[Funka Genocide]

Racism is propogated by ignorance, ignorance is a byproduct of insufficient education, insufficient education is a product of being poor.

Basically, I feel that racism is something only poor people espouse or deal with regularly, minus the few wacky old rich coots.

The problem with American society isn't really racism as it is distinction of class and a lack of opportunity for the underpriviliged. I've personally never had to deal with any serious form of racism (denial of services, job related harassment etc. etc.) and I am a minority. I've never used any form of affirmative action nor have I ever applied for a job as a minority applicant, and I always get hired due to my qualifications. All this coupled with the fact that my family is poor as fuck lead me to believe that anyone who plays the race card as an explanation as to why their life sucks is probably delusional. I've seen many success stories from people who came to America barely able to speak english, and through hard work and perseverence managed to build a happy and successful life. I'm not saying it's an easy thing to raise one' self out of poverty, but honestly the color of your skin is not going to stop you.

Of course everyone (yes everyone, even white people) has to deal with some form of racism in their life. But for the most part these are relegated to off color comments or insults. Whoopty fuckin' do. I don't do it, you probably don't do it, some people do do it. I think this is the point you were trying to make about "some people are dicks" but honestly, that's the worst you should have to deal with in life. (barring some psychopath or something.)

A few minor cultural quirks aside (do you use tortillas or wonderbread? who the fuck cares?) race means pretty much nothing to most successful americans, all that matters is the all mighty dollar. So if I were you, I'd start worrying about the real problem, which is endemic ignorance of various American subcultures and the redistribution of financial resources for the elevation of the downtrodden masses (who aren't just black.)

As for everyone is racist, I suppose there's some truth to that. Maybe it's not necessarily racism as culture based discrimination though. For example, I had to catch myself the other day as I went on a tirade against "beer swilling rednecks." That's really fucking racist. My views have gotten to the point where I consider such inoccuous activities as enjoying NASCAR or recreational hunting to be condemning activities. It's really easy to go off the deep end with stuff like this, and while my views are derived not from the color of people's skins but from their ways of life, they're still unfair and judgmental.

I think this is a good, thought provoking topic, maybe something educational will arise from it.