- Lillian Bogonko
- Nairobi
- Kenya
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Will whites ever see blacks as superior or any aspect of blacks being superior to them
Having lived in the US for a couple of years, i learnt very interesting facts that still bother me, and a conversation on this will shed some light. From my understanding, research and the attitude of many white people is that they are superior to all races but especially black. It`s almost saying the smartest black person can`t compare to the most stupid white. Am not racist, i just want to understand if this is a misconception or if these superiority thoughts do indeed exist.
I ask this because i believe racism is still rampant especially in the US that has camouflaged itself with being liberal. I`d like to read on people`s experiences and what they think about the topic . far fetched or it`s just the way the world works?
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Colleen Steen 500+
Looks like you're new on TED? Welcome:>)
Interestingly enough, I am just reading "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" again. I believe there still is a feeling of superiority with some people, and I think/feel that it stems from ignorance. I believe there still is, unfortunately, an element of racism...again stemming from ignorance.
Unfortunately, change takes a lot of time, and although we are trying to make that change, old habits and prejudices still hang on. My perception, is that we are more the same than different, and it is our differences that we can share with each other, thereby learning something that we would not have known. Those who choose to be racist and prejudice are depriving themselves of a great opportunity....in my humble perceptin.
Lillian Bogonko
Colleen Steen 500+
It appears that rules, regulations, policies and laws have changed in the US, but underlying prejudices sometimes have not. I believe that is the "old mentality" you speak of? People unfortunately, will try to minimize your concern with justifications of one kind or another, and that is not how we might resolve some of those underlying factors.
It is difficult for people to change sometimes, and they will hold onto every little scrap of justification to avoid change. That is from ignorance and fear.....fear of the unknown. Not at all a justification....simply, unfortunately the way it is for some folks.
I appreciate this discussion, which has been, and continues to be educational for me. I knew about the history to a certain extent, and I'm aware of continuing racism. I have lots of friends with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and we've had many in-depth conversations about this topic.
I didn't know the time-lines for certain things happening regarding the "freedom" of blacks in the US, so this discussion prompted some research. We have had the documents, policies and laws giving blacks freedom for a very long time. Unfortunately, as you say, the "old mentality" continues to exist with some people. It boggles my mind that a mentality of this kind, can continue for so long, and it must be very frustrating for you.
I have never experienced discrimination as a woman, or as a white person. In fact, the times I've been in a crowd of a different ethnic group, I have felt very accepted. The only way I can connect a little bit is because of a violent, abusive father. My question, even from the time I was a child, is how can a person, treat another person that way? How can a human being abuse and violate the rights of another human being?