Tag: bigotry

Where is our leader when we need one?

It is a very sad time in America. I am watching CNN coverage of the looting and rioting across our country tonight. Where is the President? Why is he not calling for calm amidst the chaos in this country? Why is he not reassuring us? Where is our leader when we need one?

This all revolves around the treatment of black people. Would George Floyd been treated the same way if he were white? Both the police and the prosecutors treat blacks as a separate group that are not entitled to equal protection. On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Marquez Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old African-American man, was fatally shot near Brunswick in Glynn County, Georgia but the suspected killers have yet to be charged with the murder (finally a hearing is now set on June 4). So the riots are not just about George Floyd. They are about the treatment of minorities and specifically black people all over this country.

The Rodney King beating took place in 1991.  That led to rioting. There were promises that things would change.  Both nothing has changed.  Bigotry is a reality in America and sadly it is unlikely that will change.

Racist or Bigot?

Everyone is calling Donald Sterling a racist. I have heard his rants numerous times. I would have called him a bigot. I have heard the words of a bigot. At least I thought those people were (probably still are) bigots.

 

So what’s the difference?

From the American Heritage Dictionary

Racist

1. Believes that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Bigot

One who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

Hmm, So when I said to a friend (not anymore) “You are a bigot” after he told me of his hatred for Blacks, Mexicans, and Jews, should I have said you are a racist?

Eric Zorn writing in his Chicago Tribune blog posted this thought:

It’s prejudice when Mr. Smith feels unhappy when Mr. Johnson moves in next door because he doesn’t like Mr. Johnson’s skin color or ethnic identity.

It’s bigotry when Mr. Smith refuses to invite Mr. Johnson into his home or offer him friendly waves of greeting.

It’s racism when Mr. Smith uses threats and intimidation to attempt to drive Mr. Johnson and his family out of the neighborhood.

Without fail, every person I have known that is a bigot denies that he holds any hatred for anyone. Sterling sees nothing wrong with his words or deeds

Donald Sterling is both a bigot and racist.

“You’ve got to be carefully taught”

Discrimination, bigotry, hatred of any other group seems to be ingrained in many Americans. There is no easy solution. As a fan of New York musicals such as Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, etc. I recall South Pacific and the message about hatred. South Pacific is a musical composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The original stage date was Apr 07, 1949. It does not appear we have learned very much about hatred since then.

Words from “You’ve got to be carefully taught”

You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear,

You’ve got to be taught from year to year,

It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear,

You’ve got to be carefully taught.

You’ve got to be taught to be afraid

Of people whose eyes are oddly made,

And people whose skin is a diff’rent shade,

You’ve got to be carefully taught.

You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,

Before you are six or seven or eight,

To hate all the people your relatives hate,

You’ve got to be carefully taught!

Oregon attorney generalThus I applaud Oregon’s State Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum, who says she would not defend it’s ban on same sex marriage. The Catholic church of Oregon has taken an unmistakable opposite position.

From the Los Angeles Times
By Maria L. La Ganga

March 1, 2014, 9:39 p.m.

PORTLAND, Ore. — When Jackie Yerby and a small band of devout Catholics go to the cathedral for Mass this Ash Wednesday, they will be sending an unmistakable message. Pinned to their lapels will be big white buttons that proclaim, “Catholic Oregonians for Marriage Equality.”

more here>> http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-gay-marriage-20140302,0,6705402.story#ixzz2uqkwnfEX

Fear of Retribution Results in Bigotry

I admit to being somewhat frightened by the growing number of Muslims in the United States.  Their desire to enforce Sharia law could become a serious problem.  At the same time I want to support our desire to recognize everyone’s right to practice their religion no matter what that religion may be.

Lowe’s, the nationwide big-box home improvement chain, is facing criticism for its decision to withdraw advertising from a reality cable show about American Muslims.  Their decision was based upon pressure from the Florida Family Association.  That group described the television program as “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.”

“I’m saddened that any place of business would succumb to bigots and people trying to perpetuate their negative views on an entire community,” said Suehaila Amen, one of the cast members of the show, in an interview with the Detroit News.

Thus I am faced with a dilemma.  It happened that the program appeared on my television on the TLC channel just minutes before I saw the news item about Lowe’s pulling their advertising support.  The program really is a harmless and somewhat silly show focused on five Muslim families in Dearborn, Michigan.  Honestly the program was not very engaging.  The program definitely did not promote Islam to the rest of American society.

The same channel could provide programming focusing on Hassidic Jews or the Amish.  Perhaps they could offer a program about Sikh’s in America.  Here, where I live, there seems to be a large Indian and Sikh population.

Lowe’s is just a half mile from my home and Home Depot is 1¼ mile from my home.  Lowe’s has the right to do as they wish.  The Los Angeles Times editorial in their December 14 edition points out that Lowe’s has the right to cancel their advertising.  The Times is correct.  I just cannot stand for bigotry!