Reply 7/7/10

Opportunities can be fair and it has nothing to do with everyone wanting different things, as what you want thousands or millions want the same thing! That is why they don't make on vehicle, or build on house. You have nepotism mixed up with assistance. It was nepotism when they hired you because they knew your parents. It was not nepotism for your mother to say you were good at what you do. That is promoting which is a form of assistance. I think that all parents and people in general should promote their friends and family. The question is are you going to exercise nepotism when it does not benefit the person or the organization? I have seen may people fall using nepotism as sometimes people believe, because there is a tie they can do what they want! In addition, talking about everyone wanting different things...Do you believe you will be the only one applying for the job that you desire? What if every job you desired someone used nepotism and you are out of work for eons because of it? I think you would take a different approach to nepotism. To say you would always use nepotism is to say you support racism, because unfortunately people are hired because of their race not just friendship. This includes ALL races. I have interviewed White and Black civilians, and when I made MY decision and told my superiors they looked at me weird and said, "Wow, I thought you were going to pick the "Sista"! My son is graduating from college and I have been around a long time. I will take it one step further as I have seen this myself. I think you will understand the severity of nepotism once you apply for a job that will "help your family" and the person doing the hiring graduated from Pittsburgh and hates Penn State. There goes your resume in the trash!!!

Due Date 7/7/10
I do not agree with affirmative action at all, but I do agree that an unbiased system needs to be in place as the “politics” in America runs rampant. I was shocked by the student in the lecture who tried to make an excuse for nepotism for different races of people. I believe people should be employed and promoted on intelligence and knowledge but unfortunately, in my career I have seen people moved along due to friendships and race; all races included! It pisses me the heck off when I see a lazy bum get something that he didn’t deserve. On the other hand, if your friend is the best person for the job, let it happen. I observe people who put a damper on Affirmative Action yet they belong to a institutional fraternity or sorority. Not to include the biggest nepotistic society in the world; Masons, who take an oath that says you will take the Mason first! I must not forget the next, which is the Catholics. I know this for certain as I was hired at a job, but was not supposed to start for two weeks. When the Human Resources manager saw my school ring from a Catholic school and we conversed about Catholic High School, I started the next day! The outlook on Affirmative Action sometimes makes you wonder [if you are a part of the protected class] if it is worth it. Throughout the United States [especially in governmental agencies], there are so many backlashes against employees and lawsuits by White males who revolt against a system they gain from. It all comes down to ignorance I suppose as many of us are to certain aspects of laws. I was at a meeting a couple of years ago and a White male stated he had to wait to get his job because Affirmative Action stopped him and let all the Blacks in first. To his surprise, my girlfriend who is White said that’s not true because I got this job because of Affirmative Action. From the look on his face, you could see he wanted to crawl in a corner. Some people expect to get things handed to them because of their race. I was accused of being a “Whitey Loving, Uncle Tom” as a supervisor. I obtained a squad of officers that I of course knew where Black. Well, slowly but surely I replaced the majority of them because they were bums and didn’t want to work like many White officers. However, I guess they ASS-umed because I was Black I would not get rid of them. What is sad is that I did not realize I replaced them with all White officers until I was called “Uncle Tom”. I was looking for people who worked not race. My Black Captain even bought it to my attention! If everyone followed a similar work ethic and hiring practices, we could abolish Affirmative Action and let the workers work and the bums find their way through life! I am glad Dr. Richards explained why minorities are so frustrated and sometimes they say hurtful words and feel particular ways because the systems are not fair and minority is not a piece of trash.

Reply Due Date July 4, 2010
Hi SaraMae,

I do agree with you about people saying immigrants are lazy. They are far from it and they will live in any condition to provide for their families either in America or back in their home country. I have an issue with the amount of money the Government spends on the welfare of these individuals. I don't think they should be treated unfair, but if there are policies that are supposed to enforce illegal immigration just make sure they apply to everyone. The agency ICE actually knows how many immigrants can be released into the United States by their agency. It is all calculated by supply and demand. tens of thousands of immigrants are housed everyday in the United States and the tax payers are supporting them for the business people on Wall Street who are tied with in with the Federal Government.. I can also relate to the language issue you have. I do not think people should drop their cultures when they come to the United States and I believe they should be allowed to practice their cultures but it depends on the context of the display. I don't hate a lot of things however, I hate going into a place of business where the people are capable of speaking a language other than English and they use that language in the presence of individuals who most likely will not understand them. A great example is an Asian nail salon or Dominican Hair Salon. That sends a bug up my behind. I hated it so much I hunted for a nail salon for weeks until I found one that was American and their primary language was English. I am not discriminating against the use of the language, it is just a lack of etiquette, just like people who pick their nose. (it's their nose, but dude do it privately). Great Post SaraMae!

Due Date July 4, 2010
I do not believe in illegal immigration however, the laws that are enacted are useless to combat it as Dr. Richards pointed out in the lesson. Looking at the other perspective, which is legal migration. At this time in the United States, no one else should be coming in, as the United States cannot provide jobs and other subsidies for the legal citizens that are already here. This is not to say I do not believe others should come into this country but now is not the time. I am also going to make rectification of the dialogue in reference to migrating to the United States. Yes, Whites did have it hard when they came to the United States as they worked hard and depending on your nationality, you were sometimes treated like the African American Slaves. However, I have to say AGAIN that African Americans who originally came to this country DID NOT WANT to come here to obtain a better way of life!!!! Yes, the treatment was undesirable on the ships that Whites traveled on as my great-great Grandmother came into the country the same way from Greece. Nevertheless, Dr. Richard’s cannot compare the treatment received on those ships compared to slave ships, where they were not free to come on deck and they were chained and shackled in small dark quarters. It is incomparable and I am offended by the comparison as it is a slap in the face to the millions of Africans that loss their lives in route to a country they did not seek for betterment. Although I stated my reasons for why illegal aliens and legal immigrants should not enter the country at this time, it is not up to me to judge the people who get here and they should all be treated fairly while in this country. In addition, the only people who should discriminate against anyone coming to America are the Native Americans because it is still their land. Just because you steal, something and keep it for 500 years it does not make it legally yours. What amazes me even more is the discrimination among the races in America that all struggled. E.g., how can the Irish hate Blacks or Italians when they were all discriminated upon during the earlier years of American society by the English? I must agree with the point of legal citizens paying taxes for health care and related benefits for illegal immigrants once they arrive in the country it is unfair because millions of Americans do not have Health Coverage and cannot get assistance to keep their homes. This brings me to my final point on the topic. Why are Haitian refugees returned to Haiti immediately after being captured trying to cross the southern border and other south border countries are not? This includes the laws that are granted to five other nations for temporary status in America, which includes two African countries. I have a real issue with the political disparity the American government displays. E.g. Cuban refugees are detained in jails by ICE and then a decision is made to release them into the community or deport them. Haitians don’t have that option they are immediately deported, even with the ongoing crisis…If one group can’t enter them there should be NO visitors allowed!

Reply Due Date 06/30/10
I agree with most of what you are saying. I know I don't want to live around all Whites or All Blacks. And in the words of Chris Rock, "Black folks love Blacks but they hate Niggers!" I find them in all colors and backgrounds. Who is to say how this survey was handled and what type of samples were chosen to participate. That means a lot. I don't have much faith in these types of statistics as the numbers are usually wrong. (meaning the amount of the percentage not the placement) This is where you lost me, and please correct me if I interpreted what you stated incorrectly. You stated that people would "not want to hear loud music that is different to them." Not saying you are a racist because I don't know you, but the way the statement is written it appears to be an implied racial statement. Who cares WHAT type of music it is if it is loud and disturbing the peace. You don't think that police get radio calls for hip hop and rap music in Black neighborhoods or Whites call because Kid Rock and Justin Beiber is coming through their walls? You say you want diversity, but then you say you want them to be your age so you will have more in common. (?) That's discriminating too. Then you put in an order for Christianity. (But you don't want it Supersized, just regular please) I don't get it. Discrimination comes in all forms. That's why Title VII evolved, people were harassed, retaliated against, had to succumb to hostile conditions and fired because of their age, religion, sex, etc. That is how many Whites think, I want this in my neighborhood ONLY! Believe me, I do not want 20 people on my corner selling drugs, loud music, babies crying all day, and trash blowing up and down my street.

But you can get neighbors that are young, with babies, and play different music who are not ignorant.

Due Date 07/30/10
Multiculturalism...

Assimilation is a word that I do not like or use in relations to race. I view assimilation as Dr. Richard described it. Coming into an environment and assimilating (changing) into the ways of that environment. This is what the forefathers of this country have wanted everyone that was already here, came here, or they bought here to do. I have read may books on race issues that speak of the Civil Rights era and they all have a message of Whites who desired for Blacks to assimilate into the communities. I think they understood the message wrong, just as they did when the Tiano People gave Columbus the gold crown and he thought that meant they gave away their country. Civil Rights activist wanted Whites to allow Blacks to INTEGRATE into the community. When you assimilate, you are stripping your culture away, leaving it at the door, and gaining another’s. I was a Republican for years but I changed my party after becoming more involved in the community and fulfilling my civic duties. I started to observe and hear the racism that was cast out from not all but many Republicans. I hate to say this but even then, I had my doubts but one of the hosts on the View (Hasselback) pushed me over the edge! (She is a racist to the core!) I understand what it feels like to move into a neighborhood and feel unwanted. This happened when I was young and in the home, I reside in. I was the first Black to move on my block and the neighbors took pictures on move-in day. They never spoke to me; just stared. I was expecting to see the “Buy Owner” signs up the next day. Unfortunately, I live in the most expensive section of the city, so where were most of them going. Nevertheless, they watched everyday to see how I was going to live. Not knowing where I came from and what I had prior, they assumed. When I opened my windows and they broke their neck to peep in, when I planted exotic flowers, and went way out decorating for the holidays. They were relieved I wasn’t the “Nigger” they thought of when they wrote the word on a paper towel and put it in my flowers. This is a multiracial society and people need to realize that we can now smell each other roses from across the fence.

LGBT
I don’t have a problem with gays, I don’t think it is normal, as I believe that our physical make up is that way for a reason, but who am I to judge? Everyone had better accept it because if you’re not gay you have someone in your family that is whether you know it or not! My best friend who is my favorite uncle is gay. You don’t see one of us without the other. As long as people find love, in whatever they do that does not hurt anyone else. Leave them the hell alone. Another thing, I don’t want to start on this monogamous, heterosexual topic, because I may take people where they don’t want to go. All I can say is that ALL men in America would be pissed to know that one of the real reasons they don’t have as many wives as they could in America is because of slavery. I will leave it there. American’s have too many other issues to deal with at this time and probably forever after 911 to worry about who is sleeping with whom. I don’t have anything in my fruit salad but banana’s and that’s all I worry about. You have six months to mind your business and six months to leave everyone else business alone. That’s a whole year for people to get their own bedroom “lifestyle” issues in order.

Reply Due 06/23/10

Let me tell you why the Black female became upset...White Supremacy! If she was comfortable in her skin she would not have worried about it. See this is the point I try to make to people all the time. Whites scream reverse racism when Blacks say things about race. No it is ignorance and a inferior complex. When you no who you are that knowledge of self that Dr. Richards was speaking of you don't have to use excuses about what you are and why you are that way. This is two-fold as Whites do the same thing. I know you have heard the saying "The truth hurts" The truth of the matter is when your friend asked her about her hair, the truth became evident that she felt inferior because the hair that she bought was like your friend's hair. She assumed that your friend was accusing her of wanting to be like her.

Due 6/23/10

In the last few years, I begin reflecting on the doll experiment of Dr. Kenneth and Mamie Clark. The thought of White Supremacy (or any supremacy) in the minds of any children at such a young age makes me cringe. It has been defined and coined “White Supremacy” when other races want to emulate Whites, what is it called when Whites want to emulate other races? I know I have mentioned this in a couple of my other blogs and this lesson reversely illustrated my sentiments. What is it called when Whites emulate other races? There is no such thing. So just like the Whites asked the Blacks what should they call them and how should they act, now is the time to take away the supremacist titles and continue with diversity. I lived in a sterile environment (pre awaking stage) and my first incident of awakening emerged in 9th grade, I can’t explain it but I never thought about it again. I didn’t enter full awakening until we moved in a in a neighborhood with only seven black families and police officer burnt a cross on a biracial couple’s lawn and my brother was severely stabbed by a male after he tried to stab my mother because he and his friends said it was “Nigger Night!” I was still optimistic and looked at it as an isolated incident. It was not until my father who was a high-ranking Prison Official and he and didn’t come outside until after the incident was over because he was sleeping; was arrested. Of course, my father was cleared, but it would have never happened if the system weren’t racist. That is when my (White) grandmother told me about the world of racism and I only believed her when I saw the male that was found guilty of attempted murder and ETHNIC intimidation walk up to me in full police uniform and say, “This is my first day and “Sarg” said I am riding with you!” How did he become a cop with a record? He was White…I never mentioned it an every day we fought together and sometimes I fought for him, because he has to live with that. There are so many like incidents and times when Whites who aren’t racist get the back end of the stick for it and it is wrong, wrong, wrong!!! I am telling this story, because there are Blacks who don’t have a real story for why they go left and take on anti-white attitudes. They feed off hearsay like the rappers in the lecture and the retard trying to find a cure to eliminate a race of people. To me the real problem in America is the fact that everyone wants to be on top until they find out claiming minority (color, sex, religion, sexuality) status will catapult them ahead. Get rid of all these programs, keep the laws, and get a diverse group of people to make sure they are enforced. I guarantee that will flatten the “Mountain”, take the shackles and crowns off and everybody will be wearing uniforms that say “Property of Diversity”

Reply 06/20/10

I respect your interpretation, but that's not what I heard but I could have been wrong. I contacted two of my colleagues who teach similar college courses and let them view it with me. Without letting them know they came up with the same interpretation I did. His words were pretty exact. Needless to say, I am not trying to debate with you because that's is what this class is about difference of opinions and interpretations are a part of that. Blacks are not of any opinion that they are the ONLY group that has experience racism, genocide, and/or slavery. But Blacks do get upset when they hear those types of statements. Like I stated before, 99.9 percent of the people that are in this country and experience racism, they or their ancestors came here for a better way of life. Africans didn't ask to come here...I have never heard of any Native American claiming a universal understanding of the hardships of other groups. May be I skipped a lecture, but I didn't hear that. Can you enlighten me on the lecture or information that says that. I also didn't hear anything about a contest over whose slavery was worse.

"Any form of slavery is terrible, but the worst kind is slavery of the mind. That's when a person cannot get past what they believe to see the views of others, and they chain those beliefs to their souls and never let them out to be nourished." (Russell, S S. One Long Day Separated by Darkness, 2009)

Reply Due Date 6/20/10
I took what you said into consideration, so I watched it again with some of my colleagues who are professors and teach the same type of course. We all heard the same thing and I did not tell anything about your interpretation or mine until after we all came to the same conclusion. Telling Blacks that they should feel guilty AS Whites about the genocide of Native Americans is not the same as telling them to feel sorry for themselves. In general Blacks don't feel sorry for themselves they are mad as hell...Which they need to stop doing, and move on as best they can. And when the King challenges them they need to go around and keep moving. Blacks also don't have the opinion that they are the only ones who have been in Slavery, that is a stereotype and another reason why Blacks are angry because although the Holocaust was terrible, it did not happen on U.S. soil and for many years people have told them to get over it. You know it's that step in somebody shoes thing...Like "most Whites can trace their ancestors and have been Irish American, German American etc...The descendants of the Africans bought to this country have been [Colored, African American and or Black] Why? Because they didn't know when Whites asked them what they should be called because their culture was stripped from them. The Jews still have theirs. They celebrate all of their National Holidays. Blacks celebrate American holidays because that is all they know. It's deeper than what anyone could ever imagine..."To not know is bad, to not want to know is worse"