Black & White: Why America Can’t Escape The Race Card.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It's funny because we all know this will be the same message for 2012 as well. Even Obama is meeting with the Congressional Black caucus this week.... and people wonder why there's still an issue. Really sad.

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http://stompmud.com/2011/09/black-white-why-america-cant-escape-the-race-card/

In the year 2011, you would think that America would be long past the days when race mattered. In a time when we have a black President for the first time, you would think this would show how truly united America is on the subject of race. Unfortunately, that’s hardly the case.

Since the 1970′s we should have been in a post-racial society. We use the 1970′s as a starting point because at the end of the day we had to let everyone get adjusted to the civil rights act in the 1960′s. With everyone mingled together in public, working together, and living together in some communities, one would think that we’d come to accept everyone as Americans. However that just wouldn’t be good for politics and business.

Let’s take for example the past few years and how race has shaped the media. In March 2008 then Presidential contender Barack Obama delivered a speech etitled; “A More Perfect Union,” about how America had so many issues be them black or white, and how we needed to work towards common ideas. During the speech however, Obama made very careful statements in pointing out anger amongst black people, the privilege of being white, and how even his own Grandmother was a “typical white person.” A speech that was supposed to be about unity, very subtly made sure that he kept certain ideas in everyone’s head. It was just enough to make certain people think that they’d be racist if they were to not vote for Mr. Obama.

That was part of the battle cry during the election of 2008. For many it was about race. The idea was that if you didn’t vote for the “black” candidate, then you were obviously racist and had something wrong with you. Most of the time this wouldn’t be the case at all, yet for others this was a sticking point that they would use from that point forward in not only the election of 2008, but also when it came to President Obama’s ideas and legislation while he was in office. We cast our doubts here back in February of 2008, before Obama had even given his speech, but unfortunately we were wrong on how people would act, mostly thanks to the media who was more than happy to support this idea. Their influence played a vital role in making sure that Obama’s race stayed front and center. Subtle statements like; “could a black candidate win,” makes all the difference in the world to those who might not vote for someone otherwise.

The media’s role in pushing the race card is especially vital to keep the idea of a divide amongst the races alive. CNN is especially good at this in their cotinuing series of; Black in America, Latino in America, Gay in America, Muslim in America, etc. They keep race alive and well with these specials. They show how people have been successful, how they’ve triumphed, and how they have fallen as well. The series puts race right in front of their TV and internet audience. This type of action keeps the idea alive that we are all different and that nothing we can do will change that. It keeps that doubt among many different races on whether or not America will ever truly be equal for everyone. It’s never about how great of a person they are, it’s about how great of a hyphenated American they are instead. This is the kind of situation that made the attitudes during the 2008 elections possible and why you see instances where we have the same divide in congress and in different cities.

In Washington, you can find several different groups that are pusing their own agenda based on race. You have the congressional black caucus, the congressional latino caucus, and many other race based groups. This doesn’t stop just in Washington however. Take a look at the city of Dallas, Texas in which the police force have seperate unions based on race. There’s there Black Police Association, Dallas Latino Peace Officers Assocition, in addition to the regular Dallas Police Union. In 2011, we have all of these seperate groups looking out for the best interests of race groups instead of looking out for the interest of all Officers on the force. How can we even begin to expect to have true equality when all races still seperate on even the local level? Why aren’t these groups working together to fight for equal benefits for all officers, all members of certain groups, etc. Why is Washington worries about what the “black caucus” wants? Should they be worried about what all Americans want?

The truth is, big government and big business don’t want us to appear to be equal. Race sells, and it sells big. Keeping the idea in everyone’s head that we all aren’t Americans together, is a big selling point to entice people to be active and vote for certain groups, certain leaders, and to keep buying certain products. It’s why to this day we are still labelling everyone as; African-American, Latino-American, Asian-America, etc. If we were all treated as Americans, certain individuals would not have a job. People like Al Sharton would have nothing to fight for, and groups like the NAACP and LA RAZA would have no real purpose anymore. Keeping the groups seperate with different names and different media stories keeps the idea alive that America is still not as one.

Politicians use this especially each election cycle when they approach different groups of people and let them know how they understand the hardships of their race. They are careful to point out that their political opponents want to bring them down because they are racist. Welfare is used as a tool in trying to make it seem like Democrats are for the ‘Black Community,’ and Republicans are against them. We are letting politicians tell us that keeping people on welfare and giving them more benefits is the way to go. How corrupt of a society have we become when we’re telling people that their best interests are being looked out for by the amount of welfare received, instead of trying to help them get out of poverty? That’s the race card for you in its truest form right there. The more you can convince someone that their ‘benefit’ is being taken away, the easier it is for you to get them to vote for you the next time around. That right there is a horrible shame and the American people should not put up with that at all. The ignorant part of it all is that there are a lot more people on government benefits that aren’t black, than there are black people on them. Yet the politicans would have us believe differently and at the same time tell us that it’s a good thing for them to stay on the system.

We’ve lived in a completely integrated society for the better part of almot 50 years now, yet we are still being portrayed as seperate and not equal. We have to put down our race on college and job applications. We have to declare our race for the US Census so that politicians know who we are and where we are. We all shop together, work together, go to restaurants and bars together, yet when we get home we are often times bombarded with the categories that the media likes to place us into. There’s no escaping the race card no matter how hard we try, and that’s a shame for a nation that has fought so hard to overcome our past. We are all led to believe that we all don’t have the same opportunities still when we do. The majority of black people have been a part of the middle class for a long time now, yet the media still potrays the opposite. That’s not to say that certain races as a percentage still have some catching up to do, but generally speaking everyone is on the same playing field in most places in the United States. A poor neighborhood is a poor neighborhood no matter what color your kind may be. The only factor that makes a difference in that situation is education.

There will always be those in this society who hold racist views. There will always be those who feel that races should not be mixed. For the overwhelming majority of people though, this is not the case. We are not hyphenated Americans. We are all just Americans. We are human beings who want to live our lives to the fullest and not be bombarded by those who are full of hate. We don’t want to be brainwashed by people who cannot escape the past. We don’t want to be part of a race war that is simply non-existent anymore. Sure we all may come from different backgrounds and share a different past, but we are here in the present and working towards an even brighter future. America doesn’t need the race card. America needs unity and prosperity. While the media, big government, and big business might want things their way when it comes to race-based ideas, it’s up to us to not give it to them. After all, we are Americans. We aren’t their hyphenated toys to play with.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I'm tired of both of you. Just learn how to get along already, dayum it!

[Danno 1,228]

<<<<In the year 2011, you would think that America would be long past the days when race mattered.>>>

We will never, NEVER get past the race issue as long as whites are a Majority (The Race card only works on Whites).

As this piece mentioned, it seemed as if things were being wrapped up in the 70's but if anything, it has only been heightened.

If anyone told me when I was 20 yrs old that we would still be talking about these issues (other than historically) I would not have believed it.

Every Black person I have worked with, gone to school with or served in the military has had every opportunity I have had in those places, yet we afford not only these folks special privilege but their kids and grand kids as well.

Race is too real of an issue to be meaningless and I predict as whites decline in numbers, it will be every bit as important as different groups bump shoulders for power.

While Whites have embraced in real-tme, the one sided presentation of wrongs done by ancestors ... to ancestors,

I seriously doubt the growing Hispanic demographic is going to be concerned about the century old difficulties Black Americans have had to overcome.

Portraying the TEA PARTY as the KKK-lite has shown more than anything else, the relentless desire of some to keep the fire of division well stoked.

Comically enough it is more often whites who are the most guilty of using the race-card and race issues to their personal atonement and or political benefit. (watch who responds in this thread)

The Race card will be around until whites are not a Majority because it only works on guilt induced Whites.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Because Obama is a racist and told the black caucus to "get their slippers off and get to work"

No he DIDN'T

Oh YES he did

[Danno 1,228]

Because Obama is a racist and told the black caucus to "get their slippers off and get to work"

No he DIDN'T

Oh YES he did

I won't call him a Racist, but he belonged to a Church for years and years which is by any measure "race based".

Of all the churches for him to gravitate to, he picked that one for a reason.

Here, lets refresh shall we.

Trinity United Church of Christ.

http://www.trinitychicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114

THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System, written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee, chaired by the late Vallmer Jordan in 1981.

Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence, despite systematic denials, has inspired the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ. Prayerfully, we have called upon the wisdom of all past generations of suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination, the Black Value System.

Beginning in 1982, an annual Black Value System - Educational Scholarship in the name of Dr. Byrd was instituted. The first recipient of the Dr. Manford Byrd Award, which is given annually to the man or woman who best exemplifies the Black Value System, was our brother, Dr. Manford Byrd.

These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They consist of the following concepts:

Commitment to God. "The God of our weary years" will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activists, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind. Matthew 22:37 - Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Commitment to the Black Community. The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of strength and continuity of the Black Community. I John 4:20 - If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother [or his sister], he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother or sister whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Commitment to the Black Family. The Black family circle must generate strength, stability and love, despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society. Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out and expand that blessing to the less fortunate. Deuteronomy 6:6-8 - And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

Dedication to the Pursuit of Education. We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as well as every aspect of our environment. Also, it develops within us the ability to fashion concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black Education must include elements that produce high school graduates with marketable skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college. Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of Black minds. Matthew 22:37 - Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence. To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase, geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must recognize the relativity of one’s best; this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor. Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Adherence to the Black Work Ethic. "It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago." Whether this is true or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate transportation and a reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are in competition with other cities, states and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a goal of the Black workforce. II Thessalonians 3:7-12 - For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect. To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of self-disciplined persons if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources, instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self-discipline, coupled with a respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress and a model for Black Youth. I Peter 1:4-7 - To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness." Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must be able to identify the "talented tenth" of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor's control. Proverbs 3:13-14 - Happy are those who find wisdom and those who gain understanding, for her income is better than silver and her revenue better than gold.

Those so identified are separated from the rest of the people by:

Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.

Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.

Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which, while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of "we" and "they" instead of "us."

So, while it is permissible to chase "middleclassness" with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method - the psychological entrapment of Black "middleclassness." If we avoid this snare, we will also diminish our "voluntary" contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright: the leadership, resourcefulness and example of their own talented persons.

Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills Available to the Black Community.

Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.

Pledge Allegiance to All Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace the Black Value System.

Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System. To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive contributions to the general welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards freedom.

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NO white Politician could be in national office had he gone to a Church that mentioned "white" in any way.

This I think is all part of "judging people on a curve".

Certainly not MLK's professed dream.

Edited September 27, 2011 by Danno