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qwlauren35

(6,108 posts)
Tue Feb 27, 2018, 10:20 PM Feb 2018

BHM 2018: Feedback, please.

Black History Month is ending, and I hope that this year’s topic has held your interest, even if you did not read every word. I know some of them were long. But I thought they were so fascinating that I just wanted to share. There was so much that I learned.

• Black interests are so different from those of the white majority that the more legislation favors black people, the less likely it is to pass. I never saw that put so clearly. I never realized what an uphill battle our legislators face. We’re not just a statistical minority, and contrary to what my husband says, it’s not because black politicians are crooked. We just don’t have enough allies, and we are unable to fight the interests of big money. Big money MAKES money off of the backs of our people, so it is never in their interest to do anything that helps us. It’s very clear, but not easy to solve.

• It’s possible that we have had presidents who were passing for white, but had some black ancestry. Why does this horrify some white people so much that they do everything in their power to refute it? Well, it’s complicated. It’s how they feel about us, it’s how they feel about the presidency. It’s how completely they believe that a drop of black blood is a taint, a stain, a blemish, of an otherwise acceptable person. It reminds me of the white folks who find out from DNA testing that they have black ancestry – and lose their ever-loving minds. It makes me sick, but that’s how much some people hate us. Even when they don’t realize it.

• We have had some MAJOR power as Cabinet members. And it’s not just that we had power. It’s the extent to which our government makes a difference in our lives. From food stamps, to Section 8, to education grants, to the Weather Bureau, to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to Air Traffic Control, to Medicare and Medicaid, to the Food and Drug Administration, to OSHA, to the Census Bureau, to FEMA and the FBI. The next time someone asks what our federal tax dollars go to, I will be armed with this list, knowing that so many of these agencies make my life better, safer, more secure. I don’t feel bad about paying taxes. Yes, too much goes to the military, but the government does a LOT for us, and I’m glad its there.

• We have represented America around the world as ambassadors. Maybe not so much in Europe, but we’ve been there. We have integrated the State Department and held leadership roles at the table of Foreign Policy. I feel good about that.

• It’s hard to believe that we have only had 10 black senators. But I understand better how hard it is to win the support to become a Senator. It is SAD that we have only had 4 governors. But again, I understand. On the other hand, we have had MANY black mayors of cities that were only 20% black. That means we’re creating allies, and more non-black people are looking beyond our skin color and seeing what we are capable of. I truly believe that we will see an explosion of black governors in the 21st century. We have three black senators right now. Progress.

• Exploring the politics of Reconstruction was fascinating because of the underlying truth. When we had the right to vote, WE USED IT. We organized, we lobbied, we voted, and we fairly elected African-Americans to the Senate and House of Representatives. It was only for about ten years, before we were completely shut down. But the reality of our organizational skills and our political savvy needs to be in every history book, and in the knowledge base of every black child. So that when they become 18, voting matters to them.

So, what did you learn? Please tell me. Between 100=300 people read my series but there wasn't a lot of feedback. I really want to hear from you. It will inspire me to do this next year.


Lauren

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
BHM 2018: Feedback, please. (Original Post) qwlauren35 Feb 2018 OP
Yes being in Illinois and seeing the first black female senator, Obama, Burris, etc I was surprised lunasun Feb 2018 #1
I very much hope you do this again irisblue Feb 2018 #2
Thank you, Lauren. sheshe2 Feb 2018 #3
Yes. spicysista Feb 2018 #4
I still havent read everything ismnotwasm Feb 2018 #5
History continually needs to be re-learned. kwassa Feb 2018 #6
It's great to hear from you. qwlauren35 Mar 2018 #7

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
1. Yes being in Illinois and seeing the first black female senator, Obama, Burris, etc I was surprised
Tue Feb 27, 2018, 10:50 PM
Feb 2018

at the low number overall but the governor count really stood out .... Had I imagined more ?
Reconstruction a short window but inspiring history.
Thank you for every day.
Know sometimes I may be reading then get a call I need to act on and not get back to rec your posts but appreciated all of them very much.
Thank you Lauren

spicysista

(1,663 posts)
4. Yes.
Wed Feb 28, 2018, 09:25 AM
Feb 2018

Your threads were always interesting. I've enjoyed and shared them with my family. I really appreciate the thorough approach you took with each post. The telling of our history is important work. Black history is American history. Looking forward to all of your future posts.

ismnotwasm

(41,916 posts)
5. I still havent read everything
Wed Feb 28, 2018, 01:05 PM
Feb 2018

Last edited Wed Feb 28, 2018, 01:48 PM - Edit history (1)

I think your series is in part about politics and power in the Black communities, inspite of White resistance and in the halls of white men, so it is for me, a much needed learning experience. Each of your names could be the subject of an entire book, some could be entire collage class probably. I think this because while we’ve all heard about and are aware of white political mediocrity, every single AA politician is notable. Unearthing history in this way is awesome.

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
6. History continually needs to be re-learned.
Wed Feb 28, 2018, 09:50 PM
Feb 2018

And as much as I think I know, there are new things always. The biggest chunk recently for me has been how Federal postwar housing policy created and maintained racial ghettos. Federal policy until the mid-60s.

Black history needs to be learned throughout the year, not just in February.

And one thing the Trump administration has done, it has brought to the surface the racism that still exists in this country.

I always appreciate your efforts, Lauren. I met you on the internet a couple decades ago, and you were a big part of my education back then, though you may not realize it. You really are an excellent writer.

qwlauren35

(6,108 posts)
7. It's great to hear from you.
Thu Mar 1, 2018, 12:09 AM
Mar 2018

I really must make clear, and probably should say it in each piece, that I am not writing these "blogs". I am simply piecing together things that I find on the Internet, and then, maybe at the beginning, adding my own commentary. I could NEVER write 11 pages, or 20 pages of the histories of these people, or the in depth analysis of why things are the way they are. I can only share, because I think it is so important. What I think I am doing is rounding up the pieces so that others can have a briefer, compiled experience of exploring our history. I am beyond a plagarist, because I steal and don't attribute. I should probably go back and put links to all of the websites where I have gotten the information. It would be a lot of links.

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