[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by letmein

America is by far more racially progressive and aware. The country has a black man as President for god's sake! That would never happen in Europe -- at least not anytime soon. Yes, the US has a problem with racism, just like every other country in the world. However, the problems are more out in the open and discussed, and minority groups are protected. America is the only country that is officially a melting pot. It's amazing that the place didn't implode due to having so many different cultures all living under the same roof. Europe is a million times more racist than America. What flies in Europe, would never fly in the US. The US has had to deal with race relations because everyone is so diverse. In Europe, racism is more easily swept under the carpet, and the population is more ignorant when it comes to people who are not of the same background as themselves. Look at Germany. They still believe that the Jews have too much influence. Some things never change. In America, speech is protected, even hate speech. With this taken into account, minorities have still been able to survive since the public has been forcibly educated on ethnic differences. Europe is having problems adapting to the melting pot model. Its countries are not used to diversity. One only has to look towards America to see how it can actually work and be beneficial. America, which is a much younger country, is light years ahead of the rest of the world, which is light years older. It's extraordinary.

Very good post! And thats my point. It doesnt seem like people over here want to change anything. They'd rather say, no, there is no racism, an tell you to shut up, if you are pointing it out. There is racism everywhere, like I said, but in the US, like you said, they arent afraid, to talk about it, educate people about other races, etc.... Thats whats lacking here. The attitude is, listemn, you are a guest in our country, so be happy that you are here at least! The attitude, in my opinion comes from the fact that the US belonged to the native americans, and the europeans, in fact are also immigrants, so they dont feel entitled like they do in Europe. In Europe, you actually feel like a guest if you are Black, even if you are British, at least from what I have observed. IN the US, I know for a fact they all feel like americans, even though they know racism is alive and well, they just deal with it, as americans.