When IS it a good time to discuss race?

[EffieBlack]

Apparently, we're only supposed to discuss race when and only when the discussion does not make any white person uncomfortable. We keep hearing people say, "now s not the time." But they said that the last time it came up. And the time before that. And the time before that. And the time before that. And they'll likely say it the next time it comes up.

In other words, according to these folks, race is an important issue. Just not now.

[Mabus]

1. The sad part is that we still need to discuss it

We need to talk about it. We need to take a good look in the mirror on a lot of issues and one of them is racism. It's alive and well. It cuts across socio-economic groups and is in every state. It's one of our dirty little secrets.

[FreeState]

5. +1

Not to mention it is not up to the privileged whites to determine when minorities get to talk about it.

[treestar]

2. I have no problem with it being discussed whenever anyone wants.

[DevonRex]

3. Funny how racists NEVER think it's a good time to discuss racism, isn't it?

Or that we need their permission to do so. K&R.

[VMI Dem]

4. When caucasian journalists and politicians say so.

[JNelson6563]

6. Never works because it enables many

to continue living the state of denial.

Julie

[MellowDem]

7. I think it's a good time to start discussing race...

when people don't start off by blaming one race or another as a whole for the lack of discussion.

I've seen people of every race help derail discussions on race. The "cracker" poll/thread is a great example. Several posters on there went way off topic of the OP, which was trying to basically discuss whether cracker was a racist term or not, and started going off about how whites have it so much better than blacks, a topic they brought up as I guess a reason to not discuss the OP. Going off topic is a favorite of disruptors as it is, or claiming shocking statements or arguments that the OP did not make. Regardless of them, there was a pretty good discussion to be had. Now, as for society as a whole? A lot of people are so uncomfortable with talking about race because the subject is viewed as one that has a lot of "rules" surrounding it. It is commonly accepted that whatever you say, your race will be looked at first and then your words. And the discussion is considered seperate and unequal. Some races can say some words while others can't. Some races can discuss their experiences while others shouldn't, etc. etc.

Basically, there is a lot of ignorance and anger to go around and it often obstructs any meaningful discussion, so people avoid it. And, most people in their daily lives rarely find themselves in a situation to really discuss race with anybody outside of the people they know well.

[cali]

8. I'm perfectly willing to discuss it or see it discussed, but if the President

doesn't want to engage in a national discussion (again) I support his choice not to do so.

[unblock]

9. in my experience, the best discussions usually happen around 2am

seriously, though, speaking as a white person, if the white person isn't made at least a wee bit uncomfortable, it probably isn't a good discussion about race.

[branders seine]

10. wait until all of THEM are gone

so we can be candid

[butterfly77]

11. Always for RepubliCONS..

but if someone on the left or someone black says anything about even a hint about anything relating to race then,they are playing the "RACE CARD"

[Empowerer]

12. One of my favorites:

"I don't deny that racism exist, but it isn't involved here."

Of course, it is never involved in the particular issue being addressed at the moment - it only exists in the abstract.

[Klukie]

13. How very true

[busymom]

14. I think race is an important issue

and racism remains a problem in America. The only thing that troubles me is when anytime someone degrees with the president (for example) it is considered racism. We drew pictures of Bush looking like a monkey and no one screamed racism (actually, they were pretty funny!!!!). The dems booed Bush at a St. of the U address...and quite frankly, I think that is part of democracy. I think Wilson is an idiot, but I support his right to free speech and speaking out. He ended up looking like a moron...but racism? That's a stretch.

I don't agree with every single aspect of what Obama is proposing, but are my disagreements really racism? No. When I post anything here though it is immediately implied.

We are heading towards a sort of place where every criticism of Obama seems to "smell of racism". I just don't think that is valid. I'm not saying that there aren't some racists who hate him based on race. I think most of the criticisms of Obama come from a place of fear of socialism...communism....and losing money to more taxes....

[Empowerer]

15. I'm sorry but you are trying to knock down a strawman

It is NOT true that everytime a person disagrees with the president, it is considered racism. Unfortunately, that is a common defense to any effort to point out the existence of racism. For some reason, some people are so uncomfortable with even the calmest discussion about racism that they immediately morph the entire spectrum into one lump.

Case and point: Jimmy Carter's comments. President Carter very clearly and articulately limited his observations about racism to the most extreme elements among Obama's opponents, not ALL of his opponents. Yet, rather than consider what he said, all too many people - including many on DU - jumped up and down insisting that he was calling everyone who disagrees with the President a racist. That's just not true.

No one is claiming that any disagreement with the president is racism. But racist criticism of the president IS racism. And pretending it's not or trying to deflect the point by continuing to argue this fallacy says much more about the people trying make this argument than those whom they are trying to shut up.

[busymom]

19. right. Racist criticism is racist...but

calling someone a liar, saying that you don't want socialized medicine (which is the RW complaint, btw, not mine) is not racist.

[Phx_Dem]

16. Not when we're trying to pass a health care bill that's for sure.

The GOP would love to have a distraction like that to get everyone's attention off healthcare.

I don't know what Obama is going to say that hasn't already been said.

[Empowerer]

17. There'll always be something important going on so there will always be an excuse to avoid the topic

Eric Holder was right.

[Phx_Dem]

18. What exactly do you want to say that can't wait. People are racist?

Well, no shit. But they who are racist, dont' think they are. They think their hateful, inhumane views are perfectly natural and acceptable. So we should derail healthcare so we can "talk to the wall?"

Pass.