Lets talk about race. Who here among us can claim absolute unbiased views of differing races? Who here can claim absolute unbiased views of their own race? Is there a difference between the two? Does hatred have a color code?
I know the answers to these questions aren’t nearly as black and white (pun intended) as we would all like them to be, but they are important questions for us to ask ourselves if we are ever to ‘move forward’ in our views and actions regarding race.
I suppose the point of ending racism, is an increase in tolerance. Maybe a better word would be an increase in acceptance. An acceptance of religions, cultures, races, Gods, and at its most basic form, an acceptance of differences. So how is this acceptance accomplished?
Of course there are many ways in which we can attain our goal (I say ‘our’ goal, but immediately we see the first hurdle in the road. Is this everyone’s goal?).
A change in policy. This was the suggestion of the author in the article we all read this week. But this policy change didn’t quite make sense to me. The idea of changing policy is only acceptable to me if you agree on what that means. Does a change in policy only come after those that create the policy have changed themselves? Or does the policy change the people? In my experience change only comes from those that want to change (Ever had experience with someone addicted to drugs or alcohol?). Borders do not create a nation; people come together as a nation and create the borders.
But I could be wrong. Maybe action can’t or won’t be taken until someone makes us take the first step and pushes us out of the nest? So in an exercise in humility and to demonstrate that this isn’t just one persons fight and it won’t come from just one person’s solution, these are the questions I leave to you.
42 comments:
Only you can change yourself. No one else can do that for you. Other people or other policies or other religions may have an effect on you, but only you can make the concious decision to change or make a change for yourself.
I am not sure if we will ever have the same goal, regardless of race, class, gender or otherwise. Perhaps that day won't come until Zion is established and we are truly of "one heart and one mind." But I do believe that those who are aiming towards this goal can influence others to have the desire to have a goal to overcome racial barriers. I believe that we, as an educated group of individuals, have a duty to society to influence the lives of people around us and to help people realize we have the ability to change.
We all have our agency, and it seems that even though we our influenced daily, hourly, etc. by outside sources such as family members, friends, professors, politians, etc. it is up the individual to form their own opinions and ultimately the decisions they will make. However, there are people that are more easily influenced than others. I would hope that everyone is reaching toward this goal in their daily interactions with others including those of different races. Only with everyone on the same page (which seems impossible in this life)can we ultimately attain this goal.
I like the distinction made in this post. It's about becoming more accepting. Racism is all about prejudices, and I think that people will always have a little bit of prejudice against anything or anyone who isn't the same as themselves. That's not a bad thing though, it's just something that everyone has to come to terms with and realize is just a natural reaction to differences and to work on becoming accepting of them instead of becoming hostile towards them.
I begin by borrowing a quote from a much loved movie..."Attitude relects leadership"(remeber the titans)...I find this to be true. Therefore, if each of us follows a different leader, we will have distinct and altering views on attitude. So, different groups in the world who follow different leaders who have different values, principles, morals, ethics, ideals, and rationale will act differently on a distinct platform of beliefs and reason. Because of this, I don't believe that we will ever "mesh together" and end racism until we have one leader and we collectively have one attitude. Hooray for the Second Coming.
I don't think that policy or laws will do much, if anything, to change racism or reduce prejudices. People need to change first. If people haven't changed, or at least aren't working towards changing, then the policies and laws won't do much more than create more resentment towards other demographic groups. I do believe that the government can help by leading the nation in showing equality and promoting positive relations, as can other locations such as schools and churches, but the biggest steps forward must be taken in the home and the individual hearts of each person.
I agree with the posts above - by how you are the one that decides if you're going to be racist or not or show prejudices or not. I think it's great how rights for minorities are being brought up and being dealt with. I just think it's a great step to even better equality in the world.
Policies can be made in order to "encourage" tolerance or acceptance. This may help the cause and begin to move things in the right direction; however, ultimately it is up to each of us to decide for ourselves whether we want to fight against the intolerance, or just leave things be. As has been noted above, people have their agency and will ultimately make the right decisions, but those who desire this acceptance can and should work to try to better inform and perhaps convince those who at the moment don't wish to join in the cause.
I doubt that "we" will all have the same goal. Acceptance can be a tricky subject as to whom, how, and why we accept certain people and others not so much. Can we truly accept everyone for who they are? I think we can try but we don't have that luxury. Great leaders may start revolutions of thought but we must accept them and place them into practice to truly change - ultimately we need to change ourselves.
Ignorance is the main reason for stereotypes. We need to educate the world more with the truth. We are all equal. We are all created equal.
I don't see society agreeing on one "goal" about race issues anytime soon either. I do think, however, that it is more our everyday prejudices and feelings to other races, other minorities, or other differences in general that need to change. Prejudice is something we all face in some form or another. Society must be more willing to accept diversity if we want to change how our world views race.
Policies just make people mad. There are always people who disagree just because the policy is in place. Let us set an example and just be who we are supposed to.
I agree with your statement of change only comes from those that want to change. In looking at people who have had drug and alcohol addictions, you can ask them to change all you want but only THEY can truly decide that they want to turn their life around. Since we are all so different in our viewpoints and opinions it's so difficult to try and unite in a certain way of thinking. Trying to increase in acceptance is an ideal aspiration, and one I think we will never fully reach, but we can very well try.
I agree that change comes from someone wanting to change. I do believe though that one person can have a monumental influence in changing the opinions of others to bring about this change. As Gandhi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." When one person firmly believes in something and spreads that belief to others, they can help others want to change as well.
Motivation that comes from within has the power to change a persons actions, thoughts, beliefs, etc.. Motivation can also be external but it will only have a temporary effect. Even though motivation comes from within, it needs to have structure in order to be used correctly. No matter how much internal motivation a person may have unless there is some type of structure to guide the motivation in the right direction, it will be used ineffectively. To apply this to the topic. I feel that our ability to change racism does come from within, there does need to be rules, policies and regulations to properly manage an effective change. Ghandi comes to my mind as somebody who pioneered a massive movement of change against racism. Even though he went against many poicies and regulations, which is why he ended up in prison in England, he had his own policies that he and his followers lived by in order to accomplish his goals. Policies must be present for change to be effecitive. Amen
I'm all for more policy. I agree it isn't the final solution to correct the social problems we have in our country, but I can't deny that it's a necessary first step. Besides, some members of society will need at least a little push before they'll consider the consequences of their actions.
I like the way Zac "sunshine" put it. A "zion society" is the cure to racism, and to a great great deal of other problems. We've got a lot of work to do, and it's probably not going to happen anytime soon- but as a people, if we aim for thatm we will see triumphs and blessings. Change can happen, it is happeneing, and I believe it will continue to happen.
Like the article was saying, nothing can make a change for you. Every individual has to decide for themselves that they are willing to make that change. It doesnt matter how many policies get changed, this goal of a truly equall world will only be accomplished when people decide to make it so. The problem is that many people believe this goal to be impossible, so they are unwilling to try.
I think that policies and laws could help America but honestly its just about a change that we need to make in ourselves. skin color is merely on the surface and what really counts is whats underneath. As cheesy as that is its something that the world really needs to come to terms with.
i think a change in policy and an increased tolerance on an individual basis are necessary to eliminate racism in our society. because even if policy changes, it can't get rid of inherent racial biases that people have.
The problem with 'solving' racial issues is that one person's solution can be another person's problem. We all see it from our own points of view and I honestly don't know if it is possible to meet in the middle. I am pretty sure though that the majority of people in America WANT to solve the issues of race, we just don't quite know how. I definitely think the government needs to address the problems, by LISTENING to people's needs and THEN establishing policy.
I agree with the idea that a change in policy alone is not the answer to the problem. There have been many "changes in policy" in recent history that have been aimed at equality issues, and every time the enforcement of the policy falls short of the intended out come of the policy. There needs to be a change from the ground up, not from the top down.
I agree that only you can change yourself and that outside sources may influence that change.
Well I agree with many of the above comments. We have to individaully choose our opinions and goals. We can be influenced by so many outside sources, but when it comes down to it, we must decide for ourselves to set aside our differences and be one people.
What policy could you possible pass that would make everyone in society equal without seriously infringing the other freedoms and overall agency of others? Government can only go so far. Are we seriously going to force everyone to love each other and see each other as equals? Is that even possible? If not, are we thinking about making all TV shows, movies, music, and literature show the world exactly how it is? Doesn't make sense to me.
I agree with the author's assertion that everyone is a little bit racist. The way to overcome this problem is first of all to acknowledge it, and then to avoid passing it on to future generations. I think the cycle of racism could hypothetically be stopped in one generation if children were brought up in conditions devoid of racist tendencies being taught. Sadly, I don't think this will ever happen.
The truth is that our background is part of us. I was typing my comment and I realized that everything I wrote had to do with my experience in my own country. (I will paste it further down) So, if we do want do change this issue, yes we need to be more accepting. We need to accept everyone because that is who they are, and when we truly accept all people we will see that we have so much to learn from everyone. Now the comment typed earlier:
One thing that bothers me in America are the labels. People have to be "something-american". Asian-american, african-american, caucasian-american. I think these labels should be forgotten. In brazil we also have people from all over, but we don't call them "asian-brazilians," "african-brazilians" and so forth. They are all just brazilians. If I fill out a form or take a survey, they don't ask me my race - they might ask my nationality, but not race. (don't get we wrong, I am not saying we don't have racism, that would be very untrue) but I am saying that we have recognized that we are a nation of differences and that where we come from is not that important anymore. The big city of Sao Paulo, has had a black mayor and when he was elected the news was "Celso PIta was elected" and not "for the first time Sao Paulo has an 'african-brazilian' mayor." (then again I am not saying we are perfect, on the contrary we have a lot of work to do, but we have already dropped the labels). So I think a big step in America would be the dropping of labels.
Now, changing subjects - talking about policies: we need to be very careful about these policies, and I sometimes wonder if they are helpful at all. Another example from my own country. There is a law in Brazil that says that no ad on TV should have only blondes, but that it should also include at least one black person. Now my questions are:
1 - if having no black people in the ad is a form of racism against blacks - why is it ok to have only black people in and ad and no blondes? Isn't that discrimination to the blonds?
2 - I also think that creating laws to protect the minorities is like saying "they are weak and they need to be protected" in another words we are sending a bigger message saying that without policies they can't do much - isn't this a bigger form of racism? Isn't the end of racism recognizing that our DNA is pretty much the same and that we all have the same capacities?
Just a few things to think about.
I think it is important to realize that people will only change if they want to. Regulations can help influence behavioral change but it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they are willing to really change. I think we need to learn a new way of analyzing others when we view them.
Sometimes in class I ask myself if deep discussion about topics such as this is really appropriate. But I think that it is. It's a classroom setting, so we need to be careful about what we say, yet I think we hold back things that really need to be brought up or said. I know that I refrain from commenting sometimes just because of fear of looking stupid or insensitive or irrational or whatever. In all, I really think professor Cutri is doing something great, he's forcing us to really evaluate ourselves and the ways we look at each other. That has helped me better understand myself.
I agree with you. Change can only come from the inside out. However, I do feel change can be facilitated or inhibited by circumstance. Missionaries often provide the catalyst for change in individuals they are teaching. In the end, the decision to change comes from within the individual. We can change policy to invite and facilitate change, but it is up to us whether or no we decide to do so.
The first change that needs to take place is among the people, not the policy. As you said, is it 'our' policy? Some people might not want this policy, or feel it is unfair. So the people must change first. If you give me a law that I despise, I will do everything to disobey.
I was also wondering whether a change in policy would help emlimnate racial tensions. After the civil war, slavery was abolished but African Americans were still gravely mistreated. A change in the constitution was made, but it took decades before people began to change. It is, however, a necessary step in the right direction. A change in policy is and should be the first step. Real change will only occur when people begin to realize the value of the policy.
In order to stop the racial tensions both the people and the policy needs to change. We have to remember that the civil rights movement did not happen that long ago. The policy needs to change which will also develop with the people. You can't just do nothing and expect that people will find their way in the end. You have to do something.
Policy and laws will do little to really change people unless they want to change. People might follow the rules in public, but they will continue to act the way they want when they are in private or a place they know they are free of consequences. People have to really want to change before they will.
It would take a lot for everyone to change. I would also take along time to change as well. Like most people have mentioned we can start by changing ourselves and being an example to others.
Change starts at an individual level. No policy, law or recommendation is going to make any REAL difference if people are just going through the motions and don't have the conviction backing their behavior. Education and exposure to different people and different cultures along with an open mind is the key.
Wow, there were alot of questions. But I also disagree with the article from last week. In fact it frustrated me a lot because, like you said, change comes from the people, not policy. We can set up as many laws as we'd like, but the problem isn't the laws in place, it's the people getting around the laws and still being discriminatory. Obviously since we're a government based on the voice of the people, what the people want (hopefully or usually or ideally) is what the people get. To change the way people interact with different races means to change the way people think about race. Then, from the voice of the people will come the change. A dictator can't enforce equality on us if we don't buy into it.
Change is a word that is thrown around so loosely these days that no one even knows what it means. The idea of it instills hope but what is it really? I agree with everyone else - a change in both people and policy has to take place, but what exactly does that mean? How can we make that change happen? Do "we" even *want* that change to happen at all? It's obviously a very large, complicated issue. Good thing we have a President that promises "change" – whatever that may mean.
I don't think a change in policy is alone in the answer. I think friendship is important in order to restore past feelings. I know in my experiences just being a friend helps erase race issues.
Policies won't change anything unless everybody knew about it and supported it. Too often some bill was passed with support from some lobbyist group and the general public doesn't know about it and it won't change anyone's opinions...
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