Best of the Week
of Sept. 1, 2002
Best of Week
Archives
Here are the most intriguing cross-cultural exchanges
either begun or advanced during the week of Sept. 1, 2002, as
selected by Y? These postings, as well as "Best of the Week" entries
from previous weeks, also can be found by accessing Y?'s database
using the search form, or, in the case of
answers posted before April 24, 1999, in the
Original Archives (all questions
from the Original Archives have been entered into the database as
well). In the Original Archives, as well as in the database, you will
find questions that have received answers, as well as questions still
awaiting responses. You are encouraged to answer any questions
relevant to your demographic background, as well as to ask any
provocative question you desire. Answers posted are not necessarily
meant to represent the views of an entire demographic group, but can
provide a window into the insights of an individual from that
group.
First-time users should first make a quick stop
at Y?'s guidelines pages for asking and
answering questions.
The book on Y? is
here!
"Why Do White People Smell
Like Wet Dogs
When They Come Out Of The Rain?"
Order it here!
Read the Associated Press story
on "Wet Dogs"
Question:
Why do old people smell like cabbages? I think it has something
to do with chemical breakdown - anyone know?
POSTED 9/5/2002
Ilaria, London, NA, United Kingdom, Female, Mesg ID
94200283514
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Question:
Before the attack on the World Trade Center in New York, there
were reports of horrible conditions for women in Afghanistan. Then,
after the attack, the media went wild on the burqa (veil) and public
beatings of women. I'd like to hear from someone who lived in or
visited Afghanistan while it was under the Taliban regime: do you
think the U.S./Western media coverage was accurate and fair in its
depiction of life in that country?
POSTED 9/5/2002
Bella, Washington, DC, United States, 30, Female, Christian,
Afro-Caribbean, Straight, Technical School, Middle class, Mesg ID
95200284421
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Question:
I've always showered at night, and so has my family. I was
taught that it's better to shower at night because you don't bring
the grime of the day to bed with you. Recently I've realized how many
of my white friends shower in the morning. A friend told me
Westerners in general shower in the morning; Easterners at night. Is
this a racial thing? Cultural thing? Familial preference?
POSTED 9/5/2002
Sarah C., San Francisco area, CA, United States, 24, Female,
Agnostic, Asian, Over 4 Years of College, Upper middle class, Mesg ID
942002123458
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Question:
Are Jews buried in a standing position? Have they ever been
buried this way? If so, why? Or is this a persistent myth?
POSTED 9/1/2002
Scott, Bangor, ME, United States, 39, Male, Christian,
White/Caucasian, Straight, custodian, High School Diploma, Lower
middle class, Mesg ID 831200231038
Responses:
I have heard this story
before with the explanation that Jews are buried standing or with
their legs bent so that when the Messiah comes they can spring up to
greet him. However, I have never seen any evidence to support this
story.
POSTED 9/5/2002
Alex, Beloit, WI,
United States, 19, Male, Jewish, White/Caucasian, Student, High
School Diploma, Upper middle class, Mesg ID 942002112255
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Question:
I feel very uncomfortable because my daughter is dating a
Chinese man. I have nothing against his culture and respectable
occupation as a dentist, I just find it difficult to imagine part
Chinese grandchildren. I am from Spain and am white, and they do look
different from us. What do others think of this?
POSTED 8/28/2002
Alan, Dallas, TX, United States, Male, White/Caucasian, Mesg ID
822200244948
Responses:
I can understand what you mean. It is an inherent thing in all of us
that we'd like our children and grandchildren to resemble us. By
mixing in another race, you fear your grandchildren will look
'different' from you. Pretty simple. Conversely, I'm sure his parents
are having a silent heart attack thinking of their grandchildren
being half-white.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Marcus, Ottawa, WY, Canada, Mesg ID 8292002121430
I have many friends who have Chinese/Caucasian children and
grandchildren. They have varied warm skintones, and often
extraordinarily handsome and beautiful faces. I look forward to one
of my grandchildren marrying a Chinese person. People from Chinese
backgrounds - especially those like your dentist and possible
son-in-law - are always very determined to achieve educational and
professional/business success. This is something your grandchildren
could greatly benefit from.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Kent, Brisbane, NA, Australia, 58, Male, Episcopalian,
White/Caucasian, Straight, retired, Over 4 Years of College, Middle
class, Mesg ID 8292002111552
If your daughter is dating a Chinese man, it's probably because
he's a good, kind and smart person. If this man makes your daughter
happy, isn't that the most important thing? As for mixed-race
grandchildren, no matter what their ethnic makeup, they'll still be
your grandchildren, still your blood. They will deserve and need your
love. You shouldn't love them less because they'll be half-Chinese. I
hope you will support your daughter in whatever descision she makes,
and encourage her to seek her own happiness.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Jessica, Raleigh, MS, United States, 17, Female, Atheist,
White/Caucasian, Straight, Mesg ID 831200215246
As a white person - especially a person with very fair features
such as myself - I think this is always an issue. I find women of
many different ethnic backgrounds to be attractive, but I know that
if I marry a woman who isn't white, or even one who is but who has
dark hair and eyes, then my children won't look like me, and that's a
difficult thing to cope with. I don't have an answer, but I know how
you feel.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Ben, Morgantown, WV, United States, 21, Male, Agnostic,
White/Caucasian, Straight, salesperson, Over 4 Years of College,
Lower middle class, Mesg ID 91200252727
I agree with Ben totally. If I were to marry a white man I
wouldn't want children because I know they wouldn't look like me. So
I understand what you're talking about. But at the same time, there
is nothing I would want more than to have a child with the love of my
life, regardless of his race.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Keimo, Milwaukee, WI, United States,
<millerfan@hotmail.com>, 18, Female, Black/African American,
Straight, college student, 2 Years of College, Middle class, Mesg ID
91200281738
He may 'look different' from you, but I can assure you he's
exactly as human as you (and your daughter). Assuming she does marry
him and have his children, they will be beautiful, as all children
are, and you will love them just as much as you would love any
'all-white' grandchildren you might have.
POSTED 9/1/2002
E.D., Kansas City, MO, United States, 46, Female, Black/African
American, Mesg ID 91200265911
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Question:
What's the deal with
a lot of blacks drinking grape soda, Kool-aid and other weird, fruity
drinks? I've worked in restaurants and delivered pizza, and it's a
strange phenomenon.
POSTED
5/12/2002
Trip, Columbia, MD,
United States, Mesg ID 5102002101409
Responses:
Different people tend to
like different types of things, but I don't think of it as something
weird.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Jade, Cleveland, OH,
United States, 34, Female, Christian, Black/African American,
Straight, Teacher, Over 4 Years of College, Middle class, Mesg ID
726200243736
I think this is a
combination of social class and family background. A lot of black
food and culture is Southern - or rather African as shaped by the
American South. In general, Southerners in the United States eat and
drink sweeter foods than Northerners. There is also a class component
to this: the wealthier and better-educated a family, the less likely
they are to consume a lot of junk food. I live in a mixed
neighborhood - yuppies moving in to a traditionally lower class
black/hispanic area. In the morning, I see the yuppie moms go into
the corner store with little kids. The Yuppie kids get stuff like OJ,
water, milk, bagels, fruit, or cheerios. The lower class moms buy
their kids soda, those Hi-C juice bottles, chips, and all sorts of
packaged pastries, cakes etc. As a yuppie living in NYC, I drink diet
coke, club soda, gatorade, and once in a blue moon, gingerale (Canada
Dry only, everything else is too sweet for my taste). I don't know a
single peer (of any color) who drinks grape, orange, or other fruity
drinks - in fact most of us who drink gatorade for athletic reasons
cut it with water b/c we think it is too sweet. Hispanics in the US,
in my experience, also drink lots of super sweet fruity sodas, but
having traveled in Latin America, I can say that this is part of
their culture and all classes like this stuff.
POSTED 9/1/2002
Mary, New York, NY,
United States, 33, Female, White/Caucasian, Over 4 Years of College,
Upper middle class, Mesg ID 91200281451
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Question:
Why does black
cuisine seem to so often have fatty and/or rich foods in it? What is
the cultural origin? I have a black friend for whom it's normal to
put an entire stick of butter in a bowl of peas. I consider myself
open-minded toward food, but I'm not sure if I could ever stomach
that much richness.
POSTED
9/2/2002
Sarah C., San
Francisco area, CA, United States, 24, Female, Agnostic, Asian, Over
4 Years of College, Upper middle class, Mesg ID
831200231450
Responses:
What your'e referring to
is individual preference, not necessarily so-called 'black' cuisine.
I happen to consider myself African American, and I am vegetarian and
would rather not have a stick of butter in a bowl of peas - but
that's me. There are many whites and blacks in various regions of the
country - particularly the South - where the regional dishes are
richer than other parts of the country: fried chicken, biscuits with
butter, etc., for example. However, this is regional cuisine and not
what you are referring to as 'black' cuisine. Besides, most of us
'blacks' have mixed heritage and prefer many different types of
cuisines. I am Native American, French, Portuguese, English and, of
course, African.
POSTED 9/5/2002
Cara, Boston, MA,
United States, Female, mixed race, Mesg ID 93200254312
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Question:
What is the
attraction white women have for black men, and vice a versa for black
men for white women? Is it all about sexual fantasies? What stops you
from acting out the fantasy if that is what it is?
POSTED
9/2/2002
Raymond, Bayamon,
NY, United States, <rcole46@yahoo.com>, 37, Male, Christian,
Black/African American, Straight, Actor-Teacher, Over 4 Years of
College, Middle class, Mesg ID 912002100003
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Question:
I worked for the
U.S. Census a few years ago and am curious about how people of Middle
Eastern (i.e. Iran, Turkey, Egypt, etc.) countries identify
themselves racially. We were directed to input only
"self-descriptions" of racial identity (no guessing allowed), and I
usually received shrugs and blank looks from the Middle Eastern
respondents when we got to the 'race' question (which I was required
to ask). The majority finally said 'white,' which I found to be
interesting considering the very specific racial divisions
(acknowledged or otherwise) we have in this country. Are there
distinct lines drawn between race, ethnicity and nationality for
Middle Eastern peoples, or is it a big blur?
POSTED
9/2/2002
A. Adams, Los
Angeles, CA, United States, Over 4 Years of College, Mesg ID
922002123811
Responses:
The terms 'Caucasion' or
'Cacausoid,' like all the other races as defined, were used to
describe physical characteristics and had nothing to do with skin
color. Therefore, a blond, light-complected Nordic and a
frizzy-haired, dark-complected Semite are both Caucasian. Today, I
don't know if it's just in the United States, but white has become
synonomous with Caucasian. Most don't think of Mideasterners as
white, and because we use Hispanic/Latino and Pacific Islander as
'races,' why not add Mideastern or Semitic, too? I always assumed
they would be labeled Asian, but I say let them decide for
themselves. I wonder what Australian Aborigines would be labeled?
POSTED 9/5/2002
Ridley S.,
Chambersburg, PA, United States, 22, Male, Agnostic, White/Caucasian,
Mesg ID 922002100914
To make a long matter
short, the concept of race is almost unknown in most Middle Eastern
countries. In Egypt, for example, you have people of all shades
across all classes and religions. For example, when people consider
getting married, they usually don't notice skin color. The concept of
ethnicity and culture is very strong, though. For example, in Egypt
the Nubians are a distinct group, not because they are black but
because they have a different culture. Note also that Iranians are
Indo-Europeans, Turks are Mongols and Arabs are semitic. So these
three groups will NEVER identify themselves together under a single
grouping. So ethnicity and nationality are important and distinct,
race is considered amusing pseudo-science here!
POSTED 9/5/2002
Karim O., Cairo, NA,
Egypt, 22, Male, Muslim, Arab, Straight, Engineer, Over 4 Years of
College, Middle class, Mesg ID 93200215800
Why must we categorize
ourselves into 'races'? There is no such thing as a race (except for
the human race) as we all have characteristics consistent with other
so-called races, creeds and colors and their subdivisions. For
example, if we define white people as those who have thin lips,
narrow noses, straight hair and pale skin, we would be loathe to find
any 'whites' who fit the entire bill. Some whites have very curly
hair, some have thick lips, etc. We cannot categorize ourselves. What
a fruitless effort.
POSTED 9/5/2002
Cara, Boston, MA,
United States, Female, mixed race, Mesg ID 93200253612
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Question:
I understand that
American Sign Language is recognized as a legitimate language, but my
concern is that ASL when written out makes no sense, and it's
frustrating and infuriating that some deaf customers have this snotty
attitude that we should know what they're communicating to us. I
understand that deaf people don't want to be considered different or
treated as such, but to me it's stupid and unreasonable that those I
come in contact with feel I should go out of my way to learn this.
You can't have your cake and eat it, too, and my feeling is they
should learn to write in proper English. What do others
think?
POSTED
8/29/2002
Carrie L.,
Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 30, Female, Catholic, Asian, Straight,
4 Years of College, Upper class, Mesg ID 8282002102011
Responses:
It's not clear from what
you said what field you are in, but it might benefit you to learn
some more about ASL and deaf culture, especially if you deal with a
lot of deaf people. There's a book called For Hearing People Only
that is a good starting place. As for deaf people learning to write
'proper' English: There isn't really such a thing as written ASL
(though some systems have been worked out for research purposes and
such). What you're encountering is probably English words in ASL
grammatical order. For deaf people who learn ASL as their natural
first language, English is a second language. I know that when I'm
attempting to speak a language that isn't my native language, I make
grammatical errors. So when speaking (or writing) to another person
for whom English is a second language, I try to cut him or her some
slack and focus on mutual understanding and grasping meanings as the
point of communication.
POSTED 9/2/2002
Rachel, Los Angeles,
CA, United States, 25, Female, Christian, White/Caucasian, Straight,
Customer Service, 4 Years of College, Middle class, Mesg ID
830200240841
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Question:
Are white people just happy to be white? I don't want to be
white, but if I were, I'd sure be happy. If I were white, no one
would ask me questions like how come all of you people are in gangs
and afraid of water. I would not have to hear my mother cry about how
she can't hail a cab. I would not have to see people clutch their
purses or grab their children as I went to get a bite to eat.
Overall, I would not be a victim of harsh discrimination unless I was
old, paralyzed or underdressed. Of course, these are just microcosms
of American minority life, but we do go through a lot worse, and the
white American seemingly never does. We all have family, relationship
and money issues, but aside from that, shouldn't white people just be
happy to be white?
POSTED 8/28/2002
Jarrett, Chicago, IL, United States, 20, Male, Black/African
American, Straight, Student, 2 Years of College, Upper middle class,
Mesg ID 824200233019
Responses:
We are only happy to be white when we compare the way we live our
lives to the way so many black people live theirs. I am not speaking
of things that you cannot control, I am speaking of choices you make
and can control: The whole baby mama, baby daddy thing. The embracing
of things criminal. The booty shake. Equating being educated with
acting white. As much as we are to blame for some of your problems,
you must realize in your heart of hearts that you bring many of these
problems on yourselves.
POSTED 8/29/2002
William, Columbia, SC, United States, 39, Male, Methodist,
White/Caucasian, Straight, 4 Years of College, Middle class, Mesg ID
828200245143
This has been a message I have tried to get across through
questions and answers on Y? Forum: everyone has difficulties in life.
Just because I am white doesn't mean people are nice to me. I am
greeted by disgruntled people all the time. At work, I am constantly
trying to keep my job from overachievers who want everything. I meet
mean people from my own race, your race and every other race. A
difference I do note is that white people don't blame someone else,
because they realize life is sometimes a pile of crap and just move
on. It seems from your question that you just want a monopoly on
suffering. Well, if that is what you want, go look for it. I, on the
other had, keep my head down, take care of the people I love, keep my
job so I can pay my way through this life and in my spare time try to
have safe fun. So I caution you on your 'racist' view that ALL white
people have to do is get up and think about what minority to oppress.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Matthew, New York, NY, United States, 43, Male, White/Caucasian,
Middle class, Mesg ID 829200253844
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Question:
If you've grown up
in luxury (multi-millionaire family) and enjoyed the finer things in
life all your life, would you work as, say, a waitress or security
guard if misfortune hit and your family found itself broke? I'm not
talking about people like struggling musicians or actors who have an
unexpected hit or two and are suddenly rolling in dough, then lose it
all in a wild lifestyle. I'm talking about people who come from
families who have been rich for generations. How low would you go if
the money disappeared?
POSTED
3/2/2002
missjohn316,
Washington, DC, United States, 29, Female, Christian, Afro-Caribbean,
Straight, administrative assistant, Technical School, Middle class,
Mesg ID 2272002103933
Responses:
What intrigues me about
this question is the assumption that certain people are 'better off'
if they are wealthy or come from a wealthy family. History has taught
us that people have reached financial success though they have come
from a poor family. Some rich (even royalty) families have
experienced dissatisfaction amid their wealth. Solomon the great was
said to be 'the richest king,' yet all he wanted was to 'enjoy his
meal.' I would like to believe I am skilled enough to repond
adequately to any situation in life. I do what I need to based on the
situation at the time. Failure or success is based on our response to
a situation, rather than the situation itself.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Marie, Porterville, CA,
United States, <Benjamincastro@webtv.net>, 52, Female,
Methodist, White/Caucasian, Straight, Shoulder injury, Nurse, 2 Years
of College, Middle class, Mesg ID 828200262255
I have the luck to be
from the European 'upper echelon' described by Amber. My family fits
your frame: I occasionally enjoy real caviar, foie gras, silk and
even a friend's castle. However, I am taught the difference between
income (self-earned and spendable) and heritage (family owned and
should be passed to the next generation). So I do work. Most of us
do. I do not have the fitness to be a security guard, but I did
occasionally work as a waitress at the student watering hole of my
university. I would go as low as anybody else if the money
disappeared. But, like my ancestors did, I intend to learn the skills
required to avoid such misfortune.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Butterfly, Liege, NA,
Belgium, 30, Female, Over 4 Years of College, Upper class, Mesg ID
312200282835
My family will never
run out of money - we come from generations of successful business
people. However, each generation has learned to sustain itself
despite wealthy parents. Each of the children in our family will
always be taken care of in times of need out of love, but this is not
a license for lifelong leeching. My father, his father, myself and
two siblings have each amassed our own wealth, big and small, through
personal achievement with the encouragement of our family. Emotional
support is the core of our household, not financial. There are the
exceptions: my alcoholic uncle with his wife and three children live
off the money of his father. It is his choice to make little of
himself. The rest of us learn to depend on only ourselves for money
and the strong bonds of love between us for everything else.
POSTED 8/29/2002
B. Heard, San Antonio,
TX, United States, <PincushionQn@aol.com>, 20, Female,
Christian, Mexican/ Caucasian, Straight, Student, file clerk, 2 Years
of College, Upper middle class, Mesg ID 3122002112141
Although I would not
classify my parents as being extremely wealthy, we did live nicely.
Our neighborhood was located in one of the most expensive communities
in our area. I also had many privileges not available to most
children (especially African Americans), such as going on cruises,
attending private schools and basically getting whatever clothes,
toys and whatnot I wanted. I didn't have a need for anything.
However, my family environment (especially in my teenage years) was
very dysfunctional. With my father being alcoholic, controlling and
emotionally abusive, I had no problems leaving when I got of age.
Many people couldn't understand this. They would see my house and
assume I was happy, but I wasn't. I wanted to have freedom and was
willing to do whatever I needed to obtain it. This meant doing what
your post said: taking a 'lower-class' job and 'suffering' through my
own bills, and so on. I wanted to establish a sense of independence.
So for me, I WOULD take whatever job available to support myself. I
have no qualms in taking, let's say, a janitorial or fast-food job to
make ends met. Money is money, and one should not feel a certain type
of industry is degrading, especially when it is used as a stepping
stone to something better.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Kristina, Washington,
DC, United States, <kfount500@aol.com>, 21, Female, Christian,
Black/African American, Straight, 2 Years of College, Middle class,
Mesg ID 312200240658
Most people who grow up
rich have an understanding of business relations and know many
wealthy and important business men and women. They would not need to
work as a security guard because they would be given a poistion at a
company somewhere.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Drew, Motown, WV,
United States, 30, Male, White/Caucasian, 4 Years of College, Middle
class, Mesg ID 313200280122
This has happened more
than a few times and is documented in both history and literature
(Vonnegut's 'Dead Eye Dick,' for one). What usually happens is more
of a long-term (two or three generation) decline rather than a big
drop. Trust funds that deep are soaked in property, CDs and other
safe investments. But when a big 'fall' does take place, the kids
usually don't end up as waiters, but rather mid-level managers at
their 'old family friends'' companies. If they have the same genes
that made their families money, they'll rise back up slowly, though
never reaching the apex again. If not, they'll be just like every
descendent of an English royalty that showed up in the United States
between 1780 and 1800: indistinguishable from the regular populace
within a few generations. I would disagree with the earlier posts
that said these people wouldn't have any survival skills. I was a
scholarship case at a 'rich' private college. What the rich kids
lacked (very obviously I might add) in what we would call common
sense (don't pay $5 a pound for hamburger at the corner store), they
made up for in social skills with 'their types.' When it comes to an
interview at grandpa's drinking buddy's investment firm, that's what
will count. Those places are full of those types, taking entry-level
jobs sorting mail and making coffee. Some rise from there, some
don't.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Brian, Peru, IN, United
States, 26, Male, Christian, White/Caucasian, Straight, journalist, 4
Years of College, Middle class, Mesg ID 313200285300
I come from a family
that has been wealthy for generations. By a misguided investment
choice, my father lost everything his father and father's father had
built. When I was in high school, I chose the profession of
bartender, to the horror and disgrace of my brothers and sisters -
and especially my mother. I felt estranged from my family, even
before I made my career choice. It depends on your character strength
and willingness to move forward no matter what happens . If you
choose to wallow in self-pity, then at some point you'll go under.
Everyone deals with bad fortune in one way or another. I still make a
very good living and am happy and content with where I am today. As
for the rest of my family, they are all working in various
professions, and although we miss the lifestyle we had once, our love
of life did not diminish. In short, the way you live your life and
view your world depends on you, and you only. Even us 'rich' folk are
strong enough to bend.
POSTED 8/29/2002
A. D. Smith, Seaside,
OR, United States, 30, Female, White/Caucasian, Bisexual, bartender,
Technical School, Mesg ID 319200213643
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Question:
Why do women nag so much?
POSTED 8/28/2002
James M., San Salvador, NA, El Salvador, 30, Male, Mesg ID
826200223425
Responses:
If you ever find out, please write a book for the rest of us. You'll
become rich beyond your wildest dreams.
POSTED 9/2/2002
Bill, Burlington, VT, United States, 44, Male, Middle class, Mesg
ID 830200272007
What do you mean by nagging? Do you mean a woman who might be
assertive? Men and women nag. In my opinion, people often nag if they
feel they are not being taken seriously or if they feel they are not
being heard. Often, complaining or venting is an outlet or makes them
feel a little better. People get frustrated regardless of their sex
and go through all those crappy emotions throughout their life. As
far as your perception that women nag, it could be that traditionally
women might have been taught to be reserved, repress their emotions
and be kind and sweet. Now we're supposed to be living in a
less-traditional society, so women probably feel it's OK to vent and
be bitchy.
POSTED 9/2/2002
Monique M., Ft. Myers, FL, United States, Female, Mesg ID
91200293719
Men do it, too; it just sounds worse when we do it because our
voices are shriller. Anyway, women talk more than men anyway, so it
follows that we would nag more.
POSTED 9/5/2002
Anne, London, NA, United Kingdom, 19, Female, Atheist,
White/Caucasian, Straight, student, 2 Years of College, Middle class,
Mesg ID 942002113531
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Question:
I was with a new (white) friend at an event where a woman went
up on stage and unexpectedly revealed her rear end to the audience.
The context was hilarious, and the show continued uninterrupted.
Later, my friend made reference to the woman's 'black crack.' I'm new
to the United States and have heard several comments or labels I
would consider inappropriate but have discovered are perfectly
acceptable in U.S. society. Is this one of them? Or should I fully
explore my 'friend's' views on race before I commit myself to a
friendship with her?
POSTED 8/28/2002
Shawna, Sacramento, CA, United States, 28, Female,
White/Caucasian, Lesbian, Mesg ID 827200241806
Responses:
I suspect it is, but I am unfamiliar with it. If you give the entire
quote, I (and I am sure others) will let you know. I strongly suspect
you should fully explore your 'friend's' views on race before you
commit to a friendship with her.
POSTED 8/29/2002
Wayne C., Parsippany, NJ, United States, 41, Male, Black/African
American, Straight, marketing, Over 4 Years of College, Middle class,
Mesg ID 828200245337
I have lived in Sacramento my entire life, and if you weren't very
aware of it before, then I should tell you that California is a very
diverse state, probably the most diverse in the United States. Your
friend is probably not a racist. Many Californians grew up learning
about and tolerating other races and cultures. The comment your
friend made is most likely just a comment meant to be funny.
POSTED 9/2/2002
Peter P., Sacramento, CA, United States, 18, Male, Catholic,
White/Caucasian, Straight, College Student, High School Diploma,
Middle class, Mesg ID 830200294151
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