Interesting QuestionFollow

Well you're right; we disagree. I think that the connotation strongly implies that the programming is for black people, and only incidentally by black people (and probably not always even by them, even though they are the actors).



Yes, it's important to recognize that there are differences, but that the differences are not inherent attributes of skin color or what have you. Culture is certainly different -on the large- between black people and white people, but there are numerous exceptions. It's nurture, not nature. Black people are not different from white people just because they are black.

I'll be the first to admit that I am biased against fashion/style too. If I see 3 black guys limping down the sidewalk with their pants halfway around their ankles, wifebeaters, and doo rags, sporting a nasty snarl and a swagger, yeah I'm going to be a little apprehensive, because they're far more likely to be emulating some violent prick on MTV than 3 black guys dressed like they have a job to go to. Same goes for white people and any other race... I will wager a likelihood that if you dress a certain way, you are trying to convey a certain persona. If you want to say "black people dressing that way is part of their culture" then ok, maybe it is (it's not for all of them, to be sure), but that doesn't mean it's a good aspect of the culture. All cultures have contemptible qualities. Even members of the black community acknowledge their problems (not all our proud of every aspect of their culture).

What it comes down to is skin and culture. I'm certainly not dumb enough to have some aversion to a person just because of their pigmentation, and I would also be an idiot to assume that a person has a certain culture just because of the color of their skin, so I really fail to see what all the racism is about. You have to be an idiot to be racist.

But that said, there are still definitely double standards out there and the majority (of both numbers and of power) can still be victims of racism. Racism is far from exclusive to the majority.

"Fried Rice v. Fried Noodles: Which is the proper bed for your beef & broccoli?"

No less than I'm against Anglo-Americans rallying together in racial pride?

I think it's well-meant, but perverted. Whatever though, I just chalk it up to an effort to promote equal representation, even though I think it fails miserably. The problem when you "lump" certain groups together is than in doing so, you may segregate them from everyone else. Black History month is a different story, but as for Asian-American clubs, why? Why is it that a group of people need to officially designate time and activities where they are only with people of a like race? Asian-American awareness club, ok. A heritage/history type club, ok. Hentai tentacle **** club, ok (lol, lil joke there). Why does there need to be a club where only Asian Americans are allowed?

Black History month doesn't actually exclude anyone; all reap the same benefits of learning about black history and celebrating that aspect of the civil rights movements, not just black people. I do think it represents a sad state of cultural awareness in America though. Why do we need one month for it? Why can't it be Black History month every month just like all the other histories?

Eh, I'm too tired to cognate anymore.

Well, with all due respect I don't see it as a straw man at all.

As has been pointed out previously, if a club were started in celebration of Americans of Swedish descent (and seriously, enjoy the herring and sour cream on Buffet Night), I don't think there'd be a big outcry. (It would certainly be interesting to see how they'd react to a black applicant with a Swedish grandfather; but that's all part of the fun.)

It's a huge leap from the specific (Swedish-American Student Union or what have you) to the general (White Students United). Maybe it shouldn't be that way; it's regrettable but there it is. I'm the first to bitCh about the word "community" being used to exclude; I'd like nothing better than mutual trust and respect on all sides.

As to the other, it's really the word "allowed" that jumped out at me. If you substitute clearer wording that says what you actually meant, I have much less of a quibble.

You linked the reason a club is socially acceptable to the reason why a club exists. They don't have to be the same. I only addressed the former.


Why are you telling me this? I'm well aware of this point, it being the basis for my post in the first place.

I don't see anything wrong with Black History month. It's not like it's Black People month. As for educational context though, teachers are already encouraged and/or required (depending on the state) to approach issues of diversity and multicultural sensitivity, etc. Black history is a part of the curriculum in most states and should be taught, but there doesn't need to be a designated month to do it in. It will be taught either way because most states mandate it. It just seems silly to me to say, "Ok, let's teach it in February." No other part of any curriculum is planned down to the month in advance.

It's one of the many parts of American society that seems silly but relatively harmless to me.



Don't see a problem with it then. I would complain if an Anglo-American cultural club was protested against though. Btw, I knew you were talking to someone else, I just didn't care.

Edit: OP, in direct response to your original question, the reason is that while any cultural/racial group can have pride and it's just "pride", when the predominant group has pride, it's viewed as "supremacy". Many minorities feel like white people should not be proud, but ashamed of the way they have handled their power. Perhaps some of us bring it on ourselves for being apologetic about crimes that we did not ourselves commit, drawing focus to those negative aspects whilst minority groups tend to focus on their positives.

Eh, w/e. It's not a competition. Personally I think that the whole "group pride" thing is a bunch of ******** and only serves to reinforce stereotypes by saying "we're the same, and they're different". Yes, that's certainly true in some respects, but ALL people have similarities and ALL people have differences. It's not a black/white thing. We're all some shade of gray.

Edited, Feb 21st 2007 12:04am by Kachi

I thought that was Bolivia, not Peru...

Relative to America there is certainly an inherent white privilege (for some white people, but not for all); however, relative to the world it's important to remember that there is an inherent American privilege as well. It just grates me a little when American minority groups complain about discrimination but fail to acknowledge how much better their lives are just from living in America. If I had money or resources to donate to a worthy cause, it would go to any of a hundred other countries before the American minorities crying their eyes out, because in comparison those people really have it pretty good.

Well, no, but he should recognize and appreciate it. Yes, he has a legitimate complaint, but he still should realize that he has it pretty good just by living in America.

Couldn't have said it better as I read your post continuing this conversation.