No but this is 2009. Not the 1950's. It's not the civil rights era anymore and no one is acting like it is. Some people are acting like they are still victimized. I wasn't around in that time frame and most of the people I know weren't either or were to young to remember, so why are we being punished and scrutinized because of something that happened about 60 years ago? Not only that, he was talking in the present tense. He was acting like black people are still forced in the back of the bus and all that. We all just need to move on and stop living in the past. Yes, there will always be racism in the world, but it's not always going to be a white person. It comes from all races and all cultures and even some against their own race/culture.

Lou - I LOVED your post.

Personally, I find Black History to be very interesting and I love studying it.

I was not "offended" by the Rev.'s comments. I just thought they were unnecessary and racially dividing. I DO believe that Black History is something we should learn about and devote time to learning about (I am in love with American History though, so that could have something to do with it) but I think we need to go about learning of it with more of an open heart and mind. Many people are racist STILL -- it's still out there. So it's not something that should be forgotten about. It's important. I believe that we need to see the progression in our country to continue moving forward with our goals and hopes.

The reason that it bothered me is that I just felt that it was unnecessary. The men and women who fought for civil rights fought to erase the racial divisions...and comments like that do not allow that to happen. Had he said "Where blacks, whites, reds, and yellows can live together in peace an harmony" I don't think anyone would have a problem with it.

Basically, the summary to my posts in this thread is this: The only way to move on and continue stopping racism, is to stop making comments that seperate the races. There is a difference between learning about the history of races and making comments that degrade another. We should ALL be proud of our races, our heritages, and where we come from, and no one should make us feel bad for something we have NO control over. We can't control what *some* of our ancestors did. I know for a fact that mine never owned slaves, but I still hear racist comments directed at me, simply because I'm white. We are all equal. It goes back to the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Oh girl I have to disagree with that. Do you know your past makes who you are today. Its not so easy to just let it go and live for how things are now. As much as we would like to believe we understand what they went through or how they felt, we really cant.

Or if he WAS talking about the civil rights movement he could have said something like "We came from a time when black people had to sit on the back of the bus... " yada yada yada. That would have been completely different. But he made it seem like people were separated and that those who were white were the only ones being racist.

No I agree we should LEARN about it, but people are LIVING in the past. They are acting like it's still the civil rights era. That's what I'm saying.

Yes--exactly!!! No one expects blacks to sit at the back of the bus anymore -- whether they're racist or not. It shouldn't be made out to be like that is the kind of society we are still in.

Its almost like a war veteran talking about war. They can't stop talking and reliving the past because that was the biggest major part of their lives.

UGH! I really think its because you guys are still young. You haven't yet experienced or understand empathy for others. He is an old man that has seen and encountered many terrible things. If his grandson had said that, then I think this would be a different discussion altogether :rolleyes:

Talking about it is one thing. I don't care if he broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest speech (which is 124 hours lol) on the talking about the civil rights movement (in fact, I would LOVE to hear about it) but his speech basically said, every race is being discriminated against and white people are doing it TODAY. Racism comes in every shape, size, and color. It doesn't matter who you are.

No one ever said only white people are racist. And yes, racism does come in all shapes and color.

Speaking of Guineess Book, isn't the smallest dog still a yorkie? :D and those Chihuahuas sure did think they were special..lol

No it wouldn't actually. I get in discussions like this with people my age saying the same things. I would especially be upset if his grandson said something like that because the civil rights never happened to him. I understand empathy. I have experienced more than people think. Trust me, I came from a racist town where we had one black family that lived there. What I understand most is that everyone is EQUAL. I don't care whether you are black, white, purple, pink, or green. I look past color and I'm tired of people only seeing color. We all bleed the same way and we all use the bathroom the same way. That's what I see. I did vote for Obama, but I almost feel like the "white race" is being put down because now we have a black president. I understand it is a GREAT time and I'm thrilled that we have a black president. I really am, but I don't want to constantly be reminded everyday of what happened 60+ years ago when half the people that talk about it didn't even exist then.

But we're the *new* generation. We WANT to move on and let go of the past. Letting go doesn't mean forgetting, it means taking what you learned and making yourself a better person because of it.

I truly do understand racism. I come from a small town - White, Christian central. They aren't racist per say, but they certainly aren't overly accepting. In my high school - out of 900 people - there are about 4 black kids. I do understand it. I learn about it. It's one of my favorite things to learn about it. Understanding it is not the issue here...the problem is that people harp on it. People make other people feel inferior because of it. One of my friends (who is black) once said to me "I'm not really an American." I said "What are you talking about?" She said "I'm only here because YOUR people brought me here." If that's not racism, I don't know what is.

lol I don't know about the yorkie thing. The only reason I knew about the speech was because someone set a new record the other day.

He pretty much did. "When white can embrace what's right" That's basically saying when white people can stop being racist and treat everyone equally, which is right.

Exactly. Megan, you're younger than me, but sometimes say it so much better than me lol

If that's the case then none of us are really American :D