PC Gone Mad

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  • aerial
    aerial Posts: 2,319
    riotgrl wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    riotgrl wrote:
    I agree that the FBI and police should have given basic descriptive information in this instance. However, I think many Americans are sorely lacking in understanding the basic ethnic makeup of the various regions of the world that are represented here in the US. If these guys are from Chechnya, I wonder if the average American even knows where Chechnya is and if they truly understand anything about the ethnic groups from the Caucusus. I used my own personal illustration to demonstrate that the FBI or the police giving some of this basic information might be useless when some Americans have so little understanding of the various characteristics of different ethnic groups. And yes, kindergartners bully - wonder where they learned it? When we can't tell the difference between a Pakistani and an Arab then I think this is when investigations get botched. Just ask the kid who was identified as being part of this attack in Boston and who is now terrified to go out in public.

    i said it less diplomatically yesterday and got called for prejudice against americans ...

    Yes, you did. But it is not out of line to note that many Americans know little geography, little history, and certainly little about ethnicity. And I think this contributes to a real lack of understanding about other regions of the world and our place in that world. Guess I'm jumping in that boat with you especially since that term 'PC' really sets me off.

    Why assume "many" know little geography, little history, and certainly little about ethnicity. Anyone that goes to school, works, or are social, associate with different people from all around the world daily. They have friends and many have family members that are all different ethnicity's. This is America the melting pot.
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • Bentleyspop
    Bentleyspop Craft Beer Brewery, Colorado Posts: 11,633
    aerial wrote:
    riotgrl wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    I agree that the FBI and police should have given basic descriptive information in this instance. However, I think many Americans are sorely lacking in understanding the basic ethnic makeup of the various regions of the world that are represented here in the US. If these guys are from Chechnya, I wonder if the average American even knows where Chechnya is and if they truly understand anything about the ethnic groups from the Caucusus. I used my own personal illustration to demonstrate that the FBI or the police giving some of this basic information might be useless when some Americans have so little understanding of the various characteristics of different ethnic groups. And yes, kindergartners bully - wonder where they learned it? When we can't tell the difference between a Pakistani and an Arab then I think this is when investigations get botched. Just ask the kid who was identified as being part of this attack in Boston and who is now terrified to go out in public.

    i said it less diplomatically yesterday and got called for prejudice against americans ...

    Yes, you did. But it is not out of line to note that many Americans know little geography, little history, and certainly little about ethnicity. And I think this contributes to a real lack of understanding about other regions of the world and our place in that world. Guess I'm jumping in that boat with you especially since that term 'PC' really sets me off.

    Why assume "many" know little geography, little history, and certainly little about ethnicity. Anyone that goes to school, works, or are social, associate with different people from all around the world daily. They have friends and many have family members that are all different ethnicity's. This is America the melting pot.

    She assumes correctly....many Americans couldn't find Baghdad on a map, can't tell you the difference between Iraq and Iran, don't know the different between shi'a and sunni, and certainly can't tell you if someone is muslim or not. There is no way that someone who lives and works in a small town in rural America is exposed to different people from around the world on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis from any source other than TV and movies and we all know those versions are usually skewed.

    And yes America is a melting pot but because of ignorance, lack of exposure, and a faulty education system many Americans just dont know or care about ethnic, religious, or racial differences.

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