Reply #77: And you didn't let sexism or racism deter you

[zalinda]

now did you? That is my point. You don't cry racism or sexism because things aren't going your way, well unless you are getting beat up. But all kinds of people are prejudged, fat ones, skinny ones, ugly ones, short ones, gay ones, disabled ones and the list goes on. Unless you look like Barbie or Ken there is a strike against you, and you had better be a tall Barbie or Ken. I don't fall into either of those categories. Affirmative action is great, it has helped many people achieve something that they wouldn't have been able to achieve without the helping hand. But, as with anything, it has also had it's drawbacks, like some people who got promoted but were ill equipped for the job.

Thank goodness you are not on the bottom of the heap anymore, that has been reserved for Middle Eastern people. You talk as if it is 50 years ago, and it's not. Many women and people of color have been very successful, but they don't own billion dollar companies, they own million dollar companies or smaller. They have been able to climb out from poverty because of their or their parents hard work. The original OP stated that there are very few high ranking politicians or CEO's that are women or people of color, and my answer was that every one at one time or another has had problems with succeeding, ALL EXCEPT RICH WHITE MEN.

The OP started this thread as a thinly disguised dig at any white man that is running for President. And my answer is this......if I vote for Clinton because she is a woman or Obama because he is black, then I am no better than the person who votes for some one because he/she is cute. It doesn't matter what the contest is, whether looks or gender, has never been a factor for me. What counts is what they bring to the table, so to speak.

I'm almost 60 years old, I lived through the Detroit riots. I've seen real racism, and lived with it with my extended family. I've lived through prejudice and I'm still living it, as I don't look like a Barbie and never did. And while I have had a rough time, I have NEVER blamed white men for my problems. I have never hated a Barbie, who had life much easier. I have learned that I am just as responsible for my problems as any other person is responsible for their's. A lot of people keep trying to go through that locked door, and complaining when it won't open, but others have learned to go around it. I learned, and my guess is, so have you.

zalinda