"White Privilege Conference" In Colorado?

[gman20001969]

Wow, this post is still ongoing??? Gotta throw in my two cents. First, I'm black and also live in Georgia. I came to Georgia after living in California, Maine, and Indiana. I listen to hard rock as my brothers before me and to hear me on the phone, you would probably get the impression that I was not black until you saw me face to face.

Do I think racism exist? Sure. As someone else said, there's no such thing as a person that doesn't hate someone else and doesn't chalk it up to thier race. For instance, person in front of you drives really slow. You pull around and see some old chinese person with glasses as thick as coke bottles straining over the wheel. You don't say, "stupid old lady" you proabably say "freaking chinese!". Or you go to the store and a couple of guys from mexican descent stare at your wife and then talk amongst themselves in spanish. Your mind says they are degrading your wife. You probably say "freaking mexicans".

Fact of the matter is... there are people of all races, all genders that can be considered stereotypical and can judge or be judged by others strickly by the color of ones skin. Now do I ever feel that I am not as priviledged as others? Hell yeah! I'm not as priviledged as my black nieghbor that owns 2 SUV's and a home that makes mine look like a cottage. I also don't feel as priviledged as my mexican nieghbor that runs his own business and keeps his yard well kept. See my point?

When I was in college, it was around the time Spike Lee's Malcom X movie came out. There were a few young black men that wore black t-shirts with the big X symbol. A white friend of mine from the south took high offense whenever he saw that. He shouted, "Now that's racist! How do you think they'd react if I wore a rebel flag on a t-shirt?" (can we say dixie outfitters?). I looked at him and said, you know me and you are friends. We met just a few months ago here at this school and have a lot of the same likes. The biggest difference between us is I'm black and you're white. But you have to admit, there are people on both sides that say this or that. 'blacks shouldn't dwell under the guise of affirmative action'. 'whites shouldn't consider ever black man a criminal'. But if you tend to look past the person's color, you might find that person is pretty cool to hang out with. After all, you met me right?" And yes, I was pretty much his first black friend.

Now in closing (cause I ramble like a sonofa...) I have to say that conferences like this are pretty stupid. If I get invitations to them I discard them. I don't discourage or encourage others to go to them. Is there a need for them? Maybe for those few that feel they have been oppressed. But hell, haven't we all in one degree or another?

 

[IrishMist]

Hi Gman, welcome to WS!

And a great first post, if I do say so myself

 

[Nova]

Hi Gman, welcome to WS!

And a great first post, if I do say so myself

What IM said! Absolutely!

 

[GlitchWizard]

...Now in closing (cause I ramble like a sonofa...) I have to say that conferences like this are pretty stupid. If I get invitations to them I discard them. I don't discourage or encourage others to go to them. Is there a need for them? Maybe for those few that feel they have been oppressed. But hell, haven't we all in one degree or another?

True. I kind of look at it like when I feel sick. Someone will say they also feel sick - but they feel WORSE than I do because of some vauge reason. Or if I am hurt, they were once hurt WORSE than I was... or their labor pains were worse, or their debt is bigger - whatever. Everyone has their issues, but some people cry louder about them than others.

The ones who are crying about it are the ones that annoy me, whether it's supposedly about their race, or their gender or whatever they claim it is - it's not. It's just life.

 

[MREG2]

Wow, this post is still ongoing??? Gotta throw in my two cents. First, I'm black and also live in Georgia. I came to Georgia after living in California, Maine, and Indiana. I listen to hard rock as my brothers before me and to hear me on the phone, you would probably get the impression that I was not black until you saw me face to face.

Do I think racism exist? Sure. As someone else said, there's no such thing as a person that doesn't hate someone else and doesn't chalk it up to thier race. For instance, person in front of you drives really slow. You pull around and see some old chinese person with glasses as thick as coke bottles straining over the wheel. You don't say, "stupid old lady" you proabably say "freaking chinese!". Or you go to the store and a couple of guys from mexican descent stare at your wife and then talk amongst themselves in spanish. Your mind says they are degrading your wife. You probably say "freaking mexicans".

Fact of the matter is... there are people of all races, all genders that can be considered stereotypical and can judge or be judged by others strickly by the color of ones skin. Now do I ever feel that I am not as priviledged as others? Hell yeah! I'm not as priviledged as my black nieghbor that owns 2 SUV's and a home that makes mine look like a cottage. I also don't feel as priviledged as my mexican nieghbor that runs his own business and keeps his yard well kept. See my point?

When I was in college, it was around the time Spike Lee's Malcom X movie came out. There were a few young black men that wore black t-shirts with the big X symbol. A white friend of mine from the south took high offense whenever he saw that. He shouted, "Now that's racist! How do you think they'd react if I wore a rebel flag on a t-shirt?" (can we say dixie outfitters?). I looked at him and said, you know me and you are friends. We met just a few months ago here at this school and have a lot of the same likes. The biggest difference between us is I'm black and you're white. But you have to admit, there are people on both sides that say this or that. 'blacks shouldn't dwell under the guise of affirmative action'. 'whites shouldn't consider ever black man a criminal'. But if you tend to look past the person's color, you might find that person is pretty cool to hang out with. After all, you met me right?" And yes, I was pretty much his first black friend.

Now in closing (cause I ramble like a sonofa...) I have to say that conferences like this are pretty stupid. If I get invitations to them I discard them. I don't discourage or encourage others to go to them. Is there a need for them? Maybe for those few that feel they have been oppressed. But hell, haven't we all in one degree or another?[/QUOTE]

Darn these threads... I can't stay away....

Gman, a big welcome to you and I agree with IM and Nova.... great first post.

I had to chuckle at your comment about the slow driver. I do have some little bit of road rage :blushing: But I never see the race (I know, but I promise I don't). BUT I do see the gender and the age. And I hate to admit that I will mumble something to the effect of "freaking old people". Wrong? Yes. Very.

The bolded... Yes. I totally believe we have.

Good to have you hear.... Can't wait to read more of your posts!

 

[MREG2]

True. I kind of look at it like when I feel sick. Someone will say they also feel sick - but they feel WORSE than I do because of some vauge reason. Or if I am hurt, they were once hurt WORSE than I was... or their labor pains were worse, or their debt is bigger - whatever. Everyone has their issues, but some people cry louder about them than others.

The ones who are crying about it are the ones that annoy me, whether it's supposedly about their race, or their gender or whatever they claim it is - it's not. It's just life.

Yes, that is what gets me too.

 

[Nova]

True. I kind of look at it like when I feel sick. Someone will say they also feel sick - but they feel WORSE than I do because of some vauge reason. Or if I am hurt, they were once hurt WORSE than I was... or their labor pains were worse, or their debt is bigger - whatever. Everyone has their issues, but some people cry louder about them than others.

The ones who are crying about it are the ones that annoy me, whether it's supposedly about their race, or their gender or whatever they claim it is - it's not. It's just life.

So we're saying what: people shouldn't protest injustice?

By that argument, black people in this country would still be slaves, you wouldn't be allowed to vote and I'd be in a mental institution.

(I know, I know, that last part doesn't sound like such a bad idea to some of you... )

 

[reb]

yes, but EVERYONE should have the right to protect injustice done to them or their race. blacks don't have an exclusive patent on injustice and discrimination.

 

[Masterj]

yes, but EVERYONE should have the right to protect injustice done to them or their race. blacks don't have an exclusive patent on injustice and discrimination.

I don't recall blacks claiming that they have "an exclusive patent on injustice and discrimination." Where are you getting this from and why do we keep beating this dead horse?

LOL - another forum I belong to actually has a smilie icon for beating a dead horse.

 

[GlitchWizard]

So we're saying what: people shouldn't protest injustice?

By that argument, black people in this country would still be slaves, you wouldn't be allowed to vote and I'd be in a mental institution.

(I know, I know, that last part doesn't sound like such a bad idea to some of you... )

That isn't what I am saying. There is no slavery anymore, I can vote - so I'm not going to about women who couldn't vote a long time ago. I'm going to about something that affects me now - like drugs in my daughter's school. There are other problems that need attention.

 

[reb]

it isn't a dead horse at all. i'm am getting this information from the world that i see around me every day. many blacks act like that is the case (i.e., what i said).. but many of them could NOT care LESS about injustices done to anyone else.... least of all whites! my point is, the word "racism" doesn't automatically mean injustice against blacks. i have seen FAR more injustice, violence, hate crimes, blatant discrimination, racial hatred, etc.. PRACTICED by blacks (mostly against whites). but somehow, they are allowed to get away with it, and still continue to gripe about 'racism' when they don't get what they want, or don't get their way (or just to be manipulative). and as long as people will continue to be live in a fantasy world and be in denial about this, then i'll keep bringing it up.
by the way, how many blacks do you see protesting against injustices done to other races/ethnic groups/nations?? why is it always 99% whites who are standing up for everyone else-- but we're not allowed to stand up for ourselves.......??? you know, the old 'white man's burden'......???

again..... i am referring to MANY-- not all. and this seems to be mostly a U.S. phenomenon. i have utmost respect for any blacks who are intelligent, enlightened, and don't fall into this stereotypical trap.. who work hard, and make a name for themselves without getting where they got from affirmative action... and of course i treat them like everyone else (but no special treatment-- sorry.)
now of course in a situation where they really ARE incredibly qualified for something, and someone really IS trying to hold them down SOLELY because of their color, then of course that is wrong. (and that goes for any other racial group, and for women!) BUT.... all too often, the person does not get what they want because of OTHER reasons (not up to par/qualified/behavior issues)- and then the first thing they do is pull out the race (or gender) card and threaten to sue or give bad publicity. that is ALSO *WRONG*. and the unfortunate thing is that people have ABUSED this for so long, that it's difficult to tell who really has a legitimate claim and who's just bluffing (to be manipulative). it's really been watered down, to the point where the second a black person starts bitching about discrimination, you can see millions of people collectively rolling their eyes, like "oh god, not this crap again..." and many of us automatically don't believe them. it's like the cry wolf thing... no one wants to hear it anymore.

and i love love LOVE what bernard goldberg said on tim russert the other day.. about the imus issue. he is courageous enough to say that blacks need to grow up and take a good look at themselves.. quit blaming whites for all their problems.

so MJ,, as long as the issue is on the front page and in the forefront of everyone's consciousness, as long as blacks keep bringing these issues up, harping endlessly on them, but refusing to take responsibility for their OWN actions/failures... then it most certainly is NOT a dead horse.

 

[White Rain]

it isn't a dead horse at all. i'm am getting this information from the world that i see around me every day. many blacks act like that is the case (i.e., what i said).. but many of them could NOT care LESS about injustices done to anyone else.... least of all whites! my point is, the word "racism" doesn't automatically mean injustice against blacks. i have seen FAR more injustice, violence, hate crimes, blatant discrimination, racial hatred, etc.. PRACTICED by blacks (mostly against whites). but somehow, they are allowed to get away with it, and still continue to gripe about 'racism' when they don't get what they want, or don't get their way (or just to be manipulative). and as long as people will continue to be live in a fantasy world and be in denial about this, then i'll keep bringing it up.
by the way, how many blacks do you see protesting against injustices done to other races/ethnic groups/nations?? why is it always 99% whites who are standing up for everyone else-- but we're not allowed to stand up for ourselves.......??? you know, the old 'white man's burden'......???

again..... i am referring to MANY-- not all. and this seems to be mostly a U.S. phenomenon. i have utmost respect for any blacks who are intelligent, enlightened, and don't fall into this stereotypical trap.. who work hard, and make a name for themselves without getting where they got from affirmative action... and of course i treat them like everyone else (but no special treatment-- sorry.)
now of course in a situation where they really ARE incredibly qualified for something, and someone really IS trying to hold them down SOLELY because of their color, then of course that is wrong. (and that goes for any other racial group, and for women!) BUT.... all too often, the person does not get what they want because of OTHER reasons (not up to par/qualified/behavior issues)- and then the first thing they do is pull out the race (or gender) card and threaten to sue or give bad publicity. that is ALSO *WRONG*. and the unfortunate thing is that people have ABUSED this for so long, that it's difficult to tell who really has a legitimate claim and who's just bluffing (to be manipulative). it's really been watered down, to the point where the second a black person starts bitching about discrimination, you can see millions of people collectively rolling their eyes, like "oh god, not this crap again..." and many of us automatically don't believe them. it's like the cry wolf thing... no one wants to hear it anymore.

and i love love LOVE what bernard goldberg said on tim russert the other day.. about the imus issue. he is courageous enough to say that blacks need to grow up and take a good look at themselves.. quit blaming whites for all their problems.

so MJ,, as long as the issue is on the front page and in the forefront of everyone's consciousness, as long as blacks keep bringing these issues up, harping endlessly on them, but refusing to take responsibility for their OWN actions/failures... then it most certainly is NOT a dead horse.

I totally agree with you. :clap:

 

[Seven]

From the conference's website:

"This conference is not about beating up on white folks. This conference is about critically examining the society in which we live and working to dismantle systems of power, prejudice, privilege and oppression. "

http://www.uccs.edu/~wpc/

I don't have a problem with this at all.

42 years of affirmative action in the u.s.a.. guess it s/b called affirmative racism because it's institutionalized, and hasnt done a bit of good. "privileged" to tolerate race preferences and set-asides. 42 years and not a word of acknowledgment. 42 years hasnt been enough .... 1,000 years wont be enouth.

this is the result of those 42 years:

"The annual White Privilege Conference (WPC) serves as a yearly opportunity to examine and explore difficult issues related to white privilege, white supremacy and oppression. WPC provides a forum for critical discussions about diversity, multicultural education and leadership, social justice, race/racism, sexual orientation, gender relations, religion and other systems of privilege/oppression."

http://www.uccs.edu/~wpc/



... but that's human nature .... nobody voluntarily gives up their advantage, including this group whose mission it is to lower u.s. citizens whose skin just happens to be white .... institutionally put one group down for years, and people will start talking as if they deserve to be there ..... and having conferences on how to keep them there .... shame, shame, shame.

 

[Seven]

I don't think that statement is true all over and things like this shouldn't be generalized. I can tell you for a fact that where I come from, MEN get paid more than WOMEN regardless of color. A Black Man makes more than a White Woman.

and of course, there's the u.s.a. constitutional bill of rights that gave the vote to black men a half-century before it gave the vote to women.



... worst form of govt. there is, EXCEPT for all the others ... and theyre all run by male human beings ... and a male broke the tie to give women the vote ... and white people fought and died to end slavery in the u.s.a. .... and slavery still exists in africa today.

 

[gman20001969]

Heh!

Last night I actually got caught up in reading this thread and was going to post my thoughts again. First thought was me being a little upset. I have to say, my wife read a few of the posts and she got a bit fired up. She's a southern woman and she doesn't hesitate to speak up. I then reread the replies that Reb and others have posted. Again, you have to realize that people complain about...well everything! It's freaking human nature to complain about something! And the people that listen to you complain? They complain about you...complaining! But that's not to say that every complaint you make isn't legitimate. The other day I went in to a nice coffee and pastry shop to get exactly that. I noticed the guy in front of me looking like your average hardworker with paint filled clothes and hair unkempt. When he got to the counter to order, the girl cheerfully said with a smile "Good morning sir, how can I help you today?". He didn't even say "Fine, thank you" just rattled out "Yeah, let me get a large coffee and a danish". Then it came to mine turn. she looked at me and said without a smile "Morning." Hell, I didn't even get a good morning. What happened to the cheery person I just saw a minute ago? Did she suddenly get tired? Was she having a bad moment? Regardless, I stated my order, "Morning! Let me get a chilled vanilla latte and a blueberry muffin top please." She looked at me and stumbled. Why did she stumble? Cause I have a voice like Larry Munson (if you're from Georgia, yall know who I'm talking about).
I think I woke her up for a moment.

Needless to say, it took 15 minutes to get my order. The kid at the coffee pick-up side looked me straight in the eye and kept going. I watched the kid work as fast as he could filling orders. I then saw other people that came after me get thier order filled before mine. Now do you hear me scream descrimination? No. But I will say bad service regardless. That's me complaining.

 

[Seven]

Do you even realize that black men and women make less money than white men and women?

do you even realize that black children who try to study hard, do homework and get good grades are held back by being insulted and made fun of by other black children who accuse them of "acting white"?

 

[mrsjonnob]

do you even realize that black children who try to study hard, do homework and get good grades are held back by being insulted and made fun of by other black children who accuse them of "acting white"?

Yep, i have seen it. I have also seen pasty white kids who dig rap, wear their pants around their knees and use ebonics. They are accused of "acting black".

Our next door neighbors are our dear friends- we are white, they are bi racial (Mom is Mexican, Dad is black). The 3 sons call themselves Blaxican

Saturday, I called my teenager in at about 11 pm - they had been sitting on the neighbor's porch listening to music and talking. The 14 year old jokingly said "It's cuz we're black, right??"

 

[Nova]

That isn't what I am saying. There is no slavery anymore, I can vote - so I'm not going to about women who couldn't vote a long time ago. I'm going to about something that affects me now - like drugs in my daughter's school. There are other problems that need attention.

Slavery is often invoked as a symbol of racial discrimination in this country. And no wonder: it's a very dramatic representation.

But what is being protested today is almost always the discrimination of today.

We've discussed slavery in these threads because its legacy is still a factor, not because slavery itself remains an open question.

 

[Nova]

42 years of affirmative action in the u.s.a.. guess it s/b called affirmative racism because it's institutionalized, and hasnt done a bit of good. "privileged" to tolerate race preferences and set-asides. 42 years and not a word of acknowledgment. 42 years hasnt been enough .... 1,000 years wont be enouth.

this is the result of those 42 years:

"The annual White Privilege Conference (WPC) serves as a yearly opportunity to examine and explore difficult issues related to white privilege, white supremacy and oppression. WPC provides a forum for critical discussions about diversity, multicultural education and leadership, social justice, race/racism, sexual orientation, gender relations, religion and other systems of privilege/oppression."

http://www.uccs.edu/~wpc/



... but that's human nature .... nobody voluntarily gives up their advantage, including this group whose mission it is to lower u.s. citizens whose skin just happens to be white .... institutionally put one group down for years, and people will start talking as if they deserve to be there ..... and having conferences on how to keep them there .... shame, shame, shame.

I've been trying to avoid the "R word" in these threads, but the post above is racist.

There's simply no other word for the argument that the "mission" of blacks is to "lower U.S. citizens." (As opposed to African Americans themselves, presumably, who are citizens only of Mars.)

There's simply no other word for the argument that whites have been "institutionally put down" for years.

 

[Seven]

Yep, i have seen it. I have also seen pasty white kids who dig rap, wear their pants around their knees and use ebonics. They are accused of "acting black".

Our next door neighbors are our dear friends- we are white, they are bi racial (Mom is Mexican, Dad is black). The 3 sons call themselves Blaxican

Saturday, I called my teenager in at about 11 pm - they had been sitting on the neighbor's porch listening to music and talking. The 14 year old jokingly said "It's cuz we're black, right??"

that's cute! there they are saying theyre "black" while theyre actually "pasty" .... that's okay if it's their choice and it's in comradeship and fun, but often it's not fun at all ....

when I was in grammar school, i had a girlfriend whose mother was mexican, father was black ..... her name was rita, and i can still see her face in my mind ..... i used to find her crying sometimes, because the black children (who referred to whites as "patty" or "paddy," which i could also never understand), anyway the black kids used to make rita's life hell when they got in that mood, three or four against one, mocking her and saying hurtful, insulting things about her appearance .... for no reason other than the fact that she was of mixed race! rita was a very, very nice person, and my heart used to break for her pain, because she never did anything to deserve their meanness!