If African Americans face disparate treatment in America in general wouldn't that affect DU also?
Do we really believe that they don't face disparate treatment here? Even if to a lesser extent...
Yes, I think it's reasonable to think that this forum is more enlightened on matters of race than the society in general, but that doesn't mean African Americans are treated equally here. And I'm referring to self-identified African Americans here, although I think those who don't self identify are often affected too.
Racism is part of our history, part of our culture. When we see patterns as we have seen, do we really think African Americans are being treated here in the same way as whites?
As a white person in America, I think often the assumption in much of the white community is that racism and prejudice only occurs where it is intentional and provable. But those who experience racism as racial minorities tell us something much different, that it is far more than the one time occurrences that you can point out, but something that "colors" their entire interaction with a society in which they are a racial minority.
Do we really think that stops because we're here?
= new reply since forum marked as read
Sometimes I focus on one particular unfairness, I feel like I should almost put it in my signature line to say that my focus on one particular group doesn't mean others (minorities or those who are part of disfavored groups) aren't also treated unfairly.
The indoctrination was powerful, insidious, and continues even today in many circumstances to define what is considered a "norm" and "universal" and what doesn't fit is "other".
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As a POC who has traveled to different countries over the past 45 years, I have found that outside of the U.S., when white "
U.S.) Americans" run into " U.S.) Americans" of color in those other countries in a tourist setting, a lot of the usual overt prejudicial behaviors by whites to POC that are sometimes fully displayed here in the U.S., suddenly disappear, and "commonalities" as " U.S.) Americans"
are found in an attempt to bind the two groups together amidst what is a different (but majority) "other" group that is not " U.S.) American". I.e., this is an ad hoc "safety in numbers" move outside of the U.S. that fascinates many of us POC due to the sheer irony of the shifting allegiances and behavior when whites become a temporary "minority" (in this specific case, by nationality).
and I think is key. It seems too many have rarely or never ventured outside of their communities and this goes all ways. And given the one-time de jure and current de facto housing segregation (often also due to preferences to live with others sharing cultural commonalities versus for any nefarious reasons), a lack of contact tends to be reinforced.
When I was hunting around for some other info, I stumbled upon this Atlantic article from a year ago that had some interesting stats and graphics - notably this graphic that seems to fit into this subthread -
[font size="3" face="serif"]Racial and Ethnic Makeup of White Social Networks[/font]
In the past, other than travel, the main way groups were able to communicate to the "outside" was via the use of "pen pals" (and even the "message in the bottle" type of communication). Many of us boomers (and older) may recall having foreign "pen pals" where sharing of info about oneself was carried out. Often the "pen pal" model was also used between schools around the country as well. Now thanks to the internet, that sharing is happening 24/7 real-time via all the social media, discussion forums like this, and even through audio/video chat functionality. And perhaps having finally broken a barrier to communications, maybe the younger folk can interact with someone "not like themselves" long enough to form their OWN opinions before "society" gets chance to overlay and impose the same old FUD and denigrating stereotypes about "others" that have ruined almost every chance of positive relations between people of differing circumstances.
This type of real-time interaction thanks to the internet, also needs to happen with enough frequency to drown out the constant "traditional" media barrage of misinformation and vile spewing of reworked stereotypes that have hindered any progress in social interactions bent at improving understanding of others with differing worldviews.
A couple days ago, I heard a commercial on the radio (I think for T-Mobile) that included a catch phrase "The revolution will be mobilized" (in reference to mobile/cell phones). And I thought it was an interesting pun but perhaps a ticket to better relations - assuming that it isn't hijacked (which has happened to a certain degree) to continue to drive people apart rather than bring people together.
Because of the ville behavior here and elsewhere of some Bernie supporters, I don't feel that with my signature line I should post there. I have recently because I came in via Latest thread and didn't realize at first. Bravenak was the only regular AA that I had any real communication with. That's because Bernie so black was hilarious at first. Even when I was posting all over the group threads to knock off the indignant threads..I didn't get much back up. But I soon realized that that group had already alienated a lot of AAs before who were supporting Hillary.
I do in my heart of hearts believe he is our best chance so I have to try to get him elected.
Thank you for having a real discussion with me.
and don't ever give up.
without regard to admitted traits?
I'm sorry but the only polite response to that is 
