We are divided by tribalistic assignments of “us,” and “them”. ...but there are variances as to how one becomes part of each category.
“German” is racial combined with national. “American” is conceptual.
I think we need to work to understand ourselves better. Humanity is strong because we are adaptable, and because we are adaptable we will have differences, there is nothing wrong with that. We should be more respectful and learn to play to our strengths, adaptation is one of those strengths.
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I have come to the inevitable conclusion that there are many worse things in the world than racism...But try telling that to liberal Democrat racists!
I disagree. We learn racism. We don't know it as children.
As a child born in 1950, I grew up with 2 racist parents. Still, I tried to ignore it. We lived in an area of Los Angeles that had whites, blacks, hispanics, and asians within a few miles of my house. My best friend in grammar school was Japanese, but eventually I succumbed due to the Watts riots.
However, when I joined the Navy, I quickly left that behind and only saw my shipmates. I had a wonderful black friend that I hung out with. Had to think for a moment for an example since I saw no color during those days.
Unfortunately, I'm becoming bigoted again after watching the racist reactions to the Trayvon Martin/Ferguson/Garner incidents. Not to mention the black on black atrocities committed every day in Detroit, Chicago, Philly, et al. The blacks and their self-appointed leaders are bringing this upon themselves. I hate them for doing this to me.
Disclaimer: There are still many exemplary blacks that I admire.
I think that political correctness has gone well beyond getting everyone to give each other a fair shot and well into the unhelpful realm of letting people accuse one another of the vilest of motivations and letting such speculation stand as fact. We do have historical precedent, the witch hunts.
"Racism"--that is as something that should be condemned--should be confined to a description of behavior that treats others unkindly, simply because they are different. When you extend the definition to include those who simply take pride in their lines of descent; or those who seek to pass on their achievements to their posterity (as did the Founding Fathers in the Constitution), you shackle yourself with a self-defeating mantra, that wars on all that is constructive in social formations.
William Flax
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