Comments on: Today I Learned What Racism Feels Like.

By: Sat-chan

Sat-chan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:36:49 +0000

I have not yet been personally discriminated against, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. I'm happy that you stood up for who you are, we have nothing to be ashamed of. P.S.: I'm not sure that your use of the term of "racism" is entirely appropriate, but I know what you mean, and I agree that it is unfortunate--to say the least--that there is not a term for discrimination against us.

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By: Salty

Salty — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:18:03 +0000

Since the passing of Prop 8, some caucasions are realing starting to know what it feels like to not be considered a real American because they don’t have their civil rights. I could say — welcome to the club — but being discriminated against is nothing that any American citizen should have to endure in this new century. What caucasions don’t know and don’t care to know is what people of color, experience all the time. XO-JK, you did not experience racism, and you were not attacked. You had a view point that some or all disagreed with. No one hit you, spit on you or called you foul names. I doubt there was a riot because you said nothing about things getting so out of hand that you had to be rescued or people were made to leave. I don’t mean to belittle how you felt but you do tend to throw around words that don’t really fit the situation. It seems that you had dialog with people who didn’t agree with you. And dialog is good. And why is it that gay caucasions always direct attention to Blacks? You said the group was racially mixed, yet you referenced Blacks more than once. “but no one got it…. It made me sad”. I feel said that so many caucasions, whether hetero or homo, don’t get that there are terrible things happening in America to people of color, especially Blacks, and you don’t seem to care. If civil rights were really enforced for people of color in this country as intended, then perhaps the civil rights of homosexuals would not have been voted away by heterosexuals. Unarmed Black citizens are slaughtered in their homes and on public streets by the police and caucasions don’t care because it doesn’t happen to White people. It’s obvious that gay caucasions don’t know much about Black people if they thought heterosexual Blacks would vote any differently than heterosexual Whites who are under the influence of the church. Blacks are ignored until some other group needs us. Many, if not all gay caucasions are pissed at President-elect Obama for inviting Warren to participate in his inauguration. Ask yourselves this, how much news coverage has been given about Obama-Warren? Before the passing of Prop 8, I didn’t hear much about the gay issue from the mainstream media. But now, there is coverage, well as much cover as tv news covers anything, and when Obama and Warren’s names are together so is the word “GAYS”. None of us homos should have to try to sway heterosexuals to see our side of things. Our civil rights are being violated which makes this a CIVIL RIGHTS issue. Our FEDERAL OFFICIALS have taken away our civil rights because they made it possible for our LEGAL RIGHTS to be decided by citizens. We are not criminals, but heterosexuals voted like we were on trial and they found us guilty. Either way you look at it, that should not been allowed to happen in AMERICA. Homosexual caucasions need to get a grip, people of color are not your enemy. You are doing exactly what the federal government wants you to, placing blame where it does not belong. Citizens are pitted against each other because of different points of view. THAT is why Civil Rights are protected by FEDERAL LAW. Well it’s suppose to be protected by federal law, but because of corruption, much in America is off-track. Every citizen are by law to have the same legal rights because no person’s belief or point of view is more important than anyone else’s. PEACE

By: Monica Roc.

Monica Roc. — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:24:00 +0000
It is individuals like you who make a difference in this close minded world. I appreciate your efforts and by all means don't be discouraged :). "Think Different, Think Righteous"
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By: smarterinthenorth

smarterinthenorth — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 06:08:00 +0000

I can’t believe a bunch of white lesbians can sit around and feel bad about being discriminated by a bunch of “minorities.” (I won’t even comment about the black lesbians that agreed with this blog.)
Anyhow, I just wanted to say that you all act like homosexuals are not racist, and if you are arguing that people who have felt oppression should not be homophobic because they should understand what discrimination feels like, then why is it okay for some white gays and lesbians (an oppressed group) to still hold their racist views? As an ethnic minority and a lesbian, I also find that gay communities are not very inclusive of non-white homosexuals.

Not that television should dictate who we are but lets take a look at homosexuals in the media….Ellen, Will and Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Rosie, and every other show like the L-Word and Queer as Folk are all geared towards GAY WHITE AMERICA. Need I say your position came across as if you were a spokes person for all homosexuals, not taking into consideration that maybe some of these people in your class may be closeted homosexuals because God for bid you were to be a person of color, and gay or lesbian and/or Muslim in America. We all know how far that might get you.

Although I am upset that you experienced this situation, as a visible minority, I find it difficult to sit here and listen to you think that you should have any type of sympathy, when half the time most people in the human service field (which historically have always been white) do not have any cultural competence in regards to working in a field that caters to many minorities and other religious groups; hence the need for such courses. Keep in mind, I think that everyone has something to learn, and that includes you. Take initiative and be part of that process, it might feel like a lot but many of us ‘visible minorities’ know the struggles of being born without the privilege of white skin. The concept is called ‘white privilege” look it up!

As a social worker that practices inclusiveness, including trying to understand how and why people might have certain beliefs, I challenge you to think twice about blaming people for certain attitudes and perceptions, especially when we can associate these beliefs to not only the bible but mostly to historical European thinkers.

Finally, I doubt that the systemic power that contributes to the oppression of homosexuals lies within the hands of any of the racial groups whom you are referring to, which should really make you think twice about calling yourself a ‘minority,’ unless it’s really in your nature to take absolutely everything that does not belong to you.
Reply – Anyhow, I just wanted to say that you all act like homosexuals are not racist, and if you are arguing that people who have felt oppression should not be homophobic because they should understand what discrimination feels like, then why is it okay for some white gays and lesbians (an oppressed group) to still hold their racist views? As an ethnic minority and a lesbian, I also find that gay communities are not very inclusive of non-white homosexuals. Not that television should dictate who we are but lets take a look at homosexuals in the mediaâ�¦.Ellen, Will and Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Rosie, and every other show like the L-Word and Queer as Folk are all geared towards GAY WHITE AMERICA. Need I say your position came across as if you were a spokes person for all homosexuals, not taking into consideration that maybe some of these people in your class may be closeted homosexuals because God for bid you were to be a person of color, and gay or lesbian and\/or Muslim in America. We all know how far that might get you. Although I am upset that you experienced this situation, as a visible minority, I find it difficult to sit here and listen to you think that you should have any type of sympathy, when half the time most people in the human service field (which historically have always been white) do not have any cultural competence in regards to working in a field that caters to many minorities and other religious groups; hence the need for such courses. Keep in mind, I think that everyone has something to learn, and that includes you. Take initiative and be part of that process, it might feel like a lot but many of us â��visible minoritiesâ�� know the struggles of being born without the privilege of white skin. The concept is called â��white privilegeâ�� look it up! As a social worker that practices inclusiveness, including trying to understand how and why people might have certain beliefs, I challenge you to think twice about blaming people for certain attitudes and perceptions, especially when we can associate these beliefs to not only the bible but mostly to historical European thinkers. Finally, I doubt that the systemic power that contributes to the oppression of homosexuals lies within the hands of any of the racial groups whom you are referring to, which should really make you think twice about calling yourself a â��minority,â�� unless itâ��s really in your nature to take absolutely everything that does not belong to you.'); return false;">Quote

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:08:00 +0000
Deuteronomy 10:16 says "circumcize the foreskin of your heart and be no more stiff-necked"

which has about as little to do with you being discriminated against in a classroom full of would-be counselors as any other Bible quote, yet it's more fun to say aloud.

Really. Try it. It kind of rolls off of one's tongue.

Being a heterosexual guy I would have been "safe" in this particular class but my heart goes out to you.

I wonder their the answer to a question like "okay, which groups does your Bible say is okay to condemn?" Blacks are okay ? (unless you are a Mormon), Latinos are to be tolerated ? (well, we kind of steer them toward the Catholic church down the block, they have more parking over there, y'know) Arabs? (okay, now we'll ask you to sit down sir because you are try to make a scene).

You are so right about the level of homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. Shouldn't the people in the schools who are there specifically for kids to go to when they are troubled be able to actually discuss (gasp) homosexuality? What about problems like self-injurious behavior? If you can't counsel a kid about their sexual feelings and orientation then what are you going to say to them about cutting? "Now Jane, Jesus doesn't like it when we slash ourselves with razors, m'kay?"

Sorry for the diatribe but your post has me just a bit outraged. Perhaps your more narrow-minded classmates would do better in a career which didn't involved empathizing with actual humans.

Perhaps there is a bright future for them in the fast food industry.
Reply - which has about as little to do with you being discriminated against in a classroom full of would-be counselors as any other Bible quote, yet it\'s more fun to say aloud. Really. Try it. It kind of rolls off of one\'s tongue. Being a heterosexual guy I would have been \"safe\" in this particular class but my heart goes out to you. I wonder their the answer to a question like \"okay, which groups does your Bible say is okay to condemn?\" Blacks are okay ? (unless you are a Mormon), Latinos are to be tolerated ? (well, we kind of steer them toward the Catholic church down the block, they have more parking over there, y\'know) Arabs? (okay, now we\'ll ask you to sit down sir because you are try to make a scene). You are so right about the level of homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. Shouldn\'t the people in the schools who are there specifically for kids to go to when they are troubled be able to actually discuss (gasp) homosexuality? What about problems like self-injurious behavior? If you can\'t counsel a kid about their sexual feelings and orientation then what are you going to say to them about cutting? \"Now Jane, Jesus doesn\'t like it when we slash ourselves with razors, m\'kay?\"Sorry for the diatribe but your post has me just a bit outraged. Perhaps your more narrow-minded classmates would do better in a career which didn\'t involved empathizing with actual humans. Perhaps there is a bright future for them in the fast food industry.'); return false;">Quote