Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2005 > December > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSadly, Mandisa is not alone. So, what do we do about it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mandisa, my dear, you’re not alone.
If you ever thought you were, let it go, girl.
Lots of people feel, have felt, or are highly familiar with your story. They empathized and sympathized with it all too well. Which is sad in itself.
On Thursday, I wrote about Mandisa Surpris, a 15-year-old black girl who excels in all she does at Parkview High. The focus on academic achievement has made her an outcast among some of her peers. Some of the black kids at the Lilburn school question her “blackness” and say she “acts white.”
By late Thursday, Mandisa’s story had generated nearly 500 postings on ajc. com. Another 400 readers posted in-depth comments on the Badie Blog. And I’ve lost count of personal e-mails and telephone calls.
Out of all of those responses, only a handful (to put the number at five would be generous) tried to discredit me, blame Mandisa or pooh-pooh the topic. They’re in denial. Let’s not worry about them. We have to keep the Mandisas of the world focused, and get the kids who ridicule students like her thinking right.
In the column, I laid heavy blame on the parents for their kids’ crippling behavior and overall attitude toward high achievers. Many readers agreed, and some expressed interest in finding ways to combat this destructive way of thinking.
“Is it possible for our churches to take a more active role in providing parental support through classes that help parents become more effective?” one reader wrote. “For those of us who volunteer with youth, are there programs to help us become better and more effective mentors?”
Good questions. I don’t have the answers, and if you do, let me know. I’ll share the information. For now, though, I have to reiterate that change starts with Mom and Dad.
They must find a way to drill home the fact that academic excellence doesn’t translate to acting white, and that dumbing down doesn’t mean you’re “keeping it real” as a black person. They need to teach the richness and beauty of black culture while rooting out misunderstandings, myths and flat-out lunacy.
Black culture isn’t about wearing urban gear, speaking poorly, acting slovenly and disrespecting the Mandisas of the world. And young blacks are the big losers if they think those things define our culture. We are not that.
None of this is easy. And as so many readers pointed out, the very parents who need to read Mandisa’s story probably won’t. Maybe we have to do what one reader, a third-generation college-educated black female, suggested: Start a pass-it-on torch.
Every Sunday, she and a relative stress the importance of education in sessions where young people learn new vocabulary words and work on math. Her church does likewise.
“If those of us who have ‘made it’ learn to pass it on, maybe in 100 years or so, the world would be a different place,” she wrote. “Realize, however, that many of their parents weren’t taught these things, and that it will also need to be instilled in them.”
This is just one way to tackle the problem. If you have other ideas, please share them.
There are lots of us out there who don’t want this self-fulfilling prophecy of failure passed on to the next generation.
Stop the lunacy.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875; or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Comments
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By Bruce Wilcox
December 3, 2005 06:59 PM | Link to this
There is a shocking book and movie that addresses the issues of the American youth and it’s downfall. It addresses race, violence in our schools, peer pressure, disrespect of teachers and how music effects our children. It’s called ‘The Blackboard Jungle�, it stars Glen Ford as the teacher and a cast of young actors that include Vic Marrow, Sidney Poitier and Jamie Farr. It was made in 1955! What does a movie made in 1955 have to do with now, we’re discussing the very same issues. It proves the issues haven’t changed and ‘Rock and Roll’ did not cause the decline of American youth, personally I blame ‘Disco’., music just goes through phases.
Lets try ‘Is being ‘Un-Honors un-cool’. Lets face facts, Georgia is ranked nationally at the bottom of the education heap, is that the cause of a minority of ‘Those’ people or the majority of students of all races and backgrounds? How about an Honors student wearing supposed gang attire, is he accepted by the proper Honor students? One wasn’t even accepted by Brookwood High School who disciplined the student and even entered on his official school record as ‘gang’., I’m sure colleges would have been impressed. Thankfully a Federal Judge ordered his school record cleaned in reference to being ‘gang’ and tossed Brookwoods dress code as vague.
Mr. Badie pointed out that Parkview is not ‘Ghetto’, I wish he would tell us how he defines ‘Ghetto’ , if we have any in Gwinnett and what schools they may be? The problem with labels is it gives one a choice of either dispelling the label or living up to it. Some will fight the label, some just give up and accept it, a label is a terrible thing to impose on any person or group.
I have a suggestion for the people that find it easier to point fingers than to accept responsibility for their own child’s actions and studies, the next time you have the urge to point a finger, do it in front of a mirror.
By Michael H. Smith
December 4, 2005 12:04 AM | Link to this
Terminology, absent a crime being committed, too often wrongfully dictates Society’s terms, even more so when labeling is inappropriately used to define a skin-color as a race. I can’t agree with the “multiple races� thing (i.e. black race, white race etc.) I only accept one version of race – “the human race�. So I’ll leave the bloggers and people who define race and intelligence or the lack thereof as being skin color encoded with a simple question.
What is the color of a brain?
This is the last barrier to come down in America Rick, when “your people�, as some might call them and “my people�, as some might call them, finally become “our people�, an American, the promiseland reality is near.
I really don’t feel like bloviating further, the night has simply been too enjoyable spent at a Christmas Party in merriment, with “our people�.
By charles birchwood
December 4, 2005 08:53 AM | Link to this
The previous comment has some merit to it.Unfortunately this is not a perfect world.African Americans have always felt disinfranchise by the way the majority of society has treated us.Change in perception has to come from all sides.Everyone has to see each other,not as this ethnic group or that ethnic group,but as all americans.This can only happen when attitude and action changes from everyone.Anyhow to deal with the real topic on hand ,parents should stop allowing the kids to steer their wallet to spend on cd’s ,videos,dvd’s,othermedia form in which,portrayal of african americans are seen from a “ghetto”enviroment.This shows dysfunctional behaviour,use of the “n” word and depictions and descriptions of women as less than anything.These kind of media is more powerfull in changing kid’s perpesctive of themselves than even their own enviroment.It’s life leading art.Lastly structure these kids in their daily life,from house chores,going to museums,art centers,schoolwork,teach them the value of money,learn along with them the wonders of creating and applying ideas.Show them that what they (kids) hear and see on the media about us is nothing more than a liberal license to show dysfunctional depictions of us.
By Michael H. Smith
December 4, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this
In fellow up though Mr. Birchwood I do believe this: “my people�, “your people� business, is at the very heart of the real topic and point of dividing controversy. Society as the sum total must stop thinking and speaking, in disenfranchising terminology. African-American Irish-American Korean-American etc. drop the baggage and what remains? These so-called minorities, separate and unequal, cease to exist when all become the majority Americans.
Hip-Hop Rap Gansta music unfortunately by design only reinforces this disenfranchising hyphenated mental segregation of color speak and minority think. When in truth many of the demeaning lyrics found in this so-called music doesn’t represent or at least shouldn’t represent any American. Call trash talk what it is. TRASH!
Now look at your Rap again Mr. Birchwood:
Lastly structure these kids in their daily life, from house chores, going to museums, art centers, school-work, teach them the value of money, learn along with them the wonders of creating and applying ideas.
These wholesome lyrics would fit anybody’s ideal America, perfect or imperfect. In fact, it best represents all of us, as “our people�.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 4, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this
Lets compare it to the Hippie Movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Anti-establishment, out with the old and in with the new, don’t trust anyone over thirty, free love, war protests, the music, all aimed at rebellion of the established Donna Reed society. The New Age wanted a voice and the only way to do it was to resist everything Old Age, it worked, people paid attention. Yet we survived.
I see the Hip-Hop Rap Gansta movement as much the same, just looking for a voice. It’s workings, look at how many are paying attention. The outrage now aimed at the Hip-Hop Rap Gansta movement is much the same outrage aimed at the Hippie movement.
It too shall past.
By Bob Fischer
December 4, 2005 01:01 PM | Link to this
If some blacks consider studying hard to be “acting white” - and I know as a teacher that this is a problem - then maybe a different approach should be taken.
Maybe we should push “acting black” and define it as doing BETTER academically than whites. It isn’t like the average academic achievement of whites is all that great so doing better than that standard is quite possible.
By Dave Oliver
December 4, 2005 02:07 PM | Link to this
I sure feel the pain for anyone that is put down because they are traveling the correct path in life. I go to a Mall almost everyday and witness the dumb down guys holding their pants up with one hand and talking on a cell with the other. For some unknown reason they think they are cool. Well do I have news for those little dummies that are dressed in clothes that are about four times too large and others that wear pants that have the crotch almost reaching the floor and walking like little ducks. It is not cool, it is degrading. So I would like to ask these dudes to straighten up their hats and wear clothes that fit and try to compete academically with Mandisa. It is almost a sure thing if you keep thinking your cool for not being studious, and wearing those hedious clothes, you will join many that are theives, hooodlums, carjackers and killers that spend most of their life behind bars.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 4, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this
Dave are you saying it’s only one group that does this? That all others are neat, polite and are honor students?
By Bruce Wilcox
December 4, 2005 03:25 PM | Link to this
Mr. Fischer I agree with your concept, but look what happened at Brookwood High School, the label of ‘gang’ still was stuck on an honors student. He had to go to Federal Court to protect his rights, it seems like a no win situation.
He showed that you don’t have to act white to receive good grades, yet the school missed the opportunity to use him as an example.
By Michael H. Smith
December 4, 2005 03:38 PM | Link to this
The approach of doing better than the so-called “Whites� to be a so-called “Black� has been used, not tried, for far too long already. It use to fellow along this line of thinking: Because you are a black person, you simply can’t do things as good as a white person, you must do things better than a white person to gain acceptance and approval from society. Look at the disenfranchising baggage in that statement.
The flaw of this mentality is, super achievers are in a limited human supply. Not all of “our people�, “our children�, will be a Booker T. Washington, an Albert Einstein or a Stephen Hawking. But all Americans can achieve the things Mr. Birchwood described regardless of skin color, and lead meaningfully rewarding successful lives. Absent the perverse disenfranchising “color speak and minority think�, that only holds America and Americans back, giving structure to our kids in their daily life, from house chores, going to museums, art centers, school-work, teaching them the value of money, learning along with them the wonders of creating and applying ideas, now that’s the ticket to an outstanding performance. On the other hand should the intellectually challenged lost searching demeaning Hip-Hop Rap Gansta voice of vulgar unintelligible English survive to mislead, I shutter to think what will be found at the end of that disenfranchising generation of disillusionment, debased into what can only produce brokenness and poverty for the majority of the participants, wherein all of us, “our people�, will suffer.
Now about that living science and technology center to give Gwinnett County a unique identity found nowhere else Rick, “learning along with them the wonders of creating and applying ideas�?
And about the required land Mr. Wilcox, Gwinnett County is infamous for solving its problems with the blade of a D-9 CAT. Truth is though, thanks to “F. Wayne�, a living science and technology center to a degree is being created at the water reclamation center near Buford already.
By Bob Fischer
December 4, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this
Sure, some people have to do better to be accepted - not fair, but it is reality, so we do it. It isn’t a permanent condition for one thing. Second, dealing with reality, even if unfair, sure beats the alternatives of not dealing with it.
What is important is tha blacks take on the challenge, putting them in control, not whites who demand more of them.
And don’t forget, I referred to average white achievement and beating that - nothing about being Einsteins!
That white standard isn’t all that high. My black students seldom become the exceptional student because few kids are exceptional by definition, but they do tend to achieve above average and that is all we need to get people to notice.
By Michael H. Smith
December 4, 2005 07:54 PM | Link to this
Then what is reality? Skin-color defining culture, defining achievement or the lack of it, in a re-segregated polarized society of E. Pluribus Dissimilis, which has produced undeniably so many of the problems this nation has yet to overcome because it can’t, or simply refuses to put aside its own childishness that now has reduced its’ members of similar ancestry to questioning accusations of what is black or what is white, when all of it as matter of fact, is American?
Meanwhile in China and India twice as many scientist and engineers are produced from colleges and universities, as now in the United States. No, every American should feel compelled at this awakening call, regardless of skin-color. We are falling behind, losing out and failing miserably. There is nothing smart about being dumb, it’s not cool, and it is not what made America successful. The brain is a “gray thing� and not using its potential, “is acting and being the color of lazy.�
More than anything else each of us is an individual that should be divisive and competitive enough to suffice egos in this country, without placing the addition onus of an ethnic saddle upon our backs for “the united dividers� of separating group mentality to ride all of us futilely into the ground.
Hard work and good ethics were once respected and praised in this country no matter the man or woman, no matter how menial the task, or how low the pay. Face it “our people� have lost that self-respect for one another and it’s high time we got it back as Americans of every skin-color in order to thrive, not just survive, if this nation is ever to live-up to its’ above average motto, E. Pluribus Unum.
By Bob Fischer
December 4, 2005 09:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with what you say, but as for the reality thing, it is simply a fact that some people have preconceived ideas about what members of another race are like or what they are capable of doing.
None of us can change such attitudes in others very fast. The attitude and the slow changing nature of them are realities. I assume you don’t deny this.
The fastest way to overcome it is for blacks to excel. Fair or not, I consider that a reality. It worked in sports in general.
A benefit of this approach is that while we go through the slow process of changing minds, we gain in two other areas:
By eliminating the “acting white” charge by some blacks, it gives prejudiced people less negative stuff to point to.
More importantly, even while many minds won’t be changed quickly, being better educated carries a lot of benefits, does it not?
By Bruce Wilcox
December 4, 2005 10:49 PM | Link to this
One major factor we have overlooked or ignored, Atlanta is to “Hip-Hop Rap Gansta” as Nashville is to “Country”. We are at ground zero where a star can be made overnight, where the made ones are wearing diamonds, surrounded by their posses, fine women and live in great mansions.
Like Nashville it will happen to the very few, but that don’t stop them from coming or hoping for the big break. The wantta-be’s will imitate their hero’s like Nashville. The Hip-Hop Rap Gansta muti-million dollar industry isn’t run by dummies, nor gentlemen in suits, but by the “Rap Gansta’s” themselves. It takes brain’s to build the empire it has become.
Like the honors student that was wrongly labeled ‘gang’, the school sent the wrong message, instead of rewarding him for his achievments they punished him for looking ‘gang’. A little double standard?
You’re not going to stop “Hip-Hop Rap Gansta” there is just too much money to be made. Schools have to accept the fact that those who look ‘gang’ can still be honor students and work with it, not against it. Who do you think will be running the empire in a few years, the honors ‘gang’ or the wantta-be’s?
By Michael H. Smith
December 5, 2005 01:15 AM | Link to this
We definitely agree more than we disagree on the need for education and its benefits in the now as well as in the continuum Mr. Fischer. People who think perusing and obtaining knowledge is acting like a certain skin-color need to start acting like the human they are and use that gray thing located between their ears, so they can remove their posterior located heads out from between their legs, before the reality of their ignorance suffocates them.
“THOSE PEOPLE� who think intelligent is so un-black, or intelligent is so white, probably don’t know what the real treasure of Timbuktu was, or its geographic location? Of course, that would come as no big surprise to me either and if “THOSE PEOPLE� of any certain skin-color take my previously mentioned advice, they might find out being intelligent is in reality “acting very black�, indeed!
Now can we Americans of every skin-color get a grip on the real reality, race is not a contest of skin-color, it is human. The brain is a “gray thing� and not using its potential, “is acting and being the color of lazy.�
Hard work, good ethics, perusing and obtaining knowledge in this country is to be respected, praised and rewarded in honor.
By jim dumond
December 5, 2005 07:53 AM | Link to this
Mandisa’s story isn’t one unique to any one race, discrimination and bigotry crosses all racial barriers.
Rick, the solution is clear. One that, to those of us that believe, was taught by a rabbi over 2 thousand years ago. The solution lies in his message of love. If we could but take that message to heart and actually love our fellow man as we do ourselves, these issues would disappear.
What we must realize is that the solution lies within each and every one of us regardless of our dissimilarities. Unfortunately that defies human nature so I guess as long as mankind exists so will hatred and fear of our disparities. But then again, we can certainly attempt to make a difference. We owe it to future generations and ourselves to do our part to make this world a better place.
May you have a joyous holiday season.
By Carol
December 5, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this
I was always told be careful when you point a finger at someone - there are three more pointing right back at you. No mirror required!
So parents, the next time you want to blame the schools, the music, the friends or “society,” remember - you were the first teacher your child ever had.
By Michael H. Smith
December 6, 2005 05:28 AM | Link to this
It is easy to see the wrongs yet so very, very hard, to right them. Mandisa is an excellent young lady. Her peers however, are trying to pull her down by demeaning her accomplishments, using of all things the color of her skin against her. The content of her beautiful person is obviously putting her peers to shame. Exposing her peer’s poor academic performance, due possibly from accepting bad habits passed onto them by other people behaving badly.
How do we help Mandisa?
More appropriately, how do we keep her peers from destroying her and better to the greater extent, keep her peers from destroying themselves?
Mandisa’s peers are in need of something, or some things absent in their lives, which copping-out and using accusatory excuses simply cannot supply. Allowing this young taunting crowd to bully Mandisa into their submissive doldrums will certainly not lift any of them out of a foreseeable quagmire of barely serving in a life filled with hardships and difficulties. And losing such a fine young lady as Mandisa whose excellent life is full of promise to the lowered estate of something less than her honest potential can provide for her is nothing short of an atrocity.
Peer pressure undeniably has a very strong influence upon all of us, no less potent in affect than mind altering drugs. Mandisa’s peers are in need of a different peer group Mr. Badie that can supply and project a positive image upon the minds of these young people. Whether it’s the Church or being around other black people who have succeeded in life through education and strong work ethics, I can’t say. What can be said in answer to your question though, is Mandisa’s peers are in essence a cry for help. Helping her peer group may actually help Mandisa.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 6, 2005 08:45 AM | Link to this
Mr. Smith instead of the focus on Mandisa, let’s turn it around to the honors student attacked by the school for looking ‘gang’, would you address that issue for me?
What a great example he could have been, instead he gets attacked and is forced to go to court to ptrotect his rights.
You present an arguement that color doesn’t matter, I agree, as long as everyone acts and dresses like Mandisa, I disagree.
You’re presenting your own form of discrimination
By Michael H. Smith
December 6, 2005 08:54 PM | Link to this
First of all Mr. Wilcox for a guy who professes a strong dislike for discrimination of any kind, its obvious to me that discrimination of any kind means, any kind of discrimination but YOUR OWN!
To your other issue, organizations have the right to set standards, this includes public schools. Because a court says the school was wrong does not mean the court got it right. “Settled law�, the liberals are so infamous for quoting as though it is cast in concrete, only remains settled in this country until some court overturns the previous decision. Promoting gangs by advertising for them by wearing gang clothing is the irresponsible use of free speech, no different than if someone wore a shirt to school that promoted the KKK. Gangs thrive on violence, commit murder and rape, deal in drugs and commit many other crimes detrimental to people and their property. Schools are not the place to learn how to be a two-bit hate-monger criminal or the place for walking cloth billboards to lead anyone in that wrong direction.
I’ve never personally seen how Mandisa dresses but from everything Rick has written about her I’m sure she would never wear anything that in the least bit would promote, advertise or lead anyone to involve themselves, in or with, any group that engages in violence, dealing drugs, murder, rape, hate for others or damaging the property of others. If that is what you mean by requiring others to wear the type of attire that Mandisa would probably wear then you’re dang right we disagree and I certainly prefer and embrace entirely that discrimination, over “your discrimination� to accept in the least manner of speaking anything that would promote, advertise or lead anyone into the afore mentioned evils, as a right of free-speech in protest against the establishment.
Beam me up Rick. Please! Before of Mr. Wilcox decides to burn Mom, Apple pie, the American flag, Bill Cosby, Donna Reed, Mandisa and yours truly at the establishment stake, in his discriminating protest against sanity and decency.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 6, 2005 11:46 PM | Link to this
Great retort Mr. Smith, the court got it wrong until they agree with you. But it sounds more like a cop-out than a defense.
With all these supposed gang members running around our schools I’m surprised that our crime rate is so low.
I take it it that an honors student that wears supposed gang attire, is still just a gangster.
Keep your fingers crossed and click your heels, maybe Donna Reed will return and save all.
By Michael H. Smith
December 7, 2005 12:43 AM | Link to this
No sir, your reply was a cop-out and you can take my retort any way you want.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 7, 2005 10:08 AM | Link to this
“any kind of discrimination but YOUR OWN” I fine that line quite amusing Mr. Smith, care to enlighten me on just what it means?
After all your ramblings on the issue, it comes down to the fact, black + attire = gangster. It doesn’t matter if an honors student doesn’t meet your dress code, he is still gangster. It amazes more and more how adapt Southerner’s are at pointing a finger at someone and decide on the spot how that person was raised, the persons values to society and the persons future. Tell me, is this something Southerner’s are born with or after time all can have this ability?
This gift of labeling people and social classes has it’s value. It eliminates any interaction with ‘Those’ people so your opinion can never be challenged.
I like the comment about the court getting it wrong. Does that mean we can disregard the ruling until we agree with it? What a great concept.
“Mr. Wilcox decides to burn Mom, Apple pie, the American flag, Bill Cosby, Donna Reed, Mandisa and yours truly at the establishment stake, in his discriminating protest against sanity and decency.” I thank you for the new label, while some may be insulted, I will wear it as a badge of honor.
By Michael H. Smith
December 7, 2005 07:37 PM | Link to this
What a hallucinogenic imagination. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 8, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this
Mr. Smith were you ever a boxer, you seem to do a lot of dodging and weaving? The questions posed to you still, after what you may consider lever responses, remain unanswered, to me that means you cannot defend your statements. I can see this discusssion is finished.
By Michael H. Smith
December 9, 2005 06:17 AM | Link to this
What discussion Mr. Wilcox, your accusations? You got my answer alright, you simply didn’t know what to do with it once you go it, other than go off fabricating in delusional self-indulged pretences. Mr. Wilcox you do discriminate don’t fool yourself into thinking different, you also have prejudices often displayed in your pejoratives that are very apparent and this UP NORTH business, you really need to get over yourself guy.
As to this “fatally vague� Judge Martin spoke of, this is nothing but a dance on the dime. Gangs use combinations of colors in dress as a means of identifying themselves; kids know this, as most everyone else does to some extent. Putting the name of Ralph Lauren on cloth in the combination of red, white and blue will not diminish “the content� of the intended meaning in most minds the world over, whether worn by accident, coincidence or by designer, it still comes out speaking of America.
Dr. Martin Luther King – a Southerner – put my discrimination most aptly when he said a man should be judged by the “content� of his character not by the color of his skin. He never said don’t discriminate, take leave of your senses and don’t make fine distinctions based on “content revealed�. Dr. King was not so asinine as to say he was against discrimination of any kind and neither am I. Dr. King also played by the rules and obeyed the laws too – Threw this in to taunt your avid support of anarchy.
At the very best your honor student Mr. Wilcox used poor judgment in his “fine distinction� on what to wear.
Anybody who does not discriminate has a poor use of judgment, anyone who discriminates based on skin color is simply a poor judge.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 9, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this
“Dr. King also played by the rules and obeyed the laws too –” I guess that’s why he ended up in jail so many times. If your going to use Dr. King as a example, at least know his history.
As far as my UP NORTH prejudice, I based it on educational levels. You may measure on any scale you would like, I doubt you could prove me wrong.
The one I find most amusing is “discriminating protest against sanity and decency”, by what standard yours? Talk about freedom and one getting over themselves.
I guess UP NORTH there are just less sheep to herd.
By Michael H. Smith
December 9, 2005 02:52 PM | Link to this
Cute Mr. Wilcox, about what I expected. Dr. King was locked-up many times in violation of his civil rights, under unconstitutional laws (I never said he was never locked-up). If you are going to recant do so with some honesty in historical fact. You’re going to have a come back on this one for sure but your honor student’s free speech was not violated by the schools dress code according to Judge Martin, as I recall. Obviously some people don’t know the difference between “deliberately challenging� a rule and “simply testing� one haphazardly to see if they can get away with it. Dr. King knew he was going to jail and he meant to suffer injustice to obtain justice for many others. In my opinion Dr. King played by the rules and “challenged laws�, not broke laws, he knew to be against the rules. So sure was he on this, he was willing to face the consequences of his actions fully even to the point of accepting injustice.
“As far as my UP NORTH prejudice, I based it on educational levels.�
Ah at last, an admitted discrimination. I don’t have to prove you anything. You’re doing a fine job of that on your own – a.k.a. grits, fried chicken and gravy on everything…. Gee Bruce Almighty it seems you can barely make it to lunch without a pejorative wrongly directed at the South. Hey Bruce, is Kentucky a Northern state? Go tell the Colonel’s people over at the “fried chicken place� Yankees don’t fry food. Let alone serve that dang gravy you could pack wheel bearings with guaranteed for a 100,000 miles!
If I wanted to argue a senseless point I do believe you made reference that either GCPS or the state was ranked the poorest educational wise in the nation, based on what, SAT scores, which you know are a false barometer? BTW GCPS SAT scores, just so happens, not that it means anything, are above the national average. Ooo that would include the North, tsk.
You should laugh the next time you walk by a mirror.
“Rules and laws when will it end�
The day the rules and laws end will be the day we no longer have a Republic to pledge allegiance to, call this one your protest against sanity.
Wearing baggie pants to show one’s butt publicly is the freedom to express one’s indecency, to support it in some word of protest as freedom of speech not only uses poor judgment but also it is a protest against decency. I’m sure more than a few independent thinking Northerners would agree with this so-called sheepeople Southerner on that one.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 9, 2005 03:31 PM | Link to this
Admitted discrimination, please no games, I just stated the facts as I see them. Remember it was a direct quote from you, ” you also have prejudices often displayed in your pejoratives that are very apparent and this UP NORTH business, you really need to get over yourself guy.”
As far as measuring the educational level of the North to the South I suggested any study, test, anything that you feel comfortable with, I sure you would be hard pressed to prove me wrong.
“Dr. King also played by the rules and obeyed the laws too”, man Michael when should I quote you, I don’t know the Southern etiquette on quoting what one states? All this bobbing and weaving by you is making me dizzy.
You can disagree with the Judge all you like and attempt to paint the decision grey, but the fact remains, the decision stands.
Baggy pants, long may they wave.
By Michael H. Smith
December 9, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this
I just stated the facts as I see them.
That’s called “making a fine distinction� sir, the very definition of discrimination. Want to carry your conundrum to a dictionary I’m sure the game playing will end on the pages of Webster’s and resolve the argument?
discrimination
Main Entry: dis·crim·i·na·tion
2 : the quality or power of finely distinguishing.
On the education
As stated you’ve already done the proving, and in now amending a pervious statement you pit “regions against regions�, knowing full well why the disparity exists. It’s mainly due to lack resources and impetus from the marketplace not merely “the ability to think� or “ability to think freely� – this disadvantage could be traced back to the beginning of this country, which is beyond the scope of this, well, whatever it is. Example Gwinnett County: As the marketplace demanded higher skilled employees and resources were brought to bear the schools made the amends to accommodate business, GCPS SAT scores are above national average. But if globalization, the unconstitutional use and abuse of immigration and bright flight, continues, you can write NFL on GCPS too. In fact that may hold true for the entire nation.
“Dr. King also played by the rules and obeyed the laws too�, man Michael when should I quote you, I don’t know the Southern etiquette on quoting what one states? All this bobbing and weaving by you is making me dizzy.
So Southerners on slow on the wit, aye?
Well fortunately I had a few good teachers and when I actually paid attention the lessons about Rights, Responsibilities and the Rules set in to do some relative good. Dr. King was used in one such lesson and that is were much of what appears to be a George Bush Texas two-step became clear to me as an all out lawful righteous march to justice.
Let the baggies wave, as long as the content butts aren’t mooning the world to embracement red and propagating into more gangs.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 10, 2005 06:20 AM | Link to this
“mooning the world to embracement red and propagating into more gangs.” You don’t mean the commies do you?
“That’s called “making a fine distinctionâ€?, no, nothing fine about it, try “Just the Facts” ala Joe Friday. While we’re at it let’s toss in the Rebel flag. We even have a Governor who won fighting for the old South, of course he flipped right after being elected. Great image, waving the Rebel flag in one hand, Old Glory in the other?
I hope you realize that, to me at least, this is all good natured ribbing. I’d wouldn’t want to think that Southerners don’t have a sense of humor? I would hate to have to add that to the list.
By Michael H. Smith
December 10, 2005 01:16 PM | Link to this
Howbeit Bruce Almighty
Where humor in a general manner of speaking is good, gangs are no laughing matter.
Yup, “fine distinction�, what every rational mind will make when presented just the facts as seen and as the dictionary declares Joe Friday, that is discrimination sir. So while we’re at it, lets throw in a “stop sign� or two? You know, for “arguments sake�.
The present Governor had little to fight in the overthrow of King Royal Egregious form the House of Barnes who poured twenty million dollars down a rat-hole trying to convince those he had showered great and small, it was only rain that had fallen upon their leg.
Ah but at last the confederacy has found its final abode, a befitting place for arcane rebel Flaggers and Yankee insurgents to go – in a museum where all dead relics should remain.
The South has often been played for a joke, as from the beginning placed under a Northern yoke. Carpetbaggers and scallywags still intrude, to save our souls thought so crude. Through it all the nobility grits, fried chicken and gravy remains, though now as a final scourge the South has cream of wheat and casseroles of wet bread thought UP NORTH to sustain - or as every Southerner knows, it’s enough to make a fella choke.
Accept no substitutes
By Bruce Wilcox
December 10, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this
Carpetbaggers and scallywags, nay, nay, think more in the terms of missionaries. Those who bring light into the darkness, hope to it’s masses and show them the way.
Ah gangs, yes the corrupt politicans, the greedy corporate ceo’s, the contractors that feast off the cheap labor of ignorant illegals and destroy our land, the landlords that bleed them dry, those, sire, are the gangs we should be confronting.
Yet we rather focus on Baggy pants as being the downfall of society. Baggy pants cannot creat gangs, sire, society itself does. Until the majority realizes this and addresses it, not by uniforms, but by reaching out, Baggy pants will stay.
Gangs have withstood the test of time and caused great changes, the Sons of Liberty, the gangs of New York, the gangs of hippies. Fear not the gangs, but the causes.
Uniforms will not unite, but divide. Review this columun and you will see outright racist comments, how far has the South advanced?
It’s time to put Donna Reed to rest and advance to the new dawn of reality and understanding.
Thou shall not point fingers unless tis to ones self.
Bruce Almighty
By Michael H. Smith
December 10, 2005 10:34 PM | Link to this
Before thee Almighty stands thy mirror, peer thee thither at first sight
Or hath thy sanctimony no mercy to spare me lowly finger, thy bitter bite
Nay, swiftly judge thee, the enlightened that plod long into the darkened night
Against the corrupt politicians, the greedy corporate CEO’s, the contractors, thou cite
For these hath thy contempt and deprive them the sustenance of their delight
The feasting off the cheap labor of ignorant illegal aliens so non-contrite
Deport these illegal ones from destroying our land and remove from us this unlawful blight
Yea, take from the profiteer’s treasury of this scourge, excessively more than a widow’s mite
Leave nary a crumb to nourish this system of corrupt illegality, say I be the plight
Which is robbing Americans of their worth and America of its might
Establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization as constitutionally mandated right
Let the spark from United Dividers of ethnic separatism take fright
For a hyphenated diversity of one origin majority is not an acceptable American rite
Though hast liberals falsely decried thy racist, bigot, xenophobe, nativist in foment to incite
Against a patriotic force tried and true remaining confidently up and ready for this fight
To vanquish pretenders from our midst, hiding in the baggie barrios of slight
Even to give aid of learning to our prosperous baggie wearing own, that some things remain better kept out of public site
Accept no substitutes
By Bruce Wilcox
December 11, 2005 11:27 AM | Link to this
Ah the Patriotic force, the force that elects a fair hair who fled the field of battle claiming a bad knee while defaming a true hero who lost three limbs leading the fight. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot, patriots or scoundels?
The same Patriotic force elected the government now in power, yet now claim they do nothing.
The same Patriotic force that lays claim to this land as if it was theirs from time began, forgets that we were all illegals who stole the land from the natives.
The Patriotic force instead of reaching down to offer a hand up, point fingers down and blame all woes on ‘Those’.
Fear not the Enlighten Ones of the North, we come in peace, not to incite, we come to shake every tree and Bush to rid the forsaken land of Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath and Sloth. For only then will Freedom ring throughout the land.
By Michael H. Smith
December 11, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this
You’ll never get it will you? The force I’m talking about opposes Senator Chicken Hawk whose knees have only grown all the more weaker over time. Neither is Jorge’ Bush’s guest slavery program along with his evil cohort Vicente’ Fox accepted by this patriotic force pushing pro-American “LEGAL� immigration reform. Mr. Cleland is not much different either only he’s seeking votes for his betrayal where the others are seeking profits through cheap labor, so please don’t hold him up as a fine example to be praised.
If you oppose what I’m doing that’s fine, it’s your prerogative. However immigration to the United States is for the purpose of Naturalization, so says the U.S. Constitution. And please Bruce, don’t give me this Mr. Smith it takes yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeears to assimilate.
Hooey, Bunk, Cop-out, El Crapo my friend!
I could go to any English speaking country legally that would accept me and in matter of a very few years assimilate if it was my prerogative, likely held back only by time requirements specified by law. Don’t borther with a Spanish comment come back, that would only take a few months more.
The part you really don’t get Mr. Wilcox is by forcing the illegals back home it will cause a country like Mexico to reform or face an overthrow of something in my opinion, that should have perished long ago. The Mexican people deserve a country of their own, where they never have reason to leave or feel compelled to have to leave.
As I’ve said before, I’m fighting for America and ‘THOSE’ Mexican people.
“We were all illegals who stole the land from the natives.�
What part of my body should I cut-off to make your statement true Mr. Wilcox, in denying that I am the great-great grandson of an indigenous Creek woman, whose people just happened to own the very ground you and I are standing own.
Don’t forget the one-drop-law!
By Bruce Wilcox
December 11, 2005 10:19 PM | Link to this
Michael it seems in our sparring we have lost the message. Looks like we both want the same results, we just look at it from different angles. Lets refain for now of one upmanship and clever retorts, which by the way I have enjoyed, and discuss facts.
I believe you want, almost demand immediate change in our immigration policies. While I do not see any chance of it happening in the near future, better make that long range plans of anyone in power.
My reasons are simple, a weaken president, make that now a weak president where immigration doesn’t even enter his field of concerns right now. Congress with an election coming up walks the fine line of not offending legal latino’s (votes) and pleasing those who want real change with lip service. The only members of congress who really are attempting change are those from the boarder states.
The state governments, again except for the boarder states, play the voters, parroting what they’re told. Take some of the proposals coming up in Georgia, asinine at best that would do more harm than good. All punish the illegals for seeking a better life, but none punished the businessman who uses them? Take education away from the children, result, another generation of uneducated laborers. Take away health care, result, overcrowed emergency rooms that cannot refuse medical treatment for anyone. One even wants to add immigration to the duties of police officers, we don’t have enough officers now without adding to their workload. On it goes, short range fixes that only cause more resentment and widens the divide.
I agree fully with you that Mexico has to improve it’s quality of life so they won’t have a need to seek a better life here, but how? Their government has been corrupt for decades, Fox is nothing new. It’s police is run by drug lords who pay much better than government wages. But it is a democracy, change has to come from within, again how?
The only thing we can do right now is hope for better enforcement along the boarder, not some token program by the Feds. If we really want to be serious in Georgia we have to raise taxes, which will never happen, to form our own immigration enforcement service to raid those abusing the system and deport them ourselves. In the long run the slight rise in taxes to do this would pay off, the problem is selling the idea. Think about it, if you were an illegal would you travel to a state where the enforcment is stronger than the feds or would you look for an easier state?
Now about uniforms and baggy pants, how many blacks do you think were on the committee that chose the uniform? Baggy pants are just a fad that will pass, how long can it be cool to keep pulling them up, plus there is a lot more pressing issues to deal with.
My great-grandmother was a Potawatomi from lower Michigan who married a Canuck from Windsor, my Dad’s side is pure Boston Mick. It almost sounds like the start of a limerick doesn’t it?
Have a good night, I enjoy our exchanges.
By Michael H. Smith
December 12, 2005 12:32 AM | Link to this
In very many ways we do want much the same things. But let me make this clear, illegal aliens committed a crime and punishment, as in deportation is the only acceptable penalty and policy.
We’ve played the amnesty game before it didn’t work. Not then, will not now, and would not anytime in the future. The only thing Bush got right in his address to illegal aliens is: Go home Stay home.
It is not up to Vicente’ Fox, Mexico or any Mexican to write U.S. immigration policy period, Nor any other foreign country, also period. Though sadly it seems a spineless Congress may have unconstitutionally, in trade agreements, put our country’s immigration authority into the hands of the WTO. Unconscionable!
Immigration position
If you read the writings of Theodore Roosevelt in regards to Immigration you have my immigration dogma complete. Not dismissing the present articles of the constitution and the preamble of the constitution, which is of no less value than any another amendment found in that document.
On the short and immediate local level
SB 336 punishes employers who hire and manipulate illegal aliens coupled with SB 170, which is much broader than you think; it opens the door to go after many other corrupt individuals that profit from illegal immigrations. I am backing fully all the bills offered by Senator Chip Rodgers and here and now call for amendment to SB 336 to grant to every body of government in this state that issues a business license the power of revocation of said license and power to issue cease and desist orders to any business found in violation, where upon an employer hires an illegal alien, if said employer cannot show reasonable evidence the employer made a good faith effort to verify legal status before employing an illegal.
This addresses better hope
In the House of Representatives now pending are two bills Enforcement First and the CLEAR Act. If these two bills pass “legal immigration� would likely increase. However, this time it has to treat every nation equally with NO FAVORTISM GIVEN TO MEXICO! We must have equal, to create equal, or else there is equality for none notwithstanding “Just Cause� to do otherwise.
Mexico needs to hear a message from this country loud and clear: Clean up your own back yard! And don’t throw Mexico’s problems over to our side of the fence.
On the baggies
I don’t support uniforms in public schools I simply say modest dress in good taste and that is the responsibility of the parents to enforce, not the schools. It seems parents of today want the state to do everything for them, if that’s the case…. may as well leave the baby making to the state too.
If you can’t stand the responsibility pain of child nurturing people, you don’t deserve the pleasure it took to create them!
Latter my friend, good night.
By Bruce Wilcox
December 14, 2005 10:45 AM | Link to this
I read the bills you suggested, I call them ‘All Bark, No Bite’ bills or ‘Feel Good’ bills. There is no money for enforcement and when was the last time you’ve seen a raid on business by Immigration or the State Labor department to check the records?
On the national, the House will take up two immigration bills without Bush’s work program, while the Senate I believe will take up one that includes Bush’s plan and of course they are delayed till next year.
We are getting the run around on the issues, so what else is new?