Rank the 3: Racial identity, Nationality, and Political Ideology

[ecstatic]

How would you rank the three?

For me, it's:

1) Racial identity
2) Political ideology
3) Nationality

I am liberal, but I am pro-Black (not in a racist way) and that causes a rift between myself and other liberals from time to time. In other words, I am for policies that are beneficial to blacks and other minorities regardless of how Democrats or any other group feels. I put my political ideology second as there are times when I don't necessarily think in a pro-American sense, especially when I feel my country is doing wrong.

[TroubleMan]

1. I identify myself as human

Fuck nationality, racial identity, and political ideology....none of that matters to me. I judge people solely on their actions. I admit that I get along with people better if our ideologies match, but I won't judge somebody on what they believe...just how they act upon it.

Everybody is related to everybody else if you go back far enough, so we're all brothers and sisters. Having to view the world in the perspectives of nationality and race is forced upon us, and I try to reject it completely. I can't always, because it's hard to communicate with people unless you put something in a frame of reference they can understand. I only look at things that way when I'm forced to, and I don't like it when I do it. To me it's all some false construct created by ignorance, fear, and prejudice.

You know, if everybody in the world just dropped all their racial, ideological, and nationalistic views and prejudices all at once, the world would be a much better place. It'll never happen all at once, and I know that, but I can keep trying - even if I don't change anything, at least I know I tried.

[msgadget]

3. GREAT answer!

I almost want to change my answer!

[Old Mouse]

9. I have to agree with the choice.

ultimately, survival of the species comes first in my mind.

[msgadget]

2. I voted political ideology

because, naturally, mine was shaped by my experiences as a black in America. Those experiences are why I'm not a member of either party and why I'm never satisfied.

[blazinjason]

4. True, I'm a liberal. But "liberal" in *my* world, is defined by others

and how they see ME. What has politics done for the majority of African-Americans? I continue to see increased segregation in the workplace, schools and housing.

In *my* world, the black world, my race is about survival. If I'm stopped by 5-0, what do they "see"? Oh, are you a Democrat, or are you 80% black, 20% other? NO. The first thing "they" see is a Black Man. If I apply for a professional job, even with the credentials to match, they don't give a * about my political ideology. The only exception is when you apply for one of the career slots that are given out to dedicated conservatives (sorry Armstrong, but your black too). When I'm traveling out of the country, my political ideology means nothing while I'm being checked out by Customs. They see a Black man and, unfortunately, racial profiling is a tool used by agents and cops. If I wish to purchase a home, especially in a white dominated community, they "see" me, not my political ideology. I want my children to have a quality education. Education is very important to me. It's still separate not equal, Civil Rights Act be dammed.

So my answer is racial identity first (black and proud), nationality (black from Africa/"other") is second, and political ideology (progressive/liberal) is third. GO Brother Obama!

Peace.

BJ

[FrenchieCat]

5. Out of the choices given, I would say Nationality for me...

Only cause I'm not an original American.....so those French customs that I learned as a young child...the love of food.....the debate tactics, the nationalistic love....the songs....the history....all of those ideas implanted in me as a kid have stayed around due to the contrast (vs. Americanism) and were there long before I had any notion of color and what race meant.

Actually, Race and Nationality are of equal weight....with gender actually being more impactful than the other two.

[msgadget]

6. Good point

Given the choice, I'd have ranked 'gender' as first.

[HamdenRice]

7. You left out the most important for me ...

Class. Although I have a professional job, I am hopelessly working class conscious. Guess that comes from growing up in a union household.

I also find that I have a harder time relating to middle class professional black people than with working class people of any kind. All that southern middle class churchy bourgeousie mentality -- the type you see displayed on Creflow Dollar televangelist informercials -- drives me up a wall!

[angee_is_mad]

8. Race, Gender

Race is 1st. I am a woman and a black woman at that, which opens up a whole can of worms.
Race and gender is inescapable and never change so those two factor into my political ideology. If the politics doesn't address my needs as a black woman living in America, it is not for me.

[GOPFighter]

10. My politican ideology includes race identity and nationality

Basically I want what's best for the American people. I want equality, full employment, a higher minimum wage, health care for all, free college tuition, strict separation of church and state, and a progressive tax system.