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Originally posted by UM_Gazz
Good plan BH, however it would be much easier if we could get everyone to simply treat each other as they would a member of their own race, in every situation always.
None of us white folks can know what it is like,
because we don't have to live as black in our world, but if we did, even for a day, we'd likely be shocked, and ashamed.
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Ideally, yeah, we want equality, but I just don't know how practical that is.
Originally posted by UM_Gazz
And so it continues, this is the apathy, that many of us are guilty of when it comes to matters of race...
Thinking we can't change it, we can't stop it, it's just not practical. Maybe it is true, but a truth that can change.
If we can really learn how to accept everyone around us as nothing more or less than we, things will change.
posted by Benevolent Heretic
[Why help blacks?] Maybe because they [African Americans] need it?
(1) My opinion. . as long as we try to solve this [race] issue through the back door after the "damage" is done, we will be unsuccessful. Giving black men more and more opportunities, second-chance programs for school dropouts and ex-offenders, is just putting a Band-Aid on a gushing jugular. (2) If we aren't going to devote ALL of the energy into the youth, where the problem is FIRST occurring, we are wasting our time and money. (3) I don't support throwing money at a developed problem that's just going to keep occurring. [Edited by Don W]
(1) But there's a systemic problem that must be addressed at the root. If blacks are having trouble in the formative years, there needs to be programs to "reward" teachers whose black students are doing well. (2) If programs aimed at adults were going to work, they'd be working already. And they are working for those who take proper advantage of them.
For a long time I have realized that this country pays lip service to their "most precious asset" children. We take all the money from the schools and put it into other programs for wars, oil companies, pharmaceuticals and big corporate businesses and then wonder why the kids are so messed up.
“ . . simply cannot . . educate our children. Period. That's why people who can't afford it [education] have to stop having children. We're pumping out these kids into a system that can't take care of them. And a child, improperly attended . . “
Yes, we can try to get the government to straighten up its act, but good luck with that. We can't even get them to stop torturing and killing totally innocent people . .
I strongly feel that the black community needs to take over the responsibility of this dilemma. NOT because they are at fault. NOT because they are asking for a handout or any of the other negative judgments. But because nobody else is going to.
We cannot redirect the war funds to the schools. Believe me, if we could, we would have already done that. These are my thoughts.
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Apathy is not caring, not having emotion around something, not being interested or concerned. I think it's clear that I have just the opposite of apathy around this.
Originally posted by donwhite
Why do you ignore no-bid Halliburton contracts
You’re directly quoting our president. Are you suggesting he lies?
Are you going to “convert” to a Democrat?
Stop voting Republican for a start.
Originally posted by donwhite
This must begin by a major overhaul of our criminal justice system. And total reconfiguring of our prison system. A band-aid? Yes, but we helped cut the jugular.
Why do you ignore no-bid Halliburton contracts but want a black person to score the first time?
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
We take all the money from the schools and put it into other programs for wars, oil companies, pharmaceuticals and big corporate businesses and then wonder why the kids are so messed up. Just imagine what we could do with a mere fraction of the money spent on war if we turned it into the school systems throughout the country! We could turn it around in a second!
A problem we can easily trace back 4 centuries cannot be solved in a day.
Besides, if you wait to start when the kids are in the 1st grade, then you have already lost a lot of children. Let’s start with WIC and end with tuition paid vocational training.
Why knock the government? It’s the only agency we have that can do the job you’re talking about.
But the anti-abortion, anti no prayer in school, anti no bible reading, proponents of Under God, advocates of ID or Creationism have ruined the public schools. On purpose. With a plan.
Somebody has to set priorities. And the rich have to pay taxes. They have the money.
And B/H, may I join you in declaring these to be my thoughts, too?
Originally posted by UM_Gazz
Should I have chosen another word?
And if so, which?
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Ideally, yeah, we want equality, but I just don't know how practical that is.
Originally posted by UM_Gazz
Racism is alive and well in the USA.
Originally posted by donwhite
In fact, the other day I heard someone say it started in 1609 in New Amsterdam -slavery- but anyway, it’s as old as America.
but especially black ex-cons - perhaps 1 in 5 are innocent -
Originally posted by donwhite
Are you going to “convert” to a Democrat?
Originally posted by UM_Gazz
Please at least click the full article link and read it before commenting.
posted by Benevolent Heretic
I agree our justice system needs a complete overhaul. The Band-aid I spoke of is "more second-chance programs for school dropouts and ex-offenders" mentioned in the original article. It's a bit like giving an aspirin to someone who's been hit by a truck and has internal bleeding. Yes, he needs surgery (justice system overhaul). But giving him an aspirin isn't going to help him much less solve the problem for others like him. [Edited by Don W]
I do NOT ignore no-bid Halliburton contracts. It's clear this administration is totally corrupt and steal the people's money. I agree with you it's not a problem that’s going to be solved in a day. I totally support starting earlier than 1st grade. I support starting at birth or before. And I support ending with tuition paid vocation training. My point is that I feel POWERLESS to make my government put money into these programs. How are you going to make them pay attention to this? Lest you be accused of being apathetic, too. Talk is cheap.
Yeah, exactly. How do we get that to happen? What is your plan? Besides words? How do you plan to make the rich pay taxes and set the right priorities?
Originally posted by FlyersFan
Slavery of black Africans didn’t start in 1609. Slavery of black Africans started looooong before that.
Originally posted by Wildbob77
If you based help on income, I think that you'd find that there are many people of different races that for one reason or another have found themselves on the bottom rung of the economic ladder.
snip
posted by FlyersFan
Sorry donwhite . . I don’t understand . . Modern history shows slavery [of Africans] from at least 700 A.D. Also slavery of humans has been around as long as humanity . . it’s not ‘as old as America’ . . It’s most likely as old as humanity itself. Explain it [slavery] some more please? [Edited by Don W]
“ . . but especially black ex-cons - perhaps 1 in 5 are innocent Why 'especially black ex-cons' . . Why be racist about it? Everyone should be equal.
For those interested in information about innocent people on Death Row in America read this, ‘Actual Innocence’ by Barry Scheck, Peter Neufeld, and Jim Dwyer. THIS is why I am against the death penalty in most cases. Very good reading.
BTW . . the Dems don't have the corner market on how to treat people equally or fairly. They THINK they do . . but they end up enabling and pandering . . rarely helping in the long run.
That's one more reason why this country needs MORE than just two major parties. I'm giving serious consideration to registering as a Libertarian.
Originally posted by donwhite
I had reference only to the English colonies.
I cannot add more to this on-going dispute.
you left me dangling!
you fell silent. Hmm? … Ms F/F, you again fell silent.
posted by FlyersFan
Gotchya. Since you brought up slavery in America, which ended 250 years ago, [142 years to be a bit more exact] I figured I’d post the facts about destinations of black slaves during the 1600-1800 time period. Compared to other countries, America had much lower numbers of slaves bought from Africa. “U.S.A.: 300,000" [Edited by Don W]
Compared to white Americans; it is a MUCH higher probability that the ancestors of black Americans owned black slaves. How does that truth affect the ‘social crisis’ of black Americans? Perhaps that fact should be part of what is taught during Black History Month.
347,525 white Americans in 1850 owned slaves. The US population in 1850 was 23,191,876. That makes the percentage of white Americans who owned slaves in 1850, 1.4%.
25% of the (free) black slave masters owned 10 or more black slaves. How does the fact slavery is still endemic to Africa affect the ‘social crisis’ of black Americans who call themselves 'African-American? Do they even realize it?
TODAY - 89% of African countries still have slavery according to BBC.
FACT - Black Americans are FAR more likely to have had ancestors who owned black slaves then white Americans are.
FACT – Black Americans are FAR more likely . .
FACT – Only 4.4% of black Africans sold by other black Africans . .
How so? It was a simple statement and the truth. Dems don't have a corner market on taking care of people who find themselves in difficult times/situations. They pander to the moment and don't look at the future. Ya'll already covered that Republicans don't take care of folks. So what's left to say?
You wanted me to get into a shouting match doing what? Defending republicans? You sound disappointed that I didn't. Like I said - no party is the ‘take care of’ party .. there is nothing left to say with it.