Leaderboard

By no means am I underestimating white power or it's destructive impact. And we know how large numbers of whites can be galvanized by racist appeals, But the monolithic notion of white unity is a fallacy. Talking and thinking about whites as a unified group ignores whites' self-perception as individuals. It also fails to take class and gender inequality into consideration. More importantly, it disempowers black people fighting for positive social change by focusing on some kind of unattainable " black unity" to counter racism and economic injustice. Because white people are so numerous and relatively well off in most ways as a group compared to black people it's easy to think they are constantly motivated by some sense of racial consciousness. Of course, discrimination against us makes it seem that way. But whites think of themselves as individuals first and foremost. They come together only to the extent that certain individuals see mutual benefit in doing so. They compete and they conflict in all kinds of ways and whiteness is never a consideration unless or until black people come along. However not all whites are racist, nor have they ever supported it. White people do things for each other out of moral consideration or self-interest not whiteness. But it's important to recognize economic inequality and the class divide. Rich white capitalists past and present have often exploited and undermined all workers regardless of race. So radical and reform minded whites have fought to tame Capitalism or Socialists have called for its abolition. By reforming the socioeconomic system (think - center left liberalism) through the New Deal America became a better place mainly for white working people. None of this excludes male domination and sexism against women. White men felt justified as men denying women regardless of color the right to vote or do anything else in society until women mostly whites fought for social change. Even in that endeavor race complicated things. Black men and women fighting against racism also challenged gender inequality. But many white women fighting sexism past, and present are racist too. The challenge is for black people who oppose racism, sexism, and economic injustice to build mass support for social change among other blacks and non-blacks. It is important to recognize that black people differ among themselves too. Some oppose activist struggle for change. They believe in adaptation or accommodation. There are wealthy blacks who don't want the economy changed. Other blacks believe in male domination over women black or white. Black people have all kinds of views. We are Black Nationalists, Socialists, Conservatives, Moderates, Democrats, and Republicans. Some of us think improvement is collective while others are individualist. Ultimately unity in some monolithic sense is not possible.

Hello Folks. Just stopping by to extend Holiday Greetings, and inform that I'm still alive and kickin', doing OK. I do check things out here occasionally, hoping to find something that captivates my interest, (avoiding the verbal diarrhea of black unity's main proponent), grateful for the Pepto Bismo Kenneth always provides with his insightful observations. My cynicism, as usual, prevails and I remain indifferent about the "what-black-folks-need-to-do" litany. In my opinion, black folks are ironically becoming enslaved by racism, aided and abetted by a vocal minority sending the message that unless African Americans are absolved and excused of all wrong doing and rewarded and compensated by being disproportionately represented in every field of endeavor, the debt of slavery will never be paid. But there's a world of difference between this black narrative and reality because, as everybody agrees, there is so much diversity among people of color that no one group can speak for all. I also agree with Troy who often suggests that class is really what categorizes. The politics of Liberalism and Conservatism are what polarize. in spite of everything, I remain a moderate Trump-hatin-Democrat. One reason I am not really upset about the direction toward which the lbgtq movement is taking Society is because unless everybody is everything, there will be no equality. The coming generations will adjust. They are the future. What say you, Del? Back to my cave.

And most White people become aware such a system exists and what the rules to it are.....around 14 or 15.

I have noticed that the twenty somethings date a person not a gender. The thing I think about the most is legitimacy and credentials. White people live in a different world as do men and women , or another group. And that does seem to be the nature of things. There is a pecking order and there is one chicken that gets pecked by all the other chickens. I think success is a chimera or it is something that we can't attain rather others confer it on us. I also have been thinking about the metrics that we use to gauge other people. I feel that is a prison that is difficult to break free totally. I saw a movie called American Pimp. To be successful is to make money literally off a women's back, give her only clothes, food and shelter. Yet not build any wealth but to be a conspicuous consumer. I am trying not to judge other people, even criticism comes easily when it is about other's deficiency instead of your own. My father said different ethnics groups control or run certain areas of life in New York City. The Irish police it, the Italians have the Mafia, the News have the Diamond District and the Blacks enjoy it. I think it's important to know what game you're in and what your time is in that game. And while I hope you find 5he answers you seek. I am glad that you are not yet bored with life. I have been experimenting with time and magic. I believe in order to be free you have to have freedom of thought. Which I think requires immersion in fields that are foreign to your natal culture or field before turning 30 or so. I am bored with life but I am interested in the nature of time and people.

Thanks, Pioneer, for replying and your compliments. The emphasis on Black Unity to counter supposed White Unity can keep us from being pragmatic or dealing with problems among ourselves. This is especially true when talking about economic issues or class. Think about it. We wrongly think about economic development in terms of buying black through service and industrial firms. Such thinking is outdated. Blacks need to be involved in growth industries like technology and healthcare where we can get anybody and everybody's money. Moreover, we need to recognize that rich black people and Capitalism isn't always good for majority of black people who are workers. Secondly, black unity can blind us to sexism and homophobia within black communities. We often talk about liberation only to elevate black men to an equal place with white men while women of both races are subordinated and unjustly treated. How many of us in the name of black unity and opposing racism gave R Kelly a pass for raping and abusing young black women? The same thing is true with Culturally conservative Black Nationalist rhetoric that denigrates black LGBTQ people as acting white and being immoral at the expense of black families, manhood, and community. Lastly, we need to understand that white people are not all the same. Some of them past and present are allies in the fight for freedom and justice. Others can be persuaded if we are willing to make the effort. The idea of white or black unity can blind us to the possibilities for change.