Is black history month racist?

[CreepingDeath]

Some good points & opinions on here. First off Im not racist at all, I have probably more mexican and black friends than I do white......because well a friends a friend, color doesnt matter. Same for relationships with females. Even though the darker they get the more shit I seem to get pulled into lol (thats a fact from experience). But anyway, Ive always wondered why they have a black history month? To me, its like opening old wounds. I dont know if it is supposed to represent oppression from slavery or what but its like something to REMIND people of the dark things that have happened in the past. Do people not want to move on? What about some blacks asking for reperations or whatever its called for someones ancestors owning theirs as slaves??? It wasnt even them that had the damn slaves so what are they paying for? And to tell you the honest to God truth I know far more racist mexicans and blacks than I do whites now...and I live in Texas. I dont understand any of that shit. If you expect to be treated equally then stop asking for special recognition when your ancestors fought through so much shit just for you to be considered the SAME. If minorities are supposed to be treated specially now then theyve jsut flipped sides with the people they hated so passionately and we jsut started all over. Fuck shit damn hell Im in a bad mood tonight, and Im done :D

[shortz]

Fortunately, not all of our ancestors participated in the slavery of blacks. I am Irish and my family came over here in the 1800s, a time when Irish people were treated very poorly and the current Americans were trying to keep them from coming over here. My family struggled for quite some time. They brought their life's savings over here and tried to buy land. A few years later, after they finally bought land, it was taken away by William Penn himself. So, my family was left with no money, no place to live etc.

So, where is the money that America still owes my family? What about all of the years of abuse my family went through? I have seen documents dating back to the 1800s that proves my family was screwed, one particular document, signed by William Penn, is even in a museum.

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by Alexei99
Although Blacks and Latinos are seen on TV and movies more, there is still an underrepresentation of people of color. And Asians and Middle Easterners are practically invisible. The roles for people of color are any of the following:

-limited
-stereotypical
-not in demand

.

That was a well written piece....my only question is why are TV and movies important....if I was a minority I could give two craps if I was represented by TV or movies since most of what is produced is crap anyway. They should strive to be inventors, scientists or teachers. And my one other point is that Racism is an individual characteristic....to say it is institutional or systemic doesn't matter because both of those categories begin with individuals. They wouldn't exist without them so racism can't begin with them.

[Alexei99]

Thanks for responding.

First of all, to tell Black people to get over it is an insult. You'd never tell the Jews or the Japanese Americans to get over the Holocaust and Concentration Camps. So how dare anyone ask Black people to not remember their American History.

While racism is very much a part of the everyday lives of African-Americans (not saying we experiences bouts of racism on a daily basis but that it is something we have to contend with), we live our lives to the fullest, doing whatever it is we have to do to be productive. We don't obsessively dwell on the past, we acknowledge it and keep a sharp eye out for people who try to screw our group over. The racist bullcrap is still going on today but undercover. Given the way White America has tried to get over on us and succeeded in may cases, conscious Blacks are not going to have it, anymore. Plenty of whites and other non-Blacks think Blacks are stupid and don't know any better.

For anyone to ask why the media is important to Blacks sounds like another insult even though it may not be intended as such. The media is very important because it shapes and controls the perceptions of the general public. The media has not been the friend of Blacks and some other people of color. It stereotypes and limits us.
Black women have been deemed lascivious and Black men criminalized. The positives in our community are not going to be reported and information vital to the Black community is going to be omitted--this is why there are Black media groups out there that speak to us and allow us to express our point of view to put things into perspective. Some of the Black shows on TV are crap and that is why there are complaints about that. To put Blacks back into serious shows will get executive producers and headwriters laughed out of the boardroom. To make it bad,some of the blaxploitation movies and tv programs are being made by Blacks and/or whites with Black wiritng and consulting teams.

You say that if you were a minority what is seen on TV wouldn't matter to you. The fact is you are not a minority and that you just made another insult. Walk a mile in my shoes.

African-Americans are not a poor people. We have plenty of educated professionals. 2/3 of African Americans are middle-class and better. My family is upper-middle to upper-class.

Until white people walk a mile in the shoes of Blacks and fail to understand our position and their own white social construction, they are not qualified to speak.

I am aware of the fact that Italians, the Irish, and even Jews to name a few went through Hell in America and were not considered white, at first.

Eventually those groups were integrated into white society. Not all Jews consider themselves white either because white implies white Christian.

What many white men and women fail to understand is that even if their forefathers and foremothers didn't own an slaves because they were still in Europe, the fact remains that today, they are considered white and the beneficiaries of white privilege via racism.

Racism is defined as a system of advantages and disadvantages based on race/ethnicity. "System" in this case, means institutional whether consciously or unconsciously done. Those at the advantage, benefitting are white people. This is not to accuse all white people of being racist because all white people are NOT racist.

Too often racism is cast off as individual acts of meanness geared towards members of another race. Racism has many forms but what people don't want to speak of is it's systemic practice. To make it out to be individualistic is a means of trying to change the dynamic of the subject.

Asking for equality and fighting for it is not seeking special rights or recognition,
it is about seeking what is right & just and white America has to learn that.

[Shibby]

Alexei99, I only have one question for you. Did you come to this site to discuss fitness or black history? Not to take away from your issues, but if you are not here to contribute to the reason the site is here, you are only here to debate/agrue. That's not what this board is about. It says you have been registered since the board started. This is your first posts and you are starting discussion on something very sensitive. I'm am just watching out for the basis of this board and I don't want to see this get heat between members. Active members have contributed alot to this board and is what makes this board a success. Distracting members from the real enjoyment and purpose of this board is not acceptable. It may sound like I am calling you out, but I am not. I'm just an untrusting person.

[blm]

Are you really frrom Africa?

[Alexei99]

The reason why there is no need for a White History Month is because white Americans are the dominant group.

Whites get to see themselves represented in all their unlimited diversity, with reaffirmation of their cultural worth. They dominate every arena and get to appear in every medium and genre known to man. There is always a demand for white people and the system is set up for the benefit of white people.

People of Color (Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Middle Easterners, Native Americans) know this. Of course there are those people of color who kiss white booty, thus devaluing their own people and other minority groups.

This is a Eurocentric society which centers whites as the center of the universe that all other groups ought to aspire to be like, while people of color are relegated to sideshow status.

American History and World History are told from a European perspective and our schools are European in structure.

Therefore there is no need for white history month.

White people do not need to question their position in society as a group because they are on top of the racial and power hierarchy. They were not taught to hate themselves nor were they marginalized as a group.

[Shibby]

Alexei99, before you are alowed to post anymore on this topic, please read through my previous post. You are veering towards tearing down whites and not bringing up blacks. A perfect example of this is in Bouncer's sig.

[Alexei99]

Originally posted by Shibby
Alexei99, I only have one question for you. Did you come to this site to discuss fitness or black history? Not to take away from your issues, but if you are not here to contribute to the reason the site is here, you are only here to debate/agrue. That's not what this board is about. It says you have been registered since the board started. This is your first posts and you are starting discussion on something very sensitive. I'm am just watching out for the basis of this board and I don't want to see this get heat between members. Active members have contributed alot to this board and is what makes this board a success. Distracting members from the real enjoyment and purpose of this board is not acceptable. It may sound like I am calling you out, but I am not. I'm just an untrusting person.

I didn't come here to start trouble. I ran across this post, read it and felt a need to respond.

I know what this board is about but at the same time, this is a general chat (open topic) area and a thread I did NOT start.

It seems that my contribution to this very topic has gotten some people here riled up because I came correct and didn't kiss up like some of the Blacks who contributed to this thread. Furthermore, the white person who started the thread and some of those who contributed in agreement did not know everything they were talking about. And it seems, by your response, you may not have liked what I've stated either and are redirecting this "sensitive topic and facts instead of speaking to the one who started this thread and the contributors aligned in his way of thinking--most of whom are lacking knowledge of Black History and Black issues.

I'm not here to start trouble but I will not fall that tactic of projecting all the blame for this topic on me. This is what many Black and other people of color often see happen when the issue of race arises--turning the topic back on us,

I'm not here to tear down white people and build up Blacks. Race is an issue that needs to be discussed but so often, many whites try to change the dynamic of the dialogue to exonerate themselves or get out of the discussion.

I'm not the type to sit by quietly and take a beating just because others don't want to hear the other side. I'm not the go along to get along type. Now way. No how.

This topic is a sensitive one worthy of debate and if expressing views and facts from the other side is wrong, why even start it? What are we to learn?

[Shibby]

My point is this topic is from a year ago and has been dealt with. You are more than welcome to discuss it, but it shouldn't be the only reason you are here. I have no intrest in discussing the topic of this thread this time around. Yes it is in the general chat forum, but this is not a general chat board. It is my job as well as the other mods to see that it runs smoothly and the drama is kept to a minimum. Again the members who have contributed to this board have earned the right to discuss what ever they want how ever they want(with in reason). Members who have not contributed to the basis of the board are either here to learn through reading about FITNESS or are here for the wrong reasons.

[shortz]

Originally posted by Alexei99


Until white people walk a mile in the shoes of Blacks and fail to understand our position and their own white social construction, they are not qualified to speak.

This shows alot of ignorance. I am not the one making bad decisions for the blacks on the streets. MANy blacks get ahead in life. I work with 2 physicians who are black and grew up in an environment that did not have a good track record for success stories.

Some think too much of the past to make much of a future. Somehow I believe that if more minorities would out as much effort into thikning of the future as they do the past, they wouldn't have it as bad as they do.

Oh, and didn't ask to come here? Ok, I didn't bring you over, but if you want, I will pay for a plane ticket for you to go back to Africa. You will be amazed at how the Africans treat African Americans who feel they have it so bad.

[njjuicer]

Originally posted by Alexei99
The reason why there is no need for a White History Month is because white Americans are the dominant group.

Whites get to see themselves represented in all their unlimited diversity, with reaffirmation of their cultural worth. They dominate every arena and get to appear in every medium and genre known to man. There is always a demand for white people and the system is set up for the benefit of white people.

People of Color (Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Middle Easterners, Native Americans) know this. Of course there are those people of color who kiss white booty, thus devaluing their own people and other minority groups.

This is a Eurocentric society which centers whites as the center of the universe that all other groups ought to aspire to be like, while people of color are relegated to sideshow status.

American History and World History are told from a European perspective and our schools are European in structure.

Therefore there is no need for white history month.

White people do not need to question their position in society as a group because they are on top of the racial and power hierarchy. They were not taught to hate themselves nor were they marginalized as a group.

LOL i guess u dont watch basketball footballor mtv mtv

[Alexei99]

LOL, Juicy, I do watch basketball, and football. Sometimes delve into MTV. White people do dominate in nearly every arena. I should have more clear on that part.

Black History Month is not just a time for Black people to reflect on the past, it is a time for other groups to participate in. Black people are Black 365 days a year and get an extra day to be Black every 4 years on leap year making it 366 days a year. We reflect on our past and present day to build towards the future.
We don't need just one month out of a year to do so.

Shortz, I'm not here speaking of bad decisions of Blacks. There are Blacks wo get ahead in life because they value education and success in life. There are those who want to enjoy both material ad spiritual hings for the bettering of themselves and mankind, but at the same time, while we look to the future, we cannot ignore or forget the past. There are barriers in place that people of color need to be aware of. Our social construction as minorities allows us to expect such things.

I see some Blacks who play the victim by constant complaining or blaming their own poor decisions on white people. If one complains and does something about it to make progress they are not playing the victims but to blame a white person for the reason why one decided to hold up a liquor store is ludicrous.

Women have faced gender barriers in the past and still face them today. Although these barriers exist, they don't let them hold down--they push on instead of playing victim.

Homosexuals in America are aware of their social construction and the past prior to Stonewall. There may not have been plenty of outlets to meet each other or get support. Today although homosexuals are slowly becoming more accepted and that support groups exists, they move on but don't forget. They are aware of their social construction.

In moving on, they know that homophobic people exist and will do things to hold them back, but like people of color and women who face gender and racial barriers, most move on and don't let such things hold them back.

To tell me to go back to Africa, Shortz, is ignorant and racist. How can I go back to a place that was never my home? I am an African-American born and raised here. I will remain here but I will not be held back and made a fool of. I will not blindly accept all of the dominant society's standards. Which group actually does?

[Shibby]

So do you care about fitness?

[shortz]

Originally posted by Alexei99

To tell me to go back to Africa, Shortz, is ignorant and racist.

My comment was simply to make the statement that it is not as bad here as many would like to believe. Minorities get tons of benefits, grants, scholarships just for being a minority, help from the state. I was once turned down for help from the state to go through school because I didn't have kids or was not a minority.

As for treatment and stereotypes, well, yes, society does need to get over those. Living outside of a city that has a very high crime rate, with 70% of those involve minorities, it is difficult to get over those stereotypes though.

Well, I believe that Shibby is making a point now. Perhaps this convo should be terminated simply due to the fact that this site is for people who are interested in fitness and since he is a representative of this site, I think his comments should be heeded.