Racism.

[EricSmarties]

So on friday i was out with aro and delphi (real life btw) and we went out to see people on a friday night. As the course of the evening went along a girl asked me if i was american(which i get asked alot) to that i said no i am german and she shouted at me in a shocked expression OMG you bombed our country are you related to hitler?

Let me just say this. I am german. I am proud of being german. NO ONE will tell me i should be ashamed for where i come from. Because it doesnt matter where you come from if its france germany america china etc. We are all one and should respect each other. I hate racism and you should hate it too. I have nothing to say if you want to be an ignorant asshole.

This server has showed me a great sense of respect for each other. I value the server very much
Thank you for reading.

[XDelphi]

As a word of warning-
Racism or descrimination will NOT be tolerated on this server and punishments will follow accordingly.

[KaosuHamoni]

I'm sorry, but that's disgusting, and, the fact that she had the gall to say that to you, means that she is so closed-minded, ignorant, and downright thick, that her words should not be taken on board at all. They are equivalent to the ramblings of a crazy man. I wouldn't worry about what she said, unfortunately, there are such people in the world, and it's our job as morally guided, intelligent individuals to ignore it.

=]

[Byroe]

dumb people saying dumb things, don't listen to them. They make as much sense as Harold Camping

[Lord_Mountbatten]

Ha, casual racism is only allowed for the upper classes.

Think of the dilemma for me. Anglo-Germanic background is difficult when you come across people like that.

[ojamamask]

I have the same problem but they do Chinese stereotypical stuff instead, but soon after they're on the floor.

[makkaal]

I had similar experiences, Eric. As you can see on the left, I'm from Germany myself. During my student exchange year in the U.S., the actual first question I was asked by a fellow high school student was, "So... hope you don't mind me asking, but are you a Nazi, then?" I was completely blown away, and to my relief her friends jumped in, explaining I shouldn't take it persoanlly, because "she's dumb like that".
Later that year, after school, I was hanging out with about the same group of people, including a few other guys I didn't know. One of my friends starting pulling my leg about my origins (he was the one I quoted up there) and I noticed one of the new guys gave me a weird look, seemed a bit insecure and left without a word after he realized I was paying attention to him.
Later I heard he left after hearing where I came from - because he's Jewish. Really? Turned out he actually got scared of me. He didn't dislike me, mind you.

I hear you. I learned that embracing who you are also means accepting both the good and the bad of your heritage. But I also learned that no matter where you come from, it's your own actions that count, not the ones of your forefathers - however, it's your own responsibility to not repeat their mistakes.

[Skunk_Giant]

I have similar problems. I'm actually Muslim, which, because I'm living Australia, have an Australian accent and look Australian, comes as a surprise when I tell people.
Unfortunately, I'm sure you can imagine the stuff I get... Especially with all this news about Bin Laden recently...

[arogon343]

Some people... Gah
Allthough if your going down that path of heritage, the British were not angels either >_>
However some people are just so ridiculously ignorant its untrue..

[makkaal]

I have similar problems. I'm actually Muslim, which, because I'm living Australia, have an Australian accent and look Australian, comes as a surprise when I tell people.
Unfortunately, I'm sure you can imagine the stuff I get... Especially with all this news about Bin Laden recently...

Actually, I really can imagine. Being an Atheist in America wasn't a cakewalk either - some of the arguments I got into because of my lack of beliefs, wow.

[Zinrius]

Did the girl that said that looked almost like this ?

[makkaal]

Ah, using a cliché to explain certain behavior and thus creating hyprocrisy in an anti-racism thread for humor's sake, as I can see.
But if you're curious about an honest answer, no, she did not. Her best friend looked a bit like that, though, and said friend was the first to jump in. Can't judge a book by its cover, apparently. Well. Who would've thought.

[EricSmarties]

I had similar experiences, Eric. As you can see on the left, I'm from Germany myself. During my student exchange year in the U.S., the actual first question I was asked by a fellow high school student was, "So... hope you don't mind me asking, but are you a Nazi, then?" I was completely blown away, and to my relief her friends jumped in, explaining I shouldn't take it persoanlly, because "she's dumb like that".
Later that year, after school, I was hanging out with about the same group of people, including a few other guys I didn't know. One of my friends starting pulling my leg about my origins (he was the one I quoted up there) and I noticed one of the new guys gave me a weird look, seemed a bit insecure and left without a word after he realized I was paying attention to him.
Later I heard he left after hearing where I came from - because he's Jewish. Really? Turned out he actually got scared of me. He didn't dislike me, mind you.

I hear you. I learned that embracing who you are also means accepting both the good and the bad of your heritage. But I also learned that no matter where you come from, it's your own actions that count, not the ones of your forefathers - however, it's your own responsibility to not repeat their mistakes.

Thanks it really annoys me when people ask me stuff like "do you have nazi swastikas hung up in your bedroom?"
It just irritates me and it wasnt really germanys fault. It was all Hitlers doing.

Ah a fellow german!

Wo eigentlich liegt denn bochum?
Ich lebe gerade in england aber komme von Landsberg am Lech. Ich weiss nicht ob du weist wo es liegt aber hitler wurde dort ins gefeangnis gesteckt ist eigentlich das einzigste ding was mann ueber landsberg kennt.

I am slowly taking over peoples mind with the song Ding-Seeed listen to it it will blow your mind!

[Zinrius]

Ah, using a cliché to explain certain behavior and thus creating hyprocrisy in an anti-racism thread for humor's sake, as I can see.
But if you're curious about an honest answer, no, she did not. Her best friend looked a bit like that, though, and said friend was the first to jump in. Can't judge a book by its cover, apparently. Well. Who would've thought.

I'm glad you enjoyed the hypocritical joke

[makkaal]

Thanks it really annoys me when people ask me stuff like "do you have nazi swastikas hung up in your bedroom?"
It just irritates me and it wasnt really germanys fault. It was all Hitlers doing.

Ah a fellow german!

Wo eigentlich liegt denn bochum?
Ich lebe gerade in england aber komme von Landsberg am Lech. Ich weiss nicht ob du weist wo es liegt aber hitler wurde dort ins gefeangnis gesteckt ist eigentlich das einzigste ding was mann ueber landsberg kennt.

I am slowly taking over peoples mind with the song Ding-Seeed listen to it it will blow your mind!

Luckily, I haven't been bugged too often about this. A friend of mine started pulling my leg with stupid questions on purpose, though. "Say, do you have telephones there? How about fridges, I mean, you're just as far north as Canada."
However, to say it was just Hitler's doing would be simply wrong. But there was much more to it than masses celebrating the Nazi propaganda. Think about the failing of the Weimar Republic before, the German mindset on (and longing for) a German empire with the Kaiser at the top, Hitler's 4-year-plan, the military being dangerously separated from state and people... What I would agree with wholeheartedly, though, is that it's not our fault what our grandfathers did. But it's our responsibility that it doesn't happen again.

Bochum liegt mitten im Ruhrgebiet, zwischen Köln und Dortmund - sprich im Westen von NRW.

[luke2006]

It disgusts me that many regard refugees in the same manner.

[EricSmarties]

Thanks it really annoys me when people ask me stuff like "do you have nazi swastikas hung up in your bedroom?"
It just irritates me and it wasnt really germanys fault. It was all Hitlers doing.

Ah a fellow german!

Wo eigentlich liegt denn bochum?
Ich lebe gerade in england aber komme von Landsberg am Lech. Ich weiss nicht ob du weist wo es liegt aber hitler wurde dort ins gefeangnis gesteckt ist eigentlich das einzigste ding was mann ueber landsberg kennt.

I am slowly taking over peoples mind with the song Ding-Seeed listen to it it will blow your mind!

Luckily, I haven't been bugged too often about this. A friend of mine started pulling my leg with stupid questions on purpose, though. "Say, do you have telephones there? How about fridges, I mean, you're just as far north as Canada."
However, to say it was just Hitler's doing would be simply wrong. But there was much more to it than masses celebrating the Nazi propaganda. Think about the failing of the Weimar Republic before, the German mindset on (and longing for) a German empire with the Kaiser at the top, Hitler's 4-year-plan, the military being dangerously separated from state and people... What I would agree with wholeheartedly, though, is that it's not our fault what our grandfathers did. But it's our responsibility that it doesn't happen again.

Bochum liegt mitten im Ruhrgebiet, zwischen Köln und Dortmund - sprich im Westen von NRW.

Even though hitler became evil he actually did alot of good for germany. :\

[XDelphi]

Even though hitler became evil he actually did alot of good for germany. :\

Oh no, he always wanted to carry out his plan for Germany, The Final Solution.
That was always what he wanted. The interesting thing was that he got to his postition of power through diplomatic and legal means. And yes, in some cases he did help Germany through troubles from Weimar, and WWI.

[EricSmarties]

poo.

[makkaal]

The sad thing is that Hitler and his affiliates always had a plan in the back of their heads, even for the superficially beneficial changes they brought.
Autobahns? Advertised as both a means of employment for the unemployed masses after the market crash of '29, as well as part of the vacation/leisure program "Kraft durch Freude" ("Strength through Joy"). However, they always were intended as a means of heavy load transportation and tank movement.
The Sturmabteilung/Storm Detachment was presented as a street team to keep peace on the streets and keep the dreaded bolsheviks at bay. Actually a paramilitary organization used to rule and intimidate the early opposition.
If your kid went to the Hitler Youth (as well as the League of German Girls), it was seen as some kind of boy scout organization, basically. Which is why many contemporary witnesses have fond memories of the time. I don't think I need to point out that the HY was nothing more than a clever indoctrination program.

No, Hitler always had that in mind. He wrote Mein Kampf after getting stuck in jail for his putsch attempt in Munich in 1923. The book came out '26.
Also, his four-year-plan to get Germany back on its feet, as historians see it, was made from the ground up in a way that it only could be sufficed if Germany went to war after that time. Yes, it pumped the economy like nothing before, but at the cost of many valuable resources. Mind you, this plan was set in motion in '33, later it was institutionalized under Göring in '36.

So... no. All in all, you can't say he turned evil. He always had getting rid of democracy/bolshevism, war and the extermination of the Jews in mind.

[EricSmarties]

So he was evil from the start on?

[XDelphi]

It is fair to say his intentions always had an alterior motive that was evil, yeah.

[EricSmarties]

Wasnt he like half jewish or quarter jewish though?

[random980]

Wasnt he like half jewish or quarter jewish though?

No, i do not believe he was. After all he purposely used the Jews as a scapegoat for Germany's economic crisis at the time and achieved it through propaganda. Hitler always had evil intentions, its just that he had to get into power first and to do so he had to help Germany and gain the publics trust, this was also made easier due to the current government being unpopular at the time.

I hate ignorance, especially when its in the form as racism. I also hate when people take unintentional remarks/jokes as racism. The people who automatically think, German=nazi. Jew=stingy. Need to forced into a history lecture. As a Jew myself i can confidently say the other Jew that got scared of you because your German is an idiot and needs to study WW2. Same with the girl who labeled you as evil because you are from Germany.
/rant

[EricSmarties]

Wasnt he like half jewish or quarter jewish though?

No, i do not believe he was. After all he purposely used the Jews as a scapegoat for Germany's economic crisis at the time and achieved it through propaganda. Hitler always had evil intentions, its just that he had to get into power first and to do so he had to help Germany and gain the publics trust, this was also made easier due to the current government being unpopular at the time.

I hate ignorance, especially when its in the form as racism. I also hate when people take unintentional remarks/jokes as racism. The people who automatically think, German=nazi. Jew=stingy. Need to forced into a history lecture. As a Jew myself i can confidently say the other Jew that got scared of you because your German is an idiot and needs to study WW2. Same with the girl who labeled you as evil because you are from Germany.
/rant

uh that was makaal but yeah i dont have problems with jews i mean i respect everyone really.
We have a black christian who comes and gives free milk shakes to us and i always give hugs to him /me hugs black christian and as a sign of respect /me hugs random980

[random980]

Wasnt he like half jewish or quarter jewish though?

No, i do not believe he was. After all he purposely used the Jews as a scapegoat for Germany's economic crisis at the time and achieved it through propaganda. Hitler always had evil intentions, its just that he had to get into power first and to do so he had to help Germany and gain the publics trust, this was also made easier due to the current government being unpopular at the time.

I hate ignorance, especially when its in the form as racism. I also hate when people take unintentional remarks/jokes as racism. The people who automatically think, German=nazi. Jew=stingy. Need to forced into a history lecture. As a Jew myself i can confidently say the other Jew that got scared of you because your German is an idiot and needs to study WW2. Same with the girl who labeled you as evil because you are from Germany.
/rant

uh that was makaal but yeah i dont have problems with jews i mean i respect everyone really.
We have a black christian who comes and gives free milk shakes to us and i always give hugs to him /me hugs black christian and as a sign of respect /me hugs random980

I must say im not a big fan of being hugged by strangers... cause personal space and me feeling awkward...
And some random guy likes to give out free milkshakes!? ME WANT.
Question. how far do you draw the line between a joke and racism? for me the only WW2 joke i will even snigger at is the one about hitlers gas bill but that still makes me wince. As far as being made fun of for being stereotyped as a jew, i dont find it offensive as long as its in good spirit. Ignorance always hurts though.
so yeah, where do you draw the line in racism?

[EricSmarties]

I must say im not a big fan of being hugged by strangers... cause personal space and me feeling awkward...
And some random guy likes to give out free milkshakes!? ME WANT.
Question. how far do you draw the line between a joke and racism? for me the only WW2 joke i will even snigger at is the one about hitlers gas bill but that still makes me wince. As far as being made fun of for being stereotyped as a jew, i dont find it offensive as long as its in good spirit. Ignorance always hurts though.
so yeah, where do you draw the line in racism?

i would say when you actually go to someones face and say oh your a nazi you deserve to die or if you go up to a jew and say something about them being gassed no offence btw.
there will always be racism but its not necessary love your neighbors as Jesus said.(im an atheist though)

[Lord_Mountbatten]

So he was evil from the start on?

I dislike strong moral classifications like "good" and "evil". Feels too much like a movie. His ultimate intentions though, likely didn't change particularly, but he did not have a proper plan for the Jews at first, aside from the fact that he didn't want them.

so yeah, where do you draw the line in racism?

There's a time and a place for everything. To me it's all about discerning malicious intent. Sure, there are some jokes I may go "woah!" at, but if I can tell it's done in jest I won't think negatively about the person for it. Hatred based on race is the province of fools and the ignorant - it is a person's mindset, not looks, that you should worry about. Getting all uppity about race is counter-productive.

[makkaal]

I dislike strong moral classifications like "good" and "evil". Feels too much like a movie. His ultimate intentions though, likely didn't change particularly, but he did not have a proper plan for the Jews at first, aside from the fact that he didn't want them.

I entirely agree. In his eyes, as well as his affiliates, none of this was perceived as evil but rather something nasty that had to be done for the greater good. It's all in the eye of the beholder. And true words, Lord - he really didn't. At one time it was thought of "relocating" the Jews to Madagascar. I'm not sure, but I think it was Goebbels who came up with the idea of the Final Solution. Either him or Himmler, I still would consider those two far worse than Hitler himself.

so yeah, where do you draw the line in racism?

There's a time and a place for everything. To me it's all about discerning malicious intent. Sure, there are some jokes I may go "woah!" at, but if I can tell it's done in jest I won't think negatively about the person for it. Hatred based on race is the province of fools and the ignorant - it is a person's mindset, not looks, that you should worry about. Getting all uppity about race is counter-productive.

The thing is, in many cases there is no maliciuos intent. My uncle used to work in Africa for many years and as far as I know, my aunt spent some time with him there as well. She's a very lighthearted, wonderful old lady, and even if a bit conservative, she means nobody any harm. Still she sometimes tells stories and interposes with statements such as "The negroes just tend to steal more often. Not that they're bad people, but they do" or tells us about a certain black guy she met, who was "very well-spoken and cultural" which really suprised her because "the negroes usually aren't like that".
There is no malicious intent, as I said above. Still, I would definitely consider this racism.

[DuplicateValue]

Wasnt he like half jewish or quarter jewish though?

Not that I know of - he was Austrian by birth. He was rejected by a Jewish art school, which I think might have contributed to his dislike of them.

But then, it's been three years since I've had a history lesson.

Edit: Can you be part-jewish? I thought it was a faith more than a race... Excuse my ignorance.