I was an 8-year-old kid at the time. Growing up in Watertown, Wis., population 10,301. In 1943. A lily white community. No black families. But I remember that as kids of that era, we chanted, “Einie, meany, minie moe, catch a nigger by the toe, if he hollers, let him go…” I wasn’t consciously aware then that I was repeating a racial slur. Where did I pick it up? I presume from other kids. White kids. We didn’t know any black families. But we knew who a “nigger” was. Someone inferior. Someone we didn’t want to be. Someone we could poke fun at.
I think my introduction to racism was from a distance. World War II. I was conscious that we were fighting Nazi Germany. Because Nazis were bad. Evil. Because they persecuted Jews. Because they were racists. It didn’t yet occur to me that Americans were racists, too. Maybe as much as the Nazis. I wasn’t aware of segregation or the denial of civil rights to blacks. Germans believed in a master race. In white supremacy. Ironic, isn’t it? Turns out Germans and Americans shared pretty much the same attitude. We treated blacks like scum. Dirt. Inferiors. For a long, long time we did. We even enslaved them. Lynched them. Denied them basic human rights. Still do, in so many ways. But hey, we’ve got a president declaring war, of sorts, on the “axis of evil.” As if we Americans don’t have an evil bone in our body. We’re Americans. Living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We declare all men (human beings) are created equal. And look what we do in practice. Look at the real America. Rather ghastly, isn’t it? We think we’re the best nation on the face of the Earth, or so we brag. If this is the best we can do, gawd help us. I’m not all that proud to be an American. Instead, I’d like to think of myself as a human being. As a citizen of the cosmos. I’m not ready to declare, “America uber alles.” I’ve got higher priorities. Loftier goals. When I go to the post office and buy stamps, I tell the clerk, “Give me anything but the American flag.” That’s how I protest. In little ways. I don’t want to pledge allegiance to a nation founded on the basis of white supremacy. Yes, I’ll work for change. But this white supremacy stuff is so engrained in our nation’s soul that it’ll take a long, long time to expurgate. --Jim Broede
P.S. One thing I do appreciate about America is freedom of speech. But sometimes I wonder if we're even going to lose that. If and when that happens, I'm in big, big trouble.
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18 comments:
“Einie, meany, minie moe, catch a tiger by the toe…” Wow, what a difference 20 years makes - we used to sing that ditty differently. We also learned to call people of color - blacks or African Americans - not 'colored' and Asians not orientals. You just have to care enough to pay attention.
Don't be so hard on yourself Jim - you're just suffering from a case of "White Man's Guilt".
I believe EVERY race/religion/creed is racist to a certain degreee.
It's man's way of delineating rank or status - what they deem good vs. bad.
Blacks seperate each other by shades of color and hair texture. Hindus have their caste sytems. Even Northern Germans look down on southern Germans.
Americans nowadays, IMHO, put a greater emphasis on monetary differences. The more money, the better car, the cooler clothes you have - the better person you must be.
Although, this topic reminds me of something comedian Chris Rock said,"Even the poorist, homeless whiteman would never trade places with me, and I'm rich"!
Some people will always perceive themselves to be victims.
What is the true reality?
It all comes down to your perception of yourself.
It's different depending on what side of the fence you're on and what color you are.
But people are lying if they say, "I'm not racist, I'm not predjudice". We all are alittle.
It's how we TREAT each other that counts. You don't have to kill or demean someone just cause you don't like them or agree with them.
Right?
Ann A
Jim said:
If this is the best we can do, gawd help us. I’m not all that proud to be an American. Instead, I’d like to think of myself as a human being. As a citizen of the cosmos. I’m not ready to declare, “America uber alles.” I’ve got higher priorities. Loftier goals. When I go to the post office and buy stamps, I tell the clerk, “Give me anything but the American flag.” That’s how I protest. In little ways. I don’t want to pledge allegiance to a nation founded on the basis of white supremacy
Ah Jim, as we head into the anniversary of 9/11 it is not surprising to see that you are still pushing that same cart full of crap. I bet you have a beautiful garden with all the fertilizer you produce.
Seig Heil? No. God bless America.
Charles:
I need clarification before I publish or fully respond to a comment you submitted earlier today. Are you saying that you were Jesus Christ in a previous life? And that you don't know who or what you are today? That's the way I took it. Please elaborate. --Jim Broede
Ann:
I think most of us are on guilt trips of one kind or another. And I think we're all judgmental to varying degrees. We also tend to demean. I, for instance, like to demean people who demean people. Especially people who claim they aren't demeaning anyone. I love to demean people who say they aren't racists. And I'm proud to be on a 'white man's guilt' trip. I should feel guilty. Because I am guilty. It's that simple. Too many of us think we're innocent. Totally innocent. I'm as guilty as anyone. And I know it. I don't deny it for a moment. I'm the personification of imperfection. But that doesn't stop me from living. Happily. Joyfully. Might as well. That sure beats being unhappy. And depressed. And woebegone. That's why I come across as arrogant. And condescending. And superior. I feel good about myself. I like being me. There's nobody else that I'd rather be. I don't even want to be god. Or Jesus. Just little 'ol me. Romantic idealist. Free-thinker. Liberal. Lover. --Jim Broede
Dear veteran's son:
The difference between the two of us is that you ask god to bless America. And I ask god to bless all of mankind, the entire Earth, the universe and the cosmos. Yes, all of Creation. I don't believe in America uber alles any more than I believe in Deutschland uber alles. No need to get overly patriotic. A country is a country. That's all. No more. No less. In some ways, I'm proud of America. In other ways, I'm ashamed of America. It ain't all good, you know. --Jim Broede
If you don't get it, I can't explain it to you Jimmy boy. If you don't get chills when you hear the Star Spangled Banner or a tear in your eye when you see an old man take his hat off in honor of the flag then you don't get it.
It's okay to have a warm spot for the country your (my) forefathers fought and died for. It doesn't mean you don't love the cosmos. It's just that God bless the Cosmos isn't a very catchy lyric.
Seriosly Jim, when I was in college the phrase "America love it or leave it" was popular. I can't say that I have ever really meant it before but Yes Jim, if you don't love it do us all a favor and leave it. Go back to the land of Der Fuhr. I know you know your way. See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya.
Sorry, Anonymous, I'm not one of these fellas that support my country, right or wrong. I'm a patriot. The kind that objects and protests when my country wages an unjust war. Or denies people basic human and civil rights. Or denies habeus corpus. Or resorts to torture. Or keeps widening the gap between the rich and the poor. Or doesn't provide universal health care. And I'm sticking around. Because I want to be part of the movements to get these 'wrongs' fixed. And you, dear Anonymous, would be a better American if you acknowledged that America has done lots of harm. Yes, good, too. But far too much harm. I'm for getting America fixed. I'm for solving some of our many, many problems. And I ain't gonna be thoroughly happy with America until things get done. America doesn't need blind allegiance. It needs fixing. --Jim Broede
Jim---I know all about cocooning. It is a comfortable, risk free lifestyle....One that I’ve practiced for years and am gradually abandoning. I’ll never be a ‘caped crusader’, but I more frequently take the time to stand up for causes that I embrace and voice my disapproval over things in our government that I object to.
Some of the things that I vehemently disapprove of are: Our role in Iraq...Our inadequate health care system...The shrinking of our middle class. This is the only country that I have (or will ever have). I will always be proud of the concepts that it was built on... but ...As I grow older I find that I am less and less proud of what it is becoming.
Maybe you are simply guilty of being vocal in the wrong direction. You seem to feel powerless only because you cannot see the small picture. The grassroots, if you will. Getting mad is just the first step. One person cannot change all that you believe is wrong. You claim to be a positive thinker, yet you dwell on the negatives. Try counting the successes, instead of the many failures. Same as in caregiving. SHOW a better way to do it. Give some concrete, workable, attainable goals. I have learned, in raising 2 children, that I get much better results if I tell them what I want them to do, not what I don’t want them to do. For instance. If you want your child to get off the sofa, it is more productive to say “get on the floor”, than “do not get on the sofa”. Offer the “hand UP”, not the “hand OUT”. Who is going to fund the hand outs? I can’t afford it! Throwing money at them is not going to do anything, except keep them dependent on hand-outs.
Colin Powell was the first African American Secretary of state.
Look at Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, of the United States of America! Fourth in line for the Presidency. Former National Security Advisor! An African American WOMAN, no less, named the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine; ranked among the WORLD's most influential people by Time magazine 3 times!
Colin Powell was the first African American Secretary of state.
She was a product of racist Birmingham AL. She was subject to racism first hand, when her schoolmate was killed in the bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church by white supremists, which Condoleezza heard and felt from 2 blocks away. Her parents were the primary force behind her successes, which is where I believe at least half of the remedy lies.
Parents need to teach children that they will NOT succeed if they wait for that success to be handed to them. That they are valuable, not because of, or in spite of, the color of their skin, but because they can become whatever they want to work at becoming. Rise above the obstacles. Teach them from the start, that there ARE rules to live by; that there ARE moral obligations. For EVERYONE who wants to live in a civilized society. Teach them that if they see a wrong, find the proper steps to correct it. Don’t accept it.
There are also those in this Country whose livelyhoods depend on racism. As long as there are the Rev. Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons, racism will be perpetuated, because that is what THEY need! Look at all the African American TV and radio stations. The all-black awards shows, conferences, scholarships, etc. What do they serve, except to perpetuate racism; to separate; to segregate? I do not believe in reparations, but I DO believe in strong consequences to those denying rights and committing crimes against others, based on the color of ones skin. That, I believe, is the other half of a solution.
I am a child of the late 50s. Yes, I remember that song, from a very young age. I also remember the changing of the words. I remember when I had to walk a mile home from elementary school-afraid-and having to get inside the house and lock all doors, because their were carloads of black teens roaming the streets, from the riot area in Detroit, into the suburbs. I also remember the rich sounds of Motown. I remember Hubby being the only white person in an all-black wedding party. I remember financially backing an all black band, because they sounded good.
I wonder why so many in the African American communities allow that rap crap, staggering crime rates, asinine portrayals of them on TV and in movies define who they are.
While I am all for helping those who truly are in need, I think the best things we can do right now, are teaching our Children better morals, practicing what we preach, and doing what we can, to remove roadblocks of those that WANT to help themselves. Making people more dependent on the government is not the way.
Ann Alias is right. Every societal group, even if it consisted of 2 people, would have some sort of caste system. Always has, always will.
You are also absolutely right. Only in the Spirit word, will that change.
BTW, what basic rights are you denied?
Maebee
Sorry for the length
Dear Maebee:
You are so funny. If you weren't so negative, you'd see that I'm a very positive guy. But you always look for the bad in me. That's called negativity. And here I tell you what's good about you. I said you're a nice gal. And I praised you for being a clown. A talented clown. One that makes people laugh. And I've thanked you for promoting this blog in your inimitable way. I even said I think you are worthy of being a friend. All it would take for a friendship to blossom between us is for you to learn to be a positive thinker, Maebee. All my friends are positive thinkers. Give it some positive thought. --Jim Broede
HUH?
Knock, knock, who's there???
I gues you don't want intelligent dialogue?
Maebee
Maebee:
I'm all for intelligent dialogue, Maebee. But you have to hold up your end of it. You have to quit being a clown for a few minutes. And focus on being intelligent. You can do it. You've got it in you. And that's a compliment. --Jim Broede
I can't believe I took so much time, typing that out, and you mock it.
I am not being negative. YOU are the one who is lamenting what is so wrong in America. I was relating how I look at the positives, INSTEAD of the negatives, and giving my opinion on what I feel would work. What did you find so comical?
You acknowledged absolutely nothing that I wrote.
AND, calling me stupid? If you want your blog only for you and "rosie" and skaricheri, and your new friends Larry and Charles, just say so, for heaven's sake!
Maebee:
You are almost unbelievable. So negative. You don't even acknowledge all the positive stuff I've espoused. Like how to fix America. By working for the common good. By adopting more liberal policies. By getting rid of George Bush. By narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor. By providing universal health care. And on the Alzheimer's message board, I've promoted my good vibes therapy. And so many of you have poked fun at it. Such negativity. I've advocated positive thinking. And for that I've been called a Pollyanna. Ain't that being negative? Or I've been called a troll. I've been called an atheist. I've been cursed at...with that 4-letter f-word. By your cronies, if not directly by you. And hey, for the most part, I've taken all this negativity good-naturedly. And when I propose solutions to our economic and social and political problems, it's suggested that I love America and everything wrong with it, or leave America. Well, I'm sticking around baby. And I'll continue to raise hell. And work for change. Meaningful change. We need a few more boat-rockers around here. We need a revolution. We need positive change. Especially for the lower and middle classes. We need a more equal distribution of the wealth. We need more equal rights...civil rights and human rights...for everyone. We need to change things in big, big ways. To give America back to the people. More and more, we are becoming a plutocracy. And when I object to that -- well, I'm being positive. And you, Maebee, think it's negative. Because you're a negative thinker. Except when you're a clown. Then you are downright funny. Good for a laugh. That's your saving grace. You are good for something. Now start laughing at yourself, too, Maebee. It'll make you feel better. Make you feel more positive about yourself. --Jim Broede
Maebee---While I can't agree with everything that you wrote...It was well worth the read. Your thoughts contained in the paragraph...
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"There are also those in this Country whose livelyhoods depend on racism. As long as there are the Rev. Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons, racism will be perpetuated, because that is what THEY need! Look at all the African American TV and radio stations. The all-black awards shows, conferences, scholarships, etc. What do they serve, except to perpetuate racism; to separate; to segregate? I do not believe in reparations, but I DO believe in strong consequences to those denying rights and committing crimes against others, based on the color of ones skin. That, I believe, is the other half of a solution."
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...were especially noteworthy.
Thanks for airing your comment. I enjoyed reading it tonight...Tomorrow we can assume our normal positions of being on different sides of the fence on many issues.
Jim---I'm going to stick around raise hell and rock some boats too.
Yes, I believe that this country could use some major changes. The rich are getting richer...The poor are getting poorer...and...The middle class is disappearing.
Plutocracy is a word that I had forgotten...I think that it applies to the current situation in the United States.
See, Maebee, Cherie and I don't necesarily agree on everything. I tend to think that some degree of reparations may be a good thing. At least a token amount. I think America has a lot of making up to do for past injustices. Because some of those injustices still have lingering negative effects on blacks. We haven't made it up to them totally. And never will -- totally, that is. That's almost impossible. The point I'm making is that we have to do more. In my opinion. And it's all right to disagree with me. Because I always reserve the right to disagere with you, or with anyone. I want to make sure that we Americans always have a right to disagree with each other. And it'd be nice if we could do that without becoming angry with each other. Yes, let's agree to disagree without becoming hostile and demeaning and rude and impolite. Just remember, I don't have to like everything about America to be a true patriot. It's all right for me to hold America in disdain when it comes to some economic, political and social issues. This country ain't perfect. Not by a longshot. Same goes for me. I fall far short of perfection. But that's no reason for me to be disqualified as a USA citizen. I have a right to speak my mind. And that's what I'm doing in this blog. It's my blog. If you don't like it, leave it. I'm the boss here. Or as George Bush would put it, I'm the decider. --Jim Broede
Jim--Came across some interesting facts (in a reprint of 09/07/07an article that ran in The St. Louis Post Dispatch) that appeared in the Monday issue of our local, small town newspaper:
"The wealthiest 20 percent of Americans now earn as much as everyone else combined. The top 5 percent now take in 20 percent of the nation's income."
Would post a link to the story...but...the link is too long. Those that are interested in reading it in its entirety can do a Google search using the 1st sentence of the quote.
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