Are we really ready for a Black President?

Warning - Some of the content of this article and it's comments may be offensive to some people. To be honest I could care less. I am tired of treating the racism issue like some kind of wet piece of toilet paper about to break. I plan on speaking my mind here and if you don't like it feel free to steer clear of this article.

I only have one request for those who plan on commenting on my article below. Please avoid using profanity and racist comments on this article. While I, and maybe some who plan on commenting, will be honest on how we feel and express ourselves here, I do not plan on spewing racism and will not allow it to be done either. Feel free to express yourself about the topic to follow but lets keep it as civilized as possible. I posted the warning because I know many out there love labeling everything as racist so be warned that there may be content that you could deem racist but does not necessarily mean it is. Anything truly racist will be deleted at my leisure. If you don't like it, take a hike, plain and simple. Now on to the topic at hand.


Is this country truly ready for a Black President? I ask this question because in this century, our society is not dominated by a single race or color of skin. Today we live in a country where people of all races, all cultures and shapes and sizes have somewhat learned to co-exist together. I can't say in harmony because, let's be real here, there is still racism everywhere you go. What most people fail to see is that, unlike many decades ago, racism is sorta restrained to the few who refuse to let go of the past, who, as tradition I guess, continue to pass on the history of their family, including things such as racism (White's against Blacks and Blacks against Whites and even everyone else against Hispanics). Some, of course, will argue that Black people still don't enjoy equality like most White people do. Well of course not, White people don't have things such as Affirmative Action, the United White Foundation or White History month. How could there possibly ever be equality when we continue to maintain our multi nationality names such as Afro American, Cuban American, Latino American, etc. I though we were all Americans, at least that's what the terrorist call us. I don't ever recall seeing an Osama Bin Laden video claiming to wanna kill specific nationalities in the US. As far as he's concerned we are all Americans. Can you imagine him being specific on his videos?

"To all White Americans, Black Americans, Afro Americans, Cuban America, etc, etc, etc..."

By the time he's done, the attack will have taken place. BTW, has anyone ever heard of an Afro-French or a Cuban Italian, or a Arabnese (Arab Chinese for those who didn't get that) or even a Russian Rican? What is really sad is how easily many "Americans" (because that is who we really are whether you like it or not) dismiss the progress we have made thru out the decades. How relationships and marriages have crossed both the race and gender lines. How women have become equals (in a way anyways) in almost all aspects of life (let's face it, I don't see the WNFL as ever happening). When was the last time you went to a school? Ever notice how most children are color blind these days when it comes to making friends, falling in love or simply playing a fame of B-Ball or tag? It's ironic that as adults we are suppose to be the example for children yet it is from them that we can learn so much about what living life is really about.

The truth is racism is alive and well, as I once spoke of in a previous article of mine If racism is still alive, who are the ones keeping it alive?, but nothing like it once was many decades ago. The problem is not so much racism, but those who continue to keep it alive. Those who see racism where there is none, who see racism in a few people and automatically stereotype an entire race or group of people by the color of their skin, who continue to teach racism generation after generation and then there are those who use racism as a form of weapon or shield to either advance their own agendas, to make profits or to commit crimes and get away with them.

What is truly sad (annd I don't care if the truth bothers you) is that time and again we find members of the Black community the ones who openly and out loud, refuse to let racism die. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson are notorious for using racism as a front to any kind of criticism against their actions and comments. OBama's infamous Pastor Rev Wright spewed hate and racism as he God damned his own country, as if everyone in this nation was responsible for what happened to slaves many decades ago. And let's not forget Obama's white, Michelle Obama, who for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country, and all it took was for the people of this country to allow a Black man to run for President, go figure. But this dislike for their country is more than mere "oops" comments, "I didn't know the camera was rolling" blurps and "no one really cares anyways" speeches. Ever since Obama began to run for President of the US, the truth about how some Black people really feel has become, not only common to hear, but acceptable as well.

The most recent story to hit the airways and websites? A video (of many) found on youtube.com that Schnitt from www.schnittshow.com spoke about on his show today and has a link of the website he found it on, The National Anthem? Josh Howard 'Doesn't Celebrate That S***', where Josh Howard, basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks,  with out a care about what his honesty could cost him, makes (what I consider disgusting) remarks about the US National Anthem that was playing in the background during the Allen Iverson Celebrity Summer Classic flag football game this past July. According to some websites and several videos on youtube.com his comments were as follow:

"The Star Spangled Banner's going on right now and I don't celebrate that shit. I'm black." (see video of his comments below)



He doesn't celebrate it because he's Black? I didn't get it, at least not until Schnitt began to take calls about this video to see what Black people though about Josh's comments. To his surprise, and mine, his first caller, a female listener of his, not only defended Josh and his comments but agreed with him. She claimed she, too, does not sing the National Anthem because this country is not about "all men are create equal". When Schnitt asked her if she did not like the US why was she still here? Her answer? Because "ya'll brought them here". Schnitt questioned her answer wonder what she meant by "ya'll". Somehow, according to the caller, Schnitt's ancestors were in part responsible for black people being brought to the US as slaves. Guess what, Schnitt's ancestors were not even in the US when this happened, Schnitt's ancestors happened to be Russian, German and another nationalities who actually suffered and were incarcerated due the past wars those countries were involved, yet somehow, because he was White, the caller accused him of being part of those responsible for her living in the US because her ancestors were slaves.

I still am in shock as I write this article, that there are people out there that think this way. That dare to accuse White  people, regardless of nationality, of being racist all while being racist themselves for generalizing everyone who's skin is not dark like theirs. Hell, I have met many Cubans who could pass themselves as White Americans very easily who were born and raised here and do not have the Spanish accent that would give them away. Should they also be accused of racism simply because their skin is White? I, myself, have light brown skin, typical of many Hispanic races, but I am actually Whiter than I seem because my skin is darner due to the constant sun tanning that I have gotten thru out the years that I lived in Puerto Rico, but all it takes is to life up my shirt or even my sleeves to reveal my true color. But guess what, I believe I have African blood in me because my Grandfather from my om's side is Black. Does that mean I can say the N word too (I refuse to use it because I think it's very disrespectful even coming from a Black person)?

Is this nation really ready to accept a Black man as the next President when they themselves God damn this nation, they themselves have not been proud of their country till now, when they themselves are so unpatriotic as to refusing to sing "that shit" called our National Anthem? Why do Black people allow such things to be said in their name? Why does Obama allow such things to be said and done?

It is the opinion of this Hispanic man, born in the US, of Spaniard, African and Native Puerto Rican Indian blood, a man proud to call himself an American and proud of his nation that this country is not ready for this kind of change. It is my opinion that this country still has too much hatred, too much anger, too much disrespect and too much distrust in it's own citizens and it's Gov't. I am proud of my country because while we may still have many issues concerning racism and greed, we are still a better society than many if not most countries around the world. Our legal and illegal immigration crowd is proof of that. We still have a few wrinkles to iron out, but it's up to us to actually do the work of getting rid of the wrinkles, they will not go by themselves.

I will not vote for Obama simply because he is Black. I do not agree with many of his policies, his opinions and his tactics. But his race has played an important role in his campaign and as far as I'm concerned he will have to pay the price for doing so while all these people go around making sure racism is still alive, often in his name. As the comentators in the video said, this is a bad time to be unpatriotic, especially when your candidate is Black like you.

9,000 views 61 replies
Reply #1 Top

I'm sure some here way call me or think of me as being racist. I don't care, I know what I am and right now I am being honest. I am tired of racism being an excuse for everything now. I am tired of hearing how racist this country still is when that is nothing but BS. I am tired of these people constantly disrespecting our country will benefitting from all of it's riches. This hypocrisy has to stop. The BS has to end. You want change? Start by leaing behind your racist mentality and embrace your fellow American. How can we ever hope to unite our nation if we continue to believe we are anything other than "Americans"? It's time to grow up people, it's time to grow up already.

Reply #2 Top

You speak about Obama, among others, perpetuating the racism in this country, but don't articles like this also do the same by making it more of an issue to talk about or discuss?  Even if we are conversing over why it shouldn't be talked about or made a big deal of, this is just more of what you claim we do not need by keeping it alive.  Just a thought.  Also, in answer to the question posed by your article, yes, we are.

Reply #3 Top

You speak about Obama, among others, perpetuating the racism in this country, but don't articles like this also do the same by making it more of an issue to talk about or discuss? Even if we are conversing over why it shouldn't be talked about or made a big deal of, this is just more of what you claim we do not need by keeping it alive. Just a thought. Also, in answer to the question posed by your article, yes, we are.
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You are correct kurtin, this kind of article does do exactly that. But you have to look at it this way, how do you teach a child to not say a curse word without telling him the word?

The difference about my artcile is to get people to actually talk about it in the hopes it will help stop the BS about racism, so they can see just how stupid the whole concept is. Basically, your comments is the perfect reaction that I am looking for. Of course, I would have liked for you to say more but that's good as well. We need to be able to talk about this topic without the fear of being labeled a racist because so long as you did not saying anything truly racist, you are not.

Staying quite just to avoid bringing the issue up does not make the issue go away.

Reply #4 Top

Sounds to me like you're holding them responsible as a group for what their fringe element is saying and doing.
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Not necessarily LW. I don't blame all Black people for the actions of a few, but I did make it seem that way just to prove a point of how stupid it sounds when one actually does like that girl did on Schnitt's radio show. My mounth hit the floor when I heard this woman literally blame Schnitt for her being in the US. Her ignorance about slavery was so extensive it was mind boggling. What was even worse was she was never a slave herself and possibly neither was her parents, yet with all the White people out there (like you) who no longer feel this way she made it very clear she was "holding them responsible as a group" for what others did many decades ago.

I too treat my fellow friends, neighbors and anyone who I come across of any race with the same respect and consideration I would want. I have to say (unless I have been very naive to have not seen it) I have been very lucky to never have anything bad happen due to me being Hispanic. Sure, I have noticed a slight feeling of uncomfortability around some people here and there but I never made much of it. But obviously, as a Hispanic, I don't have a history anywhere near what Black people have had. But today we are having one shoved down our throats as Hispanic are all being generalized as a group of people who refuses to learn English and want to change this country to be more like, say, Mexico for example. because of this we are all seen as a threat to this nation and it's culture, but I am not one of those people and it sucks to be seen as one. But I move on and try not care much about the issue because as far as I'm concerned, I am an American first.

Are we ready for a Black President? If their name was Condi Rice or Colin Powell, yeah. If his name is Obama, no. HELL NO.
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While I would agree having Condi or Powell as a choice does sound much better than Obama, I still think this country would have had racial issues because they would have been seen as not Black enough as we have seen time and again in comments made against people like Bill Cosby and Condi as well.

Will the amount of people I pointed out hardly speak for the bigger picture, it does show that not only are there some out there who still have issues, but the issues are a lot deeper and stronger and could possibly expand to a lot more people that have been put out there for all to see. And as long as Obama keeps using race as a factor on his campaign and is constantly vocal about it, then it's only fair for us to consider it as part of our decision.

Reply #5 Top

What I am looking for here is the same thing we were looking for in the Muslim community when we wobndered if they are against terrorist why are they so quite about it. The difference is I actually expect, maybe not on this article, to see more Black people come out against these comments.

Reply #6 Top

If their name was Condi Rice or Colin Powell, yeah.
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Exactly. It isn't about the ancestry it's about the people. Can you imagine a Powell/Rice or Rice/Powell ticket? They'd steamroll any opponents handily. I'd vote such a ticket in a heartbeat.

 

Frankly, I think anyone who bases their voting decisions on race or gender alone is a total moron. Sadly, a good many of the votes this year will be cast based upon exactly those criteria and nothing else.

Reply #7 Top

what you claim we do not need by keeping it alive.
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SO talking about it is keeping it alive?  So what is the answer - ignore it?  Ignorance is not bliss, and sure not helpful.

What is your solution to this dilemna?

Reply #8 Top

Exactly. It isn't about the ancestry it's about the people. Can you imagine a Powell/Rice or Rice/Powell ticket? They'd steamroll any opponents handily. I'd vote such a ticket in a heartbeat.
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That would be frightning to the Dems because not only will they be Republicans while Black, but will be (if Obama does not win) first Black President, First Female President, First Female Black President or even First Female Black Vice President. Talk about change.

:')

Reply #9 Top

 SO talking about it is keeping it alive? 
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Well, technically yes, but I'm not saying that I'm against talking about the issue of racism.  I guess I was just pointing out that writing an article including those aspects of racism in our society and using concrete examples of individual actions might not be the best approach for stifling its influence.  I see my own views on the subject in line with LW's with her detailed reply in #3.  Certain individuals will always creep in feelings of tension and bigotry, but not everyone in a demographic should have to pay the price and be looked upon stereotypically.  Unfortunately that is the way of the world.  This is a good article, but it is still addressing some of those problems as part of a group mentality within the different ethnic/cultural backgrounds.  We should accept the fact that some will be racist and some will be compassionate, but we should not generalize about race because that breeds the very disdain between groups we all want erased.

Reply #10 Top

Until legislation, rules, and regulations (and also the Media) stop focusing on race (thereby grouping everyone into their respective cabals), there will always be a state or national mandated divisiveness that pits one group against another ... the haves and the have nots, if you will, in terms of job opportunities, school admissions, etc., etc., etc.

The nationally and, to a somewhat lesser degree, societal enforced 'race colored glasses' impede a culturally ready nation eager to move on to a much preferred, and more natural IMO, color blind society.

Reply #11 Top

Charles, you know or should know who you are without anyone telling you otherwise.  You have your own consience.

 

Whip is correct in what she said in that you're putting everyone in a group, not as individuals!  That football player is an asshole and should be banned, etracised,, and everything else that can be done to him!  These are the types of people some, eg., articles like these, use to always say and think that they do.  The fact tht you're asking is American ready, that is a question that should never be asked, or have to be asked. 

You want to know what happened to me this morning while my 6 year old and I were on our way to participate in our fantastic event, She is in the front seat beside, me, there was less traffic and she was firmly strapped in, so I allowed it...but a car pulled up beside me, beeped the horn, I looked over, four white guys in it, you want to know what they did?  They gave me four fingers in the air...yeah....sure....this is 2008, right?

Or the night before in Target, we're headed to the fitting room and I'm stopped, checked for what I had, the person behind me is waved in, with a bunch of clothing....yeah...she's blonde and lighter than me....

If I were to take things like these personally Charles, I would be an Angry Black Woman!  So talk to me when you can discuss more about facts and what we are going to do and where we  are going as a nation and as a people, and not when you tell me that if I don't like what you're saying, I can steer clear.  And you can feel free to delete my response.

Reply #12 Top

For starters foreverserenity, I don't delete post from people who simply express what they feel. I was specific as to what I would have considered deletable.

Now, about my "I don't care" part, not I don't like, I was pointing to the fact that I had my opinion about things and I was gonna say it regardless whether some wanted to see me as racist or not.

With that said, I again point that I am not  grouping anyone. I was looking to see what people thought about so many Black people still feeling anger towards this nation, to the point of not wanting to acknowledge that National Anthem calling it "that shit" or damning the Nation, making anything and everything seem like a racist remark. It makes me wonder just how much good will it do have a Black man as President when the color of his skin is all that most people seem to care about.

I want a President who will work to make this country a better place and I want him to be voted in "because" he will work to make this country a better place. But to vote in favor or against him because is Black is just shameful to me. And that is the reason I think we are not ready. We are not ready because we can't educate ourselves before voting and instead will pick a guy just because we like him or because we can relate to him or simply because he is of my race.

Charles, you know or should know who you are without anyone telling you otherwise. You have your own consience.
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If you were trying to say that I am racist, that is your opinion and I could care less if you think like that of me. As you said, it's my consience and I am fine with it. How are you with yours?

Reply #13 Top

One thing many whites seem to conveniently forget is that while slavery 'officially' ended with the passage of the 13th amendment in 1865, de facto slavery and apartheid continued in this country until 1964, which marked the beginning of full civil rights being granted to blacks.

Even then, they suffered at the hands of those who refused to follow the new laws of the land, and it really wasn't until the mid to late 70's that public opinion and attitudes began to change. My next door neighbor, who is in his mid-60s, can easily recall what it was like to be forbidden to visit the same restrooms, movie theatres, schools, and even water fountains that whites used.
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I see your point and makes perfect sense. But even though they should never forget to avoid letting this repeat itself again, should they spend the rest of their life and for the next hundreds of generations never letting go rather than moving forward? It's one thing to make sure that history does not repeat itself, but to constantly bring it up as an excuse rather than a simple reminder is not progress. If Obama wins any mistake he makes will be ignored or barely pointed to just because of fears of racism. If Obama loses it will be seen as racism as well. It's a lose lose situation from my point of view.

To him, the argument "I never owned a slave!" is meaningless. He was never a 'slave' in the strictest sense of the word, but our own parents and grandparents, senior citizens his own age now, would not have sat down on a bus or in a diner next to him.
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I can understand, but the argument is about slavery and not about them not being allowed in places because they were Black. The reminder is always about how they were slaves. Sure, things were terrible for many decades after slavery was abolished, and  I don't blame them for holding a grudge, but time has shown that many people have changed thru out the years and still we come across many who seem to think nothing has changed. Obama's paster comes to mind right off the back. How are we to ever overcome this issue when people don't want to let go. And this is not limited to the few we hear on youtube and the news, this is stuff I see from the people I have been around before.

Reply #14 Top

If you were trying to say that I am racist, that is your opinion and I could care less if you think like that of me. As you said, it's my consience and I am fine with it. How are you with yours?
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Charles, I never thought that.  You made a reference to yourself:

I'm sure some here way call me or think of me as being racist. I don't care, I know what I am
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You have your own mind, your own conscience to tell you right from wrong, and I felt that only you know who you are, as any individual truly only know themselves. Others can only guess at who I am, what I am, how I feel, but only I know who I am.  That is all no hidden agendas. To me it seems you weren't sure, then making a declaration.  I'm sorry you took my statement the wrong way, that it implied something else.

 

 

I want a President who will work to make this country a better place and I want him to be voted in "because" he will work to make this country a better place.
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I guess Borack Obama won't do that then?  He will take the seat, if it is given to him and sit around drinking and smoking and having the boys over...nothing to govern eh?!  I wonder why he bothers to run for President? I also wonder if John McCain would ever be thought of in such a manner, ever?

 

I was looking to see what people thought about so many Black people still feeling anger towards this nation, to the point of not wanting to acknowledge that National Anthem calling it "that shit" or damning the Nation, making anything and everything seem like a racist remark.
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Again, this is much more clear.  Clarification is good and now I understand your article's focus.  You see what you wrote, was just referring to the usual suspects...i.e., Jackson, Sharpton, et. al...the usual stuff that keeps getting refered to and which keeps most blacks in the same basket, affirmative action, black history month and not white history month, and all that....old stereo types, different article! Hence the group reference Charles.

As far as the National Anthem is concerned, and the few people you heard on the radio talking crap, and it is crap, they do not speak for me, nor I'm sure do they speak for all of America, noticed I said all of America?

You see, many of us do love our country, that is why some of us choose to be here and not else where.  Not speaking of the ones born here, but many of us are here by choice. And let us not go down that road of the slave ship, etc.

The thing that amazes me is there are other minorities here, and the major one is fast becoming the real minority, yet they are the ones who are often referred to and shown the back door, in a manner of speaking...even today.

 

Now, about my "I don't care" part, not I don't like, I was pointing to the fact that I had my opinion about things and I was gonna say it regardless whether some wanted to see me as racist or not.
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Good, now that you have made that clearer, perfectly understandable!

 

 

Reply #15 Top

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You have your own mind, your own conscience to tell you right from wrong, and I felt that only you know who you are, as any individual truly only know themselves. Others can only guess at who I am, what I am, how I feel, but only I know who I am.  That is all no hidden agendas. To me it seems you weren't sure, then making a declaration.  I'm sorry you took my statement the wrong way, that it implied something else.
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Well then I apologize if I misunderstood you. I admit I don't always get what people say, guess you can say it has something to do with me not being that good at making my point either. It's one reason I come here and make articles and post. I look to improve my way of expressing myself in a way that does not come off confusing.

I guess Borack Obama won't do that then?  He will take the seat, if it is given to him and sit around drinking and smoking and having the boys over...nothing to govern eh?!  I wonder why he bothers to run for President? I also wonder if John McCain would ever be thought of in such a manner, ever?
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Don't get me wrong, Barack has the same chance of doing a good job as McCain does. The ruth is we don't really know what Obama can do and will do. Take Bush for example. He has done things that basically go against everything he said he was, which is why many here say he is no Conservative as he claimed to be. I don't expect Obama to turn the White House into the next pimped out, fly, crib with his name as a colum. And I don't expect him to cater to the Black community in the same manner some believed Hillary would cater to the feminist community. My concern is that we may vote for a man who may not possibly (key words may not possibly) be the right choice simply because he's Black, to make history, to prove we are not racist (white guilt as they call it), etc.

My only beef with Obama is that he is a Democrat, nothing more, nothing less. I don't agree with Democrat policies and it's the only reason I won't vote for him. The Republicans did not exactly give us something to be proud of either but for now McCain makes me feel more comfortable although I would rather have a third option, but then Nader is not what I had in mind either. Palin is the only thing that keeps me hanging in there to tell you the truth.

Again, this is much more clear.  Clarification is good and now I understand your article's focus.  You see what you wrote, was just referring to the usual suspects...i.e., Jackson, Sharpton, et. al...the usual stuff that keeps getting refered to and which keeps most blacks in the same basket, affirmative action, black history month and not white history month, and all that....old stereo types, different article! Hence the group reference Charles.
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The problem is they tend to pass themselves as speaking for the majority and, like Muslims, these majority stay quiet and don't come out screaming 'he doens't talk for me" giving the impression they agree with everything they say. I just wanna hear some of these "majority" say it that it's not what they believe. Plain and simple.

Thanks for the comments, I'm glad we can debate an issue without going at each others throats.

Reply #16 Top

LW basically proved part of my point about what I was looking for on this article in a way. I have had similar things happen to me but to be honest I never saw it as either racist or many of the possible scenarios LW pointed to. To me, she just got into the changing room before me so I have to wait a bit more. Not the end of the world to me. The guys fingering? Bunch of jerks as far as I'm concerned regardless of the reason.

Reply #17 Top

 

The ruth is we don't really know what Obama can do and will do. Take Bush for example. He has done things that basically go against everything he said he was, which is why many here say he is no Conservative as he claimed to be.
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And this is how i feel about McCain as well.  And he's ready to continue with the Bush policies!

 

 

(key words may not possibly) be the right choice simply because he's Black, to make history, to prove we are not racist (white guilt as they call it), etc.
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White America, and Black America, and every American do themselves an injustice in this type of thinking! This is such a load of crap i'm sick of hearing it! Why the fuck do we think this way, that White america is guilty and will do the wrong thing because he is black?  We are doing a disservice to the millions of intelligent White Americans who don't think this way, who look at the man, yes the man Barack as a choice that they possibly will choose because he is saying what they want to hear, he might make the change that they want in their government!

 

 

 

Question: Why do you automatically assume that you were given the finger because you're black, Donna? Maybe you inadvertantly cut them off, maybe they don't like a bumper sticker on your car (I dunno if you even have any) maybe you'd forgotten to turn your turn signal off, maybe they mistook you for someone else, maybe they were just drunk and asinine and were flipping off random vehicles to make people go...wtf?
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Becauee at that time in the morning we were the only two cars on the road at that time.  I was driving, I saw the car came up very fast beside me, slowed to my speed, I ignored them when they kept up with me, then they beeped their horn incessessantly and since I wasn't sure, maybe they are cops in a private car because in my area, the cops use private car so I decided to look over and when I did, I got the finger.  I did take the high road and wondered what their problem was, and didn't chalk it down to me as being black at first, but that did come to my mind Whip, and that is the honest truth because I don't see any other reason why somone would do that?  I don't go around claiming and looking for reasons to be black, though I am or think the whole world is against me (and I'm not saying that is what you are saying, I'm just telling you that I don't do that). They probably just hate moms in vans!  But when they were done, they stayed with me for a bit then when I continue to ignore them, they sped off like the cowards they were!

 

Again, you've made assumptions with very little information to go on. Let's examine some other possibilities--
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Again, it was late, a last minute run to the stores. As the clerk was checking my stuff, the lady with the clothing came up behind me, waiting her turn, she was waved through.  I don't go around looking at every time I get slighted.  I don't go around worrying about being watched while I shop because I'm used to it. I could give you examples of so many different things Whip, I never mention them (although I've used an example or two in depending on the discussions in different articles) because I don't let that rule my life. It is nice to be able to look at the possibilites and take the high road, and I always do, but there are the niggling questions of why this happens and I've stopped questioning things that people do and say that makes them assholes. 

 

Reply #18 Top

My next door neighbor, who is in his mid-60s, can easily recall what it was like to be forbidden to visit the same restrooms, movie theatres, schools, and even water fountains that whites used.
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Yes that's sad. It's also amazing how many blacks today want to be separate from whites. Ray Nagin - "I don't care what people are saying Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day," he said. "This city will be a majority African-American city. It's the way God wants it to be."

Reply #19 Top

And this is how i feel about McCain as well.  And he's ready to continue with the Bush policies!
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Well you see, there's a difference. McCain has many more years of experience over Obama, he also has military experience which, considering they are both running for Commander in Cheif, kinda gives McCain the edge. And not all of Bush's policies were bad or wrong. But then Bush did not exactly do Conservative things either. If anything he pandered a lot to Democrats as well. None the les, like Bush, McCain could do what he wants rather than what he promises.

White America, and Black America, and every American do themselves an injustice in this type of thinking! This is such a load of crap i'm sick of hearing it! Why the fuck do we think this way, that White america is guilty and will do the wrong thing because he is black? We are doing a disservice to the millions of intelligent White Americans who don't think this way, who look at the man, yes the man Barack as a choice that they possibly will choose because he is saying what they want to hear, he might make the change that they want in their government!
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I agree. It's a shame things are this way and it's one of the reasons I am bringing up these kinds of articles. I say if we don't do something about this who will? I don't see Barack or McCain trying to break the racial divide, I see them both using it as a tool to win an election. The same goes with gender. Time and again I have said that we need to do what we think is best for ourselves and our country, because people tend to forget that we are all Americans and we need each other if we want this nation to be the best place for us and our children and future generations.

Becauee at that time in the morning we were the only two cars on the road at that time. I was driving, I saw the car came up very fast beside me, slowed to my speed, I ignored them when they kept up with me, then they beeped their horn incessessantly and since I wasn't sure, maybe they are cops in a private car because in my area, the cops use private car so I decided to look over and when I did, I got the finger. I did take the high road and wondered what their problem was, and didn't chalk it down to me as being black at first, but that did come to my mind Whip, and that is the honest truth because I don't see any other reason why somone would do that? I don't go around claiming and looking for reasons to be black, though I am or think the whole world is against me (and I'm not saying that is what you are saying, I'm just telling you that I don't do that). They probably just hate moms in vans! But when they were done, they stayed with me for a bit then when I continue to ignore them, they sped off like the cowards they were!
End of quote

Well, LW did give you some possibilities and simply being jerks could have been it not to mention you are a female which could also have caught their attention and may have been their (weird) way of hitiing on you. I have seen worse.

 

Reply #20 Top

Hell if I let people giving me the finger bother me I'd have to stop driving a truck for a living. If I don't get the finger at least a half dozen times a day I start wondering what's wrong. :LOL:

Reply #21 Top

Hey MasonM!

 

Just wanted to make you feel at home. :grin:

Reply #22 Top

I agree with you on all points. great article.

I noticed at first that us jews have a victim mentality, later I noticed that it is shared by the african americans. American blacks just go through life as if they personally were slaves to all people who have white skin, regardless of the hundreds of years passed, regardless of the actual nationality of those "white people". They are the victims, and they will be damned if they let anyone forget that.

Ask not if we are ready for a black president, ask if a black president is ready for us.

Reply #23 Top

Charles, you say a good number a good things but I also think you hold what I have learned is a common view held by some white people.  I think there are a great deal of double standards in this country.  While most are bad and need to be done away with, some are not.

For example, you probably hate that I will refer to myself as an African-American (yes, we are Americans, too).  But no one seems to get to upset at someone calling him/herself Irish American or Italian-American. We don't call an Irish pub racist or an Italian restaurant.

Well of course not, White people don't have things such as Affirmative Action, the United White Foundation or White History month.
End of quote

I am fourth generation free, first generation post civil rights.  What does that mean? I heard my grandfather tell stories of touching his grandfathers wounds from slavery.  I heard stories of my dad's survival from lynching and migration to the north.  When you grow up with these stories, you don't immediately feel proud of you nation. As a teenager I first felt pride as an American during the Olympics (kinda dumb but I was really proud).  It's a pride I wear when I travel abroad as well.

But the things you scoff at, United Negro Foundation, Black history month, etc, recognize that history and will not allow us to forget.  It was an ugly past and this does not rehash it but instead celebrate a nations triumph over it (yes, the triumph belongs to us all). I hate when people tell me, 'It was 150 years ago, get over it!'.  But no one would tell anyone in the Jewish diaspora to get over Aushwitz.

I appreciate that you do acknowledge that things have not been great for Black people.  It's getting better, but to ask us to let it go simply won't allow us (as Americans) to solve this issue.  We need more dialogue to get over realities like this one.

Reply #24 Top

But guess what, I believe I have African blood in me because my Grandfather from my om's side is Black. Does that mean I can say the N word too (I refuse to use it because I think it's very disrespectful even coming from a Black person)?
End of quote

 

LOL.  Me too.  Or at least I found white people in my ancestry. Guess I can't use the N-word without retaliation.

Reply #25 Top

I noticed at first that us jews have a victim mentality, later I noticed that it is shared by the african americans. American blacks just go through life as if they personally were slaves to all people who have white skin, regardless of the hundreds of years passed, regardless of the actual nationality of those "white people". They are the victims, and they will be damned if they let anyone forget that.
End of quote

 

This is a very useless generalization.  What is this based on? I don't know any Black people like that and I have been almost my whole life!