What do you consider the greatest problem in race relations in America?

[Pokinfun]

I don't live in my tribal area, so I don't get cheap car tags. I earned my medical by being in the military for 20 years, my tribe has no oil rights, and I would like to know how I could get free food. The programs you are discussing are agreements from the governemnt, to end the indian wars, they are not some form of welfare.
I do not have a right to the state of Alabama, but it was what we traded away for the programs you are talking about. If the government breaks the treaty, then I should get Alabama back.
Your statement is why Indians have to demand to be treated fairly.
You have the right to inherit, your father's property. The governemnt does not have the right to strip it away from you. The programs you are discussing are what was traded for our rightful inheritance. Therefore, those programs are rights, not an entitlement.

Our government promotes racism. If you're from a certain tribe ,you get oil rights. If your a Native American you get free medical,food,and cheap car tags. If you're white you get to pay for everybody elses free stuff.

 

[TedKennedy]

I'd try to take some emotion out of this. Would you base your choice of which neighborhood based on the predominant race of the inhabitants, or on the crime in the area? Is there a correllation between crime and specific neighborhoods? The Tulsa World publishes a "violent crime map" at the end of each year, highliting each homicide. There are three areas that are always highlighted - east Tulsa near 21st-31st and Garnett, 61st and Peoria, and North Tulsa 36th-56th streets.

So would a person be ill-advised to go see someone from an ad, and carry cash to meet supposed seller in this neighborhood? Why? Because it's racist to think that way, I guess.

BTW - the East Tulsa area is home to many Mexicans, many illegal. They are often targeted by blacks for robbery, as many are afraid to report crime for fear of being deported.

 

[XDsooner]

Our government promotes racism. If you're from a certain tribe ,you get oil rights. If your a Native American you get free medical,food,and cheap car tags. If you're white you get to pay for everybody elses free stuff.

WOW..... well ya know, there was that whole land being taken away thing but im sure you fly your flag high on Columbus Day, all that STUFF you're saying white people are paying for is the least they could do, and this may come as a surprise but everyone pays taxes not just whites. You seem like you're trying to paint a picture that every Native is burning $100 bills for fun.

 

[nofearfactor]

I'd try to take some emotion out of this. Would you base your choice of which neighborhood based on the predominant race of the inhabitants, or on the crime in the area? Is there a correllation between crime and specific neighborhoods?
So would a person be ill-advised to go see someone from an ad, and carry cash to meet supposed seller in this neighborhood? Why? Because it's racist to think that way, I guess.

This is any large city. Some areas just have more crime than others, no matter the race, but race gets the blame. All the criminals Ive known in my life I would have to say that not one particular race has been the most corrupt and fcked up.

When I left the San Diego area after highschool to go to San Francisco to art school I couldnt afford to live near the area where the art institute I went to was located so I roomed with 2 other guys in a place way out in Oakland. It was in a really rough area, almost like a combat zone. Funny that the area has since been rehabilitated and today is a hip 'new' area of Oakland with super high rents and real estate. It was so bad though when I lived there that I didnt have a CC at the time but I carried anyways, i l l e g a l. It was for survival. I drove a big azz lifted Blazer and didnt even bother putting a stereo in it, my key was a screwdriver. Behind the apartment door we kept a bat and a 12gg. 2 years later I was living in a high rent area of San Francisco with a girlfriend in a nice clean apartment owned by her rich mother with a nice view of the bay. We took nice evening walks along the beach to get ice cream. It was surreal the differences in the areas, like night and day.

 

[TedKennedy]

WOW..... well ya know, there was that whole land being taken away thing but im sure you fly your flag high on Columbus Day, all that STUFF you're saying white people are paying for is the least they could do, and this may come as a surprise but everyone pays taxes not just whites. You seem like you're trying to paint a picture that every Native is burning $100 bills for fun.

I suppose it's the least I can do, since I stole so much land. I also owned slaves, and have always relied on other people to do my work and provide for my needs.

 

[Cedar Creek]

Wow! I understand more about race relations now than I really want to. I want to think we are all ethnocentric by nature and tend to associate with those we perceive as being more like us. However - the issue is more complex than a guy like me can figure out.



Cedar Creek

 

[Buzzgun]

Nobody has a right to complain about not being treated equally if they support or condone policies that provide advantages based on race.

Nobody has a right to complain about not being treated equally if they support or condone the existence of race based organizations.

Nobody has a right to complain about not being treated equally if they treat people differently based on race.

 

[KOPBET]

The term "African-American". They're no more African than I am.

 

[carlstretch]

As long as there are humans on this Earth,.. there will always be racism, biggotry and prejudice.

I am white and understand that I have benefitted from being born a white male in America. It's the "Royal Trifecta" of birth. If I was born in any other country,.. I would not have had the opportunities available to me that I do. If I was not born white,.. I would not have had the opportunities I have had. If I was born female,... well you get the point. You can cry reverse discrimination if you want but nobody can ever convince me that being an American white male is not the luckiest combination you can dream up.

I have never owned slaves,... I never stole any land,.. But I feel pretty damn lucky for being what I am. It's ok to have a little sympathy for other people,.. even if you have never had any personal influence on them. My dad preached to me all the time on how blessed I was for being born a white male American.

Of course there is always people like Jesse Jackson who goes to the extreme and who I feel is a horrible representative of black people,.. .so I get that.

Here's a good test,... If you could have picked your gender,.. race and country of birth,... What would you pick?? I don't know of ANY white male Americans that would choose something different than what they are. Now go ask some black people,..

I love being a white male American but I understand how lucky I am,... well,.... except for the fact that we're horrible dancers. You can't have it all.

 

[SoonerP226]

Keelty, your comments echo my thought as well. I didnt know how to word it without fear of being banned. Some other races act like we owe them something.

I don't know any "races" that think we owe them something, but there sure are a lot of people who think it. That sense of entitlement crosses all racial (and, often, political) lines.