Upset

[deb22]

Originally Posted by Saleswman

No one discusses that he is bi-racial. He is half white, but that is never talked about. I am already tired of all of it. I just want a strong leader, I dont care what color he/she is. But, I also don;t want it shoved down my throat what a disadvantage he has had......think about it.....

Women face discrimination every day, and no one seems to care. Would we have had the same celebration if a Woman would have been elected.????

Let him just be a man period, and NOT a "black man".


Sorry I will shut up.

Here..Here!!!

[duckie215]

Originally Posted by IndianaGirl

Im a white woman, as you can see by my avatar...lol
But, what I don't understand is why what he said, some are taking it to heart?
I have heard people say "why is there a BET channel? Why a Negro college fund?
I say why not? Its not hurting me or your if there is a channel geared towards the black viewers or a college set up for black children.
I have really grown up these last few years and really starting to understand a bit about American History and the past that it held. For those that hold onto racism and are looking for it, I hope you can see that it can be taking way out of context if you allow it to. Also understand, the Reverend is one of the few black americans left that felt the racism that did exist. The new generations coming up will no nothing of any of that because we as a society are not allowing it to continue. I didn't even vote for Obama But I do think he will help us these next 4 yrs and he certainly didn't make race an issue in his speach...but he is also too young to have encountered it too.

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.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by IndianaGirl

Aren't all of our holidays "white" or European anyways.
St. Patricks day is a Irish holiday, St. Valentines Day I believe is either an Italian or Irish, not sure. My point is, all or most of our holidays that we celebrate here in America are "white" or European holidays. Black history month does not insult me. To say give us what they have to make it equal sounds like you might have some deep issues you have not brought up to the surface yet. Believe me when I say this, I felt just like you at one time and I guess life experiences and meeting different people, my views have been broadened.
And for me, Im happy to NOT feel like someone has more rights than me or something isn't fair. I guess Im getting old lol

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

[LuvmyYorkies2]

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.

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)..!!!!!!!!!!!

[IndianaGirl]

Originally Posted by Angela

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

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.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by LuvmyYorkies2

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.

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

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by LuvmyYorkies2

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.

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)..!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post. 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. There's no changing a woman in her 80s (but I sure wouldn't want to see her give a nationally aired speech). 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?

[Nikki+2]

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

[Ashley V]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Good post. 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. There's no changing a woman in her 80s (but I sure wouldn't want to see her give a nationally aired speech). 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?

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.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Good post. 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. There's no changing a woman in her 80s (but I sure wouldn't want to see her give a nationally aired speech). 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?

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

[IndianaGirl]

Originally Posted by Ashley V

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.

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

[RebelBelle]

The purpose of Black History month is to celebrate the history that we don't always get to learn about. The fact is that I took 2 semesters of African American History in college and learned things that I had never even heard before during 20 years of life where I was educated in one of the best school districts in the state. What they teach in school and provide in textbooks is just simply not a balanced and true education.

As far as minority scholarships, I have no problem with that either. In America, anyone that wasn't an affluent white man was shut out of higher education for hundreds of years. During this time, the group that WAS allowed to achieve higher education got better jobs making more money. Therefore, that group began to accumulate wealth that would allow them to fund the education of their future children, who would then be able to fund their children's educations and on and on. Minority scholarships were created to provide the educational funding to allow minorities (women, African Americans, Latinos, etc.) seeking higher education the oportunity to afford it. Thereby leveling the playing ground. Perhaps after hundreds of years then there will no longer be a need for minority scholarships....

As far as BET, it was created like any other Media Outlet to target a particular group of individuals for advertising purposes. I don't see anyone lining up to challenge Disney, WE, Spike, or FoxNews for targeting kids, women, men, or conservatives respectively. While I personally wouldn't have chosen that as the name for my TV Station, Robert Johnson did. I do watch BET occasionally and haven't ever been told I couldn't, so I'm not offended by that either. Though I am often offended by the way that certain stereotypes are perpetuated on many networks including BET.

BTW I am loving all the informative discussion on YT lately! Being able to learn and discuss without fighting has been great.

[RebelBelle]

Originally Posted by Ashley V

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.

Yes but my grandmother didn't lead the Civil Rights Movement.

[IndianaGirl]

Originally Posted by RebelBelle

The purpose of Black History month is to celebrate the history that we don't always get to learn about. The fact is that I took 2 semesters of African American History in college and learned things that I had never even heard before during 20 years of life where I was educated in one of the best school districts in the state. What they teach in school and provide in textbooks is just simply not a balanced and true education.

As far as minority scholarships, I have no problem with that either. In America, anyone that wasn't an affluent white man was shut out of higher education for hundreds of years. During this time, the group that WAS allowed to achieve higher education got better jobs making more money. Therefore, that group began to accumulate wealth that would allow them to fund the education of their future children, who would then be able to fund their children's educations and on and on. Minority scholarships were created to provide the educational funding to allow minorities (women, African Americans, Latinos, etc.) seeking higher education the oportunity to afford it. Thereby leveling the playing ground. Perhaps after hundreds of years then there will no longer be a need for minority scholarships....

As far as BET, it was created like any other Media Outlet to target a particular group of individuals for advertising purposes. I don't see anyone lining up to challenge Disney, WE, Spike, or FoxNews for targeting kids, women, men, or conservatives respectively. While I personally wouldn't have chosen that as the name for my TV Station, Robert Johnson did. I do watch BET occasionally and haven't ever been told I couldn't, so I'm not offended by that either. Though I am often offended by the way that certain stereotypes are perpetuated on many networks including BET.

BTW I am loving all the informative discussion on YT lately! Being able to learn and discuss without fighting has been great.

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

[Ashley V]

Originally Posted by IndianaGirl

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

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. :-)