ProfD

I have Haitian friends who have nice set-ups in their home country but the instability there makes it harder for them to really enjoy it.

Most heterosexual women want a masculine man. In a warped way, thugs. gangsters and athletes give off that vibe. A weak dude doesn't make a woman feel safe on his watch. A woman wants to feel protected from harm or danger. She wants to be satisfied in bed. There's a shortage of strong black men. As a result, some women are either sharing a man and/or satisfying their wants and needs by picking among the litter including those who are as Jay-Z rapped..."locked up, behind bars".

@Cynique, I totally agree with your response. There is an element among AfroAmericans that is extremely toxic. We definitely need to clean up our own house. While institutionalized racism caused the conditions, only black folks can break those cycles of dysfunction. IMO, the responsibility for solving ALL problems that plague black people falls on the black man. We should be the leaders, providers, disciplinarians and protectors of our race. As long as black men fail to lead the charge, black folks will repeat cycles of dysfunction and be victims of racism white supremacy.

Black folks have always been naturally beautiful but that has never kept us from turning up by accessorizing i.e. hair, nails, clothes, shoes, etc. I'm so very proud of our sisters who are not only beautiful in appearance and great physical shape but they're also smart and intelligent and savvy when it comes to handling their business too. As a counter to the negativity and stereotypes that come with obesity, it would be awesome if our athletes used their platforms to motivate black folks into becoming more physically fit too. There is a huge health benefit to being in great shape without training for the Olympics. The accessories I cannot get with are tattoos and eyelashes. I realize it's the thing among younger people. I'm an old man. Otherwise, I applaud their successes.

While I usually stay out religion discussions, my inner comedic will not let an opportunity pass. Genetics would suggest that a lot of dysfunctional people would be born out of those unnatural unions. @Chevdove, don't be offended my sista....I remember the last time I interjected humor in your scholarly work. OK...back to my corner of what black folks need to do in terms of racism, entrepreneurship and self-defense.

@Cynique, the reality of what is happening in Chicagoland and black cities around the US begs the following questions: 1) What are the conditions that fuel crime among black folks? 2) Who created the conditions that lead to crimes among black folks? 3) How did guns and drugs get into black communities? You're correct...institutionalized racism is very real and it answers every question. Here I go again...blacks need to figure how destroy the system that literally has blacks folks killing themselves directly and indirectly.

Many folks were already buying these weapons way before the media went into overdrive in their mass shooting reports. Now, I believe more folks are buying AR-15s and other firearms believing gun laws will change and make it harder for them to do so in the future. It's basically the same crackpots whose mentality is *their* country is being taken away from them.

Not at all. I would never advocate killing someone who did not deserve it. I believe in the greater good of humanity. Only racist murderer(s) would be handled. It would be carried out by a covert, well trained, paramilitary-style protection force. A while ago, there was a thread in which I did not elaborate on my thoughts regarding this issue because this is a public discussion board. My point is that it would only take a handful of executions before racists got the message not to f8ck with black folks.

Mass shooting is misleading because it is defined as an event with 2 or more victims. Of course, the media is going to sensationalize and spin it to gain more viewers and readers. I would like to believe most rationale people will not run out and buy AR-15s due to mass shooting reports. However, whenever the media sensationalizes a weather event or pandemic or potential food shortage, the same folks do run out and buy flashlights, duct tape, cases of bottled water, toilet paper and potted meat.

@Stefan, while your questions were directed to @Pioneer1, I would like to offer the following: Most black folks are inherently afraid of everything white supremacy represents. Fear is the main reason the system thrives. A long time ago, if black folks had killed every white racist that has ever murdered one of our own, things would be totally different for black people in this country. So, I would love for gangbangers to turn their guns on white racists who murder our brothers and sisters. I do not believe George Zimmerman should still be alive today. The same goes for the Buffalo shooter. They should have been dealt with immediately. I cannot think of a better reason for a strong black men to go to prison or to the graveyard than putting white folks on notice that if they kill one of us, they're going to lose one too. Our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters get it. They are labelled as terrorists but they're actually fighting imperialism which is the extended arm of white supremacy. Interestingly, black folks will join the military where their *job* is to kill or be killed in defense of country, freedom and democracy.

I'd still like to read your perspective on how black folks should protect themselves when shooters show up.

I kinda figured as much based on your side swipes at my position on gun ownership. Again, it's all good. Firearms are not for everyone. Do whatever it takes to insure your own safety. Let me know how that shoe or frying pan works out when a shooter shows up.

@Pioneer1, private and charter schools are excellent for exposing children to a curriculum based upon shared values. However, public schools are funded by taxpayer dollars. Parents have a say so in what their kids are taught but they have to get involved. Parents should not be using public schools as daycare centers and social service providers while they f8ck, party and BS. Look no further than how white folks shut down any semblance of bringing CRT (Critical Race Theory) to a classroom in their public schools. In fact, white folks are willing to go into the school library and remove every book containing the words slavery, race, critical and theory. People have to stop letting public systems dictate the rules of engagement. That is out of order like a bathroom with an overflowing toilet.

It reads like a great business opportunity for black investors. Appeal to athletes, entertainers and others who spend their money utilizing livery vehicle services anyway. IMO, this is the main reason black wealth is stagnant. Our people are way behind the 8 ball when it comes to entrepreneurship and reinvesting our resources. In fact, business should be a fundamental part of the black educational process beyond learning how to read and write; speak and spell. The *jobs* white folks have been so gracious to provide are going to dry up one day. Black folks won't be able to fault anyone else for failing to create businesses leading to self-sufficiency. Stop waiting for someone else to hand out opportunities and learn how to make it happen by any means necessary.

@Stefan, I'm the proponent of blacks arming themselves and I've already stated that they do so legally and responsibly. For me, it doesn't matter whether it's open carry or home defense as along as the person meets the criteria above by taking a gun safety course. Black folks are getting shot regardless of whether they're unarmed or armed. Either way, we lose. Ultimately, owning and maintaining firearms is a personal decision. I respect the fact that it's not for everyone. I just hope scared azz black folks especially dudes don't come running up behind me looking for protection if/when sh8t goes sideways.

Several years ago, they started the Tea Party. It was eventually absorbed into the GOP. @Pioneer1 is right...it's just another mask. Everything else remains the same.

Interestingly, this just came out....The View': Joy Behar Says Gun Laws Will Definitely Change ‘Once Black People Get Guns in This Country’.

They practice and stay ready for war whether it is blowing up federal buildings to storming the US Capitol and mass shootings. I would not advocate that level of extremism. It makes zero sense to tear up the place where one lives and/or to destroy people for no reason. But, that's why my message is about being able to defend ourselves. We do not have an idea or a clue of what these clowns will do next.

Sure. Soft targets are everywhere. Texans also cannot understand how or why they didn't take that sumab8tch down sooner.

Texas has open carry gun laws and people do not seem to be afraid to live there. A loaded gun isn't the enemy. We should be more concerned about who is strapped and their ideology and intentions. Solve the problem of racism white supremacy and the number of firearms can be reduced.

@Troy and @Stefan make similar counter-arguments as it relates to guns. I understand that unfortunately, some folks are victims of their own weaponry and/or folks get hurt or killed due to irresponsible storage, etc. Despite the murder rate among black folks as reported by the media, most black folks are actually afraid of guns. White folks know it too. Again, I'm not only looking at gun ownership solely as a form of protection. If black folks start buying up firearms, it would be a deterrent to both criminals and race soldiers too. Criminals are less likely to attack someone not knowing whether or not they are strapped. From personal experience, I know of far more instances where folks were able to avoid getting robbed and/or killed because they were able to brandish a firearm. Situational awareness in order to avoid being the victim of a crime is another conversation. But, it aligns with legal and responsible firearm ownership too. Amazingly, black folks will spend money putting alarm systems on their homes and vehicles. But, the thought of having an alarm system on their hip and/or in a purse as a deterrent makes them nervous. Yet again, I'm not advocating wild west style vigilantism. I'm suggesting personal protection as a deterrent and equalizer if necessary.

@Troy, you're absolutely right about modern media and the 24/7/365 cycles of *news* folks are receiving constantly via handheld devices. While the algorithms work overtime feeding into fragile emotions, it will take a certain amount of re-education to get folks to learn how to filter out the noise. Otherwise, I know I'm in the minority around here when it comes to gun ownership. But, I think it's absolutely necessary for black folks to legally obtain firearms and learn how to use them properly. I'm from a place where we believe that staying ready means you don't have get ready for whatever.

More black folks need to get into the business of providing transportation services.

@Stefan, I don't miss too much of anything. I thought it was awesome and absolutely necessary that black men own in Louisiana showed up with their legally obtained firearms to show the white folks who were openly brandishing their own at peaceful protest that we can get down like that too. Since you and I seem to be diametrically opposed as it relates to black folks owning firearms, please enlighten me on the best way for black folks to *not* be sitting ducks when white folks armed to the teeth decide to open fire on us at will. Again, the Buffalo shooter went after the Tops Supermarket specifically because it was a *soft* target filled with unarmed black folks. He already knew they had one armed security guard. That's why he wore body armor. I'm not advocating that black folks illegally obtain firearms. Nor am I suggesting that black folks should obtain firearms without training. I believe black folks should take all of the necessary steps to arm themselves legally and responsibly.

That's still the unspoken excuse today. There is no other reason to own an assault rifle in a *civilized* society.