"The fact that you tried to accommodate the person at the bar because they were black shows how the looming threat of political correctness lingers in all of our heads. You didn't even want to risk the chance of being called a racist, so you made accommodations for the uncomfortable black person, when perhaps if there was a white person who was clearly alone and looked uncomfortable, you may have let them been. I am by no means saying what you did was wrong; surely the person you helped out appreciated that you showed concern for them or helped them. It was a kind gesture, and hopefully you will always be as kind to people around you who seem wayward. It's just interesting that, from my observation, it was an internal desire to eliminate any scenario where you could be construed as racist for your motivation to accommodate that person."
--I don't think he's trying to avoid being a racist, I think it came from compassion and responding to someone being uncomfortable as a result of the community the poster belongs too. I want people to feel welcome and comfortable where I live, no matter their race. In a sense, he was adjusting and responding to how a minority feels in his community, altering his perception of the community for the black guy at the bar. Seeing a white guy at the bar looking uncomfortable would bring a different response, because his feeling of discomfort wouldn't be attributed to race.----
Why should the source of his discomfort make any difference? And why is it ok to treat someone differently because of their race? I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, but it's an interesting question. I was in the exact opposite situation once, and the people at that bar made me feel extremely welcome, but I could tell that they were treating me differently because I was white and they obviously didn't get too many white people there. Their intentions were good, my drinks were bought for me, and I got a few dancing lessons (which obviously didn't stick....I'm just too white), but it was still a little awkward. I've always seen a lot of humor in that night, but I can see how someone without my sense of humor would be uncomfortable. Like I was some sort of exotic sideshow.
--I don't think he's trying to avoid being a racist, I think it came from compassion and responding to someone being uncomfortable as a result of the community the poster belongs too. I want people to feel welcome and comfortable where I live, no matter their race. In a sense, he was adjusting and responding to how a minority feels in his community, altering his perception of the community for the black guy at the bar. Seeing a white guy at the bar looking uncomfortable would bring a different response, because his feeling of discomfort wouldn't be attributed to race.----[/quote]
"Why should the source of his discomfort make any difference? And why is it ok to treat someone differently because of their race? I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, but it's an interesting question. I was in the exact opposite situation once, and the people at that bar made me feel extremely welcome, but I could tell that they were treating me differently because I was white and they obviously didn't get too many white people there. Their intentions were good, my drinks were bought for me, and I got a few dancing lessons (which obviously didn't stick....I'm just too white), but it was still a little awkward. I've always seen a lot of humor in that night, but I can see how someone without my sense of humor would be uncomfortable. Like I was some sort of exotic sideshow.[/quote]"
Maybe because he felt a sense of responsibility for the source of the discomfort. I want people to feel comfortable in my community, and if the perception of my community makes someone uncomfortable, I want to change that perception.
(for the record... the "Under God" was added to the pledge of allegiance in the 1950s as a way to take a swipe at the USSR in the early cold war. The original line just said "One Nation, Indivisible...." And one look at the news shows that's pretty much bunk. This nation is pretty divided at the moment.)
If the country has been destroyed by not saying the pledge of allegiance in school, it was a pretty fragile country to begin with. I'd like to think that America can be better than that.
Comments
Why should the source of his discomfort make any difference? And why is it ok to treat someone differently because of their race? I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, but it's an interesting question. I was in the exact opposite situation once, and the people at that bar made me feel extremely welcome, but I could tell that they were treating me differently because I was white and they obviously didn't get too many white people there. Their intentions were good, my drinks were bought for me, and I got a few dancing lessons (which obviously didn't stick....I'm just too white), but it was still a little awkward. I've always seen a lot of humor in that night, but I can see how someone without my sense of humor would be uncomfortable. Like I was some sort of exotic sideshow.
"Why should the source of his discomfort make any difference? And why is it ok to treat someone differently because of their race? I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong, but it's an interesting question. I was in the exact opposite situation once, and the people at that bar made me feel extremely welcome, but I could tell that they were treating me differently because I was white and they obviously didn't get too many white people there. Their intentions were good, my drinks were bought for me, and I got a few dancing lessons (which obviously didn't stick....I'm just too white), but it was still a little awkward. I've always seen a lot of humor in that night, but I can see how someone without my sense of humor would be uncomfortable. Like I was some sort of exotic sideshow.[/quote]"
Maybe because he felt a sense of responsibility for the source of the discomfort. I want people to feel comfortable in my community, and if the perception of my community makes someone uncomfortable, I want to change that perception.
If the country has been destroyed by not saying the pledge of allegiance in school, it was a pretty fragile country to begin with. I'd like to think that America can be better than that.