Race in the national conversation

Overall, in our society, is race discussed too little, too much, or at about the right frequency?

(Note: This is a question not of what is being said in conversations about race, but how often those conversations are occurring.)

Phys251 said:

Overall, in our society, is race discussed too little, too much, or at about the right frequency?

(Note: This is a question not of what is being said in conversations about race, but how often those conversations are occurring.)

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IMO, the more frequent we talk about race, the more aware of it we are. The more aware of it we are, the more we are likely to allow it to affect us in some way, positively or negatively. The more we allow it to affect us, the more likely we are to undermine the impetus for the discussion in the first place which is presumably to get to a better place in race relations or marginalize the importance of race in society.

Phys251 said:

Overall, in our society, is race discussed too little, too much, or at about the right frequency?

(Note: This is a question not of what is being said in conversations about race, but how often those conversations are occurring.)

Click to expand...

too much and it means racism still exists

unfortunately

Generally here's how it goes:

Left wing hacks: conservatives are racists.

Right wing hacks: liberals are racists.

Me: you're all ****ing idiots.

Moderator: dear Jetboogieman this infraction is worth 3 points.

It's all good. The universe has a terrific memory.

Either way, my money is on Usein Bolt.

I've long held the opinion that in order to live in a colorblind society, we can't dwell on color. We have to concentrate our shared issues, opportunities, problems and successes.

When I was in the army I was sent to Korea. I am 6'5. I established a close friendship with a black guy who had been in Korea much longer than I. He learned some of the language and traveled quite a bit in the country. The first time we walked through Taejon together a large group of children walked behind us. I was used to it. In Korea someone 6'5" is quite large. He looked at me and said that it was strange and must have been because we were inter-racial. I'll never forget the first thing that flashed through my mind which was, "what the hell are you talking about?"

I'd forgotten he was black. He was just my friend.

sawdust said:

I've long held the opinion that in order to live in a colorblind society, we can't dwell on color. We have to concentrate our shared issues, opportunities, problems and successes.

When I was in the army I was sent to Korea. I am 6'5. I established a close friendship with a black guy who had been in Korea much longer than I. He learned some of the language and traveled quite a bit in the country. The first time we walked through Taejon together a large group of children walked behind us. I was used to it. In Korea someone 6'5" is quite large. He looked at me and said that it was strange and must have been because we were inter-racial. I'll never forget the first thing that flashed through my mind which was, "what the hell are you talking about?"

I'd forgotten he was black. He was just my friend.

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*single tear rolls down cheek*

That's beautiful.

sawdust said:

I've long held the opinion that in order to live in a colorblind society, we can't dwell on color. We have to concentrate our shared issues, opportunities, problems and successes.

When I was in the army I was sent to Korea. I am 6'5. I established a close friendship with a black guy who had been in Korea much longer than I. He learned some of the language and traveled quite a bit in the country. The first time we walked through Taejon together a large group of children walked behind us. I was used to it. In Korea someone 6'5" is quite large. He looked at me and said that it was strange and must have been because we were inter-racial. I'll never forget the first thing that flashed through my mind which was, "what the hell are you talking about?"

I'd forgotten he was black. He was just my friend.

Click to expand...

He hadn't.

It is mostly a bad and pointless conversation when had at the national level. It is not a matter of quantity, rather quality that is the problem.

It's a difficult question to answer because entirely too much of the wrong conversation presently takes place while the conversation that should be taking place is banned by political correctness.

I think its a factor as to what's going on in the culture. No one here is suggesting this but restricting speech in matters that the culture in general considers relevant or imposing social pressure to restrict such speech is in my humble opinion a form of political correctness and no political side is immune from it.

But to answer your question yes and no. I wish racism were less of an issue and the product of which is it would be spoken of less. I don't have a problem with race being talked about, only in some cases the reasons its being talked about. At the same time I'm completely okay with discussing race in the context of history, education and cultural contributions. For example: Talking about Chinese food, China Town, remembering how the Jews were persecuted during WWII, Columbus's discovery of the New World and Native American inhabitants, St. Patrick's Day and America's Irish influence, etc. are just as enriching of discussions to have as the Underground Railroad, the City of Chicago being founded by a black pioneer and the Civil Rights movement to end segregation and second-class American citizenship.