I just had a racist thought

[Alpo]

Now first, most people believe that racist is bad. You think that people of that race are lazy, and people of that race are stupid, and people of that race over there are all thieves.

 

But in reality, all racist is is thinking that somebody is THAT WAY because of their race. Doesn't necessarily have to be bad. Saying that Japanese kids are better at math is racist, because you're implying that they are not better because they study more but simply because they are Japanese. That's racist.

 

I just got back from taking the dog for a walk. It's 47°. And I know a lot of you were thinking hey summertime, but down here that's cold. I'm wearing long pants, a long sleeve shirt, a sherpa vest, a thermal jacket, and a hat. And I have gotten about a quarter of the way through our walk and I was wishing I had on gloves because my hands was awful dang cold.

 

So my racist thought.

 

I wondered if black people could withstand the cold better because their darker skin absorbs more heat from the sun.

 

I get about halfway around the block - only went around one block. It was a long block but still it was just one - and I see this lady come out of the house. Black lady. She's wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt. No coat, no hat. She just went down and got in her car, but still, shorts, short sleeve shirt, no coat no hat.

 

Maybe another third of the way around and I come upon this little girl riding a bicycle. She's five or six years old. Black girl. She's wearing shorts, flip-flops, and a sleeveless shirt. Not just short sleeve -sleeveless.

 

The dog's got a fur coat so she's okay. I'm bundled up and am freezing to death. I see two other people on my walk - both white. And both wearing lots of clothing.

 

And I see two black people that are dressed for the middle of June instead of the middle of January. Just made me wonder.

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

Acknowledging reality isn’t racism!! There are differences between races-some physical, some cultural, some mental, maybe.

I’ve known all my life that orientals were the smartest race: just a fact! I don’t get upset about it. But racial traits don’t define individuals. 
You still gotta make the most of yourself!

[Pat Riot]

They’re Yankees…No! Damn Yankees! ‘Cause they’re staying. 
 

Or so I heard here in the Saloon. 
 

EDIT: Thank you @Texas Joker 

Edited January 20 by Pat Riot

[Subdeacon Joe]

Different people, individuals, deal with heat and cold differently. 

 

Now, my ancestry is British Isles and Eastern European.  47°F and a short walk? Why bother to bundle up?  I usually do my grocery shopping early in the morning. A few weeks ago at 0545 it was 30°F.  Lightweight pants, sandals, sports shirt.   Car heats up quickly.   Walking into the overheated store takes a minute.  Why bundle up?  My brothers will throw on 4 layers of clothes for the same things. 

 

Maybe those people were from Mini-Soda or Wes-Kaan-sin and were used to cold.

[Rye Miles #13621]

1 hour ago, Tell Sackett SASS 18436 said:

Acknowledging reality isn’t racism!! There are differences between races-some physical, some cultural, some mental, maybe.

I’ve known all my life that orientals were the smartest race: just a fact! I don’t get upset about it. But racial traits don’t define individuals. 
You still gotta make the most of yourself!

I don’t think Orientals are smarter they just apply themselves and study hard. It’s more of a cultural thing. Their brains are the same as anyone’s.

[John Kloehr]

1 hour ago, Alpo said:

... And I see two black people that are dressed for the middle of June instead of the middle of January. Just made me wonder.

Hmm, I'm pretty white. At least I think I am. My fingers now start to go numb at 45 degrees, and this has been getting worse for the last decade. The doctor calls it Reynauds Phenomenon. But now you have me wondering if I may just be losing blackness as I get older...

Edited January 20 by John Kloehr

[Pat Riot]

It’s 9 degrees outside. I just went out and fed the little pigs (birds) and put out some corn for the deer in a tee shirt, sweats and slippers. 
Invigorating! 
 

You can’t thicken up your blood for winter by hiding indoors in the heat. 

[DocWard]

I would guess that it has little to do with race and much to do with where they are from as individuals. From an evolutionary perspective, lighter skin pigments likely developed as humans moved into the northern latitudes, and needed to absorb more sunlight for Vitamin D absorption. Generally speaking, the closer to the equator, the darker the skin. This melanin rich skin helped protect against skin cancer caused by sunlight. It tends to get colder at northern latitudes and stay warmer at tropical and equatorial latitudes.

 

I went to law school with a guy from Erie, PA, and another from Thibodaux, LA. Both relatively fair skin and light colored eyes. The guy from Erie would walk around in shorts and a tee when the guy from Thibodaux would be bundled up. Interesting note, after living in Ohio for a number of years, the latter guy moved back south. I called to see how the move went and how things were, he replied "It's damn hot down here!"

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I don’t think Orientals are smarter they just apply themselves and study hard. It’s more of a cultural thing. Their brains are the same as anyone’s.

There are so many of them, there’s the same percentage of exceptional ones but it’s still a lot.

[Rye Miles #13621]

5 minutes ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

There are so many of them, there’s the same percentage of exceptional ones but it’s still a lot.

They have strong families and they teach their kids respect and hard work. I have many piano tuning customers that are Asian and believe me them kids are forced to practice and study hard. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Pat Riot said:

You can’t thicken up your blood for winter by hiding indoors in the heat. 

 

From the movie "Becket," I think "To fight the cold you must use the cold's  own weapons.  Every morning wash yourself with cold water. "

Edited January 20 by Subdeacon Joe

[Trailrider #896]

It ain't race that determines how you tolerate the weather! It's an individual's body fat, and mental attitude. And maybe a bit of stupidity.  In Denver, we've been dealing with chill factors of -20F. Because of my recent hernia operation, my wife is having to walk one of the dogs when he insists on going out. She actually had to wear gloves today, which she never does! Just remember, frostbite can sneak up on you! So be careful.

 

As far as any particular "race" being smarter, cultural emphasis on studying makes a difference!  Parents who encourage their kids to buckle down and study will generally see the results.

 

I yield the soapbox! 

[John Kloehr]

15 minutes ago, Trailrider #896 said:

It ain't race that determines how you tolerate the weather! It's an individual's body fat, and mental attitude. And maybe a bit of stupidity.  In Denver, we've been dealing with chill factors of -20F. Because of my recent hernia operation, my wife is having to walk one of the dogs when he insists on going out. She actually had to wear gloves today, which she never does! Just remember, frostbite can sneak up on you! So be careful.

 

As far as any particular "race" being smarter, cultural emphasis on studying makes a difference!  Parents who encourage their kids to buckle down and study will generally see the results.

 

I yield the soapbox! 

Absolutely true. Culture is likely the primary factor. I will not rule out other factors nor can I accept determining any individual success or failure is due to genetics in general.

 

Frankly, there is no real consensus on what a race (people) is or even a breed (dogs). I studied Corydoras catfishes for a while when I kept a tropical tank. These fish were categorized morphologically (by appearance) but genetic testing showed many apparently close fish were further apart genetically than completely different fish previously classed as other species.

[Stump Water]

2 hours ago, John Kloehr said:

My fingers now start to go numb at 45 degrees, and this has been getting worse for the last decade. The doctor calls it Reynauds Phenomenon.

 

Or Reynaund's Syndrome.  I didn't know I had it or that was even a thing until I was 50 y/o.

 

I was called a p___ because I couldn't stay in the deer stand, motionless for hours.  Still hunting I was fine.

[John Kloehr]

10 minutes ago, Stump Water said:

 

Or Reynaund's Syndrome.  I didn't know I had it or that was even a thing until I was 50 y/o.

 

I was called a p___ because I couldn't stay in the deer stand, motionless for hours.  Still hunting I was fine.

Yeah... Apparently can lose fingers to gangrene, it can be serious.

 

Had a bunch of times I did not really think I had a problem, fingers would get cold, turn white, get a little numb. Finish whatever I was doing and they would warm up once I was back inside. About a decade ago when I moved to Portland Oregon (mistake), was building a dog house for my Husky and thought I got frostbite. It was snowing at the time. Took an immediate break to go thaw under hot running water. Got worse over time, and now strikes at higher (still cold) temperatures. Except for this problem, I still love the cold but can not enjoy it like I used to, I like having fingers.

 

Anyway, to get back on topic, wonder if it is genetic. There are two genes linked as probable risk factors but no clear mechanism.

 

Maybe we have a racist disease.

[Stump Water]

1 minute ago, John Kloehr said:

Maybe we have a racist disease.

 

No.  As you said, fingers turn white, then turn black and fall off.

[Texas Jack Black]

4 hours ago, Alpo said:

Now first, most people believe that racist is bad. You think that people of that race are lazy, and people of that race are stupid, and people of that race over there are all thieves.

 

But in reality, all racist is is thinking that somebody is THAT WAY because of their race. Doesn't necessarily have to be bad. Saying that Japanese kids are better at math is racist, because you're implying that they are not better because they study more but simply because they are Japanese. That's racist.

 

I just got back from taking the dog for a walk. It's 47°. And I know a lot of you were thinking hey summertime, but down here that's cold. I'm wearing long pants, a long sleeve shirt, a sherpa vest, a thermal jacket, and a hat. And I have gotten about a quarter of the way through our walk and I was wishing I had on gloves because my hands was awful dang cold.

 

So my racist thought.

 

I wondered if black people could withstand the cold better because their darker skin absorbs more heat from the sun.

 

I get about halfway around the block - only went around one block. It was a long block but still it was just one - and I see this lady come out of the house. Black lady. She's wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt. No coat, no hat. She just went down and got in her car, but still, shorts, short sleeve shirt, no coat no hat.

 

Maybe another third of the way around and I come upon this little girl riding a bicycle. She's five or six years old. Black girl. She's wearing shorts, flip-flops, and a sleeveless shirt. Not just short sleeve -sleeveless.

 

The dog's got a fur coat so she's okay. I'm bundled up and am freezing to death. I see two other people on my walk - both white. And both wearing lots of clothing.

 

And I see two black people that are dressed for the middle of June instead of the middle of January. Just made me wonder.

 I have no idea .I do know that there is only one race, the human race.

 

[Blackwater 53393]

I generally flourish in cold weather! I have to remind myself to warm up periodically because I don’t feel the cold the way most people do.

 

If I’m not going to be out in really frigid weather for more than a few minutes, I’ll make sure I have shoes on.

 

I keep a jacket and blankets in the car in case I have to be out and it’s really cold.  If I take Ol’ Green out, I’ll take a coat and some overalls with me when it’s cold. I have good gloves and a stocking cap too. Just because I don’t respond to cold the way most people do doesn’t mean it won’t freeze my butt just like anyone else!!

 

EDIT:  Almost anything you can say can probably be considered racist by somebody!!

 

 

 

Edited January 21 by Blackwater 53393

[watab kid]

ive been a racist all my life for believing black people sing the best gospel music ? so be it , i think they are the best 

[Alpo]

4 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

From the movie "Becket," I think "To fight the cold you must use the cold's  own weapons.  Every morning wash yourself with cold water. "

Many years back. Was reading an article written in the late 1800s. The man said that the Blackfeet Indians of this one Village (interesting. otto does not think I should capitalize blackfeet, but Village should be) would every morning get up and go bathe in the river. Winter or summer, did not matter. Every day. And he had seen them, naked to the waist, blood up to their elbows, cleaning game, when it was so cold he could not stand to take his mitts off.

 

I guess it's what you're used to.

[Dantankerous]

Whenever Senator Elizabeth Warren doesn't want to be cold she just identifies as an Eskimo.

 

😄

[Pat Riot]

12 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

EDIT:  Almost anything you can say can probably be considered racist by somebody!!

Yep! Or insensitive. 
 

I worked 33 years in light rail and commuter rail fleet maintenance and operations in cities. City people are a weird bunch. Over sensitive, over educated - in some cases and under educated - in some cases. Overall, a majority have “sensitivities” I am sure are brought about by closeness and trying to find their individuality to stand out from others. 
They annoyed the living $#%& out of me, but I persevered and did my job all the while always keeping in mind that my opinions and perceptions are not in the majority consensus. 
I learned very early on that allowing “them” to manipulate your own mind is dangerous to your own psyche. I chose to learn from them but maintain my own identity. BUT, when it came right down to it, all people are people that have more in common than they know. They just need to get to know each other and respect that everyone is different even if they have a common appearance. No one can be me. I cannot be you or anyone else. Painting everyone else with your brush of experience and identity is like mixing oil and water based paint. It doesn’t work, so don’t do it. Be you and let others be themselves. Just be courteous and life will go smoothly. Courteous until it’s time to not be, but this discussion isn’t about that. 
 

 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Is it “racism” if it’s only a nationality. For example if I say xxxxxians are pigheaded. But xxxxxians are caucasians just like a whole bunch of others.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

5 hours ago, Pat Riot said:

Be you and let others be themselves. Just be courteous and life will go smoothly.

That's got to be the smartest thing you've ever posted here. (You tell anybody I said that and I'll deny it). And if everybody would do so, the world would be a much better place. Unfortunately too many don't people do that. They either want to tell others what to think, do, and say, or they simply look for a reason to be offended so that they have something to complain about. 

Edited January 21 by Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

Fellow at work brought the lunchroom to a fast, shocked silence by admitting in conversation he'd been a racist.

He allowed as he bought a car with a big engine.

He said he racist that thing up the road just as hard as it would to and then he racist that car back down the road hard as it would go and he said after he turned around and started north again this-yere PO-lees come in behind him and all of a sudden bein' a racist got way too expensive for his pocketbook, so he sold that car with a big engine and he didn't racist that thang no more!

[Finagler 6853 Life]

Let's see.  All of my grandparents came from Norge.  Norway to the rest of you.  Parts of Norway aren't as cold as one would thing.  Southern Norway has the warm sea currents that keep the coastal areas warm - er.   My dumbass fore bearers came from northern central Norway where they have loads of snow and fjords.  They then proceeded to emigrate to Wisconsin.  Land of opportunity (yeah, right), more snow and more cold.  Were their ancestors Vikings that pillaged, plundered and sailed the ocean blue?  Don't know for sure.  I can track them back to the early parts of the 13th century but it doesn't tell me what they did.  So does any of this make me better at withstanding the cold and snow?  I don't think so.  This morning it was -21 degrees when I left the house.  Last night when it was around -12, I had to take a ride on my tractor to go down to my hunting cabin and retrieve my propane heater so I could get it into a Bilco door area to keep the pipes from freezing.  I was dressed for the trip but it was still cold.  I dress for comfort, not for style.  I looked like Bib the Michelin man but it was still cold.  The trip was worse one direction because I had to go into the wind.  Pardon my language but that was fudging cold.  Really cold.  Except for the small area between my hat and the scarf covering my face, it was cold.  The rest of me was comfortable.

I know Mr. Reynaud pretty well.  My dad had it pretty bad, especially after his chemo treatments.  It is an auto-immune syndrome.  I can feel it from time to time.  My fingers feel cold typing this and I shouldn't.  It is warm in this room.  The combination of Renaud's coming to find me and having  gotten frostbite when I was a kid does not help my situation.  Old age does not work in my favor either.

 

All of this leads up to my contention of my wife being a racist.  She says that all people of Norwegian decent are thick headed blockheads.  She describes me and my male relatives as being as dense and thick headed as the day is long.  This is coming from a woman who is half GERMAN, one quarter English and one quarter NORWEGIAN!  It's the pot calling the kettle black. Oh wait, was that racist?

 

Regarding the human race, I take the same approach as Linus VanPelt.  I love mankind.  It's people I can't stand.

 

Hang in there Alpo.  Around July you'll be back in shorts.

[Rye Miles #13621]

44 minutes ago, Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 said:

Fellow at work brought the lunchroom to a fast, shocked silence by admitting in conversation he'd been a racist.

He allowed as he bought a car with a big engine.

He said he racist that thing up the road just as hard as it would to and then he racist that car back down the road hard as it would go and he said after he turned around and started north again this-yere PO-lees come in behind him and all of a sudden bein' a racist got way too expensive for his pocketbook, so he sold that car with a big engine and he didn't racist that thang no more!

I see what you did there! Clever🤠

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

In all my years working with mostly guys (we'll not talk about my years as a nurse) that is probably the mildest and least offensive story I heard!

[Alpo]

17 minutes ago, Finagler 6853 Life said:

Hang in there Alpo.  Around July you'll be back in shorts

July? I was in shorts last week. Then somebody up there in Yankee-land left their damn door open and it got cold down here.

 

I just wish whichever one of you done it would shut the door.

[Gracos Kid]

20 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I don’t think Orientals are smarter they just apply themselves and study hard. It’s more of a cultural thing. Their brains are the same as anyone’s.

My daughter won the Georgia Classical Piano Competition a few years ago.   There was an Oriental young girl also competing, and because she didn't win the competition her father was irate and extremely agitated with her in my presence.  He reportedly had forced her to practice daily for two hours before she went to school, and then many more hours each evening before bed.  The fact that she earned second place in his mind was a complete failure.   Felt very sorry for the young girl.......who performed a brilliant memorized piece in my opinion......

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

49 minutes ago, Gracos Kid said:

My daughter won the Georgia Classical Piano Competition a few years ago.   There was an Oriental young girl also competing, and because she didn't win the competition her father was irate and extremely agitated with her in my presence.  He reportedly had forced her to practice daily for two hours before she went to school, and then many more hours each evening before bed.  The fact that she earned second place in his mind was a complete failure.   Felt very sorry for the young girl.......who performed a brilliant memorized piece in my opinion......

 

 

  ..... a "dance mom" piano dad .......... 🤐

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

I seen a buncha racists t'other day an' they was all on horseback, they called 'emselfs "jockeys"  🤔

[watab kid]

10 hours ago, Alpo said:

July? I was in shorts last week. Then somebody up there in Yankee-land left their damn door open and it got cold down here.

 

I just wish whichever one of you done it would shut the door.

mine was shut but -24f last nigh had the tendency to infiltrate , sorry 

[Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129]

Alpo;

Ya is Missing the point,,, Ya is old ,,, and Old folks don't handle the cold as well as Younger folk ...

 

But yes folks that live in Northern Climes do cold better than those from the South...

 

Jabez Cowboy 

[Subdeacon Joe]

15 hours ago, Pat Riot said:

Over sensitive, over educated - in some cases and under educated - in some cases.

 

 

All too often the "over educated " are "under intelligent."