Arkansas City will not be the focus now, but we can still talk about the town. For now the blog is a blog in search of an identity. Considering what the new niche will be.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Racism goes both ways
Just to show it goes both ways. A usda worker resigns after she says she did not do all she could to help a person of a different color because people her own color needed help. Here is the link
Actually, she resigned because video of her, laughing and recounting to a crowd at the NAACP, (and them laughing and cheering) about how she took out her feelings of racial inequality on a poor white farmer looking for help, leaked to the internet.
I am glad she was fired. Anyone who treats another person as a lesser being because of race, or any other reason, has no business in a job where they have to deal with the public.
Actually, it is now being reported that at the event, she went on to say that she learned from that experience, and regrets her actions, and vowed never to let race be a factor in her actions. They have actually found the farmer she was referring to, and he says she did indeed help him to stave off foreclosure. She resigned under pressure from Obama because he thought there would be public outcry in response to the footage that had been shown.
That's really going around the block a couple times to find a way to turn it into a way to bash Obama. you sound just like the Bush haters. That is what they did for eight years - turn anything into a way to show how it was Bush's fault. You sound just like them. Politics is so boring these days. Bush haters, Obama haters. Are there any actual ideas out there?
Actually, what 1:18 said is absolutely correct. Still, if you watch the initial video, it is clear from her mannerisms and the way the crowd reacted that she was proud of the way she had that "white farmer" under her thumb, and that she was less helpful than she could have been simply because he was white.
And yes, the Obama administration had her fired for fear of to much media attention in an election year. So, why can't they get rid of whoever let the Black Panther members off the hook for voter intimidation?
There is no evidence the black panther members intimidated anyone. There are like only 8 of them, and no indication that they actually did anything. this "movement" of panthers is just an extremely small group who doesnt do much of anything really. thats why they got off the hook. they didnt commit a crime. The black panther thing is racial pandering and fear mongering at its worst.
That is simply not true. There is video and eyewitness testimony that they were intimidating witnesses and yelling racist things. That is the second time a liberal on here said there were only 8 members. Do you have any proof of that?
"NEWBERRY, SC (WIS) - Turnout for the New Black Panther Party's march through Newberry County on Saturday was far less than organizers expected, but police still took no chances as they kept order.
New Black Panther President Malik Zulu Shabazz expected about 1,000 people at the rally, but only about 70 marchers showed up. The number grew 200 at the courthouse square where party members made speeches."
how is making speeches voter intimidation. last i checked. s.c. was in the usa, where you are able to make speeches... its called freedom of speech, that is not illegal. however many showed up, the organization has only 8 members and is not taken very seriously. you want to attack a marginalized group who does basically nothing, yet you defend a woman who makes blatant racist remarks at a public meeting. i dont know why you defend her ... that makes no sense.
I don't know where you got your info about only 8 members, but I think it's a load of crap. I have not been able to find any info on the number of members of the NBPP. Here is the website for the new black panther party. The video near the middle of the page shows more than 8 members in it.
http://www.newblackpanther.com/intro.html
And no one is defending the lady who got fired. And no one said that the gathering of 200 NBPP people was illegal. Jeez.
I was the poster at 1:18pm. And, as it turns out, I do think the Tea Party is more racist than not. This does not mean I don't agree with much of their non-racist positions. Gov't has become to big, to centralized, to corrupt. There are too many unfunded mandates that create an unfair burden on states. Spending is out of control, and the debt to high. I think the New Black Panthers should have been prosecuted, and I voted for Obama. This was not Obama bashing, or a way to spin things against him. I was merely reporting what is being reported, and what I saw this women say from her own lips.
we are what we are black white yellow and red, we all have differeant cultures religions and family structures, we are devided in the chain of species and sub species.. to say that all races are equal in all aspects is scientificly ignorant. Individualism is our mark and we cannot pour all people into the same cup, each member of humanity is what he or she choses to be based upon individual choice.
The race card has been played so many times and it is worthless in the game of life, be who you are and do not let the strugles of those before you bind you to being a victim or feeling of inequality. we all have trials and tribulations in life that we must overcome so grow up and quit whineing
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Wednesday that he will reconsider the abrupt firing of Shirley Sherrod, a Georgia-based Agriculture Department official who was the victim of a media frenzy over comments that turned out to have been distorted by video editing.
Apparently this whole thing was a hoax. The conservative website that posted the original video that led to the problem took her words out of context. Someone playing politics with someones life. This was just nasty politics.
Here is a quote from the story ::The civil rights group said it and millions of others were duped by the conservative website that posted partial video of her speech on Monday.::
Here is the link http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100721/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_usda_racism_resignation
More spin. Watch the video. She was happy and proud to tell people that this white farmer was looking at her like he was superior and she wasn't going to help as much as she could. Even if it were part of a bigger story, it is obvious she took pleasure in it.
The same with the NBPP people who intimidated voters. They should look at that case again. But, of course, that will never happen.
She was recounting a time when she did take pleasure in using her authority as a black women with power, over a white male who usually is in that position. The roles were now reversed, and she admittedly abused that power. She has said she is ashamed of that, and has learned from that. Sadly, a conservative "news" organization edited, and used her comments out of context to create a firestorm, and show "racism," on the NAACP side, that, at least in this instance did not exist. While the reaction from the NAACP, and the Obama administration was knee jerk, and excessive, at least they move quickly to distance themselves from perceived injustice. Had it been true, this firing would have been right and proper.
So I suppose all the people in the crowd who were laughing and cheering her for not helping the guy later said they had all learned from the experience too, and that they no longer liked seeing the white man get his comeuppance?
Well the point is, the video the conservative website showed was taken out of context, it only showed a part of what was going on, so ... it mislead everyone.
Is this like people shooting video of tea party events and people cheering on racial remarks, but then saying it was taken out of context?
The thing is, you can make anything look any way you want with careful editing.
I haven't watched it yet, but I'm sure it will show that she had no ill will for the white man. It's all those tea party people's fault. And George Bush too. Don't forget George Bush.
What is getting lost in this, is that a website intentionally edited the video to give a wrong impression for their own political gain. I think that website should be held accountable. Lets not forget who the bad guy is here ... I would think this woman would have a definite case for slander, defamation of character etc., ... so she may not need her job anymore anyway.
James, why state that racism goes "both" ways. Neither whites or blacks can lay exclusive claim or proprietorship to racism,whether it be to exercise it over others or as victims of it.
What about Native Americans? What about Asians, Eastern Indians. What about the whole South AMerican population of Hispanic derivatives who are all afraid to get caught after dark by the police even though they are fourth generation citizens of the USA?
We need to give up our illusion of joint ownership and tug of war between blacks and whites. The world belongs to more than just those two populations. And racism goes many ways!!!!!
I watched the entire video, and it's not white people she hates, it's RICH people.
And, she blames the healthcare backlash on the fact that Obama is a black man, not because the healthcare bill was an atrocious piece of crap. In her mind, everyone who is against Obamacare is racist.
Black racism: a real problem, or pure politics? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_black_racism
Seriously? BLACK RACISM? So now we seperate racism by race? Isn't that racist? How can racism be different for different races? Racism is racism, no matter who it is.
Does anyone care at all that a conservative website altered the video to make it look like she was saying racist things. Is anyone angry about that? Is that ok?
"What is getting lost in this, is that a website intentionally edited the video to give a wrong impression for their own political gain."
"Does anyone care at all that a conservative website altered the video to make it look like she was saying racist things. Is anyone angry about that? Is that ok?"1
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I'm guessing you both have proof that they intentionally edited the tape? There's no possible way that they were sent just that part, and then assumed, like the rest of us, that the woman was abusing her power?
And when you say the tape was edited, it implies in was all spliced together, which it wasn't. It simply a small part of the hour long speech. Nothing was changed other than that.
I agree that more legwork should have been done before airing the tape, but it does show some racism toward whites if you watch the whole thing. The crowd's reaction when she talks about not helping him as much as she could speaks volumes.
The crowds reaction speaks only to this. Everyone in that room understood that statement from another perspective.
It's like when a room full of women get together and one makes a cutting remark about men. It's like when a room full of men get together and one makes a silly remark about an attractive woman.
They just knew her frame of reference. It was not some manner of condoning the behavior. It just emant they - I should say we - all understand that this sort of thing happens.
The histrionics behind underscore what one of my, once influential, leaders in Arkansas City shared. His comment was that white males have a reservation about seeing blacks in positions of authority and control because they fear that black men might be as exclusive of whites as whites have been of them in the past.
Frightening to think one is afraid of being treated the way they once treated others. I sense a renewed value for the golden rule in here somewhere.
"Frightening to think one is afraid of being treated the way they once treated others. I sense a renewed value for the golden rule in here somewhere."
WE didn't once treat anyone any way!
Our ancestors might have if they were from the South, but WE did nothing. My ancestors happen to come from Germany, yet I feel no sense of guilt for what some Germans did to other races. Maybe if my ancestors had been involved in the Nazi movement I might feel differently.
For people of any color to still hold a grudge for a past that they did not experience and have not been adversly affected by, is ridiculous. I have never treated anyone differently because of the color of their skin. It is the actions of a person that decides for me whether they are worthy of my respect or my indifference. Racist people of any color earn only my indifference.
That is an interesting point. Coming from the South, I still dont feel that I am responsible for racism that happened in the past. Some people feel like we should,. I have had some more liberal people here tell me that, or assume certain things just because I am from the South. Some institutions in the south have repented and expressed sorrow for previous racism, which is good. it at least makes a statement that the organization is not going to continue that way. But as far as individuals go, I dont think we should feel responsible for what happened in the past if we did not participate.
@12:23 - "For people of any color to still hold a grudge for a past that they did not experience and have not been adversly affected by, is ridiculous." The problem is, we can not know to what extent a person has been "adversely affected," by racism. The effects are generational. We still have prejudice in this country. It may not be as overt, or as extensive as it once was, but it is hidden and insidious. I am a white male, and cannot escape the power and privileged that brings me, any more than a black woman can escape the racial bias, and disadvantage her position affords her. We may not even be aware these things are operating just under the surface, but they are. It is our "Geworfenheit," or "thrownness," into the world. Who we are, and the choices we make are not completely our own, but are dependent upon the choices and experiences of everyone that has come before us. Many blacks are caught in an institutional cycle of poverty that is a result of many years of not having the advantage their white counter parts did simply because of their color. As individuals, we really cannot be held responsible for the actions of our ancestors, but we cannot deny that those actions had negative consequences that will take many generations to be righted. Also, as an institution, our government must apologize and make amends.
"The problem is, we can not know to what extent a person has been "adversely affected," by racism."
That is why we have discrimination laws.
"I am a white male, and cannot escape the power and privileged that brings me..."
LOL! Power and privilege? Where do I sign up for some of that?? I am also a white male, in my late thirties, and I have never seen any of this "power and privilege" that you speak of being brought unto me simply because I am a white male. Any insignificant speck of power or privilege I might have seen over the years came from education and hard work, and it was few and far between, believe me.. Again, we have discrimination laws to make sure people are treated equally.
"..any more than a black woman can escape the racial bias, and disadvantage her position affords her."
Tell that to Condoleezza Rice. Or Oprah. Or any number of high ranking Black women, including Shirley Sherrod.
"Also, as an institution, our government must apologize and make amends."
Oh please! Reperations? Is that what that whole post boils down to? I would be ashamed of anyone who would accept reperations from the government because of something that happened 200 years ago.
All People have the same opportunities to go to school and get a career. There are grants and student loans available for anyone who applies themself. If someone ends up working a crap job for minimun wage, or worse, ends up on the couch watching TV all day and living on welfare, they have no one to blame but themselves and their crappy parents. To say that people don't have any choice because they are a downtrodden race is crap. and it's an insult to people of color.
The power and privilege is there whether you care to acknowledge it or not. You say you got ahead by hard work, and education. Problem is, many young black people who are stuck in institutional poverty, and living in some urban slum in Detroit, is not going to get that chance at hard work, or the same education that was afforded you. He just won't, no matter what you believe, or that the "law" provides an equal education for him. Equal education? Do you really think the school system in Darien Connecticut, can be compared to the educational system in Gary, Indiana? Have you ever been stoped for driving while white? No? All of my black friends will tell you they have been stopped more than once, simply because of the color of their skin. 20/20 did a story a few years back. Black couple, and a white couple; both equal credit scores, education, etc... Black person didn't even get an interview for the same job the white person was hired for. White person got better deals when buying a car, white person was rented an apartment, black person was told there were no more apartments available. It happens all the time. Are Condaleeza Rice, Colin Powel, Barack Obama, successful? No doubt. And there are countless more successful blacks in America today, but by and large, it is the exception, rather than the rule. There are still two Americas.
And, I never mentioned the word "reperations." I think it is a ridiculous idea. Apology? yes. More money for black education? yes. Money for job development in black communities? yes. Reperatons? no.
Black education? Should they be taught something different? Are they not given the same education as the rest of society?
Black communities? Who drew a line and said only black people can live on this side of the line? There is no such thing.
Blacks are afforded the same opportunities as anyone else when it comes to State education. It is up to them to go out and get any further education, just like it is for white people. Nobody calls all the white high school graduates and offers to pay all their college tuition just because they are white. Student loans and grants are available. You can choose to better yourself, or you can choose to live in poverty and complain that the man is keeping you down.
If you weren't talking about reperations, what did you mean by make amends?
I read an article within the last year regarding the closing of 8 brand new High Schools in inner city Kansas City, Mo.
The School Board had issued something like a 1 billion dollar bond to build those schools! Their thinking was that the trend to move to the suburbs could be reduced/resolved with the building of those NEW SCHOOLS! It didn't work - because the level of academics remained low or the same as before the addition of the New Buildings! (They built it but no one came!) So, if you want to look there are plenty of examples where just throwing money at a problem doesn't solve that problem! The Social ills of our Society - Broken Families, Fatherless Children, Drugs, violence, immorality, all which lead to hopelessness and forms of entrapment!
In a more recent article that was prediciting the population by race by 2010. The whites are to become a minority at 49%. The Hispanics are the big gainers at somewhere in the mid-twenties Asians and all others were slight gainers! But the Black Population was projected to stay the SAME at something like 17%.
I think you have to ask Who is to Blame?
Even Colin Powell and Bill Cosby speak out against the modern day Black Culture and Values! Maybe its time they look at those things that are holding back their advancement and see what needs to CHANGE!
Not all things are beneficial to a healthy Society! (Regardless of race irresponsibility can't earn the same reward as those who are responsible!).
I don't think redistribution of WEALTH is/has the real ANSWER!
@9:07 - "The Social ills of our Society - Broken Families, Fatherless Children, Drugs, violence, immorality, all which lead to hopelessness and forms of entrapment!"
You also say, "I think you have to ask Who is to Blame?"
I Couldn't agree with you more.
I however would argue that it was being yanked from their society, and stripped of their culture; and years of oppression, segregation, and prejudice,that have caused the breakdown of the family. And, these ills are not reserved for blacks. I know plenty of white families with single moms, rampant drug use, violence, "immorality"... In fact in my 30plus years of work in Social Service, I have seen far mor dysfunction in white families than I have in black families. Black families seem to have a sense of family loyalty, and deeper support from aunts, uncles, grandparents than white families.
Yes there needs to be some personal responsibility. Yes, there needs to come a point when you say "I don't care about "the man, I'm going to be successful." I'm just saying all things are not equal. Whites bare some responsibility for the current condition many blacks find themselves in and we need to acknowledge our history that brought us to this point.
"Whites bare some responsibility for the current condition many blacks find themselves in and we need to acknowledge our history that brought us to this point."
You can acknowledge history all you want, but saying that whites still bare some responsibility for current conditions is ludicrus. And I don't mean the rapper.
How about acknowledging that A large majority of whites.. let's call them THE NORTH!.. did not agree with slavery, and had nothing to do with bringing slaves here? How about we also acknowledge the historical fact that many many Africans were sold into slavery by other Africans who were above them in class, but still black Africans? Maybe you should be holding people in Africa accountable to this day? I don't think so. And neither should you blame white people in this country today for the mistakes of the past.
@10:35 - Never did I blame "white people in this country today for the mistakes of the past." Why, because it isn't so. Although, I do believe there is still some hidden racism, we are a far more colorblind society than we were just 50 years ago. We have laws to ensure equal protection, equal treatment, and equal opportunity. This does not mean that many blacks are starting from a distinct disadvantage, because of their years of oppression. These things do not correct themselves in a generation or two. It will take many, many years for all to truly be equal. That is all I am saying we must acknowledge...
*previous post should have read,"This does not mean that many blacks - aren't - starting from a distinct disadvantage, because of their years of oppression."
Yes, there needs to come a point when you say "I don't care about "the man, I'm going to be successful."
Well you made a good point!
But there has to be a willingness to accomplish the things necessary to succeed! (Like a high school diploma, college or vocational training, hold a steady job etc.)
They are the ONES you can HELP!
Its not so easy to help people who only choose help on their terms or by their standards alone!
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Black communities? Who drew a line and said only black people can live on this side of the line? There is no such thing.
That line is becoming less of a line about color and more of a line about what is acceptable by the different classes of Society!
The successful Blacks don't want to live in areas where crime, drugs, and gangs prevail! (Remember the article above about the NEW SCHOOLS and how their plan was to build those schools. In turn they were hoping to attract or retain the successful people and hopefully promote redevelopment of the older parts of town.)
There is a MORAL line that transcends across all the RACES!
That LINE is becoming the GREATEST DIVIDE in Society/America!
I do not believe the line is one of morality. Also, I believe the line is becoming less and less one of race, and more and more one of class. We are quickly becoming a society of "haves," and "have nots." Our enttire system is set up to advantage / favor those with money, and make it easier for them to make more. As I have often said, we give far more "corporate welfare," than we do "social welfare."
Income Gains at Top Have Outpaced All Other Groups Since 1979 The gap in income between the wealthiest Americans and all others has grown strikingly in recent decades, the CBO data show. In 1979, when the data begin, the average after-tax incomes of the top 1 percent of households were 7.9 times higher than those of the middle fifth of households. By 2007, top incomes were 23.9 times higher than those of the middle fifth — a more than tripling of the income gap. "The gap between the top 1 percent and the poorest fifth of Americans widened even more sharply. In 1979, the incomes of the top 1 percent were 22.7 times higher than those of the bottom fifth. By 2007, top incomes were 74.6 times higher than those at the bottom — more than tripling the rich-poor gap in 28 years (see Figure 2)."
"@10:35 - Never did I blame "white people in this country today for the mistakes of the past."
So what did you mean when you said this:
"Whites bare some responsibility for the current condition many blacks find themselves in and we need to acknowledge our history that brought us to this point."
?
"We are quickly becoming a society of "haves," and "have nots." ------------------ I believe we are becoming a society of people who work hard or people who depend on the government to pay their way. The opportunities are there for everyone to make a living if they are willing to go to school and do the work. If not for the rich people you liberals hate so much, the government would be overtaxing all of us so they could keep up with their lavish spending. Who else is going to pay for all of the Obama family's vacations? 170 lavish White House parties since taking office in January 2009. How many is that per week?
You should be happy that those rich folks you hate so much are willing to be overtaxed so you can benefit. The rich in this country make only 19% of our overall wealth, but pay 40% of the taxes taken in by government. Why should they be taxed at a higher tax rate than the middle class? So the parasites can continue to live their dream of food stamps and government cheese. If everyone pulled their weight this country would be a lot better off financially.
We are quickly becoming a society of "haves," and "have nots." Our enttire system is set up to advantage / favor those with money, and make it easier for them to make more.
"The gap between the top 1 percent and the poorest fifth of Americans widened even more sharply. In 1979, the incomes of the top 1 percent were 22.7 times higher than those of the bottom fifth. By 2007, top incomes were 74.6 times higher than those at the bottom — more than tripling the rich-poor gap in 28 years (see Figure 2)."
Do you think that is in part due to the number of people on Social Programs? Like welfare and other Programs? What about the increase in drug use the number of people who can't pass a drug test or who don't want to keep a full time job? The increase in the number of high school dropouts or those who don't graduate! That are content to live on Social programs! What about the divorce rate and the number of single parent homes? The influx of illegals who qualify for government programs? Plus the fact that we are quickly moving toward the peak of the Baby Boom retirment?
Then we are moving into a period where greater technology is even further dividing the population? Those who get left behind because they don't have the needed acquired skills?
I have to agree that the alot of lower level jobs and those jobs that were considered semi-skilled or skilled labor that required extensive manual labor are being exported!
But, again what if those numbers actually reflect the changes in our Society!
What if we have SOCIALLY ENGINEERED the society we have TODAY?
DO YOU think the Government has played a roll in the decline of some of the POPULATION in our Society?
DO YOU THINK the Government through its laws, deals with business, and redistribution of wealth through taxes has contributed to those numbers and the gap in incomes?
If not corrected we are headed for a two tier Society!
@7:34am - America doesn't have the jobs to put everyone to work, even if everyone wanted to work.
And, not all of the wealth goes to people who "work hard."
Do you really think the CEO of BP, or Goldman Sachs, or Wal-Mart works hard? Do you think all of those bank CEO's, or Auto Industry CEO's who were reckless with their company's assets, and drove them into bankruptcy, and then got bailouts and bonuses for doing so work hard? Do you think any of the Rockefellers, or Rothchilds work hard? Or any of the elitist politicans, Hollywood moguls, ball players, musicians work hard? Give me a break. The single mom who runs a household, and holds down two minimum wage jobs at Quick Trip or Long John Silvers just to make ends meet works hard. You and I work hard, the 3rd shift guy at Rubber Maid works hard.
You say, "The rich in this country make only 19% of our overall wealth, but pay 40% of the taxes taken in by government." That is just not so.
The top one percent are now estimated to own between forty and fifty percent of the nation's wealth, more than the combined wealth of the bottom 95%.) http://www.lcurve.org/
Don't you think people should be taxed in proportion to the amount of wealth they control?
Walmart CEO Michael Duke's $35 million salary, when converted to an hourly wage, works out to $16,826.92 per hour. By comparison, at a Walmart store in Chicago, new employees are paid $8.75 an hour, grossing $13,650 a year. That's $3176.92 less than the CEO's hourly salary. The CEO makes more in an hour than most Walmart employees make in a year. In what world is that okay?
@2:31 They both do such similar work and have similar responsibilities and accountability. The world in which that's OK?? The world of successful businessmen and high finance. Have you ever spoken to a typical Walmart employee? I think 8.75 may be a bit much.
Not sure where you get your info, since there's no link. But this link shows a much lower salary. http://people.forbes.com/profile/michael-t-duke/85306
It seems kind of funny that you never bothered to mention those muti-million dollar Sports players contracts, owners salaries and TV and product endorsements?
Or
Did I miss something?
And they only play a few games a Season!
Gee, Barry why don't you just tax the S--T out of Sports?
"Do you really think the CEO of BP, or Goldman Sachs, or Wal-Mart works hard?"
Yes! They run multi-billion dollar companies, and employ thousands and thousands of people. How can you compare running a houshold to the kind of stress these people endure as a daily routine? Are they overpaid a bit? Probably, but you know what, they worked hard to get where they are, and they work hard to stay there. It's called capitalism, and I'm fine with it. It's what the American dream is all about.
As far as a two class society, I believe the government absolutely wants people to stay dependent on them. They have programs that people can live on from the cradle to the grave. entitlement programs do not work, and you can see the difference in society because of them. Compare today to the greatest generation. And it's only getting worse.
I scanned all these comments. They all speak from such an insulated perspective.
I am reading people who express this faux indignation over the alleged economic harship that the current President's agenda may have on future generations.
It would seem that, if the protestations were in the most infantesimal bit sincere, that argument would have no merit. The hardships of future generations would simply be their own harships.
How can white people absolve themselves of the benefit of getting slave labor to amass trillions in wealth versus denying freed black men and women employment for decades? Then you turn around and want to blame President Obama for what you professional prognosticators assure us will be unbearable burden on people who live 50 years from now.
Hence, he is no more responsible for their problems than you white people are for the plight of African AMerican inventors who had their patents stolen from them by white supremacists who hid behind JimCrow law to deny them right to claim their own inventions.
If you took a blame man or woman whose invention should have left them wealthy beyond concern and, thereby, positioned them to leave a portion of that wealth to their heirs, perhaps we would not have generational poverty in disproportionate numbers within a race.
Now, get on one side of the fence or the other. IF the choices of today are the problems of tomorrow, then you are accountable for the disparate economics that follows racial lines.
IF it isn't then shut you pie hole about what President Obama is doing to your grandchildren. Tell them to shut up and get ready to pay the bills before them. Get on one side or the other. Please!!!
Below is a link which compares 2 news clips...one from the Today Show and one from CNN. Both are stories about 7 year old boys "stealing" their parents' cars and joy riding, the only difference is that one boy is white and one is black. Notice how strikingly different the stories are portrayed...the Today Show (white boy) makes light of the situation and has the "kids will be kids" mentality. The CNN clip (black boy) portrays the child as "deviant" and in "need of help". This comparison just goes to prove that media helps foster the racism that still exists in this country. White people are "good and innocent" and black people (especially black males) are dangerous and should be locked up.
Keep in mind that both of these boys are 7 years old...it is sad to see that the black child has already internalized his "role" in society as a black male.
Copy and paste into web browser: http://contexts.org/socimages/2010/07/26/framing-childrens-deviance/
@2:22am - Wow, can't get more blatant than that. Reminds me of the coverage after Katrina, where blacks were labeled looters, while whites were portrayed as doing whatever was necessary to survive and provide for their families.
Actually, she resigned because video of her, laughing and recounting to a crowd at the NAACP, (and them laughing and cheering) about how she took out her feelings of racial inequality on a poor white farmer looking for help, leaked to the internet.
ReplyDeleteI am glad she was fired. Anyone who treats another person as a lesser being because of race, or any other reason, has no business in a job where they have to deal with the public.
Actually, it is now being reported that at the event, she went on to say that she learned from that experience, and regrets her actions, and vowed never to let race be a factor in her actions. They have actually found the farmer she was referring to, and he says she did indeed help him to stave off foreclosure. She resigned under pressure from Obama because he thought there would be public outcry in response to the footage that had been shown.
ReplyDeleteThat's really going around the block a couple times to find a way to turn it into a way to bash Obama. you sound just like the Bush haters. That is what they did for eight years - turn anything into a way to show how it was Bush's fault. You sound just like them. Politics is so boring these days. Bush haters, Obama haters. Are there any actual ideas out there?
ReplyDeleteActually, what 1:18 said is absolutely correct. Still, if you watch the initial video, it is clear from her mannerisms and the way the crowd reacted that she was proud of the way she had that "white farmer" under her thumb, and that she was less helpful than she could have been simply because he was white.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the Obama administration had her fired for fear of to much media attention in an election year. So, why can't they get rid of whoever let the Black Panther members off the hook for voter intimidation?
There is no evidence the black panther members intimidated anyone. There are like only 8 of them, and no indication that they actually did anything. this "movement" of panthers is just an extremely small group who doesnt do much of anything really.
ReplyDeletethats why they got off the hook. they didnt commit a crime. The black panther thing is racial pandering and fear mongering at its worst.
That is simply not true. There is video and eyewitness testimony that they were intimidating witnesses and yelling racist things. That is the second time a liberal on here said there were only 8 members. Do you have any proof of that?
ReplyDelete"NEWBERRY, SC (WIS) - Turnout for the New Black Panther Party's march through Newberry County on Saturday was far less than organizers expected, but police still took no chances as they kept order.
New Black Panther President Malik Zulu Shabazz expected about 1,000 people at the rally, but only about 70 marchers showed up. The number grew 200 at the courthouse square where party members made speeches."
Hmmm? When I was in school 200 was more than 8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX4dcvIYk9A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGbKHyGuHU
how is making speeches voter intimidation. last i checked. s.c. was in the usa, where you are able to make speeches... its called freedom of speech, that is not illegal.
ReplyDeletehowever many showed up, the organization has only 8 members and is not taken very seriously.
you want to attack a marginalized group who does basically nothing, yet you defend a woman who makes blatant racist remarks at a public meeting.
i dont know why you defend her ...
that makes no sense.
I don't know where you got your info about only 8 members, but I think it's a load of crap. I have not been able to find any info on the number of members of the NBPP. Here is the website for the new black panther party. The video near the middle of the page shows more than 8 members in it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newblackpanther.com/intro.html
And no one is defending the lady who got fired. And no one said that the gathering of 200 NBPP people was illegal. Jeez.
It's hard to argue with someone who can't read.
I was the poster at 1:18pm. And, as it turns out, I do think the Tea Party is more racist than not. This does not mean I don't agree with much of their non-racist positions. Gov't has become to big, to centralized, to corrupt. There are too many unfunded mandates that create an unfair burden on states. Spending is out of control, and the debt to high. I think the New Black Panthers should have been prosecuted, and I voted for Obama. This was not Obama bashing, or a way to spin things against him. I was merely reporting what is being reported, and what I saw this women say from her own lips.
ReplyDeletewe are what we are black white yellow and red, we all have differeant cultures religions and family structures, we are devided in the chain of species and sub species.. to say that all races are equal in all aspects is scientificly ignorant.
ReplyDeleteIndividualism is our mark and we cannot pour all people into the same cup, each member of humanity is what he or she choses to be based upon individual choice.
The race card has been played so many times and it is worthless in the game of life, be who you are and do not let the strugles of those before you bind you to being a victim or feeling of inequality.
we all have trials and tribulations in life that we must overcome so grow up and quit whineing
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Wednesday that he will reconsider the abrupt firing of Shirley Sherrod, a Georgia-based Agriculture Department official who was the victim of a media frenzy over comments that turned out to have been distorted by video editing.
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40003.html#ixzz0uJt4CpZN
Apparently this whole thing was a hoax. The conservative website that posted the original video that led to the problem took her words out of context.
ReplyDeleteSomeone playing politics with someones life.
This was just nasty politics.
Here is a quote from the story
::The civil rights group said it and millions of others were duped by the conservative website that posted partial video of her speech on Monday.::
Here is the link
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100721/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_usda_racism_resignation
More spin. Watch the video. She was happy and proud to tell people that this white farmer was looking at her like he was superior and she wasn't going to help as much as she could. Even if it were part of a bigger story, it is obvious she took pleasure in it.
ReplyDeleteThe same with the NBPP people who intimidated voters. They should look at that case again. But, of course, that will never happen.
Some people watch too much Hardball
ReplyDeleteI guess "POWER" in the wrong hands with the wrong motives/intentions/incentives does tend to corrupt people regardless of race color or creed!
ReplyDeleteShe was recounting a time when she did take pleasure in using her authority as a black women with power, over a white male who usually is in that position. The roles were now reversed, and she admittedly abused that power. She has said she is ashamed of that, and has learned from that.
ReplyDeleteSadly, a conservative "news" organization edited, and used her comments out of context to create a firestorm, and show "racism," on the NAACP side, that, at least in this instance did not exist. While the reaction from the NAACP, and the Obama administration was knee jerk, and excessive, at least they move quickly to distance themselves from perceived injustice. Had it been true, this firing would have been right and proper.
So I suppose all the people in the crowd who were laughing and cheering her for not helping the guy later said they had all learned from the experience too, and that they no longer liked seeing the white man get his comeuppance?
ReplyDeleteWell the point is, the video the conservative website showed was taken out of context, it only showed a part of what was going on, so ... it mislead everyone.
ReplyDeleteIs this like people shooting video of tea party events and people cheering on racial remarks, but then saying it was taken out of context?
The thing is, you can make anything look any way you want with careful editing.
The entire video:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.breitbart.tv/shirley-sherrod-full-speech-before-the-naacp-freedom-fund-dinner-part-1/
I haven't watched it yet, but I'm sure it will show that she had no ill will for the white man. It's all those tea party people's fault. And George Bush too. Don't forget George Bush.
Watch to the end to see Obama throw her under a bus.
ReplyDeleteWhat is getting lost in this, is that a website intentionally edited the video to give a wrong impression for their own political gain.
ReplyDeleteI think that website should be held accountable.
Lets not forget who the bad guy is here ...
I would think this woman would have a definite case for slander, defamation of character etc., ... so she may not need her job anymore anyway.
James, why state that racism goes "both" ways. Neither whites or blacks can lay exclusive claim or proprietorship to racism,whether it be to exercise it over others or as victims of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Native Americans? What about Asians, Eastern Indians. What about the whole South AMerican population of Hispanic derivatives who are all afraid to get caught after dark by the police even though they are fourth generation citizens of the USA?
We need to give up our illusion of joint ownership and tug of war between blacks and whites. The world belongs to more than just those two populations. And racism goes many ways!!!!!
I watched the entire video, and it's not white people she hates, it's RICH people.
ReplyDeleteAnd, she blames the healthcare backlash on the fact that Obama is a black man, not because the healthcare bill was an atrocious piece of crap. In her mind, everyone who is against Obamacare is racist.
From Yahoo's front page:
ReplyDeleteBlack racism: a real problem, or pure politics?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_black_racism
Seriously? BLACK RACISM? So now we seperate racism by race? Isn't that racist? How can racism be different for different races? Racism is racism, no matter who it is.
Does anyone care at all that a conservative website altered the video to make it look like she was saying racist things.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone angry about that?
Is that ok?
"What is getting lost in this, is that a website intentionally edited the video to give a wrong impression for their own political gain."
ReplyDelete"Does anyone care at all that a conservative website altered the video to make it look like she was saying racist things.
Is anyone angry about that?
Is that ok?"1
__________________
I'm guessing you both have proof that they intentionally edited the tape? There's no possible way that they were sent just that part, and then assumed, like the rest of us, that the woman was abusing her power?
And when you say the tape was edited, it implies in was all spliced together, which it wasn't. It simply a small part of the hour long speech. Nothing was changed other than that.
I agree that more legwork should have been done before airing the tape, but it does show some racism toward whites if you watch the whole thing. The crowd's reaction when she talks about not helping him as much as she could speaks volumes.
The crowds reaction speaks only to this. Everyone in that room understood that statement from another perspective.
ReplyDeleteIt's like when a room full of women get together and one makes a cutting remark about men. It's like when a room full of men get together and one makes a silly remark about an attractive woman.
They just knew her frame of reference. It was not some manner of condoning the behavior. It just emant they - I should say we - all understand that this sort of thing happens.
The histrionics behind underscore what one of my, once influential, leaders in Arkansas City shared. His comment was that white males have a reservation about seeing blacks in positions of authority and control because they fear that black men might be as exclusive of whites as whites have been of them in the past.
Frightening to think one is afraid of being treated the way they once treated others. I sense a renewed value for the golden rule in here somewhere.
"Frightening to think one is afraid of being treated the way they once treated others. I sense a renewed value for the golden rule in here somewhere."
ReplyDeleteWE didn't once treat anyone any way!
Our ancestors might have if they were from the South, but WE did nothing. My ancestors happen to come from Germany, yet I feel no sense of guilt for what some Germans did to other races. Maybe if my ancestors had been involved in the Nazi movement I might feel differently.
For people of any color to still hold a grudge for a past that they did not experience and have not been adversly affected by, is ridiculous. I have never treated anyone differently because of the color of their skin. It is the actions of a person that decides for me whether they are worthy of my respect or my indifference. Racist people of any color earn only my indifference.
That is an interesting point.
ReplyDeleteComing from the South, I still dont feel that I am responsible for racism that happened in the past.
Some people feel like we should,. I have had some more liberal people here tell me that, or assume certain things just because I am from the South.
Some institutions in the south have repented and expressed sorrow for previous racism, which is good. it at least makes a statement that the organization is not going to continue that way.
But as far as individuals go, I dont think we should feel responsible for what happened in the past if we did not participate.
@12:23 - "For people of any color to still hold a grudge for a past that they did not experience and have not been adversly affected by, is ridiculous." The problem is, we can not know to what extent a person has been "adversely affected," by racism. The effects are generational. We still have prejudice in this country. It may not be as overt, or as extensive as it once was, but it is hidden and insidious. I am a white male, and cannot escape the power and privileged that brings me, any more than a black woman can escape the racial bias, and disadvantage her position affords her. We may not even be aware these things are operating just under the surface, but they are. It is our "Geworfenheit," or "thrownness," into the world. Who we are, and the choices we make are not completely our own, but are dependent upon the choices and experiences of everyone that has come before us. Many blacks are caught in an institutional cycle of poverty that is a result of many years of not having the advantage their white counter parts did simply because of their color. As individuals, we really cannot be held responsible for the actions of our ancestors, but we cannot deny that those actions had negative consequences that will take many generations to be righted. Also, as an institution, our government must apologize and make amends.
ReplyDelete@3:25 nicely written
ReplyDelete"The problem is, we can not know to what extent a person has been "adversely affected," by racism."
ReplyDeleteThat is why we have discrimination laws.
"I am a white male, and cannot escape the power and privileged that brings me..."
LOL! Power and privilege? Where do I sign up for some of that?? I am also a white male, in my late thirties, and I have never seen any of this "power and privilege" that you speak of being brought unto me simply because I am a white male. Any insignificant speck of power or privilege I might have seen over the years came from education and hard work, and it was few and far between, believe me.. Again, we have discrimination laws to make sure people are treated equally.
"..any more than a black woman can escape the racial bias, and disadvantage her position affords her."
Tell that to Condoleezza Rice. Or Oprah. Or any number of high ranking Black women, including Shirley Sherrod.
"Also, as an institution, our government must apologize and make amends."
Oh please! Reperations? Is that what that whole post boils down to? I would be ashamed of anyone who would accept reperations from the government because of something that happened 200 years ago.
All People have the same opportunities to go to school and get a career. There are grants and student loans available for anyone who applies themself. If someone ends up working a crap job for minimun wage, or worse, ends up on the couch watching TV all day and living on welfare, they have no one to blame but themselves and their crappy parents. To say that people don't have any choice because they are a downtrodden race is crap. and it's an insult to people of color.
The power and privilege is there whether you care to acknowledge it or not. You say you got ahead by hard work, and education. Problem is, many young black people who are stuck in institutional poverty, and living in some urban slum in Detroit, is not going to get that chance at hard work, or the same education that was afforded you. He just won't, no matter what you believe, or that the "law" provides an equal education for him. Equal education? Do you really think the school system in Darien Connecticut, can be compared to the educational system in Gary, Indiana? Have you ever been stoped for driving while white? No? All of my black friends will tell you they have been stopped more than once, simply because of the color of their skin. 20/20 did a story a few years back. Black couple, and a white couple; both equal credit scores, education, etc...
ReplyDeleteBlack person didn't even get an interview for the same job the white person was hired for. White person got better deals when buying a car, white person was rented an apartment, black person was told there were no more apartments available. It happens all the time. Are Condaleeza Rice, Colin Powel, Barack Obama, successful? No doubt. And there are countless more successful blacks in America today, but by and large, it is the exception, rather than the rule. There are still two Americas.
And, I never mentioned the word "reperations." I think it is a ridiculous idea. Apology? yes. More money for black education? yes. Money for job development in black communities? yes. Reperatons? no.
Black education? Should they be taught something different? Are they not given the same education as the rest of society?
ReplyDeleteBlack communities? Who drew a line and said only black people can live on this side of the line? There is no such thing.
Blacks are afforded the same opportunities as anyone else when it comes to State education. It is up to them to go out and get any further education, just like it is for white people. Nobody calls all the white high school graduates and offers to pay all their college tuition just because they are white. Student loans and grants are available. You can choose to better yourself, or you can choose to live in poverty and complain that the man is keeping you down.
If you weren't talking about reperations, what did you mean by make amends?
I read an article within the last year regarding the closing of 8 brand new High Schools in inner city Kansas City, Mo.
ReplyDeleteThe School Board had issued something like a 1 billion dollar bond to build those schools!
Their thinking was that the trend to move to the suburbs could be reduced/resolved with the building of those NEW SCHOOLS!
It didn't work - because the level of academics remained low or the same as before the addition of the New Buildings! (They built it but no one came!)
So, if you want to look there are plenty of examples where just throwing money at a problem doesn't solve that problem!
The Social ills of our Society - Broken Families, Fatherless Children, Drugs, violence, immorality, all which lead to hopelessness and forms of entrapment!
In a more recent article that was prediciting the population by race by 2010. The whites are to become a minority at 49%. The Hispanics are the big gainers at somewhere in the mid-twenties
Asians and all others were slight gainers!
But the Black Population was projected to stay the SAME at something like 17%.
I think you have to ask Who is to Blame?
Even Colin Powell and Bill Cosby speak out against the modern day Black Culture and Values!
Maybe its time they look at those things that are holding back their advancement and see what needs to CHANGE!
Not all things are beneficial to a healthy Society! (Regardless of race irresponsibility can't earn the same reward as those who are responsible!).
I don't think redistribution of WEALTH is/has the real ANSWER!
@9:07 - "The Social ills of our Society - Broken Families, Fatherless Children, Drugs, violence, immorality, all which lead to hopelessness and forms of entrapment!"
ReplyDeleteYou also say, "I think you have to ask Who is to Blame?"
I Couldn't agree with you more.
I however would argue that it was being yanked from their society, and stripped of their culture; and years of oppression, segregation, and prejudice,that have caused the breakdown of the family. And, these ills are not reserved for blacks. I know plenty of white families with single moms, rampant drug use, violence, "immorality"... In fact in my 30plus years of work in Social Service, I have seen far mor dysfunction in white families than I have in black families. Black families seem to have a sense of family loyalty, and deeper support from aunts, uncles, grandparents than white families.
Yes there needs to be some personal responsibility. Yes, there needs to come a point when you say "I don't care about "the man, I'm going to be successful." I'm just saying all things are not equal. Whites bare some responsibility for the current condition many blacks find themselves in and we need to acknowledge our history that brought us to this point.
"Whites bare some responsibility for the current condition many blacks find themselves in and we need to acknowledge our history that brought us to this point."
ReplyDeleteYou can acknowledge history all you want, but saying that whites still bare some responsibility for current conditions is ludicrus. And I don't mean the rapper.
How about acknowledging that A large majority of whites.. let's call them THE NORTH!.. did not agree with slavery, and had nothing to do with bringing slaves here? How about we also acknowledge the historical fact that many many Africans were sold into slavery by other Africans who were above them in class, but still black Africans? Maybe you should be holding people in Africa accountable to this day? I don't think so. And neither should you blame white people in this country today for the mistakes of the past.
@10:35 - Never did I blame "white people in this country today for the mistakes of the past." Why, because it isn't so. Although, I do believe there is still some hidden racism, we are a far more colorblind society than we were just 50 years ago. We have laws to ensure equal protection, equal treatment, and equal opportunity. This does not mean that many blacks are starting from a distinct disadvantage, because of their years of oppression. These things do not correct themselves in a generation or two. It will take many, many years for all to truly be equal. That is all I am saying we must acknowledge...
ReplyDelete*previous post should have read,"This does not mean that many blacks - aren't - starting from a distinct disadvantage, because of their years of oppression."
ReplyDeleteYes, there needs to come a point when you say "I don't care about "the man, I'm going to be successful."
ReplyDeleteWell you made a good point!
But there has to be a willingness to accomplish the things necessary to succeed!
(Like a high school diploma, college or vocational training, hold a steady job etc.)
They are the ONES you can HELP!
Its not so easy to help people who only choose help on their terms or by their standards alone!
______
Black communities? Who drew a line and said only black people can live on this side of the line? There is no such thing.
That line is becoming less of a line about color and more of a line about what is acceptable by the different classes of Society!
The successful Blacks don't want to live in areas where crime, drugs, and gangs prevail!
(Remember the article above about the NEW SCHOOLS and how their plan was to build those schools. In turn they were hoping to attract or retain the successful people and hopefully promote redevelopment of the older parts of town.)
There is a MORAL line that transcends across all the RACES!
That LINE is becoming the GREATEST DIVIDE in Society/America!
I do not believe the line is one of morality. Also, I believe the line is becoming less and less one of race, and more and more one of class. We are quickly becoming a society of "haves," and "have nots." Our enttire system is set up to advantage / favor those with money, and make it easier for them to make more. As I have often said, we give far more "corporate welfare," than we do "social welfare."
ReplyDeleteIncome Gains at Top Have Outpaced All Other Groups Since 1979
The gap in income between the wealthiest Americans and all others has grown strikingly in recent decades, the CBO data show. In 1979, when the data begin, the average after-tax incomes of the top 1 percent of households were 7.9 times higher than those of the middle fifth of households. By 2007, top incomes were 23.9 times higher than those of the middle fifth — a more than tripling of the income gap.
"The gap between the top 1 percent and the poorest fifth of Americans widened even more sharply. In 1979, the incomes of the top 1 percent were 22.7 times higher than those of the bottom fifth. By 2007, top incomes were 74.6 times higher than those at the bottom — more than tripling the rich-poor gap in 28 years (see Figure 2)."
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3220&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+cbpp/fYJq+(Center+on+Budget+and+Policy+Priorities)
"@10:35 - Never did I blame "white people in this country today for the mistakes of the past."
ReplyDeleteSo what did you mean when you said this:
"Whites bare some responsibility for the current condition many blacks find themselves in and we need to acknowledge our history that brought us to this point."
?
"We are quickly becoming a society of "haves," and "have nots."
------------------
I believe we are becoming a society of people who work hard or people who depend on the government to pay their way. The opportunities are there for everyone to make a living if they are willing to go to school and do the work. If not for the rich people you liberals hate so much, the government would be overtaxing all of us so they could keep up with their lavish spending. Who else is going to pay for all of the Obama family's vacations? 170 lavish White House parties since taking office in January 2009. How many is that per week?
You should be happy that those rich folks you hate so much are willing to be overtaxed so you can benefit. The rich in this country make only 19% of our overall wealth, but pay 40% of the taxes taken in by government. Why should they be taxed at a higher tax rate than the middle class? So the parasites can continue to live their dream of food stamps and government cheese. If everyone pulled their weight this country would be a lot better off financially.
We are quickly becoming a society of "haves," and "have nots." Our enttire system is set up to advantage / favor those with money, and make it easier for them to make more.
ReplyDelete"The gap between the top 1 percent and the poorest fifth of Americans widened even more sharply. In 1979, the incomes of the top 1 percent were 22.7 times higher than those of the bottom fifth. By 2007, top incomes were 74.6 times higher than those at the bottom — more than tripling the rich-poor gap in 28 years (see Figure 2)."
Do you think that is in part due to the number of people on Social Programs? Like welfare and other Programs? What about the increase in drug use the number of people who can't pass a drug test or who don't want to keep a full time job?
The increase in the number of high school dropouts or those who don't graduate!
That are content to live on Social programs!
What about the divorce rate and the number of single parent homes?
The influx of illegals who qualify for government programs?
Plus the fact that we are quickly moving toward the peak of the Baby Boom retirment?
Then we are moving into a period where greater technology is even further dividing the population? Those who get left behind because they don't have the needed acquired skills?
I have to agree that the alot of lower level jobs and those jobs that were considered semi-skilled or skilled labor that required extensive manual labor are being exported!
But, again what if those numbers actually reflect the changes in our Society!
What if we have SOCIALLY ENGINEERED the society we have TODAY?
DO YOU think the Government has played a roll in the decline of some of the POPULATION in our Society?
DO YOU THINK the Government through its laws, deals with business, and redistribution of wealth through taxes has contributed to those numbers and the gap in incomes?
If not corrected we are headed for a two tier Society!
If not corrected we are headed for a two tier Society!
ReplyDeleteBtw: Guess who decides the "haves" and
the "have nots"!
You don't have to look too far to see that in action Mexico, Cuba, Venezula, ....!
In America at least for today you still have a chance even if it seems the rest of the world and all other factors are against YOU!
In America its up to YOU!
@7:34am - America doesn't have the jobs to put everyone to work, even if everyone wanted to work.
ReplyDeleteAnd, not all of the wealth goes to people who "work hard."
Do you really think the CEO of BP, or Goldman Sachs, or Wal-Mart works hard? Do you think all of those bank CEO's, or Auto Industry CEO's who were reckless with their company's assets, and drove them into bankruptcy, and then got bailouts and bonuses for doing so work hard? Do you think any of the Rockefellers, or Rothchilds work hard? Or any of the elitist politicans, Hollywood moguls, ball players, musicians work hard? Give me a break. The single mom who runs a household, and holds down two minimum wage jobs at Quick Trip or Long John Silvers just to make ends meet works hard. You and I work hard, the 3rd shift guy at Rubber Maid works hard.
You say, "The rich in this country make only 19% of our overall wealth, but pay 40% of the taxes taken in by government." That is just not so.
The top one percent are now estimated to own between forty and fifty percent of the nation's wealth, more than the combined wealth of the bottom 95%.) http://www.lcurve.org/
Don't you think people should be taxed in proportion to the amount of wealth they control?
Walmart CEO Michael Duke's $35 million salary, when converted to an hourly wage, works out to $16,826.92 per hour. By comparison, at a Walmart store in Chicago, new employees are paid $8.75 an hour, grossing $13,650 a year. That's $3176.92 less than the CEO's hourly salary. The CEO makes more in an hour than most Walmart employees make in a year. In what world is that okay?
ReplyDeleteIn what world is that okay?
ReplyDeleteIn what World is it okay to run a deficit and National Debt out so far that future Generations (Children and Grandchildren) have no choice but to PAY!
You think the SAME people who helped get you HERE can SAVE YOU through more Government?
I'll say it AGAIN - The INTEREST ON THAT DEBT WILL DO MORE DAMAGE THAN THE RECESSION ITSELF!
Just you wait and see!
@2:31
ReplyDeleteThey both do such similar work and have similar responsibilities and accountability. The world in which that's OK?? The world of successful businessmen and high finance. Have you ever spoken to a typical Walmart employee? I think 8.75 may be a bit much.
Not sure where you get your info, since there's no link. But this link shows a much lower salary. http://people.forbes.com/profile/michael-t-duke/85306
Who do you think got the billions in stimulus money that doubled our deficit? It certainly wasn't me.
ReplyDeleteAnd here's the link to Michael Dukes salary.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/walmart-ceo-pay-hour-workers-year/story?id=11067470
Walmart CEO Michael Duke's $35 million salary,
ReplyDeleteIt seems kind of funny that you never bothered to mention those muti-million dollar Sports players contracts, owners salaries and TV and product endorsements?
Or
Did I miss something?
And they only play a few games a Season!
Gee, Barry why don't you just tax the S--T
out of Sports?
"Do you really think the CEO of BP, or Goldman Sachs, or Wal-Mart works hard?"
ReplyDeleteYes! They run multi-billion dollar companies, and employ thousands and thousands of people. How can you compare running a houshold to the kind of stress these people endure as a daily routine? Are they overpaid a bit? Probably, but you know what, they worked hard to get where they are, and they work hard to stay there. It's called capitalism, and I'm fine with it. It's what the American dream is all about.
As far as a two class society, I believe the government absolutely wants people to stay dependent on them. They have programs that people can live on from the cradle to the grave. entitlement programs do not work, and you can see the difference in society because of them. Compare today to the greatest generation. And it's only getting worse.
I think it is more of a corporate elitist oligarchy, than capitalism...
ReplyDeleteI scanned all these comments. They all speak from such an insulated perspective.
ReplyDeleteI am reading people who express this faux indignation over the alleged economic harship that the current President's agenda may have on future generations.
It would seem that, if the protestations were in the most infantesimal bit sincere, that argument would have no merit. The hardships of future generations would simply be their own harships.
How can white people absolve themselves of the benefit of getting slave labor to amass trillions in wealth versus denying freed black men and women employment for decades? Then you turn around and want to blame President Obama for what you professional prognosticators assure us will be unbearable burden on people who live 50 years from now.
Hence, he is no more responsible for their problems than you white people are for the plight of African AMerican inventors who had their patents stolen from them by white supremacists who hid behind JimCrow law to deny them right to claim their own inventions.
If you took a blame man or woman whose invention should have left them wealthy beyond concern and, thereby, positioned them to leave a portion of that wealth to their heirs, perhaps we would not have generational poverty in disproportionate numbers within a race.
Now, get on one side of the fence or the other. IF the choices of today are the problems of tomorrow, then you are accountable for the disparate economics that follows racial lines.
IF it isn't then shut you pie hole about what President Obama is doing to your grandchildren. Tell them to shut up and get ready to pay the bills before them. Get on one side or the other. Please!!!
Love,
Festus
Forward on if you want to fight racism!
ReplyDeleteBelow is a link which compares 2 news clips...one from the Today Show and one from CNN. Both are stories about 7 year old boys "stealing" their parents' cars and joy riding, the only difference is that one boy is white and one is black. Notice how strikingly different the stories are portrayed...the Today Show (white boy) makes light of the situation and has the "kids will be kids" mentality. The CNN clip (black boy) portrays the child as "deviant" and in "need of help". This comparison just goes to prove that media helps foster the racism that still exists in this country. White people are "good and innocent" and black people (especially black males) are dangerous and should be locked up.
Keep in mind that both of these boys are 7 years old...it is sad to see that the black child has already internalized his "role" in society as a black male.
Copy and paste into web browser:
http://contexts.org/socimages/2010/07/26/framing-childrens-deviance/
Festus, good point. You can't have it both ways.
ReplyDelete@2:22am - Wow, can't get more blatant than that.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the coverage after Katrina, where blacks were labeled looters, while whites were portrayed as doing whatever was necessary to survive and provide for their families.
It's all George Bush's fault because he hates black people. It's a vast right wing conspiracy.
ReplyDelete