Racism v Inequality

[Baitball Blogger]

There is an issue that I'm trying to define and I trust someone with a better handle on Civil Rights concepts will be able to shed some light.

Racism is easy to recognize when there are slur words involved, but most people are smart enough not to be that blatant, especially when it involves government actions. For example, is it racist when there are massive zoning changes that eliminate commercial and high density designations in favor of upscale, single family homes when it reduces affordable housing for minorities? Or is this an inequality issue? What is the difference?

This is only part of the puzzle. The other part involves the pooling of power. What if a person can prove that the power is pooled in the hands of a favored few who control the networks between the city government and private organizations? What if you can prove that those in power are intentionally keeping people ignorant in order to eliminate challenges to their authority? Is this a sign of inequality when those chosen few are able to enjoy the benefits of job opportunities and positive community recognition?

And, does evidence that such community arrangements still exist support the need for programs such as Affirmative Action?

That's where I'm at right now, trying to make sense of a community situation.

[giftedgirl77]

1. how soon do you need an answer

I can look into it better at work when I have more access to case law & other resources.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. I will be writing to several different organizations to communicate my community issue and I

have enough of a handle on the details to stay busy for the next two weeks. But I do know that several Civil Rights violations have occurred, so that's where I want to go next. The best way to be heard is to put the information down in a way that people will connect with.

Any help you can provide will be appreciated. It's rather long, but if you want to read a draft I'll send it to you.

[giftedgirl77]

3. no problem, I sent you my email in a PM

[Calmador]

4. Its simple.

John 7:24

24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Race by default is determined physically or in other words, appearances. And racism is when someone judges by appearance. It doesn't matter if your saying a good thing or a bad thing of the race. If you judge my appearance/race than you are being racist.

Inequality is when things are not equal. There are a lot of things that are not equal? Its clear that men and women physically are not equal. But, to treat both equally. You'd have to just recognize both as human beings. They both have an inner being. The soul and personality is how to judge a person.

I would say inequality is when people discriminate. The word discriminate means that you differentiate on unjustified reasons... not just pointing something out as different and thinking it's wrong which a lot of people mistakenly think. Anyways, inequality is a broader can use racism as a tool/excuse to practice inequality/discrimination. Inequality can use nationality to practice inequality. Like, some UK person might look at me and call me names just because I'm American. It's happened before. Inequality can use political parties too or stereotypes too. Like, with me being a republican... I'm sure I'll get some heat from some liberals on this forum.

Hope that helps

[Baitball Blogger]

5. It helps tremendously.

By steps, a city can easily move from inequality to racism. In my city, they started in the late nineties to curry favor with certain groups and leaders, which in the past, had formed opposition to their government programs. In order to cement their relationships, the city, which was already following a lawless course, just took it a step further and became partners in crime with a crooked element in the community. This group was intent on following an illegal objective and together with the city, their relationship became a house of cards. If one goes down, they all go down. Who can shake that when law enforcement agencies refuse to get involved?

Without any oversight, these crooked relationships just got stronger. It was easy to buy loyalty in the community by funneling public money to the "right people." This is easy to do under these private-public partnerships, where no one is holding government accountable for due process violations. And when I say, no one is holding them accountable. I mean, no one. Most people laugh it off as a good ole boy culture. But, as I see it, it is white privilege.

For minorities, there are high stakes. The good ole boys groups are not only getting the best of federal and state grant dollars, but they can also be relied on to send donations to the right political candidates. They, in turn, are able to shut down law enforcement investigations. This keeps the malfeasance in government, alive and well.

So, what started as inequality, becomes a racist vehicle when state and federal money consistently overlooks large sectors of Latino and Black communities.

This is happening today with the knowledge of law enforcement agencies. And as long as they keep their heads shoved up their asses, inequality is here to stay.

[Calmador]

6. Just so you know... and I disagree

Just so you know, I'm not a civil rights expert. I mean I don't know what the law officially defines racism or inequality as.

And I disagree with how you think inequality can become racism. If you want to know the start of it all, I think it all starts with bad character... like, people just decide to be jerks. Doing things unequal(inequality) is not fair. I think the better word to use... is justice. That it is not just or right to do things unfairly. (inequality) So, this is a matter of doing things unfair or injust. Why? Because people decide to evil for social status (pride), greed, (money) for revenge, (hate) etc etc ... because we men and women fall into these low passions. That's why inequality and racism has happened. I think people easily realize that racism specifically happened because of pride. The slave owners had power over the slaves and they indulged in that power and their status. Pride was and I imagine still can/is the cause for racism.

This isn't to say that it's not the only way it could've happened. But, I think its definitely a piece of the puzzle.

Another possibility could've been because of greed. Maybe southerns from the past we're just passionate about money and they had it with slaves. With this wealth they gained status and this greed led to pride and pride led to racism. It might've started with greed. So, I think greed (and who know maybe other things) can be an indirect cause and pride is a direct cause to racism.

I guess it can be a bit complicated but it doesn't have to be. The solution is people taking responsibility for themselves. Nomatter how secure our policies are, people can find a loophole around them and in the end all we have is our individual selves to blame. Everyone, individually needs to make the right and fair decisions and I honestly think starts with God/Jesus.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. I don't think you can blame societal corruption on the individual who is trying to get through

Last edited Sun Jul 7, 2013, 05:28 PM - Edit history (1)

it in an honest manner. Frankly, there are plenty of churches and Republican style Christians in my city, but it doesn't matter. There's plenty of corruption going on because no one is holding anyone accountable in government for using illegally activities to bribe their own citizenry, nor is the citizenry being held accountable for accepting the bribes.

I agree they should take responsibility for themselves. They're the ones breaking the laws. But, it's not fair to pin that Libertarian excuse on the rest of us. It's like you're saying we just have to get used to being a victim, if we want to remain honest.

There has to be better options. Otherwise, if the law enforcement agencies are not going to bother to clean up the mess, we should get a tax rebate for all the things they are not doing to protect our welfare.

The level of corruption that exists in my city only occurs when the law enforcement agencies have accepted it as a community social mores. This suggests an entitlement. Because they allow a privileged core of the society to skirt the laws, and that group just happens to be Anglo-American, it suggests a racial divide.

[Calmador]

8. Mr. Baitball... wow.. just wow, please read carefully

This might be the most off-topic (going off a tangeant) reply I ever got in my life.

I'm gonna re-read my last posts right now... just to see where I said any of that...

Okay, let me make this clear. I don't any problem what so ever with using our government to punish wrong-doers. I also never said anything about us just getting used to being a victim. Its like you came from bizzaro world and started talking to me as if you came from a completely different conversation. I assumed soooo much.

The

What I was saying is that every individual would say no to evil. That's the best thing we can do. I'm not talking about how many Christians are in town... However, if everyone was a GENUINE Christian.. you would definitely see crime go down because it solves the problem. Christians have life-style goals... of never doing evil. Granted, nobody's perfect and people will still fail and do evil but with these goals in mind, you'll see change. People who have these goals... will do evil less and less.

Like you mentioned earlier... you practically proved my point.. you said people bribe government officials right? That's my point. The most powerful thing is individuals (government officials) saying no to bribes. Again, I'm not against going in there and arresting these corrupt officials... but how much better would it be for these corrupt officials to never have been corrupt in the first place? That's much better no? People not doing evil in the first place and us not having to worry about security as much because you can trust the man or woman that much more.

About taxing law enforcement for not bothering to clean up a mess... I'm not sure about that. I see what your saying but it might be overkill since law enforcement agencies are not GODS with the power to be everywhere and stop any evil at any time. I mean that power, I'd agree with you. However, they are humans and can do only as much as they can so I'd say no to the tax idea. It's unreasonable since they can't protect us 24/7. Like you said, "we should get a tax rebate for all the things they are not doing to protect our welfare. " I'm just thinking right now... say I had a teenager son and kicked a soccer ball and it hit me in my grion area... should I get a tax rebate? lol How about something worse.. like my teenager actually tried to murder me in my own home... tax rebate? Do you see what I mean? I don't see how the law enforcement agencies can protect me all the time as you imply.

This is a deeper issue than what any law enforcement can possibly do. Its a social issue at heart. The law enforcement can stop a crime in process, while its happening. (keyword: process) But, it can't stop crime from starting.

The start of crimes begins in our very own thoughts. Pride, greed.. lusts.. hatred...etc etc those are the causes of crimes. These evil ideas are the real problem and God is against these ideas. For example, take me... just this morning I noticed a young woman... probably around 20. She was pretty. I glanced at her and the truth is I lusted after her.

RIGHT THERE

I had two choices. I could let my lust lead me and go up to her and talk to her and try to seduce her for sex. (eventually)

or

I could decide to not think of her that way because of my belief in God. That God/Jesus has said that whoever looks at a woman with lust is already an adulterer at heart.

I decided to be led by God. As a result, she was no longer a sex toy to me but a young girl, a person. This is what we need. It is like that that people will NOT accept bribes and make racial divides (John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” )

I think the truth is that law enforcement is just a deterrent. But, the solution is God.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. I guess we disagree since our perspectives and experiences are very different.

Last edited Mon Jul 15, 2013, 04:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm trying to tell you that this is far more complicated than a morality test in CCD. Yes, it would be nice if people stuck to what we learned as kids as to what is right and what is wrong. But that's not what we are dealing with.

It's not just government officials being bribed, it's local governments bribing select members of their own communities in order to induce them to support government projects. These are not just ordinary citizens they're seeking. They pick the chronic complainers, the most ruthless and the most unethical. At one point, they may have even started out as community activists. Instead of fighting against them, the government pulls them over to their side by abusing their own authority and allowing these citizens unprecedented decision-making powers.

Once people recognize them as a key person in community--which is to say, that people recognize that they are bulletproof when it comes to prosecution--they slowly corrupt whoever needs to be corrupted in order to quiet dissent. And this corruption is easy to do once a government crosses that line because people will do anything that they see someone else get away with.

If you want to understand why our society is in such a state of disintegration, start with the fact that local governments are no longer paying attention to the Fourteenth Amendment.

[Calmador]

10. Yeah we do, I think thoughts > action because thoughts are what guide action

Last edited Tue Jul 16, 2013, 03:55 PM - Edit history (1)

I totally recognize and I'm soooo not surprised bribing happens. I know it happens. I look to my left and I notice someone lying. I look to the right and I hear a group of teenage guys planning out how to seduce some girls for sex.

Bad things happen I get that but... people don't control others. Its almost like you think if you stop those government officials from corrupting the lower officials that that will solve the problem? I mean for starters... people don't "corrupt" others although sure they have some blame in it but if those lower officials chose to live corruptly because they have been "corrupted" then its ALSO clearly their own fault. The lower officials we're corrupt already before they we're bribed or "corrupted". The lower officials had low moral standards.. had evil standards. There will always be more of them unless... our United States has a complete change in culture.

We live in a culture where you can ask people around on their opinion on whether if lying is okay and the answer they give is based off moral relativism.... meaning that hey its okay lie sometimes... These are the grounds where our climb up the ladder into becoming our leaders. This is why bribing happens because we ourselves have chosen this.

Ask me about lying and I may tell you that I'd rather die than tell a lie. Put me in office and I won't be able to be bribed. I don't care about money and no amount... even if the world we're to be offered to me. Why? Because I know what is right according to my God.

That's how the problem stops... not by stopping government officials (ALTHOUGH I don't oppose it, LETS get those guys out of office and put them in jail as they deserve) but by having people with such social values in office. By the U.S. culturally accepting God back in.

1. Thoughts/beliefs/social values --- > 2. Action --- > 3. Corrupt government officials

Your working from #2 and/or #3

I'm looking at this at #1... at the root. We need our culture to turn back to God. That's how we'll solve ALL problems. I think your looking at this in skin deep, superficial way. Your ideas are short, very short-term "solutions." Again, I don't mind giving corrupt officials what they deserve but that's not the solution. The solution is a life change and transformation of our people via God/Jesus.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. Two points:

1) As for your comment, "people don't "corrupt" others," I just have to say, you don't know how the Chamber of Commerce works. Many of those private-public partnerships are just vehicles for corruption.

2) God might be the answer, but certainly the question is getting muddled up in these right-wing churches because nothing ever changes, no matter who is giving the sermon in these churches.