OldSoul : African-Americans are confused about racism in four ways.

[chuck]

The post that started this thread brings up some very interesting points. I know I'm late to the party but I still have some comments I'd like to make about the issues raised.

Yes, I must admit to not agreeing with the original poster, but I also need to respond to your comments...

You wrote:

Point #1: Whether tolerated or accepted by whites in America, Black folks are the “object” in any such interaction, not the “subject.” What I mean by that is that in either case, something is being done to us or for us. Neither case is acceptable in my opinion.

On point!

A racist attitude is not necessarily always one of ill will; it can just as easily be paternalistic--an assumption that we require whites’ good will to successfully address the ever-present problem of racism in this country, or that someone of another race knows better than we do what we need.

On time!

Point # 2: I think we are savvy enough to know the difference between racism as an institution, racism of individuals and friendships between individuals. One would be hard-pressed to find an African American who believes that racism no longer exists.

Some lead with their hearts...

Others use their heads for more than hatracks...

I also do appreciate you restating things better than I did too...

Point #3: As conditions exist for Black people in America right now, I agree that this would pose a difficult choice. However, I would like to offer another scenario. In this scenario, African Americans have come together as a people. We own our own businesses, banks, educational institutions, grocery stores, art galleries, scientific and medical labs and on and on. In this case, the choice of how to respond when one’s boss tells a racist joke is clear--it is not to go unchallenged!

I have to agree to disagree...

Everywhere white power has strived to undermine black economic empowerment, whereas even elder blacks continue to face up to the facts, as in no peaceful coexistence etc., if the continued means and ways involve massive redevelopment projects, these days involving the bulldozing of black neighbors etc., to expand casinos and/or sports stadiums, etc.

It's just that black wallstreet etc. was done in by illegal means/ways/etc. hence no real threats to the white ones...

I.e., from the era of chattel slavery, the very rise of capitalism undermined our resistant efforts, on all levels...

The employee would know that even if the worst happened, if she lost her job for standing up and doing what’s right, she has someplace else to go. If this scenario is to ever be true, we have our work cut out for us

The above explains why we need and should not continue to associate our plight with mere examples of blatant racism, also with the very means/ways/etc. certain whites too easily lord over all of us, skin shades being more or less besides the point, etc.

Point #4: Amen!

Peace

Creators help us all!

FYI

 

[chuck]

As per usual: One and all have to expand the other post to read my comments too...

Thanks!

 

[chuck]

African-Americans are confused about racism in four ways.

First, they are confused about whether they are being tolerated or accepted by whites. Though some whites truly accept African-Americans, many more harbor negative stereotypes of them and only tolerate them. Rejecting the legitimate good will of whites is as big a mistake as trusting a white person who harbors racist attitudes The problem is that Afican-Americans can rarely tell who's who.
A second problem concerns an African-American's inability to distinguish between the supportive efforts of individual whites and the destructive actions of whites as a collective. This confusion occurs when an African-American is accepted by an individual white person and, as a result, mistakenly believes that racism no longer exists.
A third problem is knowing when, where and how to resist oppression, versus when, where and how to accommodate it. There are times and places when racism should be fought bitterly, but other times are not suitable. For example, the African-American employee whose white boss tells a racist joke, has a difficult choice to make.
The final confusion is whether an African-American's locus of control is internal or external. An internal locus of control implies that you attribute your successes to yourself and your failures to your lack of effort. An external locus of control implies that you attribute your failures or successes to something outside of your control. A major problem for African-Americans is determining when they are in control of their destiny or whether there are external factors imposed by racism. If Blacks assume an external locus of control (i.e., the "white man" controls everything we do), then we will lack motivation to help ourselves. On the other hand, if Blacks don't recognize the external constraints imposed upon Blacks by a white-racist society, they could be blaming African-American shortcomings on Blacks and not the real culprit.

(from Finding a Way Through the Maze of Racism by Dr Carl Bell http://whgbetc.com/meta/microinsults.html )

My gut reaction to what's been presented:

Not only was this reposting done awhile back--its points reflect where we were--not where we are-- in 2015!

FYI

 

[chuck]

Racism will always exist. I don't believe or take part in it. Yes Thank God For the Whites who Fought for/with Us. They were truly Great!

Yes, of course we would be ungrateful, if we also don't admit our people had or have white allies, but they were and are a handful...

You wrote:

Don't forget the mafia era in America spear headead by the Italians. Back then crime was WHITES ONLY. Hahaha

Obviously you forgot the most famous quote in movie history-- (by the way of THE GODFATHER)-- and/or the excuse for stuck on 'stupid' white immigrants selling drugs to brown/black/etc folk, (all the while it is common knowledge many Sicilians have black ancestry)--?!?

Greed also breeds stupidity...

FYI

 

[chuck]

What is there to disagree about?

People are willing to give god the credit for what man does, but won't blame god for what he allows.

Peace!

To clear up any misunderstandings, you aired an opinion, and I didn't agree with it!

Other so called human beings did and do us harm, many who claim to be superior, and dare to claim us being inferior, they can and do what they choose...

Now they too reap what they sow, all around the globe, too...

FYI