What made it necessary for the creation of an NAACP to organize in the first place? In some states - the organizations of other marginalized Americans support the NAACP causes - since it was the NAACP's legal actions that secured 'rights' for all Americans. (Those 'rights' that were already enjoyed by those of a lighter hue.) Hatred is a dangerous passion. All cultures and religions have a 'golden rule' thread in their philosophy. How sad that there are people who have great difficulty following it. (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.) Will we ever have the need to stop discussing 'race' - and concentrate on 'character'?

that (some) black parents aren't teaching their children to hate whites needs to re-read this blog again. As a white parent I am put into the awkward situation time and again of explaining this type of behaviour to my kids. When you try to teach them that people are to be treated equally and to be nice to everyone, some jacka$$ like this comes along to make the case that they don't want to be treated equally...they want it all for nothing. I don't think blacks are inferior to me...so I guess I'm not a "racist". But the culture some of them choose to belong to and promote makes me sick. They're plenty of whites with this same attitude (the government owes them everything, at the taxpayers expense) we call them white trash. Crime stats, 71% (and growing) out-of-wedlock births, SAT scores..whatever criteria you wish to use, the numbers don't lie. When our PC society gets it's head out of it's bum and comes to grips with this, maybe something can be done to improve the situation. Until then, we'll walk on eggshells around the race issue because we as white Americans are still feeling the guilt of slavery. I personally don't, the only ancestors I had here then were Creek Indians and poor south Georgia dirt farmers who couldn't afford slaves if they wanted them.

. . we need to stop using 'slavery' as the only or last cause of our racism in this country. It the the 'legacy of slavery' and the hold over of the attitudes fostered in the era of Jim Crow that illicit racist attitudes. The 'culture' of the poor is based on lack of education and opportunity - no matter if you live in Africa or Appalachia. Black statistics leave a lot to be desired - but AMERICAN statistics, when compared to the rest of the world leave a lot to be desired. You can't rise to the top while holding others down.

Please save the sermon...Ruthie was alot more fun.

It's that kind of 'fun' that fosters 'hate'.

It should be made fun of.

Why can't we all get along?
How about a joint meeting between the NAACP and the Sons Of Confederate Veterans at First Baptist Church (of all places) in Sharpsburg next Tuesday at 7 pm? Can you picture this, two hate groups coming together for understanding and signing the peace?

-----------------------------------
Making you think twice......

When did the Son's of Confederate Veterans become a "hate" group????

a hate group, always have been, a.k.a KKK in the past, different name now, same membership.
-----------------------------------
Making you think twice......

KKK hates black people and Jewish people. The Sons of Confederate hate us northeners and they are still fighting the civil war.

The south lost!

If they keep reenacting it, they may win one of these years.

.

Well put Kim. I for one refuse to be intimidated by a race for anything. One of my very best friends is a black man who is disgusted himself by the mind set of some of his race. My friend refuses to be held back by anything. He is a single parent who works 3 jobs and has a home run business as a fourth. He is an extremely positive individual who is a constant source of inspiration. Bill Cosby has hit the nail right on the head but for many blacks it's easier to condemn him than listen to and learn from a true leader in his community. The mentality that anybody owes the black race anything here in the 21st century is ludicrous. We all live in "the land of opportunity". If you stop being perceiving yourself or your race as a victim, and start applying yourself, you will see you have far less imagined enemies and be less reliant on outside sources for your well being.

The media would have one believe that there are many, many Blacks that disagree with Mr. Cosby. He has spoken several times recently in Atlanta and received standing ovations from predominantly Black audiences. The descendants of slaves will not forget their ancestors degradation; the descendants of those who suffered from the indignity of segregation will not forget; the descendants of those who fought for civil rights will work with Americans of all colors so that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated. I hope that 'Ruthie' is a sham . . .but this is a discussion that should not be ignored. We must unite as Americans - and not let anyone divide us based on the color of our skin. The world is watching. If we treat an American with disrespect because of the color of their skin - would a person of another country with a different skin color other than 'white' expect respect from an American?

I must say that color of skin has little if any thing to do with respect to 99% of all others. It is the attitude, ignorance, lack of social skills, and threatening demeanor that is the problem. This applies to blacks, Eastern Indians, Pakastanis, Arabs, Africans, Chinese, and gypsies, as well as whites. The child's heritage from day one, nearly, causes this sort of thing--only a few escape it. There are still white people in the backwoods and inner cities who have the same unfortunate problem. Why don't we simply educate them----whatever it takes, forcibly if necessary.

Education is the key! (But I'm still fearful of the KKK)

Of the street thugs that come from Clayton, Dekalb, and Fulton counties that terrorize us. Have you noticed that there are many more of them terrorizing us these days than there are of KKK clowns terrorizing you?

Sandra, I'm sure you mean all that you say and like most everyone else I don't judge ALL blacks by the actions of some blacks. But since you brought up that we are all Americans, wouldn't it feel less divisive for them to drop the 'african-american' label? To assume that all blacks consider themselves as african first is unamerican, in my opinion. DNA-wise we are all mongrels. No person is of a pure nationality or race, but it's the culture that some people choose to more closely identify with that sets them apart.

As far as your identifying them as descendants of slaves, I think that only plays into this guilt complex white America has. Most people don't know their family history. The world is peppered with people of color that do not have slaves as ancestors. For Pete's sake, my Grandfather came here from Greece, can I claim Plato as an ancestor? My 'Murphy' great-grandparents are Irish...the British have been holding my celtic brothers down for ages...everyone on Earth can claim some reason for lack of achievement or hardship. Whether Ruthie is fiction or not isn't the point. The point is that I, for one, am getting tired of labels and excuses and accusations. I refuse to take blame or feel guilt because someone chooses to play victim

The problem here is that the name has been changed, by the group which is named, several times. They are having a hard time finding a comfortable name, it seems. For instance, I am an English, Irish, Welsh, German mix from my past, I think, (some things were covered up years ago) and I am just a North American, from the United States of America. Fact is, if humans started in Africa, aren't we all "black." Or did that come along later? Attitude is the thing.

Just don't feel guilty. Do something about improving the situation of others who bother you. Ignoring them just perpetuates.

. . the reality of America is that the institution of slavery created a 'caste' system based on color. You are correct about DNA and the lack of 'purity' based on skin color in America or anywhere else in the world. The 'victims' were created when laws were implemented to keep the rights of people of color restricted in the United States. These laws have been overturned . . but the vestiges of these laws remain. . .and the victims are both white and black. Even when people of color 'pulled themselves up by their bootstraps - if they had boots', they still had to ride in the back of the bus; attend poorly equipped schools; denied ownership of certain properties; etc., etc., etc. AND THIS WAS NOT ONLY IN THE SOUTH! Only when we as Americans are able to overcome 'white guilt complex' and 'victim mentality' held by some blacks' can we move on to solve our problems without playing the 'race card'.

My family history includes a great grandfather who was Irish - but found that it was more advantageous to be part of the middle class Black community than to fight the prejudice that was expressed towards poor 'Irish'. My other great grandfather was a slave.. . my mother's grandfather. She remembers him . . she is 95 years young. Americans are not that far removed from slavery . . but we have done much to overcome it. I'm not a 'southerner' . . but very grateful that I have seen the change in the south and enjoy living the 'good' life here in Fayette County with friends of all backgrounds; enjoying the 'southern' tradition of speaking to everybody with a smile; etc., etc. My family history also includes Choctaws who walked the Trail of Tears - and left this beautiful part of the United States and ended up in Oklahoma. The implementation of the doctrine of Manifest Destiny was not 'joyous' for some members of my family. (No offense to those who are from Oklahoma - but Georgia is just beautiful!)

My son attended school in Georgia over 20 years ago. He is amazed that we live in 'Fayette County'. When he was in Atlanta as a student, he was instructed not to be 'caught' in Fayette County because 'coloreds' were not treated well there.

(You said) "To assume that all blacks consider themsleves as african first is unamerican" I have never felt more American than when I visited Africa. The hyphenated designation, for me, does not mean that I put Africa first and America second. But when hyphenated names are used for identity - I don't fit the European-American designation.

I judge no one in this discussion - we all form our opinions based on our perspective. I just wanted to share mine.

I am of mixed heritage with African American ancestry. I consider myself simply an American. I am disgusted by my racist African American brothers and sisters who continue to spew hatred and bigotry by “playing the race card” every time they want special privileges. The Fairburn Little League and those promoting racism who started this blog as a political tool for their own personal agendas are perfect examples of the shameful bigots that embarrass me and those of minority races who truly want to be treated as equal.

Not long ago, women in America were second class citizens. Women of all races couldn’t vote until 1920 some 50 years after black men were given the right. Women couldn't work and earn fair wages, they couldn’t own property, attend schools or enjoy the same rights that men did. They were essentially 'owned' and dominated by men and forced into servitude. They were treated no better than and sometimes even worse than slaves. We have come a long way in a very short amount of time and we didn't get where we are by spewing hatred, lies, bigotry or constantly bringing up the sins of our ancestors and demanding special treatment or retribution. Instead, we educated ourselves, we worked hard and we lived our lives by example and treated others the way we wanted to be treated – as equals with accountability.

Instead of Black History Month in our schools, I’d like to see my children learn the history of Human Rights. How many of us learned about Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington Carver, and Harriet Tubman in school but never once heard the names of Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Dora Lewis, Rose Schneiderman, or Elizabeth Stanton?

Sandra,

I've followed your posts through this thread and, despite the objections of some here, think that you are on to a coherent and plausible account of our problems with race relations. The answer is undoubtedly complex and many-sided.

I wish I had more time right now for a lengthy post, but I've given this very much thought and would like to think "out loud" some more through some of these issues via this board. I'm inviting you to dialog here. I'll post as I find time.

(But how can anyone take me seriously as long as I leave this icon up?)

Muddle

Just trying to keep this post afloat long enough for Sandra to see and reply.

You've got bigger problems than us white people to contend with. You've got a country that is turning more Mexican each day. And they hate you guys and aren't going to put up with your slavery and poverty whinings. You think your people have it bad now just wait until they earn their way over you in the food chain. Look at your communities in Central and South America and get a glimpse of the future.

Why can't you be thankful for what you have and be doubly thankful that you don't live in that cesspool they call Africa? It's amazing how "real" Africans come here, open up businesses and succeed where all you slavery whiners just sit around and... and.... whine.

Well-put, Kim....