The Undeniable Virtue of Jeremiah Wright's Pro-Blackness (and the Problem with Pro-Whiteness)

Bill Moyers is broadcasting a siddown with Barack Obama's "controversial" pastor Jeremiah Wright this Friday evening, April 25th. By Saturday expect every utterance Pastor Wright makes to be as picked over as an episode of Lost at the San Diego Comicon.

Now, I'm not going to even try to defend everything that Pastor Wright has to say. At least not the four of five loopy sound bytes -- out of how many thousands of sermons he's given -- that have made him quite the YouTube sensation. But there is a particular aspect of the Wright mischaracterization I take exception with: the idea that his pro-black teachings make him some kind of radical separatist. Interviewing Pastor Wright in March of last year, for example, Fox's Sean Hannity had this to say about statements appearing on the website for Wright's Trinity United Church of Christ:

"It says, "Commitment to God." By the way, I'm with you, and I hope you'll pray for me, Reverend. Commitment to the black community, commitment to the black family, adherence to the black work ethic. It goes on, pledge, you know, acquired skills available to the black community, strengthening and supporting black institutions, pledging allegiance to all black leadership who have embraced the black value system, personal commitment to the embracement of the black value system. Now, Reverend, if every time we said black, if there was a church and those words were white, wouldn't we call that church racist?"

In answer to the question: yeah, probably. But that's 'cause there's a difference between being pro-black and pro-white and the difference is a bad one.

Adherence to pro-black values isn't code for "kill whitey." It's merely how blacks have managed to stay alive and viable in America all these many years since we were first graciously given a ride across the middle passage to get dropped off in Virginia.

"A commitment to the black community" is what got us collectively through slavery, through an abandoned reconstruction and the ensuing era of Jim Crow. As I'm sure some will recall, because of a pesky little thing called segregation there was nothing for the black community to rely on but the black community.

Ironically, the community values and focus on the family Wright preaches of are exactly the kind of "don't bother us, do it yourself"-isms conservatives are always hectoring people of color to observe. How convenient for the pundits they can both wish us off the perceived teat, then get riled by those who encourage us to be self-reliant.

To the contrary of pro-blackness, it's pro-whiteness which has unfortunately produced some awful to horrible results: white sheets and nooses and burning cross and Citizens Councils and red lining and guys nicknamed Brownie doing a "heck of a job."

That's not say there's anything wrong with being comfortable in white skin. If that's what God gave you, sure, be happy with it. However, the whole concept of having to be pro-white is redundant. It's not as if, in the normal course of events, white folks as a race really need that much encouragement. Do teachers really have to explain to white kids that in a more fair America they could perhaps grow up to be president?

So, yeah; based on its suspect history, if one were to preach the doctrine of pro-whiteness there could be due cause for concern.

Pro-blackness, on the other hand -- analogous to the Protestant work ethic -- is one of the most positive American values we have.

Comments

[bdd]

57 year old white male, white collar worker blogging here:
I have seen many of Rev White's sermons. They are uplifting and phenomenal.
I wish I could find better words.
I do recall these words from a band called the Mothers of Invention circa 1965. In one of their songs,
I quote "I'm not black, but there are a whole lot of times I wish I could say I'm not white".

[CivilDisobedient]

I remember that saying. I use to say it myself. But then I learned not to take the blame for things I didn't do. I have never treated a black person any different than whites.
I get tired of this racial crap. We aren't solving anything by harping on race. This is a big mistake for Obama. A big mistake.

[Oakland]

There are many times that I wish I wasn't white AND that I'm glad I am not black. I didn't enslave them, and they aren't slaves anymore. Everybody needs to move on. This body is dead and decayed.

[aiscoconut]

I don't think I've heard Obama harping on Race at all...It's been the media and the blogosphere that has harped and discussed race on so many occasions I can't even count.

Is it Obama's mistake or others?

[rmreddicks]

"Trouble coming every day". "Brain Police" might be more appropriate for the assumed (or wishful) civil disobedient.

[UnbiasView]

Has anyone actually looked into what Obama's church actually teaches? Black Liberation Theology, his won't go away any time soon.

"Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community ... Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love."

[tbone99]

Actually, the theologian from who Trinity bases it's philosphy defines "blackness" as one who places his or her heart with the dispossesed and marginalized.Anyone who dedicates their efforts to their plight is considered"black"..

In other words, in accord with the original christian message such as" the meek shall inherit the earth."

[CivilDisobedient]

What a crock.

[StillIRise]

This is one man's opinion about Black Liberation Theology; I believe his name is Cohn. If you listened to Bill Moyers' interview with Reverend Wright, you would have heard Reverend Wright explain his view of liberation theology, which is not in any way even closely reflected in Mr. Cohn's view, or in the view you have chosen to present in your post.

You have chosen the most radical and hateful interpretation of Black Liberation Theology that you could find to ascribe to Reverend Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ. In so doing, your intent to smear Reverend Wright with malicious distortions of truth is no different than what Sean Hannity and the MSM have done. But just as we have rejected THEIR verson of the truth about Reverend Wright, so too do I reject YOUR version.

What is it about black people that you fear?

[UnbiasView]

James Cone and Dwight Hopkins are considered the leading theologians of this system of belief.

Rev Wright's vision statement for the church on "this is one man's opinion about Black Liberation Theology"

http://www.tucc.org/talking_points.htm

[Obama08Supporter]

That is such a lie, I am black and I attend church regulary, I have never heard anyone preach about killing of destroying white people. You people who blog with this message are just the type of people that do hate black people, you are not the majority anymore and I hope that blacks , whites, hispanics, asians, haitians, and all other races pull together and finally put this shit to rest, this is getting so old, just like Mr. Wright. We need to change and do what is best for our country period. Yes, we as AA have been through hell, but we are overcoming, this is going to set us back years, if we do not pull together to put the pundits to rest.

Yes We Can! but only will you on our side.

[UnbiasView]

That's great, you're black but do you believe in black liberation theology?

The church's mission statement is based upon systematized Black liberation theology that started with the works of James Hal Cone.

The statement I first posted was from James Cone and his definition of BLT.

[CivilDisobedient]

Let me ask you this. What do you expect Obama to do about race relations?? The government has done all they can fairly do. Discrimination in the US is against the law. People break laws, and many people don't. How do you stop individual racism?

[Lagniappe]

Has ANYONE looked into the Nazi based Christian Dominionist Group known as the Fellowship-Hillary Clinton's admitted spiritual advisers? You can be assured Obama will be ,and is, the recipient of this Christian Dominionist smear in North Carolina. Here are some links from Wikipedia. The article entitled Christian Mafia is the most detailed and informative,IMHO.( Rove is a member from way back.).___­______Refe­rences:
^ Joshua Green, Take Two: How Hillary Clinton turned herself into the consummate Washington player The Atlantic Monthly, November 2006
^ Lisa Getter, “Showing Faith in Discretion”, Los Angeles Times, September 27, 2002
^ a b c Jeffrey Sharlet, “Jesus Plus Nothing”, “Harper’s Magazine”, March, 2003
^ Anthony Lappé, “Meet ‘The Family’”, Guerrilla News Network, June 13, 2003
^ Lara Jakes Jordan, “Fellowship finances townhouse where 6 congressmen live”, Associated Press, April 20, 2003
^ Kathryn Joyce and Jeff Sharlet Hillary’s Prayer: Hillary Clinton’s Religion and Politics Mother Jones (1 September 2007)
^ Joshua Green “Take Two: Hillary’s Choice The Atlantic (November 2006)
^ “Transcript: Bono remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast”, USA Today, 2006-02-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
^ Frommer, Frederic. “Minnesotan to deliver keynote speech at National Prayer Breakfast”, Star-Tribune, 2008-02-06. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.

[edit] External links
Wayne Madsen, “Expose: The Christian Mafia”, Insider Magazine

[UnbiasView]

Care to give us a quick overview of all of these references?

[aiscoconut]

Unbias...where did you get this crap? That's not what Black Liberation Theology is at all...It's merely teaching christianity from the Black point of view as an oppressed people. It's nothing different than Judism which teaches their faith to them from their point of view as oppressed people.

Get a grip

[UnbiasView]

From Obama's church:

"The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone’s book, Black Power and Black Theology."

http://www.tucc.org/talking_points.htm

The statement I posted is that of James Cone, the person Rev. Wright shapes the beliefs of his church on.

[wprecht]

Ubiased's quotation is taken directly from James Cone's definition of Black Liberation Theology, back in the 60s. Check it out in Wikipedia if you doubt it.

I was shocked to read Cone's definition of BLT, but now I see where Rev Wright gets his inspiration.

[Hugo de Balsac]

i tend to look these ideological flaws in certain public figures because i feel that anger can help the individual come to grips with their own spiritual interpretation of what it means to live in the world. to me it's better to be outraged than smug, because no one person has ALL of the answers. all religious figures have a dynamic at play in their message that is both a dire warning and a salvation, so if you ask me, Rev. Wright's oratory is per custom. i don't sense that he meant any harm to anyone, but acting more like a blown gasket in the overheated radiator of a jaded congregation. after Katrina and the subsequent fiasco by these self-annoited Christian conservatives, i can't say i blame him. and we all say things we don't mean literally at times, and taking such risks teaches us all in different ways.

this controversy over Obama's pastor doesn't trouble me at all. i'm way more concerned about doing something about the actual mess we are in because of partisan bickering and fearmongering.

[CivilDisobedient]

This whole wright issue speaks to some very real concerns about Obama's ability to remain impartial as a leader. With a twenty year association with a guy like Wright, there are some genuine concerns.

[Lagniappe]

As a newcomer to this site, may I say that the tone and tenor of your numerous post re: this Wright "issue" ,speaks to me about YOUR ability to remain impartial in a discussion. I would be curious as to YOUR longterm religious affiliation-if you have ANY ,in fact, at all.

[aquarharris688]

CivilDisobedient, why is that? Did you watch the interview? When saying , "the chickens are coming home to roost." he was quoting Peck,a former white ambassador to Iraq and member of the terrorist taskforce. " Violence begets violence." is what he heaard Peck say also.Rev. Wright was telling his congregation that God does not want revenge he wants redemption.
Rev. Wright served 6 years in the military. Did you see him monitoring LBJ's heart after his gall bladder surgery.
This interview was enlightening and informative. Watch the entire thing for yourself aand then see if your image might vary.

[Stew118]

Sure- this debacle is all Black people's fault. I do find it somewhat questionable to blame the same constituecy that voted 88% for Kerry in 04' and 90% for Gore in 00' for somehow dividing the party along racial lines. I would blame the people who feel entitled to the Presidency and want to move the goalposts back seemingly to no end. Before the voting started the entire primary discussion was focused on the DELEGATE COUNT just like the general election is focused on the ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

Besides the fact that Michigan and Florida votes do not count (unless you move the goalposts back another 15 yard and count elections where no campaigning took place in either state and Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in MIchigan AND you don't count those who voted uncommitted lol)- what the entire Clinton campaign is trying to do now is tantamount to attempting to nullify a victory in the electoral college because they won CA, NY and PA, all really big states of course...

[VSamuels]

Part of the reason for the amnesia is racism, I read more than enough posts to understand that those who cite Obama's overwhelming lock on the black vote haven't bother to investigate that as you cite, both Kerry and Gore enjoyed these same numbers. Yet, it seems for some to be somehow an indicator of black folks racial bias or racism (wrong term) to support Obama in the same way. Part of the blame are the right wing nuts who selectively produce facts for their dead-brain sheep and part of the blame is the Clinton camp, still fuming that Bill Clinton actually mistook himself really for the 1st black president and thought he then had the street credit to slam an actual African American to his fellow AAs.

The Obama camp is right to ignore the majority of this chatter, as the MSM's tendency to omit facts drives these stories when proper perspective would lay them to rest. The level of irresponsible reporting is quite shameful; and points to the fact that this cable industry and beyond is more opinion than 'hard news' as at least they would come back and retract their errors. Today, there seems to be no acknowledgement in the MSM, save a brave few, who actually admit when they send out the wrong information. Disgusting!

[NoHolyCows]

I saw Bill Moyers interview with Pastor Wright. Nothing anti-American or anti-white. just some innocent and legitimate questions about how, who and for whom the history of our nation was / is written. Also a challenge for our hearts and minds not to hesitate when the time is near...

Unfortunately (sadly) some people (too many?) think they can avoid choosing a side by standing in the gray middle...

Obama was right not to disown him. Obama is wrong not to embrace him. Obama needs to lead, needs to be clear and specific...

[UnbiasView]

Try reading up on Black Liberation Theology, you know the things Rev. Wright teaches. That is where the new problem for Obama will be.

[realpolitic]

It may be a problem as right-wingers like you do their very best to keep it alive. The thought of terrorism no longer scares voters as much as it once did, so you have to replace the terrorist bogeyman with thoughts of the angry black man coming to get us. It is a very racist intent. Shame on you!

[realpolitic]

You, like Civildisobediant, keep repeating the same mindless argument over and over. Once is enough.

[Stew118]

Many Limbaugh/Hannity types are raving about reverse racism in the abstract but are conveniently dodging the historical effects of white racism and black racism. 60 million people dead over 4 centuries- 15% of the population controls just 5% of the wealth yet they built the institutional wealth of this country on their backs as slaves. The US is the superpower that it is today in large part due to the wealth generated in the New England area due to the slave trade that actually saw port cities along the Atlantic Ocean enjoy the most prosperity of all the actors in the trade.

[obamanation31]

Every should see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H73WqSj1-aI&feature=PlayList&p=7C19AC20C5E410F8&index=13

[tbone99]

Yeah, but don't expect most whites to get it.After all these are the same people who think things were made perfect because the Civil rights movement made black voting possible( for a mere 50 years) after 400 years of slavery, terrorism and institutionalized racism .They can't see that white men had already done 16 laps around the track before African Americans were even allowed to join the race....barefoot , and with one leg tied up.

[VSamuels]

Exactly.

But, it explains again and again why some whites have concluded talking about race is unproductive and should magically disappear and it is summarized in what Jeremiah Wright describes as 'mis-education.'

Not one of the Sunday talking heads had the guts to approach Jeremiah Wright and argue either for or against his statement on the merits; rather they exhibit the same behavior of many here who can't acknowledge that their is another viewpoint in the universe from theirs which is just as salient and often more productive than the one that they have come to believe is the only valid way of looking at the issues. This distinction is important because it helps us to realize that part of the reasons non-whites remain marginalized in American society, is that some whites won't accept that their viewpoint isn't ultimately always correct. If one listens to Hannity or Limbaugh, one notices they 'sell' the righteousness of their opinion, as much or more than they sell their actual position.

Republicanism is done the same way, McCain is right because he is a republican, rather than because his or the republican ideas actually work. Republicanism is white superiority, supersized.

[SpoxLogic]

In the interview, Rev Wright points out that the message he was trying to convey is that people should no tworship a country, but worship God. He points out that countries (nations) lie and fail and die,while God is everlasting. What is wrong with that kind of message? Any anyone who denies that this country ahs been lying, especially in the last 7-1/2 years, must be beyond brain dead.

[VSamuels]

Some have transfered 'whiteness' unto America as a symbol of it great power, knowledge and superiority over other folks in the world. So, when Wright says these things about America, some immediately turn their ire against Wright's perceived racism, against their American which is this same personification of themselves, only. In their perception, Wright can't criticize America as for them he does not embody America, only they embody America; the great protectors of its innocence and apologists for all of its history, both good and bad.

And, when Wright correctly noted that only God is to be so revered, they took temporary notice that this was a path that they did not want to go down, and expose how they really don't see Jeremiah Wright as an American, but specifically, he is not a white American who has the 'priviledge' of criticizing America.

Wright correctly called them out on being the worshippers of a false god: America, and he re-affirmed the one and true God has his back against all enemies, and they ran like cowards.

[KYZipster]

It is society that has forced segregation on blacks in southside Chicago. Chicago is one of the most racist cities in this country. To encourage solidarity is one form of that ubiquitous right wing soundbite, 'personal responsibility'. In this case it has real meaning rather than the usual Limbaugh crowd's hot air.

It's done in the Jewish community, our local mostly white Christian megachurch does it, the members support each other in every way, the gay community does it through business networking and social organizations. It's ridiculous to suggest that Wright is anti-white by being pro-black.

[moomanfl]

It is funny how easy some make an apology for racism when it comes from another direction. Personally, I have thought racism was bad no matter where it came from and what guise it took.

Anyone that mistakes Rev. Wright's brand of "pro-blackness" as being a benign and positive message has to ignore the parts of that message designed to stir up hatred. Comments such as his HIV/AIDS assertion. When you make statements like this, it moves beyond the realm of being a positive message meant to uplift and encourage, and becomes more of an incitement to hate. More so since there is no shred of evidence to support such a claim.

The idea that "pro-blackness" is analogous to the Protestant work ethic totally ignores what the Protestant work ethic was. It wasn't because of race, or anything inherent in us. It was a duty to God, not man. He doesn't need to preach a good work ethic as something racial... he only needs to preach it as a matter of faith. Which incidentally is the whole purpose of being a pastor and preaching in church. The only reason for changing that message to a race based one, is a racist reason. Period.

Fighting for equal rights is good. Fighting for fair treatment is just. Do that as human beings. The color of skin shouldn't make a difference.

Racism however, whatever form it takes and no matter who practices it, is without question a BAD thing.

[Davwbaird]

I am sure blacks are not quick to hire whites

[steamboat]

I do know this living here in Chicago...­......Blac­ks are very ANTI-Hispanic in hiring practices.­.......Afr­ican-Ameri­cans control 3 county (Cook County) positions. Todd Stroger (County President), Eugene Moore (Recorder of Deeds), and Dorothey Brown (County Clerk). Hispanics make up 29% of Cook County. But unlike White politicians these 3 do NOT employ by ratio of population. Hispanics are single-digit employees in each dept. controlled by these three. The statistics don't lie. All were endorsed by Obama, by the way.

We also had a mad black woman alderman named Dorothey Tillman who said, "The Voting Rights Act belongs ONLY to African-Americans, not those Mexicans." A year later after this pathetic speech, she was endorsed for re-election by Obama.

We had another black woman alderman named Emma Mitts who said, "you know when latino's are around because the garbage cans and dumpsters will be full of rats." She too was later endorsed by Obama for re-electio­n.........­.....Why are all you Hillary backers asleep on this?

[afram1]

^^^^^

You shamefully dishonest (or historically ignorant) person.

For multiple ethnic groups of African people to be captured, dragged to this country in the hulls of ships in chains, beaten, raped, stripped of their native tongues and family rituals, and forced to work for FREE for almost 250 years, then be "freed," have 10 years of relative prosperity, only to have it lost in an 1876 backroom deal to determine the President and have the short gains brutally taken away...and be denied equal opportunity and access and be exposed to BRUTAL racial terrorism for another 90 years...

Then have some laws in place for 40 years, and have to hear opposition scream "reverse racism" bloody murder. (And truth be told, the same memes that criticize Dr. Wright are the same memes that HATED Dr. King 40-50 years ago...the rhetoric now coming out with some conservatives loving King...is rhetoric and outright LYING)...

To now BLAME African Americans in examining themselves and their history in a "racial" (actually it is an ethnic) hermeneutic and talk all of this rhetoric about black people's racism is a sick, sick joke. A JOKE. A PERVERSION.

African American did not ask for a "color-blind" analysis. Many recalcitrant whites USE the "color-blind" rhetoric as a cheap shortcut, because in their minds, dark skin = inherent inferiority, hence the need not to "see color".

[moomanfl]

You want to spin this as "examining themselves and their history" and yet it is anything but a historical analysis. Rev. Wright was speaking of the present. He used the past as if it was also the "now".

I find your sweeping generalizations to be intellectually dishonest.

I never scream "reverse racism". There is nothing revers about it. Either it is just plain racist or it isn't. To claim otherwise is to suggest that "just plain racism" can only go one way, and that only one party can be guilty of it. This is far from the truth.

Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta (incidentally Martin Luther King Jr's church) said in defense of Rev. Wright that to mark his words as hatred was to misuse the word. To quote Rev. Warnock:

"Hatred and anger are not the same thing, and whenever injustice is present, moral outrage and anger are appropriate."

I respond that anger is a dangerous emotion. While righteous anger can be a galvanizing force and focused to accomplish positive things, it is all too often anything but righteous. Instead anger is usually an ugly and destructive thing and should not be fostered. It dulls thinking, and while it isn't hatred in and of itself, it certainly will breed hatred. Rev. Wright's words seems almost designed to invoke this more volatile form of anger, and the difference between this anger and real hatred seems almost moot.

[Tellmethetruth]

Raise your hand if you didn't notice with shock how much hate, venum, lies, and wrath came out of Jeremiah's mouth directed at America and all it's inhabitants, white, black, asian, or hispanic?

[VSamuels]

You don't wish to partake of the 'truth.' The truth is the real enemy of entrenched power and priviledge and it is often that element which exposes the reality of their institutionalize manipulation. Wright, is an American citizen and he has every right to express his views, whether you choose to listen to him or believe he is being truthful, does not cause his constitutional right to 'dissent' as a citizen to be silenced.

If you believe he is wrong then lay out your case, but don't ask me to agree with your opinion when you have laid out no cogent analysis to dispute his position. Unlike Hannity and Limbaugh, the mere expression of 'outrage' is not a reasonable argument against Wright's position.

[ResidentChimp]

It's racist to say it's okay to be pro black and wrong to be pro white. And you can spin all you want, Wright is a racist.

[BayAreaResident]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0wvQMqSzTM

[Yatata]

I encourage you take the time to watch rev wright speak in context before making any further accusations:

Part 1:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/watch.html
Part 2:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/watch2.html

[sparkandy]

That's if you assign an absolute value to the word 'racist'. Frankly, I can't see how it could be defined any other way - racism is racism is racism. But I'm sure, with a little ingenious linguistic dishonesty, someone could twist the word around to mean that only whites are capable of racism. Then the intellectually weak would feel justified in their belief that that's the true meaning of the word and never have a clue how foolish they sound.

[AceOfSpades]

Everyone can and typically has some kind of prejudice, but racism requires power. Frankly, that is something Blacks in this country have never had. If you believe being White in America disadvantages Whites somehow, then I guess the point is moot. However, if you realize this country had a significant "birth defect" you might understand why any non-white minority in this country is incapable of being "racist."

[ErikW65]

Did Wright say that " it's okay to be pro black and wrong to be pro white," or did John Ridley? I think you're too easily confused to be making any pronouncements about who is a racist and who is isn't .

[jade7243]

living up to your screen name....

[AjicNYC]

HI WHITE GUY HERE ( never wrote that before)

Dont you think the support of the black community will hurt your cause now? I understand there was a need for unity and a voice to form as a community , but now we should be A SINGLE community, the more you seperate yourselves from society the more you will be isolated from them. I think the color of your skin means more to you guys then it does to others. ( I really dont mean to speak so general alot of my friends dont have an issue with their skin color or anyone elses) I understand that it represents oyur stuggles and the discrimnation againts your community but it wont help with uniting the world. and you guys dont own the word racism many people in the world have gone through it. We need to unit and stop isolating each other.

[realpolitic]

Well, for a NYC person you do not have much insight into race. Blacks, who have been historically discriminated against, seek solidariy as a community. It is others who have never been reluctant to refer to blacks or hold expectations for them by the color of their skin. All groups who have been historically treated poorly find some bond among the members of their own group, as do the Irish and Polish and other groups.

[Davwbaird]

Correct, truth. I love to hear fellow white when blacks get "uppity" What fools my white racist whites are and they are not my buddies nor friends, unfortunately I am related to some as direct family members.

[CivilDisobedient]

What do you expect Obama to do about racism? What do you plan to do about racism? What is the government supposed to do about racism??

[ErikW65]

Actually, your first sentence didn't need to be written at all, as your skin color is quite evident from the content of your post. You think "the color of your skin means more to you guys (black people) then it does to others"? Well I think your skin color means more to you than you even realize. I think it would be quite a shock for you to wake up one day in black skin. But that's probably what it would take for you to fathom the race issue in America.

[jade7243]

OOh reaally.... help enlighten the rest us: who are the many people in the world have gone through it (racism)?

Do you really see a "single community" in NYC?

hmmmm... hurt our "cause"... "form a community"? unite the world?

Sorry but just what the hell are you talking about?

[CivilDisobedient]

Jews were slaves centuries before the blacks.
As a black person, what do you want the white community to do? Jim Crow laws don't exist any longer.
I wonder what Dr. King would think of the black population today. Blacks killing blacks, Gangsterism, Bling, violence, prostitution, drug sales....etc. These are not the inroads to success in America.

[candlewax]

Yes, yes, yes, but you're using reason and logic you see, that'll never fly.