Newt Gingrich: White Americans ‘Don’t Understand Being Black in America’

The Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | July 8, 2016

[Cecily]

Never let it be said that Newt Gingrich is predictable.

As the political world waits to see if the former Georgia congressman and U.S. House speaker gets tapped to be Donald Trump’s running mate, Gingrich teamed up with his former Crossfire partner Van Jones to discuss this week’s shootings in Dallas, Baton Rouge and Minnesota.

Speaking on Facebook Live, Gingrich was his typically direct self. But, in this age of polarized politics, whether it be of the electoral or racial variety, Gingrich’s comments were also remarkable. Here is the key quote:

“It took me a long time, and a number of people talking to me through the years to get a sense of this. If you are a normal, white American, the truth is you don’t understand being black in America and you instinctively under-estimate the level of discrimination and the level of additional risk.”

[vette6387]

“Mixed here myself, but this example doesn’t really say anything to me other than that he’s paranoid. He doesn’t know if he would be subjected to a search or not, he was just “concerned that he might be”.”

What he told our daughter is that it had happened to him in the past and he wanted to avoid embarassing her. As a decent young man, It is sad that he too is a victim of “black crime,” but that’s reality today.

[uncbob]

I have read about studies done of how black immigrants from Nigeria and elsewhere on the African continent are doing exceedingly well in America

And how they are hated by so many America blacks

[dfwgator]

Black people do not understand the level of concern white people feel when surrounded by black thugs.

Oh they do, more than you know.

“There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps... then turn around and see somebody white and feel relieved.” - Jesse Jackson

[ptsal]

Go buy your spouse some jewelry....

[ScoochDude]

I agree with you, and it is a sensitive subject. I work with 2 black guys. One is my boss and the other thinks he is.

We talk about these things sometimes, and although we agree on a lot of topics, they definitely have a different perspective on discrimination. They are both my age (50ish), and born at the dawn of "the great society", so they have been "fully integrated", if not actioned very affirmatively their whole lives.

If I didn't know and love them, I could develop an attitude over their position on things like this, but they tell me stories daily of being discriminated against, and I've witnessed some of it.
I just love them through all of these things, and represent Christ. All three of us have the same blood type, so I remind them that if I get cut and start bleeding out, their blood would save me. In other words, we are the same.

[Alberta's Child]

Newt ought to figure out that most white people have no more interest in learning what it’s like to be black than they have in learning what it’s like to be a goldfish.

[af_vet_1981]

Newt is correct; perception is often limited by personal experience.

[RetSignman]

[hsmomx3]

Pandering for votes???

[vette6387]

“Don’t generalize. I have read about studies done of how black immigrants from Nigeria and elsewhere on the African continent are doing exceedingly well in America.”

As an Engineering Manager years ago, I hired a NIgerian engineer ( he was actually the son of an Ibo Chief). He had a Masters in Engineering from UC Berkeley, and was exceedingly bright and well-educated. What was really fun to watch was when we went to a local “Black Barbeque Joint” for lunch and watched him try to “communicate” with the owner of the place. The King’s English and local vernacular didn’t compute with either of them.

[ExTxMarine]

"If you are a normal, white American, the truth is you don’t understand being black in America and you instinctively under-estimate the level of discrimination and the level of additional risk.”

The above statement may be true, but in the same breath the FOLLOWING statement would also be true...

If you are a normal, black American, the truth is you don’t understand being white in America and you instinctively under-estimate the level of discrimination and the level of additional risk.

I think this shooting shows that black Americans can be violent with their hatred and DISCRIMINATION against whites.

How many black Americans you know, have areas in "white parts of town" where they are afraid of walking at night because of the residents? How many areas in "black parts of town" are white Americans SPECIFICALLY WARNED not to travel at night because of the residents? With those two contrasting pictures, tell me how either group of "normal...Americans" can really know the others' experiences!?!?

[GilGil]

Newt does not understand what it means to be a police officer in an Obama America.

[katykelly]

And last week he was attending the Aspen Festival in Colorado along with condi rice , Laura bush , joe Biden , John Kerry , Loretta lynch , and many more elites .

[rdcbn]

Newt is correct to say this but racism is not big issue- the incessant and irresponsible divide to conquer race baiting of the Obama Admin and Democrats have destroyed race relations in this country

The next President of the Entire USA will have as a major job the racial reconciliation and healing of the country.

You cannot start to reconcile until you engage in the reconciliation process .
As a practical matter, you cannot engage the Black Community in reconciliation and healing the wounds inflicted by Obama and the rest if the grifting, race baiting Democrats until you acknowledge their concerns.

Newt is making the first move in Trumps plan try to reconcile and unify our nation after eight years of divisiveness by our Divider In Chief in the White House

I could be wrong, but I take this as a sign Trump is serious about unifying the Nation as a Presidential priority and that Newt will be his Ambassador to a divided nation

It fits

If Only Nixon could go to China

Then maybe Only Newt can go to the Ghetto

[dfwgator]

Newt does not understand what it means to be a police officer in an Obama America.

Amen.

[unread]

"The truth is you don’t understand being black in America and you instinctively under-estimate the level of discrimination and the level of additional risk.”

Man...I despise politicians... Slimy Bast---s

[dfwgator]

There’s too many getting rich in perpetuating racism to let it die.

[gdani]

I wonder how this forum would react if Trump endorsed or agreed with Newt’s statement. Probably rationalize it.

It would be the greatest statement ever.

[donna]

Why do black people expect us to understand?

We will never be black, we will never understand at the level black people demand.

[rdcbn]

Obama knows - he did it cause he wants it that way