Rascism... The Unconscious Varietal

Wait a Hot Minute!

Published on November 16, 2004 By greywar In Current Events

Today's discussion in the not-a-break-room went from my discovery of the meaning of the phrase "a hot minute" onto something a bit more important. This was somewhat prompted by the 9 foot high image of Fox News that is on one wall of our not-a-break-room. This of course was displayed Condi Rice about every 30 seconds.

I was unable to keep from voicing my opinion that the Presidential race in 2008 would be Condi Vs. Hillary in an all out war. Hot Chow then opined that Condi would never win because the country because we are not ready for a black female President. SGT Tumult followed by wondering why that was.

I disagree about the readiness of the nation as a whole but I know why a signifcant chunk of it is not ready. Unconscious rascism. There are folks who have no idea that they don't like minorities. The Democratic party is in fact full of them.

I come from rural Minnesota where for the most part we think that the Germans are a "minority" as for black people? Forget it... None to be seen, much less to be hated right? Wrong. While the emotion may not reach actual hatred there is certainly unconscious rascism present. Lack of contact has brought about a total lack of awareness on the part of many in areas like my home. They don't even know that they look at minorities differently.

For example, a relative of mine recently used the word "pickaninny" to describe a black child to me. I stopped them in the middle of their story with : "What? What word did you just use?"

Them : "Pickaninny. Why is that not the right word?"

Grey : "Why do you need a different word?"

While this is a fairly innocent case it is indicative of something deeper and unrecognized. The fact of the matter is that they didn't recognize black people as a part of their sphere of humanity. The black kids were something other than kids. This fear of the other is ingrained in some parts of the country to this day. It is an evolved behaviour in part stemming from the huge portion of our brain devoted to determining who is part of ours and who is part of the other. This was a crucial survival trait in tribal societies. Just doesn't work well for us now.

I recognize this as a problem but I don't think it represents Majority America... Maybe I am wrong... What do you think?

Comments (Page 2)

T_Bone4Justice

on Nov 17, 2004

Great post greywar...I knew a guy in law school who said that Americans would never vote for Gore because they didn't want a Jew (Leiberman) being a heartbeat away from the Presidency. He also beleived that Leiberman's primary candidacy failed because the majority of Democrats didn't believe a Jew could defeat Bush. That may be true to some extent...I just don't know how widespread it was. I think Leiberman's failed presidential run had to do with many things....but I don't know how much of that can be attributed to the fact that he is Jewish. I do remember when Colin Powell was considering running for President and the polls showed he would have defeated all other candidates hands down. I'm not sure if that poll is really a good indication of whether the country is ready for an African-American president as he was never held under the political microscope that all presidential candidates must endure.

On a more personal note, I have an Uncle who served in Korea and he loves to tell war stories. During one of his stories he referred to the Chineese as "Chinks." Of course it never even occurred to him that my spouse, who happens to be part Chineese, would be offended. He didn't even think twice about it. I should mention that my Uncle thinks my spouse is fantastic...it just never occurred to my Uncle that my spouse would be offended by his use of that terminology.

pseudosoldier

on Nov 17, 2004

When his loveable, well-intentioned verbose companion, the jackass

She likened you to a jackass. That's awesome.

I, too, have some (I hope very mild) prejudices when it comes to race and skin color, despite having grown up around *no* African-Americans. The Mexican kids who rode the school bus with me were merely classified by my youthful indifference as "some of the poor kids." It wasn't until I moved and was exposed to more people of other skin tones that I realized I had somehow picked up some predispositions towards them. I've felt self-conscious about it ever since, and then I fear that my attempts to avoid anything offensive may somehow come off as offensive as well.

Regarding Ms. Rice as a candidate, I think she could be a very strong one. I wish that if she or Mr. Powell were elected, they wouldn't be "the first black president," but instead "a damn good president." But I know that it's not the case...

pseudosoldier wishes he were color-blind

Dr Guy

on Nov 18, 2004

Regarding Ms. Rice as a candidate, I think she could be a very strong one. I wish that if she or Mr. Powell were elected, they wouldn't be "the first black president," but instead "a damn good president." But I know that it's not the case...

The simple fact that they are black, and it would be a first, means it would be touted that way. Doug Wilder was one of the best governors here in VA. He was handed a royal mess by his predecessor, and cleaned it up with minimal pain to the electorate. Is he remembered for that? No, he is remembered as the first black governor of a state.

I do not doubt the 'first' will be an excellant president (the old cliche that you have to be better just to get there in the first place - ala Jackie Robinson). And just perhaps those who had no interaction with minorities growing up will be able to shed the mild bigotry they have. Probably not, but it is encouraging to see many facd it and question it. INstead of sweeping it under a carpet.

naturalized citizen

on Nov 18, 2004

I hate to say this, but i think gender would also play a large role in whether or not condoleeza rice would be elected for president. hmmm. everyone commented about the race aspect but not gender. black and a woman, will it be overlooked? geraldin ferraro anyone? i think america will ease into that like an old man into a tub of hot water. rice vs. clinton, woman vs. woman? who would be vice-president, another woman?

As a soldier, i've worked with alot of people from different backgrounds. i found many of them to be racist, though they probably wouldn't admit it. like greywar stated, it is unconscious racism. sure the don't run around saying nigger, gook,
jew, or pickaninny (it's a shame that such a cute word is racist), but they say other things to put a country or culture down. i've spent just about my entire life in america ;and i've traveled to many different parts, seen and met alot of different people. i won't stereotype an entire nation or race of people with only limited exposure. i would say living on a small military post and maybe walking across the street once a week for a year is limited exposure.

As a minority, you just have to get used it unless you want to make 20 complaints about equal opportunity and blah blah blah. you have to save that for the big stuff. i just say hot chow, wasn't that interesting.

Dr Guy

on Nov 18, 2004

Great post greywar...I knew a guy in law school who said that Americans would never vote for Gore because they didn't want a Jew (Leiberman) being a heartbeat away from the Presidency

I have a friend who is A jew (not very orthodox, but practicing). And he was deathly afraid of a Lieberman candidacy. Why? Because of the prejudice. But to that I say....

Bull Hockey! We Catholics finally had a Catholic president in JFK. We Virginians (First in the nation!) had a black Governor!

Yes some will harbor bigotry. But in the end, he will promote understanding and tolerance due to the fact he is better than the rest, and better than we debate over now. The first always has to be the best.

eieio

on Nov 18, 2004

The ironic part is that if Condi were to run and were to be elected, guess which group would make the most issue out of her being black and a woman?

If you said the media, you are correct.

It's this kind of deliberate focus on a person's race or gender that make it more difficult to get to a point where 'Condoleeza Rice is the President', rather than 'Condoleeza Rice is a black, woman President'. Constantly pointing out a person's race and/or gender only prolongs and provokes the mental separation that exists in many people's minds.

Dr Guy

on Nov 18, 2004

If you said the media, you are correct.

It's this kind of deliberate focus on a person's race or gender that make it more difficult to get to a point where 'Condoleeza Rice is the President', rather than 'Condoleeza Rice is a black, woman President'. Constantly pointing out a person's race and/or gender only prolongs and provokes the mental separation that exists in many people's minds.

AMEN!

It is a shame that those who pretend to be colorblind are the most bigotted. When will they just see a person for who they are? I guess conservatives are far ahead of the bigotted left.

Dr Guy

on Nov 19, 2004

Seems we did not have to wait long at all for the left to show their nypocrasy.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139031,00.html

Anyone want to bet he does not even get his wrist slapped? What a Bigot!

trueandfree

on Nov 19, 2004

You choose the media that you look at or listin to. Howard Stern will move to the HBO of radio soon. I can't stand to listen to him, but anyone who wants to should be able to. I recently heard of a case in Macon County Illinois where a white female had her children segregated by race (black and white) because the woman has the black children. That Judge gave the natural Mother's two Caucasian children to the Aunt in Texas. Judges should be of concern when you see situations where personal bias is manifested in the law at the experience of the Constitution. The States enact laws but Judges are immune if they choose to ignore them. Coni Rice will not impact the normal citizen, she is just another yes man/woman for the administration, but keep your eye on the Courts.

Link

Link

greywar

on Nov 19, 2004

Jack London used it to describe the babies of West Indian women. His marvelous writings date back to the early 1900’s.

I submit that such thing are not in fact "innocent" they were indicative of a very pervasive mindset in which different words were needed to describe a baby child because they were regarded as something other than white children when they are not.

Dr Guy

on Nov 19, 2004

I submit that such thing are not in fact "innocent" they were indicative of a very pervasive mindset in which different words were needed to describe a baby child because they were regarded as something other than white children when they are not.

In other words, subvert racism. yes. There was a lot, and there still is. but all of it seems to be on the left now. Guess those left leaning massa's cant keep their darkies (their words) down on the plantation any longer. No wonder the left is losing! They cant even be honest with themselves! And more and more people see their bigotry.

Texas Wahine

on Nov 19, 2004

Guess those left leaning massa's cant keep their darkies (their words) down on the plantation any longer.

What?!?! Please give me a link or otherwise explain how you get that the left uses the term "darkies."

Spc Nobody Special

on Nov 19, 2004

ack.......no......new.....articles.....in....three.....days......going......through....greywar..........withdrawal.......(collapses in tired heap)

trueandfree

on Nov 19, 2004

Racism always has victims. Any oppression is regretable. The keepers of our constitution are the Courts. The first thing to fall in Nazi Germany was the Court. In Macon County Illinois children are being exploited for the folly of judicial bigotry. The same Judge Scott Diamond stripped Mary Slover of the right to raise her nephew after his mother, Karyn Hearn Slover, was found murdered. Mary Slover had nothing to do with her sister-in-law's murder. Is this the deep south in 1950? An A.P. reporter sat through the woman's entire custody trial. This little-noticed political corner of our society can cause untold damage in the hands of a currupt and dishonest sole. The Judicial Faternity makes it career suicide for a lawyer who would otherwise step forward.

iamheather

on Nov 19, 2004

Happy Birthday tomorrow greywar!

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