Controversial Poem Puts 7-Year-Old On Hot Seat

[AlphaFrog]

Originally posted by Boom_Quack13
Just because somebody hasn't "made it" doesn't mean that they aren't trying. We have a loing way to go. Period. It's not about making excuses. If there are REASONS that some things are the way they are, then that is hardly an "excuse."

This is not to call out your weakness, but merely to illustrate my point. I am reading your posts, and I am gritting my teeth, every time I see you write "oppertunity." Although you can't even spell it, I'm sure you have more opportunities than people who can spell it correctly, but look like me. THAT is what burns me up. People who look like you can be mediocre at best, and still have opportunities that our best and brightest won't even get a chance to apply for.

Ok, everyone has certain words they cannot spell. That is one of mine, and I'm sure you have them too.

And if your best and brightest ARE your best and brightest, they'll figure out how to get what they want.

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally posted by AlphaFrog
Ok, everyone has certain words they cannot spell. That is one of mine, and I'm sure you have them too.

And if your best and brightest ARE your best and brightest, they'll figure out how to get what they want.

POC, you had plenty of words misspelled, but that one stuck out the most.

Again, until you have EXPERIENCED BEING Black, then you are unqualified to gauge what's really going on. Talent, know-how, intelligence, and even persistence are always enough, when you are not in the decison-making positions.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by Boom_Quack13
WHY is it that racism is the only offense, where people want the 'victims' to be the ones responsible for correcting the problem?

Because all too often in the case of racism, the "victims" use racism as a crutch, and as an excuse for lack of progress with their welfare and well-being. It's almost as if racism is an excuse for us to vie for attention with other ethnicities.

It's 2006 and time for folk to stop whining and complaining, "The white man did this...." and "The white man did that..."

It puts all the accountability and responsibility on the perpetrator and none on the victim, whose primary responsibility is to heal, learn from the experience, and KIM.

Until then, we as blacks will never fully progress as a people until we lose the crutch.

[Rain Man]

Originally posted by Boom_Quack13
You were advocating that we not call it out and be "above bringing up the past." For the record, racism is not in THE PAST. It's very current. It's just rooted in the past.

So what if there is still racism? Are you going to continue to complain and whine about it, or are you going to make the best out of a less than favorable situation?

Clint Eastwood in "Heartbreak Ridge" said it best:

"You adapt, you improvise, you overcome."

I am fully aware that there is racism. But I don't worry about that fact one bit because I am too busy making small victories for myself and others to get caught up in being a victim.

Stop complaining about what's wrong and just work on and for what's right and you too won't have time to be concerned about racism.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by Private I
<snip>
The truth hurts but we cannot erase history. All we can do is acknowledge it and learn from our past so that we are not doomed to repeat it.

This is probably one of the most important things ever posted on GC.


I saw Autum on the local news. I think that her poem upset people because it's not something an average 7 year old would write. When she recited her poem, she seemed angry because she is an actress and was interpreting the words, not just reading them. If you see a videotape of her, you can see what I mean. I personally think that she is a little girl who has a talent and intelligence well beyond her 7 years which can be intimidating. I think that her poem just took people out of their comfort zone. I find the reaction to the poem more interesting than the poem itself.

[ms_gwyn]

I'm very proud of this little girl....she did what was right and is standing by her beliefs (which are TRUE FACTS).

I am not so blinded as to realize what history is and what is taught at that grade level, hell I remember some of the things I was taught at that age and as I grew up and taking more history classes the "ugly" (read: REAL) truth was brought to light.

I think these parents are upset because of the "washed down" history that is fed to children and as we/they grow(ew) older the REAL truth comes to light....

I really can't wait until the REAL truth about Lincoln is widely known and not something that a lot of people hear about on the History channel or (like me) read it in books when researching for a paper for my history class.

FACT: Racism exist and I believe it will continue to exist as long as people have those rose-colored glasses on (I admit, I like my glasses in some instances, but NOT in this case).

Sweeping it under the rug will not make racism go away, in fact I think it will cultivate MORE racism.

The whole "reverse" argument that some are using...it doesn't fly....brush up on your history (THE REAL History) and see for yourself that "out of the mouths of babes" is true in this instance and a lot of instances….

What most parents should be concerned with is that their children aren’t learning the TRUE facts and history…..

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally posted by Rain Man
Because all too often in the case of racism, the "victims" use racism as a crutch, and as an excuse for lack of progress with their welfare and well-being. It's almost as if racism is an excuse for us to vie for attention with other ethnicities.

It's 2006 and time for folk to stop whining and complaining, "The white man did this...." and "The white man did that..."

It puts all the accountability and responsibility on the perpetrator and none on the victim, whose primary responsibility is to heal, learn from the experience, and KIM.

Until then, we as blacks will never fully progress as a people until we lose the crutch.

"All too often?" Please cite some instances. You should be able to cite some specifics, since you said it is "all too often."

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally posted by Rain Man
So what if there is still racism? Are you going to continue to complain and whine about it, or are you going to make the best out of a less than favorable situation?

Clint Eastwood in "Heartbreak Ridge" said it best:

"You adapt, you improvise, you overcome."

I am fully aware that there is racism. But I don't worry about that fact one bit because I am too busy making small victories for myself and others to get caught up in being a victim.

Stop complaining about what's wrong and just work on and for what's right and you too won't have time to be concerned about racism.

Like hell, I'll stop complaining. I am a multi-tasker. I can complain, and overcome at the same time.

Step up YOUR game, so you can do the same.

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
This is probably one of the most important things ever posted on GC.


I saw Autum on the local news. I think that her poem upset people because it's not something an average 7 year old would write. When she recited her poem, she seemed angry because she is an actress and was interpreting the words, not just reading them. If you see a videotape of her, you can see what I mean. I personally think that she is a little girl who has a talent and intelligence well beyond her 7 years which can be intimidating. I think that her poem just took people out of their comfort zone. I find the reaction to the poem more interesting than the poem itself.

Yours is a very interesting perspective.

[OhioCentaur]

Did he basically say, oh well there are racists just keep it moving?

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Question: When has sweeping anything under the rug ever been helpful? See, this is the reason why we can't get past it because the thought process of "let's just sweep it under the rug" doesn't work - and it never has.

You know, the bible says that when we sin, we should seek forgiveness from God. But although God has forgiven us, that does not mean that we are absolved from the consequences of our sin. Quit turning a blind eye to the consequences of those sins that happened years ago.

I'm pretty appalled that some folks have the nerve to say "get over it". Boom Quack was right....no one would say that to a rape victim or abused wife, but yet its said to African Americans without a second thought.

@ Mulattogyrl: You also didn't know that its "racist" to talk about the past treatment of blacks? LOL

Can I say that this is a great post.
If you aren't living in our shoes, what gives one the right to say "get over it?"

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by Boom_Quack13
Yours is a very interesting perspective.

Thank you. I like what you wrote about being a multi-tasker.

[blueGBI]

Originally posted by Boom_Quack13
Alright! The pony fund is now in bizzness.

Any other contributors to The Pony Fund?

I'm in.

[Honeykiss1974]

I am still waiting on someone to explain how this little girl's poem is "racist" - or was that catch phrase used just so AlphaFrog could gripe about what she thinks of blacks/racism due to what was posted in this thread (since it was referenced)?

Excessive Punishment For Sex Act

Yeah, I'm going there

[blueGBI]

Originally posted by AlphaFrog
Ok, everyone has certain words they cannot spell. That is one of mine, and I'm sure you have them too.

And if your best and brightest ARE your best and brightest, they'll figure out how to get what they want.

Honestly, do you enjoy showing everyone how ignorant you are?

Just because you're white and have a kid with a Mexican man doesn't mean you know ANYTHING about how it is to live as a black person in America. And, since we all know that you'll never step out of your comfort zone to see the truth, you need to slow your roll and stfu.