[valis]

yup, that time of year again. The Houston Black Expo is running here shortly, and the airwaves are all abuzz with the info. One of the keynotes is 'empowerment'. Wonder what would happen if there were a Houston White Expo.

do people not realize that this perpetuates the inequality much, much more than some idiot disk jockey calling people nappy headed?

[BanditFlyer]

Who's invited?

[valis]

everyone, I guess. I am HIGHLY tempted to bring my family down there for the empowerment seminar......you have absolutely no clue how much I want to do this......well, you of all people might...

I seriously don't understand why this isn't perceived as detrimental to equality. What am I missing?

[clhcpa]

Originally Posted by valis

everyone, I guess. I am HIGHLY tempted to bring my family down there for the empowerment seminar......you have absolutely no clue how much I want to do this......well, you of all people might...

I seriously don't understand why this isn't perceived as detrimental to equality. What am I missing?

I agree totally. This goes along with why is there still a Miss Black America pageant -- why is it ok to name any type of show or expo with designation "black" or African-American --- when it is not ok to name similar shows or expos with the designation "white" or "caucasion".

It's segregationist if white people or people who are not "people of color" have an organization that does not seek out people of color for their memberships --- but in reverse it's just dandy.

I understand that there is still racism ---- but I have to say that I believe it's on both sides. And until people lose the words that designate race, it will always be around.

[TooBad]

Originally Posted by valis

everyone, I guess. I am HIGHLY tempted to bring my family down there for the empowerment seminar......you have absolutely no clue how much I want to do this......well, you of all people might...

I seriously don't understand why this isn't perceived as detrimental to equality. What am I missing?

You are obviously missing the lobotomy that those elite intellectuals that come up with these ideas have had.

[TooBad]

Originally Posted by clhcpa

IIt's segregationist if white people or people who are not "people of color" have an organization that does not seek out people of color for their memberships --- but in reverse it's just dandy.

A comic (black I think) made the comment that in winter a black is black, in summer a black is black, when embarrassed a black is black, when mad a black is black, yet in winter a white is white, in summer a white is tan, when embarrassed a white is blushed, when mad a white is red, yet you call blacks "people of color". Amazing!

[clhcpa]

Originally Posted by TooBad

A comic (black I think) made the comment that in winter a black is black, in summer a black is black, when embarrassed a black is black, when mad a black is black, yet in winter a white is white, in summer a white is tan, when embarrassed a white is blushed, when mad a white is red, yet you call blacks "people of color". Amazing!

It is not me who calls blacks "people of color" --- that is a term that is used by blacks themselves --- as is "African-American", Afro-American, and the horrible "n-word" (althought with an "a" on the end to make it seem more friendly-like).

I personally was raised to treat everyone the same --- with respect and decency. I do this every day of my life --- unless I am treated without respect.

Let me qualify ---- because otherwise you will continue to behave as though I am a racist --- my very best friend in the world is black. She was married to, and had children with, a caucasion man. I have other friends who are married to people of different races, because they too were taught not to look at a person's skin color.

My point is and has always been --- why is it ok to discriminate against caucasions just because they are caucasions.

[ckphilli]

Originally Posted by valis

yup, that time of year again. The Houston Black Expo is running here shortly, and the airwaves are all abuzz with the info. One of the keynotes is 'empowerment'. Wonder what would happen if there were a Houston White Expo.

do people not realize that this perpetuates the inequality much, much more than some idiot disk jockey calling people nappy headed?

I agree, this does perpetuate inequality...however, I think it is justified for a few more years. Here's why: the 2000 census reported 75% White, 12% black (from census.gov); so, if the 2010 numbers aren't drastically different, say 65% White, 20% black ??? (just a guess and I'm only including black and white because that's what the thread is about) then black people are still a minority and deserve to identify themselves to celebrate their culture. White people holidays aren't proclaimed as white because it's assumed.

I think we're generations away from equality. I understand your frustration and I thank you for the thread...gave me something to think about at work-

[WarC]

Originally Posted by ckphilli

I agree, this does perpetuate inequality...however, I think it is justified for a few more years. Here's why: the 2000 census reported 75% White, 12% black (from census.gov); so, if the 2010 numbers aren't drastically different, say 65% White, 20% black ??? (just a guess and I'm only including black and white because that's what the thread is about) then black people are still a minority and deserve to identify themselves to celebrate their culture. White people holidays aren't proclaimed as white because it's assumed.

I think we're generations away from equality. I understand your frustration and I thank you for the thread...gave me something to think about at work-

I keep trying to find Caucasia on a map, but I have yet to find it.

I wonder how much of a minority African Americans are compared to Polish Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans, English Americans, or Czech Americans.

If by being white we are meant to be one identity, then we are one disjointed people. For I have yet to see whites of different backgrounds act as brothers, as blacks would identify themselves in word but not, perhaps, so much by deed!

[ckphilli]

Originally Posted by WarC

I keep trying to find Caucasia on a map, but I have yet to find it.

I wonder how much of a minority African Americans are compared to Polish Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans, English Americans, or Czech Americans.

If by being white we are meant to be one identity, then we are one disjointed people. For I have yet to see whites of different backgrounds act as brothers, as blacks would identify themselves in word but not, perhaps, so much by deed!

Interesting point (the bold...still getting my quoting skills together). But wouldn't that push us further away from equality?

[hannab]

Originally Posted by WarC

I keep trying to find Caucasia on a map, but I have yet to find it.

I found one

[RSM123]

Originally Posted by ckphilli

Interesting point (the bold...still getting my quoting skills together). But wouldn't that push us further away from equality?

Not sure if the same applies there in the US - but here in the UK, 'Celebrating Ethnic Diversity' means anything ideally not white, and certainly not english.

Just about any culture you could conceive of, will, on demand be allowed the opportunity to march, wave banners, stage a 'cultural festival', etc .... but mention celebrating 'Englishness' - forget it. That is divisive and racist.

[katonca]

We have Latino "days", Italian "celebrations", Native American "festivals", German "october fest", and such. Also in our high school, we have the united black student club and the annual afro-ball (dance). The shame about these "happenings" is that, it doesn't seem like blacks and whites are willing to cross the race line in attending the "fests".

[ckphilli]

Originally Posted by RSM123

Not sure if the same applies there in the US - but here in the UK, 'Celebrating Ethnic Diversity' means anything ideally not white, and certainly not english.

Just about any culture you could conceive of, will, on demand be allowed the opportunity to march, wave banners, stage a 'cultural festival', etc .... but mention celebrating 'Englishness' - forget it. That is divisive and racist.

I respectfully disagree. I don't think it's "divisive and racist" for the minority to have ethnic celebrations. As a majority, we have our holidays. We have our festivals. Other cultural groups may have a bad taste in their mouth and decide not to attend. Hence, they form their own festivals, expos, etc. to celebrate their culture. I'm personally very embarrassed about some of the things this country has done, so I will never argue for a "white" anything.

Unfortunately, I am not versed on English holidays or festivals and I don't have time to research. Does England celebrate national holidays that could be construed as offensive to other cultures?

Again, equality has a long way to go.

[ckphilli]

Originally Posted by katonca

We have Latino "days", Italian "celebrations", Native American "festivals", German "october fest", and such. Also in our high school, we have the united black student club and the annual afro-ball (dance). The shame about these "happenings" is that, it doesn't seem like blacks and whites are willing to cross the race line in attending the "fests".

That is a shame, but not surprising. I wonder if it could be that interests aren't crossing over, as opposed to crossing racial barriers.