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Topic : 01/12 Racism Experiment

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Created on : Friday, January 06, 2006, 01:48:12 pm

Author : DrPhilBoard1

Charlie, a self-described racist, struggled with the fact that his daughter was going to have a biracial baby. His insensitive, hate-based thinking tore apart his family. After speaking with Dr. Phil, he agreed to spend some time learning about African-American culture. How did he do when Dr. Phil set him up to live with a black family for two days? And, Dave grew up believing he was white, but found out the family secret when he was 26 - that he was actually biracial. In an effort to heal the pain of being deceived his whole childhood, Dave went public with his story, with disastrous consequences. How can he heal and move on? Plus, Cene is biracial and says her mother accuses her of acting "too white." Should Cene have to choose a race? Share your thoughts.

Find out what happened on the show.

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liatsunami

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January 13, 2006, 9:51 pm PST

01/12 Racism Experiment

Quote From: Yupi

Hey I hardly see any asian faces as guests of this show. We've got black people and white, wat about the chinese japanese and all those other people. My classmates used to say asian people are ugly and that the atomic bomb in japan created forces that pulled our face back making our eyes small. Wat an ass. People don't realise that asian people are discrimintaed as well... Black people are cool and so are the white people. Please know that us asians are here too!

Well if it makes you feel any better I love the features of asian people. I watch CCTV 9 everyday on satelitte. It's a TV station broadcast out of China for international english speaking audiences. It helps me keep up on news in that region, since Asia is one of the two regions of specialty in my major.

So take heart there are non-asian people out there who are interested in the various cultures of Asia, and appreciate the contributions that Asian countries and people have made to the world.

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johnk3493

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January 13, 2006, 10:05 pm PST

I believe, He is going to change that.To Be on the Show

Quote From: Yupi

Asians Are so disciplined, In Japan I believe;The average Level Of College Education Is 6 yrs. ? Jinji From Hitachi, Robotics engineer. They push themselves to Learn, all the time, In all areas of there life.They start at age 3. In most areas of Asia

They do not Need Atomic Weapons, They have satellites, in the Sky.

Take care, John

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saddays

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January 13, 2006, 10:23 pm PST

you're so right

Quote From: agibean

MY daughter, on the other hand, has many friends of many races and cultures and is dating a black boy. Instead of being prejudiced about dating people of color, she looks at the INNER PERSON.

But YOUR daughter is being raised to draw the line at people of her own race for dating and marriage and will continue the cycle of prejudice. How sad, for both you and her. And guess what? Her friends of color know EXACTLY where they stand and what kind of friend she really is.

Shame on you for perpetuating prejudice!

I'm astoninshed that someone would use the excuse that biracial people or those who date biracially are mistreated as a reason to continue old prejudices. But I'm sure you think there's been progress because people can be "friends" biracially. I'm feeling ill over it.

My biracial marriage and my biracial child and my older daughter dating biracially are making the world a little less small and a little less judgemental. The people who continue discrimination in whatever guise they wish to call it remain part of the problem.

That really is a horrible excuse to maintain racial segregation, even if it's only for dating & marriage & not for just casual interaction.
That reminds me of some research I did about the point in time where Americans were debating whether or not to allow Asians to become citizens. Asians were looked at as being so completely foreign in both appearance and culture that Americans believed that it was impossible for them to ever assimilate into American society. And when it came to biracial Asian/white children, I believe it was FDR who said that those children would forever be "social and biological misfits." How horrendous is that??? But that was back in the 1940's. For people to STILL maintain those same attitudes towards multiracial people is even MORE horrendous.
I am biracial, and many of my friends growing up were multiracial. I grew up in NYC where it's not uncommon at all to meet multiracial people everywhere you go. I think it's great that way. Rather than looking at each other with disgust or embarrassment and asking "what are you?" with a critical tone, when we ask "what are you?" it's with sincere interest and curiosity, and with a desire to learn more about a person's ethnic and cultural background(s). If only more places in this country (and the world) could be like that...

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saddays

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January 13, 2006, 10:56 pm PST

grrr

Quote From: szklana

I totally agree. I'm multi-ethnic (and in an interracial soon-to-be-marriage, as well!), and I do have an identity. I am very proud of being who I am, and I only wish that society as a whole would be more accepting of multi-ethnic people. People who don't understand simply assume that we're all struggling to find our identities or suffer unneccesarily because we don't fit neatly into any category. Multi-ethnic people DO have a lot of issues that are unique, but a lot of it has to do with the lack of acceptance or understanding of multiculturalism or multiethnicity. We can't fill out forms that ask about our ethnicity without being confused or knowing that we'll be checking off a box that means "you don't count". It's either "choose one" or "you don't matter to us". It's no huge surprise why some multi-ethnic people are coaxed into denying all but one part of their backgrounds, and that's both annoying and sad.

It'd make my day if everyone woke up one morning and was able to be proud of who they are AND not marginalize other people based on their ethnic backgrounds. But that's impossible for some, maybe even for most.

Ooooooooooooooh, I HATE those ethnicity check-lists! Why do they say, "Check one" in this day & age???? It's absurd. I always get so annoyed. If there's an option of "other" I always pick that. Sometimes I'll check both anyway. haha
I have a black friend who, when given the option of "African American" will check "other" instead and fill in "black." hehehe
Our way of sticking it to the man...

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saddays

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January 13, 2006, 11:04 pm PST

hmm...

Quote From: dterenzi

I don't think that I am naive at all, and I know that my granddaughter would not be the only white child in school with a black step father. Yes I do worry about other children being cruel. I have some friends, he is black and she is white, they have a daughter, she has told me that no matter how you look at it her daughter is black, she got called names in school, teased, (is that fair to an innocent child?) she has also said that when they go out they get looks, even in this day and age it is still frowned upon, granted most are racist, I however do not believe that I am a racist, It's a cruel world we live in and by admission, caused by people that think and feel the way I do. Like I said I feel guilty at times for the way I feel.

So you're saying that because other people are racist and disapprove of multiracial children, you don't think multiracial children should exist. That makes no sense. Just because a lot of white people in this country didn't (and don't) like blacks, should they have all been killed off or sterilized? Asians weren't wanted in this country. Americans didn't even want to allow them to become citizens? Should everyone have just gone along with that?

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saddays

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January 13, 2006, 11:19 pm PST

you're just absurd

Quote From: illneptune

It still amazes me when I see and hear so many people who don't realize the sort of world we are living in today.

We are still bleating on and whining about supposed "racism"? The father on the show has every right to be angry and furious with his daughter and it has nothing to do with hating other people. Maybe he's angry that his daughter just threw away her heritage and culture thereby effectively discontinuing one "branch" of his family. Perhaps he's also upset over the fact that his daughter's selfish behaviour just robbed a child of its identity. It is neither Black or White and one can't be both. Listen to the story of the man who just found out he's "biracial." Children such as this are often forced to choose a "side" and they still aren't fully accepted. Why bring a child into such suffering?

So here is a man who is branded a racist, because he wants to preserve his culture and heritage. He wants his family to look like he does! God forbid he desire a perfectly natural thing like that! How hateful of him to be angry with his daughter, who just threw away how many thousands of years of evolution? Even though the father and the daughter are ordinary people, they still have the blood of the people who built the modern world. White people should remember that. We have a fantastic heritage and we shouldn't throw it away on the sick fad of multiculturalism.

I fully expect to be called a "racist" here. It doesn't matter because it's nothing more than an attack word for people who have no argument? Why? Because the word can't be defined. It's too general. What may be a "racist" thought, word or action to one person...may not be "racist" at all to another person. So have at it.

Why can't we be both? What is wrong with you? You point to the guy whose parents lied to him all his life about his true background as evidence of what? If it's that he had screwed up parents, then I'd agree, but it has nothing to do with multiracialism being a negative thing. I'm biracial & I was never "forced to choose a 'side'" and I've always been accepted.
And what the heck kind of "suffering" are you talking about?? You don't sound like a racist. You sound like a lunatic! What on earth are you basing these crazy ideas on? I've never suffered for being multiracial. In fact, I've only ever benefitted from it. I have more than one "fantastic heritage" to look back on and learn from. Yes, you're right that "white people" (and all the nationalities that that term covers) have fantastic heritage, but there are many different kinds of white people, and therefore many histories to look back on. However, I also have my fantastic Chinese heritage that I can also partake from. But it's not just the benefit of history. I've been told that I'm stunningly beautiful, that my international features transcend all races, that I have an amazing ability to blend in with all sorts of groups of people. People like YOU are the reason why there are ANY multiracial children out there "suffering" from small-minded views such as yours. Luckily, I have had few interactions with people such as yourself, and in general, I have not only been accepted, but admired & loved - not for my race, but for myself. So much for your "biracial suffering"... If you truly believe that, you have not had much interaction with multiracial people, and you need to travel & get out more, because you are ignorant.

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johnk3493

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January 14, 2006, 2:05 am PST

Yes, Charlie and George on the Show

Quote From: charlie75

Rujon,
Unfortunately, I missed the show. Was there a guest by the name of Charlie on there? Or is there another member named Charlie? I don't think you were talking to me, but if you were, I am soooooooooooo lost.
Charlie

Do not forget to Invite George, and me..

Take care

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johnk3493

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January 14, 2006, 2:20 am PST

Do not Forget about George and Me.

Quote From: rgw964

Charlie, I saw the show and want to congratulate you for the transformation. It is like you have been born again. I hope your relationship with your daughter and granddaughter continues to grow strong. I am praying for you. I think in the coming years you may become an activist for racial equity in peoples minds. I am routing for you.

Rujon

P.S. My offer for that Deep Sea fishing trip is still on.

We could all go fishing..

Would be a great time... I`ll Bring the Non/Alcohol Beer..

Make a day of it. We could be the 4 stooges.. LOL Actually There were five...

Dr Phil. Would you like to Go Fishing with us?

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my_2angels

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January 14, 2006, 5:14 am PST

Multi-ethnic.

Quote From: bryanac625

My wife and I are interracially married and expecting our first child (a baby girl) in March. As far as I'm concerned, when someone would ask her the question, "what are you?" the answer should be, "a human being."

But I'm just really uncomfortable with the term "biracial." I guess that is the "in" term these days, but to me it says there really are two different races of people. We want to raise her to believe the truth, that all people are equal human beings and there is no such thing as "race." So any suggestions on a new term?

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johnk3493

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January 14, 2006, 7:04 am PST

Maybe The Doctor will do A follow up Show,You can be on.

Quote From: kendellsma

i am 21 years old and i have a 1 years old son that is mixed woth black and white. i the mother is white. i live in alabama which is known or said to be on of the most racist states. i love my son and i also love his father but i am worried that biracial children have it hard growing up, to even filing out paperwork when they get old enough. So is it really that hard for a biracial child? i think ithe hardest will be for a black/white child and i say this because my aunt is married to a spanish man and so her sons are spanish/white, but yet my grandparents(her parents) disowned me because my child is black. do i care? no. my child is the most precious thing ever. but like i said i would like different viewpoints on this subject.

I know you hurt, and in pain, But You have to show your son,On how you respond to it. You both love Your son,

Kids pick up real quick.On Behavior

You might be able to find other people, that will show him love..

Take care, John

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