Bigotry...I don't get it

[GoddessOfGuinness]

What is the problem with people? What makes us cling to our ridiculous notions about those who are different from ourselves in various ways, when at the core, we're all just people?

I just don't get it.

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Me, either.

Of course, I'm about as genetically mixed as it gets in the Western Hemisphere, so maybe I'm just being self-serving by thinking that way.

:shrug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. An interesting thing...

A few weeks ago, I was playing a gig on an icy evening, and my stand partner came in late, limping and in pain. I was concerned about him, since his foot started to swell as we played. I offered to give him a ride to his car, so he wouldn't have to worry about slipping on the ice. He thanked me, and asked if I had room for his mother as well. I told him I'd be glad to give them both a lift.

Now the fellow is a black guy with a fairly light complexion, and when I pulled the van up to meet him and his mother, I saw him apparently walking with two ladies, one was an elderly black woman, and the other a young white woman, who was helping him walk. I assumed the young woman was a friend or girlfriend, and the elderly woman was his mother. I was concerned when the older woman stepped into another van in front of mine, and said something to her.

My stand partner then said, oh, that's not my mother, this is my mother. My jaw dropped and I stared, saying, "But you're so young!" and we all laughed. It didn't even occur to me until after I'd dropped them off, that there was a time when I would've been surprised to meet his mom because she was white.

I'd like to think this is a sign of hope that with practice, we really are capable of getting beyond those notions.

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. People are always surprised at how dark my Mom is

I'm pretty fair, like my dad, but my mom is basically cafe au lait. I have some siblings that are lighter and some that are darker.

:)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. My six year old complained to me the other day

that he needed darker skin so he could play basketball. I tried explaining to him that fleshtone makes no difference with regard to any skill, but he's convinced that the darker a person's skin is, the better they are at the game.

I'd love to know where he got that idea from...

[Modem Butterfly]

3. Okay, be honest...

...This is about my thread on not getting heterosexuality isn't it?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2567108&mesg_id=2567108

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. I hadn't seen that one yet...

But I'll give you a cyberbrew for a great comeback! :beer: :hi:

[gizmo1979]

5. It scares the BeJesus out of them.

And being the little freaks they are they are afraid of almost everything.I say stamp out freaks inour lifetime.

[MuseRider]

7. I have never understood it either.

Edit WOW this was post 8000! Good thread for that little milestone.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Yay MuseRider!

Congrats! :toast::party::beer:

[MuseRider]

11. Thanks!

I am pretty slow around here, it has taken a long time but I made it to another 1000 mark. I actually never thought I would crack 500 so this is kinda cool.

[guitar man]

8. bigots are

generally insecure about who they are, so they have a need to see others as less than themselves to make up for it.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. So somehow, they need to be taught to love themselves

and recognize that hatred of others doesn't make them feel good.

It's so tempting to insult them, and act in a patronizing fashion. But the fact is that bigotry is a human flaw that exists in each of us to some degree. Some of us recognize the flaw and do our best to correct it, while others deny it exists in them, and still others celebrate it as if it was a strength.

[guitar man]

13. It is difficult

It is difficult to teach someone who has been taught from a very young age by their religion that they are as "filthy rags" to love themselves. Most(not all) of the bigots I have known have been brought up in Christian fundamentalist homes, by bigots.

[Skittles]

14. why do people separate themselves by religion?

I do not understand that either