Thread: White Privilege

white privilege..!! its a double edged sword!!

in this day and age, I'm happy to be short with curly hair and facial features that are latin. My appearance is ethnically generic, most people have no idea what my "race" is. I can sorta "blend" in. I can "blend" in with whites. I can tell them I'm French, some thought I was French - they don't know any better. I can tell them I'm Mexican - they won't argue with me. I'm not Mexican. That's the nice part about being hispanic and having genes from all parts of world - europe, middle east, africa, and native caribbean blood. BE JEALOUS! Not to mention, my height, while short for an american, is more normal in other places. So I won't look like a lanky amazon walking around in tokyo! HAH

this person does fit that sort of american white middle class stereotype, in that they seem to be saying that as a white person they are so privilege, they need not have fear. life is bliss, tra-la-la-la-la!

HELLO!! that was the kind of IGNORANCE that shocked americans that some one actually wanted to, GASP, attack us. And that they actually, did. And when the terrorists attacked New York, do you think it was because they have beef with the hispanic population??? New York City has always been a symbol of America. A symbol of the WHITE western world, and all that it stands for.

And what do you think those suicide idiots were imagining when they attacked New York, I would think, in their blind ignorance that they were imagining : white blonde christian church going pizza and hamburger eating americans. Not because they like other races better, they don't. But thats the sort of ignorance others have of americans. That is what they think of, when they hear the word "A M E R I C A N". So in this respect, I'm grateful im not included in the picture. Though I should be. *why doesn't anyone think of the short person with curly hair? why?*

There are many places in the world, where your chances of being kidnapped and ransomed for money increases - because of the blinding whiteness of your skin. There are so many stories like this. And in these dangerous parts, really any american is in danger because these dangerous folk equate american with money. But let's face it, youre tall and white, you just look more american than me, and you can be bloody fuckin european! These dangerous places are found in Central and south america, africa, the middle east, asia...........cuba. That's, a lot!

That's a lot of places where the white privilege doesn't really exist.

And that's why this person seems to illustrate the stereotype of the ignorant white american - ignorant of how the world is really going round. Ignorant of how, the white skin color today is hated in other parts of the world.

So for all of you tall ass white blondies out there, you are a glowing target - literally in the sun - if you aren't already a lobster. And remember, when visiting far and away and exotic countries, YOU STAND OUT. And when standing out isn't a good thing, stick to the tourist areas

So I admit it's kinda nice not looking like the stereotypical american, when people are thinking bad thoughts about americans. But I will never be as privileged. Not because of my race, but my gender

For one, I'm too afraid to walk at night!

Originally Posted by juroara

white privilege..!! its a double edged sword!!

in this day and age, I'm happy to be short with curly hair and facial features that are latin. My appearance is ethnically generic, most people have no idea what my "race" is. I can sorta "blend" in. I can "blend" in with whites. I can tell them I'm French, some thought I was French - they don't know any better. I can tell them I'm Mexican - they won't argue with me. I'm not Mexican. That's the nice part about being hispanic and having genes from all parts of world - europe, middle east, africa, and native caribbean blood. BE JEALOUS! Not to mention, my height, while short for an american, is more normal in other places. So I won't look like a lanky amazon walking around in tokyo! HAH

this person does fit that sort of american white middle class stereotype, in that they seem to be saying that as a white person they are so privilege, they need not have fear. life is bliss, tra-la-la-la-la!

HELLO!! that was the kind of IGNORANCE that shocked americans that some one actually wanted to, GASP, attack us. And that they actually, did. And when the terrorists attacked New York, do you think it was because they have beef with the hispanic population??? New York City has always been a symbol of America. A symbol of the WHITE western world, and all that it stands for.

And what do you think those suicide idiots were imagining when they attacked New York, I would think, in their blind ignorance that they were imagining : white blonde christian church going pizza and hamburger eating americans. Not because they like other races better, they don't. But thats the sort of ignorance others have of americans. That is what they think of, when they hear the word "A M E R I C A N". So in this respect, I'm grateful im not included in the picture. Though I should be. *why doesn't anyone think of the short person with curly hair? why?*

There are many places in the world, where your chances of being kidnapped and ransomed for money increases - because of the blinding whiteness of your skin. There are so many stories like this. And in these dangerous parts, really any american is in danger because these dangerous folk equate american with money. But let's face it, youre tall and white, you just look more american than me, and you can be bloody fuckin european! These dangerous places are found in Central and south america, africa, the middle east, asia...........cuba. That's, a lot!

That's a lot of places where the white privilege doesn't really exist.

And that's why this person seems to illustrate the stereotype of the ignorant white american - ignorant of how the world is really going round. Ignorant of how, the white skin color today is hated in other parts of the world.

So for all of you tall ass white blondies out there, you are a glowing target - literally in the sun - if you aren't already a lobster. And remember, when visiting far and away and exotic countries, YOU STAND OUT. And when standing out isn't a good thing, stick to the tourist areas

So I admit it's kinda nice not looking like the stereotypical american, when people are thinking bad thoughts about americans. But I will never be as privileged. Not because of my race, but my gender

For one, I'm too afraid to walk at night!

You're a little paranoid I guess. I'm European but I, like many other non-Americans, don't view "all" americans (nice generalizing there) as rich white hamburger eating morons. Who go to church.
Try not to get into the USA vs World mindset... It won't do anybody any good lol.

Originally Posted by Timothy Paradox

You're a little paranoid I guess.

I'm sorry, but I have to agree.

How many "exotic" places you listed have you actually been to?
There is a lot of bullshit, media propaganda. Don't buy everything you hear.

There are two parts of the human brain. The thinker, and the prover. What the thinker thinks, the prover will do everything in it's power to prove.

This is bullshit.

Someone earlier said it about being a cultural difference rather than a racial. I'm not going to say that race plays no factor at all, but I would say that culture has more to do with this than anything else. To me this seems like an over generalized, and slightly offensive assumption. Fact is, a black person can do anything a white person can do. Barack Obama is probably the best example of this...Soon we are all going to be coffee-coloured with brown eyes and dark hair anyway. (C wut i did thur?)

Hmmm quite a few of you have some rather skewed views on the world, however I will not mention names, seems the majority are not to sure about what the OP is about. But that sounds more like a personal problem so I won't touch on it.

Yes there is as a matter of fact "White Privelage" whether you as a person of this race acknowledges it or not doesn't really matter it's still there and is proven to exist every single day. I could list countless scenarios myself where I have experienced this, but that would just be a waste of time on my part.

There are also many other privelages as well "Black Privelage", "Asian Privelage", "Indian Privelage", "Spanish Privelage", "Middle-Eastern Priverlage", "European Privelage", "Pacific-Islander Privelage", etc. etc. All of these can be experienced in there own locations.

The sheer fact of the matter is you might get judged, stereotyped, harassed, praised, belittled, looked down upon, etc. etc. etc. based on your race, or then again you may not. All depends on the person(s) doing the judging. But it's gonna happen regardless.

The sooner people acknoledge these facts, and start to break away from the mold. The better off the world will be. This has nothing to do with cultures either.

Brandon, I think that was the best post in this thread so far.
I agree.

Brandon, agrees with me, woot woot.

Lol @ coffee colored brown eyed skin remark. That won't happen if Timothy had a say in it.

Originally Posted by Brandon Heat

Hmmm quite a few of you have some rather skewed views on the world, however I will not mention names, seems the majority are not to sure about what the OP is about. But that sounds more like a personal problem so I won't touch on it.

Yes there is as a matter of fact "White Privelage" whether you as a person of this race acknowledges it or not doesn't really matter it's still there and is proven to exist every single day. I could list countless scenarios myself where I have experienced this, but that would just be a waste of time on my part.

There are also many other privelages as well "Black Privelage", "Asian Privelage", "Indian Privelage", "Spanish Privelage", "Middle-Eastern Priverlage", "European Privelage", "Pacific-Islander Privelage", etc. etc. All of these can be experienced in there own locations.

The sheer fact of the matter is you might get judged, stereotyped, harassed, praised, belittled, looked down upon, etc. etc. etc. based on your race, or then again you may not. All depends on the person(s) doing the judging. But it's gonna happen regardless.

The sooner people acknoledge these facts, and start to break away from the mold. The better off the world will be. This has nothing to do with cultures either.

A very insight post BH! and you're right, the author DID say most people wouldn't acknowledge it that WP exists. But as you said other [insert race here]P exists as well.

This article skirts a lot of the BS, a lot of what would otherwise be socially unacceptable to discuss.
Political correctedness often does more harm than good. Because like Brandon Heat said;

The sooner people acknoledge these facts, and start to break away from the mold. The better off the world will be.

Having to be Politically correct all the time makes this very difficult to do. From any perspective side.

So I’ll go balls out and ask, are you familiar with the term – white flight?

I think becasue of the environment that I grew up in that this gives me a close perspective on some of what is being said.

Originally Posted by Howie

So I’ll go balls out and ask, are you familiar with the term – white flight?

No I've never heard of that term before. What is it?

Originally Posted by Howie

I think becasue of the environment that I grew up in that this gives me a close perspective on some of what is being said.

Would you mind sharing more of that perspective?

Originally Posted by Jeff777

No I've never heard of that term before. What is it?

It's quite sad really. Many know this as The Urban sprawl, the uncontrolled spread of urban development into neighboring regions. Racially it is often referred to as white flight. The movement of mostly whites into more rural regions.
As with most or all big cities here in the US, the majority of the inner city population is of minority. Particularly black. Given the situation the inner cities become run down and riddled with crime. In time the area begins to widen and it eventually gets run down and the neighborhoods become slums. The inner city grows. This has been perceived by whites as “what the blacks do” As the expansion of the black neighborhood expands, the white population moves further out.

Would you mind sharing more of that perspective?

I live in a locality that lets me see the extremes of both ends. I live close to a populace that has a very high-income ratio. Working for that community, I often see the negativity that is generated by what has been the reoccurring theme. Yet on the other hand I too live close enough to the inner city of Cleveland to see the "slums" so to speak.
So it is (to me) hard to argue that the inner city population is not the cause of the expansion of the run down neighborhoods. But is is also very difficult to try an address an issue like this with out being labeled a racist.
So in return the issue is swept under the rug.

Growing up outside of the inner cities most all of the communities that I have been surrounded by becomes racial in one sense or another whether they like to admit it or not.
I think what has been failed to be seen is that any given race having been put in the same situation would in most cases end up in the same scenario. That is hard to say. That is the argument of – A product of the environment.

Originally Posted by Howie

It's quite sad really. Many know this as The Urban sprawl, the uncontrolled spread of urban development into neighboring regions. Racially it is often referred to as white flight. The movement of mostly whites into more rural regions.
As with most or all big cities here in the US, the majority of the inner city population is of minority. Particularly black. Given the situation the inner cities become run down and riddled with crime. In time the area begins to widen and it eventually gets run down and the neighborhoods become slums. The inner city grows. This has been perceived by whites as “what the blacks do” As the expansion of the black neighborhood expands, the white population moves further out.

Ah I see. Inner cities are notorious for crime, drugs, and prostitution. Why anyone would want to stay to not be perceived as racist and avoid the "White flight" term is beyond me. Hell I'd be on a U-Haul faster than most. But I do understand what you are saying. And now that you have explained it, I have heard this term before...but not very often.

Originally Posted by Howie

I live in a locality that lets me see the extremes of both ends. I live close to a populace that has a very high-income ratio. Working for that community, I often see the negativity that is generated by what has been the reoccurring theme. Yet on the other hand I too live close enough to the inner city of Cleveland to see the "slums" so to speak.
So it is (to me) hard to argue that the inner city population is not the cause of the expansion of the run down neighborhoods. But is is also very difficult to try an address an issue like this with out being labeled a racist.
So in return the issue is swept under the rug.

In my opinion, that's the problem. People don't want to be seen as "racist" and therefore let city eyesores continue to grow. It sort of comes off as if people like stewing in their own garbage without doing anything about it and complaining when someone wants to do something. And by garbage, I mean value dropping neighborhoods/cities.

Originally Posted by Howie

Growing up outside of the inner cities most all of the communities that I have been surrounded by becomes racial in one sense or another whether they like to admit it or not.
I think what has been failed to be seen is that any given race having been put in the same situation would in most cases end up in the same scenario. That is hard to say. That is the argument of – A product of the environment.

True...however I've heard this argument and I think it has some truth to it, albeit small truth. I think the people who largely use it do so as a cop out for why they are where they currently are in life or why they don't have as much as John Doe living two doors down. In America, we have free public libraries. Anyone, who wants anything can first learn "freely" how to obtain it, then they can go get it...I have little patience for people who blame others for why they are where they are.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.
42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.
80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.
70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
57 percent of new books are not read to completion.
(Source: Jerold Jenkins, www.JenkinsGroupInc.com)

The above stats aren't exclusive to inner cities, they do trouble me though.

Originally Posted by Timothy Paradox

Because it threatens diversity. Smaller cultures are changed forever or even disappear altogether - this is a real shame. I'm into linguistics, and now I know that there are about 3000-8000 languages on this world, of which thousands are on the "endangered languages list". Come on, that's a shame.
All those little things that make this big and diverse world interesting are disappearing. When I go to let's say south africa, I DON'T want to eat at McDonalds... I want something typical for that region.

Thank you. I agree with this completely. I do not agree with cultural extermination. It does not benefit communities, but those who make the money off of the disorder.

America is a special case of course; a case in which identity is not so easy to pick out. However we should wall up the borders now before it gets any crazier.

Originally Posted by Jeff777

Lol @ coffee colored brown eyed skin remark. That won't happen if Timothy had a say in it.



A very insight post BH! and you're right, the author DID say most people wouldn't acknowledge it that WP exists. But as you said other [insert race here]P exists as well.

What? Did I miss something? I agree with everthing BH had just said. Isn't that exactly what I said?
I feel left out.

Originally Posted by Never

America is a special case of course; a case in which identity is not so easy to pick out. However we should wall up the borders now before it gets any crazier.

I wouldn't go to such an extreme as "walling up the borders" because culture changes. It's not exclusive to any race, man, woman, or child. That's why I get so perturbed when I hear things like "White culture" this" and "Black culture" that. Who the hell is supposed to tell me what culture I should belong to based on my skin tone? Perhaps I misinterpreted what you said but when I think of "walling up the borders" I envision keeping people out while a set group does their own thing.

Don't get me wrong though, I do NOT wish for cultural extermination to take place...this is why we have very little information regarding the Mayan culture. Don't even get me started on that.

Originally Posted by Timothy Paradox

What? Did I miss something? I agree with everthing BH had just said. Isn't that exactly what I said?
I feel left out.

You may have, I probably misinterpreted what you were saying. If so I apologize. It's damn near impossible to relay points without the use of vocal tonality/body language etc. (all of which are used when communicating face to face).

By extermination he doesn't mean "killing them all". He means that the things that make a culture what it is, gradually disappear.
OK, saying "white culture" etc is dumb. Let's say "American culture", "Austrian culture" etc...

Originally Posted by Jeff777

I wouldn't go to such an extreme as "walling up the borders" because culture changes. It's not exclusive to any race, man, woman, or child. That's why I get so perturbed when I hear things like "White culture" this" and "Black culture" that. Who the hell is supposed to tell me what culture I should belong to based on my skin tone? Perhaps I misinterpreted what you said but when I think of "walling up the borders" I envision keeping people out while a set group does their own thing.

Don't get me wrong though, I do NOT wish for cultural extermination to take place...this is why we have very little information regarding the Mayan culture. Don't even get me started on that.

Well it's not about skin color really, but cultural difference and the inevitable conflict that is the result. If we could all get along things might be different. There is much more to it than that, but this would be the most obvious example.

The neighboring city where I go to shop is actually a perfect example of white flight. This is going to sound like something straight from a book but bare with me please.

So, this little city is called Benton Harbor. In the 50's when my mom grew up in it, it was a very well to do town with a well respected school. Now I dont know the particulars, but some how or another many poor inner city blacks began moving there from chicago (it is only about 2 hours away). Now, there were already some blacks in Benton Harbor and they got along fine with the population, or so Im told. But when this huge influx of inner city blacks came over, the rich white and many of the black families already there, moved literally across a bridge to another very small town called St, Joseph.

Fast forward 50 years later and Benton Harbor is one of the highest per-capita murder cities in the US and the downtown looks horrendously run down. While right across this bridge there is St. Joseph all very artsy and in some respects even uppity. The schools in Benton Harbor are even so bad that many high schools around the area including my former one took it upon themselves to send buses to Benton Harbor so that parents who wanted to could send their kids out to those schools.

Just a little story I thought I'd share. I personally think it is more to due with attitude than race, because there are still some white people who live there and they are bad too. Most people never go downtown, they just go to the business area which is a little nicer at least.

Originally Posted by Brandon Heat

Hmmm quite a few of you have some rather skewed views on the world, however I will not mention names, seems the majority are not to sure about what the OP is about. But that sounds more like a personal problem so I won't touch on it.

Everyone's view on reality is skewed. Although I suppose you must have some enlightened view...

This has nothing to do with cultures either.

You make some good points, but this is where you are wrong. People are talking about white flight, and blacks in the inner city. It's about both races striving to keep their culture. See the post above for an example.

Originally Posted by tkdyo

The neighboring city where I go to shop is actually a perfect example of white flight. This is going to sound like something straight from a book but bare with me please.

So, this little city is called Benton Harbor. In the 50's when my mom grew up in it, it was a very well to do town with a well respected school. Now I dont know the particulars, but some how or another many poor inner city blacks began moving there from chicago (it is only about 2 hours away). Now, there were already some blacks in Benton Harbor and they got along fine with the population, or so Im told. But when this huge influx of inner city blacks came over, the rich white and many of the black families already there, moved literally across a bridge to another very small town called St, Joseph.

Fast forward 50 years later and Benton Harbor is one of the highest per-capita murder cities in the US and the downtown looks horrendously run down. While right across this bridge there is St. Joseph all very artsy and in some respects even uppity. The schools in Benton Harbor are even so bad that many high schools around the area including my former one took it upon themselves to send buses to Benton Harbor so that parents who wanted to could send their kids out to those schools.

Just a little story I thought I'd share. I personally think it is more to due with attitude than race, because there are still some white people who live there and they are bad too. Most people never go downtown, they just go to the business area which is a little nicer at least.

I don't know why I find this so funny. As I said earlier...if an influx of uneducated stoop dwelling late night walking people were to move into my neighborhood...I'd move as well. Crime and the like greatly devalues property.

Originally Posted by grasshoppa

You make some good points, but this is where you are wrong. People are talking about white flight, and blacks in the inner city. It's about both races striving to keep their culture. See the post above for an example.

No...the quoted post is partially wrong. The author in the original post didn't say anything about black people let alone make her writing a "black and white" issue...the posters in here began to make it so, once I tried to re-direct the topic over from of a foreseeable discussion pertaining to whites vs. blacks (seeing as often times people forget there are more than two races on this planet -_-) it began to go there again. The thread's purpose was to gain insight and information regarding WP (and any other race privilege users may or may not have been aware of), and how it may have had an influence in their life. Very few posters in here are cognizant of that.

Originally Posted by Never

Well it's not about skin color really, but cultural difference and the inevitable conflict that is the result. If we could all get along things might be different. There is much more to it than that, but this would be the most obvious example.

Pertaining to the original subject of the topic you are quite wrong. At no point did this have to do with cultural differences. This is simply about the "privileges" different races have to themselves. Culture is a completely different topic. You can be of a certain race and yet have an entirely different culture. However if you are a certain race you will be that race for the entirety of your life. Which is where privileges are touched upon.

Originally Posted by grasshoppa

Everyone's view on reality is skewed. Although I suppose you must have some enlightened view...



You make some good points, but this is where you are wrong. People are talking about white flight, and blacks in the inner city. It's about both races striving to keep their culture. See the post above for an example.

I wasn't talking about my views on "reality" I was talking about my views on the "world." While they are a bit similar they are once again a bit different. I would not go as far to say that I have an enlightened view on the world, but I would say I might have a more mature view on the world than others. Things are not so simple that you can simply separate them into black white and the shade of gray in the middle. Things are far more complex than that in the workings of the world. I am sure everyone can agree to this. And that is what I was referring too.

Originally Posted by Jeff777

I don't know why I find this so funny. As I said earlier...if an influx of uneducated stoop dwelling late night walking people were to move into my neighborhood...I'd move as well. Crime and the like greatly devalues property.




No...the quoted post is partially wrong. The author in the original post didn't say anything about black people let alone make her writing a "black and white" issue...the posters in here began to make it so, once I tried to re-direct the topic over from of a foreseeable discussion pertaining to whites vs. blacks (seeing as often times people forget there are more than two races on this planet -_-) it began to go there again. The thread's purpose was to gain insight and information regarding WP (and any other race privilege users may or may not have been aware of), and how it may have had an influence in their life. Very few posters in here are cognizant of that.

Exactly Jeff that is what I was referring to the OP not where it went afterward.



And if you would like to touch upon cultures for a second then I will. One of you talked about languages and how many of them are disappearing. But of course this is the most likely scenario to occur with the passing of time. Cultures "update" so to speak. If everyone continued to do things as done in the past where would we be now? Not very far I will tell you that much. We could all be riding horses, and paying tribute to a king, fighting epic wars in plated armor unless the "cultures" had changed. Compare Japanese culture in 1,100 B.C. to Japanese culture in 2009 A.D. you will find they are quite different.

As cultures interact with other cultures they adopt some of the values, habits, etc. etc. etc. of the other culture. And I do believe that this is a very healthy thing to do. For instance one culture may have a technological advancement that another does not. If you interact with that culture you can gain the knowledge and doings of said culture. End result is your culture has now been bettered based upon the experience.

However this can also work against a culture in some ways as well, use your imagination I'm sure you can think of something. As for languages I am quite fond of the idea of a universal language. If everyone could speak the same language this in and of itself could end quite a few problems. You could go anywhere in the world and be able to communicate with anyone fine. Exchange ideas without having a language barrier to block you or put you off from doing so.

I am not saying that we should eliminate languages each culture has spent perhaps thousands of years developing. Because as you said this would inherently destroy apart of said culture. However if all cultures could communicate freely and understand each other this would make the world a far better place. You could think of it like the Bible story. Where the people of the tower of Babylon had their language and worked to build one of the greatest structures on the planet working together, however after their language had been taken away from them chaos ensued.

Cultures were meant to be changed, some new ones develop, some die, some adopt the ideas and beliefs of other cultures in turn losing the previous ones. However we are still all here today despite the fact. Meaning that if a culture changes so be it life will go on. And in some cases for the better, and in others for the worse.

Originally Posted by Brandon Heat

Pertaining to the original subject of the topic you are quite wrong. At no point did this have to do with cultural differences. This is simply about the "privileges" different races have to themselves. Culture is a completely different topic. You can be of a certain race and yet have an entirely different culture. However if you are a certain race you will be that race for the entirety of your life. Which is where privileges are touched upon.



I wasn't talking about my views on "reality" I was talking about my views on the "world." While they are a bit similar they are once again a bit different. I would not go as far to say that I have an enlightened view on the world, but I would say I might have a more mature view on the world than others. Things are not so simple that you can simply separate them into black white and the shade of gray in the middle. Things are far more complex than that in the workings of the world. I am sure everyone can agree to this. And that is what I was referring too.



Exactly Jeff that is what I was referring to the OP not where it went afterward.



And if you would like to touch upon cultures for a second then I will. One of you talked about languages and how many of them are disappearing. But of course this is the most likely scenario to occur with the passing of time. Cultures "update" so to speak. If everyone continued to do things as done in the past where would we be now? Not very far I will tell you that much. We could all be riding horses, and paying tribute to a king, fighting epic wars in plated armor unless the "cultures" had changed. Compare Japanese culture in 1,100 B.C. to Japanese culture in 2009 A.D. you will find they are quite different.

As cultures interact with other cultures they adopt some of the values, habits, etc. etc. etc. of the other culture. And I do believe that this is a very healthy thing to do. For instance one culture may have a technological advancement that another does not. If you interact with that culture you can gain the knowledge and doings of said culture. End result is your culture has now been bettered based upon the experience.

However this can also work against a culture in some ways as well, use your imagination I'm sure you can think of something. As for languages I am quite fond of the idea of a universal language. If everyone could speak the same language this in and of itself could end quite a few problems. You could go anywhere in the world and be able to communicate with anyone fine. Exchange ideas without having a language barrier to block you or put you off from doing so.

I am not saying that we should eliminate languages each culture has spent perhaps thousands of years developing. Because as you said this would inherently destroy apart of said culture. However if all cultures could communicate freely and understand each other this would make the world a far better place. You could think of it like the Bible story. Where the people of the tower of Babylon had their language and worked to build one of the greatest structures on the planet working together, however after their language had been taken away from them chaos ensued.

Cultures were meant to be changed, some new ones develop, some die, some adopt the ideas and beliefs of other cultures in turn losing the previous ones. However we are still all here today despite the fact. Meaning that if a culture changes so be it life will go on. And in some cases for the better, and in others for the worse.

Oh, you're one of those.
In that case I won't be able to continue this discussion, as I find it shame that the good things about specific cultures (music, clothes, language) would disappear.

Originally Posted by Brandon Heat

As for languages I am quite fond of the idea of a universal language. If everyone could speak the same language this in and of itself could end quite a few problems. You could go anywhere in the world and be able to communicate with anyone fine. Exchange ideas without having a language barrier to block you or put you off from doing so.

And what language would that be?

What about communicating in a different way than by language? Don't limit yourselves to words.

I don't have time to write a longer post, even though I would really like to.
I will tomorrow probably. Very interesting to read though, I must say!! All the posts in here.

I have thought about a unified language before. There are ways to analyse language structures that can be used to create new ones.
I was thinking about selecting the ten most important languages in the world, and creating a hybrid language. People would have to look at each language individually and choose what properties it can keep, and which ones will disappear.

For example: 8/10 of those languages place the complement before the head of the phrase -> the unified language will place the complement before the head.

Bottom line: The transition must be as easy as possible.

And - a VERY important point: Unifying languages has been attempted before, and failed miserably. (example: Esperanto as the "European language")Mostly because there are simply too many huge differences between their old and the new language. Therefore I propose to make the transition happen in multiple steps... Slowly but surely controlled evolution takes place - the old languages slowly evolve into the same unified language.