Quote:
Originally posted by QUEEN:
WELL I THINK ALL OF YOU HAVE MADE VERY VALID POINTS. AND I AGREE WITH SEVERAL OF THEM. WITH ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID, I CAN'T SEEM TO FORGET WHAT THEY(WHITE FOLKS, PARDON MY SLANG)HAVE DONE TO US IN THE PAST.
INSTEAD WE HAVE POLICE OFFICERS SHOOTING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. AT THE FRONT DOOR OF THEIR OWN HOMES OR PULLING THEM OUT OF CARS BEFORE GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO UNDO THEIR SEATBELTS, OR TIEING A BROTHER TO THE BACK OF A TRUCK, AND DRAGGING HIM UNTIL HE IS DEAD.
AS AFRICAN AMERICANS WE ALL HAVE OUR THICK RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND I BELIEVE OUR ANCESTORS MADE THIS IMPORTANT IN THEIR LIVES, BECAUSE THEY NEEDED THE LORD AND IN SOME STRANGE WAY THEY KNEW THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CALL ON THE LORD IN THIS DAY AND TIME AS WELL.
SOME OF THEM STILL THINK THAT BLACK FOLKS GROW TAILS AT NIGHT,( THIS IS A TRUE FACT BECAUSE A WOMAN TOLD ME OUT OF HER OWN MOUTH THAT WE DID,AND I CORRECTED HER ONE NIGHT BY GIVING HER MY ASS TO KISS, EXCUSE MY FRENCH).
HOW CAN I ACCEPT PEOPLE LIKE THIS, TO COME AND SHARE MY RICH ANCESTORY. I CAN NOT AND WILL NOT.
I DON'T CARE WHO THEY ARE, TRUE YOU MIGHT COME ACCROSS A COUPLE OF REAL NICE WHITE PEOPLE. SOME THAT YOU CALL YOUR BEST FRIENDS. BUT WHEN YOU BOTH DISAGREE, WHAT WILL HAPPEN??????? WHAT WILL HE OR SHE SAY TO THE REST OF HIS OR HER WHITE FRIENDS.
AND SOME OF YOU MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH ME, AND I AM SO SORRY FOR STEPPING REAL HARD ON SOME TOES,BUT THAT IS HOW I FEEL.
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I have learned so many good, positive things from others on this board, and I want to say up front that I respect your right to have your opinion. However, I feel I need to make a few points based on your comments:
1) I do not understand why anyone would use the word "THEY" to refer to an entire race of people. If there are specific people that a person knows then I understand to say "the members of XYZ sorority that I know tend to gossip" (or whatever). To use the word "THEY", however to refer to an entire group, race, etc. would be inappropriate since no one can possibly know the feelings or intentions of every person in that group. I think it is degrading to use the word "THEY" in this sense for any reason.
2) Yes I know the stats on police abuse to African-Americans, and I make no excuses for these officers. These officers are wrong in their actions. But you must not overlook the number of homicides commited by African-Americans involving other African-Americans. The statistics support this as the leading cause of death among young African-American males (as stated in another post by Kelli, as well as my own independent research in completing my graduate degree - see "Nurturing the African American Adolescent Male in the Family Context: A Public Health Responsibility" by L. Abramczyk and J.W. Ross, eds. for a start to topic reference). Again - I AM NOT making any excuse for police brutality against any human being. As for the brutal death of Mr. James Byrd, Jr., I believe that the people who committed this terrible crime should be put to death in the same manner as they did to him. This was a horrible act of violence that affected many people of all different races.
3) I recently began an in-depth investigation into influences of African-American participation in community events, and yes religion (most notably Christianity) was first and foremost in conversation during my groups. However, so many of the participants stated that their belief in God and Jesus helped them to be more active in community events (even when they felt not welcomed) because they felt a strong need to relay that Jesus taught His people to love everyone (i.e., "Love thy neighbor as thy self.") I'm NOT trying to preach or tell people what the Bible is saying - I AM SAYING THAT THIS IS BASED ON ACTUAL RESEARCH THAT I CONDUCTED VIA FOCUS-GROUPS. This research is currently under review for publication, and I'll be glad to relay the journal information when it is published.
4) I have never heard about black people growing tails at night, but reading this statement really shows the ignorance of this woman. However, it was one woman and just because she said that doesn't make it true (just think - there are actually people out there today that think OJ is innocent!) I think if you told her to kiss your butt then maybe she would realize how offensive she was.
5) It is your right to refuse to accept people "like this" as you stated. However, please realize, in my opinion, that it is a 2 way street and that it is a double standard to say that it makes you mad at "whites" for not accepting "blacks," but then you refuse to accept whites.
6) Yes I am white, and my 2 dearest friends are black - and YES we do disagree on some issues such as abortion. Does this mean as soon as I'm out of sight that I'm calling them bad names? NO - It means to me that these people are MY FRIENDS and that even if we disagree, I will honor and respect their feelings, and I expect the same from them. If someone is not like this, they cannot call themself a true friend. In fact, one of these friends, is turning 50 and she tells me all about being the first black at her school and the way she was treated by many of the white students. And guess what - I use many of her stories to relate to my students and research participants in order to generate research on the topic of African-American issues. It is a wonderful way to help educate me so that I can help educate others. Will I EVER be able to feel her shame and humiliation during those years at school - absolutely NOT! But can I learn from her - DEFINITELY! And this is what is important - if we don't learn from history, it will repeat itself.
7) Again, let me repeat that I DO RESPECT YOUR RIGHT TO YOUR OPINION. I have written some thoughts that I have based on the opinions that you have posted. I have been researching African-American issues for three years and I have LEARNED SO MUCH! I know that I will never know what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone who is African-American, Hispanic, Asian, etc. But I do know that by educating myself, I can help educate others.
One more time - I respect the right of everyone to have their opinion. I hope that I have not portrayed negativity in this (LONG) post, but if so, please just let me know and I'll review it. I do enjoy being able to learn from each of you and wish everyone out there happiness in each endeavor!