I don't get this stuff.
People are people, politics aside. Color of skin should not dictate how we think. Yet politically it does, especially with some of the wannabee political figures in the USA.
I spent some of my childhood growing up in Africa. I am white. I went to an international school where the only black (colored or whatever the politically correct name is) folks were ex-pats.
However, at the golf club where white adults had black caddies, the kids all played together. We had a servant (pretty much a social requirement then) and his children played with me.
I live in a place now where we have pretty much every race well represented. We have folks from India, Mexicans, Europeans (all of the countries) Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, South Americans, and a very large Indian population.... You name it, we have it.
Now, maybe I am skewed having spent time growing up with other folks (where I was a minority) but I never see skin color when I look at someone, I also never hear accent. I think about people based on their ideas or actions and decide if they think like me or not. If they don't, that is good with me as everyone is different.
That said, I do find some here to be somewhat un-accepting of folks who do not look like them. That could be white folks, Asian folks or African folks. What drives me nuts, really nuts as a white guy, is that the white man is the only one who seems to get painted with the un-accepting brush (racist) at least where I live. While the other races escape this despite some outward racism displays by some.
Now, I agree that some white folk probably are, but so are some of every other nationality and race. That is a fact, and it should be undisputed. But where I live, that is the way it is.
Now, I think back to being a kid in Africa and remember this important thought/lesson. Black kids liked me, and I liked them. My five year old has a good mix of kids/races/nationalities in his kindergarten glass. He was thrilled to introduce me to "len" who is Japanese, because he has different things at his house and considers some different things important. He is also excited about "jack' and "carter" who look different than him. He looks at them and thinks they are kids who have different things going on in their up bringing and is excited about learning about it, just like I was when I was a kid.
So, after all my rambling, what is my point? Howcome as kids (without being told otherwise) we all are accepting? But as adults and politicians with agendas, that may change? Why? What makes brown, black or white folk change their view?
As another note. Lets say where I live some white folk may be tagged as "unaccepting". And lets say that some in our very large East Indian community may be tagged the same way. This is of course according to the media and each race may also think of the other race as unaccepting. (I am generallizing)
In this senario, I was lucky enough to be invited to an East Indian Wedding Anniversary party a few years ago. I kid you not, there was over 500 people in attendance. 8 Of us were white. 500 people is what I would consider a "fair" cross section of a community. Yet, we felt totally accepted and welcomed into the party as family. They treated us as if they did not see the color of our skin. Yet, according to generally accepted views, they should of been somewhat "stand-off-ish"
My other point? As adults, is color only percieved as an issue or is it an issue?? It maybe percieved here (to some) but my experience is quite the opposite. Are we more common in our thoughts than we think?? What makes some think that color has anything to do with it? Media, hype, political agenda?? Do we let a few loudmouths who like seeing their mug in the paper and hearing their voice on the radio influence us that much??
Maybe
I guess, if one thinks that way they are a sheep, and not a shepard. Are folks so concerned about what other in their "group" think that it clouds their own beliefs? Is society that in need of someone to tell us how color should affect our judgement? Not me, and I hope not you......
Rant over,
Gee, thanks David, you brought something up that has bugged me for a long time...
Cheers