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SecretMethod70 · 04-09-2008, 11:07 PM

Back when I was in high school, I used to think that the mere fact some tests asked about my sex and race was a bad idea, and I thought merely acknowledging those things in such a manner reinforced the idea that there were differences between the sexes and races. I believed that one of the first steps toward ending sexism and racism was to stop focusing on and acknowledging these things as identities. Basically, I thought that we needed to start ignoring the fact that some people are black and some are white and some are asian and some are women and some are men, because it was only when we learned to lump everyone together into being "people" that anyone will be truly equal.

Then I grew up.

Aside for being utopian, that viewpoint also ignores the reality that the past informs the future. Which is why, as many have tried to point out in this and other threads, equal and fair are often two different things. Personally, I'm more interested in having a fair country than an equal country.

That's about all I intend on saying right now though. As I said in my one other post in this thread, I think it's a waste of time to participate in these threads. I think pan (and others, but especially pan) is literally incapable of comprehending my, and others, point of view. So, it's not worth the energy to try.

(Incidentally, research is increasingly showing a biological component to political inclinations and worldviews. I'm not interested in fighting with biology over the internet. Not when it's been shown over and over again that the words aren't even being comprehended, let alone doing any convincing.)

One other side note: the "I'm entitled to my opinion defense" is extremely tired. People have opinions about whether or not Britney Spears makes good music. Whether or not black people in America have the same opportunities as white people, and whether or not there are aspects of our society that prevent black people from being as successful as other races in America are not matters of opinion. Nor is the definition of prejudice (as dc_dux so kindly provided).

04-09-2008, 11:07 PM	#278 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Back when I was in high school, I used to think that the mere fact some tests asked about my sex and race was a bad idea, and I thought merely acknowledging those things in such a manner reinforced the idea that there were differences between the sexes and races. I believed that one of the first steps toward ending sexism and racism was to stop focusing on and acknowledging these things as identities. Basically, I thought that we needed to start ignoring the fact that some people are black and some are white and some are asian and some are women and some are men, because it was only when we learned to lump everyone together into being "people" that anyone will be truly equal. Then I grew up. Aside for being utopian, that viewpoint also ignores the reality that the past informs the future. Which is why, as many have tried to point out in this and other threads, equal and fair are often two different things. Personally, I'm more interested in having a fair country than an equal country. That's about all I intend on saying right now though. As I said in my one other post in this thread, I think it's a waste of time to participate in these threads. I think pan (and others, but especially pan) is literally incapable of comprehending my, and others, point of view. So, it's not worth the energy to try. (Incidentally, research is increasingly showing a biological component to political inclinations and worldviews. I'm not interested in fighting with biology over the internet. Not when it's been shown over and over again that the words aren't even being comprehended, let alone doing any convincing.) One other side note: the "I'm entitled to my opinion defense" is extremely tired. People have opinions about whether or not Britney Spears makes good music. Whether or not black people in America have the same opportunities as white people, and whether or not there are aspects of our society that prevent black people from being as successful as other races in America are not matters of opinion. Nor is the definition of prejudice (as dc_dux so kindly provided). __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 04-10-2008 at 07:04 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost