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285 Comments
- JKennyE, on 02/19/2009, -24/+64Ok I'll open the discussion: I voted for the black guy that appointed you-Eric Holder then you call me part of a "nation of cowards" on race.
- kolinkoolface2, on 02/19/2009, -20/+52go ***** yourself. I go to work, i go to school. I don't wanna fight wars overseas. I am kind to everyone that walks my way. Who are you to judge us collectively?
- AmazingA, on 02/19/2009, -9/+39I knew some a-hole would leave out "..on The Issue of Race".
- FyreGoddess, on 02/19/2009, -16/+45"I voted for the black guy that appointed you-Eric Holder then you call me part of a "nation of cowards" on race."
This is part of the problem. Not what you've said, but the way you thought about it. The entire idea that electing a black president has led us into a "post-racial" society is flawed and it leads to extremely unrealistic expectations. The widespread belief that voting for a black guy automatically makes you progressive in all facets of your life is ridiculous. There are a large number of people who seem to think that a single action can or should define them, while dismissing that there may be other, larger issues at play.
The US is a very diverse country. You can even say, with some degree of accuracy, that there's a significant amount of acceptance of that diversity, however, most people like diversity outside of their personal bubble and tend to not embrace diversity within their comfort zone.
I'm sure that most people can point to their non-homogeneous friends and say "But look, I have [ethnicity] friends." But inherently you're going to be drawn to people who are like you and be attracted to the ways in which they are like you. In fact, it's probably likely that whatever ways those friends are not like you are easily ignored.
What's at issue here is the lack of willingness that many Americans feel to experience diversity, true diversity. The next time you're out on your own time, look around at the places you go and the things you do. How often are you stepping outside of your comfort zone in order to experience a new culture? It doesn't even have to be racial, it can be anything. But the point that I took away from this article is that it's a whole lot easier to reassure ourselves that we ARE diverse and open minded than it is to actually take steps to experience those things. - FXNGLAS, on 02/19/2009, -9/+37When is White history month?
If you're White, you're a racist. Figures. - RC212V, on 02/19/2009, -7/+32I know one thing, starting out by calling everyone in America a coward is not going to take us any further on the road to better race relations.
- davebg8r, on 02/19/2009, -10/+34Im sorry, but arent you the guy that helped make sure that Mark Rich got pardoned under Clinton? You have no credibility until you earn it and you are already in the hole.
- Janinco, on 02/19/2009, -6/+29Don't feel too bad. Murtha called his own constituents racists and rednecks and they STILL voted for him!
- jshhmr, on 02/19/2009, -9/+29No Mr Holder, I am not a coward. I fully acknowledge the fact that we have been invaded by a race of people that illegally crossed our border and DEMAND that we assimilate to their culture, instead of them assimilating to us. They hate America. That's why LaRaza's (the race) motto is "For the Race, Everything; Outside the Race, Nothing." Let me guess, I will be the one dugg down.
- SamCatLu, on 02/19/2009, -7/+27But when are blacks going to be asked to be fair? I mean there are words that they use and whites can't. What's fair about that? I don't care to use the words but it's a standard based on skin color period.
People shouldn't be forced to "experience a new culture" if they so chose. I don't get what that has to do with Holder calling us, as a nation of cowards. If you feel guilty about your upbringing - deal with it however you need but don't tell the rest of us how we need to act to make you and whoever feel better. - wolferz, on 02/19/2009, -3/+19I've never been afraid to speak about such issues... the problem is by doing so I get called a racist.
America is a nation of cowards regarding any issue that is even the least bit unpleasant... race just happens to be one of those issues. And any one who refuses to give into such cowardice is a ***** for daring to make others thinking about such uncomfortable issues. Doesn't matter what they say... saying that blacks and whites are equals gets one branded a racist. Asking "why if a lower qualified white person is kept on while a black person gets laid off is racism... then why isn't it racism when a lower qualified black person is kept on BY LAW and a more qualified white person is laid off" also gets one branded a racist.
Oh you can get a pass... by being black for one... by being a black preacher even more so. You can also be a congressman and get a pass so long as your a democrat. Does any of this sound completely arbitrary to any one other than me?
People are determined to delude themselves into believing they are right about everything, even when they don't know anything about a subject. If you start to point out the flaws in their claims you become the evil one. Welcome to America. Nation of sheep and "Would you like fries with that?" - freedomjoe, on 02/18/2009, -37/+51He's already digging into all of the Bush's DoJ many crimes against the constitution....so, of course the conservatives hate him.
- jba68, on 02/19/2009, -3/+17"Saturdays and Sundays, America in the year 2009 does not in some ways differ significantly from the country that existed almost 50 years ago. This is truly sad," said Holder."
FTA
That is such crap. Things are a helluva lot different than 1959 - Chordonblue, on 02/19/2009, -1/+15Heh, amazing this guy is getting dugg down for saying this. I guess you'd rather this conversation happen:
***** me? Hey no, ***** YOU!
I don't know, getting called a coward by someone who doesn't know me kinda puts me on the offensive. - PopcornDave, on 02/19/2009, -2/+15Someone who won't get called on it by the media because of the tint of his skin.
- Skywise, on 02/19/2009, -4/+17""Saturdays and Sundays, America in the year 2009 does not in some ways differ significantly from the country that existed almost 50 years ago. This is truly sad," said Holder."
BULL
This is nothing but race pandering. Our neighborhoods are far more integrated than in the 60s along with mixed race marriages being nearly commonplace.
What does Holder suggest we do? Enforce neighborhood desegregation and laws about forced social interaction? Welcome to Union of American Socialist States... - rolf, on 02/19/2009, -3/+16I simply don't believe our private lives and who we associate with should be a discussion on the federal level. I don't believe government social engineering on that level is very productive nor what we need at the moment. It was always individuals ahead of their time that made society progress, not a large scale government effort that dictates how we all should behave.
- ryesmall, on 02/19/2009, -7/+20Debate about what perhaps? Why would you want to start a discussion with him just because he thinks the statement was ridiculous?
Just because there is something to debate, doesn't mean you call people cowards because they don't want to discuss the issues. Maybe they think it gets too personal and heated to bring up. - inactive, on 02/19/2009, -3/+16I really don't know what he is talking about.
Everyone is free to express the Government PC-approved opinion. - novaculus, on 02/18/2009, -58/+70
Another Obama hand tool off to a flying start.
Biden was just the beginning of what is becoming a much longer parade of clowns than anyone could have predicted. - alconebay, on 02/19/2009, -4/+16"the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives"
Uhhhh yeah, only because the black guys around my workplace like to totally different thing at home and on the weekend than I do. I listen to classical/orchistated, they listen to rap/hip hop; I play strategy games on my computer, they play football. Don't get me started or Church worship style differences.
We just wouldn't have much fun hanging out with each other. Skin color does not have a thing to do with it.
Does that mean I'm racial or that I just have different interests? Besides, why should he care? - inactive, on 02/19/2009, -1/+12That line of thinking is everything that is wrong with politics today.
- Bermygoon, on 02/19/2009, -9/+19When a white guy is voted into the office of president we will know we are no longer a nation of cowards.
Until then the black man is holding me down!!
Fight the power...and other stuff like that - inactive, on 02/19/2009, -3/+13"...the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives."
So... what? Does this idiot want to force interration in our private lives also? I can choose my own friends, thank you. I associate with people I feel compatible with. The only people that seem to have a problem about "race" are jackasses like yourself. - SQLDigger, on 02/19/2009, -6/+16Calling someone a "coward" is the ultimate troll tactic. It's what radio shock jocks and similar ***** do to try to frame a discussion in their terms. If you don't respond - you must be a coward. If you do, you're entering into the discussion based on the presumption that cowardice is in some way an issue. What's sad is when a public official resorts to such antics to get attention. ***** Holder. Racism is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned, and even where it is an issue, government cannot and will never change it. Let's solve real ***** problems for a change, instead of just tearing open old wounds that never get a chance to heal.
- jdubu37, on 02/19/2009, -25/+35I am so GAWD damm sick of this race *****, we have a black president for gods sake, racism is just something used for political gain. there are still a very few idiots that are still racist but claiming racism for everything is joke. stop the white guilt and leave me the ***** alone.
- Chordonblue, on 02/19/2009, -4/+14Yes, I'm sure that Holder has quite the ethnic diversity in his gated community. Give me a physical break...
- 3tcp, on 02/19/2009, -1/+11It can be impossible for to have a discussion about race without someone being called a racist, so they don't have those discussions. This could come from something as innocuous as mentioning statistical facts or implying that some subcultures have developed along racial lines.
It is fruitless to have these discussions publicly because it takes a very close relationship between two people to actually discuss issues rather than just tip toe around semantically because people don't trust each other to not assume that the other has a racial bias against the other. Furthermore, these are often political discussions as well and people don't like mixing politics into their social life. Social lives and work/career lives get pretty intertwined as well and issues of politics and race are not appropriate discussion for a workplace. - Lifehedge, on 02/19/2009, -15/+24What a douche
- ozymandias2012, on 02/19/2009, -3/+12In case you haven't heard. Conservatives oppose liberals, liberals oppose conservatives.
- SQLDigger, on 02/19/2009, -2/+11The only one in error here is you for drawing way too many conclusions from JKennyE's post. Leave your projections at the door, and address the person you are talking to, not fictititous straw men. Generalizations for the loss.
- dancindrudge, on 02/19/2009, -4/+13quit pulling the race card...
- Annyck, on 02/20/2009, -0/+8Freedomjoe: You said europeens integrate their blacks better. I am from France, and yes, on the surface black and whites in France appear to mingle in a more equalitarian manner. It is only skin deep however, their taboos are different - they are more cultural than racial in nature, but taboos they still have. In France and in the long run, blacks integrate somewhat; but arabic/muslim population integration is perhaps the number 1 social problem. It will likely grow into a full blown revolt one of these days.
I find American blacks to be rather angry compared to African blacks (yes I know about black slavery and its evils) but I think that American black culture is so vested into 'being angry' about the past, it has become its identity. The problem lies there, several generations of people who've never encountered or seen the evil of slavery, live their lives as if it were in our midst. Some black leaders disgracefully reinforce this stereotype and encourage 'blame' rather than personal responsibility. This is a great method to self-destruct, rather than blame, we all need to learn to live for the moment, to live for today with an eye on tomorrow and to be responsible for ourselves - Whether we were born poor and black, child abused, poor and Jewish, etc American blacks need to learn that most of all. - inactive, on 02/19/2009, -5/+13If it were what it is supposed to be, Obama would not have been allowed to run as a black candidate. He is NOT black. No person from any race or ethnicity should be able to run on a ticket like that. All it succeeds in doing is DIVIDING and that seems to be exactly what they want.
He could just as well have said, "I'm running as the white candidate". It's just as true but the backlash for that would have cost him. Until we understand as a nation we're being "manipulated"(and for no good) this kind of trickery will go on.
United we stand. - ozymandias2012, on 02/19/2009, -5/+13Perhaps if people didn't label others as "racists" so quickly we'd be able to discuss race more openly. But I know you're really not interested in doing that.
- ozymandias2012, on 02/19/2009, -1/+9So.....
If you celebrate the fact that you're white, than you're racist but if you celebrate the fact that you're a minority, you're not a racist...
Yeah, that makes sense. /s - ozymandias2012, on 02/19/2009, -1/+9"What's at issue here is the lack of willingness that many Americans feel to experience diversity"....
OMG....give me a f***ing break. It's called freedom honey. - yerdaddy, on 02/19/2009, -3/+11You are not supposed to celebrate and cultivate your own enthnicity until Mr. Holder tells you it's okay.
- slide23, on 02/19/2009, -1/+9Exactly. I don't understand why there is a Black history month at all, it should be American history month. Having a month dedicated to just blacks, even if its about good intentions, is still racist. I can't see how people don't understand this. I'm a middle class white man and I volunteer my free time to mentor students at a local high school that is primarily black and they on occasion have expressly stated that because I'm white I somehow have life easier. I didn't get any scholarships going to college and each of these kids are getting at least 1 scholarship solely because of their race. There are no scholarships aimed at middle class white children. If I said anything however I would then be a racist.
While I'm on the subject. How can I be racist for white people to proactively hire other white people but when blacks do the exact same thing it's ok? This just doesn't make any sense to me..... - RUFuKinCrazy, on 02/19/2009, -1/+9unless you are black.
- drmobutu, on 02/19/2009, -0/+7That was a poor choice of words...for many Americans, especially guys from the South, there is nothing worse than being called a coward, and if you do so, you can depend on rapid retaliation...Seriously, if you want to start a fight with a Southern Gentleman, just call him a coward...
- inactive, on 02/19/2009, -7/+14Of course the guy you voted for, Barack Obama, is not a descendant of American slaves. He was imported from Africa. So really, this is not over, until a descendant of slaves becomes president.
edit: Oh yeah, and he is half white. - justz00t, on 02/19/2009, -1/+8@FyreGoddess
Since you preach to be such a open minded multi cultural person perhaps you would care to join me going out and duck hunting,ice fishing or maybe sturgeon spearing? If none of those sound enjoyable how about going to a libertarian convention?
If you cant see yourself doing these things maybe its time to think long and hard about how diverse you really are. - inactive, on 02/18/2009, -13/+20What is pathetic about what he said? He maybe could have been softer in wording for the easily offended, but what he says is true.
"If we're going to ever make progress, we're going to have to have the guts, we have to have the determination, to be honest with each other. It also means we have to be able to accept criticism where that is justified," Holder told reporters after the speech.
What is pathetic about that? - inactive, on 02/19/2009, -5/+12Obviously, Mr. Holder believes that the Gov't should tell you who you must associate with.
- randyzaia, on 02/20/2009, -0/+7I agree that Americans are cowards when it comes to talking about race. For example, we're not willing to take a close look at why illegitimacy rates in the black community run to 75%. Why is it that young black men are much more likely to commit violent crimes, even when accounting for income differences? Why is that the descendants of those Japanese that were put in internment camps during WWII are doing better financially than the average black individual? Why is black culture generally so aggressively dismissive of academic achievement? I agree, Eric Holder, that we need to have a no-holds-barred "conversation" about race in this country. My guess is this is not the type of honest conversation that you're looking for.
- bradthomas223, on 02/19/2009, -5/+12To me this is just more racism directed at whites from a black guy with a chip on his shoulder.
"European" Americans and "African" Americans have the right to socialize with whomever the hell they want to. How dare this ass hat use his position as Attorney General to grind his own axe about race relations. Not your ***** job assclown!!! Here is an idea why don't you, oh I don't know, go prosecute some people for breaking the ***** law and committing crimes!
Bye the way I have been to mostly "African" American functions and 9 times out of 10 times get the, "Who invited the Honky" look. So it's not just "European" Americans with stereotypes to overcome you douche. - skillrules, on 02/19/2009, -2/+9Its not easy to disparage 300 million people in 3 words
- CoolHandLuke70, on 02/19/2009, -0/+6Is Holder going to buy us all a Coke and a smile?
- ozymandias2012, on 02/19/2009, -2/+8How do I know?
"Most white people..." nuff said. -
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