Racism exists today?

Ryan Sattler said he knows the term tends to immediately get people's backs up. That term is "white privilege," and two speakers made it their central themes Saturday during the York County Community Against ...

[Amos and Randy]

Racisim works both ways. If anyone tried to have a "White Symposium" there would be an uproar in the black community. If their was a "United White College Fund" or a "White Miss America Paegent" Sharpton and his black watchdogs would be all over it.

[public helper]

Unfortunately, i must agree with Amos and Randy. Racism is definitely prevalent the other way around as well (Black on White). Everyone's first assumption when you hear the term racism is White on Black. Isn't that a racist ideology in itself?? My grandparents were the first of my family to come to the States. They were not around during the time of slavery, and i feel its unfair, that i now, may lose out on a job due to Affirmative Action. That a person of a particular race Must be chosen, even if they are not the best candidate. I am not condoning racist behavior on any sect in any way shape or form, but at what point can we stop using racism as an excuse for our current success in life??

[Semi-literate]

Unfortunately, the two posts above help demonstrate how pervasive the "denial" of existing racism (white against black, or brown) remains. to be sure, there are those in the minority communities that want nothing to do with white America, yet the actuality is that this country is still driven by white Americans.
As one who also once lost a job to a minority less qualified and less motivated (she didn't last long, but instead, got "promoted" out to bigger and better things, no doubt) the actions of Affirmative Action can be a very bitter pill to swallow.
And yet, people of color who have been excellent in their fields have been shut down (and in this town, still can be) for well over a century.
The playing field is still not level; and in York, the racism is still there, albeit subtilely, and sometimes, that is the worst kind. but then our town's dynamics go beyond not being thrilled about black folk: York's dynamic tends to be exclusionary of ANYONE who is not from here.
For instance, Public helper: did your grandparents immigrate directly into York, and if so, when?
If we are talking about the 1920's or 30's, we can assume you relatives were not Serbs, Poles, Russians, Croats, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, etc. York let in almost none of those from the great waves of people leaving eastern, southern, and central Europe. We weren't real big on Catholics or Jews, either.
And York was as discriminatory against those folks as we were against blacks. frankly, we didn't (nor still do) trust those swarthy people from Lancaster County or Baltimore either!
Our prejudices are strong here, and having a clearly different color skin just makes it easier to see the target of discrimination. I once heard an historian say in a speech that York was an "equal opportunity discriminator," and I never forgot that. It makes a lot of sense if you look at our town's background.

[Economist]

You would have to be living in a cave to think that white on black racism does not still permeate our society, especially living in this town. While it is no longer common to hear of people being outwardly discriminated against on the basis of race, a far more subtle form of racism has crept in. It buries itself in the common language in ways that are almost too subtle to notice. Perhaps a mother from Dallastown expresses her angst over the thought that "city kids" could share a school classroom with her children. Maybe a group of York College students sit on their porches and quip about the "townies" walking past. Perhaps it finds itself on the mind of a young couple heading to a Revs game, walking through what they perceive to be a "bad neighborhood," with no more evidence to go on than the skin tone of the residents. While most people may not even stop to think about the meaning of their own words, all of these carefully used phrases ultimately lead back to the one fear that is common to all of them: black people.

Of course, the euphemisms go the other way as well, as any young black mother seeking housing in a "young professional" neighborhood could relate. It may also be a familiar concept to a young black man who is stopped by the police as a "suspicious person," while driving through a "gentrified" neighborhood after dark.

Indeed, we have no "white history month," nor do we lack a "united whites college fund." These organizations exist to correct a social imbalance and create opportunities for a group that gets few of them. Perhaps one day, when a group of black men are standing on their suburban lawns discussing how the "neighborhood is getting awfully light," it will be time to consider the opposite.

[Steven C Johnson]

Of course, there is racism in York. And in America. And all across the planet. It is inherent in human behavior to distrust and be suspicious of those who are different.
The trick is to set those feelings aside and deal with people on a one-on-one basis, without prejudice or bigotry.
An observation...where I work, we have a very diverse workforce and it seems to work well during working hours. However, at lunch, the whites tend to sit in their little groups, the blacks tend to sit in their little groups, the Hispanics sit in their little groups. The women sit together and the men sit together. Hell, the gays tend to sit together. People tend to seek out those that they are most comfortable with, regardless of whatever diversity training they receive.

[Jeff Spangler]

What annoys me and other members of the "dominant white culture" about people is their nonconforming behavior, which in my experience tends to correlate rather highly with non-white race and non-Anglo-Saxon ethnicity. Those behaviors include disobedience to the rule of law, inability or unwillingness to follow common manners and social mores, and insistence on using languages other than standard English in public business and government.

It is possible to maintain one's culture or heritage in private yet conform one's public behavior into the common culture. Failure to do this results in a self-imposed "ghettoization" in the traditional sense of that word, which is to isolate oneself from others. That's a high price to pay and is entirely avoidable with some discipline and effort.

[avenues resident]

guys, it's not the color- it's the behavior- no one wants to work with, live near or be assaulted by people , whatever their color who mouth obscentities; are threatening in their manner; maintain a filthy yard and house; sell drugs; shoot and kill.. After 400 years in this country, many blacks and most Hispanics still cannot seem to master the English language, especially the kids who use "street" language.
No one wants their kids exposed to that kind of violence, indifference, filthy language in schools,on the playground or on the street. Tales of beatings; misbehavior on the way to and from school create a terrible image, not to mention the drug-related issues that surface daily.

Shootings; drug deals, murder.Blame racism but that's a cop out. It all comes back to having values instilled at an early age, and that doesn't seem to happen. "Babies having babies" does not beget anything but kids with issues. Has no one heard of birth control?

Clean up the act, and you will find that people- white people and others- are more willing to take you at face value .I by no means exclude whites from this indictment.Ghettospeak;intimid ating behavior; inappropriate dress hold down the whites as well as the minorities. we have become, in some cases, a society of
violent, lazy, inhumane individuals inflicting these behaviors upon the rest of society.

Is it any wonder those who can flee the environment( white flight) where this is most evident, do so?. Whatever the excuses, without "cleaning up the act" as Bill Cosby so often mentions, the odds of changing people's minds are slim.

[truthteller]

Actually, I am impressed with the level of discourse so far on this posting. Personally, I believe the only way to overcome racism is not by a great societal movement, but rather by one relationship at a time, one neighborhood at a time. When the "other" becomes familiar, then they no longer are the "other". I do agree that there do have to be common cultural touchstones that we can share together and celebrate that unify us even in the midst of our diversity.

[Matt -- York PA]

If you want to see racism, just read the comments section on ydr.com from people who can hide behind fake names.

Yes there is white on black racism. There is also black on white racism too. None of it is right but it takes place.

I'm not racist but I do hate the "ghetto thug" lifestyle that seems to be associated with lower class blacks. I hate being exposed to drugs, shootings, people who can't speak at all except in profanity laced street slang, boys who get six girls pregnant and don't take care of any of the babies, girls who don't know who the fathers of their children are and let the streets raise them, guys that walk around with their pants below their boxers, the list goes on and on.

NOBODY is going to get a job if they can't speak or pull their pants up enough to cover their underwear.

[Racism is alive and well]

Just look at Al Sharpton chomping at the bit. He's the most racist pig on this planet. It's a shame that the 'ghetto' lifestyle is shown off on MTV and by rappers as something to strive for. It's a shame when an AA becomes successful he's a 'sell out' It's a shame more AA fathers aren't in the picture and crack has taken over neighborhood. Changes need to be made. Instead they cry racism when they can't get a decent education because their schools are filled with violence and decent teachers refuse to work in the inner city. They cry racism that their neighborhood is filled with grafiti and drugs and gang bangers. Teach you children to rise above what they see in their backyards, teach them to have great careers and not want to be another 50Cent.

[Roberto]

Es pathetico escuchar lo que la gente de York todavia en este dia estan discutiendo. Vivi hay por un tiempo y encuentro que es unas de las comunidades mas diversificadas de los EEUU. Si no le dan las oportunidades a las personas, no importa su color van a imitar el comportamiento que los rodea. Mira cuanta es la division que las escuelas y majormente las iglesias de su pueblo son las mas segregadas. La pobreza tiene como consucuencia muchas manifestaciones negativas, no importa el color de la persona. Mira cunado los Irlandeces y Judios llegaron a los EEUU y eran tratados como basura solamente por su cultura y diferencias con los blancos anglosajones.
York esta y siempre va a estar 30 anos por detras de las comunidades progresistas. la razon es que su gente siempre va a encontrar una excusa para perpetuar la indeferencia y el racismo hacia las personas mas pobres y necesitadas.

Espero que algun dia puedan moverse hacia delante y apoyar la diversidad en su comunidad. Y que entiendan que todo cambia inclusive el idioma y la cultura, todo siempre evoluciona.
Auque no lo quieran aceptar.

I believe that change is hard to adjust to, but it’s inevitable, people, communities and even the US is changing. I know that change it’s hard but is inevitable.

And by the way, teach your kids Spanish it will serve them greatly in the future.

[just me]

Roberto wrote:

And by the way, teach your kids Spanish it will serve them greatly in the future.

Thats ok my kids won't be working for social services, the dept.of corrections, or border patrol but thanks!

[confused]

Is our national language English, please, I am just asking. Every venue I attend has English/Spanish shoving me in the face. And a Spanish post...I try very hard not to be prejudiced. At 70+, I just learned how to maneuver on a computer, now must I learn Spanish. Not being disresptful to anyone, but am confused with today's society.

[Semi-literate]

Ive Got It wrote:

I personally don't have anything against black folk.
In fact I think everyone should own at least one.

Oh, man, I haven't heard THAT ONE since about, oh, 1972.!Did you just crawl out from under your rock or something?

[blacktop]

Ive Got It wrote:

I personally don't have anything against black folk.
In fact I think everyone should own at least one.

It's people like you who keep racism going today in 2008 and is the reason why it still exist.

[Semi-literate]

Olla, Roberto:
Los Americanas deben aprender a ser la parte del "mayor mundo." Si decimos que somos una tierra de oportunidad, entonces debemos ser cuando decimos.

Amerikaner mussen lernen ein teil der grosseren welt sein. wenn wir sagen dass wir ein Land der gelegenheit sind, dann mussen wir sein, wer wir sagen.

Les Americains doivent apprendre a faire partie du plus "grande monde." Sinous disons que nous sommes un terrain d'opportunitie, done nous devons etre comme nous disons.

[LibertyFirst]

Semi-literate wrote:

Unfortunately, the two posts above help demonstrate how pervasive the "denial" of existing racism (white against black, or brown) remains. to be sure, there are those in the minority communities that want nothing to do with white America, yet the actuality is that this country is still driven by white Americans.
As one who also once lost a job to a minority less qualified and less motivated (she didn't last long, but instead, got "promoted" out to bigger and better things, no doubt) the actions of Affirmative Action can be a very bitter pill to swallow.
And yet, people of color who have been excellent in their fields have been shut down (and in this town, still can be) for well over a century.
The playing field is still not level; and in York, the racism is still there, albeit subtilely, and sometimes, that is the worst kind. but then our town's dynamics go beyond not being thrilled about black folk: York's dynamic tends to be exclusionary of ANYONE who is not from here.
For instance, Public helper: did your grandparents immigrate directly into York, and if so, when?
If we are talking about the 1920's or 30's, we can assume you relatives were not Serbs, Poles, Russians, Croats, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, etc. York let in almost none of those from the great waves of people leaving eastern, southern, and central Europe. We weren't real big on Catholics or Jews, either.
And York was as discriminatory against those folks as we were against blacks. frankly, we didn't (nor still do) trust those swarthy people from Lancaster County or Baltimore either!
Our prejudices are strong here, and having a clearly different color skin just makes it easier to see the target of discrimination. I once heard an historian say in a speech that York was an "equal opportunity discriminator," and I never forgot that. It makes a lot of sense if you look at our town's background.

You have such a low opinion of your home and your neighbors. I am not ashamed of my heritage and thinking my heritage my be a little better than someone elses does not make me a racist but makes me proud. Show any group of people who do not have blood on their hands. All groups make mistakes. Just another reason people should be judged as individuals and not by the group they may belong. I was wondering do you know where the rift between York and Lancaster Counties began?

[Annoyed]

Someone please name me a society on the face of the earth where forced integration has worked successfully. People naturally segregate themselves, plainly evident on school yards and across work-room lunch tables throughout the country. You will never get rid of racism because it is humanly instinctual to surround yourself w/ others like you and to take pride in one's own ethnicity.

[Confused]

Economist wrote:

You would have to be living in a cave to think that white on black racism does not still permeate our society, especially living in this town. While it is no longer common to hear of people being outwardly discriminated against on the basis of race, a far more subtle form of racism has crept in. It buries itself in the common language in ways that are almost too subtle to notice. Perhaps a mother from Dallastown expresses her angst over the thought that "city kids" could share a school classroom with her children. Maybe a group of York College students sit on their porches and quip about the "townies" walking past. Perhaps it finds itself on the mind of a young couple heading to a Revs game, walking through what they perceive to be a "bad neighborhood," with no more evidence to go on than the skin tone of the residents. While most people may not even stop to think about the meaning of their own words, all of these carefully used phrases ultimately lead back to the one fear that is common to all of them: black people.
Of course, the euphemisms go the other way as well, as any young black mother seeking housing in a "young professional" neighborhood could relate. It may also be a familiar concept to a young black man who is stopped by the police as a "suspicious person," while driving through a "gentrified" neighborhood after dark.
Indeed, we have no "white history month," nor do we lack a "united whites college fund." These organizations exist to correct a social imbalance and create opportunities for a group that gets few of them. Perhaps one day, when a group of black men are standing on their suburban lawns discussing how the "neighborhood is getting awfully light," it will be time to consider the opposite.

And who perpetuates a lot of these stereotypes? How many, of the dozen or more shootings in York last year, were the acts of people white and middle class? What are your chances of being robbed in Haines Acres? When was the last time a student beat on his/her high school principal at Central? At some point, people must clean up after themselves instead of relying on others. Believe you are a victim of racism, and you become a victim of racism. Work hard and persist in the face of adversity and that's called life. My family is Jewish and I know all about be descrimination - 6 million killed during WWII! Did we riot and burn down our neighborhoods? Did we rally when The Country Club of York denied our applications for 80+ years? And who is in charge of determining when the playing field is "level"?

[S G Smith]

1) I refuse to appologize for acts commited by others before my birth.
2) I refuse to be told that my feelings are wrong.
3) I refuse to allow someone else to determine for me how I should feel.
4) I refuse to allow someone else to determine what constitutes a level playing field.
5) I refuse to be descriminated against because I am white and wealthy.
6) I refuse to conduct domestic business in any language other than english.

Do not allow a vocal minority to speak for you. We must remember that while many of us do not agree with slavery, segregation, etc., we must not allow our rights to be trampled on by those who will never be satisfied! No matter how many concessions are made, no matter how many programs are created, they will never stop asking for more. We need to stand up in this country for our rights - the U.S. is still a democracy, and the majority rules!!!