Re: Subject: supposed ethnic humor

[P3D <GCCampos@xxxxxxx>]

Since we are a multi-everything group I thought it 
might be good to define a few words to make sure
we are all understanding what we are saying:

PREJUDICE - 1. a. An adverse opinion or judgement 
formed beforehand or without full knowledge or complete
examination of the facts. b. A preconceived idea or 
preference:BIAS.   2. The act or state of holding 
unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. 
3.  Irrational hatred or suspicion of a specific group race
or religion. 4. Detriment to one resulting from the 
preconceived and unfavorable conviction of another or others.

BIGOT -  One fanatically devoted to one's own group, religion,
race, or politics, and intolerant of those who differ.

STEREOTYPE - 1. A conventional, formulaic, usually 
oversimplified opinion, conception, or belief. 2.  One, as a 
person, group, event, or issue that is thought to typify or
conform to an unvarying pattern or manner, lacking any 
individuality.

And now for my two cents worth:

First, I wish you all peace!  

It takes much wisdom to take all of the opinions, stereotypes,
and experiences that one is exposed to and then to withhold
judgement when dealing with an individual one has not met.  
It is a careless thing to form an opinion and a response to a 
person before you know that person's heart.  When you meet a
person, you know nothing about him/her even though you think
they might come from a particular group which has a statistically 
proven higher occurance of a particular characteristic, 
e.g. alcoholism, violence, an emphasis on education, an emphasis 
on food, etc. (or even your firsthand experiences lead you to 
form a particular opinion about a group).
 
IMNSHO It is obviously careless to base the treatment of an individual 
on prejudice or bigotry or stereotypes.  It is also possible to be 
prejudiced against people who use stereotypes in humor.  Do not 
assume that because I am not indignant about the use of stereotypes
that I am a racist or prejudiced or a bigot.  In my mind and heart, there is
a clear separation between the person I am talking to and the completey
unreal caricature or stereotype.  They have nothing to do with each other!

I do agree that the danger comes when it is not understood that a 
stereotype tells you absolutly nothing about a real person you meet.

It is also sad that since some people do not make that distinction,
a whole lot of humor is being soured.  

My plea to the members of this group (some people are prejudiced
about 3Ders, by the way:)) please do not prejudge one another, and
take pains to believe the best and hope the best until the 
preponderance of evidence forces you to think otherwise.

And finally, before my triple tall mocha runs out, I believe that 
America (and the world) would be better off if no culture was 
preserved if its just for the sake of preserving a culture, (e.g. 
cultural practice of headhunting or child sacrificing don't deserve 
to be preserved).  If only we could have a  true melting pot where the 
best and most constructive aspects of each culture were preserved 
instead of the worst (the cultural characteristic of family loyalty vs 
the cultural characteristic of alcoholism).

Again, I wish you all peace.

Grant Campos
Human Being, from Earth


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