Around Sandy Springs

By The Bee

March 31, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

What has changed? After African-Americans fought the “good fight” and strived for racial justice, this country ended the heinous apartheid that gripped the nation for too long, and finally recognized African-Americans as full and rightful citizens.

And then, African-Americans turned right around and squandered “the Dream” through rejection of education and the traditional family structure, and embracing an anti-social “culture” epitomized by the “hip-hop lifestyle,” crime and mindless violence.

That’s what has changed.

By Resident Weevil

April 1, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Agreed. As whites strive to put discriminatory attitudes behind them, blacks rush headlong towards adopting their own offensive, separatist culture (as epitomized by the “hip-hop lifestyle”) that whites will not and cannot ever fully accept. Recipe for diaster, folks. Either strive to assimilate, like every other cultural group has done, or please leave.

By Mike

April 1, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I agree. The elephant in America’s living room is black racism. Racism, whether it is coming from a black preacher in a pulit, or from a white man in robes, need to be opposed, denounced, and rejected. Instead, it is supported, excused, and forgiven (by some). We have not gotten there yet as long as there is a double standard.

By MP

April 1, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Quit using the “African-American” reference. That has hurt the cause. We are all “American” plain and simple.

By Roswell Ed

April 1, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

The first four posts are dead on the money.

Black American culture is rotting itself from the inside out.

You have to look no farther than Black Comedy Jam.

The comic gets up there and points to the crowd and sez

“we can’t hold down a job

and

he’s my baby’s daddy!”

and everyone in the crowd is rolling around in laughter with their hand over their mouth.

It’s also the fault of the Black KKK who do not want blacks to

reject a violent ghetto lifestyle, get an education, assimilate into American(not white) society or stand up to their responsibilities.

Check out Jason Whitlocks(black man) column on the Black KKK.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7499442/Taylor’s-death-a-grim-reminder-for-us-all

Sad really.

We need more men like Bill Cosby to speak up against the current culture!!

Just one typical white man’s opinion.

By Sarah

April 1, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Wow, Bee, Weevil, Mike: How many black people do you know? Any? I’m a white female and I know many, many blacks who are married, have children, do not embrace “Hip Hop”, have had a good education, hold good jobs… I could go on. You people sound like you have never met any blacks and only watch hip hop videos to get your assesment. If you haven’t noticed we have a highly educated black man running for President, hello? And in case you are republicans and haven’t noticed that - how about Condi Rice? She’s on your team. Wow, wake up - no wonder nothing has “changed”. Try looking around you and maybe speaking to some of “them” at work surely there must be one. You people suck.

Sarah

By nochangemybutt

April 1, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

No change? what planet are you living on? How about BET, Black miss america, blacks in higher offices, more blacks serving the Bush White house then any president before. A black man getting more votes from white people then black people to start the race off.. You Mr. Osterman are part of the problem, not part of the cure.

By Travon Holt

April 1, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

I think the first four posts were from whites.

By Travon Holt

April 1, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I think the first four posts were from whites.

By Roswell Ed

April 1, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Sarah,

We are talking about blacks who do not care about assimilating into society not the ones that are

productive memebers of society

ie Americans!!!!!!

So that being said

do we still suck?

By The Bee

April 1, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Sarah — good point. Not all are as I described, just as not all whites are productive and responsible. However, all empirical date show that the numbers are HEAVILY skewed demographically. Numbers don’t lie.

By Sarah

April 1, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Aaahhhh - but that’s not what you said the first time, well not really you, it was the people I listed in my first post. When people just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind and lump ALL Blacks into one big pile with their hatefull words are the ones that suck. They pop-up on the Falcon blogs all the time. And since you take the time to read Whitlock I will not lump you in with them. I also enjoy Mr. Whitlock’s writing. You should also try Leonard Pitt’s on Miami Herald.

Sarah

By The Real Thing

April 1, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Ok Lets recap, To the people who made the first four comments, I want you to find the black person that is cloest to you, and ask for an education into a black planet. Now lets get to blaming everything on hip hop, now it wasnt 30 years ago and you and your white friends where listening to Rock music and you family and friends where saying those things that your saying about black folks and hip hop. Lets get one thing clear, Hip Hop is a movement, your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, have learned and love this movement, if you didnt know they buy all of the records that we make. Go into there room and see, I bet you will find a Snoop Dogg CD.

By Resident Weevil

April 1, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

The sad thing is, we’re talking issues of personal choice here, not some intrinsic, endemic, immutable traits. Choosing to ignore or (worse) belittle education, choosing to have child after child you cannot afford and have no intention of raising well, choosing dependence over self-sufficiency, choosing to engage in mindless acts of violence, choosing to engage in flashy and offensive public behavior, choosing to spend all your savings on frivolous bling instead of investing in your childrens’ and your future, choosing to view time in prison as a badge of honor, choosing to adopt language and mannerisms and behaviors which alienate you from instead of melding you into the larger society … poor choice after poor choice after poor choice. Yes, these problems all exist to some degree in the white community. They are epidemic, however, in the black community.

Capitalist societies (of which ours is one, like it or not) provide endless opportunities to those that educate themselves, and act and live responsibly. They are brutal to those who choose not to do so. Therein lie ALL the problems which have been discussed here, and which will be discussed until this blog is ended.

By inou

April 1, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Until the words black and white (as pertaining to race) are eliminated from the English language, the divide will continue.

By Madame

April 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Yes, things have changed for the better, but there are many more changes that must be made. I think that the major difference between than and now is that people back then were taking responsibilty and action to change the world. People, blacks and whites, were saying - this is not right and I can do something about it. Now people just want to sit back and wait on someone else to do the work, like the govt. Each of us must look ourselves in the mirror and consciously decide - this is not right and I can do something about it. Each one teach one. Each one reach one. That’s how you change the world.

By jesus mlk christ

April 1, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

if mlk saw what his sacrifice and legacy had become….a corrupt and pathetic system run by the carpet baggers ( jesse jackson , al sharpton, et al ) he would not have taken the bullet. the blacks have hitched themsleve to a sorry wagon based on an entitlement mentality that is promoted by racial ministers in the black community ( see obama’s main spiritual adviser ). the blacks stay ignorant. jesse and al get to keep their power. those people should be jailed for keeping the black demographic in chains… jesse and al and those who perpetuate ignorance and entitlement in the balack community are the real modern day slave owners because they preach no solution other than to sit on your fat rear and complain that the white man is the reason you are a crack dealer, a car jacker, an illegitimate father, a ho, a convict, etc.

By KAM

April 1, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

When Martin Luther King gave his speech, he said lets not be judged by the color of our skin but by our character. What I am getting at is with the rappers rapping about drug, killing, robbing, stealing, pants hanging and hoes that is creating a bad character in our children of all race but mostley African Americans. If the children or even grown people walk around with pants hanging, white tees, braids, dreads and bad attitudes yes you will be disrespected and thats a bad character. Maybe if the rappers rap about becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, bussiness peoples, other great careers and dress nice with there pants up on there hips and button down shirts, sports shirts and jackets, I believe that will make a difference and creat a better character in our children. I am not saying everything will be equal but that would help a whole lot. I believe that African Americans has to work twice as harder than other race to get to the top and I beleive they are scared to try, so they choose to take the easy way out by having the bad character and selling drugs or shooting each other and then going to jail (bad character). I would like to see more of our African Americans even other race to become leaders. Instead of looking up to the rappers look up to Obama, Bill Cosby, Matin and Coretta King, Maya Angelou and other leaders. America has to work as a team but I believe we have a long ways to go but we just have to be patient and keep going through the valley what God has prepared for us until we get to the end and see sunlight.

By Fulton

April 1, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Of course our society as a whole has made quite a few advances in race relations (as Sarah so accurately pointed out) but obviously, we still have a ways to go. Of course there’s always gonna be a few yahoos, longing for the good ‘ol days but I’ve learned to ignore them and their small minded mentality. I don’t embrace (c)rap music or wear my pants @ my ankles either but I’ll tell ya what; blacks are here to STAY and if YOU don’t like it, then YOU can go back to EUROPE!!

By gttim

April 1, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Funny how people say that racism ended and that suddenly African Americans should assimilate into white society effortlessly!

400 years of slavery and oppression, and the lasting effects of it, are not going to vanish in a generation. You have generations still alive that were not allowed to be educated in most states, who were given horrible and underpaid jobs because of their race, who are left with no pension or retirement and very little social security (because of the meager wages they were paid- if their wages were even paid on the books.)

Their families were raised without the benefits of good schools and were unable to get good jobs. Advancement was, and still is in many areas, denied to them. They had and have to compete against whites who were given superior educations, were allowed to go to any college they wanted, and were given advancement regularly denied to non-whites.

So if racism is suddenly gone, which it most certainly is not, do you think a level playing field exists? It does not.

Of course on top of that, African American males were more likely to be falsely prosecuted by police, given much longer sentences than whites by the courts, and were less likely to be paroled. Once returned to society, reintroduction was much more difficult and any advancement of position in society was all but not allowed.

Certainly there has been some change, but equality has not been achieved. To say you can snap your fingers and racism and institutional bias will just disappear is ludicrous.

Luckily the generation of kids coming up through the school system now appears to be much less tolerant of racism. Hopefully in the coming generations true equality can exist, and the gap between whites and minorities can be closed.

By SLR

April 1, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

Great comments KAM. Have things change in our society concerning racism and discrimination? Yes - there are no longer laws that prevent African-Americans from receiving an education, no separate water fountains, etc.

Yes things have changed, but do African-Americans truly have equal opportunities as white America? No. The laws may no longer be there, but is the preparation for college there? Is the knowledge of investing there? Is the exposure to all of the opportunity there? This lack of preparation, knowledge, and exposure is one of the sources of the black community showing statistical numbers that would suggest failure to take on responsibility. The critical thing is for all of us (black and white) to ask ourselves why and what is the root of the poison. When we ask ourselves that question, we have to arrive at the truth that lies in the history of this country. I know the word will scare white America, but slavery is the root. Discriminatory laws are the root. Disfranchisement is the root. Once we understand that, then we can ask ourselves how can we help. Realize that many African-Americans do not have parents and grandparents who went to college - only because the opportunity was not there, not because of the lack of responsibility. Being poor is the only thing that some people know. So they relate well to hip-hop music that glories the life of the streets.

So what do we do now? Yes, the black community does need to take responsibility for raising families, teaching their children, and encouraging education. Like Bill Cosby says, get out of the hip-hop/violence/crime mentality and into education to better yourself. Another critical part of the solution is for us(black and white)to embrace helping your fellow American gain access to opportunities. Many people do not know of opportunities just because no one has ever showed them the way.

By Knocking

April 2, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Gain access to opportunities??? Opportunities have been available for YEARS (like at least 50 years). They may not be the opportunities that one really desires but they are there and they exist for blacks and whites. Please knock off the crap and whining. If you want an opportunity, it is there. and I speak from experience.

By SLR

April 2, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

No one said opportunities are not there. We all have access to abundant opportunities today. But we need to understand that if a person’s parents and grandparents did not have opportunities or know about opportunities, then how can the parents and grandparents teach that person to do something different and better? So the point is to step out of your comfort zone and tell someone of the opportunities that exist. Tell someone that they can rise above what their parents did and rise above “the streets.”

Everyone wants to run from the truth about our history and say get over it. Yes, now is the time to focus on making the present and our futures better. It is also critical to acknowledge the root of the problem. A doctor cannot give you medicine unless he/she knows the cause of the disease. Just acknowledge the root cause, and then move forward in solving the problem.

By Mr Charlie

April 2, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Why are people concerned about what WE embrace anyway? Not everybody follows “the hip-hop” culture. And if you haven’t yet noticed, its not just Blacks who delve into the realm of hip-hop. Pants sagging and slang has evolved over the years and GUESS WHAT no longer includes just 1 race!

By Pat

April 2, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Look at all the other countries on the planet and see what type of rights minorities have in those countries. The blacks in the US are the most educated, have the most wealth, have the ability to be the most creative, and have equal rights. The problem is that most Americans don’t travel and don’t know how good they have it here.

By Honey

April 2, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Change? Maybe some of us have seen some changes. The jobs we hold, the benefits that we now have on these jobs. Our smart children are not in colleges. And some have good jobs. But for my generation (only speaking about my family), I haven’t seen much change. I have been working for 40 years this year. I don’t have a decent pension. I have never been able to afford much savings. I am blessed that I have the necessities, food, clothing, shelter. My whole family was from Georgia, born into slavery. I was the first to get a high school diploma. Most of them worked hard, but were never able to afford above the necessities. My only hope is to see a tremendous change, before I expire, not for me of course, but for my children.

By Honey

April 2, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

Change? Maybe some of us have seen some changes. The jobs we hold, the benefits that we now have on these jobs. Our smart children are not in colleges. And some have good jobs. But for my generation (only speaking about my family), I haven’t seen much change. I have been working for 40 years this year. I don’t have a decent pension. I have never been able to afford much savings. I am blessed that I have the necessities, food, clothing, shelter. My whole family was from Georgia, born into slavery. I was the first to get a high school diploma. Most of them worked hard, but were never able to afford above the necessities. My only hope is to see a tremendous change, before I expire, not for me of course, but for my children.

By Honey

April 2, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Change? Maybe some of us have seen some changes. The jobs we hold, the benefits that we now have on these jobs. Our smart children are not in colleges. And some have good jobs. But for my generation (only speaking about my family), I haven’t seen much change. I have been working for 40 years this year. I don’t have a decent pension. I have never been able to afford much savings. I am blessed that I have the necessities, food, clothing, shelter. My whole family was from Georgia, born into slavery. I was the first to get a high school diploma. Most of them worked hard, but were never able to afford above the necessities. My only hope is to see a tremendous change, before I expire, not for me of course, but for my children.

By Boots

April 2, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

This society has not reached the full potential that Dr. King envisioned, but tremendous progress has been made.

Without kicking a dead horse, Dr. King would be very sad to see that so many are failing to avail themselves of the opportunities that are afforded to anyone, regardless of race.

The sacrifices of those who went before are being squandered by those who cannot exercise self restraint and postpone the gratification of their desires.

By Charlie

April 3, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

We’re definitely making progress… change can’t happen overnight.

Charlie Redneck Gear

By JohnnyReb

April 3, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

What’s happened is that Marxist affirmative action & quotas have totally watered down the workforce and educational systems so much that America’s is taking a backseat in these catagories to 2nd rate countries. As a proud White man, I refuse to be “shamed” into white guilt and worship at the alter of “Mike” King. The man was a communist, womanizer and is no hero of mine. Furthermore, his family & former allies (like Jesse HiJackson, etc.) have proven to be grifters milking the “Saint MLK” gravy train for all its worth. White folks need to stopping buying into the the (Globalist Elite controlled) “mainstream” media propaganda & do some research on the real “Mike” King. Start with the following (highly informative) article…

http://www.newswithviews.com/Stang/alan28.htm

By Ruzi

April 4, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

I agree with most of the comments made so far; however, everybody wants to forget or I might say admit slavery had an affect on blacks. Most of you act like it never happen. Which makes me ask the question: Do you even believe it really happen? Once blacks were free they had nothing. No an education! No self esteem! No money saved! No family support system! So when American its race black then start at the same starting line maybe 5280ft ( that’s a mile) back ! This needs to be talked about. (IDEA) Maybe if they a slave counselors it would have helped. HA HA .

This is a two sided coin. I feel blacks have dropped the ball. Since MLK death blacks felt like they had made it. WE FREE NOW BOSS! They finely got what they wanted integration, which weaken their economic structure, political power as group, and most of all family structure now they can say I stay by Mr. Gordon them. And my son is the only black in his class.

Now days black sit back a wait on the first white person to harm (even words) a black so they can march but when it’s black on black crime they say I’m no snitch! Personal accountability amongst blacks is the first thing black need to address before they focus on anybody else.

By Ray

April 4, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

These crack dealing, hip-hopping males are making the responsible people in the black community look bad. They are everywhere you look, in the shopping malls, on the streets, in restaurants and in our schools with those in your face looks and actions that make the average white person very reluctant to embrace the black community. I don’t need that kind of nonsense in my life, as I am sure that responsible people in the black community don’t need it in theirs.

By beegee

April 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Whoa!!..how is it put upon the hip-hop community as the leading down fall to the black race and community…cause if I can recall the 70’s and 80’s played the major part in the destruction of the black community..hint(crack, heroine, marijuana, need I say more)..so dont blame the generation of today because most of them grew up without inspirational figures and vocal leaders..which most of you older people had during your time..so I dont fault this generation..sorry..but I fault the parents of these kids who didnt have the ability to lead as their parents once did for them..it takes a whole community to raise a child..and thats whats missing..I dont like to play the blame game because I feel as though its everyone’s responsibilty to uphold and do there best..but at the same time and in alot of cases you are only as good as your leader…so my question is WHERE ARE THE LEADERS??..I aint talking about Jesse or Al?..I feel they are just as corrupted as the police dept..but thats another story. But seriously what we are dealing with now are the crack babies era that are now 18 and up..so you 30, 40, 50 yr. old ppl out there fault yourselves because you did a poor job of raising and upholding our communities..which is now ridden with drugs and crimes..the hip-hop community are just reflecting off of what they have seen growing up and what they are still seeing today.

By Eric

April 4, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

I love when White Liberals write columns like this.

If you really feel so guilty, Jim, about things that happened 40 years ago…just go ahead and donate your house to a deserving black family. It’ll be much less annoying than all this hand-wringing about how little has changed.

White Liberal Guilt is one of the biggest reasons many in the black culture have struggled to get ahead. Things like “The Great Society” did nothing to help our country.

By Ruzi

April 4, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Eric, I will agree with one thing you said they do struggle !But why do you feel White Liberal Guilt one of the biggest reasons many in the black culture have struggled to get ahead.

By PM

April 4, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

From a SAWB…I know that hip-hop and rap are not just a black thing. I know there are many whites who follow it as well. But that does not make it any better. It stills strikes me as revolting, degrading, and a catalyst to violence and makes ignorance look fashionable.

Overall there has been progress at the basic need and safety level and maybe some at the social level. However blacks and whites have not successfully assimilated in my opinion. When we quit using terms like “black”, “white” “african-american” that will be a good sign.

By Ruzi

April 4, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Parents are to blame! And whatever was passed down to them from their parents and so on.

By Lee

April 4, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

GOD is AWESOME!!! Watch this short Dr. King and Rosa Parks Tribute..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyK3rqQobN0

By Weep for the Future

April 4, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Some things have gotten better. Dr. King and others marched for equal rights and won them. Under the US Constitution, segregation is illegal. Nobody can be denied a home, a school or a job based on the color of their skin. Dr. King was right to crusade for these laws, and they have come to pass. I am an educated white man; my boss is a black attorney. Most of our staff is black. But none of them wear baggy jeans around their knees. None of them have rows of gold teeth. None of them use words (at work, anyway) like “hoe” and “m* f*.” None of them bring guns to work. Those (mostly black males) who dress and act that way are out on the street, not employed by our law firm. They are largely in prison, or heading that way. (Yes, a lot of white kids dress and act that way too, but with blacks it is the vast majority.) Why has it come to this? Yes, slavery was bad. Segregation was bad. We admitted that as a nation a long time ago, and changed it. We all want to move forward now. But there is a very large demographic (again, mostly young black males) who clearly cast themselves as anti-establishment, anti-society “bad” men who demand instant respect through intimidation rather than hard work, decency or achievement. They contribute absolutely nothing to society. Yes, they mostly grew up in single-parent homes. Who’s fault is that? Yes, their grandparents faced segregation and therefore left their families little to start on. But the jobs are there today. We can continue to stay in the gutter and blame the historical sins of white people, or we can clean up our act and get a job. Assimilation is not an ugly word. If you want to have the success of white America, you have to play the game the same way. It may not be fair, but that’s the way it is. You are not African-American. You are American. You have never been to Africa. If you did go, you would be appalled. The conditions in sub-Sahara Africa are indescribably bad. You think you have it bad here? You are kings compared to those poor people. You might earn $0.60 or $0.70 on the dollar that whites earn, and no, that’s not fair. But compared to the people of the continent you so dearly embrace, you are very wealthy indeed. Of course, the situation is not likely to change. The problem of race in America will be our downfall. There are plenty of good black people, just as there are plenty of bad white people. But the statistics don’t lie. Don’t bemoan the discrepancy of black convictions to white convictions. If you didn’t break the law, there would be no conviction at all. This is a sore subject to me, as it is for most Americans, albeit for different reasons. But to blame the plight of black youth culture on the Jim Crow laws of 40 years ago, and to excuse the abhorrent behavior of a culture gone wild, is a serious mistake. One that I’m afraid will not ever be corrected, because it has become an unstoppable flood. And we’re all going to drown in it. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.

By JAY

April 4, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

White people are now scared of blacks.I fear being robbed or killed for my wallet,or car.We can’t build enough prisons.

By LilZ

April 4, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

I have to say that I am actually impressed with the intelligent arguments I have seen on this blog today! Most of the comments have been well thought out and great points, instead of finger pointing and name calling, which often happens when this topic is discussed. I give kudos to most of today’s posters!

That being said, I think some basic changes have been made for the positive but I do think that there are still fundamental changes that need to occur. Older generations of white people still feel that black people are supposed to clean the house and serve the food in the dining hall. As this generation is aged out of the population I think we will become more unified as a society. Younger generations (even baby boomers!) are much more open to learning about and working with other cultures and races. As these more “open” people shape society, blacks and whites will come together in more and more positive ways.

At least I hope so.

By So what

April 4, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Ok, look, Yes there are many many educated african americans out there, but you have to realize that there are still many of the sterotypical black people who do nothing more than get in trouble with the law, have kids around 14 and hate the white man because they think they are all against them. But its true, they have their own culture, and its one that is not pretty. And yes, I know there are many educated, well off blacks and i applaud them! But those who go around being ghetto are giving blacks a horrible name!

By Roosey

April 4, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Jay Do you have any black friends. Do you work with any blacks people? It’s said that you put all blacks in the group. Are you judging their skin or their actions!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Weep for the Future

April 4, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Liz, you are right. Older generations of white people still feel that black people are supposed to clean the house and serve the food in the dining hall. Those are mostly good people. That’s just the way it was in their day. But those old folks will die off soon. We will be left with a population of miscreants. I grew up white in the 60s with a domestic servant. Yes, she was black. But black, white, hispanic or asian, she worked hard. She was a proud woman. She cared for me as a child, and I was proud to know her. Why is being a domestic servant such a bad thing? Or a garbage collector? Somebody’s got to do it. The hispanics don’t seem to mind. Being a maid in America sure beats starving to death in sub-Sahara Africa. Are we to change 250 years of slavery and segregation overnight? Should whites who hold power in corporate America simply hand over responsibility for their companies to high school dropouts? There is simply no excuse for the violent, anti-society youth culture that runs amok today. Their behavior is leading them down a one-way street to prison or an early grave, and they are dragging America down with them. Better to accept things as they really are (stop “dreaming!”) and get that job in that dining hall, stay with your wife and children (and out of prison), see that your children get a better education than you had, and maybe their generation will fare better than yours did. This problem won’t change overnight. It has taken generations to come this far, and it will take a few more to achieve true equality. But the way most of black youth culture is going today, it will take many more generations than would be necessary if they would only assimilate, accept that things aren’t fair, realize they hold the key to the future is in their own hands, pull up their jeans, get a job and stop breaking the law. But, to many, I’m a white racist for saying so. And therein lies America’s single most crucial flaw. We pretend things are as they should be, not as they are. This blog is an excellent medium for speaking the truth without being crucified for it. By the way, I am voting for Barack Obama, not only because I believe he will make a great president who can actually bring about needed change, but because I believe that young blacks need a positive role model to inspire them to get themselves out of the gutter. I see this opportunity as only a slight glimmer of hope, but it is something, at least.

By Mark

April 4, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Nothing has changed. Blacks are still lazy, violent, thieving, ignorant n****

By Common Sense

April 4, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

It only takes 1 generation for change… but only if you work at it. My parents grew up as poor sharecroppers. I’m talking about 1 pair of plow boots and an apple for Christmas poor. Walk 5 miles to school (yes, my dad made us drive it and clock the mileage) after your morning chores were done poor. They had no future other than what they made for themselves. They made their own future through intellect and hard work to make sure my sisters and I had a better life than they had. We have things much easier and my goal for my kids is to make sure they have it better than I did (and I had it GOOD!). Remember your history but don’t let it control you!!!

By Black and Proud

April 4, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Despite the advantages I have had in my life, I recognize the struggle we as Black Americans face today, 40 years after the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I cannot overlook that my great-great grandparents were slaves. My relatives unjustly had their property taken by local goverments that had no minority officials or representatives. My parents grew up poor, lived in the projects, were openly discriminated against, and were the first in their families to attend college. Personally, I grew up in the suburbs, am college educated, hold a full-time salaried position and have my own home.

So, hopefully those whites who commented about Black Americans need to take responsibility for their lives will consider my experiences and those of my relatives qualification enough to inform you of another perspective.

Black Americans have not had the same socioeconomic, social, educational, professional and legal resources as White Americans. Blacks are still discriminated against when it comes to unequal and inadequate distribution of educational resources, red-lining in the housing market, and racial profiling. If there were so much opportunity available for Blacks today, the number of new prisons to build would not be determined by the reading scores of inner-city third-graders. I do not believe that the disproportionate American prison population of Black and Brown Americans can simply be explained by a lack of moral or character values. Instead, we should look at our failure of truly creating a level playing field.

The American education system has been held as the foundation for the pursuit of the American Dream. Yet, it is clear 50 years after Brown vs. the Board of Education that schools that have high populations of minorities continue to lack basic resources and funding that will allow for the American Dream to be realized by all. It is apparent that the issue of race in this country is quickly becoming a conversation of differences in class. The stereotypes of the Black community that have been perpetuated in many of the comments gathered here are derived from the experience of all poor people, not just poor Blacks. All Americans need to take responsibility for the issues created by poverty in this country, and do our collective part to actualize the ideals that make us proud to be Americans. So ask yourself, are you criticizing the realities of others, or are you working to help those less forunate than yourself, thereby making a stronger, more prosperous America?

By Marcia Brady

April 5, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

I just finished watching an episode of the “Maury” show. It was interesting to see more trailer trash, toothless, classless, ignorant whites making fools of themselves than blacks. One couple had a baby (out of wedlock, of course) and they were on the show to have a DNA test to see if they were brother and sister! Turns out they were. And the fools said they were going to stay together because, “you can’t help who you love!”

Another thing; all of you who stereotype black people…beware! I have three, strapping, black sons who are always being RELENTLESSLY pursued by white girls. Thank God they were raised by strong, loving black parents who taught them to respect ALL women and not fall for the sluts who throw themselves on black jocks. You racist white peoople had better be careful, your daughters (or sons) may come home with black babies. It’s always the white kids who have racist parents who choose to cross over to the dark side!

Thank God all white people aren’t alike and I have wonderful, tolerant friends who remind me that I am blessed to have friends outside of my race who share the same morals, values, and beliefs.

By Reg

April 6, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Its laughable that Bee and some of you other “good white folks” are so self-righteous after only 43 years of legislation that gave people of color equal footing. Many of your parents and grandparents that beat, robbed, and yes lynched black people in the south are still alive. And yet you want the world to embrace your feeble attempt to take the moral high ground. Fact is, blacks with education and talent are still discriminated against, police still stop us while driving, while black, and statistics clearly show that people of color are assumed to be the worst of the worst in similiar law breaking situations (See the barbie bandit affair). It is impossible to celebrate the Declaration of Independence without lamenting the Tuskeegee experiment or the lasting effects of Jim Crow and slavery on all Americans. Black men do need to be responsible for actions not consist with great societies. White men need to realize that their salad days are done; you won’t get a free ride for all of the evil you do in full sight and in the dark.

By Voice of Reason

April 6, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

I’m a Black American, born here 50 years ago. I don’t have to assimilate into anything. This is my country.

By Chad

April 6, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

I think the biggest joke is to believe diversity is a good thing that we MUST strive for. People congregate with people most like themselves. It’s a natural action and there’s nothing wrong with it. Blacks and whites don’t worship together, yet that seems fine with everyone. When push comes to shove races tend to stick together. Trying to change that is futile.

By what r u talking about?

April 6, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

KAM !!!!!!!!! WTF does dreadlocks and braids have to do with “bad character choices”? Thats the type of racist BS thinking that causes the division that is tearing this country apart. I am a 28 year old middle school teacher, currently working on a masters and eventual doctorate degree who is married, listen to ALL kinds of music including Hip-Hop and have dreadlocks. Wake the F up people!

By Don Imus

April 6, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

White record execs were the first to put major money into the type of rap music that promotes violence, ignorance , and degradation of women. This was not how Hip Hop started so it is inaccurate unfair to place full blame on the entire genre. White record execs coupled with the often prejudiced media fed this type of rap music to young blacks across the country feeding them the idea that they could as well “get rich or die tryin”. The power of music and media are astronomical and the residual effects have caused jails and prisons to overflow with its victims which usually come from poor disadvantaged areas of our country. This problem wasn’t so terrible as long as it stayed in the black community. Then it spread to suburban america and throughout the communities that we live in. Now little Shane and Zac want to be called S-boogie and Z-dog and something has to be done. This problem goes way deeper people!!! Try to do some some research before you just bash a whole race of people for the actions of some. We have a long way to go. Oh and I apologize again to the Rutgers basketball team, the record execs made me do it.

By Double Standard

April 6, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

As a outsider looking in. It is sad to see the Black community strive so hard for integration and assimilation into AMERICAN society. Yet, they hold a double standard towards anyone who is not part of the Black community. Case and point: Black woman wearing this t-shirt: (Front) “I dig the skin I’m in” (Back) “Do Not Bleach” and it is called black pride. Now as a white man, it is racist for me to wear a shirt that has the exact same front, but a back that says “Do Not Color.” When Blacks call each other the n-word, it is OK, but when a person of a different race says it, they are a racist. Blacks choose to segregate themselves from American society, but attack anyone who tries to accept it as a social norm. Bottom line is that we are AMERICAN who gives a flip if a person is black, white, red, yellow, gay, straight, foreign or native. They are humans all the same. Why cant people see others as humans, not people who are defined by the above criteria? It is hard because a few bad apples spoil the bunch. That goes for race and religion. It is sad but true. We as a society need to strive to rid ourselves stereotypes, but again it is hard because they are supported every single day

By Monique Davidson

September 19, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

why is it that over the years of african american culture has the mantality changed? Because in the 70’s&80’s it was about “my black is bueatyful”,and “fight the power “now of days it just about sagging your pants,killing,and smokeing this or that.where did the love go people!

By Monique Davidson

September 19, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

why is it that over the years of african american culture has the mantality changed? Because in the 70’s&80’s it was about “my black is bueatyful”,and “fight the power “now of days it just about sagging your pants,killing,and smokeing this or that.where did the love go people!