How to Make Friends and Influence People…by Whitney Farmer – Un Pop Culture | @MDWorld

November 7, 2012 Whitney Farmer 37 Comments

Whitney worked at a rock music venue on the beach in L.A.. She has an MBA and is planning her next garden.

I called the French Gypsies first thing this morning to discuss ideas for the day. I had planned on spending Election Night with them, but they got entangled in Hollywood and hadn’t even returned to the OC hotel by 8pm. Been there. Who hasn’t…?

But the weather was a problem this morning. Schedule-wise, it would have been a perfect day to spend at the beach. However for the first time in seven months, it wasn’t sunny. After doing some research, I called to propose a day at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Very tranquil and educational, with a lorikeet feeding exhibit that would enthrall the kids (and me…).

When I called, the French Gypsies were already on the road to ‘Vegas, Baby.

Another reason why I love the Gypsies: They are always up for a road trip. Plus, they are very good drivers.

That I can wear sparkly clothes, or lacey skirts with a hoody and feel right at home are added bonuses.

It isn’t that they don’t have serious issues that they confront. But those issues don’t cause delays in their adventures. They just fix things while driving down the highway.

The election is now over. The enmity between the two candidates probably wasn’t an act. One avoided national service by biking around France on a Mission to advance a religion that included, at that time, the belief that all Black people are damned. One is only half-White, and so can never appease the Right, right?

Some conflicts can only be overcome by putting them in the rear view mirror. And anyone who has made mistakes – such as me – cherishes an opportunity to change and put things in the past. Even more valuable and rare is a time of amazing grace when the differences or our problems still exist but we are given an arms-length of time when we are kept far enough away to keep from doing damage but haven’t yet received an itemized bill of what we owe.

Conflicts occur when people do bad things to each other. During those times, the word ‘compromise’ seems traitorous and filthy. But after the heat from cheeks that are red from humiliation or rage subsides, the appeal of ‘compromise’ can gently begin to appear.

We are now entering the season of compromise. It includes being humble instead of showboating. It entails beating swords into the ploughshares that can be used to cultivate and harvest. It must entail giving grace to the unchanged while protecting against retaliation in the interim time.

We have all benefited from this type of mercy. We know the shape of it. How can we offer less?

Paul wrote a letter to a wealthy man named Philemon to persuade him into granting mercy to a runaway slave named Onesimus. The letter became part of the New Testament because of the inspired wisdom that is packed into its tiny, blog-sized length. Slavery: Bad idea. Forgiveness/Freedom: Good idea. But the obvious conversation sometimes needs to be dug out and brought to light with the ploughshares and other gardening tools instead of the sharp edge of the sword. Put a sword through the dirt and you cut deep, but the beets or diamonds are still covered in the mud.

A ploughshare is made of hardened steel like a sword, but it comes after the ground-breaking work of the coulter – another type of blade – as part of a plow. The edge of a ploughshare enters the broken earth at an angle, like a compromise, turning it over and revealing what has been hidden and preparing it to receive the new seed. In the right season, it is the perfect tool for the perfect task. Use a sword and the ground stays hardened and immovable except where it has been cut. Eventually, the blade gets dulled and the ground stays barren.

It’s time now to turn over the broken earth and plant. Then we can make hay while the sun shines.

Or go the ‘Vegas if it doesn’t.

Quote of the Blog from Dale Carnegie: “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”

Comments

Martha Thomases
November 8, 2012 - 10:44 am

Humble? Have you met any Tea Party guys?
George Haberberger
November 8, 2012 - 10:59 am

Whitney,

Your metaphor of the plow rather than the sword being a better tool to reveal what is hidden and as preparation for planting a new seed is so apt. I was reminded of the times as a kid when I rode on the fender of my Dad’s tractor as he plowed a field in the spring. Watching the earth turn over so quickly, rhythmically and effortlessly, (albeit aided by an Allis-Chalmers D17 tractor pulling a four-bottom plow), was mesmerizing. Incidentally, Dad’s plow had a disk coulter that sliced through the earth ahead of the chisel. Growing up on a farm, I spent more time with my father than most kids whose dads work at a conventional job. Since he died about 3 years ago, I look back on those days with much more appreciation than I thought I ever would at the time.

“One is only half-White, and so can never appease the Right, right?”
Well… no not right. Most of the right has no problem with Thomas Sewell, Alfonso Rachel, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Mia Love, and many others that I will hold in reserve in case people want to say that I listed everyone and it is not many. My point is, race has nothing to do with opposition to Obama. I would vote for J.C. Watts, (oops, there’s another one), because of his policies, not against him because of his race. I would not vote for Nancy Pelosi because of her policies. Her race is not a factor. I do not think I am unique in this regard.
Moriarty
November 8, 2012 - 12:09 pm

Whitney,

“They just fix things while driving down the highway.” Maybe cars make good places to work out of. We could all adopt the Lincoln Lawyer attitude.

Comparing the Epistle to a blog is simply brilliant. Well done.

Outofwrightfield.blogspot.com
Reg
November 8, 2012 - 6:48 pm

George, and I say this with all due respect…No..you are of course not unique in terms of having oppositional views on President Obama outside of the parameters of ethnicity… but there is (most tragically) an ocean of measurable datasets that give evidence to the unfortunate truth that an extremely large, if not outright majority of GOPers feel (and act) to the contrary.
Rene
November 9, 2012 - 3:34 am

I think the accusation that a large portion of the GOP is racist is an over-simplification. Yes, they do support a lot of policies that appeal to white males, but the GOP really loves the minority of non-whites that join their ranks.

I always say that, if you support the trinity of Economic laissez-faire, aggressive pro-USA foreign policy, and militant Christianity, then the modern Right has no problems with the color of your skin, you can be white, black, red, or green, as long as you agree with the Holy Trinity described above.

It’s just that Economic Objectivism and American Imperialism do not appeal to blacks and latinos as much, limiting the GOP’s possible success among them.
George Haberberger
November 9, 2012 - 8:48 am

Reg,
Well thanks for acknowledging that I am not unique in opposition to Obama solely for his policies. I would be interested in what these datasets are that are evidence to the contrary for most of the GOP. I know racism exists but accusing anyone who opposes Obama to be a racist is akin to avoiding any real discussion. That is why I was compelled to respond to Whitney’s otherwise very insightful column. Her columns on MDW are always such a breath of fresh air that I was just a bit disappointed by that one line. Also, there is no doubt that many people, black and white, voted for Obama because he is black, Isn’t that racism too?

Rene,
Thanks for your comment that the GOP is only concerned with an individuals policies and not their race. And also for perhaps inadvertently admitting that the Democrats do not have a pro-USA foreign policy. American “imperialism” probably ended early in the 20th century. We really didn’t establish colonies around the world, other than perhaps Hawaii, (which was lucky for Obama since he was born there), so I don’t think the imperialism charge is accurate. Out adventures around the world have largely been humanitarian in nature.
Rene
November 9, 2012 - 10:02 am

George,

That is why I used the adjective “aggressive”. Obviously both parties are pro-USA, but the Democrats are more inclined to dialogue and, IMO, much more realistic in their accessment. The Republicans are, also IMO, more ideological.

Imperialism continued with Bush and the neo-cons, although it changed in that the colonies aren’t ruled directly, rather it’s establishing “areas of American influence” as per Cold War terminology. Just replace communists with islamists.
Reg
November 9, 2012 - 10:17 am

George, unfortunately there have been many, many, many examples displayed in the rhetoric and actions of a large swath of citizens self identified as conservatives prior to, during, leading up to, and the post election of President Obama. Too many in fact to try and squeeze into a thread on a forum.

However, I think the following links should provide a good foundation of support for my assertion.

Here and here and here.

The alarming thing to consider is that these tweets are reflective of predominantly YOUNG people who feel comfortable in expressing and sharing their REAL thoughts with their peers (who in many cases share their views)…which likely are formed in their households, right? Finally, I think the following analysis is a pretty accurate one. Of course YMMV.

Rene, I appreciate your analysis. Certainly there is a lot of truth contained therein from purely a political aspect. However, the history of this country lends to a much deeper and intransigent vein of dysfunction when it comes to matters of ethnicity and culture. A problem which in many respects is deeply embedded and replicated in Brazil, Se?
Reg
November 9, 2012 - 10:21 am

Apologies George…I also meant to respond to your question that asked…”Also, there is no doubt that many people, black and white, voted for Obama because he is black, Isn’t that racism too?”

Of course not.
George Haberberger
November 9, 2012 - 11:20 am

Reg,

I’m thinking there may be something missing from your post since you wrote “I also meant to…”

But be that as it may, disregarding everything about a candidate except their race and voting FOR or AGAINST them because of their race in not racism? Maybe you’re being sarcastic and I’m missing it. If so, sorry, Try to use this 😉
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 2:49 pm

Hey Everybody!

You started the party without me! I had to work extra hours for the Man. Thank God for him!

Waiting in the lobby for the Gypsies …first chance I have had to respond …
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 3:04 pm

Dear George (Jorge en L.A.) –

I do not believe that you have a racist bone in your whole body. And I consider you a friend and conscience gadfly.

There are aspects of both Party platforms that I embrace and also that I reject. But sober and thoughtful decisions of conscience are treasured, even if the conclusions are different than mine.

To poorly adapt an expression, some of my best friends are Republicans. Some of my family and others that I would willingly trade places with for the Money Seat on a doomed bus.

The aspect of the Party that frightens me needs to be described as racist. It isn’t official, but it appears to be allowed a Separate But Equal status within the power elite.
My phrases weren’t elegant. I was trying toto reference inflaming language and make a play on words at the same time.

For those of us on the outside, help id understand
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 3:15 pm

…Jorge…

…Help those of us on the outside understand how to interpret seeing only white faces on the Floor. Honestly, people searched and came up with none.

But thank you already for helping me understand the ploughshare. Now I am beginning to understand those words.
George Haberberger
November 9, 2012 - 4:38 pm

Whitney,

Thank you for your comments.
I presume the Floor you are talking about was the convention floor at the Republican convention. (If not, I am al a loss).

Anyway there were faces other than white at the Republican convention. Granted they were in the minority but realistically that is the make-up of the country. I watched the convention on our local public TV station because they covered it for about 4 hours an evening rather than the networks that devoted an hour or two. And they did not cut away to commercials. That become more significant than I realized.

I read later that the cable networks, MSNBC specifically, would cut to a commercial when a Latino or Black was at the podium. I didn’t watch MSNBC so I can’t be completely sure they did that every time. In my favor I didn’t watch the Fox News Channel either.

I think Rene was pretty accurate above when he said the GOP has no problem with the color of your skin as long as you are in line with their policies. Those policies can collide with ethnicity occasionally, (immigration specifically) but the Republican party has only taken a hard line with ILLEGAL immigration. People who come here through legal channels are welcomed. And I admit that I am a little confused about all the legal Latinos wanting relaxed immigration policies when they came here legally. If indeed they really do.
Reg
November 9, 2012 - 9:12 pm

George, you’re correct…I had a fairly lengthy post that was somehow deemed worthy to be eaten by the moderator…Can’t fathom why, but let’s try it again. I had the links hypertexted in the original, but left them raw this time.

George, unfortunately there have been many, many, many examples displayed in the rhetoric and actions of a large swath of citizens self identified as conservatives prior to, during, leading up to, and the post election of President Obama. Too many in fact to try and squeeze into a thread on a forum.

However, I think the following links should provide a good foundation of support for my assertion. Here ( http://www.timwise.org/2012/08/if-it-walks-like-a-duck-and-talks-like-a-duck-racism-bigotry-and-the-death-of-respectable-conservatism/ ) and here ( http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/map-pinpoints-election-online-hate-tweets-article-1.1199402 ) and here ( http://www.jdjournal.com/2012/11/08/racist-tweets-abound-after-obama-wins-second-term/ ).

The alarming thing to consider is that these tweets are reflective of predominantly YOUNG people who feel comfortable in expressing and sharing their REAL thoughts with their peers (who in many cases share their views)…which likely are formed in their households, right? Finally, I think the following analysis is a pretty accurate one. Of course YMMV. ( http://prospect.org/article/racism-plays-big-part-our-politics-period/ )

Rene, I appreciate your analysis. Certainly there is a lot of truth contained therein from purely a political aspect. However, the history of this country lends to a much deeper and intransigent vein of dysfunction when it comes to matters of ethnicity and culture. A problem which in many respects is deeply embedded and replicated in Brazil, Se?
Reg
November 9, 2012 - 9:14 pm

George, I’ve tried to post my reply twice, but it’s being eaten by the moderator for some unfathomable reason.
Reg
November 9, 2012 - 9:49 pm

Also, as to your question… no I was not being sarcastic. And yes, I try to incorporate emoticons as much as possible to avoid confusion.

I had a long response planned but I’ll summarize in stating that in my opinion, the words racist/racism are in danger of losing their power thru overuse and misapplication. In many cases, acting as a bigot or prejudiced individual would be better descriptors for those persons who can’t or refuse to rise above their state of ignorance when it comes to their perceptions of other ethnicities or cultures. It’s a sad commentary on humanity as a whole, but it is what it is.

On the other hand, racism is something that’s different. It’s bigotry and prejudice wrapped in the power to step outside of that person and impact the lives of others with the poison of hatred.

In effect, that bigoted business owner or human resource person can exercise their prejudice by refusing to hire a person of color (despite their qualifications, or that police officer or system can unjustly exercise their authority, or that head of state government can institute voter suppression strategies without penalty. In my opinion, that constitutes racism.

And to directly answer your question, I don’t know of ANY person of color that would vote for another person of color if they felt that that politician did not have their best interests at heart. Certainly not willing to spend NINE HOURS in a voting queue. Would you?

However, I do know that there are those individuals who will glean benefit from the ACA, or have had their jobs and businesses saved by the stimulus package and yet refused to vote for Obama because he’s perceived to be a Black man and then refuse to hire persons of color because of his/her bigotry.

Now that’s racist. IMO.
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 10:06 pm

Beloved Martha –

Well…I believe that both sides benefit from humility. But the victor needs to set the pace and set the example. By the winner demonstrating humility first, reconciliation can begin sooner. It isn’t a demonstration of weakness. When you have won, strength is evident.
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 10:15 pm

Moriarty –

Segue to Lincoln: Very much looking forward to Spielberg’s movie.

And isn’t an epistle just a letter, an open one? The challenge is reducing the number of “I”s and “me”s. Otherwise, it can become a diary. And nooo one wants that from…me.
Reg
November 9, 2012 - 10:34 pm

Der Whitster…first of all…yet another beauty and truth filled missive. And secondly…do you control moderation for your articles?
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 10:35 pm

Rene –

Very astute.

So now what? Developing common ground seems frighteningly time sensitive. Where can all sides begin to agree…?

Fostering the enterpreneurial drive that so often is visible in the immigrant populations can create jobs. Jobs can be created by establishing and supporting small businesses rather than only the Too Big To Fail ones.

That these FOBs don’t embrace Manifest Destiny (imperialism/Economic Objectivism)) isn’t a surprise. Many became diaspora, voluntarily or not, because of influences and actions of foreign powers.

But they bring faith in the American Dream back within our borders. We need that.
Whitney
November 9, 2012 - 10:38 pm

Regis –

Merci.

And no, I don’t moderate. Embarassed to say that I don’t even know how to do it.

Frankly, don’t think I would want to. I like it when the words start to fly. My only challenges are trying to keep up and not embarassing myself.
Rene
November 10, 2012 - 6:11 am

George –

As a Brazilian, and consequently a “Latino” (at least in the US I would be considered a Latino), I can say that we have a very strong sense of community with other Latinos. The majority of Latinos that never broke a law in their lives still sympathize with the plight of illegal immigrants a lot more than we sympathize with law & order types with big sticks. Even Latinos in other countries grit their teeth when Arizona comes up with yet another law to make life hard for “illegals”. The GOP seriously underestimated this anger.

Whitney –

Thanks. Related to the above, few Latinos are enthusiatic about the extreme individualism of, say, Ayn Rand or Paul Ryan. Immigrants are natural entrepreneurs, but they also like to give back to their community. Latinos look out for their families, including cousins and aunts, and would never consider them “moochers”. You can be pro-business without being against a big government. That is why Catholicism is such a natural fit. We can deal with contradiction and balancing acts, unlike the hidebound linearity of Protestants that energizes Manifest Destiny.

If the GOP kept Family Values, but took a more nuanced stance on economics and immigration, they could grab this demography. But I don’t see it happening. I don’t think they can keep their current base AND also expand to other demographies.
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 9:41 am

George, you’re correct…I had a fairly lengthy post that was somehow deemed worthy to be eaten by the moderator…Can’t fathom why, but let’s try it again. I had the links hypertexted in the original, but left them raw this time.

George, unfortunately there have been many, many, many examples displayed in the rhetoric and actions of a large swath of citizens self identified as conservatives prior to, during, leading up to, and the post election of President Obama. Too many in fact to try and squeeze into a thread on a forum.

However, I think the following links should provide a good foundation of support for my assertion. Here
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 9:42 am

( http://www.timwise.org/2012/08/if-it-walks-like-a-duck-and-talks-like-a-duck-racism-bigotry-and-the-death-of-respectable-conservatism/ )
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 9:42 am

and here ( http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/map-pinpoints-election-online-hate-tweets-article-1.1199402 )
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 9:43 am

and here ( http://www.jdjournal.com/2012/11/08/racist-tweets-abound-after-obama-wins-second-term/ ).
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 9:43 am

The alarming thing to consider is that these tweets are reflective of predominantly YOUNG people who feel comfortable in expressing and sharing their REAL thoughts with their peers (who in many cases share their views)…which likely are formed in their households, right? Finally, I think the following analysis is a pretty accurate one. Of course YMMV. ( http://prospect.org/article/racism-plays-big-part-our-politics-period/ )
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 9:44 am

Rene, I appreciate your analysis. Certainly there is a lot of truth contained therein from purely a political aspect. However, the history of this country lends to a much deeper and intransigent vein of dysfunction when it comes to matters of ethnicity and culture. A problem which in many respects is deeply embedded and replicated in Brazil, Se?
Rene
November 10, 2012 - 1:49 pm

Reg, what I said is that the modern American Right is not generally racist, I said nothing of them being tolerant to other cultures and religions.

A lot of distrust felt towards Obama pointed in your links is actually about him being “insuficiently” Christian, having family in and living in countries with Muslim populations, having a name that “sounds Muslim”, etc.

Remember what I said about the Holy Trinity of Modern Conservatism? One of the pillars is militant Christianity. They are NOT tolerant of anything that smells even remotely of islamism.

This is also tied with another pillar: belief in an agressive, “imperialistic” foreign policy. Very well, the “existential” threat of Muslim terrorism is what is seen as frustrating American influence.

It’s all very stupid, but not necessarily racist. A bit chauvinistic, perhaps. If Obama had a name like Barry Washington and all his family living in the US for 100 years, and none of them ever coming near Islam, I don’t think he would face this much grief, even if his skin were even darker than his mild chocolate tone.

Another element is the spread of the Internet. It gives the impression that racism is more prevalent than it actually is, because the Internet attracts the fringe.

I also didn’t deny that there were racist folks in the Right, or in American culture. I just don’t think it’s a major trend.
George Haberberger
November 10, 2012 - 3:41 pm

Reg,

Wow, those tweets are really disgusting but as Rene said, (why am I agreeing with with so much lately?) I think the internet attracts the fringe and of course the anonymity of it makes people fearless. If your original response had all those links I suspect that is why it was held up. That has happened to me in the past also.

Rene said:
“If the GOP kept Family Values, but took a more nuanced stance on economics and immigration, they could grab this demography.”

What would a “nuanced stance” entail? I ask because earlier today I read that Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood suggested that the Republican Party abandon its Pro-Life stance. If the advice is to do a 180 on things that separate the parties, why even have 2 parties. Economics and immigration are areas that I believe have a lot of wiggle room. Abortion? Not so much.
Reg
November 10, 2012 - 7:30 pm

Rene and George,

I try (as much as possible) to avoid propagating the false construct of ‘racial’ differences because in truth, there is only ONE human race. Just as there’s only one type of dessert known as ‘Ice Cream’ albeit with the delicious benefit of a diversity of flavors. That’s why I used the distinction of ethnicities and cultures as opposed to races. However, when actually trying to address the issue of racism, the semantics becomes a little problematic.

“A lot of distrust felt towards Obama pointed in your links is actually about him being “insuficiently” Christian, having family in and living in countries with Muslim populations, having a name that “sounds Muslim”, etc.”

I suspect you didn’t delve very deeply into the links that Tim Wise provided. You would have seen that the ‘issues’ run a whole lot darker than what you gleaned.

“I think Rene was pretty accurate above when he said the GOP has no problem with the color of your skin as long as you are in line with their policies.”

George, I trust that you and Rene do recognize the inherent proof of my argument in that assertion, yes? :-/

“I also didn’t deny that there were racist folks in the Right, or in American culture. I just don’t think it’s a major trend.”

I think the following bears repeating…”However, the history of this country lends to a much deeper and intransigent vein of dysfunction when it comes to matters of ethnicity and culture (ne’ race). A problem which in many respects is deeply embedded and replicated in Brazil, Se?”

With that being said, I’m fully appreciative of the progress (while acknowledging the shameful truth that it’s a form of cannibalism amongst the family members)that’s been made along these lines, but if you’ve been paying attention throughout this election and especially after the fact, we’ve still got a long way to go…cousin(s).
Rene
November 11, 2012 - 4:37 pm

George,

If I were a GOP leader I’d be pushing to distance the party from Supply-Side Economics. There was a time in the 1970s when taxes, inflation, and things like that were at the top 10 list of worries from the middle class, and so Reagan was a hit, Thatcher was a hit. Nowadays it’s health care, it’s unemployment, things have changed. I believe it’s possible for Republicans to still make a case for limited government, but also give a hand to the poor and the middle class. It would mean to move away from the millionaires that donate to the GOP. For example, support the expiration of the Bush tax cuts. And remember that even Margareth Thatcher didn’t try to end the National Health Service.

As for immigration, support some sort of immigration reform, drop the support for Arizona, move towards Rick Perry’s position, and away from Romney’s.

Reg,

I always say that racism, here in Brazil and in the US, is greater than the Right think it is, but smaller than the Left think it is.

A lot of what gets the Left riled up is, IMO, residual effects of ancient structures, or just inertia. You had 100+ years, both here and in the US, when blacks were given less opportunities. So even today you get blacks with smaller wages on average, you get more poor black families than poor white families, etc. But I don’t believe the animus, the active racism, the intention of “keeping the blacks down” is a part of the mainstream any longer

My wife would be considered black in the US, with the one-drop rule and all. Here in Brazil, “mulatos” are more of a different category in a spectrum of possible racial self-identificators. She never felt any racism directed towards her. My marriage never felt like an “interracial” marriage. To me, it’s just marriage. People on the street never made it important that me and my wife have different ethnic backgrounds, and it was never important for us either.

There is still racism? Yes, of course there is. Movie executives still feel that white audiences would react badly to seeing Will Smith or Denzel Washington getting it on with white actresses, except in movies dealing specifically with this “issue”. Despite the talk of how liberal Hollywood is, sometimes it seems like movie producers are more conservative than the man and woman on the street, with respect to certain issues.

I don’t think human beings are innately good, or innately bad, or innately racist, or innately tolerant. What human beings are innately is apathetic. Most folks just really care about their own needs. Human beings take the path of least resistance. When most of their neighbours are racist, it’s easier being racist. But when the society mainstream rejects racism, as it happened in most Western societies, then most folks don’t bother with it.

But I’m talking about skin color. If you talk CULTURAL differences, then I agree that there is a lot of xenophobia out there still. I have work colleagues that are black, but they basically act the same as me in almost everything, they’re treated exactly the same as me in the workplace. Now, if we had a devout Muslim in there, things might be different. Because people are distrustful of what is different.
Reg
November 12, 2012 - 10:22 am

Rene,

This pretty recent seems [url=http://www.economist.com/node/21543494]article[/url] to provide pretty compelling evidence as to how things really are in Brazil as it concerns the matter of ‘race’.

A snippet: “In the 2010 census some 51% of Brazilians defined themselves as black or brown. On average, the income of whites is slightly more than double that of black or brown Brazilians, according to IPEA, a government-linked think-tank. It finds that blacks are relatively disadvantaged in their level of education and in their access to health and other services. For example, more than half the people in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas (slums) are black. The comparable figure in the city’s richer districts is just 7%.”

Yeah…the data sure seems to indicate that culture of racism is both ‘active’ and ‘impactful’ on the darker complexioned segment of the population in Brazil.
Reg
November 12, 2012 - 10:23 am

Sorry…messed up hyperlink… http://www.economist.com/node/21543494
Rene
November 12, 2012 - 11:57 am

Reg –

This is exactly what I said. Please, note the details of my argument. The basis of my disagreement with a lot of the Left is this:

Social inequality isn’t necessarily the result of active racism. It isn’t like there are whites “denying” access to education and health services for blacks out of malice, or trying to selfshly protect their own interestes, or something like that.

What does exist is widespread poverty and economic inequality that is a result of centuries of racist policies that doesn’t go away magically just because society isn’t racist any longer.

Reality is not like a movie where you kill the evil wizard and then all the effects of his spells disappear because he is dead.

No, the EFFECTS of the evil wizard’s spell will probably take generations to undo. We have had left-wing government for 10 years now, a much more radical left-wing than the US ever experimentes with. We do have affirmative action programs to get minorities into college, we do have income redistribution programs that would make any US Republican go ballistic with rage, but even so, the effects of those policies are slow. We have a lot more blacks with college education now than 10 years ago, but it will take at least 50-100 more years, IMO, for anything like equality to be reached.

There is no way for you to snap your fingers and suddenly get millions of blacks into college to get them into equal footing with whites, short of a complete re-structuring of society that not even Stalin could accomplish. It’s not that there is a “active” culture of racism in the US or Brazil, it’s just that you can’t undo the effects of centuries of racism in just one or two decades.

It’s sad, it’s disappointing, but it’s all too true.
whitney
November 12, 2012 - 2:10 pm

Rene, Reg, and All –

Couple of observations:

Most racism has a strong foundation of economic competition. Rarely is a group disenfranchised en masse if there isn’t present or past scarcity in jobs or self-employment opportunities. Reduce poverty and people begin to act towards each other in more civilized ways, including with less unfounded hatred.

And lastly, the problem with damage is that it takes time to correct. Most often the time needed exceeds the time used to cause it. Quick pain often leads to a long rehabilitation, in a body or in an economy.

Comments are closed.