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In what specifc way are Democratic voters targeted by voter id laws. What is that identifies a Democratic voter, from a Republican voter, and then prescribes a way to target and as you state restrict their vote?
What are you talking about, States Like Rhode Island passed these laws to ensure a Republican victory in November.
I, like you, came from very humble beginnings. I grew up in the projects of DC...two doors down from me was a drug-house. My mother used to keep us inside to avoid stepping on a drug needle. My parents wanted me to do well in school, but they never stressed going to college. In my community/family, graduating from high school was considered the end of the line as far as education goes. My father did go back to school in his 30's and is studying for his Masters, but he did not value education (or instill its importance) in me as a child.
Despite that, I wanted more for myself. I've had many pitfalls along the way, but I'm a college graduate and my husband (who is not a college graduate) and I do well. I stress to my children the importance of an education and they realize and recognize that a professional career is what I want for them.
Re: your 7th point, I agree. There is always going to be a subsection of blacks who will be underclass. That is the same with all races. Not everyone is going to see the value in education and/or being a contributing member of society. Many grandparents today were alive during a time when blacks were denied access to higher education. For some, this denial led to blacks not valuing higher education...and let me tell you, when you have parents/grandparents who don't see the value in their *own* education, they sure as hell aren't going to see the value in yours. Some kids, like me, pursue it anyway. Others don't. Sadly, not everyone wants to put in the hard work to be successful. This applies to all races.
I believe that many blacks need a good mentor. Someone in life to look up to and say the right words of encouragement. Too many black youths are lost . Their only heroes are the basketball players or rap artists. they need a hero in real life.
They are all equipped with abilities that can be developed into being their own hero. Even a trade school can produce skilled workers and they can become a huge success. One necessarily doesn't need a college education if they can become an apprentice to someone who has valued skills. One has to pay their dues in order to achieve developing skills.. Schools should also provide all avenues to become what they are geared to. When one has skills they have self worth and self esteem.. this is for all people .. black white, man and female.
As I am typing this post, I am well aware that I will probably get blasted for what I am going to say. I don't care. The following thoughts result from years of frustration over the deterioration that I have observed within the "Black community." As a black man, I don't consider myself overly preoccupied with racial matters - however, I am as are most Americans, race conscious to some extent or another. So, please allow me to explain the reason for my rant today...
Earlier this week I was listening to a segment on NPR covering the topic of whether recent legislation passed or proposed in several states amounted to a concerted effort designed to disenfranchise black voters. Specifically, the opponents pointed to laws that placed voting restrictions on convicted felons as well as laws requiring photo identification when casting a ballot, claiming that such laws unfairly target black voters. The rationale is steeped in the unfortunate reality that an alarming proportion of the black population consists of felons and the contention that some blacks are simply too poor to afford a valid picture ID.
Let's assume for the purpose of this discussion that the aforementioned laws are in fact racially motivated. My response is...so what if they are? Liberals and black race-baiters (we know who they are) would rather direct their anger and frustration at these so-called racist laws in lieu of addressing the underlying issues that cause these laws to adversely impact the black community in a disproportionate manner.
The message should not be "change these laws because felons are more often black." Rather, the message should be to black people "stop commiting felonies!" If you betray the trust of your community and cannot respect the laws/standards put in place by your government, then you relinquish your right to influence the law and government by voting. Seems reasonable to me. Please spare me the excuses as to why the hoodlum decided to rob the liquor store, break in someone's home, steal the car, assault someone, or sell poisonous drugs to children in his community. Yes, there are institutional mechanisms in place that make life a bit more challenging in urban communities. But the cold fact is that it doesn't excuse violent and other criminal behavior. It is past time that the black community stop making excuses for its plight and be accountable. From my perspective, the black community is its own worst enemy and has caused itself much more harm than any laws or institutional mechanism
As for the picture ID requirement, the opponents claims that this amounts to a poll tax because picture IDs cost money (typically a nominal fee). If it is a tax, then it's a tax that all people in that state would have to pay...not just blacks. C'mon people, we need valid identification to cash a check, to board a plane, to gain entrance into a government building, to drive a car, to take ACT/SAT exam, etc. Is it really asking too much to require voters to verify their identity by presenting valid photo identification? Again, some say that some people are very poor and cannot afford to obtain a photo identification - and these individuals should not be excluded from exercising their American right to vote. I call BS on this. Yes, there may be tiny percentage of the black population that cannot scrounge up between $10 and $25 to pay for a state ID. But I see these "poor" people everyday when I'm fueling up at the gas station. They seem to have enough money to buy cigarettes and lottery scratch-off tickets on a daily basis. I'm betting that 98% of them can sacrifice the money necessary to purchase a state ID.
Now, in fairness, there are a number of elderly persons or disabled persons on fixed incomes (social security, SSI) who have to choose between buying groceries and paying for medication. These individuals (whether black, white, or otherwise) probably cannot afford to purchase an ID. But the irony is that in order to draw a fixed income from Social Security or obtain subsidy housing, they had to provide valid identification at some point.
I could rant on 50 other issues that burn me, but I won't today. Suffice it to say that I'm tired of the way the black community has embraced or made excuses for its mediocrity. And now, many want lawmakers to accommodate this mediocrity as well. Damn shame...smh
Excellent post! I will only add that convicted felons are permitted to vote in most states. In fact, I have a relative with a felon record as long as your arm, who has been voting in Maryland for years. Some states even allow prisoners to vote.
As I am typing this post, I am well aware that I will probably get blasted for what I am going to say. I don't care. The following thoughts result from years of frustration over the deterioration that I have observed within the "Black community." As a black man, I don't consider myself overly preoccupied with racial matters - however, I am as are most Americans, race conscious to some extent or another. So, please allow me to explain the reason for my rant today...
Earlier this week I was listening to a segment on NPR covering the topic of whether recent legislation passed or proposed in several states amounted to a concerted effort designed to disenfranchise black voters. Specifically, the opponents pointed to laws that placed voting restrictions on convicted felons as well as laws requiring photo identification when casting a ballot, claiming that such laws unfairly target black voters. The rationale is steeped in the unfortunate reality that an alarming proportion of the black population consists of felons and the contention that some blacks are simply too poor to afford a valid picture ID.
Let's assume for the purpose of this discussion that the aforementioned laws are in fact racially motivated. My response is...so what if they are? Liberals and black race-baiters (we know who they are) would rather direct their anger and frustration at these so-called racist laws in lieu of addressing the underlying issues that cause these laws to adversely impact the black community in a disproportionate manner.
The message should not be "change these laws because felons are more often black." Rather, the message should be to black people "stop commiting felonies!" If you betray the trust of your community and cannot respect the laws/standards put in place by your government, then you relinquish your right to influence the law and government by voting. Seems reasonable to me. Please spare me the excuses as to why the hoodlum decided to rob the liquor store, break in someone's home, steal the car, assault someone, or sell poisonous drugs to children in his community. Yes, there are institutional mechanisms in place that make life a bit more challenging in urban communities. But the cold fact is that it doesn't excuse violent and other criminal behavior. It is past time that the black community stop making excuses for its plight and be accountable. From my perspective, the black community is its own worst enemy and has caused itself much more harm than any laws or institutional mechanism
As for the picture ID requirement, the opponents claims that this amounts to a poll tax because picture IDs cost money (typically a nominal fee). If it is a tax, then it's a tax that all people in that state would have to pay...not just blacks. C'mon people, we need valid identification to cash a check, to board a plane, to gain entrance into a government building, to drive a car, to take ACT/SAT exam, etc. Is it really asking too much to require voters to verify their identity by presenting valid photo identification? Again, some say that some people are very poor and cannot afford to obtain a photo identification - and these individuals should not be excluded from exercising their American right to vote. I call BS on this. Yes, there may be tiny percentage of the black population that cannot scrounge up between $10 and $25 to pay for a state ID. But I see these "poor" people everyday when I'm fueling up at the gas station. They seem to have enough money to buy cigarettes and lottery scratch-off tickets on a daily basis. I'm betting that 98% of them can sacrifice the money necessary to purchase a state ID.
Now, in fairness, there are a number of elderly persons or disabled persons on fixed incomes (social security, SSI) who have to choose between buying groceries and paying for medication. These individuals (whether black, white, or otherwise) probably cannot afford to purchase an ID. But the irony is that in order to draw a fixed income from Social Security or obtain subsidy housing, they had to provide valid identification at some point.
I could rant on 50 other issues that burn me, but I won't today. Suffice it to say that I'm tired of the way the black community has embraced or made excuses for its mediocrity. And now, many want lawmakers to accommodate this mediocrity as well. Damn shame...smh
It's a complex issue.
I spent the first part of this century in the worst part of my city, statistically one of the worst parts of this country. I've seen hopelessness, dispair, apathy, and the paralysis that comes from poverty.
Pride has never induced progress...neither has resentment.
That said, there are plenty of things that both the black and white community can do to further the uplifting of the poorest among us and non of them have to do with big government.
Also, I wish that some White people would stop making the presumption that the opinion of random pundits represent ALL or even most Black Americans. And even further, I wish that White people would recognize that Black Americans are NOT a monolithic group with one mindset. There is a great deal of diversity of values, opinions, etc amongst Black Americans
White people recognize what is shown to them.
Many blacks with diverse opinions are shouted down, intimated, charged with being Uncle Toms, and have ideas NOT concurrent with the black community.
So other races see Jackson, Sharpton, 95%+ for Obama, repeated charges of GOP racism, Rush is racist, Tea Party is racist. What are they supposed to think?
If we want to display to other races that we are not monolithic, then we (collectively) need to be tolerant of other viewpoints and not throw Oreo cookies at black people who state conservative ideas.
Many blacks with diverse opinions are shouted down, intimated, charged with being Uncle Toms, and have ideas NOT concurrent with the black community.
So other races see Jackson, Sharpton, 95%+ for Obama, repeated charges of GOP racism, Rush is racist, Tea Party is racist. What are they supposed to think?
If we want to display to other races that we are not monolithic, then we (collectively) need to be tolerant of other viewpoints and not throw Oreo cookies at black people who state conservative ideas.
Once again, you have missed the point.
Black Americans do not all think alike/act alike/do alike/etc - never have, never will
Even after reading the varying and wide ranging opinions of the different Black posters on C-D who have stated the contrary, certain White people still continue to think of Black Americans as a monolithic group and these same White people continually quote Al and Jesse like they are Martthew, Mark, Luke and John. It has been said before and I will say it again....MOST BLACK PEOPLE DO NOT LISTEN TO AL & JESSE. And the White people who are constantly following these men in order to gauge the opinions of the average Black American are very far off. Its the equivalent of Black people gauging the opinions of White people based on the topics and postings on Stormfront.
Once again I must state that if these people are so curious about Black Americans (and judging by the overwhelming number of threads that pop up daily regarding Blacks) then they should take sometime to actually get to know Black Americans of various backgrounds, education levels, political leanings etc versus picking and choosing randomly what fits their preconceived notions.
There have always been and there will always be conservatives, moderates, liberals and vary shades in between. There is no need to polarize Black conservatives or vilify Black liberals. Our power will come from political diversity. Here's to hoping that everyone gets the memo
While I empathize with your frustrations/rant, please consider a few more viewpoints before danging the black community further or moving to Canada. More blacks are felons per racial % than whites due to more blacks being in economic distress. Yes, poor black people commit crimes, but so do poor whites. Middle class & upper class (in less recorded %) commit felonies too. But "the law" descends upon the poor more harshly that the well off. Many documented incidents of that. And, since blacks are a minority purely by population % with whites, of course larger segment of blacks have felony records. Blacks are the racial group most oppressed throughout this country's history, and with the hard fought progresses made here so that you could be a free black man pumping gas in your car while observing less fortunate or educated ones of your own race; keep in mind there's much more to be done. Instead of saying "don't commit crimes/become criminals", how about "let's change the social & economic conditions that cause people to resort to crime". I'm not talking about loony felons that will do evil regardless. I'm talking about disenchanted, feeling hopeless, unemployed, behind in child support, evicted, fired, laid-off, "undesireable" by looks, 'not qualified enough', 'over-qualified', didn't finish school, hungry, desperate, "ain't got no money" folks. Men & women. From break-ins, pick pockets, robberies, car thefts, stealing utilities, skipping out on traffic court charges, etc etc kinda-people. Even drug addicts. These people still want & yearn for a better life, the American dream. So if cheating, stealing, welfare frauding, on & on will help them get closer in their minds to the nice stuff & lifestyles of tv & media... you got crime. NOT ALL POOR PEOPLE COMMIT CRIMES. But more resources to used by structures to creat jobs, provide family support services, anti-gang programs, bolster schools, training, & sensitivity training for those more fortunate would definitely make a difference. Then perhaps you & others like you, while not contributing to part of the solution, would not continue to add to the problem with race & class bias.
I hear you it is very insulting while being a felon or without ID may impact Blacks disproportionately being black does not inherently make one a felon or unable to get an ID. This is why I don't like libs they make Blacks out to be children which to me is insulting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin96
As I am typing this post, I am well aware that I will probably get blasted for what I am going to say. I don't care. The following thoughts result from years of frustration over the deterioration that I have observed within the "Black community." As a black man, I don't consider myself overly preoccupied with racial matters - however, I am as are most Americans, race conscious to some extent or another. So, please allow me to explain the reason for my rant today...
Earlier this week I was listening to a segment on NPR covering the topic of whether recent legislation passed or proposed in several states amounted to a concerted effort designed to disenfranchise black voters. Specifically, the opponents pointed to laws that placed voting restrictions on convicted felons as well as laws requiring photo identification when casting a ballot, claiming that such laws unfairly target black voters. The rationale is steeped in the unfortunate reality that an alarming proportion of the black population consists of felons and the contention that some blacks are simply too poor to afford a valid picture ID.
Let's assume for the purpose of this discussion that the aforementioned laws are in fact racially motivated. My response is...so what if they are? Liberals and black race-baiters (we know who they are) would rather direct their anger and frustration at these so-called racist laws in lieu of addressing the underlying issues that cause these laws to adversely impact the black community in a disproportionate manner.
The message should not be "change these laws because felons are more often black." Rather, the message should be to black people "stop commiting felonies!" If you betray the trust of your community and cannot respect the laws/standards put in place by your government, then you relinquish your right to influence the law and government by voting. Seems reasonable to me. Please spare me the excuses as to why the hoodlum decided to rob the liquor store, break in someone's home, steal the car, assault someone, or sell poisonous drugs to children in his community. Yes, there are institutional mechanisms in place that make life a bit more challenging in urban communities. But the cold fact is that it doesn't excuse violent and other criminal behavior. It is past time that the black community stop making excuses for its plight and be accountable. From my perspective, the black community is its own worst enemy and has caused itself much more harm than any laws or institutional mechanism
As for the picture ID requirement, the opponents claims that this amounts to a poll tax because picture IDs cost money (typically a nominal fee). If it is a tax, then it's a tax that all people in that state would have to pay...not just blacks. C'mon people, we need valid identification to cash a check, to board a plane, to gain entrance into a government building, to drive a car, to take ACT/SAT exam, etc. Is it really asking too much to require voters to verify their identity by presenting valid photo identification? Again, some say that some people are very poor and cannot afford to obtain a photo identification - and these individuals should not be excluded from exercising their American right to vote. I call BS on this. Yes, there may be tiny percentage of the black population that cannot scrounge up between $10 and $25 to pay for a state ID. But I see these "poor" people everyday when I'm fueling up at the gas station. They seem to have enough money to buy cigarettes and lottery scratch-off tickets on a daily basis. I'm betting that 98% of them can sacrifice the money necessary to purchase a state ID.
Now, in fairness, there are a number of elderly persons or disabled persons on fixed incomes (social security, SSI) who have to choose between buying groceries and paying for medication. These individuals (whether black, white, or otherwise) probably cannot afford to purchase an ID. But the irony is that in order to draw a fixed income from Social Security or obtain subsidy housing, they had to provide valid identification at some point.
I could rant on 50 other issues that burn me, but I won't today. Suffice it to say that I'm tired of the way the black community has embraced or made excuses for its mediocrity. And now, many want lawmakers to accommodate this mediocrity as well. Damn shame...smh
I'm black and I agree with some of your points. I'm not sure how far your message will go when we are a minority on this board.
I will say that I have a slight problem with felons not being allowed to vote. Especially when one takes into account the unfair system of arrest/conviction against black people. If two people are caught with drugs and one is given a 1 year sentence while the other is ordered to attend rehab and perform community service, why is only one criminal denied the right to vote? Again, until the inequality in the justice system is fixed, this will continue to be an issue.
I do agree with you, though. Don't complain about how you're down and out because you're a criminal; don't be a d*mn criminal! This applies to all races.
Being sentenced for having drugs, no matter the sentence, is a conviction. Unless the conviction itself is for a misdemeanor, and the other a felony, for the same thing, all facts considered. In that case, I would agree with you, 100%
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