Hermain Cain: Runaway Slave

[PiKA2001]

I'm not a fan of Cain but you can't deny that it's been politically advantageous for the Dems to keep minorities in a victim mentality with the false idea that they (Dems) are the only ones wanting to help them.

[AOII Angel]

Whatever.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I'm not a fan of Cain but you can't deny that it's been politically advantageous for the Dems to keep minorities in a victim mentality with the false idea that they (Dems) are the only ones wanting to help them.

Just as it is politically adventageous for the Republicans to have "tokens" who can scream "look, I'm successful...there is no such thing as racism (or sexism)...." The scene on the Hannity Show last night was a perfect illustration of that.

This happens on both ends of the spectrum because humans suck at middle ground. To hell with the Dems and Repubs and to hell with political party loyalty.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Just as it is politically adventageous for the Republicans to have "tokens" who can scream "look, I'm successful...there is no such thing as racism (or sexism)...." The scene on the Hannity Show last night was a perfect illustration of that.

This happens on both ends of the spectrum because humans suck at middle ground. To hell with the Dems and Repubs and to hell with political party loyalty.

* I don't watch Hannity because he annoys the hell out of me so my following comment is based on what I've noticed of Cain *

If Cain wants to attract black votes he needs to quit playing the "token" and claiming that racism doesn't exist in politics and start spending more time explaining to fellow african americans why he is conservative, why conservatism and it's ideals have benefitted him and how it can benefit other african americans. I personally believe that you can't legislate away the poverty and social ills affecting some communities. Giving someone an additional $10 a month in food stamps isn't going to bring them out of poverty. I think that is what Cain believes as well, he's just going about the wrong way in expressing it to people.

The fact that people and the media look at him as a token and an abnormality because of his conservatism is getting annoying as well. Are minorities not supposed to be socially or fiscally conservative?

[AlphaFrog]

The more I read about Cain, the more I wonder if his goal is to alienate everyone, which last time I checked is not great political strategy. I don't know of it's him trying to be everything to everyone or showing that he's different than the current regime and tough enough not to care what people think or what his deal is.

[*winter*]

So if someone is a liberal, educated Black pol they got to where they are because of AA? Wow. That's a loaded statement that is very offensive to the educated, successful black politicians. As soon as a black person manages to get into a great university, it has to somehow be connected to AA. Just because someone didn't take "the hard road" doesn't mean they didn't work for what they have.

Moreso I don't hear any of them talking about lowering standards, most are advocating for better schools that are more academically competitive in their cities and states. I'm sure people like Gov Patrick don't want everyone to stay in the projects- he's not still in them!

The whole slavery image was unnecessary.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by *winter*

So if someone is a liberal, educated Black pol they got to where they are because of AA? Wow. That's a loaded statement that is very offensive to the educated, successful black politicians. As soon as a black person manages to get into a great university, it has to somehow be connected to AA. Just because someone didn't take "the hard road" doesn't mean they didn't work for what they have.

What is "the hard road?"

As for the bolded, these statements are inaccurate but I don't find them very offensive. These statements have been made about "successful Black people" for generations but mostly by white people. I enjoy Lloyd Marcus' right to express his opinion and, as always, opinions mean nothing to me in the longrun. I put Lloyd Marcus in the same category as the white people (across political leanings) who feel this way: Think what you want, say what you want in certain settings, but do not try to impact "my" life and career.

[Munchkin03]

I have to say, I haven't given Herman Cain much thought. The GOP slate seems to be a clown show right now. The best candidate so far is Romney, and I've got some serious problems with that one.

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What is "the hard road?"

As for the bolded, these statements are inaccurate but I don't find them very offensive. These statements have been made about "successful Black people" for generations but mostly by white people. I enjoy Lloyd Marcus' right to express his opinion and, as always, opinions mean nothing to me in the longrun. I put Lloyd Marcus in the same category as the white people (across political leanings) who feel this way: Think what you want, say what you want in certain settings, but do not try to impact "my" life and career.

The hard road= whatever Herman Cain has done to differentiate himself from the liberal black pols.

I personally get annoyed at implications of AA...but then again, as a female who spent 12 years in the military and also works in the science/engineering field, I've had people imply or outright suggest that I am where I am because I'm a woman. That's obviously total BS, and it doesn't take away from my accomplishments, but it still bugs me.

(End of rant.)