You do that...

Oh...I just re-read the OP.

As a "people," I think we need to stop carrying the weight of every black person on our shoulders. There will always be negative images and blacks who go against the grain (which isn't always a bad thing because blacks aren't a monolithic group). Since those things won't change, we need to work on getting ahead to the point that no one can really send "us" two steps back as a "people."

Well said. :) And I agree. :)

I'm back and I nominate you. :p J/K

CLARIFICATION
 

ALL,

I was rushing when i wrote my first clarification. The example I put was a tangent...not following the topic. I am aware that there is already a topic about everyday embarassments. However, (assuming someone bought that purse for her) if I had a family member or friend in that situation, I wouldn't be buying a purse for $100s. It goes back to PRIORITIES like someone mentioned. Just because you're financially challenged doesn't mean you have to look like a bum, but it shows how being materialistic can keep you in certain conditions. Some should practice delayed gratification...that's another topic

The examples of Flava Flav and Mike Tyson are ON TOPIC...keep it going.

Re: CLARIFICATION
 

Everything in this thread is ON TOPIC...keep it going.

I think there's room to carry "some" of the weight. Personal responsibility is always paramount, but knowing that I walked through doors that were opened by others, requires that I look out for the next person coming up who may need a break.

Particularly in this here America, even despite our expanding diversity (a good thing) I hope we never lose our sense of "community."

How do you decide who to carry?

I don't confuse a sense of community or acknowledging who opened doors with a need to carry weight on my shoulders. This is how I can NOT feel embarassed when a black person says or does something stupid. This is how I can NOT panic when a black person does something that other blacks feel has set "us" back. We need to keep moving forward and accept the fact that there will be casualties along the way.

We make these decisions individually based on our own criteria...who asks us for help? who reminds us of "us" back-in-the-day? I think the means of how we do it is less important than not losing the collective sense of "community."

I understand your not feeling embarrassed when a black person says/does something stupid, but do you not feel a vicarious sense of "pride" when someone who looks like you achieves greatly?

No. I have plenty of people to talk to.

What's obvious is that you need to check your hypocrisy at the door. You came in the Pikes cominr to HU thread on some ol' can't we all just get along type isht, now you want to come on a Greek messageboard and talk about the Zetas' president. How is that keeping the peace.

Just like you don't know me and I don't know you, you DON'T know Sistagreek Barbara C. Moore, yet you're nominating her for this award.

Don't dish it, if you can't take it.

I think how we do it is important because some methods can undermine "community."

I rarely feel a sense of "pride" when someone who looks like me achieves greatly. I am extremely biased in what I call an "achievement" and I tend to look at the success of the collective as above and beyond the success of the individual.

CHaos, sista, you are always so on point. I humbly agree with all that you've stated. :cool:

One good thing that comes from this is how the Greek community (NPHC, NPC, IFC, etc.) has supported the Zetas and learned more about the potential for fraud in every organization.

While I reserve the right to refer to you as a wet blanket for bringing "thoughts" into an otherwise mindless and fun thread... :p

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

I find it interesting that we don't want people to stereotype us, yet we feel that our entire race has been shamed when one individual member of it does something "wrong". Isn't that a bit contradictory?

I'm forever the wet blanket. :D

It can be quite contradictory. How I feel about this issue is based on context. Simply put, there are people (and topics) who I don't think are significant in the greater scheme of things. I acknowledge that we're all God's gift to the world.