Rosie's ching-chong comments

[Rickypt]

I am finding it interesting, not in a negative way...just interesting, that so much of this thread is devoted to talking about how there is discrimination and racism against whites. If this board were predominately people of color, this conversation would be completely different. Just find it interesting in a sociological sort of way.

I do think there are examples of "reverse" discrimination out there, but in its totality, it is absolutely nothing like racism and discrimination against people of color in America. I might have an experience like Sparky did once or twice in my life, and maybe I'll lose out on a job opportunity because of affirmative action. But I will not spend nearly every day fighting against entrenched racism and power dynamics that work against me just because of the color of my skin. Or against entrenched sexism and power dynamics that work against me because of my gender.

Look at the Barack Obama thing. Before we can talk about if he is truly qualified to be president, we must answer the question "is America ready for a black president". Same thing with Hillary: "are we ready for a woman".

All acts of discrimination are wrong, I think we all agree on that. The question I posed in this thread is why the big outrage against Rosie's ching-chong comments. The answer is clear to me: mocking Chinese has been part of an overall experience of oppression, ridicule, and racism felt by Asian-Americans. I haven't had that experience, so I didn't get it.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I am finding it interesting, not in a negative way...just interesting, that so much of this thread is devoted to talking about how there is discrimination and racism against whites. If this board were predominately people of color, this conversation would be completely different. Just find it interesting in a sociological sort of way.

I do think there are examples of "reverse" discrimination out there, but in its totality, it is absolutely nothing like racism and discrimination against people of color in America. I might have an experience like Sparky did once or twice in my life, and maybe I'll lose out on a job opportunity because of affirmative action. But I will not spend nearly every day fighting against entrenched racism and power dynamics that work against me just because of the color of my skin. Or against entrenched sexism and power dynamics that work against me because of my gender.

Look at the Barack Obama thing. Before we can talk about if he is truly qualified to be president, we must answer the question "is America ready for a black president". Same thing with Hillary: "are we ready for a woman".

All acts of discrimination are wrong, I think we all agree on that. The question I posed in this thread is why the big outrage against Rosie's ching-chong comments. The answer is clear to me: mocking Chinese has been part of an overall experience of oppression, ridicule, and racism felt by Asian-Americans. I haven't had that experience, so I didn't get it.

I think the reason that this conversation is going the way it is is because white people are sick of losing to some minority who never did a damn thing to deserve the special treatment. As I have mentioned before, I know more than one kid who came from a wealthy family get accepted to and free money for school over a more qualified poorer white kid - and for something they never suffered for because their parents were wealthy. How in hell is that fair? The answer is it is not. So, I conclude as I always have, it is time to move on past the obviously failed policy of remedying the past and run to a new policy of helping the poor - all of them.

As for Rosie - humor must exist somewhere and IMO that is what she was doing. Imagine if no one ever made any off color joke. Kathy G. could not refer to "her gays" - the movie White Chicks would not exist - "baby got back" would not be a song - etc. That is a boring world

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I think the reason that this conversation is going the way it is is because white people are sick of losing to some minority who never did a damn thing to deserve the special treatment.

I don't, I think that is how you feel. I think the conversation is going the way it is because it is predominantly white people having the conversation and it is natural to speak about your own experience and to defend yourself, especially in charged discussions.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I don't, I think that is how you feel. I think the conversation is going the way it is because it is predominantly white people having the conversation and it is natural to speak about your own experience and to defend yourself, especially in charged discussions.

It's not just me. Why do you think so many people vote R? I know many who could care a less about abortion, gay rights, blah blah blah -- all they see is their tax money going to help black people who they perceive as being on the public tit with no want to work their way of of it. With programs like Affirmative Action (in the examples above) -- it is hard to argue against that.

Put it this way, a friend of mine FINALLY got the state inspector to come to his Katrina destroyed house. The white inspector told him the reason it took so long was because they were specifically told to help the blacks first. When I heard this, I, like probably you, did not believe it. So, when the time came for my friend to get some public money to fix his place, the assistance was further delayed for that same reason and this time, I heard it with my own two ears.

How is that possibly fair? How could any white person not feel anything but rage about that? Wouldn't you? I can promise you that anyone treated like that is going to hate any governoment in control then - I certainly would. Then, couple that with what you see with minorities automatically getting a leg up no matter how rich or educated they are -- and I think most white people are horrified. I am.