Racism and nationalism

[HonestBoxingFan]

VIVA PUERTO RICO.....!!!!!!!



PRPP

My dad was in Puerto Rico two years ago. You guys like to smoke weed and say the word "bueno" a lot, haha, I would like to visit PR some day.

[- Ram Raid -]

Would you rather that racism was more covert, more hidden from view like it is offline? That wouldn't make it any less insidious, it wouldn't lessen it's effects.

"You can't say that anymore" is a popular phrase that I find interesting. The suggestion being that you can still think it and act upon it, you just can't openly express it. Only online, people do.

I know it's shocking when you first use forums to find the kind of opinions that are being expressed, I certainly found it to be. But, you need to know where you're at before you can plan where you're going. And this is where we're at, we've not made quite so much progress after all.

[DeadLikeMe]

I survived the Pacquiao era, at least when it was at it's peak, nothing phases me anymore.

Pretty much this. If you managed to get through '09/10 without being too offended, nothing around here now is even close.

[arraamis]

So... Since joining this board, I have experienced being called British because I'm a Froch fan. Well... I'm not British.

I see Americans and Europeans dissing each other everywhere. And I see lot of "Froch is just popular because he's white!", "You just hate Mayweather because he's black!", etc... Seriously, it's very primitive.

I'm white, I was engaged to a black girl until some problems arised a few days ago, most of my friends are from the Middle East or Eastern Europe, some black friends here and there, my aunt and cousin is Vietnamese, etc... My daily life is very multiracial, so to say. This place absolutely disgusts me.

Many have died fighting racism and I love being surrounded by different people, but it's as if this place is just full of horrible people and nationalists...

Appreciate boxers for their skills and epic battles, not their nationalities or races, and don't be too quick about calling others racist or nationalist, you never know what kind of person is behind the screen.

I considered leaving the place today, but then again, I would come back anyway when a big fight happened, so might as well stay. But please think about this, wouldn't this place be better if people pulled themselves together?

Here's the thing ... boxing is a competitive, aggressive sport, and its fans are likewise competitive and aggressive. So why would you expect nice and cuddly when you're dealing with guys who would gladly punch you out, if they could only have the chance?

Forums are for topic specific anonymous interactions and during those interactions, many get harsh and in many cases brutal as they unleash their frustrations\hate on other users. That's the order of things on boxing forums. Its one of those things "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen"

You clearly articulate the things you have issue with on the forum, but I'm not clear about what you're expecting in return or out of this thread.

I don't think anyone really cares who comes and who goes So, if you're looking for some encouragement .... That's a fail waiting to happen. And if you're looking for a non-racists forum ... that's another fail!

You have to do what you have to do ... No one is obligated to come here especially if it makes them unhappy\sad\suicidal etc...

Me personally, I like the verbal fighting because its all that's available on forums -- I'd rather see a real fight, but you take what you can get at the time.
And as for the so-called racists comments ... Racism is global and you cannot escape it in life. So, why would you think a forum full of anonymous guys would hold back.

[LoadedWraps]

So... Since joining this board, I have experienced being called British because I'm a Froch fan. Well... I'm not British.

I see Americans and Europeans dissing each other everywhere. And I see lot of "Froch is just popular because he's white!", "You just hate Mayweather because he's black!", etc... Seriously, it's very primitive.

I'm white, I was engaged to a black girl until some problems arised a few days ago, most of my friends are from the Middle East or Eastern Europe, some black friends here and there, my aunt and cousin is Vietnamese, etc... My daily life is very multiracial, so to say. This place absolutely disgusts me.

Many have died fighting racism and I love being surrounded by different people, but it's as if this place is just full of horrible people and nationalists...

Appreciate boxers for their skills and epic battles, not their nationalities or races, and don't be too quick about calling others racist or nationalist, you never know what kind of person is behind the screen.

I considered leaving the place today, but then again, I would come back anyway when a big fight happened, so might as well stay. But please think about this, wouldn't this place be better if people pulled themselves together?

I get called black because I am a Floyd fan but I am hispanic so it F's them up, as you can see by the list in my sig, there is no trend, I like the fighters I like, period.

[sugarsmosley]

you seem like a good man op. dont stress what any1 else is saying... if you know whats right then why waste time with ignorance, ur giving them what they want. best thing you could do is ignore.

i used to be like u, n feel pissed that alot of people even here minds are so backwards and primitive, but at the same time its a internet forum n worrying about other peoples minds u cant control is pointless.

[BuckToothed]

So... Since joining this board,

You mean yesterday?

[-MAKAVELLI-]

so a black guy, a mexican guy and a chinese guy walk into a bar....

[Best in Boxing]

I get called black because I am a Floyd fan but I am hispanic so it F's them up, as you can see by the list in my sig, there is no trend, I like the fighters I like, period.

Same here. Ppl think I'm black b/c I have a pic of RJJ. But I'm Mexican.

[richardt]

Just to clarify, Nationalism in its innocent form is simply being proud of who you are, where you come from, your heritage, etc. In other words, waving a flag and being proud are good things, especially when from a repressed or small origins like as an example - Puerto Rico per capita has the greatest percentage over the years of boxing talent. It is easy to see why they are so proud. They are a small island yet has produced so much talent. A top fighter from New Zealand would feel the same. Or any background, small and large. You can be proud of who you are and where you come from. But when people here cross over and imply that their country or people are better than others, it becomes a political Nationalism which is not acceptable.

Racism, on the other hand use to just be about the repression of a group or groups of people in a mixed society on a working/political level. But now Racism covers more. Like I said, being proud, nothing wrong with that. That's is mild Nationalism. It is when someone demeans a group of people by making racial remarks and slurs is when a line is stepped over.

CLEARLY it is too easy to see a number of posters always favor one group of fighters. Those posters whose names I wont call out continually create posts or respond to posts flaunting their bias. Racism these days is outward or I should say open and extreme bias. Bias is not always racism but racism is always extreme bias. On the Internet, some people still try to hide it or don't express it because even though they feel a certain way, they do not want to hurt someone's feelings.

The highest virtue is seeing everyone for the beauty of their culture and appreciating that. The next highest value is even though some have their dislikes for facets of other races, creeds, color, they have the decency to not say things that could hurt other people's feelings. I respect that. I don't respect the ones who flaunt their bias/racism on these boards and they know who they are and we know who they are. When someone puts down a group or raises their own group above others, that is Racism in todays world and the changing models of racism are defined by school systems because those are the most prominent places and most uninhibited places where such exists. I have worked in a school system and know. They hold meetings all the time about this sort of thing.

Young adults don't hold back as much as older adults and that is why the situation is defined and redefined at the school levels because repercussions can be severe and not always requiring legal council for action to be taken against offenders. Bullying is a huge intolerant in schools and Racism is a sub-entity of Bullying and treated accordingly. The Internet is a less inhibited place. A free-for-all to those who ultimately expose themselves over time, or right at the start. The Internet, or rather, this site, also has people who may have their opinions but show decency when it comes to other races, color, etc. We know who they are too. They may not be Saints but the fact that they do not race bait or add to it is a solid virtue.

Time and again, some fool will say "Well, what about freedom of speech?". Well, that's easy. Sure we have freedom of speech. That just means that if you speak your mind, you wont be hauled off to jail or be put to death. It doesn't mean there are no repercussions to speaking your mind. You can be branded a racist or lose your job or be sued. Speak your mind but beware that this doesn't mean you are invulnerable to a number of outcomes. I'd rather spend time talking about the things I like about the culture of Asians, Blacks, Mexicans. I can run off a list of the things I appreciate about everyone's culture. Hard to do that on a Boxing board but it would be nice if there was a sticky message for just that.