Why do so many black people in the DC area feel the need to claim ownership of other blacks or try to control them? Please stop grouping all black people together! If someone wants to assimilate, then that is their right. Who are you to tell them what to do and how to behave? The beauty of America is that people are allowed to be diverse. No one should be held into contempt for living their life the way that they see fit. If a black person doesn't want to associate with the black collective, then that is their choice to make. As long as people are living happy and productive lives that's all that matters. If you're not a blood relative, then you're not my people.

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We don't need Jackie Chan as our leader cause we are doing just fine. Most minority groups have a "community leader" that speaks for the community, organizes the community, etc.. . Some may lead just the local community, but isn't that a start? You don't think having a "leader" would help your community? I'm not saying every black person is lost. Clearly that is not the case. But don't you think the black community needs to change at all? Or is it that everyone around them needs to change first? Like I said, racism is real. But how is the community helping themselves? Maybe they are and the rest of us just don't see it.

So then what do *you* think needs to happen in the black community? Maybe you are upper class, so this isn't your community. Then this doesn't really apply to you, does it.

Asians are doing just fine? Really? Then why are many of you fighting tooth and nail to get to the US? How are things in your home country? Everyone doing great and not in need of any great Asian leader? How...interesting.

BTW, there is no black community. There is a black race. This idea that we are all interconnected is false and needs to stop. It's asinine and small-minded thinking.

Then we need this cleared up. I hear "black community" all the time from my black colleagues.

Furthermore, when we talk about the achievement gap (black and Hispanics vs. whites and Asians). we are lumping all blacks and Hispanics together. Do we address this supposed need or not? b/c this is a national concern that's the focal point in every major school system

Is it EVER appropriate to use community? I've never been slapped for using it. I was slapped for using "black sheep" (in reference to myself) in front of three black colleagues. I thought that was a little over the top. But maybe I was in the wrong?

So maybe WE'RE - the whites and our "diverse" communities (?) - are just confused!

Words can be powerful. They shape our views. So maybe you can enlighten White America?

I'm all eyes.

When blacks use "community", it's more related to our race/ethnicity. It is difficult to explain, but it is different and does not suggest a monolithic way of defining black people.

re: education. I'm not an educator. But I will say this: Who are the decision makers when it comes to our educational system? What race are they? Do they have the best interest of minorities at heart? Our students are as good as our teachers and many of them who teach minority kids don't give a damn. They play DOWN to what they think the students will know/be able to grasp and the low expectations result in students left behind.

You're been slapped for saying black sheep? I find that very hard to believe, unless your comment surrounded that word was especially outrageous.

BTW, don't be "all eyes" regarding what I say. I'm one black person. Why would you imagine that I would have ALL of the answers about black people? Do you profess to be an expert on all things white?

I'm confused.

If you can't explain the connotation around "community," then how can anyone else understand it? Furthermore, you claim you're only one voice, yet you speak for the "community" in your first line. You can't have it both ways.

I have never claimed to be the expert on "white." In fact, I grew up with a them/us mentality, as my parents were immigrants. But I am white, yes, and am here asking for clarification, which I clearly can't get from one poster. I am learning that I have to do my own study to examine the multiple definitions of community b/c individual posters will have different views.

So . . . there is NO such thing as "black community." Or . . . is there?
confused . . .

In terms of education, I can tell you that schools are still segregated. What was once a majority white school 20 years ago is not majority Hispanic and black. Many schools in my system are changing, and these schools are low performing. I don't have an answer. We're trained in equity and cultural diversity, but I've yet to see equitable practices widely used. I've seen fantastic colleagues leave for high performing schools b/c they were burned out.

So I wish I had the magic answer; I don't. Talk to our presidents - particularly our current one who thinks so highly of Arne Duncan, who was never an educator, by the way. They seem to think that Race to the Top is the key to closing the gap. What we find our educators so worn down from data collecting that there's no energy left to teach - or more importantly, connect with the kids.

black sheep - nothing offensive around that
I didn't follow "tradition," and was labeled the black sheep in my family. It was all in fun.

I addressed it earlier. Community is more about ethnicity/nationality than anything else. It can also refer to blacks living in a particular area. Or blacks in a particular socioeconomic status. Depends on the context. IME, when whites use it, it's as a blanket statement about ALL blacks and usually involves a criticism.

From your post, I gather you're in education? Given the nature of your post and your obvious disdain for black people, I wouldn't imagine that the problem in education is: educators like you.

You can think what you like.

I'm perfectly comfortable in my skin - and with asking questions. If you find my questions offensive, then you have the problem.

But God forbid someone white should ask a difficult question! Then it's all about being a racist.

You don't use a band aid to cover a boil. You lance it. It's not pretty. It's not neat. It's not comfortable. But it gets to the root of the problem.

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Anonymous wrote:20:40 you state that 50% of the black people you work with save for their children's college. The other 50% do not and do not think it is the best investment for their children. Are you telling me that 100% of white folks in America save for their children to attend college and 100% believe college is a good investment?

Whether you can save or not is obviously up to your income level -- but more than 50% of whites do think some kind of college is best for kids; I mean look at the rise of for profit universities and online colleges. I have not heard whites mock college and "book learning" the way I've heard blacks do so -- sorry -- just my experience. I'm sure I'll be told I'm wrong.

You're wrong. But we aren't really talking about more than 50%, but it was mighty white of you to move the goal post. Your original diatribe was 50% of blacks saved and talked about college. Whereas the other 50% of the 30 black folks you worked with did not. Again, for you, where are these 100% white folks who save for college?

Oh, and there was just within the last week a long thread from white posters stating that if they had to do it over, they would not go to college, but to trade school. There is another thread where posters state that they will not save for their children to attend college, as it would be best if the kid had some financial teeth in their own education. The demographics of DCUM skews white, middle class, female, so take the posts for what they are worth.

Talking about one race at 50% and another at more than 50% is not moving the goal post. Maybe take a statistics class. And the truth remains the same -- I have heard numerous blacks mock college and "book learning." This would be blacks living in big cities, not rural Alabama blacks. I don't hear that same mocking from big city whites.

And to those who said I worked with 30 black people in an office. Clearly you've never stepped foot in a large company in Philadelphia. You step foot into the departments of Comcast, Blue Cross & Blue Shield or another Phil. company -- departments that don't require a college degree like customer service or claims, you're not seeing 30 black people. You are seeing entire floors of black people. An all black department -- where you've got 100 out of 200 women taking an attitude about college, well that's at least 100 kids in North or West Philadelphia (and likely more as each woman generally has more than 1 kid) that are hearing from their moms that higher education does not matter. If you're already living in the ghetto (which both of those areas of Phil. are), you may want to keep your both shut about how education doesn't matter and help your kid figure out some way to get out of the hood -- lest he be hanging with the Michael Browns of the world.

Oh I understand. So for black folks its 50% who uphold the benefits of college, and 52, 53, 55% of white folks who do the same. White folks in America have always had free education at their advantage., so they should be at 100%, not over 50%. However, you don't or want to address that. More importantly, you think you can just exclude white folks living in suburbia, exurbia, and rural america from your numbers. Bitch bye.

Exhibit A of why AAs can't get ahead. You only hear what you want to hear and you only hear it through the lens of -- AAs MUST always be the victim in every situation.

Case closed.

NP. The teachers can only do so much to educate kids who have poor home lives, receive improper care, and resist attending school. MI think it's a shame that the blame lies on educators when students, whether minorities or not, underperform - no wonder there is such burn out in the teaching profession.

Do we blame our doctors when a smoker dies from cancer? No? Then why do we blame teachers for underperforming children when the children are clearly not set up to be successful in their home lives?

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Anonymous wrote:Yes Ms Asian speaking on behalf of all Asians. bTW, you are showing them in a very poor light tonight. Please answer PP questions. Why do Asians sell their little boys and girls into prostitution with such glee?

Hm... I think Africans do this, too, child bride, etc.. Pot and kettle, you know.

And so do whites. Or are they just the pervy consumers? Hmmm. In any case, this was a question for the all knowing Asian, so go play.

Why do I need to answer this if you can't explain why Africans do it?

Because basically, both do it for the same reason... poverty.

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We don't need Jackie Chan as our leader cause we are doing just fine. Most minority groups have a "community leader" that speaks for the community, organizes the community, etc.. . Some may lead just the local community, but isn't that a start? You don't think having a "leader" would help your community? I'm not saying every black person is lost. Clearly that is not the case. But don't you think the black community needs to change at all? Or is it that everyone around them needs to change first? Like I said, racism is real. But how is the community helping themselves? Maybe they are and the rest of us just don't see it.

So then what do *you* think needs to happen in the black community? Maybe you are upper class, so this isn't your community. Then this doesn't really apply to you, does it.

Asians are doing just fine? Really? Then why are many of you fighting tooth and nail to get to the US? How are things in your home country? Everyone doing great and not in need of any great Asian leader? How...interesting.

BTW, there is no black community. There is a black race. This idea that we are all interconnected is false and needs to stop. It's asinine and small-minded thinking.

You're an idiot. Was I referring to the black community in Africa? Why are you referencing Asians from Asia? And BTW, it's not just the Asians fighting to get in here... so are the Africans, Hispanics, etc.

Asians in the US are doing fine.. there.. is that better? When they are not, there usually is a community leader that rallies people. As a whole, I would say Asians are faring better than blacks here. Yes, I know part of is racism, but not all of it is.

Fine..there is no black community. Your race is doing fine. There is no problem in the "black community" because there is no such thing as the "black community". There are aberrant black criminals, and because there are a few, now all black people are painted as criminals. All these issues in the non-existent black community is made up by the white people and the media controlled by the white people.

Does that make you feel better?

What does a criminal who happens to be black have anything to do with ALL black people? There is no definite black community. However, there are a variety of communities in America in which black people exist. Do you seriously think that an elite black person gives a damn about a black person living in the ghetto? Do you think a religious black person cares about black homosexuals? Do you think that black people from intact families resemble the ones from broken families? Do you think that all black people who like opera associate with black people who go to Go-Go clubs? Black people are not carbon copies of each other. The African Diaspora is made of different cultures, religions, soci-economic status, languages, etc. Stop being obtuse! No one thinks that hillbilly redneck whites represents all white people. So why do you think some black criminal represents all black people?

Okay you can stop. I am not a criminal. I hold a graduate degree and have a HHI over $250k. That one was for the PP who said AA never get ahead because we don't hear what she wants us to hear. However, PP I disagree with you. I have tickets to Kennedy center opera and I love chuck brown and rare essence. I am spiritual and give a damn about my homosexual uncle. I volunteer in the ghetto and thus give a damn about those kids. We do not have to cut off our people because white people think we should in order to assimilate and be like them.

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Anonymous wrote:I really don't get the "black community" hate. I hear this by black people all the time. So, you think they are wrong, too? I'm thinking most black people in this country do use the term "black community".

I just posted, and I brought up that very same point.

I hear black community all the time. "In the black community, this is how we . . . "

OK - So it's not offensive - at least to some.

I mentioned how my community is my heritage, especially as a first generation who's bilingual. I am proud being part of this community. It's tied to a country, however, which may be the main difference.

Black community is defined how? as black American? as African American? And if it's the latter, how close are AAs to an African nation? Do most AAs trace their roots?


Eventually, we all lose ties, I imagine, as the older generation dies off.

So community takes on different meanings. I'm just not sure I'll be using it around others much longer . . .

You've answered your own question.

I'm African American. Do you know what that means? If you did, you wouldn't suggest that I stop using it because I have no ties to my ancestors. I honor their sacrifice and NO white person will tell me I can/can't do this in the way I see fit.

I am not arguing that case. You have that right to respect those who suffered before you.

But what do you say to an African (closely tied to an African nation like Uganda) who wants nothing to do with you? who thinks your African American label is silly? How do you see eye-to-eye with him/her?

We've had some circles (restorative practices) between our African and AA students b/c the tension was so great. So I speak from experience.

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We don't need Jackie Chan as our leader cause we are doing just fine. Most minority groups have a "community leader" that speaks for the community, organizes the community, etc.. . Some may lead just the local community, but isn't that a start? You don't think having a "leader" would help your community? I'm not saying every black person is lost. Clearly that is not the case. But don't you think the black community needs to change at all? Or is it that everyone around them needs to change first? Like I said, racism is real. But how is the community helping themselves? Maybe they are and the rest of us just don't see it.

So then what do *you* think needs to happen in the black community? Maybe you are upper class, so this isn't your community. Then this doesn't really apply to you, does it.

Asians are doing just fine? Really? Then why are many of you fighting tooth and nail to get to the US? How are things in your home country? Everyone doing great and not in need of any great Asian leader? How...interesting.

BTW, there is no black community. There is a black race. This idea that we are all interconnected is false and needs to stop. It's asinine and small-minded thinking.

You're an idiot. Was I referring to the black community in Africa? Why are you referencing Asians from Asia? And BTW, it's not just the Asians fighting to get in here... so are the Africans, Hispanics, etc.

Asians in the US are doing fine.. there.. is that better? When they are not, there usually is a community leader that rallies people. As a whole, I would say Asians are faring better than blacks here. Yes, I know part of is racism, but not all of it is.

Fine..there is no black community. Your race is doing fine. There is no problem in the "black community" because there is no such thing as the "black community". There are aberrant black criminals, and because there are a few, now all black people are painted as criminals. All these issues in the non-existent black community is made up by the white people and the media controlled by the white people.

Does that make you feel better?

Well now that you put it that way, yes it does.

Again.. no intelligent answers, just flippant remarks - assuming you are the PPP. Then if you think there are no problems, case closed. Let's not belabor this issue. Move on.

Should I just tell Jeff to delete this thread since apparently there are no issues in the non-existent black community?

Case in point. White entitlement. You feel that you can now tell the web owner what threads to delete and close. LOL.

First of all, anyone can tell Jeff to delete a thread. And secondly, you are a fool... I'm Asian. And believe me, most Asians don't feel they have any entitlement to anything.

So because you're Asian, you can speak for how Asians feel? So, will you have the answer on why so many turn a blind eye to child rape/prostitution in many Asian countries? What about animal cruelty? Can you explain why Asians are known to treat animals so cruelly?

I don't know because I don't live in Asia. Can you tell me why there is so much unrest and violence in Africa? No? Must be because you don't live there either.

OMG - we are talking about people that live here, in the US, not in other countries. Goodness, you really are a fool.

Well, you gave the impression that you were privy to the motivation of Asian people, so...

BTW, your comparison is faulty. Compare Asians (fairly new immigrants) with Africans (fairly new immigrants). I think you'll see that African immigrants are ahead of Asian immigrants.

A comparison between Asian immigrants (who come from middle/upper class backgrounds in their home countries) to American blacks who have family ties that date back to slavery/Jim Crow is an unfair one.[/quote]

I would agree with you, however, I am not a recent Asian immigrant, nor are most of the Asians I know. They have all done very well. Most of the Asians that came here prior to the 1980's, especially those that came here in the early part of the century, were escaping poverty.

And yes, I do know that Asians here have not been subjected to slavery. And I actually realize that it is damn hard for a black person from an impoverished community to escape that poverty.