Rick Badie / My Opinion

By Freddie

April 26, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this

I’m glad you addressed this issue Rick. Although I understand the culture that causes it, I was saddened by the inappropriately shared guilt of the Korean people, whether they live in Korea or reside in the United States. I don’t see how any sensible person can hold any particular group of people responsible. As I understand, the killer was a Korean legally residing in the U.S. I would hope that other Koreans residing here and American citizens that came here from Korea could do as you said and just “let it go”.

By LJ

April 26, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

Rick, you are absolutely right! I am white and come to think of it, you don’t hear white people saying they are ashamed when another white person commits a crime. You are also very correct when you say that people of other cultures should “let it go”. I do not assume that because of a criminal’s skin color or ethnicity that all people of the same skin color or ethnicity are just like him/her. I’m sure there are many who feel the same way, just as there are many who feel superior (no matter what color/ethnicity) when they watch the news and think “there they go again”!

That also extends to how people treat each other. I cannot tell you how many times I have been very clearly treated as if I had something to do with the long dead past, just because I am white. Is that fair? Absolutely not! Do I think I deserve that kind of treatment, again…absolutely not! It was especially difficult for me to “adjust” when I first moved down here from Washington State in 1983. Do I judge all people of a particular color or ethnicity the same? Absolutely not!

Sorry, I got a little off subject perhaps but indeed you are correct in finally deciding that you should not feel guilty and others should not assume something about you because of the color of your or my or anyone else’s skin.

Thanks for the great column!

By Dan

April 26, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

Sorry I don’t believe it is guilt, I believe it is a fear or maybe anxiousness of reprisal either real or imagined. And I know too much of it is real. You would be hard pressed to convince me Ms Kims thought process was more about guilt than the money wasted on a billboard because people would be less likely to use her services. (I am not being mean or flippant but if you have the ambition to put your face on a billboard, business is your priority.) But it is not just a minority thing, my brother is and my father was a police officer (35 years in NYC ending as the community relations officer in harlem). Whenever I hear of a cop shooting someone who happens to be a minority, my first reaction is I hope it wasn’t a white cop, because even if it is completely justified he/she is going to be dragged through the mud and stands a good chance of losing their job. Again my feeling is not of guilt, although I do feel angry when a white cop does mess up, because it simply provides another crack for the people who exploit such things

By Michelle

April 26, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

Given the fact that this kid lived in America for almost 20 years, perhaps we should wonder if it was our own culture that molded him into a killer. When a mentally ill person can go to the nearest pawn shop and buy an automatic weapon, no waiting period, no nothing, maybe that’s a bigger problem than where he was born.

By Jack

April 26, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Rick,

Great column… I have said it many times, we ( the Unites States of America) need to become color blind and stop dividing this country by race, color, nationality. It is just plain ignorance to hold an entire communnity, race or nationality responsible for one person or persons actions. Unfortunatly their is bad in every race, color and nationality so therefore we need to express condolences and sadness when tradgedy happens but we cannot expect for apologies from every person in that particular race or nationality because someone in that race or nationality did something wrong and tradgic.

I do not believe that heaven is divided. We need to come together as “one” and become color blind and nationality blind. We need to try to live our lives in the likeness of Jesus Christ. We need to be a melting pot of love, caring, forgiving and respectful of all colors, nationalities and cultures. We need to figure out how to overcome our differences, get along and embrace every color, culture, nationality. Dont let one bad apple spoil the entire crop.

Pray that God will break the stronhold and bondage of hate, color and racism. Pray that he will make us a true melting pot…

By deegee

April 26, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

The expression goes, “what one does, we all do.” After hearing the news of the massacre at VT everyone was thinking “I hope he wasn’t _”, fill in the blank. I agree that it isn’t founded so much in guilt as it is in fear of reprisal. School children hear comments at home, take them to school and taunt their classmates. People make racial and ethnic slurs in anger over a traffic incident. It’s the angry stares and the rude behavior by strangers that makes life so uncomfortable after events such as this. I think that most people understand that the larger issue is mentally unstable people and easy access to guns.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/04/25/0426metvillashoot.html?imw=Y

By JeetKunDo

April 26, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

I say Koreans should NOT feel guilty about Cho’s crime.

Absolutely correct, white folks NEVER feel guilty as a collective for the crimes their people commit. We are so quick to hold the entire group accountable when it comes to minority groups. Nope, don’t feel guilty Koreans! You didn’t do it, Cho did.

By des

April 26, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

I am tired of anyone categorizing anyone. Its popular now to categorize white people into one lump. Don’t do it. Nope, not to anyone, any race, any creed, any religion (you know how you like to knock babptists)

By Lee

April 26, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Sydney’s International Seafood and Grill? Where is that? I looked it up in the online yellow pages and couldn’t quickly find it. Sounds like a good place to eat.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

“Its popular now to categorize white people into one lump.”, get over it, it’s the only box on the form.

By des

April 26, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Mr. Wilcox, you sir, bless your heart, are a racist.

By lanerone

April 26, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Good for you Rick. This “group guilt” goes with “group classification” attempts to divide rather than unite. It’s part of those in our society who have a war on individualism. I don’t blame Koreans for this man’s actions. Maybe those who didn’t get him help, but not “Koreans” in general.

By Keith

April 26, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

I agree with this column. No apology for slavery and no reparations. I feel no guilt over these issues.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Perhaps I’ve lived too long. Reading this entire blog/discussion brings out every ill-emotion a body can feel. Yeah I’m embarrassed, yeah I’m angry, even nauseated. Look at what you wrote Rick, just look at it, will you!

A human, some guy none of us reading or writing here knew, left the region of what we call sanity. Now it’s white and black Korean or Indian and let us not forget to throw in those demeaning disavowing hyphens. Korean hyphen American, so what is that, half and half! My blood boils to this day thinking about New Orleans when Katrina struck. News people, highly educated journalists, running around spewing out terms: Refugee, African hyphen American. If not for the redemption of some brave souls correcting those idiots at Fox News informing them they are Americans – without hyphen – those intelligent people would have continued entertaining themselves in their stupidity to the chagrin of the nation. Even Lou Dobbs, God forgive him, called these Americans caught in disaster’s grip, Refugees! An American in America can never be a refugee and should never be treated or referred to as such. And it is far, far to long in coming for too many of African ancestry to claim what is rightly their’s by putting away their family heirloom in the treasure chest were it belongs, like so many other whites of European ancestry have done in claiming the American identity and birthright in full.

I am no more an Irishmen than you are an African Mr. Badie. If either of us chose to leave America to the homelands of our ancestry we would be viewed as outsiders, foreigners, even though we might look exactly like them. Face it, we are Americans: Strange how the rest of the world can see that fact, even when we Americans refuse to acknowledge it.

Ms. Kim put that family heirloom away in your treasure chest, you are an American now. If you harbor any quilt, it is needless. I’ll relate this story in hopes it might help bring the right prospective on this recent tragedy. Back in the ‘60s there was another guy in Texas, a white guy, someone of European ancestry, he too went off on an inane killing spree on a college campus. Many Americans were sadden then, some whites may have felt a tarnish on their ancestry as others of differing linage may have pointed fingers and murmured in whispered ancestral pejoratives. This is natural to humans unfortunately, I suppose it’s an ill-fetched crutch of sorts used to help them deal with their unexplainable grief in need of a compass to direct them in the right direction to this fact: A human left the region of what we call sanity and killed many other humans.

Sure this time it was a foreign student – a legal immigrant it seems – a Korean that slipped through all of society’s best safeguards. However, only in America as many will say. The next time, and there will be a next sadly despite our best efforts to do better… but this wouldn’t be America if there where not a next time. We are a free and open society, which is very risky business, made up of every imaginable kindred on earth, one that will always hopefully have legal immigrations and hopefully one of many more Koreans. I would have it no other way.

Maybe I haven’t lived too long as needed. The embarrassment, anger and nausea are only telling me too much work remains to be done before I can leave.

Hang the Korean government Ms. Kim, America is reaching out to you!

By James C.McCoy

April 26, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Oh please stop the presses!Black folks in America has gotten the collective guilt trip down to a art form.And it’s re-enforce on a daily basis with the behavior of some black folks.Every watch the evening news and watch the mug shots of every black person locked up for a crime.But never see the mug shot of every white person locked up for the same offense.This collective guilt tripping is not a accidentally way of thinking.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Go to Hell James! Black folks are Americans period.

By James C.McCoy

April 26, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Oh Mr.Smith you are showing your true colors this morning sir,the truth is a hard thing for you to handle I see?

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

To bad you can’t use your real name Bruce in handling that truth. You bet I’m showing my true colors. I don’t have to sit silently behind a school room desk in the middle of desegregation anymore as a shut-mouth boy. I’ve spoken my mind clearly as a man , and meant every word of it. If you can’t stand it, then find some other cowardly way to deal with it.

By Shannon, M.Div.

April 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

I think perhaps many of us are missing the cultural dimension of this dynamic. American culture is deeply individualistic, which has its pros and cons. We certainly understand individual responsibility, but we also like to pretend that each of us is an isolated entity solely responsible for our successes and failures. In reality, while we do have some control over our lives, we also deeply influence each other as part of an interconnected web.

Other cultures emphasize the “web” part—with closer familial relationships, more emphasis on community good and less on individuals, and yes, a deep sense of being part of something larger. This too has its benefits and detriments. Asian cultures in particular tend toward the communal, with arranged marriages often the norm as well as high respect for parents.

Korean culture as I understand it does place a great deal of emphasis on community and communal identity. At times such as then, when one member of the culture has “shamed” the others on the world stage, there is natural grief. While obviously no Korean should feel personal guilt, there is obviously something beautiful about the culture claiming a sense of responsiblity—noting that they are all connected—and offering love and charity to those who were victims.

We Americans ought to reconsider our condemnation of emphasis on community. If a man from Atlanta were to drive up to Maine and kill a dozen or more people, would it be so terrible if we expressed grief, solidarity with the victims, and even charitable contributions to assist with the expense? Sadly, would that even occur to us?

By Charles

April 26, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

About 20 years ago, I decided this collective guilt thing was too big of a cross to bear just because of a shared skin tone. It’s demoralizing, demeaning, an insult to me, the person, the individual, and it gets me no higher rank on society’s shaky scale of acceptance, likeability and tolerance, said Rick Badie.

The statement makes no sense without explanation. If a group of people can’t provide food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, or sustain themselves without the immediate assistance of an offended group, distinct individuality becomes important. An offending individual from a dependent group can put the physical existence of all in jeopardy.

Negroes attempt to rid themselves of this jeopardy. They plead with society that the color of a person’s skin is insignificant. If this ridiculous notion is accepted by society at least in the Negro’s mind, the physical threat to survival has been resolved, at least in the Negro’s mind. Another group’s food, clothing, shelter, education, jobs, etc., are Negroes’ food, clothing, shelter, education, jobs, etc., at least in the Negro’s mind. The color of a persons’ skin doesn’t matter, at least in the Negro’s mind.

If groups of people can hold on to their so-called collective guilt, they have the power to control themselves from within. To forfeit this power is to sanction self-destruction.

In the African American community, collective guilt would give us the power to control black on black crime. There would be influence over learning. We would expect two parent families and few out of wedlock births. Our young men and women would be expected to excel; failure would be collective disappointment, guilt.

No group of people can achieve anything of real value without the aid of Collective responsibility and Collective guilt. We can’t have one without the other. They go hand in hand.

You and many other integrationist are part of the problem my friend. Referring to the condition of African American people as the evidence, you are definitely wrong.

By James C.McCoy

April 26, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Mr.Smith,sounds like you have issues you might want to talk over with a doctor or pastor.Sorry I can’t help,but my prayers are with you and I hope you get help soon for your self hate problem.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

My apologies Mr. Wilcox McCoy, the indignation issues I have are the ones America must deal with. I’ll take all the help I can get from God or anyone else to see those problems resolved. To bad you’re not on board with that program.

By des

April 26, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

If everything you do has to be evaluated by race, creed, color, etc. then you are one sad individual.

By Jo

April 26, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I can’t/won’t speak for everyone but I appreciate & am touched by the outpouring of sympathy by the Korean community but they have NO reason to apologize for the horrific actions of this slug. The fact that he was Korean was NOT a factor in what he did; the fact that he was a twisted, evil sicko was. You get that in every ethnicity. By the same token, you get your heroes & saints in every ethnicity as well

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

I view race as human and nothing else des . I view all U.S. citizens as Americans period. If others would do so the phony constructs of racism might disappear and we might slowly begin to see and speak differently about the real problems that confront us in this country. They are human problems, they are American problems.

By des

April 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smith, I agree. what really bugs me is the anger in people and rudeness to each other. From driving, to shopping etc. We all have a short fuse and lash out for no reason.

By Charles

April 26, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

This is my Last comment for today.

The only thing Charles can do on these blogs is tell you what Junior Wells and Buddy Guy might say,

You know I hold up my hands, Lord, I’m trying make these Negroes understand.

You know, all of my Jewish friends keep telling me, Charles, somebody done hoodooed, the hoodoo man.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute…

By des

April 26, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

You are sad charles. So sad.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Tell me if I’m wrong. My sense is that this idea of collective guilt is practiced primarily in minority cultures. I’ve never heard a white person say that they were ashamed because another white person went on a killing spree. They might express sorrow, but skin tone doesn’t enter the equation

YOU’RE PANDERING RICK, MAYBE THE REASON CAUCASIANS DON’T RESPOND THAT WAY IS BECAUSE THEY LACK A SENSE OF CULTURE, OF COMMUNITY. OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE INCLUDING AFRICANS STILL FEEL A SENSE OF CONNECTEDNESS WITHIN THEIR CULTURE, NOW ASK THE ITALIANS, THE GERMANS, THE RUSSIANS, THE BRITISH WHO ACTUALLY COMPOSE THE POLITICAL POLARITY ‘WHITE’ THE SAME QUESTION AND THE RESPONSE MAY BE DIFFERENT.

AND RICK, ONE LAST PIECE OF ADVICE, STOP THINKING OF YOURSELF AS A MINORITY, AFRICANS AND HEAVILY MELANATED BEINGS COMPRISE 3/4 OF THE WORLDS POPULATION, WHO IS THE REAL MINORITY, TIME TO REVERSE THE BRAINWASH BRO.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

YOU WOULD NEED A CONSCIENCE FOR THAT KEITH.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

THIS IS HELL MICHAEL, YOU SHOULD KNOW, YOU RUN IT.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

EITHER YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE MICHAEL OR YOU DON’T KNOW JACK ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN AND IS. HOW CAN YOU HOLD A PEOPLE BACK FOR OVER 400 YEARS WHILE YOU ADVANCE WELL INTO THE FUTURE, THEN WHEN YOU HAVE GOTTEN FAR ENOUGH OF A LEAD YOU SAY OKAY LET’S ALL BE AMERICANS NOW, LET’S ALL BE ONE, BUT YOU FAIL TO PROPERLY ADJUST AND COMPENSATE FOR WHEN YOU SAID WE WERE ONLY 3/5 HUMAN, DO YOU THINK WE ARE ALL BLIND, YOU CAN RUN THAT DOWN ON THE RICKS AMONGST US BUT CHECK YOPUR STEP PARDNER, YOU LEAVE A STENCH WHERE EVER YOU THREAD.

By Dave

April 26, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

This is an issue of the consciousness of the people who feel this guilt. A person of a higher consciousness does not identify themselves with race, nation or community. Google “Spiral Dynamics” or check out - Spiral Dynamics As consciousness advances you see yourself more as a child of God than as as a member of a group.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

I’m in control of hell?

I’m holding people back for 400 years?

By doing everything I know how to enfranchise people, U.S. citizens, into one America comprised of Americans, and to see themselves as equal humans?

Maybe I don’t know this Jack you refer to but I do think I know a few things about the fellow running hell. He’s called Satan, he is an advisory roaming to and fro dividing one against another and devouring all he can consume.

I don’t see my role as a divisive advisory here. So I’m probably to dumb to be a hypocrite - just a old guy foolish enough to still believe in “a better world a coming”.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Well Mike and des, tell me on any form you fill out now what boxes do you have to pick from? White, Black, Latino, American-Indian, Asian and other, now I imagine they do not have your box, Above All Others. So somehow when the government of the US of A classifies people makes me a racist? The two of you are so desperate to pretend everything is wonderful, Mike there believes all US citizens are equal, but an illegal is somehow the new three-quarters of a human, that you have lost any sense of reality?

What hypocrites I see, the same ones that defended Imus right here on these blogs and blamed it on Black Rappers, now sing the song of Brotherly Love. Southern mentality, you gotta love it.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

What they fail to tell you Dave is that if you advance to higher consciousness without the group then you will be relocated, you will not be able to remain in the same atmsophere because it will be too toxic for you. So by virtue of still being here the meaning is that you have not advanced in reality,BUT YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION.

What Western non-culture fail to grasp is that Individual purpose and consciousness is not superior to the group, the only time they seen to emulate this principle is in the creation of their death squads, you know, ARMY, MARINES etc. Have you ever beento boot camp? IT’S ALL ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE THEN.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Mike, I’ll defend you, you Are dumb enough to be a hypocrite.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Bruce I’ll be back later. Meanwhile go back and read the last thing I had to say on Imus and rap music. You just told a very big lie my friend.

By des

April 26, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Have you ever been to the bottom of the pit, Mr. Wilcox? I have. I found out at that time who my friends were. It didn’t matter what color, social class, car I drove, neighborhood I lived in, heritage or anything. People helped me, befriended me. I have a greater respect for life and I choose to be color blind. I view everyone equal. You choose to be bitter and short sighted. That is your choice. Peace.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

By Michael H. Smith April 14, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

There is no excuse for Imus, there is no excuse for the white kids who buy 80% of the rap music in this country or any excuse for the black kids using the same slurs as these rappers and trying to say it’s alright because I’m black. Nah, nah, nah, there are no acceptable cop outs are twists.

Many of us against this destructive garbage see this I-mess controversy as a turning point for positive change in our society via a real progressive reform agenda. I’ve always held that before any real permanent progress can be made in relations among the American people, to resolve the differences that have divided us as one people will start by changing the speech – the dialog we use in our discourse, not only to or about one another, but also about how we speak of our selves. Mr. Whitlock of the Kansas City Star said it correctly though applicable to all:

> Excerpt taken from Lou Dobbs tonight - WHITLOCK: They spoke about an easy target. He’s an easy target. Trust me: these guys in the black community that are doing this, they’re not an easy target. And that’s why you don’t see Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson sticking to this message and sticking to this call, because they know there’s real risk here.

Don Imus is easy. Running him off the air was very easy. Changing this culture, this negative, hip-hop prison culture among black youth that is killing us, that’s hard work. And it’s going to be risky. But it’s a task we have to take on. We can’t just take it on one time with one magazine article. And I’m not disrespecting what your magazine did, Bryan. (Bryan Monroe president of the National Association of Black Journalists)

But this is going to take a lot of work and a lot of commitment. And it’s going to be a day by day, minute by minute thing that we, black people, have to take on. We can’t keep scapegoating Don Imuses.

>

Still deeper at the core of all of this lays the destructive culture of divisiveness we create – the destructive culture even our government persistently creates for us, in making race a multiple choice question on the very census. There is no excuse for this. Race has no multiple choice answers, the word is singular not plural.

We can’t keep scapegoating skin color for humans behaving badly.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Actually Michael, you’re not doing all you can and know how now are you? If you were then you would admit the truth to yourself, that there is no way on God’s green earth, given the KNOWN and UNKNOWN history of the legalalized treatment of Africans in this country, that today we can consider ourselves at equal parity with those who inherited the advantage fostered by their forefathers.

Believe or not Michael it is I who wish to help you, I sense that you are on the brink of an Epihany, because it will take honest intentions on the part of people such as yourself to speak up for Justice. I know that you will like to believe that the past is over and done with, but how can that be? Are we not benefiting from the oil in the ground formed from the past?

Is the present simply not a reflection and product of the past? It was one of your GEORGIA HOUSE REPS who stated, while arguing for CONFEDERATE MONTH (HONORING YOUR PAST), he stated ‘HE WHO CONTROLS THE PAST, CONTROLS THE PRESENT’.

Wouldn’t it simply be in the best interest of Caucasians worldwide if Africans simply forgot the past?

But the truth is that the past is energy, and ENERGY CAN NEITHER BE CREATED NOR DESTROYED, which means the only real option left is to TONE it. Toning the past that bridges the interactions between the Caucasians and the African will require REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS, AND RECOMPENSE.

Now if you’re not prepared to accept this harsh reality, but is instead hell-bent on preaching this ‘WE ARE ONE’ crap in order to placate your need to control everyone and everything on the planet, then you will forever spin rhetorically in a cesspool of self conflaguration.

WE WILL BE ONE WHEN WE TOO CAN SAY ‘WE WON’.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

The GA house rep was more than likely just misquoting Orwell “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past. ”

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Mike feeling guilty, I did not mention you and Imus.

des where are you coming from, do you even know? Government classifies people, medical forms classifies people, insurance forms and on it goes, where is the connection between fact and me being a racist because of it?

“Have you ever been to the bottom of the pit,”, I worked it for twenty years as a Ladder Captain. You find out quickly all people bleed red and disaster has no favorites, everyone suffers equally. Yes des, please give me a lesson on how to have a greater respect for life and choose to be color blind. Hint des, be a little more careful when you start tossing the racist word around so carelessly.

By Mcm

April 26, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

It’s true that you won’t hear a white person feeling ashamed of what another white person did, but you also won’t hear a white person talking about being proud for what another white person did or saying that they are proud to be white.

You can’t share in the accomplishments of your ‘people’ but then disavow the negative behavior. You can’t have it both ways.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

What is a Ladder Captain? Fire fighter?

By des

April 26, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Then tell me this: you don’t have resentment toward another race. Truthfully.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

I hate Hippopotamuses. Resentment and racism are two different things?
Racism is a belief or ideology that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as being either superior or inferior to another race or races. It is also the prejudice based on such a belief. Now a A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own. I thought this was about Koreans.

By RODJUAN

April 26, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Spoken like a true DENIER, you are so in denial Michael, compounded by ignorance, that’s a lethal mix.

You can’t just treat the sympton and think erething is okay, fixing the speech will not get rid of the HATE and the INTENT to hate, it will simply find another forum to run its course.

It’s like trying to abate the waves without addressing the current, it simply does not work, but that is the only way you can think, that’s why you don’t belong where you are, your thinking is too linear, to syllogistic.

You think by taking an aspirin you have fixed the problem because your head no lnger hurts, but the pain is simply a sympton of an underlying cause, you have to probe the cause and redress it.

The language used today by the youth reflects the current STATE OF THE UNION. Society is ill at the very core, suppressing language without addressing the core issues will do nothing, except maybe REDIRECT WHERE THE MONEY FLOWS, hmmm.

But it’s typical of this type of thinking. For example the body was once treated wholistically, the MIND, SPIRIT, and PHISIQUE were addressed in order to redress DIS-EASEMENT, but that didn’t make a lot of money, so now we have FOOT DOCTORS, HEAD DOCTORS, EYE DOCTORS, and on an on, now the money flows like the Ocean, ARE YOU BEGINNING TO SEE A PATTERN HERE MICHAEL?

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Hitman? Yes a Firefighter, the ladder company or Truckies. des I am a forth generation firefighter, must be the Irish in me, I do not have a racist bone in my body.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

How does suppressing language in music REDIRECT WHERE THE MONEY FLOWS? As far as society and its ills being treated wholistically be real. Its retarded to feel guilty for the actions of someone you never meet no matter what race they are. We as American are never going to be One people. The diversity or race, religion, and culutres will see to that. Look around the world and you will see that minorities upset the socail order. They have to otherwise they will just be assimilated wheather is a small sub culutre of people, religion, race, the size of your hat what ever.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Chill Rodjuan! Embrace the American culture and let loose those straws that hold you down brother! Look at African, see the tribalism and see what has become of it’s people. Any great civilization that arose from Mother Africa faded long ago. Your blessing of being born free in this country is a product of the suffering of your ancestors. Get over it. No amount of worry on your part will change that. Embrace the oppurtunity you have here, encourage your black brothers to go to church and stop listening to rap music, find a good woman, MARRY HER, and raise a family!

By des

April 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

rodjuan: The ony hate i see here is in your comments. Hate will never die as long as people like you keep it going

By RODJUAN

April 26, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Now if we are to have effective dialougue there has to be a certain degree of honesty, even if it displeases you HITMAN. If I have to tell you that its ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS then you need to relocate to the junior blog and leave this to grown folks.

If you read further up you’ll see that the tone emanating from the likes of ‘I JUST WANNA HELP THOSE POOR DARKIES’ Michael and others was one of LET’S BE ONE HAPPY AMERICAN FAMILY so spit your re-buff at him like I did.

Now at least we do agree on who the REAL MINORITY is and has been, but it was only their own paranoia of being assimilated that caused them to take an UPSETTING stance on the world stage. Truth be told, we welcomed them with open arms when they came crawling to us for knowledge, we had no intentions on mixing with them, as a matter of fact WE WERE FIRMLY AGAINST IT. But instaead of accepting our generosity, they the minority came amongst us with the intention of taking over by suppressing their friendly hosts, you don’t even have to go back to Africa to find that just look at AMERICAN YOURSTORY.

But I must say we have made some serious progress here, you seem to know who the real minority is, and why they function as they do. Now ponder on this, if your stomach is UPSET, your body will sufffer the consequences unless you address and redress the cause.

By RODJUAN

April 26, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Yep Gandolf, that should do it. You go right on ahead and (STAY ON ICE) chill, they’ll defrost you when they are ready to dine on you, oops my bad, there is no they only one big US, been to Forsyth county lately?

By RODJUAN

April 26, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Right you are des, I hate LIARS, MURDERERS, RAPERS, THEIVES….

didn’t your preacher tell you that GOD HATES SIN? does that make GOD a hater?

Maybe if you attack me you’ll show them how good and civilized you are and they will go home, close their doors, AND SPEAK GOOD THINGS OF YOU.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

i do not buy the whole idea that musci censorship is about money. it doesnt add up unless its trying to build up a bad boy image and forbidden fruit sort of thing. trying to censor language isnt about money it is about trying to control people. weather you are using profanity or racial slurs its the same thing. i agree there will never be one happy american family that is a fairy tale some hippy came up with. i am not telling anyone to get over how they feel. i am not upset by hate, ideas, or feelings. i just do not care how people feel most of the time especially if i dont know them and like them and that is the difference. it just seems like people want to play the victim when they are not a lot of time. work hard or come up with an idea before someone else does. its like a buddy of mine that lives with his mother, works 30 hours a week at a wing factory, and sits on his butt all day wonders why he can not do everything he wants.

By des

April 26, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

I was wrong. You’re just a nut case.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Forsyth, is that south side? Shot try Buford Highway inside 285 to see one america. we can come together as people in small groups but neve as a nation. its life.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

“There will alway be poor, there will alway be hungry, you’ll miss me when I’m gone!” (from Jesus Christ Superstar)

No more feeling sorry for poor old darkies? I think you have lost your cotton pickin mind!

You are free, to hate, if you so choose Rodjuan. You are also free to love. Give up your hate, Colin Powell did. Give up your disgust, Bill Cosby did. Quit feeling sorry for yourself, Malcom X did after his trip to Mecca. I am not saying embrace that funny little religion of the middle east, but even a hatefilled man such as Malcom found a way to love.

No African every sold another African into slavery, it was all the white mans doing. How come other cultures come to the United States and within a generation are successful? And the blacks stay trapped in the inner city ghettos? Culture? you think about that. How many black kids are born out of wedlock? How many bastards out there? It is the culture. Listen to Bill Cosby. Treat your children well and turn off the rap music.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

cotton pickin

was that intentional or just a slip

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

intentional, of course…kinda funny if you ask me!

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Gandolf your Jewish routine must really be a riot.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

INDEED!

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Rodjuan and Wilcox if I thought for one minute this mystifying equal parity existed in this country or in any other, then I would not be standing up to bring about at least something close to that utopia. I’m certainly not going to continually drag out ancestry or wake up every morning expecting a useless apology confession or as y’all might see it, a repentance. That would not be of any use. So if you guys want to wallow in all the wrongs ever done in this nation, color them anyway you want, then so be it. But don’t look for me to stand with you on the Edmond Pettis Bridge awaiting some Bull Conner bracing for the fire hose, bricks and bottles. Most of us have left the ‘60s and have simply moved on. You two may feel the need to bear such burdens.

I don’t.

PS. Bruce I don’t feel guilty at all over Imus and the rappers that are just like him but you should, for not having made that likeness known.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

You call it hate Gandolf because that is what you see, no man can faultr you or des for your view of yourselves. People of your caliber have to exist so that the rest of us can see the results of brainwashing in action.

You simply make no sense, the only thing you can do is push the emotional rhetoric like most trained preachers do, you know, the ones who say TURN THE OTHER CHEEK or JUST WAIT TIL JESUS COMES BACK then everything will be alright.

The fact is you can’t dismiss the past, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FRIUTS PRESENTLY ARE ROOTED IN THE PAST. Fear makes you wanna just blend in.

You can’t deny that caucasians are where they are TODAY because of what their forefathers and mothers did YESTERDAY. Then if you can at least HEAT UP and stop CHILLIN’ and see that simple fact then you’ll have to accept that Africans worldwide are where they are TODAY because of WHAT WAS DONE TO OUR FOREFATHERS AND MOTHERS YESTERDAY.

Now you keep eluding to the role other Africans played in our enslavement, I can’t give you a complete OURSTORY lesson here, but I will recommend ‘Chancellor Williams, Destruction of Black Civilization’.

Now if the past is so unimportant to a peoples’ ability to move on, why reparations for the Jews? why reparations for the Japanese? why weren’t these groups simply told to JUST GET OVER IT and move on, blend in.

The only thing you have been talking about is the sympton, you sound just like that Michael guy who JUST WANTS TO FIX THE WORLD but refuses to accept responsibility for what his people contributed to the BREAKING OF THE WORLD.

If the past is so unimportant, if what your forerfathers did does not have a bearing on you today, then all inheritancies along family lines should be chalengeable by the general public, I mean just because you are ROCKERFELLERS SON SHOULD NOT ENTITLE YOU TO HIS ESTATE RIGHT? hmmm

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

And just what is so wrong about trying to fix the world or this country?

It sure looks like it could use some help, instead of people trying to drag all us down into a rotten rut.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

why reparations for the Jews? why reparations for the Japanese?

Because they where the people affected! Not you, not your parents, not thier parents…Go to school, learn something useful, find a nice black girl, get married, go to church, turn off the rap music, raise a family and earn a living!

hehe by the way, you are very funny! You write like you really believe your rhetoric!

Rap and hip hop is affecting you day in and day out, it is exploiting you, Turn it off!

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Hitman, people that fail to see the rhythms and cycles in existencies are difficult to hold an intellectual discourse with, I trust you are not on that level, but in case you are let me show you the cycle.

The record companies have allowed the degree of self denigration in the so-called music industry because that was a generous income source, if it weren’t then they would push to the radio stations artist like COMMON, ROOTS etc. But these artist do not get the type of airplay, they don’t make the type of money as let’s say a SNOOPY what’s his name. Now I know you know that much, that’s the A$R biz 101.

Now public outcry is beginning to go beyond just a few dissenters like Delores, in light of recent happenings, and Russel Simmons hypocritically calling for cleaner lyrics, the record companies will begin to lose money if they maintain their present course.

So to KEEP THE GRAVY COMING they will find a way to transition to a more cleaner form of filth, because in America what sells? you saidit SEX, DRUGS, VIOLENCE. That’s why commercials are the wya they are, that’s why Tarantino and those guys get paid, so you see, fixing the language won’t change a darn thing Morally for a nation wallowing neck deep in its own refuse. But the money will simply find another route, follow the money.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Actually Gandolf, now that I have you checked let me mate you, I don’t listen to Rap or Hip Hop, NOW WHAT ELSE MIGHT YOU BE WRONG ABOUT? What you feel is my heat defrosting you from deep sleep, so the only thing you can do now is clown hehe, can you shuffle with that?

You still failed to accurately address the issue at hand, WHY IN YOUR MIND IT’S OKAY FOR EVERYONE ELSE TO CLAIM REPARATIONS FOR PAST WRONGS AGAINST THEIR ANCESTORS, but when it comes to you you seem to be stuck on the MASSA WE SICK Patty Hearst syndrome, WAKE UP.

Self love does not equal hate towards anyone else, if you don’t think that over 400 years of constant oppression has had a devastating effect on present day Africans then you are either too numb or a supreme sell-out, either way, I still got love for you and des.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

i agree fixing the language won’t change a darn thing morally. i just do not see it as a way to make money with clean music. people do not want clean music otherwise they would listen to it. there are a group of people out there that can kill the rap industry if they want and they are decent parents. do not buy it. we have options. one of my favorite groups was NWA. if i didnt want to hear about hos i would listen to someone else just like them though. The record industry is going to say what ever it has to to keep people happy. Simmons whole thing was to make more clean music options which are already there so he does not have to do anything but look like he cares when he really does not give a damn. the country is getting far to PC and companies bend to the will of a few jerk off cry babies. that is the real problem i have with the idea of being a victim. you might have to try harder sometimes but boo hoo for you. not everyone has the luck to be born with rich a* parents. you are what you make of yourself in the end. no one wants to work hard but if you want to be living the dream you have to and some people due to intellegence, status, religion, race, hat size, beauty or what ever have to try harder than others. to fing bad.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Hey Smith take it down a notch, what is with this crap about feeling the need to bear such burdens, have you completely flipped my man? Take another shot, sit for a while and gather yourself, you may make start making sense again and that is a big may.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Oh really Gandolf, so it doesn’t involve their forebearers huh? then why does the USA government want the Japanese government to recompense the families of the women they purportedly forced into prostitution during the war of over 30 years ago? surely this present day Government is not the same as 30 years ago, why should they be held responsible, and why should the families benefit, they weren’t forced into prostitution, MAYBE YOU SHOULD RE-THINK YOUR POSITION, the song you’re singing is a program, TIME TO DE-BRAINWASH.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

now that I have you checked let me mate you

thats pretty gay sounding. why not “let me hump your leg”

The US paid reperations not to the ansectors of the Jews or Japanese but to them while they were alive. Didnt they also give out mules and some land to freed slaves someplace? why 400 years too? the us started improting african slaves in 1640 and banded it in 1865. that is 225 years

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Hit whatever, you obviously do not read fully before making comments, where does SEX, DRUGS, VIOLENCE fit in with CLEAN MUSIC? My pitch was A CLEANER FORM OF FILTH which is not the same as CLEAN MUSIC. The demographics that are actively marketed to RICH CAUCASIAN KIDS” are not interested in clean music, they like conflict, agitation, who tunes into those stupid good for nothing wrestling shows and why? don’t tell that lie thatit’s just harmless entertainment, who gobbles up the hardest rawest video games pushing death and dismemberment on a grand scale? so we know clean music won’t work, but the money will still have to be made, BECAUSE THAT IS THJE BOTTOM OF ALL BOTTOMLINES. So they the record companies will find a way to capitalize on the current public’s rising sentiments against filthy lyrics.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

“Guiltyness, talk about the guiltyness”

Not worried about japenese w******* Rodjuan! I am not the American Goverment…or the USA goverment more correctly. No money for Slavery. Sorry. Some white slave owner’s bad, not mine.

“living in the past” is what you are all wrapped up in. Was life bad 200 years ago? Sure. Is it better today. You bet.

Those that ignore the past are destined to repeat it. Those that live in the past are stuck there.

So, Turn off the rap music, find that pretty thing, go to church, settle down and live that American Dream.

What would repartations do for you anyway? Make some lawyer rich? Why would a state in the union today apologize for slavery? They were brought back into the union after slavery was deemed illegal by an amendment to the constitution. So except for the border states, Slavery never existing under any of these goverments. Maybe the northern states should apologize for slavery!

Don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

“Didnt they also give out mules and some land to freed slaves someplace?” Never happened, just a scam to get free slaves to put their X next to a name on a ballot.

German companies are paying descendents to Jews who’s family members were forced into slavery.

At least the Japanese received an apology for the stupidity of man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man.

By Rodjuan

April 26, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

HITMAN? what does that mean you go around ‘hitting on men’? I deliberately worded my discourse as I did hoping to draw out the true level of mentality I’m dealing with, now that you have revealed yourself that would be CHECK-MATE to you. School’s out.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

And Gandolf the routine is getting old or are you really that ignorant about history? Playing the devils advocate is a fun game, but to play it you have to have a keen knowledge of the subject. Maybe it is time to step back and give it a rest.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

I prefer sheep to men myself.

By Brett "the hitman" Hart

April 26, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

With the mule thing my bad. I know the Japanese got paid for being rounded up during WWII. We are not Germans. SO really the only people getting anything are some Indians then? I want my check then.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

Yeah okay Wilcox, sure thing. Try flipping yourself, you are on the wrong side of progress, as usual as on most other things. I will take that guilt slap at you back. Do try to stand against all forms of bad conduct that was displayed by Imus no matter what skin color may manifest such unacceptable behavior.

Now onto what I was going to add in attempts to raise this discussion to higher ground.

The best reparations and repentance that can ever be made in this country is not for us to collectively or individually slobber for eternity sorrowful apologies, whip out the old check book put out the payola to the shake down artists or in playing some insipid t**-for-tat game in all the wrongs done our ancestry to induce a senseless guilt upon others.

A marked conduct change 180 degrees in the other direction that is an acceptable repentant meaningful apology and nothing else is needed.

Said things you shouldn’t have, then don’t say them again. Did things you shouldn’t have, then don’t do them again. Laughed when you shouldn’t have, then don’t laugh at things you know are wrong. Tried to make someone feel guilty, when you could have taken a more constructive path to right a wrong, then try and do differently next time.

This is no excuse this is no unachievable dream harbored only in utopia nor is it a self-declaration of sainthood. To error is human and because we are human we can change bad behavior.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 26, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

So Bruce, you are saying you are taking a rest? Good! That is just what I was thinkin!

“Go ahead and throw away your records cuz rap is dead…” or should be..hate is not a musical form.

Find out who’s baby daddy you are, get married, go to church and raise your family!

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

I don’t care for rap music, even though some say the Beatles actually introduced a form of rap. But if these snoop doggie dog dips so-called artists will clean up the hate and slurs they use in their so-called songs, I might force myself to endure some of it.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

To the Gandolf’s, the dese’s, all those to harbor that famed Southern Mentality, I’m White. Funny that when you disagree with a certain menality you must be put into a certain class or race that just does not get the right way to think. Smith somehow you dragged me into this, for reasons I do not have a clue as to why, would or should I say, could you explain your incoherent rantings?

As far as guilt as a society, I am ashamed that our president invaded a country under false pretenses under the misguided belief that we, and we alone are the righteous crusaders of the truth. How is that for a guilt trip.

By justin

April 26, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

brucewilcox, you need to find a friend, maybe adopt an inmate as a pen pal (they are desparate for discourse). You are such a joke.

By Jesse's Girl

April 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

I agree that the collective guilt shared by minorities is a waste of time. But you did touch on somehting that made me sit up a little. You said they had a sense of “oneness”. While that mentality may be a bit misplaced ion the case of blacks, Koreans, Indians..what have you…I actually think white people could use a little more. When some methed-up white kid breaks into a home or kills or rapes someone….we should have a collective shame. When some lunatic pedophile snatches our children….we should share some panic. When the rich, white girl commits murder instead of suicide…all rich white people should shake their heads. In my humble opinion of course.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

Me drag you into this Wilcox? Old go get’em Bruce? Yeah I probably did, only because my so-called incoherent ranting may have made others think differently than you might like them to think, or maybe no. Either way, as it appears, you certainly didn’t like what I said today. Could unite a nation? Could cause people to drop the baggage? Might make someone actually do the unthinkable in seeing the human side of things without focusing so much on the wrongs and chart a different course towards the right, the good and the better that can be, only if we will but let it?

Possibly everything I said today was incoherent to you but I cannot help to think it found the bull’s eye with a lot of cognizant people out in gah-gah land.

And Bruce you are mixed, unless you told another big whopper. You and I both have at least that on red drop. So we are not lily white.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

This is what I’m talking about Mike, “To bad you can’t use your real name Bruce in handling that truth.” What in the world are you talking about? This is the way you dragged me into it, this is why I do not have a clue what you’re talking about. If that wasn’t some kind of strnge attack I do not know what is?

Good boy Justin, you almost made two complete sentences,

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, when I fill out the U.S. census I check the other slot for mixed. Next time and hereafter I’m going to blow my government’s ever loving bigoted mind by declaring myself human when asked for race.

Let’s see what they do with that one!

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Oh like you never use or have used a Num de Plum to make a comment, Bruce please.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 26, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

I write Potawatomi under other and they just back away slowly. But it does get you in and out a lot faster.

By Michael H. Smith

April 26, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

On second thought I could run up the national debt by telling the government my race is human, they don’t seemed know what that means, the government will never figure it out, they are only programmed to use the color code.

Good night Mr. Wilcox, I got to go.

By Katie

April 27, 2007 6:05 AM | Link to this

I think the Korean population needs to get over it, they’re not responsible for what that lunatic did. I do not suffer collective shame, ever. I am not responsible for what any other person does and I couldn’t care less about race. I’m also not going to mention what race I am because that is not important.

By Charles

April 27, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this

I hope the Negroes understand the importance of collective guilt. I am sure they do not so I’ll remind you this morning.

The whole Civil Rights Movement was organized around the collective guilt of white people. That’s what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others were all about; making the white people feel guilty about what their great- great grandfathers had done to African Americans in the past; slavery, share cropping, Jim crow, etc. So, consequently, white people looked out at the masses of black people and felt guilty. They decided to do something about it. That was the main thrust of the civil rights movement; an attempt to make white people have collective guilt because of the deeds of their ancestors.

Due to that guilt, white people responded by opening up the doors. They allowed black people in to the best of schools, politics, corporations, etc. Some progress was made. After twenty to thirty years, the white masses saw black progress in politics, entertainment, athletics, etc. They said, wait a minute, these black people have enough money to take care of their own problems. Negro, the party is over.

Now without white people having collective guilt and taking responsibility, it left our children without any support. African American children do not have the advantages of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. There is no white collective guilt and responsibility. White people are now forcing us to take care of ourselves. So called prominent African Americans do not seem to think that they are responsible. The African Americans who made gains during that period do not have a clue. They are still attempting to force collective guilt upon white people with little success.

People like Bill Cosby and many others do not understand the problem. It is unbelievable how ignorant a people can be. That’s why they mistakenly criticize the black masses. Like most Black people, they just do not have a clue.

By Jesse's Girl

April 27, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

So, whats your bloody point Charles?

By Charles

April 27, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

If you don’t get the point, there is no need in me explaining.

By Katie

April 27, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Charles, you’ve made no point. Each person is responsible for themselves. Whites are not responsible for what black people do and vice versa. I do not feel guilty for anything my ancestors did or didn’t do—I’m not them. I don’t feel sorry for anyone. I certainly don’t feel sorry for people who are self righteous.

By Charles

April 27, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

If I were a prosecutor, I would bring a two count indictment of incompetence against educators.

By Bruce Wilcox

April 27, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

Charles is just mad because his boss is Black and it just shouldn’t be that way.

By Charles

April 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

If I were a prosecutor, I would bring a three count indictment of incompetence against educators. My God, if this continues, I may have to take a serious look at the department of education.

By Michael H. Smith

April 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

So called prominent African Americans do not seem to think that they are responsible.

Interesting prospective Charles, interesting statement as well Mr. Badie, I figure Mr. Badie is a prominent black American. Can I goad you into elaborating on the statement Charles made?

Farrakhan did one really good thing to catapult every black American into prominence.

This something has shown black Americans achieving near economic parity with white Americans.

Now what is this big mysterious equalizer?

Hint: Million man march.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 27, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Bruce, it is obvious to me that you have a black and white mentality. Why is everything so clearly defined for you? If anyone disagrees with you then they are racist! Wake up, take a look around, turn off the rap music, find out who’s baby daddy you are and go to church. That applies to all Brucy!

By Gandolf the Grey

April 27, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Oh, my only shame is that someone didn’t pull out a pistol or knive or garrot or rock and kill that punk. What kinda of people let a killer walk in and shoot them one by one? You would think after Flight 93 that would never happen again. No one can ever hijack again, teach your children not to be a victim and destroy evil when it shows it face.

By Jack

April 27, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Okay people how did this subject turn into a black/african american issue? My gosh, it’s so sad that we live in such a racist world.. This article was about collective guilt not about blacks. This article was about the Korean-Americans having a guilt in their over all nationality because one of their own committed a horrible tragic crime. STOP turning everything into a race issue, STOP being racist, BECOME color blind, race blind, nationality blind and gender blind.. Are we really the land of opportunity, the land of the beautiful, the land of the free, is it really for liberty and justice for all? How sad we are as Americans, just a bunch of racist, hating idiots.

Everyone is responsible for their own actions and conduct. Should we have collective guilt? No.. Should we have collective mourning, sadness and anger for horrible tradgic events created from a individual or individuals? YES..

Heritage is a very vital and important part of any culture, nationality or race however it should not be used as a grudge, revenge, excuse but as a tool to overcome, a tool to do better, a tool to improve, a tool to learn from, a tool to turn negative into positive, just a memory and where your roots came from. Dont keep the past negativity as a present and future destroyer of today and tomorrow.

Stop the racism, become a melting pot of love, acceptance and forgiveness. How can we clean up anouther country when we have not cleaned up our own?

By Bruce Wilcox

April 27, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

As a society we are all responsible for the condition we’re in, we allow it by doing nothing, by saying nothing. We justify it by saying I’m a rugged individual, I didn’t have anything to do with, the buck doesn’t stop here. Why not, we have a president that does the same thing, we’re in a war, not my fault it was bad intelligence, the war is so screwed you think General Custer was back, not my fault, it’s Rummy’s. Why should anyone care about anyone or anything.

The racists that come out of the woodwork every opportunity they have safely hidden by cutsey names, do not have a clue what is going down in the real world, but they never let that hinder their ignorance.

I don’t feel guilt, but shame for our society, just read the responses here.

By LG

April 27, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Gandolf,

There were some victims that had marks on their bodies suggesting that they tried to stop Cho. And I’m quite sure the other victims didn’t let him kill them one by one.

By Michael H. Smith

April 27, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

I don’t feel shame or guilt nor should the Korean people feel shame or guilt over this event. Knowing the Korean people (my niece is Korean by birth) they will feel shame and guilt no matter what I say, because they are a very honorable people and they will feel their honor has been tarnished. Many Americans may see that as a senseless self-pride but to many of Asian ancestry things like honor and family, holds a godly status in their lives. Could America ever use an overdose of that!

I don’t think we should become a gun slinging society nor do I oppose gun ownership for U.S. citizens. Humans kill humans and we are the kind of people who allow killers to prey on us through our flawed legal system that should have nailed this guy; the same flawed system that should have nailed Ted Bundy and all the other white mass murderers.

If we refuse to be victims then we must at least change the flawed legal system that victimized us.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 27, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

LG, I can’t understand how they didn’t stop him then. All he had was a 9 mm and a .22 for Christ’s sakes!

Put a pin or pencil in his eye, or kick him in the groin, or bite off one of his fingers…and if he did get a shot or 2 in me, I would have wrapped my hands around his tiny throat and watched the life slip away from his eyes, as it slipped from me…. Gotta go down swingin’ bro!

By LG

April 27, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Gandolf,

You weren’t there. You don’t know what you could’ve done. You can daydream all day about being a hero in hindisght, but you weren’t in the classrooms - you didn’t have to think on your feet - you’re survival mode didn’t kick in.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 27, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Been there,done that LG. I know what I would have done, if you are not sure that’s one thing, Don’t project your insecurities onto others.

By LG

April 27, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

So, you know when you’re going to die and when you are going to be the hero? Where were you Sept 10, 2001 - you could’ve prevented that whole thing. Heck, you could’ve stop the men from taking flying lessons at Gwinnett Airport.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Then we wouldn’t have invaded Iraq, and I am all about that. So, no, I wouldn’t have stopped them. You probably would have though. You are one tough hombre!

By LG

April 27, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Sorry, I didn’t know it was going to happen - so there’s no should’ve, would’ve, or could’ve. We would have invaded Iraq regardless because Bush said he was going to before he even got in the office - but different story for a different day.

And I’m not a tough hombre, but like a lot of females, I do have a thing for Marines.

By Gandolf the Grey

April 27, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Marines are OK. The Army obviously needs someone to get them on the beach! ;>

War is something American’s used to do well, we have just forgotten how. Fear is what we need to instill in the minds of those Muslim Jihadist’s over there, not prosecute our Marines. If they are in jail, they can’t come home and take care of LG!

By LG

April 27, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Totally agree with you. If the US used the power of war that it really has, the Middle East would’ve been the 51st state by now. But we’d be hated for that too.

By woodie

April 27, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

I think it is natural and normal to have a sense of mutual social responsibility for people who share your same social circumstance, whether it is race, age, sex, religion, affiliations, geographic locality, or what-have-you. I know I feel a bit weird that Imus is white and has a trash mouth. I also feel weird about both sides of the Rodney King episode. And I feel guilty about slavery too in a weird way even though my ancestry never participated in the practice. It is hard to have a sense of pride when someone who shares something in common with you does something terrible. Ultimately we are all responsible for the ills in our society. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be related to Jesus, or MLK, or Ganhdi?

By Atico

April 27, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Hey, when a person is a nut and does such a horrific thing as that Korean kid, I am sure all Koreans are going to feel guilt. When I heard about the VT killings I immediately told my wife that it had to be a crazy anglo, blacks nor Asians do such things. Wrong. See there, anyone can go nuts, its just too bad our society is not proactive in the mental business and let the nuts stay on the street. When they are judged to be nuts, lock them up and try to treat them, but for goodness sake get them off the steet. We learned absoluely nothing from Columbine, and will do nothing different about VT, its just our way. Sad but true.

By Mark

April 28, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Michael H. Smith - If you consider yourself as an American, then why do you call yourself an “African American”? You are either African OR American. You people try so hard to be equal, but strive to be different as well……

By Roger

April 28, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Jamacian girl started calling me a Jamerican when I was down there last year. “Ya mon”…

By Michael H. Smith

April 28, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Mark - I never said I was an African American (or an Irish American, etc). Though, thanks, for saying again what I did say to those who do.

You are either African OR American.

They are Americans.

Now on to this last thing.

You people try so hard to be equal, but strive to be different as well……

That may still hold truth for some people but thankfully it is becoming less and less of one for many others.

You are very right in this Mark. I along with many other people in this country will forever strive to “create equals”.

By jais

April 28, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

The way I see it, Blacks are most of the current problem with America. Sure, call me racist. I’ll take that, turn it around and call it a realist. Every story IN the crime section involves a: a black man. b: What a black man broke or who he killed in his bumbling attempts to get crack money c: The white guy who saw him and called police.

Second part of the problem: Illegal Mexicans and aliens. Accident, middle of town. Who’s driving? Illegal Mexican with no insurance. Cops: Get up off your lazy money-makers and get to work. Jesus, if I ever performed like this at work I’d be homeless.

Third part of the problem: White people who act like they are black or act like inbred cage animals. (You know who you are, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene p. Whitebread of west trailer park, snellville! Don’t act like people can’t see the strewn big wheels and appliance parts all over your lawn, the smell coming from your flea-bitten pile of wild dogs in the back yard or the screams coming from your ill-raised gaggle of rabbits you call children.) Seriously if you’re a redneck, go and kill yourself. Put the garage door down, start up that ‘76 chevy pickup with no hood and gas yourself to that big wal-mart in the sky. You’ll be better off there.

By jim d

April 30, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

“I’ve never heard a white person say that they were ashamed because another white person went on a killing spree.”

Wrong Rick

Can we say My Lai?