Setting it Straight

[Jimlarmore]

My observation is that Native Americans are currently more effected by the past actions of america than the African Americans. The communities at the reservations/etc are very bad off, and very few get out.

The issue isn't an issue of opportunity. The issue is one of culture and identity.

JM

It's true a lot of native Americans settle for a life style that would be loathsome to some. However, I don't see that situation today as being our countries fault anymore. Initially maybe yes but not now. Today, most native American's depending on their tribe's have opportunities to get free or nearly free education as far as they want to go. If you check it out what you find is most of them have some kind of federal assistance and like doing their own thing on the reservation. The only real requirement for "getting out" now is a desire to do so. Many are relatively happy where they are at, living the way they are.

This country has been a land of opportunity for many years to nearly all of it's citizens. Maybe not true equal opportunities but hey none of us are exactly the same or equal either or would benefit equally anyway. There will always be obstacles to success no matter who you are. If you run into an excessively prejudiced person learn to get around them or change locations or what ever it takes. The bottom line is, if you want to be successful today in this country the only thing that really holds you back is "you". Sitting around crying about the past won't do you or anyone else any good. Today is the day of opportunity and life. We are not gauranteed tomorrow.

God Bless
Jim Larmore

 

[OntheDL]

DL,

I had an interesting experience at work regarding that. It was during a break and a group of black people who happened to be friends were in a group and I started to walk over to them and when I got there one of the women turned to me and said, "what's up my 'ga'?" (obviously I'm not using the whole word to avoid offending anyone), but I actually was fine with it - and no one else said anything about it - it made me feel like I was welcome and accepted into that group.

But that was just my experience.

That reminds of the movie Rush Hour with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

 

[sentipente]

s. The bottom line is, if you want to be successful today in this country the only thing that really holds you back is "you". Sitting around crying about the past won't do you or anyone else any good. Today is the day of opportunity and life. We are not gauranteed tomorrow.

Don't fool yourself. I and other black PhD's can tell stories. If we who are at the top of the ladder can have so many obstacles put in our way just think what happens to the black down at the bottom. Your experiences is not ours.

 

[Loveaboveall]

I follow the NFL quite closely, it is interesting that there is so much talk about the percentage of white/black in coaching and the quarterback position-- which is a high percentage of white. But nothing is ever said about any other positions, such as the running back position. The percentage of starting runningbacks is 100% black! Why is that?

It goes both ways, racism benefits many people including the rainbow coalition and the NAACP.

If the population growth continues at the current pace by 2020 the white male will be in the minority, will we then be eligible for grants and scholarships which are at this time only for "minorities"?

 

[JonMiller]

It has to do with economics, not number of people.

JM

 

[JonMiller]

Don't fool yourself. I and other black PhD's can tell stories. If we who are at the top of the ladder can have so many obstacles put in our way just think what happens to the black down at the bottom. Your experiences is not ours.

My observations is that while there is some racism in the post graduate level, that the reason why their are few black PhDs in physics is mostly due to not many being in undergraduate physics programs. At least in that respect, it is similar to the reason why their are so few women physics PhDs.

JM

 

[sentipente]

My observations is that while there is some racism in the post graduate level, that the reason why their are few black PhDs in physics is mostly due to not many being in undergraduate physics programs. At least in that respect, it is similar to the reason why their are so few women physics PhDs.

JM

Again you are missing the point of the discussion. We are not talking post-graduate opportunities. The point is that if those of us at the top of our field have to face and overcome this beast just think what those who are at the bottom have to endure.

 

[JonMiller]

Oh, I know that the inner city african american youth has almost no chance in life.

I don't know how to fix it though. Free schooling/etc at least can help a few (and it isn't free right now).

JM

 

[Loveaboveall]

It is a cut throat world based around money... If a black man can make more money for a business than a white man that business will pick the black man. It really is that simple... Whoever brings the most to the table is the one that will get the job... There is no racism in money issues.

 

[JonMiller]

But there is, if someone is a racist and could hire a black person or a white person, they will hire the white person even if the black person is more capable (at least if the white person is capable enough to perform the job). This happens all the time. And there is the culture of oppression which exists, especially among urban poor african americans.

JM

 

[Loveaboveall]

Oh, I know that the inner city african american youth has almost no chance in life.

I don't know how to fix it though. Free schooling/etc at least can help a few (and it isn't free right now).

JM

It really bothers me when people start talking about how the impoverished have no chance or lot in life. Free schooling is available through 12th grade. And it is not like 25 yrs ago when your parents were forced to take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for your college. ANYONE can go to college, they are called student loans! There is absolutely no reason why any kid should not go to college if they so choose. It is up to them to study and make the grades in grammar school to be accepted. No one can use the "money" excuse anymore. You only have yourself to blame if you end up on welfare.

 

[JonMiller]

If they get told that they have no future, people start to believe such things. If the culture is that there is no future, people beleive such things.

Opportunities exist, but they are treating the symptoms... not the central issues.

JM

 

[happywiththelord]

It really bothers me when people start talking about how the impoverished have no chance or lot in life. Free schooling is available through 12th grade. And it is not like 25 yrs ago when your parents were forced to take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for your college. ANYONE can go to college, they are called student loans! There is absolutely no reason why any kid should not go to college if they so choose. It is up to them to study and make the grades in grammar school to be accepted. No one can use the "money" excuse anymore. You only have yourself to blame if you end up on welfare.

Amen!!!!

 

[happywiththelord]

If they get told that they have no future, people start to believe such things. If the culture is that there is no future, people beleive such things.

Opportunities exist, but they are treating the symptoms... not the central issues.

JM

I believe people use that as a copout. (s/p??)

They use it as a crutch NOT to try! It just gives them a reason to fail.

 

[JonMiller]

Have you ever talked to them?

JM

 

[honorthesabbath]

It's true a lot of native Americans settle for a life style that would be loathsome to some. However, I don't see that situation today as being our countries fault anymore. Initially maybe yes but not now. Today, most native American's depending on their tribe's have opportunities to get free or nearly free education as far as they want to go. If you check it out what you find is most of them have some kind of federal assistance and like doing their own thing on the reservation. The only real requirement for "getting out" now is a desire to do so. Many are relatively happy where they are at, living the way they are.

This country has been a land of opportunity for many years to nearly all of it's citizens. Maybe not true equal opportunities but hey none of us are exactly the same or equal either or would benefit equally anyway. There will always be obstacles to success no matter who you are. If you run into an excessively prejudiced person learn to get around them or change locations or what ever it takes. The bottom line is, if you want to be successful today in this country the only thing that really holds you back is "you". Sitting around crying about the past won't do you or anyone else any good. Today is the day of opportunity and life. We are not gauranteed tomorrow.

God Bless
Jim Larmore

AMEN JIM!

 

[sentipente]

I believe people use that as a copout. (s/p??)

They use it as a crutch NOT to try! It just gives them a reason to fail.

You believe that because that is the only way you could sleep comfortably at night. Someone needs to redefine what it means to be Christian. The modern version bears no resemblance to its namesake.

 

[sentipente]

It really bothers me when people start talking about how the impoverished have no chance or lot in life.

I suggest you learn a bit more about human nature. You have absolutely no clue. You just may be a little too self-absorbed.

 

[moicherie]

Regional conference, union, division are organizational not racial.

And you are telling a white Adventist did start the work of evangelism for the blacks. So not everyone is racist?

I don't doubt there is still subconscious racism in the majorities. But their part is much less tolerated than the racism coming from the minorities.

Regional conferences were introduced for racial reaons read We Have Tomorrow, the history of Adventist Black Americans. Distorting this fact does not make it the new truth. I have never said everyone is racist. Yes black people can be prejudiced, racist I doubt it, the power base in the West is not held by non white people.

 

[moicherie]

You missed the point that the affirmative action was racism. But no blacks ojected to it because of convenience.


Misery is self-imposed. By blaming on the past, you will always live in the past. I'm more concerned with the future.



I'm not white. And I have white and black friends. Your premise is false. By not agreeing with that premise does not make anyone a racist.

My premise that racism exists is flawed? Ok perhaps having my head in the sand will make it all go away.
Affirmative action is racist but the practise of not hiring black people etc because they were black was not? Is that what you are saying. Trying to level the playing field for non whites is racist? Wow!