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In the Digital World, there is no Affirmative Action
self | J. Johnson

Posted on 03/19/2014 5:57:03 AM PDT by jimjohn

Despite what you are hearing in the media, more and more blacks are realizing what whites learned long ago: just because someone shares your skin color doesn't necessarily make them a good executive. Translation: Obama isn't going to save them, and is in fact, working against their best interests...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Education; Government
KEYWORDS:
This started as a response to a question on that thread. But as I began giving the answer, I realized it was too long for a mere comment.

In the News/Activism forum, on a thread titled Jesse Jackson to take on Silicon Valley’s lack of diversity (Post# 76), Ocoeeman wrote:

What is your secret? I have been trying to get qualified kids into engineering, trying to convince them it is cool….

Full Disclosure: I was blessed to be raised by both biological parents (married, church going) through all of my childhood. I believe that is my foundation, but very, VERY rare these days in most black (and a growing number of white) communities.

As far as computers, I can trace it back to age 6 when I was fascinated over what made that little engine work on those mini-motorific cars. From there, if it had to do with moving electrons, I wanted to know about it. I actually went to college for electronics engineering. I was also blessed with the curse of stuttering at a young age. For that reason, I needed speech therapy. The blessing? I grew up not sounding like an American, not a thug.

I my freshmen year of college, about 1/3 of the class of 400 were black. Four years later, I was among the 3 to graduate. And before you think it was just a black thing, that was 3 in a class of about 90, and all the Asians and middle-easterners made it through at or near the top of the class. While other guys were busying trying to get fake ids and accidentally become young fathers, my local hangout was the computer lab.

Another thing that may have helped me was actually seeing what the better part of society was doing whenever we picked up dad from work. Yeah, I wanted that - the house, the better car, the paved roads, etc. Mostly, I wanted OUT of the hood. I had the dis-pleasure of watching a man die in front of our house - shot by gang-bangers as part of an initiation. Been shot at, assaulted, etc. For me, this was all motivation to get out. Most of the guys in my neighborhood that I grew up with were either killed or jailed long ago.

Academically, it starts early - before college. While in high school, if typing isn't mandatory, it should be. So should binary logic, and 4 FULL years of mathematics. The latter is what tripped up more people in their first year when I was in engineering college. The 2 and 3 year C average math kids came in way behind those (of us) who took Trigonometry and Calculus.

I believe that is the mindset these younger folks needs. Today, they see what's around them, and believe they are simply entitled to it. How often do you turn on a TV and see people actually working to earn something?

It should be made clear to parents that their children need to be in careers that a) will be around for a least the next 50 years and b)will want them for more than 10 years. That eliminates sports for most. I for one would be glad to explain to them that Affirmative Action does not exist in the digital world. Like professional sports, if you can't cut it, you get cut.

Despite what you are hearing in the media, more and more blacks are realizing what whites learned long ago: just because someone shares your skin color doesn't necessarily make them a good executive. Translation: Obama isn't going to save them, and is in fact, working against their best interests.

Also, despite some of the keyboard warriors that were on this thread (I could use more choice words but I won't go there), There are plenty of black folks they can look to as examples of success in the software and business world. You'll notice how the classical white liberal NEVER wants to talk about these people.

In my opinion, if you find a gifted kid (of any race) from the hood in grade or early high school, try talking the parents into getting them OUT of the normal environment (better school in different neighborhood), and taking the higher-end classes needed for tomorrow’s world. If I was in the world of finding the good young talent, I would call the parents in for a chat when I found a gifted child on a work day, then see who takes the time to show up. When I see mom AND dad taking time off work for their child’s education, I know there is a chance with this one.

You’ll take note that this has been tried in many cities around the country, only to receive push back from the left-wing plantation owners. In New York City for example, the powers-that-be are attempting to close down schools where blacks are actually doing exceling in education. In Louisiana, the federal government is suing the state to prevent (mostly minority) children from using school vouchers and putting them into better schools.

But the biggest roadblock by far is the black culture itself. The best way to describe it is: suicidal. The loss of the nuclear family, the moral compass, and the un-knowing assaults on the foundation of the community, and taking up politically with those committing the assaults is a recipe for disaster. Cry racism all you want, but when African immigrants on average come to America and do better than native born blacks, the problem isn’t race, its culture. It’s the mindset. I believe that every young black child should be required to read ‘Animal Farm’ during black history month, for it is the mentality that has permeated that community. When I was young, the church was the bedrock for the community. Today it’s… who knows?

The first step to solving any problem is admitting the problem exists. Political correctness has all but shut the door on that as well. But too many lives are being wasted, and the problem as a whole has become a cancer, eating away at this nation from the inner cities outward. Politically, whites need to stop the guilt trips, and demand better accountability in this country among all people, especially in the black community. You’ll be called racists of course, but when your demand for accountability comes with real-world solutions, people in that community will listen. It will then be up to them to break the bonds that keep them chained to the plantation of failure.

1 posted on 03/19/2014 5:57:04 AM PDT by jimjohn
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To: jimjohn

Bookmark for later reading.
Bump.


2 posted on 03/19/2014 6:09:35 AM PDT by moose07 (the truth will out ,one day.)
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To: jimjohn

Congrats on some hard work.. They say that if you sit at home like I did, and watch TV even, in a family group, that helps you academically. We did that, but also important was that we were always reading. We had a newspaper, magazine (Not People type mags) or a book open on our laps to read if we did not want to watch that particular program.


3 posted on 03/19/2014 6:13:03 AM PDT by mfish13 (Elections have Consequences.)
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To: jimjohn
Brilliant!

Everyone should be compelled to read and report back on what made Booker T. Washington the success he was.

4 posted on 03/19/2014 6:28:41 AM PDT by jimmyray
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To: jimjohn

Black Rednecks, White Liberals is a good read.


5 posted on 03/19/2014 6:37:10 AM PDT by dangerdoc (I don't think you should be forced to make the same decision I did even if I know I'm right.)
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To: jimjohn

Great read! Also, great work!!

I have nothing but admiration and respect for anyone that works hard and ‘makes it’. I don’t care what color they are. If I own a business, and the best people I can find for the job happen to be black, well, I’ll have a company full of black people. Wouldn’t bother me in the least. Where people like Jessie hiJackson go wrong is making everything based upon race/skin color, gets people angry, and laughs all the way to the bank. The liberals with their ‘White Guilt’ are about as bad as Jackson and the others like him, only in a different way.

THIS entire matter is one area where 0bama has totally FAILED in the worst way. With his oratory skills, he could have credibly went to the ‘Black Community’, gave them some much needed ‘tough love’, and inspired them to do better with themselves through hard work. Instead, he chose the easy path of division, and if anything, they’re worse off than they’ve ever been under his complete lack of leadership. It was one of the biggest missed opportunities I’ve ever seen, and he should be ashamed of himself for it. Assuming he’s capable of feeling shame, which I highly doubt....


6 posted on 03/19/2014 6:51:02 AM PDT by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: jimjohn

As succinct and prescient as this is I find it depressing. The prevailing attitude described in the urban areas especially is the fuel that keeps Democrats in power.. a lot of power. Because of this, all efforts to “fix” it will be crushed if at all possible. I wish I could be optimistic but this mindset that dominates the schools, media and the entertainment industry. It seems the best we can do is tread water and focus on the green shoots like the author who make it out of the abyss.


7 posted on 03/19/2014 7:12:47 AM PDT by gibsonguy
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To: jimjohn

An OUTSTANDING post!!

It has gone into my personal library of commentary and critical articles. These are posts that I reread whenever I get ready to blow my stack.

They convince me that I am not alone. They allow me to refocus. They reduce my stress level.

Congratulations sir! You have made my life better with your post!


8 posted on 03/19/2014 7:20:25 AM PDT by Nip (BOHEICA and TANSTAAFL - both seem very appropriate today.)
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To: jimjohn
I followed you from the other thread because I wanted to hear what you had to say , and because I thought your decision to expand your comment into it's own thread was very wise.

I don't say that lightly, nor have I said it in response to any other vanity thread. Ever.

IMHO you nailed the problems, and offered some solutions.

Too bad you aren't President.

Don't forget that racial division is just a tool of the Communists. And it's been working well for 50 years.

Imagine how strong our country would be if we ALL were working together ?

9 posted on 03/19/2014 7:45:12 AM PDT by UCANSEE2 (I just messed up my tagline. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: jimjohn

Is that you, Thomas Sowell?

Excellent article! While Jesse Jackson’s latest attempt at extortion may have motivated your writing, what you have said applies to us all, white, black, brown, yellow, young & old.

Thank you!


10 posted on 03/19/2014 8:20:41 AM PDT by BwanaNdege
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To: jimjohn

Excellent post and while reading it Drs. Sowell and Carson came to mind more than once, it’s going into my must keep file.

Congrats on your hard work and focus.


11 posted on 03/19/2014 8:32:23 AM PDT by jazusamo ([Obama] A Truly Great Phony -- Thomas Sowell http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3058949/posts)
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To: jimjohn
Unfortunately, most of black America, including educated black America, is so besotted with Obama that he can do anything and they are fine with it. It does not matter to them that black America is hurting many different ways; they are entranced with his skin color and nothing else matters. Logic and truth have nothing to do with their worshipful attitude.


12 posted on 03/19/2014 9:57:15 AM PDT by Nepeta
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To: Nepeta
Okay, so I'm going to ask a question that will sound confrontational, but it isn't:
  1. How do you know most of black America is still besotted with the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
  2. It that were not the case for some reason, do you really think you'd be reading about it in the New York Times?
When your ready for the truth on the matter, lemme know, as I have posted about this before.
13 posted on 03/19/2014 3:02:48 PM PDT by jimjohn (You don't get the kind of government you want, or the kind you need. You get the kind you deserve.)
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