ProfD

VP Kamala Harris is Black if these are her parents. It has been reported that her Indian mother identified as white on a census form several decades ago. Her father identifies as a Jamaican-American. He's Black just like Bob Marley was despite complexion. Several decades ago, golfer Tiger Wioods went through the same identity confusion. I wonder if it's only American Blacks who have this affliction of self-identity confusion. Black folks can self-identify however they choose but one thing is certainly clear...white folks will always see them as Black people and they will treat them accordingly.

The media has kept former POTUS Orange Julius relevant ever since he left the White House. Everytime I hear him referred to as president, I'm wondering if he's co-running the country with POTUS PJB. Maybe POJ is running the red side. It definitely applies to Congress. They don't do anything without his blessing.

Police in the US are overly militarized especially in major cities. In fact, US police departments have access to surplus military equipment (weapons, vehicles, tactical gear, etc.). Very few American police officers walk around twirling batons, smiling at citizens and playing with kids.

Racism white supremacy doesn't discriminate when it comes to making a profit and winning. America has always used Black folks for everything from building the country to all forms of entertainment (sports, music, TV, film, etc.). Otherwise, the BS that comes with racism never ends. It is ongoing when the games are over, curtain drops and the lights go out.

Excellent. Exactly the type of inquiry, investigation and accountability needed to combat transgressions against Black folks. Let's see if the Black media picks up and runs with this letter. I'm fairly certainly Stephen A. Smith won't touch it with a 10-foot pole. The main reason racism white supremacy continues to win is because too many Black folks are burying their heads in the sand and pretending like it doesn't exist.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kamala-harris-trump-election-08-06-24/index.html Yesterday, VP Kamala Harris selected Governor Tim Walz (MN) as her running mate in bid for the White House. VP Harris' pick makes political sense because Gov. Walz ticks the boxes in appealing to swing voters. America is most comfortable with a paternalistic older white man either in the White House or in close proximity to it. In the spirit of the Olympics,if the Democrats were a gymnastics team, before POTUS PJB had a debacle of a debate and cognitive decline, he fell off the balance beam and failed to stick the landing. However, once POTUS PJB dropped out of the race and endorsed VP Kamala Harris and now selecting Gov. Walz to join the ticket, the Democrats may have redeemed themselves and still have a chance to win a Gold medal.

I don't know. Black folks in the USA have consistently voted Democratic since 1933. Not sure that it matters much considering what we have gotten from that party over almost 100 years.

I believe most Black people who are eligible and registered to vote exercise it. That's interesting because men of all races couldn't vote until 1870. To answer your question anyway, Black candidates need to offer Black voters tangible benefits. More importantly, Black folks need to form our own political party.

Historically....Black candidates and non-Black too haven't had to do anything in order to earn Black votes. The majority of Black folks have voted along the same party line for several decades and counting. That voting trend will continue as long as Black folks are satisfied with the status quo...nothing in return for their vote. The tide will only change when Black folks understand politics is transactional. Voters should get something in return. Rest assured that AIPAC exists for a very real reason. They're putting money up to secure their interests too.

The UK riots stem from anti-immigrant sentiment. The white folks are tired of Muslims coming to their country. AfroAmericans don't have any business getting into that UK situation just like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. AfroAmericans have enough problems here in America. No need to get distracted. We haven't fixed our own house.

Throughout recorded history, it seems humans have always sub-divided themselves into tribes based on continent, country, culture, ethnicity, etc. Race may be a social construct derived several hundred years ago but it is definitely used to differentiate groups of people and place them into tribes based on skin color. At one point in time, Americans identified themselves by ethnicity until it became socially beneficial to close ranks and classify themselves as white.

Most British cops do not carry firearms. Only a few specialized folks do. They only show up with firearms in special circumstances. i'm not surprised by the police response to the protests in the UK. It doesn't qualify for bringing deadly force into a mostly homogeneous society. Same thing happens in the US and elsewhere in the world when the protesters and police look alike.

The short answer is...they cannot do it. Surely, the athletes have been encouraged to leave their grievances and feelings about whatever is going on in the world outside the Olympic village. None of them will be speaking out against wars or murders.

If the GOP maintains control of the House and flips the Senate and if they're willing to ride with former POTUS OJ, they could change laws and roll America back 100 years. Going a step further, if former POTUS OJ decides he wants a lifetime appointment, a GOP run Congress could make that happen too. Ultimately, it depends on the America white folks really want. That remains to be seen over the next few years.

In the grand scheme of things, most cisgender men desire women for the same reason and purpose. Any *difference* is just a flavor choice. That's also why most men truly do not recognize or respect women even when they're in *power* positions. Subconsciously, men will never really see women as their equal. America is great at providing the illusion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It's a front on all levels. Especially between gender.

Politicians ignore their Black voter base for 3.5 years until it's time for re-election. Then, they wanna get that azz to the poles, er, polls. True. We've been through 4 years of POTUS OJ talking loud and saying nothing as James Brown sang. Not really. That's why my constant refrain is both political parties are two sides of the same coin. White folks don't lose whichever way the wind blows. Right. Sentencing was pushed back. Cases were dismissed. Seems to be much about nothing. Once they realized he was going to be the GOP nominee...white privilege kicked into overdrive and everything else started to evaporate. The game is easy to see. Just a matter of either opening one's eyes or getting their head out of the sand.

Back in the 1800s, the Freedmen's Bureau was a US government agency. It was run by black folks. Right now, there is still a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). It is an agency within Department of Interior. BIA is headed by folks of Native Indians descent. Establishing a similar agency run by AfroAmericans would manage reparations. They would be responsible for identifying FBA through genealogy, allocating resources to institutions and cutting checks to individuals. The main hurdles to reparations start with Black folks who 1) don't believe we deserve it, 2) don't believe it can happen and 3) fail to codify what reparations should entail.

Some Black folks are excelling in those areas. It creates a sense of complacency within the group especially among those who live vicariously through the achievement and/or success of others. The Olympics is all about fun and games; the best athletes competing at the highest level. Any form of entrainment can be used as a distraction or temporary escape from whatever comes with daily life. But, we celebrate these men and women who train their minds and bodies to do extraordinary things. The greater society could learn a lesson from athletes in how mental and physical fitness can achieve anything to include solving problems.

Team USA Black folks showing out and winning medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris: Simone Biles--1 Gold (Women's Gymnastics Team Final), 1 Gold (Women's Gymnastics All Around Final) Sha'carri Richardson--1 Silver (Women's 100M Final Jordan Chiles--1 Gold--Women's Gymnastics Team Final Fred Richard--1 Bronze--Men's Gymnastics Team Final Lauren Scruggs--1 Gold (Women's Individual Foil Fencing, 1 Silver (Women's Team Foil Fencing) Simone Manuel--1 Silver (Women's Swimming 4X100M Freestyle Relay), 1 Silver (Women's Swimming 4X200M Freestyle Relay) Nyjah Huston--1 Bronze (Men's Street Skateboarding) Naya Tapper--1 Bronze (Women's Rugby Sevens) Kristen Thomas--1 Bronze (Women's Rugby Sevens) Ariana Ramsey--1 Bronze (Women's Rugby Sevens) Noah Lyles--1 Gold (Men's 100M Final) Will update the list as the medals continue to pile up.

I don't believe former POTUS OJ is gaining more Black supporters in as much as Democrats are losing them due to a lack of tangible benefits.

I believe it's more fear than anything else. Psychologically damaged and PTSD inherited genetically. However, Black folks cannot afford to be indifferent because these murders will continue happening. Just a matter of time before it hits closer to home.

They thought he'd come in humble and sit down and answer their questions. Clearly, they didn't think it through well enough. Some Black folks act like the abused person in a toxic relationship. No matter how badly they're mistreated....they still believe it will get better and want to find a way to make it work.

They are praying and turning the other cheek. The sky fairly gonna fix it.

True that. But, in order to have dialog, we have to discuss something. I don't watch Love & Hip-Hop or Real Housewives of [insert city here]. It's all good. The bottom line is that we are having a discussion. Maybe it will give others something to think about regardless of whether or not they agree. Many believe Black folks have made a considerable amount of progress between 1624-2024. I certainly would not deny that things are different now. But, as MLK Jr. said in his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" sermon..."I wouldn't stop there....". Since killing the devil is not a popular option, until Black folks escape the prison of racism white supremacy and either become self-sufficient or replace it with a system of justice, there is still work to do.

@frankster, your understanding of the game is on point. You're right. The reality and most likely outcome in terms of expectations from politicians should not stop Black folks from 1) becoming more organized with our political capital and 2) demanding tangible benefits in exchange for getting folks into political offices including the White House. Every 4 years, the media blitz wants to know how Black folks plan to vote. No other group of people are singled out, pandered to, guilted or berated for whether or not they choose to vote. Nobody cares how Asians, Arabs, East and West Indians, Hispanics, LGBTQIA+, etc., plans to vote. There is no campaign for [insert group here] to get their booty, chopsticks, crocs, turban, taco or rainbow flag to the polls. If the Black vote is so crucial to getting elected, candidates should be willing to provide tangible benefits. Of course, Black folks have to put an agenda on the table. Quid Pro Quo.