http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_443387.html
In this article, a mixed couple, Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence Mckay, who is black, could not marry each other after a Louisiana justice of the peace, Keith Bardwell, refused to issue a marriage license. The reason he gave for not marrying the couple was that he was worried for the future of their children should they get married.
I feel that this is a form of attitudinal barrier to intercultural communication.
This is because of the prejudice Bardwell, who is white, has towards the black community. The black community in America has long been stigmatized as the trouble makers of the society especially due to the high crime rates in areas which the black communities congregate. This has led to Americans stereotyping the blacks being more violent and less educated. Several decades or in fact, the whole American history of having a white president has also led to a belief of ethnocentrism that the whites are more superior as compared to the blacks.
However, we know that the current American president, Mr Barack Obama, is a black and him being able to win the elections based on votes from the citizens, shows the acceptance of a black leader among the dominantly white community. Also, on the top of the list of Forbes 2008 richest celebrity couples are the black couple Beyonce and Jay-Z, who collectively earn US$162 million. In fact, coming in second on the list was also another black couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who collectively earn US$85million. The presence of prominent black figures in the American society shows that they are becoming less of a negative externality.
Therefore, I feel that Bardwell should see past outer differences and accept that blacks are also able to support themselves in the current society.
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Ii felt that it's racism at work once again, which is pretty common in the States. Indeed, the black people have rised up in the recent years, with Obama being elected as the 1st black president. However, I feel that although it seems that racism in US is on decline, we have to look at the internalised mentality of the whites. They have stereotyped blacks as being lazy, full of probelm and unproductive etc.In my opinion, i feel that there is a need to eliminate such anti-black feelings in the country, and that can be done through education. Children can be taught at a young age that all of them are equal, regardless skin-color. Teachers in school have to treat students with fair and square punishment and rewards, without prejudice. In this way, the children will grow up and become citizens who are able to cast aside their color-difference and work for the common good of their nation.
ReplyDeleteDiscrimination should not be present in all societies. The Black community should not be discriminated against and ostracized in the society. The Americans must b willing to accept the differences between them so as to minimise such cases of prejudice.
ReplyDeletehey!
ReplyDeleteStereotypes against Blacks is infused into american culture since donkey years ago. So it is really hard for the people to remove this prejudice against the blacks but the fact that Obama became president it shows that there is a change in the stereotype.
Blacks are starting to gain respect from the dominant group. It is a good thing as racism will only result in loss of money and talents.
Maybe Bardwell needs to see the emergence of the minority group and recognise that stereotyping them wont make himself feel any better.
A relevant topic that u have there. DISCRIMINATION!
ReplyDeleteI feel that despite most of us declaring that we are not racist nor do we discriminate people, most of us actually do discriminate "different people" in our society.
I feel that this is due to social intolerance and also a little on ethnocentrism. This is beause when "foreign" object invade our space, we tend to want to assert our rights on that space. Thus, we will tend to outcast these people as these are seen as invaders or are of lesser status compared to us. The fight for our own space will make us notice only the differences that we have but not the similarities that we may share. This can thus lead to discrimination of the "invader"
THerefore, i feel that many of us should try and open our minds to the foreigners around us. See the differences that we have and try to accept them. After all, not everyone is perfect.
I feel that in the article, the justice of peace Keith Bardwell, should be more receptive and open minded about inter-cultural marriages.
ReplyDeleteBeing a justice of peace, I am sure that Bardwell is a well-respected person. Therefore, i feel that he should not be discriminating a person based on their color. Furthermore, disapproving of the marriage would only serve to show how bias he is. Instead of bringing peace and harmony, his actions will only stir up more conflict and discord
Though harsh, i feel that the justice of peace in question should be remove of his status so as to not jeopardise the future of such marriages.
I think it's definitely true that there is less biasness towards to blacks, but there still may be prejudices, just covert and not overt. Stereotypes are still seen in movies where blacks are usually policemen, rappers etc. Also, we can also take a look at successful interracial marriages like Heidi Klum and Seal (:
ReplyDeleteHI nicole!
ReplyDeleteAGREED 100% WITH YOU ON THIS.
The notion of racial biasness should not ever be a problem if we are able to treat one another equally. But therein lies the problem. We view skin colours as separators which is sad because it prevents people from interacting freely with one another. Moreover, the slave ear also caused US to view whites as superior and Blacks as the second class race which is unfair. Change has come and it would be very exciting to see how US would change with the new President!
Skin colour is only one notion where people tend to be bias. But people tend to forget that regardless of our skin colour,once we bled, the red blood that flow out is the same for all.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the status of blacks has indeed improved. We can see that there are more sucessful blacks which are becoming popular public figure. Take for example, Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks.
ReplyDeleteBoth started with modest backgrounds but have now flourish into millionaires and have their own businesses and organisations. This shows that blacks no longer just bane of the society.
Therefore, I feel that to judge someone just solely based on their color is outright bias and insensitive. May be the justice of peace should rethink his beliefs.
Surprised that it still happened in USA after a mixed blood president is sworn into office and we are into the 21 century.
ReplyDeleteThis deep rooted mentality is hard to change despite the progress make like in some countries like South Africa where they allowed the black to vote in their own country in recent years.
How come so many famous black personality and yet they are still been discriminate? Mayb the majority are still in the lower rung of the society due to their free reeling way of life. Enjoy first work later. That why good in sports and entertainment business but not in business
ReplyDeleteThe so called many famous black got mixed blood. Just like their president and Tiger Wood. So this proved that there is no harm to have mixed marriages. Good to juggled the genes to have a better bred.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the blacks you mention may be only the minority of people. In fact, most of the blacks still live in slums and dwelling or are homeless and require the need of community aids. Therefore, i feel that the view you give is a little bias as it does not acknowledge the majority of blacks.
ReplyDelete