Obama Addresses Racial "Anger"

[ChristopherHall]

It’s obvious to me that the racial divide among even Apostolics is greater than I imagined. The leading opinion among whites is, “Get over it”. But we as a white majority have yet to even admit to doing “it” or to what “it” was and what effect "it" has had on people living today.

This is perhaps one of America’s most grievous national sins. The prejudice and racism that has fueled the frustration and indignation of civil rights leaders and black pastors is entirely lost on us white folks. Think about what has been inherited on their side.

- For nearly 400 years your people are enslaved in brutal conditions and no restitution is made. There isn’t a Zion for you to return to. You lost your history, your language, your culture, your identity. The only thing that defines you is your history in bondage and the stereotypes society perpetuates.
- Imagine, your grandfather was drug out of a house and lynched by the firelight of burning torches in a park by a group of white men in the middle of the night. Somehow the authorities never found a viable suspect.
- Your uncle was accused of a brutal rape and murder of a white girl when there were many eye witnesses testifying to his not even being in that place the night of the crime. One by one the prosecution throws out their testimonies and your uncle is sentenced to death.
- Your father is more than qualified for good work….but is never hired. When hired he’s paid only a portion of what a white man doing the same job is paid. He went out for the police force but they denied him for someone less qualified because he was white. Your father couldn’t get on with the fire department either. After multiple failures your father settles for working as a floor sweeper in the local corner market for little pay. No inheritance is handed down. Nothing is there.
- Your brother is approached by some strangers interested in getting him in on a narcotics deal. They want to know his friends and they network with him. They offer him big time cash, money he can’t refuse. The offer’s too good to refuse and at the abyss of poverty he takes the offer thinking this is a way out and that he’ll only do it as long as he needs to get set. Then he’s busted in a sting operation that brings him and ring of others down and lands them in prison.
- You call around for information on various apartments on a nice side of town where you can get away from the elements you live around and when you do amazingly, there are no vacancies, or there is still work needed to be done and they aren’t yet available. But your white friend calls the same properties and gets an offer for a lease beginning nearly immediately on nearly half the apartments you called.
- You walk into a neighborhood grocery store to buy some milk for your baby girl and find that you’re being watched and followed around the store by employees like they can’t trust you while white patrons walk around freely nearly oblivious to any suspicion.
- I’m white. I’ve been pulled over about 4 times in my life and was never issued a ticket. I was even going 57 mph in 35 on my way to Thunder Bowl once and got off with a warning. You’re my black friend; he’s been pulled over only twice and issued a hefty ticket by a white cop each time.

Nobody admits to “it”. No body apologizes for “it”. Everyone pretends “it” isn’t real. But the one thing they are sure of is that you get over “it”.

The frustration and anger over these things pours out from some black preachers on some Sunday mornings. The paranoia surrounding this issue has combined history with myth and sometimes what is said isn’t factual but is perceived by the speaker to be true. And we gasp and act faint like Victorian women who can’t believe how horrible it is.

Get real.

[Jermyn Davidson]

[QUOTE=Pianoman;417959]
Do you believe that an apology from the the US government will make racial tension cease? Maybe it would help!


Yes, it would. However, for the folks who profit on the misery of others, that "apology" or a million dollars or whatever you can come up with would never be enough. Again, it's a sad reality and it is best dealt with in the light of public discourse.

The weight of concessions and healing will only be borne by those of us who are strong enough and wise enough to bear it. No one can do it alone, but we all can do something-- one day at a time, one heart at a time.

[DividedThigh]

[QUOTE=1399;417991]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Do you believe that an apology from the the US government will make racial tension cease? Maybe it would help!


Yes, it would. However, for the folks who profit on the misery of others, that "apology" or a million dollars or whatever you can come up with would never be enough. Again, it's a sad reality and it is best dealt with in the light of public discourse.

The weight of concessions and healing will only be borne by those of us who are strong enough and wise enough to bear it. No one can do it alone, but we all can do something-- one day at a time, one heart at a time.

that has been my point all along my brother one heart at a time can change, i grew up also in the racially charged south in the 60s and 70s, my heart is different than my prejudice family, i never really understood why it mattered what color you were, and it doesnt, it is good to openly discuss feelings and hurts, god can be the only answer, as has been said one heart at a time, dt

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

It’s obvious to me that the racial divide among even Apostolics is greater than I imagined. The leading opinion among whites is, “Get over it”. But we as a white majority have yet to even admit to doing “it” or to what “it” was and what effect "it" has had on people living today.

Nobody admits to “it”. No body apologizes for “it”. Everyone pretends “it” isn’t real. But the one thing they are sure of is that you get over “it”.

I won't admit to IT

I won't apologize for IT

Because I have never in my life done IT.

I am not responsible for IT

IT is not part of my nature

IT is not part of who I am

IT is apparently deep rooted in your family or something because you have an insatiable desire to apologize for IT.

Have at IT.

I am moving past IT.

[ChristopherHall]

As I go back and read this, I’m almost embarrassed to be Apostolic folks.

Here’s a thought that popped into my head. It may be crazy and I might regret mentioning it but here goes. LOL

Anyone here think the Jews were not entitled to reparations and a nation to return to? After all….that was their ancestor’s problem after 70 A.D. We didn’t scatter them to the four winds.

I think it's funny how we pick and choose which races are worthy of respect and which are not.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

C’mon dude. Jesus definitely wasn’t white. Jesus was Middle Eastern and had no European ancestors. Jesus was most definitely dark skinned. I believe he was as dark as most Arabs in Saudi Arabia. And the Romans were European but most likely Mediterranean. Either way, Jesus was a part of a poor minority in a land ruled by wealth and powerful European majority.

When dealing with black folks you sometimes have to dig a bit deeper to find their meaning because they often use terms they are powerfully and personally acquainted with.

And Jesus was not "African" Black either........So do you think Jesus was darker than most Jews?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

As I go back and read this, I’m almost embarrassed to be Apostolic folks.

Here’s a thought that popped into my head. It may be crazy and I might regret mentioning it but here goes. LOL

Anyone here think the Jews were not entitled to reparations and a nation to return to? After all….that was their ancestor’s problem after 70 A.D. We didn’t scatter them to the four winds.

We didn't.... God did.

He promised he would.

[DividedThigh]

out of a sincere desire to not be misunderstood i am not going to say what i just thought after reading my lib brothers post, thanks lord for saving me from myself, dt

[ChristopherHall]

Here's an interesting news story that might add to this topic:

Australia apologizes to Aborigines
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc...lia.aborgines/

[ChristopherHall]

Originally Posted by COOPER

And Jesus was not "African" Black either........So do you think Jesus was darker than most Jews?

My wife's family is McCoy (Irish) and Lieberman (Jewish). She was raised Jewish. And yes most Jews today, even those in Israel, have had generations of mingling in Europe and are considerably lighter than Jews were in the time of Christ. So my answer is that biblical Jews were indeed far darker than modern Jews. Closer to darker Arabs.