of course, making us "cultured" portlanders look so wonderful, someone from the city of roses had to do it.
that's the thing with portland. a lot of the white people like to tell themselves that they're not racist (for lack of a better word....partial maybe?), but really it's just undercover. you know, in the south, people are very up front about what type of people they don't like. but portland, people pride themselves on being liberal, and progressive, yadda yadda. actually for the people who moved into the inner city, it's more about feeling "cultured" while at the same time not truly wanting anything to do with black people.
from what i see, the white people who have flocked to the inner city want to be surrounded by other white people. yet they'll talk all day about how portland has so much culture. it's pretty interesting.
i totally digress.
back to the news article.
i don't understand why so many white people can't seem to just let go. let go of the fact that black people have and will continue to overcome the past oppression. some just refuse to let racism die. why?? it's as though they're still hoping to benefit from black oppresssion and refuse to accept the "possibility" of total equality.
10 comments:
Programming and conditioning. I believe most people are happy as punch to go through life without putting any thought into why they think the way they do. That's the first step to deprogramming, which is a long drawn-out process - rewiring years of instructions.
There are those who hate, and behave in angry ways, but I think most suffer from simple fear - and in my opinion it really boils down to the fear of touch. Skin on skin. Mouth to mouth. People can talk about being accepting and progressive all they want, but would they actually stick their tongue in an ear? That's truly fearless.
wow waitman, you went deep, deep on another level but I agree with you that some of the behaviors exhibited, are ingrained in our core make up and requires "rewiring". How can that be done though when if white people are called out on their miniscule actions by other races then the other race may bear name calling like being overly sensitive, or not moving from the past? From what I've understand being in this country and specifically Portland, is that race is one of those thiings you just don't talk about with someone from the other race. So, interracial couples still complain about the other race with a friend of their own kind. Its insane, its crazy but sticking tongue in ears and going skim to skin not sure will help.
I certainly was not trying to minimize racism to a simple matter of touch, but I believe that excluding one's own self from that fear is fundamental to further the "work in progress".
I do not truly understand what you mean about "candid complaints of race," it kind-of sounds a bit like pigeonholing complicated issues into cast stereotypes. Can't be sure what you mean - and perhaps I'm overstepping the bounds since I'm not from Portland. But I DO want to visit, soon.
Despite the totally inappropriate treatment of Oscar Grant by Johannes Mehserle (an understatement, absolutely true), I still really love to go to Oakland, as often as possible. I still enjoy my relationships with people who live in Oakland - some of them with African Americans, some involving touch. Mehserle absolutely does not define my attitudes, but I think it's so easy to view that incident as a matter of race, especially because Oscar did absolutely nothing to deserve being shot. I didn't actually see a thing in the video that even warranted tasering. We can't be certain about why Mehserle did the things he did, because Oscar is a total goner and Mehserle cowardly refuses to admit what actually happened. I mean, I totally get that he 'deserves a fair trial', which he certainly does - but I have no idea what he's contesting. What happened definitely happened, there's no doubt about that, so if it's a question about what was going through his mind - (which is a question, because he ain't talking) - that's fine - he should just pony up and spill the beans. There's no sense in dragging the thing out like this, in my opinion.
Sorry to go on and on about an issue that does not pertain to Portland, specifically, however I do think it touches on the issues of discussion.
You have mentioned that you live in a middle/lower middle class area with more black people nearby. Perhaps they are not trying to avoid the black people, but the lower economic portion of the inner city.
Same comment applies to your post on diversity in schools. White people DO want to teach their kids about diversity, but so often, the diversity comes with the problems associated with lower income areas: drugs, crime, teenage pregnancies, etc.
Before you get angry, I am not saying that these things are black people's fault. It is a product of every lower income area, which black people have a higher likelihood to be in.
You say that you just don't understand it and blame it on racism--it's not. It's wanting a safer place for your family and your kids.
You may not like it, but there's your answer.
You seem like a nice person, but generally pessimistic regardless of the topic. I have had a few insights in the course of reading your blog, but now I think it's time to move on.
Have a nice life.
I'm white, I'm not racist :(
It is frustrating how there are still whiteys out there that make the whole race look bad. And they are typically low-class, uneducated red necks who have no idea what they're talking about.
Interesting story as for me. It would be great to read something more concerning that topic.
By the way check the design I've made myself A level escort
I just love your blog and I can't wait for new posts. Your blog is so refreshing because you say the things that so few of us are brave enough to say out loud in a public forum. Thank you for your openness and honesty. As much as some want to deny your perspective on things, truth be told, how you feel on issues of race is far more ubiquitous than others would like to admit. Keep up the good work and please don't ever hold back on your feelings and opinions!
Good post!
Most people no matter their race really don't know the differences between racism, bias and prejudice. I think this is where the misunderstandings lie.
Just found your blog and it's quite an interesting delight to read. The views you express and share are often what people think all the time. You however have the guts to create a blog about it. I find this to be wonderful. Keep the blogs coming!!!!!
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