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originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: Edumakated
Every black person has experienced this at some point in their lives. You are treated as if you don't belong or someone questions why you are there...
I really wish we could all switch bodies/thoughts for a week or so.
I think there would be a lot more peace in the world.
What black folks may not realize is that almost everyone has this feeling of not belonging.
What he is saying is that no matter how much money you have, you are still black.... meaning some people will still be racist to you.
This is something that unfortunately is ingrained into black folks because we are still not that far removed from overt racism, regardless of our education, class status, and financial wealth. As Malcolm X quipped, "What do you call a black man with a Ph.D? A n*gger"
With that said, this subtle racism while hurtful, hardly is something holds anyone back.
Look, I am a clean cut, polished, educated black man. Yet, there have been times I've been overtly questioned about my presence somewhere and the only reason I can surmise is due to my skin color. Looked at as if for some reason I can't afford something. I am not talking about situations where some guy with neck tattoos and his pants hanging around his ass can't figure out why he isn't be treated well at a country club.
Look, I am a clean cut, polished, educated black man.
Again, we are not that far removed from overt discrimination and racism. My parents experienced it.
I've been overtly questioned about my presence somewhere and the only reason I can surmise is due to my skin color. Looked at as if for some reason I can't afford something.
If a job only offers basic survival, and you need a job to live, how is it different from slavery? Is the ability to beg to serve different masters really that great a benefit.
This is the big dilemma. A free man can have a life worse than a slave if the system is against him, just as much as a slave can have a better life than a free man if the system is for him.
My issue with the term of slavery is it can be used to excuse conditions worse than many real slaves by the legal definition ever experience by making slavery into a false example that nothing can be worse than.
Being free means nothing if it is not followed up with a life worth living, and is upon this which we should base society and not simply on the act of being free. We are supposed to have advanced beyond basic animals with the invention of society, it is time we held ourselves to a higher standard where we are no longer expected to live simply to satisfy our most basic needs.
People didn't oppose slavery because it had the name of slavery, people opposed slavery because it was an attrocious way to treat other human beings. This is why the whole, it's not slavery thing is a problem. People are too caught up on it not being the legal definition of slavery to realize what people are actually saying, which is, this is no way to treat other human beings.
Luke 16:19-31 King James Version (KJV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
John 11 King James Version (KJV)
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
When you sign for a mortgage, you become a slave.
The moment you're born, you're a slave. Wonder why? See taxation.
Slave-a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.
"The eye of a needle" is scripture quoting Jesus recorded in the synoptic gospels: I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
A slave to me...