Re: Don't tell me I'm dreaming
 

Yeah, I know. But I was struggling to find much content that race was even part of, and it's not really there. Although now that I think about it, I think we watched Mississippi Burning in one of those aforementioned pitiful history classes too.

Re: Together they learn to read and write.
 

Oh, yeah, that, which I did not read, but now that you mention "Fieldston," This American Life covered it not too long ago.

Re: Together they learn to read and write.
 

for nb to have posted this truism means this board is beyond hope.

Re: Together they learn to read and write.
 

Thank you. It was really just an excuse to (a) type "The School of Ethical Culture" and (b) throw in a "Life During Wartime" reference inspired by the punk rock street cred discussion.

Best Piece on Dolezal Yet
 

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-pol...RLzTI.facebook

TM

Re: Best Piece on Dolezal Yet
 

I really don't understand her at all. And I'm generally sympathetic to the idea that identity is self-constructed and fluid. I'm also generally sympathetic to the idea that race/ethnicity is a construct. She seems sincere, and I think she believes her own bullshit. At the same time, the willful blindness as to how this isn't OK is really fucking hard to take.

Re: Best Piece on Dolezal Yet
 

When she started talking about how hard it's been for her and how black people who are angry about what she's done don't know her, don't understand what she's been through, and how hard it's been for her, I lost any remaining ounce of sympathy I had for her. Fuck outta here with that bullshit.

And identity may be self-constructed, but racial identity is not. Cultural identity is. I agree that she seems to believe that it's okay for her to "be" black and she clearly wants to be a part of the black community. But for her to answer the question, "Are you black," with the word, "Yes," means she is completely fucking delusional and shows she doesn't understand what it means at all.

This is also a good piece, which does a better job with this than I can: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/op...imes&smtyp=cur

TM

Re: Best Piece on Dolezal Yet
 

Oh, in no way do I condone what she's doing/has done, nor do I think that she's going through something "hard". I have zero sympathy for her, but I was just pointing out that I am more likely to be sympathetic than most.

I sometimes struggle with my own identity, so I'm generally willing to give a listen to others who face the same struggle. In no way, though, does she face a struggle.

Re: But I supported Jesse Jackson for President! Really I did.
 

Wait. Am I in trouble for my avatar?

Re: Is Ted Cruz Satan? Discuss.
 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/politi...me-court-case/ Texas is weird- the state has all this wacky right wing shit going on, like way out there- but it bans Stars and bars? RT please explain?

South Carolina
 

Query: Should white Americans do more to fight racism among whites, teach about racial harmony and equality, and so forth, since white people (especially those who might be inclined to severe forms of racism) tend to listen to and learn from other white people -- their family, pastors, teachers, neighbors, etc. ?

Or should I be asking what color car the shooter in South Carolina drives?

Re: South Carolina
 

In the Wall Street Journal today I read that "[t]oday the system and philosophy of institutionalized racism identified by Dr. King no longer exists", so I'm not quite sure I know what you're talking about.

I will note that the color and make of car the shooter was driving was instrumental in his arrest, so that seems pretty relevant here. We should focus on that.

God bless South Carolina.

http://i1.huffpost.com/gen/1120498/i...FLAG-large.jpg

Re: South Carolina
 

I think the fight is ultimately going to have to be near universal. That being the case, Every opportunity for opposition, teaching, or challenge that goes unanswered prolongs the problem. That being said, I am as guilty as many people who like to think of themselves as opposed to racism have simply ignored, or uncomfortably offered up a half-hearted counter. This is even more true since I have moved out of the sheltered, almost-exclusively white enclave I grew up in. I may think some cracker is spewing ignorant bullshit when he or she knows better, but I'm not often willing to take an ass-kicking just to make the point, not to win mind you, but simply raise the issue.

Re: South Carolina
 

Hmmm, challenging shit is hard. But I think we resolve racism in incremental steps by doing so. Each generation being a step closer. In the 20s Italians and Jews were dirt. but things changed, and while I've seen some anti-Itie hate, it was mostly harmless.

Of course that is no consolation to this week's tragedy du jour.

The WSJ story (I didn't read it but I'm assuming it was predictable) was tone deaf, but it is true that the guy being arrested is an improvement compared to the 60s. Of course, police forces themselves are still mega-racist, and to paraphrase Mr. Wolf from PF, "let's not start sucking each others dicks over this pathetic 'improvement.'"

Re: South Carolina
 

I have a moth story on Savannah and a lady wearing the stars and bars.