A Long Story About Racism & Hatred

[Lon]

In the late 50's I met a girl from the the South that I would marry shortly and bring back to California. Her family and all her relatives were foaming at the mouth racists of the worst kind. They delighted in telling me stories about physical acts, including murder that they were involved in against those damn n-----s. My bride to be had no problem with racial or ethnic differences and really couldn't understand her own family's attitudes regarding race. I had gone to school in California and had many friends of different racial and ethnic backrounds. Her relatives delighted in referring to me as the YANKEE, despite my being from California Needless to say, I was happy to take my bride and leave that family of racists behind.
In the early 60's, (pre civil rights) her nephew was arrested for blowing up and machine gunning a black owned radio station. The government was involved iin the case and to make a long story short, he beat the rap due to ILLEGAL SEARCH AND SEIZURE. My wife and I made many visits back to see her family during the 60's, 70's and 80's and noticed a distinct lack of conversation re: what used to be thier favorite source of discussion, race.
In 1987, the nephew that was involved in the radio station atrocity, is now an executive with a big company based in the South. He no longer was using the N word. I was trying to decide if he just found in socially inconvenient to be a racist, or if in fact he had a major change in his thinking. So I asked him. He confessed to me that he was wrong to have done the things he did and that this was just the way he grew up. He said he worked in a racially mixed atmosphere and came to know and understand for the first time that there really wasn't any differences. I don't delude my self by thinking that all old time racists have had a change of heart, but I do think some of them have, and that is certailny a step in the right direction.

[Tan]

Interesting story Lon. I think it's silly that racism still exsits today. You would think that that society would mature at a quicker pace. I love now, that our children have the benifit of socializing with other children of all different races in schools, etc. in our countries.

I have always prefered to judge folks by their actions and not anything else. Although sometimes their manner of dress or physical make up places them in a dangerous group (as in gang colors) and one must be cautious for safetys sake. I think my parents hit the nail on the head when they taught me that each person is a soul created by God. Kinda takes everything else away and makes you look into the heart.

[Bothwell]

Perfect illustration that most prejudices are based on ignorance.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Bothwell

Perfect illustration that most prejudices are based on ignorance.

Make that all prejudices (thus the pre )

I, too, was raised in the deep rural south. I had a friend that had trained his dog to "sic'em" (I don't know a better word) when he said "the N word."

I was far more fortunate than most, in that we had a black family who lived behind us, through a thicket of woods. Jearline babysitted us and was my second mother. My mother always made sure I knew that all colors of people were the same no matter what the outside world may say.

Our schools integrated when I entered the fourth grade. I never fully understood the vitriolic hatred most of my contemporaries had for black people. However, as I grew up, I found that I did have some traces of bigotry despite my upbringing. Things like an instinctive suspicion of black people I didn't know, etc. I felt ashamed at my own knee-jerk reactions and set out to erase them.

Very long story short, over time I learned to erase or supress any bigoted tendencies and can't let bigotry in others go unchallenged (unless I think it might escalate into physical violence, like from a drunk).

[BabyRider]

I've been staying away from this thread, because I'm quite sure what I have to say will be extremely unpopular, and I'm sure I'll get some strong reaction. What the heck, I gotta do it.
I grew up in and around Detroit. Inner city, near-by 'burbs, etc. I have been around black folks my whole life and here is what I've seen: Gang-bangers, thieves, high school drop-outs, welfare recipients, jobless, beggars, violent offenders of all types of crimes.
Here's my theory: The black community, that I have been exposed to, is the worst example of these people. I have no illusions that all the activity I stated above is restricted solely to blacks. I know that people of all races can be included. However, when you see, every day for your whole life, the majority of them are black, you tend to formulate an opinion.
I see the most-wanted lists in our police stations, (in LOTS of cities) and they are all black. I see the statistics for high school drop-out rates, mostly black. I see the numbers of people on welfare, 90% black. The gangs in my area are made up of, you guessed it, blacks. The drug dealers? Black. Yeah, I have a negative attitude about the black people in my community.
Another theory: The black community, that I know, has been crying out for equality and reparations from slavery. Equality? They do everything in their power to separate themselves from other races in every aspect of their lives. From their dress, to their manner of talk, to their music, all under the guise of "expressing their heritage." I would wager a years worth of paychecks that not one single true African walked around listening to violent rap music or wore their pants around their knees or spoke in (my absolute favorite term ever) "ebonics." I bet Africans take pride in their homes. I bet Africans take pride in themselves.
And reparations? No one alive today is a slave, or owned a slave. Neither did that occur in the generation before this one or the one before that, or the one before that. Slavery has been abolished, (thank God) and no one alive today is responsible for it. To expect a hand-out or a free ride because a family member 250 years ago was a slave, makes that "N" word fit quite aptly. These are the kinds of blacks I have grown up with. Perhaps if I had grown up somewhere else, my opinion would be different.
I can see you all now...thinking "Wow, BR is a racist." My opinion of the black community is not popular with you and that's fine. Keep in mind, though, that when I think of the "N" word, it can apply to people of every color. I know white ni**ers. I know mexican ni**ers, I know Latin ones, I know Asian ones, and I know black ones. I also know people of every race who are educated, work hard, respect themselves and other people. It just so happens that the majority, the LARGE majority of black people that I know, do not fit that category.

[TW2005]

Originally Posted by BabyRider

I've been staying away from this thread, because I'm quite sure what I have to say will be extremely unpopular, and I'm sure I'll get some strong reaction. What the heck, I gotta do it.

I too have stayed out of this thread for the reason stated above. But now that the cats out of the bag (as they say) I think I'm gonna join in.

I grew up in and around Detroit. Inner city, near-by 'burbs, etc. I have been around black folks my whole life and here is what I've seen: Gang-bangers, thieves, high school drop-outs, welfare recipients, jobless, beggars, violent offenders of all types of crimes.

I grew up in the heart of the "burbs" and in a very stable and wealthy neighborhood. I have no problem with blacks, or anyone of any race at all.
The Inner-city is about 45min away from me now as we have since moved to an even better and more "yuppie" like neighborhood. I watch the news,a nd see the murder stories of my city and every single time they show the picture of the murderer or drug dealer or whatever the case may be, its 90% of the time a black male. Dressed in baggy clothes, shirts 4 sizes too big and pants at the knees.

Here's my theory: The black community, that I have been exposed to, is the worst example of these people. I have no illusions that all the activity I stated above is restricted solely to blacks. I know that people of all races can be included. However, when you see, every day for your whole life, the majority of them are black, you tend to formulate an opinion.

Well said.

I see the most-wanted lists in our police stations, (in LOTS of cities) and they are all black. I see the statistics for high school drop-out rates, mostly black. I see the numbers of people on welfare, 90% black. The gangs in my area are made up of, you guessed it, blacks. The drug dealers? Black. Yeah, I have a negative attitude about the black people in my community.

Do we live in the same city???

Another theory: The black community, that I know, has been crying out for equality and reparations from slavery. Equality? They do everything in their power to separate themselves from other races in every aspect of their lives. From their dress, to their manner of talk, to their music, all under the guise of "expressing their heritage." I would wager a years worth of paychecks that not one single true African walked around listening to violent rap music or wore their pants around their knees or spoke in (my absolute favorite term ever) "ebonics." I bet Africans take pride in their homes. I bet Africans take pride in themselves.

It's not a theory. The older generation of blacks in my area are the nicest people in the world. They have been there through the HARD times and dealt with the REAl struggle of the past. The younger generation of blacks don;t seem to appreciate it very much. They want the equality but when I see them walking in the mall in a big group blerting out loud beligerant jibberish, it makes me sick. You look at them wrong and they think you are being racist. When in all actuality they draw the attention to themselves by being so loud.

And reparations? No one alive today is a slave, or owned a slave.

You are wrong here. There is open slavery in a select few countries in Africa and child slavery in Asia.

I can see you all now...thinking "Wow, BR is a racist." My opinion of the black community is not popular with you and that's fine.

I don't think you are racist at all. I think you hit it right on the nose in most of your post.


Now for a little story of a longtime friend of mine (who is white) and is a female who accused me of being racist for no apparent reason. We are no longer friends as of about three weeks ago when the event took place.

The night started off just fine. She came over like she always did for a night of going out and having a few drinks. We were and had always just been friends and that would have never changed. At the place of choice that night we started having a few drinks and talking like we always did. Talking about whatever comes up. Usually this involved at some point her Boyfriend, or if thats what she calls him.

He always treated her like s**t. And she just took it. I always told her to watch out for him and she never did. I always told her that he was cheating on her, and she knew it. She had proof but that wasn't good enough for her. The guy is black and he is a wanna be gangstar. He does drugs and is violent at times. Carries guns at all times and whatever else.

That was just a little backround of their relationship. Let me get back to the big uproar that happened that night. So we then started talking about RAP music. I used to like rap music about 5 years ago and listened to it often. Since then I have changed what type of music I listen to. Now I primarily listen to Alternative and Rock. Well, she got all defensive and mad at me because of this. I have no idea why. She started calling me a poser and all of this other stuff. She asked why I dont like rap anymore? And I responded with "well, its all the same. All the rappers of today talk about is, Big Bootied B*****s and going to the Clubs and getting Krumped up, and whatever else." Those were my exact words. She then started ranting and raving and going off and calling me more names and saying "I don't know what happened to you and blah blah blah....." I was just like, jeezz, can we put it behind us? Trying to calm her down but she just kept pushing my buttons.

So I finally went off on her and called her, a poser for being a white girl that is blinded by the gutter trash she hangs out with thanks to her boyfriend and all this other stuff. Then she calls me a typical "white boy" and drives off.

What a night that was!!! And to think it all started over me listening to Rock and Alternative now.

I think what I'm trying to say by posting this story is, I think they feel threatened by the whites for us not adapting to their self-imposed culture.

[BabyRider]

You are wrong here. There is open slavery in a select few countries in Africa and child slavery in Asia.

OK, but I was referring to the US only. I should have said that. Thanks for the correction. And for your other comments.

[TW2005]

Originally Posted by BabyRider

OK, but I was referring to the US only. I should have said that. Thanks for the correction. And for your other comments.

I figured you were, but wasn't sure. But other that that, I think you hit it right on the money in your original post.

[Lon]

Originally Posted by BabyRider

I've been staying away from this thread, because I'm quite sure what I have to say will be extremely unpopular, and I'm sure I'll get some strong reaction. What the heck, I gotta do it.
I grew up in and around Detroit. Inner city, near-by 'burbs, etc. I have been around black folks my whole life and here is what I've seen: Gang-bangers, thieves, high school drop-outs, welfare recipients, jobless, beggars, violent offenders of all types of crimes.
Here's my theory: The black community, that I have been exposed to, is the worst example of these people. I have no illusions that all the activity I stated above is restricted solely to blacks. I know that people of all races can be included. However, when you see, every day for your whole life, the majority of them are black, you tend to formulate an opinion.
I see the most-wanted lists in our police stations, (in LOTS of cities) and they are all black. I see the statistics for high school drop-out rates, mostly black. I see the numbers of people on welfare, 90% black. The gangs in my area are made up of, you guessed it, blacks. The drug dealers? Black. Yeah, I have a negative attitude about the black people in my community.
Another theory: The black community, that I know, has been crying out for equality and reparations from slavery. Equality? They do everything in their power to separate themselves from other races in every aspect of their lives. From their dress, to their manner of talk, to their music, all under the guise of "expressing their heritage." I would wager a years worth of paychecks that not one single true African walked around listening to violent rap music or wore their pants around their knees or spoke in (my absolute favorite term ever) "ebonics." I bet Africans take pride in their homes. I bet Africans take pride in themselves.
And reparations? No one alive today is a slave, or owned a slave. Neither did that occur in the generation before this one or the one before that, or the one before that. Slavery has been abolished, (thank God) and no one alive today is responsible for it. To expect a hand-out or a free ride because a family member 250 years ago was a slave, makes that "N" word fit quite aptly. These are the kinds of blacks I have grown up with. Perhaps if I had grown up somewhere else, my opinion would be different.
I can see you all now...thinking "Wow, BR is a racist." My opinion of the black community is not popular with you and that's fine. Keep in mind, though, that when I think of the "N" word, it can apply to people of every color. I know white ni**ers. I know mexican ni**ers, I know Latin ones, I know Asian ones, and I know black ones. I also know people of every race who are educated, work hard, respect themselves and other people. It just so happens that the majority, the LARGE majority of black people that I know, do not fit that category.

Since I was the originator of this post, my response to your post may surprise you. First, I agree with most all you have said about some of the black community. I would call you prejudiced, not racist and there is a big difference. The term racist gets tossed about too carelessly I believe. Most blacks could probably care less about what white people think about them, just give them the same rights and consideration that would be given to any white person in any given situation, buying a home, employment etc. Not more rights, just the same rights. I doubt if you would lynch, beat or stab, burn thier home down or any other violent act against blacks, just for the hell of it. My original post dealt with that kind of racisism.