You definitely have to have an opinion about this

[snoopy369]

Yes, we have public housing in the US. In general, though, public housing is considered an inferior solution to mixed housing, and Section 8 is considered a good solution for some of the needs of public housing (although it does not sufficiently fit all needs, unfortunately).

[Zkribbler]

Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the '60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream.

These programs were NOT designed to help African Americans. They were designed to help poor folks. Far more whites (including me) were helped by these programs than blacks.

Buchanan bigotted assumption that whites are well off while blacks are poor is showing through.

[Lorizael]

My opinion: The not so nice statistics about blacks look very similar to the not so nice statistics about about poor people, too. Singling out black people is only useful if a) you believe black culture or genetics is significantly different from the culture or genetics of poor people so as to be noteworthy, or b) you're racist.

Edit: Man, my post sure makes it seem as if I think all black people are poor, doesn't it? Well pretend it doesn't.

[Theben]

Pat is right about one thing. 'White' America does need to be heard. W/o a 2-way dialogue we'll never be rid of dunder-headed opinions such as his. Whites and blacks (and those other irrelevant minorities ) need to understand each other's grievances. Instantly dismissing a comment as 'rascist' doesn't help either party.

[Aeson]

No, Pat is wrong about that. 'White America" doesn't need to be heard. What needs to be heard is "America". All of us. Not some "your skin is this color so you're in this camp" idiocy.

[Lancer]

I'm a filipino, I'm not involved. It's nice in the Philippines, everyone is the same race, well except myself and a few other expats. There are no race problems. That said, it's really hard to find ethnic food.

[rah]

I dissagree. As long as certain groups are going to play the "i'm black" card, i think it's fair that "i'm white" can be used in the arguement. If I stop hearing I'm black, I'll stop saying I'm white. I do agree that the latter would be much prefered, but it take both sides to agree to stop using it as a diferentiation.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by rah
I dissagree. As long as certain groups are going to play the "i'm black" card, i think it's fair that "i'm white" can be used in the arguement. If I stop hearing I'm black, I'll stop saying I'm white. I do agree that the latter would be much prefered, but it take both sides to agree to stop using it as a diferentiation.

And you'll just continue on that way forever since no one is willing to actually take the first step.

Lowest common denominator.

[rah]

I don't do it first. I just get tired of having it thrown in my face so often. And if I even think of answering back I'm white and should be heard, I'm a racist. That's crap, just like your response. I've stopped doing it first. Get them to take the first step but don't blame me if they won't. Both sided need to cooperate. I really believe one side is already trying.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by rah
I don't do it first. I just get tired of having it thrown in my face so often. And if I even think of answering back I'm white and should be heard, I'm a racist. That's crap, just like your response.

It's a racist statement. All you need to do is say, "I should be heard". Throwing "white" (or any race) in there is unnecessary.

Everyone deserves to have their say. Pretending like race matters in who gets to say what is racist.

I've stopped doing it first. Get them to take the first step but don't blame me if they won't. Both sided need to cooperate. I really believe one side is already trying.

You say you don't start it, but you're obviously still thinking in those terms. "Your" side is trying... "they" are starting it.

Break the cycle. You can't do it for everyone, but you sure as hell can do it for yourself. Enough people do that, and it stops. Feeding back into the cycle will not help.

[Lancer]

Didn't Obama say we need a racial conversation or some such? Was that a racist statement?

[rah]

BS, every single white person could stop saying something and I doubt it would make a difference. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. (and actually I don't normally make that differenciation but think it's unfair that if I do, I would be considered a racist by people that think it's ok for them to say it.)

All my grandparents were immigrants and were discriminated against because they spoke differently and looked different. They were poor but worked hard to make a better life for the children. But they became americans first and most important. Sure the celebrated their ancestry but being american was more important. I don't hold it against all the others that did the discrimination because they're all (or mostly) dead.
And because of it, I'm an american first who takes personal responsibility for my own condition.

Now granted it was easier for our later generations to acclimate because outwardly we appeared more similar, but the principle is the same. We're americans and no one should claim special/american status.

I have a lot of respect for Bill Cosby for standing up and taking abuse for saying basically the same thing.

[Patroklos]

Bill Cosby is an Uncle Tom though, didn't you hear?

[Lancer]

Rah is a monster.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Lancer
That said, it's really hard to find ethnic food.

What?!! No 48-inch pizzas??