PP here who wrote the above.. let me clarify: I'm not advocating for open borders, but if you are going to bring Jesus into this picture, then let's be clear. Jesus wouldn't let a stranger go hungry just because that person wasn't a local. |
I don't disagree with this analysis. But I do wonder why we're so eager to make excuses for Latino and black males in gangs, for example, yet we feel comfortable slamming people in Middle America who are just as insular and fearful of breaking free from destructive patterns. It's a white/minority breakdown with an uneven view - when we're actually discussing the SAME problem. I have a friend who grew up in DC and is now living in "Middle America." Although initially upset over the move, she now has a greater understanding and appreciation of this new "culture" after living there for over half of her life and raising two children there. She respects her neighbors and has done more than enough to help her immediate community by becoming involved in local politics and supporting her daughters' schools. However, my own boss, who grew up on food stamps among the poor whites, is bitter and resents her upbringing. She refuses to return and is angry at her own family and childhood friends who supported Trump. She has thrown herself entirely into the world of the liberal elites. Those who have "escaped" this pattern should pay it back. |
Curious.. why do you think they should pay it back considering those areas don't seem to support the idea of their young people going off to college and doing better for themselves, and as a PP noted, when you go back, your family and friends think you are a snob or an elite? Personally, I don't make excuses for Black or Latino men who grew up here. If they came here recently and know nothing about education being the ticket out, then I can understand. However, I do know that this country is still has a problem with racism, including the corporate world. Also, if you live in a gang infested area, your very life is in danger, and many join gangs because of pressure. Much harder to get out of it than if you live in rural America and are white. I'm not a liberal, but I do recognize that there is such a thing as "white privilege". That doesn't excuse young Black and Latino men from living the straight and narrow and getting themselves educated. But, I do recognize that it is harder for them if they live in gang infested areas. --signed an Asian |
You ask this question like the nomination of Hillary Clinton was some bizarre event. But there is nothing unusual about this. Presidents who had lost at least one run for the presidency before being elected include: Jefferson Jackson Harrison Tyler Cleveland (served as president, lost his re-election bid, and then ran again 4 years later and won) Coolidge Nixon Reagan GHW Bush The list of people who have run for president and lost more than once includes Aaron Burr, John Jay, Charles Pinckney, Henry Clay, William Jennings Bryan, Eugene Debs, Thomas Dewey, Adlai Stevenson, Hubert Humphrey, Ross Perot, Bob Dole, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, John McCain, John Edwards, and Joe Biden. |
I am not missing the point. I worked very hard to get my degrees while working in the day and attending school at night. I did not say that the lack of a college degree is a point of pride, I did say it is not always needed for success. I pointed to both the immigrant and Anerican business people with whom I work to show that while an education may not be needed does not mean it is not valued. I have written many letters of recommendation for college applications for my "uneducated" colleagues' children. I have also worked with the kids who chose not to attend college and followed their parents into their business. I respect people who make an egoist whether by obtaining an education or by working I hope you can do the same |
You don't get it because you live in a bubble and have little if any critical thinking skills. |
I don't know where to begin with you. First of all, let me clarify that I teach kids in gangs. So I'm very familiar with their issues and lifestyles. I've been to one too many funerals, too. The very fact that ignorance breeds ignorance is exactly why we need to give back in however way we can. You don't leave who you are. You can mask it with your fancy education and pretty house and shiny cars, but you can't ever erase it from your core. And as a white person myself, I don't give a rat's ass about privilege. I really don't. The worst thing I can do is to become the white savior first of all - but to make excuses for poor life choices only perpetuates the problem. So we can enable, run away and pretend our old lives never existed, or we can face our demons and do what we can to rebuild our communities. |
Actually, I can and do respect people who can make a go of it with or without an education. I was responding to your opening statement, bolded above, because it does miss the point. Trump said he loves the uneducated, but made no distinction about the values it takes to be successful. As you carefully explained, that's an important distinction to make. Too many people who responded positively to his remark couldn't be bothered to make it, and all that does is validate the view that education is a worthless pursuit. I happen to think that college is just not for everyone. Where we've failed, from a policy perspective, is making that the only pathway to class mobility. Even trades people have to learn a trade. |
Jesus also told his followers to obey their laws/governments, and said the poor will always be with us. Make no mistake: if you invoke Jesus, acknowledge the only time humankind will be well and whole is when the Prince of Peace HIMSELF returns. |
If you believe that we make excuses for black men and Latinos in gangs, I must live in an alternative universe. Black people lost urban manufacturing jobs 30 years ago. We were called lazy and uneducated. Middle America lost the same jobs and it's because of NAFTA. I think it's interesting b/c it feels like the shoe is on the other foot for once. We were called welfare queens and everything else. We were never given a pass. Now, the same fate is befalling white people and the world must stop to elect Donald Trump. |
To Pride and Prejudice fans:
Trump = Mr. Wickam Obama= Mr. Darcy Women who fell for Mr. Wickam will regret it. |
My parents didn't have an education. They killed themselves to make sure I went to college. They understood that excuses were not going to acceptable to me as a black woman. They knew that was the only way out. They sold their house to send me to college. I understand how difficult it is to break a cycle, but kids don't ask to be born and parents need to make sacrifices to make sure their kids have a better life than they did. |
So true. Just like the opioids epidemics now becoming a medical issue. The only silver lining is that mow that troubles have reachef the white folks, someone will finally pay attention. It won't be Trump/GOP that fixes anything, but the issue won't go away. |
You really and actually believe that. |
SHE DOES!! The welfare queen myth is alive and well |