Black History Month plagues people?s minds; attempts to give moral standing
Editorial from a local newspaper... I find it to be very accurate... we will never end racism if we still recognize people BY thier race. People are people and it's as simple as that... no more of this "First black woman basketball coach from Nigeria to be launched into space, crap.
[quote] The plague of racism has once again arrived in a most overt way. This plague tags along with the month of February, infesting American culture and corrupting young people into becoming life-long racists.
I am speaking, of course, of Black History Month. This celebration, however, is only a small representation of modern racism. The plague afflicts countless aspects of society under the guise of such repugnant principles as taking pride in racial heritage. Racism is the belief that a person?s identity comes from his or her race. It is a manifestation of collectivism. It is not, as popularly held, merely the idea that one race is superior to another (although that belief is racist). Defining racism so superficially has allowed for such things as Black History Month to silently perpetuate in American culture.
What makes Black History Month racist? Racism attempts to give moral worth to a person, not by his or her actions, but by race. Black History Month attempts to instill a sense a pride among blacks. The source of this pride is to be derived from the fact that men and women in history, who happened to be black, have done great things (often in spite of oppression dealt by men and women who are white). It is not enough for those who celebrate Black History Month to regard these historical figures as simply great individuals. In a racist quest for the unearned, a black person who celebrates Black History Month attempts to take pride in what others have done, merely because they share the same race. It is no different, in principle, than the 1930s German who took pride in what other Germans had done, merely because they were both German.
Hispanic Heritage Month is another example of the embarrassment of modern racism. The online education resource Education World hosts an article entitled "Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!" In it, teachers are encouraged to instill racial pride in Hispanic students. According to the article, "teaching about the contributions of Latinos can only help to build the self-esteem and the pride of those who identify themselves as Mexican-American or Cuban-American or Puerto Rican-American or ... "
Note that, according to this article, students are not to discover their self-worth in their own works and ideas, but as a part of a racial collective. The self is nothing more than an interchangeable part of a certain race and may be praised or condemned based on racial membership.
Our much-loved former President Clinton, most definitely a proponent of Black and Hispanic history months, showed the world on Nov. 7, 2001, what it means to be a modern racist.
In a speech he gave at Georgetown, Hurricane Willy claimed that, in respect to the massacres committed during the Crusades "those of us from various European lineages are not blameless."
According to Clinton, we are not to be individually judged based on our own actions. Our moral condition is derived directly from our race.
Unfortunately, facts will remain facts, regardless of the whims and wishes of a racist. As the philosopher Ayn Rand pointed out, "A genius is a genius, regardless of the number of morons who belong to the same race - and a moron is a moron, regardless of the number of geniuses who share his racial origin."
There is no legitimate pride or moral credit to be gained by virtue of sharing the same race with a great and admirable individual.
The first step in ending racism, it seems, has not even been accomplished. That is, it hasn?t even been properly identified by a bulk of Americans. Racism is being "fought" by the promotion of more racism. The only cure for this disease, however, is the endorsement of pure, unfettered individualism. As Rand said, "racism invalidates the specific attributes which distinguishes man from all other living species: his rational faculty. Racism negates two aspects of man?s life: reason and choice, or mind and morality, replacing them with chemical predestination."
The young people of America need be taught that the only pride they may properly hold is in the content of their character, and the achievements they make. Let us all take a first step by abolishing the observance of racism and the repudiation of individualism - by eliminating Black History Month.
<hr></blockquote>
Mac Guru
[quote] The plague of racism has once again arrived in a most overt way. This plague tags along with the month of February, infesting American culture and corrupting young people into becoming life-long racists.
I am speaking, of course, of Black History Month. This celebration, however, is only a small representation of modern racism. The plague afflicts countless aspects of society under the guise of such repugnant principles as taking pride in racial heritage. Racism is the belief that a person?s identity comes from his or her race. It is a manifestation of collectivism. It is not, as popularly held, merely the idea that one race is superior to another (although that belief is racist). Defining racism so superficially has allowed for such things as Black History Month to silently perpetuate in American culture.
What makes Black History Month racist? Racism attempts to give moral worth to a person, not by his or her actions, but by race. Black History Month attempts to instill a sense a pride among blacks. The source of this pride is to be derived from the fact that men and women in history, who happened to be black, have done great things (often in spite of oppression dealt by men and women who are white). It is not enough for those who celebrate Black History Month to regard these historical figures as simply great individuals. In a racist quest for the unearned, a black person who celebrates Black History Month attempts to take pride in what others have done, merely because they share the same race. It is no different, in principle, than the 1930s German who took pride in what other Germans had done, merely because they were both German.
Hispanic Heritage Month is another example of the embarrassment of modern racism. The online education resource Education World hosts an article entitled "Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!" In it, teachers are encouraged to instill racial pride in Hispanic students. According to the article, "teaching about the contributions of Latinos can only help to build the self-esteem and the pride of those who identify themselves as Mexican-American or Cuban-American or Puerto Rican-American or ... "
Note that, according to this article, students are not to discover their self-worth in their own works and ideas, but as a part of a racial collective. The self is nothing more than an interchangeable part of a certain race and may be praised or condemned based on racial membership.
Our much-loved former President Clinton, most definitely a proponent of Black and Hispanic history months, showed the world on Nov. 7, 2001, what it means to be a modern racist.
In a speech he gave at Georgetown, Hurricane Willy claimed that, in respect to the massacres committed during the Crusades "those of us from various European lineages are not blameless."
According to Clinton, we are not to be individually judged based on our own actions. Our moral condition is derived directly from our race.
Unfortunately, facts will remain facts, regardless of the whims and wishes of a racist. As the philosopher Ayn Rand pointed out, "A genius is a genius, regardless of the number of morons who belong to the same race - and a moron is a moron, regardless of the number of geniuses who share his racial origin."
There is no legitimate pride or moral credit to be gained by virtue of sharing the same race with a great and admirable individual.
The first step in ending racism, it seems, has not even been accomplished. That is, it hasn?t even been properly identified by a bulk of Americans. Racism is being "fought" by the promotion of more racism. The only cure for this disease, however, is the endorsement of pure, unfettered individualism. As Rand said, "racism invalidates the specific attributes which distinguishes man from all other living species: his rational faculty. Racism negates two aspects of man?s life: reason and choice, or mind and morality, replacing them with chemical predestination."
The young people of America need be taught that the only pride they may properly hold is in the content of their character, and the achievements they make. Let us all take a first step by abolishing the observance of racism and the repudiation of individualism - by eliminating Black History Month.
<hr></blockquote>
Mac Guru
Comments
If we "teach" kids to strongly identify with the accomplishments of people of their race then don't we also teach them to identify strongly with the misdeeds of people of their race.
If the message is "see this former slave did this great thing...be proud" then is the message also in effect "this former slave did this horrible thing...(fill in blank)"
or am I wrong?
[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: Scott H. ]</p>
It is my beleif that if you tag a race onto anything it further impedes the progress of ending racism in this world. People need to identify with the world around them as people, not as people of a certain race. Although you may be black, white, chinese, japanese, whatever... it should not and does not matter in my mind. If I did something profound like fly to Mars and stick a flag in it for the first time in mans brief history... they'd clap and cheer and I'd get a medal or something... now if someone of a different race than caucassian did the same it'd be GLOBAL news of 100 times the magnitude simply because of the society we live in. How many white dudes have flown a space shuttle... a Lot... when a person of a different race does the same they make a HUGE deal out of it. I simply DO NOT understand this. Anyone that flies the space shuttle IS a human being... simple as that, race simply is not the point... race has NOTHING to do with your ability to complete a task... your upbringing, education, and physical strength do... among other things.
ok I think I'll sit back and read what others have to say... I can't think straight... too much noise here at work.
Mac Guru
[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: Mac Guru ]</p>
Perfectly put.
[quote] The young people of America need be taught that the only pride they may properly hold is in the content of their character, and the achievements they make. <hr></blockquote>
My personal hero would be Theodore Roosevelt, I think he is one of the greatest men that ever came to this earth. Not because I feel white pride or some bullshit like that, its because he was a great person and only wanted the good in things and people.
"speak softly and carry a big stick" - TR
For example (this may sound corny) but my father is one of my heros. I do take pride in some of his accomplishments. Which I guess I shouldn't. I didn't do those things. To my benefit is to use him as a roll model.
I guess in the zeal for group self esteem the actions of a single person is applied to all. All take pride in the actions of a single person. I don't think anyone can deny that this is going on wrt race.
But having great roots , is not everything , it's a charge (a burden in a way) : you have to honor them.
so having great roots is fine, but you have to stay humble and to think about your own actions.
Scott H, is proud of his father : he is lucky, but unfortunately not all the kids have this chance. I wish sincerely that all kids can be proud of their parents.
I am proud of my parents , but i do not consider them as heroes. Perhaps my grand father was a heroe (he is dead now), he had an important place in the resistance in WW2 and he has risqued his life many times. Last year i find an article about him on the net : that was strange to learn, what he did in this time, because i never learn this from him when he was alive. Perhaps this time was too dirty to be told to his family ?
During his agony when he was confused he remember this terribles times. I think this secret period of his life was a wound. I think he will have prefered to not being an heroe, and to have a normal life, what the did , he did by obligation, because he think it was is duty.
I do not know , what will be my attitude in the same context, but i prefer to never have to know that, and stay for ever a simple man.
The notion that if "someone of color" is not represented then it can't represent people of color. That's what happened with that WTC Firemen memorial. Because they were all white it didn't represent blacks and hispanics.
Quit throwing in things that either weren't an issue or have no place in the issue... it just purpetuates the issue in a negative light.
Mac Guru
Continue with discusion
If ya ask me, I think there are people in white America that do a pretty good job of keeping racism alive by themselves:
ME: Walking on the sidewalk. Car approaches with two white males in front seat.
FROM CAR: "Gook! Go home!" Car passes.
ME: Flicking off car speeding away. "I'm f**king Filipino, ***holes!!!!"
Minorities are encouraged to be proud of their heritage so they cannot be made to feel ashamed of it by some pathetic ***hole. Once mainstream America starts accepting minorites as "ordinary people," then things like Black History Month, etc., etc., will be moot.
[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: jesperas ]</p>
It's easy for a person who has always expected to have a stable and comfortable life to say that these things are fluff. But when you're in the minority (like us Mac users are) its a comfort to celebrate each little victory.
<strong>If ya ask me, I think there are people in white America that do a pretty good job of keeping racism alive by themselves:
ME: Walking on the sidewalk. Car approaches with two white males in front seat.
FROM CAR: "Gook! Go home!" Car passes.
ME: Flicking off car speeding away. "I'm f**king Filipino, ***holes!!!!"</strong><hr></blockquote>
And people in black america too. My wife had black (err african american) kid yell "Chop Suey" and fake asian at her.
[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: Scott H. ]</p>
<strong>
And people in black america too. My wife had black (err african american) kid yell "Chop Suey" and fake asian at her.
[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: Scott H. ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, same thing happened to my finace. From a white kid, though. Where the f**k are these kids getting this crap? Their parents????
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
[ 02-09-2002: Message edited by: jesperas ]</p>