CRAMULUS

[LMNO]

I thnk I get it, and it makes me uncomfortable, so we should discuss it.

It appears that Discordianism, as seen in the US at least, appeals mainly to white people. I'm not sure if there's and economic aspect to it as well, or an "Internet access" aspect, which we may want to explore as well.

The question for me is, "is there anything inherent in Discordia that naturally restricts specific ethnicities from enjoying or participating?"

I'm trying to avoid the sentence, "Discordia is inherently racist", even though that's an awesome troll.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

The question for me is, "is there anything inherent in Discordia that naturally restricts specific ethnicities from enjoying or participating?"

No.

I will agree that there are economic issues.

I will agree that there are racial factors in economic issues.

But I don't think we project any barriers to other ethnicities.  We have NEVER treated anyone differently on issues of race, and people who have (Cowass, Admiral Lexington, Voice of Truth, Manubu, Zurtok) have left, due to being ostracized after posting some racist screed or other.

I think, more than anything, that Discordianism was written for White culture by the fact that it was written by privileged White guys (sounds like another document I know of).  It's hard to worry about the BIP, for example, if you're worried about being lynched or deported or denied employment time and again strictly because you're Black, etc (Be assured, this still happens.  Seen it myself.)

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

[Faust]

I think, more than anything, that Discordianism was written for White culture by the fact that it was written by privileged White guys (sounds like another document I know of).  It's hard to worry about the BIP, for example, if you're worried about being lynched or deported or denied employment time and again strictly because you're Black, etc (Be assured, this still happens.  Seen it myself.)

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

Exactly, the time to think nowadays is a luxury that's not easily available.

[LMNO]

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

That sounds about right. In that case, is there an unspoken obligation for outreach?

[Richter]

Beyond that, not enough info to make a statement about such a ratio of race at PD.  Even less so for Discordia as a whole.

[navkat]

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

That sounds about right. In that case, is there an unspoken obligation for outreach?

I feel that outreach is the antithesis of what we're doing here.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

That sounds about right. In that case, is there an unspoken obligation for outreach?

I don't see that there's an obligation.

I also think that we'd have to change our core philosophy and goals, and this gives me the jimjams.  I can feel the "limosine liberal" approach, if you know what I mean.

Hell, it's pretty insulting of me to imply that we have solutions for them, when we don't even have solutions for ourselves.  If they want to come, they're welcome.  Johnny, Nigel, Verthaine, and several others came.

I look at it this way...We kept Nigel and Johnny, and we lost Cowass and Zurtok.  We aren't perfect, but we're at least on the right track.  I can't see any benefit to turning into a pack of patronizing yippies, when what we CAN do is try to stymie the rising tide of racism that exists.

We are what we are.

[Faust]

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

That sounds about right. In that case, is there an unspoken obligation for outreach?

We don't outreach for ANYONE. I'd find it insulting to be invited just because I was a minority or of a poor economic backround.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

That sounds about right. In that case, is there an unspoken obligation for outreach?

We don't outreach for ANYONE. I'd find it insulting to be invited just because I was a minority or of a poor economic backround.

This.

[navkat]

The very essence of Discordia is all-inclusive by default.

Have you ever considered that there's possibly no appeal in this to other-racial cultures except to a certain segment? I mean as great as we all know we are (troll), when you think about it: most white people think we're pretty out-there.

Maybe they just don't like us.

[AFK]

Well, Discordia and BIP does seem to do well in Brazil, for whatever that's worth. 

[pH]

As far as preventing racism, that requires changing of fundamental social values and attitudes that many people don't realize they have until exposed to other races. So it seems the most important thing to do is raise the general education level?

Although as far as this site appealing to college students, I'm in college and could probably get 'new blood' on here by inviting friends, if thats what you guys want.
To get minorities though, it just gets down to finding like-minded people.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

As far as preventing racism, that requires changing of fundamental social values and attitudes that many people don't realize they have until exposed to other races. So it seems the most important thing to do is raise the general education level?

Although as far as this site appealing to college students, I'm in college and could probably get 'new blood' on here by inviting friends, if thats what you guys want.
To get minorities though, it just gets down to finding like-minded people.

No, I know plenty of racist fucks with degrees, and a large number of illiterates who don't give a fuck for race.

In the 60s, it WAS an ignorance thing.  Now it's a hate thing.  The remedy is mockery and laughter.

[Richter]

I don't see that there's an obligation.

I also think that we'd have to change our core philosophy and goals, and this gives me the jimjams.  I can feel the "limosine liberal" approach, if you know what I mean.

Hell, it's pretty insulting of me to imply that we have solutions for them, when we don't even have solutions for ourselves.  If they want to come, they're welcome.  Johnny, Nigel, Verthaine, and several others came.

I look at it this way...We kept Nigel and Johnny, and we lost Cowass and Zurtok.  We aren't perfect, but we're at least on the right track.  I can't see any benefit to turning into a pack of patronizing yippies, when what we CAN do is try to stymie the rising tide of racism that exists.

We are what we are.

THIS.

Navkat:  Maybe we aren't likeable period.

[hooplala]

I think, more than anything, that Discordianism was written for White culture by the fact that it was written by privileged White guys (sounds like another document I know of).  It's hard to worry about the BIP, for example, if you're worried about being lynched or deported or denied employment time and again strictly because you're Black, etc (Be assured, this still happens.  Seen it myself.)

It's not that we keep them out; it's that there's no appeal for them to come in.

Exactly, the time to think nowadays is a luxury that's not easily available.

See this is the mindset I don't get... I don't really think economic factors are as important as some people do... I think some people just have natural inclinations to think certain ways.

I mean I've been pretty poor my entire life, only really in the last three or four years have I had enough money that I'm not constantly worrying about covering rent, food, etc.  It's one of the primary reasons my wife and I don't have kids.  Even now, I don't really make that much money... you'd be surprised how little porn photoshoppers make.  Or maybe you wouldn't.  But the point is, I've had a certain philosophical nature my entire life.  Does being comfortable give me more time to think about philosophical questions?  Sure, but that doesn't mean I didn't have them before.

So I guess that's the aspect I don't understand.