Superiority.

I've put some or a lot of thought in this depending on how you look at it. Now before I go into this, this topic in no way, shape or form is meant to say which is or isn't superior. Instead, this topic is meant to see the different viewpoints out there. It must be respected good or bad what transpires in this post. With that said, let the thinking/opinions begin.

I am of Dominican descent. My family is from the Dominican Republic. I am light skin to somewhat tan complexion. From the day I was born I was protected by my family from the cruelties that lie out there in our society. From birth my family sealed all records to make sure that no one discriminated against me because of nationality. My name wasn't even the name that was on my birth certificate. You may think that this is extreme, but if you look at what's out there now, any measure is a good one to protect yourself.

Now that I am grown, I am exposed to everything out there, good and bad. I go by my name that is on my birth certificate. I proudly use my name anywhere and anytime. However, with that, comes the sad truth that in today's society, once they find out you're of another race; you're discriminated against.

This now brings me to the purpose of this post. A while back(I never like using names, but this person knows who he is), a person on here wrote a topic on discrimination and how cruel and unfair it is. The sad part of that whole thing is that, it's the way of life. Whites, Blacks, Latinos, Asians and any other race have in some way shape or form discriminated another cuz they feel they are superior. What is this fascination with showing one's superiority to another. It kind of reminds me of how animals show superiority. The only real difference is, for animals, it's based mostly on mating and/or hierarchy.

Humans on the other hand, feel the need to compete on everything from personal belongings to where they live to what rights one has. Although there will be denial that this goes on, the truth is it does. Through personal experience, I have been discriminated against based on my race, what car I drive(meaning how can I afford this car), where I have lived and the usual police harrassment. While I have grown immune to it, it stills bothers me to know that people don't even try to understand. Even my appearance is challenged in the professional field. Because I don't fit the "Protocol", they assume I am either a messenger or thug. Meanwhile I have two degrees and have held management positions in different industries and currently hold an Editorial position. Now you wouldn't have known that if I didn't tell you. Which brings me to my next point.

People are quick to judge another person's character based on appearance or acquaintance. Two sayings come to mind when this happens. "Don't judge a book by its cover" and "Show me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are". Two expressions that hold "some" truth. The reason I say some is because, when used to describe another person, it may not hold truth at all.

So why must it be known who is superior and who isn't? What does being superior gain? Why the need to compete/compare one another?

I now leave this open to anyone who can either explain, philosophize, critique or even disagree with what I have written.

On a side note, my personal experiences that I have written are for demonstration purposes only and not meant to be discussed upon. Instead, use your own personal or your own knowledge to explain your responses. Thanks.

Very interesting . . . I too have pondered the issue from time to time.

It seems that it is somehow an extension of the natural learning process of all people in general.

In order to understand our environment, we tend to generalize, or categorize the things around us, this includes other people. Some are able to overcome this natural flaw, others are not.

Imagine if we were to have a conversation about women. everyone would have some generalizations based on their own experiences, or based on the things that they have heard from others. A woman that dresses according to "Style A" . . . is a "slut" . . . a woman that dresses according to "Style C" . . . is a business woman . . . and so the conversation would go . . .

I believe it's just the way our minds work . . . life is easier if we don't have to rethink every individual situation that we are in . . .

It' easier for us to generalize situations, people, surroundings, so that we can focus on the specific issues that require more thought. Unfortunately, in our society the generalizations that are made about certain ethnicities leads to a ranking according to superiority.

Somewhere along the line, way before you or I were birthed into this mess, the assumption was made that some races are superior to others. If you ask me, it's the same mentality that led to the holocaust, minus the violence . . . every ethnicity believes in themselves as better than others as a whole . . . it's a generalization along the lines of cultural pride . . . patriotism if you will.

On a personal level, we can often get beyond these ignorant views by getting to know individuals on a one-on-one basis . . . that's why most ofus have friends of other nationalities, ethnicities, religions, etc. Even so, the generalizations that we have learned in the past will help us to get through the day to day interactions that are necessary to get through life . . .

For example, cab drivers are known to be aggressive . . . fact or falsehood, once armed with this information we use that to know we ought to drive more aggressive or to yield when driving near a cab driver . . . right or wrong, it works for us . . . we can come up with a reasonable plan for dealing with a cab driver that will give us a reasonable guarantee of safety when in their presence.

I could go on . . . I've got too much work to do

Good thread . . .

Glad to see something like this brought up. I myself am going to sit this one out. Some people think that the only way I have been discriminated against, or had someone feel more superior over me, is pathetic. But I do agree with you, very much.

You mention animals. I believe that we humans have these traits because we are just advanced animals.

We might have more cmplex worries than the average dog but they are based around the same things: territory, reproduction, food, etc. Males act all macho to each other just like dogs do. We are driven by the same inbuilt instincs.

Discrimination is one of these. In the animals world many species cannot live together happily.

I think this superiority issue comes down to how the person feels of themselves. The lower they feel, the more they will put others down. That helps them to feel a little better 'bout themselves.

It's also similar, like LizardKing said, to the animal kingdom. In the animal kingdom, dominance is everything. If you were a wolf, wouldn't you want to be the Alpha Male? Fuck all the bitches in the pack, eat the best part of the kill. All the privileges are automatically yours, and you decide which others in the group have what privileges, of course, those privileges being lesser than yours to protect your Alpha status.

It's like a race. You want to win, so everyone at the track knows who is the best... the superior.

Given these examples, it is clear to me (and sad to say) that this will go on forever; We can pass all the laws we want, but some things will not change.
That is how things evolve, they take advantage of their situation, and try to beat out the other forms of life around them. It's nature...It's Life.

(hmmm... I wonder what the bible says about this stuff...)

Very interesting topic. I too understand discrimination and I have spent many many hours pondering racism and sexism. I know it sounds trite, but if you've ever been to a daycare or a park and seen children playing, you'll notice that kids of every color play together as equals and don't even think about who is of what ethnic background etc.; so what happens as they grow up? Well, obviously, hatred is learned and taught. The sources of this teaching are endless and I won't even begin to discuss that.

However, I have learned that (again, this will sound overly simplistic and trite) if one must judge another, judge him/her on the basis of his actions, not his color or religion or whatever. So simple yet seemingly impossible to implement. Now here's the tricky part: I believe that everyone (and I mean everyone) has their prejudices. Being honest with myself, I know that when I see certain groups of people, I form an opinion of wht they're like and what they're going to do. In certain cases, this is just common sense or "street" sense, but most of the time, it is what it is: prejudice. I can't really reconcile this with myself, seeing as I know what it feels like to be pre-judged by cops or store clerks or whatever. Like someone else said here, we all seem to have an inate desire to "place" ourselves on a hierarchy of some kind. All I would add to that is, we humans are capable of truly mind-boggling hypocrisy when it comes to "us vs. them" issues.

A lot of the trouble (imho) comes from liberal politics that emphasize the group over the individual. "Groupism" has many faces, but the most obvious one to me is affirmative action. AA (again, I emphasize,imho) does nothing but demean women and minorities who want nothing more than to work hard and earn their way. It has the evil effect of forcing white people to view any minority as an affirmative action case, thereby causing resentment on both sides. No one wins but the liberal apologists who of course, never have to deal with the consequences of their actions. They meet their quotas and they feel all is well.

On a personal level, all I feel that I can do is to remain vigilant and mentally disciplined (i.e. question my own assumptions and
beliefs). I have investigated getting involved with some conservative groups (certainly not the extreme right-wing obviously) but up here in Canada, the options seem quite limited.

Let me know what you think.

I have read though this forum several times and agree with a lot of the things that are said.

I'm not much for words but i have been brought up and always take people for what they are, not by there colour/ race etc.

Myself knows what it can be like to be discriminated against and it sucks.
It's just the way the world seems to be heading....very sad.

I worry for what life will be like 30-40 years on, and what our kids or grandkids will be left with.

JTS....You say about the daycare for kids, i disagree a bit with what you say......i've seen parents saying to there kids "oh we dont really want little ***** to came around and play, go see if ***** wants to came around instead" .....we know what the parents really mean dont we.
The kids dont care so why should we.
I do know what you are meaning though "JTS"

Originally posted by dre
I think this superiority issue comes down to how the person feels of themselves. The lower they feel, the more they will put others down. That helps them to feel a little better 'bout themselves.

I like this point, and agree with it to an extent, but there's more to it, too. I think it's also that people see others that are like themselves, and choose to help those people over others. (which may be what leads to affirmative action laws...) At the same time they pass over others without giving it much thought. "Without much thought" is the problem. The others may be more deserving of help or promotion, and may have more potential to use it well, but they get passed over.

I don't have any personal examples, but the argument over affirmative action always strikes a nerve with me. I'm against it, but that leaves the decision-making power in the hands of the people already in charge to select their succesors, and I don't trust them, either.

My two cents.

BTW, Mr. T is superior to all of us. ;) http://www.plauder-smilies.de/person/mrt2.gif

And I don't see an end to it. In order for prejudice to come to an end (whether it happens to be racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other forms of discrimination that I have missed), people will need to be stand-up, strong people. They will need to have the backbone to stand up for what is right, and not get brain-washed by the things they see and do in everyday life.

Prejudices are formed through vicious cycles, beginning with an individual's family in many cases, and through the common behavioral characteristics they observe as they age. It takes an especially devoted person to experience these things in life, and shut them out to maintain an open mind. And frankly, I think that most people are far too provincial and close-minded. Being up to the task of keeping your slate clean is such a tall order that I feel it is practically inhuman.

I will conclude that our superiority tendencies are inherent human qualities. I know this is one of my more pessimistic posts, but I am not seeing fair weather on this horizon.

But, I think it will get better.
Equality won't happen over night.
Just 50 years ago segregation was the law of this land.
I'm not saying I feel that segregation is over. It still occurs today. This is evident in the neighborhoods of America.
But, the end of segregation will take a few more generations.
From what I've seen, it seems that the previous generation took some steps to end segregation, we are trying to take a few more steps, and so on...
These oppressive conditions have existed for a very long time, and it will take a long time to reverse. How long depends on the strength, conviction, and hearts of the people.

Also, I too am against affirmative action. It is a new, slick form of segregation. Same thing, new p.r. campaign.
It just seems inherently wrong to me that when some kid fills out the papers to go to college, or applying for a job, that there is a place on those papers for the persons race. In my own form of protest, since I was about 20, I've always checked the other box and wrote in American on the line provided. I realize being a white guy in Orange County, CA this probably does little, but if everyone did the same.....

I agree with you. Up here in Canada, where they actively encourage "hyphen" Canadians, e.g. "You are Indo-Canadian or Chinese-Canadian etc.", I drive the census takers nuts by just filling in "Canadian, Period" at every opportunity.

If one were to be in favor of any kind of affirmative action (and I'm not), it should be based on economics, not race. It seems clear to me that a middle-class black person has more opportunities to suceed than a poverty-stricken white person.

Problem is, I feel that you can't legislate equality. It should just be "equal treatment for all, special treatment for none."

Too simple to possibly work?

Originally posted by dre



It just seems inherently wrong to me that when some kid fills out the papers to go to college, or applying for a job, that there is a place on those papers for the persons race. In my own form of protest, since I was about 20, I've always checked the other box and wrote in American on the line provided. everyone did the

I think this is a great idea as i've had to fill out many a form and they have asked what race etc.
Never thought of that before....thanks !!!! :D :D

I believe it takes the voice of many to get this point across. Regardless of what reason one "needs" to express to declare themselves "superior", it should all come down to; What can you provide? By this I mean, your actions.

When I was young, my parents always told me to never to see the person when you do them a favor. If you don't understand what this phrase means, simply put; You shouldn't judge the person that asks a favor of you. Just do it.

And I'll have to agree with what someone said earlier, we all prejudge, myself included. But where I separate myself is, I don't let my judgement stop me from doing, communicating, or whatever else with that person unless they have taken an action against me. I just wish one day that someone would just make a public announcement that all of this is over and done with.


Anyone else with more opinions, please speak up. Be heard!

You know what, dre? I think yours is a hell of an idea.

I know things have gotten better. And I don’t think it is unreasonable to say that they will continue to improve, in due time. But, there are so many weak, dangerous people out there. They are dangerous, as they are like sheep, they will be lead like lambs to the slaughter, or as the case may be, they will be lead like wolves to the slaughter. Think how few people will go against the flow and speak out for what is right (and not even that many people what is right these days). Those who are capable of this are the exception, not the rule.. and majority rules. This is what scares me. This is why my doubt is not questionable in my mind. But perhaps if those who care about “the mission” can be empowered, there is hope to be yet.

This is a good topic. I know that I pre-judge people all the time. I'm not sure why, It's a habit that I have formed over the years. For some reason I like at people over other races as somewhat lower then me. I haveidea why I do, I just do. I am white, I live in the suburbs of Oregon. There isn't much racisim here but, for some reason I look down upon others, I appologize for it, but I can't help it. I know it's unfair, but see most hispanics here, and assume that they are poverty stricken, McDonalds worken, illegal aliens that need to swim back across the river. I don't mean to offend anybody here, but it's just that most of them that I see are in poverty, and do work at fast food restaraunts, and am sure most are illegal, at least here. They seem sneaky to me, how they use the language barrier to there advantage, they act like they don't want to try to even learn english....


OK, ok ,ok I'm sorry, I'm getting carried away here I'm sure that most the people on this site that are hispanic or of Hispanic decent, are literate, Don't work at fast food, speak english and have made a effort in this country to make a living, instead of mooch off welfare.

I mean no offense to anyone.

I think it's getting better really quickly, i barely ever see that much discrimination anymore....... there's alotta black people that call people like white boy and they say stop actin soo white and stuff but they're just jokin around i guess so i really don't care and that's about the most extreme discrimination i've ever seen.... so i don't think it's that bad, all races seem to be equal now.... i have friends of all races, i think discrimination is dying and i think that all those neo-nazi fuckers like in the movie american history X.... should be killed, i know that's a little harsh but they're fuckin idiots