Obama Addresses Racial "Anger"

[Pressing-On]

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 would like to first say that you have conducted yourself as a wonderful gentleman and a Christian in this discussion. I applaud you. I respect you!

I agree that it won't happen in one or two generations - Obama's words in his speech. I read through the whole thing yesterday evening. I didn't want to listen to it. I wanted to read it. Hmmmmmm....

Originally Posted by 1399

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.

I believe I used the wrong word "move on". I think it would be better to say "move forward" as in stop looking back and see what can be done to move forward.

The "community" would better serve itself if they stopped hanging on to the Ebonic language and intimidating each other from getting a better education.
These are some of the issues that need to be addressed. Cosby has done some of that. I applaud him.

I don't lump you in with nor every person, but as a general matter, it is a large group of people wallowing in what I can't do, what has been done to me. Instead of presenting themselves like you have on this Board, you get the group that is of the "fo shizzle" mentality. They will get no where with that. They have gotten nowhere with that.

Originally Posted by 1399

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.

I think he is able to do that as Miss Bratt stated in one of her posts with - "the community" mentality. It just makes and keeps a big divide - "my people" and "our community". If we want to be neighbors, we need to stop the wording.

Now, for Obama - His speech was brilliant, but he offered no solutions. Therefore, I look at his speech writers. I particularly focus on Theodore "Ted" Sorensen, the adviser whom John F. Kennedy once called his "intellectual blood bank," and who is lending his unabashed support -- and eloquence -- to the Obama campaign.

So, who is ahead in the race? The Candidate or the Speech Writer?

Obama has offered no solutions, just excellent words of "hope". Hope is everything in God's economy. In the political economy it means nothing.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I would like to first say that you have conducted yourself as a wonderful gentleman and a Christian in this discussion. I applaud you. I respect you!


Now, for Obama - His speech was brilliant, but he offered no solutions. Therefore, I look at his speech writers. I particularly focus on Theodore "Ted" Sorensen, the adviser whom John F. Kennedy once called his "intellectual blood bank," and who is lending his unabashed support -- and eloquence -- to the Obama campaign.

Thanks for the sincere compliment. I appreciate everyone's contribution to the discussion. It may seem like there is very little progress in discussing this. But it is always better to air the dirty laundry than to keep it buried.


No solutions? I thought his solution was to promote dialog so that statements like Wright's are not so alarming. The dialog will help to bring closure to a very painful, not so distant past.


In the process of the dialog, you find common ground from which to build a bridge of reconciliation. In the process of the dialog, the participants will find "solutions" that can be applied everyday at the individual and corporate levels-- solutions that foster understanding and forward thinking, brotherhood and progress in our country's march to racial harmony.

None of this would happen without the dialog.


It is established that Obama writes many of his speeches himself. Sorensen may have a role, but Obama has had eloquence before he had Sorensen.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Rico

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

Yes, much as the wrongs and inequalities perpetrated by muslims are alive and well today. But should all muslims be cast in the dark light of the extremists? I don't think so. When you stereotype in that way it is racial, it is inaccurate, and it is just plain wrong.

There is more genocide being carried out on the black man by his fellow Africans than any other group on this planet. So lets be fair, if we're going to stereotype, and call it like it is instead of sticking to the politically correct notion that only white people are undeserving of fairness and equality.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by 1399

Thanks for the sincere compliment. I appreciate everyone's contribution to the discussion. It may seem like there is very little progress in discussing this. But it is always better to air the dirty laundry than to keep it buried.


No solutions? I thought his solution was to promote dialog so that statements like Wright's are not so alarming. The dialog will help to bring closure to a very painful, not so distant past.


In the process of the dialog, you find common ground from which to build a bridge of reconciliation. In the process of the dialog, the participants will find "solutions" that can be applied everyday at the individual and corporate levels-- solutions that foster understanding and forward thinking, brotherhood and progress in our country's march to racial harmony.

None of this would happen without the dialog.


It is established that Obama writes many of his speeches himself. Sorensen may have a role, but Obama has had eloquence before he had Sorensen.

I will agree with you on this point: We do need open dialogue. However, that can never happen unless the openness is allowed for all sides, regardless of whether the statements are politically correct or not. Unfortunately that isn't possible, due to over-sensitivity on both sides of the coin.

Furthermore, I think what is irritating about speeches like Jeremiah Wright's is that white people are not allowed the freedom to speak their mind in such a way, even when it is warranted, without being called a racist or a bigot. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. As for those who have suffered injustices--I have news: It has happened at some point in history to almost every culture and race, with a few exceptions.

There have been some terrible, awful acts carried out by black men against people of other races, and those of the same race. Yet, this goes unnoticed and un-addressed, and many times the blame is foisted off onto white governments as enablers, when in fact, it should rest squarely on the shoulders of the evil men who committed the heinous acts.

I realize, too, that this isn't a simple problem with a simple solution, but I can guarantee it will not be solved by calling all white people rich racists, or by reverse racism, or by limiting white folks' freedom of speech while exploiting it in the same breath to the benefit of a minority.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

There is more genocide being carried out on the black man by his fellow Africans than any other group on this planet.

Sometimes, the truth does sting, it is nonetheless, truth.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I will agree with you on this point: We do need open dialogue. However, that can never happen unless the openness is allowed for all sides, regardless of whether the statements are politically correct or not. Unfortunately that isn't possible, due to over-sensitivity on both sides of the coin.

It is possible as it is happening here and now. Tact can overcome "oversensitivity". PC' ness hides the reality too often.

[GodsBabyGirl]

Originally Posted by 1399

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.

My perceptiion of a sell out is anyone that talks negatively about their own people. Now am I saying the issues regarding Black folks aren't real? Of course not.

What I am saying is that he openly agreeing with the perception many white folks have of blacks is what makes him a sell out. It is not an insult, it is my opinion.

BC is an elder? That's just like my kids misbehaving like all get out, then dressing up with them and going to someone's house for dinner and telling all the business of 'how my kids dont do this and do that. And what's wrong with my kids is thus and so and this and that...'

A so called 'elder' bears a responsibility. Maybe he would be a father or grandfather figure to some kid who doesn't have one in the inner city.

Then he gets on national TV and 'chastises' his 'kids' all in front of company.

Was it effective? Did the oh so wise musings and airing of our dirty laundry in front of all America do us any good? Did crime go down in the inner cities? Did drug use stop? Did the schools get better?

NO

All BC did was pacify the fears of white folks who are scared of black folks. And alienate a lot of Black folks...That's all...

As far as the use of Ebonics...we don't chastise Hispanics for speaking their language or others who speak other languages.

Why do Blacks have to apologize for speaking a language that some of them understand.

Maybe that's why the UPC can't reach black folks like talkin about...cuz they refuse to become all things to all men so some can be saved...

well, God loves the inner city folks, the prostitutes, the drug dealers, the homo and lebo, all those folks yall too scared and too spiritual to reach....

I dont diminish what happened to the jews, but I say that what happened to blacks for many many more years should get the same props, if not more....

Many many more lives were lost, many more families were destroyed and separated and many more generations were affected negatively due to slavery of African American slaves and their descendants than of the Holocaust.

Some important questions to ponder.....

How long were Blacks enslaved and lynched?

How long was the Holocaust?

Who helped build this country more, Jews or Blacks? Again not diminishing Jewish people, I hate they went thru that.

BUT...

Which was longer and which had the more impacting, lasting effects on THIS country??????

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by GodsBabyGirl

As far as the use of Ebonics...we don't chastise Hispanics for speaking their language or others who speak other languages.

Why do Blacks have to apologize for speaking a language that some of them understand.

Ebonics is not a 'language'.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by 1399

Thanks for the sincere compliment. I appreciate everyone's contribution to the discussion. It may seem like there is very little progress in discussing this. But it is always better to air the dirty laundry than to keep it buried.

No solutions? I thought his solution was to promote dialog so that statements like Wright's are not so alarming. The dialog will help to bring closure to a very painful, not so distant past.

In the process of the dialog, you find common ground from which to build a bridge of reconciliation. In the process of the dialog, the participants will find "solutions" that can be applied everyday at the individual and corporate levels-- solutions that foster understanding and forward thinking, brotherhood and progress in our country's march to racial harmony.

None of this would happen without the dialog.

It is established that Obama writes many of his speeches himself. Sorensen may have a role, but Obama has had eloquence before he had Sorensen.

Everyone has promised diaglog, 1399. It just seems like an empty promise to me. I can tell you one thing, I won't vote for a Democrat, but if he makes it and he makes good on his promise, then for that reason alone I will be glad he won. I don't see it happening though.

I haven't read that he writes his own speeches. I have read that he has speech writers. I'll look closer at that.

After I read his speech on the racism issue, I didn't see anything very astounding except that he is wanting to support the black people in their pain. It's always about the black man and his pain - forever, 1399.

“People began to shout, to rise from their seats and clap and cry out, a forceful wind carrying the reverend’s voice up into the rafters….And in that single note — hope! — I heard something else; at the foot of that cross, inside the thousands of churches across the city, I imagined the stories of ordinary black people merging with the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh, the Christians in the lion’s den, Ezekiel’s field of dry bones. Those stories — of survival, and freedom, and hope — became our story, my story; the blood that had spilled was our blood, the tears our tears; until this black church, on this bright day, seemed once more a vessel carrying the story of a people into future generations and into a larger world. Our trials and triumphs became at once unique and universal, black and more than black; in chronicling our journey, the stories and songs gave us a means to reclaim memories that we didn’t need to feel shame about…memories that all people might study and cherish — and with which we could start to rebuild.”

That has been my experience at Trinity. Like other predominantly black churches across the country, Trinity embodies the black community in its entirety — the doctor and the welfare mom, the model student and the former gang-banger. Like other black churches, Trinity’s services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor. They are full of dancing, clapping, screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear. The church contains in full the kindness and cruelty, the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance, the struggles and successes, the love and yes, the bitterness and bias that make up the black experience in America.

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories...100_Page2.html

How do white people deal with this and what do you want us to do? What do you want us to hear?

God Bless,

[GodsBabyGirl]

There is a lot of talk of dialogue, but the approved dialogue is between folks who we want to hear. If the folks don't say what we want them to say, how we want them to say it, when it is deemed appropriate then their voice is silenced.

How?

Take your pick - Funny politics. Lack of educational opportunity. Lack of viable employment. Keeping segregaton alive. Hate crimes. Religious bondage. Assasination, whether that be of body or character.

Nobody wants to tell the truth. We just pack up in our fave church and cheer on the preacher who says what we want to hear how we want to hear it WHEN and How long we want to hear it. It's been done like that forever.

But now that it is being well publicized about one voice set out on empowering his race then fear starts to set in.

Why is that?

Is it because those who are scared know they are guilty???

They know they have partaken of another man's sins??? How many of your preachers have preached against mixed marriages, biracial children, have your big cathedrals right smack dab in the middle of the projects but you don't go knock on ONE door?

Why?

Cuz you scared those n ____ gonna infest your church with lust and drugs and have a whole lotta biracial babies running around?

Why are you scared? God didn't give you fear.

How can you stand to have church in your padded pew and padded environment knowing that those outside your walls are dying and going to hell?? Don't you got a burden for them?

Or they are expendable? God forsaken no good, low down, baby having, drug peddling, drunk, high criminals. I don't want them in my church!

That is okay.

God got our backs, even when the church doesn't.

The man who practically birthed the Azusa Street Movement was a black man......