[billethkid]

Originally Posted by mac9

We can also add Anne Coulter and Rush Limbough to that list, or would that be offensive to you?

not at all....everything is in the eye/mind/belief/opinions/thoughts of the beholder.....a concept foreign to far too many in this day and society that feels obligated to paint any opposition or difference with a tar brush.

We are all entitled to be right (or wrong) as the facts support (or not).

btk

[Avista]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Of course we would all like them. But not if they hurt the dog or got mud on my new white chairs.

All people have the same expectations in my book.

Trust me they are dog lovers and have rescued a beautiful lab mix. Not sure about grandson and white chairs though!

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Avista

Trust me they are dog lovers and have rescued a beautiful lab mix. Not sure about grandson and white chairs though!

LOL. If I visited a home with white furniture, I would see a non kid friendly home and keep a eye on the kids for sure. Hee hee

[tucson]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

Been a lot of talk here about racists. Anybody have a good definition?

I don't believe in inter-racial marriages. Hetro--Bi--Gay--lesbian--makes no difference to me.

Does that make me a closet racist?

Just curious.

Food for thought.

IMO, definition of "racist" goes back to the 1800's when the Europeans went to Africa to capture the black natives to sell as slaves in the new world (America).They held the belief that they were "inferior" to the white establishment of that time. That to me, is where the term "racism" came from. I'm glad that there are inter-racial marriages, it's hopefully creating a different mind-set to their children of equality in the races to that they'll bring into their future.

[JPC55]

Originally Posted by mac9

We can also add Anne Coulter and Rush Limbough to that list, or would that be offensive to you?

If they ALL would ONLY put their 'Negative' energy into 'POSITIVE energy' and work on solving issues, the country would be much better off.. Way to much NEGATIVITY and finger pointing. Leaders are not addressing the real issues that go on in our cities. This is where the focus should be.. Teaching trades, improving education, etc. at a young age.

[ilovetv]

Charles Barkley gets it better than a lot of the lawyers, talking heads and "reverends" do.....

Especially in what he says about the media's motives and agenda:

Charles Barkley on CNBC: Jury was right to acquit Zimmerman

[blueash]

You may not believe in interracial marriage, but it is reality. You can believe in Santa Claus and it doesn't make him real, you can not believe in marriage and it is still true that it has happened. Sorry to tell you your beliefs are errors. Proudly all of the world has moved beyond your belief system with the exception of a few who cling to their personal philosophy which almost everyone else rejects as yes racist and yes prejudiced and yes bigoted. Perhaps you will now tell us how Jews control the banks and the world via their protocols of the elders and how if only we'd never given them blacks and them women the right to vote America would still have been a great country. How anyone can read your words and not be furious and saddened at the belief you hold amazes me. I applaud those who have written that you are entitled to your opinion, but I would call you out as an evil person for spewing such an idea for discussion as if there could be two reasonable sides to the issue. If you meant it solely to stimulate controversy and you really don't support what you wrote it was still IMO shameful. Rant over

[ilovetv]

I don't agree with it, but to me, if a person thinks inter-racial marriage is wrong, "So WHAT?"

As long as they do not act upon that thought nor cause anybody harm, what's the problem with THINKING something that, to others, is viewed as mean and bigoted?

How can people claim to be liberal and open-minded and accepting/inclusive, and simultaneously call for censorship of any speech that does not agree with their own?? This is not logical!!

I don't like this Thought Police thing going on more and more lately.

[mgjim]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I don't agree with it, but to me, if a person thinks inter-racial marriage is wrong, "So WHAT?"

As long as they do not act upon that thought nor cause anybody harm, what's the problem with THINKING something that, to others, is viewed as mean and bigoted?

How can people claim to be liberal and open-minded and accepting/inclusive, and simultaneously call for censorship of any speech that does not agree with their own?? This is not logical!!

I don't like this Thought Police thing going on more and more lately.

So you believe that every point of view is equally valid?

[rubicon]

ilovetv you are on to something. a priest friend of mine once long ago said the same thing. He was referring to sin and explained that while a person may thinks something if it is not followed by action then its just a thought. I suppose he mentioned this because the catholic church early on would ask church members to confess to having impure thoughts to their list of sins.

We have our preferences...my grandmother said to me once marry a nice Italian girl wherein I replied but grandma I don't know any nice Italian girls. Clearly her intentions were to preserve our heritage. so when my cousin was the first to marry a non Italian ( Russian orthodox) the family went nuts at first but quickly recovered.

My family today is a broad cross section of North South East West Europeans

But when we discuss issues such as this I believe it is important to climb above the fray and look broadly at the benefits and consequences because it removes our natural born biases allowing us to think clearly and fairly about
the human race. I had always wondered about people who did hurtful and greedy things thinking to myself these people apparently thinks they are going to live forever because why would it mean so much for them to commit such desperate acts?, etc. In the end it all doesn't matter. What is important to me is to do more good than bad. To preserve my integrity so that I can look at man in the eyes with the satisfaction that I did not betray him that I lived honestly and honorable so that in my final moment I can rest my head with contentment ready for my long sleep

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by blueash

You may not believe in interracial marriage, but it is reality. You can believe in Santa Claus and it doesn't make him real, you can not believe in marriage and it is still true that it has happened. Sorry to tell you your beliefs are errors. Proudly all of the world has moved beyond your belief system with the exception of a few who cling to their personal philosophy which almost everyone else rejects as yes racist and yes prejudiced and yes bigoted. Perhaps you will now tell us how Jews control the banks and the world via their protocols of the elders and how if only we'd never given them blacks and them women the right to vote America would still have been a great country. How anyone can read your words and not be furious and saddened at the belief you hold amazes me. I applaud those who have written that you are entitled to your opinion, but I would call you out as an evil person for spewing such an idea for discussion as if there could be two reasonable sides to the issue. If you meant it solely to stimulate controversy and you really don't support what you wrote it was still IMO shameful. Rant over

I think most people are far more complex in their beliefs than that.

Some of our prejudices are positive and somewhat accurate.

Some of our prejudices are mean spirited and narrow minded.

Sometimes we have to generalize in order to make some kinds of decisions.

For instance if some kid came in showing four inches of underwear, had a skull tattoo and he had those big black discs in his ears, I wouldn't hire him. I don't care if he was valedictorian, summa cum laude, an Eagle scout and a pillar of his church.

Sometimes we have to adapt, fit in, look the part and try harder.

We all have prejudices. But all people are worthy to be listened to and respected until they do something that hurts others on purpose or fail to take care of themselves and their family if they are able to.

Not all people are born with the same level of intelligence and you can call them stupid if you wish, but few people realize that most people are doing the best they can with the intelligence that they were born with and the experiences they have had. You can educate people and give the tools to help them, but you cannot make them innately smarter.

I am the mother of a gifted child and a retarded one. I love them both exactly the same and feel they have the exact same value in this world. People are born within the spectrum of intelligence of my two children and education and good parenting can only modify that somewhat. Be kind and fair and help as much as you can and see all people as worthwhile unless and until the hurt others on purpose. MOST people are doing the best they can with what they were born with.

I will never be the center for the Celtics.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

........

For instance if some kid came in showing four inches of underwear, had a skull tattoo and he had those big black discs in his ears, I wouldn't hire him. I don't care if he was valedictorian, summa cum laude, an Eagle scout and a pillar of his church..........

If that kid comes your way, send him over to see me. I will hire him.

[OldManTime]

Simple definition of racist is;

S h a r p t o n

J a c k s o n

[lightworker888]

I find it interesting to read all the different views on "racism" most of which I tend to code as "preferences". We all have preferences based on our personal history and some are more staunch in their holding of them and others are more open to looking at them and possibly expanding them or eliminating them.

It's like we are all looking out of different windows in this big house we all live in and some choose to stay in one room and others seek to explore the house and see what is in other rooms and out other windows.

All the choices we make in life are based on our viewpoints and for many there is alot at stake if they change their perspective. In fact for some it would shake up their whole world and create too much confusion so they choose not to look out another window. There really is no reason to blame them, as they are the ones who have to live with the consequences of changing their viewpoint. I still have a challenge with extremists of any sort, and maybe that is where the term "racist" belongs.

I remember that my husband (Irish descent, and I'm Chinese) once went into an ice cream store and was served by a young lad who had tattoos all over and green hair and an earring. My husband at the time was very conservative in his thinking but for some reason got engaged in conversation. When he told me about the experience, he said that it really gave him food for thought and made him realize how much he judged kids by their appearance and often dismissed those who weren't attired "properly". He still would prefer the other, but he no longer judges them by how they look. Like most people he is most comfortable with those who are similar in thought and action, though he does like a good debate!

When I was young, I used to think that any "misfortunes" I suffered were because I was Chinese, but as I got older I began to realize that my "misfortunes" were consequences of my own actions or thoughts and in fact most of them turned out to have great silver linings and were really not misfortunes.

When my husband and I were married over 30 yrs ago, heads would always turn as I have always lived in a predominantly white neighbourhood. Now, hardly anyone notices us as a couple, except chinese people that see us! And they always look twice, even if they are an interracial couple.

Racism has always been a hot topic, so like all hot topics there will be many viewpoints. I think I better go into another room now.

LW888

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by lightworker888

I find it interesting to read all the different views on "racism" most of which I tend to code as "preferences". We all have preferences based on our personal history and some are more staunch in their holding of them and others are more open to looking at them and possibly expanding them or eliminating them.

It's like we are all looking out of different windows in this big house we all live in and some choose to stay in one room and others seek to explore the house and see what is in other rooms and out other windows.

All the choices we make in life are based on our viewpoints and for many there is alot at stake if they change their perspective. In fact for some it would shake up their whole world and create too much confusion so they choose not to look out another window. There really is no reason to blame them, as they are the ones who have to live with the consequences of changing their viewpoint. I still have a challenge with extremists of any sort, and maybe that is where the term "racist" belongs.

I remember that my husband (Irish descent, and I'm Chinese) once went into an ice cream store and was served by a young lad who had tattoos all over and green hair and an earring. My husband at the time was very conservative in his thinking but for some reason got engaged in conversation. When he told me about the experience, he said that it really gave him food for thought and made him realize how much he judged kids by their appearance and often dismissed those who weren't attired "properly". He still would prefer the other, but he no longer judges them by how they look. Like most people he is most comfortable with those who are similar in thought and action, though he does like a good debate!

When I was young, I used to think that any "misfortunes" I suffered were because I was Chinese, but as I got older I began to realize that my "misfortunes" were consequences of my own actions or thoughts and in fact most of them turned out to have great silver linings and were really not misfortunes.

When my husband and I were married over 30 yrs ago, heads would always turn as I have always lived in a predominantly white neighbourhood. Now, hardly anyone notices us as a couple, except chinese people that see us! And they always look twice, even if they are an interracial couple.

Racism has always been a hot topic, so like all hot topics there will be many viewpoints. I think I better go into another room now.

LW888

Whatta girl. You and I may not always agree on small things but I am just hugely blessed to know you. You always make my day brighter, expand my world and make me see things a little more clearly and from a different perspective and you ALWAYS make me smile and want to hug you.