Daring to be Different in the Black Community

The sad thing is, Whites and Blacks are largely in the same boat. Issues like the Zimmerman trial only act to revitalize the divisions between us, as this thread shows. Blacks want justice, understandably, for what they feel is an historical experience of unjust oppression and exploitation. Unfortunately, they are looking to the institution of that oppression, the Government and Corporations it props up, for that justice. In the process, they under mine their own ability to resist the real injustices and empower themselves, while in the same turn infuriate White's by using "their historical privilege" within said institutions to persecute and blame them. White's are agitated and tired of the negative components in Black America. They want Black America to own up to their responsibility's, understandably, as citizens of this common collective. They want Black's to own up to the fact that they are being used as agents of empowerment for a growing system of State Socialism and Plutocracy. However, as tensions arise, White's deny most, if not all, historical factors for why things are the way they are.

So in reality, neither side is owning up to their responsibility. The facts are, White America is the privileged race in this society, and always has been. To say otherwise, IS DELUSIONAL AND RACIST. Sorry, but it is true. And Black America has been co-opted and taken over by opportunists and corporate interests intent on exploiting their struggles for a dollar and a dream. White's need to understand that Black's across America are suffering and in a lot of pain, and that there is a REAL historical component of racism and institutionalized oppression that has contributed to this. And Black's need to understand that White's across America are also suffering, and are largely in fear of what a State Socialized system of welfare and increase taxation will mean for their lives and their children's lives. Once we understand each other, we can begin to brainstorm on ways to negate these common issues we are facing. But as long as we stay pointing the finger at each other and denying the existence of each other's struggles and pains, we will remain divided and in conflict.

White's should learn about the historical struggles of Black America that have led them to this point, and Black's should learn that they are once again being used to prop up a system that will destroy us all.

Originally posted by OneManArmy
While you are mostly right, there is such a thing as white privilege. I have seen it with my own eyes, being white ,white people speak freely around me. I have been employed at places where they didnt employ foreigners. And this is in modern multi cultural london.
Our current perceived enemy that we are being told to kick is the eastern europeans, stealing all our housing and jobs and costing a fortune in healthcare, or those evil muslims that seek to destroy our freedom, while at the same time we invade their countries and take their bid for freedom away.

We are being played like a musical instrument, What I dislike the most is how quick people are to blame everyone but themselves for allowing themselves to be treated like this by the people they put their hopes in to save them.
Only in unity is true power wrestled from the egotistical, meglomaniacal, sociopathic, psychopathic, narcissistic minority that pull all the strings for the rest of us.
But we currently willingly hand over our responsibility to the very same fruitcakes and wonder why we are the victims.

I don't know about London, but it isn't a reality here in the "colonies"! The only privilege comes from wealth or position, and that latter includes celebrities. Here, if you try and protect your culture, and that culture happens to be white, you are labeled as racist. I have talked to some people (online) that are English, and they state they have seen some of the same there. I can't confirm or deny those claims, but I have heard them.

I do know, here, there is a very real culture war going on. This country used to be considered a "melting pot", with people from all over coming together to form something new and unique. Lately, the push is for "multiculturalism", which is really nothing but division. United we stand, divided we fall. The current trend is that any culture that isn't what I would call American is applauded, and the American culture I grew up in is considered something bad. If you are patriotic these days, the government considers you, quite literally, a potential terrorist! All the things that made this country great and lately considered evil. Much of this is discussed all over ATS, when it relates to too much government control, tax policies, economic situations, wars, etc., but if you try and discuss the cultural issues, as the OP has done, you come under attack. The powers that be have done such a good job brainwashing people to fit into different little groups (again, as in Brave New World), that people go on the attack, directed at those that refuse to be shoved into their "proper" mold. Instead of Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons, we have sets based on race, culture, and religion. Free thinking is evil.

You are right that we are being played. Unless more people wise up, it's going to get worse, too.

reply to post by ButterCookie


Thanks for being an outstanding person.

Originally posted by supremecommander
I take ButterCookie's comment about the past having no baring on her means that she will not allow the chains of slavery, or anything else for that matter, hold her back as a PERSON.

I applaud her, because as a black man I can sit here, stew about the injustices in the world, the vile things that I have had done to me personally, and unequal opportunities in this land, or I can pick my head up and keep going to do what's best for me in a rational manner that brings harm to no one. I chose the latter option and I'm better off for it.

Some of you need to take notes. The girl is looking past you all with her forward way of thinking. We can talk about the past until we're blue in the face but if we as individuals are not engaging in practices and thought processes that better ourselves and move ourselves forward, we are doing nothing.

I don't like dealing with people who just sit there, whine, and would prefer to be # ed in the ass instead of pushing the weight off of them.

Oh, and the people who call her a house negro or an Uncle Tom are no better than the same racist whites that they hate and obsess over.

You're nothing but lower level thinking, hate spewing animals.

Buttercookie, ignore them. They will allow ignorance to keep them stuck in a pit of sulking and self pity, instead of taking the bull by the horns.

edit on 16-7-2013 by supremecommander because: (no reason given)

Originally posted by ElPolloPlomero
reply to post by whyamIhere

 

Wow, quick to jump on me and my whole 10 posts. You're a winner. You also missed the point I was trying to make. Reading comprehension skills are unnecessary, I guess. Or is it because I brought to light the plight of the Mexican and the Middle Eastern instead of picking a side in the white/black argument? Growing up I've been the victim of racism from whites and blacks. They're both equally as racist and will never fix it because they're too busy calling each other racist.

edit on 15-7-2013 by ElPolloPlomero because: (no reason given)

Wow, you really don't know how racist your remark is, do you? You stereotyped ALL whites and ALL blacks as racists. Tell us, have you been a victim of racism from every white and every black person you've ever met throughout your entire life? I seriously doubt it, so when you claim that by my being white and by others being black we are automatically racists because of the color of our skin, you offend all of us.

I took some time away from this board/thread and return to see this thread has gotten WORSE!

Whites claiming they were enslaved too....
Other minorities foaming at the bit to express their oppression...

Why is it that Blacks suffering in this institution of White Supremacy is ALWAYS marginalized?

I applaud all whites who've express themselves eloquently with facts and welcome all the racists to stop being so scared. All the hate you harbor is indicative of why you're HATED throughout the world.

And if one more font talks about handouts without mentioning that WHITE AMERICANS are the #1 beneficiary of food stamps...

reply to post by openlocks


Too much truth and they begin to think! Great post

PS - I've learned from watching this board; when u speak truth, it's crickets ( or all your post get removed!!)

Lol

Originally posted by CSpitta
I took some time away from this board/thread and return to see this thread has gotten WORSE!

Whites claiming they were enslaved too....
Other minorities foaming at the bit to express their oppression...

Why is it that Blacks suffering in this institution of White Supremacy is ALWAYS marginalized?

I applaud all whites who've express themselves eloquently with facts and welcome all the racists to stop being so scared. All the hate you harbor is indicative of why you're HATED throughout the world.

And if one more font talks about handouts without mentioning that WHITE AMERICANS are the #1 beneficiary of food stamps...

So, I guess I can say, Blacks claimed they were enslaved as if history is in doubt? Are you so tied to your beliefs that you cannot expose your mind to historical facts of record? The link I provided is backed up in FACT not supposition.

I wish I could say I am amazed, but I am not. I knew you would be back, you can't help it.

reply to post by ButterCookie


I know there are a ton of pages to this but I just wanted to make a comment on the original post. I think it's great that you think for yourself and chose to live your life the way you wanted to and not the way you were expected to. People REALLY need to get out of this "me vs you" mentality because it's killing all of us. I am white but I've seen it happen from the other side of the fence with friends who were of another race and there have been a few situations where I felt unwelcome because I was the only white guy around... I know two brothers from Pakistan and they seem to go through a similar struggle but I think to a lesser extent, that their family and friends of the same heritage pressure them to be a certain way, not date outside their race, etc. Most of the black people I know don't really hang out with other black people, for the same kind of reason.

And for me personally the majority of my family is pretty religious (Christian) and I have recently made it known that I'm not. I consider myself to be an agnostic who happens to have a lot of Pagan beliefs. So I do know what you mean on that front, I've caught a lot of flak from family and a couple friends telling me I'm going to hell or God will call me back to him or "I'm going to pray for you, I'm worried about your soul" etc or just generally looking down on me because I believe differently. I try not to take offense to that because I was raised in it and I used to think the same way. Most of my friends though either understand where I'm coming from and want to discuss it or just kind of stare at me blankly and pretend I didn't say anything, but I'm okay with that. The way I look at it that was a very personal choice and not an easy one, and the only reason I even told anyone is because I like to civilly discuss religion and beliefs with people, it fascinates me. But even though I don't agree and frankly I find some of their beliefs offensive, you don't see me condemning them or trying to convert them (although I have been known to get into what I consider healthy thought provoking debates over certain issues).

But I didn't mean to go off on a rant. All I want is for people to think for themselves, and not be a clone of whoever they happen to be around. We are all human and we are all in this together, the sooner people start acting like it the better off we will all be. All this stuff about Black vs White, Christian vs Atheist, Straight vs Gay, it just doesn't make good sense to me. I like to say I hate people on an individual basis, lol.

Originally posted by CSpitta
reply to post by openlocks

 

Too much truth and they begin to think! Great post

PS - I've learned from watching this board; when u speak truth, it's crickets ( or all your post get removed!!)

Lol

I know...as Gandhi once said, "The truth can never hurt a cause that is just."

They don't have history or science on their side, all they have is emotional appeal, fear and ignorance to fuel their tirades. And it's even more crazy when the facts push their narrow presumptions so far back into a corner that they begin to call all academics and scientists "Marxists", "Godless" and "Unpatriotic", lol.

Originally posted by cavtrooper7
It was Zimmerman who stalked, DAMN the laws.If someone scares me I can track them and kill them if they resist? Bulls##t. Laws are protecting the nastiest creatures who ever walked in human skin right now. Wrong is wrong skin be DAMNED this is NOT the issue here,We are trying to stop mindless revenge,we get enough from our forefathers reckless policies we need to at least stop it here.
If you want it that bad then GET HELP you have an inferiority complex.

So you feel that if someone follows another person in their neighborhood that should be an ass beating? Or is it that young black men are too violent for someone to think about getting out of their car....

Originally posted by Kashai
So essentially it OK to kill someone in there own neighborhood because you as the neighborhoods watch captain have no idea they actually live their??????

Any thoughts?

I don't think Martin lived there and I think in the trial there was evidence that resent break-ins happened. I can tell you that people do not profile 80 year old black grandmothers so it can't be just a black thing...maybe it is because most of the crime in that neighborhood is caused by young black males?
.

Originally posted by Xtrozero

Originally posted by Kashai
So essentially it OK to kill someone in there own neighborhood because you as the neighborhoods watch captain have no idea they actually live their??????

Any thoughts?

I don't think Martin lived there and I think in the trial there was evidence that resent break-ins happened. I can tell you that people do not profile 80 year old black grandmothers so it can't be just a black thing...maybe it is because most of the crime in that neighborhood is caused by young black males?
.

Good points. Zimmerman could have taken up VP Biden's suggested and shot in the air and maybe this would not have happened

This is all about divide and conquer and taking guns.

Originally posted by Stormdancer777
I think the cat ladies across the street hate me,

Oh boy I bet they do....

Originally posted by openlocks


White's should learn about the historical struggles of Black America that have led them to this point, and Black's should learn that they are once again being used to prop up a system that will destroy us all.

It doesn't help when 62 blacks are murdered over the 4th weekend in Chicago alone... This is not a white thing either...

You know that during the railroad construction it was considered too dangerous to use slaves so they got the Chinese to do the work. Here was a period where one ethnic group was considered lower than a slave. But we still have blacks in the struggle mode and Chinese have moved on...why is that? I do agree that blacks have had a hard struggle, but they sure the hell don't make it any easier on themselves. There is a reason why young black males are profiled. There is a reason why being a young black male you have the highest chance to die by murder by your own ethnic group. It is called culture and the majority of black culture is self-destructive these days.

reply to post by duke396



I'd like to applaud you for 'coming out of the religious closet


I also love the comment you made about hating people on an individual basis...very clever

Originally posted by knoxie
lucid dreams, I don't think she ever said she needed to LEAVE her culture. or did I miss that??

edit on 16-7-2013 by knoxie because: (no reason given)

F. culture...culture will get you killed, culture will keep you ignorant, culture will divide, culture will cause more pain than anything else...

Originally posted by Xtrozero


You know that during the railroad construction it was considered too dangerous to use slaves so they got the Chinese to do the work. Here was a period where one ethnic group was considered lower than a slave. But we still have blacks in the struggle mode and Chinese have moved on...why is that?

It's simple really.

If a group of people, or even one person paints themselves into a victim mode, that is all they will ever be.

The reason most other ethnic groups have moved on is they refused to accept a victim mentality and that they were inferior to anyone.

I went to grade school with african-americans that refused to believe they were trash, and just because they came from the ghetto they aspired for a better life. Most of them are in powerful positions today, such as surgeons, pilots, real-estate moguls, and partners in a law firm.

Regardless of race, skin color, physical attributes whatever mind-state someone choose that is exactly what they will be, for better or worse.

This thread has slowly evolved into one of my favorite threads on ATS. Thought provoking and honesty, on every level. Maybe honesty and directness will be the catalyst for people to rise up from their delusions.

Peace,

RT

reply to post by Xtrozero


I'm not sure I would entirely disagree with you there. I think our divergence then is merely an understanding of the causal relationship between the past and the present. We both see the same things, but explain them very differently. For example, you very astutely pointed out how the Chinese and Native Americans were summoned to build our railway system under very harsh conditions. But then you go on to attribute Chinese successes in America as thing of racial superiority, as in they are better at overcoming difficult situations. But there are a few key points to note.

First, Chinese-Americans did not come here involuntarily, nor did they suffer the extremes that African-Americans did. To the contrary, most of the early Chinese immigrants came to America looking for opportunity and prosperity, and so were already focused on achieving that goal. Second, many of the attributable success stories of Chinese-Americans were those who came from already very wealthy families back home, and they came here for schooling and to find high level jobs, to escape their own decaying society that was in the midst of revolution after revolution. Third, if you've ever visited China town in LA, SF, or NY, you can see how insular they are as a people. Many do not even speak a lick of english and could care-less about our culture. Plus, they too suffer from gangs, drugs and poverty. It may not be as apparent for a few reasons though. One, because, as I've stated, they are very insular, and two, because their populations are much smaller on a grand scale than Blacks.

Add that to the experience Black Americans have had in this country, and it is fairly easy to see why each is at where they are at. Further, what do you say about Native Americans, who are nearly non-existent within our society? Would you attribute that to racial superiority by other races over them? Or would you say they suffered through an experience that really no one else has, basically being systematically wiped off of their inherent lands?

reply to post by ButterCookie
Dear sister of the HUMAN race... my sister who just happens to have more melanin being expressed by her DNA than I. They call you black. They call me white. We are neither. We are all shades of tan/bronze/brown. If we look at a piece of black construction paper, and a piece of white construction paper... you and I are not those colors. (I used to use that analogy a lot when I taught school, when kids began to talk of 'black' and 'white' --always made them speechless, every one of them.) No one is exactly the same color. Even in the same family. It's crazy that this senseless division has lived so long. You are not alone... I am right beside you every step of the way! Surely Truth and Logic will win over ignorance!