Black in America (Condi Rice, Colin Powell, unemployment, interview)

[BigJon3475]

When are people going to take responsibility for themselves?

What about the attitudes of some....walking around with chips on their shoulder making rude comments constantly and complaining about people holding them back....Well what do you expect your walking around with your face bald up not in a happy mood...you have a giant marijuana leaf on your shirt (one example) and you refer to your entire race of people in a racial slur..."Just one doing it is enough to complain about"

These are just things I noticed the other day in the court room. I know people are all different. Look at the statistics though for unwed parents in the black community and children with no fathers/mothers. Before people get all angry about everyone else mis-treating them at least have the dignity to start changing yourself. And no this does not represent every African American or any other race for that matter it may even be a small percentage...maybe even less than 1% but even then. "Just one not doing it is enough to complain about"

For the most part because the tension is high the subject really can't be debated because if their is an opposition (which is required for all debates) They will be scared to be 100% truthful and watch every single word that comes out of their mouth for the fear of being labeled a racist.

[jlhct]

I agree with the earlier post about dressing properly and being responsible for your own actions, but take this scenario into account:

There is an employee who conducts themselves professionally, has an education, dresses appropriately, etc who works at a company with older people that may still hold on to how things were run in the past, that feel minorities act exactly like the image put forth in the media or are uncomfortable having minorities in higher postiions since it never used to be that way?

In this scenario, what can be done about it? from the minority's point of view, they are doing everything that everyone says is the right thing to do: Get an education, act appropriately, dress well, but if you have others at the company who hold onto those prejudices it definitely can cause a problem when it comes to advancement.

I hope, among other subjects, the series touches on this as well.

[dcoolbro]

Originally Posted by kanhawk

I wonder if some of the "disturbing trends" in America examined will be blacks attending churches were they learn the government created AIDS to kill black people and that AmeriKKKa had it coming on 9/11 and that black people should espouse "black liberation theology" and should hate their own country.
Nah, those probably won't be some of the disturbing trends examined.

Let me guess...All you know about the black church is what you've heard about Rev. Wright? So sad and further illustrates a true disconnect between the black community and the larger american society.

[Rathagos]

Originally Posted by Heaveno

Key word is "against." Now who would be doing the against?? Discrimination does not happen to be a physical trait that we inherited. I find this quote to be very unfitting and definitely not funny!!

And.. remember, Heaveno... discrimination is a two way street. Often, children are taught to expect discrimination, in fact to look for it. So, oftentimes, innocent expressions are taken out of context because the individual is so busy expecting/looking for something, it can be found even when not intended. This goes not only for racial discrimination, but sexual discrimination as well.

So, I would caution saying that discrimination exist (as a general statement) for the majority of those not in that particular race (in this case whites) is just as erroneous as saying it doesn't exist at all. Everyone is exposed to it and everyone (all races) need to be as sensitized to projecting it as much as looking for it.

[dcoolbro]

Originally Posted by Ciaerin

as a business owner i know for a fact that if you come in wearing pants off your butt, a shirt that would fit andre the giant, and boots without your laces tied.... you will not get a job. however if you come in with a nice pair of khaki's, a decent shirt, and a great smiling attitude, you will have a job in 2.3 seconds. it doesnt matter to me if they are white, black, asian, whatever. im tired of the kooky people saying that white people are still holding black people down. it just isnt true for the most part. black people are holding themselves down by wallowing in self pity.

what happened 150 years ago is deplorable. you will get no arguement from me, but how long are you going to wallow about it? never forget what happened, always guard for it happening again to any race and stop it if it starts, but stop complaining about it. most of the stereotyping is not true, i know this. i have a ton of african american friends, but remember its guilt by association. i have been searched, tested, searched, tested, and searched again because my brothers were low life white trash drug dealers. i myself was college educated and started my own business. moral is, you are responsible for you.

You often hear certain white folks scream "black people please stop blaming me for your shortfalls." Are your "ton of black friends" making this claim? I'm just curious who these people are. I certainly don't make those kind of claims. If anything there is probably a lot more self-hate, jealousy, and disrespect between ourselves than there is contempt against the "white man".

[Rathagos]

Originally Posted by Heaveno

I understand completely. We started a "Black Friday" shopping day at work and most black employees did participate. We made certain that we went somewhere on this day to shop or eat at a black business. If we heard someone talking about anywhere different-we would give them a reminder of what day it was and where their monies should be spent. I tell blacks to make sure that they seek out insurance companies, auto shops, accountants, etc. and to do business with them if they can. The complaint is usually that blacks charge more and then I have to get into teaching about economics and why it may cost them more. Let us not forget the crab barrel mentality which still exist for many.

Replace every word "black" in this paragraph with the word "white" and you have racial discrimination. And although I understand the underlying cause in which you are saying it (the problem is systematic... blacks don't get business money, so they can't raise themselves out of their current situation, so spending the money specifically within the black community will help the community as a whole). And I can't say I disagree entirely with the concept.

I think the solution is getting more non-blacks to spend money on black businesses. Not necessarily because they're black.. but because it's a legitimate business. Until we can get more non-blacks to do this, I think the problem will remain. I am holding hope that the internet will assist this over time. I know when I look at a specific site, I don't look to see the color of the owner.. I want to see the reviews of the company for judgements on the work or services performed.

[bbkaren]

[quote=Heaveno;4486898]The website about the program has been posted. Her father raised her-oh how we assume that all black fathers our absent. WOW!! He kept it a secret, but revealed it upon his death bed...QUOTE]

How can someone's father, who raises them and is present in their life, be black and able to keep it a secret? How does a black person look white?

Well, whatever--it's irrelevant, and good that he loves his daughter; although he could've come clean at some more useful time in her life.

[LIOC]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

How can someone's father, who raises them and is present in their life, be black and able to keep it a secret? How does a black person look white?

Well, whatever--it's irrelevant, and good that he loves his daughter; although he could've come clean at some more useful time in her life.

Wiki -Passing (racial identity)

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by ParkerP

Oooh, we're being studied again. I feel so special

Anyhoo, I would hope they talk about how we need to set higher standards for ourselves and stop accepting mediocrity. If its another "woe is me" fest, it will be completely useless.

"A woe-is-me fest"...That's great! Rep point coming.

[ButterBrownBiscuit]

I am a long time lurker at City Data and was motivated to finally register and post in response to the comment by Ciaerin. In general, I do not discuss issues related to race with non-black people (white people especially) primarily because I feel there is this strange “disconnect” and difference in perception that exists across racial lines. However, I felt I needed to respond to the suggestion that the employment disparity is somehow a byproduct of the current fashion trend. It is not.

All of the statistical data that is available points to the fact that there is a clear preference towards hiring white people. There have been numerous studies which show

People with “black” names (Jamal, Keshia) are less likely to be contacted/interviewed for job opportunities than those with “white” names (Heather, Bob), even when they have the same experience and skills.

White men, with only a high school diploma/GED and a felony conviction, are more likely to be employed than black men with a college degree and a clean criminal history.

Black people are routinely paid less than their white counterparts, even when they have the same experience, education and job performance.

These are not issues that are the result of negative behavior from black people. They are however, the result of the systemic and institutionalized racism that is embedded into the fabric of our society and that takes place every day. So the notion that black people are going to “stop complaining” or addressing the issue, is simply not going to happen. More to the point, if we truly were a color-blind society, we wouldn’t even be asked to do so.


~ButterBrownBiscuit~

Originally Posted by Ciaerin

as a business owner i know for a fact that if you come in wearing pants off your butt, a shirt that would fit andre the giant, and boots without your laces tied.... you will not get a job. however if you come in with a nice pair of khaki's, a decent shirt, and a great smiling attitude, you will have a job in 2.3 seconds. it doesnt matter to me if they are white, black, asian, whatever. im tired of the kooky people saying that white people are still holding black people down. it just isnt true for the most part. black people are holding themselves down by wallowing in self pity.

what happened 150 years ago is deplorable. you will get no arguement from me, but how long are you going to wallow about it? never forget what happened, always guard for it happening again to any race and stop it if it starts, but stop complaining about it. most of the stereotyping is not true, i know this. i have a ton of african american friends, but remember its guilt by association. i have been searched, tested, searched, tested, and searched again because my brothers were low life white trash drug dealers. i myself was college educated and started my own business. moral is, you are responsible for you.