quote:

---

Originally posted by richfed

Reminds me of the time I was watching TV - on the wards in the "Psycho Days" - Jim, you out there? Anywhere? - at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center on Long Island [before transferring to Securemann's neck of the woods]. The patients were watching a Black Miss America beauty contest or some sort of thing. My buddy and I just looked at each & smiled. Said he, "Imagine if they called it a WHITE Beauty contest?" We laughed. Eddie Townes, a great guy, is black.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by richfed

Reminds me of the time I was watching TV - on the wards in the "Psycho Days" - Jim, you out there? Anywhere? - at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center on Long Island [before transferring to Securemann's neck of the woods]. The patients were watching a Black Miss America beauty contest or some sort of thing. My buddy and I just looked at each & smiled. Said he, "Imagine if they called it a WHITE Beauty contest?" We laughed. Eddie Townes, a great guy, is black.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adele
I have to say Rich, that this is one of my pet peeves. I cannot stand any form of racism and in my opinion, the creation of ANY group based on the colour of its members or ethnic origin of its members only contributes to more misunderstanding and racial tension. If it HAS to be done, then at the very least it should be done on an equal level. Do people really want to go back to segregation? Because events like Miss Black America, and organisations created only for black lawyers, or latin musicians or whatever, only serves to kill the work of the civil rights activists who fought (and died) for the inclusion of ethnic groups in all areas. Things may not be perfect yet, but they were headed in the right direction. This sort of nonsense is a backward step for everyone.

HM

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theresa

This has nothing to do will ethnic organizations but we could all learn a lesson from it.

If you live anywhere in the south and follow SEC football, you know that Sylvester Croom was named as head coach at Mississippi State University. Coach Croom is a class act. He has been an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers for the past many years. He played football for Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama. When the coaching position came open at UA last year, he was one of the candidates. After interviews and such, UA hired Mike Shula over Sylvester Croom. Jesse Jackson took it upon himself to get involved ...it was a mess.

All this week we've heard nothing from the media (sorry Christina) but "the first black head football coach in the SEC" was named at MSU. Well DUH! In his press conference yesterday, Coach Croom pointed out that he was a football coach that just happened to be African American and that the only color that mattered was maroon (MSU's school color). He will do well at MSU and the Alabama Nation wishes him well...afterall, he is one of our own.

The media has hyped this up so much. A newspaper in Chicago had an article about it stating, yet again, "the first black head football coach in the SEC" and stated that he was passed over at UA for Mike Shula "who is white". Well, DUH! again.

I believe that we in the South have come a long way where race relations is concerned...not to say there isn't work still to be done on that front. And while hiring Sylvester Croom at MSU is historic, we should listen to the man and I can assure you he will not play the race card. Good luck Coach Croom....until November 6 when you come to Tuscaloosa.

---

quote:

---

Caucasian Club

---

quote:

---

I think that part of the problem is that being caucasian is not seen as being a part of a particular ethnic group.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adele

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theresa

This has nothing to do will ethnic organizations but we could all learn a lesson from it.

If you live anywhere in the south and follow SEC football, you know that Sylvester Croom was named as head coach at Mississippi State University. Coach Croom is a class act. He has been an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers for the past many years. He played football for Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama. When the coaching position came open at UA last year, he was one of the candidates. After interviews and such, UA hired Mike Shula over Sylvester Croom. Jesse Jackson took it upon himself to get involved ...it was a mess.

All this week we've heard nothing from the media (sorry Christina) but "the first black head football coach in the SEC" was named at MSU. Well DUH! In his press conference yesterday, Coach Croom pointed out that he was a football coach that just happened to be African American and that the only color that mattered was maroon (MSU's school color). He will do well at MSU and the Alabama Nation wishes him well...afterall, he is one of our own.

The media has hyped this up so much. A newspaper in Chicago had an article about it stating, yet again, "the first black head football coach in the SEC" and stated that he was passed over at UA for Mike Shula "who is white". Well, DUH! again.

I believe that we in the South have come a long way where race relations is concerned...not to say there isn't work still to be done on that front. And while hiring Sylvester Croom at MSU is historic, we should listen to the man and I can assure you he will not play the race card. Good luck Coach Croom....until November 6 when you come to Tuscaloosa.

---

Your point is well made Theresa and absolutely relevant. And another pet peeve of mine! I often note how often a news broadcast refers to a black youth who mugged an old lady, or asian man accused of murder, but when the criminal in question is white, this is often left to the viewer or listener to assume. When Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, he

quote:

---

Originally posted by SgtMunro

The whole 'Ethnic Diversity' thing is childish and counter-productive, wherever it rears its ugly head. As I have said before, when filling out my U.S. Census, under 'Ethnic Group' I always check 'Other' and write 'American' on the line. Americans come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. We are a people brought together by the idea that freedom IS the solution for the human condition. Now, sometimes we get off track a bit, but you get nowhere when you start dividng folks into groups. It is bigoted and the product of deranged minds.

It is my humble opinion that the draft, after the military was desegregated, did more for the Civil Rights movement, than any of the 'diversity' BS peddled on college campus today. It taught young men that it was what you do, not where you're from, that counts. You learned to depend on the guy next to you; regardless of race, creed or color, because your life was in his hands and vice versa. Just my thoughts on the subject...


Your Most Humble Servant,

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adele

In response to WW's post, much as I understand the Americans' interest in their heritage, I have never understood their need to prefix their nationality with their place of origin. To state one's nationality does not mean to deny one's roots, they are not mutually exclusive.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wilderness Woman

quote:

---

Originally posted by Adele

In response to WW's post, much as I understand the Americans' interest in their heritage, I have never understood their need to prefix their nationality with their place of origin. To state one's nationality does not mean to deny one's roots, they are not mutually exclusive.

---

I agree with you to a point, Adele, and I do hope that you understood the intended sarcasm of my post. I was rather irreverently poking fun at this very tendency. Of course, I would not go around saying that I am a German-English-etc.-etc-American. All of those places of origin go much too far back in my blood lines. I am simply an American, who's skin happens to be white.

I hope that I will not be stepping on any toes with my next statement, and I am certainly not, in any way, shape or form, making a racist remark. Far from it. But, for someone who's ancestors were brought from Africa around 150 - 200 years ago to be calling themselves African-American is stretching it a bit. To me, they are simply fellow, and equal, Americans whose skin happens to be dark brown or "black."

It does, however, seem appropriate to me for an American citizen who has immigrated to America from their country of birth (or even if their parents were the immigrants) to call themselves Greek-American, or Italian-American, or Japanese-American, or whatever. This makes far more sense to me, because the blood of their country of origin flows in their veins. But this should fade away as the immigrant generation recedes farther into the past.

Does this make sense?

---

Yes it does make sense, and yes I understood your sarcasam. However, I am not sure I agree with your subsequent comment. Roots are roots, and I think the only difference that time makes, is to ease integration, in terms of language, accent, and cultural understanding. The point is, that people can't seem to differentiate between ethnic origin, and nationality. If I were to emigrate to another country, and want to be a part of that country, and assume the nationality, why would I persist in isolating myself from my fellow countrymen by prefixing my new nationality with my old one?

By encouraging the continuation of this need to identify origin with nationality, the nationality itself is devalued. And where will it end? Will we end up with religious prefixes? Or gender prefixes? A Christian-Male-Latin-American? Nationality is not one's identity, it is the place one lives, and if you live in a free country, it should have little bearing on your cultural/ethnic/religious background. In an ideal world, of course!

HM

quote:

---

I have to agree Sgt...I am in favour of an enforced civil duty for young people, whether it be in the form of a military draft or a community service.

---

quote:

---

Subject: IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT SOLD TO LA COUNTY
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 14:21:16 -0800
From: "Los Angeles County"

The County of Los Angeles actively promotes and is committed to ensure a work environment that is free from any discriminatory influence be it actual or perceived. As such, it is the County's expectation that our manufacturers, suppliers and contractors make a concentrated effort to ensure that any equipment, supplies or services that are provided to County departments do not possess or portray an image that may be construed as offensive or defamatory in nature.

One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources. Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label.

We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify and remove/change any identification or labeling of equipment or components thereof that could be interpreted as discriminatory or offensive in nature before such equipment is sold or otherwise provided to any County department.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Joe Sandoval, Division Manager
Purchasing and Contract Services
Internal Services Department
County of Los Angeles

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Scott Bubar
One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Scott Bubar

I'm just glad that those racist electronics firms are finally being reined in:

quote:

---

Subject: IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT SOLD TO LA COUNTY
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 14:21:16 -0800
From: "Los Angeles County"

The County of Los Angeles actively promotes and is committed to ensure a work environment that is free from any discriminatory influence be it actual or perceived. As such, it is the County's expectation that our manufacturers, suppliers and contractors make a concentrated effort to ensure that any equipment, supplies or services that are provided to County departments do not possess or portray an image that may be construed as offensive or defamatory in nature.

One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources. Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label.

We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify and remove/change any identification or labeling of equipment or components thereof that could be interpreted as discriminatory or offensive in nature before such equipment is sold or otherwise provided to any County department.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Joe Sandoval, Division Manager
Purchasing and Contract Services
Internal Services Department
County of Los Angeles

---

---

quote:

---

Yeah... my computer calls me a "slave" everytime it boots up!

---