Race...why is this word still used?

[phee]

..this sentence is very true of the entire race...

[TygerLili]

NO STABS AT PEOPLE WHO USE THE WORD...

I'm just on a mission fro GOD...to set the semantics straight...

THIS...is the great problem I have decided to take on ANY TIME I see it...

...Race......NO!..this word is fuckin' out dated...

.....this world needs to speak correctly.....Ethnicity.....that is what they are describing...

FOLLOW ME.....

A dog can not breed with a cat...

A Doberman can breed with a Dalmatian...but one is white & one is black/brown.....are they different RACES??

NO...

They are called breeds...

Why then is Man refered to as seperate RACES???

...seems really ignorant to me...

What word do you suggest we use? As others have pointed out, "ethnicity" isn't always the correct way to describe it.

I understand what you're getting at, one unified body of people, but you can't change something by pretending that it doesn't exist.

And we all have words and phrases people continue to use that drive us nuts. My personal pet peeve is when educated people refer to Native Americans as "Indians". The only reason they were ever called "Indians" is that centuries ago when European explorers landed in America they thought they were in India, and thus called the land's inhabitants "Indians". In this day and age to refer to Native Americans as "Indians" is rather ignorant, but I have to correct my parents on this way more often than I'd like to, and they are by no means stupid.

I find it equally as annoying when people try to pretend others cultures, ways and colours are NOT different.

We should learn to embrace all cultures, and empower them with PRIDE in their differences-- rather than trying to pretend we are all the same, and there are no differences.

I have to agree with this. Recognizing difference between individuals or groups does not make one a "racist", we all do it.

[torn asunder]

if the word "race" wasn't used anymore, how would we describe things like the daytona 500!?

[phee]

if the word "race" wasn't used anymore, how would we describe things like the daytona 500!?

We covered that.... we would be watching a highspeed competitve breed around a track.

[phee]

We covered that.... we would be watching a highspeed competitve breed around a track.

That and "Racy" movies would become "Breedy" movies.... wait.... that is a bit more accurate isn't it....

[Rev.Reverence]

..this sentence is very true of the entire race...

Now...Phee don't misquote me here...I meant the Human Race...

..as in NOT men but MEN&WOMEN...it was not a distinction between tribes...

[Rev.Reverence]

What word do you suggest we use? As others have pointed out, "ethnicity" isn't always the correct way to describe it.

I don't know...did you read the thread???

I understand what you're getting at, one unified body of people, but you can't change something by pretending that it doesn't exist.

And we all have words and phrases people continue to use that drive us nuts. My personal pet peeve is when educated people refer to Native Americans as "Indians". The only reason they were ever called "Indians" is that centuries ago when European explorers landed in America they thought they were in India, and thus called the land's inhabitants "Indians". In this day and age to refer to Native Americans as "Indians" is rather ignorant, but I have to correct my parents on this way more often than I'd like to, and they are by no means stupid.

.

The Pre-European people called themselves a word that translates as "people"...

[Raev]

I hate to derail a conversation like this...really...

...but am I the only one who immediately thought "doggystyle" is an even more interesting phrase with the mindset of humans having breeds, too?

Ok, sorry. I'll shut up again.

[Rev.Reverence]

PHEE...your being more absurd than 'normal' now..

[phee]

PHEE...your being more absurd than 'normal' now..

Heh... in reference to what?

[Rev.Reverence]

The grammatical sillyness...

..as in 'race' with a car...& such puns...that while funny...are not what I was aiming for...

.....which was an open forum on a philosophical level the next steps to take in this 'mental war' against something that we all dislike...at least publicly...

..I have been asked several times what to change the word to..

...I have answered that more than once...

...education...

That's it...that is the only tool you all can think of...that's the only thing that's been used...& the country we live in dropped in average intelligence in recent years...so I do not see education as one of our strong points...

[Raev]

The best form of education, is experience.

[Rev.Reverence]

The best form of education, is experience.

...truth..

[phee]

...I have answered that more than once...

...education...

That's it...that is the only tool you all can think of...that's the only thing that's been used...& the country we live in dropped in average intelligence in recent years...so I do not see education as one of our strong points...

No it is not one of our strong points.... and that is the problem, just because it is not one of our strong points doesn't mean that we should not strive to make it better, don't you think?

That is the issue, the above statement seems to deminish the importance of education... education is the most important thing, in my opinion, in making the world a better place... I am not just talking about "the schools" I am talking about teaching your children tolerence and acceptence, educating them about the world and its many aspects, teaching them through experience (that is a good statement Raev).

Can you think of a better tool then education? I think that covers a lot...

I think education can solve a lot more then changing the word "Race" into "Breed"

[Rev.Reverence]

o.k.

..but it doesn't seem to be workin' very well...

[Raev]

Who truly tries to educate though?

Furthermore, how do you begin educating - even if it's through experience, someone/someones who doesn't believe that they need to receive further education on human beings?

Unfortunately, this is a topic a little more complicated than we'd like to admit. It's more than just words, it's minds. Effecting a change in the mind...takes heroic effort...or damned good luck.

[Rev.Reverence]

Who truly tries to educate though?

Furthermore, how do you begin educating - even if it's through experience, someone/someones who doesn't believe that they need to receive further education on human beings?

Unfortunately, this is a topic a little more complicated than we'd like to admit. It's more than just words, it's minds. Effecting a change in the mind...takes heroic effort...or damned good luck.

It [educating humans] is a lifework/hobby of mine...& I'll quote myself..."Our student is our best teacher.."

..perhaps I did not clearly state the utopia I embrace in my heart as the next step in our evolution...

I'm told there are no words for to explain it..

[phee]

o.k.

..but it doesn't seem to be workin' very well...

Because people aren't educating there children Rev.... I see it everywhere, kids are disrespting themselves, other people, other peoples stuff... And that is because the parents put them on a pedistule above. There are news storys I read about kids getting in trouble at school and the parents sue the school for even thinking about disciplining their kids (and I am not talking about capital punishment, just things like detention). Think about it, being in a grocery store... I see kids running around putting there hands in and on everything in sight... things that people are going to eat and use.... And when they are brought up like this, thinking they are the most important thing in the world and above all those around them... Racism comes very easily.

Kids are NOT being educated, and therefore the changes that you and I both want are not happening. (I know that makes me sound old, but so be it). It is not simply about race, people are not respecting each other at all, racially, or just through common curtiousy.

[Rev.Reverence]

Because people aren't educating there children Rev.... I see it everywhere, kids are disrespting themselves, other people, other peoples stuff... And that is because the parents put them on a pedistule above. There are news storys I read about kids getting in trouble at school and the parents sue the school for even thinking about disciplining their kids (and I am not talking about capital punishment, just things like detention). Think about it, being in a grocery store... I see kids running around putting there hands in and on everything in sight... things that people are going to eat and use.... And when they are brought up like this, thinking they are the most important thing in the world and above all those around them... Racism comes very easily.

Kids are NOT being educated, and therefore the changes that you and I both want are not happening. (I know that makes me sound old, but so be it). It is not simply about race, people are not respecting each other at all, racially, or just through common curtiousy.

I'm still lookin' for more and deeper answers...

I'll share again.....when you least expect it..............................................................................

........................

[phee]

I'm still lookin' for more and deeper answers...

I'll share again.....when you least expect it..............................................................................

........................

If you don't think a deeper human education is the answer.... what can be Rev?

[Raev]

It [educating humans] is a lifework/hobby of mine...& I'll quote myself..."Our student is our best teacher.."

..perhaps I did not clearly state the utopia I embrace in my heart as the next step in our evolution...

I'm told there are no words for to explain it..

By no means take the following statements of mine as a slander, insult, words of discouragement nor of disagreement. I honestly don't know WHAT you do outside of the poetry and music so I'm merely playing the devils advocate on this.

It is a romantic notion that by educating one through positive experience, that a ripple effect will occur. That one person will be forever changed...and the experiences others have with that one person can perhaps change them...until the world is awash in a sea of joy and happiness.

Perhaps I am a bit fatalistic or cynical...but I think of the pebble in the pond...the ripples...then I think about what happens when a good sized rock is thrown in at the same time as the pebble. I think about how the pebbles ripples are overcome.

That's how I see the situation. Admirable and noble people such as yourself strive for a better tomorrow. Deities blessings to you for that, as well. Unfortunately, you are a pebble next to a large rock.

I often find myself wondering...how does one inspire the masses to splash as well....to be a boulder in the pond of reality?

[headlessgoth]

diversity is one of life's many luxuries and problems. using words like ethnicity and breed are just another way to describe race. i believe you are wat defines you your race only comes into play by others if so allowed.call me honky, cracker, whiteboy, but when its all said and done i am still and will always be me. think about the word breed people outside of this community say we are a diffrent breed. so before you classify an entire race as a breed just think about how it makes you feel.

[Hellion]

It really kills me that this is one of the few countries that race becomes an issue.I myself would rather be considered an earthling,not american,I hate labelsand they say humans are created equal.

[Rev.Reverence]

By no means take the following statements of mine as a slander, insult, words of discouragement nor of disagreement. I honestly don't know WHAT you do outside of the poetry and music so I'm merely playing the devils advocate on this.

It is a romantic notion that by educating one through positive experience, that a ripple effect will occur. That one person will be forever changed...and the experiences others have with that one person can perhaps change them...until the world is awash in a sea of joy and happiness.

Perhaps I am a bit fatalistic or cynical...but I think of the pebble in the pond...the ripples...then I think about what happens when a good sized rock is thrown in at the same time as the pebble. I think about how the pebbles ripples are overcome.

That's how I see the situation. Admirable and noble people such as yourself strive for a better tomorrow. Deities blessings to you for that, as well. Unfortunately, you are a pebble next to a large rock.

I often find myself wondering...how does one inspire the masses to splash as well....to be a boulder in the pond of reality?

The ZEN was immaculate and flawless...it gives me things to think about...

..I understand this parable...yes...I need a bigger rock...

^{{all we really needed to know we learned in the stone age}}

Now I wanna' be an industrial-rock-star...even worse...if I ever grow up...

[Rev.Reverence]

It really kills me that this is one of the few countries that race becomes an issue.I myself would rather be considered an earthling,not american,I hate labelsand they say humans are created equal.

See...DM is takin' like 3 - 42 steps in a row!