Listen Up! Angry Black Man Here!

[Renaissance Man]

If not anything else, the primaries have taught me just how very little people understand about African-American culture and history, specifically with regard to what many will recognize the very real nature of racism within the United States. It's clear that Americans (Black, White, Hispanic, etc.) recognize American culture on totally different wavelengths, and it's embarrassing that people that call themselves Progressives don't realize this.

Regarding "racial reconciliation" and some perceived notion that Reverend Wright is somehow "divisive, polarizing, and stoking the flames of racial resentment," let's take a look at the brief history of "racial reconciliation" after the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, respectively. Oh, what, a period of about 40 years?

With the institution of Affirmative Action, attempts at racially integrating public schools and equalizing funding for public education, one case after another has attempted to roll back any form of progress that America could possibly experience. If I'm not mistaken the Bakke decision was handed down in the 70s (not one full decade after Affirmative Action measures were instituted), and Supreme Court decisions regarding school busing and equalizing funding in public education were handed down as well, and if your attention span is short, it occurred even before then.

White flight occurred with the enactment of Fair Housing regulations, and now, in almost every major city, re gentrification is occurring whereby many inner city residents are being relocated to suburban areas, while the affluent are rebuilding high-price condos, essentially economically limiting the possibility of those same residents that once inhabited these areas to remain in communities that they have known all their lives.

Throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s, Republicans capitalized on white Southern resentment of the enactment of Civil Rights and Voting Rights legislation and instituted a Southern strategy, fictitiously developed a so-called "welfare queen" and continuously railed against Affirmative Action, citing "reverse discrimination" while simultaneously neglecting the 400 years of Affirmative Action in the form of slavery and Jim Crow laws that occurred previously.

Congress decided to enact legislation that would enforce harsher penalties for crack (as opposed to cocaine) offenders, effectively encouraging the scales of justice in the criminal justice system to be imbalanced.

The "War on Drugs" effectively never existed and it has only been replaced by a much more ill-conceived notion of a "War on Terrorism" that only seeks to vilify and demonize a sect of people. It happened with the Japanese with Internment, the Chinese during the Gold Rush, Black Americans since the founding of the United States, and now American citizens that just happen to be Muslims or immigrants (undocumented or otherwise).

Racial reconciliation? Over the last 40 years? Are you serious?

Over the past 40 years, racial reconciliation has been a large smokescreen for people to make themselves feel somewhat vindicated by their past sins, but the larger truth is that very little reconciliation has actually occurred.

Statistics have shown that black men are more likely to gain some form of experience with law enforcement rather than their counterparts. The criminal justice system has become a farce and for some reason, those who commit the same crimes somehow are being sentenced in a different fashion. You may not want to recognize this reality, but it is the TRUTH. If you don't believe me, I suggest that you speak with Sean Bell's fiancee and ask her how it feels to know that the person that was to be her husband was gunned down with 51 bullets unarmed the day of his wedding. You should send a Forget Me Not to Rudy Giuliani and thank him for the precedent that was set with Abner Louima.

The problem is that people have become so immune to the suffering of other people where living in a fictitious existence of racial reconciliation only covers up a much larger issue that very little racial reconciliation has occurred. Once we get beyond that smoke and mirrors show and stop being entertained by the three-ring circus, then maybe we may tackle the monster after all.

You made it. Now, deal with it.

[IndianaJones]

1. shocking. nt.

[Skink]

6. And when someone speaks the truth about segments of voters like Obama did...

they are villified. Dean made a comment about Souhern voters and guns in 04 and he was villified.

[flpoljunkie]

53. Rev. Wright's ego-driven performance today was about his legacy, not about the black church.

It is not helpful to a black man who could truly help us bridge the racial divide in this country. I do not think that Rev. Wright intended to hurt Obama today, but he did.

[emilyg]

55. I admire you greatly for saying this.

[flpoljunkie]

66. Obviously you did not see this post about Wright's ego...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5722210&mesg_id=5722273

[emilyg]

71. No I didn't. Was without pc.

[iloveKaus]

124. Wright is Wrong

Finally, thank you for someone having the balls to say it.

Wright is not taken out of context.
He's not misunderstood.

He is understood perfectly and is sinking the campaign of a good and decent man who, although is much too liberal to be elected President, is the first breath of fresh air from a public African-American figure since Colin Powell.

[unpossibles]

135. wait... WHAT?

"not taken out of context"!?! Seriously??

"I believe a change is going to come because many of us are committed to changing other who are different from us. In the past, we were taught to see others who were different as, somehow, being deficient.
...
"But a change is coming because we no longer see others who are different as being deficient. We just see them as different." - Rev, Wright

Here's how FOX reported it: "REV. WRIGHT: WE NOW SEE OTHERS WHO ARE DIFFERENT AS DEFICIENT" which is not only not what he was saying, but... well, the opposite.



You have to be friggin kidding me. Not only that, but to say Obama is "too liberal to be elected President" makes me wonder if you're share whatever you're smoking. No, actually, please don't.

Then to throw in a Colin Powell analogy? What? Really?

"welcome to DU"

[fascisthunter]

86. No... your Post Doesn't SHock Me

[kentuck]

2. The American people cannot handle the truth.

:sigh:

[BigDDem]

54. Right.

Dont tell them the federal government invented HIV.
Shhhhhhhhh

[mrreowwr_kittty]

74. And you'll just be joining the rest of the ignoramuses on my ignore list with that. nt

[BigDDem]

146. Thanks for letting me know

Now I'll try to put the pieces of my life back together.

:rofl:

[grantcart]

3. Very descriptive

and not the least bit divisive thks

[goclark]

69. Hi grantcart , this is a great post that needs a K and R

Thanks to the poster

[TexasLady]

4. Thanks for this post

Sometimes TRUTH is ugly and scary, but pretending it doesn't exist won't make it disappear. Ignorance is often all too comfortable for some.
K and R

[ej510]

8. Ths is true I fear the polce. Racial injustice

exist in country a major from the pacific to the atlantic.

[Swamp Rat]

5. Yes indeed!

:applause:

[me b zola]

7. K&R

[Swamp Rat]

9. I'd rather see this thread at the top of GD-P

than the seemingly racist rants against Rev. Wright littering the forum this morning.

:kick:

[me b zola]

13. And I'm betting we won't see many of those people in this thread

:kick:

[Swamp Rat]

17. They are too busy screaming about Rev. Wright's hip gyrations.... oh, the children!

Oh, the humanity! :eyes:

[me b zola]

19. It kind of rips the veil off, doesn't it?

[Swamp Rat]

20. Yes, but that is a good thing.

We Americans owe Rev. Wright a big debt of gratitude.

[me b zola]

28. It is a good thing, but progress can be painful

Some people have taken the opportunity that Rev Wright has given us to see things from a wider lens, to consider that their life experiences are not shared by everyone--and that different does not mean deficient. It's not easy for someone to come to understand that the way that they have been viewing life or other people's experiences has been inaccurate, unfair, and hurtful. I applaud those who have the courage to grow as people.

Yes, Rev Wright continues to serve his country well. Viva Jeremiah Wright!

[iloveKaus]

117. Absolutely

Rev. Wright will derail this pinko commie's nomination so that the adults can be in charge.

[unpossibles]

138. alerted

goodbye.

[me b zola]

149. I love pizza

Mmmmmm, pizza...

[Doityourself]

10. In my neighborhood "re-gentrification" is only about the color of money, not about skin color.

If you can afford it, you can live here. But I have seen minorities, not just black, but also hispanics moved out of neighborhoods for rebuilding and reclaiming. My mother told me, in her youth, my new neighborhood was solely for rich and middle class white people--and you had better be a WASP too. But when I was growing up, it was occupied by black and hispanics--over the years, the property values declined, houses were torn down--and then comes the decision to rebuild the area (it's on the ocean--beautiful view and access). First move, buy up all the enmpty lots, and buy as much waterfront property as you can. Then classify the area as a drug infested haven, or a problem spot that needs to be eradicated--add an influx of police presence--tear down "hang out" spots and then build a sample home of what's to come..and sell the "water way" angle for big bucks and boat access.

In 25 years, you have a completely different neighborhood and completely different occupants, and a
completely different voting bloc!

I couldn't live in my neighborhood some years ago, so that speaks to some progress. But it doesn't mean I'm exempt from racism or it isn't directed at me, by certain people that look at me as if I don't belong, or the two times, police stopped me to ask where I was going, although I was doing nothing at all, but heading home. Then there's dealing with the barbs from my own people about where I choose to live. I don't have to live in the "hood" to understand the people that live there, anymore than I have live in the 'burbs to understand the people that live there. It such an evil battle and horrific scar (racism that is), I fear it shall remain with us forever, even if we were attacked by aliens, we'd ban together to fight and as soon as we won, we'd go right back to our winning ways on race and division. Black over here, white over there, fat people over here, skinny people over there.

I could go into so much more about your post, but I'd be writing all day. Interesting and informative though. Thanks.

[Butch350]

11. Renaissance Man - from a 58 YO Black Man

Thank-You ! Great Post !

I have experienced many of the situations mentioned in your thread!

[WeDidIt]

12. And right when an African American man has won a nomination

the major party he won the nomination will meet behind closed doors to alter the rules so that he didn't win.

[Texas Hill Country]

38. ummm... NO, they dont have to alter the rules at all. this is a horrible and ignorant meme

[WeDidIt]

41. Rule #1: MI and FL won't count and you can't participate in them

New Rule on May 31: OOPS, they count now, Obama, you lose even though you won on May 20 under the old rules.

[iloveKaus]

118. Correct

Because he represents the extreme hard left of America.
A politics that America won't elect.

It has nothing to do with the color of his skin.
It has to do with the content of his character.

He's a snob and he associates with hate-mongers who believe in soft bigotry of black children

[guyanakoolaid]

131. Welcome to DU and thanks for all your great input!

Just so you know, it's usually considered hypocritical to scream "scary black preacher" and accuse others of being bigots in the same sentence. So, welcome, enjoy your stay, we have plenty of other hypocrites for you to hang out with.

:eyes:

[Myrina]

133. Wow I really hope you forgot the 'sarcasm' icon ...

.... because I know this post couldn't be meant in seriousness ...


:wtf:

[me b zola]

150. His Obama is a "pink-o commie" comment told me he is a serious idiot

So I ordered pizza.

[iamahaingttta]

136. Bwaaa ha ha haaa!!!

youloveKaus, I think I've seen all 10 of your posts now.
You're a laugh riot!

"the extreme hard left of America"!!!

Your killing me here, dude!

"He's a snob and he associates with hate-mongers who believe in soft bigotry of black children"

Bwaaa ha ha haaa!!!

Where do you get this shit?

[unpossibles]

137. I'm sorry, but could you please show a little effort

in not repeating rightwing memes here?

"he represents the extreme hard left of America." bullshit.

"A politics that America won't elect." also bullshit.

"It has to do with the content of his character.

"He's a snob and he associates with hate-mongers who believe in soft bigotry of black children" Double bullshit. Triple even.


You're doin it wrong. You're supposed to lie low and at least pretend to be a liberal for a few more posts.

[toadzilla]

143. enjoy your tombstone.

[otohara]

14. You're Right - Thanks

for the post.

[Quixote1818]

15. I agree. It's very frustrating that people are so ignorant in this area. K and R. nt

[madwivoter]

16. K & R

Great post. Thank you.

[BeyondGeography]

18. We have not been good to each other or to the world

and that always catches up with you. White people continue to vote for policies that are hurting them economically, mostly because they think they're sticking it to those who are different from them. Meantime, we make up bullshit to invade another country, tear it apart and then refuse to talk about what we've done. Sound familiar?

I'm 48 years old and I've been watching the bullshit machine all my life. I spent many years abroad when I was younger and most people still gave us the benefit of the doubt, but that was 25-30 years ago. The "fictitious existence" you write about extends to many aspects of our culture and politics, and you can see from this Rev. Wright feeding frenzy just how far we have to go and just how monumentally ignorant we can be.

[chiffon]

21. Great post! n/t

[redqueen]

22. RE: The Drug War / War On Terror - they are connected - PLEASE LOOK!

http://www.americandrugwar.com/

[Scurrilous]

23. K & R

:thumbsup:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

24. You get no argument from me

I am the first to admit that I was brought up by racists who fucked me up with hate speak.

I work every day to change & to make myself better and to acknowledge my flaws. It is the only way we can change. I applaud this post.

My children do not hear anything racist coming from their parents. I have stopped the cycle from repeating which is the best thing and the only right thing I can do.

[Swamp Rat]

25. kick for this post

:thumbsup:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

52. Thanks....

I am happy to report

I am healing

and I try not to pretend

I am not broken.

[Tarheel_Dem]

33. from an African American, I say thank you Gilligan. I only wish I could

recommend your post. We'll get there someday, maybe not in our lifetime, but perhaps the next generation will stone racist bigoted assholes in the public square...well, not really. But I dream of that Promised Land that Dr. King spoke about. The saddest part of this whole Rev. Wright episode is to see so-called "progressives" join in the frenzy to take down two very good men of color.

I'm beyond disappointed.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

56. When I was a kid

my hateful mother was gleeful when King was killed.

She worked on George Wallace's campaign.

She was the president of The local John Birch Society chapter.

She applauded when The American Nazi Party tried to scare the blacks from moving into our neighborhood by picketing in a march in front of our house.

I know first hand how ugly racism is.

She hated the Kennedy's because they were aligned with people such as ML King.

I heard it all from the time I was born.

I saw it on the streets of The South in Louisiana and Mississippi. It was very real. Signs in the windows of diners "White Only" and separate drinking fountains. I saw black men cross the street to avoid us white folks - they always looked down.

My parents were Mormons so don't tell me that the LDS faith is not steeped in racism

I am embarrassed by all of the above. Holy shit - I am deeply sorry for all of the above.

I turned around in my late 20's after traveling all over the planet and seeing for myself what people are really like. I had to relearn humanity from the ground up.

I had my children in my 40's and they have been spared this shit. My mother died when I was 14. It is all dead with her now.

[Tarheel_Dem]

72. I personally think that racism has to eat away at a person's soul.

I, too, saw the signs here in North Carolina. I was really young, but I remember. I was in 5th grade when integration happened here, and I have to say that I was fortunate to have some really great "white" teachers who made that transition as painless as possible for us.

I am so glad you reached your enlightenment, and I hope that one day racism will be something that we only read about in the history books.

:hi:

[akbacchus_BC]

90. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Nobody, not even a South

Indian can fully fathom how a black person felt during slavery and after emancipation. India Indians come a close second to take the place after slavery was abolished. Most India Indians treat Indians who are descendants of indentureds as low lives. And most India Indians in the US support Senator Clinton. It is a rat race, but let us keep focused. For the first time in American history a woman and an American African running for President. Either will be better than a republican. Am an Obama supporter 100%.

[Shoelace]

89. Dr. King is my hero

as are so many people of color. I too was raised in a white family where racism was rampant. By the time I was about 25 years old, I wised up, studied Black history, tried in every way I could to dredge up old fears, bring them into the light of day and off them all.

Some 40+ years later, I can say that I look up to, and admire many other races for their strengths gained through struggles that have made them so much stronger in ways that so many be-spoiled white folks could never hope to know.

I see the horrid disparities in the penal system in this country and am truly disgusted, deeply saddened by it.

If I ever decide to join a church, it will probably be the one Black church that we have in our city. I think I could feel and see Dr. King's dream in real time there. His dream became my own dream too.

May we all work to heal and birth the dream into freedom from the shackles of racial bondage. Kudos to the original post and to all here.

[akbacchus_BC]

93. MLK is also my hero and so is Malcolm X. I feel just like you Obama

supporters when our hero (Dr. Walter Rodney) in Guyana was assassinated because he was another version of Senator Barack Obama. When Dr. Rodney got assassinated, Bob Marley dedicated a song to him, when will they stop killing our prophets! Go Obama, am supporting you morally!

[iloveKaus]

119. Obama is a Good Man. Wright is Not.

Obama is the real deal.
Unfortunately so is his pastor.

[unpossibles]

139. which is it?

I thought Obama was a commie pinko and not an adult?

[toadzilla]

144. yes, im confused.

[juno jones]

145. Damn

Yer a piece of work.

Do you have two mouths or just talk outta both sides of one?

[mntleo2]

152. Rant Alert ~ Again and Again!

I have posted this twice before and I am going to KEEP posting it until people rethink their position who insist Reverend Wright is "far left" or somehow "flawed". I just wish someone would also be as critical of people like Pat Robertson who could really care less about Jeeeezuz and uses child labor in his African gold mine that he visits in his private jet with not have one bible on it (See Greg Palast's "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy") but it DID have The Business Journal sitting all over the place.

While I do believe the Reverend Wright should step out of the fray, I wish someone would be as critical of wingnut ministers who believe in forced abortions in the Marianna Islands (see Casey Treat and all his affiliations with Jack Abramoff's and his touting of this forced labor, forced abortions, and rape as well as his bilking of Native American Casinos). You know something? Some people believe greed is a sin. It is a sin because it leads to war, murder, rape and corruption, which these two preachers and their mega-church cohorts tout every day by their hypocritical bigotry, flaunting it, prancing around in their mansions and looking down their noses at the Truth. People like Pat Robertson and Casey Treat see nothing wrong with greed. Reverend Wright is simply speaking up and God forbid that he tell the Truth with a capitol "T"! As their beloved prophet said, "It is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle ... "

Why don't you comment about those who McCain is associated with as well as the Keating 5, who were bailed out with billions of our tax dollars ~ with their rampant and disgusting greed, which is far worse than holding our feet to the fire for the horrors we have created all over the world and in our own back yard with people of color???

Please, please, please ...


...as a white woman who has worked for social justice all my adult life I have seen time and again the intentional white ignorance about what is going on out there right under their noses while they sit and ignore it. I thought I knew a lot but I am now raising my grand niece, a child of color, who has opened my eyes even wider and I want to say a few things about "losing" Florida or any other place and Reverend Wright.

That white people are "shocked" at what Reverend Wright had to say, Reverend Wright a freaking ex-marine and war vet who stood by and guarded President Johnson when he was lying in the hospital ~ and then they have the NERVE to ask, "Does Reverent Wright love this country?" With their lily white hands who have seen nothing worse than a bad hair day holding their questionnaires! Reverend Wright, who took a small church and created one with 8000 members in one of the highest crime areas in the nation. Reverend Wright who had the BALLS to stand up and tell it like it is about the CIA addicting and corrupting thousands of young people of color and pushing gang wars in Los Angeles for "freedom" while raking in millions from Columbian Cartel cocaine sales. In our name and into our coffers on those kid's backs and with these young people's violent death. Rev Wright who knows of and speaks about the horrible proxy wars, strong-armed governments and slobbering white rich men's desire to steal about every resource they can hoard from smaller countries in the name of "freedom".

Well I have to say to those whites, you are living in Lala Land and most whites have been living there for at least 3/4 of a century when African Americans have finally had enough of a voice to TRY to tell you what the HELL is going on with them that we are also doing around the world: Causing war, mayhem and poverty so a few goddamn rich Americans can rake even more into their coffers at the expense of raped women, forced labor, horribly polluted countries (and ghettoized areas here in our own cities where people are forced to live, breath the fetid air and drink the putrid water). Where, as white America sat by silently and pretended not to notice, the proxy wars that are not only "over there", but are over here, sucking in little boys to become mass murderers, little girls forced into prostitution, and babies dying of dysentery simply because the water where they live is rampant with feces and waste that American companies dammed up. I have this to say to my white brothers and sisters: "If you cannot stand to hear about it, then why did you support this crap in the first place with your silence and deaf ears????????"

Oooooo! Reverend Wright told the truth! OMG, get the antiseptic and spray it all over my teevee so we can continue to sit in our Hawaiian World and pretend everything is hunky-dunky!"

As my (white) minister said, who has also worked on the streets with people of many cultural backgrounds when I asked him how he felt about Rev Wright's comments after 911, "Not only would I stand with him, I would say he was 100% right about what he said!"

What is WRONG with saying the truth People? I am SICK to death of the maligning of this man who only said what anyone with half a brain who has listened knows. And as the some have said about Lewis Farakan, at least HE cleans up the streets. While our white churches twitter about gays, and abortion, or going half way around the world "to teach the little African/Asiain/East Indian/South American babies about Jeeeeezus", when right under their upturned elitist white noses is some of the worse poverty, misery and death there is. Know why Mr Farakan and Reverend Wright are so successful? Because they tell it like it IS for once! Know why Mr Farakan appeals to so many disenfranchised African American people ~ especially men in prisons who convert? Because he knows what they know and says it out loud: nobody in power gives a rat's ASS about them, except to punish and jail them, which screws up their entire families for decades, they expect these maligned people to bow down and kiss the ground their bosses walk on because they get paid half as much for the same work ~IF as ex-cons they can even GET legitimate work. Mr Farakan tells them they are worthwhile human beings and does not expect them to shuck and jive to a society that spits on them at every turn.

As I am raising a child of color, my grand niece, you can BET I will teach her she deserves the same opportunities as my white brothers have. And when she looks in my white face and realizes that I do not have a CLUE about what she is going to go through being a woman of color in this country, I can tell you one damn thing for sure; I will make it possible that she has a guide like Rev Wright to show her she is not alone. I will show her that SOME whites give a rat's ass about her brothers and sisters of color's soul-sucking covert life of having to whisper the Truth among themselves because the Talking Heads, the People in Power, the blind leading the blind in Suburbia are "Shocked! Shocked I tell you ..." at the Truth simply because they insist on sticking their heads in the sand.


AAARRRGGGHHH!


Cat In Seattle <---who could understand it with Repigs who do not have a clue and live in Whitey Land, but is so disgusted that this is even an issue with Democrats who should be standing with Reverend Wright, not maligning him
>^..^<

[DevonRex]

51. Wow, we seem to have the same story. It's so very nice

to know I'm not alone. Because my family is still racist and refuses to admit it. It seems like so few of us manage to get out from under it. And like you, I have made sure that my kids really did learn right from wrong, what racism is, and how truly evil it is.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

57. It is

always in the background.

The hateful noise of racism.

And you are right... It is evil.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

75. It was not uncommon to hear the "n" word around the dinner table in my extended family.

I have only recently begun, I'm ashamed to say, calling people on their racist remarks when I'm in an all white gathering. But I do it now. It has to stop with us.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

76. My family sounded like

fucking idiots.

It was "God damned Ni----s are on the TV again. The gay- Jew bastards in Hollywood are ruining this country!"

Then my sister married a gay jew.

It was weird.

I should write a fucking book about it.

I wish I could make it all erase from my brain. My husband never heard this shit. He was raised by people who voted for Kennedy and who sympathized with MLK. I envy him.

[EFerrari]

26. Instead of "integration" we should have called it "sublimation".

Agreed.

I didn't know any of the things in the tradition that Wright described this morning. That was amazing.

[graycem]

27. You make excellent points..

and if nothing else comes of this whole thing. I know I for one, have learned a lot. I didn't know about the Kerner Commission Report, and it essentially being shelved, which to me is at the heart of the whole matter and the main reason they keep everyone divided and distracted. It's about the almighty dollar and class. They want division because if racism were eliminated, people might start paying attention to the government and asking where are the jobs.

One thing that just sort of socked me in the gut, and I realized that at the most basic level, nothing has changed. I'd seen a movie before about Brown v. Board of Education and they illustrated the Doll Test, and that was all those years ago. And now, in this year, I watched the David Wilson story, and they used the Doll Test again, and the answers were the same. I know I can never know as a white person what that is like, and though I was not personally responsible for slavery, and I don't recall ever committing an overt act of prejudice or racism, how many subconscious acts have I committed?, and that made me feel like dirt.

This country is so screwed up on this issue and it keeps getting swept under the rug. The hate groups have nearly doubled since Bush took office, and they want us to believe things are better? Things are perhaps on the surface. But underneath the ugly hasn't gone anywhere.

[ItNerd4life]

29. I believe the War on poverty doesn't help the problem

Blacks in the inner cities still have rundown schools and nothing is being done to 'promote the general welfare'. The war on poverty just gives people money to live, it doesn't teach people how to grow and better themselves.

I sometimes wonder how many people in government like to keep things this way so that racism can still live on. I live in a blue state, but the number of blacks still living in poverty hasn't changed in over 20 years.

In other words, I believe one piece of the racist pie is within our own government. Keep blacks poor and reliant on government so that the government can control them.

Racism is slowly giving way to equal opportunity, but it still has a long way to go.

[DevonRex]

30. As a product of white southern racism, I'm with you all the way.

It is high time for me, as a white woman raised in the South by racists (who never thought they WERE racists) to stand with the African Americans who have been so loyal to the party. I will NOT participate in throwing them under the bus. I will NOT pretend racism does not exist.

On a personal note, I have to tell you that when you have been raised as a racist, the horror never completely leaves your mind. To this day, I can't pass a public swimming pool without noticing that there are blacks and whites swimming together and how different that is from the way things were where I was brought up.

And every single time I have that kind of flashback, it makes me ill. I suppose that white folks in South Africa have the same kind of sickening recurring nightmare from time to time.

I cannot change the fact that I was raised in that environment but I can work to bring about positive change. I raised my sons MUCH differently, thank GOD. They know racism when they see it and I thank God again that they will never have those flashbacks in their minds. They will never know what it is to regret having believed the garbage that I was taught.

Okay, off my soapbox now. :)

[Renaissance Man]

31. Jennifer

God Bless You!

"Be the change that you want to see in the world!"

:-)

[DevonRex]

32. Why thank you. I need all the blessings I can get. :) nt

[goclark]

126. Renaissance Man welcome to DU My Brother

You have allow me to sleep better tonight ~ thanks and keep telling the TRUTH.

[Tarheel_Dem]

35. Jennifer...you and Gilligan give me so much hope for the future.....

:grouphug:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

156. Same here

We live in a racially mixed neighborhood - People from all over. Some neighbors are Asian, Hispanic, Black and from around the country and the world. We also have openly gay couples. Then there are the Republicans... (ugh)

My kids play with all of their kids. They are here all the time, watching movies and playing video games. My heart sings to see it. None of these kids seem to notice the skin. They all GET IT! I have tears in my eyes as I type this. We have a beautiful pool that is shared in this small community - We all sit at the pool and have lunch and a beer while the kids swim. NOTHING like this happened with me as I grew up.

For the dark skinned people - It really is changing, the way we think. I know it may not change enough in our lifetimes but I hope that with the next generations, this sad and pathetic part of our past will be a footnote.

[yardwork]

34. It's a big problem that so few people in the U.S. know U.S. history.

Or any history, for that matter.

I'm continually astounded by the flat-out ignorance - just total vacuum of information - about most of this country's history. The 19th century, in particular, appears not to be taught in any schools or colleges in the U.S.

[kwassa]

37. It really is amazing how ignorant of history so many people are.

and the lack of cultural knowledge of any place but their own.

[yardwork]

40. Too many folks are ignorant of even their own cultural knowledge!

It's amazing and depressing. I feel that people ought to know better. They can use the internets, obviously. Why don't they read and learn something?

[FlaGranny]

43. I was raised in a household

where differences, racial and otherwise, were not much thought about. My parents never made racist remarks and I was educated in an integrated country school. But school never taught me about the many contributions made by black Americans in this country. I never saw a black face on television unless it was Rochester or a black dancer or singer occasionally. I never thought I was racist, but now I know you can be racist by omission, by just accepting things the way they are.

[Coexist]

36. kick

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. R-Man, you have enriched this board today, for all who will read your o.p.

with an open mind. Obama was right when he said that these are things we talk about amongst ourselves, in the beauty shop or the barber shop, and even at church, but I'm so glad to see your post here...out in the open...so that we can really begin to have a meaningful discussion. For better or for worse, this country needs a REAL discussion of the issues, and not just race.

There are so many forms of bigotry. Having grown up in the South, during the 50's & 60's, I know firsthand the effects of racism. But I also know the human kindness of the many white people who gave me a hand up, and quite honestly, they were usually staunch dyed-in-the-wool Republicans. But many of them took a chance on me, and for that I'm grateful. Some people pay lip service to issues of equality, FOR VOTES, but they never quite walk the walk (if you know what I mean).

Thank you for this beautiful post. Recommended.

[Renaissance Man]

42. Tarheel-Dem

Thank you!


:kick:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

44. Right on.

It pisses me off to no end when people accuse *WRIGHT* of being divisive. What a way to completely miss the point. It's as if they believe if Wright had kept his mouth shut or Obama had kept his mouth shut, the whole issue would just cease to be.

[Indenturedebtor]

47. Yeah it's just nonsense from the RW

They didn't open their mouths about it in the first place... HRC and her buddies on the right, dragged all of this stuff out so they could portray him as an angry black man.

Personally I think the approach that is needed here is to go after populist reforms. Help the poor and you will help black people. Improve education, improve public transportation, etc. Obama doesn't need to be running as the redeemer of black people, he needs to be running as the redeemer of America, hence his comments about it before his speech on black-white relations.

This is exactly the dialogue that these assholes were trying to make his candidacy about. I'm not at all saying that this dialogue shouldn't take place, just that they're using it as a tool against him. These scumbags have no souls :mad:

[But....]

45. I hope...

that it's mostly the spin doctors looking for any handle they can get.:puke:

[brindis_desala]

46. This is exactly where Obama fits in

He understands that there is a generational shift going on and like any perceptive politician he wanted to get out in front of the wave. The fact that he is making a serious run for the presidency shows that the old fogies, if not dead, are dying out. But the next step requires vision and skillful leadership. If we cannot meet the challenges as a people diverse, yet united, we shall perish at the hands of the global elite and get buried together.

[democrank]

48. Bravo, Mr. R Man!

I was raised in a terribly racist family and hated every minute of it. The good news is that wretched upbringing helped me discover how I didn`t want to be.

Thank you for reminding us about Mr. Louima and Mr. Bell. So often these life-altering stories take a back seat to Hollywood starlet tales and other useless, manufactured drama.

~PEACE~

[TexasObserver]

49. White people in America don't like being reminded of the thin veneer covering their biases.

Especially regarding black and white relations.

God forbid Kunta Kinte doesn't want to be called Toby.

[liberalcanuck]

153. Great observation. It's been my experience that white males especially

are loathe to discuss race issues. I'm in an interracial relationship. My father-in-law is one of those right-wing conservatives of the James Dobson variety. I sincerely believe he sees me as a peculiarity and an affront to all that he believes in. We differ on every one of those hot social wedge issues that Republicans have so artfully brought into the sphere of American discourse.

In his view when America goes to war America is biblically justified to do so. I'm digressing a little to give you an idea of whom I'm dealing with.

I saw him last weekend and he brought up Reverend Wright. Of course that led to a discussion on race which made him livid! His face turned a shade of purple that I've never seen before. This is what he asked me, "Now tell me, where in the world does the black man have it so good? Why is everything the white man's fault?". I was speechless. So this is what it boils down to. In his view he feels somehow that any examination of race in America is a personal attack. His reaction, in my experience, has been the norm and is by no means atypical.

[xxqqqzme]

50. All that you write became clear to me

listening to Wright during his interview w/ Bill Moyers. I do not want to hear another white male start in on this non-issue. Certainly NOT tweety, nor Richard Wolfe nor blitzer - not one single white publican. That is all I can say cuz I'm not male & not African-American.

[Gman]

58. But Hannity, Rush and multitudes of white people would argue that

you should get down on your knees and thank God that your ancestors were captured and forced onto a boat bound for America against their will and put to work and beaten in the fields. Too many white people feel that way. Too many white people don't have a clue.

Good post and you nailed it

[mcollier]

61. Now that would be arrogant.

Because McCain went into the dirt today, I pose a question - take a look:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Y1qcma0Q4">Does Bush want McCain to win?

[Enthusiast]

62. You nailed it, Gman!

This steady stream of right wing propaganda is very effective. It matters little that their pronouncements have any basis in fact.

[Enthusiast]

59. R Man, as a European - American citizen and,

R Man, as a European - American citizen and Obama supporter I agree with your post wholeheartedly. During the short span of time that I have been a supporter of Obama my eyes have been opened as to the true state of this country.

[anigbrowl]

70. Seconded by this euro-American

A lot of people assume I am black because of my surname (Robinson), and I've noticed on more than one occasion that it results in different treatment when I meet them face to face. In the interests of fairness, various black people have assumed I'm not going to be very friendly based on my lily-white looks and (sometimes) short haircut, and are surprised to find out I have a 'brother name'.

It's all very confusing. I grew up in western Ireland wondering why all the nice multi-colored people on Sesame Street never came to visit my neighborhood. Then I got here and found out they didn't visit each others' neighborhoods that often either :-/

[JuniperLea]

60. The Wright clips were cherry picked and shown out of context

I must admit I found them shocking and divisive when I first saw them. After watching the Moyers interview, and seeing the years of good works Wright and his church have done for all people, I can do nothing but applaud Wright.

If only Obama WERE strongly influenced by Wright! I subscribe more fully to Wright's politics than I do Obama's!

Wright is a true man of God, one of the precious few who actually walk the talk.

I would love to see him preach.

[iloveKaus]

121. Unbelievable

[jasmine621]

63. And just how do you see Sen Obama being able to make the "change"

he claims to want to make. Our history proves the bringing together ain't going to happen. Our candidates need to focus on resolving and solving the economic and judicial issues facing us. People will come together on their own over results and we need someone who will FIGHT for solutions.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

77. Your candidate is not the answer either.

And she's a neocon who wants to attack other countries on top of it.

[NatBurner]

140. in a way, he's already done it

if u take a look at the way he campaigns-

he's made the overwhelming bulk of his funding from US, the people

he wouldn't come into the game owing favors to big oil, or the drug lobby, or

*cough*
columbia
*cough*

and that in and of itself is a significant change-

personally, i'm tired special interest groups being able to actually write policies, all because some politician sold us out for $2500

[AspenRose]

64. This primary season and election is a "test" of sorts for Americans

And lots of Americans, democratic and republican, are failing miserably.

Fortunately, some "get it," and others are getting an "education."

I was thinking the other night how sad it is....that the best person in terms of leadership for our country could be so easily dismissed because of their outward appearance.

This country deserves what it gets for having such an asinine standard.

It's not like we haven't had a *white* guy running our country into the ground for the past eight years, or another *white* guy promising war without end for our kids and grandkids if elected. :sarcasm: THAT'S more scary to me than any supposed mythological "angry black man." :think:

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

78. Nice post, completely agree. We shall see just what lies in heart of America,

I'm an optimist and think that we'll pass, even if by the narrowest of margins.

GOBAMA

[Jackpine Radical]

65. I'm signing up in defense of Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

I, for one, can tell the difference between Wright and wrong.

[iloveKaus]

122. Right. He's Wrong

[Jackpine Radical]

147. Wrong.

He's Wright.

[Butch350]

67. Hey I Don't Know About You....

But I'd rather lose my home, send my kids off to war, go without health insurance, wave bye bye to my job,
pay 4to5 dollars for a gallon of gas, etc...before I'd vote for that colored guy.

And I sure wouldn't vote for the lady with the husband that can't keep his pecker out of other women!

Yep...that war hero guy who's 103 - is the guy for me!

[Cha]

81. Hey, I like your

sig line and it speaks for me.

[iloveKaus]

123. Uh. Sure. Sounds good to me.

[Skittles]

68. I hear you RM

I do believe I am one of the folks who really gets it

[myrna minx]

73. K&R Thank you for this post. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

79. Let me know if you succeed in getting white folks to give a shit...

... Since that's the basic problem.

[LWolf]

80. My response:

1. I'm a white middle-aged female. I have 2 black god-daughters, and had a black almost-step-dad, except that he died first. I agree with your remarks about the status of race in today's America.

2. I don't disagree with Reverend Wright on most things, including the hot-button "god damn america," etc.. I recognize that his comments don't make good campaign press.

3. I disagree with Reverend Wright on two counts: I don't think Obama is the right person to be POTUS. I disagree with him vehemently on too many issues. I don't think the Reverend should have made comments about candidates from the pulpit. I think that's an abuse of power.

4. I'm not voting for Obama. It has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with his positions on key issues. For that matter, I'm not voting for HRC, either, and it has nothing to do with her gender. I hope to see both the first female president, and the first president of color during my lifetime. As a matter of fact, if Gore, or some other compromise candidate doesn't get the nomination, I'll probably vote for a black woman in November.

5. When we finally get to a place that we can tackle the monster head-on, I'll be there, right by your side.

[Aloha Spirit]

84. Aww Mickey Mouse is still my fave write-in candidate. He's been running for like 50 years now.

[Number23]

82. I'm Getting so Weighed Down

I just saw an article reporting that an AP poll has Clinton up by 9 against McCain. Not that I believe in polls all that much, but I am getting so demoralized by the fact that Obama seems to have lost his footing and can't seem to regain it because of BULLSHIT. Between him being blamed for the words of another man (Rev. Wright) or speaking a fairly innocuous semi-truth about fear being a major reason that people cling to guns, religion or xenophobic beliefs, it seems as if he's lost ground. Can he get it back? Maybe, but the fact that he's so "off" right now is so frustrating.

I'm not even necessarily an Obama supporter, but I'm just so damn sick and tired of the double standards in this country. Even reading the comments here about racism, people talk about stuff happening in the 50's and 60's and there is not much mention of the GUT-WRENCHING pervasive racism that still exists today. There is not a black person in the U.S. who doesn't know that all the degrees, experience, will and drive etc. in the world provide little protection against an environment in which you are automatically perceived as being "less than." Hell, those degrees may actually work AGAINST you when dealing with the easily intimidated and threatened. In another article, a pollster was quoted as saying that "race will always be a factor because there are lots of older white Americans who cannot bring themselves to vote for a black candidate." That means, regardless of education, experience or ability, some Americans will never be able to support other Americans. Now, how I'm supposed to read that and not weep (or rail) I truly do not understand.

Quoted article here - http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/29/2229992.htm

[mckara]

83. It's Amazing, R-Man...

...how people are offended by Rev. Wright, who actually advocates for a world envisioned by Jesus Christ! He's vilified as a radical leftist who expects a nation to live up to its ideals! I listened to Wright's weekend speech, and this morning's breakfast meeting speech, this afternoon. I was shocked to hear such boisterous reactions to them on the cable outlets this evening! Wright merely told the unvarnished truth about American society, and the amount of bigotry that lingers 40 years after the abolishment of Jim Crow. He wasn't being radical; he was being HONEST.

America supposedly reflects Christian values, yet when Wright has the audacity of advocating for an American society whose policies truly reflect the words of Christ, a large portion of America is resentful. Not many people have heard of the Southern Strategy? The Confederate flag controversies? Purging voter rolls of "convicts" in Florida, Texas, etc? Inaccessibility of voting machines in Ohio, and in Pennsylvania last week by the Clinton crowd? How overt must racism become before people begin to recognize it? Where were all the Christians who should have helped right all the wrongs?

Wright and Obama may be forced apart by politics, but both men are welcome to visit me in my white bread, red-neck, Colorado mountain town. You too, R-man. The founding fathers said we'd be fighting for our Republic many years. We still have work to do! :patriot:

[Aloha Spirit]

85. Good point... if Wright's message is wrong, then is the opposite of what he says right?

God bless America for killing innocent Iraqis.
Let's stay the way we are. No reason to change.

[fascisthunter]

87. I Absolutely Agree

:thumbsup:

[Divine Discontent]

88. angry black man - ahhhh no! I'm walking to the other side of the street!

you got to make me smile with your thread title, I thought I'd play too.

To your post, very nicely done, there's always a 'bad guy' that the US govt has to have for the white folk (like me) to hate upon. I cannot speak enough for what I see as obvious double standards for blacks as opposed to whites (or yellow, green & blue for that matter), when it comes to many things - jobs, treatment, sentences. And for some people to get all comical and say Obama is doing some of the racism himself I mock their true intent - because I just have a hard time not saying they're just racist and they're using clever words or ways to conceal it, and still, push it, by saying Obama's the racist!

Thanks for giving us your perspective. Racism is possibly what could be the downfall of this great nation - as we're being forced to confront it head on, with the possibility of a black man just months away from being president, and yet there's 50 million people out there that would say 'no n****r is gonna get president in my country!' Reminds me of a time I saw a black man asking for spare change with a sign, and the (white) lady screamed at him to get away. I told her she was embarrassing and a stain on decency with her behavior when he said not a word, and was just walking with the sign. She didn't like what I had to say, but frankly, I don't give a damn.

Pro-Obama & Anti-McSame items!
www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[ruby slippers]

91. RMan....nice post. Now everyone should go watch your M. Moore post next

that one speaks volumes, too......

[VotesForWomen]

92. yeah, and i don't care if Hillary is a lesbian. some other people might. it's called political rea

reality.

[akbacchus_BC]

94. Please do not change the subject of this thread. Who cares if you

and Senator Clinton are lesbians. Aren't both of you humans?

[VotesForWomen]

157. it is not changing the subject; it's making an analogy. sorry if that got past you. the point is not

whether progressive dem primary voters agree with and understand Wrights or "angry black man's" comments. the point is how they will play in the GE. and FWIW, i posted that lesbian comment before all these hillary is a lesbian threads started popping up.

[bridgit]

95. I seen a little girl sitting in a grocery store shopping cart not long ago, I said, "Hi, Honey!"

and waved my little twinkle fingers along with a smile. I suppose I should point out that the little girl was a little black girl, seeing as how we're so consumed with race. Would you care to know what her grandmother then said to her? Yes/No? She said to her granddaughter, "Don't talk to her, she's white." Where is this 'thing' going? Does anyone have a clue? When her granddaughter started to smile, but then her little face went cold..............

[akbacchus_BC]

96. Are you serious? Black people are one of the most

accommodating race on earth. I call your post BS!

[bridgit]

98. Not that day...

Not in that instance, believe what you will. It is what it is.

[akbacchus_BC]

100. Sorry, I sure do not want to take away the importance of this thread.

Your post is BS!

[bridgit]

103. You are BS...

[akbacchus_BC]

106. Just like I think you are. Amen!

[Renaissance Man]

97. Her grandmother...

...was wrong. That's precisely the root of the problem. Eventually, we have to become the change that we seek. It sickens me for someone to make a child lose their innocence. To me, that is where humanity truly lies, in the hearts of children.

"Out of the mouths of babes..."

[akbacchus_BC]

99. Thanks for your response, but I do not believe for a minute what the former poster said.

Black people are the most accommodating on earth. Blacks were nannies and they loved the children they took care of. Sorry, am not buying Brigit BS!

[bridgit]

105. Again, The Great White North pontificates...

:eyes:

[akbacchus_BC]

We do not pontificate, we call BS when we see it! Grow up!

[bridgit]

109. Tell it to, Che...

[akbacchus_BC]

116. As a side note, I love Che. Peace!

[bridgit]

102. Agreed, Renaissance Man, most agreed. The revolution may not be televised...

But whole segments of it will take place around each & every kitchen table. That you so for being you, friend :)

[akbacchus_BC]

104. Which Black grandmother will tell a child to ignore a greeting from

anyone. Sorry, you are not making sense!

[bridgit]

107. It is common practice to ignore the life experiences of others...

You are no different from any of the rest

[akbacchus_BC]

110. Thanks for opining whom I am. I still call your message BS!

[bridgit]

113. Again, think wherever your mind may wander...

We here in America are living these matters for real

[akbacchus_BC]

114. bridgit, so are we in Canada, hon. Sorry if I stepped on your toes!

[ruby slippers]

101. sounds like the FDLS cult kids......they are being told that

the outside world is evil..........

Poor kid.

[Renaissance Man]

108. acbacchus and Brigit

Let's be civil guys. We can disagree without being disagreeable. This thread is about much more than a dispute over one incident.

[bridgit]

111. Fair enough...

:toast:

[akbacchus_BC]

112. I agree RM, that's why I said to not take away from the importance of the thread.

Back on track. Go Obama

[iloveKaus]

127. Damn Right

Let's get back to talking about why Barack Obama will lose because of this anti-american hatemonger he calls his pastor.

What a freak this guy is.

Al Queda and America = No difference
America created AIDS to kill black people

[me b zola]

151. Let's get back to ordering pizza

Mmmmm, I like it New York style.

[akbacchus_BC]

115. K&R

[ElsewheresDaughter]

120. I wish you peace and love

honestly

[satireV]

125. Racial reconciliation is indeed slow.

But Sen Obama disagrees with you and thinks it has already happened and everyone is going to play nice nice. Then Sen Obama DISOWNED his mentor's words and sentiments... that really pissed of his mentor... so now his mentor is dissing Sen Obama... and in a very subtle way calling him..... Senator Oreo. I don't agree with this sentiment that Rev Wright is slyly putting out.

Sen Obama dug his own hole when he disowned the sentiment you just posted.

Deal with it.

Personally I agree with another poster's idea. The revolution will not be televised.

[Chovexani]

128. I am black. And with all due respect, Step. Off.

I don't need ANYONE to fucking lecture me on police brutality growing up in 1980s Brooklyn, with names like Yusef Hawkins, Michael Griffith on my evening news. Abner Louima being brutalized IN MY OWN LOCAL PRECINCT. Asking my mother what "n*****" meant after being stopped by police while seeing a friend in a rich, white neighborhood. Do not presume, okay?

You make some excellent, excellent points in your post. One can recognize the depths of institutional racism in this country, one can recognize the righteous anger. But this does not mean one has to buy into the kind of batshit paranoia spouted by the lunatic fringe of the black community, parasites who make money off preaching what frustrated people want to hear. Wright, Meeks, Farrakhan and all the rest of them. They are black Falwells and any good they do is far outweighed by the harm they cause by perpetuating the kind of ignorance that leads 10% of our people to believe the gov't cooked up AIDS to kill us.

And perpetuating the kind of ignorance that led my Japanese-American boyfriend to be glared at by a bowtie-wearing, beanpie selling motherfucker in Times Square because he dared to kissed my cheek while said motherfucker was trying to sell me a Final Call.

Hate is hate is hate no matter who it's coming from, and I resent the fact that I am expected to sign on to supporting Wright's bullshit (yes, I said it) just because once in a while he tells the truth about something. Fuck that noise.

I resent the fact that people like you are trying to make it out like Wright is not the fringe lunatic that he is and that he is somehow representative of black folks and the black church. I grew up in the black church. This man does NOT represent me, my family, and the values we grew up with. My pastor spoke out about injustice but he didn't have time to cuss the White Man 24/7, he was busy trying to teach us how to get right with God.

Signed,
An Angry Black Woman.

[Number23]

132. Very Well Said

But this does not mean one has to buy into the kind of batshit paranoia spouted by the lunatic fringe of the black community, parasites who make money off preaching what frustrated people want to hear.

I completely agree with you on some of your points including that there is a group of folks thriving off of black misery, but there is just no denying that some of the things Rev. Wright said were 100% true, and that some were utter BS.

The concocting AIDS to destroy black people story is a conspiracy theory that's been around as long as AIDS has been. Yes, this country has a thoroughly jacked up history when it comes to experimentation on blacks, and even just the mistreatment of blacks by the medical industry TODAY (Essence is always running stories about black women who've damn near died because they didn't get the basic medical attention they needed and deserved) could warrant some suspicions, but the fact that in 2000 and freaking 8, Wright is still espousing those beliefs is completely inexcusable.

HOWEVER, many of Rev. Wright's statements about U.S. foreign policy were right on the money. And not a day has gone by since all of this has come out that stories from members of his church and his community have not come out about the work and good he's done in his community, where he is obviously very well-respected. So he may be unpalatable to some, but I don't know if "fringe lunatic" is a word that many people would associate with the good Rev. Maybe "sometimes true ego-maniac" or "fringe serial-talker when many just wished he would hush" would be more apt.

Signed,
A Currently More Tired than Angry Black Woman

[truth please]

129. You forgive the racism but you don't forget

I remember as a young child picking up a record album and seeing everything except a black face on the album cover. We could sing the albums but how dare a black face be on the front cover. I remember as a child my grandfather taking us for ice cream and having a people ask "where did you get the little niggers" not realizing we were his grandchildren. I remember being followed around in stores. I remember being in the car with my husband and baby trying to find a pacifier late at night and my husband having to lie on the ground with shot guns pointed at his head because the police said we shouldn't be in their city at night. I remember in the 70's when natural black hair was not part of the dress code, so you had to press it, perm it or wear a wig if you worked in an office. I remember when blacks could not be a receptionist, because we were not considered the face of Corporate America. I remember when employers could call an employment agency and specify no blacks. I remember when you could call for a job, get an appointment and when you showed up for the appointment they would tell you the job was filled. I remember trying to rent a apartment in a better neighborhood and being told time after time that there were no available apartments. I remember my husband and I trying to buy our first house and being taken to every rat hole in town and being told by the Agent that the better parts of town were racist and we wouldn't want to live there. So while some people may be tired of hearing black people speak on racism, try living with it. By the way I'm in my 50's.

[jcla]

130. Rman K and R!

Heard Reverend Wright's "Different is not Deficient" speech last night. I agreed with most of it. I believe he is opening and describing a "can of worms" that has been covered up for years. Good for him. I support him! I hope he keeps his kind of "discomfort" coming..If we (the citizens) aren't shaken awake we deserve worse. Loved his defining of Arabic as a language not a ethnic group! My husband was from South Africa and his fourth language was Arabic. I have Muslim Egyptian friends, first language is Arabic. My cousin's son married an Iraqi Christian woman... her second language was Arabic. One of my Muslim friends from Indonesia's second language is Arabic. My good friend communicates with Yemeni friends in Hebrew... their common language.. the Yemeni Jews first language was Arabic. Wright was saying look at people.. know people.. don't just look and judge the "outside".

[unpossibles]

134. K&R

the sad part is, you could have gone on even longer and barely made a dent. Yes, things are nominally better now than 40 years ago, but that doesn't mean there is equality.

Yes, economics play a large factor, but that also does not mean there is equality within any of the socio-economic strata, nor that anyone can ignore the roll of race in the history of our economy.

As a white man, nothing pisses me off more than to hear another white man complain about being discriminated against, and it has nothing to do with white guilt, and everything to do with accepting responsibility and learning from the good and bad parts of our history.

And for what it's worth, yes I do cringe at the level of sexism often displayed toward women as evidenced in many of the rightwing's attacks against Hillary too. Frankly, I'd love it if we could actually discuss the issues, and am sick to death of people bringing up Wright in some "new" attack every week, just as I don't want anyone to attack Clinton based on her hairstyle or dress or whatever.

Come on, people. We're progressives - we should not sink to their level. We need to not let anyone divide us if we're to stand strong.



Great post!

[GOPBasher]

141. K & R!!

[Tim4319]

142. I've been saying this for a while

People are quick to say, slavery happened so many years ago, we should "just get over it". And my response to that has always been, slavery was just the beginning. How about all of the injustices that occurred within the last 40 to 50 years?

Great post!

[juno jones]

148. Great post, Renaissance Man

An eye-opener that has brought out some interesting and heart-felt response.

My second husband was (is) black (for the record, I'm a pasty irish girl). Those three years were quite enlightening in terms of learning about black culture and the racism that could even exist in the East Bay, Ca, one of the most liberal places in the US.

Thank you for speaking up. I'm all for tearing down the three-ring circus and dealing with that damn monster.

[TexasBushwhacker]

154. Excuse me, but as a female, I DIDN'T MAKE IT

"You made it. Now, deal with it."

The bottom line is that the oppression is by those who have power and who seek more power, and who get more power by oppressing and cheating those with less. That's not most blacks or Hispanics, or women, or 90% OF THE WHITE MALES in this country. It's the powers that be (and have been) for generations that "made it" and you're a damn fool if you think they're going to fix it.

It's not broken for them, IT'S BROKEN FOR US, and by "us" I mean all people, regardless of race or sex, who do not benefit from the system that benefits the haves and have mores. In order to fix our problem, we have to recognize who our real enemy is and quit fighting amongst ourselves.

[knixphan]

155. It's broken.

Let's fix it.