That is funny. I didn't know what it was but I'd heard she'd (LoLo) posted something and took a lot of heat for it. I think she "had to" issue an apology.
Ah yes Dad, that is true. But, in the Philosopy of Racism, you must seperate the One from the Many and hyperfocus on that. Then you can argue that your problems are someone else's fault.
Off topic a little but I recall something about the Obama administration attempting to pass a special program aimed at helping educate young minorities (or maybe just black kids) in our country. Many conservatives complained because the programs was specifically geared towards minorities. Not sure if it was eventually passed. I saw this as a good thing and even wondered if something could be done to help the transition to college for high school students that go to "bad" public high schools. For example, the top 10% (or so) from every public high school in Texas is automatically eligible to go to any state school. Schools like Texas or TX A&M are pretty good academically and I do not think many of the top 10% from the really bad high schools are prepared for college. Anyway, my point is that I do not think the lower class of black people will ever be able to educate themselves better without a little help. Middle class minorities have as good of opportunities as pretty much anyone else these days. Not the lower class though.
I agree 99. Investment at an early age is critical to the path youth takes. AS IT STANDS TODAY there is an economic underclass in the US that doesn't have the support financial or social or familial to help their youth to prosper. It covers all races and ethnicities though it is more prominently noted in the black and Latino communities. As you said many don't have the tools to succeed in life (either college or as skilled labor) due to these factors. Most are not stupid but poorly schooled, have no guidance or have such a difficult life economically the struggle to live prevents most from doing better. To allow this potential to be wasted is criminal and if we want to escape from the problems we have helping them lift themselves out is critical. There are many studies that show a few $ spent on youth save many times the costs of prison, welfare etc. The various so called "welfare" and other assistance programs of the last 50 year have not been what we need. Look at the generations of people who have live in public housing and on "the dole" of one sort or another for the last 50 years in New Orleans and other cities. It is a waste of human potential and those who fight to perpetuate it should be forced to live there. There has to be a better way and we need to find it.
In general I agree with you gyver. That should be the basis of any program. However in the innercity housing projects there are generations of people who don't have a clue as to what that means. They have been cared for (poorly) all their lives. They are taught only to suck from the government teat. That any escape is amazing. Our hats should be taken off to those who do. What we need is to break that cycle for many rather than a few. To do that will take initiative and investment. I think the people are capable if shown the way. Teach them to fish. However it takes money and human investment and a totally different concept of what to do. Social workers however good their heart is aren't equipped to give much more than comfort and help find assistance. On idea is to recruit successful retired people (businessmen, skilled labor etc) to teach and others to give guidance in how to live in the real world. However it is done it wouldn't change things overnight but every child recued from that cycle of poverty and made into a good citizen is pays dividends over and over.
I always thought cracka was because of color, but was interested to hear it refers to authority because of masters cracking the whip. Still think it is a derogatory term for whites, not that I give a shit, but I've also never been interviewed by a black person either.
