The Dude, this has been a good debate and I have enjoyed learning from your point of view, its definitely not personal and it has been very civil, im sure you would agree. Keep it coming we all have good points and it shows we are able to articulate those points without pettiness. Thats what it is all about:thumb: Red55, I dont think he made an excuse for black america at all. The anger is real in black America, if it has always been equal, then you could gripe about my people being racist. However, there is no excuse for the pastors comments by any stretch of the imagination. Its a way to deal with the anger in the black community and that isnt the way. That isnt progressive or productive, that is meeting hate with hate. And that sir is wrong. The speech was inspiring to me because he gave it both ways from the black and white perspective and both sides have reasonable grips and frustrations. However, black america (hope you would agree) hasnt had the best side of the deal in this country and racism still exist on a large scale, but masked in many different programs. I will say that black america has to look in the mirror and fix major problems amongst ourselves, that is the first step and to quit blaming other races for problems we can fix ourselves. (I hope you agree with this) But this is different in this country, this shows you the scrutiny a black man is liable to receive, double that with running for the highest office in lad and you will get poked more than CLient 9. The speech has helped him, I listen to alot of talk radio and I pay attention to alot of polls, the situation has hurt him, but the reconciliation has helped him as well. I dont think he sold out his Grandmother, he was making a comparisons to our everyday lives, we all have heard something of the sort from our parents or grandparents. That cant be denied. Im sure his grandmother will give him a pass for that.
Step one has to be getting past the history. America is over 200 years post slavery and it's still affecting people as though they were the ones chained and shackled in the hold of a ship. There is anti-black racism out there to be sure, but, it is hiding in the shadows because it is no longer tolerated. JMHO. All races have problems that need to be fixed but this is absolutely correct.
Sabanfan, I am not just talking about slavery, you should know that as well as I know. I am talking about Jim Crow, Equal but Seperate, Willie Lynch, School segregation, Tuskagee Experiment, Job and Housing discrimination. Alot of this is as fresh as the last 20 to 30 years. Its just not about slavery. Im 27 years old and I have been discriminated against directly, when I was younger, being called the N word by some teachers and coaches, ( I went to majority white schools) but it has definitely happen to me.
True, but my point is that you have to get past the anger or you (collectively speaking) will retard the progress. 20 years ago was 1988, by the way.
I completely agree with that, but I am not in angry mindset, do I get upset about it sometimes sure. But I channel my anger into something positive, like being a great family man and a better citizen. No racist in the world can stop me from doing that. Im going to McDonalds, you want something:hihi:
With all due respect LSUMASTERMIND, It seems whenever one race is in the majority there can be examples of discrimination. I grew up in White Castle. Myself and my 3 brothers were the only whites on the school bus, we faced constant taunting because of the color of our skin. N word my ass, try honkey (I'm 45) and white boy on for size. My graduating class was 64 blacks and 32 whites. You want to see discrimination, try being the only white on the football team. I was. My point is, I have been discriminated against directly, yet I don't have "an anger toward black america" and most blacks in Louisiana under 50 haven't been subjected to the obvious mistreatment of the 60's and before. Maybe if the older black folk, such as Obama's preacher, would let some of it go, instead of drilling past injustices into their decendents head, we'd all be better off.
This is getting to be almost sad: [MEDIA]http://youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU[/MEDIA] Here is the video that offended him: [MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKsoXHYICqU[/MEDIA]
I was referring to Blacks as a whole. If you were angry, you wouldn't be here discussing things. You'd be railing against THE MAN. 3 sausage biscuits (no cheese) and an OJ. :thumb:
