NAACP in Columbia, SC on MLK Day covers Washington statue with a box!

[kal]

Besides he set his slaves free when he died

That's like saying, "Besides, the rapist stopped raping your daughter after he passed out. So it's not a problem."

Slavery ended about 150 years ago but what I do know?

And the oppression that still followed has no history?

They are oppressing themselves because they aren't progressing as a race.

I think that's because there's more collectivism than individualism in the black community. It's a "we" vs "I" thing. The individualist blacks tend to come out successful in life like any other person from any other race who has that mentality. The collectivists continue to hold themselves down.

[jklaughrey]

As a whole they are holding themselves down, but individually I agree they are successful. I have many friends from all races, creeds, etc... And since we are discussing "blacks", I can safely say my friends of that color are successful and don't associate themselves with the common rhetoric of the assclowns who claim to be the leaders of the black community and nation.

[mhanna91]

Did anyone listen to Bill Cunningham on 700 WLW am on MLK day when he interviewed the college director about how MLK would have felt if her were here to see all of the changes our nation has made to ensure equality for blacks?

It was pretty good, and would provide the perfect answer to discussions like this one.

[armakraut]

The current problems blacks have are more related to how the government encouraged the destruction of the family, rather than any "racial" difference. Ann Coulter basically proved that the difference in criminality between blacks and whites vanishes when adjusted for one factor, single parent household. Blacks tend to live tightly congregated in urbanized areas where they are subjected to state subsidized propaganda 24/7, and a unionized teaching industry that has no incentive to perform. Been this way for 50 years. No family, no education, welfare, and a steady diet of BS. Everybody else in this country is headed in the same direction unless the ship gets righted.

Recent African immigrants hold college degrees at just under a 50% rate. For other blacks in this country it's under 20%. Race has nothing to do with it. It's largely determined by family stability and geographics.

[Sry0fcr]

That's like saying, "Besides, the rapist stopped raping your daughter after he passed out. So it's not a problem."

And the oppression that still followed has no history?

I think that's because there's more collectivism than individualism in the black community. It's a "we" vs "I" thing. The individualist blacks tend to come out successful in life like any other person from any other race who has that mentality. The collectivists continue to hold themselves down.

At some point, blacks are going to have to let it go. No it doesn't make it right, we should all acknowledge what happened, & learn from it so that we don't repeat past mistakes but what's done is done and we need to move FORWARD. If things hadn't been the way they were I could be sitting in some mud hut in Africa starving to death if I hadn't already been machete'd by some asshole so he could eat my heart & drink my blood to gain my strength. That and I'd prefer not to let all the suffering my ancestors endured go in vain.

[MaceWindu]

It's possible that whoever set up the event put that there as a better backdrop for the speaker for both the crowd and television—look at the podium placement and the TV-friendly covering on the box. At least it seems like less of a stretch than covering it over some idea that Washington was racist and has no place at an NAACP event.

Superb observation. A distinct, logical possibility not even considered. This would render this thread a moot point.

Race issues are rarely an easy subject to discuss on any forum, let alone M4C. Some of these "analytical" replies from some of these posters, painting an entire race of people with a braod brush are simply illogical.

"All Blacks...", "What these people need to do...", "The problem with Blacks is..."....Really, you've got it all figured out huh?


This thread will be going south quickly...good luck.

MW

[500grains]

Eliminate all welfare and other social programs and suddenly we will see blacks support themselves, avoid crime, rely on family structures, etc.

Try to imagine that.

The biggest enemy of the black man is a politician with a big "D" next to his name.

[Suwannee Tim]

If we are to judge folks by their relationship to the old institution of slavery we should first define who perpetrated slavery, who was harmed by slavery and who benefited from it. Of the perpetrators, all of the slave owners are dead. The victims of slavery were obviously the black Africans captured and transported into slavery against their will and their descendants who were held in slavery. Other victims of slavery were white non-slave owning Southerners who tried to earn a living having to compete against slave labor. The beneficiaries of slavery were of course the slave owners but also, modern day black Americans, the descendants of slaves. If it were not for slavery these folks would live in the squalor, poverty and repression of sub-Saharan Africa. These folks should honor George Washington and other slave owners who made it possible for them to be Americans.

[RogerinTPA]

At some point, blacks are going to have to let it go. No it doesn't make it right, we should all acknowledge what happened, & learn from it so that we don't repeat past mistakes but what's done is done and we need to move FORWARD. If things hadn't been the way they were I could be sitting in some mud hut in Africa starving to death if I hadn't already been machete'd by some asshole so he could eat my heart & drink my blood to gain my strength. That and I'd prefer not to let all the suffering my ancestors endured go in vain.

Agreed, however...the overwhelming majority who are not educated and live in poverty in most urban setting, will not. They will cling to the oppressed/victim ideals that are past down from family and church. I grew up in inner city Detroit in the 60s and 70s. My father was a retired Army officer and entrepreneur. He always stated that my performance, ability to excel and motivation, would always outweigh the color of my skin...it was up to me whether I would be successful or live out my life in the projects and government assisted welfare. He felt that is was a laziness of the mind, body and spirit, to accept existence under those conditions, while blaming white people for their collective despair. It was his mantra, that made me decide I was not going to live my life like many of my friends, their families and school mates. Many in my neighborhood excelled, dispite the racial tensions of that period. The main issue falls back to the old "It's everyone's fault but ours", and failing to rise up and out of poverty. Blaming everyone else for your problems and failing to do something about it, will only get you so far. Zero meters in my book. Sucking on the Government tit for so long has encouraged that state of poverty and entitlement, in that sector of the black community, not only cherishes, but embraces. Many successful blacks, consider it a "slave mentality" which can be a two sided coin in itself, depending on how the term is used. The militant types would consider successful blacks, as having a slave mentality, for conforming to social norms of whites, having a career, education and wealth, which is quite ironic.

[Irish]

The other side of the argument it this: I might not agree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it. They have a right to assemble in peace, they have a right to say what they want to say as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others.

Was there a need to cover up the statue? IMHO, no. But hey, this is America and we are afforded these freedoms and choices. Just food for thought...

Now, if they would have damaged it, or rendered it beyond repair? Then someone needs to go to jail and fork up some $$$ for damages and repair. Someone just need remove the wood cover and all is back to normal.

MW

You make some very valid points. I still think it's pretty pointless unless you count the fact that it's getting them time in the media spotlight, which was probably their intention in the first place. They win, we're talking about them and their silly actions. Have a good day.