Is the Romney/Ryan campaign trying to "niggerize" Obama?

[bobabode]

I believe that the only way to deal with something that is so corrrosive and deep seated is to drag it out into the light of day and examine it. That way seems to be the only way to really get this ugly shit behind us and to move on to that colorblind utopia we all deserve to live in. What can I say Jay, I'm one of those mushy headed sentimental idealists. The pragmaticist in me would settle for at least some dialogue. Afirmative action isn't the bugaboo it's made out to be.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Twodogs

Programs like affirmative action (though well intended) breed even more hate.

Only among whites.

[barbara]

Originally Posted by bobabode

I believe that the only way to deal with something that is so corrrosive and deep seated is to drag it out into the light of day and examine it. That way seems to be the only way to really get this ugly shit behind us and to move on to that colorblind utopia we all deserve to live in. What can I say Jay, I'm one of those mushy headed sentimental idealists. The pragmaticist in me would settle for at least some dialogue. Afirmative action isn't the bugaboo it's made out to be.

I don't believe there is a "colorblind utopia" waiting out there for us. Society will always have a percentage of those who hate others of color, those who bend over backward to show they don't hate those of color, and those who are indifferent, regardless of color.

[ebacon]

On a more practical front the truth might be that people, on average, simply like to hang around with similar people. That is the position of some paleoconservatives such as Pat Buchanon. While they get tagged as racists their position comes from a more solid ground, namely that government forcing of people to interact is doomed to fail. An easy way to relate to the position is thinking of assigned seating at a wedding. While people tolerate each other during dinner the groups tend to rearrange as the night goes on. People simply clump with others that they relate to. There is nothing wrong with that.

IMO where the paleoconservative movement falls short is self-policing. If it actually holds the moral high ground that it claims then it should do a better job of cleansing itself of racism.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by barbara

I don't believe there is a "colorblind utopia" waiting out there for us. Society will always have a percentage of those who hate others of color, those who bend over backward to show they don't hate those of color, and those who are indifferent, regardless of color.

It can only come from within and only be spread by example.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by ebacon

On a more practical front the truth might be that people, on average, simply like to hang around with similar people. That is the position of some paleoconservatives such as Pat Buchanon. While they get tagged as racists their position comes from a more solid ground, namely that government forcing of people to interact is doomed to fail. An easy way to relate to the position is thinking of assigned seating at a wedding. While people tolerate each other during dinner the groups tend to rearrange as the night goes on. People simply clump with others that they relate to. There is nothing wrong with that.

IMO where the paleoconservative movement falls short is self-policing. If it actually holds the moral high ground that it claims then it should do a better job of cleansing itself of racism.

If you're talking about busing I have to disagree. The practice isn't coercion in itself, it affords children both black and white the opportunity to see each other as human beings and to form friendships they otherwise would miss out on. Nobody forces friendship on anyone. I don't know of any government coercion that requires anyone to live with anyone else.

[Rex E.]

Originally Posted by bobabode

If you're talking about busing I have to disagree. The practice isn't coercion in itself, it affords children both black and white the opportunity to see each other as human beings and to form friendships they otherwise would miss out on. Nobody forces friendship on anyone. I don't know of any government coercion that requires anyone to live with anyone else.

I was typing up the same thing in regards to the workplace but you summed it up well.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by Rex E.

I was typing up the same thing in regards to the workplace but you summed it up well.

Thanks Rex. If you had seen the first ,second and third rough drafts we would have to be wearing nomex here.

[ebacon]

Originally Posted by bobabode

If you're talking about busing I have to disagree. The practice isn't coercion in itself, it affords children both black and white the opportunity to see each other as human beings and to form friendships they otherwise would miss out on. Nobody forces friendship on anyone. I don't know of any government coercion that requires anyone to live with anyone else.

Understood.

Please consider that there are other ways to nudge people into mixing than the federal or state government forcing them together.

For example I think musicians and music venues have done more lasting good than federal legislative mandates. Same with artists such as poets and actors. While those people are not paid politicians they have palpable effects on our body politic. Look at Ted Nugent on the right for an example from the other side (for the record he loves black musicians and credits them for helping him get his greasy rock and roll middle fingers. Detroiters know that but it is a story he apparently doesn't tell down south for whatever reason. Still note that he doesn't attack blacks. He attacks slothfulness and the Detroit UAW used to be plagued with that.)

A different way to get people together is through laws that require us to ignore skin color in business and employment dealings. Those laws are free while nudging people to work together. The weak points in those laws come from both sides. On the white side are people that come up with ways to perpetually put black business to the bottom of the pile. On the black side are people that milk the system with frivolous lawsuits. Again, while government can be a tolerable crutch with citizens that are well behaved it is not an ultimate solution. An ultimate solution must come from within our hearts.

For the record I grew up as an Army brat. Of course the Army was highly integrated and when I grew up I was color blind. All of us kids, black, white, asian, did not see color. What we saw was good and bad such as who cheated at marbles. I wish every kid could have that kind of experience but it simply isn't practical. Us taxpayers can't afford to stick every budding American family onto an American island in a foreign land for the simple sake that their kids learn to play together. Neither would every budding American family want to go.

I think it was you that posted the answer has to come from within. I agree with that. The problem is taking action. The people that take action tend to get shot at or beheaded and that can be scary. When I was single I did volunteer work in the worst part of Detroit -- a part that is so bad even blacks are stunned when I tell them where I worked. But I admit it was scary and don't do it now that I am married with a child. It's not worth it. The problem is bigger than me but I feel OK that I did my part which is more than most. If everyone did a little our society could kick racism to the curb in one generation. I am confident of that. The problem is that everyone likes different music an no one, not the churches, not the politicians, not the audience can agree on one thing on the the same day.

We grow too soon old and too late smart.

[Twodogs]

Originally Posted by bobabode

I believe that the only way to deal with something that is so corrrosive and deep seated is to drag it out into the light of day and examine it. That way seems to be the only way to really get this ugly shit behind us and to move on to that colorblind utopia we all deserve to live in. What can I say Jay, I'm one of those mushy headed sentimental idealists. The pragmaticist in me would settle for at least some dialogue. Afirmative action isn't the bugaboo it's made out to be.

You should talk to some of my black conservative friends and get their take.