A list of independent user-supported news/analysis/opinion websites I read:

A list of independent user-supported news/analysis/opinion websites I read:

https://www.commondreams.org/

https://newrepublic.com/ 

https://theintercept.com/

https://zeteo.com/

https://www.dropsitenews.com/

https://www.propublica.org/ 

https://inthesetimes.com/

https://progressive.org/ 

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/

https://www.texasobserver.org/topics/politics/

https://kyivindependent.com/

https://theconversation.com/global

https://tnholler.com/ 

I also read these commercial news sites:

https://www.theguardian.com/international

https://www.apnews.com/

and I am also a very active user of Blue Sky

https://bsky.app/profile/amerliberal.bsky.social

Let's Look at Gendered Sports and Gendered Restrooms

Let's look at the BIGGER PICTURE of gendered sports and gendered restrooms, and look at the nature of segregation in general - and the similarities between racial segregation and gender segregation...

In the Jim Crow era, a LOT of time and effort was spent arguing over who could use "Whites Only" restrooms and play on "Whites Only" sports teams. What about those who looked White but had a trace of African ancestry? What about Arabs and others who didn't fit neatly into the binary racial segregation system in the United States?

The answer - obvious in retrospect - is that RACIAL SEGREGATION was the problem! Once there were no longer "Whites Only" facilities or "Whites Only" sports teams, there was automatically no longer a question of which restroom an Arab (for example) was required to use, or which sports teams they were allowed to play on.

Today, a LOT of time and effort is spent arguing over who can use "Women's Only" or "Men's Only restrooms and play on "Women's Only" or "Men's Only" sports teams. The parallel between GENDER SEGREGATION and RACIAL SEGREGATION is obvious. In MY Opinion, the solution is also obvious. Instead of arguing over where an individual fits into the binary gender segregation system, LET'S ELIMINATE the GENDER SEGREGATION SYSTEM. If "Whites" and "Coloreds" can learn to use the same restrooms, so can "men" and "women." Same with sports teams. Same with the military. Same with the legal system. Same with all of life. Like Racial Segregation, Gender Segregation is an evil that we need to relegate to history.

[and for those who argue that race is clearly not binary, while gender is, look at the reality of the Jim Crow era: the racists of that time absolutely did believe that an individual WAS definitively either "White" or "Not White."]

----- Background - AI Generated (Gemini)

During the era of Jim Crow segregation in the United States, the concept of race was rigidly defined and enforced, but it wasn't always straightforward. Here's how some groups outside the strict White/Black binary were dealt with:

• People of Arab Descent:

  • Varied Treatment: Individuals of Arab descent experienced a range of treatment. Some were considered "white" due to their lighter skin tones and European ancestry, while others were subjected to discrimination and prejudice, often being lumped in with other non-white groups.
  • "Honorary Whites": Some Arab Americans, particularly those with lighter skin and higher socioeconomic status, were able to "pass" as white and avoid some of the harshest forms of discrimination.

• People of Indian Descent:

  • Often Classified as "Other": People of Indian descent were often not easily categorized within the existing racial framework. They were frequently classified as "Asian" or "Other," which could lead to varying degrees of discrimination and exclusion.
  • Exclusion from "White" Spaces: Despite sometimes being considered "honorary whites" in certain social circles, they were often excluded from "white" spaces and faced discrimination in areas like housing and employment.

• People with Darker Skin Tones:

  • Subjected to Increased Scrutiny: Individuals with darker skin tones, regardless of their ancestry, faced increased scrutiny and were often subjected to harsher treatment. This applied to people of Southern European descent (such as Italians and Greeks), as well as individuals from other regions with darker skin.
  • "Honorary Whites" vs. "Non-White": The classification of individuals with darker skin tones often depended on their socioeconomic status, perceived ancestry, and the specific social and political context.

• Multiracial People:

  • "One-Drop Rule" Applied: The "one-drop rule" was often applied to individuals of mixed race, meaning that even a small amount of African ancestry could lead to their classification as Black.
  • "Passing" as White: Some individuals of mixed race attempted to "pass" as white to avoid the consequences of being classified as Black.

Important Considerations:

• Subjectivity and Inconsistency: The application of these rules was highly subjective and inconsistent, varying significantly by region and over time.
• Social and Psychological Impact: These experiences had a profound impact on the lives of individuals who did not fit neatly into the existing racial categories. They often experienced social isolation, internalized racism, and struggled with their racial identity.

Disclaimer: This is a simplified overview, and the experiences of individuals within these groups varied greatly.

It's crucial to remember that the Jim Crow era was a period of systemic racism and oppression. The experiences of individuals who did not fit neatly into the dominant racial categories highlight the complex and often arbitrary nature of race classifications and the devastating impact of racial prejudice.

----- end-of-AI-generated