Posted by Calnotary on 4/1/08 8:16pm
Msg #241697

If I were a SS...

I wouldn't use some of the forum members just because of the way they express them self of certain ethnic group. Everyone has their opinion. I have signed people of all races and most of them are so beautiful persons.

IMHO, I think people is just tired of where they live and their neighbors. If you don't like the people of your neighborhood, well just move out! But like George Carlin said some people is just PROUD because of what the color of their skin is or if you were born in Denmark or Ireland. I think we should be proud of what we have achieved in life.

Some may say this is OT but please keep the forum clean.

JMHO.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/1/08 8:29pm
Msg #241699

Bigots come in every stripe!

Unfortunately I've seem a lot of bigoted comments on this site but it usually stems from the extreme ignorance of the poster. I have problems when laws are not complied with, I dislike illegal immigration but then we have illegal immigrants from Canada, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America as well as from Mexico. Mexico even has its own problems keeping its Southern borders secure. To make wholesale judgements about cities shows an incredible lack of understanding, I have friends in Tijuana and while Tijuana has its seedy side (most often patronized by Americans) it also has its high-end real estate areas just as any city anywhere in the World does. I certainly wouldn't want to be caught in Hawthorne (LA County) after dark nor even in Hunter's Point in my favorite city in the World (San Francisco)I'm glad that the administrators finally removed some of the offending posts and I thank Brenda TX for pointing them out to administration: Thanks Brenda!

Reply by Les_CO on 4/1/08 8:40pm
Msg #241700

If you were a SS you'd try and hire the most professional, competent people you could to do the job correctly the first time, and reflect in a positive way on you and your business partners.
Free expression on some chat board, has nothing to do with business. And why are you posting this here?

Reply by Beverly Nichols on 4/1/08 9:54pm
Msg #241711

Thanks Les!

I get so sick and tired of people speaking and writing just like bigots but saying they aren't! The things they discribe are done by people of every walk of life. That's what people do. They act one way or the other and it isn't based on thier race. It's all about up-bringing. How you are raised. Act like you have some sense and you will get through life and come out on the top of what ever you do.

Damn Racist are everywhere. Trying to defend the words that they have typed for all to see is beyond belief!

b.

Reply by Mike/AZ on 4/1/08 9:53pm
Msg #241710

You’re saying that, if you were a Signing Service, you wouldn’t hire some people in this forum because of “the way they express them self of certain ethnic group,” and then you go on to say “…some people is just PROUD…” Yet you yourself butcher the English language in your own post? Am I missing something here? Is this a joke that I’m just not getting?

I don't like it when anyone native to the U.S. doesn't use proper grammar, especially saying “is” in place of “are.” CONJGATE THE VERB, PLEASE. It’s not “people is proud” it’s “people ARE proud,” and similarly it’s not “the way they express them self…” it’s “the way they express THEMSELVES.”

Blatantly improper grammar is not professional, and it’s a bit hypocritical of you to blast others’ professionalism and self-expressions when yours are questionable at best.

Reply by hcampersFL on 4/1/08 9:55pm
Msg #241712

Mike they are trying to sound like someone else. It isn't pretty.

Reply by Mike/AZ on 4/1/08 10:09pm
Msg #241713

So it's some sort of joke then?

Reply by Mike/AZ on 4/1/08 10:13pm
Msg #241714

NEVERMIND, SORRY!

I'm not familiar with the regulars here. I've looked at some of Calinotary's previous posts and obviously he/she is an intelligent person. This was obviously a joke that I didn't get and I shouldn't have stuck my nose right in the middle of it all. (I'd still like to know what the joke is, though.)

*Walks away ashamed, eyes closed and head hanging down...*

Reply by Mike/AZ on 4/1/08 10:16pm
Msg #241715

Quote

"Me fail English? That's unpossible!"

-Ralph Wiggum
The Simpsons

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/2/08 3:34am
Msg #241727

For the record....

Calnotary and Calinotary are not the same person.

Reply by Maureen_nh on 4/1/08 10:18pm
Msg #241717

Something has obviously upset you.
I am proud to be an American, I am also very proud of my grandparents on both sides who came here for work because there wasn't any where they came from. Yes, they both had accents and one set had to learn English.
I thank God every day that I am where I am and what brought me here.
Back to topic, If I were an SS, title Co or whatever business that frequented the notary boards and found that a particular notary/SA had strongly bigoted views toward anyone, I would hesitate to use them. You cannot always tell by a person's name their race, creed, color, national origion, or sexual orientation.

RULE #1 Notarys are neutral.
RULE#2 This is a public board, open to the world--don't say anything here to show that you do not follow RULE #1

Reply by Pete/MD on 4/1/08 10:34pm
Msg #241720

People who cry about racism are worse than the racists. If you acknowledge it then it will never go away.

I think everyone could learn something from Chris Rock.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/2/08 1:22am
Msg #241724

Wow! Chris Rock, now that's deep. n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/2/08 1:51am
Msg #241725

Absolutely wrong, Pete/MD. Ignoring the elephant in the

room will not make it go away.

Facing a problem is not "crying about" a problem.

Racism is one of the heavy barriers to an enlightened humanity.

If I were a SS, I would never knowingly hire a racist.

Reply by desktopfull on 4/2/08 3:49am
Msg #241728

Okay, so censorship is the answer, don't talk about the

differences and it will go away. Just love Scarlett O'hara attitudes "I'll think about it tomorrow." You can't resolve an issue by ignoring the issue or telling others to just shut up because you don't like what they say. That just builds up more resentment toward the issue and certainly doesn't enlighten anyone, or help toward changing their opinion. JMO

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 6:18am
Msg #241732

This thread is in response to

two earlier posts which were removed.

The two earlier posts were filled with remarks which were highly prejudiced against one race.

Censorship on a private enterprise/ business board is totally appropriate, IMHO. Otherwise you'd have posters who wanted to discuss their gall bladder attacks and ingrown toenails or their private businesses...they'd be promoting their own agendas here. That's not the purpose of this board.

There are other places more appropriate for freedom of speech on such things. This business forum belongs to a private person, not to a government entity. Therefore, censorship of inappropriate remarks is totally acceptable to keep the tone of the forum focused on more applicable subjects.

Reply by cassiewi on 4/2/08 7:12am
Msg #241733

Again, Brenda you're right and my post should have said,

I understand some things you're saying. I was speaking to all walks of life, and my experiences in one particular apartment. I know a lot of really awesome people and I don't care what color you are. I have read some of the messages that CJ has posted and there's a lot there that I don't agree with and realize she does have serious issues. But that's not me. Like Charles, I don't like it when people don't respect the rules of our country from any walk of life. Just wanted to make myself clear. And now I'll be done since this doesn't belong here.

Reply by Cari on 4/2/08 7:30am
Msg #241735

CJ and the like, just need to get out of their comfort zone

and come to grips & realize that this is the way it is - immigrant issues (or even race issues) are not going to change overnight and we probably won't see any positive changes in our life time.

Its just amazing that NotRot let CJ and the like, continue to post her racist comments on the Work Forum?

I have asked management to erase her comments from the last night posts and they have for like two posts, but will ask them again to just delete the whole message and everyone's posts...including message #233120.

Reply by cassiewi on 4/2/08 7:39am
Msg #241736

Cari, I apologize, I didn't realize the extent of her issues

and I shouldn't have responded to her. I'm going to ask Harry to delete my posts because that is not who I am and regret responding. I do not have any problems with any people of any color. So again, I apologize and hope you accept that apology.

Reply by Cari on 4/2/08 7:43am
Msg #241738

I've already asked Traci or Harry to remove the message and

posts including message #233120.

Reply by LisaWI on 4/2/08 7:42am
Msg #241737

Re: Sticking up for Cassie :)

She is an outstanding person and far, far from prejudice. She is a trooper and a hero of mine.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 8:18am
Msg #241740

I'm with you on that, Lisa. n/m

Reply by cassiewi on 4/2/08 8:25am
Msg #241742

Thanks guys, just goes to show that you need to be

careful with who you respond to. I do not want to be affiliated with that person, or anyone who shows prejuidice. I know what it can do to people. I only wanted to talk about my experiences in one place, so if I've offended anyone, I apologize. It was not my intent.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 9:13am
Msg #241745

Notice that CJ doesn't reveal her name...

..or her location.

However, many of us on this board do because we are not ashamed to stand behind what we post. Her remarks tar this entire board with her jaded brush while she hides behind anonymity.

I'd ask for CJ to stop posting on her favorite race-related topics out of courtesy to the rest of us. Otherwise, she should at least reveal her name and her location so the schedulers (likely a large amount of whom are Latino themselves) can decide if they want her to continue working for them. They should know exactly who it is that cannot stand all these various things; otherwise, folks, I think it makes us all (the entire board look bad).

This isn't a matter of "well, don't read my posts if you don't like them".

So, I'm asking you to stop it, CJ, for the rest of us... or at least reveal your name so that your remarks can be applied to the person who is responsible for them. Please vent elsewhere.

Reply by Cari on 4/2/08 9:36am
Msg #241748

I'M SO WITH BRENDA ON THIS... n/m

Reply by kathy/ca on 4/2/08 11:36am
Msg #241761

I did not take time to read all of what CJ wrote but the...

part about people coming here to CA that are not American citizens and trashing our state and milking our system and being aloud to participate in programs that WE pay for, is infuriating and many of us American citizens that live here in CA resent them for it. Maybe other states dont feel this way be we in CA DO! Our government doesnt even take care of our own older folks yet these people that are here illegally are treated better than our elderly, thats just not right! Again, I didnt read much of what CJ had to say but on this subject I agree entirely as does everyone I know.

Reply by hcampersFL on 4/2/08 11:51am
Msg #241765

Re: I did not take time to read all of what CJ wrote but the...

"Again, I didnt read much of what CJ had to say but on this subject I agree entirely as does everyone I know."

How in the world can you agree with something you haven't read completely? You sound about as bigoted as she does.
This is happening everywhere in our country not just Ca. That doesn't make it right to be a racist about it. As many people that trash the system that are illegals thier are twice as many that do it that aren't. Our finiacial resourses' are being ate up by millions of American people that think the Gov. owes them something. Keep your legs shut or your pants on, get an education and earn it like the rest of us. This isn't a color problem it is the mentallity that our Gov. has created making people think that the are supposed to be taken care of.

Reply by LKT/CA on 4/2/08 11:56am
Msg #241768

Re: I did not take time to read all of what CJ wrote but the

<<<This isn't a color problem it is the mentallity that our Gov. has created making people think that the are supposed to be taken care of.>>>

5 star statement!

Reply by cassiewi on 4/2/08 12:07pm
Msg #241776

I agree-what I was trying to say, but failed.

Excellent post Bev.

Reply by kathy/ca on 4/2/08 12:08pm
Msg #241777

Bev, I agree with what you said and on CJ the only thing I

am agreeing with is how people that are not American citizens take advantage of our country. I am not bigoted nor am I racial prejudiced, I just get tired of seeing "outsiders" come her and sponge off the rest of us that BELONG here. And, about not reading CJ's comments completely before responding, I dont need to read all the it to make the statements I make about the subject I addressed. Bottom line is, I think it is wrong that our government allows this to happen and we the pople can do little about it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 12:09pm
Msg #241778

Again we have an unidentified person (kathy/ca)

spouting off strong opinions inappropriately without identifying herself.

This is a sensitive subject. If you want to throw your weight around and talk big about problems that others may strongly disagree with you on, please identify yourself so that people can attribute your remarks to their maker.

Reply by kathy/ca on 4/2/08 12:18pm
Msg #241780

"Strong opinions inappropriately identifying herself, ......

throwing my weight around, talk big" where in the world did you get all this from what I said? Maybe you should reread my posts.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 12:37pm
Msg #241784

Take ownership, kathy.

Just link to your posts regarding these types of opinions relating to highly sensitive topics and then rave on. Being anonymous must comfortable when you are discussing things that cause extreme heated debate from living rooms to legislative platforms. Be proud of what you say about things which may be highly offensive to both readers here and hiring entities who read this board so you can take ownership of your social and political views.

Reply by kathy/ca on 4/2/08 12:44pm
Msg #241788

I have identified myself, I am kathy/ca, this is a message

board, we are not neighbors, friends, or family. What more do we need to know about each other. Many of us have our own reasons for not putting in all our info, thats up to each of us to decide. And now, we are way off the original topic and on to identifying oneself. I have no more to say on the subject. You all have a great day!

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 12:50pm
Msg #241792

"I have no more to say on the subject."

That's good.

If you want to talk about social and political views then own it. If you are going to spout it on a board where notaries get their work it is hardly fair to anonymously do so.

Surely you are not so dense as not to understand how volatile this subject is. This is not the appropriate forum for discussing these types of things.

Surely you are not so ignorant that you do not understand that Americans have widely differing opinions on things; and who are schedulers? Why, they are Americans! Americans who just may not agree with your remarks. Maybe you have figured this out. Heck, might as well own them and be proud of your stance on American social / cultural differences...or keep it to yourself.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/2/08 12:51pm
Msg #241793

Most reasons for not putting any information about oneself

is to not have to

Reply by desktopfull on 4/2/08 12:29pm
Msg #241783

Suggestion, this dissucussion might be more appropriate in

either the "Leisure" forum or "Just Politics" forum.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/2/08 1:37pm
Msg #241806

No - it belongs here, now! n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 4/2/08 2:00pm
Msg #241809

WHY? It's no longer work related. n/m

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/2/08 12:47pm
Msg #241790

Whenever one starts to paint groups of people with a broad

brush it shows a lack of sensitivity to individuals. I have a dear friend in Oakland whom I've known for many many years, she is a retired attorney and a direct line descendant of a Spanish land grant family well known in the East Bay since they owned the East Bay at one time. This lady is gracious, speaks both Spanish and English witout a trace of an accent and is a native Californian and a native of the US. At the same time I recently had to evict a tenant who was an illegal immigrant from Mexico. The tenant used every trick in the book to try and defeat my fixed-term lease including all of the social services and the County and State agencies. I was reported to the County building department for having substandard housing, I was reported to the State Department of Fair Housing for discrimination, they went to the local legal aid society, and additionally they have worker's comp actions against their employers. All of these are ways to try and extort money and support from honest hard-working business owners. Now it would be completely wrong to equate the actions of these two disparate people and paint them with the same brush and yet ther are some who loump them all together. When one starts to categorize people based on their national origins or the color of their skin they are doomed. One of the problems that we have in this country is the non-profit organizations that depend on a constituency for continued funding: non-profit does not mean non-monetized. Another problem that we have is the lack of attention by politicians to uphold the laws of this land. The real problem rests on the shoulder so of the citizens who do not hold the feet of their elected officials to the fire: we are all responsible. If you want to do something about the problems take your comments to those who can actually do something about it !

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/2/08 1:02pm
Msg #241799

"it shows a lack of sensitivity to individuals."

And it shows bitterness, bigotry and it has no place on this board.

I have similar stories, Charles, but the thing that gripes me is that they do this without revealing who they are so that they can "bravely" rant about their neighbors and the very people they see in homes.

They leave disgusted schedulers no choice but to avoid NR because how else can they NOT hire an anonymous bigot? This "CJ" who is proud of her living quarters, that she's debt free (maybe) and lives within her means and thinks in her mobile ivory tower* she has a license to trash others is tainting this board with this vile, continuing, racial slurring.

Not that it matters, but I think I've had my gut full of this anonymous racist ranting...wait...yep, it is definite. I certainly have.

---------
* Oh yes I CAN talk about trailer parks because I lived in one for a few years to stretch my money out for my kiddo to go to college debt free. Nothing's wrong with that...it's just preposterous she bandies that around like it's a license to slur and look down her nose on others. Get off the top of that trailer house CJ and come down to earth with the rest of us.

Reply by kathy/ca on 4/2/08 1:03pm
Msg #241800

Completely agree Charles, you have a great day Sir!!! n/m

Reply by Cari on 4/2/08 1:11pm
Msg #241801

Please stop with these rhetoric posts on this Work Forum.

Here we go, ONCE AGAIN!

Can't we get back to work related topics?

If you have something to say that is NOT work related, post it on the Leisure or Political Forum, not here please!

Let's keep this Work forum about work, and how we can more of it?!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/2/08 1:58pm
Msg #241808

I wonder if CJ = kathy/ca

Their verbage and opinions seems to be very similar.
And neither one wants to offer their identity....not that I blame them.
I am so offended by the racist posts!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/2/08 11:58pm
Msg #241912

Re: I wonder if CJ = kathy/ca

From previous posts, I believe they are from different parts of the state and therefore, not the same person. Also, I think there are significant differences in other areas not related to attitudes about groups of people...

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/2/08 2:41pm
Msg #241813

Racism and Bigotry are indeed very much work related!

Notaries are supposed to be neutral, racism and bigotry are all about bias. There are some very specific laws that are being broken by commissioned people who are racist and bigoted and openly post it on this forum. BTW you should check on your grammatical use of "rhetoric" and while you are at it check the definition: most people misuse the word badly!

Reply by Rachel/ORWA on 4/2/08 3:04pm
Msg #241820

If you can handle one more opinion...

(This isn't directed to you personally, Charles, I'm just posting here since yours was the last post.)

People who live in a closed society often have no idea that the rest of the world isn’t like them. This can lead to bigotry. Some the areas in our nation are very similar to closed societies. Those living within them can easily lose sight of the bigger picture, because the small picture is right in their faces. Racism and bigotry exist in every culture/color/nationality/etc. The challenge is to keep it from creeping into one’s own views even when there SEEMS to be an excuse for it.

I do not defend CJ’s remarks regarding issues of race, etc., as I find them repugnant. However, I do have to say that in off-board communications with her, I have never heard a racist comment from her. This leads me to think she fits into the scenario outlined above, as opposed to deep-seated bigotry.

As someone already stated, this is an extremely sensitive issue that affects all of us. I think compassion is in order.

Reply by Cari on 4/2/08 4:26pm
Msg #241838

Rhetoric - the art of harnessing reason, emotions and

and authority, through language, with a view to persuade an audience and, by persuading, to convince this audience to act, to pass judgment or to identify with given values."

Thanks for remindign me Charles for checking on my grammatical use of the word, yep, it's correct in grammar and definition, didn't misuse the word at all.

And Racism and Bigotry comments, should NOT be posted on the Work Forum, for the very reason you stated in your post

"There are some very specific laws that are being broken by commissioned people
who are racist and bigoted and openly post it on this forum."

And I totally agree with you 100% about notaries being neutral.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 4/2/08 7:46pm
Msg #241866

Re: Sticking up for Cassie :) I agree completely! n/m

Reply by Tonya Washington on 4/2/08 3:41pm
Msg #241829

When I comes to race. People do not realize that we didn't get to pick what color we would be. It was given to us by God, Allah, or what ever divine creator you believe in. Yes although we look different on the outside we still have the same compostion on the inside. We all have red blood, a heart, kidneys, lungs, etc. More importantly we are human beings. I believe that no one should ever be discriminated against because of the color of their skin or their beliefs. We as Americans black, white, etc have adopted this ego-centric (you are the best and everyone else is lower than you) attidude. I makes me sad to think that the more we are divided the less we will get accomplised. People do not realize that if we as Americans were to work together then alot of the issues and problems that we have would be stamped out all together. I thought that this was the 21st Century and that all of this should have been eliminated at the turn of the century.

Reply by Mamie on 4/2/08 5:23pm
Msg #241845

Another thing to take note of: just because they look, act and talk another language, does not mean that they are illegal. I am married to a Mexican-American who speaks with an accent. He is often asked what part of Mexico he came from. His parents were born in New Mexico and Texas, as were his grandparents and their parents. This is an assumption by very many people.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 4/2/08 6:04pm
Msg #241849

Oh boy, I hope I phrase my opinion politically correct

Yes I too believe this is the place for this discussion mainly because those of us that have been here for awhile have heard the same things from the same people over and over again. I work HARD to be color blind and for the most part I'm successful but I've come to the conclusion that everyone is racist in some degree. Anytime I hear "some of my best friends are (fill in the blank) I think RACIST. But I also see nothing wrong with that, it's the way of this society and up till now no one has been able to find the right words when describing those that are close to them. And it appears that it's only the "whites" that have to use that term to show solidarity with any minority be it race, religion on sex.

I grew up in Southern California so I've seen first hand what others are talking about. I also know that some of my best neighbors didn't speak english but they really didn't need to, they always gave my son the best tasting treats and never left him out of their childrens birthday parties or Christmas gifts. I learned from them and they learned from me and believe me, they don't care for the gangs or the lazy folks that every race has, fact is they dislike them MORE because they feel they're tearing down what true Americans are trying to build up.

I visited Juarez and saw the poverty first hand, where $5 is more than grown men can make in a week and men in uniforms with bandeleros hanging around their neck holding machine guns are on every corner. Across the Rio Grande they look and see "the good life", the mile high sky scrapers, the cars, the beautiful parks etc., it can't compare to a cardboard home with a dirt floor; water trucks bringing in clean drinking water. Ugh! And gangs? Don't put that on them, MS13 originated right in downtown Los Angeles and spread to our southern neighbors, not the other way around.

BUT now that I'm tucked safely away in rural Tennessee I've almost forgotten what it's like in "war torn" neighborhoods. That's probably the biggest problem here, if you haven't lived in one of the neighborhoods that have the safe houses etc. you have no conception of what it does to those that have grown up there. Like it or not America is definitely a melting pot and even though some comments may APPEAR ignorant, there still are emotions involved. No one person is right and no one person is wrong and it's only through open dialogue that progress can be made. Pointing fingers and calling names only makes the case because it surely doesn't move things forward. If you want to change a person's opinion that make a case for it because I can promise you these harsh words will only turn a persons heart colder towards the issue. Passion is wonderful but compassion is truly the key.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/2/08 8:32pm
Msg #241876

Re: Oh boy, I hope I phrase my opinion politically correct

I hope that my opinion will be taken in the spirit it is offered: unbiased with no false rhetoric (yes, Charles, you are right, it is used incorrectly more often than not).

"Like it or not America is definitely a melting pot ..." it was said by Sue W/TN, but many times I see and hear differently. I hear all too often: Anglo-American, African-American, Italian-American, German American, and so on. To me, this is another tactic designed to separate rather than unify into a true melting pot. We should be just saying American, and if anyone truly desires to know your geneology, then let it be discussed as an anwer to a question of interest.

I am American, my family came here about 1920, so I am 3rd generation. I have lived in places other than Florida and the USA, and I would not want to live anyplace else. We truly have a magnificient county with the most diverse cross section of the world's peoples to pick and choose as our friends and acquaintances and with whom to do business. I don't care about your color, religion, car, house, clothing or what else you may have or not have that is material. All that is of any importance to me is that you treat me w/respect and you will earn mine pretty darn quick. I want to be a citizen who is valued in some manner for whatever meager contribution that I can make to my fellow human. I am American in all manner, proud of it, and my lineage will not separate me from another, I refuse.

Reply by Pat/CA on 4/2/08 8:37pm
Msg #241878

Beautifully and honestly written! n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/2/08 8:23pm
Msg #241875

Re: Tonya - applause, applause! Take a bow! Great post! n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/2/08 11:49pm
Msg #241910

I couldn't agree more! Brava!!

I would sure like for us to begin to look at each other as individuals, rather than as a collective, homogenous group of __[your choice]___. As groups, we are more the same than we are different, and as individuals, we are more different than we are the same -- in so many ways.

The spouting off that started this post seems rediculous in context of the signing I just came from. This was a nice home in a nice neighborhood, with three generations of a very close, wholesome family living under one roof. They happended to request a Spanish speaking notary because they are much more comfortable in Spanish than in English, but it was clear that they could read and understand much of the documents.

They were also clearly intelligent, upstanding people. I didn't ask if they were citizens, but they had drivers licenses. They also had good credit and were making a sensible refinance decision (and paying down, not cashing out). Yet if some people ran into them in the grocery store, they might jump to erroneous conclusions about who these people are and what they are like. And earlier this afternoon, I stopped at the grocery store and was helped at the meat counter by a good natured gentleman who I chatted with for a moment. I assumed he was just making conversation, but he asked me to teach him English -- or at least speak to him in English -- because he is trying to learn more. But it would be just as foolish to say that all hispanics are like these people as it is to say that all hispanics are like the people CJ talks about in her neighborhood.

Every race, religion, nationality, etc. has good people, bad people, classy people and tacky people, educated and ignorant, smart and stupid, nice and nasty, well adjusted and disfunctional, savvy and clueless, wealthy and poor, handsome and ugly..... well, I hope you all get the point by now.

Anytime someone tries to attribute to a group of people charateristics that belong to individuals, they show their own lack of understanding of people as a whole. It's way too easy to generalize, but I feel that that kind of attitude is at the heart of the wars and disputes that plague the world. Call me a pollyanna, if you must, but I'd much rather err on the side of giving any individual -- or collection of individuals -- the benefit of the doubt unless or until proven otherwise.

We may never rid ourselves of racism completely, but we can try to chip away at it little by little, one person at a time, by trying to open other people's eyes bit by bit. I've personally encountered racism myself in small ways in my lifetime, but never as blantantly as one rainy night on a busy street in mid-town Manhattan not all that long ago that I will never forget. I was approached by an attractive, sharply dressed black woman who came up to me and asked me if I would help her flag down a cab. She said she'd been trying unsuccessfully for close to 30 minutes in the rain. I was able to get one in less than a minute. You should have seen the cabby's face when we pulled the switch! I was mortified. I just stood there immobile for several minutes. (BTW, I was just out for a walk and I had a good rain coat and a big-a$$ umbrella!)

That kind of experience has become a cliche -- but it's quite another thing to experience it personally. What I couldn't help thinking about while I was standing there is that the next day, I probably would again have no problem getting a cab. But that woman may have to go through the same thing over and over and over again. 'Course, I was also going back to California in a couple of days, where I wouldn't be traveling by cab... !!!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/2/08 11:54pm
Msg #241911

I forgot to add my link to the last comment - FWIW n/m