Racism in Any Way, Shape or Form is Racism. Don’t Euphemize; Euthanize This Social Evil, Now!
Posted: Friday, July 16, 2010
by Michael Gaffley
flatlinetochange
Racism in Any Way, Shape or Form is Racism. Don't Euphemize; Euthanize This Social Evil, Now!
Racism by any name is racism. There are no biological or scientific facts that support the notion of race. We are all members of the same race. If you have any notions of this being different because of some fact that only you know about then please go for therapy. You are sick in your mind. We have to know our history in order to find the answer for this problem of race in the social mindset. Africa is regarded as the cradle of civilization so how did we get to this superior inferior race paradigm. Maybe we should ask the Chinese who invented gun powder. I am not going to belabor the point of some European nations exploiting blacks from Africa and of Whites from Europe regarding themselves as the superior race for a long time in our human history. It was commonly believed that Africans were stupid and had no intelligence. Europe therefore had to import the raw materials from the stupid Africans and make products with it that could sustain the world.
I am tired of sitting through and listening to well intentioned presenters and academics introduce diversity. Is this notion of diversity solving anything or at least ameliorating some aspect of society? Why is there still a need to explain race and then call it diversity dialogues. Who has to suck up to whom? I find it demeaning to have to fill out questionnaires about diversity in organizations. Why not just call it assessments about the success of racism in the workplace?
I remember a time when cars had the number "5" on it to denote that this newest model car has a five speed transmission system. I also remember a time when cars would have the letter "i" to denote that it is fuel injection system or OHC denoting an overhead cam. Most new cars do not have those letters simply because those specifications are deemed to be the minimum standards in the manufacture of automobiles. Cars now carry the word "Hybrid" and can you imagine Henry Ford dreaming of having the word hybrid on a model "T" Ford? These cars in spite of their letters are fit for purpose because they can transport you from point "A" to point "B" in varying degrees of luxury. We now have six speed transmissions and the manufacturer does not even bother to put a number "6" on the car. Every time we label the workshop "diversity" we are mislabeling society. Why can we not call it "Do unto others as you would others do unto you" workshops? I would advocate for "Generally Accepted Rules of Social Engagement (GARSE) in government, in the workplace, in society and most of all in our places of worship.
I know that programs like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Affirmative Action is well intended but I also know that it does not work in practice. The human condition is far too complex to remedy it with a simplified program. Black Economic Empowerment and Affirmative Action should be removed from the social vehicle of society. BEE and Affirmative Action should be built in minimum standards that benefit all people. Well, hello these kids of all shapes and different colors who are friends with my children are definitely NOT racist so why should they be made to feel uncomfortable racism has to be explained in terms of diversity efforts?
We need to stop holding this generation accountable for the misdeeds, and misdemeanors of their ancestors.
We need to normalize our life and our lifestyle by accepting that:
1. Racism is wrong; it is evil
2. There is no biological or scientific evidence for differences in race or skin color
3. We should refrain from making racist jokes
4. We need to examine our stereotypes
5. We have to treat all people with respect.
6. People need to be advanced in their job based on their skill and not their skin.
7. We need to affirm all people in spite of their skin color
8. We need to make the need for BEE and Affirmative Action, obsolete
9. We will not hide behind laws that benefit people because of their lighter complexion
10. The new hybrid model for social society is in the making.
Government has the ability to develop sometimes funny words and acronyms like TANIF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funds and ARRA so why can GARSE not be a new word?
Anybody willing to work with me on branding the GARSE workshops?
This Article has been viewed 652 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi, Michael. I like your no-nonsense approach in this article. But will GARSE not suffer the same fate that plagues the other on-paper, in-theory ideals like BEE and Affirmative Action? What makes racism impossible to eradicate outright is that it is a matter of the heart and mind. I have found that one of the most effective ways to overcome racist behavior on a personal level over time is to intermingle with people of other nationalities, cultures and skin colors on a very regular basis. To be effective, this socializing needs to be proactive and intentional.
Example: Because our church family has an almost balanced proportion of whites and blacks it has become our norm to treat one another as humans, as brothers and sisters, whether were from America, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Liberia or Nigeria.
Having said that, I do heed your call to quit the stuff of diversity lectures and workshops ... a fluff of feel-good talk, like that dog kicker guy you mentioned. ~mogama~Pastor thank you. please commend me in your prayers as I commend you in mine.
This was a great article. People need to see people as equal not just through the lens of racei could not agree more
Hey MIke, with 60% of Americans believing that the earth is 6,000 years old, what else can we expect? Wow. It makes you want to throw up, doesn't it?sure does and not even BP can cap it
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.