Re: [Paddlewise] Taboo Subjects (was: paucity of minorities in kayaking)

>
> Jack, Ralph and All:
>
> A few thoughts.  Diaz and Fu discussing their views on minorities =  you
> left out the Gui Low (phonetic, but not romanization of "Grey Ghost
Foreign
> Devil).  I am a White-Anglo-Saxon who was raised in North Central Texas in
> the sticks (and to think about it I don't have to say I'm sorry, but I
> can't help it either).  There were no Afro Americans (what is politically
> correct here?) in the town of 2,000 closest to us.  There were plenty of
> Mexican Americans and just as many illegal Mexicans.  I married a JAP:
let
> me explain - born and raised on Okinawa with a Okinawan Mother and a
> Russian Jewish Father - ergo JAP.   I joined the Army and was rewarded
with
> a beautiful wife (twenty five years and counting) and daughter.  We moved
> to Hong Kong and travelling the Pacific Rim I discovered what it meant to
> be a minority, one with money compared to many that I came into contact
> with, but a minority just the same.  I speak Cantonese fluently (starting
> to loose it due to lack of use), but it helped me discover a whole new
> world.  A culture that was totally alien to me.  One that was
predominately
> Buddhist  and had annual Ghost Festivals (At first I thought they were
Goat
> Festivals, but soon found out differently when I explained to a fellow
that
> where I was from we raised Angora Goats.  He said Angry Ghosts.  I said
> Yeah, Angora Goats.  So much for communications, but I still don't
> participate in Ghost Festivals).
>
> In the early development of the Western United States minorities played a
> significant roll.  The greatest Indian Fighters were Black Calvary who
> later went to help Teddy Roosevelt win the Spanish American War - The
> Buffalo Soldiers!  There were great African American Cowboys as well.  The
> Chinese helped build the rail roads along with the Irish.
>
> Are we a racist culture?  I believe so.  I think many are so not out of
> specific decisions, but out of ignorance and fear preferring to be around
> those most like themselves.  Less than other places in the world (Japan,
> Australia, China), but racist none the less.  I had dinner with a Chinese
> business person in Singapore a few months ago and she asked what I thought
> about China.  I expressed my concerns over Hong Kong given China's action
> in Tibet.  She flatly stated that she was a card carrying Communist and
> felt that I was wrong.  I told her that she would learn now or in the
after
> life, but the Tibetans are no less human than she is.  She seemed to be
> able to accept my deep felt beliefs.  I didn't attack her, but the
> issues.  Don't kill the sinner, but address the sin.
>
> In many instances I believe that it isn't by choice or design, but by
> cultural differences and just plain lack of exposure to an endeavor that
we
> don't see more African American Kayakers or Chinese Poll Vaulters.  There
> have been great fisherman, whalers, explorers, climbers and yes kayakers
> that are other than WHITE!  The economics of change and plain old racist
> actions that have restricted many minorities from pursuing interests that
> were natural to their historical culture or beyond their sphere of
exposure
> are falling.  As they said in "Crazy People":  "The reason that Japanese
> quality is better than American is because they are short and their eyes
> are closer to their work."  This and other hasty generalizations go a long
> way towards justification of many bad "rationals" for some.
>
> We should encourage all to celebrate the opportunities that exist
> today.  It is now, more than ever a matter of choice.
> I choose to participate in Sea Kayaking.  I don't know of any of my
> ancestors that pursued such interests.  But we all have relative freedom
of
> choice.  Relative to our inclinations and economic priorities.
>
> I choose to celebrate my uniqueness and the differences I discover in
> others.  Regardless of skin color!   Thank God we aren't all alike!
>
> Paddle With Pride!
>
> Fred



Well put.  I just wish that one day that more people will see the world in
this way.

dave

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