[Snuff]

Originally Posted by Tripper

Don't you realise? It was merely 40 YEARS ago....FOURTY....That the word 'Ni**er,' was used by ALOT of american whites towards blacks. Most whites back then were openly racist - mainly because they didn't know any better. FOURTY years ago segregation existed, with the minority getting the underhand.

Most of the people that faced the OBVIOUS oppression back then - are STILL alive. They have families.
Do you expect them to just forget their past and move on? HAH! That's almost (although, a little extreme) like the sons and daughters of the Nazis, telling the holocaust jews, fourty years on, to "Get over it!"

I mean, doesn't this seem a tad bit unfair? Because this is, in essence, what you're telling those African-Americans who "pull the race card," or what ever the fuck you call it.

Most of these people have a right to not trust White Americans. I mean, if all they faced from whites was oppression, just fourty years ago...

...Alot of YOUR parents lived during this time period, and most probably a couple of them exercised racist attitudes.........But don't get me wrong - I'm not saying you fellas are the ones to blame at all - I'm simply saying, from the view on other side of the tracks, American Whites could be just as racist as they ever were.

Who knows.

In todays PC world, its as though those who still manifest racist attitudes, have to hide them......unlike they did back pre-civil rights era.

....So whos to know who actually still exercises racist attitudes in more subtle ways? (i.e, employing an equally qualified white over a black)

That's what affirmative action is about.

Can you all see what I'm saying?

BTW - I'm still not saying its alright for those african americans who push the "race-card," to do so (I'm also not saying it isn't), I'm simply saying that it is a state of affairs that needs sensitivity and a gradualist approach.

And also, this has nothing to do with Ed's "Nit-picking" (Although, on another note, I tend to agree with what he's saying), but this is more of a general evaluation of what you're getting at.

I typed a well worded response Tripper but for some reason I couldn't submit it. I appreciate the well thought out reply. I'll try to be concise so don't take this as being blunt.

First of all "40 years?" your a little off. My high school wasn't completely desegregated until 1972. I graduated in 1992 and there was a damn near race riot in 1987. I am born and raised in the south and have been exposed to many forms of racism. No need for a history lesson to me.

As far as the "my nigga" coment. My point wasn't to say that the black community should "just froget about it". I was just saying that for balcks to say that and for other races it is "off limits" is a double standered not a "principle" as Ed spoke of it. That is not to say that I want to start using the phrase but if it offensive ,NOBODY should be using it. It baffles me that a term with such as nasty history from the root word n***er (as you pointed out) has found its way to be a term of endearment in African American pop culture.

There is a time for the racecard to be dealt, just not everyhand. Point being that everyone should treat others(races, sexes, handicapped, ect.) with respect and not take theirselves to seriously. As I staed earlier there are differences between races, sexes ect. and humor can be found if it is not malcious. Hell Chris Rock and George Carlin make millions at doing just that. I dont feel Hollywood's comment (the one that started this discussion) was malicious in nature. Stereotypical yes, but we all make consience and unconscience stereotypes everyday. That was my point earlier about the confederate flag and hiring logic Ed used.

Maybe some people feel they can't trust white Americans. Thats fine but that is a stereotype. A bulit in prejudice such as that can be as detrimental as the stereoypes and isuues they themselves are trying to overcome. I'm just saying for things to work it has to work both ways. You do make some valid points Tripper some I do agree with some of your points and some statements I partially or dont agree with, but if we all agreed there there would be no dicussion.