Whiteness Studies

C.I. - regardless of whatever seems to be the tone of our exchanges with each other, I hope you never become complacent, that you remain eternally inquisitive about the reality of race relations, and that in doing you are still always able to see the "glass" as "half-full". Who knows? Maybe we can learn something from each other.

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I love it. CI and Snood have a totally different perspective from many members. I am eager to see what they come up with next.

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Snood - do you think this would be similar to the constant studies of the Holocaust? It was mentioned here that instead of sweeping all this under the rug, it might be healthier to keep bringing it up to look at and talk about. To pretend this does not exist is like denying the Holocaust. Maybe it will never go away, but to at least look at it and start to assume some responsibility for the history that occurred. I don't think that latinos enter into this the same way, because the color of the skin has always been the determining factor, and that color has always been black (or a variant of it), with other colors coming in afterwards. Always based on some fear, which is also something that happens with the Jews. Talking about problems, talking things out has become such an integral part of many recovery programs that it should work in oter areas too. Because this would be partialy a recoevery of the fear of the different.

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snood, On that, I'm with you all the way. Blessings, c.i.

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edgar, You're one of those rare individuals that have put your life where your mouth is, and for all the right reasons. I'm glad to have met you on A2K, and hope someday, it'll be at one of our Gatherings. c.i.

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osso, I don't believe that for a minute. Slow osso, indeed! c.i.

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snood wrote:

C.I. - regardless of whatever seems to be the tone of our exchanges with each other, I hope you never become complacent, that you remain eternally inquisitive about the reality of race relations, and that in doing you are still always able to see the "glass" as "half-full". Who knows? Maybe we can learn something from each other.

cicerone imposter wrote:

snood, On that, I'm with you all the way. Blessings, c.i.

{wipes tear}

Really, nice to see people trying so hard to understand one another.

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mamajuana wrote:

Snood - do you think this would be similar to the constant studies of the Holocaust? It was mentioned here that instead of sweeping all this under the rug, it might be healthier to keep bringing it up to look at and talk about. To pretend this does not exist is like denying the Holocaust. Maybe it will never go away, but to at least look at it and start to assume some responsibility for the history that occurred. I don't think that latinos enter into this the same way, because the color of the skin has always been the determining factor, and that color has always been black (or a variant of it), with other colors coming in afterwards. Always based on some fear, which is also something that happens with the Jews. Talking about problems, talking things out has become such an integral part of many recovery programs that it should work in oter areas too. Because this would be partialy a recoevery of the fear of the different.

If this country exhibited the same level of acknowledgement and absorbed the reality of the wrong into it's waking consciousness, in the same way that they have the Holocaust (I've been to the museum in DC, and it left a permanent impression), yes, I believe it would be a very huge step toward healing. There is presently a proposal for an African American museum to be placed prominently on the Mall, and I think its going to happen. The flip side is that there is the same kind of stubborn, bitter opposition that there was to a MLK day.

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Apart from the concept of a 'Deity', I have never been able to even fathom how such a spurious concept such as 'race' EVER managed to hijack the consciousness of our species. There is only ONE surviving species of human, our own. If H. neanderthalis was still existing, yes there would be another race of homo.

And 'white'. Now, what the **** is that? It's not something about skin colour, cause that's albinoism - and that's a genetic defect. 'White' is a mental construct. 'White' is a way of life. 'White' is what your damn parents told you you were. Got zero to do with your genetic makeup.

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Ohhh-kayyyy. Now that Mr Stillwater has solved that little thing for us, we can all go home.

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Quoting Donny and Marie Osmond from their mid-'70s variety show:

"Goooo-night, everbody!"

Now that (the D&M Show) was a study in whiteness... :wink:

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Normally, I would be deeply offended that no one is discussing anything green. Once you pick one color to discuss, you really should pick all of them.

Why?

Everyone suffers discrimination (both for and against) for whatever
color, size, shape, or configuration they happen to be. Everyone!

Any discernable difference between people is useful leverage for
manipulating them. It will be done! All we can do is recognize the
tendency and try to be less judgemental overall, until absolutely necessary.

Until we can do that, please eat more broccoli.

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CodeBorg- I think that you have "hit the nail right on the head". A lot of empathy would go a long way in helping people deal with one another in a nonprejudicial way.

Quote:

Any discernable difference between people is useful leverage for
manipulating them.

I think that this tendency to manipulate is no less apparent in those who claim that they have been discriminated against, as those who discriminate!

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Phoenix32890 wrote:

CodeBorg- I think that you have "hit the nail right on the head". A lot of empathy would go a long way in helping people deal with one another in a nonprejudicial way.

Quote:
Any discernable difference between people is useful leverage for
manipulating them.

I think that this tendency to manipulate is no less apparent in those who claim that they have been discriminated against, as those who discriminate!

Anyone particular in mind, Phoenix?

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Snood- My conclusions are conceptual ones, based on life experiences, and do not refer to anyone in particular.

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Mr Still, Unfortunately, skin color and what happens in the brain of many have been the bane of humans for centuries. It's one of those givens in the human psyche that needs to be corrected, but it's been a struggle. c.i.

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I think if you put five black men, or five white women, or any such 'racially homogenous' group together--they would begin mental jockeying for superiority before the door closed behind them.

They would use cost of clothing and jewelry- weight- intelligence/education- physical beauty- height- strength of personality-

All people do this.

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sophia
I don't.

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Yes, Sofia, I believe you are right, however, we are talking about what this country has actually been successful in doing (institutionally) to black people...there's a difference.

P.S. Mama, I think I love you Embarrassed

! As a Jew, not as a "white" person, but as a Jew, many thanks for your empathetic post.

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Phoenix32890 wrote:

Snood- My conclusions are conceptual ones, based on life experiences, and do not refer to anyone in particular.

Seemed a fair question to ask you - That is, it didn't seem like such a shot in the dark, since you seem to draw the conclusion from the "white studies" class that it is designed to make you feel guilty... It, too deals with concepts and not anyone personally.

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