BlogHer - racism - Comments

This person probably belongs

MLOKnitting — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:40:19 -0600

This person probably belongs to the self-selecting class that wants anyone who doesn't fit into his own, narrow, definition of "the right people" to be a threat to their narrow privilige. They tend to be hereditary wealth holders, as well, but not always.

One thing to remember, even if you are blue-eyed, blonde, and white as snow, if you have a drop of any other ethnic group - African American, Native American, Asian, etc. - you are considered miscegenated by these folks. There is nothing rational in their thinking. Nothing at all.

Of course, I'm weird. I think that the PTBs use race to distract us from the real issues of the vulture-like, parasitical 2% bleeding us of our life-blood. But, I have a problem with 2% of the population having 98% of the world's wealth.

MLO / Melissa

Best Post on Topic!!

Julette Millien — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:54:37 -0600

Hi Prof. Kim!

By far, the most compelling, historically referenced and 'relatable' piece I've read on this topic. Thank you so much!

I'm actually in the midst of reading your most recent post on the 2008 transformation - sorry the exact title escapes me and clicked over here...WOW am I glad I did!

The excerpt from Jefferson was particularly jaw dropping though I knew of his racist views. To read it, is to imagine it and live it on a whole other level.

I will be pinting this post for my teenagers to read, today.

Part of me wished that Barack could have spoken more, defended more of the black liberation theology, but I knew the limits of America's "tolerance" for that sort of understanding. We would perhaps not be here today if he had.

As a daughter of the colonial era, and then the shock of America in the 60's - travelled here from Trinidad when I was 10, living with eyes and heart wide open to the injustice and seeing it as my personal responsibility to address, this piece of art/life you've produced here resonates deeply. Thank you.

Now back to your most important post ever! :)

Julette

♥♥♥

http://blog.myforgivenesskit.com

Norma,

Mata H — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:14:31 -0600

I hope we see you back here soon!

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Yikes!

Gotham — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:57:54 -0500

The first mistake was adding God to the headline.

What if there isn't one of those?

Mata-I'm in Marfa with very

Norma156 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:55:41 -0500

Mata-I'm in Marfa with very limited internet access and am working on my battery so I cann't continue this conversation. I look forward to reading your upcoming columns with pleasure when I return.

a tragic reality check

Mata H — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:01:11 -0500

The assassin ation attempt was part of a larger planned spree, accoring to the news this morning -- which would have left over 100 dead.

The Southern Poverty law Center has this to say (and more)One of the suspects, Cowart, is a known member of a new skinhead hate group, the Supreme White Alliance (SWA), formed at the beginning of 2008, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. He attended a Hitler’s Birthday party held last April by the group.SWA is headed by Steven Edwards, son of Ron Edwards, who leads the Imperial Klans of America.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

thanks, Wilma

Mata H — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:54:37 -0500

You raise an excellent point about how we usually judge without noticing. The dynamics of racism are both deliberate and assumptive -- some people say things deliberately to fan the hidden flames, and others just assume that what they say is acceptable. In any case, it is a complex thing, and worthy of calling up into the light for fair and healing discussion.

As you so accurately say -- -it's about healing.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

hopelessness?

Mata H — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:50:44 -0500

I take your point that there has been a focus (as in a few articles) on race. I think that is a good thing. For me, I take great hope in the fact that we ARE discussing the issue, as opposed to letting it be the rhino in the livingroom that no one talks about but that everyone knows is there.

Thanks for mentioning the diversity at the Obama rallies. It is true. And it is good.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

finally some diversity at blogher

Paddycake — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:09:14 -0500

I have noticed the focus of race in many of boghers blogs as well.

If you look you will find negatives in any campaign, thats politics.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but I see diversity at Obama rally's.

It's beautiful and needs a little more recognition.

For a campaign based on hope I see a lot of focus on hopelessness.

I agree that ignoring it won't make it go away.

Bianca Reagan — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:31:19 -0500

However, I don't think the question should have been given the validity that comes from asking it at all.

Particularly disturbing is

shelleyp — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:56:41 -0500

Particularly disturbing is the news today that ATF has foiled an assassination attempt against Obama and other black leaders by skinheads.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8-DEMtAE9q4i4ySQ0eV_qZefmRQD9432HJO0

It is about healing

Wilma Ham — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:48:45 -0500

Words are always limiting. You can only say so much and then we can always look at what has been left out and then argue the case on what has been left out.

We just pick on what we see or don't see, and then we go for winning or losing an argument.
That way I think we all lose.

I go for the win/win in this post and look at what I feel is the gist behind this post and I chose to hear you say this, Mata,

"We lose a chance at being the sister or brother to those meant to be
our sisters and brothers. We violate the entire human family".

And that counts for everywhere where we judge another human being and as we usually judge without noticing, it is good to bring our attention to that kind of judging that exists.

Wilma Ham

www.wilmasblog.com

Norma

Mata H — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:42:50 -0500

I agree that the term racist is "packed". It has deep meaning. That is why I made sure when I wrote that I said the following:

There is a full and very complex spectrum of attitudes about race in play in this election. So let me start by telling you what I am NOT saying.
I am not saying that anyone voting for McCain is racist.
I am not saying that everyone voting for Obama is NOT racist.

(after the video link) And yes, I know -- am am thankful -- that is not a representation of ALL McCain supporters.

I pointed out that the racist conversation was overheard by A friend of mine in this liberal Massachusetts town,

I point out that because I am white I get to hear more of the ugly stuff. (At least once, until I speak back.) And this is in flaming liberal Massachusetts

My faith tells me that the human community is more important than whatever splinter groups with whom we choose to identify. So if you are conservative and I am liberal, we are both still sister human beings who need to figure out how to talk and live together in peace. Life is so short, you know? I think racism is a deep spiritual wound, one that has become inbred from overuse. It may take a different face on a liberal than on a conservative, but it is what it is no matter who expresses it.

I think the place we should be spending time, you and I, is in figuring out what to do about it. So, where do we begin? Let us be wise together.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Good Morning, Mata H- I just

Norma156 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:50:16 -0500

Good Morning, Mata H-

I just read your reply and Nordette's and must say that somehow I have the feeling I'm shadowboxing. I asked you to back up your argument. I did not ask nor do I wish to engage in a discussion with your ally.

My point in pushing the discussion about names is that when you write columns for public discussion positing conservatives (or anyone else for that matter) are racists and are pursuing racist tactics, you should be prepared to back it up with something more than simple assertion. You called a phrase I used "packed." Calling people racist is also packed. More, it's inflamatory and divisive and does nothing to promote dialogue.

You are a good writer with an interesting and distinctive voice. Use it wisely.

See Nordette's comments below

Mata H — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:48:43 -0500

Nordette can help you identify the names you seek, if that is what you want.

But let me ask you this first -- in your opinion, how can you and I best move this discussion forward in a way that will produce understanding?

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool