Racism

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I didn't intend this thread to deal with cultural bias as much as race. I did make mention to the cultural bias because many people around me seem to can't tell the difference between their race or better said as genetic skin color and their culture. In addition, I'm so sick of people who never been to Africa say they are from an African Culture. They may have roots in Africa, but that's heritage more so than culture. I'm German, and you don't see me pretending to be of German Culture or say "that's part of my German culture." My culture is American, but my heritage is German. But, I think of that cultural situation you speak of when I argue about Imus with my sister. I kept saying that all people, black and white, shouldn't be saying things like that. But I guess only black people are allowed to say those evil things about themselves, and they have earned that right. This is kinda sarcasm because I think there's no excuse for being a jerk.

I do participate in the rap culture, but that's only because it's percussion based which is easier for dancing. I've tried to shake my butt to some Metallica, but it just wasn't the same as when I do it to some Little John and the East Side Boys. I got a nice booty, and rap is the only thing that gives it justice. I once believed that women should treat the men like objects, but now that I'm married, I'm kinda growing out of that. I also got most people beat in both thought and aggression. In fact, those are two things that came natural to me from what I think is an Aspie thing as well, but they were two things I hated about myself growing up because the smart girl isn't popular, and the monster needs therapy or medication or is just psychotic. Either way, when it came to fighting, I never threw the first punch for legal purposes. I got into small fights with black dudes only when my black male friend got into a fight and I stepped in, or when I was wrestling around with some friends. The real fights were always with white people from a very white culture. Whether it be white girls on some weird drug, or white dudes because I don't take too well to disrespect. Actually, the most respect i ever got from a group of males was marines, and they came from all cultures mainly that urban culture, but the corps just makes boys into men. OORAH DEVIL DAWGS. Anyway, I don't think it's the rap music that makes guys disrespectful. I have a very colorful dating history, race and culture, and all dudes disrespected me equally (except the Devil Dawgs and also Puerto Ricans, well at least the ones from Puerto Rico as opposed to having roots in Puerto Rico).

In fact, my husband who is also Puerto Rican, had no idea the states had this racism issue. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and there, you are either a gringo or gringa or you are not. Even then, there wasn't too much hatred for them. When I was there, I got a lot of stares like these people had never seen a white girl before or maybe they thought I took a wrong turn at Cuba. I don't speak Spanish well, and when I was lost, those same people that gave me weird glares were also the friendliest, kindest people in trying to explain to me directions to where I was trying to go in a language they knew little about and was afraid to use, and they still figured a way to communicate to me. All Puerto Ricans are black (also White and Indian), and skin tone there is so diverse, so someone like my husband just doesn't understand what the big fuss is about. In fact, he'll tell me about all the things Americans have done to oppress his people in Puerto Rico (and America still does), and he just doesn't get why people play out the race card. They also have their own rap culture, and they still treat women with the utmost respect. I will say that I'm trying to work on my Salsa and Meringue (I'm sure I spelled that one wrong) because I think those would truly give my booty justice.

I should also add that I do get in people's faces and break that personal bubble only because it initimidates. I only do it when necessary. I did learn that from the urban culture as well as a lot of common sense, street smarts, and come backs and debate techniques. That same urban culture you speak so poorly of was very good therapy for an Aspie. I'm growing out of it because I got family now, but I am hating the fact that I am going back to my old nerdy self as a result of not being around it. I tend to choke now when I should be speaking out. The computer of course is one thing, but in person is another. I just get too much anxiety over what I call improv. What's not right is when the community around that culture can't accept them the way they are. I love the urban culture because they are aggressive. It's easier to figure than neurotypical logic or what I often refer to as Reindeer Games because this Homey just don't play dat (yeah, I'm old). Plus, the urban culture was so much more accepting of my differences than the suburban culture.

That culture is good for Aspies. So they can take pride in being able to shake their booty, like a animal in a mating dance? I don't see what's so sexy, about a woman dancing around, like a 2 year old having to pee-pee.

I have read sociological/historical material on race in the United States, and that's enough to let me know that the "racist = KKK member" equation is woefully simplistic. I think it would help if we would distinguish between racist comments and racist people. If everyone--especially those from a dominant, privileged group--would lose some of the defensiveness, these kinds of conversations would be more productive.



Right; I get that. It's not a problem wholly unique to aspies, though. I think a lot of NTs suffer from "foot-in-mouth" disease when it comes to this topic.

I just wanted say, on your second paragraph, that white people have feared black people for centuries, rap culture didn't cause that. Second, all people understand personal space, but have different ideas on what is and what isn't acceptable based on cultural differences. Some people Cubans talk very close together, it's their culture. What you've said is very ethnocentric and suggests blacks should conform to white culture to acceptable. Why not just take people and their cultures as they are?

I'll keep this simple and to the point. I'm no racist nor bigot in any sense of the word as, far as I see it yes, many Aspies do tend to be less racisist possibly from having to deal with a great amount of being shunned by friends,co-workers,etc that in itself is not the equal of racism mind you but, it does come close neverless. Because of having a multi-national ancestry I choose not to look upon others in the world with critical or judgemental eyes in general, I accept all people as being human until such person(s) has crossed a specific line or boundary in regards to friendship or morality etc..