I usually just observe these tirades but the current denial level is ridiculous.
I agree completely. However, denial of current societal issues is not confined to one particular demographic.
During the pre error of the Declaration of Independence slavery was legal. The Declaration was just that a Declaration it was not Emancipation which is two different things.
True. History is what it is.
I was born in the North some of the older forum members from the South know what I'm talking about & I'm not implying that you are personally any kind of racist.
I’m curious. While you are not implying that any individual is a racist, are you implying that there is no or little racism/prejudice in the North?
It just amazes me the level of denial which still exists in America & I'm not playing any cards.
Again, I agree. But let’s explore this at the end.
Some people can be racist & actually convince themselves that "oh I was referring to those blacks, him not you" you're ok because I like you.
And again, are you implying that such is not said in other demographic groups?
That's why I have six concealed permits & a Rifle & Shotgun permit. I reside in New York NY & had an incident where false information was given against me by someone who knew I possessed a legal shotgun.
I was a resident in an apartment building in Harlem NYC. The NYPD all but kicked in my door with no less then ten officers went right to where they were told I kept my shotgun at that time a locked closet & had me open it up. They handcuffed me & stated they would proceed to arrest my whole family including my Mother.
Are you implying that the action of the officers was motivated by race or by the false information given against you? While I may be willing to concede your point, you have not given adequate evidence to assert a racial motivation.
I know of a teenage Caucasian kid who was pulled over for speeding where the Highway Patrol pulled him through his window and threw him into the highway after pulling him over. Yeah, I was that kid years ago. It was wrong, but it had nothing to do with race.
One officer called in the serial number & I wish I had a picture of his face when they told him it was registered to me. Now all these predominantly "white males" became super polite. I instantly became Mr. Reynolds we're so sorry this so sorry that. I could have pursued it legally I was in my twenties then not as adept as I am now but I let it go. We having a saying It is what it is.
Yes. They made a mistake, and knew it. I would argue that if they were truly racists and had no respect for law, they would have had no problems planting something. It kinda reminds me of that Dave Chappell episode about sprinkling someone with “Crack Dust.”
My Mother was the one who originally told me if you want to bring a firearm into this home get a permit...so I did.
A wise woman and I am glad you listened to her.
It just amazes me the level of denial which still exists in America & I'm not playing any cards.
OK… let’s cut through it. I wholeheartedly agree that there is a tremendous amount of denial that still exists in America.
The problem is that the “denial” extends FAR beyond some “white” people. As I have seen it, EVERYONE has the propensity of being racist/prejudice/etc.
I’ve met black people who are blatantly racists. I’ve met Asians who were blatantly racists. I’ve met Jewish people who were prejudice against others. I’ve met Northerners who made no attempt to mask their prejudice against Southerners. And how many derisive “Redneck comments do we see even on THR? How accepted is the use of many terms to address White persons—and yet, other derisive terms are now only addressed by their first letter.
And yes… I’ve met White persons who were racists.
Yet, somehow it is assumed that only a White person can be a racist. Yet it is accepted that the South is the whipping boy for the country’s societal ills.
I reject both of those notions.
We SHOULD have come far enough that we can end the tired, moldy rhetoric. We will NEVER address the problems we have in our society until we are able to finally rip the curtains down and let the light shine equally upon ALL participants regardless of race or demographics.
We will only advance as a society when we allow free expression of the issues. For instance… Don Imus. Whatever you or I may think of the guy—or whatever we think of what he said— the REAL effect of that situation and others is that NO ONE will speak openly of issues or concerns for fear of becoming the next Don Imus. It effectively creates a Wall of Silence. But has that Wall actually done anything other than hinder discussion?
We truly ARE in an age of denial. But lets make sure we identify ALL of those in denial and not seek out more whipping boys.
This entire line of discussion is OT, and will likely be curtailed. I’ll be happy to continue it in the form of Private Messages.
All the best!
-- John