Posted on 02/18/2009 10:02:01 AM PST by kcvl
Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues. In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.
"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.
Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race."
He urged people of all races to use Black History Month as a chance for frank talk about racial matters.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues. In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.
"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.
Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race."
He urged people of all races to use Black History Month as a chance for frank talk about racial matters.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
It’s a two way street Holder.
I have Never in my entire life been asked to visit a black home.
I have however extended invitations into my home that were turned down.
“OK, name three.”
First, what I consider a ‘leader’ is not in the mold of Jesse Jackson.
1. Jesse Lee Peterson who said, “This election is all about black racism and white guilt”
2. Clarence Thomas
3. Terry Anderson
Want more?
I’m pretty sure he’s talking about black racism. Not sure, though, he wasn’t clear on that point.
“”These people are unbelievable.”
...these people, what do you mean...these people?””
Liberals, I would think.
Tatt
It is natural to spend time with people who share your same interests. That is not racist. I don't hang out with younger people, and don't hang out with senior citizens for the same reason. Am i discriminating? No, it is just a matter of life that we want to share time with people we relate to. I have several friends of different ethnicities, and I do socialize with them a bit. But not like other friends who share my lifestyle and my reality.
Change race to age and you can see how absolutely moronic his comments are. It is time to prosecute people like Holder, Jesse, and Al for their inflammatory and hateful speech.
BTTT
Great! After spending trillions of taxpayers dollars in the last 45 years on social engineering of race issues, we now are told Americans are cowards.
Holder is one dumb***ker!
By the time history month rolls around, we'll feel comfortable enough with one another and tolerant enough of each other to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us.
His whole premise is ridiculous! Of course the work place is integrated but get this...there are many instances where people of ethnic persuasions do NOT socially mix with others. For example, my Indian neighbors are delightful people, but they pretty much hang out with people of their own culture. At times, we are invited...other times we are not. I know of Italian-Americans who hang out with each other primarily. Finally, MOST people hang with their own families if they can since they work all the time.
BTW...my daughter-in-law and son are best friends with a Black Christian couple. They hang out all the time because their children are the same age and neither of them have parents in the area. (he is also one of the few Black persons I know who did not vote for Obama). My daughter-in-law will be watching their son when the mother goes back to work. This country does NOT need a lecture on race by the likes of Holder OR Obama.
Exactly!
If you keep mentioning race, doesn’t that make you a racist?
If I had a time machine, I would “3 stooges” slap any elected official who agreed to confirm this Jesse Jackson wannabe as ALL of the people’s A.G.
Hope and Change?
Gimme a break!
Maybe no white folks invited Holder to the house!
If you are not a racist, there is no need to discuss race.
Brilliant!
Sad.... but brilliant.
(sigh squared)
Well, those that are “darker grey” than others would still bitch, I’m afraid.
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town.
BS! In this day and age, it comes up if you work/live with other races. The last three years of my career, I was partnered with a black man. We were together 9-12 hrs. a day. We spent more waking hours together than he did with his wife. It was discussed. If that makes me a racist, FINE! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN! I refuse to be cowed or be bothered by that appellation whether from someone I know, or from a bunch of pixels on my monitor. If you want to call me a racist, or infer such as you did in your post, my answer is...SO WHAT!
Forgive me, may I have the opportunity to rephrase this?
Perhaps it was a poor choice of words by using the word “discuss”
I agree civil and open dialogue is important.
Name calling (such as the word “coward”) does nothing but divide rather than help us reach any real understanding.
I too have worked with, worked for, and supervised many different races of people in the last 30 years and the subject has indeed been discussed. For a period of 3 years, I drove to and from work a neigbhor of mine who was of African heritage (or “black” if you prefer) and we talked about racial issues quite often.
Shall I say (and you might agree) “ If you are not a racist, you would not readily accuse others of racism?”,which is what I believe the AG is doing.
I believe also that there is a certain part of political society which will keep the discussion of racial inequality (sometimes where none really exist) out there for political gain, again, this is what I think the AG was doing. Others do this, such as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, et al.
Having said all of this, this is the 21st century and a time must come where actions (like electing a President of African heritage) should outweigh all talk, which is truly the crux of my statement.
As you say, “In this day and age, it comes up if you live/work with other races.”
My opinion is that it should come up less and less, then the only people bringing it up will be the racist.
No offense intended.
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