"no longer America the beautiful"
it's depends on who is setting the beauty standards
by conventional measures, America has been a global tyrant for a long time, since the 1850s, and domestically it has believed in race and justified its racism for longer.
Yes, of course I know my posts are still there. I don't understand your point.
Hi Marco,
Thanks for the recommendation. I will begin reading it tonight. I appreciate your patience and generosity.
I certainly understand that white supremacy is not just about skin colour and hurt feelings, and that there are deliberate policies which reinforce inequalities, as well as seemingly well -meaning policies which have negative consequences.
I look forward to understanding more through this book.
Thanks again.
Pete
Sorry, Marco, you asked what you could do for me.
I know you know about sea-lions turning up in your mentions, bad faith actors, but I really didn't intend to be one.
I'm sorry I've misjudged this interaction.
> what exactly is it that I can do for you?
What are the tangents I went on that you didn't ask about? I only said things I did which I considered working towards an understanding of people's experience that is different to my own. And that's what you asked for.
I'm not sure what I doubled down on. I just said what I said. I don't know what the key things are that I've said that you appear to think I need to budge on.
I want to learn. I often miss social cues, sorry #ADHD #Autism
@polotek @itsmeholland @joefox
I don't know what else to say.
But I know, with all my experience and relationships, I would never dream of telling someone they don't deserve to be heard.
The only qualifier I have is that if you or your group's survival, flourishing, or happiness, is predicated upon another person or group's destruction, decline, or unhappiness, then you, or your group, are wrong.
@polotek @itsmeholland @joefox
My pinned posts, the content of which I often post in reply to discussions, says that most suffering in the world comes from people believing that some people/groups deserve to survive, thrive and be happy, more than others.
This is the root of sexism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, nationalism, patriotism, fascism, genocide.
I feel this is a key insight that it took me many years to reach. Perhaps it's nothing, but to me I felt I'd grown.
@polotek @itsmeholland @joefox
At work I volunteered to be in a working group to understand empowerment, and how the flow of power can be blocked by social conventions, traditions, habits, prejudices.
I see most empowerment that I can be responsible for to be getting out of the way, removing impediments where I can, to allow others to step up for themselves.
@polotek @itsmeholland @joefox
... our literature recommend films which would help understand the viewpoint of oppressed people. I created a watchlist on letterboxd and am working my way through it.
I enjoy reading authors from different cultures and ethnicities, trying to understand the clash of identities.
I try to comprehend the Holocaust whilst also not tolerating Israel's inhumane actions. I've watched many films and documentaries about this subject.
I call out racism where I see it.
@polotek @itsmeholland @joefox
Okay, so the first two bits of information weren't adequate for you. This is what I mean. You can keep moving the goalposts, and I'll end up pleading with you to accept me by listing the things I think will help convince you that I'm acceptable. I can't win.
My workplace have all kinds of diversity initiatives, and sensitivity training, etc, and I've been in discussion about how I don't believe in race, but I certainly know racism and racists exist...
@itsmeholland @joefox @polotek
If I say, up front, "these are my credentials", they can be dismissed as not good enough. If I don't give my credentials I can be dismissed as not good enough, because of where I was born, and my skin pigmentation.
This is neo-racism.
The way to solve racism is not more racism.
I use the phrase "myth of race" based upon Robert Sussman's book which I have read, and the term "neo-racism" based upon Coleman Hughs' The End of Race Politics, which I have also read.
How can I prove that I am good enough?
@polotek I’m not sure that’s necessary. The discussion point is that it seems wrong to me to exclude people based upon their skin pigmentation and birthplace. We’re not discussing how hard I am trying. If that’s the important discussion then I’m happy to continue, but it would be good to set out what is an acceptable definition of “trying hard”, otherwise it’s easy to move the goalpost and never acknowledge my efforts.
I'm European with low melanin levels.
I am working hard to understand why some people believe in the myth of race, and how that affects their prejudices, and how it is used in society to simplify discussions to the point of not being reality.
Ruling me out just because of my skin pigmentation and place of birth seems... I dunno... wrong?
Two wrongs don't make a right.
