What's Your Priority?

[serenity_24]

Today I was watching the Swim tournaments for the Olympics and there was a Black Woman from France racing to be the first Black Woman to ever win any Olympic medal for swimming. (It's 2004 and we still got 1st Blacks for this and that. )

I instantly began to root for her without realizing that there were two Americans in the race, and when I did realize it I didn't care.

So my question is, who do you root for in situations like that?
Is it Black Pride 1st and American Pride 2nd or what?

She lost the race to the American by the way and came in 4th.

[Ideal08]

I am Black first. Always. I just happen to born in America. I have no pride in this country. The Olympics are the only time when I exhibit even a little bit, and I've done poorly at that this year. I am more embarrassed to be an American right now than ever before in my life.

Why are you trying to get me started, Soror???

I would have rooted for the Black girl, French or not.

[Paradise359]

Well my favorite for the race was Australia but as soon as a saw that there was a black young lady & she would be the first ..... I must admit I went right to rooting for the black girl. Even in Miss Universe once Miss Bahamas is gone then I'm rooting for any Caribbean woman & then for ANY black woman. I think it's in all of us.

[Senusret I]

I have country pride, but I do prefer to see black folks excel in sports that we haven't yet conquered, regardless of nationality.

[Steeltrap]

There is an AfAm woman swimmer representing the U.S. I think there was some degree of controversy because she wasn't on the relay team. But I haven't been watching these Olympics (no KG, no Shaq, no C-Webb, no basketball interest ) so I'm not sure what else she's been doing.

[Sugar_N_Spice]

Originally posted by Ideal08
I am Black first. Always. I just happen to born in America. I have no pride in this country. The Olympics are the only time when I exhibit even a little bit, and I've done poorly at that this year. I am more embarrassed to be an American right now than ever before in my life.

I would have rooted for the Black girl, French or not.

My thoughts exactly...

Originally posted by Steeltrap
But I haven't been watching these Olympics (no KG, no Shaq, no C-Webb, no basketball interest ).

LOL @ you ST...Yeah no C-Webb = no

[UpPinkies]

DID ANYONE SEE THE BROTHA'S ON THE FENCING TEAM???

One was so nerdy (I think his name was Smith) that I thought he was cute. Then one was to cool for school when he was wearing his blue sunglasses. Then I was gone when they started crying because they lost the bronze.

[UpPinkies]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
no KG, no Shaq, no C-Webb, no basketball interest ) so I'm not sure what else she's been doing.

The dream team idea is old. I think we need to give some of the college players and semi-pro players a chance to shine. Now pros can be on the team. LiKe the NBA players go back home for the Olympics and repersent their countries, but not the whole team. A nice mix would be great. I mean they have the contracts, the bling, the wheels, but give someone else a chance. Plus this team is not very good.

[Conskeeted7]

Wow, I am surprised to see that so many of us don't feel proud to be an American.

As African Americans, our culture is undeniably American. It is an integral part of who we are and how we relate to each other, and the rest of the world. I support my country and am very patriotic. I love to see the USA bring home the gold in any sport and with athletes of any color.

It is possible to love being Black and love being and American.

[Professor]

I'm black and I'm proud - - - there are counties with much worse conditions than America. I can hear Oprah on her soap box telling how not only women but each of us are blessed to be in the US.

While I can agree that the US has its problems, I have food on my table from chicken to steak, a job that pays the bills and not just clothes but designer clothes on my back and a piss poor insurance policy which is more than what some have. Again, I say I'm black and proud to be an American.

If you know of a better place, let me know and I'll start making vacation plans.

just food for thougt

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by Professor
I'm black and I'm proud - - - there are counties with much worse conditions than America. I can hear Oprah on her soap box telling how not only women but each of us are blessed to be in the US.

While I can agree that the US has its problems, I have food on my table from chicken to steak, a job that pays the bills and not just clothes but designer clothes on my back and a piss poor insurance policy which is more than what some have. Again, I say I'm black and proud to be an American.

If you know of a better place, let me know and I'll start making vacation plans.

just food for thougt

Nah..there's no better place...folks just love to hate on America because its popular these days...I wonder how many of these people have travelled to other countries to see how THEY live...if people hate this country so much...there is nothing stopping them from leaving...but i suppose its better to just stay here and complain

By the way im black first and american second..but before all that..I am a child of the most high..and my race and gender are both secondary to that

[TonyB06]

America, to me, is an unfinished portrait. In some ways more beautiful and advanced than others, but unfinished nonetheless. Don't ask me to stand and applaud the painting until somebody finishes the work.

and no, I ain't leaving. Why? because my people built this place...and didn't get paid a dime.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Professor
If you know of a better place, let me know and I'll start making vacation plans.

just food for thougt

Pick up Randall Robinson's Quitting America, and read it from cover to cover. It's not about what we HAVE in America, it's about the quality of life. If you define quality based on capital and tangible resources, then yes, maybe the US is the best place to be. But if you base quality on the intangible (freedoms, equality, justice, etc.), I'm not sure the US is in a position to compete.

I think that the argument that things are better here and could be worse is an invalid one. If a woman said that about a man (No, he ain't got a job, but at least he don't beat me), she would be ridiculed and told that she could do better. Just because things could be worse does not make it OK.

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
I wonder how many of these people have travelled to other countries to see how THEY live...if people hate this country so much...there is nothing stopping them from leaving...but i suppose its better to just stay here and complain

There is a difference between complaining and critical analysis.

I am one of the people who has travelled abroad. I have been to the third poorest country in the world. And I am here to tell you, there are AMERICANS (of all races and ethnicities) who live there and have lived there for 30+ years because the quality of life there is better to them than here. I can't speak for anyone but myself. I know what I experienced. I have conversations on the regular with people who have traveled to "third world" countries. I have seen people CRY because they didn't want to come back home, only to go back to live. The assumption that the only people who "hate" America are people who haven't travelled to other countries is, in my opinion, absurd.

People try to CHANGE where they are before leaving, wouldn't you agree?

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by Ideal08

There is a difference between complaining and critical analysis.

I am one of the people who has travelled abroad. I have been to the third poorest country in the world. And I am here to tell you, there are AMERICANS (of all races and ethnicities) who live there and have lived there for 30+ years because the quality of life there is better to them than here. I can't speak for anyone but myself. I know what I experienced. I have conversations on the regular with people who have traveled to "third world" countries. I have seen people CRY because they didn't want to come back home, only to go back to live. The assumption that the only people who "hate" America are people who haven't travelled to other countries is, in my opinion, absurd.

People try to CHANGE where they are before leaving, wouldn't you agree?

Its one thing to try to CHANGE where they are before leaving..so of course I'm not talking about those that are trying to CHANGE things. I'm talking about those that complain and complain and complain..and sit on their rump blowing hot air all the time. I compare these folks to people that complain about Bush and what's going on the US but don't vote. I feel like ya just need to shut your trap because you have no basis to speak.

And as far as those that enjoy the quality of life other places..good for them. Glad they're gone and that they are happy. Maybe others who hate this country so much should go and live with them. I just don't understand why be miserable..and live somewhere that you hate, that is so evil and bad...when you can go somewhere else...I hear Real Estate is booming in Iraq.

[SummerChild]

I always find myself rooting for the Black person, no matter the country.
SC