Now I'll be composing this blog from the perspective of a white, male, privileged, boomer. I just wanted to make sure I put that out there for clarity. I realize a lot of folks are identifying as whatever is politically expedient or socially accepted at the moment. Furthermore many are now apologizing for their actual identity, feeling somehow cheated by fate I guess. I don't know about all that but I know exactly what and who I am. Sure there are times when it would be advantageous to be something different, there are times when I wished I was something else, at least at that moment, and there are times when being me is hazardous. Still, at the end of the day I am what I am and that's exactly what I'm going to be. Now having established context I will continue with this mornings thought.
I am wondering why people use their race and religion almost as a weapon. What I mean is, why do they immediately go to the default, it's because I'm a minority, or it's because I'm Jewish or Muslim. That will be thrown at me because, and I can only assume this, because I'm a white, male, privileged, boomer. I'm supposed to immediately become contrite and apologize for what my ancestors may or may not have done. That includes owning slaves, killing Indians, and a host of other wrongs throughout the history of mankind. My last name being of German origins has led to me being called a Nazi. I'm not, nor where my ancestors having emigrated from Germany in 1856 long before Hitler was even a thought. Well, no matter I know who and what I am. I'm not sorry about that.
It just seems to me that those using their race and religion in that fashion must believe that entitles them to something. Surely they somehow believe it is an advantage to be used to advance their cause, whatever that is, and I don't know what that would be. It doesn't seem to make a difference to them what the cause is. Whenever they don't get what they want or expect, that's the default mode. Of course that default mode never applies to white, male, privileged, boomers. Those circumstances just prove guilt and justify blame. And yes, it is just a matter of circumstance which category you are born into. Oh and don't mention being a Christian as justification for anything or the Bible will be thrown in your face because you are not living like God! You have faults, namely, you are white, male, privileged, and a boomer. Strangely it doesn't seem to apply to the ladies though. Somehow they get a pass, well most of the time anyway.
This may sound like I am bitter or angry. I'm not. I'm just annoyed. I wonder why their religion, which many times I have no idea about, is thrown at me. I've be called an anti-Semite by people because of my last name. I don't know if they are Jewish or not, they don't know if I'm Jewish or not either. Yes, there are German Jews in case you have forgotten that. It's a religion that many races and ethnicities practice. As for race, that confuses me as well. It's almost as though these "minorities" resent the fact that they are a minority. It's a rather strange thing really. Globally white people, those usually associated with European nations and North America comprise less than 10% of the worlds population. That's right, white people are the real minority in all of this.
I am wondering why people use their race and religion almost as a weapon. What I mean is, why do they immediately go to the default, it's because I'm a minority, or it's because I'm Jewish or Muslim. That will be thrown at me because, and I can only assume this, because I'm a white, male, privileged, boomer. I'm supposed to immediately become contrite and apologize for what my ancestors may or may not have done. That includes owning slaves, killing Indians, and a host of other wrongs throughout the history of mankind. My last name being of German origins has led to me being called a Nazi. I'm not, nor where my ancestors having emigrated from Germany in 1856 long before Hitler was even a thought. Well, no matter I know who and what I am. I'm not sorry about that.
It just seems to me that those using their race and religion in that fashion must believe that entitles them to something. Surely they somehow believe it is an advantage to be used to advance their cause, whatever that is, and I don't know what that would be. It doesn't seem to make a difference to them what the cause is. Whenever they don't get what they want or expect, that's the default mode. Of course that default mode never applies to white, male, privileged, boomers. Those circumstances just prove guilt and justify blame. And yes, it is just a matter of circumstance which category you are born into. Oh and don't mention being a Christian as justification for anything or the Bible will be thrown in your face because you are not living like God! You have faults, namely, you are white, male, privileged, and a boomer. Strangely it doesn't seem to apply to the ladies though. Somehow they get a pass, well most of the time anyway.
This may sound like I am bitter or angry. I'm not. I'm just annoyed. I wonder why their religion, which many times I have no idea about, is thrown at me. I've be called an anti-Semite by people because of my last name. I don't know if they are Jewish or not, they don't know if I'm Jewish or not either. Yes, there are German Jews in case you have forgotten that. It's a religion that many races and ethnicities practice. As for race, that confuses me as well. It's almost as though these "minorities" resent the fact that they are a minority. It's a rather strange thing really. Globally white people, those usually associated with European nations and North America comprise less than 10% of the worlds population. That's right, white people are the real minority in all of this.
So why do the others identify themselves as minorities? Well the truth is, they don't. The "others" have been given that name by the white folks. I'm told, as a white, male, privileged, boomer that I am blind to all of that. I'm not blind at all, I can see quite clearly, thank you very much. I have known since early childhood that the people with the money, are the people with the power. Personal observation confirmed that over the years. It really doesn't make any difference what your skin tone is if you have enough money. If you are white you don't need quite as much, that can't be denied, but you still need a good amount to gain the support of other white people. It's a complex thing, family ties and money.
It shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone in America. Birds of a feather flock together and America was settled by white folks, (European descent) by other white folks that financed the whole deal. Yes, America was settled for financial reasons, not a yearning to be free. Later on we yearned to not pay taxes to the King and staged a bit of a revolt. Call it a family dispute but it was about wealth and the power that comes with that.
It's true that slaves were used for financial reasons. Slaves weren't chosen because they were black, they were "acquired" because they were being sold by other black folks for profit. It was easier to allow slavery when they didn't look like you and so that was a plus. Still, over time the white folks were becoming uncomfortable with that and began abolishing that practice very early on in America. Eventually the whole institution was abolished, but that didn't mean those former slaves would immediately gain wealth and power. Today less than 13% of the population are blacks. The Latinos are swiftly edging toward the majority in America. That is projected to happen in just twenty years from now. The white folks will be in the minority! Their wealth and power will remain for a far longer time and in that you can be certain.
The struggle will continue unchecked well into the future. In fact as long as there is mankind on the planet. Those with wealth and power doing whatever is necessary to hold onto that and those without attempting to take it away. Any and all means will be employed. Remember in the Declaration of Independence those colonists listed 27 separate grievances against the King. Number twenty seven: "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions."
It was the "red" man that was the threat to wealth and industry then. Later it was the threat of losing that precious slave labor, that started a civil war, and now it is the influx of illegal aliens that is endangering our economy. Make no mistake about that, that's the issue, everything else is just noise. And who is defending that influx? Those with a financial stake in the game that's who. The concern is retaining wealth and retaining power. That's the stuff wars are fought over. It is amazing though, less than 10% of the global population drives the global economy. Is it because of our skin tone? No, I'm thinking there is a lot more to it than that. Circumstances beyond our control? Now that is where religious beliefs enter the picture.
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