DISQUS

OMG, Melissa.


I had to do the same with Honey or was it Sister 2 Sister, I do not remember. I remember however that letter from a "Disgruntled white woman...girl...whatever" who pretty much when postal on us about why we are to blame for black men not wanting us.



Also, the media is known to show the non-black wives of athletes and celebrities while leaving the black wives out. This leaves the public with the impression that most famous men are married to non-black women (mostly white) when its the opposite. The majority of NBA players are married to black women (like 90%) yet people think that they are mostly with non-black women because of the swooning attention over Kobe Bryant's wife, Tim Duncan's and whomever else.

I must say that unfortunately, some black voters are taking a second look at Obama. Obama had no choice but to repudiate Wright because he was put in a tough spot but some of what he said in doing it rubbed some the wrong way. I think in will win NC however. The news likes showing the lower polls on some days to ratal the public. I think that he is just fine if not better. He managed in my opinion to ease white fears.


Also, where was all the hype when Samantha Powers in an interview said that Obama was not planning on pulling troops out of Iraq? He was trying to get elected. I thought she was undermining him big time with that. It did get too much coverage. I believe that the interview was overseas.She did leave the campaign





Also, Truthseeker, there is more than one book regarding it. There were studies coming out of universities. I am not lending any credence to it but I thought I should just point that out.



Also, clinics were being careless (who knows if they were doing it on purpose)back in the 90s when they were infecting some in the disease at a time when they should have known better. This happened in poor black neighborhoods. I remember hearing about it then but I cannot find anyhting on it now which is interesting. I will say that the government did not act as soon as they could have and have allowed it to become a epidemic. They dont pay attention to it because of who it primarily affects.

Craig Hickman-


"Actually, Wright has lied. He told Moyers that he and Barack didn't talk politics. But in an Obama biography, he talked about how happy he was to have a young Black man come to him who could talk race and politics with ease.



Pastors are human."



This is a case of Wright helping Obama. They probably did talk about politics. We all know that Obama knew his pastors views but we fall in line when he acts suprised.



He also attacked people constantly saying "Barack Hussein Obama" using it as a fear tool.



Say this after me-



Obama is human.





Truthseeker-



Wright is not only religion but also of black political thought. I believe that neither would be our undoing.

DWS,


This is what I have been trying to get at. It is historical.



Whites promoted anti-intellectualism of blacks. It became a social construction and racist belief that blacks were not intellect and hard-working. It was done to prevent the empowerment and revolt.



"If I reflect on slavery in general and Haiti and Nat Turner specifically, I realize the concept of assimilation goes way back pretty far. To this day many white people become uncomfortable when blacks congregate in large numbers, begin to speak, dress or act in a way that does not conform.



So I wonder do white people expect conformity from people of color to calm their fears of not being in control?"



Exactly. Its like keeping one away frok the tree of knowledge so that they do not understand their own oppression, existence and history. If they did then whites could not so easily control them.



why do you think they did not educate the slaves (it was even illegal to) and promoted black anti-intellectualism and inferiority after emancipation? It makes sense.

"What some people perceive as "acting white" is simply a reflection of their own ignorance that ALL black people are not from the same socioeconomic class background and that ALL norms are not the same within every socioeconomic class background."


I do not agree with this and I feel that this is another way for people to look down on blacks from certain socio-economic backgrounds!



I know what you are talking about when you say that some attribute certain things to "acting white" but I think that you are completely throwing that at these people as if they started it. In our "American" culture, certain characteristics have been historically attached to black and white people.



Intellectualism= white

Anti-intellectualism=black



Along with other characteristics!!



It has been heavily indoctrinated.



I agree with Rhondacoca, it is culture. That was an interesting take.

Sableverity-


"The Sex Generation

Excerpt:Ladies, we know that when we straddle our man’s lap, in bed or in a chair, that he is going to get an erection; that’s why we do it. Gentlemen, you certainly know that if we bounce up and down on your lap, at some point all you’re going to want to do is take our clothes off and tell us a thing or two, and show us three or four more. When we turn around and “back it up”, c’mon, I mean, does that say “hold my hand”, or, “let’s go steady”? I’ll spare you the exact translation, but no, that’s not it."



Thanx for letting me know!

Rhondacoca and D-


She's classic. I love her she has balls. I do not agree with the gangsta rap conspiracy but I do agree with the media and government creation of an east coast/west coast tension.



She can change her last name again. This time to Shakur...Alicia Shakur, I love it.



She will have to go chill with Rev.Wright and myself out on the field!!



I would like to see her comments in context though. What did they ask her that lead to her conspiracy theories?

Ms.Martin-


I love how the most racist whites always quote Bill Cosby. He should be proud.

Anons...just chill please...MY GoD


Average Americans...normal Americans...hmmm...May I ask who these 'average' and 'normal' Americans are?



I believe that John McCain is an elitist who did not give a DAMN about the mortage crisis until a few days ago. Please...please..



Obama was a community organizer helping poor and working class people.



Or mabye when you say "normal" and "average" you mean white voters. He is disconnected with white voters? I do not think so.



Rev.Wright pisses you guys off and I love it.



He has not tried to hide from ignorant white folk.



"If that were they case, they wouldn't have sold recordings of his sermons. Or televised them. Dumbass."



Haha Plantsmantx, thank you.

"to the black community about 'not cussing out the teacher' when your child misbehaves at school"


Yea, funny, now tell me about all the white parents who show up to bail their kids out of trouble and of course are sucessful. I remember h.s. when all I did was get reprimanded for nothing. The white kids got away with everything. Dare not touch them their parents and everyone is behind them.



You are a joke!



Where do you come off disrespecting and making blanket assumptions?



In addition, I am former black Republican. I think that I have mentioned that on this blog. I left your party. I couldnt be apart of such a party. I am an Independent. I will start by telling you that the Dems did not vilifying you...you did it to yourselves with Billy O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Limbaugh, Buchanan, all those politicans on the right etc etc who continue to make disparaging remarks. Let us all just get real.



Let me tell you that it is called "principle" and doing the right thing. Ensuring that all Americans have Civil Rights is just the right thing TO DO. Period.

DNA as much as I hear what you are saying, I am waiting for someone to argue on behalf od what Wright may have been saying that was right. Did you see Tim Wise's piece on "Obama, Wright and the Inacceptability of Truth" amongst many others. I have been waiting to see something that spoke to this aspect of the story from this site and I haven't. For the first time in a while, I found myself agreeing with the Black Agenda Report.

In addition, it would be sad if no one ever had the bravery to put our society in check. Its obvious that many would do anything to preserve the status quo. I am sick of people equating blacks being upset about social injustice to white racism/resentment...stop...read a book and look around you!! Stop watching Fox Noise.


P.S. Any black person who is going to tell me that this country isn't run by rich white people, or that their is nothing such white privilege, or that our country isn't and has never been hypocritical then you deserve whatever comes your way...dont look for me to back you up.

"I believe that he was making a very basic political analysis....white people are upset with the constant clips of Jeremiah Wright...Aren't they allowed to be upset??? If Hillary Clintons longtime Pastor was caught on tape saying derogatory remarks about us wouldn't be a least a little suspicious of her and her husband?? The question is will they move on and look past this or will they punish Obama... Lets not make the same mistake that whites have made for centuries.. lets acknowledge their feelings of outrage, try to explain our point of view and move on from there.. blacks are notoriously forgiving lets see how forgiving whites are.."


You really need to explain this to me. Some white people seem to have their head in the sand regarding race relations. To say that this country is run by "rich, white people", to talk about white privilege, to ask America to take up for the many atrocities that they have commit and the way that they treat people of color as second class citizens in a so called democracy is not deragotory. I know how they feel and I hear them talk about the situtation. Its obvious to me that they are oblivious to the actualities of this democracy when it comes to race. I also dont think that Wright was upset at every single white person in the country. I feel that his anger was directed at a system that countinues to perpetutate social injustice and institutionalized discrimination.



Whites have told us to get over it havent they, havent they. I didnt head him say "kill crackas, kill crackas...nope", I heard a man that was angry about what he saw as hypocrisy and social injustice. That is what I saw.

P.S. Why is Michael Baisden who I happen to like telling white people to tell black people to shut up anytime they bring up race as a barrier?? I agree with him about black self-empowerment and the need for blacks to help eaach other cause I do that on a regular basis but I feel that he is being over the top by quote on quote telling white people to but black people in their place. I dont know but thats just me.

I must say in reference to Anon, man, there are a lot of white people bombarding black blogs and websites ready to argue. Every blog I have gone on have had whites telling us to explain to them our situation however its like they dont come nicely or open-minded about it. They act arrogant and nasty. Now Anon 1:18, if you would ask us what you would like us to explain to you then I would take it upon myself to answer all of your questions.


Derrick Ashong...do ya thing!!!

Anon 1:06, Betrayal? Did you read what Rikyrah wrote about his church. Celebrating your culture, cultivating a sense of community anf pride in one's self, family values and empowerment is not betrayal. You were obviously looking for a savior for the race problem in this country. Obama knows about the realities of this country however he believes that if we unite and understand one another,we can begin to make progress. An Ivy league degree is a sign of personal progress not racial equality. Lets talk about the institutions in this country are still oppressive. Dropping the truth about the realities in this country is not unity, its a false utopia that will come crashing down when more nooses are hung on trees in schooly yards and black men are shot 41 and 54 times by the police not to mention the other inequalities that happen on a regular basis in all facets of life. Some people have to be joking. Go support another candidate if you are smart enough to fall for media hype and feel betrayed because someone is empowering themself, their family and their community. Rev. Wright is speaking the truth about this country. The only way you can make a CHANGE is if you know the truth. If you dont like truth then support Hillary Rodham Clinton, she will be just right for you.


P.S. I get offended when people start up with Rev. Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, they have done a lot for the black community. I know that many like to live in a bubble but they are speaking the truth and reminding our nation that their is inequalities in pur country and that we must address them in order to live up to our own American doctrine...ok.

B-Serious, I agree with you but I am still not going to underestimate it because it is still lingering.I dont think it will hurt him right now. It will keep popping up though. Its been doing that for a while now. They have these clips circulating. People are going to immediately judge the situation without looking for any other perspective.


NMP,



I agree. I am hearing very little defense of the man. It was the week before last on Open Line when I heard someone who has been friends with Obama for a long time and a member of the church discussing this issue. He said that what hurts him and Rev. Wright (who has a no interview from the media policy)is that the media is distorting his character and nobody is coming to his defense. Rev. Wright had said that Obama would have to distance himself away from him when running for president, he said it. When I heard all that venom last year when he disinvited his pastor, I took it as hot air cause truthfully, black people dont trust one another and they were looking for anything to call out Obama as an Uncle Tom. Who remembers the "Is He Black Enough?" discussion that went on for too long. Of course when its time for Obama and Rev.Wright to defend the situation and themselves of course when Obama is starting to look "too black" or "ghettoized", there is little to no defense from the so called unified pro-black community. Its obvious that Wright was not just your local neighborhood pastor. He speaks the truth but it will cause problems for someone in mainstream American society. Obama loves Wright and respects Wright but knew what he had to do. Everybody was all over him and now when its caught fire. It's... Well you know...ummm...well...umm. Lets be serious.

Can someone call out Terence..again??


Actually I will do it



1. The sentencing for crack and cocaine should be the same!!!! Period. All those CBC Clinton heads would agree.



2. Welfare stereotypes, are just that stereotypes about who is on welfare, why they are there and their lives. There are very few actualities. A Republican talking point just like what was done with Affirmative Action. Clinton also contributed to the demise of that also.

Now..When you reform something, you should do it for the better. When you reform something you should create jobs not sign NAFTA, you should make sure that there is quality childcare. Under Clinton there was a loss of 1.5 million in affordable housing if not more. There is reason why welfare was created and the problems surrounding why many are so dependent still exists. We need to address it, fix it and then we can reform it. Ask Marian Edelman Wright of the Children Defense Fund who they threw under the bus.



3. He signed the Omnibus Crime Bill go look it up. He cut colleges out of many prisons. College is a form of rehabilitation when the colleges left, the crime in prisons rose. Thats not it, there is more but do some research, I'm not going to spoon feed you.



4. I cannot forgive him for dropping the ball on Rwanda in 94. I guess places like Kosovo and Ireland are more important.



I have always been skeptical of the Clintons. I was young when he was president however the minute I learned about him I knew better. I dont dislike him, hate him nothing like that but I am not putting him up on a pedestal. I surely dont owe him nor his wife.



Support Clinton by all means but dont come to this forum with nonsense like blacks have said racist things to the Clintons etc etc etc...you sound dumb. All blacks ever did for the last 16 years was kiss their asses and praised them like Gods.I havent heard any racial remarks or even anything negative from the majority of them until they began injecting race into this election.

Constructive- nobody said anything about a conspiracy by white folks. All we have been discussing is the black establishment who have been aiding the Clintons in their unfair tactics. As for the Jlian Bond story, we all have already weighted in on it. You are obviously lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CeCe, I'm sure that your a smart minus this one.


1. I am shocked that you have the audacity to talk about Obama supporters but what Clinton Supporters are better?

I think a lot of people even whites and even people who did not support Obama felt that the Clintons were somehow injecting race. I never hated the Clintons and I still dont. Hillary is my junior senator. However I was very disappointed. In addition, I have been especially disappointed in the way in which she has run her campaign. It wasnt just one or two supporters or comments. It became a pattern. Do you see Senator Barack Obama's supporters tearing down Hillary, the way her supporters and surrogates have on issues that have nothing to do with policies at his rallies or in statements...I haven't. Hillary's campaign has been the one taking most of the cheap shots.



2. I'm sick of people attacking Obama supporters as if we make decisions based on emotion! We are passionate about Barack Obama's candidacy. I admire his fight for legislation and constant call for government transparency. I like how he wants to engage the American people in the political process. He is not a perfect man and I dont think that he has been or will be right on every single issue. He has even acknowledged that. I will apologize if you have encountered any Obama supporters that have been aggressive or unfair. I dont support that and neither does Barack. When we speak on this site, we speak based on facts. I cannot tell you how many blogs (whose writers and readers are mostly Clinton supporters)speak based on hate, false accusations, half-truths, prejudice. You could go look for them yourself, its easy to find...trust.me!! I had a professor compare Obama to Hitler in class (she's a Hillary supporter). A Good friend of mine was a Clinton supporter, she jumped ship. They drove her away.





3. We have no problem with constructive criticizism but when I hear what I hear too often about Obama being an "empty suit" I have all right to be upset.



4. We have all the right to hold our black leadership accountable. I have been waiting for this moment. I have no problem with them supporting Clinton, my mom does, but I have a problem with their denial and the way they act like black people owe the Clintons something.





5. As for the sax crap...why would you assume that I like anyone else on this blog actually fell for it. When people were cheering for Clinton playing the sax, I watched him throw Sister Souljah under the bus in order to please white sensibilities. I watched him refuse to even out the disparity between crack and powder cocaine. I watched him "reform" welfare. I watched more and more of my brothers go to jail under his administration. The gap between rich and poor got wider. I watched him step away from Jocelyn Elders, Lani Guiner and Marian Edelman Wright. I don't give a damn about the fried chicken and waffles dish, the soul food restaurant down the street named after him. I was appalled when people actually took seriously the idea of Bill Clitnon being the "first black president". I'm from New York, I grew up in the Bx. I dont care if Clinton has his office in Harlem. A lot of white people have their office in Harlem. It is one of the least expensive part of the city. They didnt choose to live in Harlem, they live in Chappaqua...two blocks down from my friend Rachel, in one of the richest towns in the state if not country. When I look at the Clintons, I look at what they have done. They have done good but they have also done things that have affected our community in a bad way. Let me not forget the atrocity in Rwanda. I cannot sit here and act like there were things that they did while in office that did not hurt our people.



6. Its not about whose evil its about whose frontin...ok.



7. "Shuck and Jive" and the idea of it...isn't something to take lightly. Try to make him look like a drug dealer or as someone who has been doing "something in the neighborhood" shouldnt be taken lightly and the list goes on. These tactics are old and they with many of the other tactics, have been used before against our people and they are not ok. Cece and Althea, don't look for me to defend you when your...NEXT!

Yup...I saw the CNN report!! Tavis is really double talking all over the place. I do not trust him anymore. He is also trying to make Obama look bad for the white mainstream media who just love to run with it.

Thank You Melissa Harris-Lacewell, I couldn't say it any better. I often speak on those issues and many dont seem to get it. The media has completely managed to distort the complex identities and experiences of black women in this country. The political pundits that they bring to discuss the issue are oblivious. Its not either or with us, its a complex interplay of both. Both of which have defined our experiences and identities. We cannot seperate ourselves into two halves as the media has tried to portray it. When white women where able to get social mobility, it was the sisters who took care of their children so that they could go into the workplace. Gloria Steneim claims that the evil of sexism is greater than that of race yet conveniently leaves out in her analysis, the actualities of our nations history and also the plight of black women. White women are very protected and they sit on the comfortable bed of white privelege. Their husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers and sons are the ones with the power. They like Hillary Clinton ride the coattails of their husband benefits. They have a seat at the table while many are locked out. Meanwhile the sisters who have a different experience and existence must some how identify with them. I dont think so.


Hillary Clinton may break the class ceiling for herself but she will not be breaking it for us.

"Snory and stinky"...how? how? As a young black girl in the United States of America, I am, for the first time in my 21 years, proud of this country. Why should the disenfranchised and excluded be proud of a country that only caters to the status quo?