Regretfully, I did not find this piece compelling. First, I'm not a religious person and am at best described as "agnostic." Second, I'm not real big on reparations. (Those who are can stop reading now.). Of course I'm white, of Irish decent and therefore I am racist by definition, even though my history would not support that descriptio…
Regretfully, I did not find this piece compelling. First, I'm not a religious person and am at best described as "agnostic." Second, I'm not real big on reparations. (Those who are can stop reading now.). Of course I'm white, of Irish decent and therefore I am racist by definition, even though my history would not support that description. I'll stack my life of equality up anyone. So, isn't it true that all our ancestors suffered so indignities in life (none the equivalent to enslavement of course). But we others, with all the cruel and unusual things that came our way, survived by wit, education, crookery, and such things that came our way by atypical benefit. No, we didn't obtain or give land that wasn't ours to give or grab, since it stolen from the American Indian. And too, there were many white immigrants that did not thrive on their cultural heritage. Europeans became coal miners. Their families continue to survive today in Appalachia and are among the poorest people in our country. And of course there are many others, the homeless, the destroyed military veterans, the mentally ill. I dare say there are many caucasians among these folks who have not benefitted from their "white privilege".
If we go back to Africans, their cultures did not reward the "intellectuals" other than the revered wisemen in their tribe. And the most prominent was not a "landowner" beyond his hut. Those rewarded most were the hunter/gathers. Then through tribal wars, the weaker were first enslaved and then traded for money.
I'm clearly adrift here as anyone who would read this has likely left by now observing "oh, here it goes again. Another white person who just doesn't get it". So be it.
Too many African Americans suffer from a distinct break. The fatherless home. Why? Can it be directly related to racism? I've written this before, and will relate to it briefly. In early 2000, Ed Bradley on CBS interviewed a well-to-do family in an Atlanta suburb that was largely populated by other black families. Of course they were all well educated, too. The family of 6 as I recall were doctors, bankers, educators and lawyers. Seated in their circular living room, Bradley proceeded a question with "As African-Americans...." He never finished the question as one of the sons quickly stood up and said, "Wait a minute. We are not African anything. We are Americans who happen to be Black." Bradley was stunned as was I. This was something I'd never heard despite my history in employment, promoting minorities and women in government and business, beginning with managing a city's first "Youth Opportunity Program" in the late 60's.
This all puts me on the "right" side of liberal Americans, I know. I'm among those who reward effort. Everyone does not get a prize. Little Mary doesn't get promoted to third grade if she failed to put forth the effort (or her parent{s}) to meet reasonable standard. Somewhere along my way, we began to reward those who "lost" rather than telling them they needed to work harder and as a parent, "I will help you".
You clearly did NOT read this article. She never once argues FOR the things you think she does. I can't even comprehend how you could have read this article and gleaned the exact opposite of her point!
Regretfully, I did not find this piece compelling. First, I'm not a religious person and am at best described as "agnostic." Second, I'm not real big on reparations. (Those who are can stop reading now.). Of course I'm white, of Irish decent and therefore I am racist by definition, even though my history would not support that description. I'll stack my life of equality up anyone. So, isn't it true that all our ancestors suffered so indignities in life (none the equivalent to enslavement of course). But we others, with all the cruel and unusual things that came our way, survived by wit, education, crookery, and such things that came our way by atypical benefit. No, we didn't obtain or give land that wasn't ours to give or grab, since it stolen from the American Indian. And too, there were many white immigrants that did not thrive on their cultural heritage. Europeans became coal miners. Their families continue to survive today in Appalachia and are among the poorest people in our country. And of course there are many others, the homeless, the destroyed military veterans, the mentally ill. I dare say there are many caucasians among these folks who have not benefitted from their "white privilege".
If we go back to Africans, their cultures did not reward the "intellectuals" other than the revered wisemen in their tribe. And the most prominent was not a "landowner" beyond his hut. Those rewarded most were the hunter/gathers. Then through tribal wars, the weaker were first enslaved and then traded for money.
I'm clearly adrift here as anyone who would read this has likely left by now observing "oh, here it goes again. Another white person who just doesn't get it". So be it.
Too many African Americans suffer from a distinct break. The fatherless home. Why? Can it be directly related to racism? I've written this before, and will relate to it briefly. In early 2000, Ed Bradley on CBS interviewed a well-to-do family in an Atlanta suburb that was largely populated by other black families. Of course they were all well educated, too. The family of 6 as I recall were doctors, bankers, educators and lawyers. Seated in their circular living room, Bradley proceeded a question with "As African-Americans...." He never finished the question as one of the sons quickly stood up and said, "Wait a minute. We are not African anything. We are Americans who happen to be Black." Bradley was stunned as was I. This was something I'd never heard despite my history in employment, promoting minorities and women in government and business, beginning with managing a city's first "Youth Opportunity Program" in the late 60's.
This all puts me on the "right" side of liberal Americans, I know. I'm among those who reward effort. Everyone does not get a prize. Little Mary doesn't get promoted to third grade if she failed to put forth the effort (or her parent{s}) to meet reasonable standard. Somewhere along my way, we began to reward those who "lost" rather than telling them they needed to work harder and as a parent, "I will help you".
You clearly did NOT read this article. She never once argues FOR the things you think she does. I can't even comprehend how you could have read this article and gleaned the exact opposite of her point!
You’re entitled, but read all that I needed.
If you haven't watched it already, you gotta see American Fiction.