Racial prejudice and hatred...

[Cmonster]

Personally, I've never thought there was any conceivable thought more absurd than judging someone by the color of their skin. Racism has always been a pet peeve of mine that goes all the way back to my childhood... As far back as I can remember, I've had friends of all races, colors and creeds. My opinions of them were and always will be based on who they are as people and what's in their hearts.

Today, for the first time in my adult life, I was outwardly discriminated against because of my skin color. Believe me, it took every ounce of self control I could muster, not to beat this person within an inch of his life. I mean, this wasn't some drunk moron calling me a _____ or a _____ at a Taco Bell... This was a professional situation in which I actually heard somebody (who didn't know I was right outside room), say; "That ______ing _______ will never show his movie here..."

Wow. Just... WOW.

I honestly don't really know what to say or do right now... Wow.

SC

[huedell]

Well, not that it makes ya feel any better, but there are people who are miserable with their own lives and it seeps out in instances lke this...
IMHO you're lucky you overheard this because now you know they are
a lost cause...you can't win them over because it's like battling a wall,
as these people NEED to lash out at you because of some insecurity
THEY have... IMHO Sandy, time to move on and work with people who
have WORK on their mind, and not their own irrational problem venting
on their mind.

[Mikey]

Wow. Just... WOW.



That's the first thing I thought after reading this too.

[Meule]

Yeah, I'm kinda speechless too :shocked2:

[alex]

That is shocking, how well did U know the person?

[mego73]

It's shocking because that while I never gave anyone's race much thought, Sandy appears Caucasian to me.

So not only is this guy a racist, he is a racist that works in shades of skin color.

[toys2cool]

sorry to hear that bro, but I'm glad you didn't beat his *** even though he deserved it... not worth the trouble and his punk *** would probably deny it..it really does suck but this happens 24/7 all over the world

[AAAAA]

I was called a Raciest By a Man i wanted to make my business Partner.
I wanted his computer skills.

[HardyGirl]

That just sucks. I hate racism. :enraged: Like it's my fault I was born black. If you wanna call me out for something I did, that's one thing, but to call me out on something I don't have any control is ridiculous.

[johnmiic]

Sandy, you're not Caucasian? If so how did this guy know about it?

[kennermike]

man Sandy sorry to hear this and out of all places LA.I never had any type of trouble like that when I was living their but things have changed alot in that town glad I left.All I can say screw the guy and I give you high respect for being more professional then I would have been I would have went insane on the person

[huedell]

So not only is this guy a racist, he is a racist that works in shades of skin color.
Well, that's quite common, WITHIN races... but from one race to another...
not so common.


It's shocking because that while I never gave anyone's race much thought, Sandy appears Caucasian to me.
---------------------

Sandy, you're not Caucasian? If so how did this guy know about it?

I didn't even wanna go there, for all we knew/know the perp
was racist against white people.

[huedell]

man Sandy sorry to hear this and out of all places LA.I never had any type of trouble like that when I was living their but things have changed alot in that town.
I find it hard to believe things have gotten MORE racist in L.A..
I can't even wrap my brain around how that's even possible.

I might concur with the attitude that racism has stayed the same...
people just hide it better. (Saw that in some movie I can't recall)

[fallensaviour]

I hate people that think in terms of color it swings all kinda directions.
I'm of Sicilian and native ancestry on my dads side and English and Scottish on my moms.I'm not white,brown or red more of an olive color...LOL
In school I wasn't white enough for the white kids or dark enough for the others.
I have friends of all colors,genders and sexual orientation I judge by the character of the individual.

I'm sorry that happened to you Sandy it's disgusting!!!
I would have smashed his face in!!!

[jimsmegos]

I'm always amazed at racism in today's society. But I know it will always be a part of it. Personally I judge people on an individual, one on one basis. Period.

As for you Sandy, you are a hero of mine regardless of what your "ethnic background" may be. Honestly I couldn't have pigeon holed you in any particular category. I just figured you were just like the rest of us... human mutts. Then again I did think there might have been a bit of "aquatic predator" in your blood line somewhere.

At the end of it all I hate that this happened to you. You are a remarkably talented, artist, filmmaker, sculptor, writer... the list goes on and on. And while I know this will get censored (it rhymes with "hiss on that stick" by the way) but **** on that Prick!

Perhaps he'll get hit by the Partridge Family bus. Nothing better than a little multi-colored poetic justice.

[Cmonster]

Sandy, you're not Caucasian? If so how did this guy know about it?
I figured this would come up, so I'll explain even though it really doesn't matter. My father is Sicilian and my mother was from Spain. I'm not really exactly sure what to "officially" classify myself as color-wise, but I've always thought of myself as someone who definitely isn't white. My skin is not white by any stretch of the imagination. It's more of an olive/golden brown color. The racial slurs that this person called me were Hispanic in nature... Again, not that it matters. Racism is racism.

SC

[Mikey]

My father is Sicilian and my mother was from Spain. I'm not really exactly sure what to "officially" classify myself as color-wise, but I've always thought of myself as someone who definitely isn't white.
SC

Back in the 70's (I think) the US census bureau tried to sneak in a new catagory for race called "white ethnic"

It mostly covered Eastern and Southern Europeans,

That didn't last very long.

So no matter what color your skin is Sandy, the US gov calls you white.

Not that it matters ... just wanted to throw out some trivia :)

[toys2cool]

I figured this would come up, so I'll explain even though it really doesn't matter. My father is Sicilian and my mother was from Spain. I'm not really exactly sure what to "officially" classify myself as color-wise, but I've always thought of myself as someone who definitely isn't white. My skin is not white by any stretch of the imagination. It's more of an olive/golden brown color. The racial slurs that this person called me were Hispanic in nature... Again, not that it matters. Racism is racism.

SC

i know it doesn't matter but I thought you were Hispanic, I thought maybe Puerto Rican or something, I also have family from Spain :grin: but don't sweat it bro, I'm sure it won't be your last time hearing something like that...

[babycyclops]

Screw the racists.
Comments like that are all about exclusion. Sandy, you are a vibrant and creative person, who contributes to the world around you. This person sounds like a twerp, with nothing to contribute, and whose only power comes from deciding who is in, and who is out.

[Cmonster]

This person sounds like a twerp, with nothing to contribute, and whose only power comes from deciding who is in, and who is out.
Wow. You know something, Kosta... For someone literally a half a world away from the problem, you seem to have hit the nail on the head pretty perfectly I would say. :yeah:

SC

[babycyclops]

Wow. You know something, Kosta... For someone literally a half a world away from the problem, you seem to have hit the nail on the head pretty perfectly I would say. :yeah:

SC

Unfortunately, I know the type, bro.
Suckers like that don't deserve to be associated with you. :cool_y:

[jessica]

It's tough when you have to go through something like that. The best you can do is walk away. It's rougher and sadder if it's from your own family.

[SUP-Ronin]

Ignorance is everywhere and affects everyone - sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. Today you were affected directly. The best thing you can do is take the high road. The next best thing you could do was immediately walk into the room and thank him for clarifying what a crappy bunch of people they are, and now you know you don't have to waste anymore of your time dealing with them. Since the comment wasn't meant for your ears, it probably would have at least made him feel like an idiot. If not, they weren't worth your time in anyway.

[callistofreak]

Folks,
we don't see it here because were all friends, and collectors.
But, I'm a truck driver.
And all you have to do is turn on the CB radio, and you will hear that racism is alive and well...
This is why I never turn it on.

[kingdom warrior]

Sorry to hear this Sandy that's awful, but you know the Biz how some Awipes can be. Sadly racism has gone more underground where people do things behind your back not in your face.

Been down that road professionally as well I'm light skinned with thin fine hair.

so most people when they don't know me don't know where I'm from until they see my last name Rodriguez

then it's Oh I didn't know you were spanish? you don't sound spanish? Grrrrrr!

[Hector]

Sorry about that Sandy. Where was your baseball at the time? :smiley1:

Although I have also experienced similar stuff...I brush it off kinda effectively...because I myself have a superiority-complex...I see myself as a God...and most people as amoebas...lol.

Seriously though...we all crap the same crap...that's why the whole thing is so silly to me.

[johnmiic]

I figured this would come up, so I'll explain even though it really doesn't matter. My father is Sicilian and my mother was from Spain...The racial slurs that this person called me were Hispanic in nature... Again, not that it matters. Racism is racism.

SC

True. Thank You for sharing that with us. From your pics you looked white to me and your last name sounded Italian. Thing is if you're American, you're American. I don't see the problem people would have. (And here I thought you were perhaps Atlantean due to your diving skills).

[SUP-Ronin]

I've met people form all over the world and I have yet to encounter a race which doesn't have its lions share of idiots, morons, and ignorant buffoons.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Hard to fathom that with all of the 21st century changes in society and the fact that we can all communicate with each other whenever we want, that racism can continue to perpetuate.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I also hate discrimination. In fact, I used to teach anti-discrimination in corporate environments. It is quite a challenge to get people to reach in and recognise and try to change what is often deeply ingrained in their belief system.

Anyway, it disgusts me and I am sorry that happened to you Sandy.

[fallensaviour]

I figured this would come up, so I'll explain even though it really doesn't matter. My father is Sicilian and my mother was from Spain. I'm not really exactly sure what to "officially" classify myself as color-wise, but I've always thought of myself as someone who definitely isn't white. My skin is not white by any stretch of the imagination. It's more of an olive/golden brown color. The racial slurs that this person called me were Hispanic in nature... Again, not that it matters. Racism is racism.

SC


Brother!!!!

Did you read my previous post...LOL
I'm also of a sicilian background... :grin:
I have olive/golden flesh...LOL classic

Our family name from sicily is Gilambardo.
Geez I knew I liked you for some reason. :wink_y:

[Cmonster]

Brother!!!!

Did you read my previous post...LOL
I'm also of a sicilian background... :grin:
I have olive/golden flesh...LOL classic

Our family name from sicily is Gilambardo.
Geez I knew I liked you for some reason. :wink_y:
Tutto bene, paisano... ; )

SC

[torgospizza]

The thing is, Sandy, when it comes to what you are, you're a sharp, talented guy that makes awesome films. That's what matters. Also--and this is my personal opinion--when it comes to business, the only color that matters is green. "Is this person going to help us make money?" Not that what I'm saying is fresh--everyone here knows how it should be; this one dude is just an ******, but people often rise to a level inversely proportional to their value. In coarser terms, 5#!+ floats.

[fallensaviour]

Razzismo,temo che non si possa aggiustare dentro il ignorante.

Perhaps you should ask him to go fishing,paisano...
I probably have enough concrete to make a pair of size 10 1/2's...LOL

[samurainoir]

Ignorance is everywhere and affects everyone - sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. Today you were affected directly. The best thing you can do is take the high road. The next best thing you could do was immediately walk into the room and thank him for clarifying what a crappy bunch of people they are, and now you know you don't have to waste anymore of your time dealing with them. Since the comment wasn't meant for your ears, it probably would have at least made him feel like an idiot. If not, they weren't worth your time in anyway.

Well said MegoRonin. Sometimes I think this kind of situation is the easiest for me to deal with as an individual. You walk away and put it behind you, and you are completely justified in your anger and the way you react. What I find is a constant struggle and challenge in our multicultural society is the subtler forms that you can't just walk away from. The awkwardness and silence as someone says something incredibly stupid across any given cultural divide at any one of my family's multi-racial/cultural gatherings in all it's myriad combinations/permutations. Often born out of ignorance than malice, but it's a death by a thousand cuts over years and years of smoothing out ruffled feathers and trying to educate, open up communication and understanding, and build bridges through whichever means you have at your disposal, be it humour, anecdotal storytelling, show and tell. You never can tell when what you think are the smallest things are actually Big Deals, even down to the way one family dines vs another family.... often down to different understanding of cultural "manners"... the individual plate model vs communal dining seems to be at the crux of much of our earliest skirmishes before we had a better understanding of it. You just Work At It, and sometimes it doesn't seem that way, but there is definitely a difference over time... particularly when those "funny looking" grandkids show up. They are the ones that ultimately bridge the gaps better than anything you yourself can say or do.

Sorry this had to happen to you Sandy. Karma will catch up with that jerk if he's so overt about it.

[Mikey]

Not to divert from the original subject, but I think just about everyone has at least some bias hardwired into them to some degree ... It probably goes back as far as when humans first became tribal.

For example, if a white man admits that he is only attracted to and would only marry a white women would he be considered prejudice ?

If a Jewish person said they would only marry a person of the same faith would they be prejudice ?

The whole trick is acting civilized and keeping prejudices in check.

Live and let live.

[Werewolf]

I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

[Adam West]

I'm sorry to hear that. I saw a show on the NatGeo channel recently that explored the creation of human beings using DNA research in an attempt to trace it back to an original source. So far, they have concluded that it traces back to African and the first humans on the planet were black and skin color changes occurred over time as people moved to different regions of the world. Racism is ignorant pure and simple. To Mike's point, I am generally attracted to Caucasians not because I am Caucasian but just a preference. However, I think there are plenty of beautiful women of all walks of life that I find stunningly gorgeous. So no, I don't find my general preference for Caucasians to be racially biased.

[Goblin19]

I grew up in a very racist area. I learned to despise these prejudices. Luckily, the younger generation seems to be getting better about this sort of thing (at least from what I see).

[Brazoo]

"That moviemaking uber-champion of the sea will never show his movie here..."


I just filled in the blanks with my own prejudiced opinions about you.

[Cmonster]

Yeah,

It still hasn't really sunken in yet. For some reason, I still can't get over the fact that someone would use race to make the point he was trying to make, or say what he wanted to say. I mean, even if he said "That untalented hack will never show his movie here...", I could deal with that so much easier than what was actually said. I say that because whenever you do something, ANYTHING creative, people will have an opinion of it and chances are those opinions will have some degree of variety to them. Part of being a professional is dealing with this, especially in this day and age where anyone can go on line and write literally anything they want about anything. I've had people not like all kinds of stuff I've done; paintings, sculptures, films, even custom figures... Some people (especially on line) for whatever reason, even go as far as to attack me personally, detesting the work to such a degree that the vitriol that emanates from their "reviews" of my work in some instances, is simply unbelievable. It's just part of being an artist and like I said above, something you need to be able to deal with if you're going to put your work out into the public eye.

This is all fine... Really, it is. But to hear someone say that they wouldn't show my film, using such strong, racial slurs??? What kind of criteria is that? I mean, REALLY? You're not gonna show my movie at your festival because you think I'm of Hispanic descent? REALLY???

Look, "Hunter Prey" was submitted to a lot of film festivals. It did not get in to most of them. I've had festival programmers call me personally and say that though the amount of work, time and talent that went into the film is obvious, that it just didn't fit their programming schedule or whatever. Why this person couldn't do that, is simply beyond me...

SC

[Brazoo]

Not to divert from the original subject, but I think just about everyone has at least some bias hardwired into them to some degree ... It probably goes back as far as when humans first became tribal.

Yeah totally - I think our brains are geared towards generalizing and compartmentalizing to keep track of information, so bias is an inherent part of our "hard wiring", to some degree. Exactly as you say, I think all civilized people usually try to use reason instead of our base intuitive-level thinking. Some people may not be as good at that though.



For example, if a white man admits that he is only attracted to and would only marry a white women would he be considered prejudice ?

I think most people agree that sexual attraction is probably influenced by "hard wiring" as well, but I don't know if you can use logic to attract yourself sexually to someone you're not attracted to - if that makes sense?



If a Jewish person said they would only marry a person of the same faith would they be prejudice ?

The religion in marriage issue is, to me, another issue entirely. Religion for some people represents SO much in terms of personal beliefs, ethics, tradition, culture --- and then picking who you marry is so personal --- I guess it's possible to say that this would be a type of prejudice, but I don't know if it's a negative prejudice really - and it's not in the same ballpark as racism to me.

Not hiring someone based on religion - whole different story I think.


The whole trick is acting civilized and keeping prejudices in check.

Live and let live.

Yeah - I think I get your point, and I think we're in total agreement.

[Brazoo]

Why this person couldn't do that, is simply beyond me...

SC

Cuz he's a ******?

[MegoSteve]

So, who was it?

[AJ Collector]

Sorry Sandy.......We as a people seem to thrive on hate for no reason, so sad.

[Hector]

True story...

When I was in my late teens (high school)...a white cop stopped me due to jaywalking...and he called me a dirty little Mexican (because I was a tad defiant towards him about a potential ticket).

I started chuckling...and he said..."what's so funny?"

Well, officer..."it's funny because you called me little...despite the fact that I'm bigger and taller than you..."

He just coldly stared at me...and just gave me a warning.

See?

The planet is full of imbeciles...

:smiley1: :smiley1: :smiley1:

P.S. I have other tales of similar stuff...and not just involving white people...I have also been discriminated by blacks, Asians...and even by my own peeps...something to do with Mexican vs Mexican-American crap...really silly and stupid stuff...ah humanity...sometimes I want this place to be hit by an asteroid...or comet...lol.

[mego73]

Sandy,

I think you really ought to expose this guy if he's part of your industry. This was discrimination due to race. If he did it to you, chances are he's done it to other people who aren't "lily-white".

Is there somebody above him you can go to?

[Cmonster]

Is there somebody above him you can go to?
No. He's the owner and programmer of this particular venue and he's a bigot. A very special kind of bigot, however. You see them a lot here in Southern Orange County... Super right wing conservatives, who feel that "their" precious state is being invaded and overrun by Mexicans crossing the border illegally and raping the benefits of America. What he and everyone like him fails to realize, is that if there were no Mexicans here in Southern California, who would do all the real, honest work? Who would do the landscaping on your million dollar mansion? Clean your house? Look after your kids? Pick the local fruit you eat and Cook your food at 90% of the five star restaurants in the state?

People are ignorant. They refuse to open their eyes to the WORLD around them and realize that there's SO much more to life than THEIR own views and THEIR own little existence.

I'm done.

SC

[jimsmegos]

For what its worth sandy, you could use this incident as inspiration in your next film. Maybe a caricature of this guy getting the boots put to him by a multi colored alien of some sort?

[Gorn Captain]

It doesn't surprise me.
Racism is everywhere. I deeply regret that any human being would stoop so low, but many do.
Sorry that you had to hear all that...

[huedell]

What he and everyone like him fails to realize, is that if there were no Mexicans here in Southern California, who would do all the real, honest work? Who would do the landscaping on your million dollar mansion? Clean your house? Look after your kids? Pick the local fruit you eat and Cook your food at 90% of the five star restaurants in the state?

Legal citizens looking for work?

[Cmonster]

Legal citizens looking for work?
You must be talking about all those "legal citizen" white homeless people I see standing around with signs, begging for money. Let me ask you something, Hue? You ever see a Mexican begging for money? I've been living in SoCal for 26 years, and I haven't. Let me ask you another question; Ever see a white guy standing in the parking lot of Home Depot, swarming on every truck that pulls up, looking for a day's honest work? I haven't.

Mexicans do all the "grunt" work that white people with their American sense of entitlement attitude WON'T do. Ever see a white guy working on a landscaping crew or SELLING anything on the side of the road? NO... They stand around with signs on freeway on ramps, begging, while Mexican immigrants break their backs in the strawberry fields, bending over all day in the hot sun for a few bucks or try to sell oranges or flowers in the streets, instead of looking for a hand out.

Don't be ignorant, Hue. Please don't insult my intelligence.

SC

[toys2cool]

You must be talking about all those "legal citizen" white homeless people I see standing around with signs, begging for money. Let me ask you something, Hue? You ever see a Mexican begging for money? I've been living in SoCal for 26 years, and I haven't. Let me ask you another question; Ever see a white guy standing in the parking lot of Home Depot, swarming on every truck that pulls up, looking for a day's honest work? I haven't.

Mexicans do all the "grunt" work that white people with their American sense of entitlement attitude WON'T do. Ever see a white guy working on a landscaping crew or SELLING anything on the side of the road? NO... They stand around with signs on freeway on ramps, begging, while Mexican immigrants break their backs in the strawberry fields, bending over all day in the hot sun for a few bucks or try to sell oranges or flowers in the streets, instead of looking for a hand out.

Don't be ignorant, Hue. Please don't insult my intelligence.

SC

Sad but true, same here in Miami....you know after you posted this, I had to sit back and think about it for a while, and no..i have not seen 1 Mexican the 3 years i've been here in homestead Miami which has one of the largest Mexican populations asking for money once, I do see them working every day in fruit fields and I know cause there's one across my house where I buy my tomatoes from...

[kingdom warrior]

deleted my own post..........................................

[huedell]

You must be talking about all those "legal citizen" white homeless people I see standing around with signs, begging for money. Let me ask you something, Hue? You ever see a Mexican begging for money? I've been living in SoCal for 26 years, and I haven't. Let me ask you another question; Ever see a white guy standing in the parking lot of Home Depot, swarming on every truck that pulls up, looking for a day's honest work? I haven't.

Mexicans do all the "grunt" work that white people with their American sense of entitlement attitude WON'T do. Ever see a white guy working on a landscaping crew or SELLING anything on the side of the road? NO... They stand around with signs on freeway on ramps, begging, while Mexican immigrants break their backs in the strawberry fields, bending over all day in the hot sun for a few bucks or try to sell oranges or flowers in the streets, instead of looking for a hand out.

Don't be ignorant, Hue. Please don't insult my intelligence.

SC

I may plead ignorance to the idea that this was such a one-sided argument.

Apparently the scenario, as you and others are explaining,
is that Mexicans illegally enter our country to help it while legal whites
are the only ones abusing our system... sounds racist... but if it's true, then so be it.

I wasn't intending on insulting your intelligence though.

Sounds more like I'm challenging your gathered knowledge, if anything...
but, again, no insults intended.

[trekman101]

Sandy don't let this bull sh.. bother you......I'll bet he didn't even like you to begin with for a stupid reason I'm sure...:wall:

[thunderbolt]

Ever see a white guy working on a landscaping crew SC


Yeah, right here skippy. Been in landscape in Florida for over 20 years. Get over it.

[Cmonster]

Yeah, right here skippy. Been in landscape in Florida for over 20 years. Get over it.
I'll get over it when you get off my case and learn how to read... My reference was specific to Southern California.

SC

[The Bat]

You must be talking about all those "legal citizen" white homeless people I see standing around with signs, begging for money. Let me ask you something, Hue? You ever see a Mexican begging for money? I've been living in SoCal for 26 years, and I haven't. Let me ask you another question; Ever see a white guy standing in the parking lot of Home Depot, swarming on every truck that pulls up, looking for a day's honest work? I haven't.

Mexicans do all the "grunt" work that white people with their American sense of entitlement attitude WON'T do. Ever see a white guy working on a landscaping crew or SELLING anything on the side of the road? NO... They stand around with signs on freeway on ramps, begging, while Mexican immigrants break their backs in the strawberry fields, bending over all day in the hot sun for a few bucks or try to sell oranges or flowers in the streets, instead of looking for a hand out.

SC


Hmm...this thread just took an interesting turn. From everything you just said Sandy...it seems you're prejudice against white people.:sarky:

[Cmonster]

Hmm...this thread just took an interesting turn. From everything you just said Sandy...it seems you're prejudice against white people.:sarky:
No, not at all.

SC

[gman]

Just predjudiced against white people who run venues that won't show your "film" , who have conservative values, and don't like to do yard work.

[Brazoo]

Dude - are you kidding?

[gman]

No. He's the owner and programmer of this particular venue and he's a bigot. A very special kind of bigot, however. You see them a lot here in Southern Orange County... Super right wing conservatives, who feel that "their" precious state is being invaded and overrun by Mexicans crossing the border illegally and raping the benefits of America. What he and everyone like him fails to realize, is that if there were no Mexicans here in Southern California, who would do all the real, honest work? Who would do the landscaping on your million dollar mansion? Clean your house? Look after your kids? Pick the local fruit you eat and Cook your food at 90% of the five star restaurants in the state?

You tell me?
I'm white and conservative and just as offended by that as if I had been called a racial slur...

[Mikey]

It's Friday night guys ....

We should all lighten up :2thumbsup:

[The Bat]

No, not at all.

SC

But in your own words...you just said that white people's sense of entitlement makes them choose homelessness and begging rather than do an honest days work...unlike Mexicans. Your words...not mine.

BTW...lots of Landscapers in my home state and lots of hard working S.O.B.'s as well.