To WP: What Can Black People Do to Improve Race Relations in this Country?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I don't think there is much black people can do to improve race relations. I don't think most white people are reacting to real black people in their lives, I think they're reacting to an image of black people in their minds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not all, but some black people e.g. Al Sharpton can't let go of the fact black people have been victimized. I didn't victimize them but I feel sorry that it happened. The fact that I have white guilt and Al Sharpton feels that I should have white guilt inhibits my relationships with black people.

Al Sharpton would say its my fault, but of course he says everything is my fault. Maybe it is my fault and unfortunately as long as everything continues to be my fault, my relationships with black people will not be equal.

I feel bad as well but I don't have "white guilt" because I'm not white. I'm one of those other in-between colors that gets overlooked. Does this mean I can have guilt too? Oh, of course I can! Just lump the rest of us all together!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing - I wish blacks would SERIOUSLY start addressing the issue of black-on-black violence. I live in what many would consider to be the 'hood - and I feel as though every week I pass a church where there is a funeral for a youth. When I check news reports, these deaths are barely mentioned. It's disgusting. But, the only solution will come from within the black community.

You have to understand that black on black violence has nothing to do with race. It is about low income and poorly educated people living next to each other. That is, people kill people who live close to them...because they are there. So the idea of "back on black" violence is really odd to me. But to say that it needs to stop is strange, does that mean blacks should be violent towards other races? I think what you are trying to say is that violence has to simmer down. Yes, that is true, but many many other social problems need to go away too.

If it is a poverty issue, why don't we see the major violence in poor rural areas that we do in inner cities?

I'd say it's more of a cultural issue.

I would agree.

In other parts, where people are much more impoverished than African-Americans, there is much less crime. You can't keep using poverty as a reason.

History and SES also plays a part in anger and frustration.

[Anonymous]

Maybe get more cats?

[Anonymous]

Compliment us on our amazing eyes more often

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Compliment us on our amazing eyes more often

You so crazy. But you still make me laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't think there is much black people can do to improve race relations. I don't think most white people are reacting to real black people in their lives, I think they're reacting to an image of black people in their minds.

I wrote the list about speaking more quietly in public, smiling, picking up pants. I live in SF, a place where almost all the black people live either across the Bay in Oakland (thus not technically in SF Proper) or in the Bayview. I work in an office with about 15 people, and none of them are black. But when I am at the mall, movie theatre or on the train, there are black people.

When I get onto a crowded train and there's a black guy sprawled across two seats with his leg up on the seat across from him and he's got a scowl on his face, I don't want to feel unsafe (or hell, even uncomfortable) asking if I could sit down.

When I'm listening to my iPod and a group of black people are on the train, it's reasonable that I should still be able to hear my music despite people talking with each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe get more cats?

Why?

What do you mean by this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe get more cats?

Why?

What do you mean by this?

They're joking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Compliment us on our amazing eyes more often

Sure, if you compliment us on our features.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe get more cats?

Why?

What do you mean by this?

They're joking.

I don't understand the joke?

Is it referring to white people's love of dogs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe get more cats?

Why?

What do you mean by this?

They're joking.

I don't understand the joke?

Is it referring to white people's love of dogs?

PP is just throwing out a totally out there kind of suggestion as a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing - I wish blacks would SERIOUSLY start addressing the issue of black-on-black violence. I live in what many would consider to be the 'hood - and I feel as though every week I pass a church where there is a funeral for a youth. When I check news reports, these deaths are barely mentioned. It's disgusting. But, the only solution will come from within the black community.

You have to understand that black on black violence has nothing to do with race. It is about low income and poorly educated people living next to each other. That is, people kill people who live close to them...because they are there. So the idea of "back on black" violence is really odd to me. But to say that it needs to stop is strange, does that mean blacks should be violent towards other races? I think what you are trying to say is that violence has to simmer down. Yes, that is true, but many many other social problems need to go away too.

If it is a poverty issue, why don't we see the major violence in poor rural areas that we do in inner cities?

I'd say it's more of a cultural issue.

I would agree.

In other parts, where people are much more impoverished than African-Americans, there is much less crime. You can't keep using poverty as a reason.

Like Mexico? or Moscow? Crime and poverty but no black people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing - I wish blacks would SERIOUSLY start addressing the issue of black-on-black violence. I live in what many would consider to be the 'hood - and I feel as though every week I pass a church where there is a funeral for a youth. When I check news reports, these deaths are barely mentioned. It's disgusting. But, the only solution will come from within the black community.

You have to understand that black on black violence has nothing to do with race. It is about low income and poorly educated people living next to each other. That is, people kill people who live close to them...because they are there. So the idea of "back on black" violence is really odd to me. But to say that it needs to stop is strange, does that mean blacks should be violent towards other races? I think what you are trying to say is that violence has to simmer down. Yes, that is true, but many many other social problems need to go away too.

If it is a poverty issue, why don't we see the major violence in poor rural areas that we do in inner cities?

I'd say it's more of a cultural issue.

I would agree.

In other parts, where people are much more impoverished than African-Americans, there is much less crime. You can't keep using poverty as a reason.

Like Mexico? or Moscow? Crime and poverty but no black people

But isn't crime in those places driven by corruption and greed/money? I guess urban violence here is somewhat the same in that a lot of it is turf and gangs involved in drug activities. But a lot of it is also about respect and reputation aside from money issues.

[Anonymous]

What a stupid question.

If I have issues with a group of people then it is because of my experiences in life. If I don't like white people, it is not the job of white people to sing and dance to make me feel more comfortable. If I don't like black people, it is not Al Sharptons job to make it all better. If I don't like Mexicans, I am not going to hold a convention announcing what I think all Mexicans should do to please me.

What the hell kind of answer were you expecting PP? Are you testing how to be both inflammatory and subtle at the same time?