What is your race and do you suffer the guilt of the pale face

Pochipochi

Hello. What is your skin color? Are you an authentic united states citizen?

Do you fall into the category of "everyone except white people", or are you yourself actually a white person? I feel like there are a lot of races in the United States. I feel like Black people have been given a chance to shine and show they too can have sitcoms revolve around them, but everyone in between gets left out a lot. I feel like more men like Tyler Perry need to get acclaim from popular magazines in order to make shows about their own races. Also what if you were you a pale-complexioned person of Cuban descent? I feel like this creates strange inner tension in your identity. If you were a rapper, I think people would probably find you awkward and weird to listen to. I feel like rap music isn't very authentic anymore because of "things" like this.

To everyone, do you feel you have a racial identity? Do you feel like as a white person, you are only allowed to have an identity based around the projections of other races? I have met many white people who apologized for the Ku Klux Klan. I knew a man who once said he wished he had been born as any other race. I understand his troubles. How do you think it feels knowing you have spent your entire life being way more privileged than everyone else? Do you think it's ironic that white people are more likely to get skin diseases? If you are a white person, do you feel awkward when people make racial jokes of any kind?

Why do you think more "white" men kill themselves than black women? I have never actually heard of a black man who killed himself before. When you watch anime, do you feel like they're all white people unless visually noted otherwise? How do you think Asians can be portrayed in anime? I hear white people say all anime characters are white. I wonder how "Asians" feel about this. Black people obviously can't say Goku is a black person, but guys like Mr. Popo look too black for them to identify with. Do you think they feel left out by not being able to identify with Goku?

Bynums_kneecap

i dont even know what you are you talking about. what part of the country do you live in? i mean you start off with some strong issues, then you go into black people identifying themselves with goku. i

Malintex_Terek

I'm like a loaf of bread infested with cockroaches.

Brown on the outside, white on the inside, but even more brown deeper inside.

Kitsune Inferno

Hm… an interesting subject.

I'm white. But I grew up in a Mexican community of about 100 people. I was the ONLY white kid in my school besides my sister. (My younger brother and youngest sister are hispanic). Of course, I've been made fun of a lot, but I managed and eventually got close to a lot of people, and I have far more Hispanic friends than white.

With that said, I found myself discriminated a lot. "White boy" was like my nickname back then, and I never got to participate in school events and stuff that were set up for Hispanic students. I didn't fit the bill so I always felt underprivileged.

I live in a bigger community now, about 6000 people , still small yes, but the racial spread is definitely more even. Even so, I find most scholarships and the like offered to only Hispanic students, and the ones that aren't are Agriculture scholarships and the like.

The moral of the story is that I know discrimination, besides being white. So I can empathize with people who are discriminated. With that said, I never look at race. It has never been a factor to me. $:\$ Had I grown up elsewhere (Fun fact, RPGJay, I was born in Arizona, so you weren't entirely off the mark when you asked if I lived there :p), I'd imagine may outlook may have been different. $:\$

Jazzy Jinx

There's some heavy shit in here that is ultimately going to weed me out of this thread either by a) more intelligent posters or b) idiots. But to answer at least one of your questions, race isn't much of an issue for me. I think I might be lucky to live in such a culturally diverse city where everyone is pretty much co-existing just fine. Any guilt I feel from the suffering of people in the past can be attributed over my knowledge that I too am corrupted and as a human being, should be ashamed. It has nothing at all to do with race, I'm ashamed that people in general suffer from pure, human cruelty.

For the most part, I haven't had to deal with racial disputes but anytime one of my friends comes to me over a racial problem, I insist to be a part of the ass kicking of said ignorant fucker. The one time I was truly pissed off over racism was when some idiot called one of the purest hearted people I know a ni–-- just because he was black. It was infuriating to me and I've kicked the asses of at least two people over racial issues similiar to that. I would have kicked his ass too if my friend's (name is Damon, by the way) brother didn't tell me to sit it out. Apparently, he was going to get the whole football team on him.

Let's see... I also attend an all black church minus my grandfather, some chick, and myself (naturally) and I don't feel uncomfortable being the odd one out. I think people that judge things according to race alone are stupid though I'm aware of racial animosity and keep note of it simply because I know this opinion isn't uniform. I've told my friends before that racism is the thing I hate the most after kicking babies.

Yada, yada... None of this is probably the intelligent conversation you're seeking.

MagneticMonkey

Mr Popo? What did i just read there? Identification with anime characters?
Well that's probably for people for whom anime plays a huge role in life. That's not my case.

Hiroy

I'm black and I always lived with this mentality that people would only see me as "that black guy" rather than just an everyday person. Off course, me avoiding the negative influence in my race and trying to weed my way into the positive is to blame. I felt as if I was not smart enough to hang around the more intelligent people…

In all, I just stopped caring. I came to this realization sometime this year. Love. Peace. Fuck off to everyone else.

Silence

I'm black, and race is a pain in the ass.

I'll deliver a more eloquent explanation when it isn't so late.

Kitsune Inferno

This may sound a little off, but I believe that the reason race is such an issue is because people go to great lengths to identify with race. There's nothing wrong with racial pride, that's perfectly normal, but at the same time, it sets up barriers, I think.

trappedolphin

This seems to be directed to Americans. Just pointing that out.

I suppose this is relevant. A little irony in the background, but the video itself has a nice message.

rgvbrL4xGys

taboo

h3rRNlYOjSA. .

Smudger

Guilt? lolworthy indeed.

I'm your typical english white guy. I don't really notice or care about skin colour, but maybe that's just because I was brought up in the colourful multicultural swamp of London.

Sea

http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/08/30/guest-post-why-do-the-japanese-draw-themselves-as-white/

RPGJay

I'm white. Very white. Since my family is really big into genealogy, I've found I'm dutch, english, irish, and french. That's how white I am.

As for guilt for my color I really don't experience it. Should I?

@Kitsune:

(Fun fact, RPGJay, I was born in Arizona, so you weren't entirely off the mark when you asked if I lived there :p),

Even when I'm intentionally being wrong I'm still right. Awesome.

captain usopp

interesting…...

well i'm white. i grew up in a place with no diversity what so ever. I live in Toronto now, and I LOVE it. because everyone is so different. anyone who brings race up as an issue is insecure. no one's better than you because they are a certain color, or you do not suck cause you are a certain color. You make yourself what you are.

Western culture caters to white people because there are a ton of us. That goes for cartoons as well. Anime has all japanese people cause it's from japan. It's made for Japanese people. The frog princess was the first disney movie with a black princess. very thoughtful and all, but I think they forced the issue too much about "we need a black heroine" and the story suffered. the frog princess was not disney's best work. Tis a shame too.

I know not everyone thinks like I do, and there are a lot of jerks out there. but they're jerks. they make it hard for everyone.

CCC

I'm white, but I grew up in a very diverse community where there was little correlation between social class and race. Basically, I was middle class and everyone else (white, black, hispanic, asian) was upper middle class or rich. As such, I never felt particularly privileged about being white, although I understand that that is certainly the case in the greater United States (and world?). Never felt any guilt because it's pointless to feel guilty over something you can't control (like genetics or the family you were born into).

I consider my identity to be made up of my personality and interests. It has nothing at all to do with race, so I don't try to make an identity based on "projections of other races." Even if I did, I could cling to my Irish or Russian roots. Plenty of white people with Irish heritage actively consider themselves Irish, it seems.
I'm not sure how I would feel if someone I was talking with made racial jokes, because I honestly don't associate with people lowbrow enough to do so. That said, there were some kids in high school who sort of turned into neo-nazis in 11th grade and started making anti-semetic "jokes" all the time. That certainly made me feel awkward, and I actively avoided them for fear of getting my Jew teeth curbstomped out of my head.

And I see anime characters as Japanese. They're drawn for the Japanese audience, and many anime actually take place in Japan. And Mr. Popo is one racist mothafucka.

Cyan D. Funk

Mr. Popo is a horrible stereotype of blue people.

GumGumBattleAxe

Im white. I don't feel bad about it either. I've never enslaved anyone or denied somebody their rights based on prejudice, and THIS is why. So no, I don't suffer from 'white guilt.'

Sakonosolo

I'm white and you better bow to me.

GumGumBattleAxe

@Sakonosolo:

I'm white and you better bow to me.

now THIS is what I am NOT. rofl

Hannyabal

I'm black and white and green

Flux

I'm white. But on the subject of race, I never understood how some black people like Kanye West can say 'Nigger' etc all the time, and as casually as they like, without it being a racist term - but were a white person to say it, it's racist.

Demon Rin

I'm white, Italian.

I've never had to deal with any kind of stereotyping in my life… Then Jersey Shore came out...

And also, Being black didn't stop Souja Boy for thinking "Bitch I look like Goku", so...

Darkstorm

Ancestry's a mix of english/indian/portuguese. Which left me slightly darker then mediterranean standard I guess.

Never had any issues of any kind growing up.

GumGumBattleAxe

@Flux:

I'm white. But on the subject of race, I never understood how some black people like Kanye West can say 'Nigger' etc all the time, and as casually as they like, without it being a racist term - but were a white person to say it, it's racist.

most people that find that okay think that black people are entitled to say that because of everything bad thats happened to them. White people can't say it because we're the evil oppressors.

Just an example of how the NAACP and other major black leaders don't want racial equality but racial supremacy. They've never wanted anything else, and don't be fooled.

Tsukishima

@Flux:

I'm white. But on the subject of race, I never understood how some black people like Kanye West can say 'Nigger' etc all the time, and as casually as they like, without it being a racist term - but were a white person to say it, it's racist.

! tYS0vEWU9js

This thread is interesting, I am black and I think my race play some role in my life. I think I will write a rant about it pretty soon.

Bobjr

I'm White and a quarter Jewish, and depending on who you ask counts as different.

But then I had the stupidest racial event I've ever seen happen at my high school, and there it seemed you had to fit your stereotype too. I hated my high school.

taboo

I'm white and I apologize for NASCAR

Mastello

Yeah this is too interesting topic too pass. I'm white and don't live in the States myself. But all I can say, I hate racism and judging on looks in general. It's depressing that almost all of my friends are racists at least to some degree.

Sea

I am neither proud nor ashamed of anything given to me that is not resulted by my action. Race, country, skin color, family name, natural appearance, etc. None of them. I am a man of my own world who only take credit and responsibility for what I do, pride and shame in my own accomplishment, and only define myself with my action. Being a Vietnamese or not, having ancestors with amazing feats or not, belonging to a country with incredible history or not, mean nothing to me.

GEPPETTOSMONSTER

I am a white man with spanish blood. Half German half Portuguese and I don't have white guilt. End

Silence

@Flux:

I'm white. But on the subject of race, I never understood how some black people like Kanye West can say 'Nigger' etc all the time, and as casually as they like, without it being a racist term - but were a white person to say it, it's racist.

Because Kayne West is black, and you are not.

What's hard to understand about it? Nigger has a different meaning (one of solidarity) to some black people. For (some) black people, the word is a complex thing and it's all about the way you say it. It can be casual and comedic or the worst insult in the world. But there's no changing the origins of the word as one of hatred, bigotry, and oppression.

The word has not changed so much that its use as a insult with all its history can be forgotten. Before the 70s, the word was used so much to describe black people and was so embedded in the public consciousness that people would use it casually to describe the "negro" regardless of whether they were racist or not. And black people would use it - inevitably, it became a part of their identity - however warped and twisted it was. The word is storied, and people feel pretty strongly about it.

Maybe you've never known the word but as one you absolutely cannot say. Try and understand that for many black people (and especially the jiggaboos running around nowadays), the word hasn't been that way for pretty much ever. Back before the Civil Rights movement it was used in extremely hurtful ways and it cut deep because we weren't equal. It's only within the past twentysomething years that it's use been really popularized. Some would say the word is changing.

But regardless of that, it's really a word that has come to belongs to african-americans for better or worse, and it's best to let us have it. When white people use it, it's not even about something as lofty as "they're the oppressors," it's more like, "it's not their word to claim," and it recalls of racism even if it isn't necessarily meant that way. No black person ever wants to be called a "nigger" by a white person. But for that matter, most black people are NOT okay with the word, whether it's used by Kanye or Dr. Laura: You can be sure that not all of us like it.

Try to look at it this way. If a gay person calls another gay person a fag, it's probably in jest. But when a straight person calls a gay person a fag it's not so funny.

Cyan D. Funk

@taboo:

I'm white and I apologize for NASCAR

Never apologize for Dale Earnhardt.

Tennis, however…

JERK DISEASE

I'm very white I guess, though for some reason I've had people think of me as looking Jewish or Hispanic, but those were rare occasions.

More specifically I'm English/Italian/Irish. The closest I've come to ethnic stereotyping has been an array of recent (mostly goodnatured) Jersey Shore rubbings, but I have an INCREDIBLY Italian last name that people have long mocked to varying degrees (it rhymes with ravioli, which didn't help).

@Flux:

I'm white. But on the subject of race, I never understood how some black people like Kanye West can say 'Nigger' etc all the time, and as casually as they like, without it being a racist term - but were a white person to say it, it's racist.

Same reason me saying Wop carries assumed weight of complex self-reference and lacks tension that would come from most non-Italians.
It's really not that hard to understand, I don't get why people don't get this.
Just plug Cracker into this scenario.

Also Nigga and Nigger are completely different words.

@GumGumBattleAxe:

most people that find that okay think that black people are entitled to say that because of everything bad thats happened to them. White people can't say it because we're the evil oppressors.

No we don't you moron.

Just an example of how the NAACP and other major black leaders don't want racial equality but racial supremacy. They've never wanted anything else, and don't be fooled.

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Congratulations GumGumBattleAxe! You have now Pwnobied yourself and will never live this remark down! Sayonara forum career!
whoosh! out the window!

Not that you had much to begin with.

JERK DISEASE

I'm European white myself.

I'm glad you specified what continent your whiteness came from because you never know.

Sea

@JERK:

Also Nigga and Nigger are completely different words.

LOL, I remember saying the same thing in the HiatusXHiatus thread (which got deleted) and a guy asked me if I was being sarcastic.

@JERK:

No we don't you moron.

I thought he was being sarcastic. Damn.

GumGumBattleAxe

@JERK:

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Congratulations GumGumBattleAxe! You have now Pwnobied yourself and will never live this remark down! Sayonara forum career!
whoosh! out the window!

Not that you had much to begin with.

that…actually doesn't bother me. lol nice try, dickhead.

Chocula

@GumGumBattleAxe:

most people that find that okay think that black people are entitled to say that because of everything bad thats happened to them. White people can't say it because we're the evil oppressors.

Just an example of how the NAACP and other major black leaders don't want racial equality but racial supremacy. They've never wanted anything else, and don't be fooled.

You're completely wrong.

First of all, most black people are not offended by the word itself but rather by the intention some people have when they use it. If they say it to insult someone because of their skin color: that's offensive to most people.

The reason why the double standard Flux mentioned exists is that black people are included in the group they are "insulting" which softens the effect of the word.
For example: If you make fun of your family that wouldn't be that bad because you are part of that family too. However, if someone else insulted your family that would be worse because they are outsiders who don't know what it's like to be part of that family.

Another example: If you say you're fat (and mean it) it's probably not as bad as someone else saying that you're fat.

Many white people don't know what it's like to be a minority and be discriminated because of their skin color. So of course it's a different story if they use the word.

I personally don't care that much who uses it or why it's used though. I'm 50% Kenyan and 50% German btw.

EDIT: I guess I'm way to slow.

Cyan D. Funk

@GumGumBattleAxe:

Just an example of how the NAACP and other major black leaders don't want racial equality but racial supremacy. They've never wanted anything else, and don't be fooled.

are you kidding me
@Flux:

I'm white. But on the subject of race, I never understood how some black people like Kanye West can say 'Nigger' etc all the time, and as casually as they like, without it being a racist term - but were a white person to say it, it's racist.

"Hey nigga come over here."

"Hey nigger come over here."

Which one sounds more racist.

GumGumBattleAxe

@Cyan:

are you kidding me

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In other words, if you're not colored, we don't want you 'advancing.'

so no, im not kidding.

Flux

@Chocula:

The reason why the double standard Flux mentioned exists is that black people are included in the group they are "insulting" which softens the effect of the word.
For example: If you make fun of your family that wouldn't be that bad because you are part of that family too. However, if someone else insulted your family that would be worse because they are outsiders who don't know what it's like to be part of that family.

That's actually a very clear analogy, Chocula.

Germans for the win, btw

@GumGumBattleAxe:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In other words, if you're not colored, we don't want you 'advancing.'

so no, im not kidding.

I think grammatically, one is to assume that they would be advancing from a lower level they are on, as opposed to others.

Cyan D. Funk

@GumGumBattleAxe:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In other words, if you're not colored, we don't want you 'advancing.'

so no, im not kidding.

For the advancement of colored people from being treated as second class citizens.

JERK DISEASE

@Sea:

LOL, I remember saying the same thing in the HiatusXHiatus thread (which got deleted) and a guy asked me if I was being sarcastic.

I think he was being sarcastic.

I love how a guy from and in Vietnam, eons away from American race relations and lingo gets this but dinguses like GumGumBattleAxe who live right next door to all this are fucking hopelessly clueless. No goddamn excuse.

Though I guess I'll give Flux a pass since he lives in Northern Ireland.

JERK DISEASE

@GumGumBattleAxe:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In other words, if you're not colored, we don't want you 'advancing.'

so no, im not kidding.

You are fucking dumb as a stump.

GumGumBattleAxe

@Cyan:

For the advancement of colored people from being treated as second class citizens.

they friggin' aren't!!! Not anywhere close to where I live!

GEPPETTOSMONSTER

@Chocula:

You're completely wrong.

First of all, most black people are not offended by the word itself but rather by the intention some people have when they use it. If they say it to insult someone because of their skin color: that's offensive to most people.

The reason why the double standard Flux mentioned exists is that black people are included in the group they are "insulting" which softens the effect of the word.
For example: If you make fun of your family that wouldn't be that bad because you are part of that family too. However, if someone else insulted your family that would be worse because they are outsiders who don't know what it's like to be part of that family.

Another example: If you say you're fat (and mean it) it's probably not as bad as someone else saying that you're fat.

Many white people don't know what it's like to be a minority and be discriminated because of their skin color. So of course it's a different story if they use the word.

I personally don't care that much who uses it or why it's used though. I'm 50% Kenyan and 50% German btw.

EDIT: I guess I'm way to slow.

Come to california in the town i'm living in the population is 80% mexican and 20% white.

So what was that about white's not being a minority? lol

Silence

For the record: I hate the word in every form.

Also BattleAxe, you could not possibly be more ignorant. Congratulations.

Cyan D. Funk

@GumGumBattleAxe:

they friggin' aren't!!! Not anywhere close to where I live!

You ever been in a ghetto.

Flux

I guess I would agree with Silence. Thank you guys for explaining the different contexts and history of the word. In all honesty, I'd rather just avoid it altogether as it's just always been a racial slur to me personally, and due to the surroundings and I suppose, way in which I have been raised I have just had so many negative connotations associated with the word in all forms. When I see certain black people themselves using it, that strings a curiosity in me and the negative connotations from the meaning I have built of the word are instantly raised.

@JERK:

Though I guess I'll give Flux a pass since he lives in Northern Ireland.

I like how you remembered the place. A lot of people I come into contact with online would call it Ireland, even some people from the UK, which is a bit sort of … hope-dashing.

JERK DISEASE

@GumGumBattleAxe:

they friggin' aren't!!! Not anywhere close to where I live!

Where you live isn't goddamned relevant then.