Deutsch

Today as I was out and about in a specific area I observed a large sum of individuals from a particular ethnic group (region of the world) in their social habits, etc. One of the main things I noticed is how tight nit they are amongst each other, and from past experience (even now) I have also noticed that this has had a negative impact on both their culture and society at large as a whole. If you were to look at a particular invidual as having an a-social personality and only devoting their time to one person or thing, you might gather certain opinions of him or her, and you most certaintly can't commuinicate with the person, or let alone be afforded the oppurtunity of getting to know them. I understand that people are people and always will be, but I frankly find this sad. As an individual of mixed hertiage I've never fit into one group or another (though the one ethnic group who's phenotype I identify most close with has excluded me all my life), so socializing with one particular ethnic group or another is a habit I just don't identify with, I identify with people whom identify on varying levels with my personality, not culture or physical appearence. Even worse is my attraction to the oppisite sex, because it's even harder to find girls that identify with my mindset, seemingly at least.

I'm not trying to get emo here, but just ahare and express a thought. I by no means want to offend anyone but I think it's important that people be informed and not mislead by their own little world. .

SDNR

Interesting Deutsch ...but you are still young and many young people feel as you do ...maybe not so much about their ethnicity, but of themselves ...like they don't fit in anywhere.

I certainly never felt like I fitted-in with my friends when I was a teen. I was not unpopular, but I was always quite individualistic. I feel that you are a very individualistic person too Deutsch. You are never afraid to stand alone and be yourself -- that is a good thing.

As for your mixed race, I don't see why that should ever hold you back in your life -- it is something special -- anyone who ever discriminates against you is not worth knowing IMO. Maybe you should travel, see the world, you will more than likely find that there are many people who share your values and ideas -- the world is a big place Deutsch, I feel you have a lot of wisdom to share and experiences to have yet.

Osnabrueck

I'm a mutt and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm able to straddle the line between "ethnic guy" and "mainstream guy" and make for a hard read. Being locked into one very specific demo-ethnic group with the pressues, pedjudices and expactations that come along with that must be a drag.

450SEL6.9

Seeing your post, Deutsch, I cannot help but compare it to the Ryder Cup from last week. Did any of you watch the bi-annual Ryder Cup? It's a golf competition between Americans and Europeans. The Americans got whipped. The Yanks cannot play as a team, the American golf pros are too individualistic. One European pro said you can walk into a hotel and instantly tell the American golfers from the Euro golfers. The Yanks sit around reading their newspapers, not wanting to be disturbed. Their European counterparts actually speak to each other and have a good time.

Not sure if my post actually made any sense. . .

warot

Look at it this way. You immigrated into a new country and don't speak the new language. You aren't sure that you will be accepted by the local people. So who are you going to stick with? The people from your background obviously.

Thankfully, I was brought up all over the world so I don't have a problem with that at all. I can see how and why it happens though, sad but not always their fault.

Osnabrueck

It depends on where you're from, and what country you have moved to.

Something relatively unique about the US is how you can be accepted by mainstream society if you make a sincere effort to assimilate - and when I say assimilate, I mean learn English and have a general grasp of American culture (or lack thereof) and current events.

You can't say the same about Europe. In Germany, 3rd generation Turks are often viewed as outsiders, even though many of them are German as can be and have no connection with their homeland. The same applies to other foreigners. However, if you're a "good" immigrant - say, a caucasian from a big American city, you're welcomed with open arms.

So, if you're from the right place, you can have a kinship with the public at large, but if you're from the wrong place you can forget about it.

Personally, I feel that this phenomenon is starting to dull as the generations go by. Older Europeans still harbor some old-world views about ethnic minorities in their midst while the younger folk tend to have more liberal views.

Imhotep Evil

This reminds me about an exam I recently had in Sociology.

You see there seems to be not just a repulsion/rejection of the dominat group over the minoritarian one because its diferent, but also a strong conscience of the small group about its own identity ethnical and/or cultural witch is singular/unique.
Its members have and afinity twards they own king. Harsh condition make this conscience even stronger.
In such a group a person has an ascriptive position (atribuited), it can chose its status.

[my theory]

Well, basicaly because you're diferent/not in the pure(r) patterns witch define one group or another, you're NOT (easily) accepted. People istead of seeing you for the person you are, they try first to clasify you in the patterns of groups , thus the problem.
[end, my theory]

Or, I could be wrong.

Osnabrueck

I think it's as simple as tribal ties and the constant struggle for access to limited resources. So basically, apes in the jungle stuff played out on a very large scale.

Groups that add to the strength of the tribe are welcomed, and those who are percieved to be a drain or a threat are austracised. Sure, there's a great deal more nuance to the cultural morés that cause us to do what we do, but it's a good nutshell explanation.

Imhotep Evil

While I agree mostly, there is something I also disagree. If some is needed in/by another group then its own, it does not mean he is welcomed or accepted.