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Edward Grim
Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154
Greenville, South Carolina

0 posted 2007-01-08 12:06 PM


I think racism is the most ignorant and downright stupidest attitude a person can have. What difference does it make what color your skin is or where you're from? I've never been able to understand it.

And I said to the devil, "You better leave my spleen alone."

© Copyright 2007 Edward Grant - All Rights Reserved
rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
1 posted 2007-01-09 11:09 AM


Well, I think most want to embrace the qualities of their culture, for a sense of belonging, character development, tradition, or other personal reasons. I know I embrace mine, because many members of my family are a positive source of inspiration in my life and my writing. Others inspire me too, even when I can't relate. I still find a person's background to be a source of wonderment, interest, and equal importance. I travel a lot, so I think it's only wise for me to learn as much as I can about others' values. Even a handshake or a hug can be the wrong thing to do.

Though where we are from doesn't define us, it's just a topic of geographical or cultural interest sometimes.

Skin color ranges from beautiful to beautiful in my eyes, and I find the gamut to be a great and positive thing.

So yeah, attitude can separate us in a negative manner, or it can help us to positively embrace each other with our differences and likenesses.

Example: My family is Scotch-Irish and Cherokee Indian--Melungeon.

As you can see by my photo, I'm very pale, red-headed, green-eyed and freckled, while my sister, who greatly favors me, is very dark skinned, black-haired with near black eyes.

When we go out together, strangers will make open comparisons, and we're often asked if we have the same father. It's odd that our mother has never been in question.

I suppose we pique curiosity, and we could be ugly about it, but we love each other deeply, and feel our contrasts are just as beautiful as our likenesses, so we try to educate and reflect a positive nature.  

Sometimes it's funny. Sometimes it's hurtful.

Funny: My elderly neighbor complimented me on my beautiful tan once while my sister was helping me mow my lawn. My sister thanked her kindly for me.

Hurtful: A member of my own family told me I'd be prettier and age better if I'd inherited her darker tone instead of my Mother's fair skin.

I think I was 12 when she said that, and has never changed her ways.

Her attitude inspired me to try to be a better person.

Edward Grim
Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154
Greenville, South Carolina
2 posted 2007-01-12 05:27 PM


"Well, I think most want to embrace the qualities of their culture, for a sense of belonging, character development, tradition, or other personal reasons."

So peaople are racist to boost their own culture? That doesn't seem right to me, not at all.     - Ed

And I said to the devil, "You better leave my spleen alone."

Huan Yi
Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688
Waukegan
3 posted 2007-01-12 10:27 PM


.


"So peaople are racist to boost their own culture? That doesn't seem right to me, not at all.     - Ed"


Even if that be a WASP culture?

What about a culture of castes
with “untouchables”?
.

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
4 posted 2007-01-15 06:17 PM


No, people aren't racist for embracing their culture and feeling all cultures are equally important.

Racism is based upon hatred and intolerance of others. Prejudice and preconceived notions that harbor negativity without any merit
toward a people or persons.

"boost" wasn't even in my line of thinking let alone my post.




Edward Grim
Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154
Greenville, South Carolina
5 posted 2007-01-16 03:58 PM


Huan,

Wasp? As in:

"WASP

An acronym for “white Anglo-Saxon Protestant” — a member of what many consider to be the most privileged and influential group in American society."

Is that what you mean?

"What about a culture of castes
with “untouchables”?"

Why would they have any reason to hate other people? What good does it do?


Rwood,

"Racism is based upon hatred and intolerance of others. Prejudice and preconceived notions that harbor negativity without any merit
toward a people or persons."

I agree.

"boost" wasn't even in my line of thinking let alone my post."

Well, I was trying to understand your original post. I said that racism is a worng attitude and you replied:

"Well, I think most want to embrace the qualities of their culture, for a sense of belonging, character development, tradition, or other personal reasons."

Sorry if I misinterpreted it.

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
6 posted 2007-01-16 05:37 PM


Intolerance and narrow-mindedness isn't limited just to racism.
rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
7 posted 2007-01-16 08:52 PM


No probs Ed. I'm sorry I wasn't clear on that. I was mostly addressing the "where we are from" thing on that statement. I see you're almost my neighbor. I travel to S.Carolina often. Love Charleston and Kiawah Island.

Huan~ There's not many originators left in America that might be considered that term. It also has negative connotations. Though some apply the label to anyone who appears more fortunate than others, no matter if it's old money or new money.


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