I'm "African American"

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Shallow, hell no! As a wrathful copyeditor, I think that's a very valid reason. Also, regular use of run-on sentences is a clear indicator a scrambled brain, bad hygiene, and lack of humor.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't see why anyone "Needs" a good role model to look up to in life, that's not a valid excuse for me either.

So then why did you say my post was BS?

[FortLaudy 10]

No, I didn't read it.

I have no problem with motivation and hard work, but people are complex creatures and society more complex still.

As I say, unless you're prepared to say that an entire population is somehow intrinsically substandard, the only reasonable conclusion to draw is that our society has some glaring inequalities.

From a Western point of view, yes Absolutely. From my point of view, hell no. The only people who feel "sorry" for Africans living their hand-to-mouth existence are Westerners, they don't feel sorry for themselves, they have been living in mud huts, catching and growing their own food for centuries and are just fine without interference. They lived like that when the first European ship hit shore there hundreds of years ago, and still do the same today. I know my opinion is controversial but I truly believe the way these people choose to live is in their blood, just like you can't make an Italian stop liking pasta or get an Irishmen to stop drinking beer, no matter where you move them

[Peikko 1,575]

From a Western point of view, yes Absolutely. From my point of view, hell no. The only people who feel "sorry" for Africans living their hand-to-mouth existence are Westerners, they don't feel sorry for themselves, they have been living in mud huts, catching and growing their own food for centuries and are just fine without interference. They lived like that when the first European ship hit shore there hundreds of years ago, and still do the same today. I know my opinion is controversial but I truly believe the way these people choose to live is in their blood, just like you can't make an Italian stop liking pasta or get an Irishmen to stop drinking beer, no matter where you move them

If you see people only in the context of their ethnic stereotypes, that's what you will see. It's not a picture of reality however.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

"Controversial" is rather euphemistic of what you are saying.

If you genuinely believe that the problems within black communities are because blacks are somehow naturally savage and uncivilised, then you are a racist.

[Ban Hammer 14,815]

Actually, it has everything to do with it.

Otherwise aren't you just a product of your background?

so ambition has nothing to do with it? someone tell bill gates.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

so ambition has nothing to do with it? someone tell bill gates.

Ambition requires imagination Charles.

Is that enough semantics now?

[Ban Hammer 14,815]

Of course there are.

But if we're talking about gangs, I'd say that those communities have other, more immediate role models to look up to.

if one equates a drug dealing criminal killer as a role model, maybe the individual needs to raise their standards.

Edited February 8, 2010 by charles!

[FortLaudy 10]

If you see people only in the context of their ethnic stereotypes, that's what you will see. It's not a picture of reality however.

I'm really talking about the people living in the ghetto, not All African Americans. I have a few AA friends at college, they are smart and work damn hard and make no excuses , it would be great if everyone else can follow suit, no excuses, no affirmative action

[Ban Hammer 14,815]

Ambition requires imagination Charles.

Is that enough semantics now?

i disagree.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

i disagree.

Good for you.

[Peikko 1,575]

offer anyone here a million dollars to do the same. i bet you won't get turned down then either.

So what? The point is, you can only choose a certain lifestyle if you have the opportunity to live another life style and turn it down. You are looking at these choices from where you are, not from where they see themselves and what their reality is. The problem is, as always, that these issues are not simple. There is nothing about being 'black' that makes one more likely to want to live a life of crime, drug or alcohol abuse, one parent families, etc etc any more than there is something about being a native American that pre-disposes one to being an alcoholic. These things are symptoms of a problem, not real choices that people make despite having access to a much more fulfilling life style.

[FortLaudy 10]

"Controversial" is rather euphemistic of what you are saying.

If you genuinely believe that the problems within black communities are because blacks are somehow naturally savage and uncivilised, then you are a racist.

Those are your words, I definetely don't believe they're savage or uncivilised. I think how they live in Africa is first of all their own damn business, they don't need free Western handouts. I have great respect for people who live self-sufficient and sustainable lives, I definetely don't look down on them, these people get to spend all their time with their families and friends, if we weren't chasing the almighty dollar as much as we do in the West we can learn a thing or two from them.

[Fandango 1,440]

Yes it is, I believe the scale is still heavily tipped to favor whites, unless, that is, if you ignore the historical context. Which is exactly what everyone is debating. If you don't accept that blacks are still at a disadvantage as a result of decades of systemic discrimination, then you will not agree with affirmative action.

What disadvantage are blacks still at? Specifically.

I'll talk as a minority....I'm a woman. I have a bachelor's in business, I was in the business world for some time. I would not accept a job based on them needing a woman to fill that spot...I either win the position because I'm the best candidate there is, or I don't want it. I wouldn't want to start a job with the office thinking I needed some sort of 'head start' that had nothing to do with merit.

[FortLaudy 10]

Ambition requires imagination Charles.

Is that enough semantics now?

So you believe black people have no imagination?