Pittsburgh Chat Thread (Swissvale: radio, map, Swiss)

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Katiana

You don't get my point, either. This does not seem like a racial issue to me. It seems like "general corruption". Does it matter that this Nate Harper is black?

There's a lot more pressure on successful blacks than whites. charisb is expressing the disappointment that he let the black community down in representing them. It's unfair pressure because they should be allowed to be flawed and human, but the pressure to be perfect comes from blacks and whites alike.

[charisb]

Originally Posted by Hopes

There's a lot more pressure on successful blacks than whites. charisb is expressing the disappointment that he let the black community down in representing them. It's unfair pressure because they should be allowed to be flawed and human, but the pressure to be perfect comes from blacks and whites alike.

I couldn't rep you again, Hopes, but -- exactly. I was not trying to make this a racial issue as it is a Pittsburgh forum, but this is one of the things about the Harper situation that makes me sad. I want my younger brothers to have good role models, not to always see Black men 'doing bad'.

And I do wonder what role this all played in Luke's resignation? It is hard to know the whole story.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by charisb

I don't feel sympathy for him. I feel depressed that people abuse their power this way. It is just too common. People who are in a position to make a great contribution to a city and be a force for good too often go in this direction. It is especially painful when there are relatively few people of color who are able to rise up through the ranks, and this guy adds to the many negative images of Black men we see in the media.

oh - i thought maybe you were in the public safety department, or knew him....

i dont think he adds to the negative image of black men, but adds to the negative image of the political machine.

to me, its not painful, since i consider him the pittsburgh police chief, not the "black guy done good" token. arent we used to seeing the tax payer robbed by now? he wasnt the only one involved, too!

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by charisb

I couldn't rep you again, Hopes, but -- exactly. I was not trying to make this a racial issue as it is a Pittsburgh forum, but this is one of the things about the Harper situation that makes me sad. I want my younger brothers to have good role models, not to always see Black men 'doing bad'.

And I do wonder what role this all played in Luke's resignation? It is hard to know the whole story.

I had not thought of the Nate Harper story in terms of the color of his skin until I read your posts in this thread, Charis. I have simply assumed, if not completely expected, that politics can, and sometimes will, go hand-in-hand with corruption since August 9, 1974.

[Copanut]

The fact that he is black means nothing to me, the fact that he is a policeman does.

[szug-bot]

charisb - im not picking on you. but i think you might be missing what the last few posts are saying.

you are trying to have your brothers emulate positive role models. that is admirable of you as an older sibling.

I want my younger brothers to have good role models, not to always see Black men 'doing bad'

i take it you're black? i am, too. but im suggesting that its not always the case, but most people (thankfully) will judge them on being good MEN, not good BLACK MEN. there are enough non-sports role models that arent black for ANY kid.

is it that bad a black kid emulate, say, mark cuban, bill gates, et al?

[wpipkins2]

Its not bad for black children to emulate success of any kind. As a black parent you have to counter all the negativity and stereotypes associated with black men. This gives children the confidence needed to succeed. My grandparents had ten children and all graduated from college from the 50s to the 70s. I was blessed to have high concentration of successful black men built into my family network. I noticed that criminals often come from generations of criminals. Its sad but true. I should add that many children of any race can overcome iniquity.

[Hopes]

It seems we're both awake, Copanut. Unexpected insomnia is my excuse, what's yours?

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Hopes

It seems we're both awake, Copanut. Unexpected insomnia is my excuse, what's yours?

My wife has an early flight to Colorado for a week of skiing with the "girls". WooHoo, I'm free, see you at Busky's!

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by Copanut

My wife has an early flight to Colorado for a week of skiing with the "girls". WooHoo, I'm free, see you at Busky's!

Im free until monday!!!!! My wife and her girlfriends went to a wedding in vegas.