I'm stupid. I don't know.
I don't think you are stupid, but, if you don't know, don't claim such nonsense.
The concept of ignoring skin color, but not doing anything else to correct inequities, won't make the inequities suddenly change. That's the best I can do to explain.
You, being white, find or locate racism in color-consciousness. You think ignoring or disregarding color consciousness is an absence of racism.
No, I don't. I just choose not to participate in racist thinking. As for not doing anything else to correct inequities, how do you know what I am doing, and not doing? If that isn't exhibiting prejudicial behavior, I don't know what is.
I have made it blatantly clear that I do not participate in any activity that can even remotely be considered racist. If you want to sow doubt about that, you have to show explicitly where I do that.
It matters to them! It's the reason they get treated differently. It matters to them. To deny that it matters is denying current reality. Can't you see that? That makes no sense to you whatsoever?
Where am I failing here? How can you possibly think that I deny that racism exist? Whatever gave you the idea that I would?
Again - and I really can't make it more clear: I do not deny the existence of racism. But I refuse to participate in any racist behavior.
I've quoted many documents, and did so in the post you quoted. Did you ignore them?
No, I didn't. But I am asking you why you make it so crucial to read this particular document, in order to be able to participate in a discussion about "race" - whatever that means.
It smacks of referring to a form of Holy Scripture. I'm a skeptic, through and through, so naturally, I react to such a demand.
I've tried until I've cried. My own words are inadequate compared to the sources I got them from. I can't understand why you want to hear my opinion rather than my sources. I thought sources were important. Why are you trying so hard to confuse and frustrate me? You aren't answering any of my questions, how is that fair?
Yes, sources are important. But you don't strike me as someone unable to form a coherent sentence. You are obviously drawn into this issue, and you seem to have read a lot. Why don't you just present your own argument?
If it takes time, take that time. I'm in no hurry, I can wait. Just don't shove me in the direction of a document you feel tells it all. I get very suspicious when people do that.
This is so cruel. It really is. I would give, and have given, a "woo" that very book and asked them to read it first so we can discuss it. How on earth do you expect me to make a good argument by paraphrasing Sagan and not showing the source? Yes, I would give a woo that book, and THEN, after they read it, THEN we can discuss it. Why are you portraying that as...god, I don't know, as me being a moron?
I have answered your questions as best I can! Honest to god I have. I am bawling my eyes out right now because I have tried so very hard.
Why the FARK do you insist on evidence and then ask me to paraphrase the evidence instead? Why can't you read it? Please stop tormenting and makuing fun of me! Please! You are killing me!
Why do you have such little confidence in yourself? You can argue your own case, of course you can!
But that's where I learned it from! I dind't get it out of my own head, I learned it from those sources, and I agree with them, and they say it better than I can, and you could understand me if you'd just please read my sources.
You can explain yourself well enough.
I DONT!!! Is she black because she says she is?
That's what I'm asking you. Is she? Am I, if I say I am?
I DON'T KNOW!!! I'm white because I know I"m white. Idon't know how I know it. I know that I fit all the characteristics for white people, that all my ancestors were white as far back as we can go, so I say I'm white. Isn't that enough? What does make me white?
Am I white because I say so? I don't know, but I do say so. If you tried to tell me I wasn't white, I'd argue with you.
Now you begin to understand why your previous statements caused me to react.
I don't know. Why do you want me to say whatever it is you want me to say? What do you want me to say?
You said earlier that people could choose whatever "race" they wanted.
Can you give a direct quote?
I am angry that you won't read my sources, but you keep demanding to know why I think what I htink. I think it because I read many articles, which I have referenced, and I came to agree. I hope that if you read them, you might come to agree. I'll never know, because you won't read them.
I didn't say that. I am just opposed to reading documents because people think they are the final word on something.
You would not accept this from a Christian demanding that you read the Bible. Of course you wouldn't - you'd haul his ass through Purgatory and back. So why do you demand the same from me?
Evidently not. Please tell me how to speak.
Not how to speak, but how to argue. You cannot rely on other people to make your points for you. Think for yourself, form your own arguments, do not rely on authority.
That's what skepticism is all about.
No. please accept no more of my nonsense. I am totally nonsensical. I am, frankly, a moron.
Only if you think so. I don't. I just object to your argumentation: You rely on authority, you are unable to answer pertinent questions about your own claims, and you are most unwilling to question your own beliefs.
Yes, critical thinking
is a bitch - but if you want to call yourself a skeptic, you will have to face such challenges as this one. You
have to question your own beliefs. Even if it hurts. Or, rather:
Especially if it hurts.
Slingblade, it's really not worth getting bent out of shape over it. CFLarsen gets off on that. Don't waste your time and energy with his antagonistic, condescending debating style.
I would be most grateful to know what issues you believe we cannot challenge.
