Black Man Issues EPIC Rant to 'My Black People' - Stop Blaming Racism, Take Responsibility

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Agreed again, as long as we bear in mind that the effort of which you speak must be made by all, regardless of race.

It will take an effort by all, but where blacks are concerned, it has to start with them first. Like the young man said, they're not committing crimes because of slavery.

[JohnR! 5,495]

And where or when, at which point in your opinion should the rest of society get involved? How much should we stand by and wait for blacks to help themselves before they earn the required credibility for society as whole to take action? At which point should we start acting as one nation, indivisible, with justice and liberty for all, regardless of color of skin?

I don't think blacks are committing crimes because of slavery. I believe blacks are committing crimes as a result of their circumstance during the 100 years that followed the end of slavery.

It will take an effort by all, but where blacks are concerned, it has to start with them first. Like the young man said, they're not committing crimes because of slavery.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

And where or when, at which point in your opinion should the rest of society get involved? How much should we stand by and wait for blacks to help themselves before they earn the required credibility for society as whole to take action? At which point should we start acting as one nation, indivisible, with justice and liberty for all, regardless of color of skin?

I don't think blacks are committing crimes because of slavery. I believe blacks are committing crimes as a result of their circumstance during the 100 years that followed the end of slavery.

Haven't those in poverty been given help? If you rob a 7-11, it's on you. We are responsible for our own actions. I think a major part of the problem is blaming the actions of people today on something that happened over a hundred years ago. Slavery didn't put that big chip on an 18 year old kids shoulder today. Apathy has a lot to do with it, IMO.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I agree with you. I also think that another major part of the problem is failing to acknowledge that actions of people today can be easily linked to their condition in the 100 years that followed.

Slavery didn't put a chip on anyone's shoulder who still draws breath today. It's what followed abolition that did.

You speak of poverty and some were given help, but by doing so we created another problem. You can't bring someone way late into a race and pretend their start isn't fraught with disadvantage, nor can you bus them to the half point and expect them to perform just as well if they missed all the preparation phases that allowed other individuals to take part in the race. If they were not trained and prepared like all others, they will be able to sprint at first, only to be overtaken by others all the same.

Haven't those in poverty been given help? If you rob a 7-11, it's on you. We are responsible for our own actions. I think a major part of the problem is blaming the actions of people today on something that happened over a hundred years ago. Slavery didn't put that big chip on an 18 year old kids shoulder today. Apathy has a lot to do with it, IMO.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Sounds like he has been reading my posts on here

One irrelevant post down. 123,456 more to go

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I got some positive insight from what he said and I think it can be applied to anyone. And the only way things will change is if each person makes an effort in their life and surroundings.

He pretty much nailed how I feel about things. I have said it many times. Yes the past is in play , things are not perfect, but the black community has got to stop blaming everything on Racism

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I agree with you. I also think that another major part of the problem is failing to acknowledge that actions of people today can be easily linked to their condition in the 100 years that followed.

Slavery didn't put a chip on anyone's shoulder who still draws breath today. It's what followed abolition that did.

You speak of poverty and some were given help, but by doing so we created another problem. You can't bring someone way late into a race and pretend their start isn't fraught with disadvantage, nor can you bus them to the half point and expect them to perform just as well if they missed all the preparation phases that allowed other individuals to take part in the race. If they were not trained and prepared like all others, they will be able to sprint at first, only to be overtaken by others all the same.

I realize that there are a lot of factors contributing to the problem. I'm sorry, I just don't buy it that the kid in Ferguson robbed a convenience store because of what of happened since slavery was abolished and the Civil Rights Movement. Was there more black crime in the 60's than there is today? Lots of poor people of all races all over the world aren't criminals. It's up to the individual to choose.

[JohnR! 5,495]

The argument you make about criminality in the 60s is commonly made. I don't have an answer to that but I believe that somehow it seems there was less crime back then because records were not kept as tidily as they are today, in addition we didn't enjoy the ease and immediacy of information we now do. Also consider that until the mid 60's the killing of a black person was not considered a crime in vast parts of this country, so none of those occurrences would have made it into the crime records of those times.

I realize that there are a lot of factors contributing to the problem. I'm sorry, I just don't buy it that the kid in Ferguson robbed a convenience store because of what of happened since slavery was abolished and the Civil Rights Movement. Was there more black crime in the 60's than there is today? Lots of poor people of all races all over the world aren't criminals. It's up to the individual to choose.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The argument you make about criminality in the 60s is commonly made. I don't have an answer to that but I believe that somehow it seems there was less crime back then because records were not kept as tidily as they are today, in addition we didn't enjoy the ease and immediacy of information we now do. Also consider that until the mid 60's the killing of a black person was not considered a crime in vast parts of this country, so none of those occurrences would have made it into the crime records of those times.

I wasn't using it as an argument, I was asking as I don't know the answer. My honest guess is, there is more crime in the black community today than there was in the 60's and before. But we do live in a different age now and information is more readily available. What I remember learning about the Civil Rights Movement was peaceful protest, not looting and burning. People calling for equal rights and treatment, not revenge.

Was there as much black on black crime then? Did blacks commit 50% of the murders? Was it black men killing each other like it is today? Were there drive by shootings every day? Did 13 year old kids shoot each other? Were there more two parent families then than there are now?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Makes two of us. I don't have the answers either so all I can do is speculate. I don't think we'll ever know the answers.

I wasn't using it as an argument, I was asking as I don't know the answer. My honest guess is, there is more crime in the black community today than there was in the 60's and before. But we do live in a different age now and information is more readily available. What I remember learning about the Civil Rights Movement was peaceful protest, not looting and burning. People calling for equal rights and treatment, not revenge.

Was there as much black on black crime then? Did blacks commit 50% of the murders? Was it black men killing each other like it is today? Were there drive by shootings every day? Did 13 year old kids shoot each other? Were there more two parent families then than there are now?

[Karee 4,190]

The answers are there for those who seek the truth. However, if the truth doesn't fit the narrative, it's best not to seek it out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The answers are there for those who seek the truth. However, if the truth doesn't fit the narrative, it's best not to seek it out.

What does that mean - the truth is what confirms your own biases? If that's the case, are you actually seeking truth on the issue or stopping at this video?

[Karee 4,190]

What does that mean - the truth is what confirms your own biases? If that's the case, are you actually seeking truth on the issue or stopping at this video?

I'm stopping at the video. My bias is confirmed. One black opinion is all I need.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The answers are there for those who seek the truth. However, if the truth doesn't fit the narrative, it's best not to seek it out.

I would like to see crime stats compared from the 60's and before vs today. Do you have any links? If not, I think I'll take some time and see if I can find anything. I think it would be quite interesting to see what, if anything has happened in the last 50+ years.

[Karee 4,190]

I would like to see crime stats compared from the 60's and before vs today. Do you have any links? If not, I think I'll take some time and see if I can find anything. I think it would be quite interesting to see what, if anything has happened in the last 50+ years.

I haven't actually looked, but I think you're probably right about the crime rates being much lower among black folks in those days. Although, as you can already see from a post above, some will dismiss the numbers out of hand as being inaccurate because they were from the 60s. I'd guess guns and drugs weren't as prevalent back then. I think many more households were probably two parent households as well back then.