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I noticed in the Presidential debate a question that was about African-Americans and how each candidate could benefit that particular community. Then I heard mention of "white supremecists". And this felt like a very divisive tactic in questioning that is attempting to polarize us Americans. I DO NOT APPRECIATE IT. Why were other minority groups never mentioned in the debate, or are they somehow LESS important? Or maybe less functional for political purposes? You see a lot of black, or mixed race people in groups the media has labeled as "white supremacist" and that really comes across as outright political propaganda at this point, outright lies. The term "white supremacist" and "racist" these are trip words. When you hear them you need to wonder the agenda of the one who has uttered it. Atleast in US media. I cannot speak for other places. And I do not discount that some levels of racism do exist is some places in the US. On average though people in the US have the highest level of tolerance than anyone. You constantly meet and interact with all different nationalities. To be a sustained racist in the US would take a whole lot of effort!

Flowerwall 7 Sep 30
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Yes, those terms used were functional for political purposes, just like a bunch of other terms.

You can't be black or mixed race and be a white supremacist. Not sure what videos you were looking at, but white people DO come in a range of colors. Of course the white supremacists are usually too ignorant to understand genetics and probably don't believe that we all came from Africa. Sometimes, I think it would be fun to suggest to the blue eyed white supremacists that maybe their brown eyed members aren't so "pure". Oh wait, that was already done.

So if you are Black or Mixed Race, or other Minority and you identify more with Republican you are actually a "white supremacist"? This is what you are saying " white people DO come in a range of colors."

Please do some research. People are in these groups that are not what you would think of as stricly European accestry, meaning Latino, Black, Asian, etc.

@Flowerwall My bad, I should have said no sane person of color could be a white supremacist. I think the Proud Boys are more about nationalism or something. Honestly I haven't researched them and the other groups. They do seem like they mostly enjoy being militant.

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A question about white supremacy is not polarizing us. White supremacy itself is polarizing us. The president is polarizing us by refusing to denounce white supremacy. The republican party is polarizing us by refusing to denounce the president.. This is not about who's right or wrong. It's about WHAT is right or wrong. White supremacy is wrong. There is no debate. You said "... some levels of racism do exist in some places in the US." That comment makes me wonder what imaginary country you live in.

Okay, but you have latched on to ONE thing I said. Why were Black people the ONLY minority discussed at debate? Please tell me HOW this is a debate that is in service to ALL Americans when we have latched on to discussions of Blacks to the exclusion of all others. I mean we talked about blacks and white supremacists, that's it. I have heard constant talk about Blacks in media. What about everyone else? What about Hispanics? Asians? Native Americans? I can only take it as TRUE RACISM and minimization of people as what is occurring. Isn't it very inappropriate to NOT discuss entire HUGE SECTIONS of our population and put CONSTANT media focus on one? You don't see a problem with that?

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I do not and cannot appreciate your comments. I grew up in the deep south. White supremacy and racism are real and rampant in this part of the country, and are spreading their poison through the entire country. They are real and it is offensively dangerous.

I didn't grow up where you did. I grew up in the North. I did certainly see racism firsthand, but now? NEVER. You have to be careful you don't operate with assumptions based on long past experience. What was the most recent experience you personally witnessed and how long ago was it?

I will clarify. The most recent experience I had with racism was actually from a person of fairly dark skin himself, an Indian American, but racism was just one of many personal defects. So he's not fitting the mold of "white supremacist", and he himself probably had experienced some level of racism himself at some point due to being fairly dark comlected. This was years back though. Maybe 10. Also, I will add, he was not a natural born citizen, so the racism came with him from his own country and something he will need to unlearn here.

I also lived in Illinois and in Kansas for a a combined total of 22 years. I saw real and substantial racism in some communities in both states, More often than not, it was associated with right wing politics, particularly among those on the extreme reactionary right.

@wordywalt Oh yes IL certainly had racism in some places! But in recent times, I do think our society has vastly improved. I think this is why the current step backward I see this country taking right now really dusturbs me.

Also, don't forget former Pres. Obama is from Chicago, so it's not just all racism everywhere. Remember that.

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The term "white supremacist" bothers you? So you take personal offense to that? I wonder why. SMH

Yes, dumded down, baseless name calling are counterproductive timewasters, imo. Tactics used by those who lack a fuller well thought out, REASONED arguement.

@Flowerwall Tactless name calling? How is pointing out that white nationalists are exactly that name calling? Who wants to argue with race mongers? Most of us want to get along. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and walks like a duck, it's a duck. I won't call you a name, but if you don't think antisemitism and racism against blacks exists, you're wrong. This seems like a sore spot for you. Have you been accused personally of being a racist or white supremacist?

@barjoe You want to know why? Because that is where we are at in this country. Alot of time what media is defining as "white supremacits" can include Black/Mixed Race people, so the term now means, basically, anyone who is not fitting into your box of political ideology. Sorry you do not own the word. Calling Black, Mixed Race people white supremacists is lunancy. Yes, I forgot to mention Jews as a minority group, apologies. What other whole cross sections of the US were left out of debate?

@Flowerwall I didn't ask you why. I asked: Have you been accused of being a white supremacist, a racist or an antisemite? Have you?

@barjoe You didn't ask, but I did just tell you. In answer to your Q, who knows? That word "racist" seems to get thrown around all the time around here. I don't think I've ever been called an anti-semite or white supremacist specifically. What other people try to label me as is irrelevant anyway, so not sure what your point is?

You seem to find other American groups of various ethnicities or other defining characteristics not even worthy of thought as you failed to answer my question - "What other whole cross sections of the US were left out of debate?" So where is the air of supremacy coming from exactly?

@Flowerwall Remember Charlottesville? Nazis running around with torches shouting "Jews will not replace us!" That happened. Fact! Trump refused to condemn it, because those Neo Nazis support him. I'm appalled by trunk not condemning that. You seem to be appalled by people like me condemning these white nationalists. Why is that? It's a rhetorical question. You need not answer it.

@barjoe Are there SOME fringe groups in US? YES. So Trump is an anti-semite with Jewish s-i-l as his right hand man? Listen I will not say that I approve of Trump's leadership tactics with regard to race relations, NO WAY! But I think his lack of statesmanship in this regard has laid bare the reality of where we are at in this nation and the exact conversations we need to be having. Issues of race are not just about race, but the whole politics that underly it. The President doesn't ultimately hold us together in this regard, we ourselves do, so really, what he says or doesn't say is irrelevant.

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