Topic #22. Only 4 days left, What have you learned?
(Showing 1-7 of 7)

1. Only 4 days left, What have you learned?
Mon, Oct 4, 1999 - 10:50 AM/EST

Have people said everything they want to say?

I'll keep checking any active messages, but it

looks like we're winding down.

Race relations seem to be one of the hardest

things to talk about. I appreciated being able to

talk to all of you so openly. I thought more

about what keeps us apart, what helps us build

bridges and what more I can do to help make the

climate in this country a little better (I'll be

starting local).

I hadn't thought about the feelings that

surrounded black men dating black women. I

learned some new ways of looking at affirmative

action and illegal immigration. I heard some of

the anger and frustration about the current state

of affairs as well as some reasons for hope.

Thanks to everyone who added to the conversation.

Thanks especially to Alicia, Kilimanjaro, Ben,

Johnizen and Kikko who I seemed to talk with the

most and gave me some great food for thought.

What I hope I contributed? That I also helped

people think in new directions. For people who

have to deal with racism, that even though there

are many out there who openly discriminate, there

are others like myself who want to see change and

may be looking for ways to make a difference.

Keep the faith. It's been great. I wish all of

you well.

2. My group observations
Mon, Oct 4, 1999 - 12:16 PM/EST

One of the following probably explains the large number of posts in the beginning

1) All of us in this group have short attention spans.

2) Others are checking the threads at work like myself..., and the boss noticed.

3) We have a lot less intelligent thoughts to contribute then we originally imagined as we signed up. Condensing all that jarble in my head into 2K semi-choherent characters was a lot harder than I expected. I remember now why I stayed away from a Liberal Arts degree. Except for Ben, I don't suspect may of us are planning to submit to magazines for publication real soon.

On a more serious note. I appreciated everyone's input. Members introduced me to perspectives never before imagined. And I am a know-it-all (Just ask my wife).

I did notice that as enlightened we try to be we still spend a lot of energy talking past one another. I am certainly as guilty as the next poster. Just something to keep in mind when we talk to those real world slobs who aren't even trying to be enlightened.

Oh, how I wish to have the time to spend with individuals of the group at a coffee shop discussing "our topcis" and art, politics? I guess I know what I will be doing during retirement (My wife will really find me unbearable when I come home).

bbc, I asked you some questions in thread 20 about your feelings on illegal immigration. Please respond if you have the time.

3. the group
Mon, Oct 4, 1999 - 9:01 PM/EST
alicia

I've had a wonderful time. I regret not having the

time to add as many posts as I wished. I found

everyone refreshingly civil and articulate. I did

not agree with all perspectives but I felt the

genuine will of the group to have the world be a

better place. I suppose it's happened

already.Knowing that you are all out there

choosing to see others as equals has given me

hope. I must give a nod to Kilamanjaro,bbc,ben and

demara. Thankyou for your heartfelt and honest

posts. I learned alot from you.

To everyone: SHINE and show others the power of

LOVE.

love,

Alicia

4. What have you learned
Wed, Oct 6, 1999 - 7:43 PM/EST

I'm pleased that there is, at least, one place online that is, as Alicia say, "civil and articulate." I've tried to interact on message boards on this topic to my regret.I wish I'd begun at the beginning.It's been interesting. As said, (sorry, I didn't write the name) we do "talk past" one another. I guess that's because we want to express and listening is not easy--at first. Having been in the listening business I hope I did not mis-interpret anyone. It, usually, takes a series of exchanges before "we" begin to "hear." Without body and tone cues as in the traditional way of communicating-talking we miss lots.

5. Good bye debbie and thanks
Thu, Oct 7, 1999 - 6:25 PM/EST

Thanks Debbie--appreciate all the info on the family. My thoughts were of the family rather than the racial issue. I stepped into their lives for

a wk and my interaction with you online has made them seem all the closer to me. Please let them know that this "Karen & Bill" feel that they know your "Karen & Bill" and we wish them continued

happiness and success in their marriage.

If it ever reruns on tv, we'll watch it again.

Good bye and good luck, kaylee

6. Time is running out?
Fri, Oct 8, 1999 - 4:10 AM/EST

Any endeavor that is used to uplift us all, will

never run out.Our memories of this simple

communication,will stay with us for the rest

of our lives. Because we type rather than talk,

we actually took time to share what we really

felt & thought.Imagine, in 1999 this discussion

began with a television story of an independant white American woman & a black American man

sharing their lives with the whole country.

Would this discussion even happen if it was

otherwise.The year 2000 is at hand.Will you

let this become another online conversation

thrown to the digital wind,or will you do as I

and others will do.Share our drops of wisdom

with the Multi-Cultural Diaspora,creating at least a pause,if not a total change,

in the ripple of negativity.

I own a small but growing record company that

is geared toward spreading the values of

Multi-Culturalism.The job that I have taken on for myself,is to spread Love,Music,and Wisdom

to the masses.While infusing high levels of

positive self esteem.I am happy to know that

people like you are in this country.Who knows,

maybe my next song will be called "GROUP 9"

7. Continued.
Fri, Oct 8, 1999 - 4:19 AM/EST

It's been Lovely.

Peace & Love,

JOHNIZEN