Printable View
The fact is many are ignorant about many bad things that occurred in the past in their respective countries. Many would like it to stay that way for a myriad of reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
The first step is education at all levels so there is an understanding.
Well, let's hope a day comes when we can move past this type of tragedy. Hold your heads high knowing that you want it to get better. That's the first step. A little late I know but happy Canada day eh!
Well, you've hit the nail on the head there.Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulFLUS
The world is full of tragedies of huge proportions. Yes we move on but only after society comes to a reckoning and the first step is making sure we never forget and we understand the why's and how's so it never happens again.
It's too easy to just move on and forget.
You all know that old saying about history and of course my old buddy Confucius who said "Study the past, if you would divine the future.
You're right there. The crimes were committed against people who continue to feel they are 2nd class citizens. This purgation by the descendents of those who committed the crimes is not gonna help them as long as they feel they do not really get equal opportunities.Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulFLUS
I agree. However putting some people ahead of others to try to "right the wrong" will create resentment and does nothing to heal or bring people together which is the main issue here. In the US, everyone is fragmented. "African American, Italian American, Greek american," etc etc etc. What's wrong with us all being Americans? Part of the same family. And let us pursue goals that benefit all of us. But maybe I'm asking for too much.
In the case of the Canadian Indian Residential Schools there is no righting of the wrong as you can't undo what has happened so there is no putting of some people ahead of others. The goal is reconciliation so we can move on to see that this never happens again in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill31521
To feel part a the family you have to feel like and be treated like you belong. This was absolutely not the case here and in many other instances both past and present.
Bob
That is true. You can't change a thing that happened a second ago though. Let's call it a grave error and let's tell our children it happened. The way it happened. And tell them this type of behavior is unacceptable. Let's go back far enough in history. The side that lost the war were enslaved or killed. This was the way it was done in Europe by Europeans to other Europeans. Asia? Same thing and to who? Other Asians. We're there not massacres and wars in north America before the Europeans arrived? Yes. Who is going to speak of these things? Nobody as it wasn't recorded in the history books. When treaties were signed with indigenous tribes in the us. Unfair treaties. We know because there are records of them that they were allowed to bring their slaves with them to the reservation. So these same people were committing some of the same acts of barbarism that th Europeans were. How many tribes worldwide have been eradicated? There's probably no accurate way to find out. The fish stinks from the head down. Our ancestors all were guilty of some of the same.
One last thing. The last country to ban slavery is I believe Mauritania. There were no laws punishing people for practicing it until 2007! Many of those people are alive today. Why isnt anyone pointing a pointed finger at these people and prosecuting them? Why tell western nations that three generations ago we were barbarians when that same barbarism was practiced most recently in an African nation? ANd VERY recently. It doesnt fit the "everyone is racist" narrative. Hypocrisy if you ask me.
Not everyone is a racist but there are people who are racist in Canada to this day. There is ample evidence of that by the phone videos posted on the net. Those individuals should face repercussions for their behaviour. The "everyone is a racist narrative" and "it has all happened" before seems to be a fall back position of people who feel threatened for some reason.
Bob
That is true. What is racism? It is treating a person different because of their race. Better or worse. Why is Harvard University allowed to limit asian candidates who scored higher than their white latino or african american applicants? Is this not racism? I thought the standard was to take the best qualified person REGARDLESS of race. Affirmative action makes it much harder for non minority people to get the same job because theyre not minorities. Is this not racism? Why did the current administration in the US give business loans to minority applicants whereas white applicants were not even allowed to apply for these loans for 90 days(after the money ran out). Is this not racism? I can go on and on. Defund the police is racism against police officers. After all they are painting ALL the police with a broad brush. I have never discriminated against someone. But yet if im not on the street with a torch in my hand I am racist. Silence is racism they say. So they can call me what they wish. Diversity is good they say. But it wasnt good in South Africa. I can go on and on. There is a lot of validity to these issues. But trying to take it out on non minorities is hypocrisy. Lets look at some of these so called civil rights leaders. One of them has called judaism a gutter religion. Is that not racism? Others have called NY hymietown. Is this not racist? There are plenty of crimes committed by minorities against non minorities. But somehow these never make the headlines. We can on and on. It isnt a sin to be a white european christian. And i refuse to accept that nonsense. Regardless of what my ancestors did or didnt do. My family arrived here first in 1894. So none of us is remotely responsible to the native american issues. Or slavery. Society as a whole has improved. Things are much better. Maybe the media should present the facts and statistics. They do not because it doesnt match the narrative. Heres a recipe for povery.... get pregnant at 14. You are extremely likely at his point to be poor. DOesnt matter what race or what color your skin is. Whose fault is it that this happens? Not mine. I could have done the same. So the flood of unwed mothers who are in 9th grade is the result of what? Slavery, discrimination? Its a lame excuse. But much of these problems are self inflicted.
Confusing isn't when you can be racist and at the same time also be discriminated against others. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Bill31521
Bob
I don't feel I am racist, in fact I know I'm not.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
I've had a few coloured friends and I've met coloured poeople I don't like, but I've also met plenty of white people I don't like too.
I don't know any coloured people in Canada but I don't know any whites either except chatting terms with the neighbors.
I have worked from home since I came here and was eventually allowed to work so I never met anyone to be friends with, sad eh?
Saying that, I do have a lot of friends, even a best friend and they're all on SRP.
I never thought disliking other people because they were basically _ holes was being racist.
There are friends and then there are friends. To me the difference is knowing someone very well and having an acquaintance. Actual friends are few while acquaintances may be many.
I have met people who were racist who treated me well because I looked like they did which is white. I have also met people who treated me well even though I am white and they were not. Funny old world isn't it.
I try very hard, but sometimes fail, to treat people as I would expect to be treated and that usually works out just fine no matter where you are. It's amazing the number of really nice people you meet travelling unfortunately the _ holes are the ones that stick out.
Bob
Well first it is important to get accurate definitions. Racism is the view that your race is superior to another. Bigotry is the dislike or hatred of peoples of another race, religion or creed.
So why can't we remove race from it? Here in the US it's because there is power to be bought in the way of votes. Race is visible and easy to identify. We have a convenient history to base the division on. These hate mongers use these things to drive wedges between us knowing the harm it causes but not caring because their aim is the acquisition of power. They use this power to keep minorities separated, poor and dependant on government which is called soft bigotry.
Big government is the lion's share of the problem. I would revise Shakespeare's write, "First, kill all the politicians." Although we own the blame just as much since we let them do it to us so shame on us also. People (to be clear not just poor and minority) let their greed and laziness drive them to trade alliance for personal gain. This will probably never change. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." "We have met the enemy and he is us."
Pogo creator Walt Kelly's 20th century parody of Perry's quote.Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulFLUS
You got me last time but don't think I'm going to let you get used to it :chapeau
[QUOTE=BobH;1941236]I never thought disliking other people because they were basically _ holes was being racist.
That's not racist. That's personal preference!
[QUOTE=Johntoad57;1941257]Yea, life is a variety pack.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Bob
There are different brands of a holes. You may dislike one more than another. This also is not racism...it isn't even bigotry.