Yet, it's ok to promote negative, hate filled people (Farrakhan/Sharpton/Wright/Robertson/Falwell and so on) define you and dictate to you what to believe in.

Meanwhile, people like George Foreman, Clarence Thomas, Dennis Kucinich, and so on, are relegated to labels "Uncle Tom", "whack jobs", POS's, etc.

Why do we negatively label those with positive messages and promote those who teach negative, hateful, racist, divisive messages?

Why do we accuse those who are willing to discuss compromise as not knowing what is really going on?

I work in the inner city, it doesn't get much worse in Akron. There are gun shots everyday in the neighborhood. How many of you apologists and people promoting those negative leaders work in similar areas and with that population on a daily basis like I do?

I can't afford to be the racist some of you portray me to be. I can't be a cold heartless person that some of you portray me to be considering what I do.

S, I am totally lost when in my profession we find giving positive answers and positive influences and role models a way to help immensely.... choose to believe that negative hateful role models and leaders are better.

I can't grasp that idea, I just can't.

That was when John and Yoko were under the sheet and were pissing off the press. Lol.

When was Kucinich called an Uncle Tom? And how exactly can a white person be an uncle tom?

Funny you mention Dennis Kucinich...

http://www.ontheissues.org/Dennis_Kucinich.htm

"Reparations for slavery should take form of social programs."
"Affirmative action is necessary & right & must be preserved."
"Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions."
"Rated 94% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance."

http://hoox.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/hillbilly.jpg

That thars me on the right wiff my brudder, reckon 'bout 5 yarrs ago.

Ain't I sexy?

:devious:

That thars me on the right, receiving an award from Tony Williams, the former mayor of Washington DC, for my work on the city's race relations commission...reckon 'bout 4 yaars ago.

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/customp...pic87105_2.gif

Aint I purdier and sexier :)

And yes, pan....I do know about the inner city.

I also know intolerance when I see it.....if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.....you know the rest.

It's a goose in duck-face?

All you got was a plaque?

Thats very niggardly of him.

I lose it everytime at 2:05.

Did ya get a crack pipe and some ho's from Barry also?

Thanks guys, for all the thoughtful, intelligent responses.

Its nice to know you care so much :)

Just busting your onions DC :) . I could have pasted 4 pages of how he was caught and convicted, incarcerated, and was re-elected to another elected position. Then said how all of the DC democrats are idiots.

mike...I know Marion Barry...and Tony (the Tiger) Williams was no Marion Barry. :)

But on the issue of crack, it was good to see the Supreme Court recognize last year that sentencing guidelines for crack vs powder offenses could present unreasonable disparities.

While not directly "race based", those old sentencing guidelines are one of those institutional policies that adversely affected blacks more than whites.

While not excusing the action of any coke dealers....can you understand why a black mom (or black pastor) in the inner city might be resentful of the "system" when her son (parishioner) gets 20 years for selling crack while a suburban white kid gets maybe 1 year for selling powder coke?

Your absolutely right DC on the sentencing guidelines, I think when they were first enacted they tried (and failed) to discourage the use of this addictive drug. Cocaine is cocaine, put it on the scale, weigh it, and sentence accordingly.

Mine was quite intelligent and thoughtful, and I know you got it :thumbsup:

I'm still learning the art of poking cages from the master and I am a very attentive student.


afterthought:
One shouldnt confuse "poking cages" with "voter caging".....an institutional practice of the Republican party, possibly involving the DoJ and/or the White House, to disenfranchise (predominantly) black voters:

PBS report: Voter Caging and video

Kansas GOP Chair Brags of Vote 'Caging' Efforts, Successes

Is it so hard to understand why one might angry and possibly express rage against the "system" if you were an inner city black pastor and saw this happening in your community?

Kucinich today whack job....... Kucinich back when he was the boy wonder and mayor of Cleveland, a bright spot in Cleveland with some decent ideas until George Forbes decided to play games with him.

Having a Secretary of Peace, I like. He still has a few decent ideas....not many, hung out with Shirley McClain too long

wait...so, first you complain that Kucinich was being labeled a whack job...and now you just called him one?

I found that surprising as well.

But not nearly as surprising as the charge of "promoting those who teach negative, hateful, racist, divisive messages"
I dont recall any post here that promoted or supported any "negative, hateful, racist, divisive message" that have been referenced. I do recall some here who tried to understand and explain the context of some controversial remarks.

And I do recall myself and others here suggesting than it is intolerant to judge any person solely on one (or even a few) speeches and not the totality of that person's life work. And even more intolerant to judge another person based on his/her association with the aforementioned person.

But beyond that...here is an interesting article.....Condi Rice suggesting that the US had a "birth defect" that is still having an effect on the "adult" nation:
I agree with her observations...and IMO, they are not all that different from some comments made by the more controversial black leaders vilified in this thread....she is just more polite.

I am still of the opinion that she has been an utter incompetent as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.

He has some good ideas, yes. Are all his ideas good? NO. He is a whack job in most of his PRESIDENTIAL ideas and in his personal life he is a little flighty, yes, but he also is very good for his district and fights for the people he represents as a US Congressman.

I base my opinion of Kucinich on his early years and what he does for those who elect him. In that case he is not a whack job, but he in fact does his best to represent his constituents.

I complain about him being called a whack job for that reason. A great US Rep. a lousy Presidential candidate (except for the "Peace Cabinet post" and 1 r 2 ther issues).

I see what you did there. You won't trick me with your wordplay.