Blaming Whitey

[Sava]

I guess I believe in more personal responsibility. I don't care if they're black or whatever. Blaming someone else can be a cop out. Blaming yourself can sometimes lead to an attempt to try to correct a situation. There's a big difference. And I agree with a few others that this could be viewed as classist also more than racist.

That's fair. It's not as if we have conclusive proof either way. To me, responsibility is just a word used to assign blame to someone for something... morally, for the purpose of shaming them... legally, for the purpose of punishing them... mentally, for the purpose of motivation or guilt.

But for the purposes of solving problems, I'd prefer to avoid the whole concept of responsibility entirely... especially if we are talking about economic issues. The systems are so complex, it doesn't matter how much free will a person possesses. If we're talking about "cop outs", relying on "personal responsibility" as an explanation is probably the biggest one there is. Why solve any problems at all if individuals are so powerful they are choosing not to solve things themselves?

I don't think individuals are all that powerful. Bill Gates? Donald Trump? Michael Bloomberg? Yeah, those guys are powerful because they wield money and influence... mainly, money. But what about a 4th grader on the south side who is in foster care? Or being raised by a single mother who needs to work 2-3 jobs upwards of 60 hours a week just to put food on the table? How can that kid be held personally responsible for his/her status in life? My sister taught on the south side. The situations are terrible. Those kids have no chance at a good life. The few that make something of themselves hit the lottery, so to speak.

Anyways, TLDR. We're not solving any problems here today. We each have different perspectives. I suspect they are both irrelevant.

soooo GO HAWKS

[DaShi]

Times change. The type of racism that was tolerated 50 years ago, seems abhorrent today.



This doesn't mean that racism doesn't exist. You still get a few backwoods morons espousing the most overt racism. Others just do it more subtly, like supporting republican policies.

[Docfeelgood]

At some point, I have mentioned my background on Apolyton.

You actually seem more reasonable than on your previous posts but still...
Based on your questions and your line of reasoning you seem to have a fundamental inability to understand people.
This topic is sort of old and has been addressed. I would suggest you do some research on slang history, language history, different cultures, world history and american history. Specifically the history of poor people, subcultures and minorities in any country. It might broaden your perspective.
When Africans come here, they behave and communicate at the level of society they come into. If they come in as a lawyer, get paid and communicate with other lawyers generally the same way. On the other hand, if they come here poor, they experience the same opportunities and environment that poor people are experiencing and you generally get similar results. Same with Hispanics, Same with Europeans...
Back in the day, you would be making the same comments about the Irish. Or Italians. Or Whoever.
I say this based on my personal and professional experience.

I'm not the only one who fails to understand blacks. A lot of black people don't even understand the way most black people behave.
How is my "line of reasoning" have anything to do with understanding blacks? Is there another way to understand why they refuse to assimilate? You failed to explain to me because I think you can't.

I don't see how comparing how people lived in the past to today will justify the current behavior. Sounds to me as another excuse.
There is no comparison to blacks and other nationalities who have come here. The other nationalities have chosen to assimilate into the American culture and most (not all ) blacks refuse. Why is that?
IMHO, no disrespect to you but I don't think even you understand the black American culture.

[Docfeelgood]

I would also argue that the Africans you come into contact with probably have the same type of superiority complex that you suffer from.

That's a cheap shot.


You think because I don't understand blacks that I consider myself superior?
That is your explanation to successful Africans? Africans who came here and made something of themselves? They have a superiority complex??


Sounds to me that you have a inferior complex.

[Sava]

I'm not the only one who fails to understand blacks. A lot of black people don't even understand the way most black people behave.
How is my "line of reasoning" have anything to do with understanding blacks? Is there another way to understand why they refuse to assimilate? You failed to explain to me because I think you can't.

I don't see how comparing how people lived in the past to today will justify the current behavior. Sounds to me as another excuse.
There is no comparison to blacks and other nationalities who have come here. The other nationalities have chosen to assimilate into the American culture and most (not all ) blacks refuse. Why is that?
IMHO, no disrespect to you but I don't think even you understand the black American culture.

I gotta stop reading brain dead posts. It's bad for me.

[Docfeelgood]

I gotta stop reading brain dead posts. It's bad for me.

Only if you choose to not acknowledge in truth or make an attempt to understand the post.

[Docfeelgood]

But what about a 4th grader on the south side who is in foster care? Or being raised by a single mother who needs to work 2-3 jobs upwards of 60 hours a week just to put food on the table? How can that kid be held personally responsible for his/her status in life? My sister taught on the south side. The situations are terrible. Those kids have no chance at a good life. The few that make something of themselves hit the lottery, so to speak.

I agree a kid cannot be held personally responsible but the parent/parents sure as hell can.
My wife is also a teacher in a black school district. She tells me that the majority of the parents take no interest in there children's education. Parent/teacher conference and PTA meeting are a waste of time because no parents show up. I have talked to the black teachers at the school and they are under the impression that the parents think school is just for babysitting.
So how do we correct the problem? I'm at a loss.

[Sava]

So how do we correct the problem? I'm at a loss.

Blaming people sure has been effective.

lets do it some more

[Docfeelgood]

Blaming people sure has been effective.

lets do it some more

That's no solution. Blame who?

[Pax]

I'm not the only one who fails to understand blacks. A lot of black people don't even understand the way most black people behave.
How is my "line of reasoning" have anything to do with understanding blacks? Is there another way to understand why they refuse to assimilate? You failed to explain to me because I think you can't.

I don't see how comparing how people lived in the past to today will justify the current behavior. Sounds to me as another excuse.
There is no comparison to blacks and other nationalities who have come here. The other nationalities have chosen to assimilate into the American culture and most (not all ) blacks refuse. Why is that?
IMHO, no disrespect to you but I don't think even you understand the black American culture.

Ohhh! You want black people to assimilate. I'm not talking about how people were. I'm talking about how people are..and how the system is set up.
Read Major Barbara..
Also, I'm not going to justify anything or make excuses. Nothing I could say could convince you. I'm just informing you that most of your answers lie in the realm of social science.

[Skanky Burns]

This thread could do with bringing the tone up a notch, and hence:

[SlowwHand]

"Don't hate the Black, don't hate the White. If you get bit, just hate the bite. Are you ready?" ~ Sly Stone

[Pax]

That's a cheap shot.


You think because I don't understand blacks that I consider myself superior?
That is your explanation to successful Africans? Africans who came here and made something of themselves? They have a superiority complex??


Sounds to me that you have a inferior complex.

I apologize for the way I said that. I do feel that you and the Africans you are referencing have a superiority complex. First of all, comparing African Immigrants to African Americans is apples and oranges. The situation that they come into adulthood is totally different. The only thing really the same about Africans and African Americans is there skin color. African Americans have been separated from Africa for 100s of years. African American culture and values are closer to mainstream U.S. than Africa.
Why you can't see this is a mystery too me

[Docfeelgood]

Ohhh! You want black people to assimilate. I'm not talking about how people were. I'm talking about how people are..and how the system is set up.
Read Major Barbara..
Also, I'm not going to justify anything or make excuses. Nothing I could say could convince you. I'm just informing you that most of your answers lie in the realm of social science.

What is wrong with wanting to assimilate as an American?

....."the system is set up".......WTF?........another excuse?



Read this?

Major Barbara..A young and idealistic woman, who has adopted the Salvation Army and whose father is an armament industrialist, will save more souls directing her father's business ..

[Docfeelgood]

I apologize for the way I said that. I do feel that you and the Africans you are referencing have a superiority complex. First of all, comparing African Immigrants to African Americans is apples and oranges. The situation that they come into adulthood is totally different. The only thing really the same about Africans and African Americans is there skin color. African Americans have been separated from Africa for 100s of years. African American culture and values are closer to mainstream U.S. than Africa.
Why you can't see this is a mystery too me

No I can't see it when it is pushed on me by the black community that they want to be known as "African/American". I resent that as an American and so should you. What is wrong with just plain ole American? Goes back to wanting to assimilate as an American.

Hell, Africa is a content, not a country of origin.