[Dan Ryan]

Jennifer: I just wanted to say that I was quite touched by your response to Art. I’m sure, self-realized person that you seem to be, that it was not a big deal to you to demonstrate your fairness and humanity so eloquently, but it meant a great deal to me to see that there really are people whose empathy exceeds their resentment – justifiable or otherwise. Art seemed like a good guy to me, self-examining and fair. That’s really all we can expect of our fellow humans, but if enough of us do it its probably all we need. So, anyway, thanks for the inspiration. – DR

User Detail :  

Name : Dan Ryan, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 49, City : San Antonio, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Administrator, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Dan Ryan]

I think suntans as a status symbol for whites is a relatively new development. I think having a suntan represents the idea that you’re rich enough not to have to work, so you can lie by the pool, beach, etc. and work on your tan. Before the early 20th century, I think a suntan just meant you had to work outside a lot, so you must be someone of a lower class.

Now, as to white people’s presumption that black people are somehow inferior: First, that’s ignorant, of course. But, setting that aside, let’s say that the person holding that belief actually does hold it. Fear of the ‘other’ – someone viscerally different from oneself and one’s group – one’s ‘tribe,’ if you will – is probably prompted by the most obvious cues first, so a difference in appearance is just that. The fact that, color-wise, there can be a vast difference in appearance probably provokes more fear than if there were just minor differences. I know I’m coming off all academic, but everyone – if they wish to become themselves, and not just another member of a group – has to get past certain things. They may be ‘wrong’ things, or they may be things that are bad but nobody’s fault. If you dwell on other people’s stupid behavior too long, you’re wasting your time – your life.

You want to know the best thing about being white in the 21st century United States? I don’t ever think about what color I am. I don’t do one damned thing because it might be good for other white people. I do try to do things that might be good for other people, but I never consider the fact that I’m white when I do them. So I’m lucky. In this world, in this time, I may be luckier than you. But you may be luckier than me in lots of ways, too. Just become the best YOU. People being what they are, if everyone were blind, there would still be lots of us who would figure out some stupid way to discriminate against others

User Detail :  

Name : Dan Ryan, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 49, City : San Antonio, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Administrator, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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