and anger.  Yes, blacks were treated terrible by whites, but not ALL whites.  Blacks were sold into slavery by their very own people.  The Native American Indians were also treated terrible by the settlers of this nation who happened to be white, and you know, sometimes I wish my heritage was not white, so I wouldn't be blamed for the mistakes of my forefathers.  Placing blame and continuing to be angry, however, solves nothing.  It is time we put the past behind us and start with ourselves to make this a better place for ALL of us.  The Civil War was started for many reasons, and one of those reasons was to end slavery.  Instead of focusing on the negatives of those who wanted to maintain their way of life, how about if we focus on the positives of those who wanted to improve others' way of life by forcing the end of slavery.  MANY whites died for the sake of freedom for others.  And you know what- many Americans (of all ethnic backgrounds) continue to die for the sake of freedom of others.

I believe everyone has the right to freedom to speech, but in today's society, I believe that right seems to be extended to everyone except the white race.  We are being expected to be "politically correct" while everyone else can say whatever they want.  Is that fair? 

I realize in today's society it seems everyone is for himself (sorry not doing the politically correct thing but I mean no disrespect).  It has always been a "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" kind of mentality.  If people are in power, they usually want to stay in power, and that means looking out for your buddy.  Does that make it right?  Absolutely not.  I have distaste for any individual(s) in a powerful position who look out for their own instead of for the good of all the people.  Unfortunately, that is how government operates which is why many of us distrust the government.  On a local level, many of us in the white population felt Brooks (not sure about Cephas but he always went along with her) was racist because her interests seemed to lie in "looking out for her own" instead of for all.  I also believe this is why we have a new mayor.  I certainly hope with the new governing body of this city, the interests will lie in the benefit for all.  The new mayor and council have an awesome responsibility to guide Cambridge in a forward position.  Tax payers do not want to be "screwed", while at the same time, individuals who are not tax payers do not want to be overlooked.  There has to be balance of some kind.  Let us encourage and help our leaders to create a positive, civil environment in this city.  They are our voice, and we have a new opportunity to benefit us all. 

Pete Macinta
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 02:29 pm
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I haven't read this whole thread yet.

I was not raised here, but in NJ, near NYC. Like I said, I haven't read this whole thread yet and maybe this has been answered. Would anyone say problems with another one's race begins with fear?

The reason I ask this is - and this is before any of us became born again Christians - my family, mainly of Polish German (other Eastern European groups) had a fear of others. It was across the board so to speak. We just did not say nigger, we said guinea (Italian) and a few other things which I can't recall now.

My sister recalls that when she was younger, mom had her in a stroller somewhre in downtown Jersey City. At some point, my sister loudly said, "Mommy, are we in guinea town yet?" Sis says mom made haste to get out of that area!

Frankly though, we were more afraid of African Americans. It was the 50's. I developed the impression that large or small groups of dark skinned people spelled trouble.

Now, IMO, racism usually (maybe not always) springs from fear, and I think that is true for all races. Now, here's an exception - sort of: when racism is passed from generation to generation. The sucessive generation migiht have more hate than fear. Nonetheless, IMO, it was rooted in fear.

As we can see, this can develop into a cycle. If some of color "Y" show hatred toward color "Z", then some of those "Z" develop fear and sometimes racism.

The answer, of course, is Christ in one's life, and, oftentimes, we don't completely accept the "cure" - as is true for other shortcomings.

Good discussion folks.

God bless,
Pete

poncho
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:09 pm
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room 14, I appreciate your honest response and believe your point to be taken by those of us who have similar feelings. Because racism is based on feelings we have for one another, some of us whites can understand where the black's perceptions are coming from as well as some black's can comprehend the white man's views, it is still disheartening that many, including all races have just one point of view, their own.  

room14
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 12:17 pm
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SueCarol wrote

We never looked beyond those stereotypes to the individual person and that caused a distrust of each other.


Why would white folks have to look beyond the stereotypes? Why would they have had to get to know black folks?

poncho
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 12:17 pm
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Yesteryear & Others, I just read this post from top to bottom and after reading Yesteryear's, I have to respond. What a sad story for that young boy and you. Both of your feelings were shoved aside because the adults did not know how to handle this situation. Be it country folks or city people, most of the adults at that time had no idea how to integrate ourselves let alone our children successfully. Corn Nugget touched on this problem we had as a society -- a group of people with similar thoughts influenced by cultural practices (my definition). Like most of us growing up in Dorchester County, I too, worked in the fields with the black man and woman as did my father and his father. We all worked side by side, no matter the color. If we were to feed ourselves and earn our own way we worked. Had it not been for the "hired help", I fear our crops would have never made it to market. That was a different time, where by we did not have the bombardment of the media forcing racism down our throats. At that time, prejudicial feelings and statements were rare. When the 60's hit Cambridge, things started to change. The "Great Divide" took hold. I remember the National Guard being called in to help control the riots that were instigated by "outsiders". After things settled a bit, and schools were even more integrated, I felt our little corner of the world was accepting of blacks as blacks were accepting of whites. Pine Knot 's mother put it simply, "nice people are nice people" no matter the color. Then the 80's came and the whole issue of racism became blown out of proportion which has kept all of us ill of ease because of the color of our skin. We are a country founded on humane principals and I pray we will return to those beliefs before we all manage to kill each other. One word for Is That Right, I get a sense of prejudicial beliefs from reading your post. Perhaps these feelings you have toward the white people are being transferred unconsciously by you to them. It is my conviction that the separation between black, white, Hispanic, etc. is a result of our underlying fears brought on by our unconscious. Environmental influences since our birth plays a major role in our we perceive others and the media fuels this fire.  Sorry this is so long.      

room14
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 12:13 pm
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As a black guy whose point of view very rarely gets discussed I will comment on how I was raised to view white folks (since so few black folks ever post their opinion on this site). First of all I never attended an all black church. The very first church that I ever attended was one with a multiracial congregation almost 30 years ago. I also attended school there until the 3rd grade. While there I never heard the word nigger and no idea that blacks and whites didn't get along. Later we left that church (only to go back years later) and I attended public school. Upon entering public school my education on race relations began and I heard the word nigger for the first time and got a first hand look as to how black and white folks really interact. I heard the stories of unfair treatment low wages and their feelings of inferiority. I think this is a one sided conversation and I see that growing up many of you never got to know these people that plowed your fields and rocked your babies to sleep at night. The "country blacks" as so many of you have eloquently put it were nice because that's the way they were raised, to respect white folks and stay in their place. "City blacks" were different because they saw different things and actually had opinions (go figure). Areas like these didn't lend themselves well to blacks that spoke out and had opinions it was all about survival and making do. It's funny how white folks always reminisce about the days when black folks just went to work and kept their mouth shut and stayed to themselves. I think that white people forget that this country has not been very "nice" to black people to say the least and I think that the racial divide still exists today, but people don't want to talk about it.


Last edited on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 12:14 pm by room14

yesteryear
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 Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:57 am
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Well when i was a youngster growing up i recall my father referring to blacks as niggers my mother would say negro,when i was in early grade school we had our first black student and of course everybody stared at him in class and when we had recess he would stay by his self but it wasn't long before the class bulley would go over and try to start a fight. i remember feeling so sad for him and the one time i spoke up i was called a nigger lover i remember going home and asking what i should do and being told that it wasn't any of my business. I remember thinking why would his parents put him through this kind of treatment (being called names and such) this had a profound affect on me as I'm assure it did alot of people, this kid was just like me accept a different color,this was my first experience dealing with such issues.

pooh_b_21632
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 02:56 pm
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Personally when I was growing up I knew there was something different about my family compared to other families but I did not know how or if it even mattered. Someone said that we are not born to see color but I beg to differ. I have a very large same race and interacial family on my fathers side. On my fathers side I have 8 white Aunts and Uncles. Of their spouses (and ex spouses in some cases) I have 6 white aunts and uncles and 4 Black Uncles. Of their Children I have 9 White Cousins and 9 mixed cousins. Some of my mixed cousins have married white or black spouses and have either white or mixed kids. But it does not matter to me when I look at them I see my family, my blood and regardless of our color we have similar features that are trademark to our family. When we were children we just played together but we all knew we looked different. There was a joke between us kids that we looked like a mixed bunch of alley cats, but we were happy. I learned to respect people in general but I am not color blind I do see color and what color a person is. Anyone that thinks you can not see color is not being truthful with themselves. While I do see skin color I I look at the person as a whole and their actions and attitude to see if I like themor not. I know that I grew up with people of different colors so I was use to it and comfortable with it. I think the same applies to people that grow up in predominantly black neighborhoods and play with only black kids. And people that grow up in predominantly white neighborhoods and play with only white children. People like grouping and feeling comfortable in a group, and I dont even think its about race. Its like when you go into a cafeteria at a middle or high school and look at the children that are sitting together. There are the "cool kids", "nerds", "misfits", etc. but if you look further into those so called groups you will discover most of the kids sharing a table have grown up together, live in the same neighborhood, share the same hobbies and interest, and their parents know each other, with the exception of a few kids that have transfered into the school and was choosen to be friends with one group by the members of the group. I dont know if my point is coming across clear or not but basically I mean people with the same interest, hobbies, etc, like to group together. There are mostly white people in our neighbor hood and about 10 kids (7 white and 3 black) besides my 3 white kids and my  nephew that lives with my mom (next door to me) and is also white. Out of those kids 1 white girl plays with my kids and the 3 black boys play with my girls and my nephew. they share the same interest such as baseball, and other games they like to play. The other 6 white kids differ in their hobbies and interest from my kids and they just dont play together its not about their race because they are the same race.

Last edited on Fri Jul 11th, 2008 03:00 pm by pooh_b_21632

xd2elantra
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 02:43 pm
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I myself am a white male.I was raised on Washington St down by Greenwood Ave.My whole life including now,I have been in the "black neighborhoods".I have alot of "black' friends.You know what though,these eyes do not see colors,they see human beings like myself.Lets leave the racist stuff in the past.The only way we can get over this is to work together

Corn Nugget
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 02:38 pm
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Interesting thread. A very lot has to do with peers, local years ago to big city today,  in my opinion.

In my early days, I went to a one room white school and just down the road was the all black one room school. The black families generally worked for white owned business's or had their own little "farmettes" where they raised what they needed. The black women tended to be stay at home as head of household people, strong and devoted, but were the mainstay cooks when it came to community functions or church events. BOY could they cook an oyster fritter and iron skillet fried chicken.

Lots of the men and young worked on farms during the summer picking tomatoes or hauling hay or straw which always seemed to happen on the hottest days of the year. I worked along side many of the local young, ... some older, some younger and some the same age, picking 100 baskets of tomatoes at 10 cents a basket or working at less than a dollar per hour, all paid the same. We all became friendly and always carried on somewhat in the fields, challenging each others abilities or strengths or chunking a rotten tomato at each other when one was not looking or seeing who could chunk a bale of hay over the 11 high stacked wagon so the other had to pick it up. Once we all hit high school, it seemed the divide began. The once friendly blacks did not know you anymore in town. On the farm they did. Back in town they did not. In high school was the early years of integration. I had many black friends on the sports teams I played but in the halls they did not recognize you as a friend. In college, I got exposed to many things I never knew existed. The blacks on that level were even more extreme and hard core.

I have never really figured out what the psychology is in this but it seems the more there is a city influence between groups, the deeper the divide. In today's world, it is the media influence, IMO, that creates the divide. Given the chance, one on one, I think most are civil. As the peer influenced numbers increase, the racial divide deepens, whether it be white, black, or Spanish to where, as we see today, we have just plain out right rudeness and general disrespect for any and all levels of society, whether it be on the highway or in the snack isle at Walmart.

IsThatRight
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 01:12 pm
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I was raised to respect everyone of every color. 

 In my home we do not say anyone is this color or that color. We raise my little girl to treat everyone the same.

She will be 6 yrs. old next week, and she has never once asked why one of her favorite friends is another color. We just don't talk about race.

Everyone in my book should be created equally. We are all the same color on the inside. There is good and bad in all races.

In my neighborhood, the white people are the ones who act lousey and negative.

(I'm white myself and can't wait to move away from those negative people)

We also have Hatians, Blacks and Mexicans...and I would rather have them here than all of the negative whites I live around!!!

The whites most of them in my neighborhood...when you say hi or speak to them...they stick their nose up.  All of my other neighbors..(Some who don't even speak English,) will always stop to talk to me and my little girl. Even though we don't quite understand each others languages, we always understand kindness and a smile!

SueCarol
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 12:50 pm
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How much of what we thought or was told back then was because of the stereotypes from both sides. Blacks were told whites were all a certain way and whites were told blacks were another way.

We never looked beyond those stereotypes to the individual person and that caused a distrust of each other.

Today we have begun the process of looking at each other as singlar people...each with their own characteristics...some good some bad but not attributed to race or gender.

We still have a long way to go but in order to get there we have to stop blaming others for our mistakes, our problems and our behaviors. Society is not to blame for our attitudes.....WE ARE and only we can change them. 

The Spy
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 12:39 pm
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I grew up in a metropolitan area, in a neighborhood that was pretty mixed, yet still divided.  I lived a block away from one school, but went to another about a mile away because the district line was drawn "to protect the property values" , separating the majority black section from the majority white section.

I thought it odd that my parents voted and attended community meetings at the school close to our house, but I had to trudge over hill and dale every day to get to school.

Both of my parents grew up in metropolitan areas as well, my dad grew up in my home town, and mom was from a city in the midwest.  I think they both had some ingrained prejudices, but I don't recall either of them teaching me one way or the other.  I think there was a certain level of apprehension, there were riots in the 60's in my home town, and my dad had to drive through some of the "bad" neighborhoods to get to work, but I have no recollection of hate being a part of the conversation.

One vivid memory was a time when Mom had taken us to a department store that was located in a rough part of town, and on the way home, the car overheated.  We were in a neighborhood that was majority black, but it didn't look much different from my neighborhood.  Mom pulled over to the curb and raised the hood, steam rolling out into the sky.  We were instructed to stay in the back seat.  This was around 1970 or 71, so the riots were still pretty fresh in the memory...

Shortly, a friendly black lady in a house coat appeared, a tea kettle full of water in her hand, asking my mom if she could send for help, and at least offer some fresh water for the radiator.  I remember there being a friendly conversation, assistance was rendered, and we were able to safely get home.  On the ride home, I remember mom saying that no matter what color someone is, nice people are nice people, and that's all that's important.  I think that one sentence was the extent of my formal training in race relations.

And really, that should size it up for all of us.

Civil Law9
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 05:06 am
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T. wrote: Okay so you grabbed a "Gall-crap" poll.  Still doesn't answer my questions.  90% of how many blacks and from where????
Polling, or survey research, contains many facets. A thorough understanding survey research is described in "How Polls Are Conducted", an excerpt from Where America Stands, a book published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in 1997. In this essay, Gallup Poll editors address sampling probability, sample selection, sample size, survey interviews, survey questions, and interpreting the results. Let me know if that is sufficient or if you need a secondary cite.

T.
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 04:55 am
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Okay so you grabbed a "Gall-crap" poll.  Still doesn't answer my questions.  90% of how many blacks and from where????

Civil Law9
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 04:50 am
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T. wrote: Civil Law9 wrote: T. wrote: Civil Law9 wrote: I was raised to evaluate the behavior of others based on a holistic approach. After the evaluation, a judgment can be made, not on prejudice, but on reason. I was raised to respect personal accountability and hard work. I was raised to turn down a hand-out and hold out for the fruits of my own labor. The evaluation of behavior is not racist, although many will assert that as a scape goat.

This isn't a push to single out blacks as a problem, but rather a plea to allow this evaluation to encompass blacks in the evaluation of behavior. Think about the term "racism." The term over the past decades has come to exclusively mean whites hating blacks. I'm attempting to broaden the framework of evaluation to an objective one that is color blind. An objective framework is void of color and does not give free passes to certain cohorts on the basis of past wrongs with which this generation has no involvement.

The underlying issue of race is sensitive for obvious reasons. And, as with any intense incident, victims look to put the blame on someone. But, ask yourselves who the real victims are in this politically correct day and age of affirmative action and reverse racism.

Can't let affirmative action go huh???  That really bothers you doesn't it???  Now if your first statement is true, then go back to the thread where you talked about blacks voting for Obama because he is black and black council members being voted in to pander to brothers and sisters.   Now after what you said in your first statement in this thread about evaluating people on their behaviors, is it safe to say that you have had contact with every black person living for you to make the statement in the other thread?  Because in the other thread you said "blacks".  Not some blacks or all blacks but blacks.  Did you mean to say some blacks or all blacks?  Because I'm quite certain that there are plenty black folks walking around that aren't doing what you claim in that other thread.  Just checking.  Holler back homey..T... 


I was talking about the two black city council members who are far more racist than anyone you'll find on this forum. I was also speaking of the fact that 90% of the black electorate are voting Obama. These are observations, not contorted rumors. Your evaluation of the use of the word "blacks" in my previous posts are sub-par at best. Cogency is key, homes.


You know that they are racist as fact?  Also, homey, you did not say 90% of the black electorate, you just said 90% of blacks.  If you were meaning the black electorate as those black folks who are eligible to vote, then show me the stats that prove that it was 90% of blacks or black electorate and where they were from.  Since it is fact....

Observations, smobservations.  You said it and nor did I say any-ting about rumors.  Why does "cogency" have to be key when someone differs in opinion on what are saying.  Actually, homes, your post in the "How I was.." thread, IMO, reeks of that affirmative action scar you've suffered in your past.  You were saying some of the same things then you are saying now trying to pass it off as you observing behavior...  Please homes..T..


 

 


pineknot
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 03:48 am
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T. wrote: I know that this thread was meant for those who are probably not black but as black man, african-american or whatever, let me say this.  It is sad that bigotry is TAUGHT in any household.  We are not born to see color, we are TAUGHT it.  And that in itself is wrong.  I often refer back to how children from birth to about 6 can play, hang, and even love anybody no matter how different they look or what color they were.  To them it's all about playing together and having something in common, fun and learning.  It's not until "how folks were raised" that these prejudices, etc. came about. 

It's interesting to see this thread on the board.  Now I will take my seat and watch.  Thanks..T...

Experience and parents background go hand in hand. For instance and this is telling my age. My father grew up in the early 1920 on a farm in Howard Cty. Many blacks worked on the farm. My mother grew up in Caroline and Dorchester Cty. Her Gr mother had a farm with blacks working. My mother also always believed that the bay bridge should never had been built.

. Both had relatives that fought for the south and the north.

My Father was in WW2, Latay Gulf, Lexington aircraft carrier. Bombed for 7 days by Japanese. He came out of the war hating Japanese.  He ended up working for Shell Oil. We moved many places.

One of the places we moved was Hawaii. This was one place you had to re move your prejudice. I didn't realize at the time my father best friends turned out to be Japanese. He had to change his thoughts.

I grew up in Hawaii till about the age of 13.   There were  whites, blacks,  mixed,Japanese, Chinese, in fact I was one of the only blonde, white ,blued eye,  kids in the class. This was before Hawaii be came a state. Pure Hawaiians are trying to perserve their heritage. That is important.

Until I moved back to the Eastern Shore 20 years ago, I found black friends still looking down at the ground when we spoke. That is wrong.

 One thing I do think is important is persevering the black heritage and making it part of black and white  history. That is not done very well as of now. The Eastern Shore history should be taught equally. There is to much black history on the shore not to be taught. In fact it is the most important history for white people to understand.

 

 

 

 

T.
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 Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 03:40 am
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Civil Law9 wrote: T. wrote: Civil Law9 wrote: I was raised to evaluate the behavior of others based on a holistic approach. After the evaluation, a judgment can be made, not on prejudice, but on reason. I was raised to respect personal accountability and hard work. I was raised to turn down a hand-out and hold out for the fruits of my own labor. The evaluation of behavior is not racist, although many will assert that as a scape goat.

This isn't a push to single out blacks as a problem, but rather a plea to allow this evaluation to encompass blacks in the evalu