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Originally posted by Soraia
As to Africans saying that only Black Americans could save them...uhm, most of my posts say that, as my own opinion. I was in fact criticised for it.
As well, all this willful ignorance, with quotes of what I and others say, blatantly taken out of context...childish. I refuse to do that. I never pretend not to understand what someone is trying to say...
As to the rest of your post, CSI, I think it may be a little ego-driven, and maybe you've never delved deeper than what you need to make yourself feel good, which is fine. It's all a journey, and who's to say which way is the right and the only way?
Just think about the compliments you've handed out...I guess you've never heard the serious Africans thoughts on morals (or lack thereof) in the U.S., on the women, on the focus and drive of the brothers, etc...everyone likes glitz. To a point. When that is all you have to offer, ("look at me, look at me")like a beautiful woman, sooner or later you have a problem.
Originally posted by CSIfan
Originally posted by Soraia
As to Africans saying that only Black Americans could save them...uhm, most of my posts say that, as my own opinion. I was in fact criticised for it.
There was only one African who said that. I was surprised because I had never considered this. After the Africans allowed what America did to the Native Americans to happen, their plight is sad. I think only the Africans can
help themselves, maybe by "cleaning out" the diamond thieves and that sort of people, and getting on with their own economic development.
Originally posted by Soraia
I also said that whenever I look at Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) or other similiar organizations which work deep within critical areas in Africa and elsewhere in this world, all I see are predominantly white faces, the "blacks" that are there seem to be mostly locals. And that, if we have nothing to get from them, why should we give - that seems to be the current "black" attitude here, which is wonderfully reflected in your words (I assume you are "black")
Yes, many Africans (yes, gross generalization, Africa is a continent with many people) seem corrupt, and possessed of the desire for the immediate satisfaction for their greed - due to their violent upbringing, history, and current dire poverty.
And here is where I start to laugh, because on one hand, these very same traits are used as an excuse on one side of the world, for a current situation, dragging up all sorts of quotes, historical annotations and so-called validations for >>just plain wrong behaviour
DARWIN'S ATHLETES focuses on society's fixation with black athletic achievement. Hoberman argues that this obsession has come to play a troubling role in African American life and our country's race relations. Rich, flamboyant superstars lend credence to age-old prejudices, recycled "scientific" theories denigrating black intelligence, and stereotypes of black violence. This portrayal of black identity encourages a disdain for academic achievement already too widespread among black males. Darwin's Athletes is a powerful indictment of modern sport's racial spectacle.
The black activist and sports sociologist Harry Edwards has been the only consistent critic of this syndrome, calling black society “a co-conspirator” in the exploitation of its own children by a white-dominated sports establishment.
from thestoriesyoucannottell.blogspot.com
Black athletes are ruining professional sports.
After reading some of the stories here and after some consideration, second guessing and guilt for even contemplating writing this, here in LAX I sit, waiting to fly to another interview with yet another egotistic superstar black athlete that is about to do his part in ruining his sport.
Which leads me to the story I cannot tell. More like a personal confession of sorts. Something I cannot share with anyone else in this industry as I would be fired, blacklisted and probably run out of L.A.
Nascar? Blacks can’t afford it so blacks won’t be ruining NASCAR anytime soon. Thank God.
Soccer? Not enough camera time for blacks for them to ruin it. If blacks can’t get, “all up in the camera for the peeps in the hood”, then they want no part of the sport. Besides, in soccer you have to run all the time and even though ghetto blacks are used to running around all day, in sport they don’t want to have to work that hard.
Tennis? It started happening with the ghetto fabulous Williams’s. See their outfits? Soon enough. they’ll be on center stage, wrapped around the brass pole. Can you say, “Shower! Shower!”? Make sure to have $1’s for the tips fellas!
It’ll never happen in Golf. The only reason Tiger ever had the chance to play was because he was white-washed enough to be allowed in to the clubs. Earl Woods was smart, dressing Tiger as a little white boy. Do you really think Tiger Woods would be “Tiger Woods” if he dressed like the thug Allen Iverson? Not at all.
Hockey? It won’t happen there. Blacks can’t afford skating lessons, hockey equipment and ice-time. While Anson Carter looks like a complete idiot with his dreads/braids sticking out of his helmet, the other blacks are around white people enough to know their place.
Originally posted by nextguyinline
Though I don't agree that all people who call themselves black are affected to the same degree.
In the context of the American black, I also agree that the title of black, unfortunately has strings to the the violent and seperatist ideology of Carmichael and the likes.
The meanings of word can change, and do, but I think the word black will never be able to have a positive cannotation - not without changing the entire history of the word, which is impossilbe to say the least.
The n word is a good example. It has been embraced by the community for longer the black word, and we all know, it's meaning hasn't changed a bit. Nor has it's offenseable attribute.
I have in past threads attempted to get some posters to admit to the fact that assimilation is not what they want.
That some members of the black community, and it may be alot of members, are hoping for and working towards a black dominated society. Whites not included
- and this is why so many blacks who are successful in this country are labeled as Toms and sell-outs. Their success is not looked upon as a positve motivator to their communities, but rather the opposite.
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
I understand stating your opinion, but you've been one of the most active people in this thread and you have NOT ONE additive thing to say, except to bolster those who agree with you.
Originally posted by CSIfan
For many Blacks, myself included, it is difficult to consider assimilating into such a brutal and heartless society.
The Bully is not desired in civil society, but no, getting rid of the Bully is an impossible dream...the Bully must learn to live in a civilized manner, so the opposition can cease...
Jealousy is human nature and cannot be specific to Blacks. Some people are motivated by another's success, and some are jealous...simple as that.
How dare the Original Poster take the senseless activity of these two "assimilated" groups (a minority within a minority) to label all Black people and say we are "Crazy"?
In a nutshell, a rose is still a rose...by any other name, Black is just a color, and will never be more than that.
I am African American, but I am not black, my skin is not the color of obsidian. It is a shade of brown. And I don't appreciate being labeled by a color. I am beyond definition by color. We are all beyond this sort of categorization.
Originally posted by CSIfan
Here, let me note that the separatism between Blacks and Whites in this country did not begin with Carmicheal "and the likes"...this deep separation was violently imprinted on America centuries before Carmicheal was even born.
You may have noticed that another poster pointed out that some words mean different things in different languages; well, to me and the Black people that I know, no one considers the word black anything more than a color. That's all it is. A descriptive color; and for those who see more than a descriptive color, that is something that comes from their own minds. There are people who can find something negative in just about anything; don't you know some of them? This usually comes from their personal life experiences...and has nothing to do with others, especially an entire race of people who they don't even know!
The n word is a good example. It has been embraced by the community for longer the black word, and we all know, it's meaning hasn't changed a bit. Nor has it's offenseable attribute.
I agree with you on that...yet, you can find psychiatric wards full of sick people whose parents called them crappy words while they grew up...not good at all to use abusive words. But, once again, a very old word bestowed upon a people by American whites, not by themselves.
For many Blacks, myself included, it is difficult to consider assimilating into such a brutal and heartless society. For American Blacks and Native Americans, who received the brunt of this American Beastiality, the incidents won't stop coming. Just when you think it's okay to go back into the water...
This reminds me of the high school bully who made our lives miserable...do you join him in terrorizing others? Or do you try to get help against him and organize opposition? If generations of people continue to be forced to organize opposition, sooner or later you will find that being like the Bully is not a desired attribute. Don't you agree? Understanding this and equating this to the Black Experience in America is similar to you walking a mile in this man's shoes...
The Bully is not desired in civil society, but no, getting rid of the Bully is an impossible dream...the Bully must learn to live in a civilized manner, so the opposition can cease...even though many Blacks are battle-weary, many whites deny the presence of the Bully, though they luxuriate in the "spoils" brought home by the pilferings of the Bully (whether from America or other countries, e.g. Iraq).
To me, successful Blacks are people who have surmounted enormous obstacles to achieve, and it's a great positive. I consider myself successful, and have not trampled anyone for my success. Remember that success is defined in many ways, such as:
-Material goods
-Love, Family & Happiness
-Prestige, Respect
-Peace of Mind, Clarity
-A Sense of Objective and Success in a Chosen Field
In a nutshell, a rose is still a rose...by any other name, Black is just a color, and will never be more than that.