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No. It is far LESS racist. Only some splinter groups are as racist or more racist, but racism gets the exposure. We get the IMPRESSION all cops are killers and all whites are racist because the media slants it that way.
Does racism still exist? Absolutely. But it is better than it was.
Does racism still exist? Absolutely. But it is better than it was.
Mamapolo2016 · F
@Mamapolo2016 Thanks for best answer but I betcha better ones are coming. And of course, instead of mourning America's faults, we can examine our own thoughts and behavior, and before we know it, it will be better still.
SW-User
@Mamapolo2016 👏
Dlrannie · 31-35, F
I don't know but since Trump became President he has done nothing to improve racial harmony
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TexChik · F
@Xuan12 ahh , obama inserted himself into the Trayvon Martin case and made supportive statements about a known common street thug . Presidents are not supposed to publicize opinions in active investigations , or send the DOJ and Eric Holder into facilitate the prosecution of a state murder trial... yet he did
He allowed Eric Holder to go in and take over police departments like the one in Ferguson Missouri and lord over the officers with threats of charges of discrimination and excessive use of force because the perps were always African American .
Obama and holder implemented the promise program . They couldn’t stop the crime rate of young black men but they could keep them from being arrested ... by paying local police departments that cooperated . That way they could claim they were responsible for keeping blacks out of jail. They had to ultimately include All races to avoid appearing racist .., but they did take credit for falsely lowering the Black crime rate .
Then in Baltimore... with the full attention of the obama DOJ , a black criminal just out of the hospital was arrested for selling drugs . He was injured and died during his arrest ... and they tried to publicslly prosecute the cops and the black mayor allowed the rioters ( many were at Ferguson) to have a path of destruction ... but when it all went south and an honest judge through out the case ... obama disappeared .
Then the war on cops , which the obama administration fanned into a flame , was anothe Black versus white dispute. Racism and racial violence spiked during the obama years . The left still try’s to push the white privilege narrative .., but at illegals and Hispanics now more than blacks . Those are the facts . They happened, they were reported on... so the denials start in 3-2-1...🙄
He allowed Eric Holder to go in and take over police departments like the one in Ferguson Missouri and lord over the officers with threats of charges of discrimination and excessive use of force because the perps were always African American .
Obama and holder implemented the promise program . They couldn’t stop the crime rate of young black men but they could keep them from being arrested ... by paying local police departments that cooperated . That way they could claim they were responsible for keeping blacks out of jail. They had to ultimately include All races to avoid appearing racist .., but they did take credit for falsely lowering the Black crime rate .
Then in Baltimore... with the full attention of the obama DOJ , a black criminal just out of the hospital was arrested for selling drugs . He was injured and died during his arrest ... and they tried to publicslly prosecute the cops and the black mayor allowed the rioters ( many were at Ferguson) to have a path of destruction ... but when it all went south and an honest judge through out the case ... obama disappeared .
Then the war on cops , which the obama administration fanned into a flame , was anothe Black versus white dispute. Racism and racial violence spiked during the obama years . The left still try’s to push the white privilege narrative .., but at illegals and Hispanics now more than blacks . Those are the facts . They happened, they were reported on... so the denials start in 3-2-1...🙄
Xuan12 · 31-35, M
Presidents are not supposed to publicize opinions in active investigations
INTERESTING! HMMMM....I don't really need to say it, right?
Two things worth noting. A federal investigation into the Trayvon Martin case is not contraindicated by the Constitution. But whether or not that type of case (civil rights) should be pursued in this way is a different matter. In any case, Zimmerman acted foolishly. Calling 911 because he saw a black teenager, then following that teenager as he's trying to move away from Zimmerman, then ultimately getting involved in a situation where he killed him. I can see why people were highly suspicious of Zimmerman's motives. But in the end, no federal charges were filed.
And when the investigation into the events in Michael Brown were being conducted, the Justice department sided with the Officer. The following March, when 2 officers were ambushed by a shooter, Holder and Obama both came to the officers' side, and Jeffrey L. Williams, a young black male, was arrested and charged and convicted of that crime.
As far as the promise program goes, I don't even know what that is. But looking it up, it turns out it's a crime prevention program that was initially aimed at minorities. That is a little racist, but against the minorities. I don't think that's quite what you're accusing Obama of. But the program was opened up to all races, and unfortunately in order to meet the programs standards, people were incentivized to simply not report. Clearly not the intention of the program, but the result. Similar to No Child Left Behind, the intention didn't match the result.
As for the Freddie Gray case, I think that's what you're referring too, I can't quite pin down what your complaint is. Are you complaining that charges weren't brought against the police? Because they weren't. Not by the federal government anyway. The State brought some charges, but none of the officers were convicted, though some did face disciplinary action.
Then there's this war on cops you speak of. But in these examples given, the DOJ either sides with, or never charges the police. So I'm not sure what you're standing on here.
I also happen to remember the Henry Louis Gates controversy, in which a black professor was accusing a white cop of racial discrimination. They had lunch with Obama to talk it out, and afterward both men said they had a good opinion of one another.
I'm not trying to make Obama out to be a saint here, but my point is that these feelings of him being the source of recent racism just seem misplaced. Likewise, I don't think Trump is the source of it, nor that he's exceedingly racist...maybe a little bit in a casual way, but he doesn't strike me as a deep, engrained racist. I think the biggest problem that he has is in that respect is that racist groups, white supremacists in particular, are very vocally supportive of him, they seem to view him as some kind of return to whiteness.
In any case, I don't think these recent events are either of these men's fault, not in a direct sense anyway. The more important aspect of this is how they handle it.
bijouxbroussard · F
@Xuan12 And people have used the Henry Gates incident (where wasn’t he accused of breaking into his own home ?) to accuse Obama of “reverse racism” because he was willing to listen to Gates.
GetYourLife · F
Hmm...maybe not as much. But then again, a lot of people are in denial.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
There is more racism by minorities than towards minorities.
bijouxbroussard · F
Before and during the Civil Rights movement, the U.S. had a system comparable to apartheid. It was all legal. There were laws that excluded blacks from schools, jobs, housing, hospitals, restaurants, clubs and other organizations that whites patronized. They were prevented from voting. And a majority of white U.S. citizens saw nothing wrong with that. In some parts of the country black people were lynched; raped, tortured, even burned alive and the media reported it as a normal occurrence. So anyone who thinks there have been no improvements or that things are worse now has no idea how bad things actually were. That said, there has been a backlash because many do forget, so we have to remain vigilant and people need to be educated so as not to lose the gains there have been made.
Mamapolo2016 · F
Okay. But hate crimes have also increased in places where Trump is not President, against Jews in Europe, an an example. I know cause and effect is hard to prove in such matters - but then again, cause and effect is hard to prove in such matters.
I've already said I'm not fond of Trump as a person.
I agree Trump seriously fumbled the ball on the white supremacists.
Your statement 'he knows that's (white supremacists) where his support largely comes from' leaves me wanting facts, not allegations. Disregarding what he knows or doesn't, what foundation in fact does that statement have? I know lots of people who, while they didn't much like Trump, supported him because his opponent was unacceptable. and I don't hang with white supremacists. I don't hang with people who don't want their daughter to date 'out of race'.
I don't think Trump is a sterling character. You don't get that rich being a sterling character. i've read enough about past Presidents to know that sometimes, as wrong as their personal thinking may be, they do the right things. Will we say that of Trump? I don't know yet.
I want to know what you hang your arguments on, because if you're right factually, I'm on your team.
I am not a Trump apologist although I do believe a great many of his actions so far will go some distance toward bringing our country back to a somewhat even keel. Reversing government regulation, for example.
@bijouxbroussard
I've already said I'm not fond of Trump as a person.
I agree Trump seriously fumbled the ball on the white supremacists.
Your statement 'he knows that's (white supremacists) where his support largely comes from' leaves me wanting facts, not allegations. Disregarding what he knows or doesn't, what foundation in fact does that statement have? I know lots of people who, while they didn't much like Trump, supported him because his opponent was unacceptable. and I don't hang with white supremacists. I don't hang with people who don't want their daughter to date 'out of race'.
I don't think Trump is a sterling character. You don't get that rich being a sterling character. i've read enough about past Presidents to know that sometimes, as wrong as their personal thinking may be, they do the right things. Will we say that of Trump? I don't know yet.
I want to know what you hang your arguments on, because if you're right factually, I'm on your team.
I am not a Trump apologist although I do believe a great many of his actions so far will go some distance toward bringing our country back to a somewhat even keel. Reversing government regulation, for example.
@bijouxbroussard
bijouxbroussard · F
@Mamapolo2016
I'm sorry, you've either been paying attention or you haven't.
Then, unfortunately you are. And I'm wasting my time.
Your statement 'he knows that's (white supremacists) where his support largely comes from' leaves me wanting facts, not allegations. Disregarding what he knows or doesn't, what foundation in fact does that statement have?
I'm sorry, you've either been paying attention or you haven't.
I am not a Trump apologist although I do believe a great many of his actions so far will go some distance toward bringing our country back to a somewhat even keel.
Then, unfortunately you are. And I'm wasting my time.
Mamapolo2016 · F
@bijouxbroussard I guess we both are. Thanks for your time.
Mamapolo2016 · F
I probably should post this under 'I've got something to say' but...
President Obama did not cause more racism or end racism. President Trump did not cause or increase racism. It's not THEM. It's US. It's me and it's you.
We don't all play golf because our Presidents do. We don't all own Portuguese water dogs or run Miss America contests. Presidents can't create a racist where there is none.
It's not somebody else's fault, friends. It's MY fault and YOUR fault.
Presidents can't save us from ourselves. The fact that some could not accept President Obama (and it was NOT primarily because he was black - it was because he was liberal) and many can't accept President Trump who DID accept President Clinton who committed the same sins or worse because he is conservative shows me we have lost the power to reason, as well as the ability to respect anything.
The same balance scales should be used to judge everyone.
President Obama did not cause more racism or end racism. President Trump did not cause or increase racism. It's not THEM. It's US. It's me and it's you.
We don't all play golf because our Presidents do. We don't all own Portuguese water dogs or run Miss America contests. Presidents can't create a racist where there is none.
It's not somebody else's fault, friends. It's MY fault and YOUR fault.
Presidents can't save us from ourselves. The fact that some could not accept President Obama (and it was NOT primarily because he was black - it was because he was liberal) and many can't accept President Trump who DID accept President Clinton who committed the same sins or worse because he is conservative shows me we have lost the power to reason, as well as the ability to respect anything.
The same balance scales should be used to judge everyone.
Mamapolo2016 · F
@bijouxbroussard Tell me how that's true. That's not a shutdown, it's a sincere question. If you don't want to hijack the post, PM me.
bijouxbroussard · F
@Mamapolo2016 Which part, Obama as a moderate ? Or Trump's intent on reversing all of the legislation during Obama's administration with the same zeal that Congress reversed the gains of Reconstruction ?
Mamapolo2016 · F
@bijouxbroussard I'm okay with Obama as a moderate - I'm also okay with Trump as as neither a liberal or conservative but as some peculiar variety all his own. And I do not find Trump in the least likeable, but likeability is not an issue for me.
Yes, the latter, chapter and verse so I can look at it and decide for myself. Dramatic statements do not equal truth. Facts equal truth (and yes, President Trump is truth-impaired). Most Presidents are, because truth-telling is not how you become President.
Yes, the latter, chapter and verse so I can look at it and decide for myself. Dramatic statements do not equal truth. Facts equal truth (and yes, President Trump is truth-impaired). Most Presidents are, because truth-telling is not how you become President.
SerenitiesScars · 36-40, M
We're divided by ideals... Stupid people try to call that racism.. or sexism... Or a whole slew of other titles...
But reality is that it's mostly just ideals... And it can make others say horrible things about one another.. That can sound racist/sexist/whatever... But fact of the matter is, racism and all that other stuff is hard work... It's a whole lot of damn dedication and most people don't got time for all that... Even if they do try to say the most hurtful/offensive things towards one another at times...
Life is like a playground where all the kids want the ball... Adults are all still kids.. and when they're not getting the ball to play with they start talking shit to the one's with the ball and it becomes a yelling/hate war and it looks worse than what it is...
The ball being ideals for adults and the types of laws and fairness they believe to be right/wrong...
But reality is that it's mostly just ideals... And it can make others say horrible things about one another.. That can sound racist/sexist/whatever... But fact of the matter is, racism and all that other stuff is hard work... It's a whole lot of damn dedication and most people don't got time for all that... Even if they do try to say the most hurtful/offensive things towards one another at times...
Life is like a playground where all the kids want the ball... Adults are all still kids.. and when they're not getting the ball to play with they start talking shit to the one's with the ball and it becomes a yelling/hate war and it looks worse than what it is...
The ball being ideals for adults and the types of laws and fairness they believe to be right/wrong...
CopperCicada · M
This is a tricky question.
There is a cognitive bias at play at all times.
When we become aware of something we tend to think that things are ever pervasive simply because we are suddenly aware and focused on them.
If we look at global statistics, it is certainly a more peaceful and civilized world. Despite all of its problems.
I think America seems more racist now. It isn't, we're just more aware of it because of racist language and actions in the news and the fact that racist attitudes are more relaxed and open. But a different social and political climate-- they'd still be there. Just hidden.
There is a cognitive bias at play at all times.
When we become aware of something we tend to think that things are ever pervasive simply because we are suddenly aware and focused on them.
If we look at global statistics, it is certainly a more peaceful and civilized world. Despite all of its problems.
I think America seems more racist now. It isn't, we're just more aware of it because of racist language and actions in the news and the fact that racist attitudes are more relaxed and open. But a different social and political climate-- they'd still be there. Just hidden.
SW-User
America has officially adopted racism as a policy by electing Trump.
bijouxbroussard · F
@SW-User I believe that’s true. He has given racism a voice again.
ladycae · 100+, F
i think racism had always been there. sure we don't have lynched black men, but the KKK is still active burning crosses for fear and intimidation., there are still a multitude of white supremacists, actually, more than before and hate crimes have risen since the election of our current president because he says it's ok.
It's not worse, yet, anyway. As much as I dislike dog whistling and the like, the fact is we've made progress, and, unless something really horrific happens, we will continue to make progress with it.
GlassDog · 46-50, M
It certainly feels that America and many other countries including my own are currently becoming less and less tolerant and more and more likely to point the finger of blame in the wrong direction.
SW-User
We are more divided than ever. Racism is an insidious evil in and of itself but also because it places a mask over the true causes of humanity's cruelty and exclusion.
It becomes too easy to identify the problem as racism and then identify a new enemy (outside of oneself) to blame and hate and seek to annihilate.
We rage over micro slights and hurl insults at each other while black men continue to be incarcerated at unacceptable rates.
We blame an evil system and when we put another in its place -nothing changes. Because we are not at the stage where we value and love each human being as inherently worthwhile. We are not yet at 'the promised land.'
It becomes too easy to identify the problem as racism and then identify a new enemy (outside of oneself) to blame and hate and seek to annihilate.
We rage over micro slights and hurl insults at each other while black men continue to be incarcerated at unacceptable rates.
We blame an evil system and when we put another in its place -nothing changes. Because we are not at the stage where we value and love each human being as inherently worthwhile. We are not yet at 'the promised land.'
firefall · 61-69, M
I dont think it's more racist than it was then, but I do think it's more racist than it was by the late 70s/early 80s, or at least people feel more OK about expressing it openly & not hiding it.
No we just record and post everything now. We also have access to each others opinion about every little thing at all times...
It's always been a racist country.
The laws have not changed the mentality of most people.
The laws have not changed the mentality of most people.
Since the civil right stuff from 50s and 60s , no last 10 yrs yes due to divisive politics on both sides
SW-User
I do not know but it is not good, people are crazy here right now.
TexChik · F
It was at a very low ebb , then Obama stoked the fire
SW-User
"Lazy beaner Mexicans!" -Donald Trump
Obama ended racism in 2008
bijouxbroussard · F
@Qwerty14 Obviously this is sarcasm.
SW-User
It’s less racist than it was before and during the civil rights movement. There is still racism though.
Hard to judge ... regardless, there are too many people still without options and paths ...
Xuan12 · 31-35, M
I Don't know if it's MORE racist, but there has been a bit of an uptick lately.