Quoting:
I read that.  It sounds pretty stupid and callous.  

What bugs me most is that these high school kids probably did it because of something their parents instilled into them.  So sad.
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Blows my freakin' mind that this sort of thing still goes on.  This should be an adminstrative policy with no debate, one class, one prom.

Quoting:
This is so wrong.  I can tell you which prom I would go to if I went to that school (and it wouldn't be the whites only) >:(
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I wouldn't go to either.  I would protest it, or try to anyway.

Quoting:
I didn't realize any of that was still going on like that.  What gets me is that besides some of the students no one else seems to care that much, very sad.
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Sometimes it takes students (i.e. young people) to change things.



Cat

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What gets me is that besides some of the students no one else seems to care that much, very sad.
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Agree


And today's youth holds the key to the future.

Quoting:
I love my heritage and I love the part of the country that I live in.......... but.........this is a part of our history that I am ashamed of. I don't know why I feel ashamed, as I am one of the least racially predjudiced persons you would ever want to meet. Could someone explain to me why I feel this shame? End Quote

The Doctor Is In, and I will wave my 5 cent fee !  ::)

You feel this shame because in spite of all your aversion to the issue, you realise that in the grand scheme of things, that your standpoint as one individual effectively makes little to no difference?  Because the problem is so firmly entrenched?

Under your surface, you are concerned perhaps that because you live in that area that people from elsewhere will tar you with that same brush?

Are these things that you fear?

I am from elsewhere.  I do not do that.  Have no fear in that regard.  People are able to see individuals for what they are.  Thinking people that is.

5 cents please.  (I changed my mind  ;D)

Quoting:
5 cents please.  (I changed my mind  ;D)
End Quote

Allow me to pick up Dudes tab. :)
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:CvGZvWKOFngC:hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heatpic/nickel.jpg

Quoting:
I love my heritage and I love the part of the country that I live in.......... but.........this is a part of our history that I am ashamed of. I don't know why I feel ashamed, as I am one of the least racially predjudiced persons you would ever want to meet. Could someone explain to me why I feel this shame? Although the racial problem, by no means, is isolated to the south in this country, we must still fight this stigma because of isolated ignorance like this.
End Quote

Dude, I would in no way challenge your commitment to racial equality, as I would not accuse anyone of you of harboring racial prejudices.  I would just say that you are NOT the average "red-necks" that inhabit this country.  This is an example of the narrow mindedness and mean spirit of people who, maybe, fear their attraction to black men and women. Or fear that Blacks are attracted to them. When things get down to basic teenage urges, sex is color blind - and has been for MILLENNIA.
I'm in the middle of a facinating book calld Mapping Human History by Steve Olson about what genetic studies show about who we are, and how we are all related.  Pete Seeger said it long ago in one of his songs - WE ARE ALL COUSINS.  Lets please get over this "race" stuff and learn to live with each other as equal, and wonderfully unique, individuals.  I know that for most of you (I hope ALL) I'm preaching to the choir, but we need to get that message out into the wider world IMHO.  
In Mexico, the attitude has become, since the 1910 revolution (hint hint POP) that the COSMIC race, the blending of all peoples, is a good thing.  Pat Buchanan and racists of his ilk would disagree, but genetisists, when talking about selective breeding, talk about "hybrid vigor".  I say, lets "hybrid vigor" the human race.

Quoting:


I am from elsewhere.  I do not do that.  Have no fear in that regard.  People are able to see individuals for what they are.  Thinking people that is.

5 cents please.  (I changed my mind  ;D)
End Quote

I understand, Fuss, that you are from Austrailia.  Never been there, but I understand it is  fantastic.  But you must not get too "holier than thou".  I understand that there are several outstanding issues between the European invaders of that remarkable continent and the original inhabitants?  Were there not bounties at one time placed on aboriginal scalps (I ask, I may be mistaken).  Does not your aboriginal population tend to be the poorest and most descriminated segment of your population?  I don't mean to accuse YOU of any of these abuses.  I simply want to point out that racism rears its ugly head in many contexts.  I appreciate your support of us in the states as we try to deal with our nasty variant.  You guys in Australia, I think, have your own work to do as well.

Quoting:

In Mexico, the attitude has become, since the 1910 revolution (hint hint POP) that the COSMIC race, the blending of all peoples, is a good thing. End Quote

Oh, so that Chiapas and indigenous rights thing in the 90s is nothing to worry about, right? Mexico has to deal with the same problems when it comes to ignorance about race, freedom, and freedom in equality. So much for the revolution of 1910 (hint not needed to enlight anyone, thank you).

The aristocracy still rules, Mexico is lawless, and the poor get the shaft - esp. the indigineous poor. Racism rules over other parts of the world too. This isolated incident in the US is nothing compared to the problems Rwanda, Fiji, Rhodesia, India, and other places in the world face.

Quoting:

In Mexico, the attitude has become, since the 1910 revolution (hint hint POP) End Quote

???  

Quoting:

I understand, Fuss, that you are from Austrailia.  Never been there, but I understand it is  fantastic.  But you must not get too "holier than thou".  I understand that there are several outstanding issues between the European invaders of that remarkable continent and the original inhabitants?  Were there not bounties at one time placed on aboriginal scalps (I ask, I may be mistaken).  Does not your aboriginal population tend to be the poorest and most descriminated segment of your population?  I don't mean to accuse YOU of any of these abuses.  I simply want to point out that racism rears its ugly head in many contexts.  I appreciate your support of us in the states as we try to deal with our nasty variant.  You guys in Australia, I think, have your own work to do as well.
End Quote

As a fellow Aussie, I can honestly answer that yes we have our own racial problems.  This, however, does not stop us from proclaiming our amazement of any racist act such as this, wherever it may be - in our own country or the US.

The world would be a better place if people did the following - one of my favourite phrases - "celebrate diversity and foster tolerance."

Quoting:

I understand, Fuss, that you are from Austrailia.  Never been there, but I understand it is  fantastic.  But you must not get too "holier than thou".  I understand that there are several outstanding issues between the European invaders of that remarkable continent and the original inhabitants?  Were there not bounties at one time placed on aboriginal scalps (I ask, I may be mistaken).  Does not your aboriginal population tend to be the poorest and most descriminated segment of your population?  I don't mean to accuse YOU of any of these abuses.  I simply want to point out that racism rears its ugly head in many contexts.  I appreciate your support of us in the states as we try to deal with our nasty variant.  You guys in Australia, I think, have your own work to do as well.
End Quote

Eek !  Don Carlos, I think you got off track with my response at some point...

When I said : "I am from elsewhere.  I do not do that", I was not trying in any way to be holier than thou.  I was responding to Hossy's concern (or what I thought was his concern) that others may see him as someone from down south, and therefore ALSO as someone who was in agreement with the segregation concept itself.

I was trying to allay his (possible) fears that someone from Australia or another country may see him that way simply on the basis of his geographic location.

And what I was trying to say was "Not So".  On reply number 9 of this thread you will find :

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For what it is worth, you guys in the US are by no means alone in regard to this sort of thing.... :(
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So you will see I am the first to admit there are ongoing problems with the country in which I live.  And whilst you are right, it IS fantastic here (you are all invited, BTW !) - the points you raised are valid, although I question the emotive nature of at least one of your adjectives, specifically "invaders".

And I appreciate your statement that you do not hold me personally responsible for any of the abuses mentioned.  However as an English/Danish descendant, does that not make me fall into the category above ?

I consider myself as Australian as the next guy, be they born here, or have descendants going to back to who knows when, or be black, white or anything in between.  Makes no mind no ways to me!  We all have to live somewhere.

I do however, dislike being white and therefore tacitly responsible for things that happened over 200 years ago, which is the current political flavour in this country.  I cannot help what happened then.

Until we get past that point, I am not sure where we are going or will end up.  It is very sad.

So : We each have our problems, they just take different form....

FB  ;)

Quoting:
I do however, dislike being white and therefore tacitly responsible for things that happened over 200 years ago, which is the current political flavour in this country.  I cannot help what happened then.
End Quote

I agree with you on this statement Fuss.  We should be ashamed of what happened over 200 years ago, and even sorry that it happened - but how can we be blamed?  I dont know about you, but I wasn't around then :D

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I agree with you on this statement Fuss.  We should be ashamed of what happened over 200 years ago, and even sorry that it happened - but how can we be blamed?  I dont know about you, but I wasn't around then :D
End Quote

Well I checked your profile, and I am a bit older than you Gecko... :)

I just feel like I have been around for ever  ;D

Quoting:


Oh, so that Chiapas and indigenous rights thing in the 90s is nothing to worry about, right? Mexico has to deal with the same problems when it comes to ignorance about race, freedom, and freedom in equality. So much for the revolution of 1910 (hint not needed to enlight anyone, thank you).

The aristocracy still rules, Mexico is lawless, and the poor get the shaft - esp. the indigineous poor. Racism rules over other parts of the world too. This isolated incident in the US is nothing compared to the problems Rwanda, Fiji, Rhodesia, India, and other places in the world face.
End Quote

You are both right and wrong.  Clearly, indiginous peoples in Lat Am are disadvantaged as a result of racism.  And Africans kill Africans over "ethnic" issues.  But if you follow my posts, you will see that I am not making excuses for any group or nation, but advocating FOR human unity AND human diversity.  I have felt racism as both a recipient and a racist, and learned to forgive and to purge.  Again, I call on all good people to recognize our inter-relationship (we are indeed, all cousins) and to revel in the cultural differences that make us unique.

Quoting:


As a fellow Aussie, I can honestly answer that yes we have our own racial problems.  This, however, does not stop us from proclaiming our amazement of any racist act such as this, wherever it may be - in our own country or the US.

The world would be a better place if people did the following - one of my favourite phrases - "celebrate diversity and foster tolerance."
End Quote

My sentiment exactly, and certainly no personal offence intended.  I must say, though, that I really don't like the word "tolerance" in this context.  I prefer "acceptance".  No big deal though.  We are simpatico.
Never met a natives of Astrailia, but I understand that they are a very interesting people.  I'd love to visit your continent and meet them, and the European Assies too.

Quoting:


I was not trying in any way to be holier than thou.  I was responding to Hossy's concern (or what I thought was his concern) that others may see him as someone from down south, and therefore ALSO as someone who was in agreement with the segregation concept itself.

I was trying to allay his (possible) fears that someone from Australia or another country may see him that way simply on the basis of his geographic location.

And what I was trying to say was "Not So".  On reply number 9 of this thread you will find :


So you will see I am the first to admit there are ongoing problems with the country in which I live.  And whilst you are right, it IS fantastic here (you are all invited, BTW !) - the points you raised are valid, although I question the emotive nature of at least one of your adjectives, specifically "invaders".

And I appreciate your statement that you do not hold me personally responsible for any of the abuses mentioned.  However as an English/Danish descendant, does that not make me fall into the category above ?

I consider myself as Australian as the next guy, be they born here, or have descendants going to back to who knows when, or be black, white or anything in between.  Makes no mind no ways to me!  We all have to live somewhere.

I do however, dislike being white and therefore tacitly responsible for things that happened over 200 years ago, which is the current political flavour in this country.  I cannot help what happened then.

Until we get past that point, I am not sure where we are going or will end up.  It is very sad.

So : We each have our problems, they just take different form....

FB  ;)
End Quote

Hi Fuss, I started to edit your response, but gave up.  I do apologize for the "holier that thou" comment since I see it was undeserved.  I do stand by my charictarization of those of us of European background as "invaders".  We invaded the the Americas, your country, the middle east - the rest of the world, and in MHO mostly f##ked it up.  I do recognize that we are not unique in this.  The Moors invaded Spain in 700 ad and dominated it until 1492. It is a human legacy of intolerance, conquest, and horror that we ALL must overcome.  How to overcome it is a different matter.  I think our first task is to overcome the legacy of racism and "white man's burdon" that seperates us from our cousins.  Good lord, What a task.  I hope it isn't hopeless, and that we really can forge a world based on love and acceptance.  
DC

Quoting:


I agree with you on this statement Fuss.  We should be ashamed of what happened over 200 years ago, and even sorry that it happened - but how can we be blamed?  I dont know about you, but I wasn't around then :D
End Quote

I also agree that we shouldn't be held responsible for the things our ansesters did (mine probably killed a bunch of Tainos).  On the other hand - and I'm no Biblical scholar- isn't there a line about the sins of the father being visited on the sons for seven generations?
I guess that to acknowledge that our ancesters "done wrong" is a first step.  Maybe the second step is to find ways to make it right by this generation of those who we "disadvantaged".  How is another issue.

Quoting:
This is Cr@p, I'm sure many whites wouldn't be able to attend it anway, after all......people say you have at least 55 black in you, after the history of our ancestors rapping slaves or having sexual intercourse with them. >:(
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Perhaps Alicia, instead of shooting from the hip, you can explain...

Is the whole thread crap?

Do you take offense to a particular post?

And maybe also check your spelling in order to avoid changing the meaning of your original intent?  Rappers?

Huh?  ::)

Quoting:
I must say, though, that I really don't like the word "tolerance" in this context.  I prefer "acceptance".  
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Good point Don Carlos.  Now that you mention it, acceptance is a better word to use than tolerate.  This is a phrase I used to use a lot when talking to a guy at work - who was very very racist.  He had no time for anyone who wasn't a "straight, white Australian ."  Very sad.  Our country is very multi-cultural and this is something that I am very proud of.

Quoting:
This is Cr@p, I'm sure many whites wouldn't be able to attend it anway, after all......people say you have at least 55 black in you, after the history of our ancestors rapping slaves or having sexual intercourse with them. >:(
End Quote

First, I thought your meaning here was very clear the cr@p is the racism.
Second, both anthropologists and genetisist agree that we are ALL decendents from a small group of people who lived in East Africa, who were probably black.  Our ancestors who moved to cooler climates lost the pigment so as to better produce vitamin D.  

Quoting:


I also agree that we shouldn't be held responsible for the things our ansesters did (mine probably killed a bunch of Tainos).  On the other hand - and I'm no Biblical scholar- isn't there a line about the sins of the father being visited on the sons for seven generations?
I guess that to acknowledge that our ancesters "done wrong" is a first step.  Maybe the second step is to find ways to make it right by this generation of those who we "disadvantaged".  How is another issue.
End Quote

I don't think we should be held responsible for what our ancestors did either.  Sometimes I think Blacks are talking more about segregation then slavery.  Segregation happened fairly recently, some 30 odd years ago.  There are humans alive now that lived through it and remember it.  Slavery on the other hand, is something that can be easily dismissed by the more bigoted elements as happening "over 100 years ago".