Feel like Crying...A Proud Cry

[PMBG83]

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Originally Posted by M.A.C. head. There's a lot of ignorance going on in this thread. Race is and will always be and issue for this country because of its past. That's just how it is. Wishing that people would "leave color out of it" or saying that "if no one brought it up it wouldn't be an issue" is just blind. As long as there is racism, race will be a topic of discussion. To the OP: Great post, very moving for me and my family as well.

Exactly what I was thinking. Its America and race and color are always going to be made an issue (thats how the one drop rule was started). I mean that is until maybe we all look the same from the melting pot. When any person of color(particularly black) makes strides I LOVE hearing about... Always and Forever!

 

[PMBG83]

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Originally Posted by Corvs Queen I believe that to make a change for the better, we need to progress from our pasts. I am not saying forget about it but learn tolerance and discretion. Pick your battles. I chose these words carefully so if you want to be offended you will be.

I can understand what youre saying and yes there are lots of ethnicities with turbulent pasts but not a past like OURS. To relate OURS with learning tolerance and discretion I think weve handled and dealt with both of those with grace. My mother being called the "N" word to her face as 13 child in the MS's town square of the city just because she accidentally bumped into a white women and not having hostility towards whites today. In alot of instances alot of black people (myself family and friends at least) arent even worried about race until its brought up by someone else. There hasnt been one time I can think of where I havent had to explain that "yes this is my real hair and yes Im ALL black". One white female I worked with damn near had me conduct a verbal survey to find out if my hair was real and then finally exclaimed "well you know how you all wear weaves and stuff" (with a chuckle might I add). This was all after I started a conversation simply showing her I had a new hair color(had nothing to do with race no racial over/under/or side tones) she brought of the race part. So you see in this country it will always come up because this country is connected to issues about race.

 

[benzito_714]

Yikes-i didn't mean to make this such a controversial issue-i was just stating my personal opinion. yes my race and gender (as well as other factors) define who I am and I am not prepared or willing to deny that. As I believe no one should-Be proud of who you are, where you come from and where you are going. Because we all want an equal society does not mean we cannot celebrate our own personal heritage. I did not feel that my original post glorified Black people while downing other races, genders, etc. (if you got that from it that was not my intention and i apologize for the misunderstanding) I was just commenting on a journey made and the historical and cultural significance-this is American History and includes everyone!

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Originally Posted by Corvs Queen These things only become issues because some make them issues. Get my point? Why did it constantly have to be pointed out by the media that there was a black man and a white woman running for President. I could have cared less about their gender, race or any of the other titles that go along with both. Skin color and gender should'nt hold so much value.

I am not the media-so if your gripe is with the media's portrayal of the candidates then let it be and contact the proper channels. The media is going to spew their particular biases, opinions, points, etc. the way they want to.

To everyone who understood the original post-thank you!

 

[kimmy]

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Originally Posted by lafemmenoir May I ask why? Respectfully of course. Some people really get tense about colour issues albeit good or bad, but does the same go for achievements or barriers broken or crossed by women, disabled (i.e. blind, wheelchair, hearing impaired, etc.) who break a barrier of some sort? I don't mean that it's bandwagoning but any group, person, race, religion or underrepresented person(s) who accomplish something that has NEVER been done should be proud or no?

i'm not saying you can't be proud...that's completely at one's own descretion. however, i don't feel that people should be given extra points for the adversities they face. everyone has to overcome some type of adversity at some point in their life. i don't feel that the trials they've had to endure makes them a better person than anyone else though. i think people should be judged on their moral character, not on their history, no matter how turbulent it's been. charles manson faced alot of adversity as a child, should we set him free just because he overcame many obstacles?
and, no, i'm not comparing obama to charles manson. it's just an example to illustrate my point.

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I can understand what youre saying and yes there are lots of ethnicities with turbulent pasts but not a past like OURS.

wow...seriously?

 

[lafemmenoir]

Corv's Queen I don't offend easily at all. I merely wanted to know why Kimmy stated what she did and you felt the same. I know about a lot, not all, of cultures. Where I live today, an Austrian is running our state. Does that not make you feel anything? If a fellow specktrette won a contest, I'd be happy for him/her as well. The race/colour was not the OP's intent so it's not something anyone was rehashing. I like achievements of any kind if it breaks the mold. Plus sized top model? Good on her. Sorry it is offensive to some but when my country wins an Olympic medal, I'm proud too. To say this election is not historic is pure ignorance but I am glad to have seen it on many levels. I rest my case.

 

[lafemmenoir]

Thank you Kimmy...

 

[kimmy]

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Originally Posted by lafemmenoir Corv's Queen I don't offend easily at all. I merely wanted to know why Kimmy stated what she did and you felt the same. I know about a lot, not all, of cultures. Where I live today, an Austrian is running our state. Does that not make you feel anything? If a fellow specktrette won a contest, I'd be happy for him/her as well. The race/colour was not the OP's intent so it's not something anyone was rehashing. I like achievements of any kind if it breaks the mold. Plus sized top model? Good on her. Sorry it is offensive to some but when my country wins an Olympic medal, I'm proud too. To say this election is not historic is pure ignorance but I am glad to have seen it on many levels. I rest my case.

it is indeed historic. i won't undermine that. having a woman and a minority running for control of one of the world's major players does belong in the history books.

i'm just saying i'm not feeling an overwhelming sense of pride simply because we've ventured into new waters. i would, however, feel a strong sense of pride if we could finally break the cycle of choosing the lesser of two evils to run our country, because that would be a change on a moral level...not on a racial or gender level.

 

[PMBG83]

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Originally Posted by kimmy i'm not saying you can't be proud...that's completely at one's own descretion. however, i don't feel that people should be given extra points for the adversities they face. everyone has to overcome some type of adversity at some point in their life. i don't feel that the trials they've had to endure makes them a better person than anyone else though. i think people should be judged on their moral character, not on their history, no matter how turbulent it's been. charles manson faced alot of adversity as a child, should we set him free just because he overcame many obstacles? and, no, i'm not comparing obama to charles manson. it's just an example to illustrate my point. wow...seriously?

Yeah wow...seriously! Our culture and past is unique to us and us alone. Thats why I stated "like OURS". Again I have to agree with lafemme I find this historic and I feel overwhemling pride over it no doubt...I say that because of looking at OUR distinct past as a culture.

 

[Corvs Queen]

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Originally Posted by lafemmenoir Where I live today, an Austrian is running our state. Does that not make you feel anything?

I just want to clarify that I am NOT Austrian. I am a White American Female from the Southern State of North Carolina. I am sure that some of you will smile while reading that but for the most part I know that I will be judged. Whatever.

 

[Corvs Queen]

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Originally Posted by SMMY Race unfortunately still plays a part in America. Lots of progress has been made, but over here, its not a colorblind society yet. Good for you if you have overcome and don't have issues with your past. But many people over here today still feel the impact of racism. It isn't in the past yet, over here. I certainly don't want to rain on someone else's parade because of a historical moment in an American society - a woman candidate and an African American candidate that both had an amazing run for the president of the United States and received millions of votes. It is a benchmark for progress in this country. As someone who is old enough to remember the civil rights movement and the struggle for equality for women, I think this current election is an amazing point in history and people who have been impacted by racism or an sort of discrimination in their life have every right to rejoice. I mean, really, what harm does it do you to let people feel good about this? signed me - a fifty-one year old white female who still thinks this has been an awe-inspiring campaign season so far.

Read my last post. I am an American and I KNOW America's history. No explanation needed. Thanks anyway.

 

[kimmy]

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Originally Posted by PMBG83 Yeah wow...seriously! Our culture and past is unique to us and us alone.

it is unique, but there have been equally as bad, and worse things done to other cultures. i'm not saying what was done was right...however, what was done to the celts wasn't right either. what was done to the jewish people wasn't right either.

every race and culture has faced rough times. every race has been, at one point or another, enslaved by another. mainstream america seperating obama because of his race is just perpetuating racial tension that i think we've all really had enough of.

 

[Corvs Queen]

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Originally Posted by kimmy i'm not saying you can't be proud...that's completely at one's own descretion. however, i don't feel that people should be given extra points for the adversities they face. everyone has to overcome some type of adversity at some point in their life. i don't feel that the trials they've had to endure makes them a better person than anyone else though. i think people should be judged on their moral character, not on their history, no matter how turbulent it's been. charles manson faced alot of adversity as a child, should we set him free just because he overcame many obstacles? and, no, i'm not comparing obama to charles manson. it's just an example to illustrate my point. wow...seriously?

Word.

 

[COBI]

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Originally Posted by Corvs Queen I just want to clarify that I am NOT Austrian. I am a White American Female from the Southern State of North Carolina. I am sure that some of you will smile while reading that but for the most part I know that I will be judged. Whatever.

I will not weigh in on the race debate in this post; however, I would point out that in this particular thread, you are likely to be judged for your tone and statements and not the state that you are from.

Just because some people assume you're a racist because of where you are from doesn't mean that everyone is that ignorant. I would however also think about how much of your expressed views/tones play into their assumptions versus your home state. I am not trying to be a jerk, but it seems that you are very un-open to other perspectives.

 

[PMBG83]

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Originally Posted by kimmy it is unique, but there have been equally as bad, and worse things done to other cultures. i'm not saying what was done was right...however, what was done to the celts wasn't right either. what was done to the jewish people wasn't right either. every race and culture has faced rough times. every race has been, at one point or another, enslaved by another. mainstream america seperating obama because of his race is just perpetuating racial tension that i think we've all really had enough of.

No thats true every race has faced tribulations true. In our community were already seperated its usually black community white community and so on...But for us as a people that doenst bring tenison to us it brings pride to our community to see an african american male in his postion.

 

[lafemmenoir]

You know, it's okay to pass on posts/threads where you are not keen on the
topic. Silence can never be misquoted. I said, it's not only colour but that was overlooked. Some people want a reason to be tense. *smh*

 

[COBI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimmy it is unique, but there have been equally as bad, and worse things done to other cultures. i'm not saying what was done was right...however, what was done to the celts wasn't right either. what was done to the jewish people wasn't right either.

Thank you, Kimmy. That is one thing that I took offense with: the egocentric view that no one else has had it as tough. That type of statement tends to be counterproductive and discrediting to any viewpoint where it is offered. In fairness, we are typically all most aware and educated on our own culture's history and perspective and are in no position to judge who "had it the worst". Just MHO, of course.

 

[PMBG83]

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Originally Posted by COBI Thank you, Kimmy. That is one thing that I took offense with: the egocentric view that no one else has had it as tough. That type of statement tends to be counterproductive and discrediting to any viewpoint where it is offered. In fairness, we are typically all most aware and educated on our own culture's history and perspective and are in no position to judge who "had it the worst". Just MHO, of course.

Youre right I was only mentioning one particular set of circumstances moreso dealing with that topic ...wasnt trying to forget or disregard any other cultures' past.

 

[laperle]

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Originally Posted by COBI In fairness, we are typically all most aware and educated on our own culture's history and perspective and are in no position to judge who "had it the worst". Just MHO, of course.

Ditto.

Our own wound hurts more than other people's.

 

[PMBG83]

Well along with all this, thank you for the thread Ben.

 

[Corvs Queen]

Lots of people assume that if you are from the south, you are racist. That's simply not true and I made a tongue in cheek response to clarify that I am American.

Another thing, why is that Obama is labeled African American? To the best of my knowledge, he is American. Period. He was born in America so he's American. That would be like me saying I am Scots-American. I don't get to check that when I am asked my race on legal forms. I get to check "Caucasian".

And like I said before, with my comments if you are looking to be offended then most likely you will be. It's all how you read them. Tone/Non-tone and all.