Annoyed with some African Americans

[Warrior4God]

I know this is going to irritate a lot of people, mostly people of African American heritage, but I don't really care. We are mostly adults here and if this can't be discussed with adult intelligence and maturity then I guess some people have serious problems. Not that it really makes any difference, but I am white. I have nothing to hide nor be ashamed of about that. Is it just me or are there a lot of black individuals that are a bit on the paranoid side and blame all, or at least most of, their problems on being black? For instance, some black folks think that when they apply for a job that they don't end up getting it's gotta be because they are black. It can't be because they aren't qualified, or lack enough experience, or because they just have a personality that rubbed the interviewer the wrong way. It's because they have too much dark pigment in their skin, I guess. Or when a young black guy gets shot or tased by the police it's because all cops hate blacks and all cops think all young black men are thugs. I mean, it can't be because the guy attacked a cop or shot at him, right? Or like the Jena 6 deal that went down where white kids placed nooses in trees (admittedly sick and wrong but apparently not illegal in Jena) to intimidate black kids and no charges were brought against the white kids. Some black people apparently think the white kids didn't go to jail because the court system doesn't like blacks even though it was announced the prosecutors didn't charge the white kids because they couldn't find any laws that were actually broken. Sorry folks, but just being a jerk isn't enough to land you in jail. Just to clarify, I don't believe all African Americans feel as how I described. I also am not ignorant enough to believe there is no such thing as real and blatant racism against many blacks in this world. But, come on! Every bad or negative thing (or what some blacks perceive to be a bad or negative thing) that happens is due to being black? Please. Isn't that a victim mentality that many blacks have fought so hard to overcome? Before being blasted as a racist or bigot, be forewarned that I don't think I am better than somebody who is black. One of my good friends who is on our church worship team with me is black. Black individuals have, for decades, fought for various rights to be treated equally. Well, I think one of those rights is the right to be fairly criticized when it's called for. I am so not about political correctness. I AM about telling the truth, even when it's not pleasant or popular.

[Nihil Obstat]

You do know that it's Martin Luther King Day, right...?

[Matthew]

Wow. This could get spicy.

First, I think it's impossible and misguided to say that blacks, or any other group for that matter, complain too much etc. It's just way too broad of a generalization to make without some kind of data. I know it's not your intent to say all blacks act one way or another, but unless you name specific people and specific actions then you're headed down the wrong road.

Second, I think we need to keep in mind the things that blacks have been subjected to. Blacks have been terribly mistreated as a group for most of this nation's history. I think America has made a tremendous amount of progress in the last 50 or so years, but we can't expect blacks to completely forget the past. It takes time for those wounds to heal.

I just recently began a thread of Al Sharpton and his latest antics. I have no problem with calling a specific person out for a specific action. We can't make progress calling out an entire group of people though. That's not fair.

[Ayala]

Black, white, brown, yellow, purple...Ignorance is among every race and color.

[Matthew]

Black, white, brown, yellow, purple...Ignorance is among every race and color.

Especially purple people. I can't stand them.

[Athanasius]

Especially purple people. I can't stand them.

Hey man, yellow, black, white--fine.
But purple?! We gotta draw the line some where.

I definitely wouldn't have said what Aaron said, exactly as he said it. The problem I do have with certain 'minorities' is the sort of double standard going on, especially concerning 'racial' remarks.

[Warrior4God]

Like I said, I don't think all blacks feel and act as how I described. I'm just irritated at the ones who play the race card in just about all aspects of their lives. I have seen various examples of black individuals not getting a job and complaining that it had to be because the employer is racist. They were not open to the possibility that it was because they were in some way not qualified for the job or they didn't come across as professional or pleasant enough. It was because they are black. Are there racist employers out there? Absolutely there are! But, every single one? Methinks not. I have seen examples of young black men being shot and killed by the police. The surviving family goes on tv crying that their precious and loving child is dead because he had the misfortune of being black. The family, however, forgets to mention that their "precious and loving child" had just taken several shots at the cops with a gun when they tried to arrest him for a robbery, or some other crime, before being taken out with lethal force. Are there cops out there that are racist and guilty of police brutality? I am sure there are. All or most of them? Again, no. Does anybody notice the fact that when anybody white calls a black person the dreaded "n word" they are a racist, however, they can call each other that name constantly and it's all good? I tell you what, if I was black and another black person called me that name I would punch their lights out and tell them how stupid and ignorant they are for using that word. Also, notice how it's ok to call white folks "honky," "cracker," "whitey," "the man," etc.? I just think people need to judge each other by character and not skin color. That goes for whites AND blacks. I also think people need to accept that negative things happen and it's not always because of the color of their skin. Life is often more complicated than that.

[Fenris]

Now if only this problem could be blamed on the Jews, we'd have all our bases covered...

[jeffreys]

Now if only this problem could be blamed on the Jews, we'd have all our bases covered...

All in favor raise your right hand and say, "I"!

[daughter]

Now if only this problem could be blamed on the Jews, we'd have all our bases covered...

Can I just ask though... why are you picking up on black people with a persecution complex? What about white people who behave in similar ways? And let's face it, the police ARE often corrupt and racist, interviewers do sometimes have prejudices against black folks. So, what is it about black people complaining in particular that rubs you up worse than white people? I mean, we whinge too, and often with less excuse.

[KATA_LOUKAN]

Is it just me or are there a lot of black individuals that are a bit on the paranoid side and blame all, or at least most of, their problems on being black? For instance, some black folks think that when they apply for a job that they don't end up getting it's gotta be because they are black. It can't be because they aren't qualified, or lack enough experience, or because they just have a personality that rubbed the interviewer the wrong way. It's because they have too much dark pigment in their skin, I guess. Or when a young black guy gets shot or tased by the police it's because all cops hate blacks and all cops think all young black men are thugs. I mean, it can't be because the guy attacked a cop or shot at him, right?

Yes, some black people can feel that they are being discriminated against when they are not.

Or like the Jena 6 deal that went down where white kids placed nooses in trees (admittedly sick and wrong but apparently not illegal in Jena) to intimidate black kids and no charges were brought against the white kids. Some black people apparently think the white kids didn't go to jail because the court system doesn't like blacks even though it was announced the prosecutors didn't charge the white kids because they couldn't find any laws that were actually broken.

This was horrible. You think this is merely "being a jerk"? If somebody threatened death to Christians at a Southern school, those involved would be SEVERELY punnished, if not murdered by wackos.

Isn't that a victim mentality that many blacks have fought so hard to overcome? Before being blasted as a racist or bigot, be forewarned that I don't think I am better than somebody who is black.

You cant imagine how many rich white kids ive met who think that they were denied admission to an ivy league school because they were not black. While there have been instances of terrible racism on both sides, it would be foolish to say that white people are exempt from this.

[jeffreys]

I've lived almost all of the last 20 years in 2 very racially diverse communities. I was in a smaller community that is about 40% Hispanic, and now live in a metro area that is about 60% black. My neighborhood is about 75-80% black. I love it, and feel perfectly safe there. The 2400-student high school my daughter attends is the "blackest" school in our city, but also one of the safest and highest academic schools here.

I don't really know what to make of all this racial garbage...

What I do know is that I've known a lot of absolutely wonderful Hispanics over the years. Extremely hard working, family oriented, faith-filled friendly people who wouldn't hesitate to give you the shirt of their backs. But then there are a few bad apples.

The majority of the people who work in the Development Department Office where my wife works are black. They're wonderful - and I love it when the women pop into their "black mama" mode, and start in with their lingo. It's hilarious! There are extremely successful blacks all over this city. But there are, of course, those blacks who complain about how "da man is alwayz keepin' me down!"


I don't know what all the answers are, but one thing I'm darned-well convinced of - and that is that Al Sharpton & his ilk do NOT have the answers, and are actually doing more racial damage than good! The key to success for ANY of us, regardless of race, is to quit making excuses and get out there, make good decisions & work hard!

[diffangle]

Now if only this problem could be blamed on the Jews, we'd have all our bases covered...

What... you mean it's not their fault??? Don't the Jews control the world?

You cant imagine how many rich white kids ive met who think that they were denied admission to an ivy league school because they were not black. While there have been instances of terrible racism on both sides, it would be foolish to say that white people are exempt from this.

Yeah a friend of mine worked at a company where she had to do the hiring and firing, she(a minority herself, hispanic female) got sued by a former employee for suppossed discrimination b/c the man was black. My friend had a very long relationship with a black man so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that she probably wasn't racist. Another time she had to "choose"(I use that word loosely) between firing a white guy who was an exceptional employee and firing a black man who was a horrible employee, due to policy... guess who got fired.

[daughter]

You cant imagine how many rich white kids ive met who think that they were denied admission to an ivy league school because they were not black. While there have been instances of terrible racism on both sides, it would be foolish to say that white people are exempt from this.

Hey Kata, that goes for the UK too. I went to Oxford, and the year I started my degree only four Afro Caribbeans joined, out of I think an intake of twelve hundred. And STILL I know highly priveleged white public school boys who think they didn't get in because of "inverse" prejudice. Ridiculous...

[always]

I know this is going to irritate a lot of people, mostly people of African American heritage, but I don't really care. We are mostly adults here and if this can't be discussed with adult intelligence and maturity then I guess some people have serious problems.

I agree Aaron, we should discuss it, because we have a generation in America that does not have a clue.

I for instance was always told that you must performed doubly good, to recieve a fair chance at anything a white individual competing with you for.

This was taught to me by my mother! who lived through a time when this was 100% true! I got my first job, a production job in our town, when I told her I worked at this particular industry, she reminded me that when she had applied at this place when she was young, that she was told they could not hire her because there was no bathroom for her to use.

So what does that have to do with today? for I know there are some that will say that was 30 yrs ago, but it is not, we (minorities) still deal with this mentality, (it's just been cleaned up).

The KKK memberships are rising, they are online spreading their propaganda. But they are not the ones to be concern with, it's those that have enough diplomacy to hide their true feeling, young corporate Americans. That are paranoid and feel like they are being beaten out of something if they see a black employee, or the advancement of one.

MLK had a dream, and we are his reality of that dream, but the nightmare has to still be dealt with. I wasn't brought up segregated from certain individuals, even with mom's constant reminders, she said take individuals one at a time.

My question is why are some whites paranoid? what do you think you are losing?

The comments have been stated even here, why can't we have a white history day? Because you know your heritages, and you celebrate them. Blacks were stolen theirs, that is why their is a black history day, our history is being written for us by us, since slavery.

The quota system was fought vigourously by those threaten for whatever reason by it, but the truth was just because it got a minority a job, it would not keep it for them, they would have to perform their job in excellent manner to keep it, like Clarence Thomas did.

If a corporation had equal hiring practices to begin with, it would not have been an issue for them

I am a proud Black woman, I'm not an African American, African Americans are people from Africa that have an American citizenship.

This is my country! I could care less about criticism from any culture including my own, and when I sense prejudice, I speak out on it. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but if I'm not? please don't get upset.

For as Dr. King stated "Unjustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere