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1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
Mon Sep 10, 2012, 12:18 PM Sep 2012

Last night I posted to the GD ...

my experience discussing politics and racism with a very conservative group of wanna-be politicians. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021310102

You will note I focused mainly on politics in the GD post; here, I will relate the racism discussion.

The racism portion of the discussion started with the gop narrative that Black people support President Obama simply because President Obama is (identifies as) Black.

Of course, I smashed the fallacy by recounting that 95+% of Black people support the Democratic candidate (against the republican) without regard to the race of the candidate(s). I, also, pointed out that the Black electorate overwhelming supported the white HRC, over the Black Candidate Obama, until the final months of the Democratic primary.

And finally, I pointed out the arrogance of that narrative: in order to believe that, one would have to believe that, in the Black community, tribalism trumps issues and political realities. I told them the simplest way to examine and disprove this fallacy, one only needs to look at the lack of Black support for Herman Cain ... His issues did/do not square with the Black body politic. Further, look at the presidential runs of Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al ... Both Jackson and the Rev. Al's issues squared with the Black electorate; but Black people voted for the white Democratic candidate(s) because they/we recognized the political reality that neither could win a general election.

This discussion led to my receiving one of those "compliments" that we have all receivied: "You know ... You are a very well-spoken, well-informed guy. I have never had a discussion this reasonable with a Black guy ... My discussions always end with them calling me a racist ... I'm not a racist."

I responded: "Can I tell you something about human nature? As humans, we all have preconceived notions about just about everything; but mostly about people that we have never met and/or with whom we have had very little contact.

Our notions are shaped by the world around us. The world has it that 'this group is this way or that way.' But in most cases our notions are just wrong, if for no other reason, groups are made up of individuals that act independantly of any groups ... They are just them. But that doesn't stop us from ascribing our beliefs onto that individual.

But the problem with our notions is not that we have them; but that we refuse to re-visit them when we are met with those individuals that don't conform to our notions. Instead, we just convince ourselves that 'That person is just different ... I wish all of them were that way.' We never pause to think that maybe 'My rule just might be the exception.'

Racism is no different ... You see, when a Black person acts out, that immediately reinforces your 'Black people act out' bias ... But when a white person does something crazy, it's just that person ... it's not all white people are like that one crazy acting white person.

You seem pleased that I am well-spoken, well-informed and reasonable; but never pause to think that I am the rule, rather than the exception; and worse yet, that there IS no rule, when it comes to people."

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Last night I posted to the GD ... (Original Post) 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2012 OP
Amen JustAnotherGen Sep 2012 #1
Well said solara Sep 2012 #2
People are people all around the world. nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #3

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
1. Amen
Mon Sep 10, 2012, 12:32 PM
Sep 2012
You seem pleased that I am well-spoken, well-informed and reasonable; but never pause to think that I am the rule, rather than the exception; and worse yet, that there IS no rule, when it comes to people."


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