Comments for Racial Attitudes http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes University of Arkansas at Little Rock Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:39:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 Comment on President Obama by Jack Coop http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/01/30/obama/#comment-52 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:41:35 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/01/30/obama/#comment-52 History will not judge President Obama based on his direct efforts to improve race relations in America. Instead, history will judge him on his success domestically and abroad. If he is successful ending the recession and can responsibly remove us from two wars abroad, he will probably be viewed positively. This success (or failure) will determine whether many people believe a black person can be an effective president and leader; however, this is a foolish conclusion. Mr. Obama's work as president should not be a referendum on the capability of black people to perform important duties, like being President. Instead, it will be important to consider Mr. Obama as an individual rather than as a representative for all black people. His success is not necessarily indicative of someone else's future success nor would his failure be indicative of anyone else's potential for failure. History will not judge President Obama based on his direct efforts to improve race relations in America. Instead, history will judge him on his success domestically and abroad. If he is successful ending the recession and can responsibly remove us from two wars abroad, he will probably be viewed positively. This success (or failure) will determine whether many people believe a black person can be an effective president and leader; however, this is a foolish conclusion. Mr. Obama’s work as president should not be a referendum on the capability of black people to perform important duties, like being President. Instead, it will be important to consider Mr. Obama as an individual rather than as a representative for all black people. His success is not necessarily indicative of someone else’s future success nor would his failure be indicative of anyone else’s potential for failure.

]]> Comment on Is Race Real? by Corey Thomas http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/04/08/is-race-real/#comment-51 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:34:52 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/04/08/is-race-real/#comment-51 Another interesting question. I think that the concept of race is as real as we allow it to be. I also believe that some people may need it to exist. Otherwise they may not have anything left to focus on. Personally, I don't choose to allow myself to be separated from another being simply based on their ethnicity. I have also made the conscious decision to not live my life focusing on a person's "race." With that said, I do believe that having a rich knowledge of the past "race" issues in the country is critical. We have no need to repeat those events. The concept of race is as real as we make it. It was definitely real historically. It is probably just as real today because of our conditioning. "I think therefore I am"...right? Let's choose to treat "race" differently though. We have that choice. Another interesting question. I think that the concept of race is as real as we allow it to be. I also believe that some people may need it to exist. Otherwise they may not have anything left to focus on.

Personally, I don’t choose to allow myself to be separated from another being simply based on their ethnicity. I have also made the conscious decision to not live my life focusing on a person’s “race.” With that said, I do believe that having a rich knowledge of the past “race” issues in the country is critical. We have no need to repeat those events.

The concept of race is as real as we make it. It was definitely real historically. It is probably just as real today because of our conditioning. “I think therefore I am”…right? Let’s choose to treat “race” differently though. We have that choice.

]]> Comment on President Obama by Corey Thomas http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/01/30/obama/#comment-50 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:28:57 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/01/30/obama/#comment-50 Our President should focus on leading and uniting this country. He should not focus on those things that polarize us the most. Race is a social construct created by people who are dead and gone. It amazes me how we continue to carry the torch for them. What good is going to come out of our President addressing this social construct? Will hate and "race" superiority groups like the KKK, Skinheads or the Aryan Nation cease to exist? I doubt it. Our President is but one person and we cannot put at his feet the very issue that hundreds of thousands of people have failed to effectively address themselves. Let me get really specific. If we want the issues of "race" to cease and desist in the state that houses the national headquarters for the most notorious hate organization in the U.S. and maybe even the world then it is up to us...not the President! A change of heart is a matter of personal choice and is not a matter of law. Our President can address the issue as much as he wants but until the people make the conscious choice to make a change then the problem will still exist. We have found ways to get around the law for years. Have you ever hear of the "exceptions" that swallow the "rule of law"? Hmmm...Also, take a close look at the law governing employment discrimination. Now weigh that against the law governing "at-will" employment. Very interesting in deed! My point is simple, no matter what our President does, if individuals want to find a way around the fix, they will find it. Our President should focus on those things that bring us together which includes social justice. The unjust disparities speak for themselves and thus he does not have to attempt to make any sort of profound statement concerning them. The change starts with us. Right here! What's very interesting to me is that some individuals want to task our President with addressing issues that we have yet to effectively address ourselves. Let's give our President solutions and not more problems. Our President should focus on leading and uniting this country. He should not focus on those things that polarize us the most. Race is a social construct created by people who are dead and gone. It amazes me how we continue to carry the torch for them.

What good is going to come out of our President addressing this social construct? Will hate and “race” superiority groups like the KKK, Skinheads or the Aryan Nation cease to exist? I doubt it.

Our President is but one person and we cannot put at his feet the very issue that hundreds of thousands of people have failed to effectively address themselves. Let me get really specific. If we want the issues of “race” to cease and desist in the state that houses the national headquarters for the most notorious hate organization in the U.S. and maybe even the world then it is up to us…not the President!

A change of heart is a matter of personal choice and is not a matter of law. Our President can address the issue as much as he wants but until the people make the conscious choice to make a change then the problem will still exist. We have found ways to get around the law for years. Have you ever hear of the “exceptions” that swallow the “rule of law”? Hmmm…Also, take a close look at the law governing employment discrimination. Now weigh that against the law governing “at-will” employment. Very interesting in deed!

My point is simple, no matter what our President does, if individuals want to find a way around the fix, they will find it.

Our President should focus on those things that bring us together which includes social justice. The unjust disparities speak for themselves and thus he does not have to attempt to make any sort of profound statement concerning them. The change starts with us. Right here!

What’s very interesting to me is that some individuals want to task our President with addressing issues that we have yet to effectively address ourselves. Let’s give our President solutions and not more problems.

]]> Comment on Most Meaningful Encounter by Corey Thomas http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-49 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:37:58 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-49 I make it a point to have meaningful encounters with people everyday. I can't pick just one. It's all about character and integrity with me. My higher concern is why we continue to allow ourselves to be conditioned to talk about "race" when we really mean "ethnicity." There is but one race and that is the human race. There are several ethnicities. I make it a point to have meaningful encounters with people everyday. I can’t pick just one. It’s all about character and integrity with me.

My higher concern is why we continue to allow ourselves to be conditioned to talk about “race” when we really mean “ethnicity.” There is but one race and that is the human race. There are several ethnicities.

]]> Comment on Most Meaningful Encounter by Barbara McCrory http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-48 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:59:02 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-48 I have two very different experiences that have been very meaningful to me. The first is my upbringing in general.  My parents are both from the Chicago area and moved to Arkansas along with most of my Dad's family shortly before I was born. They ended up in a small, predominantly white town (meaning I went to school with 4 black students and 0 of any other ethnicity). My parents made a point to introduce me to as many people as possible...black, white, hispanic, asian...and to make sure I saw them treating of these people the same as every other. My parents didn't have white friends, black friends, hispanic friends, etc.; they just had friends. Growing up with parents that saw past race made it much easier for me to see past it as well. I have never had a negative experience with anyone strictly based on their race or mine. The second experience is very different. I was in college, about 20-21 years old, and working at a local 24-hour fast food restaurant. Being a college student I worked a lot of evening and night shifts. The night shifts on the weekends were unforgettable. I witnessed fights, drug deals, drive-by shootings, arrests, fleeing suspects, and police officers shooting at fleeing suspects. I even had to testify in a court case. As I have said, my parents did a great job of teaching me not to judge based on the color of a person's skin, but my eyes were suddenly opened to why so many sterotypes exist. The events I mentioned primarily involved black men. We began to take different security measures... uniformed police officers at the restaurant, drive-thru only during certain hours, etc...when we knew that this "group" would be coming to the restaurant. Eventually, it became a non-24-hr restaurant. Many people complained that these decisions we made out of racism...were they or was it truly for security of employees? I wondered too, but eventually decided that it was about safety, not race. The same decision would have been made regardless of skin color, but the stereotype of black men causing trouble wasn't lessened in this experience. I have two very different experiences that have been very meaningful to me. The first is my upbringing in general.  My parents are both from the Chicago area and moved to Arkansas along with most of my Dad’s family shortly before I was born. They ended up in a small, predominantly white town (meaning I went to school with 4 black students and 0 of any other ethnicity). My parents made a point to introduce me to as many people as possible…black, white, hispanic, asian…and to make sure I saw them treating of these people the same as every other. My parents didn’t have white friends, black friends, hispanic friends, etc.; they just had friends. Growing up with parents that saw past race made it much easier for me to see past it as well. I have never had a negative experience with anyone strictly based on their race or mine.

The second experience is very different. I was in college, about 20-21 years old, and working at a local 24-hour fast food restaurant. Being a college student I worked a lot of evening and night shifts. The night shifts on the weekends were unforgettable. I witnessed fights, drug deals, drive-by shootings, arrests, fleeing suspects, and police officers shooting at fleeing suspects. I even had to testify in a court case. As I have said, my parents did a great job of teaching me not to judge based on the color of a person’s skin, but my eyes were suddenly opened to why so many sterotypes exist. The events I mentioned primarily involved black men. We began to take different security measures… uniformed police officers at the restaurant, drive-thru only during certain hours, etc…when we knew that this “group” would be coming to the restaurant. Eventually, it became a non-24-hr restaurant. Many people complained that these decisions we made out of racism…were they or was it truly for security of employees? I wondered too, but eventually decided that it was about safety, not race. The same decision would have been made regardless of skin color, but the stereotype of black men causing trouble wasn’t lessened in this experience.

]]> Comment on Unfair Treatment by Corey Thomas http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/25/unfair-treatment/#comment-47 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:09:28 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/25/unfair-treatment/#comment-47 I find this discussion very intriguing. I have but a few comments. 1) Acts of racism can be committed consciously and unconsciously. However, the conscious state does not diminish the results. 2) The "race card" is nothing new. The "race card" was played in religion and in the community to justify the very foundation of our beloved America. Whether we want to admit it or not, the "race card" is the cost of admission in certain places and on certain levels. Some individuals may even go so far as to see it as a property right. Very interesting in deed. 3) I know that I am being treated unfairly based on my race when there is no other reasonable explanation otherwise; especially when pretext is taken into consideration. The most interesting part of this point though is that for several years I have noticed that some African-Americans have begun to adopt the same behavior towards other African-Americans. Now how's that for mental conditioning and irony? I find this discussion very intriguing. I have but a few comments.
1) Acts of racism can be committed consciously and unconsciously. However, the conscious state does not diminish the results.
2) The “race card” is nothing new. The “race card” was played in religion and in the community to justify the very foundation of our beloved America. Whether we want to admit it or not, the “race card” is the cost of admission in certain places and on certain levels. Some individuals may even go so far as to see it as a property right. Very interesting in deed.
3) I know that I am being treated unfairly based on my race when there is no other reasonable explanation otherwise; especially when pretext is taken into consideration. The most interesting part of this point though is that for several years I have noticed that some African-Americans have begun to adopt the same behavior towards other African-Americans. Now how’s that for mental conditioning and irony?

]]> Comment on Most Meaningful Encounter by Lara Ianov http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-46 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:42:02 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-46 My most meaningful encounter with a member from another race was in 2007 during the commemoration of 50 years of integration in Little Rock Central High School. Before and after the celebration I communicated with with many students from another race, and I saw in them how much this celebration meant. I saw how important this victory means for many members in AR. This made me better understand the culture and history from America. I am from Brazil, and the way we see race is very different from how Americans see it. So this encounters in 2007, made me truly understand the feelings and the challenges that many African Americans had to overcome My most meaningful encounter with a member from another race was in 2007 during the commemoration of 50 years of integration in Little Rock Central High School.

Before and after the celebration I communicated with with many students from another race, and I saw in them how much this celebration meant. I saw how important this victory means for many members in AR.

This made me better understand the culture and history from America. I am from Brazil, and the way we see race is very different from how Americans see it. So this encounters in 2007, made me truly understand the feelings and the challenges that many African Americans had to overcome

]]> Comment on Unfair Treatment by Cheryl Kercheval http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/25/unfair-treatment/#comment-45 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:58:12 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/25/unfair-treatment/#comment-45 I am cacasian but i am totally and permanently disabled thats why i'm taking on line classes living 174 miles away. i am bipolar with fatigue. i worked a jobs that loved me in the mania because i had high energy and fired me in the depression where i had low energy. places would discriminated me and after i graduate i'm afraid that a job wouldnt keep me because i would need excused absances. how would our new president handle our rightd because we get discriminated too. I am cacasian but i am totally and permanently disabled thats why i’m taking on line classes living 174 miles away. i am bipolar with fatigue. i worked a jobs that loved me in the mania because i had high energy and fired me in the depression where i had low energy. places would discriminated me and after i graduate i’m afraid that a job wouldnt keep me because i would need excused absances. how would our new president handle our rightd because we get discriminated too.

]]> Comment on Most Meaningful Encounter by LaVerne Tolliver http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-44 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:59:21 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/05/most-meaningful-encounter/#comment-44 This question makes me recall several moments in my life when some wonderful people were at the right place and the right time. When I was in a predominantly White junior high school, it was those moments that kept me going. I recall a time when a girl was passing around candy to her friends. She gave me a piece. For some, that would be nothing to remember. For me at that time, it meant everything! This question makes me recall several moments in my life when some wonderful people were at the right place and the right time. When I was in a predominantly White junior high school, it was those moments that kept me going. I recall a time when a girl was passing around candy to her friends. She gave me a piece. For some, that would be nothing to remember. For me at that time, it meant everything!

]]> Comment on Unfair Treatment by LaVerne Tolliver http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/25/unfair-treatment/#comment-43 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:46:37 +0000 http://ualr.edu/racialattitudes/index.php/2009/02/25/unfair-treatment/#comment-43 This is a very stimulating discussion. I could actually see valid points that I would take from each person's comments. One pointed out the need to think before reacting to something that appears to be obvious, while another cited the fact that some things are quite obvious. I would tend to agree more with the fact that, from my perspective of being an African American, some things feel quite obvious when I'm being mistreated. On the other hand, it's helpful to see that there could be other factors that I would need to take under consideration before responding in either direction. I've heard the term "race card" mentioned several times recently. That seems to be the politically correct thing to say. It seems to me, however, that if I'm being mistreated, or even if I feel mistreated, the use of the term might minimize what I am saying. In fact, I think that might be an example of being treated unfairly. It's too easy to state in order to not hear what I have to say. This is a very stimulating discussion. I could actually see valid points that I would take from each person’s comments. One pointed out the need to think before reacting to something that appears to be obvious, while another cited the fact that some things are quite obvious. I would tend to agree more with the fact that, from my perspective of being an African American, some things feel quite obvious when I’m being mistreated. On the other hand, it’s helpful to see that there could be other factors that I would need to take under consideration before responding in either direction. I’ve heard the term “race card” mentioned several times recently. That seems to be the politically correct thing to say. It seems to me, however, that if I’m being mistreated, or even if I feel mistreated, the use of the term might minimize what I am saying. In fact, I think that might be an example of being treated unfairly. It’s too easy to state in order to not hear what I have to say.

]]>