I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

QuinnCat

There are disagreements about the exact definition, but in my book, if the word could include racism practiced by a powerless class of people against those with power (i.e. reverse racism), than we would need a new word to capture the historical racism practiced against minorities in this country, especially African-Americans.  And maybe not historical yet, as we witness things the "Mr. Lazy" appelation for our POTUS.  Lazy is probably the last thing he is, though it's one of those loaded racist terms....

Power and influence is transitory and nowadays, not confined to one race or another, exclusively, but certainly, the power class, those who hire, fire, admit, govern, etc. are still mostly white.  The single most vile way racism is practiced is to keep somebody down in society due to their race and/or creating a hateful environment against someone of color.

When I was a teenager I ended up in Alabama one summer, very sick.  Went to the doctor and literally there were 2 waiting rooms, one for whites and one for blacks.  The doorways to each room were labeled such, though "black" probably wasn't used.  The doctor was white.  Would one call what was done racist toward those in the white waiting room?  No, because the decider in this case was the guy in charge - the white doctor, yet the whites were "excluded" to their own room.

Thinking about it another way....it's as if racism has an historical component - a recurring discriminatory practice, a derogatory name, etc.  There is no history of African-Americans having the power to create these kind of practices against other racial groups.  Just my opinion. 

gardengumby

I wouldn't call what was done in the dr office racist towards whites because the decider was white, but rather because the whites (and yes, I'm making an assumption here) wanted to be separated.  I don't disagree with most of what you say at all - it's just that (IMO - which could be terribly off base...) if power must be a part of the definition of racism, then many other things that occur which are also negative and based upon race are lost - in essence given a free pass - and that is not right either.

If history must be taken into consideration - then how much history? and in what regions?  African-Americans and Native Americans were (and still are in many cases) treated abominably by white Americans.  There is no question about that.  But how far back in history should we go?  Institutionalized hatred and discrimination are very real, powerful and deep - but is that the only definition of racism?

Kam, I'm really enjoying this discussion, so please don't take offense that I'm leaving.  But it's quitting time, and I've gotta go catch a train!!!

IllinoisLady

Racist -- I like ALL the definitions.  I feel quite fortunate in that I was not taught to be racist other than to dislike stupidity.  Even then, since we are all 'stupid' about scores of things we can't be too harsh about that. In fact, no one has time to know everything.  I think it comes more into play when you just hide your head in the sand and totally refuse to face what becomes, if not already cold hard facts. 

I think as well, with some racists, especially those who ascribe to a religion, I'm pretty sure God is not a racist, nor will he or she, ever be.  I think someone mentioned how we sometimes un-cover things that help us see that maybe we do have some issues.  Even though not raised that way I found that I had a couple.  It had to do with some people who did not seem to want to work and I learned not to be so condemning about that and just be happy that I have so enjoyed working and that if I focused more on that and less on people I didn't even know and could not influence I would be happier and definitely improve my karma. 

I hope I keep my flexibility and am able to hunt up facts and figures and make a determination on those alone.  I don't want to CUT myself off since there is a whole world out there and every soul in it got here the same way and has as much right to be here as I do. 

Jackie

P.S. Gray here this afternoon....lots of snow coming this week-end, but I'm not sure they truly know.  Global warming...there hasn't been a correct prediction in a long time.....and we have had snow as late as the first week of April before....so anything is possible.

1Athena1

Yorkie - as sunny said, be sure to tell your doctor about the effexor.

Chickadee - how are your feathers doing these days?

Racism - yes - it is any prejudice based on race regardless of the position of the group. It is all abhorrent, but some has more damaging consequences than other. However, prejudice is pernicious and terrible, I don't care who does it to whom.

And guess what - we are all probably guilty in some way, at some time, of prejudice in general. The trick is to police oneself and understand where snap judgements and gut reactions may come from, and remedy them. The conscientious prejudiced person is self aware, checks herself and is ashamed. The non conscientious prejudiced person will more likely than not either deny any prejudice or see it as not prejudice but "the truth."

Friday molecular brain droppings....off to put groceries in fridge.

Final mini-outrage of the day - I heard this on the radio: a 30-year employee got fired without warning for selling girl scout cookies. People need to have a heart!

IllinoisLady

IllinoisLady

About not facing facts:

ICYMI: GOP HATES OBAMACARE

If at first you don't succeed, the saying goes, try, try again. But if you try again and fail, and then you keep trying until you've tried and failed 36 times, maybe it's time to just give up and find something more productive to do with your time. That's the advice one might give to Senate Republicans today, after an amendment offered by freshman Senator Ted Cruz of Texas to repeal the Affordable Care Act failed. Senator Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat, said that by his count it was the 36th such unsuccessful attempt; the tally in the House passed 30 last summer, so there it may be even higher by now.

Look, Republicans, we get it: You really, really don't like Obamacare. If you could repeal it, you would. But you can't. Even if you could muster the votes in both houses of Congress, which you can't, President Obama would veto the repeal anyway. Because, as you may remember, he got reelected in November. So what's the point of having all these repeal votes?

Whatever it is, they just can't quit. They keep holding the votes, Paul Ryan releases a budget that includes a repeal of all the insurance coverage provisions in Obamacare, and they all act as though this isn't an argument that's been well settled. But the law was passed, the Supreme Court weighed in, and then so did the voters.

IllinoisLady

Just for fun:

crazy4carrots

This seems as good a time as any to relate the following story:

The plane was loading, and everyone was finding their seats.  Then, the Flight Attendant was called over and an obviously irate woman passenger said "You'll have to find me another seat."  When the FA asked why, she motioned to the man (an African-American) sitting in the seat next to hers and said she refused to sit there.

The FA said to the woman " Excuse me while I go and check with the Captain about this."

A few minutes later, she returned and said to the woman "Our airline wants to make all our flights as pleasant as possible for our passengers.  Fortunately we have a free seat in First Class."

The woman brightened considerably, but then the FA said to the man "Please sir, follow me.  We have champagne and a gourmet meal waiting for you".

IllinoisLady

Perfect timing Linda and very much to the point of if your loved one, son or daughter needed a heart transplant would you say yes, but only from a  lets say Caucasian person.  If your son who might be in a war is about to be killed and could be saved.....would you honor a black person with true and total humbleness and gratitude. 

No one ever knows just what life may have in store.  Watch out for the karma.

Jackie

pupmom

Linda, love it! 

Chickadee

Athena, no molting yet, but the day is looming.

1Athena1

Hopefully it will be summertime.

QuinnCat

I guess the bigger question of the day, for me, is, if they say racist things and then don't even recognize it, are they still racists, or just ignorant?

IllinoisLady

alexandria58

Waving hello from VT.  Checked out a caterer today.  DD struggling to choose between bbq and pizza.  Snow showers today. 

Happy Friday all.  Will wave again sometime tomorrow.

IllinoisLady

bluedahlia

bluedahlia

bluedahlia

bluedahlia

For E!

bluedahlia

bluedahlia

bluedahlia

And with this, I'm off!

IllinoisLady

IllinoisLady

Blue what fantastic pictures.  Sure glad it is Saturday and I can relax a bit.  Sounds like bad weather coming -- just when it seemed like Spring would pop out.  We will have to wait a bit yet.  I'd like to add that I have been enjoying the exploration invited in our recent conversations.  Often it just helps me look at who I am, really look and decide if it is really me.  So far, so good.  Hope you all are feeling reasonably well and looking forward to Saturday. 

Alexandria, hope things are starting to feel a little more ok with you.

Jackie

1Athena1

This morning's ugly fashion (available at Neiman Marcus):

IllinoisLady

Athena.....just doesn't seem like me.  Especially tromping around at the cat colonies.  I wonder if they would notice.

Jackie

IllinoisLady

1Athena1

Jackie - definitely isn't me either! For one, I don't think my foot bones can twist that much. For two, I don't think I would be caught dead in shoes like that - hence my "ugly fashion" description.

IllinoisLady

Athena.....I'm at the sensible age where shoes are concerned.  I don't own a pr. of heels anymore.  Most of my shoes are of the type that take readily to inserts that keep the middle of my foot up in a place more reminiscent of what it used to be before thyroid and stroke changed my landscape. I'm sure there are people who wear those and I'm also sure I'll never meet them.  I seldom go anywhere that I can't were comfy flat shoes.

Jackie

the shoes are indeed ugly as sin, however ugly that might be.