From: wung@puttgen.ee.gatech.edu (Peter Wung)
Subject: Re: Why do minority groups whine?
Reply-To: wung@puttgen.ee.gatech.edu
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 14:12:57 GMT

In article CkC@engin.umich.edu, Michael F. Kamprath <kamprath@caen.engin.umich.edu> () writes:
>In article <1992Aug11.184301.26130@ee.gatech.edu> Peter Wung,
>wung@puttgen.ee.gatech.edu writes:
>>Why do we whine, because when we whine, we are heard.  Even though the
>reaction from
>>the establishment is not always positive, we need to be heard and if
>whining is
>>what it takes, that is what we will do.  When will we stop whining? 
>When the
>>establishment takes us seriously as a voice amongst the many in our 
>>heterogeneous society, and pay attention to our opinions, needs, and
>accomplishments. 
>[Large chunks deleted]
>This is the exact same reason minorities have trouble with getting the
>"Establishment"
>to do anything.  What (IMHO) the minorities should do is spend less time
>"whining"
>and spend more time educating the majority why it would be in their (the
>majority's)
>best interest to improve the situation that the minorities are facing. 
>Personnally,
>I feel that improving the financial condition of urban America would go a
>long way
>in improving the overall financial condition of the nation.  Also,
>improving the
>situation w.r.t. discrimination would allow this nation to tap a yet
>unexploited --
>(oops, bad word) unused -- rescource of mind power.  But you must
>remember, "White,
>Middle Class America" really does not realize this because their concerns
>lie with
>putting food on the table, working 40 hours a week, union dues, ... etc. 
>And again
>I ask, can you blame them?  
>
>What needs to be done is to educate them so that they are more conciouse
>of the 
>representatives they do vote for.  David Duke did good in the polls
>because he
>told a class of people exactly what they wanted to hear.  I don't think
>all the
>people who voted for him are klansmen, just unaware and, yes, apathetic
>to the 
>implications of people like him holding office.  Now, on one hand, I
>don't like
>the idea of these mandatory "indoctrination" courses that many
>universities are
>starting to get, but on the other, I really do understand and sympathise
>with
>their motivation.  It is a much better approach than burning down cities.
>
>Michael F. Kamprath
>kamprath@caen.engin.umich.edu

Michael, I feel like this is the beginning of an ever enlarging 
circle.  What you have said is the exact reason why minorities 
whine and complain, because the establishment, the white middle 
class america, is too busy trying to get on with their lives.  
People tend to develop tunnel vision in their lives, they make 
assumptions and just as long as these assumptions aren't 
challenged, they go on their merry way in making a living.  
It is only when  assumptions are challenged that people go 
back to re-examine their understanding.  You are correct in 
saying that minorities should set about educating the white
majority.  The problem is, the majority can not be educated 
when they are not listening.  All the whining and complaining
is a method by which minorities can go about getting the
establishment's attention.  Think about it, most people don't
pay any attention to their cars until it quits on them or when
the gauges lights up.  Those who have been burned a few times 
tend to be more cautious and take care of the car even when it
is running well.  Same thing in this instance, even though society
is operating smoothly on the surface, this does not mean that we can 
afford to ignore the injustices prevalent deeper within our society.
The reason is that one day all this stuff will bust thru and wreak
havoc.  You have to deal with a multicultural populace and their 
concerns on a daily basis if you hope to maintain a satisfactory 
status quo.  

Look at the '60s, african-americans have been mistreated for a long time,
but white america ignored most of the signs of social unrest until
the oppressed people said enough is enough.  White america stood up and
took notice.  The situation has changed considerably, but the problem 
is still there.  My question to you is, when will white america look
at its problems BEFORE the problem erupts?  There are warning signs 
everywhere, but only a very few are listening.  

On a similar vein, Ralph Wiley of Sports Illustrated has written a book 
on the racial climate in america.  He wrote specifically about 
african americans, but it applies to most racial, sexual, and religious 
minorities.  The book is called " Why black people have to shout", or 
something along that line.

I hope you understand my explanation and that this discussion does not become a circular arguement.  I get enough of that here at Tech. 8-)

****************************************************************************
*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							   *
*   	"Pass, Set, CRUSH!"...						   * 
*  	Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad for a short, fat guy.  		   *
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