From: wung@puttgen.ee.gatech.edu (Peter Wung)
Subject: Re: Perceptions, Realities, Perceptions
Reply-To: wung@puttgen.ee.gatech.edu
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 17:42:56 GMT

In article 23448@alice.att.com, jj@alice.att.com (jj, clueless old white boy) writes:
>In article <SHAW.92Aug13001642@whopper.lcs.mit.edu> shaw@whopper.lcs.mit.edu (Andy Shaw) writes:
>>Absolutely correct.  But as you know and stated, almost _all_ of the ruling
>>elite is white, and entering that elite is practically impossible for a
>>member of a minority group.
>It's about as impossible for me as you, despite any racial issues.
>Now, yes, before you faint with rage, your race makes it harder,
>I do agree with that, BUT it's no more possible for me than you.
>I'm not born into it, and I'll never be part of it. Not now,
>not ever.  In a very real sense, I'm no more white than you are.
>
>>or the the point where we
>>delude ourselves into believing that the majority will look after our
>>interests if only we trust them (Lui Sieh).
>Um, Lui can defend himself just fine, but I must note I've
>never heard him argue for "trust". 
>
>Unless I've missed a whole series, he argues for co-operation,
>not for "trust".  If I've got this wrong, I'm sure he'll
>tell me.
>
>It's interesting, Andy, reading your article.  You are clearly
>a separatist, just like DeClerk, Malcolm X, and so on.  
>Doesn't history give you a clue here?
>-- 
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I don't think Andy is a separatist, I think he is being realistic.  I definitely 
do not belive in the whole melting pot concept.  That is something that scares
me because that is basically saying that we are all stripped of our individuality 
and conform to a majority viewpoint.  The Nazis have shown the horrors of that.  
Nor am I saying that all minorities should split off into little splinter countries
and bicker over everything.  Ideally, both cultural identity and unity can be 
achieved if everyone take the time to understand each other's culture, accept
the differences, and go about accomodating each other's interest to the best of
our abilities.  This is presently impossible presently because people
are defensive about their groupings and more importantly, no one wants to lose 
what they already have.  

As for a non-power white getting in with the big boys, your chances are better 
than mine, even though we are comparing infinitessimals.  What IS important is
to get into the system and changing it, so that a meritocracy can exist.  That is 
utopian thinking though.

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*Peter Wung				Email:wung@ee.gatech.edu	   * 
*Electric Power Laboratory		Snail mail: 33787 Ga. Tech Station * 
*School of Electrical Engineering		    Atlanta, GA 30332      *
*Georgia Institute of Technology				    	   *        *Atlanta, Georgia							   *
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*  	Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad for a short, fat guy.  		   *
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