Interesting stuff. Frankly, it was way more positive than I anticipated. The central message I received was that the vast majority of African-Americans were (generally) content with their lives and potential, but increasingly anxious about the bizarre state of the White right.
The respondents also expressed genuine concern about *long-term* economic mobility. That is to say, getting ahead today is a more difficult proposition than a generation or so ago.
I get all of that, 100%. You don't have to be Black to get this.
Even during the Trump years, the FBI was consistent about who posed the biggest terrorist threat in America: White nationalists. (Needless to say, Jan6th didn't help alleviate such concerns. But that's another subject.)
As for economics: When longshot presidential candidate Andrew Yang touted Universal Basic Income, the concept resonated with all kinds of people because folks of every background recognize we are living in very different times.
I think that you and I--like a lot of people--part ways, not because we have opposite values, but because of how we interpret various data. You remind me a lot of my best friend (also Black). He and I butt heads in a very similar way and sometimes it gets pretty damn intense.
But I think I know why.
I draw clear distinctions between culture and politics, even though they are very much intertwined. I tend to view people as elements on a spectrum, especially in politics.
I see politics as competing self-interested factions constantly vying for position against each other. i.e., struggles that can exist at the highest levels (e.g., "Communism vs Capitalism", "slavery vs abolition"), all the way down to mundane s*** like where to put the next traffic lights.
Politics is shaped by those who care the most about politics, be they politicians, activists, pundits, opinion-makers, donors, what-have-you. But the vast majority of people aren't political. Most folk, ultimately, accept whatever hand they've been dealt and try to make the best of it.
But we all make up the culture.
To be clear, a lot of regular folk get manipulated and influenced by politics, and yes, s*** can go way off the rails if we allow the crazies to attain and maintain power.
But I will opt for honest and serious dialogue, every time, as long as it is an option. But if that cup ever runs empty, I can be a massive a-hole as much as anybody else =)
The respondents do not view today as the best time to be alive. It is harder to get ahead today. Black history is under attack. Venture capital attempts to increase the number of Black businesses is under attack. There are statewide organized attempts to block Black voters. These are not the best of times. That directly goes against the idea that there was no better time in the past.
"These are not the best of times. That directly goes against the idea that there was no better time in the past."
#1, my original assertion was not this general. I said *race relations in America* had never been better, and I added that this did not necessarily equate to "good", but simply better. (I also offered a dictionary definition of race relations.)
I didn't say Black American life had never been better. I said Black-White race relations had never been better.
Again, if there was a better time for Black-White race relations in America, when was it? I can't imagine anything prior to the 21st Century, and we're only 23 years into that.
It is not a shallow comeback. I provide data of the negative feelings voiced by Blacks in a poll. You view the data through rose colored glasses and still say race relations are better than ever.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, there was more of a sense of understanding of the importance of race and more understanding than there is now. Things were better. Not surprisingly, it was transient.
"In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, there was more of a sense of understanding of the importance of race and more understanding than there is now."
So, you believe that three years ago--the aftermath of George Floyd's murder--that race relations were better than now? Okay. I think that's a misguided interpretation of the moment as well as the current day.
I am not rigid. Far from it, actually. I went from true socialist + Farrakhan fan in my 20s, to a kind of extreme libertarian in my early 30s, to a Jack Kemp Republican in my mid-30s, to relatively apolitical in my 40s, to where I am now.
But I cannot buy weak arguments, or pretend to, regardless of where they come from. Good day.
RE: The WaPo Poll:
Interesting stuff. Frankly, it was way more positive than I anticipated. The central message I received was that the vast majority of African-Americans were (generally) content with their lives and potential, but increasingly anxious about the bizarre state of the White right.
The respondents also expressed genuine concern about *long-term* economic mobility. That is to say, getting ahead today is a more difficult proposition than a generation or so ago.
I get all of that, 100%. You don't have to be Black to get this.
Even during the Trump years, the FBI was consistent about who posed the biggest terrorist threat in America: White nationalists. (Needless to say, Jan6th didn't help alleviate such concerns. But that's another subject.)
As for economics: When longshot presidential candidate Andrew Yang touted Universal Basic Income, the concept resonated with all kinds of people because folks of every background recognize we are living in very different times.
I think that you and I--like a lot of people--part ways, not because we have opposite values, but because of how we interpret various data. You remind me a lot of my best friend (also Black). He and I butt heads in a very similar way and sometimes it gets pretty damn intense.
But I think I know why.
I draw clear distinctions between culture and politics, even though they are very much intertwined. I tend to view people as elements on a spectrum, especially in politics.
I see politics as competing self-interested factions constantly vying for position against each other. i.e., struggles that can exist at the highest levels (e.g., "Communism vs Capitalism", "slavery vs abolition"), all the way down to mundane s*** like where to put the next traffic lights.
Politics is shaped by those who care the most about politics, be they politicians, activists, pundits, opinion-makers, donors, what-have-you. But the vast majority of people aren't political. Most folk, ultimately, accept whatever hand they've been dealt and try to make the best of it.
But we all make up the culture.
To be clear, a lot of regular folk get manipulated and influenced by politics, and yes, s*** can go way off the rails if we allow the crazies to attain and maintain power.
But I will opt for honest and serious dialogue, every time, as long as it is an option. But if that cup ever runs empty, I can be a massive a-hole as much as anybody else =)
The respondents do not view today as the best time to be alive. It is harder to get ahead today. Black history is under attack. Venture capital attempts to increase the number of Black businesses is under attack. There are statewide organized attempts to block Black voters. These are not the best of times. That directly goes against the idea that there was no better time in the past.
"These are not the best of times. That directly goes against the idea that there was no better time in the past."
#1, my original assertion was not this general. I said *race relations in America* had never been better, and I added that this did not necessarily equate to "good", but simply better. (I also offered a dictionary definition of race relations.)
I didn't say Black American life had never been better. I said Black-White race relations had never been better.
Again, if there was a better time for Black-White race relations in America, when was it? I can't imagine anything prior to the 21st Century, and we're only 23 years into that.
Enjoy your very, very narrow argument.
Edit to add:
There has to be a pony in there somewhere.
Enjoy your shallow comebacks.
It is not a shallow comeback. I provide data of the negative feelings voiced by Blacks in a poll. You view the data through rose colored glasses and still say race relations are better than ever.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, there was more of a sense of understanding of the importance of race and more understanding than there is now. Things were better. Not surprisingly, it was transient.
You are rigid. I am rigid. Life goes on.
"In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, there was more of a sense of understanding of the importance of race and more understanding than there is now."
So, you believe that three years ago--the aftermath of George Floyd's murder--that race relations were better than now? Okay. I think that's a misguided interpretation of the moment as well as the current day.
I am not rigid. Far from it, actually. I went from true socialist + Farrakhan fan in my 20s, to a kind of extreme libertarian in my early 30s, to a Jack Kemp Republican in my mid-30s, to relatively apolitical in my 40s, to where I am now.
But I cannot buy weak arguments, or pretend to, regardless of where they come from. Good day.