I would argue that the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Real racism is real racism. At the same time, it is possible to overstate racism with respect to the average African-American.
I think John and I were thinking about, not so much the serious activist type, but the often casual conversations that occur among many Black Americans.
I would argue that the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Real racism is real racism. At the same time, it is possible to overstate racism with respect to the average African-American.
I think John and I were thinking about, not so much the serious activist type, but the often casual conversations that occur among many Black Americans.
I would argue that the real activists fighting real racism is where the focus needs to be.
Homicides are much lower than the number of homicides that occurred in the 1990s. No one would argue that we should not reduce the number of homicides happening today.
Racism is decreased, but that does not mean that we should not address racism today. A person born in 2000 should care that racism is less now than in the 1930s or the 1960s. They know things are not where they should be today. Similarly, a person would not want to hear that they should relax about crime because the 1990s were worse.
"Racism is deceased, but that does not mean that we should not address racism today."
To be clear, I have never said, hinted, or even thought anything else.
My only point here was that we as a people--again, too many of us in my view--overstate the gravity of racism on our day-to-day individual lives in 2023 America. This of course is a matter of perspective.
I think we both agree that our focus should be on the most critical problems. We obviously disagree about what those problems are.
We can spin our wheels arguing about what others are doing wrong, or we can address the real problems, I see education, voting and health care as issues to be addressed.
How am I misrepresenting your point of view? You тАЬfeelтАЭ that too many of тАЬusтАЭ overestimate racismтАЩs impact. I counter with observations that activists are addressing actual racism.
Despite the feeling about racism. The number of Black people who feel that it is a bad time to be Black has decreased. The number of Black people who feel that it is a good time to be Black has increased.
"How am I misremembering your point of view? You тАЬfeelтАЭ that too many of тАЬusтАЭ overestimate racismтАЩs impact."
You didn't misremember my point of view. You just made it up.
Yes, I тАЬfeelтАЭ that too many of тАЬusтАЭ (meaning African-Americans) overestimate racismтАЩs impact. Just like you "feel" that I am "focusing" on activists.
The difference is your "feelings" about me are based on utter bs.
How am I focused on activists? I literally didn't say *anything* about activists in this thread until YOU hit me up, and even after that I didn't say anything negative. Jesus lol
I am aware of those stats. Was thrilled to see them. But by *my* standards, too many of us STILL overstate racism's impact on the day-to-day life of individual African-Americans.
I have lived in Black neighborhoods for 55 of 57 years. I feel more than qualified to have an opinion about that.
It is an opinion you happen to disagree with. I can live with that. I *assume* you can as well. But I will not tolerate you ascribing opinions to me that I don't hold whatsoever, especially when you have nothing to base them on.
No. I am saying the activists are addressing true racism. General grumbling about racism takes a back seat to Blacks remaining optimistic.
There are are efforts to suppress Black votes in multiple sates. There are real concerns when a white Conservative sues an organization trying to fund Black female entrepreneurs. Those images may play a role in the тАЬoverestimationтАЭ.
The actual number of Black out of wedlock births is decreasing. If you look at the high percentage of out of wedlock births, you could say Black culture is failing. If you look at the decreased numbers, you ask what is causing the decreased numbers. One possibility could even be that Black culture is sending a message that the high unwed birth rate is unacceptable.
I would argue that the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Real racism is real racism. At the same time, it is possible to overstate racism with respect to the average African-American.
I think John and I were thinking about, not so much the serious activist type, but the often casual conversations that occur among many Black Americans.
I would argue that the real activists fighting real racism is where the focus needs to be.
Homicides are much lower than the number of homicides that occurred in the 1990s. No one would argue that we should not reduce the number of homicides happening today.
Racism is decreased, but that does not mean that we should not address racism today. A person born in 2000 should care that racism is less now than in the 1930s or the 1960s. They know things are not where they should be today. Similarly, a person would not want to hear that they should relax about crime because the 1990s were worse.
"Racism is deceased, but that does not mean that we should not address racism today."
To be clear, I have never said, hinted, or even thought anything else.
My only point here was that we as a people--again, too many of us in my view--overstate the gravity of racism on our day-to-day individual lives in 2023 America. This of course is a matter of perspective.
I think we both agree that our focus should be on the most critical problems. We obviously disagree about what those problems are.
We can spin our wheels arguing about what others are doing wrong, or we can address the real problems, I see education, voting and health care as issues to be addressed.
We can spin our wheels about a host of things. But yes, addressing real problems is paramount. For me, mindset is huge.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott changed civil rights laws. Probably about 1500 people involved in critical roles. You focus on the activists.
You continue to misrepresent my point of view. It's really quite disgusting. I want to believe it's beneath you. Apparently not.
How am I misrepresenting your point of view? You тАЬfeelтАЭ that too many of тАЬusтАЭ overestimate racismтАЩs impact. I counter with observations that activists are addressing actual racism.
70% of Blacks say they have experienced racism
https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/press-release/poll-7-in-10-black-americans-say-they-have-experienced-incidents-of-discrimination-or-police-mistreatment-in-lifetime-including-nearly-half-who-felt-lives-were-in-danger/
Blacks view institutional change is needed to create an unbiased playing feel but doubt it will happen.
https://www.pewresearch.org/race-ethnicity/2022/08/30/black-americans-have-a-clear-vision-for-reducing-racism-but-little-hope-it-will-happen/
Despite the feeling about racism. The number of Black people who feel that it is a bad time to be Black has decreased. The number of Black people who feel that it is a good time to be Black has increased.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/06/16/black-americans-racism-poll/
Black people will talk about racism, but remain optimistic
Edit to add:
The optimism occurs despite Blacks being the largest targeted group for hate crimes
https://www.voanews.com/a/report-african-americans-remain-top-target-of-hate-crimes/7246965.html
"How am I misremembering your point of view? You тАЬfeelтАЭ that too many of тАЬusтАЭ overestimate racismтАЩs impact."
You didn't misremember my point of view. You just made it up.
Yes, I тАЬfeelтАЭ that too many of тАЬusтАЭ (meaning African-Americans) overestimate racismтАЩs impact. Just like you "feel" that I am "focusing" on activists.
The difference is your "feelings" about me are based on utter bs.
How am I focused on activists? I literally didn't say *anything* about activists in this thread until YOU hit me up, and even after that I didn't say anything negative. Jesus lol
I am aware of those stats. Was thrilled to see them. But by *my* standards, too many of us STILL overstate racism's impact on the day-to-day life of individual African-Americans.
I have lived in Black neighborhoods for 55 of 57 years. I feel more than qualified to have an opinion about that.
It is an opinion you happen to disagree with. I can live with that. I *assume* you can as well. But I will not tolerate you ascribing opinions to me that I don't hold whatsoever, especially when you have nothing to base them on.
That is my last word.
No. I am saying the activists are addressing true racism. General grumbling about racism takes a back seat to Blacks remaining optimistic.
There are are efforts to suppress Black votes in multiple sates. There are real concerns when a white Conservative sues an organization trying to fund Black female entrepreneurs. Those images may play a role in the тАЬoverestimationтАЭ.
The actual number of Black out of wedlock births is decreasing. If you look at the high percentage of out of wedlock births, you could say Black culture is failing. If you look at the decreased numbers, you ask what is causing the decreased numbers. One possibility could even be that Black culture is sending a message that the high unwed birth rate is unacceptable.