Obama tackles real issues plaguing blacks

[Ethelk2044]

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070526/OPINION05/705260314/1006/OPINION

Whether or not he wins the Democratic nomination or the American presidency, Barack Obama is doing something incredibly important that no other presidential candidate could do: He is speaking honestly to the black community about the problems that plague them. He is daring to criticize what black Americans do to themselves, not to score political points among suspicious white voters, a la Bill Clinton's famous Sister Souljah speech attacking rap lyrics, but to show what real leadership in the black community should look and sound like. We should all be listening.

Straight talk
In a series of recent speeches, Obama has taken on the dangerous and self-defeatist attitudes that are partly responsible for the dire straits in which so many black Americans find themselves and their communities.

''There's no one else who could say what he said about black people and their responsibility to the larger community,'' according to my old friend and office-mate Harvard Professor Charles J. Ogletree, who was Obama's mentor when he was in law school.

In Selma, Ala., Obama took on blacks who don't bother to vote, creating a fictional character called ''Cousin Pookie'' to illustrate his point. In the wake of the controversy over Don Imus, he criticized rap musicians who use the same language and images that cost Imus his job. He has been especially strong on the culture within the black community that equates academic achievement and good grammar with ''acting white,'' instead of recognizing the need for blacks to embrace the tools that lead to economic success.

Blacks are an extraordinarily important force in the Democratic primaries and caucuses, making up as much as half the voters in certain Southern states

[papau]

1. It is good he is speaking out and speaking truth - an acquaintance/classmate of

mine from grade school and high school, Andy Hankins, now a retire Wis. Judge, said much the same thing - but again he was a bit of a national hero in 1961 when he convinced an Ohio State fraternity to take him as a pledge and defy the National fraternity's rules - breaking the barrier against blacks being in fraternities at Ohio State - caused a bit of a commotion - so he had the status to say such things.

It is good that Obama is telling it like it is.

[EffieBlack]

2. Obama wrote the Foreword to the National Urban League's 2007 "State of Black America"

"There are at least two stories to tell about the state of black America in 2007. One story celebrates the extraordinary fact that some of this country's top financial institutions have black chief executives, that a black woman is president of an Ivy League university, that the current and previous secretaries of state are black Americans, that a black coach led his team to victory in the Super Bowl, that the college graduation rate of black women has never been higher, that homeownership by blacks is as high as it has ever been, and that blacks have penetrated nearly every barrier in law, business, medicine, sports, education, politics and public service. Black influence on art and culture is as strong as it has ever been, and black voters should feel empowered by a reauthorized Voting Rights Act.
. . .

"But another story must also be told about the state of black America. A quarter of all black Americans live below the federal poverty level, a poverty rate about twice the national rate. More than a third of all black children live in poverty and almost two-thirds grow up in a home without both parents. In some cities, more than half of all black boys do not finish high school, and, by the time they are in their 30s, almost six in ten black high school dropouts will have spent time in prison. Half of all black men in their 20s are jobless, and one study a few years ago found more black men in prison than enrolled in college. The typical black household earns only about 60% of the earnings of white households and has a net worth only about 10% that of whites. The HIV/AIDS rate is highest for black Americans, and blacks are more often the victims of inadequate healthcare and preventable health maladies. This sad story is a stark reminder that the long march toward true and meaningful equality in America isn’t over. We have a long way to go.

"That's why this annual status report is so important. It is a moment to consider the opportunities that confront America. Will we be able to use the greater financial, educational, political, and cultural assets that we have acquired in order to finish the fight for equality that others have started? Will we be able to coalesce around a commitment to strengthening the black family and reinventing community-based and national programs to support those who have been left behind or need assistance to get ahead? The crisis of the black male is our crisis whether we are black or white, male or female. The failure of our policies to recognize black men as husbands, fathers, sons and role models is being acknowledged, and we need a new ethic of compassion to break the cycle of educational failure, unemployment, absentee fatherhood, incarceration, and recidivism.

"History teaches us that equality must be fought for each and every day. We must redouble our efforts to close the health care gap that leaves minority communities with higher rates of disease and lower rates of quality care. We must close the achievement gap by committing to early education and ensuring that we teach all of our kids to take pride in educational achievement. We must close the empathy gap that lets us give up on people who may have lost their way and all Americans must embrace our common fate and shared destiny . . . {I}t is in our shared interests and in the interest of every American to stop ignoring these challenges and start finding the solutions that will work. For in the end, we want the story for black America to be one universal story where success is the norm and struggles are overcome. This is the journey we are on together."

[LBJDemocrat]

3. He should read a book called Sister Carrie

It's easy to talk about pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps when you've been privileged. It's easy to blame the poverty of blacks on their attitude.

Many, or even most, of low-income blacks go to shit schools. They don't have the money to afford college. I guess they can take on debt, but today, there are plenty of college graduates who can't find work.

Many blacks have tried to advance economically, only to meet failure, or plant closings, or other tragedies. And who knows how many times they've tried to pick themselves up from the ground, only to get kicked back down once again.

There's only so much a person can take before they give in. Obama doesn't know the humiliation that they endure, and by repeating the "I got mine" "it's morning in America" crap that's been shoved down the working man's throat for the past two decades - by repeating that, he trivializes a suffering that is painful and real.

Edit: The solution isn't to get blacks to compete for nonexistent jobs, but to bring back jobs to the US, instead of relying on overseas slave labor. Or how about building more transit systems and housing units, so that the poor can not only work but be able to reap the benefit of their labor.

[Connie_Corleone]

4. It's funny how you got all of that out of this article.

None of what you wrote is Obama's message. He's not referring to hard working black people who do the best they can do under the circumstances, or the students who go to crappy schools but still manage to study, do their homework and graduate.

[LBJDemocrat]

5. A-hem

"In Selma, Ala., Obama took on blacks who don't bother to vote, creating a fictional character called ''Cousin Pookie'' to illustrate his point. In the wake of the controversy over Don Imus, he criticized rap musicians who use the same language and images that cost Imus his job. He has been especially strong on the culture within the black community that equates academic achievement and good grammar with ''acting white,'' instead of recognizing the need for blacks to embrace the tools that lead to economic success."

That's patronizing as hell. Just because Obama happens to be black and I happen to be white doesn't make it any less patronizing.

Some people will buy his Tony Robbins-meets-Wall Street self-help lecture. I won't.

[EffieBlack]

7. I am black and think Obama is dead on - and so does just about every other black person I know

Obama is not being patronizing at all. To the contrary - it is many well-meaning white liberals who take an extremely patronizing view toward blacks, assuming that every black person is a victim and that society/government owes each of us a tremendous debt while we are not responsible for any part of our own condition or destiny. Yes, the legacy and remnants of racism continue to plague us, discrimination is still rampant, and conditions are, in many cases, stacked against us. But believing that we can do nothing to help ourselves seems to be based on the assumption that we are a weak, powerless people - like helpless children. Such an attitude about black people is, in my opinion, much more patronizing, and infinitely more toxic than any message of self-empowerment can ever be.

Obama is absolutely right. We face a variety of serious challenges. Many of those problems must be addressed by government and society as a whole. But some of those problems can be solved by us. White racists are not forcing black rappers to denigrate their sisters, mothers and daughters, nor are they shoving their misogynistic, degrading music down our throats - we are doing that ourselves and can stop it ourselves. While many blacks are disenfranchised through no fault of our own, many of us disenfranchise ourselves by not even bothering to register or go out to vote. WE can do something about that. (And please, don't anybody give me that "what difference does it make, your vote won't be counted anyway" drivel - that doesn't seem to stop most white people from voting, so why should it be an excuse for us?) And yes, in some of our communities, academic achievement IS seen as "acting white" and discouraged or at least, downplayed as unimportant. WE can do something about that.

And, while you're correct that many blacks find can't get a job after college, contrary to your assumption, after age 25, a college-educated black person is more likely to get a job than a college-educated white person, according to the National Urban League. But even assuming that a black person would have trouble finding a job, since when does that mean they shouldn't go, if at all possible? Plenty of white people also have trouble finding work after college, but I don't hear white youngsters being told to roll over and play dead and not even try because they might not get a job. Frankly, I'm sick and tired of white liberals making excuses for underachievement of my people when they wouldn't for one second even consider accepting such self-defeatism forced onto their own children.

You don't have to "buy" Obama's views and you have every right to dismiss it as "Tony Robbins-meets-Wall Street self-help lecture." And it's certainly your prerogative to assume that you know much more about the humiliation, obstacles and frustrations of blacks than Obama does. But, unlike you, most blacks that I know not only think he's exactly right, but they've been saying the same thing for years. And this kind of self-help has been the mission of organizations like Rainbow/Push, the National Urban League, and the NAACP, etc. for decades. Right-wing bigots like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, etc. have long sneered at "so-called black leaders" as demagogues playing on white guilt to force concessions and udeserved handouts to blacks when, in reality, our black leadership, for the most part, has been saying exactly what Obama is saying now. Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, A. Philip Randolph, W.E.B. DuBois, Mary McLeod Bethune, and many others have been saying it for years. Just listen to Jesse Jackson's speeches or read one of Marc Morial's weekly To Be Equal columns and you'll see the same message of self-empowerment consistently laid out plain as day.

We are a strong, proud, noble, talented, and resourceful people. We do not need to wait around on the largesse of white people to help our communities, teach our children, and make a way for ourselves. Obama obviously recognizes that - unlike some good-hearted but misguided and, yes, patronizing white liberals who think we shouldn't have to try any harder and resent anyone for suggesting that we do.

[Morgana LaFey]

41. I seriously think you took the previous poster's remarks all the

wrong way. But I'm sure LBJDemocrat can speak for him/herself.

That said, GOOD! You can have Obama. I want nothin' to do with him.

[Chovexani]

44. That deserves to be its own thread

:applause:

Welcome to DU! You'll find most of the black folks around here stay out of race threads in GD so our heads don't explode. (Well, at least me. :silly:) Thank you for attempting to inject some Earth logic into the proceedings. I'm afraid it'll probably fall on deaf ears, though.

[Ethelk2044]

10. Obama was Right

As well as Bill Cosby. I see it when I go home. I can not find fault with either one of them. We need to pull ourselves up. We need to get more involved in politics. We need to vote for someone who will aid in black causes.

[Connie_Corleone]

12. I'm black and he's correct in what he's saying.

There is nothing patronizing in what he said. He's telling the truth.

[Kingstree]

9. You watch way too much television

You need to go out, talk to and get to know black people and not just the ones you are so-called "comfortable with". I am so sick of people who don't have a clue about black america but can read a book, watch television, read some statistical analysis and suddenly become an expert on black america on this website or at a social gathering. Please!!! The same people who don't talk to blacks, have black friends (not the ones who work with you or met at the fitness center and they are labeled the "I have black friends" thing but won't invite them to their homes, introduce them to their families or friends (we think that's so funny).

To quote you "Many, or even most, of low-income blacks go to shit schools. They don't have the money to afford college. I guess they can take on debt, but today, there are plenty of college graduates who can't find work.

Many blacks have tried to advance economically, only to meet failure, or plant closings, or other tragedies. And who knows how many times they've tried to pick themselves up from the ground, only to get kicked back down once again."

Think about it. Barack Obama is trying to give ALL AMERICANS the opportunity to pick themselves up to realize the american dreams al all levels, education, jobs, economic and fiscal responsibility etc. His vision is for all, not just some. Obama did not create this atmosphere we live in, whites did. Every facet of this governmental environment we (all americans) live in is not at the hands of minorities, but realize that whites are suffering (go back to your quote and replace the word black with white) as well. As I said before, go out and get to know black america, I guarantee you will learn something.

Oh, by the way, Barack Obama is not privileged, He is no different that the millions of blacks who have high school diplomas, college, master and doctorate degrees, high paying jobs, excellent families lives and legacies who embrace this country. Obama knows this, black people know this, Do yourself a favor,just go out and talk to some not just blog on the web.

[LBJDemocrat]

11. It's not an issue of blacks or whites

I don't have any black friends. But I do know plenty of whites who are unemployed. People with technical college degrees from good schools, even.

Barack Obama is selling a false dream to black America. Blacks can go ahead and get a college education, getting themselves into debt. But who's to say that even then, they'll get anywhere?

All I'm saying is that unemployment shouldn't be blamed on the laziness of any particular group. It's the global economy that forces us to compete with Indians for advanced technical jobs and with the Chinese for manufacturing jobs. There are no bootstraps. And if whites are having a bad time in general, it's reasonable to assume that blacks have it harder.

[Ethelk2044]

14. You are correct in stating that the jobs are moving overseas

However, that should not stop anyone from obtaining a college degree. They will probably have to move to another state to find a job. I work in IT and have some first hand knowledge about the jobs in that industry. However, IT is moving into the Service Management side. Therefore you have to look at what type of jobs will remain here and get a degree in those fields.

I have a daughter and I push her very hard. I tell her all the time that not going to college is not an option. The only option she has is what college she will go to and what degree she will obtain. That is how all parents SHOULD view education. The African American middle class has grown because more and more of them have been obtaining college degrees. Therefore they should continue along this path. I push all children when I meet them to do the same. It does not matter the color of their skin. I try to hold a conversation on their level to make them understand the consequences of their actions if they talk about dropping out of school.

Barack is trying to hold the parents accountable for their children. He is trying to make them see what the consequences will be if they do not obtain a college education. Education is the key to a better future.

[beaconess]

15. If you don't know any black people, isn't it pretty presumptuous for you to criticize Obama

for not knowing "the humiliation {we} endure?" Given what you've said in your posts, I bet he knows exponentially more about black people and what our lives are like than you do.

And Kingstree is right - Obama is no more "privileged" than any white or black person who grew up in similar conditions. Black people are not all poor, downtrodden, neglected, uneducated, without hope. So please spare us the sanctimonious lectures.

[LBJDemocrat]

17. Obama may be black

And the people he was addressing may be black. But he is privileged, and they are not.

There's a life of humiliation that Obama will never understand. He does not know more about their situation than I do.

[mark414]

20. now you're just being patronizing

there ain't a white person on earth who knows more about "being black" than a single black person

[LBJDemocrat]

21. I won't tolerate a blame-the-victim approach to poverty

I won't tolerate it from a black man, and I won't tolerate it from a white man. I especially won't tolerate it from someone who doesn't understand poverty to begin with.

[Morgana LaFey]

42. Aw, let it go. I think they all deserve one another.

Bah!

[Chovexani]

45. And I won't tolerate a patronizing tool of a white man

Talking down to actual black people and completely dismissing us when we dare to speak about our lives and situations and they don't match whatever bullshit you read in your sociology book or the damn pie charts in USA Today.

Jesus Christ now I remember why I don't bother talking about race on DU outside of AA Issues.

[beaconess]

23. Why do you think that he doesn't understand it?

And why do you think you know as much about it as he does? Do you know anything about his background?

I agree with EffieBlack that some white liberals, while well-intentioned, actually do more harm than good by treating blacks as helpless victims. You may not intend it, but you have a really patronizing, sanctimonious tone and sound rather silly lecturing black people about what it means to be humiliated, or privileged or suited to discuss our issues and conditions. I, for one, much prefer Obama's (and Dr. King's and Malcolm X's and Dorothy Height's and Cory Booker's and Carolyn Kilpatrick's and Charles Rangel's and Deval Patrick's and Earl Graves' and Susan Taylor's . . . ) approach of a healthy combination of self-awareness, self-empowerment and appropriate governmental and societal responsibility over your "oh, those poor black people just don't have any chance so we need to stop expecting them to get anywhere because life won't ever be fair."

[Laurab]

25. He was not always privileged - you should really check out his history

he had to work to get where he is now, he was not born wealthy, he was brought up mostly by his grandparents, who struggled a bit.

I don't understand how you can form an opinion when you obviously know nothing about Obama's background.

[beaconess]

27. And regardless of his upbringing, I bet Obama has spent more time with poor blacks

than some of the people who deign to lecture him about his "privilege."

[laugle]

34. I watched his bio on TV, and you are right.

He was abandoned by his father when he was 2yrs. old and had no contact with him until he was grown, and even then it was a strained relationship.

Also, he was raised by his grandmother. What a horrible sense of abandonment he must have felt. But he has accomplished so much and that should be an inspiration to anyone.

He has worked very hard to get where he is and should be proud of that!

[Kingstree]

18. He is not selling a false dream.

It's sad for me to hear that you do not associate with black people. You are missing out on an excellent opportunity to expand your narrow-minded perspective and knowledge.

I agree that unemployment is based on laziness but INDIVIDUAL laziness, which cover all groups. The economic conditions that attributes to unemployment and the lack of opportunity is the same government that makes your unemployed friends unable to find work. It affects everyone but the dream is not false. It is a function of individual initiative plus the government to make improve school at the elementary and high schools levels for all, support teachers with the resources that they need (that includes a high salary, they have to eat and pay bills too)which is the basis for anyone starting out to achieve their goals in life. Education should be equal across the board for everyone. He's not selling a false dream, he has a vision and HOPE FOR ALL. He is in it to help all which helps each group. But I guess because of your viewpoint you don't have the GUTS to relate to blacks and I assume other groups for that matter, you are a little cog in the machine that wants to keeps people at a disadvantage. You're not smart, just a coward. Nobody's buying what you're selling. Get a grip.

P.S. I looked up the book "Sister Carrie". This is about a country girl who went to the city, met a rich guy, amassed wealth and later became an actress. Didn't she sleep her way to the top? What the hell does that have to do with Obama or black people? I guess this is how uneducated, lazy people with no ambition, so-called good looks,(who believe in the religion of plastic surgery and body altering medical procedures) good in bed with no skills (this includes men too) get to the top and are cherished by all? Again TOO MUCH TELEVISION!!

[Connie_Corleone]

13. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Kingstree]

19. Thanks You

Thanks.

[rucky]

16. Do both messages have to be mutually exclusive?

There are things the community can't control, and other things they can.

[Laurab]

26. Where do you get your information? He WASN'T Privileged

do you think if you repeat it over and over in this thread, it becomes true? Read the 2 books he wrote, or at least, read up on his background. He wasn't brought up in poverty, but he sure as hell wasn't privileged.

[BeyondGeography]

33. You don't know much about Obama, do you?

He may have gone to good schools, but there was no father in the picture, and even his mother left him alone for several years. He spent much of his adolescense with his grandparents, with whom he shared an apartment. His grandfather was a salesman and his grandmother was a secretary in a bank. His mother made sure he went to good schools and that carried into college, but only because he took advantage of the ONE opportunity he was given in life and applied himself at school. The rest of it; biracial, fatherless, motherless for a time and living in an environment of very modest means, hardly merits the term "privileged."

[amandabeech]

43. I am under the distinct impression that employers would rathe hire

immigrants, legal or illegal, for entry jobs and for good paying jobs in fields such as construction.

During the Great Wave of immigration around 1900, some black leaders opposed the letting in all the newcomers instead of allowing Blacks to take those jobs.

To a certain extent, perhaps, many immigrants from that period owed their job to prejudice against Blacks.

I wonder if it is happening again.

[illinoisprogressive]

6. Alot of Blacks are saying he is right and they agree with him.

[Ethelk2044]

8. I am Black and I agree with Him

Everyone I talk to about his speech is saying the same thing. Yes, they are planning on voting for him as well.

[doggyboy]

22. He's right, but I don't want to hear it from him

or from any other politician.

I realize that the govt can not solve all of our problems. I also recognize that with many issues, what we do is just as important (if not more) as what the govt does. However, I do not need or want any politician telling OTHER PEOPLE what THEY should do

I may vote for Obama, but I'm not going to vote for him because he will tell blacks what blacks should do. I want to here what Obama will have the govt do if he gets elected. When I hear a politician talking about what others should do, I think the politician is trying to avoid having to make any commitments about what he will do.

[beaconess]

24. You may not want to hear it from a politician, but unfortunately, politicians are the only

black people who get listened to with any seriousness in today's world.

There are plenty of other blacks saying just what Obama is, but they aren't taken seriously by the media or mainstream white people.

Also, Obama is not telling blacks what blacks should do. He is laying out how he thinks we can better our lives, outside of what the government can and should do for us. This is a long-standing tradition among preachers and other black leaders who had to do this because if black folk waited around for the government to come in and help us, we'd have long ago become extinct. Self-help, self-empowerment and hard work (and yes, recognizing that we have to work twice as hard to get half as far) is not a new message in our community and it's not one that's received with any serious resentment. But for some reason, white folk who are just now starting to pay attention to this message - largely because Obama is one of the first leaders of color whose comments are getting widespread attention on a daily basis - and are just HORRIFIED that Obama is picking on us poor black folk by telling it like it is.

But I have some advice - don't worry about us - we can take it. He's not hurting our feelings or making us feel bad or "blaming the victim." We're big boys and girls and, at least most of the black people I know are delighted that someone of Obama's high profile is putting it out there.

[doggyboy]

29. I disagree

You say that black politicans are the only ones who can say these things and be taken seriously by the media or mainstream white people. You also acknowledge the long line of black non-politicians who have spread the very same message. You describe these as having sway within the black community and strongly imply that they were ignored by the media and by mainstream whites. I disagree. I think that white people have taken those black advocates seriously.

W.E.B Dubios, Bill Cosby and others have been taken seriously by many whites. I'm sure reasonable people can disagree about this, but I see nothing new about what Obama is doing here. I'm not saying it is a bad thing, but I just don't see as being quite as unique as the OP seems to.

And, again, there's this problem I have with politicians who don't tell us what they will do once elected. And I'm not saying that Obama has said nothing about what he would do. I just wish he, and every other politician, would concentrate more on telling us what they would do.

[beaconess]

35. I agree that Obama is not doing anything new

As I wrote earlier, black leaders and others have been saying the same thing for years. But Obama IS one of the first black leaders to be taken seriously by the media and, notwithstanding your openess, a large segment of the mainstream white community.

It would be great if Obama could focus only on what he would do as president - like white candidates get to do. But unfortunately, he is in a unique position and, as such, there are higher expectations of him. This is not uncommon, especially among blacks who find themselves in the position of being the only or one of a very few blacks in their environment. They not only have to do their "regular" job, but they are also tasked with representing and serving as an "ambassador" to their entire community, not to mention expected to "denounce" any other black person who steps out of line, regardless how unconnected they are to him. It's not fair. It's annoying as hell. But it's the reality. Obama is doing double duty - don't be mad at him for it.

[doggyboy]

39. That is a very good point

I still don't want to hear it from him, but you are absolutely right about differing expectations and his ambassadorship. And the fact that a black man has a serious shot at the presidency is unprecented. Of course, Obama has to respond to that, and that does put it into a different light. It does make it different than when other politicians do the same thing. Context is important. Thanks for helping me with that. I hadnt considered it.

I still don't want to hear it, but then again, I don't have to like everything someone does and says in order to like them, and I do like Obama. I don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good.

Oh, and I was never angry about it. I'm too cynical for that. It just seemed like a new load of old political fodder. The OP seemed a bit too verklempt about it.

[beaconess]

40. "I don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good"

One of my all-time favorite sayings!

[Kingstree]

31. Why Do You Think He Would Do That?

What gives you that indication? Do you have any info? Please post. I haven't read or seen anything. Politicians don't really tell people what to do but policies that become laws tell you what to do. Simple example, you cannot acquire good and services by stealing it. You have to pay. These are federal, state and local laws that we must abide by. So is that telling you directly in your face, yes and no, but in life sometimes people need to be reminded that in order to achieve in life you need some advice (didn't your parents do that for you?) You may not have liked what was said to you and maybe you didn't listen all the time the advice was there. So if he did tell some group what to do, it probably was a good thing. This current administration does it all the time (in our faces) and the american people definitely don't like it (look at where it has led us). The way I see it, if assisting someone by providing guidance, motivation and inspiration to achieve, do it. I call it common sense, something Barack Obama brings to the table.

[doggyboy]

32. Because he is a politician

and that is what politicians do

Forgive for being cynical. I just can't help it. I read.

And I want to point out that I agree with what Barack said and I know that many black people do too. I'm not saying that he did something wrong. It's just that I am biased against hearing it from politicians.

Yep, you heard right. I admitted to being biased when it comes to politicians. I give most people the benefit of the doubt. They're innocent until proven guilty. Politicians don't get that slack from me. History has taught me that politicians are untrustworthy, and therefor, I resent it when they talk about what other people should do.

I don't mind when Bill Cosby or Chris Rock talk about it. They're funny, and I would trust them more than any politician

[ohio2007]

28. Nobody want to give the black Caucus a soap box to stand on

I don't see why the networks refuse to air their political debate plans.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3286031

[bread_and_roses]

30. Oh, how White people love it when Blacks criticise other Blacks

I don't judge what Black people say to each other, it's not up to me. But I sure as hell can and do criticise those of us among the White Privleged who jump on that bandwagon. I think I'll attend to the beam in my own eye, thanks, before I start pointing at the mote in another's.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

36. He isn't wrong about one thing.

If you are black...You need to be registered to vote, register other people to vote and make sure your vote gets protected.
If you are black...You need be at the war protest.
If you are black and concerned about kids...You need to be at that school board meeting.
If you are black and care about your environment...You need to be concerned about pollution and global warming.


Black folk have to be INVOLVED! I'm tired of being the only black guy at the town democratic committee meeting. That's why I always bring of couple of my boys to it. Yeah, they may think its boring at first..(and more than a few of my peeps tell me that), but I'll do anything to get more people involved!

To many of my people these days belief activism is "something the white folks do". WRONG! Its something we need to be doing!

If we had the attitude back in 1955, we'd still probably be riding in the back of the bus.

[ulysses]

37. well, no.

Having taught for three years in a nearly-all-African-American middle school in Atlanta, I'll tell you that I came into the job with the "it's not up to me" attitude. I'm leaving after this year because of frustrations with the system, but with more an attitude of "teach your kids to read, goddamnit."

Of course, I don't get to say that, being white. But it's true. The kids there - and they're my kids too - who have a chance are the ones whose parents read to them and make them do homework. The ones sporting the grilles and reading 5 or 6 grade levels behind when they get to me are the ones whose parents don't.

Actually, in a way, I do love it when "blacks criticise other blacks", not out of some sense of vicarious racism, but because some things need to be said.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

38. Of course, I don't get to say that, being white.

WRONG! You teach those kids and you give a damn. You have a right and a responsibility to tell it straight up!