Envy of success in your country

[Al B. Sure!]

Also, I don't see how discouraging a mainstream middle class lifestyle is the same as "tall poppy syndrome" which seems to be the most hostile to the rich.

They are different how? One is just more extreme than the other.

[giblets]

They are different how? One is just more extreme than the other.

No, unless you're claiming people in the ghetto really, really hate rappers and NBA stars. There's a perfectly good explanation for why they get robbed (evil, greedy criminals prefer targets that have lots of money because their goal is to get money).

[Al B. Sure!]

Here's part of an opinion piece that touches on what I'm talking about...

In spite of the numerous blatant and subliminal social obstacles that the Black community has faced in the past and continues to face, a remarkable number of African Americans have risen to highly-esteemed statuses in the professions, arts, letters, professional sports and the entertainment field in the last 100 years. Within the past 10 years, two Black Secretary’s of State have held office, a few Black U.S. Senators and governors have been elected to serve, and the first Black president has even earned a seat in the oval office. Each of these individuals’ accomplishments and many more by other African Americans has helped Black America to progress significantly since the 1960’s.

However, when Black America is placed under a microscope, a malignant picture emerges. Though much individual success has occurred sporadically among blacks, virtually no group achievement exists. Black America—as a group—is divided and fragmented, and comes in last place in relation to other races. Minority groups such as Asians, Hispanics, and Jews are far more productive. Their communal success can be attributed to their “greater good” mentality and their willingness to stand united; re-distribute their income within their communities to build and strengthen their communities; as well as assist one another in their individual plights toward success by sharing knowledge, skills, and access to resources, which will ultimately uplift their entire community.

Seemingly, the concept of unity and community is foreign to Black African Americans; seemingly, the thinking that prevails within the Black community is the “crabs in a bucket” mentality. Rather than linking hands with one another and building ladders to help others climb to the top (success) and take the black community to the next greatest level, every man seeks their own personal gain or wealth. They crawl over one another or outright sacrifice the lives and psyche of others to gain a dollar. This fact is most apparent in rappers degrading black women and promoting ignorance to the masses of black youth, hustlers selling drugs on the corner, entertainers constantly using the n-word for laughs, and failing participation in or creation of social movements to benefit the black race.

It's that Willie Lynch ****.

[Al B. Sure!]

No, unless you're claiming people in the ghetto really, really hate rappers and NBA stars. There's a perfectly good explanation for why they get robbed (evil, greedy criminals prefer targets that have lots of money because their goal is to get money).

You're a ****ing idiot.

[giblets]

You're a ****ing idiot.

No, I'm not. I just don't see how hating the middle class, but not rich people is just an extreme version of hating rich people.

[Al B. Sure!]

What the **** are you talking about?

The point is not wanting your brother man to succeed ahead of you. Isn't that the entire ****ing point of this 'envy of success'?

[giblets]

Seemingly, the concept of unity and community is foreign to Black African Americans; seemingly, the thinking that prevails within the Black community is the “crabs in a bucket” mentality. Rather than linking hands with one another and building ladders to help others climb to the top (success) and take the black community to the next greatest level, every man seeks their own personal gain or wealth. They crawl over one another or outright sacrifice the lives and psyche of others to gain a dollar.

What? This is garbage. If they were ruthless money seekers they would go and get college degrees. According to Al they refuse to get educated because they think it's "acting white". In the crab metaphor the crabs literally link appendages in order to pull each other down. How is "linking hands" the solution?

[DaShi]

Americans are generally accepting of those who succeed, "That's gonna be me someday." It's just that they want to do everything in their power to make sure that no one does, especially those with their same socio-economic status, "**** it, if it's not for me." I'm glad that Chinese are slowly replacing us person by person.

[Tupac Shakur]

So I'm guessing rich, successful rappers who engage in ostentatious displays of wealth are widely hated and vilified in the ghetto?

Of course they are. Where the **** do you think the word "hater" came from?

[Al B. Sure!]

Here's part of an article on the phenomenon from an Australian perspective with regards to Aboriginies:

But it is not just hunter-gatherers that report the dynamics of intra-community envy, jealousy, back-stabbing and general crab-like bastardry between community members. African-Americans complain about the existence of this dynamic in their own community.

Is it a racial thing? The prevalence of the problem in black and coloured societies tempts one to think it may be racially particular, but there also seems to be a social-class dimension to it.

One thing we can say for certain is the lower down the social pyramid you go, the more intense the dynamic is. Indigenous Australians of the middle class are not nearly as affected by the dynamic as those lower down, but they still feel the gravitational pull of these psychological claws. Even members of the black middle class can be intimidated from their ambitions by this dynamic.

For those at the bottom, the gravitational forces are so strong as to almost prevent any progress.

Some would say this is the nature of oppression. Whenever the forces of social class come to bear at the lower end of society, then lateral violence and fellow envy is all-consuming. There's no one lower down to direct any downward envy, so one can only look to those laterally to ensure they don't improve their lot.

I see this every day among the people with whom I work, whom I love and whose futures I work to try to improve. People striving to climb to a better life who are thwarted. People who do not think it right that anyone should climb to a better life. People who have hope but not the courage; the desire but not the will. And I don't blame them for their sense of debilitation.

[Egbert]

Americans are generally accepting of those who succeed, "That's gonna be me someday." It's just that they want to do everything in their power to make sure that no one does, especially those with their same socio-economic status, "**** it, if it's not for me." I'm glad that Chinese are slowly replacing us person by person.

So when are you scheduled for replacement?

[DaShi]

That's the irony of the Wall Street protests. It's not the banker's who took away their unions, benefits, and jobs and, in general, opportunities for success. It's the middle class voters.

[DaShi]

So when are you scheduled for replacement?

I've managed to convince them that I've already been replaced. But, even I know, the ruse will only last so long.

[Egbert]

Here's part of an article on the phenomenon from an Australian perspective with regards to Aboriginies:

Your little article about Aboriginal culture is pure bull****.

[Tupac Shakur]

Your little article about Aboriginal culture is pure bull****.

QFT. The Aboriginal culture is dead thanks to the oppression of White Australians.