Race, Sex, and Mankind (Wall of Text)

[Bobson]

Before I start, I want to apologize in advance, just in case this offends anyone regardless of his or her race. As far as my personal feelings on the topic... it'll be mentioned in the text, but a short answer - I'm not a racist, but I believe race is a HUGE issue in the world today, and I think it's very important to address it, rather than sweeping it aside as a thing of the past.

Quick note, if someone feels the need to move this topic, by all means, feel free (not that you need my permission XD). I couldn't find a forum where this would be appropriate, and it did cross my mind that this might be intentional, perhaps because SP doesn't feel it should be discussed. Needless to say, if that's the case, I disagree. I might also suggest a new forum, something broad, instead of many sub-forums (religion, political, etc). How about a "Controversial" forum? Anyway... I digress.

Race. What's right, or rather, what's politically correct? Hell, let's take it further. At this point in time, is being PC still important? I mean, in a few months, America might have a black President. I think if ever there was a time when we could stand up and say, "Race is no longer an issue," it would be now. Unfortunately, I think it still is an issue, and while it might always be, I think it's an issue in a negative way. Let me explain.

When I ask if being PC is still important, I'm not asking if it's ok to run around spouting racial slurs here and there... because really, technically, it's always been ok. No, most people don't like it. Many people moderating many mediums will censor it, lots of people will take it to heart and be hurt by it. And I'm not saying I think it's ok, what I'm saying is that as a whole, the people of America have said it's ok. Oh? This surprises you? There are no laws against it. I can run out into the street, get into any person's face who isn't white, and shout a racial slur at the person at the top of my lungs, and a cop across the street wouldn't be able to do a damn thing. Americans have decided that its ok for KKK members to hold public meetings, march in the streets, and picket black churches simply because the people inside have a different skin color.

So what am I getting at? Everything, really. Black. African-American. I know a lot of "Caucasian" people, educated as well as uneducated, who think "You're supposed to say African-American. They get offended if you say black." They? ...did you just say they? Yes, you sure did.

I took a political science class about a year ago out of pure curiosity and interest. My professor was a black woman who also works directly under the Mayor of Las Vegas. I wrote a paper on this topic for the class, and truth be told, I used the term African-American. She asked that I never do it again, and use 'black' instead, on the grounds that the use of the phrase African-American suggests a difference beyond that of skin color.

At the same time, I've met black people who recoil when they're referred to as black. "You're labeling me based on the color of my skin?" What should I say, "hey dude"? "Oh, so you think it's alright to just call me dude, like we're the same?" Yes, you bet, I've heard black people say that. So what the heck is right, here? What's politically correct? Is there a politically correct answer to this? No, there isn't. Simply because there are as many black racists out there as white racists, and there are people who are always going to play the victim card, regardless of his or her skin color.

So let's get to the nitty-gritty here. What's the goal? We want to remove racism, or at least as much of it as possible. So what needs to be done? First, we need to remove the mindset that there's a difference between two people just because one has naturally pale skin, and another has naturally dark skin. How exactly do we do that, and why is it important?

It's important because as long as someone sees a white guy talking to a black guy and believes there's a difference between the two, without knowing anything about either one, the third person will always assume there's a difference between the two. And when you think two things are different, you'll be forced to make a decision, and like one more than the other. That's it right there, point blank, no ifs, ands, or buts. If you have a Bic ballpoint in your left hand, and a sharpie in your right, you know there's a difference, and you prefer one. If you see a guy wearing a shirt that says Democrat, and another with a shirt labeled Republican, you like one guy more than the other right off the bat. Put a bunch of random stuff in a big bag. Close your eyes, reach in, and take one thing in each hand. Without opening your eyes, which do you prefer? For most people, that's going to be an easy decision, because from the day we're born, preference is everything. Which of your parents do you like more, and why? Who's your best friend, and why? You had a favorite pencil is junior high, a favorite notebook in college, a favorite mug to drink your morning coffee from. So which of those two guys would you rather hang out with, even though you don't know either one?

Now get ready for the controversy. How do we remove the belief of a difference? Let's look at things that blatantly say "HEY! Look over here! There's a difference between you and me. Between them and us." Black History Month. Every February, every single form of media we interact with every single day force-feeds all of us a refresher course about the things we already learned in school. Martin Luther King. Rosa Parks. Malcom X. Look at all the great things they accomplished. Yes, we know. The same great things you told us they did 12 months ago, 24 months ago, 36 months ago, and on, and on. Notice that each February, the media doesn't cover anything exceptional that blacks have done recently. Why do you suppose that is? Probably because there are no black people doing the things those people have done. Because it doesn't need to be done anymore. There is no segregation. Yes, there are still racists out there. But there aren't people beating others to death because they drank from the wrong water fountain, or came onto a person of a different color. Many well-known blacks have been cited referring to black history month as "ridiculous," Morgan Freeman one of the most vocal on the topic. Many whites are scared to comment, out of fear of being labeled a racist. Even that right there is a problem. A double standard most definitely exists.

We've all been driving down the freeway, had a car pass us up, and noticed the bumper sticker that car was sporting. "Latino Pride", "Black Strength", "Asian Persuasion". Have you ever seen a bumper sticker exclaiming "White and Proud"? Of course not. Would you be willing to put that bumper sticker on your car and park it in a public parking lot overnight? I'm not surprised, because I sure wouldn't either.

Let's talk about sex. I'll start with the double standard, since that's what I ended the race topic with. You may have noticed my use of 'him or her', or simply 'this guy and that guy' a few times in this text. Back in high school, an instructor of mine asked why I repeatedly used 'him' in reference to a random unnamed person, rather than 'her'. I never really gave it any thought. But my teacher marked me down for it and called me a sexist. She said she didn't believe me. From that day on, I always used the feminine tense in that class, and she never said anything about it again.

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[Bobson]

-Continued-

Come forward to present day. I'm in the military. As you might imagine, there are strict Dress and Appearance manuals everyone is required to follow. As far as I'm concerned, it's Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2903. Regarding tattoos, 2903 states that tattoos must not cover more than 25% (unless I'm mistaken, don't quote me, but it's around that number) of the exposed body, and no tattoos are allowed above the collar line. For all intents and purposes, that means no tats above the shoulders, and obviously, not covering more than 25% of the arm below the elbow (since we're allowed to wear our BDU sleeves rolled up neatly). Last year, a girl I work with got a full sleeve tattoo on her left arm over our allotted Christmas leave (it's a week long in my career field). When she returned to work, nobody said anything to her. I work in the hospital, and we wear military-issue short-sleeve scrubs. Both of her arms, from her shoulders to her wrists, were covered in tattoos with no visible skin. Nobody said anything. Six months ago, a guy I work with got a 3/4 sleeve on his left arm - shoulder to halfway down his forearm. He was written up for blatantly disregarding 2903, and now he has to wear a burn wrap around his arm during duty hours, to cover the tattoo at work. Yes, I understand that's simply poor management, but it's a double standard all the same. That's two examples.

Three years ago, shortly after I got to this base, I decided to test the waters a bit. Stupid, I know, but regardless. I went to the base barbershop and asked for a high and tight, a common military haircut. I received one. Then I asked the barber to cut it just a bit higher and tighter... and he refused, and said I would get in trouble for it. I managed to persuade him after signing a note for my NCOIC saying I refused to pay the man unless he would cut it tighter. I left the place with a fohawk 1/4 of an inch high. Simply a high and tight that was way too high, and way too tight. I got to work the next day and was written up for coming to work with a blatant disregard for 2903, and was forced to cut my head bald, since I didn't have enough hair to do anything else that would be within the regs. So I did it, and learned my lesson. AFI 36-2903 also has strict regs regarding hair color. In short, one must never color his or her hair (notice the 'his or her' bit?) in such a way as to make it seem anything but natural. No bleaching, no fading, no highlights. A solid color, anything from a natural blonde to a natural black. Women at work often come to work with cherry-red or bleached highlights, and nothing is said to them. Three examples.

The other day I visited the public library. The front glass doors open to a lobby, with second-hand books for sale, and the male and female restrooms. On the other side of the lobby is a second set of glass doors that open to the library itself. As I approached the front door, I noticed a women with her hands full of books inside the lobby, heading back out to her car. So I opened the door and held it for her. Get this. As she walks past, she doesn't thank me, she doesn't ignore me completely, she turns to me and yells at me, saying she's a big girl and can open the door herself, thanks very much. So I'm wondering what the hell is going on. I get to the inner door, and notice another woman leaving. I open the door and walk in. As I pass her, she mumbles something along the lines of, "Whatever happened to chivalry?"

Let's have a look at some of the problems in our society today. People try too hard to please everyone, and I've been guilty. People are afraid to confront others, out of fear of being labeled a sexist, racist, or whatever else, and I've been guilty. People think that if you ignore an issue and pretend it doesn't exist, it will go away. Leaders who are so damned focused on getting as much support as possible, that they're willing to completely avoid topics that might target large demographics. Like race. Gender. Frankly, it's a safe bet. Lots of people wouldn't have voted for Clinton because she's a woman. McCain is going to get a lot of votes simply because, "At least he's not the black, Muslim guy."

People, this world is not headed in a good direction. Our leaders are willing to say what it takes, but we're yet to see one willing to do what it takes. Race is a huge issue, and it will become exponentially bigger if Obama loses this election, and I honestly expect him to, despite the fact that I'm voting for him. Sex is a huge issue, and Hillary Clinton won't be the last person to say it. Wars are being fought over money. Israelis and Palestinians still can't get along. America's economy is in the gutter. Some people think the American government was behind 9/11. This God reportedly hates the people who follow that God. A new "green" fuel could either feed a person for a year, or be made into one gallon of automobile fuel. Meanwhile, the pursuit of said fuel has resulted in hundreds of thousands of acres of rainforest to be clearcut, but hey, it's all good! They're working on a time travel device over at CERN! At least we have our priorities straight...

What else is big problem? Censorship. Things need to be addressed, and even a few people kicking ideas around on a forum can get the ball of progress rolling. There's no such thing as a topic that doesn't need to be discussed. I don't care what the topic is, or who the audience is. The common man's most powerful weapon is his voice. It's a shame that there are people who choose not to use it.

-Isaiah

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