Here..Here!!!:thumbup:

I'm white too. I'm not so offended by the speech as he lived through things that I've never encountered so he gets a little freedom in my eyes. What bothers me about things such as BET and Negro college fund isn't that they exist. It's that the shouldn't have to exist. Why couldn't it be Hip-hop TV and not be a channel based on color? We shouldn't have to have college funds centered on any color because we should all have the same chance. I'm not talking socialism. I'm talking based on ability and intelligence. If you're smart and want to be a doctor you should have the chance to be a doctor. Even if you have to pay for every cent of it. Even if you get full scholarships. Even if you're two feet tall and green. We shouldn't be so dependent on our differences but instead on our likenesses. Just a thought.

btw. also don't think the post should be closed. Freedom of speech handled in a civil way is a beautiful thing.

There are black Irish people who i am sure celebrate their holiday, Valentines,etc....are celebrated by most ethinic groups here. I think having your own month as a holiday or your own school just for skin color is still keeping a division among us.......no matter what race it is.

Angie

Well I am an african-american.... Yes..he could have said something else...but like everyone else said, he comes from a different time and is set in his ways...it's like going into my great-grandmother's house and she still has flowery wallpaper all over the place from like the 60's..and that plastic fruit as centerpiece decorations...lol She always talks about how she likes the contemporary look of today & new paint colors BUT she will not let go of what she's had and known for the past 50+ years.... Okay..bad attempt at an analogy LOL...but my point is he comes from a certain era that's edged in his brain and therefore that memory is part of him and his thinking and will always be...so thus, it will come out in the way he communicates, his speeches, etc.

I feel it could have been worded differently but I also know he comes from a different era and all we can hope for is that we as the newer generation willl embrace the diversity we are fortunate to be a part of...I'm not going to get totally upset about it...I mean, on the opposite end, you have the Rush Limbaugh's still saying the things that can be deemed as racist. African-Americans make a big deal of it....I don't. Again, looking at his age, he's probably coming from the same era Rev. Lawry does. I'm just glad I don't have to live with him.:p

I'm raised in the new generation and will not let those things upset me or change the values of which were instilled in me by my parents. I don't need any free passes. I have 2 degrees, paid for by myself, my own home, a good job(2) and dozens of friends of all races, religions, political views, etc.

I love everyone for who they are(some could stand some tweeking tho)..;)!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you might misunderstand what I mean about our holidays. Of course many ethnic groups celebrate these holidays, but they originated from European culture, that brought them to America as our Holidays. Im actually just started learning about this. Halloween was what is now Ireland but used to be the United Kingdom. Its all very interesting really. I think Black History Month came about to show young black kids there are great leaders that they can look up too.

I agree with you about Rush Limbaugh and I would never listen to his show because of some things I have heard on there

Good post.:thumbup: The older generations do come from such a different place. My grandmother will say things that are blatantly racist and then swear she doesn't have a racist bone in her body- and she believes herself.:rolleyes: There's no changing a woman in her 80s (but I sure wouldn't want to see her give a nationally aired speech:o). I don't think it was the best wording for a national audience (and I'd bet President Obama would agree) but we should take into consideration that he's from a completely different generation and has very different life experiences than people of my generation. Honestly, how many of you over 30 yrs old (regardless of your race) would want to see your grandparents give a public speech involving race?

BTW, I think it's great that we can discuss controversial things and not all agree and still keep it civil.:thumbup:

I see what you and a lot of other people are saying. He did come from a different time frame YES BUT what makes him different than our grandparents is he in the public eye. Our grandparents wouldn't be out making national speeches on race. He was. Everyone is always so worried about being politically correct and using terms like "holiday tree" as not to offend different religions and you can't say "Merry Christmas" any more, but there can be national made speeches about RACE? And I'm sorry, but if he didn't mean it, "like that" then he would have used the past tense... not present.

LOL I see your point. There is no way I wouldve wanted My Grandparents to give a speech on race.

I always say MERRY CHRISTMAS!! And you know what, the people at the stores etc say it back :D Its contagious I guess :thumbup:

:goodpost:
Just for fun sakes...if we had a BET it would be WET...thats funny! ;)

I always do to, but employees of stores and stuff are actually told NOT to say it or they could get in trouble because it could "offend" someone. I don't care what people say back, but I am going to say Merry Christmas until the day that I die. And since I'm 21, that could be awhile yet. :-)