Iraq war shows up divide between white and black in US

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | 4-7-03 | staff

[syriacus]

Many blacks find themselves in a quandary - opposing a war in which a disproportionate number of those in the military are black. Though they are 12 per cent of the general population, blacks make up 21 per cent of the US military.

And there are some very important blacks who have been (and are) very visible in the military. Like Colin Powell. Like Vincent Brooks.

Sober Replies to Speculative Questions [Gen. Vincent Brooks - The Spokesman]

At West Point, Vince Brooks stood out among a group of standouts.In his senior year in 1979-80, he was elected first captain, the leader of the 4,338-member corps of cadets, a title held before him by John J. Pershing, Douglas MacArthur and William Westmoreland, among others.

He was the first black cadet in the academy's 177-year history to hold the position. Twenty-two years later he was the first member of his class to be nominated for flag rank. He was confirmed by the Senate last year as a brigadier general, the third member of his family to wear a star on his shoulders.

[freebilly]

Brandon Bigelow, a 20-year-old Lincoln University student, agrees. "What I'm against is the US saying it's taking care of all these countries when there are things to be fixed at home."

Translation-- "I want your money. I want you to pay for my education, my job training, my housing, and my child's daycare and healthcare while I study Marxism and Racial Inequities in college. I demand Affirmative Action. I want to be given an unfair advantage over you, even though you may be more qualified than I am.

"I demand that you pay reparations for slavery (even though my family came here from Nigeria in 1937) and your family came from Japan in 1950.

"And most of all, I demand not just Freedom of Speech; I demand the Right to be Heard. I demand the Right to be more Equal than you are...."

[majordivit]

cicero's_son,

You could be right. We could be entering a historical period of racial reconsiliation. However, i think America needs to end affirmative action first before the reconsiliation can occur.

Affirmative action seems to be a big stumbling block. A majority of black americans, albiet shrinking, see affirmative action as the only way to even the playing field while a majority of non elite whites see it as pure discrimination.

The sooner America can end affirmative action once and for all the quicker any reconsilitation can occur, in my opinion. Affirmative action made sense 30 years ago when there was a need to get capital in the hands of black americans. Is there still a need for this program? I do not think so.

BTW..This gallup poll is very interesting in that a lot of black democrats support the war. The percentage is probably the same, if not more, as white democrats who support the war. Therefore, considering that over 90 percent of black americans still lean democrat, it is very postive that almost 30 percent of blacks support the war.

I think the poll is bad news for democrats. It shows that their grip on black Americans is loosening more and more each and every day.

--major

[ZULU]

This demonstrates the failure of the public education system in predominantly black communities, and the intrusive power of the Democratic political machine among American Urban blacks, many of whom apparently view the war as a misuse of government funds which would be better employed in more (unprofitable and unsuccessful) social programs in minority neighborhoods.

[shiva]

I say, "Screw 'Em ! "

[MoralSense]

What's the percentage of Dems that are anti-war (read: anti-Dubya)?

According to a poll William Greider presented on CNN last night, war support is 95% among Republicans, and 68% among Democrats.

[JudgemAll]

Gees, man, why don't the people against the war get out of America.

[JudgemAll]

Yeah, the same social programs that turn us Malvos and enlisted criminals throwing grenades at officers.

[wku man]

..."Tracy Price-Thompson, 39, a retired Army lieutenant..."

There's no such thing as a "retired Army lieutenant". Army officers can't retire at any rank below Major (under normal circumstances, at least...I'm sure some Louies who got field promotions during past wars have retired at that rank). As far as the other services are concerned, I'm pretty sure they're the same...an officer must attain the grade of O-4 in order to retire. Yes, this is a digression from the topic at hand, but I never miss an opportunity to point out how little the mainstream media know about the military.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[homeagain balkansvet]

Either she meant a retired LIEUTENANT COLONEL (unlikely but possible at 39) or a FORMER LIEUTENANT (or arguably also a LT in the Reserves no longer on active duty).

[Bullpine]

For one thing, many black people say their history makes them especially sensitive to the spectacle of a dominant entity asserting its will over a weaker minority.

You mean like the Black Gangs that that drive the streets of South Central Los Angeles, shooting innocent people causing the residents to live like captors in their own homes, not allowing them the freedom that Iraqis will soon have ? That kind of dominant entity?

[Bullpine]

For one thing, many black people say their history makes them especially sensitive to the spectacle of a dominant entity asserting its will over a weaker minority.

You mean like the Black Gangs that that drive the streets of South Central Los Angeles, shooting innocent people causing the residents to live like captors in their own homes, not allowing them the freedom that Iraqis will soon have ? That kind of dominant entity?

[TominPA]

"As for the black soldiers, rest assured that 99.99999% of them are competent, skilled warriors that will do their duty as any other soldier."

Then we have the black dude who rolled grenades into the commanders' tents."

I DID leave a very small gap to acount for the one or two rotten eggs.....

[joesnuffy]

You could go to just about any college and get pretty much the same statements

[Trueblackman]

Funny I never recalled any of these questions being asked in the 1990's when we attacked Bosnia Kosovo Iraq Haiti or Sudan. Even Ray Charles could see the political angle in this.

[rmvh]

For one thing, many black people say their history makes them especially sensitive to the spectacle of a dominant entity asserting its will over a weaker minority.

Pure PC!!

Blacks have been free in America for a century and a half and still can't assimilate.....even with more recent quota systems in education and the job market, provided through the unfair treatment of other races to enable such handouts.

It is interesting to note that other people of color.... browns and yellows............have come to this country, many without education or benefit of the English language, and yet in a few years these folks can excel in school and quickly rise to the top of every profession...all without complaint or whining.

The Blacks are left behind to blame their plight on anyone and everyone but themselves.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Quintel Harcum, a 21-year-old philosophy student at Lincoln University

Quintel, to further prepare you for your working future, repeat after me..."Do you want fries with that?"