BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:26 pm
NotGutterGutter wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:00 pm
BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:46 pm
Truthfully as a white person I do not get to decide those things. Nor should I.
And thats exactly why when it's the white liberals doing the racism labeling that it makes my eyes roll.
For the most part white people can't relate or understand the types of racism people of color face in out country (particularly black people). The best thing to do is listen, learn, and be an ally when needed.
I like your response.
Here is another difficult question in relation to it.
The past year and a quarter I spent many hours speaking with and listening to "people of color" discussing racism and what they have experienced. It was enlightening. Upsetting at times and uplifting at times. That being said, NOT ONCE did I hear ANYONE calling out those "of color" who have given "people of color" a bad name. I found that very surprising. Why do YOU think they didn't? I don't think there is a definitive right or wrong answer to my question.
Getting back to Covid on the ground.......
I know I sound like a broken record but I am somewhat distraught right now that WE (our country as a whole) are going backwards. You would think by now people would be worn out from all this Covid shit and want to do anything and everything possible to get rid of it. Nope, we live in the ME generation and too many people just don't give a damn about how Covid has and is continuing to affect others.
First part: i think that's totally subjective to whoever you were speaking to. I also think that when discussing racism it doesn't always have to be/shouldn't be a "yeah but" discussion. For example someone says racism is bad and someone else replies "yeah but what about black on black crime". Thats unproductive. Racism is the topic at hand. We don't go to a cancer seminar and say "yeah but what about diabetes".
From my experience black people absolutely hate the black on black crime just as much as they hate police brutality issues or as much as they hate racism issues. But they're independent topics even if they're related in various ways.
And every black person has a unique experience. Some black people claim they've never experienced racism. Others experience it daily. All lived experiences are relevant, worthwhile, and deserve respect/consideration.
Second part: i am worried too, but we aren't necessarily going backwards. Death rates and hospitalization rates will continue to improve because the vaccines work and our treatmemt is improving. Unfortunately, the virus is likely here to stay in some capacity and it's very likely we will need to continue to get vaccinated yearly. That's okay. Not ideal, but it may be reality.
I think most people care about others. There is a vocal minority that is adamantly against vaccines. They're smaller than they appear because it's not ALL unvaccinated people who subscribe to that line of thinking. Some unvaccinated people are scared or unsure, but not actively campaigning against people getting vaccinated. I am okay if those people are hesitant. I wouldn't invite them into my house, but i choose not to ridicule or shame them. I was hesitant to get the vaccine too at first. I still probably wouldn't let either of my kids get the vaccine yet if they were asked to participate in the ongoing trials (ages 4 and 7). I'd rather keep them socially distanced and wearing masks for now....but when the time is right and the science says it's safe for their age group then they will likely get it.
I know its hard to stay positive in these uncertain times gutter. And even more scary for you since i know your main concern is not yourself, but your mother and family who can't get vaccinated or are immunocomprimised. My older parents are the main reason i chose to get vaccinated as well even though i am aware that statistically covid poses very little threat to me.
Stay positive as much as you can. You will get through this one way or another.
I appreciate your response.
I agree it's subjective and I agree we can't always use "whataboutisms" but I do feel ALL aspects need to be addressed. I don't blame those I spoke with for not mentioning negative behavior/s as much as I blame myself for not asking them how they feel about those who show/express negative behavior/s.
You said, "And every black person has a unique experience. Some black people claim they've never experienced racism. Others experience it daily. All lived experiences are relevant, worthwhile, and deserve respect/consideration."
My response - Perfectly said.
Second part- Yeah, "going backwards" is a poor choice of words but I am currently dealing with an absolutely piss poorly run situation in my office and I feel we are going backwards in regards to rules, requirements, protocols. It's extremely aggravating and frustrating to me that there is no right or wrong in regards to preparations for a somewhat full "return to office" being that there is the "unknown/s". I would just love to have some clarity right now.
We are all different. I'm not someone who is chastising the unvaccinated but I am someone who feels they should respect those who are - if they want to be respected too.
For ME, I live in a building with 46 floors of apartments. 13 apartments on each floor. Possibly 600 people living in the building right now. We all ride the elevators together. I can't control others. Two days ago there was a woman unmasked who must of sniffled 10 times between the 50th floor and the ground floor. I assume she just had the sniffles but what the fuck do I know? I admit it, I felt uncomfortable.
So the only thing I can do in the future is to wear a mask if I am uncomfortable being in an elevator with unmasked people who show signs of being ill - or I can get off the elevator and wait for another one. I guess I could walk the stairs too but my fat out of shape ass would have a tough time walking up 50 flights of stairs.
I work in an office in which "normally" there are 300+ employees.
Yesterday there was an unvaccinated employee who I was working with. She really shouldn't have been working in the office based on our company's current "rules" but they have made an exception for her. That's fine and dandy but while she is required to wear a mask in the office, it was pulled below her nose. We are all adults so we don't have anyone in the office to "enforce" the rules but come on! Let's all do what we are asked/required to do. This is people's health and well being we are dealing with.
I'm also in much need of a vacation. Since my last vacation I have dealt with the death and burial of my brother in law, a hospitalized sister, a hospitalized mother, my own health issues, work bullshit, etc.
Right when things were looking bright, I made reservations to go to California for a week in September and do the things I enjoy doing. Such as attend a football game, go to a music fest, dine in a few nice restaurants, go to museums, etc. Then when I hear/read about how mask mandates have gone in to affect and how a few events have been canceled. I can't help but think, say, and ask - FUCK - what's next and is it going to get worse? Seems the correct answer is - probably.
Sucks.