When white will embrace what is right...

[binny]

Many, many hasty generalizations as well as assumptions in this post. There are many reasons New Orleans was in the forefront of the media and other cities were not, I'm not going to go all into that but right or wrong, good or bad --there are many reasons why N.O. continues to be a hot spot and I think race played a minor role. In this country whether you agree or not, money talks and often times no money = little regard.

There is no comparison between Ike and Katrina.

Lives lost Ike = 103 direct, 92 indirect, 38 missing
Lives lost Katrina= 1836 confirmed, 705 missing

Costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricanes
Cost refers to total estimated property damage. Rank Hurricane Season Cost (2008 USD)

1 Katrina 2005 $89.6 billion
2 Andrew 1992 $40.7 billion
3 Ike 2008 $27 billion
4 Wilma 2005 $22.7 billion
5 Charley 2004 $18.6 billion
Main article: List of costliest Atlantic hurricanes

Bush earned his 22% approval rating as much as he earned his 92% approval rating.

For whatever the reason, the people have spoken.

I also think it's very, very easy for the majority to accuse the minority of "not forgiving and just letting it go". It's easy to say that when you are not the one that has been wronged.

But what else can we do? As a collective WE? Our government apologized, we have acknowledged that is was wrong what MORE is there??

It was horrible, no one here is saying that slavery was a good thing. We have all agreed that it was a horrible institution that never should have happened. BUT we cannot change what our ancestors did!
So I ask, what else can be done?

I have seen the reparations hearings. One estimate I saw said it would be almost impossible to find out WHO to compensate because few records were kept to see who really is a direct descendent. Then if we COULD figure out who is entitled to the money WHO would pay for it? Taxpayers? Estimates are around 300 trillion dollars!!!


I honestly dont know how we as a country can move on from this unless people can say "we forgive you" or "we accept your apology"

What does the Bible say about the sins of our Fathers? Well guess what here we are. Paying an endless price, for an endless battle for something we had no say in whatsoever.

 

[djm99]

Ok feelings I would agree with, but I thought actions were being discussed.

Nope we are talking about why blacks TODAY FEEL like they do. We both agreed no one alive today was enslaved. But we both agree that the effects of slavery still exist (I think we do).

 

[Cindy F]

There was Clinton's apology, now we find there is an "official" apology from the US House and neither one of these are good enough?

Actually, no, it isn't. Neither a statement nor a law can change the way someone is treated on a day to day basis. Social change has to develop-that's just the way it is. People will have to change and healing will have to occur, these things take time.

If you think statements and laws have changed the way people in southern Alabama "feel"...you are mistaken. Sad isn't it?

 

[Cindy F]

But what else can we do? As a collective WE? Our givernment apologized, we have acknowledged that is was wrong what MORE is there??

It was horrible, no one here is saying that slavery was a good thing. We have all agreed that it was a horrible institution that never should have happened. BUT we cannot change what our ancestors did!
So I ask, what else can be done?

I have seen the reparations hearings. One estimate I saw said it would be almost impossioble to find out WHO to compensate because few records were kept to see who really is a direct descendent. Then if we COULD figure out who is entitled to the money WHO would pay for it? Taxpayers? Estimates are around 300 trillion dollars!!!


I honestly dont know how we as a country can move on from this unless people can say "we forgive you" or "we accept your apology"

What does the Bible say about the sins of our Fathers? Well guess what here we are. Paying an endless price, for an endless battle for something we had no say in whatsoever.

See my post above. What can we do? Offer understanding and patience and realize that healing takes time.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

There was Clinton's apology, now we find there is an "official" apology from the US House and neither one of these are good enough?

I've never heard of that apology until here.

Shouldn't it at least have been a fairly significant news story?

 

[wvjules]

I've never heard of that apology until here.

Shouldn't it at least have been a fairly significant news story?

I'm talking about within this thread.

 

[binny]

See my post above. What can we do? Offer understanding and patience and realize that healing takes time.

ok I get that but I see a lot of finger pointing still, just read this thread.

Im not saying people should "get over it" but we do need to find a way to get through it and move on.

If we on the Dis boards cant talk about it without screaming at each other and pointing fingers how on earth can anyone expect the whole country to talk about it?

 

[brerrabbit]

Suffering is suffering, one life lost is to many. I don't try to compare tragedies because quite frankly they are all tragic.

See for yourself the support is lacking tremendously, note the lack of donations compared to other storms;

http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-01-08/news/hurricane-ike-s-wake/

 

[Master Mason]

Well, okay, you're rationalizing that slavery was not free labor. Do you really believe that?

In my opinion, it was a very insensitive statement.

I'm not rationalizing anything, I am stating a fact that it wasn't free. There were costs associated with the labor. Were the costs inline with the value of the labor receieved. Absolutely not. But that doesn't change that it wasn't FREE. If it had been free then every white in the south would have owned them but we know that is not the case. That's all I am saying and am not implying anything more than that.

 

[Cindy F]

I see. So whites aren't "doing what's right" simply because there are more of us than the other races.

I will never understand why the first people to always cry "racism!" are also the first ones to defend it.

How is that defending racism?

If you have a room or 50 white people, 10 black people, 1 Asian person, and 2 Hispanic people and you vote on whether to have apples on the table and there are 43 votes for yes and 20 no. The majority would rule and the majority would be white. Even if all minorities voted NO apples, it would not matter.

See what I mean? If 80% of the population of the United States is white, and majority rules (which it does) then whatever laws you have (good as well as bad) are going to be attributed to that race because they are the majority.

So If you have a law that says "blue eyed people can not marry brown eyed people" that law is "not right" and will be attributed to the majority that voted for it to be a law.

My point is, as long as there are Americans who are not afforded the same legal rights as other Americans-the majority (in this case- white) are not, in fact, doing what's right.

 

[Master Mason]

Nope we are talking about why blacks TODAY FEEL like they do. We both agreed no one alive today was enslaved. But we both agree that the effects of slavery still exist (I think we do).

Actually you were talking about ranting, which was an action. But I get what your saying now.

Actually I do not think the effects of slavery still exist, but would definately grant that the effects of racism still exist. Granted it's probably a subtle differnence, but it is different.

ETA: The reason I say that is you do not know what it was like to be owned, sure you can read about it, just as I can, but that is not the same as experiencing it. Now racism, I have no doubt you experience almost daily in some form or the other.

 

[wvjules]

My point is, as long as there are Americans who are not afforded the same legal rights as other Americans-the majority (in this case- white) are not, in fact, doing what's right.

Again, what legal right do white people have that black people don't?

 

[Cindy F]

......The storm that hit here did every bit as much damage if not more and it is a forgotten memory to most other than those who are still living with it every day......
So because Bush failed to help New Orleans in their time of crisis Blacks can add that to a list of reasons to hate him. While in Texas since there is no outcry of racism in surrounding the lack of help and support for Hurricane Ike victims everything is okay.

Suffering is suffering, one life lost is to many. I don't try to compare tragedies because quite frankly they are all tragic.

See for yourself the support is lacking tremendously, note the lack of donations compared to other storms;

http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-01-08/news/hurricane-ike-s-wake/

I agree, tragedy is tragedy, I was commenting on your above post.

I'm sorry you're hurting and I'm sorry your state is hurting. I do understand, we live in Tornado Central as well as hurricane country. We took a direct hit from Ivan and recovery is still ongoing.

 

[Master Mason]

My point is, as long as there are Americans who are not afforded the same legal rights as other Americans-the majority (in this case- white) are not, in fact, doing what's right.

And as has been asked before, what legal rights are afforded to some that are not afforded to all currently?

Also there is a falicy to your logic as well.

in your example. If 25 of the whites voted for apples, 24 did not along with the 10 blacks, 1 asian, and 2 hispanics, then there would be no apples. So the majority ruled, no apples, but the Majority race did not get their way.

 

[djm99]

Actually you were talking about ranting, which was an action. But I get what your saying now.

Actually I do not think the effects of slavery still exist, but would definately grant that the effects of racism still exist. Granted it's probably a subtle differnence, but it is different.

ETA: The reason I say that is you do not know what it was like to be owned, sure you can read about it, just as I can, but that is not the same as experiencing it. Now racism, I have no doubt you experience almost daily in some form or the other.

Agreed. I have no desire to find out either The rant comment was for another poster.

 

[Cindy F]

Again, what legal right do white people have that black people don't?

None that are enforced that I am aware of. I wasn't speaking of laws according to color.....color is not the only dividing line in our country.

 

[djm99]

Again, what legal right do white people have that black people don't?

legally none. Realistic - plenty.

 

[disneydave2003]

Again, what legal right do white people have that black people don't?

legally none. Realistic - plenty.

which rights are you talking about? i was under the impression that all U.S. citizens had the same rights. am I wrong?????

 

[Cindy F]

Sigh.... I did not want to point it out for the arguing and bickering that would ensue (as it always does) but until gay people are able to enter the legal contract of marriage and the benefits it provides....the United States can not say all are treated equal.

Master Mason, I respectfully decline to debate you. No offense intended.

 

[Cindy F]

which rights are you talking about? i was under the impression that all U.S. citizens had the same rights. am I wrong?????

Yes.