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Sorry, i don't mean to hit and run Vince. I've been ill, recently, on top of everything else trying to catch up on my studies....get your degree early, young folks! don't stop and start over decades like old ann! but i am sticking to it now, no matter what!

But ppl in a military unit dog each other to the extreme....you push every button you can to make them lose their composure - and no matter how much it may hurt you or piss you off - you don't lose it. because when the bullets are flying and the officers are yelling and the bombs are exploding around you....you have to keep it together and be there to pull your buddy who just called you the most vile name out of danger and save him. yes, we all act this way, no matter the service, race, religion, or whatever. everyone who goes into combat. you don't want a sissy-mary who cries if you call them a name or a person who explodes when you call them a name with you because they can't cope. it's a job interview, if you will, you can can think clearly and insult me back without losing focus; you are OK! I've lived it - the ppl that to this day i exchange the most vile insults with are the ones who never lost their cool when the rockets were hitting near us, or injured were brought in. losing control won't help anyone. we are very cordial with the ones we don't want near us in a fight. that's why drill instuctors are so mean...got to weed out the weak of purpose.

yes, eric was right. we are a nation of cowards when it comes to race issues. because unlike a criminal charge, when you are dubbed racist you are guilty - period. case in point. we are all taught in the military that discrimination is based on the perception - not the intent. you can try to defend yourself, but your best recourse is just to admit your discresion and beg forgivness. much like the salem witch trials. everyone who confessed, lived. most that were honest, died.

but let me give you an example. if your friend, let's say a white person, says their child loves to climb trees. you might laugh and say, "just like a little monkey!" now let's say that person's child is half African-American, and you didn't know it. and they are offended by your innocous comment. you are reported and are guilty. because it is a racist comment. but not if their child was all white. now you have to take the diversity classes, where they teach you every racist caracature known to man. (mind you, i havn't been referred, but i know ppl who have) no matter your intent, you are guilty. because the perception is that you are racist.

now. think about it. my children, who are not raised with racism, have to attend said classes as part of their multi-cultural diversity education. so, because they might ask an African American, in all innocense, if they like watermelon, they are taught not to do so, and by so doing systematically taught, racism. so these sterotypes will never die, even though some of the old cartoons like little sambo and speedy gonzales are no longer shown, we will have to pay for our children to learn these sterotypes in grade school, and not later as an historical footnote. this is a recipie for breeding animosity in very impresionable children.

i think if we don't teach these sterotypes, they will go away, just as many did in the past. and putting people on the defense makes them act defensively - and so retreat to what they know best. we see more voluntary segregation these days than forced segregation in the '60's. and it all comes down to perception trumping intention. we should all take a deep breath and "don't sweat the small shit" (military vernacular) and just concentrate and the real shit. real instances of discrimination that should be addressed. instead of all the chaff of ppl just trying to stir up issues to make themselves feel superior. look at the context and intent. and please, if we really want them to stop, just stop teaching racist ideas to the children. the majority of them are truely innocent, and by teaching them racist terms, we propogate them. let them feel free to ask an Hispanic if they like beans or an African American if they like fried chicken without any race implications. if we stop teaching it in our homes, and if the liberals will please, please stop teaching it to my children in the schools - they would never know and it would just be an innoquous question of personal prefrence.

i think letting stereotypes die from dissuse rather than teaching them in school to the next generation is the best thing to do. then we can really have true and unencumbered dialoge and understanding between all people.

ann
just sayn'
*edit* Morticia, there are alot of African American Harley riders with the American Legion Riders....all veterans, of course. Because no matter our sex, race, or religion - we are all brothers and sisters in arms! I am not a Harley rider, though. i think they are overpriced and too expensive to maintain.