Race

[The Hitman]

Now maybe I am wrong in my opinion here, but in a world which is striving for equality why does the subject of race keep getting rammed down our throats.

The best example is the U.S Election - "The first Black President, how it is great news for African Americans, people of Kenya celebrating because their "black brother" is now the most important man on the planet and expecting their streets to be paved in gold? (All quotes from news channels)

Surely it should be portrayed as the next US President is young, enthusiastic, which is great news for ALL americans regardless of what race he is. A change for the better for the whole world, let alone American's.

(I am not saying that will be the case, and it's the media's fault entirely. It's just the way it is being portrayed it feels as though it could segregate the American people)

I saw on the news the yesterday an interview with an african american member of the public, in where he shouts "We're running the world now, we're running the show!!" Surely this mindset is all wrong and has been created by the media monster. It appears the media are interested less in his ideas for the future, his capability to be president and are purely focused on the colour of the man's skin.

I don't think in this day in age that is right, not to mention far from politically correct.

I wish Obama every success, in the current plight the world finds itself in, any glimmer of hope is welcome. The media coverage has taken away the achievement of Obama's victory to some extent, in my opinion.

[westport321]

I wholeheartedly agree hitman,I wish people in the US would get over the poor me crap, not just black americans but white, native,hispanic asian etc. and I agree that the media are 1st to fan something into a "big" news story, thats why I gave up watching the news. I am also a bigot, I am bigoted about the nazi party, skinheads,hispanic drug dealers, malaysian terrorists, almost all religions and ignorant people, I have been accused as a racist because I stated those beliefs, I am still trying to understand that one. The only group of people I dont like to be around are eskimos.
Time will tell if Obama can give the US a good ar^$ kicking, its going to be interesting when he gets everyone to be just people not black white or whatever.Wonder if that can be done?

[A Horse called Juan Face]

Ok firstly, what's wrong with Eskimoes? If it's just that they live in cold places, then fair does.

Second, have to say I agree with the original point. Ramming race down our throats all the time, only reminds the potential racists that it exists. Important though it undoubtedly was, I personally wouldn't teach about the slave trade or Martin Luther King or anything like that in schools anymore, because it just ingrains the fact that there is a difference into people. Like I said somewhere else, I don't think we are born with prejudices, I think they are made.

[westport321]

yes horse, cold places and they are a very introverted group of people, not overly friendly, although somewhat friendlier than the icelanders. I question why someone would continue to live the very hard life that they do especially in that bitter cold.
Hopefully its a changing world with this new american president but I doubt it.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

[quote="A Horse called Juan Face"]Ok firstly, what's wrong with Eskimoes?

They smell of fish.

[four eyes]

they wear fur!

[Govangirl]

Ramming race down our throats all the time, only reminds the potential racists that it exists. Important though it undoubtedly was, I personally wouldn't teach about the slave trade or Martin Luther King or anything like that in schools anymore, because it just ingrains the fact that there is a difference into people. Like I said somewhere else, I don't think we are born with prejudices, I think they are made.

Horse, I just cannot agree with you. In teaching the long struggle Black Americans had, we have reached the place we are now. I know it's still less than anywhere near perfect - Luther King's dream is STILL a dream but I have every hope that we'll get there. Do you really think we should ignore his contribution? Or Ghandi's? Or for that matter, the holocaust? These prejudices you talk about can only be dealt with through learning about our history and the great sacrifices made by the few.

[EMDEE]

If we had the same electoral system in the UK, where the Prime Minister was directly elected, would we give a black candidate the same level of endorsement that the US electorate has given Obama? In fact, would any of the major political parties select a black candidate in the first place? I would submit that it would be highly unlikely at present, and we have a long way to go before that would happen. Ethnic minorities have been very poorly represented at cabinet level (unless you call Scots an ethnic minority) Does this mean that we are more racist than the USA?

I know that predictably there are a few Obama jokes going the rounds at the moment, but there is no way that I would dream of posting them on here, as that would be racist, and everybody has probably heard them by now anyway.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

Horse, I just cannot agree with you. In teaching the long struggle Black Americans had, we have reached the place we are now. I know it's still less than anywhere near perfect - Luther King's dream is STILL a dream but I have every hope that we'll get there. Do you really think we should ignore his contribution? Or Ghandi's? Or for that matter, the holocaust? These prejudices you talk about can only be dealt with through learning about our history and the great sacrifices made by the few.

I just think that if you acknowledge the fact that there is a distinction some people will pick up on it. If you don't some people will doubtless pick up on it too, but far less I would say. Surely King and Gandhi would be more than happy to be consigned to ignomy if it meant their message being made real. I don't think either of them were in it for personal glory.

[Bobbie En Tejas]

I understand the point, but it is trivializing something that runs much deeper than is obviously understood here.

This is a relatively fresh history. People were owned by other people 150 years ago. Thats not really that long ago. There are living people who knew people who were born during the civil war. People were OWNED. Men's wives could be sold. Their children could be taken away. They could be beaten or killed. They were considered property, as animals are property.

My ex-grandmother-in-law was from the south. Her black housekeeper had to eat her lunch on the back porch steps.

America has come a long way in 150 years. To dismiss it so offhand just says you don't understand the history, the stripping of human beings of dignity and rights and even life.

I'm proud of Americans. There is still prejudice here, but they put that aside and voted for the best man. We've come a long way.

Go O'Bama!

[Govangirl]

Sorry, but I don't understand Bobbie, either what you think is being trivialised or who is doing the trivialising. Seriously, I don't, not being funny. I think this is a valid argument we need to have and I don't think it's Anti-American. Nobody loves you Americans more than I do Honey!!!!!!

Horse, I know what you mean but I don't think personal glory comes into it. Did William Wallace fight for freedom to gain personal glory? No, but does it mean we should avoid teaching that struggle in Scottish schools? No.

because it just ingrains the fact that there is a difference into people.

There's nothing wrong in promoting and accepting differences but King taught tolerance. That message HAS and MUST still be taught today.

[Sweltered]

.

[gizmo]

Ah! Welcome back Swelterred. You have been sorely missed.

[WC1]

there was more Scots shipped directly into North America after been forcibly evicted from their lands, than there was Africans.

Between 1650 and 1900 the total number of Africans sold into slavery has been calculated as 10,240,200 (Transformation in Slavery, P E Lovejoy, Cambridge University Press, 2000). There were never that number of people in the whole of Scotland, far less the areas affected by the Clearances.

[Coxy]

there was more Scots shipped directly into North America after been forcibly evicted from their lands, than there was Africans.

Between 1650 and 1900 the total number of Africans sold into slavery has been calculated as 10,240,200 (Transformation in Slavery, P E Lovejoy, Cambridge University Press, 2000). There were never that number of people in the whole of Scotland, far less the areas affected by the Clearances.

Fair enough WC1

but most of us would be shocked to know that what was at the time regarded as a fairly civilised country, could have been part of what the following text implies.

"A famous history professor stated that history was not a science but a continuing investigation into the past; a person’s conclusion is based on their own bias. This story will offer evidence that the Alba, Scots, Irish and Pics have been the longest race held in slavery. The reader will be responsible for their own bias pertaining to White Slavery.
Alexander Stewart was herded off the Gildart in July of 1747, bound with chains. Stewart was pushed onto the auction block in Wecomica, St Mary’s County, Maryland. Doctor Stewart and his brother William were attending the auction, aware of Alexander being on that slave ship coming from Liverpool England. Doctor Stewart and William were residents of Annapolis and brothers to David of Ballachalun in Montieth, Scotland. The two brothers paid nine pound six shillings sterling to Mr. Benedict Callvert of Annapolis for the purchase of Alexander. He was a slave. Alexander tells of the other 88 Scots sold into slavery that day in “THE LYON IN MOURNING” pages 242-243.

Jeremiah Howell was a lifetime-indentured servant by his uncle in Lewis County, Virginia in the early 1700’s. His son, Jeremiah, won his freedom by fighting in the Revolution. There were hundreds of thousands of Scots sold into slavery during Colonial America. White slavery to the American Colonies occurred as early as 1630 in Scotland".