# Hey, Melissa Harris-Parry - you're wrong, you're stupid, you're ugly (on the inside). **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607 "2014-01-01T01:18:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/241 "2014-01-10T17:10:48Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > “Just answer yes or no” is bullshit lawyer tactics designed to destroy any hint of ambiguity in a very ambiguous area. There. Is. NUANCE. There are shades of gray involved. There is no such thing here as a yes or no question, no matter how very much you’d love the world to conform to your personal preferences. You don’t even understand what my question was about. Either you believe something, or you don’t. I just want a straight answer. My question was aimed at a poster who claimed something was never said, whereas I thought it was said. I was merely asking him to confirm. This wasn’t about supporting his claims, merely what claim he’s making. As for “nuance,” yeah, I keep hearing that crap, and nobody (save one very polite poster who isn’t done yet) ever comes out and explains what they mean by it or why it matters or any of that. They just hurl insults and leave. > [@](#): > > As a person of overwhelmingly European extraction myself, I know how tempting it is to just declare racism over now that the civil rights era is done and try like hell to act like there isn’t any historical baggage on racial relations, but it’s just not looking at reality. I didn’t say a word about “declaring racism to be over” (and never have - this conversation has nothing to do with that). I asked a poster to clarify his claims. Please read more carefully before you step in. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/242 "2014-01-10T17:15:08Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > As a person of overwhelmingly European extraction myself, I know how tempting it is to just declare racism over now that the civil rights era is done and try like hell to act like there isn’t any historical baggage on racial relations, but it’s just not looking at reality. Of course there is historical baggage. Of course racism isn’t over. I never said otherwise. What is your point though? Does that justify racism by blacks against whites? See why I need a yes or no? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/243 "2014-01-10T23:37:16Z")
> [@Martin\_Luther](#): > > you’re acting as if all white folks have it good and well … there are a lot of poor whites who will stay poor and who will always struggle … do you think they deserve your scorn and ill will as well ? … If that’s what you got from me, then I apologize, that was not my intention. Obviously there are whites who do not have it good and for them, it would be bad form to heap scorn upon them. But ask yourself this: do they perpetuate racial inequality? Do they enjoy rights/capital/privileges due to their race that they refuse to acknowledge? I can scorn them for other things, not because they are rich, but because they are assholes or racists who think they are better than minorities > [@Martin\_Luther](#): > > also, I’m sure you’re aware that there are actual white folks who originate from countries that had nothing to do with slavery … Yes, but as a white person, they enjoy intrinsic privileges that other races do not. Do they recognize that? Do they seek to reduce inequality or perpetuate it for their own benefits? > [@Martin\_Luther](#): > > also, everything you say is being done … plenty of white people are helping blacks and other minorities … here and in other countries … but you seem to expect for any and all white folks to become civil rights activists and dedicate their lives to the black cause … that’s not realistic … everyone has their own daily problems to do deal with … most average people are just trying to deal with their own lives and make sure they have their rent money and food on the table … I don’t expect them to lift a finger. What I described was someone who I would consider fully innocent and undeserving of the minor racial insults directed at the white race in general. You don’t have to do anything to help blacks, but in return, why can’t I despise you? You seem to want whites to do nothing and in some cases perpetuate racial inequality but not allow me to dislike them. Too bad, they don’t get off that easily. People deserve to reap what they sow and if they sow hate, inequality, and racism, then they deserve what they get. They don’t have to do anything, but they lose the moral high ground to complain about it if they don’t. So for white people such as the Romneys or almost any Republican who deny racism exists (look it up, a ton of white people think its over) or perpetuate with things like Voter ID laws, they deserve hate, scorn, and anything else heaped upon them by blacks AND they have no moral high ground to complain. Those are the people who blacks can call whatever name they want and deserve to sit there and take it. I’m not advocating for revolution here, I’m telling them to shut their mouths if they’re going to keep trying to make black people poor and take their insults because it is totally deserved. > [@Martin\_Luther](#): > > I understand how you feel … but you have to understand not everyone wakes up in the morning with the goal to go discriminate against you or anyone else … most people are just worried about their own survival Often times you don’t have to do much. But if you vote Republican, especially this current Republican crowd, then you cross the line from being simply a bystander to one who’s actively participating in perpetuating racial hatred. > [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Do YOU consider it racism? I do not consider the BET or Black History Month racist. I would consider the WET or White History Month racist, however. Back to my question, why don’t you consider them racist? They seem to hit upon all the qualifications you listed as racist so I’m just trying to understand you. Its not that I’m just now wanting a serious discussion with you, like I said before, we were just talking through each other and were never going to agree, so there’s no reason for us to discuss it any longer unless something new comes up. This is something new, so I want to know ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/244 "2014-01-13T10:23:50Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > You don’t even understand what my question was about. > > Either you believe something, or you don’t. I just want a straight answer. You got an answer. You just refuse to accept it. > [@](#): > > As for “nuance,” yeah, I keep hearing that crap, and nobody (save one very polite poster who isn’t done yet) ever comes out and explains what they mean by it or why it matters or any of that. Well, except for the multiple people in this thread who HAVE explained it and why it matters. If you still don’t understand it, the problem is not everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/245 "2014-01-13T14:29:49Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Obviously there are whites who do not have it good and for them, it would be bad form to heap scorn upon them. If you believe that, then you AGREE WITH ME that racism against whites is wrong, because racism means heaping scorn on someone based on nothing but their race, with an assumption that they are like everyone else in their race. > [@](#): > > But ask yourself this: do they perpetuate racial inequality? Do they enjoy rights/capital/privileges due to their race that they refuse to acknowledge? I can scorn them for other things, not because they are rich, but because they are assholes or racists who think they are better than minorities What you’re saying is that you can judge people for being racist. (Your definition of racist is skewed and arrogantly presumptious, but one thing at a time). You understand that criticizing someone for racism isn’t the same thing as being racist against them, right? > [@](#): > > Yes, but as a white person, they enjoy intrinsic privileges that other races do not. You’re doing it again. No, not all white people enjoy “intrinsic privileges,” and there are hundreds of other privileges you don’t seem to care about either. > [@](#): > > Do they recognize that? Do they seek to reduce inequality or perpetuate it for their own benefits? What exactly do you want white people to do? Specifics, please. > [@](#): > > I don’t expect them to lift a finger. What I described was someone who I would consider fully innocent and undeserving of the minor racial insults directed at the white race in general. Sorry, no. You either condemn racism or you don’t. You can’t do it case-by-case. You may not ASSUME that someone is guilty simply by looking at their race first - that’s the definition of racism. You must assume innocence, and base your judgement only on what you know about them. > [@](#): > > People deserve to reap what they sow and if they sow hate, inequality, and racism, then they deserve what they get. They don’t have to do anything, but they lose the moral high ground to complain about it if they don’t. What complete racist crap. Simply by doing nothing except being white, they deserve your scorn? They are guilty until they prove they’ve done something to satisfy you? Bullshit. You may not judge people that way. > [@](#): > > So for white people such as the Romneys or almost any Republican who deny racism exists (look it up, a ton of white people think its over) or perpetuate with things like Voter ID laws, they deserve hate, scorn, and anything else heaped upon them by blacks AND they have no moral high ground to complain. Those are the people who blacks can call whatever name they want and deserve to sit there and take it. I’m not advocating for revolution here, I’m telling them to shut their mouths if they’re going to keep trying to make black people poor and take their insults because it is totally deserved. Now you’re back to only judging people for what they do, rather than just being white. That’s how it’s supposed to work. Stick with that, and you’ll get it right. > [@](#): > > Often times you don’t have to do much. But if you vote Republican, especially this current Republican crowd, then you cross the line from being simply a bystander to one who’s actively participating in perpetuating racial hatred. I wonder what you think of black Republicans. LOL. > [@](#): > > I do not consider the BET or Black History Month racist. I would consider the WET or White History Month racist, however. Back to my question, why don’t you consider them racist? They seem to hit upon all the qualifications you listed as racist so I’m just trying to understand you. Its not that I’m just now wanting a serious discussion with you, like I said before, we were just talking through each other and were never going to agree, so there’s no reason for us to discuss it any longer unless something new comes up. This is something new, so I want to know I will not have a discussion where you declare that you don’t care and won’t have respect for me or my views from the start. If you really want to know what I think, withdraw the insults and commit to a discussion. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/246 "2014-01-13T14:31:06Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > You got an answer. You just refuse to accept it. Nope. > [@](#): > > Well, except for the multiple people in this thread who HAVE explained it and why it matters. If you still don’t understand it, the problem is not everyone else. I see this kind of childish bullshit enough in the real world. I’m not interested in it from anyone here. If you want a real discussion, let me know. Insiting you’re right about something and refusing to support it and throwing out insults and then insisting you’ve already answered questions is not real discussion. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607/247 "2014-01-13T14:38:47Z")
It’s interesting that the more I push, the more people who have been busy insulting me and insisting I’m wrong and refusing to discuss it actually turn out to agree with me, either because they didn’t understand my position or they don’t understand their own. I doubt many will have the guts to admit it though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-melissa-harris-parry-youre-wrong-youre-stupid-youre-ugly-on-the-inside/677607.md?page=12)