The Official GMD Social/Pictures Thread

[unknown]

In my American Ethnic Writers course, all of the material we've been reading has been geared towards one essential question for the course:

How do race and culture both define and transcend each other?

we've had some pretty fairly interesting conversations (over some fairly decent novels...except for a couple), and it's all really up to the individual. if you want to stay in your cultural pigeonhole, fine. but if you accept the stereotypes, prejudices, and views towards/about your culture, and rise above them (as in you step outside of your culture and figure out things for your own goddamn self and don't follow a path that's been walked by fifty billion people before you), you might just come out a better person.

racism and hierarchy in races and shit is a European construct. Look at African tribes. Before the imperialism and carving up of Africa, the tribes got along fairly well with each other (I think) and co existed. then the europeans waltzed in, found some resources they liked, and put the lighter skinned africans in charge, so the europeans could go back home and not have to worry about anything. You can see where this is going...

racism is another form of ignorance that holds the human race back from progression.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

jeez, I just spent $50 on shots at the bar.
and! bought my mothers day gift (flowers) at 2:00am (DRUNK!)

 

[Hubster]

Nice shirt! I have the same one

 

[Hubster]

In my American Ethnic Writers course, all of the material we've been reading has been geared towards one essential question for the course:

How do race and culture both define and transcend each other?

we've had some pretty fairly interesting conversations (over some fairly decent novels...except for a couple), and it's all really up to the individual. if you want to stay in your cultural pigeonhole, fine. but if you accept the stereotypes, prejudices, and views towards/about your culture, and rise above them (as in you step outside of your culture and figure out things for your own goddamn self and don't follow a path that's been walked by fifty billion people before you), you might just come out a better person.

racism and hierarchy in races and shit is a European construct. Look at African tribes. Before the imperialism and carving up of Africa, the tribes got along fairly well with each other (I think) and co existed. then the europeans waltzed in, found some resources they liked, and put the lighter skinned africans in charge, so the europeans could go back home and not have to worry about anything. You can see where this is going...

racism is another form of ignorance that holds the human race back from progression.

Great post. Yet another person I should buy a drink for in UM

 

[Pessimism]

Race is also not a biologically applicable term...god forbid anyone learn about a damn thing called genetics.


The fact is every ethnic group has been at war with each other in history - hell, every fucking tribe and clan has sold each other as slaves to anyone willing to pay the price. The fact of the matter is , will people today continue to be "ignorant as fuck" or believe in the "highly regarded/traditional" scientifically invalid epistemological premises?


If you want to be pissed, be pissed at the devaluation of cultures by other cultures. I know there are many problems with Muslims in other countries because they hold Sharia Law in higher regards to the legal positivism that exists in many countries. That is just one example though...I'm tired, I can't think of any more. Fucking Abraham.





Fuck I'm tired...damn Jews stealing my sleep.

 

[Crimson Velvet]

What hubster seems to forget, is that cultures and races don't always mix easily, and in many cases, it's a hell of a lot more trouble than it's worth. I'm talking mostly of somalians and oakistanis, here, who fight integration with teeth and claws every fucking step of the way.

For me, it is incredibly frustrating, seeing as I have to work with their offspring every day... The school I work at spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, as does every other decent sized school in Norway, on these people, and their special needs, even though those funds could be on so much mroe important things. It's so sad...

My point is, even though a global acceptance of race and culture may seem like a beautiful idea, it is simply not on par with reality in any shape or form. Different people simply does not get along, and that is that.

 

[Hubster]

Perhaps not where you live my friend, but here it is little to no problem.

Your country is extremely new to multiculturalism. In one or two decades from now, when things have settled, the outlook from the native residents of Norway towards that of the immigrants will be very different. All you guys are experiencing now is a natural resistance towards change, and this will itself will change once things settle.

The line where you sit, which unfortunately many people do in the post 9-11 world, is unease with Muslim immigration because of the American propaganda being spread. We here are also experiencing it to an extent (considering we are most likely the most advanced multicultural society in the world), but the good Muslims are stepping in with being open-minded and resisting the fundamentalists whilst at the same time making some outstanding contributions towards the Australian community.

It is easier for us here in Australia to deal with this as we are more experienced with multiculturalism and race mixing than most countries are, thus we are more adept to deal the problem in a positive and non-hateful way (this is not to say we don't have the occasional teething ourselves [Cronulla riots, but those were spurred on by white radicalists of which the Cronulla area is well known for]).

Cultures and races do not mix easily, that is mildly correct as a generalisation in our twentyfirst century world, but this statement is also effected by the mindset of the family whose members are marrying inter racially. The majority of families I know (and there are plenty) are making amazing breakthroughs with their acceptance. It strengthens families in a very suprising way and improves communication between members as less is taken for granted. Of course however, there are some negative stories as well.

Global acceptance of race and culture is more than a beautiful idea, it is becoming hard reality and one which no one can stop. How well it goes depends on the countries and peoples attitudes towards it, and how rapidly they decide to become accepting of the simple fact that especially in terms of health, it is a far better idea.

 

[Hubster]

"Mixed Race, Pretty Face?"
Eurasians may possess genetic advantages that lead to greater health and enhanced beauty.

 

[hibernal_dream]

"Mixed Race, Pretty Face?"
Eurasians may possess genetic advantages that lead to greater health and enhanced beauty

Sorry, I don't really find Keanu Reeves that hot

What hubster seems to forget, is that cultures and races don't always mix easily, and in many cases, it's a hell of a lot more trouble than it's worth. I'm talking mostly of somalians and oakistanis, here, who fight integration with teeth and claws every fucking step of the way.

For me, it is incredibly frustrating, seeing as I have to work with their offspring every day... The school I work at spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, as does every other decent sized school in Norway, on these people, and their special needs, even though those funds could be on so much mroe important things. It's so sad...

My point is, even though a global acceptance of race and culture may seem like a beautiful idea, it is simply not on par with reality in any shape or form. Different people simply does not get along, and that is that.

It's a struggle, but that doesn't mean we can't do it. What are our options? We can either give up, and live comfortable tribal lives in solitude, shielded from other races. Or we can bring together our strengths, weaknesses, technologies, energies, passions and conflicts and maybe build something that right now is unforeseeable. That momentum from not getting along with our neighbors is actually what has given us advanced technologies and put men on the moon.

 

[Hubster]

Can someone PLEASE tell me why Eastern EU contestants in the Eurovision Song Contest insist on dressing like 80's style strippers and sing 80s pr0n music?

 

[Crimson Velvet]

Perhaps not where you live my friend, but here it is little to no problem.

Your country is extremely new to multiculturalism. In one or two decades from now, when things have settled, the outlook from the native residents of Norway towards that of the immigrants will be very different. All you guys are experiencing now is a natural resistance towards change, and this will itself will change once things settle.

The line where you sit, which unfortunately many people do in the post 9-11 world, is unease with Muslim immigration because of the American propaganda being spread. We here are also experiencing it to an extent (considering we are most likely the most advanced multicultural society in the world), but the good Muslims are stepping in with being open-minded and resisting the fundamentalists whilst at the same time making some outstanding contributions towards the Australian community.

It is easier for us here in Australia to deal with this as we are more experienced with multiculturalism and race mixing than most countries are, thus we are more adept to deal the problem in a positive and non-hateful way (this is not to say we don't have the occasional teething ourselves [Cronulla riots, but those were spurred on by white radicalists of which the Cronulla area is well known for]).

Cultures and races do not mix easily, that is mildly correct as a generalisation in our twentyfirst century world, but this statement is also effected by the mindset of the family whose members are marrying inter racially. The majority of families I know (and there are plenty) are making amazing breakthroughs with their acceptance. It strengthens families in a very suprising way and improves communication between members as less is taken for granted. Of course however, there are some negative stories as well.

Global acceptance of race and culture is more than a beautiful idea, it is becoming hard reality and one which no one can stop. How well it goes depends on the countries and peoples attitudes towards it, and how rapidly they decide to become accepting of the simple fact that especially in terms of health, it is a far better idea.

I can't argue against that, but that doesn't mean I'm buying it either.

What I'm thinking, though, is that wouldn't it be better, for us Norwegians and somalians alike, if there was peace in somalia, and all the somalians could live there, among their own. Isn't that something that is more worthy of resources? After all, it wouldn't just benefit the lucky ones who get out, but also the families and children they left behind. If all the western countries could release billions of dollars now spent on giving pakis their wide screen TVs, we could perhaps actually create a peaceful africa, plant fields, help them build industry and so on, isn't that an even more beautiful idea?

 

[Hubster]

Most definitely is, but unfortunately now it's too late. People fleeing their torn countries is the reality now.

I once caught a cab from home to the city. The driver was Afghani Muslim and had lived in Australia for around 2 years since fleeing Afghanistan.

He made a wrong turn on the trip but I didn't go off at him: he was extremely humble and kind, and even knocked off the price of the fare later on (but I wouldn't let him, I insisted to pay the full fare).

During the ride, we spoke of his plight: he couldn't get his mother over here yet, she was stuck in Afghanistan. He was very sad. He spoke about his two daughters, how badly he wanted to have them grow up well educated and able to achieve the things in life that he wished he could have done. He wanted them to mix into Australia's way of life and maximise the opportunity they now had in Australia. He was so grateful for his second chance in life -I have rarely seen such gratitude.

 

[Crimson Velvet]

How do you know it is too late? It's not like anyone has EVER tried...

And I know for a fact, that in australia, you have more than your fair share of ungrateful pigs, who spit at your country's feet at every opportunity.

 

[Hubster]

It's too late because they should have done all those things for Africa/Somalia in the 80s, when it wasn't so bad. Now it has gone out of control, which is a shame. But that's not to say we still shouldn't try.

Yes, in Australia we do have some people who spit on our own country, like any country does really. But they are quite a minority, you can't please everyone. To be honest, in Sydney, the biggest problem we have right now are Lebanese boys in their early 20s, born in Australia, who are highly influenced by American rap culture & Islamic radicalism. They are violent and sometimes involved in drug & violent crimes, so the government has clamped down on their activities. In recent times though, their bad activities seem to be lessening, or perhaps, are better controlled.

Most of us love being here and being involved in something which bends tradition, which is new & exciting. Half the fun is meeting people all the time here and you have no idea where they're from, it's fascinating how much you can learn from your own neighbours. I love this country, wouldn't want to be anywhere else, we have it totally made here, and for the most part, people love each others differences. The idea of exotic gorgeous foreign girls (and guys, for the ladies) are here at our very own doorstep

 

[Hubster]

Changing topics a bit... I went for a nice long walk today. A new beach, which resurfaces every 7 or so years about 20 mins walk from my house, has come back up again due to shifting sand from water currents. I took tonnes of photos, but here's a couple.

 

[Life Sucks]

one true race?
so you're all for everyone mixing and having a bowl of grey slop?

lol at grey slop

America can become as much of a mixing pot as it wants. I am, however, against immigration into European countries, since they were not founded on immigration, and their cultural and ethnic indentities need to be preserved.

 

[Crimson Velvet]

I am afraid I agree with Life Sucks, here, hubster. Let's keep the US of A and Aussieland as the melting pots, and preserve the European countries.

 

[hibernal_dream]

What do you mean by preserving European culture? How? It's not as if Norwegians still run around in deer skins and drink out of horns. Everyone lives the same way now - a capitalistic orgy of decadentism. What do you think, that foreigners will storm the Sistene Chapel and deface Michaelangelo's Last Judgment? All that historical cultural stuff is in a museum and making Europe a melting pot isn't going to change that. Culture is a living and continuous thing. Look how Dutch culture changed - from imperialistic conquering nation to liberal capital of the world, where everyone from around the world comes to smoke pot and have sex.

 

[Life Sucks]

KICK THE TOWELHEADS OUT OF EUROPE

Their backwards Islamic culture has no place in modern Western society.

 

[Life Sucks]

I am afraid I agree with Life Sucks, here, hubster. Let's keep the US of A and Aussieland as the melting pots, and preserve the European countries.