A minority's thoughts on "racism"

[Mindflayer]

Bear with me, as I may not be at my most eloquent, for I am angry.

I am Scotch-Irish and American Indian on my father's side. I am Japanese on my mother's side. According to the US Census Bureau, I am a super minority at a collective 2.3% of the population. Factored for my racial composition, I am 8% of that 2.3%. I am about as a minority as you can get. That's the data.

Growing up was often rough, especially my middle school years in South Carolina. I wasn't white. I wasn't black. Both races wanted to pick on the "gook" or the "chink". Annoying enough that the racists on both sides couldn't even get it right, even more so when I would defend myself and get suspended while the instigator - regardless of being white or black - would get away with his attack. I learned how to fight and how to use a quick wit to deflect the unwarranted hatred.

I was a military brat growing up. The US military was the first truly American integration effort. Yes, racism did and still does exist, but by the 70s and 80s, you were judged by your abilities (and political savvy), and not by your race. That was something drilled into me by my father from a very young age. My mother comes from a wealthy, powerful, politically connected Japanese family. You want a racist society? We Americans have nothing on the Japanese. That said, my mother also grew up to accept all races, and judge people by their actions. Again, actions and not race were the lessons she taught me.

I grew up picked on by all races. I am "indeterminate racial and/or ethnic origin" so I am the target of misplaced hatred. German people that hate Turks? Latinos that hate another Central or South American country? People that hate Asian? American Indians? Yup, been targeted by all of them. Do I stew in my laziness or do I continue to strive to be the man my parents taught me to be?

Racial profiling? Don't get me started. President Obama: "There are very few African-American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store." So? I still get followed at my age. I still have cops stop me for driving in a nice neighborhood, talking to me in languages I do not speak, asking me why I am driving a new car. How about the black Fairfax city cop that insists on speaking to me in Spanish, even after I say I do not understand? The Maryland cop that insists I have drugs in the car? The York County cop that asks me point blank why I have a white woman in the car with me? Somehow, all of our experiences pale next to one race's. Is that not racist?

What is with the media pandering for ratings, preying on white guilt? Why do so many Americans still weigh themselves down with this false albatross? Yes, American slavery was bad. Yes, the Civil Rights movement showcased the ugliness in some people. Yes, racism still exists. But the way to fight it is to shed this idiocy of white guilt, and truly judge someone by the content of their character and the substance of their actions. Regardless of race, if you're pounding someone's head into the cement, you are evil and you shall reap what you have sown.

Let's talk about the riots in LA. Black rioters disproportionately attacked Asian families and businesses. The predominantly white LAPD chose to let the Asians fend for themselves. Where's the white guilt over that? Does it not exist because Asians typically man up and continue to excel? Even more tellingly, where's the collective black guilt?

When it comes down to it, we're all Americans or want to be Americans. I am not naive. I know racism exists. That said, we can continue to dump gasoline on that fire, or we can walk away and let it die down from lack of fuel. That's up to us.

[SpanishInquisition]

Bravo, sir. Bravo.

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[Domino]

Very well said!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[SHMIV]

Yep. 10-4. Asians, I have noticed, seem to have a natural desire to, not just succeed, but to excel. I'm guessing that it's something in Asian upbringing.

Black folk have been conditioned over the past few generations to not see past their own immediate wants. With that line of thinking, the concept of "black guilt" won't happen.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[allingeneral]

May I quote you?

Bear with me, as I may not be at my most eloquent, for I am angry.

I am Scotch-Irish and American Indian on my father's side. I am Japanese on my mother's side. According to the US Census Bureau, I am a super minority at a collective 2.3% of the population. Factored for my racial composition, I am 8% of that 2.3%. I am about as a minority as you can get. That's the data.

Growing up was often rough, especially my middle school years in South Carolina. I wasn't white. I wasn't black. Both races wanted to pick on the "gook" or the "chink". Annoying enough that the racists on both sides couldn't even get it right, even more so when I would defend myself and get suspended while the instigator - regardless of being white or black - would get away with his attack. I learned how to fight and how to use a quick wit to deflect the unwarranted hatred.

I was a military brat growing up. The US military was the first truly American integration effort. Yes, racism did and still does exist, but by the 70s and 80s, you were judged by your abilities (and political savvy), and not by your race. That was something drilled into me by my father from a very young age. My mother comes from a wealthy, powerful, politically connected Japanese family. You want a racist society? We Americans have nothing on the Japanese. That said, my mother also grew up to accept all races, and judge people by their actions. Again, actions and not race were the lessons she taught me.

I grew up picked on by all races. I am "indeterminate racial and/or ethnic origin" so I am the target of misplaced hatred. German people that hate Turks? Latinos that hate another Central or South American country? People that hate Asian? American Indians? Yup, been targeted by all of them. Do I stew in my laziness or do I continue to strive to be the man my parents taught me to be?

Racial profiling? Don't get me started. President Obama: "There are very few African-American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store." So? I still get followed at my age. I still have cops stop me for driving in a nice neighborhood, talking to me in languages I do not speak, asking me why I am driving a new car. How about the black Fairfax city cop that insists on speaking to me in Spanish, even after I say I do not understand? The Maryland cop that insists I have drugs in the car? The York County cop that asks me point blank why I have a white woman in the car with me? Somehow, all of our experiences pale next to one race's. Is that not racist?

What is with the media pandering for ratings, preying on white guilt? Why do so many Americans still weigh themselves down with this false albatross? Yes, American slavery was bad. Yes, the Civil Rights movement showcased the ugliness in some people. Yes, racism still exists. But the way to fight it is to shed this idiocy of white guilt, and truly judge someone by the content of their character and the substance of their actions. Regardless of race, if you're pounding someone's head into the cement, you are evil and you shall reap what you have sown.

Let's talk about the riots in LA. Black rioters disproportionately attacked Asian families and businesses. The predominantly white LAPD chose to let the Asians fend for themselves. Where's the white guilt over that? Does it not exist because Asians typically man up and continue to excel? Even more tellingly, where's the collective black guilt?

When it comes down to it, we're all Americans or want to be Americans. I am not naive. I know racism exists. That said, we can continue to dump gasoline on that fire, or we can walk away and let it die down from lack of fuel. That's up to us.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Palladin]

Well said, 'flayer.


The key tor your success is outlined in your fourth paragraph -

You had a mother,
You had a father,
They cared enough about you to ensure that you were raised, brought up, educated.

A individual is known by their fruit. That is the truth, and truth doesn't change just because someone is too ignorant to comprehend it.

[Snakester]

Very, Very Good !

[Rich]

Very thought provoking post. I have never and will never have a racist thought or feeling about anyone of Asian descent. Why? Because I respect them. My experience with Asians is that they are intelligent, hard working, respectful and decent.

[rlbellco72]

Well said Mindflayer!

[mamabearCali]

Well said!

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[widefat]

Great post!

[MrJog]

[TacticalMom]

Bear with me, as I may not be at my most eloquent, for I am angry.

I am Scotch-Irish and American Indian on my father's side. I am Japanese on my mother's side. According to the US Census Bureau, I am a super minority at a collective 2.3% of the population. Factored for my racial composition, I am 8% of that 2.3%. I am about as a minority as you can get. That's the data.

Growing up was often rough, especially my middle school years in South Carolina. I wasn't white. I wasn't black. Both races wanted to pick on the "gook" or the "chink". Annoying enough that the racists on both sides couldn't even get it right, even more so when I would defend myself and get suspended while the instigator - regardless of being white or black - would get away with his attack. I learned how to fight and how to use a quick wit to deflect the unwarranted hatred.

I was a military brat growing up. The US military was the first truly American integration effort. Yes, racism did and still does exist, but by the 70s and 80s, you were judged by your abilities (and political savvy), and not by your race. That was something drilled into me by my father from a very young age. My mother comes from a wealthy, powerful, politically connected Japanese family. You want a racist society? We Americans have nothing on the Japanese. That said, my mother also grew up to accept all races, and judge people by their actions. Again, actions and not race were the lessons she taught me.

I grew up picked on by all races. I am "indeterminate racial and/or ethnic origin" so I am the target of misplaced hatred. German people that hate Turks? Latinos that hate another Central or South American country? People that hate Asian? American Indians? Yup, been targeted by all of them. Do I stew in my laziness or do I continue to strive to be the man my parents taught me to be?

Racial profiling? Don't get me started. President Obama: "There are very few African-American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store." So? I still get followed at my age. I still have cops stop me for driving in a nice neighborhood, talking to me in languages I do not speak, asking me why I am driving a new car. How about the black Fairfax city cop that insists on speaking to me in Spanish, even after I say I do not understand? The Maryland cop that insists I have drugs in the car? The York County cop that asks me point blank why I have a white woman in the car with me? Somehow, all of our experiences pale next to one race's. Is that not racist?

What is with the media pandering for ratings, preying on white guilt? Why do so many Americans still weigh themselves down with this false albatross? Yes, American slavery was bad. Yes, the Civil Rights movement showcased the ugliness in some people. Yes, racism still exists. But the way to fight it is to shed this idiocy of white guilt, and truly judge someone by the content of their character and the substance of their actions. Regardless of race, if you're pounding someone's head into the cement, you are evil and you shall reap what you have sown.

Let's talk about the riots in LA. Black rioters disproportionately attacked Asian families and businesses. The predominantly white LAPD chose to let the Asians fend for themselves. Where's the white guilt over that? Does it not exist because Asians typically man up and continue to excel? Even more tellingly, where's the collective black guilt?

When it comes down to it, we're all Americans or want to be Americans. I am not naive. I know racism exists. That said, we can continue to dump gasoline on that fire, or we can walk away and let it die down from lack of fuel. That's up to us.

Wow our ancestry is very very similar.

I am on my fathers side 1/4 Irish 1/4 American Indian, and on my mothers side Japanese.

I to grew up a Military family on a Military base. I had such trouble with racism in school on base that my mother had at one time the school board make a teacher apologize to me formally in writing. (you would think that on base of all places there would be a lot more tolerance.)

I was called everything under the sun, and really really hate the J word. I was excluded from things that other kids were doing in girl scouts because and I quote a girl said "we don't want any of you yellow people doing it with us".

I grew up and my Father taught me the same things your father taught you. I lived in Japan and dealt with the racism there, because I was only a half, so mostly gaijin. (Note: I am very light skined, I have green eyes and look very white with some Asian. I have often gotten mistaken for Latino.) My mother we very indoctrinated and had some very colorful responses to the other kinds of Asians, mainly Korean. I however, am strong enough and was able to see that I did not like being treated that way so I did not want to treat other people that way.

When we lived in Alabama, we were the chinks in the neighborhood. That was fun let me tell you.

I am and will continue to teach my kids to judge based on merit/actions and not based on skin tone or race.

I am right there with you Mindflayer. I am sorry you have had to go through all of that, I am glad to be able to converse with you here. We halfies just have to show everyone mutts are just as good as everyone else.

Edit: oh I also saw his response about being followed at work, and it made my skin crawl. I hate every time he opens his mouth, and poop spews forth. I am happy he has an opinion but, I think that when he says things like he did, he is condoning the animal behavior that is coming out of "his" people, and as the POTUS, that is not ok in my opinion.

[MarcSpaz]

Wow. Amazingly well said.

Scotch-Irish, American Indian and Japanese is a very unique blend of cultures. My wife is Scotch-Irish, American Indian and French Canadian.

I think it is important for us to remember and even practice the ways of our ancestors, but remember to respect others doing the same. The whole population needs to realize that regardless of where our ancestors are from, we are all brothers and sisters under the tree of life and we ARE all Americans.

I am second generation American. All of my family prior to migration are from Italy. I look like I could be from anywhere in the Mediterranean or Middle East. A lot of people over the years have told me they thought I was from places such as Egypt and I can't tell you how many people have tried talking to me in Arabic. LOL

As far as my own experience with racism; I was born and spent the first 12 years of my life in Rhode Island. I moved to St. Pete FL to live with my grandparents for awhile. Although Italians are the original Latinos and I am of Mediterranean decent, there is a misnomer that Italians are white. And let me tell you, being a 12 year old, "white", northern Freshman in a predominately black southern high school where most freshman were 14 and 15 years old... yea, I got beat up a lot in school.

And just to reaffirm, Obama is an idiot. Even though the American culture views me as white, I still get followed around in stores and pulled over by cops for being white with money in a poor area (thinking I am trying to get drugs). It's not a race thing. If you look out of place, you are going to be questioned (enter Trayvon and George).

[WRW]

It is not just an out of place thing or a race thing. I have been followed around in a hardware store (they were losing inventory at that time). I have been questioned because I was in a van (there had been an incident involving a van of a different color on the Bay Bridge and it didn't matter that we were two hours distant). The list goes on. The fact is that all folks get scrutinized by other folks that have cause for heightened awareness.

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[j1mmyd]

Good piece, WRW.

And not to compare my experiences to yours, but I've been stopped more than once in The Bronx, parts of Brooklyn and several times in Harlem because the police couldn't imagine what business a bald, tattooed white guy had in those places. Statistically speaking, they may have been right to stop me, but no one enjoys these interactions.

[Swampman]

Good posts from both Mindflayer and Tactical Mom. We can have all the "conversations on race" (I'm beginning to despise that phrase) that we want. Bottom line is, there are bigots everywhere, and like you both said, we have to learn how to deal with them. Best way, in my view, is to ignore them. Acknowledging what they say simply encourages them to say more because they have an audience. Take away the audience, take away their reason to spew their bigotry.

[TacticalMom]

Good posts from both Mindflayer and Tactical Mom. We can have all the "conversations on race" (I'm beginning to despise that phrase) that we want. Bottom line is, there are bigots everywhere, and like you both said, we have to learn how to deal with them. Best way, in my view, is to ignore them. Acknowledging what they say simply encourages them to say more because they have an audience. Take away the audience, take away their reason to spew their bigotry.

You hit the nail right on the head Swampman, and thanks for the kind words.

[Reverenddel]

I can understand what you're saying, and appreciate it.

Racism in it's rawest form sucks, and isn't valid.

But I will still put my hand to my back when a see aggressive youths come my way. Statistically? It's a proactive move.

Do I hate it? Yeah, but until ALL cultures get their sh't together. I don't see I have a choice.

[Tweaker]

"The York County cop that asks me point blank why I have a white woman in the car with me?"

Was that VA or SC?

Good essay, Mindflayer. Kudos for staying focused on yo bidness and success.