Well this obviously isn't directed at you, we are speaking in generalities here, and this is only my opinion... The biggest is equality in the workplace. Either when being hired or once on the job. I don't think race should even be allowed to be asked on an application. Now, that doesn't mean people will hire any more black people after an interview, but at least they get in the door.

It's not asked...I've never seen an application with it on it, in fact it's against the law to put it on there. After being hired there are some forms that may ask for statistical or government reporting sake. Asking Race on an Application is Strictly Forbidden.

I've never filled out an application where the race/gender questions weren't optional.

 

Are there seriously applications that require you to fill them out?

I'd be willing to bet those questions weren't even on the application, unless you were applying to work for Redneck Joe's Pawn Shop...no reputable company would have either of those questions on an application.

I'm not criticizing this topic but I've yet to see any real suggestions of what white people should be doing differently. Clyde do you have an opinion.

I agree with you on that, have wondered that for years why race was on an application. Honestly why is male/female on an application anymore, is there a need for that?

THIS! Online graduate program for MAT----they will NEVER see me. Why do they need to know my skin color and my sex? It's none of their business!

 

Online registration to take PRAXIS. Same questions.

I've never filled out an application where the race/gender questions weren't optional.

 

Are there seriously applications that require you to fill them out?

I cannot recall if optional or not. But even if optional, why ask the question? And if you leave it blank, are there assumptions made? I guess we will never know.

My point is what do you want the average middle class white man or woman to different. Most have jobs, family, and issues of their own. So what specifically do you want the average white person to different. I'm open , I've just never been given a real answer. Most answers deal with those in power can do different. Which are the same people that the average white middle class person feels is keeping them down. Right or wrong.

 

There isn't some secret meeting where white people get together and figure out how to hold black people down.

 

 

Another question that was asked and I think is the heart of the conversation and depending on who you talk to you will get a different answer. Are we talking equal opportunity or results. If we are talking opportunity then let's talk specifics and what can change. If we are talking results that will be a non starter. No one is guaranteed results.

THIS! Online graduate program for MAT----they will NEVER see me. Why do they need to know my skin color and my sex? It's none of their business!

 

Online registration to take PRAXIS. Same questions.

PRAXIS is a certification test right? If so, I'd guess they are asking for statistical reasons as age, sex, race would have no impact on if you pass the test or not.

 

Isn't MAT also a test? Asking Race, Age or Sex on a test I don't think is discriminatory.

 

I do think asking Age, Race or Sex on a college application is wrong, but that is not going to change anytime soon.

PRAXIS is a certification test right? If so, I'd guess they are asking for statistical reasons as age, sex, race would have no impact on if you pass the test or not.

 

Isn't MAT also a test? Asking Race, Age or Sex on a test I don't think is discriminatory.

 

I do think asking Age, Race or Sex on a college application is wrong, but that is not going to change anytime soon.

 

Application for graduate online program for Masters in teaching.

My point is what do you want the average middle class white man or woman to different. Most have jobs, family, and issues of their own. So what specifically do you want the average white person to different. I'm open , I've just never been given a real answer. Most answers deal with those in power can do different. Which are the same people that the average white middle class person feels is keeping them down. Right or wrong.

 

There isn't some secret meeting where white people get together and figure out how to hold black people down.

 

 

Another question that was asked and I think is the heart of the conversation and depending on who you talk to you will get a different answer. Are we talking equal opportunity or results. If we are talking opportunity then let's talk specifics and what can change. If we are talking results that will be a non starter. No one is guaranteed results.

 

To the first part of your question... Is there anything that you, the average white guy, do differently with/towards black people than you do with white people? If the answer is yes, change it.

 

As for the last question, equal opportunity, IMO. We cannot control those results as much as we may like to.

I think that pretty much everyone on here is not discriminating against black people in our every day life: be it our neighbors, friends, employees, customers, patients, students, etc.

 

I am not saying that there is no problem and that it does not exist. Just not sure what to do.

To answer the original question, empathy.

 

If the average Joe took a little bit more time to consider everything that has contributed to make the person he is, I'd like to think he would realize that happens for everyone else. I'm not advocating everyone has to agree with each other, but a little introspection that someone could think differently or consider something not even on your radar would do wonders for this world.

I'm not criticizing this topic but I've yet to see any real suggestions of what white people should be doing differently. Clyde do you have an opinion.

 

My point is what do you want the average middle class white man or woman to different. Most have jobs, family, and issues of their own. So what specifically do you want the average white person to different. I'm open , I've just never been given a real answer. Most answers deal with those in power can do different. Which are the same people that the average white middle class person feels is keeping them down. Right or wrong.

 

There isn't some secret meeting where white people get together and figure out how to hold black people down.

 

 

Another question that was asked and I think is the heart of the conversation and depending on who you talk to you will get a different answer. Are we talking equal opportunity or results. If we are talking opportunity then let's talk specifics and what can change. If we are talking results that will be a non starter. No one is guaranteed results.

 

I think that pretty much everyone on here is not discriminating against black people in our every day life: be it our neighbors, friends, employees, customers, patients, students, etc.

 

I am not saying that there is no problem and that it does not exist. Just not sure what to do.

 

A few thoughts:

 

I think Bomani's point is correct. When you're not IN POWER and not being treated equally then the question has to go to the group in power. That seems logical.

 

It's not simple. We can all talk about it and agree that equal opportunity for all should exist. Most would agree it does not.

 

I've said on here for years that the "it's getting better" mantra is a waste of breath and , in the big picture, misleading. It's not hard to "get better" if our baseline is slavery or even the 50s and 60s. It's a matter of degree. We're not close to utopia and will never get there. How close can we get?

 

I do believe there is hope with each generation. Even with that, it's still too easy to segregate as adults and fall into complacency.

 

Hoops is correct that most people on here and in the country are NOT racist and do not commit racist acts. However, we also as a group fail to stand up for blacks. It's easy for us to stay in our 'hood and let others fight the fight. Doesn't impact me. I've got my own issues.

 

That's the biggest issue to me. We won't go out of our way or risk alienating our neighbors to say "come on - this ain't right."

 

No good answer but I think Bomani's point is spot on - it's on whites to effect change.

A few thoughts:

 

I think Bomani's point is correct. When you're not IN POWER and not being treated equally then the question has to go to the group in power. That seems logical.

 

It's not simple. We can all talk about it and agree that equal opportunity for all should exist. Most would agree it does not.

 

I've said on here for years that the "it's getting better" mantra is a waste of breath and , in the big picture, misleading. It's not hard to "get better" if our baseline is slavery or even the 50s and 60s. It's a matter of degree. We're not close to utopia and will never get there. How close can we get?

 

I do believe there is hope with each generation. Even with that, it's still too easy to segregate as adults and fall into complacency.

 

Hoops is correct that most people on here and in the country are NOT racist and do not commit racist acts. However, we also as a group fail to stand up for blacks. It's easy for us to stay in our 'hood and let others fight the fight. Doesn't impact me. I've got my own issues.

 

That's the biggest issue to me. We won't go out of our way or risk alienating our neighbors to say "come on - this ain't right."

 

No good answer but I think Bomani's point is spot on - it's on whites to effect change.

 

Again I don't want to be critical but there wasn't anything specific. That's been my one issue with Jones and Chris Rock who said something similar. I have no problem having a discussion and receiving critical feedback. But to say it's on "white people" and not to direct specifics so to create dialogue really isn't a conversation. To say it's on you people figure it out isn't a discussion. I'm sure there will be specifics I agree and disagree with. I just want those specifics.

 

For better or worse if we just talk in vague talking points it does nothing . It may not be the answer some want to hear but the average person of any race has to many of their own problems to put so much thought into a problem that doesn't directly impact them.

Again I don't want to be critical but there wasn't anything specific. That's been my one issue with Jones and Chris Rock who said something similar. I have no problem having a discussion and receiving critical feedback. But to say it's on "white people" and not to direct specifics so to create dialogue really isn't a conversation. To say it's on you people figure it out isn't a discussion. I'm sure there will be specifics I agree and disagree with. I just want those specifics.

 

For better or worse if we just talk in vague talking points it does nothing . It may not be the answer some want to hear but the average person of any race has to many of their own problems to put so much thought into a problem that doesn't directly impact them.

 

The "specific" was for you and me to stand up and say "that's wrong" vs just keeping quiet.

I work with and socialize with several black couples. They constantly talk about their 'no good' relatives with no ambition. Same things I say about some of my relatives. Satisfied with what's given and no pride in what they earn.

 

I'm trying to teach my children to see good/bad, not black/white. Some of the worst people I've ever met were inner city white people. Some of the best were inner city black. The difference? not color. It was their attitude and outlook. The good were willing to do what it takes to make the world better while the bad were looking for something easy.