Obama Addresses Racial "Anger"

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I know that is strong, but goodness gracious. Move on, be somebody, do something for your people.
!

Move on? The people who need to move on, need to do so for themselves, as individuals. Then there second motivation should be for their family and friends. Then their country....

If they did so for "their people" this would only help foster more anger and separation-- especially when the setbacks of everyday life occur.


The "us" vs. "them" mentality will never work for a member of a minority population who's ultimate goal is success within their larger population group, i.e blacks in the United States of America.


More understanding and compassion is needed from you.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by GodsBabyGirl

So now he uses his influence to talk down on blacks in America, and some in this country is eating it up.

Cuz he is saying what many have said in the privacy of their backyards or living rooms...
.

Even if many have said privately what Cosby now says publicly, it doesn't change the truth of their comments. GodsBabyGirl, it's only "talking down" if both people are on the same level. Cosby is an elder, a successful and accomplished, elder, black man in the American society. On those merits alone, he deserves respect. When he speaks, it would be wise to listen to the wisdom of our elders.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by 1399

You have a great point. But honestly, the not so distant past still does have its affects, still should be addressed and the progress that we all want to see will not happen in one or two generations-- especially since what has helped to make things the way they are today happened for MANY generations.

I don't think anyone is denying that it needs to be addressed. I certainly agree that when racially motivated discrimination and other difficulties occur, there is a need for compassionate and wise mentors to step in, calm things down and assist movement in a positive direction.

However, I tire of the same old rhetoric, which does not differentiate between white racists and the white "race." There are black racists as well, but if someone gets up and addresses that--well, they might just be tarred and feathered.

There is a need to both address issues and encourage people towards more positive outlets instead of festering in the wrongs and inequalities of the past. The latter is nothing more than a pity party, and simply unproductive.

In our home, even though we live in a rural area with very little ethnic diversity other than (American) Indian, we forbid racism, discourage judging by outward appearance, and encourage the curiosity and enjoyment of other cultures. One of our best family friends is a very dark-skinned Indian (dot, not feather). In our fair-skinned, blue-eyed, freckled household, the visible difference could not be greater, yet our kids interact with him as if he is part of the family (which he is!). So I have a problem being lumped in with the the racist ignorants of the past and present, even though I am white. Furthermore, we aren't rich, nor are we die-hard Republicans.

Based on the above, JW's comments could not be anymore racially charged, because he is attacking my white family (with some Indian blood thrown in for good measure), my wonderful, free country, and my Christianity.

So, I'm with Pressing-On on this one: We need less of his sort, and more like Bill Cosby who aren't afraid to speak the truth to anyone and everyone. JW is just an ear tickler. Plain and simple.

Just for the record, I also resent black leaders who designate others of the same skin color as "their community." In our town, I would consider all of my neighbors to be my "community" regardless of their race, color, gender, class or creed. Again, I consider that to be reverse racism, and it is not appreciated.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by GodsBabyGirl

Thats it...Star and BC are sellouts!


OBAMA - US FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT! For shizzle, for rizzle!!!!

Ma'am. I don't know "Star", but Bill Cosby is not a sell out. This insult is tired and "played out".

While attempting an intelligent discussion on race and anger, you make yourself to appear not so credible with the shizzle, rizzle stuff. YOU HAVE JUST FED INTO SOMEONE'S STEREOTYPE!

As human beings, we do share some responsibility for the way we are perceived, individually.

[Hoovie]

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by 1399

If we are still giscussing J Wright, it is my impression that he isn't the woe is me, pity me type.


I have only heard part of his sermon, but was Wright condemning "whites" or in abroad sense, Americans? If so, is he racist? I'm not sure if racist is the word..... but if I have forgotten something let me know.

When he draws a negative comparison, or rather differentiates between the black congregants in his audience and "white America" (as opposed to just "America"), then his statements are racially tainted.

He is referencing what he perceives as the evils of white people against numerous minorities rather than just pointing out the degeneration of a nation as a whole.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Bill is speaking to the problem, honey. That's all there is to it. I'm not going to argue. I'm just saying, "If the black community wants respect they need to start acting educated and stop blaming everyone else."

The Jews have never NOT acted intelligent.

But "the Blacks" have?

C'mon Pressing-On! There are plenty of educated blacks who do not blame everyone else. There are plenty of uneducated blacks who act intelligent and don't blame everyone else.

You can't just lump Forrest Whittaker, Condoleeza Rice, Farrakhan and I all into the same category.

Knowingly or not, you just did. But it's ok-- this is one of those situations where one can see, "Ok, I do have a perception problem when it comes to the black community. Lord, please forgive me. I need your help...."

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Obama's Speech Leaves a Few Question Marks
By Charles Krauthammer
Friday, March 21, 2008

His (Obama) defense rests on two central propositions: (a) moral equivalence, and (b) white guilt.

(a) Moral equivalence. Sure, says Obama, there's Wright, but at the other "end of the spectrum" there's Geraldine Ferraro, opponents of affirmative action and his own white grandmother, "who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe." But did she shout them in a crowded theater to incite, enrage and poison others?

"I can no more disown (Wright) than I can my white grandmother." What exactly was grandma's offense? Jesse Jackson himself once admitted to the fear he feels from the footsteps of black men on the street. And Harry Truman was known to use epithets for blacks and Jews in private, yet is revered for desegregating the armed forces and recognizing the first Jewish state since Jesus' time. He never spread racial hatred. Nor did grandma.

Neither did Wright. He expressed divine condemnation for an entire country, of which he is still a part. This intelligent man, who chose his words carefully, also realizes that he and his family will share in America's bitter cup! In fact, he already has!!!



From reading the rest of the article, the author has failed to realize that there is real, justified anger that is still shared among many black Americans. In his attempt to discredit Obama, he discredits himself by displaying his lack of understanding and his contempt for those who express their pain.

I have been told, more than once throughout all of this mess, that Jeremiah Wright has white church members and white church staff. He is not a racist. His declaration of America's condemnation is no different from another Preacher's call for America's condemnation, except for the reason.

But many Pastors have indeed declared America's condemnation.


Neo-conservatives are so, so eager to write Jeremiah Wright off as a racist. But to do so would be the equivalent of writing all his members (Obama included) as racist. This is the easy way out.

It is much more difficult to examine how a man of his education, intellect and level of accomplishment, be so bitter and raise 8,000 law abiding, non-hateful black (and white if there are white members) Christians to their feet in applause with such a provocative statement.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

When he draws a negative comparison, or rather differentiates between the black congregants in his audience and "white America" (as opposed to just "America"), then his statements are racially tainted.

He is referencing what he perceives as the evils of white people against numerous minorities rather than just pointing out the degeneration of a nation as a whole.

Every time I try to listen to his sermon online, it goes too slow or it just don't work. If I have made a mistake by defending a racist remark, please forgive my ignorance,

[Rico]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I don't think anyone is denying that it needs to be addressed. I certainly agree that when racially motivated discrimination and other difficulties occur, there is a need for compassionate and wise mentors to step in, calm things down and assist movement in a positive direction.

However, I tire of the same old rhetoric, which does not differentiate between white racists and the white "race." There are black racists as well, but if someone gets up and addresses that--well, they might just be tarred and feathered.

There is a need to both address issues and encourage people towards more positive outlets instead of festering in the wrongs and inequalities of the past. The latter is nothing more than a pity party, and simply unproductive.

In our home, even though we live in a rural area with very little ethnic diversity other than (American) Indian, we forbid racism, discourage judging by outward appearance, and encourage the curiosity and enjoyment of other cultures. One of our best family friends is a very dark-skinned Indian (dot, not feather). In our fair-skinned, blue-eyed, freckled household, the visible difference could not be greater, yet our kids interact with him as if he is part of the family (which he is!). So I have a problem being lumped in with the the racist ignorants of the past and present, even though I am white. Furthermore, we aren't rich, nor are we die-hard Republicans.

Based on the above, JW's comments could not be anymore racially charged, because he is attacking my white family (with some Indian blood thrown in for good measure), my wonderful, free country, and my Christianity.

So, I'm with Pressing-On on this one: We need less of his sort, and more like Bill Cosby who aren't afraid to speak the truth to anyone and everyone. JW is just an ear tickler. Plain and simple.

Just for the record, I also resent black leaders who designate others of the same skin color as "their community." In our town, I would consider all of my neighbors to be my "community" regardless of their race, color, gender, class or creed. Again, I consider that to be reverse racism, and it is not appreciated.

Sister, these wrongs and inequalities are not in the past. They are still very much alive and well today.