African American

The Polack MSgt

(13,462 posts)

56. Thanks for this response - I understand that family dynamic

Fri Nov 2, 2018, 12:48 PM

Nov 2018

I started to wake up because of Football and wrestling in HS

I hung out with my teammates - so I interacted with more POC in a week than many of my cousins had ever even met.

I was still pretty racist - About where your Brothers are now. Then I did a career in the Air Force and I got a bit smarter on race than I had been.

I was still pretty racist though - make no mistake. Not an active or malevolent hatred of others unlike me but the unthinking passive racism that I'm hollering over in this OP.

But I have smart friends who argue with me.

I have a wife who insists that to treat any person with a lack of respect for their innate Humanity - What her religion calls their "Buddha Nature" is harmful to your self and to the environment you create for yourself.

And finally I am by nature and training an analyst - hell that word is in my job title.

I can't stop looking at situations and trying to figure things out.

And honestly, I am still a racist - I just try to recognize it when it comes up, and I try to analyze the root cause of my thoughts and attitudes when I'm being shitty.

Oh, and welcome to DU Prudence54. Good to have you on the team

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I was recently asked whether I really believed that most white Americans are racist. [View all] The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 OP

I will counter your assertion, I am 65 old white guy and ALL my white friends are zero racists... beachbum bob Nov 2018 #1

I dunnno...fellow white dude, and while I'd agree that "all my friends" keep any racism to themself anarch Nov 2018 #2

91% sounds right to me...great post! Many within that 91% try very hard NOT to be Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #3

The OP and your post make me appreciate DU even more. brush Nov 2018 #51

I think that's a bit high, but I think it's still well over half Bradical79 Nov 2018 #4

Some very valid points better Nov 2018 #5

THIS is a GREAT point, never heard it like this before, thank you Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #8

My pleasure, and by all means, please feel free to spread without attribution. better Nov 2018 #9

You wil probably be more successful than I will, while i have the same goal and have talked about Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #11

For whatever it may be worth... better Nov 2018 #44

Thank you for this well said reply The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #13

And thank you, MSgt, for your well-said OP! better Nov 2018 #15

Thank you. I will be stealing your closing paragraph The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #16

Excellent points! BlueMTexpat Nov 2018 #41

Thank you The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #48

Sincerely, thank you for that. better Nov 2018 #50

I would put it higher, myself. TygrBright Nov 2018 #6

I once said in this group The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #14

One thing that might help that happen better Nov 2018 #17

Well said. N/t cate94 Nov 2018 #21

I'm a three score or so years old white woman... haele Nov 2018 #7

I'm going to back you up on this. But go a little further. violetpastille Nov 2018 #10

I'm really enjoying the intellectual tone of this discussion better Nov 2018 #12

I could have written this myself... Ferrets are Cool Nov 2018 #18

Recently was asked ... kooth Nov 2018 #19

As you show, the answer is always more complicated than the question. Sometimes it helps to get the ancianita Nov 2018 #20

K&R, bookmarked too. This is a great post. Thank you Sarge! yonder Nov 2018 #22

This presidency proves cate94 Nov 2018 #23

Thank you Msgt for holding up that mirror. alwaysinasnit Nov 2018 #24

An off branch of this: I think racism in cultures can be fluid. Let me explain and forgive my ramble dameatball Nov 2018 #25

I appreciate your reply The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #30

Regretfully, I spent about twenty minutes. I hope it made sense.Thanks for your OP. dameatball Nov 2018 #32

I agree 100%. Eko Nov 2018 #26

Wish i had a like or agree button for replies The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #29

One thing Dump has done Eko Nov 2018 #33

You need to do what you believe is best. The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #35

As much push-back as we tend to see over cutting trumper family members out of our lives better Nov 2018 #42

I would agree that it's at least 91% MaryMagdaline Nov 2018 #27

Thank you and I agree The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #49

Thank you SallyHemmings Nov 2018 #28

Thoughtful and honest mcar Nov 2018 #31

I appreciate everyone's honest and respectful input. The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #34

Dear Mr. The Polack MSgt, you remind me of this quote Kind of Blue Nov 2018 #36

I'm shamed by your praise The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #37

I want to repeat my tagline... Kind of Blue Nov 2018 #38

Respectfully, I think you mean humbled, not shamed. better Nov 2018 #43

I for one think this is a great idea. better Nov 2018 #57

Hey, better! Totally agree. Kind of Blue Nov 2018 #60

Thanks for a most thoughtful and important OP RoadRunner Nov 2018 #39

Thank you RoadRunner. The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #40

Some of us W guys, I dont like using the full word, risky to do so, are fully aware Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #53

It's a shame that we never got to serve together, Sarge MrScorpio Nov 2018 #45

We almost did on the ROK The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #46

You know that I could have extended again MrScorpio Nov 2018 #47

I want to take a little bit of a break from the heavier part of this conversaion better Nov 2018 #52

I was raised in a racist family prudence54 Nov 2018 #54

Welcome to DU! better Nov 2018 #55

Thanks for this response - I understand that family dynamic The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #56

We are all racist to an extent TlalocW Nov 2018 #58

+1 violetpastille Nov 2018 #59

I agree ismnotwasm Nov 2018 #61