tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30929496.post5832249357747597799..comments2023-09-21T04:32:34.376-07:00Comments on Blogolitical Sean: Searching for Cesar Chavez in Portland, pt 2Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14818577155071008136noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30929496.post-76517769744752681892009-06-27T04:34:47.388-07:002009-06-27T04:34:47.388-07:00I hope, Anonymous, you have a reason for being ano...I hope, Anonymous, you have a reason for being anonymous other than to hide your opinions behind the mask of anonymity.<br /><br />Second, what does it mean to "play the race card"? <br /><br />White people play that card every day without (mostly) realizing it.<br /><br />We have privileges we are mostly unaware of. Whatever we say is the standard, the norm. What Sean says, to most of us, is not the norm. And that's because he's not white.<br /><br />Where does white bashing come from? From four hundred years of genocide and conquest, perhaps. <br /><br />Did you know, Anonymous, that the United States stole about half of what was Mexico? <br /><br />Is white bashing excusable? No. But it is nothing compared to what whites have imposed on people of color in this country, a country which was built on genocide and slavery.<br /><br />That can get a person's dander up.<br /><br />Exactly how is noting that the legislature is almost entirely white racist? What constitutes a "respectful manner" if that true statement is somehow white bashing racism? <br /><br />Would "sí, señor" be a "respectful manner"? <br /><br />When one person of color makes a rude or hostile statement, so many white people (and you, Anonymous, are among them) lump all the other people of that group together to hold them responsible, as you did with Sean. If you went to Ockley Green, why do you not know that Sean was not on the Boulevard Committee?<br /><br />Why was Obama responsible for statements made by other blacks? <b>That</b> is racism.<br /><br />Why didn't you focus on this, for instance: "The fifth problem is that if the same amount of energy had been expended on educating the public to the living and working conditions of Cesar Chavez’s people in the present day we might have had an opportunity to make meaningful change in the 2009 legislative session."<br /><br />Sean is diplomatic because, I assume, he would like you to go along with his statement—I don't have that burden and I am appalled.<br /><br />I suggest you read Tim Wise's book, "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son."<br /><br />It will open your eyes. Wise is also not as rude and in your face as I am.Bill Michtomhttp://open.salon.com/blog/bill_michtomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30929496.post-11241581673775028152009-06-25T11:06:41.845-07:002009-06-25T11:06:41.845-07:00Fair enough. I guess I should've read your bl...Fair enough. I guess I should've read your blog a little more carefully. However, I have an issue with your association with using the term "an almost entire white legislature" in problem number 6 of your post. Please understand that white people feel very cautious about embracing cultures that will play the race card. I'm, of course, not speaking for every white person out there, but I'm sure I'm not alone in my community when I feel very threatened by a group of people who use the race card and heavy-handed tactics to gain a political foothold. It doesn't honor Cesar E. Chavez and I'm happy to learn you are not a part of Guembes' committee. I stand corrected and hope for a better Portland for all of our legal citizens. But please, no white bashing or comments. People actually argue that I'm racist for my views on this topic. I only wish to educate people with facts and not useless rhetoric. I will be more careful in the future reading posts.<br /><br />I wish your community the best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30929496.post-86666467905289441222009-06-25T10:33:10.606-07:002009-06-25T10:33:10.606-07:00Anonoymous:
Thanks for commenting. I'm not su...Anonoymous:<br /><br />Thanks for commenting. I'm not sure I understand your impressions, so I'm posting to clarify.<br /><br />I was also at Ockley Green, and I agree with you that the Boulevard Committee's behavior was apalling.<br /><br />I was opposed to renaming Interstate, but I went to the meeting to see for myself how the community and the Committee would interact.<br /><br />Ms Guembes was openly hostile, disrespectful and accusatory from the start.<br /><br />You make the comment "...your committee...."<br /><br />I am not a member of the Boulevard Committee, and have never been invited to any of its meetings, which are apparently never open to the public.<br /><br />I know a number of the members (including the secret, inside City Hall members)of the Boulevard Committee, and am aware of the insider promises that were made two years ago that a street was going to be renamed at the end of this process.<br /><br />I am opposed to this sort of "process."<br /><br />You also make the comment: "If your community...."<br /><br />The community that I am a part of never recommended that a street be renamed. We were frozen out of the entire discussion from the beginning.<br /><br />I hope this clarifies my comments.<br /><br />Feel free to comment back; let's do what we can to bridge communities together.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14818577155071008136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30929496.post-26646927492170729282009-06-25T09:59:45.390-07:002009-06-25T09:59:45.390-07:00I cannot stand behind your views and comments rega...I cannot stand behind your views and comments regarding renaming a street in honor of Cesar E. Chavez. I understand a lot of your posts but I disagree with the white bashing that is so prevalent within the Pro-Renaming Committee. I was present during the first round at Ockley Green and cannot help but be appalled how the committee acted. I don't where the white bashing is coming from or the heavy-handed tactics but if you want respect, real honorable respect, then you simply cannot bulldoze people and make racist statements like in your blog (sixth reason). If your community can get together in a respectful manner (not as hostile takeover by playing the race card) then that is something I can get behind as a white male. If not, then your committee will have a heck of a time bridging any communities together. After all, isn't that what we all want?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com