A Open Letter To Rosie O Donnell

[lilithu]

racism knows no color

Well at least you're funny.

 

[standing_alone]

racism knows no color

That's absolutely true, but it would also be absolutely foolish to think that the little slights whites feel because of affirmative action or being called a "cracker" or because they experience white guilt and then get defensive (oh, wow, look, I can see that in this thread) is on nearly the same level as the systematic discrimination, hate groups, skin-head dumbs***s, etc. racial minorities have experienced and still experience on a much more frequent basis than any "discrimination" (I feel stupid even using the word) white people have experienced. Don't even get me started on this "reverse discrimination" thing.

 

[standing_alone]

Well at least you're funny.

Ack, you're right. Racism is different from prejudice. I used the term wrong in my last post.

 

[MaddLlama]

Oh please, thats long gone, it's about time that they started living their lives instead of making everyone feel bad for what past generations did.
And hey maybe if they stopped shooting each other and dealing drugs then they might be awarded some power, yes I know it's only a small percentage but it still reflects badly on the group as a whole.

If you think slavery doesn't exist at all today, then I think maybe you should shut your mouth and try doing a little research before you open it next time.

And for the record, for all of you talking about how its all "the white mans" fault, white people didn't invent slavery. Matter of fact, if we're only talking about Americans and African slaves, it was other Africans that has already enslaved thier own people sold white people slaves.

It also isn't as if white people are immune to racism. Nobody no matter what ethnicity is immune to racism. It was also racism back at the beginning of the 1900's when the American government took racist policies against European and Asian immigrants, especially the Irish, the Chinese and the Italians.

 

[MaddLlama]

And why is that? Why is it that when white people shoot each other and deal drugs it doesn't reflect badly on the whole group, but when a black person does it, he or she represents the entire black community? If that's not racism, then give us a logical explanation for why this is fair.

I have an answer to that:

Because some people, especially teenagers, think they have all the answers despite the fact that they have little knowledge to base said answers on.

And, sometimes white people just need something stupid to whine about.

 

[gnomon]

Wow.

Imagine if Rosie had kicked down a Chinese person's door, shot them, planted drugs and then lied about it.

Imagine if most of this thread had anything to do with Rosie.

Imagine if people had a clue.

 

[lilithu]

Imagine if Rosie had kicked down a Chinese person's door, shot them, planted drugs and then lied about it.

If she didn't utter a racial slur while doing it, that would have been ok, apparently.

Imagine if most of this thread had anything to do with Rosie.

You're right. It's not about Rosie. It wasn't about Imus. It's about the fact that racial prejudice still exists and people are in willful denial about it.

 

[jamaesi]

Wow. I'm always amazed when people talk about racism and discrimination when they really have no experience with it.

I'm multiracial. I was raised by my mum who is white, I can pass for white- if I'm dressed and acting in a certain way. I know what's it's like to be privileged.

And I also know what racism feels like. Especially after 9/11 when the fact that I'm mixed, and mixed with Middle Eastern blood changed everything with how people treated me. Should I dress how I love to, with a long Indian skirt and a headscarf- then things change dramatically. People I've known for years, when they see me in a scarf, they say I look like a "terrorist." It's absolutely amazing how a damn piece of cloth can completely change the lens someone sees me through. Strangers call me racial slurs and tell me to go back where I came from. I've had someone cross the street to spit in my face and scream slurs when I was walking home from school. I know what it's like to loose opportunities in my life because of things I can't change about myself.


And people say racism is dead? People say "political correctness" (the history and concept they probably couldn't explain if they tried, even though it's a fun little word-bite to throw around) is stupid? People say affirmative action (another thing I'd love for them to actually understand) is useless now? God forbid at this point I actually bring up the fact there is scientific data that proves AA is very beneficial not only to the minourity but to the majourity...

Have they ever lived as a nonprivileged person?

It was a very, very hard slap in the face for me when I went from passing as mainstream white American to sand n***** who should get out of this land.


Whites were slaves in rare cases, yes. Indentured servants and then the Irish on Barbados are the two big ones. Now there is a sex slave industry but that's based more on class than race...

Blacks sold blacks as slaves. Most of those slaves came from the loosing tribe in a battle between two African tribes. Those slaves usually got a chance to be freed- but when bought by Europeans from the winners that would never happen.


The point is... white slavery can never compare to the slavery of blacks- and what's the point of trying to blame this on other blacks? It was the European demand for them that caused this.

 

[darkpenguin]

If this is not racism, God help us all. To stay this and continue with 'it is just a small part of the population' is a ridiculous sentence and is not worthy of any laud. It is a disgusting sentiment of how racism is still alive and well in this world of ours.

Oh please, that wasn't racism.
I'm just sick of people who have been descriminated against feeling like they are owed something from white people because of what we did years ago.
What makes me really angry is that the freedom that ethnic minorities have now, they have their ancestors to thank for, but what have many done with that freedom?
They shoot each other, deal drugs, make offensive music with as many swear words as they know, make people uncomfortable, bomb people for past injustices and religious orientation.

I'm sure Dr King & Gandhi didn't expect this to be the result of what they fought so hard for!

I'm no racist, I just say it how it is and how I (like many people) see it!

 

[gnomon]

If she didn't utter a racial slur while doing it, that would have been ok, apparently.


You're right. It's not about Rosie. It wasn't about Imus. It's about the fact that racial prejudice still exists and people are in willful denial about it.

And nowhere have I said racism is dead.

I remind you, a black woman was murdered in Atlanta a short time ago. A black man sits on death row in Mississippi for defending himself.

If there is anything I've learned from the left wing on this forum is if attention is to be drawn to the real problems of racism in this nation then those who are truly being victimized should find some way to get on television and utter a prejudicial remark such as "nappy headed ho" then maybe people will listen.

Because apparently, a black woman getting gunned down by a racist drug war just isn't enough. Rosie O'Donnell committing a few seconds of stupidity is.

I don't know whether to laugh at the absurdity or cry.

edit: I'm not aiming this specifically at you because I've read enough of your posts to know better and that you do care. It's the overall general attention given to what is basically non-essential stories leading to useless discussions while people who are losing their lives, their rights and their general welfare at the hands of the institution that is supposed to protect them. It's one thing when an entertainer "might" reveal some prejudice or poor judgement. It's altogether different when minority groups are being unjustly targeted by a failed and essentially racist system. It's the attention by the media, the public and those who claim to know better that I find disturbing.

 

[gnomon]

Wow. I'm always amazed when people talk about racism and discrimination when they really have no experience with it.

I'm multiracial. I was raised by my mum who is white, I can pass for white- if I'm dressed and acting in a certain way. I know what's it's like to be privileged.

And I also know what racism feels like. Especially after 9/11 when the fact that I'm mixed, and mixed with Middle Eastern blood changed everything with how people treated me. Should I dress how I love to, with a long Indian skirt and a headscarf- then things change dramatically. People I've known for years, when they see me in a scarf, they say I look like a "terrorist." It's absolutely amazing how a damn piece of cloth can completely change the lens someone sees me through. Strangers call me racial slurs and tell me to go back where I came from. I've had someone cross the street to spit in my face and scream slurs when I was walking home from school. I know what it's like to loose opportunities in my life because of things I can't change about myself.


And people say racism is dead? People say "political correctness" (the history and concept they probably couldn't explain if they tried, even though it's a fun little word-bite to throw around) is stupid? People say affirmative action (another thing I'd love for them to actually understand) is useless now? God forbid at this point I actually bring up the fact there is scientific data that proves AA is very beneficial not only to the minourity but to the majourity...

Have they ever lived as a nonprivileged person?

It was a very, very hard slap in the face for me when I went from passing as mainstream white American to sand n***** who should get out of this land.


Whites were slaves in rare cases, yes. Indentured servants and then the Irish on Barbados are the two big ones. Now there is a sex slave industry but that's based more on class than race...

Blacks sold blacks as slaves. Most of those slaves came from the loosing tribe in a battle between two African tribes. Those slaves usually got a chance to be freed- but when bought by Europeans from the winners that would never happen.


The point is... white slavery can never compare to the slavery of blacks- and what's the point of trying to blame this on other blacks? It was the European demand for them that caused this.

Thanks for the wholesale generalization of white people. I've come to expect nothing less from you.

Now I just have to realize that the years spent in mental agony and realize I was privileged. That basically all the white people I knew grew up facing the same hardships, including a close friend afraid to live in his own house after being beaten by his stepfather and brother, but he was privileged.

Tell me what it's like to be privileged. I want to know. Because I don't. I guess since I and many of my friends were mistreated not because of our race, but for other reasons, we don't get to play any special card. Instead we have morons tell us buck up, you're white (actually I'm not by the strictest sense but that doesn't matter) and we just don't know what it's like.

:biglaugh:

I'm done with this ****.

 

[Moey]

You people make me sick. This is not a contest over who has been discriminated against more. Everyone in this world has been discriminated against one way or another even if they don't see it. Most people just refuse to believe it still happens.

Does it make you feel good to sit around comparing stories hoping yours is the worst?

You will receive no pity from me.

 

[ker crypter]

Unbelievable the kinds of excuses one will make. She was not "talking Chinese" by any stretch of the imagination, whether she was imitating Bugs Bunny or anyone else.

I would much rather be called chink than listen to that mockery. I suppose that it would have been fine to you if she had put on black face when "imitating" Nigerians. After all, as long as she doesn't actually say a racial slur it's ok with you.

you have a big chip on your shoulder,obviously...lm sorry for having an opinion,according to you. yours is the only one that matters. seems to me, people like you spend their time just waiting for whites to "slip up" so you can pounce on them. l am not a racist. lve dated asian women, love the culture and l live in a part of toronto dominated by asian. l know every race has its racist, l can feel prejudice against me from other races too at times .. and what would l care if she wore black face...why would anyone...shes an idiot!!!

 

[jamaesi]

Thanks for the wholesale generalization of white people. I've come to expect nothing less from you.

Mocking me for generalising... as you generalise me.

Right, moving on.

Now I just have to realize that the years spent in mental agony and realize I was privileged. That basically all the white people I knew grew up facing the same hardships, including a close friend afraid to live in his own house after being beaten by his stepfather and brother, but he was privileged.

Privileged in respect to your race/ethnicity.

Tell me what it's like to be privileged. I want to know. Because I don't. I guess since I and many of my friends were mistreated not because of our race, but for other reasons, we don't get to play any special card. Instead we have morons tell us buck up, you're white (actually I'm not by the strictest sense but that doesn't matter) and we just don't know what it's like.

Again, privileged in terms of race/ethnicity.


White Caucasians are a privileged group in the United States due to the history and the current socio-politics and culture. I don't see why you're trying to make a connection between white privilege and domestic violence when the colour of your skin does not have an effect on winning or losing the family/paternal lottery.
The colour of your skin, however, does effect how you are treated by those outside of your race and your place in society.

For the record, I'm also a victim of domestic violence- but that's not related to my race/ethnicity. I don't get to play a race card with a sob story about that. I have been a victim of hate speech and hate crimes which is related to my race/ethnicity- if you want to call that playing a race card that's your prerogative... but it's hard to rationalise that when someone is calling me a slur because I am that race it's me just being oversensitive, when it's a racist action someone more privileged than me is doing.

 

[MaddLlama]

Oh please, that wasn't racism.
I'm just sick of people who have been descriminated against feeling like they are owed something from white people because of what we did years ago.
What makes me really angry is that the freedom that ethnic minorities have now, they have their ancestors to thank for, but what have many done with that freedom?
They shoot each other, deal drugs, make offensive music with as many swear words as they know, make people uncomfortable, bomb people for past injustices and religious orientation.

I'm sure Dr King & Gandhi didn't expect this to be the result of what they fought so hard for!

I'm no racist, I just say it how it is and how I (like many people) see it!

Generalizing that all black people are lazy and do nothing good for themselves but gangbang and sell drugs isn't being racist? Newsflash for you kiddo, that is a racist statement. You can't say "Oh, black people havent done anything worthwhile" and then try to qualify it by saying "but, I'm not racist". It doesn't work that way, sorry.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe those kinds of lazy and inaccurate generalizations contributes to racial discrimination? Or were you just too busy feeling sorry for yourself to think about someone else?

If that's the way you (and many other people) see it, then you (and many other people) are racists.

 

[Bishka]

I'm just sick of people who have been descriminated against feeling like they are owed something from white people because of what we did years ago.

It is not like it has stopped yet. So why talk about 'long ago'?

What makes me really angry is that the freedom that ethnic minorities have now, they have their ancestors to thank for, but what have many done with that freedom?
They shoot each other, deal drugs, make offensive music with as many swear words as they know, make people uncomfortable, bomb people for past injustices and religious orientation.

Bomb people? When has this happened recently? White people do this as well, it's not like it's just the minorities.

I'm sure Dr King & Gandhi didn't expect this to be the result of what they fought so hard for!.

True. The would not expect someone like you to see like this.

I'm no racist, I just say it how it is and how I (like many people) see it!

I could dispute the first part of this comment; it's clear that you do not see your sentiments as racist.

 

[Bishka]

You people make me sick. This is not a contest over who has been discriminated against more.
.

That's hardly what this is. Some people on this thread have basically said that racism does not occur anymore. These people are pointing out the racism they have had happen in their lives. Let me guess, are you, white, male, mid-age? That could be the reason you feel this way.....

 

[darkpenguin]

Generalizing that all black people are lazy and do nothing good for themselves but gangbang and sell drugs isn't being racist? Newsflash for you kiddo, that is a racist statement. You can't say "Oh, black people havent done anything worthwhile" and then try to qualify it by saying "but, I'm not racist". It doesn't work that way, sorry.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe those kinds of lazy and inaccurate generalizations contributes to racial discrimination? Or were you just too busy feeling sorry for yourself to think about someone else?

If that's the way you (and many other people) see it, then you (and many other people) are racists.

If you had read my post properly you would have seen that I didn't refer to "all black people" nor did I refer to all of any race.

Could you also please tell me at which point in my post you read "I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself to think about someone else", maybe I need some glasses because I have read and re-read and I just can't see it.

 

[lilithu]

If you had read my post properly you would have seen that I didn't refer to "all black people" nor did I refer to all of any race.

OK, I have reread your post and reread it again. You're right, you didn't say "all black people" nor refer to any race.

"What makes me really angry is that the freedom that ethnic minorities have now, they have their ancestors to thank for, but what have many done with that freedom?
They shoot each other, deal drugs, make offensive music with as many swear words as they know, make people uncomfortable, bomb people for past injustices and religious orientation."

So what you said was that "ethnic minorities" "shoot each other, deal drugs, make offensive music with as many swear words as they know, make people uncomfortable, bomb people for past injustices and religious orientation."

Yeah, that's a lot better. :sarcastic

Could you also please tell me at which point in my post you read "I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself to think about someone else", maybe I need some glasses because I have read and re-read and I just can't see it.

I think it came across somewhere around...

"I'm just sick of people who have been descriminated against feeling like they are owed something from white people because of what we did years ago."

 

[Moey]

Let me guess, are you, white, male, mid-age? That could be the reason you feel this way.....

Actually that is a generalzation that I would apply towards you just by reading the things you post.