Some personal thoughts at the end of Black History Month

CSPAN | 2/29/04 | Jeffrey Clark

[Warrior Nurse]

Yesterday while purusing through the televison channels I came across a program on CSPAN called Focusing on the Black Family which was hosted by Tavis Smiley. I was curious to see what this was going to be about since it had some of the most notable black intellectuals that were particpants. Obviously I knew that most of these people on the panel were going to be black liberals but I wanted to watch to see if they would really address what is really wrong in the black community. Some did like Marva Collins a giant in the education of black children. The graduates from her school have been accepted into the bests schools in this country, not because of skin color but because of academic excellence.

What disturbed me the most was the Bush bashing that occured from time to time by different panel members. This gathering was conducted in Miami near for the liberal ground zero of election 2000. Julia Hare a motivational speaker took her swipe at the President by blaming him for all the ills and plight of black Americans. Shelia Jackson Lee was there and since she is a member of congress she got in her shots. The most disturbing was Dr Eric Michael Dyson from the University of Pennsylvania. This man has several Ph.D's and has the sense of a grapefruit. Here is a man that has pulled himself out of the most dire circumstances though hard work and determination, published many books and is hailed in academia as a great thinker. This man goes and talks about how white supremacy is still keeping black people down. He even blasted his own employer the University of Pennsylvania. Someone should tell the good doctor to wake up stop hanging with the Gangsta Rappers and step into the real world. This learned man condemmed the system by which he himself has gained success. He also said that the White House was full of anti-intellectuals and the President was dumb. Well now that is typical liberal speak and we know that Dr. Rice is a member of MENSA and the President along with the Sec of State have their respective MBA's.

Anti-intellecutal?! Hardly, what I saw was the practice of Intellectual Apartheid amongst these thinkers. There was not one notable black conservative on the panel. For all the talk about equality there was no chance for equality of thought no intellectual diversity. All of these successful people have gotten to where they are by espousing conservative princples of hard work, education and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. This is what Booker T Washington and Frederick Douglas espoused for the race. All I was looking for was some truth which came out at times. Perhaps the island of hope in that entire morass was Dr Ben Carson the noted Pediatric Neurosurgeon. He said that the Jews both conservative and liberal can argue an issue be diametricly opposed but they will come together in areas that have a direct impact upon their communities.

How profound!

[Godfollow]

Oh man, you mean I missed it again?

[DustyMoment]

The reason that black Americans are in the condition they are in is because they denigrate black Americans such as George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Fedrick Douglas, Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell. When we look at the streotyped images of blacks portrayed on both the large and small screens, we find drug dealers, drug runners, murderers, robbers, thugs, rappers and pro athletes. Perception, in this case, is most definitely reality. This is how blacks see themselves and their position in the world. They do not see a black nuclear family, they do not, in many respects, practice Christian values and, through steretypical behavior, prefer to act out their frustrations through anger, violence and denial of their participation in their own plight.

As a caucasian, I would be happy to say mea culpa for the black problems if that would help solve them, but I simply won't. Black Americans have to accept responsibility for their own problems and take the initiative to resolve them. As long as their heroes are gangsta rappers, NFL/NBA "stars" and street gang thugs, what future can they expect for themselves?

IMO, blacks are selecting their own fate by refusing to address their participation in their own problems and solving them. As soon as they start tuning out the likes of Jesse, Al and Louis Farrakhan and start tuning in the likes of Condi, Colin, Tom Sowell and Walter Williams, the sooner they will begin to improve things for themselves. The opportunities are there for them if they will simply ignore the lies the race-baiters tell and take the opportunities. But, then, I expect too much of them.

[FourPeas]

Elijah McCoy
Bessie Coleman
Charles Drew
Garrett Morgan
The Tuskeegee Airmen
George Washington Carver
J. L. Love
Benjamin Benneker

...to name just a few.

[mabelkitty]

If King were alive today, he'd be a conservative.

[mabelkitty]

Thomas Sowell.
The best part of the Washington Times.
I am captivated by his writing.

[Born in a Rage]

I saw some of the program and some of the remarks were disturbing to me because they were outright racist.....such as one woman saying how black men should date white women. Things referring to the 'white man keeping us down'. How can one preach diversity and yet be so hateful at the same time? They should have focused more on solving problems then blaming them on other people, imho.

[Warrior Nurse]

It is not necessary for you to shout mea culpa because there is no white involvement in black on black crime which is nihilism unto itself.

Liberal white guilt is killing blacks as well as white and the poverty pimps and race warlords are taking full advantage.

Every black person that embraces the American dream makes it out of the Ghetto life. All it takes is hard work and discipline. I like the way the Jewish people overcame racism. They got education and expected no less of their children despite the racism they endure. They were arm in arm in the civil rights movement as well. They, however didn't fall prey to the peril of the Great Society which has destroyed the black family unit by escalating the black male.

[Warrior Nurse]

escalating=emasculating

[cyborg]

Anytime I see the name Tavis Smiley, I can expect a panel of prejudiced people and maybe one lonely human being with a different opinion.

[Warrior Nurse]

Yes the ones talking about the white man keeping him down are thriving in the white man's system. I wonder how much honoraria Dyson gets when he makes speech as well as Julia Hare? They made is seem like this is the America of 1954 vice 2004.

[Vision]

What they need is a great man like Col. West to take on this trash.

[Born in a Rage]

There were some things 'accomplished' but if the panel had focused on things like getting neighbors together to help each other with childcare; homeschooling; stressing intellectual heroes for black children; that would have been more productive. I mean the guy who was saying how positive rap music is because of a song that mentioned Rosa Parks.....he was so excited about it, almost to the point of foolishness. I'm sure he really helped out some gangsta kid alot, yeah right.

[Warrior Nurse]

Give me Lt. Col West over Cornel West anytime, anyday anyplace.

[B4Ranch]

When you see a poor down trodden Black person or family, what are you feelings?

When I see a poor down trodden white person or family, I have some sympathy but not much. Why, you ask?

Because I have known dozens of white folks who were born on the wrong side of the tracks without both parents in their presence as youngster and they grew up without a criminal record. They joined the military at 17, got their GED while in the service, learned how to communicate better, learned better manners, respect, etc. and just generally used Uncle Sams GI Benefit package to pull themselves out of the hole.

Some stayed in and made it a career, others came out into civilian life knowing what they wanted to do.......make damn sure that they never ended up on the wrong side of the tracks again.

These guys went to work, were the first on the jobsite every morning, volunteered for every bit of overtime they could get, saved their money, furthered their education, and when they were satified that they were on solid ground found a bride and started families.

The one thing they didn't have that young Black men do have is the anchor thqat Black leaders insist all Blacks carry. The woe is me, my grand parents had a miserable life, my parents had a miserable life and it was all because of the white race. I cannot trust the white race and I will never do anything to make them stronger.

I have a few Black long term friendships, they prefer the term 'friends', no color separation. These people did the same as the dozens of whites I know who pulled themselves out of the hole. They stayed away from groups like the NAACP who insist that Blacks feel sorry for themselves and demand restitution from the white race. They ignored the Black leadership and followed the same steps to success that is available to everyone in America. They aren't amazed that they succeeded, they were determined to do it.

If more people would realize that the opportunity is there for everyone, we wouldn't have such large income differences, prison race population imbalances or the need for race benefit programs.

You made it, how did you do it? Certainly not by feeling sorry for yourself, I'm sure.

[Warrior Nurse]

When you see a poor down trodden Black person or family, what are you feelings?

My feelings are it is a shame they are in that situation and my next question is how they got into that situation? You and I even though I don't know you are no different. It is about the choices that people make. When a woman and man have sex knowing they can't afford the baby that will be born as a result of this union.

When men make babies and don't take the responsibility to raise them no matter what their financial circumstance.

When they seek to escape the reality that is this life by putting drugs into their bodies.

By not learning what morals are and the application of them. I feel sorry and I want to help but they must first want to help themselves.

I enlisted in the Marines at 20 got a commission at 22 and did 8 years got out went back to school and got a commission from the Navy.

When I was young in school I learned an early lesson about education. A great man told me that "without education you are nothing, so you had better buckle down in them books."

[DustyMoment]

Allow me to reiterate: "I would be happy to SAY (not shout) mea culpa for the black problems IF that would help solve them, but I SIMPLY WON'T."

I take no responsibility for the condition that blacks find themselves in today, nor for the condition that they have EVER been in. I have enough to do just worrying about mine and my family's future and keeping a roof over our heads; I don't have the time or energy to worry about oppressing any blacks (not that I would if I had the authjority). I agree that white liberals have a lot to account for for the condition that blacks find themselves in today, but I'm not one of them.

First and foremost, blacks need to emphasize the necessity of the nuclear family. As long as black men are allowed to act like scoundrels, that's what they'll do. Black Americans need to have a new set of heroes to replace their current ones, and a new set of values to replace their anger and violence.

Jews are not the only ones who worked their way out of the ghetto and into the American mainstream. Irish, Chinese and Japanese all had hurdles to overcome and did so with hard work and discipline. The Chinese had a particularly tough time, but they did it and like so many others, have never looked back.

It is telling that blacks, in general, keep one foot in the past and can't understand why they aren't making any forward progress. Blacks want to be compensated by corporate America for the profits they make from slave labor. But, it is largely the Chinese that built America's railroads. However, they assimilated and moved on. As long as the race baiters are given a free forum from which to spew their hatred, blacks remain divided and confused. If they assimilate, they will be accused of giving in to "whitey"; becoming an oreo; moving up to the master's house. These are carefully chosen, highly effective epithets that enslave much of black America to the race baiters instead of allowing them to get past slavery.

Is the Great Society the new excuse for black Americans not assimilating? Will this replace slavery once the whole slavery business finally peters out since it isn't achieving what blacks want? As long as there is an excuse not to succeed, blacks will take it. And, as long as their so-called "leaders" eschew the accomplishments of George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Fredrick Douglas, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Dr. Charles Drew, Dr. Tom Sowell, Dr. William Walters and even the likes of Rolando Blackman and Emmett Smith, black heroes will remain the violent, angry street thugs, drug runners, gangsters, rappers and pro athletes. That's not a great choice of role models. And, without a solid, stable, responsible father in the house, little is likely to change.

[B4Ranch]

Thank you for a thorough reply. I almost starting chuckling when I saw that you jumped into the military like so many of my friends. Congratulations on your commissions. I salute you.

[KC Burke]

Since you are captivated by his columns, I can possibly assume you are aware of his books. They are even more satisfying.

For those that aren't, the following I would reccommend: (from the vision trilogy)

1. The Vision of the Annointed
2. A Conflict of Visions
3. The Quest for Cosmic Justice.

Other good starters include:

Affirmative Action Around the World: An Impirical Study (2004)

Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy revised and expanded edition (2004) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Applied Economics: Thinking Beyond Stage One (2003) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

The Einstein Syndrome: Bright Children Who Talk Late (2001) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy (2000) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

A Personal Odyssey (2000) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

The Quest for Cosmic Justice (1999) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Conquests and Cultures: An International History (1998) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Late-Talking Children (1997) amazon.com

Migrations and Cultures: A World View (1996) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy (1995) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Race and Culture: A World View (1994) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Inside American Education: The Decline, The Deception, The Dogmas (1993) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Preferential Policies: An International Perspective (1990) amazon.com

Choosing a College: A Guide for Parents and Students (1989) amazon.com

A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles (1987) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Marxism: Philosophy and Economics (1985) amazon.com

Civil Rights: Rhetoric or Reality (1984) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

The Economics and Politics of Race: An International Perspective (1983) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Ethnic America: A History (1981) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Markets and Minorities (1981)

Knowledge and Decisions (1980) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Race and Economics (1975) amazon.com

Classical Economics Reconsidered (1974) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Say's Law: An Historical Analysis (1972) amazon.com

Black Education: Myths and Tragedies (1972) amazon.com

Economics: Analysis and Issues (1971)

BOOKS OF COLLECTED WRITINGS:

Controversial Essays (2002) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Barbarians Inside the Gates (1999) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Is Reality Optional? (1993) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Compassion versus Guilt (1987)

Education: Assumptions versus History (1986) amazon.com laissezfairebooks

Pink and Brown People (1981) amazon.com

Essays and Data on American Ethnic Groups (1978) Sowell is the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow
The Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305

[Warrior Nurse]

Is the Great Society the new excuse for black Americans not assimilating? The answer to that question is no, but that one program hurt black families more than, slavery, Jim crow, the grandfather clause etc. It removed by force at times the fathers from the home thus eroding the foundations of the family. Yes blacks bear a responsibility but let's get to the root of the problem as well. There are those that would argue that sexual freedom that came out of the "free love 60's" had another impact on black America as well. As an American that is also black I want to see us do better. I know the things that will work and have done them. In some ways I have been castigated and lambasted like most black conservatives but that doesn't stop the truth.

1 Don't make babies that you can't afford

2 Stop blaming the white man for all of our problems

3 Embrace education as the key to success

4 Stop being anti intellectual.

5 Get off welfare, drug, alcohol.

6 Stop breaking the law and report those who do,

7 Men start acting like men and not like goats and love and respect the women around you.

8 Stop blaming the white man for doing this gives him more power over you the he really has

9 Assimilate into the American culture learn all history as an amalgamation of who and what this country really is.

10 Get GOD back in the home

This is my 10 point plan I know it works because it has worked for me.

[foreverfree]

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