Comments on Tre's X-Ray Vision: Sex, Then Violence Resurrection, Part 2

Anonymous, If you are implying that I myself shou...

2009-07-15T18:59:32.793-04:00

Anonymous,

If you are implying that I myself should not use that word, you are totally in the wrong. For one, I am not like these ethnic-porn producers (who might I add are mostly White) trying to play as if they are using that word in a positive light. I am using it as a word to describe negative behavior from my fellow Black people who unlike me keep alive the negative stigma associated with Blacks. A White person can never use the word "nigger" in that way, and any White person with any degree of humanity AND intellect knows that. The history of that word from a White person's lips is too much an extreme of negativity that the closest they can come to a synonym is the word, "ghetto". And had this guy left it at the word "ghetto", while annoyed, I would not have resorted to physical violence. As much as I try not to see color, I didn't see this person's color until he used that word. Before he said that word to me, I saw him as a PERSON long before I saw him as a WHITE person. But once that word left his lips, he was no longer a person. Not even a human being. He then became this WHITE RACIST THING. That needed to be stopped.

Tre, I'm a soon to be 65 year old white man who h...

2009-07-15T18:20:24.422-04:00

Tre,

I'm a soon to be 65 year old white man who has lived in a black community since 1974. I have been incensed by black-produced videos which continually use "nigger" and other similar words.

Not to excuse "white" people using the word, it is also inexcusable to allow others who are not "white" to use those words.

We all need to excise that word from our vocabularies and our thoughts. It is poisonous.

Years ago, I put my straight white friends on point. I would not accept the word. Thirty-five years later, they also never not only use the word but also embrace "blacks" and others in our community. My dearest straight friend recently referred to our President as HIS black President at a suburban party. The stupid criticism stopped.

Tré, Phew! I was concerned that I'd managed to o...

2009-07-14T12:08:18.322-04:00

Tré,

Phew! I was concerned that I'd managed to offend initially - Not being American, and having limited contact with Americans of either white or African background, I find this tricky ground to breach... mostly because I know of the emotions it raises, and am really uncertain of how to voice things in a sufficiently sensitive way.

I would really enjoy reading your future post on that open mindedness. I've recently found myself reading a lot about the history of African American people - I really recommend 'Rough Crossings', by Simon Schama, by the way - for reasons I just don't know.

I actually only recently found your blog, and have retrospectively read, and replied to, several of your earlier blog entries... which may have put my first comment into perspective.

I can't change my parents, or where I was raised. But I can sure-as-heck learn more, which is why I read blogs like yours.

Hi Doc, I know and am glad that your comment was ...

2009-07-14T11:44:46.309-04:00

Hi Doc,

I know and am glad that your comment was in a non-confrontational way. If my reply seemed to take it as such, my apologies.

With the history of slavery, the idea of being "educated" as a means to being superior is definitely an American perception. And I enjoy surrounding myself with those who don't follow too many American perceptions.

Due to this conflict, and things said to me by this person before this conflict, I have been considering doing a piece about how some Whites are open-minded enough to learn of a Black person's trials in this country while other Whites are not so open-minded. For being one of those so open-minded, I do wish that we could sit and have many a discussion. Because that is the open-mindedness that has made me have the White friends I have right now. Maybe fate will smile upon me and you one day to make that happen in a face-to-face meeting, instead of just online. Because when it comes to intellgent friends, the more the merrier.

Thanks for responding, Tré. I also appreciate you...

2009-07-14T11:20:29.808-04:00

Thanks for responding, Tré.

I also appreciate your response... and really would like to make it known that I write not in a confrontational way, but more of a verbal 'thought process'. I mention my education - but it's in chemistry... which makes me about as educated on these subjects as the coffee cup on the desk.

I guess, I was concerned as being typeset as a 'typical white educated male' when I really don't think I am. If I am (and it's not for me to judge), then I am one with a great desire not to be. Which is one of the reasons I come to your blog... to learn.

I mentioned in a comment some time ago that I am not American - I grew up in New Zealand... not renowned for its racial diversity. It does have a social reputation of trying to treat everyone identically. We grow up with the very strong opinion that you are no better than me, and I am no better than you, regardless of weather you are the Prime Minister, a police officer, or a street vendor. I am proud, for example, to list my parents among NZ's least 'book educated' people - they didn't even finish high school, but managed to go on to run businesses. For my view, there is no stigma in having no formal education. There are literally thousands of people with higher education who can't change a tire, or engage in the kind of conversation we are having. Being educated doesn't make you superior in the slightest.

As I said, that was just one comment in that blog posting which really made me think... and as I did, I wrote them down in the comment above. With blogging, I think it's important to give the feedback to the author - almost as appreciation for the thoughts it's given you.

I really value your opinions, Tré, and am glad to be having this discussion. As much as I know it would never happen - I wish I was doing this over a beer with you. ;)

To be honest, while I appreciate you effort, the t...

2009-07-14T10:08:31.619-04:00

To be honest, while I appreciate you effort, the truth is I dn't care much for your statement. The reason being is because I beg to differ with the defintion of the term "educated".

The term "educated" was originated by stereotypcial White people, and used more so to solely be defined book-smarts. It is a term used throughout history to enable the bigotry of those stereotypical Whites to feel superior to those minorities who while not having a higher education, show they have a superior intellect by way of their knowledge of life overall.

I may be such a minority. As you have come to like my blog for my displays of intellect on life matters, I am proud to admit that all I have is a high-school education. With that combination, making me still well-read and well-versed are abilities which I'm sure is why I irk the nerves of many stereotypical Whites.

Knowledge of the world around you is how one is able to hide their racism well. Therefore, one can be either "educated" or "uneducated" as they display the greatest racism in mainstream USA. However, all it takes is a highly passionate moment for that mask to come off, and let the true self be shown. Hence what happened with the person in my conflict. So don't wager your money, because you are sure to lose.

In short, pride yourself on BOTH book-smarts and life-smarts. Keeping that in mind, my statement should not be one that you can't identify with as you stated. The reason being that I have friends who like you are both White and have been through the higher education system, and we have discussed this matter enough that I know for a fact that they understand such a statement from me and agree with me.

Tré, What an interesting blog entry. I think I fo...

2009-07-13T22:13:19.127-04:00

Tré,
What an interesting blog entry. I think I found the following to be the most interesting comment/sentence in the whole thing:
"And the reason why is because as a stereotypical White person, he tries to live his life believing he's superior because he's "educated"."

The reason being, because I am a white guy, who has been through the education system... but who really can't identify with that comment.
The person you describe was living his live thinking he's superior. That may be because he's had a formal education, but as you and I both know, there's more than one way to educate a person. Perhaps that formal education gave him his way of thinking, but I would sincerely like to hope it didn't.

Infact, for my money, I'd actually wager that it's uneducated people who display the greatest racism in the mainstream USA.

But, if I may subtly adjust your comment, and offer a possible way to reconcile your views, with my play on them...
it's the educated RACIST who is better at disguising his racism as tolerance... making it all the more shocking when it eventually reveals itself.

What do you think? Might that be a better description of the situation... or am I on the wrong limb? I really would like to know what you think.