June 29, 201610 yr 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. Agreed. These days when an incident involving race happens defensive mechanisms come into play and conversations spiral out of control. Understanding and empathy can go a long way. Listening would help out a lot as well. As you said people don't have to agree but it seems like conversations involving race do more harm than good.
June 29, 201610 yr The "specific" was for you and me to stand up and say "that's wrong" vs just keeping quiet. I'm not sure I follow. What's "wrong"?
June 29, 201610 yr Author I'm not sure I follow. What's "wrong"? Pick any wrong you see and stand up.
June 29, 201610 yr Pick any wrong you see and stand up. I guess I'm trying to understand what a middle-class white dude such as myself can do/accomplish by standing up about a wrong being committed across the country???
June 29, 201610 yr I'm sure that's why, but if we want to level the playing field race shouldn't have to be considered when hiring people. Why are certain contracts given only to minorities? I know 3 people who have played a bit of a trick in order to get more contracts. One started a company that bids on jobs as a black owner in order to get the minority contracts. One has his wife as 51% owner in the company. One had a retired military person as the front for his company. All legal, but all trying to beat the system in order to get contracts that a non minority company could not get. I tried to do an endorsement deal with Spike Lee's company and was told they only work with minority owned companies. Is that any more fair?
June 29, 201610 yr Author I guess I'm trying to understand what a middle-class white dude such as myself can do/accomplish by standing up about a wrong being committed across the country??? Stand up against an individual local act.
June 29, 201610 yr I'm not even sure how to reply. In my city there is an incredibly small number of black people. How am I supposed to know about these local wrongs against blacks if there are a very small number of them in the area?
June 29, 201610 yr Author In my city there is an incredibly small number of black people. How am I supposed to know about these local wrongs against blacks if there are a very small number of them in the area? Geez. Your "town" can mean anything you want. Cincinnati , for example. Just look. It's out there.
June 29, 201610 yr Geez. Your "town" can mean anything you want. Cincinnati , for example. Just look. It's out there. Let's use Cincy then. What exactly does a nobody middle-class white dude saying, "Hey, that's wrong. It shouldn't be this way", accomplish? I have no pull. I have no sway. Hell, no more than 2-3 people would probably even notice I said anything to begin with.
June 29, 201610 yr Let's use Cincy then. What exactly does a nobody middle-class white dude saying, "Hey, that's wrong. It shouldn't be this way", accomplish? I have no pull. I have no sway. Hell, no more than 2-3 people would probably even notice I said anything to begin with. I dont think you are understanding his point... Hypothetically, let's say you witness somebody discriminating against a minority. He's saying you should speak up and tell that person it's wrong to do that. Or if someone says a racial slur in front of you, correct them and say it's not right and you don't appreciate it. Might seem like a small something to you, but that is the only way some of this stuff will get knocked down, by people calling them out.
June 29, 201610 yr Author I dont think you are understanding his point... Hypothetically, let's say you witness somebody discriminating against a minority. He's saying you should speak up and tell that person it's wrong to do that. Or if someone says a racial slur in front of you, correct them and say it's not right and you don't appreciate it. Might seem like a small something to you, but that is the only way some of this stuff will get knocked down, by people calling them out. Perfect examples. However, I DO think you can stand up for the guy in Cincinnati especially in today's world of technology. Call people out for an injustice. Stand up for someone publicly. Acts like these can make change become closer to a reality. The "what can I really do" is partly why we're where we are. Self-fulling prophecy.
June 29, 201610 yr The "specific" was for you and me to stand up and say "that's wrong" vs just keeping quiet. What specifically ? Racism we can all agree is wrong. But what beyond that are we suppose to stand up and say that's wrong and who do we say it to ?
June 29, 201610 yr Author What specifically ? Racism we can all agree is wrong. But what beyond that are we suppose to stand up and say that's wrong and who do we say it to ? As I said previously, you'll know it when you see it. Could be people using the n-word. Could be racist comments. Could be a person not being treated with respect. Could be blatant racism. It's there. It may be subtle. It may be overt. We've all seen it and let it slide(me included).
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