NationStates Jolt Archive

In the last several months, I've been noticing an unusual amount of racism from friends who I've thought were not racist, which leads me to wonder:

Why is America still so racist?

I attend a high school that is about 85% "caucasian" in a suburban area, in the middle of Missouri. (Which some may argue is a redneck region overall, but the town that I live in is known for its strong stance of liberalism) Well, I understand that a vast majority of American teens are exposed to the popular culture of Hollywood, which often places ethnic minorities in stereotypical roles, etc. But what I cannot understand is how people can't distinguish the difference between media and real life.

For example, in the lunchrooms the tables are relatively divided by subcultures, the athletic kids tend to sit together at one table, the gamers at another, the band kids at another, etc etc. Well, one group of kids in particular listen to hip-pop music, and also happen to be mostly Americans with Afro-Caribbean ancestry. For some odd reason the kids at my table (who are mostly all Caucasian except me, my friend from Ecuador, another friend from Iran, and some guy who's 1/4 Japanese) have this unreasonable and unusual bias against them. While the other table completely minds their own business, 80% of my table would start saying racist things like "LOL LOUD BLACK PEOPLE", "LOL THROW SOME KFC AND WATERMELONZ", and a few go as far as "STUPID [n-word]" for no reason at all.

This strange phenomenon seems to be not only limited to certain groups. For example, I was hanging out with a different group of friends today, and while we were playing video games, someone started telling racist jokes and that dominated the entire conversation. A friend of mine (whose father is Puerto Rican) said something along the lines of "I have no problem with racist jokes about other races because people have called me Mexican my entire life.. I hate Mexicans!" and I was absolutely shocked. Furthermore, another friend of mine from an extremely intelligent and well to do family said "my grandparents would disown me if I brought home a boyfriend who wasn't white".

I just find it odd that some people try to deal with racism by being even more racist against other groups. O_o

Your thoughts?

I don't know..
I am Caucasian, and I only have one friend(at my school) who is of the same skin colour. But he is from Eastern Europe(Russia), so that doesn't count. :p

In the last several months, I've been noticing an unusual amount of racism from friends who I've thought were not racist, which leads me to wonder:

Why is America still so racist?

I attend a high school that is about 85% "caucasian" in a suburban area, in the middle of Missouri. (Which some may argue is a redneck region overall, but the town that I live in is known for its strong stance of liberalism) Well, I understand that a vast majority of American teens are exposed to the popular culture of Hollywood, which often places ethnic minorities in stereotypical roles, etc. But what I cannot understand is how people can't distinguish the difference between media and real life.

For example, in the lunchrooms the tables are relatively divided by subcultures, the athletic kids tend to sit together at one table, the gamers at another, the band kids at another, etc etc. Well, one group of kids in particular listen to hip-pop music, and also happen to be mostly Americans with Afro-Caribbean ancestry. For some odd reason the kids at my table (who are mostly all Caucasian except me, my friend from Ecuador, another friend from Iran, and some guy who's 1/4 Japanese) have this unreasonable and unusual bias against them. While the other table completely minds their own business, 80% of my table would start saying racist things like "LOL LOUD BLACK PEOPLE", "LOL THROW SOME KFC AND WATERMELONZ", and a few go as far as "STUPID [n-word]" for no reason at all.

This strange phenomenon seems to be not only limited to certain groups. For example, I was hanging out with a different group of friends today, and while we were playing video games, someone started telling racist jokes and that dominated the entire conversation. A friend of mine (whose father is Puerto Rican) said something along the lines of "I have no problem with racist jokes about other races because people have called me Mexican my entire life.. I hate Mexicans!" and I was absolutely shocked. Furthermore, another friend of mine from an extremely intelligent and well to do family said "my grandparents would disown me if I brought home a boyfriend who wasn't white".

I just find it odd that some people try to deal with racism by being even more racist against other groups. O_o

Your thoughts?

It's kind of sad, but there's probably always going to be a little bit of inherent rascism, unless we all end up being the same race. In any case, what nations do you consider ahead of the US in multiculturalism? Denmark? Switzerland? Saudi Arabia?

I mean, name some country that is significantly more multicultural than us, (not saying that there isn't, but can't think off any off the top of my head).

It's kind of sad, but there's probably always going to be a little bit of inherent rascism, unless we all end up being the same race. In any case, what nations do you consider ahead of the US in multiculturalism? Denmark? Switzerland? Saudi Arabia?

I mean, name some country that is significantly more multicultural than us, (not saying that there isn't, but can't think off any off the top of my head).

According to what I've read, almost all of Western Europe is "multicultural" nowadays. But from personal experience, I'd say that England is doing quite well.

Multicultural is not same as unicultural. In an unicultural country all introduced cultures (such as brought along by immigrants) would be assimilated into the country's own culture, which might in time evolve due to the 'foreign' elements introduced, but the change would be so gradual as to be unnoticeable to individuals. In an unicultural society there would be no racism based on cultural differences (looks is another thing - people always fear those that are different and react with hostility, aggression and avoidance).

USA, however, is not unicultural but multicultural, and that makes the 'foreign' cultures stand out, thus giving rise to racism based on culture (culturism? :D). Think of multicultural as being a collection of monocultures and it makes more sense. :)

Multicultural is not same as unicultural. In an unicultural country all introduced cultures (such as brought along by immigrants) would be assimilated into the country's own culture, which might in time evolve due to the 'foreign' elements introduced, but the change would be so gradual as to be unnoticeable to individuals. In an unicultural society there would be no racism based on cultural differences (looks is another thing - people always fear those that are different and react with hostility, aggression and avoidance).

USA, however, is not unicultural but multicultural, and that makes the 'foreign' cultures stand out, thus giving rise to racism based on culture (culturism? :D). Think of multicultural as being a collection of monocultures and it makes more sense. :)

Yeah, I had a little trouble defining that so I put the word in quotes. :P

Why is America still so racist?

You have to remember they had slavery far into the 19th century and that they had an apartheid-like segregation into the 1960s (!). So, historically they've been extremely racist far closer to present day than most comparable countries, so it would be more surprising if they had managed to abandon that baggage so quickly.

We've managed to purge explicit racism from our mainstream media & politics etc but if you talk to ordinary people it's really disheartening to see how much racism there is around and then to think how much that racism must contribute to the way the subjects of that racism view themselves and their role in society

According to what I've read, almost all of Western Europe is "multicultural" nowadays. But from personal experience, I'd say that England is doing quite well.

I don't think that English society is less rascist than American society. I certainly get more stares at an English airport than an American one. And by Western Europe do you have any specific countries? I'm pretty sure that Western Europe as a whole is more opposed to multiculturalism than the USA.

Everyone's racist. I believe that it's natural. You know, a survival mechanism. You see someone who looks different, and a little red flag goes up.

I don't think that English society is less rascist than American society. I certainly get more stares at an English airport than an American one. And by Western Europe do you have any specific countries? I'm pretty sure that Western Europe as a whole is more opposed to multiculturalism than the USA.

Like I said, the above statement is based on personal experience. I tend to think of it this way, while in America a person is judged by skin colour, in England they're judged by social class. So take a hypothetical person, John Smith for example. In America he would be considered "black", but in England he would be considered [insert class here] based on whatever his occupation is.

But then again, all of that above is opinion.

You have to remember they had slavery far into the 19th century and that they had an apartheid-like segregation into the 1960s (!). So, historically they've been extremely racist far closer to present day than most comparable countries, so it would be more surprising if they had managed to abandon that baggage so quickly.

Why did you have to come in bringing history and facts with you?
*shakes fist in a non-racist manner, srsly*

You have to remember they had slavery far into the 19th century and that they had an apartheid-like segregation into the 1960s (!). So, historically they've been extremely racist far closer to present day than most comparable countries, so it would be more surprising if they had managed to abandon that baggage so quickly.

LOL, well the Europeans would like to talk about racism in the twentieth century. Well lets see, There was the whole apartheid regime, established by none other than a european country, which was far worse than your average segregation of races. Oh and also the oppressive colonial regimes which you guys held right up until about the mid 1970s.

Oh sorry 1960s for the French, however there was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7afrique

Everyone's racist. I believe that it's natural. You know, a survival mechanism. You see someone who looks different, and a little red flag goes up.

I don't know about a flag, but something goes up. ;)

Everyone's racist. I believe that it's natural. You know, a survival mechanism. You see someone who looks different, and a little red flag goes up.

I agree 100%.

The other day I was walking down the street when I saw a little old lady and since she looked so different to me, I naturally was TERRIFIED and crossed the street before she could try to rob me.

Examples of modern racism in Europe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_football

West Europe isn't significantly less racist. The Nazi party is still largest in Germany (as opposed to the American neo-nazis). And I've heard some bad things out of the Netherlands and Denmark (not to put down on the Dutch and Danes). Much of Europe appears non-racist because many areas (like East Germany) don't have significant racial minorities. What makes the US so racist is that there are a large number of people from different races (more than any in the world) interacting, so yeah, there will be some racism.

But yeah, there is obviously still racism in the US, not simply on the part of whites, but on the part of all the races (I've heard black racism too). How to deal with it? We'll all become one race eventually (in the far future), as long as it doesn't lead to real discrimination, I wouldn't worry about it.

Like I said, the above statement is based on personal experience. I tend to think of it this way, while in America a person is judged by skin colour, in England they're judged by social class. So take a hypothetical person, John Smith for example. In America he would be considered "black", but in England he would be considered [insert class here] based on whatever his occupation is.

But then again, all of that above is opinion.

Mine is opinion too, but I think I have more basis. I have naturally tan skin (aka I'm brown), I have South Asian heritage. I have a foreign-sounding name. Where did I get more hostile stares, New York, or London? To answer that question, it was at London. In essence, while I felt fine in New York, I felt unwanted in London. So did they not judge me based on my skin and culture in England?

Mine is opinion too, but I think I have more basis. I have naturally tan skin (aka I'm brown), I have South Asian heritage. I have a foreign-sounding name. Where did I get more hostile stares, New York, or London? To answer that question, it was at London. In essence, while I felt fine in New York, I felt unwanted in London. So did they not judge me based on my skin and culture in England?

No, it was that hideous raincoat you were wearing in London.
Oh..wait...
*fog descends*

South Africa is not a European country. Apartheid was instituted in 1948 (and first mentioned in 1917). South Africa gained independence from the UK in 1910 if I remember correctly.

And lets step up that a little bit, The netherlands founded that colony and it was primarily under the racist afrikaners who were essentially the dutch.

Well lets see, There was the whole apartheid regime, established by none other than a european country, which was far worse than your average segregation of races

South Africa is not a European country. Apartheid was instituted in 1948 (and first mentioned in 1917). South Africa gained independence from the UK in 1910 if I remember correctly.

I really can't say that much about sweden only that it doesn't have that much diversity, so racism really isn't as much of a problem, other than the everyday case that they just push under the doorstep.

(Ignoring Europe here since the original question was that of USA.)

One other reason I can think of is that the 'foreign' culture people tend to gather together and form their own more-or-less closed monocultures (think of Irish/Chinese/Greek/etc. neighbourhoods). Voluntary segregation is still segregation.

Mine is opinion too, but I think I have more basis. I have naturally tan skin (aka I'm brown), I have South Asian heritage. I have a foreign-sounding name. Where did I get more hostile stares, New York, or London? To answer that question, it was at London. In essence, while I felt fine in New York, I felt unwanted in London. So did they not judge me based on my skin and culture in England?

Are you sure? I mean, if that's your experience then I can't argue with that but London is a very multicultural city and if you were to stare at every Asian-looking guy that went past you'd never get anything done. Moreover, general hostile staring hasn't been the experience of any of my Asian/ of Asian descent friends who have lived in London.

In the last several months, I've been noticing an unusual amount of racism from friends who I've thought were not racist, which leads me to wonder:

Why is America still so racist?

I attend a high school that is about 85% "caucasian" in a suburban area, in the middle of Missouri. (Which some may argue is a redneck region overall, but the town that I live in is known for its strong stance of liberalism) Well, I understand that a vast majority of American teens are exposed to the popular culture of Hollywood, which often places ethnic minorities in stereotypical roles, etc. But what I cannot understand is how people can't distinguish the difference between media and real life.

For example, in the lunchrooms the tables are relatively divided by subcultures, the athletic kids tend to sit together at one table, the gamers at another, the band kids at another, etc etc. Well, one group of kids in particular listen to hip-pop music, and also happen to be mostly Americans with Afro-Caribbean ancestry. For some odd reason the kids at my table (who are mostly all Caucasian except me, my friend from Ecuador, another friend from Iran, and some guy who's 1/4 Japanese) have this unreasonable and unusual bias against them. While the other table completely minds their own business, 80% of my table would start saying racist things like "LOL LOUD BLACK PEOPLE", "LOL THROW SOME KFC AND WATERMELONZ", and a few go as far as "STUPID [n-word]" for no reason at all.

This strange phenomenon seems to be not only limited to certain groups. For example, I was hanging out with a different group of friends today, and while we were playing video games, someone started telling racist jokes and that dominated the entire conversation. A friend of mine (whose father is Puerto Rican) said something along the lines of "I have no problem with racist jokes about other races because people have called me Mexican my entire life.. I hate Mexicans!" and I was absolutely shocked. Furthermore, another friend of mine from an extremely intelligent and well to do family said "my grandparents would disown me if I brought home a boyfriend who wasn't white".

I just find it odd that some people try to deal with racism by being even more racist against other groups. O_o

Your thoughts?

We're all inner nazis, its in our nature to do things like this. Back in the stone ages this behavior kept people with similar traits alive so that that trait would survive into future generations.

I really can't say that much about sweden only that it doesn't have that much diversity

You're right, that second part really does prove you can't say much about Sweden as you seem very ignorant of it.

You're right, that second part really does prove you can't say much about Sweden as you seem very ignorent of it.

*Ignorant

Sorry, I've always wanted to do that.

We're all inner nazis, its in our nature to do things like this. Back in the stone ages this behavior kept people with similar traits alive so that that trait would survive into future generations.

Of course.
I remember my great-great-grandfather^2941 telling stories about those good ol' days, back when I was a kid in the cave.

Are you sure? I mean, if that's your experience then I can't argue with that but London is a very multicultural city and if you were to stare at every Asian-looking guy that went past you'd never get anything done. Moreover, general hostile staring hasn't been the experience of any of my Asian/ of Asian descent friends who have lived in London.

Well, I did say South Asian (we're oftenly confused as Arabs). Honestly, all I meant to say was that I felt more hostility in London than New York, I'm not saying that everybody I walked by turned their head around.

*Ignorant

Sorry, I've always wanted to do that.

Oh, noes, a typo at 3.55 in the morning. :rolleyes:

Examples of modern racism in Europe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_football
From Wiki:

Racism in football (soccer) is still a major problem in some parts of the world, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Eastern Europe, although it is a world-wide phenomenon. The behaviour of Spanish fans has been said to be thirty years behind their British counterparts [1]. Racism isn't directed at players simply because of their skin colour; players are also targeted because of their nationality, religion or ethnicity. Some players may be targeted by football supporters more because they play for an opposing team rather than their appearance/heritage. However, some players have been targeted by their own fans, such as John Barnes [2]

You're right, that second part really does prove you can't say much about Sweden as you seem very ignorant of it.

Ignorant hmmm. Well lets take a look at the 2003 world almanac. *looks at book* well Though it is obviosly a bit dated it appears the population of sweden is 89% swedish, 2% finish, doesn't say what the other groups are. Sounds really diverse to me. :D

For everyone saying racism is natural will that’s not really true, fear of things that are different seems to be natural but I've observed enough that a kid will only be racist if he/she is exposed to it

Also about racism in America thats why this site was made
http://endingstereotypes.org/african_history.html

This is the founder's biography
http://endingstereotypesforamerica.org/biography.html

Now he needs to make an equivalent for Jews :p

From Wiki:

Racism in football (soccer) is still a major problem in some parts of the world, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Eastern Europe, although it is a world-wide phenomenon. The behaviour of Spanish fans has been said to be thirty years behind their British counterparts [1]. Racism isn't directed at players simply because of their skin colour; players are also targeted because of their nationality, religion or ethnicity. Some players may be targeted by football supporters more because they play for an opposing team rather than their appearance/heritage. However, some players have been targeted by their own fans, such as John Barnes [2]

Did you read the netherlands stuff? or how bout the german section? Belgium? England has a lot of stuff there to. Scotland?

Did you read the netherlands stuff? or how bout the german section? Belgium? England has a lot of stuff there to. Scotland?

Soccer is such a barbaric sport :D

Oh, noes, a typo at 3.55 in the morning. :rolleyes:

Go to sleep then you madman.

You have to remember they had slavery far into the 19th century and that they had an apartheid-like segregation into the 1960s (!). So, historically they've been extremely racist far closer to present day than most comparable countries, so it would be more surprising if they had managed to abandon that baggage so quickly.
Not even apartheid-like segregation: apartheid, plain and simple.

However, I am going to question the OP's decision is using a high school as an example of prevalent racism. I don't doubt it exists, but a high school is a fairly cliquey place anyway.

To end racism, we must coat everyone with mud! Glorious Mud!

:D

Ignorant hmmm. Well lets take a look at the 2003 world almanac. *looks at book* well Though it is obviously a bit dated it appears the population of Sweden is 89% Swedish, 2% Finnish, doesn't say what the other groups are. Sounds really diverse to me. :D

Those darn Swedes. They come here, take out jobs...I tell, you they're ruining Sweden!

My best friend is canadian. So wtf nigga do yo research nex time ho. Goddamn.

Okay I've never really been out of the US and I've never lived in another country but I doubt the US is the only country with Cliques in it. Yeah there is still racisim in the country but I'm willing to bet there is still racism in South Africa and just about every other part of the world.

TAKE BRAZIL, melting pot. lots of immigrants came and made up what we call Brazilians. There are a lot segregation over there too. By social class, I believe that's normal and i do it myself. I, like everyone else, guide my mind by my interests. Race is a matter of where your family is from, doesn't really matter for today. how much money you have is the thing, because it changes your life completely. I'M NOT SAYING THAT BEING POOR IS BAD... but i guess most of them would like to have more money. Money is not all, but it helps A LOT.

There really isn't anyway to end racism--it just changes on who its directed on and how. (States split on issue of slavery/black rights.. States splitting now in gay rights..)

In my school a black family recently switched to our distrect, and raising our african american pop. to 3%, and people keep asking them if they can call them certain names (******, lincon log, etc.). They are different, new to us, and some of us "white" kids find this stuff funny.

To end racism, we must coat everyone with mud! Glorious Mud!

:D

Let us go down to the River of Mud and be Cleansed.

Okay I've never really been out of the US and I've never lived in another country but I doubt the US is the only country with Cliques in it. Yeah there is still racisim in the country but I'm willing to bet there is still racism in South Africa and just about every other part of the world.

Italians are the most racist people I know. I hate those stupid italians!

Italians are the most racist people I know. I hate those stupid italians!

*is offended*
*tosses pizza at you*

*pizza witha extra cheesa*

According to what I've read, almost all of Western Europe is "multicultural" nowadays. But from personal experience, I'd say that England is doing quite well.

You use England as an example? That is one of the last places I would consider more multicultural then the US. I lived there and can say that racism is alive and well. Even the foreign and non-white population is not on the same scale as the US.

However if you look at any nation you will find racism. As for the rest of Europe racism is alive and well. Question is can it ever be completely stamped out? I don't think so.

Italians are the most racist people I know. I hate those stupid italians!

I have to agree the level of racism is very high in Italy. They seem to particularly not like blacks. Funny thing is if you were to check the family histories generations back you will find African blood lines.

You have to remember they had slavery far into the 19th century and that they had an apartheid-like segregation into the 1960s (!). So, historically they've been extremely racist far closer to present day than most comparable countries, so it would be more surprising if they had managed to abandon that baggage so quickly.

Really? So we evicted blacks from their homes by the millions and deported them to "homelands?" We made them carry passes everywhere? We passed laws prohibiting them from forming or joining unions, going on strike, or leaving the country? We established a separate "Department of Bantu Education" for them? We forbade them from associating with whites (except as employees of them), or made virtually every kind of occupation aside from manual labor unavailable to them, and removed their citizenship?

You obviously know jack shit about either U.S. segregation or South African apartheid.

And as for slavery, you're not one to talk, considering that Sweden still practices it (under the euphemism of "conscription").

Okay I've never really been out of the US and I've never lived in another country but I doubt the US is the only country with Cliques in it. Yeah there is still racisim in the country but I'm willing to bet there is still racism in South Africa and just about every other part of the world.

Racism is pervasive in South Africa, especially among whites, but also among many blacks, too (albeit a minority of them).

I have to agree the level of racism is very high in Italy. They seem to particularly not like blacks. Funny thing is if you were to check the family histories generations back you will find African blood lines.

We are all related genetically.
That has yet to stop people from adopting racist stances or ideologies.

I have to agree the level of racism is very high in Italy. They seem to particularly not like blacks. Funny thing is if you were to check the family histories generations back you will find African blood lines.

Same in the U.S. Tens of millions of white Americans have at least some black ancestry, and three-fourths of black Americans have at least some white ancestry.

Yeah, I've noticed this phenomenon myself, that Americans are often more than willing to support racism in private even if they publicly reject it. Though as others have noted, one is hard-pressed to name many other nations more accepting of racial diversity than the US. Don't many European nations have thriving anti-immigrant parties?

Funny thing is if you were to check the family histories generations back you will find African blood lines.

when was that?

Don't many European nations have thriving anti-immigrant parties?

Yes, but most of them represent only a minority fringe of the population.

n the kids at my table (who are mostly all Caucasian except me, my friend from Ecuador, another friend from Iran, and some guy who's 1/4 Japanese)

Iranians are Caucasian. And there's a fair chance your Ecuadorian friend is a high percentage Caucasian too.

To end racism, we must coat everyone with mud! Glorious Mud!

:D

*jumps into the mud pit and slathers up*

What?

Italians are the most racist people I know. I hate those stupid italians!

*rolls eyes*

Yeah, those Georgians seem REALLY accepting right about now.

To end racism, we must coat everyone with mud! Glorious Mud!

:D

Cover me with your glorious mud!

Wait, that sounds dirty....

Cover me with your glorious mud!

Wait, that sounds dirty....

*dumps bucket of mud on Wilgrove*

*jumps into the mud pit and slathers up*

What?

Giggity Giggity Goo!

Had to be done. :D

Cover me with your glorious mud!

Wait, that sounds dirty....

Of course it's dirty -- IT'S MUD!

*tosses some*

Of course it's dirty -- IT'S MUD!

*tosses some*

*dumps vat of it on Kat*

Of course it's dirty -- IT'S MUD!

*tosses some*

*starts a mud ball fight*

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you exhibit A:

My best friend is canadian. So wtf nigga do yo research nex time ho. Goddamn.

Apparently, in some circles the above comments are considered clever or funny.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you exhibit A:



Apparently, in some circles the above comments are considered clever or funny.

It struck me as neither. :confused:

*shrugs, gestures emptily*

Cover me with your glorious mud!

Wait, that sounds dirty....

Boy, is it! *does so*

:)

Boy, is it! *does so*

:)

*sprays LG with a Super Soaker filled with mud*

Boy, is it! *does so*

:)

*starts a mud ball fight with LG*

We should have an NSG sponsored day called, Mud Day.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you exhibit A:



Apparently, in some circles the above comments are considered clever or funny.

That's supposed to be funny and/or clever? :confused:

My best friend is canadian. So wtf nigga do yo research nex time ho. Goddamn.

That's supposed to be funny and/or clever? :confused:

It struck me as neither. :confused:

*shrugs, gestures emptily*


Ostensibly, Soyut considers those comments to be funny and/or clever.
I don't read them that way. Apparently I'm not alone.

Oh sorry 1960s for the French, however there was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7afrique

The word "Françafrique" was still used quite recently, to denote a "special relationship" between France and its former African colonies. While it sometimes implied maintaining good relations with dictators (such as Omar Bongo), it was rarely used (in recent years, at least) to suggest "neo-colonialism".

To put it another way, Chirac had strong and good relations with African leaders, and met with them regularly. During his time in office, that's what "Françafrique" referred to. This was something francophone African leaders generally approved of. When Sarkozy came to office, and was clearly not as interested in relations with African countries, the press talked about "the end of Françafrique".

I suspect that we anthopomorphize groups of human individuals. I notice that we tend to assign personas and behaviors to entire groups of people. This isn't entirely inappropriate as many individuals within that group do the same for their own group. They give up part of their individuality to reflect the group persona. You see it all the time in the white gangstas. :p

I suspect that racism is caused by giving up too much individuality to a group so as to fail to recognize the irrational urges to categorize individuals in other groups as parts of that whole group as irrational.

*dives into the mud*

And as for slavery, you're not one to talk, considering that Sweden still practices it (under the euphemism of "conscription").

Methinks someone needs to look up the definition of slavery and then the definition of universal draft...

Sweden (and Finland) is small when compared to, say, USA, France, China... it doesn't have the resources to have a 'professional army', hence the universal draft to ensure there are enough soldiers available in case of needing to defend against illegal occupants *cough*USA-in-Iraq*cough*. But the military service is voluntary: there is the alternative of civil service.

Also, from Wikipedia:

Until the end of the Cold War, nearly all males reaching the age of military service were conscripted. In recent years, the number of conscripted males has reduced dramatically, while the number of female volunteers has increased slightly. Recruitment has generally shifted towards finding the most motivated recruits, rather than solely those otherwise most fit for service. All soldiers serving abroad must by law be volunteers. In 1975 the total number of conscripts was 45,000. By 2003 it was down to 15,000. After the Defence Proposition 2004, the number of troops in training will decrease even more to between 5,000 and 10,000 each year, while emphasizing the need to recruit only the soldiers later prepared to volunteer for international service. The total forces gathered would consist of about 60,000 men. This could be compared with the 80s before the fall of the Soviet Union, when Sweden could gather up to 1,000,000 men.

Ahahahahahaha...yeah, Europeans sure arent racist, or culturalist, or whatever the term is.
Anybody want to talk about Switzerland? French Africa has already been mentioned. French South America should get in there too. I hear the natives are none too pleased with the space facilities being in their country.
Oh, how 'bout Spain? Or Russia? Or are they not European. Theyre dirty hispanics and Slavs, right? Not proper Anglo-Saxon upstanding Englishmen, right?
Oh lawdy, dont get me started on the English. The UK's been russophobic ever since Peter the Great turned Russia into something more than a market. I wont even mention India because I'm sure you all know about it.
Neither Sweden nor Russia can claim to be wholly innocent either, as I'm sure anybody who knows anything about Finnish history can tell you. Poor bastards got stuck between two rival states and payed for it in blood every time their land traded hands.
The Balkans, like India, require no explanation.

And, in my experience, on this forum at least, both Europeans and Americans display ignorance of each others cultures. So many Europeans insist that America 'has no culture' (While, in the same post, some of them go on to bash 'Southern Culture'), while many Americans think that all French people act like the ones in Paris do and that the English all have horrible teeth, and that Germans are either Nazi's or automobile engineers.
And yeah, almost everybody in Paris is a jerk. And they dont pick up after their dogs either. And the city water in London will make you sick if you drink too much of it and arent British. Dear God I'm bringing my own water supply if I ever go there again.

So, basically, in conclusion:
Glass houses, bricks, etc.

Of course, working towards some sort of mutual solution to the problem would be great, but the American government is too busy shovling money into the education departments beurocracy and the military, and everybody in Europe is busy enjoying their free healthcare and Dutch LSD, to care.

The best solution is to force everybody to spend at least an hour a week on 4chan. The weak will die off and then everybody else will be too broken to care.

*snip*

The best solution is to force everybody to spend at least an hour a week on 4chan. The weak will die off and then everybody else will be too broken to care.

I like your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Aperture Science (and many others), the question was of United States, not of Europe. As to behind what the country is, is another matter. Maybe 'moral code' or 'politically correct thinking mode'.

Instead of taking swipes at the European problem of the same kind, try answering the original question like I've attempted (within first couple of pages). :)

I like your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

That'll be $5.50.

Aperture Science (and many others), the question was of United States, not of Europe. As to behind what the country is, is another matter. Maybe 'moral code' or 'politically correct thinking mode'.

Instead of taking swipes at the European problem of the same kind, try answering the original question like I've attempted (within first couple of pages). :)

Psh. This is NSG. Youre lucky if a thread stays on topic for more than ten posts.

Psh. This is NSG. Youre lucky if a thread stays on topic for more than ten posts.

Wow. Ten posts? Really? I thought the average was five.. :eek:

Wow. Ten posts? Really? I thought the average was five.. :eek:

I said 'if youre lucky', obviously 'average' is lower than 'lucky', but not quite as high as 'stupid' in many cases.

Ahahahahahaha...yeah, Europeans sure arent racist, or culturalist, or whatever the term is.

I'm European. Tell me in what way I, as an individual, am racist. Go ahead. This should be entertaining.


Oh lawdy, dont get me started on the English. The UK's been russophobic ever since Peter the Great turned Russia into something more than a market.


I'm English. The "fact" that I'm apparently russophobic is news to me. Likewise that "fact" applied to any English person I know.


So many Europeans insist that America 'has no culture'


Rubbish. The United States has a fascinating culture. Including Native American cultures, US forms of music, a unique form of society (with many flaws, but interesting nonetheless), many good films (along with all the awful ones), and a rich literature.


And yeah, almost everybody in Paris is a jerk.

I was born in Paris. I work in Paris. What makes me a jerk? Go on, I'm listening. Make even more of a fool of yourself.

West Europe isn't significantly less racist. The Nazi party is still largest in Germany (as opposed to the American neo-nazis). And I've heard some bad things out of the Netherlands and Denmark (not to put down on the Dutch and Danes). Much of Europe appears non-racist because many areas (like East Germany) don't have significant racial minorities. What makes the US so racist is that there are a large number of people from different races (more than any in the world) interacting, so yeah, there will be some racism.

But yeah, there is obviously still racism in the US, not simply on the part of whites, but on the part of all the races (I've heard black racism too). How to deal with it? We'll all become one race eventually (in the far future), as long as it doesn't lead to real discrimination, I wouldn't worry about it.

What the... where the hell did you get the idea from that the NSPAD is the largest party in Germany???
It's been outlawed for well over 60 years now... :eek::eek:

Examples of modern racism in Europe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_football

Pointing out that others are worse doesn't make you look any better, you know?

Because the USA is big and most US citizens have no true concept of "foreigners" in their minds. Which is why in Europe people primarily look down on "furriners with funny ways" and are far less interested in skincolour.

At least, that is my guess.

You use England as an example? That is one of the last places I would consider more multicultural then the US. I lived there and can say that racism is alive and well. Even the foreign and non-white population is not on the same scale as the US.

However if you look at any nation you will find racism. As for the rest of Europe racism is alive and well. Question is can it ever be completely stamped out? I don't think so.

Nope. People are genetically programmed to think in groups. They used to think on the scales of "this is my family, this is my family's territory, strangers must be chased off or killed". Simple.

And they haven't progressed much where instincts are concerened. Which is the reason for garden fences, neighborhood councils, and any kind of border. They've rationally expanded the concept of "family" to now include "town", "county", "country" and in some cases "continent". But this is a conscious effort, it's not something that comes natural to us.
Being distrustful towards people who look, sound and act differently is a natural reaction. But that doesn't mean it's an ok reaction.
It can be unlearned, and it should be unlearned.

Because the USA is big and most US citizens have no true concept of "foreigners" in their minds. Which is why in Europe people primarily look down on "furriners with funny ways" and are far less interested in skincolour.

At least, that is my guess.
The worst hotbeds of racism and intolerance in Europe are usually the most homogenous ones: The little places you'd only want to live if you were born there and the immigrant ghettos.

The best solution is to force everybody to spend at least an hour a week on 4chan. The weak will die off and then everybody else will be too broken to care.

But I thought newfags were that cancer that's killing /b/?

In the last several months, I've been noticing an unusual amount of racism from friends who I've thought were not racist, which leads me to wonder:

Why is America still so racist?

I attend a high school that is about 85% "caucasian" in a suburban area, in the middle of Missouri. (Which some may argue is a redneck region overall, but the town that I live in is known for its strong stance of liberalism) Well, I understand that a vast majority of American teens are exposed to the popular culture of Hollywood, which often places ethnic minorities in stereotypical roles, etc. But what I cannot understand is how people can't distinguish the difference between media and real life.

For example, in the lunchrooms the tables are relatively divided by subcultures, the athletic kids tend to sit together at one table, the gamers at another, the band kids at another, etc etc. Well, one group of kids in particular listen to hip-pop music, and also happen to be mostly Americans with Afro-Caribbean ancestry. For some odd reason the kids at my table (who are mostly all Caucasian except me, my friend from Ecuador, another friend from Iran, and some guy who's 1/4 Japanese) have this unreasonable and unusual bias against them. While the other table completely minds their own business, 80% of my table would start saying racist things like "LOL LOUD BLACK PEOPLE", "LOL THROW SOME KFC AND WATERMELONZ", and a few go as far as "STUPID [n-word]" for no reason at all.

This strange phenomenon seems to be not only limited to certain groups. For example, I was hanging out with a different group of friends today, and while we were playing video games, someone started telling racist jokes and that dominated the entire conversation. A friend of mine (whose father is Puerto Rican) said something along the lines of "I have no problem with racist jokes about other races because people have called me Mexican my entire life.. I hate Mexicans!" and I was absolutely shocked. Furthermore, another friend of mine from an extremely intelligent and well to do family said "my grandparents would disown me if I brought home a boyfriend who wasn't white".

I just find it odd that some people try to deal with racism by being even more racist against other groups. O_o

Your thoughts?

Hah sounds like Britain about 20 years ago. Don't sweat it, the old bigots will die, and the young-uns will alienate their children, and so in 20 odd years that majority of the adult population will be more integrated.

1. Why MUST we have multiculturalism? Is it the God given truth that every nation must follow as gospel?

2. Parisians aren't jerks at all, from my experience. One of my really good friends is from Paris.

1. Why MUST we have multiculturalism? Is it the God given truth that every nation must follow as gospel?

2. Parisians aren't jerks at all, from my experience. One of my really good friends is from Paris.

1. Coz we have tried many millenia of the other way, or as Sepultera would say 'War for territory' so now lets give this way a chance.

2. Not all of them no.

What the... where the hell did you get the idea from that the NSPAD is the largest party in Germany???
It's been outlawed for well over 60 years now... :eek::eek:

All Germans are Nazis. US World History 101.

1. Why MUST we have multiculturalism? Is it the God given truth that every nation must follow as gospel?



Cause laws never stop people from migrating. Well, almost never. The one historical example I can think of involved enormous expenses on barbed wire and watch personel, and it still wasn't very effective.
People will migrate, they always have. Trying to prevent them from doing so is a waste of time, effort and resources.

Cause laws never stop people from migrating. Well, almost never. The one historical example I can think of involved enormous expenses on barbed wire and watch personel, and it still wasn't very effective.
People will migrate, they always have. Trying to prevent them from doing so is a waste of time, effort and resources.
Actually, I don't think it's a waste of time. Please, answer me in all honesty. Do places like Finland, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway for example, REALLY benefit from multiculturalism? I mean honestly, tell me why these countries are sick and how multiculturalism will cure them?
All Germans are Nazis. US World History 101.
Guys...I think he meant that the internatioanlly biggest Nazi party (the National Democrats) is in Germany, but even that I think was wrong...I'm pretty sure it's Russia. That place fucking scares me.
1. Coz we have tried many millenia of the other way, or as Sepultera would say 'War for territory' so now lets give this way a chance.
Well, we've been trying but certain countries and because of all the terrible things that it brings, certain countries and/or people do not WANT multiculturalism. Are they wrong for trying to oppose this?

Guys...I think he meant that the internatioanlly biggest Nazi party (the National Democrats) is in Germany, but even that I think was wrong...I'm pretty sure it's Russia. That place fucking scares me.

I talked to a Slavic person who was a Nazi, it was awsome

Speaking of which the Klan is getting more multicultural, with half Jews and Cathlics!

Interview by John Safran
http://youtube.com/watch?v=i1JhZGv8Tj0

Well, we've been trying but certain countries and because of all the terrible things that it brings, certain countries and/or people do not WANT multiculturalism. Are they wrong for trying to oppose this?


Umm let me get this right, you are saying that in some countries the multicultural idea has been tried and does not work, in fact because of this multiculturalism in these places, some as of yet unnamed terrible things have happened.

Then you ask is it wrong for these people in these countries where these terrible things have happen(all because of multiculturalism) to be bigoted and racist?

Yes it is fuckin' wrong.

They don't happen to be /b/tards by any chance do they?

People will migrate, they always have. Trying to prevent them from doing so is a waste of time, effort and resources.

Well, it depends where you live, if you live on an island surrounded by water, it's not as difficult.

Well, it depends where you live, if you live on an island surrounded by water, it's not as difficult.

Great Britain for example?

Look at how easy you find it to prevent immigration

Great Britain for example?

Look at how easy they find it to prevent immigration

Well it's not like they try THAT hard. They could very easily introduce tougher measures, but then the UN wouldn't be too pleased.

I'm European. Tell me in what way I, as an individual, am racist. Go ahead. This should be entertaining.
Youre racist.
Happy?

I'm English. The "fact" that I'm apparently russophobic is news to me. Likewise that "fact" applied to any English person I know.
This is the NationStates General. I dont expect to persuade anybody of anything. Especially when it involves opinions and not things which are, shall we say, unresolvable via debate.

Rubbish. The United States has a fascinating culture. Including Native American cultures, US forms of music, a unique form of society (with many flaws, but interesting nonetheless), many good films (along with all the awful ones), and a rich literature.
And yet, a quick use of Jolt's 'Search' function turns up several topics wherein the US' lack of culture is mentioned. Sadly the rather user-unfriendly interface makes it hard to find specific links, but I'm sure you can find the 'A place you'd never ever want to live?' topic if you want some examples.
Oh, and 'many good films'? Oh dear. There hasnt been a 'good' film since 2000 or so when people started with the CG-spam.
Oh well, again, an unresolvable point.

I was born in Paris. I work in Paris. What makes me a jerk? Go on, I'm listening. Make even more of a fool of yourself.
The fact that you were born and work in Paris.
Brilliant ad hominem by the way. Very subtle. Very clever. You certainly are a British Parisian.

Youre racist.
Happy?


This is the NationStates General. I dont expect to persuade anybody of anything. Especially when it involves opinions and not things which are, shall we say, unresolvable via debate.


And yet, a quick use of Jolt's 'Search' function turns up several topics wherein the US' lack of culture is mentioned. Sadly the rather user-unfriendly interface makes it hard to find specific links, but I'm sure you can find the 'A place you'd never ever want to live?' topic if you want some examples.
Oh, and 'many good films'? Oh dear. There hasnt been a 'good' film since 2000 or so when people started with the CG-spam.
Oh well, again, an unresolvable point.


The fact that you were born and work in Paris.
Brilliant ad hominem by the way. Very subtle. Very clever. You certainly are a British Parisian.

You know trying to talk away the fact that you got completely caught out in making massive sweeping generalisations really doesnt work?

Youre racist.
Happy?

Do you even know how to read?


This is the NationStates General. I dont expect to persuade anybody of anything.

Then just shut up, or prepare to be ignored. You say something downright stupid, and then you try to backpeddle by saying "it's true, but I'm not going to persuade anyone, so I'm not going to try and justify my own nonsense".


The fact that you were born and work in Paris.


OK. I'm really not going to waste my time with you. :rolleyes: Tell me when you reach adolescence and your mind has developed a little.


Brilliant ad hominem by the way. Very subtle. Very clever. You certainly are a British Parisian.

I wasn't trying to be subtle. I don't waste subtelty on people like you.


You know trying to talk away the fact that you got completely caught out in making massive sweeping generalisations really doesnt work?

At least his/her feeble attempt is mildly entertaining. For a few seconds.

You know trying to talk away the fact that you got completely caught out in making massive sweeping generalisations really doesnt work?

Basically. I forgot my qualifiers that time. It tends to happen when I'm posting at 3am and decide that I dont really NEED to add words like 'many' and 'most'.

Do you even know how to read?
See Spot. See Spot Run. Run Spot Run!

Then just shut up, or prepare to be ignored. You say something downright stupid, and then you try to backpeddle by saying "it's true, but I'm not going to persuade anyone, so I'm not going to try and justify my own nonsense".
Please, ignore me. If you're too stupid to see that some things cant be argued over, such as, you know, OPINIONS, then I really dont want to go on 'debating' with you.
Why I go on now, I dont know. Boredom, probably.

OK. I'm really not going to waste my time with you. :rolleyes: Tell me when you reach adolescence and your mind has developed a little.
Oh hey, look! A paraphrase of what I was saying! Only you added another ad hominiem! Brilliant!

I wasn't trying to be subtle. I don't waste subtelty on people like you.
And another! They just KEEP coming. Thanks for illustrating my point about people from Paris though.

At least his/her feeble attempt is mildly entertaining. For a few seconds.

What can I say but:
<3 :fluffle:

Teen agers and children have NO problem distinguishing between the media and real life in America. Liberal idiots, THAT is the problem. Your pathetic attempt to spin your personal ideals into some mainstream liberal rhetoric is sad to say the least. No where on this PLANET is multiculturlism more prevelant than the US. Our country was built on it. It made us the world power we are. It gives our identity as a nation.

Go back to your cornfields ignorant little rube and stop trying to make America look as ignorant your liberal kind.

:mp5::upyours::mp5::sniper::upyours::mp5::sniper::upyours:

Teen agers and children have NO problem distinguishing between the media and real life in America. Liberal idiots, THAT is the problem. Your pathetic attempt to spin your personal ideals into some mainstream liberal rhetoric is sad to say the least. No where on this PLANET is multiculturlism more prevelant than the US. Our country was built on it. It made us the world power we are. It gives our identity as a nation.

Go back to your cornfields ignorant little rube and stop trying to make America look as ignorant your liberal kind.

:mp5::upyours::mp5::sniper::upyours::mp5::sniper::upyours:

The smilies are what makes this post so persuasive. And the use of the word 'rube'. I dont think I've ever seen it used outside of books before now.

Why again can't opinions be argued over? To give you the right to say any moronic thing without any consequences?

Why again can't opinions be argued over? To give you the right to say any moronic thing without any consequences?

You can argue over anything.
You just cant change peoples opinions. The majority of NSG topics are excellent illustrations of that particular point.

You can argue over anything.
You just cant change peoples opinions. The majority of NSG topics are excellent illustrations of that particular point.

Thats not what you said:

If you're too stupid to see that some things cant be argued over, such as, you know, OPINIONS, then I really dont want to go on 'debating' with you.

So why make argumentative posts if you don't believe they can be debated? To throw out a point and fail to defend it?

Thats not what you said:

I sure did say that. Must be having a bad day.
Some things cant be SUCCESSFULLY argued over, perhaps, would've been better.

You can argue over anything.
You just cant change peoples opinions. The majority of NSG topics are excellent illustrations of that particular point.

I disagree, it's difficult, but evidently many people have had their views changed after coming to NSG indicated by how their political compass scores tend to shift every year.

I disagree, it's difficult, but evidently many people have had their views changed after coming to NSG indicated by how their political compass scores tend to shift every year.

I would love to keep this arguement going for a year, but I really dont have time time :P
Still, it'd be fun if I could get paid, eh? I mean, thats sort of a dream job. Being PAID to scream at people all day. Except in the military, since you have to get shot at too.

I disagree, it's difficult, but evidently many people have had their views changed after coming to NSG indicated by how their political compass scores tend to shift every year.

(Anecdotal evidence is not fact, only use with Doctors orders, take three times a day, refrain from operating heavy machinery, discontinue use if symptoms get worse, etc.)

For example, myself. 2004, my Political Compass was roughly 4,4 !

In a year or two, it had shifted to -3,-3.

Now I'm at -8,-8, roughly. And getting more extreme every week. Anarcho-communism for the win!

Youre racist.
Happy?


:eek:

I most certainly am NOT.

It was your ilk that forced me to be euthanized by tossing me into an oven, for lack of your scientific and technical terms.

I have always seen the US as one of the most successful multiethnic countries...

Pointing out that others are worse doesn't make you look any better, you know?

I understand that just because others are worse it doesn't make you better but it was mostly for the purpose of stopping the inevitable critisicisms from european spectators giving them in an extremely condescending manner.

The word "Françafrique" was still used quite recently, to denote a "special relationship" between France and its former African colonies. While it sometimes implied maintaining good relations with dictators (such as Omar Bongo), it was rarely used (in recent years, at least) to suggest "neo-colonialism".

To put it another way, Chirac had strong and good relations with African leaders, and met with them regularly. During his time in office, that's what "Françafrique" referred to. This was something francophone African leaders generally approved of. When Sarkozy came to office, and was clearly not as interested in relations with African countries, the press talked about "the end of Françafrique".
Verschave later defined Françafrique as "the secret criminality in the upper echelons of French politics and economy, where a kind of underground Republic is hidden from view". He said that it also means "France à fric" (fric is a slang word for "cash"), and that "Over the course of four decades, hundreds of thousands of euros misappropriated from debt, aid, oil, cocoa... or drained through French importing monopolies, have financed French political-business networks (all of them offshoots of the main neo-Gaullist network), shareholders’ dividends, the secret services’ major operations and mercenary expeditions

Verschave later defined Françafrique as "the secret criminality in the upper echelons of French politics and economy, where a kind of underground Republic is hidden from view". He said that it also means "France à fric" (fric is a slang word for "cash"), and that "Over the course of four decades, hundreds of thousands of euros misappropriated from debt, aid, oil, cocoa... or drained through French importing monopolies, have financed French political-business networks (all of them offshoots of the main neo-Gaullist network), shareholders’ dividends, the secret services’ major operations and mercenary expeditions

Yes, I saw that on the wiki.

I'm telling you how the word has most recently been used in France, at the end of the Chirac era.

Ignorant hmmm. Well lets take a look at the 2003 world almanac. *looks at book* well Though it is obviosly a bit dated it appears the population of sweden is 89% swedish, 2% finish, doesn't say what the other groups are. Sounds really diverse to me. :D

Ethnic groups: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Football [both versions] is such a barbaric sport :D

*Fixed

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the last several months, I've been noticing an unusual amount of racism from friends who I've thought were not racist, which leads me to wonder:

Why is America still so racist?

Your thoughts?

Which leads me to wonder, how your few racists friends can portray the views and opinions of 301,139,947 people [minus of course your few friends] who live in America.

:rolleyes:I'm going to go out on a limb here, but could it just be that you have crappy racists friends and should probably just get New Ones who aren't so overtly racist?:rolleyes: Or is that asking to much?

Realistically, how far behind are we? Say compared to France or Japan - two of the most racist countries in the world.

To end racism, we must coat everyone with mud! Glorious Mud!

:D

You can't tell what someone's skin color is when they're head to toe in nice, clean mud!

While racism is horrific and disgusting, and still a very major player in US society, I don't really think we're particularly "far behind"... especially considering the way xenophobia and Islamophobia seem to have caught on among many Europeans.

I've been kinda wondering that too. I always thought that the USA was more multicultural than most places in Europe. Nor have I ever experienced anything in my travels to dissuade me of this notion.

I'm European. Tell me in what way I, as an individual, am racist. Go ahead. This should be entertaining.

*crickets chirp*

Realistically, how far behind are we? Say compared to France or Japan - two of the most racist countries in the world.

Whoa now, how is Japan racist?!

Is a lack of "multiculturalism" a bad thing?

Racism is apart of America
What the first lady said about the Katrina victims
and the slow response of fema

"There just a bunch of poor niggers who cares"

Whoa now, how is Japan racist?!

Look up Japanese Xenophobia.

And, of course, basic Asian history dictates that China, Japan and Korea all hate each other with a passion because they all, at one point or another, invaded, occupied, and/or destroyed each others cultures.

Racism is apart of America
What the first lady said about the Katrina victims
and the slow response of fema

"There just a bunch of poor niggers who cares"

Yeah, and the New Orleans mayor said "lets keep New Orleans chocolate".

Is that supposed to rhyme? That's the worst attempt at a poem ever.

Yeah, and the New Orleans mayor said "lets keep New Orleans chocolate".

Is that supposed to rhyme? That's the worst attempt at a poem ever.

Nonono, he meant 'like chocolate milk', which has white milk and brown chocolate.
No hispanics though. Or Asians. Or Arabs. Or native Americans.

Is the OP trying to suggest that America is somehow alone in this whole racism thing? Pretty ridiculous.

Actually, I don't think it's a waste of time. Please, answer me in all honesty. Do places like Finland, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway for example, REALLY benefit from multiculturalism? I mean honestly, tell me why these countries are sick and how multiculturalism will cure them?

Well, Iceland (same as Ireland) desperately would need a refreshing of their gene pool. Isolation of small groups over long periods of time don't exaclty improve the health of their offspring.

Other than that, I never said those countries were sick. And I don't know if or how they'd benefit... in the case of Switzerland, it probably would sink into nostalgia and refuse to benefit at all in the first place. All I said was, they won't be able to stop it from happening. They never were, and they never will.
The countries you quoted are monocultures right now because up until very recently, they were so desperately poor that people left rather than arrived there. Now the tide is turning on them, and they need to figure out how to handle it.

Why is Europe even being mentioned? The OP is (apparently) American, was asking about America, using part of America as an example, and didn't once compare America to Europe.

"Yeah, we might be racist. BUT THEY'RE MORE RACIST THAN WE ARE! LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT INSTEAD AND IGNORE OUR OWN PROBLEMS!"

Is that how we solve our problems these days?

Why is Europe even being mentioned? The OP is (apparently) American, was asking about America, using part of America as an example, and didn't once compare America to Europe.

"Yeah, we might be racist. BUT THEY'RE MORE RACIST THAN WE ARE! LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT INSTEAD AND IGNORE OUR OWN PROBLEMS!"

Is that how we solve our problems these days?

Yes. What rock have you been living under? :p

Teen agers and children have NO problem distinguishing between the media and real life in America. Liberal idiots, THAT is the problem. Your pathetic attempt to spin your personal ideals into some mainstream liberal rhetoric is sad to say the least. No where on this PLANET is multiculturlism more prevelant than the US. Our country was built on it. It made us the world power we are. It gives our identity as a nation.

Go back to your cornfields ignorant little rube and stop trying to make America look as ignorant your liberal kind.

:mp5::upyours::mp5::sniper::upyours::mp5::sniper::upyours:

Hehe yes indeed America the home of multiculturalism, I mean it has only been what 40 odd years since you stopped hanging the black man coz of the colour of his skin!

In the last several months, I've been noticing an unusual amount of racism from friends who I've thought were not racist, which leads me to wonder:

Yeah, me too.

Why is America still so racist?


I didn't know it was, until a few months ago.

I attend a high school that is about 85% "caucasian" in a suburban area, in the middle of Missouri. (Which some may argue is a redneck region overall, but the town that I live in is known for its strong stance of liberalism) Well, I understand that a vast majority of American teens are exposed to the popular culture of Hollywood, which often places ethnic minorities in stereotypical roles, etc. But what I cannot understand is how people can't distinguish the difference between media and real life.

For example, in the lunchrooms the tables are relatively divided by subcultures, the athletic kids tend to sit together at one table, the gamers at another, the band kids at another, etc etc. Well, one group of kids in particular listen to hip-pop music, and also happen to be mostly Americans with Afro-Caribbean ancestry. For some odd reason the kids at my table (who are mostly all Caucasian except me, my friend from Ecuador, another friend from Iran, and some guy who's 1/4 Japanese) have this unreasonable and unusual bias against them. While the other table completely minds their own business, 80% of my table would start saying racist things like "LOL LOUD BLACK PEOPLE", "LOL THROW SOME KFC AND WATERMELONZ", and a few go as far as "STUPID [n-word]" for no reason at all.

It doesn't surprise me.

This strange phenomenon seems to be not only limited to certain groups. For example, I was hanging out with a different group of friends today, and while we were playing video games, someone started telling racist jokes and that dominated the entire conversation. A friend of mine (whose father is Puerto Rican) said something along the lines of "I have no problem with racist jokes about other races because people have called me Mexican my entire life.. I hate Mexicans!" and I was absolutely shocked. Furthermore, another friend of mine from an extremely intelligent and well to do family said "my grandparents would disown me if I brought home a boyfriend who wasn't white".

Trust me, you're not alone.

I just find it odd that some people try to deal with racism by being even more racist against other groups. O_o

Heh-what?

Your thoughts?
Remember people against other cultures aren't necessarily racist. If I hate kilts, that doesn't mean I'm racist against the Scots. So maybe "Multiculturalism" and America: Why is the US so far behind? is not the best title.