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

[SoonerP226]

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.

Yeah, how dare the Federal Gov't and private businesses actually abide by the treaties and contracts they (respectively) signed? I mean, really, who pays attention to little things like the Constitution and property rights, anyway?

 

[JB Books]

Native American tribes were screwed over by our government. There is no question about that fact. They would still be getting the shaft if it were not for the economic and thus, political, power they now wield with Casino money. I am happy for all the tribes that are doing well. I can remember, as a kid, visiting reservations and seeing the absolute and abject poverty of the residents. Life on many reservations is still extremely difficult due to high incidences of drug and alcohol abuse. The US Government should be ashamed of its historical treatment of Native Americans.

 

[cjjtulsa]

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

True statement, and all of the feel-good, PC nonsense that the do-gooders can dream up isn't ever going to change that fact - regardless of which race is exhibiting those three things.

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.

True again - so long as it is that combination: white, American, male (and these days I'm not even so sure about the "male" part). White in other places on the globe will get you persecuted and/or killed. Also - and I know this won't be popular in our P.C. climate - those opportunities exist because some white, European males got tired of the way things were done in Europe, and settled here to create their own. The United States was initially created for European defectors who wanted to shake off the shackles of taxes and religion of England; the system they set up we all benefit from today. I really don't think the Founding Fathers had the idea that their new "experiment" was supposed result in the exile point of "tired, poor, and huddled masses", especially from third world countries. But through those already here when they got here, the implementation and emancipation of slavery, and the influx and exploitation of every other group of immigrants on the planet for cheap labor, the U.S. has become what it is. Different groups can live with each other just fine - they just need to be able to do it on their own terms. The forcing of race relations through various government programs, laws, and edicts - I think - is where a lot of the problems originate. "Birds of a feather" isn't a bad thing; if it makes people happy and content, leave them the hell alone and let them "flock together".

 

[Arin Morris]

I haven't read much of this thread as it is growing quickly, but I feel that a lot of racist sentiment can be summed up in one word.

Entitlement.

To expand on my opinion, I do not think anybody can say it better than Theodore Roosevelt.

We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people.

 

[Go_Ordnance]

To paraphrase Mark Twain - "All I need to know is that a man is of the human race. He can't get any worse."

 

[daniel1daniel2]

Entitlement.

I think this goes across the board not just with a couple races though. I went to school in a poor Indian/white town with about 50% of the population on welfare of some sort and that was of both whites and Indians.

Im sure we have all heard the saying "you are what you eat" I think that the news stations are more of a problem than most things they are the ones that "push" some stories more than others. For a example (nothing against blacks but this is the first one that came to my mind) they were covering how a black male was shot and killed the other day and had his mother on there saying how he was a good little kid and would never do anything like that, but they forgot to make note of that he was wanted for helping with a murder, 2 rape charges and armed burglary. Just kinda convenient if you ask me that they forgot that.

 

[surjimmy]

I think as a white race, we are still trying to make up for what was done in the past. We are so worried that someone will call raciest, that we don't stand up for our rights. This nonsense about African American, Asian American, IMO is bull crap. People can tell from looking at you what your origin lies. If you were born here or have become a citizen then you are a an American, period. I mean should I go around and say I'm a Euro-American.

 

[JB Books]

Well, we have had our discussion. I want to thank all of you who participated. Whether or not we have agreed with each other, we (as OSA staff) appreciate you guys handling yourselves in a mature, respectful manner.

These issues need to be discussed and will be discussed here. Initially, we will do so in this format, with pretty strict rules, in order to ensure the conversation stays "real."

We are all Americans, no matter our color, creed, or ethnic background. I'd like to believe that you folks (OSA members) are a "cut above" the average citizen when it comes to loving and protecting our great country. We think about and discuss issues and maybe some of the frustration that sometimes manifests itself is because we do love our country so very much, and we are frightened, frustrated, saddened and angered by what we perceive to be the loss of our national identity. On a personal note, I'd like to see a day when some of these issues of race and religion are no longer as important and divisive as they are today. The Pollyanna in me longs for it, the pragmatist in me knows it probably will never happen.

The best we can do is the best we can do. Our beloved homeland deserves no less from us.

Thank you all again. It is my privilege to be here with you.