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I disagree on this aspect for two reasons. Those who insist on a public apology from white people benefit in this manner:
1. An apology implies guilt, and enables the propagation of the victim mentality. This allows people to lean on society and complain that they can't get ahead because whitey won't let them, so there's no use trying. It's a vicious cycle. It takes effort to break the cycle and as long as we have an excuse not to exert ourselves, why bother?
2. Potentially set themselves up for some sort of "reparations" in the future, perhaps under the administration of a sympathetic president (even though his ancestors were not slaves).
Fair enough.
Let me clarify.
It does them no REAL good.
I don't see how providing excuse-makers with more excuses does them any real good.
I disagree on this aspect for two reasons. Those who insist on a public apology from white people benefit in this manner:
1. An apology implies guilt, and enables the propagation of the victim mentality. This allows people to lean on society and complain that they can't get ahead because whitey won't let them, so there's no use trying. It's a vicious cycle. It takes effort to break the cycle and as long as we have an excuse not to exert ourselves, why bother?
2. Potentially set themselves up for some sort of "reparations" in the future, perhaps under the administration of a sympathetic president (even though his ancestors were not slaves).
Lol. He told the NAACP clearly, I believe twice, that neither reparations nor an apology are forthcoming.
I'll confess, I don't post in here and I don't even read in here but as I am confined to my hospital bed this morning watching all of the tv coverage of the inauguration it popped into my head: all of the race stuff surrounding Obama focuses on one half of his heritage. I think the fact that he is of both races is to be celebrated; not one race more than the other. I do understand the significance of someone with African American heritage to make it to the office.
I just wondered what else everyone thinks about this? I am not looking for an argument, just your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
I hope you are working in the hospital and not there for an illness.
I think he chose to be only Black. He doesn't seem to like white people. He would have to tell us why.
Right. It's like telling your 3-year old to apologize to his little brother for hitting him. Even if he says, "I'm sorry" it means absolutely nothing - and everybody involved knows it.
I have absolutely no reason to apologize to any black for slavery in America. I wasn't involved. Neither were they. What I need to do is treat them as fellow human beings, and as friends -because that is what they are.
I hope you are working in the hospital and not there for an illness.
I think he chose to be only Black. He doesn't seem to like white people. He would have to tell us why.
I've gotta say, I'm just not picking up that vibe from Obama.
To demand that people who have never committed the atrocity, apologize to people who were never victims of the atrocity, is LUDICROUS and a terrible waste of time.
If you are white - and it seems you are, since you feel victimized by the celebration of a black man's inauguration - you have benefitted greatly from the racism practiced in this country. You have never had to wonder if you were paying a higher interest rate for a home loan. You have never had to wonder if your resume was thrown in the trash can because the name looked "too black." You have benefitted in many ways.
A decent person would acknowledge that much, and a smart person would realize that it's not enough to apologize. We need to do what we can to end institutional racism and to promote a level playing field.
Where did I mention "reparations"? You're off topic if you are posting to me about reparations.
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