Rev. Jeremiah Wright Gets LGBT Support

Junker wrote:

As I have read these posts I have been amazed that neither side has really listened to the other. I firmly believe that until we are willing to put aside our preconceived ideas we will never hear what the other person is saying. As a result we will never educate ourselves on what the racial problems are in our society. Thus we will never begin to solve them.
When my son told me he was gay I realized that I truly knew nothing about the GLBT community. I wanted to support him but I didn't even know were to begin. I knew that this community had experienced discrimination but I didn't know how or why. So I began a journey of trying to educate myself. I had never condemned the GLBT community but I had also never went out of my way to try to understand their lives - not until I had to deal with it in my own life. I am sorry that I waited until now to learn about the lives of a community that is a part of the society that I live in.
There are always truths to both sides of an issue. There are always reasons as to why we feel as we do based on our own personal experiences. Until we are ready to put all of this aside we will never begin to understand each other. It does not mean that anyone has to change their beliefs it just means that we have to accept that others feel differently.
Only until we all stop pointing fingers and accept that there is work to do on both sides of the fence will we be able to have meaningful conversations. We all must be willing to lay it all on the table. We all must be willing to respect others opinions.
Again, I will say that I have read valid arguements on both sides of this debate. What I haven't read is either side acknowledging that there might be some truth in what the other person is saying.

It is funny ... I have listened to him. He just persists in insisting that I am some poor black person that's whining about things that don't matter because it was so long ago. I have given him examples of some of the things that have happened to my family and to me up to this day. I'm not crying about it. I'm just letting him know these things do still happen. I haven't accused white america of anything or said anything about wanting a handout. I have, however, said he is part of the problem based his apparent ignorance by the inflamatory statements he makes.

Most of the people I grew up with and around worked. The notion that most blacks are on welfare and are criminals is absurd ... yet he continues to rant that is misguided notions are the gospel truth. There are good and bad in every race. Hopefully whoever comes into contact with Fuzi won't judge the whole race (whatever that may be) by the small mindedness of Fuzi. There has been some progress towards equality ... there have been some setbacks. Some people's eyes have been opened. Some people refuse to see the elephant in the room. Fuzi appears to be one of those people.

BmoreTeacher wrote:

Fuzi, as a white person, I am ashamed by your insistent ignorance. It seems disgusted has several times attempted to tell you she has busted her butt to get where she is and has not taken any of these "handouts" you are talking about, yet you ignore that and continue ranting as if she is some poor black person who doesn't understand anything but cotton picking. Open your eyes dude! I teach in a horrible section of Baltimore. The median family income is 17,000 (thats for a family of 4.) Yes, there certainly is a lot the community is not doing to help themselves, but there are many more people that have no idea HOW to help themselves. I am a fond believer in the saying "give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for life," yet I do not see enough people doing the teaching. It is good and dandy for you to sit there flapping your lips about an issue you think you understand, but until you are willing to go spend your time trying to make a difference, not just for the black community, you need to sit down and shut up. If we do not take steps to educate our children (and believe me, there are SAVAGE inequalities in the city schools verses county schools) we will continue to perpetuate the cycle of poverty and violence these kids are growing up in and no change will happen. "Handouts" do nothing for these kids. They need people who care about them. Fuzi, you have made it clear that you don't. Disgusted, I'm on your side :)

Thank you. When I originally started responding to this post, some people had the impression (and some apparently still have the impression) that I am pointing my finger at White people for "keeping the black man down." Never said it, don't even think it. I know that there are some people (white, black, gay, straight) that are intent upon making other people the reason they gave up or that they didn't make it. There are black people that blame whites for everything wrong in their lives. Just as there are white people that blame blacks for them being passed over for a position aka reverse discrimination - which is also ridiculous.

My whole point from the beginning and still continues to be that there were certain things set in motion from the take over of this country (in the case of the native american) to the institution of slavery (in the case of blacks) that can still be felt today. That is why you have people like Rev. Wright and others that feel the way they feel. I'm not saying that I agree with everything Rev Wright (or any other preacher, politician, activist or disgruntled black person) has said. I'm not saying that I disagree with everything any white person has stated when talking about blacks. There are good and bad in every race ... and there are things we can learn about each other if we allow ourselves some room to grow.

It's almost scary to see that we still have backwards thinking dinosaurs like Fuzi around that are intent upon throwing around erroneous notions to fan the fire between the races making it impossible to come to some sort of understanding. People like him are intent upon focusing on other things rather than the issue at hand to justify his inflamatory statements and lack of understanding. The good thing about people like Fuzi is that they rarely shut up when they are ahead ... and they inevitably help the cause because they are an embarrassment and most people with brains don't want to align themselves with these types of notions. I guess Fuzi never learned that it's sometimes better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than it is to open it and remove all doubt. But he does have a right to his opinion ... it's just too bad that he can't wrap his brain around something that's outside his little box.

Beware wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't know what f^&king planet you fell to earth from however:
My relatives came here as Indentured Servants (lokk it up poindexter). We worked for our freedom and never looked back when we obtained it. We pledged ALLEGIANCE to this new nation and ASSIMILATED. I have yet to see assimilation of many cultures within our nation...including Chinese (Chinatown), Blacks, Hispanics ad nauseum.
If you want to sell your horssh&t...the best place is at the foot of the U.N building...where we seem to cede to every 3rd world sh*t hole nation, the liberties we have fought hard to secure and protect.
No...I dindn't own any slaves...nor did ANY of my ancestors...we worked beside them...in sevitude as well. Get off your stump...and preach to those that have (and had) the chance to assimilate to ASSIMILATE! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where priorities lay within ethno-centric groups.
When blacks and hispanics have a horrid rate of high school drop-out rates...the educational system comes up with "dumbing down" our educational programs so no child is left behind. What needs to happen is:
1. No Federal, State, or local aid...unless you are a High School graduate.
2. If you have kids, and you're underage, your parents are responsible for you and any other puppy you want to pop out.
3. If you're an illegal alien...you're repatriated and your puppies are registered as legal citizens of the country of repatriation.
4. If you don't want to assimilate...then emmigrate to a country that wants you. II guarantee that they'll require amarketable skill before they let you enter their country though).
It's time to take RESPONSIBILITY for actions (or inactions) of those that do not want to assimilate. The TOOLS are THERE! Quit bitching and use your God- given talents and brains to do what is right!

Who gave you the authority to decide what was right? Are you gay? If so, why don't you assimilate with the majority and become straight? You can get married, you can have children, you can deny you are attracted to the same sex ... but if you are gay you are gay. No matter if I bleach my hair and skin, mark white on an application, deny and denounce the heritage, customs, and values of my forefathers in the name of assimilation ... I am still black. I don't have to be a cookie cutter version of the supposed majority to get along and prove that I am American. America was supposed to be the melting pot where everyone could be free to be who they were and to practice (or not practice) the religion of thier choice, to pursue their own happiness without someone dictating what to believe and how to think. But I guess that right is reserved for the majority and those that totally assimilate with the majority.

Disgusted, My statement about finger pointing was not directed at you personally but at society in general. The point I was trying to make is that all of us must be willing to try to understand each other. We must listen before we can hear. We must hear before we can learn. We must all share our experiences even if they make us uncomfortable or if they are not politically correct.

I try not to stereotype any group of people. I have to admit though that sometimes I find myself doing just that. The labels that we put on people can be just as harmful as physical violence.

I apologize if I did not make myself clear in my previous post. Believe me my own family has faced many bigoted people in our lives. I was an unmarried single mother for several years, a husband who committed suicide, I have a gay son, my daughter married an immigrant from Mexico and I have two mixed race grandchildren. As you can see I am not your typical middle income white America.

I hope that we can continue our conversations about race. I have appreciated your candor and openness in discussing this issue. We might not can change the world but at least maybe we will have a better understanding of both black and white cultures.

Fuzi, you claim that I talked about you giving handouts, then you talked about programs in black cities as throwing money at them, which would be handouts, so in essence, I can read, you can't think. I am a very good teacher, as a matter of fact, and very hellbent on changing the status quo, which, as you claim in your posting, cannot be done (claiming the community will never change.) The community will certainly never change if we don't improve education, but let me tell you this: We have some of the best teachers you could ask to work with. My coworkers and I know our pedagogy, classroom management, and child psychology inside out and backwards. We have dealt with every messed up child that you could never dream of who is staring you in the face cussing you out. We go above and beyond the call of duty daily, and do it all on supplies we buy ourselves. Inner city education systems DO NOT equal that of white suburbia because its based on property taxes. Its not the fault of white people, but until we convince our congressmen to change the way schools are funded, communities will be forced into the horrible cycle of generational poverty. Fuzi, what exactly do you do, since you claim to know so much about my daily experience in the city?

Junker wrote:

Disgusted, My statement about finger pointing was not directed at you personally but at society in general. The point I was trying to make is that all of us must be willing to try to understand each other. We must listen before we can hear. We must hear before we can learn. We must all share our experiences even if they make us uncomfortable or if they are not politically correct.
I try not to stereotype any group of people. I have to admit though that sometimes I find myself doing just that. The labels that we put on people can be just as harmful as physical violence.
I apologize if I did not make myself clear in my previous post. Believe me my own family has faced many bigoted people in our lives. I was an unmarried single mother for several years, a husband who committed suicide, I have a gay son, my daughter married an immigrant from Mexico and I have two mixed race grandchildren. As you can see I am not your typical middle income white America.
I hope that we can continue our conversations about race. I have appreciated your candor and openness in discussing this issue. We might not can change the world but at least maybe we will have a better understanding of both black and white cultures.

No problem. Thank you again for your responses. It just demonstrates that people can discuss things and clarify any misunderstandings. I do appreciate your thoughtfulness. When people open up and actually talk and listen to each other, we might be surprised to find out that we are all more alike than we realized in spite of our differences ... and we all need to work together if any of us is going to make it.

BmoreTeacher wrote:

Fuzi, you claim that I talked about you giving handouts, then you talked about programs in black cities as throwing money at them, which would be handouts, so in essence, I can read, you can't think. I am a very good teacher, as a matter of fact, and very hellbent on changing the status quo, which, as you claim in your posting, cannot be done (claiming the community will never change.) The community will certainly never change if we don't improve education, but let me tell you this: We have some of the best teachers you could ask to work with. My coworkers and I know our pedagogy, classroom management, and child psychology inside out and backwards. We have dealt with every messed up child that you could never dream of who is staring you in the face cussing you out. We go above and beyond the call of duty daily, and do it all on supplies we buy ourselves. Inner city education systems DO NOT equal that of white suburbia because its based on property taxes. Its not the fault of white people, but until we convince our congressmen to change the way schools are funded, communities will be forced into the horrible cycle of generational poverty. Fuzi, what exactly do you do, since you claim to know so much about my daily experience in the city?

It takes a special person to do what you do. Teachers are underpaid, overworked, and unappreciated. You educate our children, at times parent our children, you are there in times of crisis, you give them their first glimpse of the world and the list goes on. It is a shame that athletes and actors get paid millions ... yet the people that help to mold our children are often at or near the povertly level. Your dedication and service is greatly appreciated by many. Thank you!

disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
Who gave you the authority to decide what was right? Are you gay? If so, why don't you assimilate with the majority and become straight? You can get married, you can have children, you can deny you are attracted to the same sex ... but if you are gay you are gay. No matter if I bleach my hair and skin, mark white on an application, deny and denounce the heritage, customs, and values of my forefathers in the name of assimilation ... I am still black. I don't have to be a cookie cutter version of the supposed majority to get along and prove that I am American. America was supposed to be the melting pot where everyone could be free to be who they were and to practice (or not practice) the religion of thier choice, to pursue their own happiness without someone dictating what to believe and how to think. But I guess that right is reserved for the majority and those that totally assimilate with the majority.

And what gives you the authority to decide what other folks should believe? Seems to me like you're quite the bigot. Perhaps you'll be the on to have the word "assimilate" removed from all texts and references...as you burn all of the books in the center of town square and rewrite history to your liking...

I see those who can't form a valid argument resort to calling me names. So be it. You only confirm that you're part of the problem not the solution.

As to the school system, that is an interesting area. A new report out yesterday shows how abysmal the graduation rates for urban schools are compared to other areas. But money is not the problem. For example here in Atlanta, the Atlanta City schools get the most money and spend more money per student than any other, far surpassing most of the rural areas. Yet, Atlanta graduates far fewer students. Why? Seriously, why? It isn't the money. Why is it, as was noted in another report, that one Atlanta school class had 6 out of 10 black female students are pregnant? Condoms and other birth control measures are freely available and ample instruction is given, so that's not an excuse. Could it be as a few of the girls interviewed say, that it is part of their culture somehow? How about the culture that advocates the ridicule and abuse my boyfriend received all through school because he chose to study and get good grades. He was accused of being an "oreo", and in fact he was assaulted BECAUSE he was graduating.

That's the whole point of what I've been trying to say. It is that very culture that is the root of the problem. It isn't America, it isn't the government, it isn't the "white man". Until the black community addresses the real reason for their problems, they will continue to languish. You can call me "dinosaur" and "racist" and other hateful words, which would all be wrong, but that isn't helping your cause any because you're still blaming someone else for your problems. The truth sometimes hurts, so you lash out and call the truth teller names. Why not grow up and stop pointing fingers and so something.

Beware wrote:

<quoted text>
And what gives you the authority to decide what other folks should believe? Seems to me like you're quite the bigot. Perhaps you'll be the on to have the word "assimilate" removed from all texts and references...as you burn all of the books in the center of town square and rewrite history to your liking...

Did I tell you what you or anybody else should believe? No. I merely asked YOU what gives you the right to decide what's right and tell anybody they need to assimilate aka disassociate myself with their heritage. What makes the American way of doing things the one and only way to do it? America was made up of immigrants ... and we all can bring something to the table to make things better. You, however, told me to assimilate ...(and by the way, Immigrate isn't spelled with an E).

Remember this --->>> 4. If you don't want to assimilate...then emmigrate to a country that wants you. II guarantee that they'll require amarketable skill before they let you enter their country though).
It's time to take RESPONSIBILITY for actions (or inactions) of those that do not want to assimilate. The TOOLS are THERE! Quit bitching and use your God- given talents and brains to do what is right! <<---- oh look a that, you told me to use my brains and do what's right.

Are you insinuating that I don't have any marketable skills? Are you saying that this country doesn't want me? Why don't they want me here? Is it you that doesn't want me here? Is it because I'm black? Is it because I dared to say that I believe some of the past mistakes of this country have contributed to the present state of affairs? Is it because I have exposed you to be a racist and a bigot by trying to engage you in an intelligent conversation?

As for rewriting history to my liking ... my liking would be to tell the whole truth about the history. Telling the truth and not the sanitized version we hear in school would take some re-writing. Many people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds made contributions to this country and very few of them have ever been acknowledged. There were also many atrocities committed.

Maybe the "founding fathers" didn't think things through or realize the snowball effect some of their decisions would have on future generations. Maybe by the time they realized some of the mistakes they made, they felt it was too late to fix it so they continued upon the course. Maybe they were too proud to admit they made mistakes. Maybe they realized how wrong they were, but were in fear of retalliation if they put everybody on an even playing field ... because unlike you ... they DID own slaves. And unlike you ... they DID massacre the Native Americans.

I NEVER made any bigotted statements about you or anybody else. I merely stated that there are some people (one of which is Rev. Wright) that may have some animosity towards white people and the establishment due to the HISTORY of the United States. I never said I agree with him 100 percent. I merely said I understand how some of those sentiments came about.

You, however, resorted to calling PEOPLE puppies which are 0 percent human and intimated some people are possibly not even from this planet when you called them aliens. Even in slavery times Blacks were considered 3/5 of a human being. So how does that prove you are a better person than anybody you have criticized?

fuzi wrote:

I see those who can't form a valid argument resort to calling me names. So be it. You only confirm that you're part of the problem not the solution.
As to the school system, that is an interesting area. A new report out yesterday shows how abysmal the graduation rates for urban schools are compared to other areas. But money is not the problem. For example here in Atlanta, the Atlanta City schools get the most money and spend more money per student than any other, far surpassing most of the rural areas. Yet, Atlanta graduates far fewer students. Why? Seriously, why? It isn't the money. Why is it, as was noted in another report, that one Atlanta school class had 6 out of 10 black female students are pregnant? Condoms and other birth control measures are freely available and ample instruction is given, so that's not an excuse. Could it be as a few of the girls interviewed say, that it is part of their culture somehow? How about the culture that advocates the ridicule and abuse my boyfriend received all through school because he chose to study and get good grades. He was accused of being an "oreo", and in fact he was assaulted BECAUSE he was graduating.
That's the whole point of what I've been trying to say. It is that very culture that is the root of the problem. It isn't America, it isn't the government, it isn't the "white man". Until the black community addresses the real reason for their problems, they will continue to languish. You can call me "dinosaur" and "racist" and other hateful words, which would all be wrong, but that isn't helping your cause any because you're still blaming someone else for your problems. The truth sometimes hurts, so you lash out and call the truth teller names. Why not grow up and stop pointing fingers and so something.

You mean like when Beware called people puppies and aliens when I told the truth? LOL. You haven't directly responded to what it is I have been saying this whole time. My whole point is and always has been that I understood why some people are distrustful and have some animosity towards America. I never said I totally agreed with all of it or any part of it, for that matter. I merely stated that the history of this country has contributed to the racial climate and inequities that still occur today. But rather than respond to what I said, you chose to spout off a slew of negative stereotypes and unfounded assumptions of me and black people as a whole as to what our problem is. Maybe the truth of what I said hit too close to home and hurt you too much for you to even acknowledge it. As for calling you a racist ... your own words speak louder than anything anybody else can say about you. Peace, man. You crack me up!

disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean like when Beware called people puppies and aliens when I told the truth? LOL. You haven't directly responded to what it is I have been saying this whole time. My whole point is and always has been that I understood why some people are distrustful and have some animosity towards America. I never said I totally agreed with all of it or any part of it, for that matter. I merely stated that the history of this country has contributed to the racial climate and inequities that still occur today. But rather than respond to what I said, you chose to spout off a slew of negative stereotypes and unfounded assumptions of me and black people as a whole as to what our problem is. Maybe the truth of what I said hit too close to home and hurt you too much for you to even acknowledge it. As for calling you a racist ... your own words speak louder than anything anybody else can say about you. Peace, man. You crack me up!

You can call me all sorts of names that aren't accurate, doesn't hurt me. But until you realize that it is your own black culture that is holding you down and not racism, you, as a people, will never gain anything other than what you already have. You can bitch and moan about being held back by racism, but the truth is that your own culture does you a disservice. It isn't me that is racist, it is you trying to blame me for everything that is wrong with your culture.
I wish you could realize that and move on, as a people, and gain contentment in your life. But I'm afraid you're doomed to wallow just as you are.

I'm happy and content. I wish you could be, as well.

fuzi wrote:

<quoted text>You can call me all sorts of names that aren't accurate, doesn't hurt me. But until you realize that it is your own black culture that is holding you down and not racism, you, as a people, will never gain anything other than what you already have. You can bitch and moan about being held back by racism, but the truth is that your own culture does you a disservice. It isn't me that is racist, it is you trying to blame me for everything that is wrong with your culture.
I wish you could realize that and move on, as a people, and gain contentment in your life. But I'm afraid you're doomed to wallow just as you are.
I'm happy and content. I wish you could be, as well.

Again ... I NEVER said anybody was holding me down. Nor did I say that I was being held down by racism. I never said there was something I didn't have that I wanted or felt I should have. In fact, I told you a little bit about what I do have. I never implied there was anything wrong with my culture. I never implied there was anything inherently wrong with White Americans nor are they bad people. I haven't bitched and moaned about poor little pitiful me and poor little pitiful black people.

What I said, and what you continually refuse to acknowledge, is that I can understand why some people feel the way that they do, and that the history of this country has contributed to the racial climate of today. I later added that people like you that refuse to discuss the real issue or address what is actually being said help to perpetuate the divide. When I say people like you, I'm not talking about any particular race, gender, religion or ethnicity. I'm talking about people that deliberately change the focus of what was said by throwing out a bunch of erroneous statements and assumptions. You are pissed that I don't fit your little narrow minded, stereotypic opinion of black people, so you keep labeling me with what's comfortable for you to believe and call it a fact. Like I said ... you are funny. And the more you protest - the more you tell on yourself.

Maybe our problem lies in our preconceived ideas about one’s culture or possibly our misunderstanding of one’s culture.

If we take for example the American culture we find within it many different sub-cultures. Our culture is made up of rich, poor, black, white, Hispanic and many others. Yet the outside world only sees us as the American culture. We have been called fat, lazy, materialistic, self-centered and greedy. Yet all of us know that these descriptions only fit a small portion of our society.

If one was asked to describe the Middle Eastern or Muslim culture most of your responses would be that they are terrorists who want to destroy the rest of the world because they hate the rest of the world. In reality the majority of Middle Easterners do not feel that way at all.

Many people assume that the gay culture is all about being flamboyant and having deviant sex. Many of us here on this forum know that this is not true.

When you take a look at Black American culture you will also find many sub-cultures. I do believe some of what all of us have said here is true. You will find blacks that use the system, that blame white America and many committing crimes. Yet I believe just as in my other examples it is only a segment of black Americans.

Within the white American culture there is still discrimination. We still see things based on color, race, sexual orientation and social status. I truly believe that most of us have risen above this or at least trying to. Yet prejudices still exist.

If we are truly honest with ourselves we all discriminate and are prejudice against that which we fear or do not understand. We must all share part of the blame and the responsibility. We must all open ourselves up to at least listening and trying to learn about each other. If we do not we will never begin to resolve the divisions that separate us.

I am not pointing fingers at anyone nor am I taking any side. I am only trying to share my opinions on why we still live in such a divided world. There is always truths on both sides of the fence and there are also misconceptions.

disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
Again ... I NEVER said anybody was holding me down. Nor did I say that I was being held down by racism. I never said there was something I didn't have that I wanted or felt I should have. In fact, I told you a little bit about what I do have. I never implied there was anything wrong with my culture. I never implied there was anything inherently wrong with White Americans nor are they bad people. I haven't bitched and moaned about poor little pitiful me and poor little pitiful black people.
What I said, and what you continually refuse to acknowledge, is that I can understand why some people feel the way that they do, and that the history of this country has contributed to the racial climate of today. I later added that people like you that refuse to discuss the real issue or address what is actually being said help to perpetuate the divide. When I say people like you, I'm not talking about any particular race, gender, religion or ethnicity. I'm talking about people that deliberately change the focus of what was said by throwing out a bunch of erroneous statements and assumptions. You are pissed that I don't fit your little narrow minded, stereotypic opinion of black people, so you keep labeling me with what's comfortable for you to believe and call it a fact. Like I said ... you are funny. And the more you protest - the more you tell on yourself.

Did you not see where I explicitly stated "as a people", meaning I was not referring to you specifically. Why can't you grasp that concept?

And again, you speak of a "divide", yet you fail to comprehend that I'm speaking of the same thing, however, I blame that "divide" on the black culture that perpetuates the "divide" and wallows in it. Until you, AS A PEOPLE, can get past that, you, AS A PEOPLE, will continue with the status quo.
I nor anyone else can make that happen for you, AS A PEOPLE, you, AS A PEOPLE, must do that for yourself, AS A PEOPLE.

Sorry if I have to keep repeating myself because you (MEANING YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL) can't seem to grasp the concept of nouns used as generalities.

fuzi wrote:

<quoted text>Did you not see where I explicitly stated "as a people", meaning I was not referring to you specifically. Why can't you grasp that concept?
And again, you speak of a "divide", yet you fail to comprehend that I'm speaking of the same thing, however, I blame that "divide" on the black culture that perpetuates the "divide" and wallows in it. Until you, AS A PEOPLE, can get past that, you, AS A PEOPLE, will continue with the status quo.
I nor anyone else can make that happen for you, AS A PEOPLE, you, AS A PEOPLE, must do that for yourself, AS A PEOPLE.
Sorry if I have to keep repeating myself because you (MEANING YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL) can't seem to grasp the concept of nouns used as generalities.

And what you project upon us as a people does not hold true to the majority of us as a people. True, there are those that fit into that category, but there are whites that would fit into that same category. You don't get it because you don't want to get it.

BTW there are two (2) similarly spelled words with opposite meanings;IMMIGRATE and EMIGRATE. Perhaps you can take your head out of the ground long enough to figure out which is which. And the text in which EMIGRATE was used; it was an invitation for you to leave (go to another country though I doubt they'd put up with you for more than a few weeks).
Hmmm as far aa assimilate: I learned the English Language. My sons are both college educated. My parents, grand-parents, great-grandparents and great-great grandparents ALL learned proper English. If it were not so...I would be speaking spanglish...franglish...or whatever Nordic dialect my ancestors sported. By the way...my daughter-in-law is a highly educated professional, as she would say...an AMERICAN of African descent. and speaks many languages; English being her most eloquent. THAT'S ASSIMILATION!!!

It's apparent your desire is to strike assimilate, aliens and puppies from the English language. Guess what...our immigration laws call those that are not "legally" in the U.S. "ILLEGAL ALIENS". If you want...go argue with the Chief Justices.
I'll tell you what; I have been around long enough to see and experience the devastation of war. I have taught snotty-nosed kids of your ilk...that have nothing better to do than protest and burn the very flag I laid down my life to protect...and spit on them when they come home from an unpopular war.
You have absolutely no idea who I am...but I have a pretty good idea of who you are. You grew up in a world that was CREATED by American INGENUITY... everything on a silver platter and now you have ALL the answers. Racist??? You wouldn't know one if a bus load ran over you...Bigot??? I guess anyone with half a brain that wants to presercve our Constitutional Republic is a BIGOT in your world.
Grow up! And be sure and tell the truth about blacks selling blacks into slavery in Africa.(Or have you already deleted that sordid fact from your history?).

disgusted wrote:

<quoted text>
Did I tell you what you or anybody else should believe? No. I merely asked YOU what gives you the right to decide what's right and tell anybody they need to assimilate aka disassociate myself with their heritage. What makes the American way of doing things the one and only way to do it? America was made up of immigrants ... and we all can bring something to the table to make things better. You, however, told me to assimilate ...(and by the way, Immigrate isn't spelled with an E)

Beware wrote:

BTW there are two (2) similarly spelled words with opposite meanings;IMMIGRATE and EMIGRATE. Perhaps you can take your head out of the ground long enough to figure out which is which. And the text in which EMIGRATE was used; it was an invitation for you to leave (go to another country though I doubt they'd put up with you for more than a few weeks).
Hmmm as far aa assimilate: I learned the English Language. My sons are both college educated. My parents, grand-parents, great-grandparents and great-great grandparents ALL learned proper English. If it were not so...I would be speaking spanglish...franglish...or whatever Nordic dialect my ancestors sported. By the way...my daughter-in-law is a highly educated professional, as she would say...an AMERICAN of African descent. and speaks many languages; English being her most eloquent. THAT'S ASSIMILATION!!!
It's apparent your desire is to strike assimilate, aliens and puppies from the English language. Guess what...our immigration laws call those that are not "legally" in the U.S. "ILLEGAL ALIENS". If you want...go argue with the Chief Justices.
I'll tell you what; I have been around long enough to see and experience the devastation of war. I have taught snotty-nosed kids of your ilk...that have nothing better to do than protest and burn the very flag I laid down my life to protect...and spit on them when they come home from an unpopular war.
You have absolutely no idea who I am...but I have a pretty good idea of who you are. You grew up in a world that was CREATED by American INGENUITY... everything on a silver platter and now you have ALL the answers. Racist??? You wouldn't know one if a bus load ran over you...Bigot??? I guess anyone with half a brain that wants to presercve our Constitutional Republic is a BIGOT in your world.
Grow up! And be sure and tell the truth about blacks selling blacks into slavery in Africa.(Or have you already deleted that sordid fact from your history?).
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You have missed the whole point of what I said to begin with. As far as blacks selling blacks ... that did happen. As did whites sold whites, natives, blacks, asians .. you name it. Slavery has been around since the beginning of time. Do I think it's right. No. Was the American institution of slavery the most brutal? Yes. As far as your service: Thank you for your service. I would never want to seem unappreciative of any of our service men and service women. And just as you have served in the military ... so have many blacks dating from slavery times to the present. My father served, and so have children of friends. This war is definitely an unpopular war, as was Vietnam. I don't agree with it ... but I do support our troops. As for having an idea of who I am ... you have no clue.

1noteasilyfooled wrote:

This man is a poor excuse for clergy.. I like the part about "a FEW glbt people came out to support"..Yeah, like there's alot of support.. NOT! he is only been friebdly to the glbt community because it means dollars!
Bottom line is dollars! Funny though, that the 'supporters' are black....

Totally agree and I'll add that he is a PUTZ.

I'll try this one last time. What I have been trying to say is that, right or wrong, I understand why there are Jeremiah Wrights and people that believe some of the things he does about whites and america. And in all fairness, I must say that I understand why there are whites that believe some of the negative stereotypes about blacks as a whole because that is what is portrayed in the media. That I have just as much white blood as I do black doesn't matter. That someone has in-laws or relatives of different races doesn't matter. That the people as a whole are being used as pawns does matter ... but everybody is too busy trying to ignore or justify past pains and injustices (on all sides) to figure it out.

In the meantime we're fighting amongst ourselves while many of our liberties and rights are slowly being taken away. It's our (meaning americans of all races) children, fathers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and loved ones being sent off to fight in wars while the powers that be sit in their little offices pushing paper and big businesses use the labor force overseas while their children attend Ivy League colleges or prance about in front of the camera being famous for being rich or famous.

The only color is green! Either you have it or you don't. If you have it you wanna keep it and get more. If you don't have it, you don't have any power. If you are somewhere in the middle, you are slowly becoming extinct. The way to camoflage all of that is to dance around the issues and throw in a bunch of innuendos and place the focus some place else and let the people self destruct. United we stand, divided we fall ... and somebody has done a good job in making sure we stay divided.