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Actually, you might need a bit of a history lesson yourself. This, incidentally, is NOT an attempt to flame, but to correct some of the things you said:

1. Hispanics (i.e. "Mexicans", etc.) are not a "race" in of themselves. They are actually a hybridized blending of Europeans (mostly Spanish, Portuguese and French ancestors) and Native Americans.

2. Various magazines of note (including Time, National Geographic, and U.S. News & World Report) did articles in the recent past which indicate that the "Native American" peoples actually stem from a variety of ancestors from different regions, and not simply from one people (and both archaeological and anthropological evidence supports this). To wit: the peoples of the northwest, west and southwestern part of the new world, and the jungles of South America, are descended from ancestors who crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia in prehistory; the peoples of the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean islands, and some of Central America, are descended from ancient explorer/adventurers from the Mediterranean region (mostly Egypt, ancient Phoenicia, and even Israel); the peoples of the northeastern and central U.S., and south-central and eastern Canada are descended from ancient European explorer/adventurers (including Norsemen). I remember one article from Time magazine, specifically, which approached the issue by looking at forensic evidence...the skull and skeletal structures of various Native American peoples. And their findings were concurrent with the diversification of skull and skeletal structures evident in European, African and Asian peoples.



Racism is racism. And ANYONE (REGARDLESS of their "race") can be a racist. It doesn't matter WHO perpetrates it, it is wrong.

Of course, I have to admit, while I can salute Roxas for wanting to stick up for his friend, the way he went about it was dumb. Violence begets violence. Smashing someone's skull into a wall, and creating a terrible injury, shows no more sophistication or intelligence than the idiot who was attacking his friend. None whatsoever. That's just the plain, hard truth.

Yes I relise now that it was a stupid thing too do, but I got so mad, and I knew that if I yelled at him, he would turn on me, and if I went too go look for a teacher, who knows what could have happened...I know it was stupid thing too do, but I just hate it when people are racist....

Well, allow me to provide a graphic example of someone who demonstrated remarkable control of his emotions, his body, and a tense, violent situation.

It was back when I was in third grade (we're talking 1975, folks). Now, it's been a LOOONG time, so I'm relating this based on distant memories of my childhood. In those days, I was lucky enough to have a stable group of friends (that would soon change, as I will get into at the end of this story). Well one day, in the school yard (at lunch recess), my friends and I were hanging out and, like all boys, we were challenging and daring each other to various stupid stunts to prove how awesome we were. At one point, some of the kids focused on "the new kid" (who just happened to be oriental...I didn't know his ancestral origins or anything).

Now, keep in mind that this was the 70s...LONG before forced political correctness drove racism into dark alleys and stress-related situations like yours, Roxas. I don't know if you could class this as a clear case of racism. Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn't (we were between seven and eight years of age, for crying out loud). Anyway, one of the kids dared me to go over and fight the "new Chinese kid". The point being, again, that I'd be cool if I beat him up. And, like all young kids, I was eager to "fit in"...to be accepted. And yet, I was also saddled by the morality I was brought up on...that doing this was WRONG.

Still, peer pressure being what it was, I relented to my friends and, watching closely for patrolling teachers, went over and initiated the fight (I don't quite remember how that happened). Well, EVERY SINGLE TIME I tried to land a punch, the kid expertly ducked, blocked and dodged my swings. And never ONCE did he lay a hand on me, except to use my own weight and momentum against me by throwing me off balance, or tossing me along. I think he did actually flip me over his shoulder once or twice...but each time, I remember not hitting the ground all that hard. He must have been controlling my fall. It was obvious he knew some martial art (though, at the time, I didn't know which. It was probably either aikido, jujutsu, or some defensive form of kung fu). Well, this went on for some minutes, with quite a crowd of cheering and jeering kids encircling us. I was angry that I couldn't land a punch, and worried about how I was being seen by the others. What is ironic is that no teacher had approached the group (well, like most school yards at recess, it was chaotic, it was LOUD, and it was full of kids...and maybe two or three teachers at most).

Anyway, after this kid tired me out with his defensive responses to my inept swings (which I thought, at the time, were pretty darned sweet), I finally relented, and called a truce. The kid stopped, helped me up, and I dusted myself off. I think I recall him asking why I attacked him, and I was honest. Of course, that ended my friendship with some of those guys who earlier dared me to beat up this kid. But he and I talked for a few minutes, and actually shook hands at the end of it, and became friends. (The one drawback for me being that I was then labeled, by the other kids, as someone who couldn't fight, and so I was ostracized and teased by some kids after that. And that drove me to become extremely shy and reserved from then until HIGH SCHOOL). And I never again participated in any unfair attack on ANYONE (be it physical or verbal), regardless of who they were. That was the first and last time. It was like something right out of a feel-good, American-made martial arts movie.

My point? That kid I blatantly attacked never once struck me. NOT ONCE. And I never landed a single blow. And when it was over, his innate goodness and mental control won me over, and I gained a friend (as he did). Of course, that began a rather dark period in my life too...but the lesson stuck with me through the years...even to the point when I finally began studying the martial arts (tae kwon do and togakure ryu). I never forgot the lessons that boy taught me.

Do you see the message I'm trying to impart, Roxas?

Yes I do Seppala and as usual your words are wise, logical and understandable. I only have a few problems with your situation and my situation, firstly I do not know any kind of martial arts and this boy was odler then me. Secondly this was not just a random fight, this was my friend who I had known since I was three being beaten up just because of his skin colour, and when he is probably the nicest most trust worthy guy ever. And my last point is, its very easy too tell me not too use anger, but if you were seeing what I saw, at that second, would you try and think of a smart way, or the way which will get your friend from being beaten too a bloody pulp? I know what you say, makes sense (as most of what you say do). But at that moment the only thing on my mind was get that sick guy off my friend. Please don't get frustrated with me, for saying this, I am just speaking what I am feeling.

I understand the emotions you were feeling. But I am talking about the restraint that the oriental kid in my story showed. He certainly could have easily wrecked me with what he knew. And he didn't.

Well, my point did not include your having to know martial arts, though they certainly help (not only with skill, but also with emotional control). Still, remember what our hero Yoda always said: "Mm. Size matters not." (Well, at least when you know martial arts.)

Of course, Yoda also apparently said "Mr. Snugglepuff you want. But have him, you may not." ( Props to the dude who made that siggy!)

Yoda always freaked me out, I meed hes a green midget...anyway yes your right, controlling my emotions is not my strong point, and a lot of people here know it.

Pff. A lot of people here are INCAPABLE of it. And I have seen far worse than anything you've posted.

A lot of people on this site could take lessons from wise, emotionally-centered people like Dingo, Swords of the Wolves, and SimbasGuard. The fact that they are teens says A LOT in that respect (I know the first two are teens, and I would assume SimbasGuard is too).

I have too agree with you there, but being a teenager I can understand, but some people just refuse too listen even when it is obvious, they are in the wrong, though I admit I do not listen too most people, you, Swords of Wolves and Kari are the mains one I listen too, because I can trust you will be fair and make sense.

heh heh...thanks. Though there are some here who would disagree with your assessment of both myself and Kari. (Though they would be wrong. )

Well those people do not know you guys the way I do, though Kari is a bit of a nutter, but thats why I love her . And as for you, you can just about make anyone shut up without saying anything directly rude, your one in a million.

Gotta love those British colloquialisms...

Almost as good as the Australian ones! heh heh...

I have no idea what colloquialisms is but it sounds like a compliment so lets go with a thank you ^^.

A cultural saying..."slang", in other words.

Don't much go in for them thar big-talkin' vo-CAB-yoolary werds, 'ey Roxas?

nope, I have enough trouble with english as it is, though I love writing stories and songs, my spelling and grammar is too be laughed at.

And yet, I was poking fun at you with rural southern American English. You'd probably be using Cockney back at me, if the situations were reversed. lol