Clint Eastwood/ Spike Lee

Hi friends

I am Joseph. Thanks for the Information.

Joseph

Just adding my 2 cents to Tim's post (not that it needs it). Here's our new Attorney General:

Quote:WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues.
In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.

"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.

Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race."

He urged people of all races to use Black History Month as a chance for frank talk about racial matters.

"It is an issue we have never been at ease with and, given our nation's history, this is in some ways understandable," Holder said. "If we are to make progress in this area, we must feel comfortable enough with one another and tolerant enough of each other to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us."

He told Justice Department employees they have a special responsibility to advance racial understanding.


I, Mr. Holder, am no coward!!

Great post Tim...

SMan

Well, Mr. Holder! People don't talk about race because they're cowards, they don't talk about race because they realize it's a double edged sword -- Damned if you do, damned if you don't. The problem is, whenever race issues are mentioned, you run the risk of being labeled a racist yourself. There are plenty of people willing to call you racist over a simple disagreement. So yeah, most people avoid talking about issues that are like walking on eggshells. It certainly doesn't make them cowards.

Quote:Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.

So, what he's really saying is we all live in our own neighborhoods. I'd like him to come visit mine, mostly Latino, White and a few African Americans. Nevertheless, I have been in places far more segregated. Here's my question: is there something wrong with that? Why do we assume we have a race problem if we all live in different hoods? Has anyone ever stopped to think we all just have cultural differences and feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings? And, is there something wrong with that? I mean, who said in order to cure racial issues I need to move into a dominant black neighborhood, or all ethnics and colors need to hang out on the weekend? When you really think about it, the whole idea seems almost childish.

In my journey through life, I have made friends with people of all kinds of ethnic races, cultures and religions. Friends just land in your lap through life, I don't think about what race they are, I think of them as my friends. Plus, I do live in Arizona and we're not as segregated as say, Atlanta.

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[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Apr 6, 2009 - CDT 9:36 AM]

Quote:Why African American's insist that their conditions were worse than the Hebrews and Jews is beyond me! All I know is I'm tired of hearing about "the struggle" in an attempt to spread guilt among white people.

Tim,

When was the first time a black person could vote in this country? Before the civil rights movement, the conditions of blacks were remarkly poor than the whites & it is still bad. They cannot eat in same restaurants as whites. Blacks could sit only in marked spaces in the local transportation. The opportunities for blacks were far and few. The conditions for the Blacks are still worse when you compare it to the existing conditions of Jews in Israel or in the US. The government in some cases has underfunded the programes that are designed for uplifting the minorities.

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[Post edited by rpruthee on Apr 6, 2009 - CDT 2:14 PM]

I think tim is right. I Don't believe the problem lies with the color of the skin. It's the cultural elements that come with it. You see, i always believed that people go "ghetto" by themselves. Surrounding themselves with a subculture and calling that home while at the same time nag on why they're not accepted in the real world. (That goes for every nationality and race i think) If you look closer youll see that this is apparent not only with people of different color and religion, but also in other groups of people that build this kind of "shell" within society.

In Europe many nations refuse this kind of "unification" of culture that the EU is trying to achieve. People here believe in diversity and difference and everyone is trying to preserve their own. You will be surprised by the amount of racism apparent in countries like France, Italy, England and Greece. If you ask a european citizen "what do you find bad about the EU" there's a 95% chance you'll hear "all these immigrants flocking in without the need of a visa"

I Have to admit, i believe in diversity, i too don't care what the other person is, it never gets in the way of me being friends and/or coworkers with. I do have a small concern in the back of my head though. That one day, this world might end up all too-mushed up and the cultural and historical imprint of every civilization and culture on this earth will slowly fade away

Quote:The conditions for the Blacks are still worse when you compare it to the existing conditions of Jews in Israel or in the US.

How so? Last time I checked history, slave owners didn't send African Americans into gas chambers by the millions. Well, if you're talking about now, what is so worse? African Americans have the same rights as any race in the US. In fact, being minority grants you all kinds of programs to get you into college, locate jobs, find low income housing, etc. Not to mention, African Americans have the NAACP on their side, Affirmative Action and the United Negro College Fund, just to name a few. And here's where the double-edged sword comes into play: What if a group of Caucasian's created the "United White College Fund"? Would they be labeled racist, or would it be a fair organization? Point is, what struggle are we talking about when African American's have more opportunities right in front of their face than probably any other race in the US.

While I agree that before the late 1960's there truly was a struggle. I know I certainly don't agree with the way blacks were treated, nor do I subscribe to that kind of vile behavior in any culture. But in 2009, and with all the opportunities available for minorities, I'm just not buying the "struggle" angle. I mean, for goodness sake, we just elected our first African American President . . . what struggle are we talking about?

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[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Apr 6, 2009 - CDT 4:56 PM]

Tim,

The conditions I am talking about are the living conditions, and education. The schools in minority districts are under funded, with very less social programs in the way for minorities. The slave traders repressed blacks and the only way they could get a job is by being a slave. On the other hand, Jews have been well off as compared to the Blacks. Jews were thrown in the gas chambers because Jews had money and political powers. Because of this, Hilter wanted to eliminate the entire Jews class from the society. I have met so many Jews in NYC that were really well off. They controlled one section of the city – funding, management and other programs. I am not saying Jews are not poor but the percentage of Jews living on the poverty line is far less than the percentage of the poor blacks.

So I think the comparison between the Blacks and Jews is unfair. Even before the Civil Rights movement, blacks in 1920 – 1950 were lynched and not to forget the dreaded KKK. Within the US, during this time, there was an underground movement to eliminate blacks. Consequently, the black society created a shell around themselves as a defense mechanism to the opposing forces directed at them.

It is easy to say that Blacks have the same opportunities like others. They do, I agree with you. But there is a continuous struggle to get out from poverty, go to schools and then eventually go to college. And for all of this to happen money is necessary. Again I am not saying that whites don’t face this, they do. There are many failure points in the path. I think the struggle we are talking about is the upliftment of one section of the society. Just because US has elected a black president does not mean the struggle issue is over. I do agree with you on not subscribing to the vile behavior of any culture. BTW, this type of debate is omnipresent in India – Hindus and Muslims, Harijans and other classes etc.

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[Post edited by rpruthee on Apr 6, 2009 - CDT 6:50 PM]

hey kash, get over yourself and your problems. i am a "white" boy suffering too...so what? what is your point?

edit:
tim, why bother with such attention def? it only makes you look like you are trying to prove something that simply is not there....snafuuuuu.

br.

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[Post edited by bladerunner1 on Apr 7, 2009 - CDT 2:56 AM]

Quote:On the other hand, Jews have been well off as compared to the Blacks. Jews were thrown in the gas chambers because Jews had money and political powers. Because of this, Hilter wanted to eliminate the entire Jews class from the society. I have met so many Jews in NYC that were really well off. They controlled one section of the city – funding, management and other programs. I am not saying Jews are not poor but the percentage of Jews living on the poverty line is far less than the percentage of the poor blacks.

That depends on if you look at it in a global scale. While I agree that a majority of the Jewish population have done very well in the US, there are many that suffer poverty in other countries. Just the other day I saw an ad on TV to help support a charity group that gave to poor Jews in Russia, go figure!?

And this is the point I'm trying to make: it's not about which race has more poverty than the other, it's about people of all cultures trying to keep their head above water and food on the table. It's basically us lower to middle class against the greedy of the world, and when it comes to that it doesn't matter what race you are.

Quote:edit:
tim, why bother with such attention def? it only makes you look like you are trying to prove something that simply is not there....snafuuuuu.

br.

Huh? WTF?
A little JD tonight, Blades?