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07/31/2007 03:39:57 PM · #1 |
Perhaps I'm behind the times by just becoming aware of this story, but I felt compelled to share it to remind us that we all need to guard against bigotry and hatred. While we feel like "we've come a long way, baby", racism still festers around deeply scarred wounds in our country.
Wake up Call: A troubling Song of the South
NPR's All-Things-Considered audio story
If you have the time (maybe 5 minutes) I recommend the NPR audio version which really brings it to life with interviews, etc.
Frankly, the whole thing simply leaves me shaking my head in impotent disbelief.
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07/31/2007 03:43:25 PM · #2 |
| I remember an article about one of the professors at my college ( i think not a full professor, but an associate or teaching assistant ) who was also involved in a white supremisist band who performed underground locally. Luckly those in his classes reported he didn't let it come into the classroom, but it's still scary! |
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07/31/2007 03:59:30 PM · #3 |
Message edited by author 2007-07-31 16:00:05.
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07/31/2007 04:02:18 PM · #4 |
Great post Doc:
Okay soap box time, please forgive..
It's a sad reminder that there are huge issues here in America that need attention but our leaders turn a blind eye to it. Or choose to let things like this go in lieu of "more pressing issues". IMHO, the only way we can destroy ALL forms of racism is to educate ourselves and our children to have zero tolerance for such behavior. It saddens me to thing that as human beings we harbor such hatred for our fellow man because of such finite differences like race, religion or gender. Someday I hope that these problems will be overcome and we can all move forward to make this little rock we all inhabit on an ultra cool place to live.
Message edited by author 2007-07-31 16:03:20.
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07/31/2007 04:13:13 PM · #5 |
Makes me sick to my stomach...
:-( |
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07/31/2007 04:30:46 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by naldslc:
Great post Doc:
Okay soap box time, please forgive..
It's a sad reminder that there are huge issues here in America that need attention but our leaders turn a blind eye to it. Or choose to let things like this go in lieu of "more pressing issues". IMHO, the only way we can destroy ALL forms of racism is to educate ourselves and our children to have zero tolerance for such behavior. It saddens me to thing that as human beings we harbor such hatred for our fellow man because of such finite differences like race, religion or gender. Someday I hope that these problems will be overcome and we can all move forward to make this little rock we all inhabit on an ultra cool place to live. |
While I agree with spirit and intent here, I get a little nervous anytime the words "zero tolerence" are used in any context.
Deciding what is and isn't racist is often dependant on context and point of view. What may seem innocent and harmless may indeed be racist and devisive, and vice versa.
Zero tolerence in all it's forms eliminates common sense from the decision making process.
There was a case recently in the news where a boy was suspended from school for hugging his girlfriend. A teacher reported it and since the school had a "zero tolerance" for any kind of bodily contact, he was suspended.
There are other accounts of zero tolerance rules and their effects.
No rule should remove common sense from the equation.
my 2 cents.
Message edited by author 2007-07-31 16:31:37. |
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07/31/2007 04:36:13 PM · #7 |
"the white tree"???
makes me want to puke...
sadly, i have a relative who refuses to stop using the 'n' word - though we've tried educating him countless times. Needless to say, our daughters simply roll their eyes & dismiss his ignorance.
thank you Jason, for sharing this; we could all use reminders that such hatred still exists, and that we CAN keep trying to make this world a better place.
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07/31/2007 04:49:37 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by rossbilly:
"the white tree"???
makes me want to puke...
sadly, i have a relative who refuses to stop using the 'n' word - though we've tried educating him countless times. Needless to say, our daughters simply roll their eyes & dismiss his ignorance.
thank you Jason, for sharing this; we could all use reminders that such hatred still exists, and that we CAN keep trying to make this world a better place. |
I got a nephew who does the same thing with ALL races from Arabs to Chinese he has a 'special' word for everyone and every time I get into a debate with the man (40 years old now) I have to bite my lip and leave the room otherwise a very deep dark side of me would raise it's ugly head and I'de batter the idiot to the ground...!!!
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07/31/2007 05:09:05 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by scarbrd:
While I agree with spirit and intent here, I get a little nervous anytime the words "zero tolerence" are used in any context.
Deciding what is and isn't racist is often dependant on context and point of view. What may seem innocent and harmless may indeed be racist and devisive, and vice versa.
Zero tolerence in all it's forms eliminates common sense from the decision making process.
There was a case recently in the news where a boy was suspended from school for hugging his girlfriend. A teacher reported it and since the school had a "zero tolerance" for any kind of bodily contact, he was suspended.
There are other accounts of zero tolerance rules and their effects.
No rule should remove common sense from the equation.
my 2 cents. |
Agreed, perhaps zero tolerance wasn't the best term to use but my comment was directed more towards society in general not putting up with blatant remarks or physical statements regarding anyone person’s skin color, sex or other discernable features. It’s a slippery slope we walk on for sure trying to deal with this issue and rather than expect someone to pass a law to “protect” us from ourselves I believe that each person has the power to induce change in our society. That was intention by that comment, guess it came out wrong.
My thoughts come from the perspective of a father, I may not be able to change a law all by myself or stop all the bad things happening in the world but I CAN have an influence on how my children are raised and with that; help prevent things like this happening (hopefully) in the future by their hand. So when I said "zero tolerance" I meant teaching and educating our children to avoid contact or association with things or people that harbor this type of behavior. To help them understand and recognize things that breed this type of behavior and choose not to support such actions or situations.
Racism seems to be running wild these days on all sides of the stereotypical fences that seem to divide us all. Sure it’s nothing like it was in the 50’s - 60's but, as the article points out, it hasn’t gone away completely. I feel that it is something that needs to be eliminated from the world we live in but we all need to actively make an effort to do so. If individuals took accountability for their actions and exercised a small amount of common sense the world would be a better place.
Thanks for calling me to the carpet David.
Message edited by author 2007-07-31 17:11:47.
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