Thanks, one individual who get's it! I've had a few folks write me responding to my original post on this issue. Why is it that when the "r" word is discussed, so many good intentioned folks seem to take it upon themselves to "defend", "counter-balance", or otherwise explain this issue until it goes away? Yes, racism is ugly, abhorrent and undesirable, but life sometimes serves up lemons and only by engaging in honest dialogue without trying to change each other's belief/positions will we get beyond our quagmire and make lemonade out of lemons.
I seek only to get people to think about the implications of racism, not to change attitudes or beliefs, rather behaviors in response to racism (positively I might add). Eduardo Parra Cleveland ----- Original Message ----- From: "Batala" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 5:43 PM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Gang, Drugs, Patrols, Ebonics, List Management, Racism > Well said! > > > > > From: "Eduardo Parra" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 21:39:18 -0000 > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Subject: [Mpls] Gang, Drugs, Patrols, Ebonics, List Management, Racism > > > > David, > > > > While I fully appreciate your volunteer management of this listserv, and the > > fact that you acknowledge that you did not respond in a timely manner to > > the "racist" comments posted recently, your explanation that the comments > > were not "sustained" is a hollow one. Anyone who has been subjected to > > racists comments, directly or indirectly are no less offended whether the > > comments are "sustained", episodic, occasional, etc. When it hurts, it hurts > > and when offended, one doesn't check to see oneself to determine "well, that > > was offensive, perhaps I should wait until it happens again to see if I'm > > still offended". Polite explanations explaining your inability to monitor > > postings on this listserv while understandable, in no way make life easier > > for those who are targets of racism. I would imagine if someone made one > > crack about white Minnesotans, tuna casseroles, or ridiculed anyone who made > > fun of someone who used terms such as "uffda", "you betcha", there would be a > > whole bunch of folk responding to such comments. What also offends me is > > that there were not a flood of emails admonishing this behavior, > > rather "polite Minnesota Nice" hard at work. In effect, silence. > > > > Andrea Jenkins is right on target! > > > > Much has changed here in Minnesota, much remains to be changed, much remains > > the same be it 1960 or 2003. > > > > Eduardo Parra > > Cleveland Neighborhood > > TEMPORARY REMINDER: > > 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the > > subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) > > > > ________________________________ > > > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > > > TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
