[idjeff]

...peacefully (for the most part), but can't seem to in MOST other countries in the world? Please, I would really like to hear opinions from all who frequent these boards from the US and abroad. Why do most americans tolerate others beliefs and cultures (those that live here) without resorting to violence and killing? Is it American brain washing to tolerate all others beliefs and traditions? Are Americans just afraid of what their peers might think if they're "politically incorrect?" Just an honest question here...not trying to start any battles (since there's enough on these boards anyways).

[badidea]

...because in America Indians (not the ones from India) are the only real locals...

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by idjeff:
...peacefully (for the most part), but can't seem to in MOST other countries in the world?

Two suggestions (apart from a to badidea):

I'd seriously re-assess the "MOST" part, and then take 5 minutes to google "1968 race riots".

People are people.

Even in the United States.

Edit: You can also try and google up latino vs. black gang wars, and maybe the KKK.

-s*

[demograph68]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Two suggestions (apart from a to badidea):

I'd seriously re-assess the "MOST" part, and then take 5 minutes to google "1968 race riots".

People are people.

Even in the United States.

Edit: You can also try and google up latino vs. black gang wars, and maybe the KKK.

-s*

How about at the moment?

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by demograph68:
How about at the moment?

Are the LA riots really that long ago? Have the sentiments that led to them been completely overcome? Or at all?

At the moment, I see a couple of nations involved in cultural/race clashes, among them the United States.

Then there's some that are involved in economically/politically-motivated violence, which wasn't part of the original question.

"MOST" nations are quite peaceful.

-s*

[djohnson]

I will give you my opinion and it may be carried to others as well. You dont mess with me and I wont mess with you. I could care less if someone was white/black/purple/green, Christian/muslim/Jew, lefty/righty, etc. As long as you are not invading my "personal" space, we are cool.

[badidea]

Originally posted by djohnson:
...As long as you are not invading my "personal" space, we are cool.

How big is your "personal" space? Is it something like "Don't mess with Texas"?

[djohnson]

Originally posted by badidea:
How big is your "personal" space? Is it something like "Don't mess with Texas"?

That could lead us down another tangent

[bygimis]

Originally posted by idjeff:
Why can all religion, culture, race co-exist in US.......peacefully (for the most part), but can't seem to in MOST other countries in the world?

Its a matter of perspective... from where I'm sitting the US has a reputation of being very intolerant of other religions, cultures etc. The horrible stories of Wiccans and Pagans being driven out of Christian areas, with local police being part of the problem not the solution. The treatment of visiting Indians, Arabs and Muslims, the general level of ignorance about the rest of the world and the hostility and labelling of people 'anti-american'.

Where I live the celebrations for Hindu festivals are on a similar scale to that of Christmas. Much of the hatred towards pagans and alternative religions is imported from the states (e.g. the Satanic abuse scares).

There are very few other countries that are a mono-culture - even Iraq has a large Christian community for instance who, until recently, have lived in harmony with the Muslims and other denominations, as is the case in much of the middle east. Millions of western europeans go on holiday to Turkey and Egypt without problems every year, both Muslim countries.

[ebuddy]

Actually, contrary to what you may be led to believe by those who wish to view the glass as half empty and harken back to the days of 1968; Americans do peacefully co-exist. Two Wiccans at work, no one bothers them. Muslim woman who actually did some time in the field with head scarf on, only took herself out of the field. We have many mosques here, un-bothered. Blacks, whites, and Hispanics while generally "self-segregating" demographically live in many areas of my town peacefully. You'll find that most crime in the US is committed by those within the same culture. This does not suggest multi-cultural strife. This suggests other things that happen everywhere. Again, for the most part we peacefully co-exist because everyone is focused on bettering themselves and their families without fear of governmental oppression or henchmen knocking upon their doors. We peacefully coexist because we grew from the experiences of the race-riots and the uprooting of Native Americans. We saw the travesty behind the building of our great nation and learned difficult lessons from our distant past. America in many respects is the great World experiment and I'd say we've succeeded quite well.

A good example of this might be the Olympics. We have African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Germans, French, and those from many other walks of life representing America for what it is. A country of the World. They make me proud.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by ebuddy:
Actually, contrary to what you may be led to believe by those who wish to view the glass as half empty and harken back to the days of 1968; Americans do peacefully co-exist. Two Wiccans at work, no one bothers them. Muslim woman who actually did some time in the field with head scarf on, only took herself out of the field. We have many mosques here, un-bothered. Blacks, whites, and Hispanics while generally "self-segregating" demographically live in many areas of my town peacefully. You'll find that most crime in the US is committed by those within the same culture. This does not suggest multi-cultural strife. This suggests other things that happen everywhere. Again, for the most part we peacefully co-exist because everyone is focused on bettering themselves and their families without fear of governmental oppression or henchmen knocking upon their doors. We peacefully coexist because we grew from the experiences of the race-riots and the uprooting of Native Americans. We saw the travesty behind the building of our great nation and learned difficult lessons from our distant past. America in many respects is the great World experiment and I'd say we've succeeded quite well.

A good example of this might be the Olympics. We have African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Germans, French, and those from many other walks of life representing America for what it is. A country of the World. They make me proud.

This is indeed a question of perspective. You call segregation 'self segregation'. I remember hearing a report about a white community being 'bothered' by the fact that black american were moving into their neighborhood. This still exists. You can try to ignore it, but the US of A is certainly not xenophobia free.
On the other hand, I think you will find more interracial in Europe than you would in the US, which in my opinion is a much better indicator of the efficiency of the melting pot.

[dcolton]

Originally posted by ebuddy:
Actually, contrary to what you may be led to believe by those who wish to view the glass as half empty and harken back to the days of 1968; Americans do peacefully co-exist. Two Wiccans at work, no one bothers them. Muslim woman who actually did some time in the field with head scarf on, only took herself out of the field. We have many mosques here, un-bothered. Blacks, whites, and Hispanics while generally "self-segregating" demographically live in many areas of my town peacefully. You'll find that most crime in the US is committed by those within the same culture. This does not suggest multi-cultural strife. This suggests other things that happen everywhere. Again, for the most part we peacefully co-exist because everyone is focused on bettering themselves and their families without fear of governmental oppression or henchmen knocking upon their doors. We peacefully coexist because we grew from the experiences of the race-riots and the uprooting of Native Americans. We saw the travesty behind the building of our great nation and learned difficult lessons from our distant past. America in many respects is the great World experiment and I'd say we've succeeded quite well.

A good example of this might be the Olympics. We have African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Germans, French, and those from many other walks of life representing America for what it is. A country of the World. They make me proud.

Just to add...non-Americans, those who think of themselves as American experts really have no clue. Bringing up race riots proves that we have some educated Europeans on this discussion board...but it doesn't prove that they are familiar with American culture. No, we have not reached the pinnacle of success when it comes to race relations, and I don't believe we ever will until we quit identifying Americans by their race (African-AMerican, Mexican-American, etc)...but as a black man, I would much rather live in the United States than suffer in a pseudo-liberal nation that knows little about true diversity.

[ebuddy]

This is indeed a question of perspective. You call segregation 'self segregation'. I remember hearing a report about a white community being 'bothered' by the fact that black american were moving into their neighborhood.

No, what you heard was perhaps a group of people (black and white) living in a nice neighborhood of 'homes' disgusted with the prospect of apartment complexes or government housing. They've worked hard their entire lives to live where they are (black and white alike) and did not appreciate the thought of someone getting a handout. Have you ever owned property? Are you familiar with the increased likelihood of someone trashing the property because they were given it, as opposed to having earned it? Are you aware of the affect this has on surrounding properties? They are fighting for their investments. There are those that would seek to turn this into a racial issue, but in almost all cases-this is proposterous because minorities are involved in the fight.

This still exists. You can try to ignore it, but the US of A is certainly not xenophobia free.

let me guess...You're European. Then you might find the increasing Neo-Nazi racism most prevalent in your neck of the woods disturbing.

You may say things from the comfort of your gated community in Europe, but the truth is...

On the other hand, I think you will find more interracial in Europe than you would in the US, which in my opinion is a much better indicator of the efficiency of the melting pot.

Interracial what? Strife? You got me there. How well do the member states of the EU get along? One might think all they do is bicker. Indicators like economy, home ownership, and unemployment would suggest a much more different story, but would suggest it much more measurably and accurately. The answer is; interracial harmony, inclusion, mutual success, and acceptance is our goal. There are many who cry out; "What about the race-riots, You gonna let 'em get away with that?!" only seeking to continue the divisive nature in their failure to see good in anything. Don't listen to the squeeky wheels with financial agendas of their own. There is a lot of money in racial division. The average American ain't buyin'.

[Zimphire]

pish posh, small instances that happened in our history is not comparable to the every day happenstance that happen in other parts of the world.

I know you America haters are going to have a hard time admitting that.

[djohnson]

Why don't we hear from someone in a country that has had more violence in its history than the US? I have read about some African countries that are just solid warfare....

[phoenixboy70]

Originally posted by demograph68:
How about at the moment?

and don't eeeeven say that this wasn't about race.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:
and don't eeeeven say that this wasn't about race.

LAAAWL! And look how many riots that started.. er wait.

No phoenix. That was about money. He got off free because he had money.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by ebuddy:



let me guess...You're European. Then you might find the increasing Neo-Nazi racism most prevalent in your neck of the woods disturbing.
URL]



Interracial what? Strife? You got me there. How well do the member states of the EU get along? One might think all they do is bicker. Indicators like economy, home ownership, and unemployment would suggest a much more different story, but would suggest it much more measurably and accurately. The answer is; interracial harmony, inclusion, mutual success, and acceptance is our goal. There are many who cry out; "What about the race-riots, You gonna let 'em get away with that?!" only seeking to continue the divisive nature in their failure to see good in anything. Don't listen to the squeeky wheels with financial agendas of their own. There is a lot of money in racial division. The average American ain't buyin'.

I live in the US, I am talking about what I know only, unlike so many people around here. Yet I know I am blind, just as you are. Except I don't go around slamming and bashing for the sake of it. That is called wisdom I believe. You'll learn it one day.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by ebuddy:
No, what you heard was perhaps a group of people (black and white) living in a nice neighborhood of 'homes' disgusted with the prospect of apartment complexes or government housing.

No it was not the case. It was just family moving into single family houses. I believe it was somewhere in the Chicago 'burbs (don't quote me on that). it was during the great economic boom under Clinton when some black families were starting having more money and moving into more affluent neighborhoods.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
pish posh, small instances that happened in our history is not comparable to the every day happenstance that happen in other parts of the world.

I know you America haters are going to have a hard time admitting that.

Agreed, there are a lot of worse places than the US (or Europe or a bunch of other countries) to live in. Iraq comes to mind right now : was not pleasant before the invasion, still seems like a huge mess now.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
LAAAWL! And look how many riots that started.. er wait.

No phoenix. That was about money. He got off free because he had money.

It was quite interesting to see the cheers of the black students at the university I was attending then, during the televised announcement of the verdict, and then to look at the disguts and incomprehension of 'the others'.... There were exceptions on both sides, but just a few... Does not fit your claim.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by villalobos:
It was quite interesting to see the cheers of the black students at the university I was attending then, during the televised announcement of the verdict,

Naw, that is just an example of over-zealous college kids wanting a "rant"

Heck even Oprah was disgusted he didn't get the chair.

and then to look at the disguts and incomprehension of 'the others'.... There were exceptions on both sides, but just a few... Does not fit your claim.

What claim? That he got off because he could afford powerful attorneys? His team TRIED to make it a race issue. It was not. Had he not been "OJ" he would have been convicted.

[phoenixboy70]

Originally posted by villalobos:
Originally posted by Zimphire:
LAAAWL! And look how many riots that started.. er wait.

No phoenix. That was about money. He got off free because he had money

suuure. yeah, rrrrrright.

i lived in the us at the time of the trials. this was NOT about "teh money", it was all about a racial divide. i can clearly remember them showing the judge pronouncing the verdict, and then showing rooms full of black people cheering, while a large portion of the "white" population was pissed off.

good to see you're still full of it, - and a liar.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by Zimphire:

Naw, that is just an example of over-zealous college kids wanting a "rant"

Heck even Oprah was disgusted he didn't get the chair.


What claim? That he got off because he could afford powerful attorneys? His team TRIED to make it a race issue. It was not. Had he not been "OJ" he would have been convicted. [/B]

No, but the trial became a 'us vs them' trial. I was amazed when I saw that on the campus (i was pretty new ain the US at the time). I kinda understand it now.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:
suuure. yeah, rrrrrright.

i lived in the us at the time of the trials. this was NOT about "teh money", it was all about a racial divide. i can clearly remember them showing the judge pronouncing the verdict, and then showing rooms full of black people cheering, while a large portion of the "white" population was pissed off.

good to see you're still full of it, - and a liar.

LOL!!!!! You remember what you want. This wasn't the same as the Rodney King trial. Not even close.

It was more class warfare than racial issues. And what did I lie about? Heh.

Stop being a moron.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by villalobos:
No, but the trial became a 'us vs them' trial. I was amazed when I saw that on the campus (i was pretty new ain the US at the time). I kinda understand it now.

Yes, campus does not = Country. Don't judge the country on what you see College students reacting too. College students are still "immature" and reactionary.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Yes, campus does not = Country. Don't judge the country on what you see College students reacting too. College students are still "immature" and reactionary.

College students are reactionary?!?

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by villalobos:
College students are reactionary?!?

re·ac·tion __ _P___Pronunciation Key__(r-kshn)
n.
A response to a stimulus.
The state resulting from such a response.

To act upon said stimulus would be reactionary.

I am not talking about the political definition.

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:


and don't eeeeven say that this wasn't about race.

Yeah, he USED the race card. He still murdered his wife and her BF though. *shrug*

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
LAAAWL! And look how many riots that started.. er wait.

No phoenix. That was about money. He got off free because he had money.

Yep, if he were poor or middle class he'd be spending the rest of his life in prison (where he should be).

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by MacNStein:
Yeah, he USED the race card. He still murdered his wife and her BF though. *shrug*

Yes, HE did TRY to use the race card. But the trial itself wasn't about race.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by MacNStein:
Yep, if he were poor or middle class he'd be spending the rest of his life in prison (where he should be).

Exactly! This was a class issue. Not a race one.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by Zimphire:

re·ac·tion __ _P___Pronunciation Key__(r-kshn)
n.
A response to a stimulus.
The state resulting from such a response.

To act upon said stimulus would be reactionary.

I am not talking about the political definition.

Main Entry: re·ac·tion·ary
Pronunciation: rE-'ak-sh&-"ner-E
Function: adjective
: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction; especially : ultraconservative in politics

I think that would be the main use wouldn't it?

[djohnson]

Originally posted by villalobos:
Main Entry: re·ac·tion·ary
Pronunciation: rE-'ak-sh&-"ner-E
Function: adjective
: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction; especially : ultraconservative in politics

I think that would be the main use wouldn't it?

In this case it is not. Seeing as how I just graduated college a 1.5 years ago, I still remember how things were. If you want, I remember when Bush was elected and our whole dorm was cheering for him. That must mean everyone likes Bush, right?

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by villalobos:
I think that would be the main use wouldn't it? [/B]

Yes, just like "gay" can be used meaning homosexual AND happy.

[PacHead]

The answer is quite simple. Americans are more cultured and civilized and more open and accepting of other peoples than Europeans. Europe is the continent of intolerance, genocide, world wars and racial hatred etc.

Anybody can immigrate to the USA, and if they go through the correct process they can indeed become an "American" with time. This is not true in Europe. If somebody immigrates to France (for example), they do not become a "frenchman". They become a first generation immigrant, or a second generation "immigrant", and so on etc.. America has surely had a few racial problems in the past (the south & blacks for example), but Europe's problems are just starting, as more and more third world immigrants flock into Europe. Many of these people do not assimilate into the society and culture of the countries they arrive into, and neither do their children.

Leftist Europeans and socialist dweebs will of course disagree with this assessment, by stating anything they can to "paint" the USA as worse than Europe, when in reality, Europe is far worse and less successful at dealing with immigrants. The USA was afterall founded by a bunch of immigrants. Just about everybody in the USA is an immigrant or decsendant of immigrants.

Judging by the anti-American buzz that is sweeping Europe, I would say that they haven't progressed much since WWII, and many there are just as ignorant as before. Nothing surprises me when it comes to Europe, and expect more wars (and even genocide) there in the years to come.

PacHead's two cents. . . . .

[phoenixboy70]

wtf? do you all have amnesia?

this wasn't just an issue in college dorms. this was everywhere at the time. the news was full of stories along the racial divide...people on the streets were talking about it.

THIS WAS A BIG RACIAL ISSUE.

you talked to a black person at the time, it was always:"oj's innocent"...talked to some "white" person:"he's guilty as sin!!!!".

but yeah, i'm sure that was all coincidence.

[phoenixboy70]

Originally posted by PacHead:
America has surely had a few racial problems in the past (the south & blacks for example), but Europe's problems are just starting, as more and more third world immigrants flock into Europe.

pfff. absolutely laughable.

genocide? native americans ring a bell? slavery?

racism is as much of an issue in the us as it is in europe. it's just that most americans won't admit to it. there isn't only racism between whites and african americans, but extremely high tensions between asian americans and "black people".

but this discussion is quite meaningless, since the real divides are between classes of income and not race.

racial tensions are usually in the lower and working classes, while in the upper middle class and upper classes race isn't as much of an issue (if at all). this is the same in the us as in europe, as i'm sure it is in asia.

remember rodney king? i'm suuure that didn't have ANYTHING at all to do with race...

get over it. racism will always be a problem in societies that are based on inequality and struggle, it's inevitable. the less people are frustrated with their lives, the more they are willing to accept other cultures and "races" in their environment.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:
wtf? do you all have amnesia?

this wasn't just an issue in college dorms. this was everywhere at the time. the news was full of stories along the racial divide...people on the streets were talking about it.

THIS WAS A BIG RACIAL ISSUE.

you talked to a black person at the time, it was always:"oj's innocent"...talked to some "white" person:"he's guilty as sin!!!!".

but yeah, i'm sure that was all coincidence.

Wow must be where you were at the time. It certainly wasn't that way here. There was OJ fans claiming he was innocent. White AND Black.

There was people TRYING to make it a racial issue I agree. But it wasn't.

You armchair Americans crack me up.

[djohnson]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Wow must be where you were at the time. It certainly wasn't that way here. There was OJ fans claiming he was innocent. White AND Black.

There was people TRYING to make it a racial issue I agree. But it wasn't.

You armchair Americans crack me up.

Same here... Some of my "black" friends thought he should have gotten the chair the same as some of my "white" friends and vice versa. It is all irrelevant though.

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Wow must be where you were at the time. It certainly wasn't that way here. There was OJ fans claiming he was innocent. White AND Black.

There was people TRYING to make it a racial issue I agree. But it wasn't.

You armchair Americans crack me up.

Yeah, I saw more of a gender split on this than a racial (though even then, there really wasn't much of a split), almost everyone I know (including blacks) thought he was guilty of at least conspiracy.

[villalobos]

Originally posted by PacHead:
bunch of non sense snipped

PacHead's two cents. . . . .

not even worth that much

[villalobos]

Originally posted by djohnson:
In this case it is not. Seeing as how I just graduated college a 1.5 years ago, I still remember how things were. If you want, I remember when Bush was elected and our whole dorm was cheering for him. That must mean everyone likes Bush, right?

huh?

[PacHead]

Originally posted by villalobos:
I have absolutely nothing worthwhile to contribute to this thread.

fixed

[villalobos]

Originally posted by PacHead:
fixed

You are so funny. Amazing.

[CreepingDeth]

Armchair Americans trying to paint everything as a race and culture war.
Here, Europeans, since you like to act like Americans: Explain the surge in skinheads. Beating up foreigners, staging riots in soccer games (soccer!!).


There, now I can be an armchair European.

[phoenixboy70]

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
Armchair Americans trying to paint everything as a race and culture war.

hmmm. you're the first one to introduce the term "war". how very telling.

[CreepingDeth]

You're the only human who thinks he's innocent.
You're also the one who uses OJ as a way to make 1 race wrong and one race right.

[phoenixboy70]

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
You're the only human who thinks he's innocent.
You're also the one who uses OJ as a way to make 1 race wrong and one race right.

errr...oookay.

time to take your meds and help your mom clean the dishes.

[CreepingDeth]

Also the one who demonized white people.
You also are the first time I've seen someone say 1 race thinks only this way, besides white liberals bashing black conservatives.