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#11
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I didn't say that most caucasians object... I said that the only people
who seem to object tend to be caucasian. Obviously, most caucasians *don't* object, or there would be a deluge of objections. I think that most people don't care, if it doesn't address their interests. The group doesn't exclude caucasians... you may have misread the OP's invitation. The charter specifically addresses multiracial and minority moms, *and* moms raising multiracial and minority children, some of whom are likely to be caucasian with a minority or mixed-race partner or ex. The group was formed for those who do feel they have issues to discuss that are specific to being mixed-race or a racial minority. If there aren't any such issues, the group will fail. If a group were formed that was chartered to deal with the unique issues of parents of Caucasian children, I don't think I would care. Or join. Why would I? It's just a Yahoo group. There may well be special issues that parents of caucasian children would want to address without boring the pants off of everyone else, especially if most of the forums available were populated with non-caucasian people. Maybe problems like keeping very fair-skinned children adequately protected from sun, dealing with fine straight hair that tangles easily, how to handle it when your kid is learning things about WWII at school that you fear may damage their self-esteem because your family is from Germany, and you want some sensitive tips on how to discuss it... I don't know. It makes it easier to have a meaningful discussion about special issues like that when you get a collection of folks who, themselves, have similar questions. In a big group with a lot of other stuff to talk about, sometimes those special-needs questions just get lost. -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay toto wrote: On Wed, 03 Nov 2004 18:45:43 -0800, Kalera Stratton wrote: I've noticed that minority and biracial people tend to think there's a use for such groups, while the only people who have objections to them tend to be caucasian. I don't think most caucasians object to such groups. Would you take offense to a group that excluded blacks? If you would, then why not object to a group that excludes caucasians? Btw, I don't take offense to multicultural groups. In fact, I think that it helps to be *among* your own sometimes. I just do not believe that parenting issues are different as we are all human. -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits |
#12
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In article , Kalera Stratton says...
I didn't say that most caucasians object... I said that the only people who seem to object tend to be caucasian. Obviously, most caucasians *don't* object, or there would be a deluge of objections. I think that most people don't care, if it doesn't address their interests. People don't necessarily voice their objections. I almost didn't post about it because it seemed such a 'small' proposal, and looking at the group, it isn't exactly taking off. If it were more visible trend, yes indeed there would be objections. The group doesn't exclude caucasians... you may have misread the OP's invitation. The charter specifically addresses multiracial and minority moms, *and* moms raising multiracial and minority children, some of whom are likely to be caucasian with a minority or mixed-race partner or ex. Which is still exclusionary. How would you feel about a group that allowed moms of any social economic class, with the exception of African American moms, who would be allowed only if they had incomes above $100,000?? I don't think "hey look Black mothers are allowed" would fly - do you? The group was formed for those who do feel they have issues to discuss that are specific to being mixed-race or a racial minority. If there aren't any such issues, the group will fail. If a group were formed that was chartered to deal with the unique issues of parents of Caucasian children, I don't think I would care. Or join. Why would I? It's just a Yahoo group. There may well be special issues that parents of caucasian children would want to address without boring the pants off of everyone else, especially if most of the forums available were populated with non-caucasian people. Maybe problems like keeping very fair-skinned children adequately protected from sun, dealing with fine straight hair that tangles easily, how to handle it when your kid is learning things about WWII at school that you fear may damage their self-esteem because your family is from Germany, and you want some sensitive tips on how to discuss it... I don't know. It makes it easier to have a meaningful discussion about special issues like that when you get a collection of folks who, themselves, have similar questions. In a big group with a lot of other stuff to talk about, sometimes those special-needs questions just get lost. I don't think you understand the objection. This isn't a special group for moms with specific interests and background. It's a broad group which defines itself *only* by the *exclusion* of a group. That's quite different. Or do you really think that East Asian, Native American, and sub-continent Indian moms are all the same, and really benefit from a conversation specifically excluding "Caucaisian" moms? Besides, if you would be so enlightened, the racial terms "Caucasian", "Negro", etc., have been debunked - racial characterization is much more complex, and is in many ways irrelevant. It strikes me odd (or maybe not so odd - just not as "progressive" as you seem to think of such a group) that the organizer of this group uses one of the old racial classification terms. And what on earth does she mean by "Caucasian" anyway? If an Armenian mom expressed interest in joining, would she say "no"? How about an Arab mom, a Turkish mom? They're "Caucasian" by the old classifiction. Banty -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay toto wrote: On Wed, 03 Nov 2004 18:45:43 -0800, Kalera Stratton wrote: I've noticed that minority and biracial people tend to think there's a use for such groups, while the only people who have objections to them tend to be caucasian. I don't think most caucasians object to such groups. Would you take offense to a group that excluded blacks? If you would, then why not object to a group that excludes caucasians? Btw, I don't take offense to multicultural groups. In fact, I think that it helps to be *among* your own sometimes. I just do not believe that parenting issues are different as we are all human. -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits |
#13
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"Kalera Stratton" wrote in message ... I didn't say that most caucasians object... I said that the only people who seem to object tend to be caucasian. But I object and I'm not Caucasian. If a group were formed that was chartered to deal with the unique issues of parents of Caucasian children, I don't think I would care. Or join. Why would I? It's just a Yahoo group. There may well be special issues that parents of caucasian children would want to address without boring the pants off of everyone else, especially if most of the forums available were populated with non-caucasian people. Maybe problems like keeping very fair-skinned children adequately protected from sun, dealing with fine straight hair that tangles easily, how to handle it when your kid is learning things about WWII at school that you fear may damage their self-esteem because your family is from Germany, and you want some sensitive tips on how to discuss it... I don't know. It makes it easier to have a meaningful discussion about special issues like that when you get a collection of folks who, themselves, have similar questions. In a big group with a lot of other stuff to talk about, sometimes those special-needs questions just get lost. Banty said what I was thinking. There is a difference between inviting everyone with a specific interest and excluding one specific group. |
#14
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toypup wrote: But I object and I'm not Caucasian. I try to temper my statements with "seem" and "tend", because I'm not keen on making absolute statements. Banty said what I was thinking. There is a difference between inviting everyone with a specific interest and excluding one specific group. I just assumed the OP worded it a bit clumsily... what I thought she was proposing was a group for moms of ethnically/racially mixed and minority children, and responded as such. You can't have a group for minority races that doesn't exclude just one race... whatever the majority happens to be. (Or maybe a couple, if the majority is shared.) I know of a forum that existed to discuss the experience of being a non-Vietnamese living and working in Vietnam... that group specifically excluded the Vietnamese. -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay |
#15
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"Kalera Stratton" wrote in message ... toypup wrote: But I object and I'm not Caucasian. I try to temper my statements with "seem" and "tend", because I'm not keen on making absolute statements. Banty said what I was thinking. There is a difference between inviting everyone with a specific interest and excluding one specific group. I just assumed the OP worded it a bit clumsily... what I thought she was proposing was a group for moms of ethnically/racially mixed and minority children, and responded as such. Actually, she didn't mention minority at all. Nor did she mention any geographic boundaries. Asian mothers in China, Black mothers in Africa, Latino mothers from Latin America were all included. She just didn't want Caucasian moms, even if they were the minority in there particular geographic area. And worldwide, Caucasians are the minority. I have friends with white children in their public school who are very much the minority in their school. But from the OP, I'm pretty sure that wasn't what she had in mind. |
#16
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"Kalera Stratton" wrote in message ... toypup wrote: Banty said what I was thinking. There is a difference between inviting everyone with a specific interest and excluding one specific group. I just assumed the OP worded it a bit clumsily... what I thought she was proposing was a group for moms of ethnically/racially mixed and minority children, and responded as such. You can't have a group for minority races that doesn't exclude just one race... whatever the majority happens to be. Caucasians are a minority in many parts of the world. The OP did not specify what part of the world Asians, Blacks, etc., had to be from. The Asians could be from Vietnam, where there are not many Caucasians at all. (Or maybe a couple, if the majority is shared.) I know of a forum that existed to discuss the experience of being a non-Vietnamese living and working in Vietnam... that group specifically excluded the Vietnamese. A group can be inclusive without being exclusive. There are many groups that are exclusive. Just because they exist doesn't make it right. Probably no Vietnamese person would want to join a group discussing life as a non-Vietnamese working in Vietnam, because there might not be much that person could identify with or contribute. However, if a Vietnamese person had friends in the group and wanted to hang out and be part of that group, I would be offended if that person was excluded. |
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