What Stereotypes Do You Avoid?

Off Topic
41

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Proving stereotypes wrong should be entertaining for you. Show people an intelligent and eloquent black man, and break the stereotypes people have. It won’t eradicate racism but isn’t that a step in the right direction?

They seem to figure that out within the first 5 seconds of speaking to me. It won’t stop me from wearing my earrings, my leather wrist cuffs, riding my motorcycle, lifting really heavy weights or shaving my head. I haven’t had to compromise my personal style much at all (aside from the earrings and leather while active duty and on the job) once in my life. I don’t plan to now.

People can think what they want of me from a distance.

Unless I am on the job, my style is my own and I value it.

I think that maintaining my individuality goes far enough at breaking stereotypes. Anyone who won’t take the time to find that out and judges me negatively because of it is clearly the one with the problem.

I used to care. I even used to care a lot. I quit caring once I found out that no matter how I dress, bigots and those with limited perspectives will still think the same things even if they don’t say it out loud. I would simply be compromising myself by trying to “fit in”.

The last generation was forced to do that in order to succeed at all. I honestly think it is time for society to change a little.

You have overcome stereotypes through hard work, intellect, and dedication. All I’m suggesting is that you broadcast this accomplishment somewhat more. Of course, its no one’s job to try and change the world and how you dress is your choice, of course.

Dr. King always made a point of dressing nicely to belie the white peoples’ stereotypes of black men, as did Malcolm X.

It would be great if we judged each other by the content of our character. But that’s an optimistic hope.

Dr. King dressed the way he had to to have the greatest effect on a mass of people. The fact that you still talk about him proves he did that well. However, if you think that he was ACCEPTED by the ones he was speaking against during his time, you are one exceptionally deluded individual.

It is not necessary for me to “broadcast” anything about my accomplishments to others. Obviously not doing so hasn’t held me back…so why do you think I need to now? So that stuffy old people will feel more comfortable around me in the grocery store?

No offense, but fuck them, and fuck you too for thinking I should have to endure the loss of self for their (or your) benefit.

I have helped “change” enough by not compromising and STILL making it through.

In fact, being under-estimated is often the greatest advantage. You haven’t figured that out about me yet?

Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.
[/quote]

Your profile says you have been training for thirty eight years. I has just wondering if that was in weight training or training to become a total racist asshole. I think you should word your posts in the first person.

42

[quote]MsM wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

Why do you think black people should give a damn what “many white people” think?

Do you care what “many black people” think when you get dressed?

And thank you for pointing that part of the statement out.

Headhunter, if you feel a certain way, then state that that is your own, personal opinion. No need to drag a whole race of people into it with you because you sure don’t speak on my behalf.
[/quote]

I second that motion!!

43

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
<<< Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.
[/quote]

It is damn near impossible for me to fathom a way that this statement could have been more misunderstood.

What he’s talking about has nothing to do with black or white except in the context of modern western cultures. The underlying principle in this statement is cross culturally and universally applicable in differing superficial forms in all societies of all ages. It is an inextricable component of the human condition and the utter refusal to recognize that is at the heart of the tension between the races in this country especially.

Headhunter can respond now by saying “yyyyyyep, Trib gets it”.

Everybody else will stare at this post thinking “WTF is he talking about?”

Exactly

44

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
<<< Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

It is damn near impossible for me to fathom a way that this statement could have been more misunderstood.

What he’s talking about has nothing to do with black or white except in the context of modern western cultures. The underlying principle in this statement is cross culturally and universally applicable in differing superficial forms in all societies of all ages. It is an inextricable component of the human condition and the utter refusal to recognize that is at the heart of the tension between the races in this country especially.

Headhunter can respond now by saying “yyyyyyep, Trib gets it”.

Everybody else will stare at this post thinking “WTF is he talking about?”

Exactly[/quote]

Doubtful. I wil instead respond that Martin Luther King Jr’s goal was not a country where one race dresses in ways that the majority sees as “appropriate” just to be accepted, but rather where that would not be necessary.

I misunderstood his post?

Exactly how elite must I be to grasp it?

45

[quote]MsM wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

I am undecided as to whether this was supposed to be a serious post. If it was indeed serious, that is one of the most racist and undermining things I’ve read on this site. If this is your idea of provoking thought, it’s in very poor taste. Why should any race of people change the way they want to look so that others are more comfortable? [/quote]

Being clean cut and dressing nicely are to make white people UNCOMFORTABLE with their stereotypes about black people.

Was that not clear? Please think before posting.

46

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
MsM wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

I am undecided as to whether this was supposed to be a serious post. If it was indeed serious, that is one of the most racist and undermining things I’ve read on this site. If this is your idea of provoking thought, it’s in very poor taste. Why should any race of people change the way they want to look so that others are more comfortable?

Being clean cut and dressing nicely are to make white people UNCOMFORTABLE with their stereotypes about black people.

Was that not clear? Please think before posting.

[/quote]

I did think before posting. Please tell me where I wrote that I ever leave the house without shaving or being clean?

47

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Tiribulus wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
<<< Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

It is damn near impossible for me to fathom a way that this statement could have been more misunderstood.

What he’s talking about has nothing to do with black or white except in the context of modern western cultures. The underlying principle in this statement is cross culturally and universally applicable in differing superficial forms in all societies of all ages. It is an inextricable component of the human condition and the utter refusal to recognize that is at the heart of the tension between the races in this country especially.

Headhunter can respond now by saying “yyyyyyep, Trib gets it”.

Everybody else will stare at this post thinking “WTF is he talking about?”

Exactly

Doubtful. I wil instead respond that Martin Luther King Jr’s goal was not a country where one race dresses in ways that the majority sees as “appropriate” just to be accepted, but rather where that would not be necessary.

I misunderstood his post?

Exactly how elite must I be to grasp it?[/quote]

You’re a smart guy Doc, but that is neither what he nor Dr King was talking about and it has nothing to do with being elite. There is no such thing and never has been as a society where some kind of norms coloring that societies view of it’s members didn’t exist. Not saying how right or wrong that may be, only that it is.

All these high minded open hearted people here would snap to attention real quick if they found themselves on an operating table looking up at somebody who looked anything except what they think a competent surgeon should look like regardless of the paper on his walls. Nuthin to do with race and again, makes no difference how right or wrong it may be, that’s just the way people are and always will be.

In a different society those norms may be different and a Mt. Sinai lookin western type surgeon might have those people bolting up and heading for the door.

Nobody can change the past, but this is a western Europen based society and the most successful one in the history of the world despite it’s many and glaring faults. Those who live here are cordially invited to join regardless of race, but don’t be shocked if that society is unwilling to see itself transformed into something other than what’s made it so successful.

Like I said, but never finished in that other thread a while ago. I believe that what has made America great for white people can by definition make it great for anybody, but you have to join us. Generally speaking not just YOU.

The American dream IS NOT multi cultural, but is distinctly American despite every effort being made to convince us of the contrary in recent history.

A racist says “hell no I don’t want those people in my society”. An American says “Anybody from anywhere can be as fully AMERICAN as I am”.

48

Headhunter’s posts always confuse me; I’m not sure if that’s my fault or his.

49

[quote]Professor X wrote:
MsM wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

I am undecided as to whether this was supposed to be a serious post. If it was indeed serious, that is one of the most racist and undermining things I’ve read on this site. If this is your idea of provoking thought, it’s in very poor taste. Why should any race of people change the way they want to look so that others are more comfortable?

That is his usual crap.

That is one reason I avoid the political forum of late. No one calls him out on it, or if they do, it is a very rare occurance.

Mind you, he is supposed to be a teacher…of little kids.
[/quote]

Wrong as usual, Prof. I teach high school.

You lament that people judge you by how you look. Fine. You dress as you please, also fine. I suggested that you might do your small bit to help turn this around by dressing conservatively some of the time. People judge others by appearance? Use that to get rid of it.

Barack O’bama uses the same ideas at his rallies. In his book, he describes how to knock down stereotypes so people can listen to what he’s REALLY saying. I guess he’s more interested in making America a better country, ready to go beyond stereotyping than you. Which is…fine.

Are you helping by dressing thug and riding a motorcycle? No, but that’s your right. Just don’t complain when others use stereotypes to judge you. You reinforced them.

50

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
You’re a smart guy Doc, but that is neither what he nor Dr King was talking about and it has nothing to do with being elite. [/quote]

I’m sorry, it isn’t? Equality is not defined as “when one race feels the need to meet the desires of another race so that they don’t get hit with negative stereotypes”.

Was his stance for or against full equality?

That would include cultural differences, not full conformity.

[quote]

There is no such thing and never has been as a society where some kind of norms coloring that societies view of it’s members didn’t exist. Not saying how right or wrong that may be, only that it is.[/quote]

I think most would agree it is wrong if the “coloring” leads to degradation and an effort to decrease the progress of another race on those terms.

[quote]

All these high minded open hearted people here would snap to attention real quick if they found themselves on an operating table looking up at somebody who looked anything except what they think a competent surgeon should look like regardless of the paper on his walls. Nuthin to do with race and again, makes no difference how right or wrong it may be, that’s just the way people are and always will be.[/quote]

Please note, as if I didn’t make this clear before (I DID), that how I dress at work is different than how I dress in my own leisure time. In that instance, skin color alone and possibly physical stature would be the focus of judgment.

[quote]

In a different society those norms may be different and a Mt. Sinai lookin western type surgeon might have those people bolting up and heading for the door.

Nobody can change the past, but this is a western Europen based society and the most successful one in the history of the world despite it’s many and glaring faults. Those who live here are cordially invited to join regardless of race, but don’t be shocked if that society is unwilling to see itself transformed into something other than what’s made it so successful.[/quote]

You do realize that there was historically a group here in large numbers that was not “invited”?

[quote]

Like I said, but never finished in that other thread a while ago. I believe that what has made America great for white people can by definition make it great for anybody, but you have to join us. Generally speaking not just YOU.

The American dream IS NOT multi cultural, but is distinctly American despite every effort being made to convince us of the contrary in recent history.

A racist says “hell no I don’t want those people in my society”. An American says “Anybody from anywhere can be as fully AMERICAN as I am”.[/quote]

Bullshit. I haven’t joined anyone at all to be considered “American”. I had to fight quite a few bigoted points of view to get here though in terms of degrees earned.

The American Dream is very much multi-cultural. Where did you get the impression that it isn’t? Do you realize I spend most of my day speaking Spanish…in AMERICA? Do you realize how many different cultures make up our own armed servicemen?

America was once considered a melting pot? Have the rules suddenly changed?

51

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
MsM wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

I am undecided as to whether this was supposed to be a serious post. If it was indeed serious, that is one of the most racist and undermining things I’ve read on this site. If this is your idea of provoking thought, it’s in very poor taste. Why should any race of people change the way they want to look so that others are more comfortable?

Being clean cut and dressing nicely are to make white people UNCOMFORTABLE with their stereotypes about black people.

Was that not clear? Please think before posting.

[/quote]

Why out of three posters here do you choose to respond to only my own? That speaks volumes.

If there is one thing that is plainly obvious of your posting style, it’s that you pick a very controversial subject, word it in such a way as to elicite a certain response and when you get that response, you tell them how wrong they are.

I fail to see how you have enlightened anyone here. Maybe you should dumb it down for us simple folks.

Edit I see you did respond to others. I will try to absorb your words of wisdom.

52

[quote]Headhunter wrote:

Wrong as usual, Prof. I teach high school.[/quote]

Until they are 18, those are still kids.

Dressing thug?

I’m sorry, please quote and paste where I wrote that I was “dressing thug”. Did you come to that conclusion because I’m Black?

I don’t follow trends, so how did you come to such a conclusion?

53

[quote]streamline wrote:

Your profile says you have been training for thirty eight years. I has just wondering if that was in weight training or training to become a total racist asshole. I think you should word your posts in the first person.[/quote]

You’re a hillbilly from the B.C.? End of argument.

In case you don’t get it, bugwit, that’s a stereotype.

54

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
Are you helping by dressing thug and riding a motorcycle? No, but that’s your right. Just don’t complain when others use stereotypes to judge you. You reinforced them.

[/quote]

No you just reinforced them.

55

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
MsM wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

I am undecided as to whether this was supposed to be a serious post. If it was indeed serious, that is one of the most racist and undermining things I’ve read on this site. If this is your idea of provoking thought, it’s in very poor taste. Why should any race of people change the way they want to look so that others are more comfortable?

Being clean cut and dressing nicely are to make white people UNCOMFORTABLE with their stereotypes about black people.

Was that not clear? Please think before posting.

I did think before posting. Please tell me where I wrote that I ever leave the house without shaving or being clean?[/quote]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the Prof X Shower Routine thread!

When you roar up to work on your motorcycle, with the earrings in and all the leather, do the little old ladies say, “Good morning, Doctor!” or do they simply die of terror?

56

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
MsM wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
Well, Prof, its my hope that ASAP we can get rid of any and all excuses for racism. I think that a black man being clean cut and upright, dressing nicely, would help to undermine the stereotypes that many white people have of black people. And sure, I understand that you don’t want to dress or act a certain way for others. Your life belongs to you and the good is to live it.

I am undecided as to whether this was supposed to be a serious post. If it was indeed serious, that is one of the most racist and undermining things I’ve read on this site. If this is your idea of provoking thought, it’s in very poor taste. Why should any race of people change the way they want to look so that others are more comfortable?

Being clean cut and dressing nicely are to make white people UNCOMFORTABLE with their stereotypes about black people.

Was that not clear? Please think before posting.

I did think before posting. Please tell me where I wrote that I ever leave the house without shaving or being clean?

Oh yeah, I forgot about the Prof X Shower Routine thread!

When you roar up to work on your motorcycle, with the earrings in and all the leather, do the little old ladies say, “Good morning, Doctor!” or do they simply die of terror?

[/quote]

You are a slow one, aren’t you?

Let me write in big letters so wittle Headhunter can follow along.

I DON’T DRESS THE SAME AT WORK AS I DO IN MY OWN TIME.

I know, I know, accepting that would put a huge kink in what you are trying to do, wouldn’t it?

57

Oh, and for the record, I own a car as well. Why that should matter at all is a mystery.

58

[quote]Professor X wrote:
<<< Please note, as if I didn’t make this clear before (I DID), that how I dress at work is different than how I dress in my own leisure time. <<<<>>>>

<<< Bullshit. I haven’t joined anyone at all to be considered “American”.
[/quote] Emphasis mine

Yes you have and wisely so.

59

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Professor X wrote:
<<< Please note, as if I didn’t make this clear before (I DID), that how I dress at work is different than how I dress in my own leisure time. <<<<>>>>

<<< Bullshit. I haven’t joined anyone at all to be considered “American”.
Emphasis mine

Yes you have and wisely so.[/quote]

Uh, no, I was born American.

I came into this world American, so what point is it that you think you have?

60

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Headhunter wrote:

Wrong as usual, Prof. I teach high school.

Until they are 18, those are still kids.

You lament that people judge you by how you look. Fine. You dress as you please, also fine. I suggested that you might do your small bit to help turn this around by dressing conservatively some of the time. People judge others by appearance? Use that to get rid of it.

Barack O’bama uses the same ideas at his rallies. In his book, he describes how to knock down stereotypes so people can listen to what he’s REALLY saying. I guess he’s more interested in making America a better country, ready to go beyond stereotyping than you. Which is…fine.

Are you helping by dressing thug and riding a motorcycle? No, but that’s your right. Just don’t complain when others use stereotypes to judge you. You reinforced them.

Dressing thug?

I’m sorry, please quote and paste where I wrote that I was “dressing thug”. Did you come to that conclusion because I’m Black?

I don’t follow trends, so how did you come to such a conclusion?
[/quote]

Do you do a ‘James Bond’ and step out of your riding apparel in an Armani suit?

Glad to see you finally got around to playing the race card.

You know what Prof? Don’t dress nicely. Roar around on your bike, checking in the mirror to make sure your earrings are still in. Asking you to help end stereotyping and racism was kind of like getting no water at the bottom of the well…waste of good drilling equipment.