Ahhh… Gotta love the Guardian

Headline:

90% of whites have few or no black friends

OK. The only thing the Guardian did was write the sensational headline. The funniest part, to me, is this paragraph:

The CRE chair, Trevor Phillips, said: “It surprised me the extent to which the majority community still does not really know minority communities.” He said the lack of close knowledge could lead white people to believe lurid tabloid headlines and racist propaganda. “When it comes to race and religion this clearly demonstrates we are dealing with a difference of which most people in this country have no first-hand experience, and therefore it is not surprising that they can be misled about blacks, Gypsies and Muslims, and it’s not surprising that for no apparent reason they can become hostile and racist.”

Mr Phillips said integration could not be left to chance. He believed the government should fund US-style summer camp places for 16-year-olds where they can take part in activities with teenagers they would otherwise not meet: “In Britain we still don’t know each other. We are not like Americans who do know each other but have made an active choice to live in a segregated society.”

Obviously, you’re exactly like that, and you’re just in denial.

People, either consciously or subconsciously, keep to their own unless you live in a major city that is just too close together to be any other way.

Sorry guys… You can’t force people to “understand” each other.

Source

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  • http://chapel-perilous.fetishize-me.com/caiterwauling/ Cait

    My first thought is to wonder what percentage of blacks have white friends? Next thought was how condescending of the writer, as if whites are supposed to run out and find a black person to befriend, almost as if that confers some special privelege on the black person. And it also assumes that black people are just waiting and wishing to be friends with whitey. Why would they be? Right, let’s all go out and get us a token black (Muslim, Jewish – fill in the blank) friend. How insulting to blacks, etc. would that be?

  • http://www.hunny-hive.com Swt GA HunnyB

    I usually avoid anything so controversial, but well since prejudice behavior is kind of a pet peeve of mine, here I am! I live in the south. The south is still filled with a multitude of people who are still sore over losing their “precious” slaves. Even my own in-laws were panicked over the thought of a black family moving in next door to their house. I cringe when I hear them say things like “nigger”. I have put my foot down where my husband is concerned. I will not tolerate that kind of behavior in my own house and in front of my children. I had to deal with it growing up. My step father was so prejudice that he wanted me to give up my best friend because she was black. He lost. I moved out of the house during my senior year of high school and lived with her and her family. I think it is wrong to judge anyone by their appearance. Even I, as an overweight person, am faced with stereotypical remarks saying I must do nothing but sit on my ass and eat all day. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t judge a person by his/her skin. Some of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known have been black. Some of the most idiotic people I’ve ever known have been white.

    The End
    *stepping off soap box*

  • pete from astoria

    At the moment, I do not have any black friends. I did however go through the Queens public school system. I have many black co-workers. Does this count?
    I think I should at least get partial credit.

  • balbulican

    Since none of you have ever met me and don’t know for sure, I am willing to be your black/Muslim/gay/handicapped/leftist/Indian/European/whatever friend for a very modest consideration. I promise to share life stories and learning from my unique cultural perspective, allow you to partake vicariously through my colourful anecdotes of the suffering and glory of my people and their splending achievement, assuage your guilt by allowing you to tell stories about me at parties to your white/Christian/straight/right wing friends, and only occasionally make you feel guilty with a subtle but pointed allusion to my oppression. Be the first on Your Blog! Order now!

  • http://www.wild-heart.net Chelle

    B… Can I get an all exclusive interview at a reasonable rate?

  • http://chapel-perilous.fetishize-me.com/caiterwauling/ Cait

    Bal, you are one of a kind – er, wait, I guess considering your offer, you are a multitude.

  • balbulican

    Chelle, as a wedding gift you get…free… a half hour exclusive interview, royalties, film rights, and two copies of the Director’s cut.

    And, if you order within half an hour…The Ginsu Steak Knives!

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com Vinny

    GINSU!

    Can you do the tin can demonstration?

  • http://www.wild-heart.net Chelle

    Ginsu Steak Knives! Consider this my order. I’m making the request within the half hour of your offer ;)

  • Kevin

    Bal, I find myself in need of a lefthanded, slightly cross-eyed Swedish, Ethiopian ballet dancer for a quorum on cross cultural dance moves.
    Lets discuss your rates and changing your name.
    I have no need of a set of knives as I still possess all my teeth.

  • balbulican

    Ah. That would be my Sven Mobutu persona. I think s/he can spare a bit of time. Would you accept a slight squint in lieu of the crossed eyes?

  • http://chapel-perilous.fetishize-me.com/caiterwauling/ Cait

    My first thought is to wonder what percentage of blacks have white friends? Next thought was how condescending of the writer, as if whites are supposed to run out and find a black person to befriend, almost as if that confers some special privelege on the black person. And it also assumes that black people are just waiting and wishing to be friends with whitey. Why would they be? Right, let’s all go out and get us a token black (Muslim, Jewish – fill in the blank) friend. How insulting to blacks, etc. would that be?

  • http://www.hunny-hive.com/ Swt GA HunnyB

    I usually avoid anything so controversial, but well since prejudice behavior is kind of a pet peeve of mine, here I am! I live in the south. The south is still filled with a multitude of people who are still sore over losing their “precious” slaves. Even my own in-laws were panicked over the thought of a black family moving in next door to their house. I cringe when I hear them say things like “nigger”. I have put my foot down where my husband is concerned. I will not tolerate that kind of behavior in my own house and in front of my children. I had to deal with it growing up. My step father was so prejudice that he wanted me to give up my best friend because she was black. He lost. I moved out of the house during my senior year of high school and lived with her and her family. I think it is wrong to judge anyone by their appearance. Even I, as an overweight person, am faced with stereotypical remarks saying I must do nothing but sit on my ass and eat all day. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t judge a person by his/her skin. Some of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known have been black. Some of the most idiotic people I’ve ever known have been white.

    The End
    *stepping off soap box*

  • pete from astoria

    At the moment, I do not have any black friends. I did however go through the Queens public school system. I have many black co-workers. Does this count?
    I think I should at least get partial credit.

  • balbulican

    Since none of you have ever met me and don’t know for sure, I am willing to be your black/Muslim/gay/handicapped/leftist/Indian/European/whatever friend for a very modest consideration. I promise to share life stories and learning from my unique cultural perspective, allow you to partake vicariously through my colourful anecdotes of the suffering and glory of my people and their splending achievement, assuage your guilt by allowing you to tell stories about me at parties to your white/Christian/straight/right wing friends, and only occasionally make you feel guilty with a subtle but pointed allusion to my oppression. Be the first on Your Blog! Order now!

  • http://wild-heart.net Chelle

    B… Can I get an all exclusive interview at a reasonable rate?

  • http://chapel-perilous.fetishize-me.com/caiterwauling/ Cait

    Bal, you are one of a kind – er, wait, I guess considering your offer, you are a multitude.

  • balbulican

    Chelle, as a wedding gift you get…free… a half hour exclusive interview, royalties, film rights, and two copies of the Director’s cut.

    And, if you order within half an hour…The Ginsu Steak Knives!

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

    GINSU!

    Can you do the tin can demonstration?

  • http://wild-heart.net Chelle

    Ginsu Steak Knives! Consider this my order. I’m making the request within the half hour of your offer ;)

  • Kevin

    Bal, I find myself in need of a lefthanded, slightly cross-eyed Swedish, Ethiopian ballet dancer for a quorum on cross cultural dance moves.
    Lets discuss your rates and changing your name.
    I have no need of a set of knives as I still possess all my teeth.

  • balbulican

    Ah. That would be my Sven Mobutu persona. I think s/he can spare a bit of time. Would you accept a slight squint in lieu of the crossed eyes?