Comments on: How to derail a conversation about race…Step 1

By: Haddayr

Haddayr — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:35:40 +0000

Phelps:
1. Pointing out that you had previously dodged my question does not answer the question.
2. I didn’t say you didn’t live in an interracial neighborhood and you damn well know I didn’t say that. I know nothing about you except that you are in denial about racism. People like you live EVERYWHERE.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:26:34 +0000

White women and Affirmative Action:

http://kathmanduk2.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/white-women-and-affirmative-action-which-side-will-you-stand-on/

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:23:59 +0000

“o rly?
That’s what we are down to? Ok, AIDS, Ebola, Malaria, and Okra. ”

Let me guess. . . .you still believe the old threadbare lie that AIDS originated in Africa?

Enlighten yourself here:

http://kathmanduk2.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/the-origins-of-aids-part-1/

http://kathmanduk2.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/the-origins-of-aids-part-2/

Two theories are aimed at the origins of AIDS. The “cut-hunter” theory, which falls flat on its face. OR, the OPV theory. The OPV theory which contends that AIDS more likely originated in the Hilary Koprowski’s polio vaccine experiment that was conducted out of Philadelphia. Those who want more information on this theory should check out the book, “The River: A Journey Back to The Source of HIV and AIDs” by Edward Hooper ( Penguin, 2000). The OPV theory has more weight to it.

(Oh, and you probably won’t believe what I am stating, but a white man wrote the “River” book. Just so you know :)

__________________________________________

MALARIA:

Okay. Smallpox (Europeans brought it to Africans). Malaria (contracted from Africans by European slave traders.) Tit for tat.

__________________________________________

EBOLA VIRUS:

Outbreaks have occurred in Zaire and Uganda. Chances of your contracting Ebola occur when you visit an infected area during an outbreak. Ebola is not endemic to America. Unless you travel to Central Africa (Zaire, Uganda—DURING AN OUTBREAK), your chances of contracting Ebola are slim to none.

__________________________________________

OKRA:

Well, what can I say about okra, but. . . . . . .

hmm, hmm!

Good!.

By: Veronica

Veronica — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:10:03 +0000

Also–”the burdens” of affirmative action? White people don’t bear those burdens. White women are the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action. I don’t feel burdened by the fact that businesses have a real reason to consider my talents and skills instead of dismissing them. I feel pretty damn good about it. And this law means that I get to work with talented nonwhite folk too? Excellent. All affirmative action does is make a start toward undoing the affirmative action that white men have been receiving for hundreds of years.

By: nojojojo

nojojojo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:11:47 +0000

PoC must also understand and acknowledge the pain and anger that white people feel when asked to bear the burdens of affirmative action, which, in their minds, are unfairly imposed. I understand their anger. I acknowledge it. It's perfectly understandable that they would feel this way. Because they've been inculcated since birth with misinformation. Which means that, in addition to acknowledging their anger, we need to let them know why their anger is inappropriate. It's rooted in the false assumption on their part that they don't benefit from racism. And until they stop being angry about the wrong damn things, they're not going to stop inflicting the pain and anger of racism on PoC, which means none of us gets anywhere. You need to be careful about citing the words of any politician, BTW, when you're talking about controversial social issues. Their job is to sound even-handed and fair, and not rock the boat. But the plain sad truth is, white people are the primary beneficiaries of racism. PoC are the primary targets of it. The burden of pain and anger is not equal, no matter that Barack tried to make it sound that way. And between whites and PoCs, it's not the PoCs who haven't tried to understand.

By: CroMagnon

CroMagnon — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:22:05 +0000

Phelps has said a lot of dumb things here. But, one of the things I’m hearing him say reminds of one of the things I heard Senator Obama say in that wonderful speech in Philadelphia. And, that is that there are 2 sets of grievances here, both of which must be acknowledged if there is to be any progress in the discussion on race. The way I understood it, the Senator said that white people must understand and acknowledge the pain and anger PoC feel as a result of racism. However, in addition to that, he suggests that PoC must also understand and acknowledge the pain and anger that white people feel when asked to bear the burdens of affirmative action, which, in their minds, are unfairly imposed. It’s a basic mediation technique. Each side in a negotiation expresses their understanding of the other side’s position. Once that is done successfully, the negotiation proceeds more smoothly. I don’t want to derail the discussion. If you think I’m off point, feel free to disregard my post. But, I’m very curious to see what the folks on this site think about the Senator’s suggestion, if I understood it correctly.

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:45:22 +0000

Phelps:

After reading through this entire discourse, I feel compelled to ask you this…

How does one define racism? (Obviously there are the various dictionary definitions, but are you familiar at all with the Sociological definition?)

If you carefully unpack the Sociological definition of racism (which is far more than an benign disposition of an individuals mind or harboring bad attitude toward people of a different hue) you will have a better framework for reading/understanding the comments made. All too often the forest is missed for the trees.

Many of my fellow white cohorts do not know the fine balance of disagreement with a point of view and disregarding the experiences of another. You must see and know this if you and the other parties involved in this discussion want leave in better condition than when you came.

By: A.

A. — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:44:32 +0000

Angel – I lul’d.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:01:08 +0000

Oh noes! The Black people are silenzincg me!

How does that work in practice. Say you’re Black and you want to silence Tom. How do you go about it? Because I’d really like to know.

By: Angel H.

Angel H. — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:21:11 +0000

This should be put in a list of “What not to do when talking about racism.”

Done! ^_^