Then I recind my comments sort of. The city still needs to survive, no matter how the reputation etc. was earned or inadvertently associated.<br /><br />The more I think about it, I am conflicted (obvious by above stupid, contradictory statement). What about White Plains NY?
<br /><br />Now, I have known a few "black" folks who were really black, but the overwhelming majority are some shade of brown to creamy tan; evidence, I think, of various degrees of caucasian/Asian/Hispanic/Native American genes or of evolution adapting them to our climate.<br /><br />Bottom line? My race is the human race, and so is that of every human I know, regardless of shade of skin, shape (and color) of eyes, width of nose and thickness of lips. Oh, and color and texture of hair, too. Did I leave something out?<br /><br />As far as I know, White Settlement has never attempted to exclude anyone based on any of the above labels. White Plains I can't speak for.<br /><br />Like most humans, I prefer the company of humans who share my values and culture. They come in all shades. So do humans with whom I would rather not do business or associate because they do not share my values or culture.<br /><br />That is human. Everybody does it. Some folks use inappropriate information (labels) to make those decisions. It is their loss.
I could not agree more. That's why I "flinch" at the terms-African American or Native American.<br /><br />We're Americans-DANG IT!
This is truly just semantics then. Not my word choice, but somebody else's quote that I happen to have a lot of respect for, but I do know his intentions and I thought I had clarified with my negative positive addition. Anyway . . . in this context I intended decent and indecent to be equated with how you treat your fellow man. Examples:<br /><br />Suicide Bomber - indecent<br />Soldier who kills a civilian accidentally (or incidentally) while taking out a terrorist stronghold - decent<br />Bully at school - indecent<br />Bully who figures it out and apologizes and changes his behavior forever - decent<br />Catholic priest - decent<br />Catholic priest who molests children - indecent<br />Black man who raises his family the best he can - decent<br />White man who molests his children - indecent<br />Hispanic who toils at his own business - decent<br />Asian man who gambles his family's savings away - indecent<br />Texan who drinks fine Scotch on his porch while contemplating this discussion - decent<br />Texan who loots a television from a storefront in New Orleans while visiting - indecent<br />North Korean gov't - indecent<br />South Korean gov't - decent<br /><br />JB, IMHO, it is our duty to be judgmental. We are discriminating organisms. We have been taught the difference between good and evil and we "hold these truths to be self evident" although I really think that evidence came from monotheistic religions . . . not the point though, because I don't care how you arrive at decent behavior, just that you do . . .
While I respect that position, I can tolerate the term "African-American" without a problem; if it helps you feel better about yourself, have at it. Personally I'm more comfortable with "black" as an adjective even though it's usually not a precise descriptor, as JB pointed out.<br /><br />But I do resent the fact that the indigenous peoples of North America have co-opted the term "Native American" - I was born in America and therefore am a Native American who happens to be of European descent.
Cant callem indians as they are not from india? so what are they? I'm part souix but I cant recognize that now because ya cant call me indian and ya cant call me native american.
besides i'm more irish than indian. I can find that on a globe.
