jaded ranting

Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 9:23:00 PM

Out of his way?

On today's Meet the Press, Tim Russert asked Condoleezza Rice what she thought of the fact that only 2 percent of African Americans think George Bush is doing a good job, while 84 percent don't. Condi's response: "What I do know is that this has been a president who has gone out of his way to be inclusive."

Out of his way?

It's disappointing that the leadership in this country considers it an inconvenience to be inclusive. It's even more disappointing that a black woman considers this an acceptable situation. I mean, I know that all us black folks are running around busting caps in peoples' asses and pimping hoes and shit, but seriously.

I'm really resisting the urge to go into another rant about how divided this country is and how most of the people benefiting from the divide either refuse to or are incapable of acknowledging it. I've been doing that a lot lately, and it's just depressing.

I just can't believe that the leaders in this country find it difficult to be inclusive, one of the most important attributes for a functional society. Where are these people from? Do they have any knowledge of the history of this country? Or the current state of this country?

We need leaders who are inclusive, not those that struggle to be.

 C R Mountjoy - GDF said...

What a bunch of self pity crap...I am and know many that are certianly not in the majority, let alone in control of the space we occupy and we don't give a crap about not being included. Included in what? Invited by whom? The gvt does not and won't do anything for anyone. It is those that can't do for themselves that are certainly capable of doing for themselves that moan and whine about not being included. My grandparents experienced racism in 'spades' pardon the expression and said nothing. They rose above the sting of racism, never letting it bring them down while they passed others in all races to make their dreams come true. So your post, while a nice sentiment, is false on its face because to believe in being held back, one has to prove it has happened. This is 2005, not 1905! Back then, this would have been a different conversation! Good Blog!  

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 clio said...

Agreed mountjoy...going even further...You don’t have to be helpless, nor useless, nor immoral because you were born a certain color. If this were not true, the Irish, Italians, Jews, the Chinese of railroad coolie days, the Poles and the Czechs would still be in slums. They aren’t. They made it without Section Eight housing, welfare, scholarships, minority preferences with no expectations attached, medical charity, or monotonous self-pity.  

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 jrj said...

As I was watching Ms. Rice I was wondering what black Americans where thing about her comments. Thanks for the answer and I couldn't agree with you more.  

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 jaded said...

C R:
Included in what? In this society, which many claim is free. Minority groups don't have a fair share. To say that the government "does not and won't do anything for anyone" makes me question your knowledge of how our country works. For one, we do plenty for those in the oil and automobile industries. And need I discuss pork? I congratulate your grandparents on being able to rise above racism, but I would say they are the exception, not the rule. And the fact that they witnessed it and did nothing about it is nothing to brag about in my book. You say "to believe in being held back, one has to prove it has happened. This is 2005, not 1905!", which confuses me further. Are you denying the fact that racism is still an important reality?

Clio:
"You don’t have to be helpless, nor useless, nor immoral because you were born a certain color." I couldn't agree with this more. However, you then go on to place the majority of blame for the state of the black community on the black community, which is absurd. I don't want to be redundant, but how do you so easily dismiss the impact of continuing unjust challenges placed in front of minorities? Also, I do not know why you associate Section Eight Housing or welfare with being black. This is such a plain example of stereotyping.

jrj:
You're welcome, but I remind you that I am but one member of a rich and diverse group of Black Americans, and by no means represent it as a whole. Ms. Rice is a huge disappointment, and her comment is just another in a long list. By the way, the link you provided is broken, there's a comma in the URL. Just a heads up!  

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 CLIO said...

I never mentioned blacks at all in my post...

Moreover, my only answer to you is the proof is in the pudding. when my grandparents came over from poland as jews - they weren't given handouts. They had nothing. Only the bags they carried. They worked their asses of to become americans, assimliate to this culture, learn this language and live free. I am not encapsulating black people, but today's immigrants (3rd world countries). They want handouts, they want to reap the benefits of this country without working for it. They do not want to become Americans, or learn the culture, they want to take take and not give give.

Go to any other country on any other continent, and essentially the onofficial policy for immigrants is to integrate into that countries cultures and values. When that does not happen there a problems amongst dissenting cultures. Look what is happening in the Netherlands. One of the most liberal countries in the world, and muslims who emmigrate there want nothing to do with the culture or values. They've had so many religious and cultural calamaties because of that - the government is now considering reversing there entire immigration policy and tempted to outlaw burkahs.

My point is - if you want to live in this country, you should prepare to work hard for everything you get. What makes this country great (or what used to) was that people from all over the world brought with them individuality and culture, but all wanted to be american's. First and foremost.

THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE. STOP BLAMING INJUSTICES. A BLACK PERSON TODAY HAS EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL. JUST LOOK AT YOURSELF  

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 jaded said...

Clio:
I did not realize you were talking about immigrants, and I know that is a different issue that discrimination against blacks. I also agree that everyone should be prepared to work hard if they want to succeed (you can define success any way you want here).

However, I don't think that asking them to assimilate or leave is appropriate, especially in this country, which has benefited so much from foreign influence. Our culture is only as rich as it is because we have been lucky enough to have a vibrant and diverse immigrant population.

It's not fair to say all immigrants want handouts. People come here because there is opportunity. Don't try and pull a Rush Limbaugh and say immigrants are trying to ruin this country.

I also don't think it's appropriate to compare ourselves to other countries, as we have the most individual freedom, and arguably the most diverse population.

I have excelled, and a day doesn't go by that I don't thank the universe for what I have been given. I was lucky enough to have a loving and supporting family and benefit from growing up in a good neighborhood with excellent schools.

My life is far from the norm, and it is naïve to say every black person has every opportunity to excel. It is naïve to say that every person, regardless of race, has every opportunity. Do you really think George Bush would have become president if he was born into a home with a father in jail and a mother addicted to drugs? I know I would not be where I am without the help of my parents, wonderful role models, and others who have supported me.

The fact of the matter is, white males are more often born into situations with great support networks. Furthermore, women and members of minority groups face institutionalized racism. They are given less credit by teachers, community leaders, peers, and employers. This discrimination is not a problem only for those being discriminated, but something that needs to be addressed by those who are discriminating, consciously or unconsciously.  

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 Brad said...

I do know that if you really wanted to bring honor and actual representation into politics, I mean, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every politician baby. Of course, that would be morally reprehensible...  

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