Minority Racism

Posted Up: June 13th 2004, OthelloBloke

Here's something I need to let off some steam about - some parts might be considered offensive. Wanna comment on this? Leave a message on the message board!! One of the ugliest things I've come across from many natives from all over North America is racism. With some its blatant and intentional and with others it's just stupid ignorance.

Someone fill me in here, because I just don't understand why someone from a race of people that have been ruthlessly oppressed and decimated for the last five hundred years because of the color of their skin would hold resentment against another minority because of the color of their skin. Or stereotype against a black person or a white person because of the actions of a few wankers on television. I always thought that minorities in particular, would not inherently be prejudice because of the racism that nearly all minorities have been a victim of throughout history.

I can't count the amount of times I've heard and seen the kids on the reserve call each other 'niggers' when playing around. Three days ago my girlfriend's mom in jest called my girlfriend a nigger, because she played a joke on her. What kind of a society are people growing up in when racism and predjudice is second nature ? I've been told by a few native peeps that it's probably the after affects of the racism that natives have been a victim of. Funny though eh? Because I've been discriminated against my whole life, yet I don't go out calling caucasian people honkys, or native people savages, or Hispanic people Spics or Arabs ragheads.

How many people know the nursery rhyme 'Eeny meeny miny mo...' ? We all know how it goes. I would bet money that at least 50% of people reading this will excuse it because it was 'just a silly rhyme we learnt as kids, and didn't mean any harm by it' ? I make no apologies at all with the statement that only bad parents produce a child who grows up learning racist nursery rhymes and thinking it's socially acceptable.

When I talk to people on the Rez the same old crap I get told is 'We know it's not right, but you have to understand its not meant to harm'. That's a lame stupid excuse people use when they don't want to admit to their own ignorant stupidity.

'Where is the love' by Black Eyed Peas has a very good line 'When you only have love for your own race, you only leave space to discriminate'.

Having love for your people is a great great thing, but when that comes at the exclusion of love for all others, maybe it's time to sit back, educate yourself and just plain GROW UP ?


Posted on 04 Jun 2006 by OthelloBloke