Holder: U.S. a 'nation of cowards' on race discussions

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Doug5

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
881
Reaction score
0
Holder: U.S. a 'nation of cowards' on race discussions - CNN.com

This statement offends me as an american. Most americans would talk about race but dont out of fears of being labeled a racist. If one doesnt spew the pc correct rhetoric they will be labeled a bigot. Even black people avoid talking about it out concerns of looking like a crybaby.

What is there to be gained discussing it?:hmm:
 
My belief is most white people dont realize how terrible slavery was. And how its affects still haunt black people to this day.

I find the fact that obama is a immigrant african american instead of a descendent of african slave american to be of significance. I dont think he would be President if he was a decendenants of slaves.
 
Doug5 said:
Even black people avoid talking about it out concerns of looking like a crybaby.

What is there to be gained discussing it?:hmm:
Click to expand...

I must respectfully disagree. Many of us are all too eager to discuss it. Doesn't mean we are going to talk about it every second of our lives but to say that we avoid talking about it is incorrect.

Race is a touchy subject in this country. Let's face it: The U.S. has an ugly, ugly racial history. And it's not limited to black people, either. Sweeping it all under the carpet does nothing. Compare it with an abused child..cover up all the nasty cuts and bruises with clothing and voila! Problem solved, right? :|

:2c:
 
Holder's right by the way. We have too many people who that that we live in a post-race country when we see evidence everyday that it's not the case.

Like that NY Post cartoon about the monkey and Obama. Perfect example of what Holder is saying.
 
society's_child said:
I must respectfully disagree. Many of us are all too eager to discuss it. Doesn't mean we are going to talk about it every second of our lives but to say that we avoid talking about it is incorrect.

Race is a touchy subject in this country. Let's face it: The U.S. has an ugly, ugly racial history. And it's not limited to black people, either. Sweeping it all under the carpet does nothing. Compare it with an abused child..cover up all the nasty cuts and bruises with clothing and voila! Problem solved, right? :|

:2c:
Click to expand...

Agreed. And only when those who don't want to discuss it use the opportunity to do so will we ever make progress. The problem is, people are unwilling to challenge and confront their own racial attitudes,and when confronted with them, simply become defensive. If they would use the opportunity to take an honest look at their own attitudes, and how they are unwittingly contributing to the climate of racism in this country, we could make some real progress. But I guess that's just too much to ask. Personal growth is sooooo uncomfortable!:roll:
 
In the spirit of Holder's comment, I say everyone should speak their minds about anything they want.
 
It's a touchy subject.....nevertheless it needs to be discussed in order to come to the same conclusion and unfortunately there are people that want to continue relishing in it.
 
It's not cowardice. Observe the simian response of submissiveness. :lol:
 
society's_child said:
I must respectfully disagree. Many of us are all too eager to discuss it. Doesn't mean we are going to talk about it every second of our lives but to say that we avoid talking about it is incorrect.

Race is a touchy subject in this country. Let's face it: The U.S. has an ugly, ugly racial history. And it's not limited to black people, either. Sweeping it all under the carpet does nothing. Compare it with an abused child..cover up all the nasty cuts and bruises with clothing and voila! Problem solved, right? :|

:2c:
Click to expand...

I agree with society's_child. We do discuss racism. I know we sure did in my college classes, and I often discussed it with my ex roommates and many friends and family members.

I am a Native American, and we have been part of the very ugly U.S. racial history, too.

No one can cover this up, and covering this up will only make it a lot worse. It will only create more ignorance on this subject, and the progress we have made will only be undone if this is covered up and no one talks about racism.
 
Doug5 said:
Holder: U.S. a 'nation of cowards' on race discussions - CNN.com

This statement offends me as an american. Most americans would talk about race but dont out of fears of being labeled a racist. If one doesnt spew the pc correct rhetoric they will be labeled a bigot. Even black people avoid talking about it out concerns of looking like a crybaby.

What is there to be gained discussing it?:hmm:
Click to expand...

There is a lot to be gained by discussing racial issues. If we didn't discuss racial issues at all, slavery would still exist in the U.S, black people would not have any civil rights, etc. I think that as long as we discuss racial issues, we will continue to make progress. If we keep quiet about racism, nothing will be done, and no one will be forced to look at themselves and examine themselves to realize whether what they are doing is racist or discriminatory. Awareness is done through discussing and talking about issues.
 
LuciaDisturbed said:
Cherokee Nation.
Click to expand...

The Cherokee Nation fought for the south under General Stand Watie.

the Civil War was not fought over slavery. State rights an taxation where the main issues. The Union had industry but the south had America's real money makers, tabacco and cotton...

the war raged on for two years. When the south was winning, being helped by England and France, slavery became an issue. making it an issue helped weaken the south. In Sept of 1862 the decree stating that unless rebellious states returned to the Union by January 1, slaves within those states will be grated freedom. Signed on January 1 1863, The Emancipation Proclamation did not free all slaves. only those slaves living in states NOT under Union control would be free. Slave states loyal to the Union were allowed to keep the slaves. those state were Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, or Delaware.

Most people tend to forget that many southern Americans were abolitionists, did not own slaves (in fact it was a very small percentage that did) and would not have fought for the protection of slavery...


Confederate General Robert E. Lee had freed his slaves...

Union General Grant's wife Julia did not free her slaves until after the war when forced to do so by the 13th amendment to the constitution and court action.

In a book by Mildred Lewis Rutherford called Truths Of History
stated that there were more slaveholders in the Union Army ( 315,000 ) than the Confederate Army ( 200,000 )
Statistics also show that about 300,000 blacks supported the Confederacy versus about 200,000 for the Union.
Click to expand...
just another quote about the issue
"the Northern onslaught upon Southern slavery is a specious piece of humbug designed to mask their desire for the economic control of the Southern states." ~ Charles Dickens
Click to expand...
 
C.C.Sinned said:
The Cherokee Nation fought for the south under General Stand Watie.

the Civil War was not fought over slavery. State rights an taxation where the main issues. The Union had industry but the south had America's real money makers, tabacco and cotton...

the war raged on for two years. When the south was winning, being helped by England and France, slavery became an issue. making it an issue helped weaken the south. In Sept of 1862 the decree stating that unless rebellious states returned to the Union by January 1, slaves within those states will be grated freedom. Signed on January 1 1863, The Emancipation Proclamation did not free all slaves. only those slaves living in states NOT under Union control would be free. Slave states loyal to the Union were allowed to keep the slaves. those state were Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, or Delaware.

Most people tend to forget that many southern Americans were abolitionists, did not own slaves (in fact it was a very small percentage that did) and would not have fought for the protection of slavery...


Confederate General Robert E. Lee had freed his slaves...

Union General Grant's wife Julia did not free her slaves until after the war when forced to do so by the 13th amendment to the constitution and court action.

In a book by Mildred Lewis Rutherford called Truths Of History
just another quote about the issue
Click to expand...

I'm a Civil war buff so I agree with some (but not all) parts of your statement.
 
society's_child said:
I'm a Civil war buff so I agree with some (but not all) parts of your statement.
Click to expand...
Oh, I'm glad you are a history buff. Many people don't bother to learn from history.
The Civil War was a very dark time for this country. Most of the our history is full of acts that we should be ashamed of... at least we can learn from our mistakes...
 
C.C.Sinned said:
Oh, I'm glad you are a history buff. Many people don't bother to learn from history.
The Civil War was a very dark time for this country. Most of the our history is full of acts that we should be ashamed of... at least we can learn from our mistakes...
Click to expand...

This is true. :)
 
jillio said:
Agreed. And only when those who don't want to discuss it use the opportunity to do so will we ever make progress. The problem is, people are unwilling to challenge and confront their own racial attitudes,and when confronted with them, simply become defensive. If they would use the opportunity to take an honest look at their own attitudes, and how they are unwittingly contributing to the climate of racism in this country, we could make some real progress. But I guess that's just too much to ask. Personal growth is sooooo uncomfortable!:roll:
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth. Plus many deny themselves that they can be racist without even knowing.....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top