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Baraka_Guru · 05-06-2009, 06:22 PM

I briefly spoke to roachboy in chat about this thread. One thing that I told him was that I was reminded of the differences between the U.S. and places like Toronto when it comes to race politics.

You see, generally, in North America, there is an undercurrent of while privilege. It's not universal, far-reaching, and omnipotent, but, generally speaking, visible minorities have a lot of crap loaded upon them, in varying degrees, based on their racial identity.

Blacks, of course, are no exception. My own perspective of the black community is Canadian and rather Toronto-centric. If you don't already know, Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. There is a large black population that consists of immigrants from around the world, including Africa, the U.S., and the Caribbean.

Canada doesn't have the specter of slavery in its past. However, this is not to say blacks have it easy here. There is a notorious neighbourhood here, Jane & Finch, which is well known for its crime, poverty, and blackness. The problem is that local lore and the media have blown it out of proportion. There are a few other neighbourhoods that are the same way. The fact remains that blacks in Toronto are disproportionately disadvantaged socially, economically, vocationally, and educationally. They are discriminated against by their community, the police, and the media. But many of them are not descendants of American-owned slaves. Many of them do have a slave ancestry, but I don't think their plight is as directly linked as it is in the States.

This is the big difference. There is no sense of ownership of the problem, because its only root is through their immigration stories. It's a big difference. It puts them in the same realm as East Indians, Chinese, etc., who have done the same thing here.

The problem I see in many of the responses in this thread is the idea that a long history (the abolition of slavery) and a single historical event (the election of a black man as president) can wash away the bitter realities of blacks across the country.

The slave ancestors of African Americans did not immigrate to America. They were hunted like animals, transported like cargo, and put to work as slaves for years. And when slavery was ended, what began were decades of hatred, discrimination, and segregation aimed at keeping blacks as second-class citizens. This was passed down from generation to generation, from American hands to American hands.

Americans, you own this burden. I am appalled to read how easily some of you pass off this responsibility as though it were made null and void by deep time and a single victory. Racism is alive and well, and if America indeed owes nothing to the descendants of slaves, this is at the very least tragedy of society and at the very worst a travesty of justice.

You cannot undo what was done by your ancestors. But you can set it right. For generations now, the families of former slaves have been passing on their burden. Isn't it up to American society at large to help share it? To help alleviate it? It's in the best interests of all Americans.

05-06-2009, 06:22 PM	#43 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I briefly spoke to roachboy in chat about this thread. One thing that I told him was that I was reminded of the differences between the U.S. and places like Toronto when it comes to race politics. You see, generally, in North America, there is an undercurrent of while privilege. It's not universal, far-reaching, and omnipotent, but, generally speaking, visible minorities have a lot of crap loaded upon them, in varying degrees, based on their racial identity. Blacks, of course, are no exception. My own perspective of the black community is Canadian and rather Toronto-centric. If you don't already know, Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. There is a large black population that consists of immigrants from around the world, including Africa, the U.S., and the Caribbean. Canada doesn't have the specter of slavery in its past. However, this is not to say blacks have it easy here. There is a notorious neighbourhood here, Jane & Finch, which is well known for its crime, poverty, and blackness. The problem is that local lore and the media have blown it out of proportion. There are a few other neighbourhoods that are the same way. The fact remains that blacks in Toronto are disproportionately disadvantaged socially, economically, vocationally, and educationally. They are discriminated against by their community, the police, and the media. But many of them are not descendants of American-owned slaves. Many of them do have a slave ancestry, but I don't think their plight is as directly linked as it is in the States. This is the big difference. There is no sense of ownership of the problem, because its only root is through their immigration stories. It's a big difference. It puts them in the same realm as East Indians, Chinese, etc., who have done the same thing here. The problem I see in many of the responses in this thread is the idea that a long history (the abolition of slavery) and a single historical event (the election of a black man as president) can wash away the bitter realities of blacks across the country. The slave ancestors of African Americans did not immigrate to America. They were hunted like animals, transported like cargo, and put to work as slaves for years. And when slavery was ended, what began were decades of hatred, discrimination, and segregation aimed at keeping blacks as second-class citizens. This was passed down from generation to generation, from American hands to American hands. Americans, you own this burden. I am appalled to read how easily some of you pass off this responsibility as though it were made null and void by deep time and a single victory. Racism is alive and well, and if America indeed owes nothing to the descendants of slaves, this is at the very least tragedy of society and at the very worst a travesty of justice. You cannot undo what was done by your ancestors. But you can set it right. For generations now, the families of former slaves have been passing on their burden. Isn't it up to American society at large to help share it? To help alleviate it? It's in the best interests of all Americans. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 05-06-2009 at 06:48 PM..