Racism in full swing... Options

[impala454]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519965,00.html

Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses.

Never understood the notion of making things equal by making them unequal...

[Hartmann]

I'll go out on a limb here and say that it seems like they are not saying they want to discriminate, but instead encourage supporting black businesses. It follows the idea that I think Booker T. Washington or MLK Jr. stated (can't remember), that African Americans cannot change the minds and attitudes of whites, but must change their own attitudes.

As long as there is no discrimination, I see no issue with encouraging black businesses, in fact, it's a good idea.

[impala454]

I'll go out on a limb here and say that it seems like they are not saying they want to discriminate, but instead encourage supporting black businesses.

Replace the word black with white and decide if it sounds like discrimination to you.

[Inferia]

Replace the word black with white and decide if it sounds like discrimination to you.

I think you have to make a point. Their idea is to support business owners and entrepreneurship for black Americans. If somehow white people are underrepresented in some form or another in this country as a result of historical discrimination or lack of self-confidence in doing certain things, than I don't think it's that big of a deal. It is very much like the people who do the $1-a-day diet, it's to bring awareness to world poverty, not because they hate people who can afford to eat more than $1 a day. Alternatively, you can do that $1000-a-day diet, but I'm not exactly sure what point you would be proving then.

[impala454]

I think you have to make a point. Their idea is to support business owners and entrepreneurship for black Americans. If somehow white people are underrepresented in some form or another in this country as a result of historical discrimination or lack of self-confidence in doing certain things, than I don't think it's that big of a deal. It is very much like the people who do the $1-a-day diet, it's to bring awareness to world poverty, not because they hate people who can afford to eat more than $1 a day. Alternatively, you can do that $1000-a-day diet, but I'm not exactly sure what point you would be proving then.

What difference does the intention make in whether or not it's racist? And "historical discrimination" doesn't mean anything. These people aren't shopping black businesses because of historical reasons. They just want those businesses to succeed for the sole reason that the owner is black. That, is racism.

[Inferia]

What difference does the intention make in whether or not it's racist? And "historical discrimination" doesn't mean anything. These people aren't shopping black businesses because of historical reasons. They just want those businesses to succeed for the sole reason that the owner is black. That, is racism.

Does it comfort you somehow to think these people as racist? Part me feels like you don't really understand racism, and I'm not saying the white man doesn't understand racism, I'm saying you.

[impala454]

Does it comfort you somehow to think these people as racist? Part me feels like you don't really understand racism, and I'm not saying the white man doesn't understand racism, I'm saying you.

It doesn't "comfort" me at all. What do I not understand? They're choosing not to shop at a store because of the owner's race. How is this not racism? You sound as though it's ok so long as it's not a white person doing it. Doubtful though. That's not right. It's racism, inequality, etc whether it's black on white, yellow on brown, or any other combination. When people stop doing this kind of shit is when we'll stamp out racism.

[Inferia]

It doesn't "comfort" me at all. What do I not understand? They're choosing not to shop at a store because of the owner's race. How is this not racism? You sound as though it's ok so long as it's not a white person doing it. Doubtful though. That's not right. It's racism, inequality, etc whether it's black on white, yellow on brown, or any other combination. When people stop doing this kind of shit is when we'll stamp out racism.

How do you propose to stamp out racism? Somehow people will just look at each other and say, we are all the same? Look, I understand the "white man's frustration", my boyfriend has given me a detailed account of it numerous times. I understand that all this stuff seems rather bias, at times can be pretty unfair to the white man. On the other hand it is not exactly productive to call the movement to increase racial equality racist. Racial equality relays much on education equality and social-economic equality between races. Until that's achieved, it is rather difficult to "stamp out racism". If you talk to the intellectuals who deals with race relations, no one is saying to quiet the white voice, race is about multiple races, not just one. You can speak of race and racism by exclude races. The real issue is that you have to understand, or at least try to understand the other person's perils before there can be any real communication.

[chook]

How do you propose to stamp out racism? Somehow people will just look at each other and say, we are all the same? Look, I understand the "white man's frustration", my boyfriend has given me a detailed account of it numerous times. I understand that all this stuff seems rather bias, at times can be pretty unfair to the white man. On the other hand it is not exactly productive to call the movement to increase racial equality racist. Racial equality relays much on education equality and social-economic equality between races. Until that's achieved, it is rather difficult to "stamp out racism". If you talk to the intellectuals who deals with race relations, no one is saying to quiet the white voice, race is about multiple races, not just one. You can speak of race and racism by exclude races. The real issue is that you have to understand, or at least try to understand the other person's perils before there can be any real communication.

By Ignoring race. Too much resides for people like Jessee Jackson who thrive off the race relations problems. Its about money and education these days. I think the government needs to provide free education for up to college students who actually give a rats ass and do well. Lots of non white people have moved beyond this shit and started doing stuff for themselves. If these people boycotted places that discriminate against them or another people, I give them thumbs up.

I think I will only go to white owned restaurants, which in Tucson means I will have to travel a long distance to get it. People understand my burden!