Quote:
Originally Posted by ISiddiqui
The interesting about the MLK quote is that it all applies today. The plight of African American poor has worsened over the last decade+. African Americans DO feel as if the promises of freedom and justice haven't been met - I have co-workers who are professionals, with law degrees and all the right, who are literally scared for their male children. It isn't for show, they are frightened for their lives. And this isn't just a one paranoid parent, it's just about every single African-American co-worker with a male child.
And large segments of white society are more concerned with tranquility and the status quo rather than justice and humanity? Well, DUH.
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First off, lets not play to extremes. Things are far from perfect/equal, but far beyond where they were in 1968. I have no fear for my black son because he knows how to respond to authority, even when he does not agree with it. We have also talked about the stereotypes that a young black male has to overcome still and how to diffuse them, without compromising your integrity, self worth or rights.
I was 5 in 1968, so I really don't know what it was like from experience, but I do know what it was like in 1981 when as an 18 year old white male I endured the following.
1-Being called a N****r lover from a moving care as I walked with my girlfriend.
2-Being threatened in a club by a group of black males because I was with one of "their" women.
3-Being left standing in the rain on a curb, when the white cab driver realized the black girl waiting under an awning was my girl friend. That motherfucker took off with the door open and I was left consoling a girl in tears because of what happened.
Guess what, that shit doesn't happen anymore and truth is my wife and I rarely get a an odd glance anywhere we go now.
Am I naïve enough to believe racism is dead? Hell no, I realize it is there and has now just become subtle. But please, let's not discount the progress or ignore the fact that a very likely large portion of those creating havoc in Ferguson truly give a shit about anything but the opportunity to destroy things and in many cases lash out for being held down, when they themselves do little to pick themselves up.
There is still a long way to go in this situation before everything is truly out in the open, which hopefully it all will be. In the meantime patience from those on both sides of the issue needs to be exercised. In this day and age this is not going to away until every stone possible is unturned and rightfully so.
When that happens it will hopefully create action/opportunity for deeper discussions and more importantly actions to sooth the racial wounds in this country. In the meantime pretending that we are in 1960's Alabama is doing a disservice to those of all races who worked so hard to get things to the point they are today.
Unfortunately I guess it is just easier to label the majority of black people thugs, the majority LEO's power drunk assassins and the majority of white America as privileged elitists with their heads in the sand.