Hey brother, there are many blacks, including myself, that have a distrust of the American govt, at a certain level. Honestly, it is not too far-fetched to believe that the CIA brought cocaine into the ghettos, INITIALLY (or else how did they get there?)
Building on that, the black people I know generally believe that America and European countries shipped cocaine and other drugs into African nations to destabilize the local governments and social structures. Is this true? I don't think so but stranger things have happened.
I think most white critics would be shocked if they REALLY grasped how different the black experience, perspective, and world view is in America.
Quote:
But there comes a time when the pursuit of civility and peace has to be more important than the past. OK, the CIA brought drugs in, but it still was another black man that hastened its spread.
Amen, even if that theory is true we have to do our best to move forward. But let's consider that this is far easier said than done. Imagine being a black woman who's husband is strung out and your son is in prison for dealing. If you really believed that the government initially started this you'd have quite a bit of animosity toward the system. You know that more than I do.
Quote:
It's not too far-fetched for me to believe that the U.S. govt had a hand in MLK's assassination.
Sadly, I wouldn't either.
Quote:
But it was 2 black men who pulled their triggers on Malcolm X.
It all goes back to...if you live by the sword you will die by the sword. I think Malcolm X crossed a line that initiated the law of reaping and sowing.
Quote:
The reality is, truly, there is enough blame to pass around to EVERYONE.
Jeremiah Wright's pain, my Dad's pain, even some of my older cousin's pain is real, their anger is justified. It is important to realize that their anger is justified.
I feel you. As a white man my blood runs cold when I hear the words they say...but, unlike Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, or Rush Limbaugh; I don't get angry at men like Wright....I get angry at how my people sowed the seeds of injustice that have caused us to reap this division and strife between our people.
Quote:
But if they never addressed the anger and pain in a positive way, they would have never been a positive contribution to our society.
True.
Quote:
It is important to realize that the pain and anger, which is the result of many generations, will not go away in one or two generations. Neither will the effects of what caused the pain and anger in the first place.
The Middle East is a case in point...this kind of strife lasts for generations. We need to seek to understand and not exchange railing for railing.
Quote:
Wright's expression of pain and bitterness is his American right-- but to do so in the way he chose does very little to help the situation of the uneducated and unaccomplished younger blacks who may have heard his sermon
I agree. Do you believe that this is part of Obama's mission?
Quote:
Sadly, the art of converting "the pain" to "the positive" has been lost by some blacks younger than me. It's troubling to me, should be troubling to all Americans, because, in the end, it affects all Americans.
That's why I believe it's imparitive for white Americans to reach out in understanding and acceptance to the black experience. We can work together on this.
Quote:
Obama's comments add to the pursuit of justice, civility and peace-- I am convinced that this is the pursuit of the average American, red, yellow, black and white.
In a way...Obama's speech addressed perhaps the most difficult issue in America. I think if people pay close attention to what he said and don't spin it they would realize it may be one of the most significant statements on racial issues in decades, if not American history. People looking for political fodder missed it completely.
__________________
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
I prefer to think of it as, "America's History" as opposed to white history. My family has been here since the early 1800's. America's History is my history too. We share a morally wrong and a very painful American History and it's good to deal with it, and remember it so that we don't repeat it.
Remembering is good, "dwelling" on it is self destructive.
1399, I was born in West Virginia to a coal miners daughter and the son of a Sailor.
I was a military brat and lived most of my life and went to school with many races.
I lived in Okinawa and Yokohama Japan and fell in love with the Japanese.
My point is: I was born into a life style where races lived in peace with out prejudice and my Friends were red, yellow , black, white mixed etc...
Then one day the Navy moved us to Norfolk, Va. in 1980..... the School systems made us all watch the movie series "Roots"
1399, I was born in West Virginia to a coal miners daughter and the son of a Sailor.
I was a military brat and lived most of my life and went to school with many races.
I lived in Okinawa and Yokohama Japan and feel in love with the Japanese.
My point is: I was born into a life style where races lived in peace with out prejudice and my friends were red, yellow , black, white mixed etc...
Then one day the Navy moved us to Norfolk, Va. in 1980..... the School systems made us all watch the movie series "Roots"
I never had a clue until then........
Interesting information Coop. I never knew this about you until now.
I grew up without racial prejudice of any kind so I find myself hurting when I read some of the comments about race, colour, and culture in some of these posts.
There are reasons why people are like they are. It has to do with how they've grown up and the culture they've grown up in. There are some ugly, mean, badly dressed, and poor English speakers represented by white middle class North Americans as well as those of other races and colour.
__________________ Smiles & Blessings.... ~Felicity Welsh~ (surname courtesy of Jim Yohe)
Then one day the Navy moved us to Norfolk, Va. in 1980..... the School systems made us all watch the movie series "Roots"
I never had a clue until then........
My Mom's family is from West Virginia! That is where I trace my 1800's roots to! Some of them are still in Bluefield, but we trace our ancestry back to Lovern, WV.
I can't watch "ROOTS". I tried so a few years back and became too angry to be positive.
__________________
"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
__________________
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
1) I think most white critics would be shocked if they REALLY grasped how different the black experience, perspective, and world view is in America.
2) Amen, even if that theory is true we have to do our best to move forward. But let's consider that this is far easier said than done. Imagine being a black woman who's husband is strung out and your son is in prison for dealing. If you really believed that the government initially started this you'd have quite a bit of animosity toward the system. You know that more than I do.
3) I feel you. As a white man my blood runs cold when I hear the words they say...but, unlike Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, or Rush Limbaugh; I don't get angry at men like Wright....I get angry at how my people sowed the seeds of injustice that have caused us to reap this division and strife between our people.
4) I agree. Do you believe that this is part of Obama's mission.
5) That's why I believe it's imparitive for white Americans to reach out in understanding and acceptance to the black experience. We can work together on this.
.
1) Some would, others would just deny the differences.
2) That system also allows for free choice-- if she's honest, she would realize this making a painful situation even more painful.
3) I do too. But what will we do about our anger?
4) It will be his mission after Hillary gets the nomination.
5) Only if the people being reached to want a helping hand-- some folks want pity and want you to accept their excuses for their own bad decisions.
Chris, there is a lot that many blacks can do to help their situation, but they make a bad situation worse with their own bad decisions. It's hard to "help" an individual like that.
__________________
"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
1399, I was born in West Virginia to a coal miners daughter and the son of a Sailor.
I was a military brat and lived most of my life and went to school with many races.
I lived in Okinawa and Yokohama Japan and fell in love with the Japanese.
My point is: I was born into a life style where races lived in peace with out prejudice and my Friends were red, yellow , black, white mixed etc...
Then one day the Navy moved us to Norfolk, Va. in 1980..... the School systems made us all watch the movie series "Roots"
I never had a clue until then........
See, that is your problem. in 1980, you moved to the armpit of America.
in 1991, when I walked of the pier where the USS Charleston was berthed, I swore to myself, if I was ever in North Carolina and needed to get to Washington DC, I would either swim or drive around Virginia! All because of Norfolk.
what a nasty place!
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
My Mom's family is from West Virginia! That is where I trace my 1800's roots to! Some of them are still in Bluefield, but we trace our ancestry back to Lovern, WV.
I can't watch "ROOTS". I tried so a few years back and became too angry to be positive.
I was born in Montgomery and lived in Gauley Bridge as a kid until the navy moved us over seas to Okinawa.
Most of my relatives are in that area. Gauley Bridge is about 40 miles west of Charleston on Rt-60.
Linear Mode
