Anyone else sick of race??

[Synful*Luv]

Seriously i'm tired of it being an issue. I'm tired of being identified by it. I'm tired of being expected to explain things because of it. I'm tired of being expected to understand things associated with it. I'm tired...

When will it stop being such a big deal? Ever? How can we push forward so that it's not a huge issue?

Is it this big of a deal in countries that aren't America? (I apologize, I honestly don't know)

I had my hair braided over the weekend and I came back to work and someone mentioned that "it's great i'm staying true to my ethnicity"

WTF? What does braids have to do with staying true to my ethnicity?

Anyways... outside of the rant.

Why do you guys think race is still such a big thing? Why is it always brought up?

Please feel free to answer any of the above questions in any order, i'm really interested in the opinions of others, people from the states and elsewhere.

 

[masta247]

I don't know, here we have probably less than 0.01% of non-caucasian people so it's more of an interesting encounter to chat with someone black or asian (altho educated ones are really rare because they usually come from poor countries). There are many racists here too so it sucks a bit. Anyway I perceive other races as a different breed of human but more in a positive way, they intrigue me.

 

[Synful*Luv]

I don't know, here we have probably less than 0.01% of non-caucasian people so it's more of an interesting encounter to chat with someone black or asian (altho educated ones are really rare because they usually come from poor countries). There are many racists here too so it sucks a bit. Anyway I perceive other races as a different breed of human but more in a positive way, they intrigue me.

Nothing wrong with being intrigued, people of other cultures (especially those I don't get to interact with much) are very interesting to me. But it's their language, their food, their accent but they're still just people more unique from being from a far away land. But people don't ask questions, instead they make assumptions and say rude offensive things. It sucks.

Also, you're from Poland right? I've had terrible experiences with people from there. I assume it's because like you say there's not much diversity. I tried to move into a townhome in a neighborhood that's mostly people who are 1st generation Polish and they did NOT like that idea, lmao. The neighbor came outside and said something like "we don't want no rappers here" Sucks. I don't rap, I don't even listen to much commercial rap music.

 

[Duke]

The Netherlands are pretty multicultural. Due to our colonies (Suriname, Antilles) and guest labourers from the 50's and 60's (Turkey and Morocco). It obviously brought about a lot of integration issues, still present to this day, but no one will look at you in an odd way if you're not white, lol. In general people won't make many stupid assumptions about other cultures/ethnicities (though there are always exceptions).

Also, America is such a big country that a certain measure of ïgnorance is inescapeable, I think. Especially in the smaller communities. I don't think your average Ukrainian or Chinese peasant will present you with a lot of well-nuanced statements about black people, lol.

The thing that does tickle my interest is that, since America is built on immigrants, and virtually 99% of the Yanks are or were, at some point, immigrants, many still are capable of the most ludicrous statements.

Like that Polish example you just mentioned. WTF?! You should've said "Good, 'cos I don't want to live in a neighbourhood where people drink their aftershave if the 7/11 is closed and beat their wives".

But on the whole I think this stupid ignorance about race and culture is widespread throughout the entire world. I guess it depends mostly on the people involved (the personal note), not on the country.

 

[Sebastian]

I had my hair braided over the weekend and I came back to work and someone mentioned that "it's great i'm staying true to my ethnicity"

"we don't want no rappers here"

I cant believe this level of ignorance.

 

[Synful*Luv]

I cant believe this level of ignorance.

Come visit. They'll have some for you i'm sure. It's worst in the South than where i'm at but it's still bad. People seriously think like that.

I.E.
How many people on this board make comments about Hitler when talking to you just because you're German? Do you look like him? No. Do you share his ideas and beliefs? No. But you're still associated with him.

 

[Synful*Luv]

The Netherlands are pretty multicultural. Due to our colonies (Suriname, Antilles) and guest labourers from the 50's and 60's (Turkey and Morocco). It obviously brought about a lot of integration issues, still present to this day, but no one will look at you in an odd way if you're not white, lol. In general people won't make many stupid assumptions about other cultures/ethnicities (though there are always exceptions).

Also, America is such a big country that a certain measure of ïgnorance is inescapeable, I think. Especially in the smaller communities. I don't think your average Ukrainian or Chinese peasant will present you with a lot of well-nuanced statements about black people, lol.

The thing that does tickle my interest is that, since America is built on immigrants, and virtually 99% of the Yanks are or were, at some point, immigrants, many still are capable of the most ludicrous statements.

Like that Polish example you just mentioned. WTF?! You should've said "Good, 'cos I don't want to live in a neighbourhood where people drink their aftershave if the 7/11 is closed and beat their wives".

But on the whole I think this stupid ignorance about race and culture is widespread throughout the entire world. I guess it depends mostly on the people involved (the personal note), not on the country.

I have this idea that somewhere in Europe are countries where people are just people. IDK why.

 

[Flipmo]

In Montreal it's not too big of a deal since almost everyone is an immigrant or are a kid of 2 immigrant parents. Leave the island of Montreal, and you'll get people a lot more hostile, but then again, small places breed small minds.

As for Croatia, is more of a Balkan nations/Religion thing. Croatians/Bosnians/Serbs going at each other, but that's because of our history and war scars.

 

[masta247]

yeah there are 2 reasons for Polish people to act that way. Like I said there are many racists here, Polish nationalism sometimes turns out to be too strong. When they see someone black or asian they know that he's not Polish, to a lot of stupidier Poles someone who's not Polish is just worse. Anyway the main thing is that most Poles who emigrate to Britain or America are uneducated. They wouldn't stand a chance for a fair life here in Poland. That's why they move their stupid selves to other countries where they think they'll find paradise but surely life for poor and uneducated people there is much much easier. So they move to America, they're "big" now and they spread their ignorance there. I think other people who are ignorant towards other races are also either stupid or arrogant. They know that they'll insult you somehow but anyway they do it. Whenever I visit London and say that I'm from Poland I know I'm being observed carefully. Sure there is a bit to each stereotype - statistically there are more drinking people here than anywhere else, sure there are more thieves etc. but you can easy tell that from person's looks. I think I have a trustfull look but anyway people will make assumptions whenever I'll say that I'm Polish. It's just their stupidity but it's based on some stereotypes that start somewhere. I wouldn't know how would I act if I saw someone Arabic entering the subway with a huge bag. I'd definately wait for a second train "just in case" but definately I wouldn't tell him that I suspect him for being a terrorist.

 

[Sebastian]

Come visit. They'll have some for you i'm sure. It's worst in the South than where i'm at but it's still bad. People seriously think like that.

I.E.
How many people on this board make comments about Hitler when talking to you just because you're German? Do you look like him? No. Do you share his ideas and beliefs? No. But you're still associated with him.

But thats not the same thing. They are not seriously thinking i share his beliefs or something while the person you quoted most likely really thinks all black people are rappers.lol

 

[Da_Funk]

Why do you guys think race is still such a big thing? Why is it always brought up?

Please feel free to answer any of the above questions in any order, i'm really interested in the opinions of others, people from the states and elsewhere.

I don't have time to post up a long answer so I'll keep it short. There will always be ignornant people and idiots on this planet. Therefore race will always be a big deal, and you will always be judged by it.

 

[masta247]

I don't have time to post up a long answer so I'll keep it short. There will always be ignornant people and idiots on this planet. Therefore race will always be a big deal, and you will always be judged by it.

Yes, most probably. Here in Europe it's more about nationality tho.

 

[S O F I]

I thought all black people were rappers but then I saw this movie

I’m Through With White Girls (2007) FESTiVAL DVDSCR XviD - BETAMAX | RapidShare Links

 

[Duke]

I have this idea that somewhere in Europe are countries where people are just people. IDK why.

Oh, trust me, there are plenty of stupid idiots over here as well. The Netherlands is a small country and densely populated, but you can find some prime examples of true ignorance in the smaller villages.

Like Flip said, small places breed small minds.

 

[masta247]

Oh, trust me, there are plenty of stupid idiots over here as well. The Netherlands is a small country and densely populated, but you can find some prime examples of true ignorance in the smaller villages.

Same here about villages. Even in small cities and sometimes bigger cities you can encounter an ignorant.

 

[Sebastian]

You can encounter ignorance everywhere. Village or big city. Doesnt matter.

 

[Duke]

You can encounter ignorance everywhere. Village or big city. Doesnt matter.

Of course, but it seems more prevelant in villages because in bigger cities, obviously, you come into contact with "others" more often.

 

[Sebastian]

My response was more directed to masta who made it sound like its something really special to find an ignorant person in a bigger city.

 

[Jokerman]

It's ridiculous how ignorant some people are. Like people are always asking me if I'm a basketball player. Or, "why don't you become a basketball player?" I'm like, "why I got to be a basketball player, because I'm black!?" And they're like, "No, it's because you have a number on your shirt and you're always carrying a basketball."

"Yeah, right, ma!"

 

[masta247]

My response was more directed to masta who made it sound like its something really special to find an ignorant person in a bigger city.

yes of course it's not rare to find an ignorant in bigger city. I formed that sentence in a wrong way maybe. I meant that the bigger the place you live in and the more people you encounter and talk to the risk that you'll be ignorant is smaller. Like when a person of different ethnicity goes to a small village he'll make a lot of sensation and 90% of people will say that he/she's either a rapper/thief/devil etc. When the same person goes to a bigger city there's a much smaller risk that someone will think something like that and say it loud.