Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion and those opinions should be respected. However, as the mother of two grown children and a small grandchild, I would be angry if any of their teachers discussed their views on this issue with them. Why must race always become an issue? I would have hoped we've moved past caring about what color a child may come out of the womb as.
posted on February 1, 2003 03:55:54 PM newBiggest nastiest insult wins.
Those being the rules, I'll concede/forfeit the 'game'...because I truly believe we can have discussions without insulting each other. Discussing our different views while addressing the issue, rather than the individual.
posted on February 1, 2003 04:01:21 PM new
LindaK,It was meant to to lighten up a little,Theres been too much stuff going on.I thought you guys would have a good laugh and it would slow the direction of where the conversation was headed.My mistake.Ill remove it.Also I wont be around after Wed.
Gonna travel,No P.C with me.
posted on February 1, 2003 04:03:28 PM new
junquemama
I am offended that you would compare my wits with LindaK.
I'm avoiding this discussion because it is truly beneath my dignity and a waste of time to argue about racist issues with LindaK.
I have stated my position. I think all races are equal and I don't judge people based on the color of their skin. We are not raising "puppies" Linda. We are talking about human beings.
posted on February 1, 2003 05:25:29 PM new
Having met a number of families where, according to their own "values", they decided to keep sex a secret from their kids. Of course, anyone who has seen the film 'Carrie' remembers the opening shower scene. I met a number of these young pre-pubescent girls just on the verge on their first menstural cycle and their mothers STILL hadn't taold them anything about what to expect! Fortunately, I managed to get things resolved to where a sympathetic female family member or a school councilor and gave them a sneak lesson on what to expect so that they would be prepared for when it did happen.
My point is, is that you can't trust parents to do the decent thing for kids as far as reproductive information goes. Sorry, but they are not trained to do it and most are highly uncomfortable about it.
Many familes still will not tell their kids about AIDS and how one gets AIDS through sexual contact. Idiots. Teen AIDS rates are accellearting in America and is the largest growing segment of oour population to contract HIV and the AIDS virus. So, why leave it up to parents to give kids a Death Sentance?
As far as the thread article goes, I don't see anyhting wrong with teaching sex education by using visual props with a banana. That CONDOMS are not a part of sex education in that school is unforgiveable, IMO. Prevention of STDs other than through abstinance may be "Liberal", but it is the only intelligent approach. ABSTINANCE LEADS TO POPULATION EXPLOSION! Just Saying NO! to sex is not the only solution!
We need to teach basic reproductive biology in every school to kids around the 6th to eigth grades, IMO. We need to teach them about the RISKS of unprotected sexual behavior, including pregnancy and STDs and Shotgun Weddings. In order to do that, CONTRACEPTION and STD PREVENTION must be taught as well!
After that, parents may teach what the hell that they please to their kids.
edited for no reason.
[ edited by Borillar on Feb 1, 2003 05:25 PM ]
posted on February 1, 2003 09:21:27 PM new
Lindak simply believes that young white girls who are being boned by black boys should be warned by their teachers that their sex might result in liters of blended puppies.
posted on February 2, 2003 03:50:35 AM new
As far as I'm concerned, there is only one race: the human race. I don't understand all these racial hang-ups. God made each and every one of us and that pretty much makes us all brothers and sisters.
posted on February 2, 2003 06:40:22 AM new
saddamhussien, Cheryl and anyone else open to reason.
I did not, nor am I, saying I agree with the teachers beliefs. Nor do I hold the opinion that one race/culture is better than another. Nor do I believe that there should be no inter-racial relationships. I do not believe nor support any of that. I believe in choice. The choice of those who wish not to blend the colors. And if you think this is a position only white people hold, you are sadly mistaken.
I am saying that while I respect your beliefs and your right to have your opinion, on what is or is not acceptable to you, I ALSO support this teacher having the same rights.
Now, having said it to a student...that's a call we all make..just like the parents who complained about the 'demonstration' the teach did with the rubber. I appreciate and enjoy the rights we have to disagree with and protest anything we don't agree with.
And to those of you who choose to see me as a racist...you'd be wrong.
posted on February 2, 2003 07:24:07 AM new
The truth about mixed-race, culture, even religion marriages is this:
The children are seldom if ever accepted by either sides race, culture or religios sect. It's not right but it's just the way it is.
If it's different where you live let me know. I've always wanted to visit Pleasantville.
If you think this will change in time I believe you are sadly mistaken. We are still fighting (arguing) about slavery, civil rights, religion and culture. We always will. I'm afraid that's human nature.
posted on February 2, 2003 07:49:41 AM new
My youngest son is of mixed race. His mother is full blooded American Indian. When he first became aware of his mixed heritage, he reminded me of Steve Martin in "The Jerk"..."ya mean I'm gonna STAY this color??!!"
He is now learning from both of his families the unique heritage that each has given him. He is proud of who HE is, proud of who his parents are, and accepted by both cultures.
Your position on this matter Colin, is simplistic at best. It all has to do with parenting and families, like anything else.I live in a place not noted for tolerance. It ain't Pleasantville.
There is nothing wrong with a teacher discussing the possible negative outcomes of a mixed race childhood. In a classroom setting, this should be discussed in as balanced a way as possible, with the teacher's opinion left out of the discussion. If the teacher was solicited in private by a student for his or her opinion, that's another matter. A teacher has every right to express a personal opinion if asked by a student, with consideration given to the student's age, maturity level and ability to understand.
posted on February 2, 2003 09:53:48 AM new
....that black ram has been tupping your white ewe, they have been making the beast with two backs ! Iago, Shakespeare.
posted on February 2, 2003 10:12:27 AM new
When I was in high school I came up with the perfect plan for racial harmony...unfortunately I don't think it will ever be implemented. Breeding and genetics is at the heart of my plan. Like Linda_K, I looked to dogs for my inspiration.
You see, dogs which are left to breed on their own (no human intervention) within a few generations revert to common type seen all over the world: small to medium sized brown dogs that all look very much alike no matter what part of the world you are in.
Now, if we could just pass a world-wide law that people may only mate with someone outside their own racial group, I figure that within 10-20 generations humans would do much the same. Think of it--no separate races. Of course people, being what they are, would then assiduously look for other things to hate than skin color, but at least one major problem would be out of the way... Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education; they grow there, firm as weeds among rocks. Bronte
Archie Bunker would understand some positions stated here.
posted on February 2, 2003 10:32:12 AM new
Unfortunately, even within the dark skinned "races" there is prejudice towards the darker skinned members. I saw a news report from Africa about how the "ideal" African woman being used in print ads and TV were light skinned. A huge seller at the comestic counter over there is a skin lightner which is having some horrid effects on the skin of some.
We have to learn that skin color is a s superficial as hair or eye color, which any genicist will tell you.
posted on February 2, 2003 11:19:30 AM new
It's true that it's not just whites who oppose mixing. My hubby and I are interracial and have two 'Moxy Mixies'!
His mother HATED me for marrying her son saying that I was taking away a good Asian man from Asian women~Ha! She even went so far as to spread rumors that I was pregnant with someone else's baby, not her sons. All this did to her was erradicate herself from her son's life as well as her grandkid.
Happily, after a few months (and the baby began to look more like him) she came around. She is quite loving and VERY supportive of us but it took her a while to overcome her prejudices. I don't blame her for this or anyone else who feels this way.
We are all taught certain ideals from birth about what is desirable when it comes to race. It doesn't make it right or wrong, just ingrained.
My kids are a perfect blend of us and only two people in public have EVER picked up on their mixed heritage~both Asian women. In CA, there are so many mixed people that it's a non-issue anymore. We have NEVER had a nasty comment flung at us in the almost 10 years we've been together.
As with LindaK, the genetics of mixing races was discussed in sex class as well as the dominant/dormant gene subjects. I found it fascinating and scientific. The problem this teacher made was inserting her opinion. She could have been fired for *promoting* such a thought as well. Let them teach all aspects of sex BUT keep it scientific.
edited for fun.
[ edited by wendywins on Feb 2, 2003 11:27 AM ]
posted on February 2, 2003 11:28:09 AM new
>"I did not, nor am I, saying I agree with the teachers beliefs. Nor do I hold the opinion that one race/culture is better than another. Nor do I believe that there should be no inter-racial relationships. I do not believe nor support any of that. I believe in choice. The choice of those who wish not to blend the colors. And if you think this is a position only white people hold, you are sadly mistaken."
What a bunch of double-talk! You're not a racist because you believe in the choice to keep the races seperate. What nonsense!
The True Linda is now showing herself.
edited for no reason.
[ edited by Borillar on Feb 2, 2003 11:31 AM ]
posted on February 2, 2003 11:59:57 AM newThe true Linda is showing herself
Oh really? Show's how little you know me. Many times when I take the opposing view here...people assume things. Your right...but not always a correct conclusion.
What might be nice, is BEFORE one starts with the accusations they ask that person if what they're thinking is true or not. What you, Helen and some others do is make assumptions rather than seeking to find out if your assumptions are correct or not.
What you see in many of my posts is my ability to see both sides of issues. And this is a very left slanting board. No surprise there. I'm not so cemented in my views that I can't understand why the 'other side' thinks as they do on the different issues.
For example some dems support the war, some reps are against it. But I rarely see the dems being blasted when they agree with say, invading Iraq...no, much easier to blast those who slant more right.
SOME people can be flexible in their thinking process, more in the middle of the road, not far left or far right. Some people can address each issue rather than making it a 'which party are you' type of thing.
posted on February 2, 2003 12:08:01 PM new
Wendywins - Thanks for sharing your personal situation. When we first met the parents of our future DIL, we saw they had many more concerns about our children marrying that either my husband or I did. Some was the interracial issue, some was that she was leaving her country to marry an American. It was a wonderful 'getting to know you' visit we had where we [all four parents] and our children could sit down and each address our concerns and listen to the answers our children gave us for why we should not be concerned.
Our DIL feels comfortable discussing the cultural/racial issue. She's see's many who are discriminated against and has mentioned, as you did, that once a child enters the picture, old wounds/old thought processes are quickly mended. Sorry your's started out rocky, but happy to know it turned out so well.
posted on February 2, 2003 12:38:05 PM new<<<Linda's quotes>>>
"They did discuss inter-racial issues. Genetics [this was in high school]..and how the gene can be dormant for a generation or two and pop up when one might not be expecting it to. So..I see no problem with a teacher who's sharing her knowledge and opinion of some of the issues that might present problems for some that involve inter-racial relations or sex."
"Not all people in American want to blend into one color. I'm saying they have that right....whether you or anyone else agrees. And as was stated, this teacher voiced her opinion and on the subject. Should she have? That's for each of us to decide as we view what we've been told".
"I did not, nor am I, saying I agree with the teachers beliefs. Nor do I hold the opinion that one race/culture is better than another. Nor do I believe that there should be no inter-racial relationships. I do not believe nor support any of that. I believe in choice. The choice of those who wish not to blend the colors. And if you think this is a position only white people hold, you are sadly mistaken."
"What you, Helen and some others do is make assumptions rather than seeking to find out if your assumptions are correct or not".
<<<END Linda's quotes>>>
JUST WAIT A MINUTE...While you continue to speak out of both sides of your mouth, DO NOT attribute the quotes above to my flawed interpretation. Anyone reading your quotes above will come to the same conclusion. You have made your position perfectly clear. But then you sidle off and make excuses for your remarks. Don't you feel conflicted and guilty when you can't state your position clearly without equivocating and jumping from one side of the fence to the other?
Helen
[ edited by Helenjw on Feb 2, 2003 12:38 PM ]
