Discrimination

[theculturewarrior]

I think it would be interesting to share such stories. Tell me about times you have been discriminated againt. I want to listen.

Racism is a particularly virulent form of discrimination, but it is not the only one. They say that anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice. I would add to that, prejudice against southern and rural people. That is not to say that simply because racism is unacceptable today, that it is not a problem.

Where I live, I am a minority, though I am white. It hasn't been terribly difficult, like for Indians in S. Africa. But I have heard some rude comments, and I have been treated differently. However, I refuse to blame an entire race for the behavior of a few people.

I have also been treated differently by caucasians, because I have a southern accent.

Of course, I do not present this thread as a forum for self pity. But I think it offers a great opportunity for good ole Catholic unity. These things divide the secular world. But we know that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. I think every body here has probably been discrimated against, in some way or another.

[kdewolf2]

[quote]I think every body here has probably been discrimated against, in some way or another. [/quote]

I've heard some rude comments, but I've never actually been discriminated against in any meaningful sense (i.e. denied employment, housing, etc.). I've heard rude comments my whole life, having to do with the way I dress, the way I talk, the color of my skin, the faith I profess, the car I drive, the neighborhood I live in, etc., etc., etc...What difference does it make? Most people are extremely smug, self-satisfied, and prejudiced. They will mock, criticize, and put down others for the most trivial of differences. But as long as you are not physically assaulted or denied any of your basic needs, what difference does it make? What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

[quote]However, I refuse to blame an entire race for the behavior of a few people.[/quote]

Noble sentiment, no doubt. However, if you find that members of certain groups are, on the whole, inclined to behave in ways that you find offensive or insulting, wouldn't you be inclined to shy away from such people (in effect, discriminating against them)?

[BeenaBobba]

I'm a white Catholic girl. Once, I was in one of the Catholic chat rooms at Yahoo, and I was arguing against this anti-Catholic woman who supported abortion. She said, I think, that she worked at Planned Parenthood. Well, I usually ask pro-"choicers" if they see anything wrong with what Hitler did, as he denied personhood to a whole group of people -- just as pro-"choicers" do to the preborn. She said that she didn't see anything wrong with what Hitler did. I was shocked. That was [i]not[/i] what I expected to hear. Not only that, but she noticed that my last name is Benjamin, since it's part of my Yahoo screen name. I'm not aware of any Jewish roots in my family (although I [i]might[/i] have some that I'm not yet aware of), but Benjamin [i]can[/i] be a Jewish name. She then proceeded to call me a "kyke," which is a derogatory term for Jews. When I told her that I'm not personally Jewish, but that I love Jewish people and wouldn't stand for her spewing such virulently hateful things, she called me a "kyke lover." I then stopped talking to her in the chat room, as it's a waste of time talking to people who act like that.

God bless,

Jennifer

[Phazzan]

Anyone gives you grief you just send em my way beena. :angry:

[theculturewarrior]

[quote]What difference does it make?[/quote]

Well, while thinking that it certainly must make a difference....I don't know! I guess the purpose of this thread is to share, not necessarily to ponder why, unless it please the PMer posting.

I think it does make a difference when you are discriminated against by other Catholics, although what difference I do not hope to answer.

As I have said, people will discriminate against you for anything, but in most cases (perhaps every case) it is because of some unique feature that God has blessed you with. It is because of the way God made you. Allow me to ask a question...

Do you suppose that when someone is discriminated against, they are suffering persecution for the sake of the Kingdom? If God made you a certain way, and somebody despises you for the way God made you, isn't that persecution for God's sake? For the Kingdom's sake?

(As the coffee lady would say, talk amongst yourselves).

[theculturewarrior]

bump.

[MorphRC]

I got teased by Italians with most of my mates since we werent 'Bolt Killa {W-Word} -they use'. Which is kinda stupid since some of them are guest in MY country.

Anyways, i took care of it.

[MorphRC]

guests*

[RandomProddy]

I'm a white english public schoolboy so I'm guilty for most of the sins of my country

[MorphRC]

yep. sad world.

[MichaelFilo]

I am a natural born Iraqi. So lets see. I've been teased most of my life for being from Iraq (esp. post 9-11, although I can't say I'm without blame). Terrorist to camel Jockey and everything inbetween is what I've been called. However, it hasn't been until I found out my calling in life is to become a priest that a new wave of anti-Michaelism(Can I call it that? ) has surged. From Child-rapist to Mary Worshipper and everything in between. Personally, these are just words. The person who I feel really sorry is for my dad who gets mis-treated...

God bless,

Mikey

[MorphRC]

Lol. From one xtreme to another. Geez im glad God loves human beings, coz I despise em

[socalscout]

Announcing that I am Catholic does not meet with applause. I had a girlfriend who asked my religion (Don't ask me why it never came up before because I don't know) and when I told her she said in a very discouraging tone. "Oh you are Catholic". Our relationship did not go much further.

Sorry to hear about the real discrimination experienced by some on this board.

[VeraMaria]

I am used to it, lol.

Every country I've lived in (Chile, Germany, Mexico, here), I've been a foreigner. But, I'm sad to say, it's never been as vicious as here in the US. Kind of ironic, considering how America is basically a nation of foreigners. But yeah. Not saying the Pledge of Allegiance (I mean hello, I'm not going to say it if I'm not American), not having an American flag on our car, preferring to speak Spanish (Especially in Miami it's idiotic to discriminate against someone for that..."they should speak English if they live in the US" Sheesh) is enough for dirty looks, being called "filth", and being told to go back to where I came from.

Although I don't know whether to call it discrimination, I have been treated differently for being Catholic at my school.

*rambles on and on...*

OK, I'm going to stop now. I'll spare you, lol. I am talkative today.

Oh, last but not least, I've been discriminated against for being a blonde

Edited August 14, 2004 by VeraMaria

[picchick]

I was discriminated against when I went to school. I was a heavy set girl so people didn't want to pick me on teams. Everyone hated me. It hurt.

Once I shared a locker with one of the "cooler" kids. She was being quizzed by one of her friends about people who she thought were o.k., cool, or stupid.

Conversation,
"So what about Kristen?"
"Oh, she alright. She's cool."
"What about Jessica."
"Yeah, she's o.k."
I was right behind her at this point. She didn't know I was there.
"What about Margaret?" That girl knew I was there
"Margaret? Well, not reall.... (she turns around) Oh, I like her. She's good."

Yeah, ok. Whatever.