Cynique

In the circles I roll in, black women had a higher opinion of Condeleeza than black men, Troy. Condi was smart and articulate and worked her way up to a high position but, insecure "brothers" preferred to ridicule her and portray her as being enamoured of the president. She didn't do a lot of sucking up which is why people like Dick Cheney resented her. "Inside sources" say that "Dubya" depended on her for advice and respected her opinions, and in this capacity, she did wield a degree of power. To me, General Colin Powell was masquerading as a politician. He always seemed to be smirking at the Republicans and winking at the Democrats. He had that teflon facade and black folks don't seemed to have blamed him for the weapons of mass destruction fiasco. Now he's a very popular motivational speaker at black events. Moderate Republicans can make the cut with the black award-bestowers, but if they didn't give Michael Steele his props as the first black Chairman of the Repubican National Committee, I doubt if they'll acknowledge Herman Cain's becoming the CEO of a pizza company. All of the awards handed out by traditionally liberal black organizations do seem to be focused more on celebrity than accomplishment - a testament to their vapidity. boitumelo's view represents the mixed emotions black people experience. Black ministers of today take a lot of heat because they seem so greedy and ineffective but everybody agrees that our race needs spiritual renewal. Black Republicans seem to be more reflective of personal success than black Democrats who appeal to the rank-and-file black folks, but neither party has been able to make a big difference in the plight of America's black population. Barack Obama is a symbol of this impotency.

Well, boitumelo, in your repetitioius rants, you generalize too much about black preachers. All of them are not corrupt child molesters, and most black celebrities, although not activists, do contribute money to civil rights causes and charities, if for no other reason than to provide them with tax write-offs. In fact, to polish their images and boost their careers a lot of them establish foundations in their names to create the impression that they are "giving back". Certain activists are, themselves, professionals who earn their living by raising funds for popular causes, a good perentage of these funds going to pay their high salaries. It's all a big sham. Republicans are just "persona non grata" presences in high profile black organizations, because too many of them are preceived as Uncle Toms. Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell have escaped this stigma, but Clarence Thomas and Herman Cain just exude that shuffling quality of sucking up to white people, their attitudes implying that I got mine, now all of you sorry-assed niggas need to find a way to get yours. Real humanitaries and philanthropists don't require trophies and plaques. Their rewards are derived from the satisfaction of helping those in need.

Yes, Troy, it does sound justified, but the family of the deceased is, of course, telling a different story, claiming the cop didn't identify himself as being a policeman. In a confrontation between the popos and a black man, there are always 2 different versions of what happened because of the adversarial dynamic that exists between them. I would like to know if the cop was white or black. What I do know is that in so many of these shootings involving young children, too often these babies are places where they shouldn't be at a time of night when they ought to be inside their homes instead out with someone who is not watching them carefully. Seems like every month an unattended young child is falling out an apartment window. Meanwhile, even the notorious Reverend Jeremiah Wright is speaking out on all of the violence, saying that the system is not going to fix things, and that black folks will have to look inward to save themselves from themselves. Incidentially, in the hood, the city is now being referred to as "Chiraq".

The presidential race is getting more "spooky" with these 2 challenging the HNIC in charge.

Are you any kin to WaterStar, "mystic woman"?

I think anything that requires black kids to expand their imaginations and inspire their creativity is good. Reading and writing science fiction actually serves a dual purpose because it can be a fun way to encourage an interest in science along with providing a way to improve writing skills. It is also an activity that can wean these youngsters off the mind-numbing video games that only serve to make them an extension of someone else's imagination ]

The link below details a familiar scenario that plays itself out all over America; black folks and cops seem to be natural enemies. This incidents hits very close to "home" with me, as the sides line up to accuse each other. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-man-killed-in-maywood-20120811,0,1283215.story Here's another newstory that is stunning Chicagoland's black community. Here is the problem. What is the solution??? http://jobs.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/index.html?story=14348576

Chicago's western suburbs all have a very rich history in regard to the Blacks in their midst, WriterGirl, a presence that dated back to the mid 1900s. Small clusters of black people led their separate lifes in these little towns and were tolerated by white residents - as long as they stayed in their place. Although their incomes were meager, these families all embodied middle-class values and nurtured hopes and dreams for the good life. Before I was even born, a cousin of mine was sent north to live with my parents in the suburb where they settled, so he could attend the local high school which was a very prestigious one at the time. He graduated from this school in the class of 1926, one of 4 other blacks. Years later, I was told by one of his black classmates that because my cousin was so handsome and smart all of the white girls just adored him, and his teachers loved him. While attending college back in Nashville, he died at age 22 when he was injured in an automobile accident and treatment was delayed because a white hospital had to be found that would treat him...

Sad commentary on how far America has fallen when the main thing it is providing its citizens with nowadays is material for ridicule... ...as MItt Romney announces his cookie cutter conservative choice for a running mate, and Barack Obama snubs the traditional 75 year old back-to-school parade politicians all over Chicago and Cook county participate in to placate black voters, - and makes plans to attend a private fund raiser bash to be hosted by NBA stars, including Michael Jordan. Meanwhile, much to the disgust of his constituents, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. is lolling away at the Mayo Clinic supposedly recovering from the depression brought on by the post traumatic stress that is a side-effect of his stapled stomach weight-loss surgery.

”Maybe you should stop ranting about racism long enough to put your ageism in check, WaterStar. Youth is wasted on the young and wine mellows with age. Among the things that mellowing entails is the revelation that laughter is good medicine along with taming the ego and realizing the value of self-examination. "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he'd learned in seven years." Mark Twain

Not all young people are shameless and lacking in motivation. And there are plenty of diamonds in the rough. The ones who become burdens on society are the those who are a part of a replicating pattern of babies-having-babies. This is a chosen lifestyle and entrenched mind-set that is part of a sub culture. Those who escape the ghetto trap, are a commendable testament to the fact that blaming society for everything can become a crutch, and that personal responsibility figures into the equation as well as "tough love". Every argument can be supported by a set of statistics and their percentages which when translated into actual numbers paint a different picture. Reality is what it is. Success and failure are an inevitable part of life.

To me, this sounds like a list of self-serving platitudes.

Well, the autopsy report just released reveals that the Sikh attacker died as the result of a self-inflicted wound. I said "enemy" because I don't consider white people who are the ongoing target of your wrath as being your "opponents". And I said "envy" because white Americans obviously have what you want. And you assume I was building an argument, when I wasn't. My editorializing invited no rebuttal because it was an opinion.

Jeeze, WaterStar. Do you really think the cop who shot this skin head rampager had time to process what the repercussions of doing this would be, and then decided it would be more convenient to kill the motherfucker than to keep him alive so he wouldn't have to undergo the legal process???? Good grief. The man was firing in self-defense, trying to save his own damned life. Where does logic end and paranoia begin? Whether this neo-nazi was a product of his culture or not, there is something significant about him targeting a Sikh temple rather than a black church or a Jewish synagog or a gathering of homosexuals; he had a 911 tattoo. Everybody knows America is not a paragon of virture and has a checkered history. So what else is new? Why would you expect anything but oppression and injustice from people who you obviously think are evil. And, yes, this country resonates with an atmosphere of white supremacy, and there's a good frickin reason for this since Whites are, and always have been in charge. Instead of standing around bitchin', maybe you ought to concentrate on black self genocide because white people don't give a damn what you think. They're too busy flexing their racist muscles and basking in your envy. And I don't know who you hang around with but the idea of "never under-estimating your enemy" is common knowledge to everybody I know. You're the one doing the under-estimating. Checkers? Chess? Just because Blacks don't run the country doesn't mean that they don't run their games. It's called surviving.

Why do we always have to pamper and enable young girls who get pregnant, and make special dispensations for them while young ladies who have followed the rules are ignored? There is a chorus of voices raised by female teens, complaining that if they want to be rewarded with all of the grants and programs and financial aid that many schools all over the country set up for pregnant young students, then it's to your advantage to get pregnant! It's like the schools adjust to the infringments instead of the students adjusting to the requirements. Who's in charge, here?? If an alternative home study program that allows a student to keep up with her class is available, then I think that's all that should be necessary. These girls know ahead of time what's expected of them and if you ain't pregnant, then you don't have to try and circumvent the rules by refusing to take the test. Where's the ACLU when employers require drug tests? A better atmosphere is provided where there are no shameless students parading around the halls of learning showing off their baby bumps, hardly able to wait for the day when they can come back up to school to proudly show off their newborns and bask in all of the fawning. I am definitely in favor of birth control programs set up by schools so that sexually-active teens can avoid pregnancy. This ounce of prevention is the way to save the pound of money that a pregnant teen-ager is eventually going to cost the government.

Dear Gabby, (Baby G) We are all so proud of you! You're an inspiration to young black girls everywhere. Your talent and skills have brought you fame and will soon net you a fortune. It has been estimated that your endorsements will translate into millions of dollars, enough to get your hair done and bail your momma out of bankruptcy. You will soon be overwhelmed and your whole world will change, and you'll have to grow up fast! Here's a bit of advice from ol Cynique, who's been around a long time and knows the ropes.

LOL. Well, OK. I went out and looked at some of the squirrels scrambling around my neighborhood, and they weren't very good in their dismounts and many of them had gray fur but - - if Gabby likes it, I luv it. I'm also lovin that "Baby G" thing. I'm just hoping the black stallions on the USA relay track team don't drop the damned baton this year!

I find this info to be an interesting tid-bit because I am always fascinated with the idea of looking at things in a different way! Thrilled with Gabby's "flying squirrel" nickname? Not so much. The media always finds a way to compare black athletes to animals. Nuts to them!

Back to square one. Does a lot of the success of these events depend on the appearance of big names, and on "seeing-and-being seen", rather than on what new books are being hawked??? Obviously I am clueless about these affairs but I am also curious.

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Did I malign Marcus Garvey, or anyone else other than those 2 pillars of vapidity, Madonna and Sistah Souljah??? Did I call you a "malcontented optimist"? Were we in a battle to determine winners and losers??? Ummmm. You might want to replace your ad hominem remarks with something other than petulance and mixed metaphors.

Very interesting. I liked the whimsical humor and the ironic undertones of his contentions. I'd be interested in viewing the movie if the world survives the "end-of-days" prediction scheduled for this December 27th. Zombies are "in" nowadays, gaining ground on the popularity of vampires.

Have you given up the "perception" rationale for the "supposition" one? Actually, my supposition is that since these re-location plans can't be implemented, it's easier for you and those of your persuation to simply hide behind your words. Ain't this fun? And I do appreciate your new-found brevity.

So tell me, Waterstar, have you ever thought about organizing to do what Marcus Garvey and the Black Muslims once advocated in regard to the diaspora picking up their tents and stealing away into their own country, someplace far away from "Babylon"? To me, the way things exist in America is "normal". Unfortunately, justice is not an entitlement. People in power don't give up their power and are reluctant to even share it. "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" And if the post racial scoffers think they are going to reform their "oppressors", they will be in a perpetual state of frustration. If black people were the majority in power, they would do the same thing to white people that is being done to them; in fact they do it within their own ranks to a degree, via colorism. It's the nature of the beast. But - crusades do seem to fill a need for those in whose breasts "hope springs eternal". I've always found these cause embracers to be oxymorons: malcontented optimists. If I were so inclined, however, Cuba would be the last place I'd look to as a model. Who needs an ego-manical dictator, - a pseudo benevolent leader who subjects his people to the regimentation of a Spartan life. The thought that somebody else might take over his domain is what keeps the garrulous Castro alive. IMO

I checked the Chicago newspapers and there was nothing in their articles about free food being passed out in connection with cow appreciation day at the local Chick-fil-As around these parts; more coverage given to those criticizing Obama for not coming to town and at least making a gesture of concern by speaking out against all of the street killings. My "sanctimoneous" daughter and her church group went to a nearby one to support this company CEO's stance and didn't see any cows in the long lines or receive any free food. Can't speak for other parts of the country. Whatever, it makes me no difference. I'm a Pop Eye's Chicken patron. Also have no sentiments one way or another about gay marriage. But I'm leery about a precedent being set by those who are succesful in penalizing people for their religious beliefs. Next thing I know, they might be picketing my house for my practice of paying homage to the sun and the moon.