Race Discussions

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:14:57 -0500

How do we have open discussions on race and when are they needed? I guess in our business we don't really see a difference. I know that everyone has their prejudices but I don't believe for a minute that it is all about skin color. Right or wrong, we have to move forward as a country.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 7:18 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:18:06 -0500

Well said.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 10 at 2014 7:34 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:34:43 -0500

The habitual labeling needs to end and the media needs to lead the charge. The first black female, the first gay man, the fist Latina/Latino, the first Asian American - it's all got to go. A white officer shoots a black suspect and the country goes crazy. A black officer shoots a white suspect and its 8th page news - thank the media. Ever take a look at the racial makeup of most professional sports teams - don't see anyone crying discrimination there. Race needs to be discussed equally and applied evenly to all topics, we and the media can't just pick and choose where it applies and what issues will get the most bang for the buck.

IMHO, we're Americans first and foremost.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 12:08 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:08:34 -0500

Sir, there are too many generational prejudices handed down...too many prejudices hand up. Both sides are to blame. The whites are quickly becoming the minority in this country, yet it isn't a race crime to kill or assault a white person. We are all brothers and sisters, I wish our siblings could see it like I do. Up here in the NW, we don't have the race division the rest of the country seems to have....perhaps because we are less diverse, or the area is more progressive (aka liberal). Strictly conservative values can stifle equality...in my opinion. The South is still heavily segregated from what I'm I've seen and hear. The Civil War brought us together As states, but divides us as people. There will be those that continue fighting the war, no matter what we do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 12:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:46:46 -0500

When I was a company commander, I would watch the Soldiers gather into race-based cliques before formation. I hated that. It is true that people can work together without socializing, but SMs work best when we know and care about each other; we are in a people business after all.

People form those cliques because of shared experiences, interests, and hopes. These reasons sound like a good basis for explaining the persistence of racial tension on the national, and probably a global, scale. I think this discussion is about getting past that.

How do we have open discussions about race? I think it's by being open about what we think, hope, and fear. When are they needed? The sooner, the better.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 1:02 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 13:02:39 -0500

It'll all settle when each party stops making their biased statements and odd far fetched comparisons. Every time a conversation like this begins, it always starts with pointing the finger. How about everyone take responsibility for all that's evident and stop playing the victim role. Pointing fingers will get us nowhere. The separation and hate has been fueled by everyone in one way or another, whether by participation or by simply doing nothing. The lack of consideration from everyone is reprehensible.

These issues are far more complex than just the feeble minded ignorance that comes from racism and related issues. It feels like asking the majority to dig deeper is the same as asking a blind man to give you directions.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 10 at 2014 1:39 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 13:39:42 -0500

Race is an issue. It always will be. We have to accept that fact. The problem is the assumption that the root reason of conflict is always someone's race. Maybe it's simply that you're an A-hole that happens to be white, black, green, purple.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 6:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:36:38 -0500

I would just offer that we need to start being Americans with the same ideaology that the country was founded on. Work hard for your dreams and no one owes you anything! I caveat that with most Americans are not represented by a few. Most Americans are working hard and trying to make this a better place. I believe that media could be one of our bigest problems.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 7:26 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 07:26:45 -0400

The first slaves were brought to America in 1619. President Lincoln freed the slave 1JAN1863. However with the implement of Jim Crow/seperate but equal. True legal freedom came 2JUL1964. My point is, it has only been 51 years since we legally put slavery behind us. There are going to be people on both sides slow to change. It is incumbent upon those of us who want to be a civilized society to be the example of those mired in the past. Getting of my soap box now

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made May 17 at 2016 1:55 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Tue, 17 May 2016 13:55:21 -0400

Here's what I do: accept that some folks don't like me. Some of their opinions are, in fact, justified. Some are not. You may even call me any name you can think of. It will tell far more about you than me. I don't care.

Not caring what others think is liberating.

Oh, and I'm gonna catch some heat for this but: can we all accept that most stereotypes have at least an element of truth in them, and move on?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2016 7:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 19:18:47 -0400

It's politically driven.

There is money and power tied to stimulating emotions and actions. I always take a minute and research the incentive for someone leading activism. Sometimes it's as simple as they are young front person with energy who needed a job.

Certain individuals recognizes that their political voting base reacts to certain stimulation and if they can get a picture in the paper for being arrested or "fighting" for that cause they can win an election or obtain power and influence. After being elected for a few years, it's very obvious why leaders do what they do.

It's disappointing to know that often these "leaders" actions and words lead to short term victories, but long term destruction. I say this relating to laws that are generated to "solve" one isolated incident or generic statements classifying segments of the population (rich, white, wall street, illegals, gun owners, etc.) to stimulate negative actions against that group.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2021 2:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 02:37:24 -0400

Racism will not go away because the share holders don’t want to move on. They just want to be right.