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Racist Mexican Skit Goes Viral {BV Black Spin}
May 9th 2011 7:02PM I consider myself fortunate to have grownup in La Gran Manzana. Living in close proximity to people of all ethnic groups, being open to cultural differences, and having parents that didn't encourage intolerance toward anyone, making me open enough to read for greater understanding.
Your attempt to 'suggest' the existence of a 'color blind' mindset amongst Latinos is ingenuous to say the least. I think this whole tired preoccupation with racial superiority, color, etc, would be better served by an honest dialogue. Please, remember that many Americans have travelled and lived abroad. Many read, and enjoy reading, about different cultures. Your words, "but the reality is that most Hispanic people do not value each other for the color of their skin and see this as just part of the skit.", doesn't begin to expose the truth regarding attitudes toward race and color. There are People of African decent in all, if not most, Latin countries (that includes Mexico). Brasil has the largest population of people of African decent, second only to Nigeria. They can't claim the achievements of African-Americans due to systemic societal exclusion in Brasil. This 'fact' is true throughout Latin America. People of African decent are marginalised throughout the 'hemishpere'.
Out of curiosity I watch 'Nuestra Belleza Latina'. I am always amazed at the absence of women whose features are 'not' eurocentric. I go to a website to read the attitudes of Latinos. Dominicans were engaged in a lively discusson of the same issue. They appluaded the victory of Lisa Martinez - Miss Dominican Republic, but like me, questioned the absence of women with more color.
In Colombia the difference areas hold pageants in opposition to the accepted pageant in which women of (obvious) color are too often under represented (or excluded).
So, lets have an 'honest' discussion. A discussion that respects the intelligence of all participants. Let's not forget that the hemisphere represents the greatest act of 'geographic grand larceny' in history. Europeans were equal opportunity 'exploitors'. They 'shared' in the intentional rape and pillage of the ENTIRE HEMISHERE, from north to south, the Antilles and all points in between. In some islands of the Caribbean there are NO indigenous (aka Indians) people. Need I say why?
Point in fact, "there is only one RACE, ehe HUMAN RACE". We have more in common to unite us, than insignificant things we allow to divide us. Bottomline, there will always be divisons amongst (and between) people. The roots of which are economic. Even in the lower 48, the poor white has no more than the poor Black. However, the poor white has been conditioned to feel 'entitled' by something as insignificant as his skin color. This is effectively used by the powers that be (and politicians), to play on the (self imposed) fear of whites. The fear that some black, or brown (Mexican), or foreign born person is going to take something from them (to which they are dubiously entitled).
It's all BS! Time to watch Nuestra Belleza Latina. I know my friends watch. It gives us something to laugh and talk about. You staed, "I guess unless you grew up in a Hispanic household where they teach you to love each other for your worth not your color you wouldn’t find this as offensive as other people." Your quite right! However, it is difficult to have a balanced perspective and sensitivity to others from inside a bubble. African Americans have the same challenge. Seeing the would from inside a fish bowl.
Respect
Tiger Mother vs. Black Mamas: Is an Iron Hand the Key to Prosperous Children? {BV on Money}
Jan 21st 2011 8:40AM For Godsake let's stop with the oversimplistic praise heaped on (total) groups. No group has a monopoly on success, and indeed on child rearing. 1.3 billion people! It is ridiculous to assume that this is a country of "geniouses". What is significant is the impact that centuries of culture has made on the Chinese, and others.
AA folks are still running from doing the leg work, serious research, reading. Americans in general ignore the cultures of the many peoples of the world, of which the Chinese are only one. The Mandorin System imposed a strict testing system upon the Chinese. The Chinese learned over centuries that the road to social mobility and success was thru testing. Hence much would be sacrificed for the eldest child (usually the eldest son) to prepare for these test. It most be remembered that part of this was motivated by the understanding that the success of the child was the social security policy of the parents in their old age, and the relative success of the family. Go back and read The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck. It will give a simple overview, a starting point. Then read some more! We can't aid, or direct, the youth if we lack the knowledge. And, it doesn't help indulging in unfair comparisons.
Last, but not least, the Chinese have ALL the problems of the West (ie social - ignorant and abusive parents, economic - uneducated and exploited workers, political - a system that pays lip service to representing the masses while forcing conformity). The Chinese like ALL other people are guilty of exploiting and abusing their own, even in this country. Who do you think traffics Chinese women, children, and laborers, in general worldwide. This is no attempt to take anything away from the achievements of so many hardworking Chinese. But, no people deserve to be placed on a 'pedestal'. There are no 'chosen' people.
Read, do the leg work, inform yourself, then your ready for 'critical analysis' that goes beyond the silver bullet, and phantom searches. It most be said, that education in the USA is a system failure. It's not just African American children that fail to measure up. It's American children that comprise that 25th or 26th worldwide test ranking. And, I do believe that there are Chinese students in that ranking.
Last Tenant Moves out of Cabrini-Green Projects in Chicago {BV Black Spin}
Dec 13th 2010 3:55PM "Housing projects became the urban reservations created to congregate black people together in a land of lawlessness, hopelessness and fear."
Anyone that thinks housing developments (projects) were built with Black folks in mind didn't do the necessary leg work. Or, worst of all, simply stated the case.
The rise and demise of housing developments follow the familiar social/class patterns of housing in this republic. Historically, new housing developments were populated by caucasians. We must remember that they made up large segments of the poor, and working poor. To read of such communities as the Lower Eastside of Manhattan, the Westside of Manhattan (Hells Kitchen(, it rings of of ALL the demonizing and ills generally associated , and reserved to define the living circumstances of people of color.
Having returned to the US (in 1956) as military dependants, my family was able to move into a housing development. In this deveopment the percentages we think are the norm, were in fact reversed. Caucasians were the VAST majority. The difference being, ALL the social services were available and ACCOUNTABLE. These services become LESS accountable, or non-existent when the development population shifts, and become predominantly people of color.
The Projects were not meant to be a reserve to be pased down generation to generation. The idea was that folks would have a base from which they could PLAN their forward PROGRESS. Caucasian families took a while, but most got it, they moved on ...... out of the Projects. Vacancies being rented to people of color, of course, was an added incentive. Black folks far too often DON'T get it. Generation after generation call the Projects home. And, why not, electric, gas and water came free ..... the rent was cheap.
As one person wrote, people have to be educated for change. I've seen numerous renovated multiple dwellings in NYC populated by Black and Brown people. No effort was made to educate the occupants to THEIR responsibilities as tenants. In short order far too many of these buildings were rundown, or vacated entirely.
Simply staed, theses social issues are too complex to be glossed over with emotional reactions.
U.K. Mom Gives Birth to Black and White Twins {BV Black Spin}
Nov 2nd 2010 9:23AM Monitor got it right! There is only one race, the Human race. Love latinas, and I enjoy intelligent exchanges regarding people and the assumptions that labor over.
Kim Osorio Goes Straight to the Source {Blackvoices Main}
Sep 27th 2008 9:37PM Ms. hampton. I agree with Mr. barnes. In my humble opinion the word THUG is at issue with you and Mr, Barnes. However, having worked in Federal, State, City and Private industry (as Mr. Barnes stated) thugs exist across the board. After all is said and done it's about POWER. As a Black Man I didn't feel any better seeing a Black or Latina Women harassed by a Black or Latino man, as opposed to A Caucasian. Some of the foolish Sistas would go so far as having babies by these married Caucasians. The issued almost always comes down to a POWER play by men. I might agree with you and say that we brothers don't handle it as well (discrete). I have found myself at times schooling sistas about how to deal with the harassment, not compromising themselves, and not allow-ng themselves to be compromised.
It's a very tricking situation that comes down to the women, her values as they related to her self image and expectations. I take the side of the sistas. Knpwing our co;;ective history she deserves that respect and consideration.
Spirit Airlines: Workin with the commies {Gadling}
Aug 14th 2008 1:10PM Here here!!!!!!!!!!! The USA has lost the moral high ground, and that influence erodes more each day. Stretched thin policing the world, how does the USA response to new provocations by Russia, China's global imperial designs, India and Brasil demand for inclusion as players on the world economic stage?
There's more than one bully in the playground now.
Spirit Airlines: Workin with the commies {Gadling}
Aug 14th 2008 1:02PM So true, so true. Furthermore, can you imagine how the Cuban athletes must fell competing in China. The USA blockades their country for being Communist etc, while they (USA) have their head stuck up the Chinese ASS.
The USA is not going to question the China link to Darfur, Not going to question China in Tibet, not going to question China's human rights record, or exploitation of disident Chinese, and list goes on.
The USA treatment of Cuba is Shameless!!!!!!!!!!!
Olympics: Spain and the height of cultural insensitivity {Gadling}
Aug 14th 2008 12:25PM Hey Big Doug
Your not suppose to provide a wakeup call. But, thanks for that! people really aren't attune to the world impact of China, YET. However, the 21st century will see the people of the world squeezed by the economic needs of China, India, Russia, USA and the developing countries that are seeing the sunrise and seek to be players on the world stage.
Olympics: Spain and the height of cultural insensitivity {Gadling}
Aug 14th 2008 12:16PM So true, so true!
Olympics: Spain and the height of cultural insensitivity {Gadling}
Aug 14th 2008 12:13PM "Karma bites, and it bites hard."
One of the most intelligent thigs I've read here. As the world seems hell bent on not heeding such a basic philosophy of caus and affect, we are all fated to learn it's profound truth.
