A story of a volunteer in New Orleans..

I don't want anyone thinking I'm racist for posting those stories or anything.

Don't worry, i don't think you're a racist, but i think whoever posted the original story/diary or whatever, is. Not because of what he described, but because of HOW he described it. Furthermore, i seriously doubt the authenticity of the diary/logg/story/mail or whatever u wanna call it. Maybe it's time for this thread to die, eh? ;)

All I'm going to say is, when you live down here, and see this kind of stuff everyday, you tend to be a bit more "graphic" in your description of things. I've lived in the South for 25 years, and have put up with more racial BS than I care to talk about. Down here it really is a matter of Black or White. I don't like it anymore than you do, and it makes me sick, but it's how it really is. I try to treat everyone as a racial equal until they give me a reason not to, then they just turn into someone I try to avoid.

On that note, I want you all to respect each others opinions, and be considerate and use common sense when posting on such a touchy subject. And above all, follow the forum rules! I would hate to have to put a good debate on lock down.

As you were.....

PRSplaya is right in that the whole racial thing is much more strong down here in the south. It is a day to day thing for us down here. Trust me, there's not many blacks down here that like us crackers...I was just called a cracker for no reason a couple of days ago at a gas station. Just filling my tank and he walks by, stops, looks at me and just says "Your in the wrong part of town cracker"...I just laughed at him, turned around to my truck and started banging my head on the side of it talking to myself "don't do it, don't do it, noooooo, I'm not gonna do it, I'm not gonna listen this time" haha, he freaked out and literally ran off screaming "that white boy is crazy"..
One thing I've learned is that phycho's and voodoo stuff really freaks them out, so anytime I'm confronted in a racial way, I go all out to make them think I'm pyschotic or something just to laugh at how they respond....

I have some black friends that are cool as hell and I get to know someone or will at least have a legitimate reason for disliking someone.

Originally Posted by: PonyOne
race issues are stupid, i wish they didn't exist, and i didn't mean to imply that they don't, just that the first article was crap, be it real or not.

Amen brother! Racism sucks. People are people. I've met cool white, black, chinese, on and on and on. I've also met some real S**T heads of the same races. I know a black dude that is whiter than I will ever be and I was born white. HAHA

Who, Jacko?

No, Jacko don't live in Texas. He knows what we do to molesters down here.
Besides Jacko is not a black guy that thinks he is white. He is a white guy that was once black. Very little difference though.

But the very nature of the writings posted are racist in tone. Everything being said is in a "those people" mode. Just who are "those people" we are talking about? Poor black people. Folks seemed to be ultimately concerned about some people not saying thank you to volunteers while glossing over the fact that our federal government headed by a fatty tumor of a president utterly failed to respond to the needs of American citizens. Guys and gals, we responded quicker to the tsunami victims in Asia than we did our own people. Those people were stuck in the superdome without proper water, food, sanitation, medical care, peace keeping staff and the like and this yutz is concerned with a thank you? One has to treat any testimony that states that one of the goals of volunteering is "warm fuzzies" with more than a fair share of Parsimony. It is absolutely laughable to me that a bunch of white people like us can sit around on our little guitar website and Kibbutz about the fact that those uneducated black people should just buck up and be solid upstanding citizens like we are. The worst part is people attempting to excuse a racial slur that was used in the slave trade to marginalize the enslaved. Sure the N word means unenlightened and such; Is it any mystery though that this word was attached to black slaves? Not really if you know the history of the western world. In general, when we do/see something we don't like or feel wrong about we marginalize that wrong by marginalizing the afflicted. See a pattern here. We see thousands of people suffering because of inept response to the disaster from our pres on vacay so we have to circulate these stories about poor black savages. Get real people!

Originally Posted by: orangebloodBut the very nature of the writings posted are racist in tone.[/quote]
The first, yes.

However, spend some time in the rougher parts of New Orleans and you'll quickly understand where it comes from.

Originally Posted by: orangebloodFolks seemed to be ultimately concerned about some people not saying thank you to volunteers while glossing over the fact that our federal government headed by a fatty tumor of a president utterly failed to respond to the needs of American citizens.[/quote]
The President declared New Orleans a federal disaster area before the storm hit. That's never happened before in the history of our nation.

Now, lets consider some other things:

-The City of New Orleans never used the busses available to them to evacuate those who could not evacuate themselves before the storm (as per the Louisiana state guidelines). Most of those busses are in fact still under water.

-Neither Municipal nor State officials in Louisiana seem to have bothered to go through the correct channels to get FEMA aid. Rather, they waited for the storm to hit and then cried to the media. I don't know about you, but personally, I don't like the idea of the Federal Government being able to butt it's head into local or state business any time it feels like it.

Originally Posted by: orangebloodGuys and gals, we responded quicker to the tsunami victims in Asia than we did our own people. Those people were stuck in the superdome without proper water, food, sanitation, medical care, peace keeping staff and the like and this yutz is concerned with a thank you? One has to treat any testimony that states that one of the goals of volunteering is "warm fuzzies" with more than a fair share of Parsimony.[/quote]
I think people should help one another because it's the right thing to do.

I also feel that when somebody goes out of their way to help you, you should thank them because it's the right thing to do.


[QUOTE=orangeblood]It is absolutely laughable to me that a bunch of white people like us can sit around on our little guitar website and Kibbutz about the fact that those uneducated black people should just buck up and be solid upstanding citizens like we are.

Would you rather it was Malcom X?

Because he talked about African Americans needing to become more self-reliant and responsible citizens far more often and far more sharply than anybody here or the authors of any three of those pieces.


[QUOTE=orangeblood]The worst part is people attempting to excuse a racial slur that was used in the slave trade to marginalize the enslaved. Sure the N word means unenlightened and such; Is it any mystery though that this word was attached to black slaves? Not really if you know the history of the western world. In general, when we do/see something we don't like or feel wrong about we marginalize that wrong by marginalizing the afflicted. See a pattern here.

Yes, but I also know enough about recorded world history and patterns of language distribution to know that what you're talking about isn't even remotely limited to Western society.

That's not an excuse, but you can't fight something that you're not conscious of.


[QUOTE=orangeblood]We see thousands of people suffering because of inept response to the disaster from our pres on vacay so we have to circulate these stories about poor black savages. Get real people!

Again; blaming this all on the President is not only inaccurate, but doesn't help anything. There were several misteps on the local level that turned a slow Federal response from "annoying" and "inconvenient" into an outright catastrophy.

For another, in all demographics of American society, there is a sub-culture of racism and ignorance often mixed with welfare dependancy that has to be confronted because it drags the lot of us down. We all like to ignore it because it is ugly and we'd all rather think it isn't that big of a problem or that if we don't think about it, it'll be OK or that we ourselves are somehow racist or evil for recognizing that it exists.

But, just as there are some towns in the South that still have segregated schools and open Klan meetings, if I were to break down or make a wrong turn into the wrong part of Baton Rouge or New Orleans (or any number of other large cities), I could kiss my valuables and possibly my life goodbye for no other reason than the fact that I'm white.

If racism is wrong when it goes one way, then it's also wrong when it goes the other. It's detestable, it's a plauge upon us all, but we're NEVER going to stomp it out unless we recognize it, we can discuss it openly and we can fight it in ALL segments of society.

Originally Posted by: RaskolnikovThe first, yes.

However, spend some time in the rougher parts of New Orleans and you'll quickly understand where it comes from.

I don't see what the rougher part of New Orleans has to do with our racism. Saying "they brought it on themselves anyway is an idiotic way of thinking."

The President declared New Orleans a federal disaster area before the storm hit. That's never happened before in the history of our nation.

And what? He declared it a disaster zone then sat around twiddling his thumbs. He could have had relief in the form of water and food to those people in a matter of hours but he did nothing. Not to mention the fact that the man he appointed to FEMA had no experience whatsoever leading a disaster relief effort. Unless you count the American Arabian Horse association as disaster relief.

Now, lets consider some other things:

-The City of New Orleans never used the busses available to them to evacuate those who could not evacuate themselves before the storm (as per the Louisiana state guidelines). Most of those busses are in fact still under water.

Okay, what were they supposed to do? Drive through the hurricane and pick people up on their doorsteps? It is not exactly easy to mobilize a fleet of busses in 100 MPH wind.

-Neither Municipal nor State officials in Louisiana seem to have bothered to go through the correct channels to get FEMA aid. Rather, they waited for the storm to hit and then cried to the media. I don't know about you, but personally, I don't like the idea of the Federal Government being able to butt it's head into local or state business any time it feels like it.

Sorry, that is straight BS! FEMA didn't roll in until almost a full day later and even then they were underequipped and unprepared for response. In fact FEMA commondeered a radio tower that the Mayors office was using AND a huge reserve of diesel fuel that the city of NO had saved for generator use. Guess that's what happens when you put a horse breeder in charge of FEMA, huh?


I think people should help one another because it's the right thing to do.

I also feel that when somebody goes out of their way to help you, you should thank them because it's the right thing to do.

Granted, but my point is this idiot is basically calling these people uneducated N*****s because they didn't say thank you; does that make sense to you?

Yes, but I also know enough about recorded world history and patterns of language distribution to know that what you're talking about isn't even remotely limited to Western society.

That's not an excuse, but you can't fight something that you're not conscious of.

Really? because if you knew world history than you would understand why the word N***** was not a catch all for ignorance but is in fact a direct insult to African Americans.

Again; blaming this all on the President is not only inaccurate, but doesn't help anything. There were several misteps on the local level that turned a slow Federal response from "annoying" and "inconvenient" into an outright catastrophy.

Again, BS! Your logic is circular here. Earlier you argue that the Federal Govt. didn't fail because they declared NO a disaster zone thus enacting "federal aid" immediately. However, you then go on to blame the municipality for not getting it together. You can't have it both ways pal. The Feds and their empty headed leader failed these people, anyone without their Republican a$$ kissing head up their butts can see this.

But, just as there are some towns in the South that still have segregated schools and open Klan meetings, if I were to break down or make a wrong turn into the wrong part of Baton Rouge or New Orleans (or any number of other large cities), I could kiss my valuables and possibly my life goodbye for no other reason than the fact that I'm white.

If racism is wrong when it goes one way, then it's also wrong when it goes the other. It's detestable, it's a plauge upon us all, but we're NEVER going to stomp it out unless we recognize it, we can discuss it openly and we can fight it in ALL segments of society.

Again...Circular, that guy is a racist so why shouldn't I be one. Someone has to take the first step. I guess some of our southern countrymen aren't going to be the ones to do it.

Originally Posted by: orangebloodAgain...Circular, that guy is a racist so why shouldn't I be one. Someone has to take the first step. I guess some of our southern countrymen aren't going to be the ones to do it.

Yeah, because racism only exists in the south. I agree that we should lay the blame on one particular percentage of the country. It is entirely this group of people who lie in the way of solving the problem...oh my goodness! A different form of ignorant stereotyping similar to racism! I think we've stumbled upon a hypocrite!

Originally Posted by: orangebloodAgain...Circular, that guy is a racist so why shouldn't I be one. Someone has to take the first step. I guess some of our southern countrymen aren't going to be the ones to do it.

watch what you're saying....you're starting gain a condescending tone towards southerners.

Die thread, DIE!! :p

Well, as everyone knows, I'm a southerner. I'm not racist, I judge people after I get to know them. I don't buy that racism only exist in the south, but I will agree that's it's much more common down here. And when I say racism is stronger down here, it's not just the whites being racist, it's the blacks even more so.....

And yeah, although I started this thread, it needs to die...

I wasn't mentally prepared for this on a guitar site. I usually hit sites like this to stay away from politics because it's just so aggravating. But I've just got to put my 2 cents in.

First, let me say, I am neither Dem, Rep, Lib, nor Conservative. And I am not a communist. That is a game "they" want you to play. History has proven time and time again that there cannot be rich people without poor people. But in this age of advanced technologies we could all be living comfortably and still be productive people. Now, I'm not talking about communism here. But there is extreme inequity in this country, not because we should all share everything equally, but the odds are really against the little guy because of corruption.....and at every level.

You have to look at things on a grander scale and take history into account. Here's my basic belief, black people WERE held down and are feeling the consequences of that even today. And as a people it takes time to come up. Does that mean I believe in affirmative action....no, that's just reverse discrimination. I'm Italian (American). My people came at the beginning of the 20th century. They never enslaved anyone. Yet MY people get grouped into the "White People" class who must deal with this reverse discrimination. Should blacks benefit somehow for the disgusting things done to their people....YES. So the idea is to help them as a people......but how? If not on the backs of all white people then who?

Simple. It's the WASP businesses that benefited early on from slave labor. Why not let them pay for programs to bring blacks up (the businesses and their descendants, not just WASPs in general), instead of giving handouts payed for by ALL OF OUR tax dollars. And don't make the programs the way they are now. Here's an important detail: Those programs are designed to create the exact results they get....but why? you might ask. Simple. Corruption. Politicians give huge contracts to the businesses that benefit from these types of programs. And in return they receive "campaign contributions". That is the American way. What it is...is bribery. Every single problem is caused by this, or not solved because of this. George Bush and Co. are just the latest and greatest scum to be doing this. It happens at every level of government and throughout the annals of history.

I am not a liberal and I am not a communist. I am just a normal person with different views for every issue. Don't be fooled into taking sides of an unfair fight that shouldn't exist in the first place. The game being played in this thread is the EXACT game they want you to play into.

I love the idea of America, but it just doesn't exist the way we think it does. I'm a true patriot because I complain.

My eyes are OPEN. Please join me.

-tomcas929

Originally Posted by: tomcas929I wasn't mentally prepared for this on a guitar site.[/QUOTE]

Stick around long enough and these sorts of threads become commonplace. We have a really diverse group of regulars here and sometimes the thread's get pretty heated (election years :D)

[QUOTE=tomcas929]
Simple. It's the WASP businesses that benefited early on from slave labor. Why not let them pay for programs to bring blacks up (the businesses and their descendants, not just WASPs in general)

Could you go into a little more detail here? For those of you wondering why a hornet's cousin should be made to pay slavery reparations, I should point out that a WASP is an acronym for White Anglo Saxon Protestant. Pretty much most of us crackers here on the board :D Oh yea, it's also the name of a marginally kickass rock band from the 80's.


Any way, I digress. I consider myself to be a very liberal thinking person but absolutely reject the idea that any thing can be done know to right the sins of the father. What sort of WASP businesses exist today that were beneficiaries of slavery?

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonYeah, because racism only exists in the south. I agree that we should lay the blame on one particular percentage of the country. It is entirely this group of people who lie in the way of solving the problem...oh my goodness! A different form of ignorant stereotyping similar to racism! I think we've stumbled upon a hypocrite!

not true. there are parts of where i live where nazi communities live. (im in southern washington) segregation is everywhere, its just more historically known in the south.

Originally Posted by: LeedoggStick around long enough and these sorts of threads become commonplace. We have a really diverse group of regulars here and sometimes the thread's get pretty heated (election years :D)



Could you go into a little more detail here? For those of you wondering why a hornet's cousin should be made to pay slavery reparations, I should point out that a WASP is an acronym for White Anglo Saxon Protestant. Pretty much most of us crackers here on the board :D Oh yea, it's also the name of a marginally kickass rock band from the 80's.

Any way, I digress. I consider myself to be a very liberal thinking person but absolutely reject the idea that any thing can be done know to right the sins of the father. What sort of WASP businesses exist today that were beneficiaries of slavery?

Well, first of all, let me say that I am not slighting anbody by using that acronym. It has nothing at all, not even in the slightest, to do with the stereotype that the word "cracker" represents.

I'm talking about old money. The big companies that built railroads, made steel, made weapons, built ships, skyscrapers, and all the other great things we have done. BUT, these things would not have even been done if not for the tremendous profits gained enabled by cheap labor and backed by a WASP congress. You want names, check 99 percent of all people ever elected to congress. Follow the money path through the politicians throughout history and you will see exactly what I mean.

Ok, not good enough for you? I'm no historian and I can't remember everything I see, and read....and frankly I just don't have the capacity for that. But I am good at doing research. Here is just one VERY short article that will give you a good idea of what I'm talking about:

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0329-06.htm

Just doing a bit of research on the web will show you what I mean. I'm not saying anything contorversial, this stuff is fact.

The answer to your last question is not an easy one....but it's not unanswerable. And the point is not "WASP" businesses today....but businesses in general that have benefited from their corrupt slave-owning leaders and investors from the past.

Hope that makes sense. I realize I'm not the greatest writer.

Originally Posted by: quickfingersnot true. there are parts of where i live where nazi communities live. (im in southern washington) segregation is everywhere, its just more historically known in the south.

umm...I'm not sure if you're familiar with the concept of "sarcasm," but, see, it's what I was using. You see, I was being what's known as "facetious," which is when one says the opposite of what one actually means. It was made abundantly clear when I called what's-his-name a hypocrite.

Originally Posted by: tomcas929Well, first of all, let me say that I am not slighting anbody by using that acronym. It has nothing at all, not even in the slightest, to do with the stereotype that the word "cracker" represents.

I wasn't suggesting that you were dude. I only clarified because there's a lot of younger people on these boards who may be following this thread who were lost. As for my cracker, I was making a funny :D. As in, "What's crackalackin' my cracka?".

As for your other points, I'll step aside and let someone of a more conservative nature address your points. But I will pose this question: Should Volkswagen pay Jews?