Does anyone believe that there is a real problem with OPEN racism in the United States?

SSG Ike Phelan — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 11:22:12 -0400

Response by TSgt David Holman made Mar 14 at 2015 11:24 AM

TSgt David Holman — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 11:24:34 -0400

Yes. Unfortunately racism is still a fact of life in many areas. I think people are more "introverted" with their racism than in the past, but it still shows. Unfortunately, until we as a nation do away with labels of race, and just call ourselves Americans, then we will probably continue to see it. (Honestly, even that would only do a small amount).

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 14 at 2015 11:59 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 11:59:54 -0400

SSG Ike Phelan, yes. It's called affirmative action.

Here's a related example: http://downtrend.com/vsaxena/bonus-sat-points-for-being-black

Unbelievable: Students Are Getting Bonus SAT Points For Being Black Or Hispanic

Reporting by the LA Times reveals thatblacks and Hispanics receive bonus points on their SATs, while Asians instead get penalized points: [The] next slide shows three columns of numbers from a Pri...

Response by SGT Dolores Rosas made Mar 14 at 2015 12:31 PM

SGT Dolores Rosas — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:31:32 -0400

Yes, it is very unfortunate that it still exists. I grew up in North Georgia and when my family arrived there we were the only non-white family in that area. It was rough growing up there. My family was constantly harassed and attacked. My family and friends were constantly chased by a group of young men and adults trying to attack us. Even today it is still exists although it's not as open like it was in the past. They are more subtle in doing their racist acts. We as a nation are divided and as long as we continue to be divided we will continue to experience these events.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 12:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:32:12 -0400

Firtst let me start by saying that my opinion in no way means to try to downplay or call BS on what anyone else has experienced. I have never been on the receiving end of racisim and prior to joining the military was from a very rural part of the country so I dont have any experiance with the parts of the country that have lote of racism.

My opinion is that "OPEN" racism as you call it may not be an issue. I have certainly not seen it. I do beleive that a lot of under the table, behind your back racism happens. I am sure a lot of hiring issues, firing issues, legal issues rise from peoples racism. I also believe that there is a lot of perceived racism. I have first hand seen a lot of people who will try to call racism on anything they have done. Before the military I worked at a Pizza Hut. Two cooks were caught standing in the freezer smoking pot. One white, one black. Both were fired on the spot. One tried to sue claiming he got fired because the manager was racist. I also believe there is a quite a bit of reverse racism going on as well. In a very noble attempt to right wrongs it is getting spun the oppisite way.

Do i believe that race is a huge issue we are currently dealing with in this country? Of course I would be a fool not to. Do I think that people are openly walking around being racist? Not so much. Race may have had an issue with some of the recent police cases but i doubt anyone of them just picked a random minority and said "I am gonna kill that N****." It is an issue but it is not OPEN the way you aask.

Just what i see from my foxhole.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 14 at 2015 1:37 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 13:37:58 -0400

Being a retired sheriffs deputy, I can sleek from the stand point of police work. Unfortunately in law enforcement there are some officers that are blatant racists, I'm not just talking about whites, but Hispanic racists, black racists and racists of any kind and type you can imagine. Although most law enforcement officers do there jobs by the letter of the law with no discrimination, there are some that are blatant racist. I have seen this both as a deputy sheriff and been the victim of it after being in an off duty altercation where the suspects and the responding deputies were all Hispanic. I was treated with extreme bias or racism because I was white. The suspects were thug civilians and the deputies could care less that I was a Sgt deputy sheriff from the next county. It was a slam dunk case of assault against me and my wife and only my friends mr smith and Wesson ended the assault. No charges were ever filed, and I was basically blown off by the Hispanic deputies. So to answer your question Budddy, Hell Yes racism is very rampant in the United States, and the more refugees or illegals that come to this country the worse it will get. Anyone that tells you different is very naive or just plane out of touch with reality...

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Mar 14 at 2015 3:02 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 15:02:20 -0400

Psh...yeah, there is.

Racial stereotypes abound in the entertainment media, in the sports arenas, and in the schoolyards. I grew up hearing racial epithets of all kinds, mainly about non-Anglo ethnic groups, and people expected me to agree simply because I'm white...

It is alive and well in the "real world."

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 3:13 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 15:13:31 -0400

If something happens whether related to race or not, if there is a perception of racism then there is definitely at a minimum some underlying issues within that community. Though to be honest I have been on the receiving end myself as a Caucasian growing up in a City with a large Native American population. So the racism is not one sided by any stretch of the imagination.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Mar 15 at 2015 10:21 PM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 22:21:42 -0400

Yes.
I say 20% white on black.
50% black on white.
20% against Mexicans
5% against Asians
50% against all others.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Mar 15 at 2015 10:25 PM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 22:25:30 -0400

Racism and discrimination is a learns trait.
Ether from upbringing or from what we learn in life from personal experience.

I see a bigger problem with reverse racism and that being the cause of racism.
If we stopped that the rates would drop quickly.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 10:54 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 22:54:28 -0400

Yes?
I remember going on funeral details into northern south Carolina and seeing dumpsters that said "deposit niggers,kikes,and spics here". My team had two out of three. There were gas stations that did the absolute minimum to get you fueled and out of their town, don't bother asking for directions. I've been pulled over by the border patrol and pulled out of my vehicle for twenty minutes while they checked my citizenship( my military id, Florida dl, social security card, wasn't good enough) and questioned my Caucasian wife about whether she was with me consensually. I've mentioned in another thread about an NCO I felt was racist, if I had known better at the time I would have filed a complaint against her, in the civilian world I would have sued. That's how certain I am.
Is it better? Yes. Is it fixed? I think recent events show otherwise.
Reverse racism is becoming a problem too. One that doesn't help. I'm sure someone will bring it up as I type this. It can't be discounted. Is it as institutional or ingrained? No. But it could be. I'll let someone else talk about it, I can only relate my experience.
Now politics, I'm rather new at commenting here, I've tried my best to stick to single issue topics and leave my politics at the door. If I hit the right I try to hit left. Here come the hits.
In my humble opinion...
The far "check your privilege" left needs to stop dropping whole decks of "ism" cards on every problem. It shuts down discussion and progress and breeds resentment, not just in the far right, but in moderates and more than a few sane lefties. Not every incident in America is another example of an "ism" and you shouldn't make up a new "ism" just because you couldn't find one that fit. No rightist president has succeeded in turning the world to ash, but a few leftists seem to have been involved with some world wars.

The far right needs to come to terms with certain xenophobic tendencies within its ranks. Muslim immigrants aren't here to impose sharia law on you, but if two Muslims want to create a contract using sharia law and an imam to arbitrate any possible breaches, it isn't any more a hostile takeover of this country than me insisting on a clause in my employment contract requiring my payment to be delivered in the form of twinkies and ho-hos instead of direct deposit and any breaches to be arbitrated by a retired two star. People asking for the same rights don't actually take those rights away from you. Same sex marriage doesn't eliminate traditional marriage. Migration has not historically changed the character of this country. No leftist president has switched us to communism and probably never will.

That's my two cents, in the old copper pennies, it's worth more.
I can only hope the votes cancel out.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 9:49 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 09:49:39 -0400

I'm from the South, I wish I could say I have no idea what you are talking about but I have found that most (of the older folks) it is not racism per say but the culture they were raised in. I definitely have a problem with it and any form of hate discrimination in our country. I have found this is still a hot topic and more so depending on where you are located at. I could tell you horror stories about the kind of racism that still exists and what I grew up around (as a community, my family personally was not as bad) but I would rather not fan the flames.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:00 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:00:08 -0400

I think that there is now. The media and members of the chain of command have divided us as a country. It wasn't something that no one just talked about. Ever since Trayvon Martin, things have been going down hill. There are just some things the POTUS MUST NOT take a SIDE on.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:13 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:13:27 -0400

As far as this country has come there is still a long ways to go...it is still very real and prevalent in the US.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Mar 16 at 2015 4:18 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:18:35 -0400

Absolutely. I spent 5 years living right across the border in Canada and would cross with friends on a regular basis. In one notable instance, about 13 of us trooped into the CBP station to present passports. 12 of us got cursory glances and a group "Where are you heading?" (This is the normal engagement for known locals at a busy Canadian border). The one black guy had his passport scrutinized while they gave him the third degree. Seriously? I got less trouble despite several border patrolmen clearly (and vocally) disapproving of my choice to live in Canada.

I wish I could say that was a one-off event.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 5:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:31:20 -0400

I believe that there is and has always been some issues with racism within the United States. When looking at racism, it is a problem worldwide and it is not going to be fixed anytime soon. All I know is that I am not a racist person nor my wife and children. I preach to my soldiers to be open to diversity in the workplace and their lives. If I influence my children and my soldiers to treat people as they would like to be treated, then I may have made a difference. I always remember what my dad has said in the past, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't always make him drink". People are individuals and some cannot be influenced, no matter how hard you try. I have found people like that, you just have to limit the attention given to them, most are craving that attention.

Response by MSgt Allan Vrboncic made Mar 17 at 2015 8:44 AM

MSgt Allan Vrboncic — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:44:19 -0400

I remember having racism against me because I was white. When Roots came out in my Jr High year I had to duck and hide for a long time to keep from being beat up. I was taking the blame for the Slave Trade era. Sad, but true. Life sucked for a few months.

Response by MSgt Allan Vrboncic made Mar 17 at 2015 9:06 AM

MSgt Allan Vrboncic — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:06:00 -0400

Question? I hear Black men on TV all the time saying that you cannot be a Racist if you are Black. They are basically saying that the word "Racist" is defined as being Racist against Blacks only. Any thoughts on this?

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Mar 17 at 2015 9:15 AM

MSgt Jamie Lyons — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:15:07 -0400

Of course it exists and its a shame. I don't pretend to have a solution but I believe there are a few possible solutions. First I would get rid of any laws/programs based on race as a deciding factor, i.e. Affirmative Action. Most qualified individuals get accepted/job etc.

Secondly, people of all races need to speak up when they notice their race perpetuate stereotypes. 'Silence is consent' and only feeds the fire.

Thirdly, identify and prosecute all instances of violent racism with harsh penalties. Equality in justice for same crimes regardless of color.

Lastly and on a personal level, get rid of 'everyone gets a trophy' mentality. If you want something bad enough you either gain knowledge or get better physically to achieve that reward. Work hard for what you deserve.

Of course racism exists and it is a shame. I for one don't tolerate it. I don't visit know racist establishments, I am not friends with racist people, and I certainly will not judge people based on the color of their skin. Remember, 'SILENCE IS CONSENT.'

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Mar 17 at 2015 9:15 AM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:15:51 -0400

I think having elected the first African American president brought all this bubbling to the surface, not that it wasn't an issue before. But I think people believe because we have a black president that racism doesn't exist. And you heard the saying that the greatest power evil has is convincing the world it doesn't exist. it's alive and well but no one has to believe it because we have cultural examples that negate it. For example how can we have elected a black president of America is racist? this is an example that has fueled issue after issue. It's like president Obama has become the token black friend to all white people. It doesn't matter what color the president is or how successful JZ has become. We have a race problem. Hell...we have a socioeconomic problem and disenfranchised poor. You can be blue with orange stripes but if you have $$$ you'll fit right in. but it doesn't explain white people dressing in black face having "hip hop" parties on college campuses. See the movie "Dear White People". I've seen it with my own ears, so to speak. And it persists because good people do nothing. the fear of confrontation has every one scared speachless. Unless we start having some real talk this is going lead us down a narrow path.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 10:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:19:07 -0400

I would say yes there is racism in the U.S.

Sad but very true... Unfortunate, there are those who use the narrative to advance their agenda. I grew up being taught we are all the same in Gods eyes.

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Mar 18 at 2015 2:55 PM

CW2 John Brookins — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 14:55:03 -0400

As long as we continue to have organizations and people with a vested interest (money) in propagating racism there will continue to be racism. It’s a great form of control. Any group can be targeted when necessary. All groups will feel threatened, separate or weak.

When deals are handed out to any particular group it’s not because they are loved so much or deserve something more than others, it’s because those that had out the deals want something in return.

Nothing is free nor should it be. Always watch for those handing out free candy, it’s always tainted.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Mar 19 at 2015 6:36 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 18:36:46 -0400

Of Course there is and there will always be a problem with racism no matter what we do. It does not make any difference what color, race, nationality or religion you are or where you came from. Whether you are male or female, or in between, we will always have a problem with racism because we are all human beings and it starts right at home, the way we all grew up. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and I've experienced racism because I was a white Franco-American and the Irish population in our Town called us "stupid Frenchmen." The Jewish population in our town caught most of the flack and if you were colored, then they didn't stand a chance at all. Hell, when I enlisted into the Marine Corps in 1968, and went to Boot Camp at Parris Island, racism was all over the place. Between other boots and the DIs were always using racist slurs for all of us. It seemed to never stop. Once out of Boot Camp, it even got worse depending where we were. While in Vietnam, as long as we were in the field, racism between the whites and colored seemed to stop but once we were in the rear, it started up all over again. Hell, at one time in Nam it got so bad that while our Company was on a three day in Country R&R at China Beach, they took all of our weapons because of the racism problem. After I was Discharged and became a State Trooper, racism continued especially because we had an all white State Police Force. I had two Military Bases in my patrol and I can not begin to tell you how many times I had that "racism card" pulled on me because I stopped a Hispanic or Colored violator. I really got a taste of racism while I was at the FBI National Academy in Quantico. I was always called a Yankee and the Southerners seem to hate us because we were from the North. Remember, these were all Cops, Police Managers, and it didn't make any difference. Racism was alive and well and it did not make any difference who you were. Like I said at the beginning, all of this racism bull shit started while we were young, in our homes. It was what we heard and learned as we grew up. We are all a product of our own environment. And today, our morals and values have changed drastically and it seems that people do not know how to respect and appreciate one another and until we do, this problem will escalate. So don't kid yourself, racism in the United States is alive and will continue until we, the American people, start treating each other with respect and dignity. Just my 2 cents! SF!

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Mar 25 at 2015 2:27 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:27:15 -0400

Yes there is still a problem with open racism. I do not want to sound like a foolish person but its goes to all races having issues with each other. Some people are brought up to think less of someone who is not their race, as a child you don't know, your only learning from your parents and other older relatives.
Some people, Skinheads for example, just try to show contempt for other races and in the case of Skinheads they even think less of white people who don't think like them.
People can grow and change their attitudes.
I grew up outside of Detroit but I spent summers in downtown Detroit as a kid with my grandparents who owned a corner market in a neighborhood. My parents never told me that black people were lazy or criminals, the only thing my parents stressed to me is that everyone is equal and you respect that person until they do something that make you lose your respect for them.
Its not easy but if people can just sit back and accept the differences we can move forward.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 10:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 22:47:09 -0400

That depends on the personal experience to be honest. Places I was stationed at, racism wasn't much of the problem, but then against racism goes hand in hand of how fairly you are being treated by both command and civilians. Ft. Sam Huston and Baumholder, Germany wasn't very racist places to be stationed at. In my troop, there was one black guy (he had really hot white German girlfriend and hung out with everyone just like any person, since our group was pretty tight) in it and he was treated just like any white guy on the team. Our Troop leader was black (leading 25 people of HHC 1-35AR Recon Element where all except for one of his subordinates where white, one half Asian, one Russian, 2 Mexicans), and everyone followed not because of his race, but because he was excellent leader.

So I guess maybe at the other places (like I hear on the media, in Alaska) there is racism going on in the open, but I every person of any race in the units I've been too, working with someone of the different race was the least of the worries when you had to get your shit done. Bullets and problems do not discriminate black, white, red, or Asian.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 28 at 2015 11:27 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 23:27:33 -0400

I grew up in a small town in Arkansas. Even though I am 1/4 Chinese, it is obvious I am not all white which as been a problem every now and then growing up. I used to get into lots of fights with white and black kids growing up. Honestly, I am not proud of it but I beat their asses up and down the street. I am stationed at Fort Bliss, TX. Much of the population is Hispanic. I get asked all the time by the locals if I am Mexican which is funny I suppose.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 29 at 2015 2:18 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 02:18:18 -0400

Just look around you, there is virtually racist every where in one for or another. I do my very best to teach my little girl to look at everyone the same. I just can not and will not accept it when someone says I owe them something because of where they came from, color of skin or anything else. The world is what WE make it and only we can change it. I don't think any one of us doesn't feel discriminated against in some way or another.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 12:16 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:16:14 -0400

Racism is an outlook and can be changed through teaching our children acceptance and not seeing the color of a man or woman but just seeing the man and woman.

Response by PO3 Joseph Wieck made Jun 11 at 2015 12:44 PM

PO3 Joseph Wieck — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:44:12 -0400

Yes there is a real problem with racism. It is bigger than many would like to believe and unfortunately it is now become socially accepted that racism is a 1 direction street. This is allowing racism to flow one way and stirring up more issues going back. Racism is racism no matter the race of the person who is against someone simply because of their race. I have seen whites racist against all other races, as well as blacks, hispanics and asians racist against all other races, I have seen blacks racist against all other blacks, and whites racist against certain groups of whites. These are the categories that I personally have witnessed and experienced. Every concealable scenario exists. Until we as a nation collectively can admit the truth, the issue will grow.

I have been in an interracial marriage for 20 years come August and I have seen my share of racism toward the both of us. Speaking honestly, I have seen more from the black community than the white. I personally do not fault most as they are taught that it is not racist and it is acceptable for them to act that way because they are protecting their heritage. That does not change the fact that racism exists.

I do want to say open racism to a white guy such as myself has a much different affect than open racism to someone whose parents/grandparents experienced extreme racism openly where they lived in fear for their lives. I have been in fear, but I have never had to experience living in fear day in and day out. The effect of that level of racism has a profound effect, and that trust has to be earned back. As a country we have done a disservice to the black community in how we tried to do that.

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Jun 24 at 2015 1:43 PM

LTC Ed Ross — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:43:02 -0400

Racism exists in America, and it always will. Distrust of people who are different than we are is embedded in our DNA from prehistoric times. Racism is something education and the virtues of tolerance, understanding and compassion overcome. As Americans we have made enormous progress in overcoming the history of racism in the United States. Suddenly, perhaps not so suddenly, according to the Left, white and institutional racism are the nation’s greatest problems. Unlike the congregation of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church who have shown uncommon grace in their reaction to the shooting in Charleston, the Left is true to its nature—let no crisis go to waste.

Those of us serving or who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces have our own experiences with race. Here’s mine. http://ewross.com/Five_Days_in_April_1968.htm Do we want to continue to make progress on race in America or do want to further divide and aggravate the races?

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Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 24 at 2015 3:42 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:42:33 -0400

Yes racism is rampant in this country, I had thought that we were beyond it or at least moving in that direction.

The election of President Obama seems to have brought that racism out into the open once again, the number of hate crimes has grown in number according to the SPLC and the Klan and other hate groups membership has increased.

The changing demographics of this country are causing fear and reaction. Certain elements fear that they are losing "their country".

We need to respect each other's differences. This country's motto is "E pluribus Unum" which means "out of many, one". This country thrived because of its differences, not its similarities.

The race hatred and bigotry can only lead to more discord which is tearing this country apart. Take the hatred out of your heart.

We can only hope that the younger generation and its acceptance of difference will turn this trend around.

Stay on the tank!