News Us politics - read first post before comment

[hodge]

Yeah, @ShikibuZ. And some people may be just totally resistant. All I know is that I was not brought up to be racist, thank God, and I grew up in a multicultural city and made friends from every background. I loved my friends way before I ever knew much about the history of racism. I still maintain that a personal connection is vital to overcoming it. Sunday dinners alone won't do it, of course, you're right about that, but it might be a good start. Gotta start somewhere! And if every white American could become friends with at least one African American or Hispanic American this would be a better country.

 

[Deleted member 41765]

Or Native American (apologies for the bold type, but this one *really* gets me! Cultural amnesia anyone?). Or Muslim. I think we are seeing how many are, in fact, utterly resistant. Therein lies the necessity of *education* (classrooms, particularly those at the grade school level, have the both the potential and impetus to connect, and draw in the adults by default).

 

[Deleted member 541]

Is it really racism? Or is it just plain hate? Or is it intolerance of others? I've often wondered. There is hatred/intolerance among religions. There is hatred/intolerance among different tribes in Africa. Blacks killing blacks, whites killing whites. People in power killing those that don't adhere to their policies. It just seems to me that in the "entire world" there are pockets and places where killing goes on and on and on. I don't understand it, and I don't get it. Never have and never will.

Here is the US! Yes we have issues. Our government seems to be in a f*cked up mess. Both parties are in a mess. No one can agree within their own party. But I don't think that it's just the US...... Every country has its set of issues, they just aren't as verbal with there's and then there is the one country that was touted as the the one to look up to for everything. And then Donald Trump got elected.... Downhill slide!!!!

 

[hodge]

Yes, thank you, @ShikibuZ (and sorry) and @She Cat. American Indian (as most prefer to be called, at least among the Sioux around here), Muslim, Asian, Caribbean, Pacific Islanders, Africans . . . the point is to get to know and love people who are not of your religion or ethnic identity. And a good experience for any white person is to get invited to a social gathering where everyone else there is black or Muslim or something other than white. I've been blessed to have had several such experiences and it is, I think, really good for the soul. For one thing, it gives you something in common with the one minority person who might attend other social gatherings. But the best thing is to be close friends with people who are different from you. Because then, it extends out . . . you get to know more of their circle, they get to know more of yours, and more people who are different from each other get connected. Having close friends of all different religions and ethnicities has so enriched my life. I can't imagine living without them.

But, then there are people who are intractable, who will not ever be open to these kinds of experiences with anyone who's different from them. It's sad, but what can you do?

 

[hodge]

FYI, the New York Times has just published an article about the eerie parallels between Ted Kennedy getting brain cancer during the Clintons' health care effort and now John McCain getting it during this one. Sorry for no link, but I don't subscribe and can only read 10 articles a month. But it's there for anyone who's interested.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

It seems to me that until the versions of his-story being taught from birth are corrected/exposed to reflect actual fact vs. translated fiction we can't expect different behaviors by those hell bent on not wishing to interact with anyone other than those who are exactly like themselves. It's all they've been taught, in many cases. Seems to be the main reason his-story repeats itself, too, from where I'm standing.

The stories appear to be some sort of comfort zone to many. As if it's the one sure thing they can hold dear and true and the one thing they can rely on above all else as being their actual roots, not to mention the plethora of jobs that are made available that are built upon the shaky foundations of deep deception. One must also pay dearly to be given the privilege of acquiring said jobs, too, be it via various degrees or via your health, or both. It seems many have totally bought into these formally taught stories and refuse to see things any other way.

As long as each race/religion/creed has it's own story that it's determined to stick with, no matter how many suffer as a result, it doesn't leave much wiggle room for minds to travel anywhere else. Those who try to change minds, even when based on facts and direct experience, tend to only serve as a prompt of sorts for folks to get angry and solidify their beliefs and judgements even more. It's a strange and very disheartening observation.

 

[Deleted member 41765]

be close friends with people who are different from you.

Yes, of course, I understand what you're saying and think it important. I grew up in NYC, have lived in CA for decades and have always been surrounded by diversity. I've often been the only white person in a room. I take it for granted I suppose. Still think education is a necessary path. A child who practices empathy and tolerance can be an instrument of change (ha! look at me being all hopeful! that happens rarely...) .

And apologies @hodge I wasn't trying to correct you up there re: Native Americans, I am just always so dumbfounded as to how they are perpetually left out of most conversation (my Cherokee friend prefers "Indian" and for some reason I can't bring myself to use it when writing, or speaking!!)

 

[hodge]

I agree, education is necessary. But I also think for solid incorporation, it needs to be coupled with experience. I think we're basically saying the same things :-)

 

[Deleted member 41765]

We are. Was just editing and about to include that point in my edit!! :)

This is thought provoking (if you can stand the adverts)! I will now go crawl under a rock.

Chomsky: Trump is a Distraction, Used by the Deep State to 'Systematically Destroy' America

 

[hodge]

No, you were making a good point, @ShikibuZ. I should have included all these other peoples, too. It's just that right now in my real life, African Americans, Muslim Americans, and Hispanic Americans are among my closest friends and I neglected to mention other groups. I was glad to be corrected :-).

 

[Deleted member 41765]

@hodge Bah! I'm in no position to be correcting *anyone* but thank you for your graciousness!

 

[Deleted member 541]

I have felt for awhile that Trump is being used by the Republican Party to get their agenda done. They want their agenda and are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that. I believe that they know how unstable Trump is, but yes, a distraction none the less.

The first thing you do to undermine a government is to destabilize the PRESS!!!! This is what is happening right now!!!

Trump is now looking into how to pardon himself and his entire family!!! Really???? If you have NOTHING to hide, then why would you look into if you can use a pardon????

And 1 of his lawyers quit!!! Said he didn't feel he was being told all the truth??? REALLY??? Like most of us in the US!!!!!!