I am considered white and from Louisiana, born and raised, Libertarian political affiliation. I am 38, married, one son, and all of us are Christian. I believe in live and let live. I dislike federal government anything (not because of Katrina). My only wish for the Federal government to do, is Foreign affairs/Trade and Military. I have more faith in state government as long as Bobby Jindal stays put.

Now my brother is considered white, and he is marrying a black girl. Who I must say is cute and very intelligent (going to college for RN). I have no problem with this except several different things. His best friend is black, and a redneck (no crap, listens to country, uses snuff, talks very well, with our southern accent). His girlfriend talks better than most English teachers/speakers very well dressed. My brother on the other hand, likes rap and the thug mentality, talks like most rappers and dresses like them.

I had sat down thinking of the marriage, and race. Then it accrued to me, what is race?

Color of skin? I am darker than most Mexicans with my French/Indian skin tone. And have been darker than some blacks during summer time. (NO, it can’t be that).

Color of my hair? Was jet black, but with age I am getting white hair, in a lot of different places. My brother’s is red, why I have no idea, something with someone in past generations. With the different combinations of past generations, we can be anything (with help from the local beautician). (NO, it can’t be that).

Is it speech? I talk very well, and have a big thing with people speaking the English language, they best do it good. (I get on my brothers butt about his). In my opinion if you can’t speak the language, learn. His best friend and girl friend both black, speak better than my brother. (NO, it can’t be that).

So what is race? Don’t we all belong to the Human race, with different settings?

Why is it important?

Why are people making a big deal about it?

I agree. Race is largely a BS term.
The problem stems from the fact that it has been used to justify conflict and inequity... thus manifesting itself in reality.
While race never needed to exist, once it became a real typology... it became near impossible to remove from our society.

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

Race is simply a genetic explanation for people who share regional characteristics. A black person is going to look, and have similar traits and characteristics, relatively speaking, to other black people. Race isn't a bad word. It is just a classification. It is only how the ignorant use it.

Race refers to the nation (not the state), or the people who you associate with, and with whom you share a common history, language, and ethnic background. In fact, most people today don't even have a race, they just have an ethnic background that comes from a race. The two are not the same.

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"Seek truth from facts"

--Deng Xiaoping

So you are a "coon a$$"?

Well if your from Louisiana you know this. North La is Redneck, south La is coon a$$. I lived in both parts so I guess I am a Reda$$....................

But boiled 60lbs of Crawfish this past Memorial Day, thats what brings us together, and plenty of beer, haha.

Every time I drive thru Louisiana. I have to stop at the Rice Palace on interstate 10 and get some Crawfish Etouffee!!

Any one that says race does not exist never left the United States.

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"True Freedom is the Freedom to oppress others"

Ideology: Self Preservation.

Race actually refers to ones heritage going back so many generations this is how a man can claim to be hispanic even if he was born and raised in the US. Race cannot be determined with skin color, hair color or natural features whatsoever but from ones lineage. Some colors were added to help in the determination of ones heritage like many blacks come from africa so when one says Black I think of mainly African descent and when one says white I think of mainly European or Asian descent.

There is not really anything important about race except for government programs targeted directly at those of certain lineages. I do not see the reason for the problem made out of it but some people are wierd and enjoy making race an issue. in fact of you looked in a microscope at the cells of a white, Black, or red man you would not be able to tell which was which we are all that close.

I actually was referring only to the US, just to clarify that.

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"Seek truth from facts"

--Deng Xiaoping