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Topic: Affirmative Action
| Author | Message |
| MDSAL | Posted – 1/14/2008 2:20:26 PM | show profile I truly think people want to forget why affirmative action was enforced. It was designed to make up for 300 years of ills, but it was designed in such a way that majority peoples would still think of these new hires (be they lazy American negroes or incompetent women) as not really deserving. I'm sure those who created affirmative action were aware of the monster they were creating, just as those who cleared whole neighborhoods and dumped blacks in public housing were aware of what they were doing. It's sad that most people never, ever delve into the history of racism, sexism, or classism in this country. As for black immigrants who think they've risen above race and the lazy American nigger, Amadou Diallo comes to mind. It's appalling how stupid people are about race and how willing they are to accept the mistreatment of people based on race, class, gender, disability, or economic background. I'd like to hear from some of these "making it" whites and blacks after they've been in their industry for a while and have hit the glass ceiling. They'll not only be broke, they'll be living in a country that no longer has affordable health care, soaring oil prices, and housing they can't afford. Race will be the least of their worries, but knowing Americans, they'll channel their frustrations into pastimes such as lynching, harassing, and scapegoating people of color. |
| neekah18 | Posted – 1/14/2008 2:20:30 PM | show profile Chucho please keep your friend's ignorant and blatant racist comments out of this forum. I have come across people like that who feel the only thing they have in common with African American's is their skin color. It's sad and ridiculous because the same people they are speaking those awful words to look at them as just another black person. There was no need for your post and this is about Affirmative Action not about how one meaningless individual gets off on putting down people who look like them and have been here long enough to know the struggles we have overcome and continue to overcome. Maybe he needs to step off of his soapbox and go outside of the community where he lives. |
| Mag Girl | Posted – 1/14/2008 2:29:12 PM | show profile neekah, I don't think his friend was being racist at all. It's a different point of view from someone who sees things in a different context. Do you really think all black people have to agree on the issues of affirmative action? That's as ludicrous as expecting all white people to be against it. Trying to neatly fit someone's beliefs in one little check box based on race is in itself prejudiced. |
| neekah18 | Posted – 1/14/2008 2:48:18 PM | show profile Mag Girl his comments were racist. "black Republican first-gen Haitian friend who complains all the time about lazy African-Americans. In fact, often black immigrants say if they had half the opportunities African Americans have had since the end of segregation they'd be wealthy " A racist is defined as: 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination In his case it's also self hatred. I do not mind different opinions but he blatantly puts down another race by saying African Americans are lazy. People in every race may do the same thing about their own race but don't broadcast it. I am guilty of it at times but I don't lump everyone that is not like me in that category. Without sugarcoating it his comments were racist and ignorant. |
| Mag Girl | Posted – 1/14/2008 3:11:22 PM | show profile So I assume you think Bill Cosby is a racist, too? |
| neekah18 | Posted – 1/14/2008 3:27:30 PM | show profile | email poster The poster's friend and Bill Cosby are two different people. When Bill Cosby gave his speech he was speaking at an NAACP gala he wasn't addressing his friends so they could agree with him. He voiced his opinions to a group that are supposed to make a difference in our society. I don't disagree with Bill Cosby at all and I am glad he made his speech in front of people who are supposed to be about change and not just to a friend he was hanging out with. Bill Cosby is a role model and I am sure his words had many people taking a good look at themselves and realizing they need to change. So in lieu of your question based on the definition of a racist Bill Cosby would fall into that mix. |
| Mag Girl | Posted – 1/14/2008 3:34:15 PM | show profile I find it funny you think what Bill Cosby said and what his friend said are completely different. Boil both down, and they are both saying that people have to take responsibility for their own lives and make the best of what opportunities lay before them. It's irrelevant who they said those statements too, and you can't possibly judge his friend's intent based on what was written here. I can tell this is something you believe passionately in, and it's good to have that kind of passion about something. But the world isn't as black and white as you seem to view it- no pun intended. |
| neekah18 | Posted – 1/14/2008 3:41:53 PM | show profile How do you figure I view the world as black and white? This thread is about AA and who it benefits. My main point was to say that the posting of what one person thinks of an entire race should not have been posted on here as a response to Affirmative Action. Does his friend work in HR? Has his friend had any experiences he would like to share? I am passionate about certain things and one of them is for people to accept responsibility for their own actions and to now judge an entire race based on what they have heard, read, or their encounters with a few people of that race or culture. People do that alot and that is why this country is so screwed up. |
| noname1234 | Posted – 1/14/2008 3:48:31 PM | show profile personally, I don't think the quote from his individual haitian friend was as troubling as chucho's generalization that came after it: "In fact, often black immigrants say if they had half the opportunities African Americans have had since the end of segregation they'd be wealthy" I think that statement really reflects what the poster thinks, but couched as merely reporting a sentiment "often" expressed by black immigrants. |
| rozwrite55 | Posted – 1/14/2008 4:36:58 PM | show profile affirmative action I think Neekah is firmly on point. Chucho's tone reeks of a racist, belittling attitude (lawless sh-thole?) It has nothing to do with everything being black or white either. I specialize in African and Caribbean culture and the opinion of his republican friend is actually very common among African and Caribbean immigrants. It was the way that he expressed them that was offensive. And for the record Chucho, a person from Africa living in the U.S. is called an African immigrant or first generation African American. |
| Mag Girl | Posted – 1/14/2008 4:51:16 PM | show profile neekah, I wasn't referring to specifically to this post, but all of your collective posts on this board. |
| neekah18 | Posted – 1/14/2008 5:23:09 PM | show profile When speaking about minorities I am not just talking about black people. |
| slink | Posted – 1/16/2008 11:01:40 AM | show profile Bill Cosby is garbage. |
