What, America is Rascist?
When I was a kid, more than 50 years ago, race “relations” were not an
issue of any obvious concern. (Unless you happened to be black) Everyone
knew where everyone else stood in regards to race. It was quite literally
a “black and white” plank in our society. Blacks over there and whites
over there, which was fine with most everyone. (Unless you happened to
be black) It never registered with white people that black people were
being treated like so much rubbish, to put it very mildly. But then we
had the civil rights movement of the 60’s. The passage of civil rights
laws and legitimacy thrust on an unprepared black society. Uneducated,
poor and basically aimless blacks then had the power of the federal
government to pave the way to equality and the same prosperity enjoyed
by the white race. Suddenly and tragically the lone voice of hope and
reason was silenced by a gunshot. The guiding force, the perceived
overseer of injustice and the leader of the movement was murdered.
Since Dr. King was murdered there has not been a central voice to help
steer the black movement. Until the same kind of leadership and voice of
reason, hope and influence is once again at the head of the ongoing and in many
ways–stagnant fight for equality and justice for all black people, white
people will continue to all too easily ignore and minimize the blatant and
disgusting inequality that is everywhere……Still.
What I see, today, at this point, is an unstoppable force and an
immovable object. Translated, I see no progress to any discernible
degree for black people in this country. They still receive the short end
of the stick in employment, healthcare, housing and in general opportunity
and recognition as equals. This entire segment of our society is merely
slugging along. Far too many are disenfranchised from any dream, much
less the American dream. And frankly, I see nothing in the immediate
future that is going to change this unless the methods of achievement
change and the white establishment becomes willing to recognize their
complicity and half-hearted efforts to actually do something to help alter
the staus quo.
Likewise, the African American community must also find the leadership within their numbers to demonstrate the enormous potential they possess and the advantages of breaking down the walls put up by stubborn individuality and holding on to outdated, antisocial and completely
unproductive isolationism, that is so prevalent. There is nothing condescending or capitulating in integrating becoming more of the society that is inescapable. It is basic and undeniable human nature to fear, repel and distance oneself from what is perceived to be obvious in it's difference.
issue of any obvious concern. (Unless you happened to be black) Everyone
knew where everyone else stood in regards to race. It was quite literally
a “black and white” plank in our society. Blacks over there and whites
over there, which was fine with most everyone. (Unless you happened to
be black) It never registered with white people that black people were
being treated like so much rubbish, to put it very mildly. But then we
had the civil rights movement of the 60’s. The passage of civil rights
laws and legitimacy thrust on an unprepared black society. Uneducated,
poor and basically aimless blacks then had the power of the federal
government to pave the way to equality and the same prosperity enjoyed
by the white race. Suddenly and tragically the lone voice of hope and
reason was silenced by a gunshot. The guiding force, the perceived
overseer of injustice and the leader of the movement was murdered.
Since Dr. King was murdered there has not been a central voice to help
steer the black movement. Until the same kind of leadership and voice of
reason, hope and influence is once again at the head of the ongoing and in many
ways–stagnant fight for equality and justice for all black people, white
people will continue to all too easily ignore and minimize the blatant and
disgusting inequality that is everywhere……Still.
What I see, today, at this point, is an unstoppable force and an
immovable object. Translated, I see no progress to any discernible
degree for black people in this country. They still receive the short end
of the stick in employment, healthcare, housing and in general opportunity
and recognition as equals. This entire segment of our society is merely
slugging along. Far too many are disenfranchised from any dream, much
less the American dream. And frankly, I see nothing in the immediate
future that is going to change this unless the methods of achievement
change and the white establishment becomes willing to recognize their
complicity and half-hearted efforts to actually do something to help alter
the staus quo.
Likewise, the African American community must also find the leadership within their numbers to demonstrate the enormous potential they possess and the advantages of breaking down the walls put up by stubborn individuality and holding on to outdated, antisocial and completely
unproductive isolationism, that is so prevalent. There is nothing condescending or capitulating in integrating becoming more of the society that is inescapable. It is basic and undeniable human nature to fear, repel and distance oneself from what is perceived to be obvious in it's difference.
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Likewise, the African American community must also find the leadership within their numbers to demonstrate the enormous potential they possess and the advantages of breaking down the walls put up by stubborn individuality and holding on to outdated, antisocial and completely
unproductive isolationism, that is so prevalent.There is nothing condescending or capitulating in integrating becoming more of the society that is inescapable. It is basic and undeniable human nature to fear, repel and distance oneself from what is perceived to be obvious in it's difference.
Why do you think the African American community needs to break down the "walls?"
June 24, 2008 12:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
1849
"Why do you think the African American community needs to break down the "walls?""
Without going into a long preface to justify what I am about to say, I will attempt to explain. What I am referring to when I say "Walls" is the self inflicted wounds and the unnecessary barriers many black people create and perpetuate for themselves by absolutely refusing to stop intimidating and causing fear in the "rest" of society. This is achieved by wearing stereotypical attire, i.e. gang uniforms, pants that drag down around their thighs, excessive jewelry (To indicate quick wealth), a variety of mis-worn head wear. Blue or red bandannas, universally recognized gang indicators. Etc., etc. And I know that most of these people at least attended schools that taught them how to speak in a language and dialect that the rest of the country uses and can understand. Now, get a mental picture of what I have described above. Now picture yourself walking alone at night, BLACK OR WHITE, what's going to cross your mind if a couple of guys dressed and carrying themselves in a manner that I have described. Would you hire this person if you were a prospective employer? It is a look that is emulated by black youth everywhere. This, I find is a self-placed wall to acceptance and advancement. If I offended you, I apologize. It was not my intention. If you do not think that black people place some obstacles in their own way by the aforementioned behavior and should at any and all costs "be themselves" then this is the unstoppable force and immovable object I referred to in my post. Every group of people of different ethic backgrounds have realized the logic and practicality of blending in with the rest of American society and culture. To me, it is just common sense and a natural course of action.
June 24, 2008 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
It is a look that is emulated by black youth everywhere.
Ever seen the whiteboy wannabe pretenders looking just the same while blasting rap/hip hop/whatever's-cool-at-the-moment on their car stereos? Poor decision making isn't the province of just one race.
June 24, 2008 1:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely! And these guys (and girls, sometimes) are generally viewed as people utterly out of their element and representative of having needs that don't fit the context. It's kinda like a non-American Indian parading around in a head-dress and thinking no one notices. It doesn't work. Thanks for your comment.
June 24, 2008 2:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Translated, I see no progress to any discernible
degree for black people in this country.
I'd respectfully disagree with you. I feel I've seen enormous progress towards equality in my lfetime for both blacks and women.
I've just returned from a trip and can't respond more tonight. Can you elaborate on why you think there has been 'no progress'? I'll check back tomorrow. Thanks.
June 24, 2008 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't offend easily. I just wanted to know about the "wall."
Do you think that the lack of leadership might have something to do with Dr. King's assassination?
Are you asking me if I am afraid of black people?
June 24, 2008 1:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
1849
No. I do not see how leadership or the lack of it, enters into the direct debate of Dr. King's assassination. However, leadership along with inspiration and hope are some of the qualities he provided to a black people that knew the scales of justice and equality were engineered to be out of their favor. My point is there has not been, on a national level, anyone to pick up that torch since Dr. King. Every cause must have direction, strength and enduring conviction at the top. Otherwise, all that is accomplished is bitterness and an overwhelming sense of betrayal that begets it's own set of consequences. This leadership is not apparent today. It must come from black people for black people.
No, I am not asking if you are afraid of black people. But in today's world, it is mandatory to keep one's eyes open.
June 24, 2008 3:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I beg to differ. I see a connection between Dr. King's assassination and passing the torch of leadership to the next generation. He was a very young, bright and beautiful black man cut down in his prime.
He was beautiful because he spoke truth to power. That's the quality I find most useful in a leader. I think there are some lessons the black community learned: diversify leadership and practice it locally. It is much more difficult to kill a movement or a cause with just one shot.
You say it must come from within the black community why are you telling the black community what it needs and when we needs it?
June 24, 2008 5:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now, I will admit that my reading of the "wall statement" led to something very different. Can't say that my interpretation is accurate, but what I got was that it is incumbent upon black people to resume doing what was more prevalent during the civil rights movement -- breaking barriers and making change -- that seems to have fallen by the wayside in the intervening years. That is to say, "We are the change we have been waiting for," on one hand, and that we cannot continue to expect the other to be proactive in creating the change needed. Said one more way slightly differently: Fixing the problems of race and race relations in this country -- in terms of "equality" -- has always been instigated by those holding the short end of the stick. By and large, white people are never really disturbed that their fellow citizens of the "minority persuasion" don't enjoy the same "blessings" of freedom and equality that they do. So if "we" are desiring change and really make progress on race relations, "we" have to step up.
June 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indiex,
Progress, I suppose, is relative in this instance. Emancipation occurred in 1863. The Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964. More than a hundred years to grant God-given rights. I guess that's progress. Here we are in 2008. Black children are going hungry. Too many are fatherless. There are far too many women with children facing the dead end of welfare and other assistance, with little hope of ever breaking free and becoming independent and stable. If, and that's a big if, a black person is afforded an unfettered education they must then contend with a skeptical and suspicious white oriented business establishment. And then by virtue of race alone are unlikely to share in the same advancement opportunities as other races. These obstacles are embedded in American society and at the rate we are going, it may well be another 100 years before tragedies such as the lower Mississippi delta and New Orleans are not allowed to develop and occur. To me, discernible progress would have made for completely different outcomes. This has to change. Until it does, we will remain a fragmented and unfulfilled society.
Thanks for your comment.
June 24, 2008 2:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't welfare as we knew from the 70s and 80s end in the 90s as we knew it? Having children out-of-wedlock isn't the bonanza most people assume it is; it is probably better to have a two-parent families but having a single parent doesn't doom every child to the ills of society.
June 24, 2008 3:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, 1849. And not just cause I'm a single mom. :) Sometimes, I'd argue it's actually better for the father to be absent. Dependent on individuals.
This is one of the things I'm surprised hasn't come up. We have the son of a single mother running for President. I think that's so wonderful. I look at him and think, hey, that could be my son someday. Which is great, because the bookshelves are filled with pages telling you that sons of single mothers are doomed.
June 24, 2008 8:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
As one of those sons, I say any book that says that is full of shit.
June 24, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
and those "sometimes" should only be if the father presents a danger to his children. those who argue it's actually better for the father to be absent, do so for their own interests, not for those of the child.
as obama stated, if you bring children into the world, you should feel obligated to put the children's interests first, and be responsible for them. he took a stand against those who selfishly ignore the responsibilities encumbent on those who bring children into the world.
we do have the son of a single mother running for the presidency, yet you ignore his own statements on how the lacking of a father's presence was hard and painful for him. obama has also stated quite honestly that he is an example of an exception to the rule of children who are raised by single parents. the norm is more often than not not as positive. he himself has written about how his mother blew off to live her own life, and that were it not for his grandparents, who were as a mother and father to him, he might not be where he is today.
children, both sons and daughters need both parents, a mother and a father for normal, healthy development. that might not fit the pc hypocrite's pov, but there's no changing that fact.
June 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was going to write a response, but let's just say we'll agree to disagree. Probably safer that way.
June 24, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
i pity your child [children].
June 25, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Welfare was never the "bonanza" it was made out to be, but the so-called "reforms" made during the 90s -- "Contract With America" with an able assist by Bill Clinton -- has led to more families who are "working poor." Minimum wage jobs, minimal benefits, essentially no better off than when they were on "welfare." The idea of "welfare queens" getting rich off of food stamps was an exaggeration.
Did/does welfare have its problems? Absolutely. But it certainly didn't "make" black folks (or anyone on it) become "lazy" or "dependent."
June 24, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
that's true jade7243, only people who have never tried to barely survive on welfare could treat the subject so cavalierly.
public assistence doesn't begin to cover what it costs to keep a roof over a family's heads, the minimum of utilities paid and food on the table. it did a better job in the early '70s, but even then family's went hungry, underclothed and on too many occasions with no heat in the winter.
what makes people dependent, is the lack of hope, or having a stake in a future. for all the back slaps the clintons have gotten for economic gains in the '90s, they helped lay the tracks for half the things bush has been able to get away with. both bill and hill have incentivized outsourcing of jobs. both treat the subject of american poverty as either non-existent, or something to exploit when it suits their needs.
there are times i would dearly like to drag the fools out of their comfortable above the glass ceiling existence, and sentence them to some mandtory reality time.
June 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink