Do you have racial bias? Let's talk

<<<<>>>>The most common one I think about is when I see someone who's not white driving an expensive car. I've wondered how did they come to be driving that car?

damn. thats fucked up. 

I traveled to Europe in the Fall of 1981, and one of the first lasting impressions I had upon arrival was in the train station in Paris when I heard two black men speaking with each other in French. That was a real disconnect moment for me because I was accustomed to hearing many black people in the States (I was living in Philly at the time) speak in what I'd call black dialect, but it was also a moment where I kind of woke up to my underlying assumptions/expectations about people and their skin color.

Judit,

On a relatively topical note regarding your car comment (but not exactly the same thing): Today I had an interesting but short conversation (my first) with an older black man down the block, whom I'd probably walked past at least 100 times over the last year and 6 days.  When my pandemic walks first started, I'd see him standing on his front porch and looking rather serious, while I walked by.  There was always a metallic blue 1970's era El Camino on the curb and tucked into the left front side of his house was one of those '70's vans all gussied up, undoubtedly with shag rug inside.  He generally looked stern when I was passing, but i would see him smiling when he was talking to his next door neighbors over the short fence while they were sunbathing (that's another story).  I would try to make subtle eye contact with him as I passed, but struggled with wanting to reach out while not imposing myself on him.  Over time, we started making a quick nod of acknowledgement to each other.  One day, I saw him backing a modern silver Corvette into the driveway.  I was thinking to myself, "Man, this guy's got some great cars!"  I wanted to tell him how cool his cars were, but I realized that I was feeling self-conscious and did not want to offend him by being a pushy white man (I think that was it).  Well, over some more time, I started to raise my right hand, palm open in a "no big deal wave hello" and he would do the same.  That turned into a vocal, "Good morning."  Or a "Beautitul day, huh?"

Some days, his silver Corvette was not in the driveway, but he instead had a beautiful, new, blue Porsche Panamera in it's place - just like Phil Lesh's car!!!  Sometimes I'd see him driving the Corvette down the street...other times, I would see him driving the Porsche.  He didn't seem to switch them that often.  I started developing different stories in my mind.  Was he a car dealer who drives a different car around from the lot?  Well he only had those two that he drove.  Does he have a friend or relative who likes to trade cars with him just for the fun of it?

So, anyways....Today, I was walking up the street towards my house after a lovely, brisk walk, when I see him leaning against the short fence on the side of his front yard (the sunbathers no longer live next door; I think that they were from Brazil).

As I approach him, I say, "Hello," but this time I stop and turn around.  "By the way, you've got some great cars." 

He smiles and says, "I do, thank you." 

I go on. "I see that Corvette in your driveway, but sometimes I see you driving a Porsche Panamera." 

"Oh, yes, that's back there behind the fence in the backyard."

I see its glistening blue top peaking through gaps in the the redwood  gate.  "Good family car, with the four doors."

"Ha! I live here here by myself!"

We laughed and I resumed my walk back home with a smile on my face, but with one regret.  I was afraid to admit to him that I was a deadhead.

There's always work to be done

I suppose I feel blessed (and cursed), to have grown up in Pasadena, CA, and spent at least a month of every summer in Norfolk / VA Beach areas during childhood.  LA is very diverse, and Norfolk has a huge Black population.  I was also blessed to have spent most of 67 / 68 in SE Asia (primarily Hong Kong), and then several weeks in East Africa in 75.  I remember being surprised when the first Black Africans I met had very crisp and proper British accents, none of the "jive" i'd grown up with, LOL.  The British influence there was strong (no one had heard of America), as was some of the Moorish influence (especially on the Indian Ocean coast).  

In Jr High I got made fun of for being Asian (even though I'm part Native American, no Asian blood).  As a gay man, I can relate to several types of discrimination, having experienced quite a bit of it myself (had a lover murdered, etc).  So I know my version of the dark side.  

I'd suggest we use the term "racist" and "racism" way too much.  A lot of it is stereotypes, and those stereotypes are based in some pretty deep horseshit, much of which we're likely not even aware of (ah, taking acid is good for some things, can I get a witness!).  I've been guilty, so to speak, of many stereo types oopsies over the years, most innocent, can't think of too many off the top of my head...  but when you see (fill in the blank with a demographic that's normally considered poor) driving a fancy car (or in a fancy home), you may ask yourself, How did I get here?  (Insert David Byrne lyrics).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzmPqGbb08k&list=OLAK5uy_lEUNAhfg123RKpO...

Moving to Oregon over 40 years ago to go to college was a huge culture shift.  While there were purple mohawks at my High School, everyone in Oregon still had mullets and bell bottom jeans.  The only non-whites were Athletes or foreign students, and it was cold, wet, folks didn't socialized and mix up like the warmer dryer places i'd spent time.  The south is very sexual, the NW is not...  I always wondered how much that played into the racism up here, so much more clan / family based socializing, than the other places i've lived / traveled.  Sometimes a great notion meets one flew over the cuckoos nest I suppose, LOL.

I suppose I also have a problem stereotyping rednecks as methican amercians, but that's another issue (or is it?) 

Thanks for chiming in, Noodler.

I grew up in Steinbeck Country, between Salinas and Monterey, CA.  Not much diversity there. Generally ranchers and high middle class families who live in the oak studded hills. That included military officers' families, active and retired. 

There weren't enough black people in our area for me to prejudiced in that area (my first girlfriend in 4th grade, if that counts, was the only black person in my school - she was adopted by a white family).

I was quietly indoctrinated to become homophobic and to fear the "beaners" who drove their low riders to our local regional park on the weekends. 

Going to college and meeting other people helped quite a bit. 

I should add that I played varsity soccer in high school and was a referee for kids games. I almost always partnered with the son of a migrant worker and became good friends with him.   That helped me get over stereotyping a racial/cultural group. 

Ok, so I'm just sharing a bunch of stories. 

good thread judit

i have been calling myself out a lot recently on my " racial stereotypes"

my city is super diverse now probably like 30% Indian 40% Asian

and with the pandemic many go on walks / runs

i choose to be annoyed or at a minimum aware that often lack of language can inhibit integration

often families always (only)  speak in their native languages ( especially with older family members) and i wonder if they easily become bi-lingual

( however we still smile and wave or nod as we pass each other)  many of the kids love to look at the art in my front yard garden, and often pause for minutes - calling the names of the statues / animals in native tongue

I choose to perceive  that many are not comfortable with driving - are very cautious, and do not use turn signals as i wish they would (DWA) ( all races suck at this btw) 

and people of some cultures are not terribly aware / or concerned with others - often blocking the aisles in the grocery store - which i consider either rude or not aware  - or even not caring - it may be from living in more crowded parts of the world?

also some are willing to strip a fruit tree ( ie selfish), rather than just take a few fruit - i don't know if that is cultural or individual  preference - also there are a preponderance a of helicopter parents here in silicon valley- with a bias for private schools - and advanced academies for children - push push, push

i don't like rude people - or selfish / poor drivers 
as i mature into "get off my lawn age" and with the shift of cultures. and the lockdown - it is magnified

I develop stereotypes, ( a form of racism)  but still believe in equality  and equal rights for all

(even heater) no politics - but red is the color of hate from my point of view

Anyone who claims that they have no implicit bias or prejudice is 100% full of shit.

It's what one does with that bias and prejudice that matters.

Pheat only enjoys attacking others, don't expect him to engage in any meaningful dialogue.

this is just rambling, not sure how much point it has.., I look forward to pheats ridicule 

My grandparents were not openly or maliciously racist but used outdated language that indicated otherwise when talking about minorities. Think the Bunker family... the biases were there but I believe  programmed by the times as opposed to actively  racist.  as a subsequent generation, I always cringed a bit.. but wonder now about how society moves forward and the older generations still hold on to their language and beliefs, it becomes much more apparent.

I don't completely agree with the notion that what we now believe means we need to "cancel" what came before us. What I believed or joked about in my teens is sometimes very different then what I believe now.  What's important is the growth itself. How primitive will we be viewed in 100 years?  We think we know NOW but do we really?

We really enjoy looking at the past through today's lens but sometimes it's helpful to remember what the social norms were of the period you are looking at. We can all agree that human history is riddled with flaw but eliminating it removes that sense of growth and achievement about how far we've come or have yet to go. I don't believe that celebrating my grandparents birthdays promotes racism in my family. I also don't think watching a John Wayne film does but I'm sure others will disagree 

I think the thing I'm most guilty of is the "ethnic stereotype jokes." while not intentionally meant to insult, I've learned over the years that more folks seem to take offense to that kind of thing. Self deprecating humor is no longer accepted, even the common drunk Irish jokes seem a little double standardish when looked at from above. 
 

What's really telling is that many here who are always outraged over so called racism still have no problem spewing the word "retarded." They know who they are.

Bias and xenophobia are natural and part of our survival skills as animals to respond with fear or caution to decipher any potential threats from something or someone that looks unfamiliar.  
it's not a bad thing.  But humans make it bad.  We are all guilty.   
Here's a quick story that was simple but life improving for me.  
   It's the 1990's : So , my wife ( then girlfriend) and I had just returned from few months in Mexico and Central America. We crossed the Juarez border on New Year's Eve.  Being that the train was second class in Mexico , it was 14 hours late. (That's truth, not a stereotype).  So it was late,dark , and cold when we entered the USA.  Short on funds, we accepted a ride from a stranger to a homeless shelter for the night.  The plan was to hitchhike to Silver City for new year's, but it was too late.  
Next day we are up before the sun. "Get out of the shelter before border town resistant tuberculosis gets comfortable in my lungs " I didn't even realize the risk until meeting up with a local friend who is a respiratory therapist.   
 Anyway, a few rides later, we are waiting in the hot sun in Deming, NM.  And this crossroads is already occupied by a hitchhiker.  I'm thinking "great, we'll never get a ride until that person gets picked up first". Then I express a rude comment to my girlfriend about the other hitchhiker who is Transgender dressed in frumpy oversized menswear with cowboy boots and hat.  My girlfriend reprimanded me for my comment.  Then the magic happens.  The other hitchhiker comes up to us and says " hey you two can take my spot, I'll get a ride later".  A few minutes pass and the hitchhiker returns with a soda for us.   "Here, I thought you looked thirsty ". I was ready to cry.  I think about it to this day how prejudging others is not fair play in this life.  
I've come a long way.  

totally fucked up, judit. 

i can tell you i've never had that thought, ever in my life. my parents raised me to not ever think like that. 

if we're talking about telling, you win. and you had that thought deep into adulthood? again, very telling. thanks. 

i feel like racist raz uses the word "retarded" a lot. am i wrong? 

Some folks are just better at self reflection and growth than others, that's all. You'll get there, tho

that's a classic post, lltd. 

haha wow.

fish i don't read your bs man. is your post about how you have racist thoughts like judit? 

We see through your mask 

my guess is for a W supporter, yes. 

And there it is....a lil late but I can still put em in the creel! 

What I'm getting is that ogkb thinks that he's perfect. He has absolutely no racial bias, or even prejudices, and as we know, his politics are exemplary. He's woke as fuck.

Why, dude, are you so negative, mean and rude if you're so perfect?

woke? is that your dad term for the day? 

you think my political beliefs are exemplary? you're lying. 

yeah, i can honestly say i've never wondered how a black dude got a fancy car b/c hes black. i understand that happens a lot in america, i don't respect those people. 

you got a problem w/ that?

Lol at the master of buzzwords crying about one

I've used "woke" once, blue maga boy. That hardly counts as "term of the day."

I think that you use a lot of words to put others down and inflate yourself. I know that actions are what matters. I have no idea how you put those words into action. I know that judging anyone simply on one vote every 4 years is pretty pitiful.

I also think that it's pretty weak for you to judge anyone for their thoughts, when day after day you trash on people, call names and are generally a twit.

Self-awareness isn't a bad thing.

bk you're part of blue maga. 

self awareness isn't a bad thing. just sayin. 

I consider it a badge of honor that that's all he can come up with time and time again, I generally throw suckers back if I catch one but this one pays dividends almost daily.

fish nobody is paying attention to you or what you post.  

what's going on now?

Ogkb thinks that voting for Bernie a few times and yelling at people on the innerrwebz makes him some sort of Progressive exemplar.

Tell us, ogkb, what you do to help out your low income neighbors in the Old North End. What services are you providing to them?

It's ok I don't evaluate my life based on my post reply  or thread counts, my rewards in life are achieved through ways you don't seem capable of understanding, pheat 

some of us just have deeper wells than others... you will get there, hopefully you realize it before it's too late

i provided over 5000 dollars worth of dinners to old north end low income families when covid first hit, directly feeding the people who live around my shop. 

then we opened it up to any service people affected -- usps, teachers. etc etc in the area. 100% free dank. for weeks we did this on a day we were closed. 

we donate to the neighborhood food shelf, food and money. 

im currently trying to get a crosswalk on riverside b/c it's a high traffic spot and the low income housing across the street has to scurry across and try not to get hit. it's totally fucked up. they're not gonna change it tho. 

that's the best i got right now. 

<<<<>>>>It's ok I don't evaluate my life based on my post reply  or thread counts, my rewards in life are achieved through ways you don't seem capable of understanding, pheat 

lol, jesus. 

Do you have racial bias?>>> 

Lol. The zoner racist threads are the best. Let it out, white folks. 
 

I mostly have racial prejudice against old white guys. Not everyone is here to serve and obey you. Get over it. 
 

Wow, sounds like Pyramid does a lot for his community. 
 

What have you done, BK?

Doesn't matter, Timpy. I'm not the one who thinks they are better. I voted for Biden, and that's all that matters. You did too, so join the club.

^^^Lol, jesus 
 

Not sure that will help but give it a shot 

lol i never said i was better. 

you're the one that said "real progressive". 

i just don't respect people who are racist and are against m4a and a liveabke wage. 

seems like viva has a lot of those types. 

fuck those people. they're holding us back. 

You don't respect anyone with views other than your own

false. 

i don't respect people who support policy that keeps people down, poor, afraid, helpless, homeless, sick. 

i support compassion. 

i have zero compassion for the suckers that support keeping people stuck.  like maga. and blue maga. 

thats you and your dem party, your republican party. 

Oh look. ogkb has made another thread all about him.

But he says he has compassion. Right.

You don't respect anyone who has different means to the same ends, and you've decided what "compassion" is. Therefore, you have respect for very, very few people.

Doosh canoe

On a cruel sea

Doosh canoe

Sail away from me

Thanks, RRG. Now I'm gonna have Doosh Canoe playing in my head all day. lol

diff means and diff ends, bk. 

that's why you're blue maga man. 

mike, another thread where you just offer nothing at all. you're just here. 

rrr def has some racists thoughts -- we all know that. feel like sharing them like your friend judit? b/c that shit is some fucked up thinking. 

> rrr def has some racists thoughts -- we all know that. 

I don't know that. How do you know what other people (who you don't know) know? Do the voices tell you so?

Do you know the difference between racism and prejudice?

Anyone who doesn't think like you is the enemy. Got it.

It must drive you crazy that the Black community tends to be more to the center and doesn't agree with your views. Do you think that's because they don't know any better?

bk straight triggered. lol. 

remember -- you passed on the first black president even tho you are a corporate apologist. 

what was that about? 

we're so far gone, that we have "real progressives" arguing for incrementalism -- still!!! 

come on man, that's shit doesn't work. 

if you're against m4a and increasing the minimum wage right now, i don't respect you. but, who the fuck cares? 

if you support giving healthcare companies huge handouts, like biden has done, over support for m4a, fuck no i don't respect you. you're part of the problem. 

anyway, mike wants to return to the topic at hand : judit seeing successful black people driving and wondering "how in the fuck is that possible?!". 

haha this thread is awesome. 

What's the alternative to incrementalism, Einstein? You've yet to explain how you'd make that happen.

Take a Civics class.

^blue maga. 

Sorry to read you burned out on life so early. Hopefully you find joy again sometime

You're a whackadoodle, ogkb.

pretty hard to gow up in this country as a white person and NOT have ANY prejudices. They are baked into the system. 

traveling always helps. some people have never been where people don't have shit...

Wow!  What a train wreck this turned out to be!

Tolerance is not for everyone, apparently.

I believe what Judit did in the op is known as "owning your shit", and she is to be lauded, not vilified for doing so, both for self-awareness and for generating discussion.

I remember having conversations with my mom (who was raised in the Deep South) about the fancy car deal when I was about 6 years old in 1971.  We lived in Huntington, New York then, on the North Shore of Long Island.  It was a predominantly white demographic.  I must have made some comment that it looked like a lot of the people driving Cadillacs and Lincoln Continentals were black.  My mom told me that this was partly because black folks were prevented from buying houses in the nicer neighborhoods by prejudicial housing codes, were spending their money where they could, and were justly displaying their affluence.

Might have been the first time I flashed on the concept of discrimination.

Funny how the ones who think they are so forward thinking and progressive actually seem to be the complete opposite 

Chinese are better Farmers than the Russkies... If we're comparing groups of Communists in realistic comparisons.

However, the Soviets were ahead of anyone else regarding Metallurgy and Aerospace. 

Italians are still the best at Italian Food.
And their Cars are Sexy.

judit -- sucks you had to struggle w/ that thought process into your forties. that's rough, must've been very stressful for a "hippy" to deal w/. 

of course. that's not what i posted, but go ahead...

hippy - (of a woman) having large hips.

hippie - is a member of the counterculture of the 1960s

I will assume that although loosely hinged ogkb,  would not comment on ones physical appearance, being raised all proper and shit.

What must suck even more is being born perfect and not having any room to grow as a person. What a shitty prospect to not have any comprehensive understanding of how life actually works for the human race

Well, this had the makings of a thoughtful thread, until the asshole got involved. That's why threads like this don't appear or last long on the Zone. Clowns who don't know when to shut up.  

Good try, Judit. Nice thought. 

Thanks for opening up nonetheless, it is a reasonable topic for conversation regardless...and there are some inspired responses among the nonsense 

As long as a few old white boomers feel letter about themselves, you can go ahead and chalk this thread up as a success.

We learn through mistakes, failings and consequent self-reflection. I'll repeat, anyone who says that they have no biases or prejudices is full of shit. They are making a grave mistake and showing failure. They are not self-reflecting.

We are all products of our time and upbringings. Certain things were acceptable back then. As they have become unacceptable, it forces conscientious people to reflect and grow. We no longer use this word because of this. We no longer make that joke because of that. We learn.

I often think back to when I'd be on the NY subway, in the wee hours, all fucked up and looking like a dirt surfer. When a group of Black youth, in Timbies and Gizelle glasses (remember those?) would get on I'd undoubtedly be slightly more than uncomfortable. I always felt safe when a Transit cop would walk through.

My fear came from stereotypes. Why are they on the subway at 3 am? They must be on crack. They must be a gang. The irony was, even if they were, I was more lit than them. Gang or not, I was never once bothered by them. In that state, feeling safer when a cop rolled through was pure white privilege.

So is Martin Luther King Blvd. in most big cities a safe place to be at nIght?
 

and is that a racist thought or a truth that has occurred from Systemic Racism?

Not a boomer but cool if you wanna lump me in with em

Old white boomers

perfect

stereotype

good thread fellow humans 

I have been reflecting on my thought processes  a lot

I have even called myself racist which is far from an accurate description and my family won't let me call myself that

i am not perfect 

Heated one,   it was good to hear about your charitable acts   I suspected as much

>>>>So is Martin Luther King Blvd. in most big cities a safe place to be at nIght?

In this town it is, but its also been gentrified over the past 20 years.   

There is a close association between violence and poverty, so poor neighborhoods are generally more dangerous than more affluent ones.   Because black people are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than whites, their communities suffer from higher levels of crime and violence.   Of course, that is what 400 years of institutionalized disenfranchisement will do to your community.

A woman in our neighborhood started a 'diversity and inclusion' group on next door dot com. She's a person of color and so are many of the people in the group. It seems to work well to have these types of discussion about racial biases, institutional racism and inequities when there's a diverse group of people who have experienced racism first hand. it's easier to be an advocate when you can hear from people most affected and impacted by racial biases..and learn how POC  would like support - that is,   how we can help, grow, and change for the betterment of society.
 

And yes, the first step is acknowledging that we all have racial biases, and (for non POC) how we have White privilege and how we can use our voices to affect positive change, starting within. 
 

I also am friends with a disability rights advocate, and much of the above can be applied to addressing our own  biases and ignorance's  about people dealing with disabilities. Speaking out on injustices, for sure, but speaking with knowledge and respect is vital. I've stepped in it a few times with the disability rights advocate, and have learned to choose my words more wisely. When she shares a story of injustice she's not asking for solutions or advice, She does want others to advocate  for the disabled, and appreciates actions that people take to improve the lives of people living with disabilities. 

I once got called out for mispronouncing "cerebral palsy"

I told them that I grew up in Salinas - 'nuff said.

A few curious thoughts;

it's been argued that 20% of the nations wealth came out of the Homestead Act (white males only, with a couple of exceptions, which are great stories to look up)

In the west,  the original homesteaders are often the wealthiest land owners in any given rural county.  That wealth went to whites only, and had a huge role in how the west got developed economically (timber vs mining vs farming vs ranching), industry came much later, but to only a very few small areas.  The advocacy for a State of Jefferson back in the teens / 20s (N. California, SW Oregon), was due to all the gold / timber wealth going back east / SF, but nothing coming back to help with infrastructure (roads, railroads, etc), this was shortly after the International Workers of the World got started (the first union) in the Pacific NW, which was made up of miners, timber, fishing, railroad, etc, occupations with a very high rate of death / maiming, with zero compensation if you got killed / maimed.  And that was if you were a white worker, needless to say it got worse if you were asian / or another minority.   

For those that consider reparations, the homestead act is a curious thing to consider (until you look at Indian reservations, many sad stories to look up)

Then there's the GI bill, which if I recall, was originally white males only...  that also created a lot of wealth and prosperity, but could also be repeated in the modern day as a form of reparations, though I prefer the idea of something like it being provided to everyone (damn socialism, LOL).  

It's healthy to reexamine our own personal situations where we pre-judge, rely on a stereotype, judge a book by it's cover, etc...  but it really comes down to money.  Crime and poverty go hand in hand,  as stated above.  Our 2 party system (Bi-Polar a better description) constantly fails fixing these problems, so I suggest a new GI style bill as a way of attacking the poverty aspect of racism in America.

Finally, I always thought the concept of being "white" as being very disengenuous.  It wasn't really a term that was used when I was a kid ("Negro" was slowly changing to "Black" in that era).  On our block, every household had a label that went back to either their nationality, or religions (3 italian families, one jewish and one morman family, etc).  So I always considered white being a copout.  After all, every European country has celebrations, parades (for those that freak on not having a white pride parade, LOL).  So if you consider yourself white, does that mean you're denying you european heritage (wasn't it just St Patty's Day, Cinco De Mayo in a bit, Bastille Day, etc).  With African Americans, if your heritage was stolen from you, then calling yourself black (since one might not have known the specific country / region of origin) makes a lot more sense.  

i called someone retarded the other day. 

funny stuff. slick calling names and shit. 

lots of assumptions. 

all i said was i never had the thought of how black people were able to purchase nice shit, and that a thought like that is completely fucked up. never said i was perfect. fish and co made that up like the good little bitches they are. 

again -- raised by leftists. horribly racist thoughts. cant relate. glad judit confronted and moved past her hatred inside. 

<<>>I will assume that although loosely hinged ogkb,  would not comment on ones physical appearance, being raised all proper and shit.

i never have. nor would i. 

although that has happened to me here. rrg and thod both criticized the way i look. i don't care. but judit should have according to her stupid rules here lol. 

> I once got called out for mispronouncing "cerebral palsy"

Now you have me wondering, Johnny. Is it seh-ree-bral, or sara-bral? My guess is the first.

I'm assuming you didn't have a problem with the palsy part.

^Actually, I said, "Paisley" of course!

They told me it's pronounced "sara-bral" - I think it's a Berkeley thing.

I've only been working in the field for 30 years, after all...

>>> although that has happened to me here. rrg and thod both criticized the way i look. i don't care. but judit should have according to her stupid rules here lol. <<<

you still gonna spit on my wife?

<<all i said was i never had the thought of how black people were able to purchase nice shit, and that a thought like that is completely fucked up. 

bullshit. you know you thought it was because they were selling drugs. don't lie to kick it, heater.

haha you got me, jr. 

> I think it's a Berkeley thing.

I'll have to remember that the next time I'm in Berkeley, Johnny. Until then, I'll continue pronouncing it seh-ree-bral. It just sounds brainier to me.

By ogkb (pyramidheat) on Saturday, March 20, 2021 – 10:26 pm

i am a nice and caring human. 

https://vivalazone.org/comment/315421#comment-315421

you like that one, right mike. 

I'd like to see more of that one, ogkb.

do-you-have-racial-bias?

Yes! I prefer Asian food ( from Istanbul to Indonesia) over European or Western food. Though Mexican food is a contender.  Otherwise the people are the same more or less. Just ignorant from fake news or propaganda. That's why travel is important. And I hope to travel till I die God willing!

^Amen to that, brother!

I voted for Biden, that's all that matters. >>>>
 

Lmao!! That's the first time you've mad me laugh in long time, bK. Good one. 
 

Im sure the poor dusty whites in Vermont appreciated your vote.

"...prefer Asian food ( from Istanbul to Indonesia) over European or Western foo..."

So not far from where I attend Physical Therapy,  there's a pretty good Vietnamese place.  (If you like that sort of stuff).

One topic the PT's and I chat about is Food.  They bring in a lot of their own stuff for sustenance during the work day, and rumor has it that one of them is a pretty good cook (Shepherd's Pie was the Prize dish).

Anyway,  I brought the takeout Menu from Vietnamese place,  and it's been circulating in the Break Room.
Hoping to catch a scent of Phö and Summer Rolls one of these visits.

Nah, your buddy Heater is the only one who really cares who I voted for. I don't think he's dusty.

I still need to find out what a "Blue MAGA" is.

Sounds like a tropical bird species. 

This thread will not age well.

At least you had an Internet battle buddy for a few hours. Tomorrow is a brand new day, Tiger. Best get some sleep:

breaking bread builds good bonds.

more people should have parties and bbq's amongst different groups.

^^^^ It's another trendy Strain dude. Micronesia African Ganja Anomaly.  Crossed with Blueberry.

> This thread will not age well.

Sounds like another topic you have expertise in, Racket.

Edit: I thought it meant Make America Gooey Again, Stu, but I could be wrong.

What's your expertise?  How to roll a joint at 60?  Right on.

I still need to find out what a "Blue MAGA" is.^^^^

Think they were in the Yellow Submarine movie, 

Or was it bong loads on zoom?  

> How to roll a joint at 60?

I can roll a joint at 60, but I prefer to roll them at about 85 MPH.

Racket, have you skied with any friends this year? 

maybe judit you have to play the all caring being on a dbmb to make up for your racist thoughts as a young(ish) adult? 

you wondered what you did b/c of skin color. again, glad you have moved past your hatred. 

strange, folks here seem to know a hell of a lot about trump and all his cronies and their bs -- yet don't know what biden and his cronies are up to. 

maybe you are blue maga. 

Just to lighten the mood a little, if pyramid heat were are cartoon character, do you see him as best represented as #1, #2, or #3? Theoretically speaking, of course.

I think any representation should capture his fiery passion, a la Mario Savio (an admirable trait) with a touch of Vermont dreadlockidness. A guy who wil argue about anything, mostly for a good cause, but usually with a piece of organic spinach stuck in his teeth.

I think the world (and the Zone) needs guys like that -- I just don't want to be stuck on a barstool next to him unless there was loud music playing.

^thats hilarious, alan. hahhahahahaah. 

#3. 

^ Listen, nothin personal, but I need a character to counteract the right wing extremists that crop up like invasive weeds around here and you are probably the man for the job. I'm a fan.

Double post, due to taking an evening walk and thinking that the first attempt didn't stick. 

#1 for sure.

I never imagined ogkb's eyes were quite right.

Kind of looks like Reddy Kilowatt's special cousin.

^hahahahaha 

So is this around the time Edwards tells us a story about his one black friend?

It'd be a tall tale if I told one, Racket, so I think I'll refrain for now and insist instead that you go first.

>>>>>strange, folks here seem to know a hell of a lot about trump and all his cronies and their bs -- yet don't know what biden and his cronies are up to. 

maybe you are blue maga.

So, please remind me: This is a spin-off thread of "Biden and those who voted/supported him are racists because Biden is not ready to legalize recreational marijuana for the entire USofA", correct?

M4A = Marijuana for all?

I also need to call bullshit on ogkb's self-assessment of #3. We all know he sees himself as #2. I am Pizza Man! And I alone can save these old white fux on a dbmb from themselves! Ta-duh!

this is just practice... I need him for other stuff

this is all very good. smoking some melt and tearing up. thank you. 

johnny it's whatever you want man. 

biden being against cannabis legalization is rooted in racism. 

anybody try the reese's big cups w/ pretzel? 

absolute fire. 

OK, I just figured that he was an old white dude who didn't really feel that legal weed for fun was a "high" priority.  It never occurred to me when I went to vote.

Based on how many votes Trump received last fall, I have a hard time imagining that Bernie would have won the Presidency.  But, I suppose that it was possible.  (remember that Biden was a commie?)

^thats called white privilege thinking like that. 

based on how many votes trump received last fall against biden, i have a hard time imagining if bernie had a fair shot, he' would've won by no less than 10million votes. 

Back to race - 

As a kid, maybe 10, 11 I went with my dad on a road trip to Southern Maryland to buy some cars. I don't know if you've ever been there, but think sharecropping tobacco farms in the 1800s. It's amazing that so close to a modern metropolitan area, there could be this time machine of a place. Now it's finally getting some suburbs, but it's still way different than the Balto-DC sprawl.

The guy (a true redneck) we met took us to lunch at a bar that also served food. Walking from the parking lot I noticed a sign above a door in the back yard that said Colored. I was fairly well read for a little guy and knew a little about about segregation and Civil Rights and we just had riots in Baltimore. But had never seen that before.

And when we walked in the room, there was a divider down the middle, about waist high. Whites on one side. Blacks on the other. All being served from the same bar, which ran down the entire length of the room. Everyone could see everyone else. The  same bartender served everyone. I had a little epiphany -- It's all under the same roof!  Everyone is drinking and eating together less than 10 feet apart. This is fucking ridiculous. The wall was fucking ridiculous. People are stupid.

Are all of the people of color who voted for Biden in the primaries engaged in white privilege thinking as well?

Interesting topic. 

Is voting for a white progressive white privilege thinking?

Serious question. 

Are all of the people of color who voted for Biden in the primaries engaged in white privilege thinking as well?

Interesting topic. 

Is voting for a white progressive white privilege thinking?

Serious question. 

Heated over one is Biden's bitch

Completely dominated 24 hours a day 

It's a bit amusing to watch

Hatred and insults, and a lack of understanding how the world works is incrementalism 

Especially the mental part

Some people need to learn the differences between stereotype, prejudice and racism.

Has anyone here ever heard the term, "stereotype threat?" One famous study took place at an engineering college, where everyone had a high math aptitude. The control group was given a math test, and everyone performed equally. The test group was told that the test was to see how much better Asians are at math. The Asians performed equally to the control group, but everyone else underperformed. They've done many similar studies on this phenomenon, all with the same results.

Think about the vicious cycles this creates in schools and in life. If a kid in Special Ed is called "retard" by peers and teachers make them feel stupid, they live down to those stereotypes. Put it in the broader perspective of negative stereotypes against any particular group. The results are insidious.

Has anyone here ever read No Exit by JP Sartre? This thread is a very apt example of what Sartre thought Hell to be like. I recognize a couple of real "hell-raisers" in this thread. Do you?

<<<>>>Hatred and insults, and a lack of understanding how the world works is incrementalism 

amazing post. 

how's your incrementalism going? how many dead in 1 week from mass shootings -- 18? 

you guys love to talk incrementalism -- how's that going w/ the guns? now before you yell republicans control everything -- they don't. 

also, how come obama didn't renew the assault weapon ban in 2009? incrementalism? right on.  

incrementalism via healthcare. how's that going? 20mil people thrown off their insurance b/c of the pandemic. having m4a in american, now proven, would have saved hundreds of thousands of Americans. facts. 

now what, lltd? that's how shit works? no. that corporate masters telling your saviors what to do, how to govern, what to push for and what not to push for. 

your like 1000 years old and you don't get that. 

<<<>>>>Are all of the people of color who voted for Biden in the primaries engaged in white privilege thinking as well?

lol. no, they're black. 

but when a middle aged white man says "oh, i thought old man biden didn't really care about cannabis as he thinks it's not a high priority issue". that's white privilege. 

 

ogkb

 pyramidheat on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 – 06:45 pm

<<>>I will assume that although loosely hinged ogkb,  would not comment on ones physical appearance, being raised all proper and shit.

 

i never have. nor would i. 

although that has happened to me here. rrg and thod both criticized the way i look. i don't care. but judit should have according to her stupid rules here lol. 

The one and only comment I ever made about "your look" was when thod called you chin strap for wearing your mask on your chin instead of over your foul mouth.

He most certainly hit a nerve, and I chimed in and laughed about it....I hope that You can find a way to heal from this massive insult.

He probably thinks you called him chin strap because of his authentic raggedy beard.

so you did comment on my looks like i said. 

didn't hit a nerve. i don't know what you or thod look like, so it's seems kinda strange for you to comment on my looks. 

either way, you're still a trash monster. always have been. 

Ever since i studied Cultural Geography back in college, I've always found it useful to see some related data when discussing hot button topics:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States had an estimated population of 328,239,523 in 2019.

Ths is a pretty cool map - one dot per person based on 10 year old census data. 

https://demographics.coopercenter.org/racial-dot-map

Demographically, a lot has changed in 10 years, so to see more recent data, I found these links useful:

https://www.brookings.edu/research/americas-racial-diversity-in-six-maps/

"Hispanic residents are highly represented in a swath of counties from California to Texas as well as parts of the Mountain West, the Southeast, urbanized parts of the North and many smaller places in the nation’s interior. Asian residents, often with other minority groups, are highly represented in California, Washington, Texas, portions of the Southeast, large metropolitan areas, and small towns in all parts of the country.

The highest concentration of black Americans remains in the South, which, as a region, houses 58% of the nation’s black population."

>>you're still a trash monster. always have been. 

okgb won't comment on your looks because that would be wrong - but he will comment on you personally because..that's...different?

Well. that's a head shaker.

i don't know what you look like, 6. 

but based on years of your posting, is why i call you the worst zoner ever. 

kinda similar with rrg -- her posts reek of trash monster qualities. 

gotta say, good to see the little 6'er/rrg tag team back at it. 

>>but based on years of your posting, is why i call you the worst zoner ever. 

badge of honor coming from you - the angriest human ever.

we've had some horrible posters here man. 

it's saying something for sure. 

I think most posters here think your opinions are wrong, angry, bitter, butthurt and self-righteous anyway, but honestly - what you think of me doesn't really matter much at all.

At least your little buddy has good taste in music. Outside of pizza and angriness there's not much else you got going on, is there?

Actually, upon reflection, I only laughed to myself about the chin strap comment that tod made.

I find folks who wear their masks on their chins instead of their faces to be goobers.

I can't recall ever making fun of your "look" 

however

I did make fun of your sweet tarts comments ...

^^^^ with the premise being where you live (your environment) can can shape one's perceptions, along with the influence of your personal experiences.

Well, this is no fun. You win ogkb. I'm out. Cheers!

Thanks for answering my question, pyramid.

There is no doubt that I am an extremely privileged individual: white Anglo Saxon protestant (formerly Episcopalian) male, owns a house, union worker. My neighborhood district, city, congressional district, county, and state vote liberal (so I can vote however I want without affecting the outcomes).  I take it for granted that marijuana is legal and that I can walk  half a block to purchase some from a store (or walk a few houses down to purchase some from an "unregistered businessman" if I so desire (my daughter can complain about how much she hates the smoke when we go on our neighborhood walks).

I live in the Lorin District, which used to be its own black township, before it voted to join Berkeley.  There are established families of color who have owned their houses for decades.  One of my old white hippie neighbors moved in when it was still a red line neighborhood.

So I do take a lot for granted.

I believe that there is an overwhelming amount of work to be done to make our country and community right, so I try to take a pragmatic approach and triage (professionally, I am prioritizing getting folks vaccinated for Covid, if they want this, of course.).  I will readily admit that I have become more "conservative" as I age (I have more difficulty adjusting to change, though I always hope for positive changes).

Take care,

Actually hater I do visualize you

to me you look bat  shit fucking crazy

Hate is a horrible thing to waste LOL OL

Incrementalism is your fucking hot button blue psycho

go get some help you make Bryen  look like a speck of dust

namaste

> biden being against cannabis legalization is rooted in racism.

That may be true in part because cannabis prohibition is rooted in racism, but having a son who's a crackhead probably factors in heavily too.

Too bad your parents failed raising you

So rude and disrespectful 

Full of anger and hate

and proud of it

boasting without any merit

And I'm afraid when you were 1000 years old you will be the same racist person you are today

Why do you love yourself?

you mad lltd?

go work in the garden. :)

haha oh man. 

lltd def mad. 

what's up everybody. 

<<<>>>I find folks who wear their masks on their chins instead of their faces to be goobers.

what's this even mean?

you stalking my business page, you trash monster. 

mike -- even more reason to support full legalization right now. 

Lol, Mikey E. How would having a son who is an addict factor in to legalization? One of the most addictive substances know to man, alcohol, is legal. Don think he's going to try and get rid of alcohol any time soon. His kid has nothing to do with it?

Old people still see pot as a gateway drug. They just can't get past the decades of propaganda, even if they know better. His kid smoked crack, but it all started with the Devil's Weed. 

Imagine being able to give orders to drone an area killing innocent people, but not being able to understand why cannabis should be illegal. 

biden has no opinion on cannabis legalization. his corporate masters say no, so he says no. as simple as that. 

the old man devils weed excuse is just that, an excuse. 

that's unacceptable. 

I think that jay smoking and jay walking should be legal.

You let your parents down 

Which of Biden's corporate masters say no to cannabis legalization? For real, ogkb. I'm not saying this isn't happening, but I'd like to know who they are. You know: name names.

btw, those reese's big cups w/ pretzel sound really good.

My parents are dead, Murder suicide. 

Pharmaceuticals

Healthcare

Prisons

Just to name a few

^That makes sense.

So sorry to hear about your parents.

It's cool man, we all saw it coming, my dad shot her in the head during a family FaceTime call and then shot himself in the head.

Fuck

Damn, dude. That's cold. I'm real sorry to hear about that even if you saw it coming.

All because of reese's with pretzels. 

I don't mind my chain being yanked about snacks, but I hope that's not true of what you posted about your folks.

freaking horrible

- I do apologize

be strong

ogkb, so sorry your family had to go through that. 

Pyramid wasn't being serious, guys.

Well, if he wasn't being serious – that's really fucked up.
 

As someone who has lost both their parents – that's really not something to joke about.

My sister dates black men and it seems she's introduced us to every societal stereotype one could imagine.  I deal with that.

And he thinks being put in the creel by my W vote comment wasn't a clever ruse. I normally throw suckers back but he has put up an amusing fight

>Pyramid wasn't being serious, guys.
 

serious about what?! 
 

are you saying he just fabricated a story about murder/suicide? 
is that a ' joke' you're defending?

or you gonna blame the diabetes? 

I'm going to give ogkb the benefit of the doubt until we hear back from him. Strange as this might sound, I hope it's not a fabrication; if it is, that's about as lame as it gets.

My guess is that username  won't be back. 

wait, what?

<<based on how many votes trump received last fall against biden, i have a hard time imagining if bernie had a fair shot, he' would've won by no less than 10million votes. 

LOL.  Bernie would have gotten smashed and helped to bring about the fascist dream of America that Trump and his cronies prayed for.  Give it up. 

On the upside,  if it was true and some douche so desired, one could make fun of him for it without repercussions. The precedent has been set on that one.

Those crazy Millennials get away with everything.

Not sure what you're saying, Nanc. I know pyramid rents well and yes he is pulling your leg. I laughed but I also have a fuckd up sense o humor. Would have though his post "All because of Reese's and pretzels would have gave it away lol

Wait, are we talking about the Reese's dipped pretzels, or the peanut butter cups with the pretzel bits stashed inside?

^stashed inside. 

pretty good imo. 

what's up you liberal fucks. 

can everyone stop bringing up suicide in such a flippant manner? i know of zoners who have taken their own lives and would guess at least one of us has struggled mightily with mental health during the last year of COVID, and considered that option. it's fucked up to dishonor those people and goes against all that is sacred.  

everyone knows i fuck around a lot on here but even I won't go there...

I think ogkb meant the peanut butter cups with the pretzel bits stashed inside, Bss. I need to look for those.

Timpane, sometimes when people disclose something deeply personal, they suddenly feel vulnerable and then make a joke to try to cover up the vulnerability. That's how I'm reading this for now.

what we can't joke about murder suicide? 

my god. 

facetime lol. 

who's mad upset or disappointed? 

no dude. you can't. it crosses a line. 

Puddles crossed a line. Jeez

calm the fuck down, jr. 

lltd's post was serious. 

JR is spot on with this.

But on the old Zone shit like that was said all the time, and it's what made it great.

bunch of babies up in here. 

You fucked up and should own it, ogkb. You can't bullshit or bluster your way out of this one.

Try this, ogkb: "Hey, you blue maga fucks. I was torqued after work and maybe went a little too far for your bleeding heart sensitivities. Sorry if I offended your corporate master asses, and I'll tone it down."

mike 

are you wearing a diaper? 

is judit still racist or what? 

Dude, I have nothing else to say to you.

mayor pete typically isn't speechless. 

But you best not maker fun of his pizza, because that's crossing a mother fucking line!

^never said that  

sharing my location like what 6 did, which i never did, is kinda weird. 

what's else, bk? 

It's funny (and pathetic) to observe affluent Caucasian folk debating "Racism" as they call in stock options,  and have workers come to repair the Roof.

While I like Vietnamese Food  quite a lot,  Thai Food is another favorite.

Some of you Racist Honkies don't really understand that the Vast Majority of Asians hate each other.

Japanese hate the Koreans,  and they all hate China;  it goes back to "History" which is not taught in School anymore. If some of you people ever opened a Book instead of watching TV,  you would be more amusing / entertaining.

This is why him calling me the worst zoner is meaningless. 

Stu makes many, many assumptions about what people know and do.

And he's still lying and crying that I gave out his location. I still don't even know what his place is called even. Such a crybaby.

^nope. just stating facts, 6'er. 

i do think it's funny how that worst zoner comment really gets you. 

what a crybaby. 

I don't post assumptions here;  simple Facts.  Go speak with actual Asian people and ask why Koreans,  Chinese,  Japanese hate each other.

You could go read a Book,  but honestly that's much more difficult than a couple more Bong Hits.

I think it's hilarious the you keep accusing me of something I didn't do.

Copy and paste the exact post here where I named your business.

You can't do that because I never did that.

Whatever.

You're not worth the effort any longer.

Anyway I recall the months-ago thread where #6 OUTED the Pyramid Heat Pizzeria location somewhere in Burlington, VT.

Seems like a couple Pals drumming up business in slow times.  Of course I would go try a Pie if anything brought me to VT.

All advertising is Good Advertising -- like "Doctor Rooter" benefiting from the Nationwide ad campaign of "Roto - Rooter".

Stu - post it - post the post where I did that or I will consider you a liar too.

http://rooterheroscams.com/

Here's what I spoke of. 

Rooters gonna Root.

6er -- friend went to your shop. it sucked. 

6er -- pyramid has a shop, where. 

you're a joke. 

6 the post is there. you could've just asked. 

baby boy. 

vermont > = colorado

>>>;  it goes back to "History" which is not taught in School anymore

Actual bullshit.  

It suddenly smells like dog shit or burnt hair in this thread - maybe I stepped in something on the way in

I think I'll leave and change my shoes

^ Shit changes in 40 years believe it or not.

1980's Colorado and Vermont were both nice Quiet Ski states, CO more affluent with Vail and Aspen, blah-blah.

2020 they are both uptight places where the Wealthy bought up the good spots.

1940 WWII was going on,  but land was Cheap everywhere.  Lift tickets were not invented yet.

Yes children 

Yes

no post - it didn't happen

good day to you sir

can someone post that roll away the dew song or whatever its called?

haha ! 

6, it's ok man. i don't care. but you did. 

come by for some pies man. support local small business. 

It's a wonderful day for pie 

https://slicelife.com/restaurants/vt/waterbury/05676/zachary-s-pizza-hou...

Small, local, and Sysco ranch. Ha ha!

Couple good buddies of mine live in Waterbury 

you probably know them 

We have Zachary's Pizza in the East Bay, though I'm sure that everyone east of the Rockies would hate it.*

*Yes, I know that is a stereotype, but I've seen a lot of pizza threads in my time...

No vegan cheese?   Meh.

Yes not many vegan options. Not as progressive as I would have thought 

Zachary's Pizza in Wallingford, CT made a pretty good pie when I lived there many years ago, but Louie's had the good stuff. JLP might know what I'm talking about.

State of Mind Pizza (Los Altos and Palo Alto) makes a awesome pie - and vegan  cashew cheese option. Some dead inspired named  pies too

Mike is fishing around for another swf to awkwardly get ghosted by 

Cool junior admin, bro 

I am gonna go ahead and take advantage of this shitpost in an otherwise pathetic but also kinda hilarious (thanks to the underappreciated efforts of pyramid, among others) thread to post a link to one of my fav collabs that I wish I was at (obligatory I never saw jerry) 

I encourage unbelievers like 6er and a couple other unnamed heathens to take advantage of this opportunity (alan, I'm lookin at you bro) 

Enjoy! 

https://youtu.be/Ecla2CpNW1o

Mike, she's married btw bro 

Pumpkin dude 

I'm so sorry 

So sorry 

That wells run dry 

https://youtu.be/dOEYT0wZFNg

Vegan cheese>>>>
 

Lol. Just fuckin eat something else. Vegans are scary people

^You're probably wondering how they could be totin' guns and driving expensive cars...

Haha

Fish, are your buddies in Waterbury Vt or CT?

Vt

https://vivalazone.org/comment/268177#bottom

Here is thread for sixer.

Nm, they all live in middlebury not waterbury 

lol @ Racket

Slow day, dude?