The death of racism? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 03-15-2010, 07:09 AM

I went down to the Fishers area on the near north side of Indianapolis today to watch my #1 grandson test for his blue belt in TaeQuanDo.

As I watched I found that perhaps ordinary unadulterated caucasions were in the minority, or nearly so. I noted Hispanics, Asians, African Americans, African Africans and a rather attractive dark complected lady of no obvious ethnic group who was speaking to her two sons (whose father was not present but from the appearance of the sons he must have been of African extraction)....she was speaking what I believed to be French to them.

All of the kids or nearly all were of mixed racial makeup.

It was a very congenial group, nobody was boistrous or impolite and it gave me hope for this country which I love so much.

I remarked to the lovely Mrs. W. on the way home that the younger folks did not seem to have much in the way of racist thoughts. She agreed.

This area is a fairly upscale one, economically speaking.

The #1 grandson got his blue belt handily.

MS Fowler · #2 03-15-2010, 07:17 AM

Congrads on your grandson's achievement.
Yes, I agree there are hopeful signs on the racisim front--particularly watching interaction among people.
Where there is no progress, and where there is unlikely to be progress is anywhere the race-hustlers can find a way to promote themselves. I include the normal list of suspects, as well as all politicians who cry "racism" where it does not exist. The continual use of that as a political tool devalues the actual victims of real racism wherever, and whenever it raises its ugly head.

t walgamuth · #3 03-15-2010, 11:23 AM

Although much has been accomplished in my lifetime much remains to be done.

Perhaps in my grandson's livetime it will reach some sort of equilibrium.

aklim · #4 03-15-2010, 11:24 AM

2 things to note

1. 1 swallow does NOT a spring make.

2. Man is a pretty prejudiced creature. Even if this were true, there will be another "ism" to replace it. IOW, just because you cure the symptom doesn't mean you cured the disease. So even if you cure racism, you have sexism, ageism, homophobia, etc, etc. Kinda like the story of the Dutch boy plugging up the dam with his finger except dawn is a long ways away and probably will never come.

#5 03-15-2010, 11:42 AM

I assume that racism will fade away just like the issues between various white ethnic groups that existed a couple of generations ago. In my grandparents' day, there was defacto segregation between those groups. It will take longer in parts of the world with more homogenous cultures.

raymr · #6 03-15-2010, 11:50 AM

The biggest hurdle is ethnic groups setting themselves apart and not mixing in. In the past, everyone wanted to learn English and celebrate July 4 and Thanksgiving. Not so much now.

aklim · #7 03-15-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I assume that racism will fade away just like the issues between various white ethnic groups that existed a couple of generations ago. In my grandparents' day, there was defacto segregation between those groups. It will take longer in parts of the world with more homogenous cultures.

But so what? Before racism, we had other prejudices. After racism, we still will have other prejudices. All you have done is change the song. Still the same old dance.

aklim · #8 03-15-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

The biggest hurdle is ethnic groups setting themselves apart and not mixing in. In the past, everyone wanted to learn English and celebrate July 4 and Thanksgiving. Not so much now.

Which brings me to a question. Why is it the older black people had more assimilated names. Kinda like a John Henry Smith. Today they have Shawanda, Shalisa, etc. Where did these names come from?

TylerH860 · #9 03-15-2010, 01:23 PM

Now all the races are uniting in their oppression of the gay/transgendered, etc. whatever the euphemism is.

kerry · #10 03-15-2010, 02:02 PM

My daughter attends a large inner city high school. By all external social accounts, it is integrated. However, this is far from the truth once one looks beyond the variety of races that enter the front door. So, front my experience, racism is not dead. People still act in a ways indicative of race being a central category to life.

raymr · #11 03-15-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Which brings me to a question. Why is it the older black people had more assimilated names. Kinda like a John Henry Smith. Today they have Shawanda, Shalisa, etc. Where did these names come from?

I worked with a black girl who's name was Briscilla. And with every new person it was the same conversation:

"Did you say your name is Priscilla?"

"No, it's BBBRRRiscilla, with a 'B'."

After a week of that I would go and get my name changed!

t walgamuth · #12 03-15-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

My daughter attends a large inner city high school. By all external social accounts, it is integrated. However, this is far from the truth once one looks beyond the variety of races that enter the front door. So, front my experience, racism is not dead. People still act in a ways indicative of race being a central category to life.

Its not dead yet but I am seeing progress toward its elemination.

KarTek · #13 03-15-2010, 02:28 PM

Interesting observation Tom. I don't know if it's my imagination but around here at work (good mix of all races), I've noticed a general "softening" of interactions between the races since Big O was elected.

As far as the name thing is concerned, I think unique names are an effort to distinguish one's self from the pack.

Skid Row Joe · #14 03-15-2010, 02:29 PM

The creative minds of a free people.

Individual thought may be repulsive to some.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Which brings me to a question. Why is it the older black people had more assimilated names. Kinda like a John Henry Smith. Today they have Shawanda, Shalisa, etc. Where did these names come from?

aklim · #15 03-15-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Its not dead yet but I am seeing progress toward its elemination.

What so special about racism anyways? We will somehow replace it with something else anyway. As I said, as long as prejudice is not dead, none of the symptoms will really die and even if they do, you eliminated a symptom not the disease. So what is the big deal about elimination of racism?