Race in America - Riots Explode in Chicago

[foreverlax]

White privilege is a hoax, folks.

Get back to work. Protect your family. Go to church. Stay fit. Don’t compromise with lefties.

Thanks.

Says the privileged white guy.

Then listen to this non-white guy who feels the same way:

https://nypost.com/2020/07/11/the-falla ... g-society/

“White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It just means your race isn’t one of the things that make it harder.”

So we can agree on the above?

In the abstract, I agree that (presuming I have been around people of my same race most but all of my life) my color has likely not been a part of any thought by me or others around me, except the times when it has. Example? 1

But more cogently, your question implies consent to a narrative which doesn't exist, nor does it account for the vast complexity of life. Do we know, for example, that reverse discrimination does not exist and if it does, what of the person who has been impacted there, does his life not count? First you say we know it doesn't exist....of course every person should count. 2

We would need to deliberate for decades to understand relative benefits and hurdles of race; there simply is not enough time from either of us to arrive at any conclusion that would satisfy. This has been deliberated for at least a century.... 2

My call on this whole nonsense is: some but not all police have built up a tolerance of excessive force; more police interactions involve African Americans than other races; the reason African Americans are involved with police actions is not because they are targeted per se but because they call the police far more often and are far more often involved with crime (perp and victim); Is this an actual fact? 3

people of color have legitimate historical burdens and complaints, having been brought to America as slaves; True 4

there is almost no way to wipe those burdens away outside of a long, slow path to success; How many years does it take? 5

capitalism helps people become successful, socialism stunts them; Potentially agree....of course the definition matter. 6

Democrats feast on racial discord; this newest surge of violence and discord is being fomented by Democratic politicians and their media cousins; Not worthy of response 7

Democrats will overreach as they always do, repelling normal Americans including African Americans who are indeed successful and enjoy peace viua law and order.

The author you quote happens to be a 19 y.o. Canadian....

1. We all have been in situations (I certainly have) when as a white person we are the minority in a room of non-white people. Too many times to relay; but I also don't think about it for the most part, even when it occurs.

2. And likely will for more centuries because at its root the issue is not easily defined nor 'solved'

3. Yes: https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck ... mmit-crime nothing there proves your point.

4. OK

5. I don't know...but it is incumbent upon all of us to offer hands to anyone who could use a hand

6. ok

7. ok

[jhu72]

White privilege is a hoax, folks.

Get back to work. Protect your family. Go to church. Stay fit. Don’t compromise with lefties.

Thanks.

Says the privileged white guy.

Then listen to this non-white guy who feels the same way:

https://nypost.com/2020/07/11/the-falla ... g-society/

“White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It just means your race isn’t one of the things that make it harder.”

So we can agree on the above?

In the abstract, I agree that (presuming I have been around people of my same race most but all of my life) my color has likely not been a part of any thought by me or others around me, except the times when it has. Example?

But more cogently, your question implies consent to a narrative which doesn't exist, nor does it account for the vast complexity of life. Do we know, for example, that reverse discrimination does not exist and if it does, what of the person who has been impacted there, does his life not count? First you say we know it doesn't exist....of course every person should count.

We would need to deliberate for decades to understand relative benefits and hurdles of race; there simply is not enough time from either of us to arrive at any conclusion that would satisfy. This has been deliberated for at least a century....

My call on this whole nonsense is: some but not all police have built up a tolerance of excessive force; more police interactions involve African Americans than other races; the reason African Americans are involved with police actions is not because they are targeted per se but because they call the police far more often and are far more often involved with crime (perp and victim); Is this an actual fact?

people of color have legitimate historical burdens and complaints, having been brought to America as slaves; True

there is almost no way to wipe those burdens away outside of a long, slow path to success; How many years does it take?

capitalism helps people become successful, socialism stunts them; Potentially agree....of course the definition matter.

Democrats feast on racial discord; this newest surge of violence and discord is being fomented by Democratic politicians and their media cousins; Not worthy of response

Democrats will overreach as they always do, repelling normal Americans including African Americans who are indeed successful and enjoy peace viua law and order.

The author you quote happens to be a 19 y.o. Canadian....

… sorry, didn't see your post. The claim "call the police far more often" is clear BS.

[Peter Brown]

White privilege is a hoax, folks.

Get back to work. Protect your family. Go to church. Stay fit. Don’t compromise with lefties.

Thanks.

Says the privileged white guy.

Then listen to this non-white guy who feels the same way:

https://nypost.com/2020/07/11/the-falla ... g-society/

“White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It just means your race isn’t one of the things that make it harder.”

So we can agree on the above?

In the abstract, I agree that (presuming I have been around people of my same race most but all of my life) my color has likely not been a part of any thought by me or others around me, except the times when it has.

But more cogently, your question implies consent to a narrative which doesn't exist, nor does it account for the vast complexity of life. Do we know, for example, that reverse discrimination does not exist and if it does, what of the person who has been impacted there, does his life not count?

We would need to deliberate for decades to understand relative benefits and hurdles of race; there simply is not enough time from either of us to arrive at any conclusion that would satisfy.

My call on this whole nonsense is: some but not all police have built up a tolerance of excessive force; more police interactions involve African Americans than other races; the reason African Americans are involved with police actions is not because they are targeted per se but because they call the police far more often and are far more often involved with crime (perp and victim); people of color have legitimate historical burdens and complaints, having been brought to America as slaves; there is almost no way to wipe those burdens away outside of a long, slow path to success; capitalism helps people become successful, socialism stunts them; Democrats feast on racial discord; this newest surge of violence and discord is being fomented by Democratic politicians and their media cousins; Democrats will overreach as they always do, repelling normal Americans including African Americans who are indeed successful and enjoy peace viua law and order.

… really?? African Americans "call the police far more often"

Show us some data to back this statement up. African Americans have an aversion to police interaction of all types, and you are telling us they "call police far more often".

… far more often than what, Martians?

You're a birdbrain if you can't admit an obvious fact; where there is more crime, there will be more calls to 911.

Here is a study which you will like for their summary, but you will hate for supporting my claim. This was an exhaustive survey done in one city (1,000,000 calls to 911). Their study claimed that calls to 911 dropped fro blacks when there was a highly publicized police death of a black person (duh...!); but that blacks continued to make the majority of calls to 911.

We begin by mapping 911 calls against the racial composition of Milwaukee neighborhoods. Figure 1 shows two maps of the city: panel A displays the percent of neighborhood residents who are black; panel B depicts the total number of police-related 911 calls between March 2004 and December 2005. Side-by-side, the maps reveal that predominantly black neighborhoods have higher call volumes. In an average week, residents in black neighborhoods made 5.64 calls to 911 (min. = 0, max. = 41), more than triple the calling rate of residents in white neighborhoods



https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/fi ... eature.pdf

[Typical Lax Dad]

https://today.tamu.edu/2020/06/24/texas ... olleagues/

[jhu72]

White privilege is a hoax, folks.

Get back to work. Protect your family. Go to church. Stay fit. Don’t compromise with lefties.

Thanks.

Says the privileged white guy.

Then listen to this non-white guy who feels the same way:

https://nypost.com/2020/07/11/the-falla ... g-society/

“White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It just means your race isn’t one of the things that make it harder.”

So we can agree on the above?

In the abstract, I agree that (presuming I have been around people of my same race most but all of my life) my color has likely not been a part of any thought by me or others around me, except the times when it has.

But more cogently, your question implies consent to a narrative which doesn't exist, nor does it account for the vast complexity of life. Do we know, for example, that reverse discrimination does not exist and if it does, what of the person who has been impacted there, does his life not count?

We would need to deliberate for decades to understand relative benefits and hurdles of race; there simply is not enough time from either of us to arrive at any conclusion that would satisfy.

My call on this whole nonsense is: some but not all police have built up a tolerance of excessive force; more police interactions involve African Americans than other races; the reason African Americans are involved with police actions is not because they are targeted per se but because they call the police far more often and are far more often involved with crime (perp and victim); people of color have legitimate historical burdens and complaints, having been brought to America as slaves; there is almost no way to wipe those burdens away outside of a long, slow path to success; capitalism helps people become successful, socialism stunts them; Democrats feast on racial discord; this newest surge of violence and discord is being fomented by Democratic politicians and their media cousins; Democrats will overreach as they always do, repelling normal Americans including African Americans who are indeed successful and enjoy peace viua law and order.

… really?? African Americans "call the police far more often"

Show us some data to back this statement up. African Americans have an aversion to police interaction of all types, and you are telling us they "call police far more often".

… far more often than what, Martians?

You're a birdbrain if you can't admit an obvious fact; where there is more crime, there will be more calls to 911.

Here is a study which you will like for their summary, but you will hate for supporting my claim. This was an exhaustive survey done in one city (1,000,000 calls to 911). Their study claimed that calls to 911 dropped fro blacks when there was a highly publicized police death of a black person (duh...!); but that blacks continued to make the majority of calls to 911.

We begin by mapping 911 calls against the racial composition of Milwaukee neighborhoods. Figure 1 shows two maps of the city: panel A displays the percent of neighborhood residents who are black; panel B depicts the total number of police-related 911 calls between March 2004 and December 2005. Side-by-side, the maps reveal that predominantly black neighborhoods have higher call volumes. In an average week, residents in black neighborhoods made 5.64 calls to 911 (min. = 0, max. = 41), more than triple the calling rate of residents in white neighborhoods



https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/fi ... eature.pdf

… sorry, but your claim is hardly obvious from this study. A quick perusal of the paper shows the study determined that for more than a year after the event described, call volume from black neighborhoods was down by 10s of thousands of calls. It is hard to believe that with this conclusion there is some evidence buried in this paper that shows African American neighborhoods making more police service calls than white neighborhoods on a per capita basis.

See if you can find something a little more clear cut. Like a study that actually has the purpose of trying to determine, nationally the frequency of calls made by African Americans as opposed to other demographic groups. That is your actual claim.

[foreverlax]

White privilege is a hoax, folks.

Get back to work. Protect your family. Go to church. Stay fit. Don’t compromise with lefties.

Thanks.

Says the privileged white guy.

Then listen to this non-white guy who feels the same way:

https://nypost.com/2020/07/11/the-falla ... g-society/

“White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It just means your race isn’t one of the things that make it harder.”

So we can agree on the above?

In the abstract, I agree that (presuming I have been around people of my same race most but all of my life) my color has likely not been a part of any thought by me or others around me, except the times when it has.

But more cogently, your question implies consent to a narrative which doesn't exist, nor does it account for the vast complexity of life. Do we know, for example, that reverse discrimination does not exist and if it does, what of the person who has been impacted there, does his life not count?

We would need to deliberate for decades to understand relative benefits and hurdles of race; there simply is not enough time from either of us to arrive at any conclusion that would satisfy.

My call on this whole nonsense is: some but not all police have built up a tolerance of excessive force; more police interactions involve African Americans than other races; the reason African Americans are involved with police actions is not because they are targeted per se but because they call the police far more often and are far more often involved with crime (perp and victim); people of color have legitimate historical burdens and complaints, having been brought to America as slaves; there is almost no way to wipe those burdens away outside of a long, slow path to success; capitalism helps people become successful, socialism stunts them; Democrats feast on racial discord; this newest surge of violence and discord is being fomented by Democratic politicians and their media cousins; Democrats will overreach as they always do, repelling normal Americans including African Americans who are indeed successful and enjoy peace viua law and order.

… really?? African Americans "call the police far more often"

Show us some data to back this statement up. African Americans have an aversion to police interaction of all types, and you are telling us they "call police far more often".

… far more often than what, Martians?

You're a birdbrain if you can't admit an obvious fact; where there is more crime, there will be more calls to 911.

Here is a study which you will like for their summary, but you will hate for supporting my claim. This was an exhaustive survey done in one city (1,000,000 calls to 911). Their study claimed that calls to 911 dropped fro blacks when there was a highly publicized police death of a black person (duh...!); but that blacks continued to make the majority of calls to 911.

We begin by mapping 911 calls against the racial composition of Milwaukee neighborhoods. Figure 1 shows two maps of the city: panel A displays the percent of neighborhood residents who are black; panel B depicts the total number of police-related 911 calls between March 2004 and December 2005. Side-by-side, the maps reveal that predominantly black neighborhoods have higher call volumes. In an average week, residents in black neighborhoods made 5.64 calls to 911 (min. = 0, max. = 41), more than triple the calling rate of residents in white neighborhoods



https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/fi ... eature.pdf

This is what your article suggests, from one city 16 years ago -

This study shows that publicized cases of police violence against unarmed black men have a clear and significant impact on citizen crime reporting. Once the story of Frank Jude’s beating appeared in the press, Milwau- kee residents, especially people in black neighborhoods, were less likely to call the police, including to report violent crime.

[kramerica.inc]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

[tech37]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

+1 kram

[ChairmanOfTheBoard]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

+1 kram

while it's a very compelling argument, the counterpoint is- why did i make those bad decisions- it's because of racism.

we simply aren't going to get anywhere on this issue because we are talking past each other. the reason we are talking past each other is because we use different definitions of racism.

and so i ask. what is racism.

[foreverlax]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

Bad choice can lead to a very tough life.

Good choices, while being black, can lead to a very tough life.

You can hide a lot of things, but your skin color is right there on your sleeve.

[foreverlax]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

+1 kram

while it's a very compelling argument, the counterpoint is- why did i make those bad decisions- it's because of racism.

we simply aren't going to get anywhere on this issue because we are talking past each other. the reason we are talking past each other is because we use different definitions of racism.

and so i ask. what is racism.

This works for me -

prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.

this is true of some -

the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.

[ChairmanOfTheBoard]

i could agree with that definition; because it assumes we are all equal. of course that depends on how you read the proviso at the end.

[a fan]

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining.

Yes, but you're forgetting that our government is helping all those people who made their own choices.

Just one single example:

-I busted my *ss in high school. So did my brother. Result? Didn't pay for college, and both of us attended private Universities. Both of us worked our way through school.

-about 90% of my HS classmates mailed it in. Where'd they wind up? Scattered in Colorado State JUCOs and Universities on the taxpayer's dime. So taxpayers are on the hook for their laziness. Or, using your narrative, for their parents laziness in not working hard enough to afford a private school. And guess what? About 90% of them turned out to be anti-socialist nutjobs, whining about handouts.....all while taking MY money to pay for their laziness. They attended State Schools. Every. single. one. of. them.

No I want to be crystal clear: I don't PERSONALLY think that not attending college is bad. Or that State Universities are bad or inferior in any way. My point is: those schools take money from citizens. If you believe in what you're saying here, that we shouldn't reward bad decisions that lead to citizens not having the grade to get into Stanford et. al., or that their parents "didn't work hard enough" to afford Stanford, we wouldn't have State Universities in the first place.

Now I'm fine with these State Schools. And I'm fine with the taxman showing up every year, taking my money in every State we sell our spirits in so that places like Pete's University of Florida can exist.

You're telling me that you're not. Those lazy bums should've studied-----and if they didn't? Well, here are the consequences: you can't get in to College at all. Sorry mate. Life is hard.

This is the problem I have with the Republican party. They give us this line about hard work and life isn't fair...and then turn around and empty my pockets to pay for their decisions, and their family's decisions.

I can list other examples until the cows come home. Rural subsidies. 60%+ of all housing originations are backed by my tax dollars.

You guys SAY you believe this stuff. But the way you vote, live, and govern says otherwise. It says: I want help from the government---my fellow taxpayers-----regardless of my choices.

[foreverlax]

We are all supposed to be equal...just not the case in reality, if you are short, fat, handicapped, non-white, non-American, non-Christian, and especially not wealthy enough.

[seacoaster]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

+1 kram

while it's a very compelling argument, the counterpoint is- why did i make those bad decisions- it's because of racism.

we simply aren't going to get anywhere on this issue because we are talking past each other. the reason we are talking past each other is because we use different definitions of racism.

and so i ask. what is racism.

The counterpoint is often the starting point. I had a head start on virtually every person of color simply because I was the child of a white, middle class mother and father. The spectrum of "decisions" for me -- particularly on the good side -- were enormously better and more plentiful than almost every black kid, probably every black kid I knew growing up in New Jersey. My access to learning was always better, and by better I mean the difference between the NFL and a Pop Warner team. My parent's connections were dramatically better. I made many, many bad decisions -- and still recovered. I am just really doubtful that a black kid doing what I did could make it back.

+1? Good rant. But far removed from any understanding of the reality of being a person of color in this country. Hang on by your fingertips, because the change you resist is certainly coming.

[ChairmanOfTheBoard]

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining.

Yes, but you're forgetting that our government is helping all those people who made their own choices.

Just one single example:

-I busted my *ss in high school. So did my brother. Result? Didn't pay for college, and both of us attended private Universities. Both of us worked our way through school.

-about 90% of my HS classmates mailed it in. Where'd they wind up? Scattered in Colorado State JUCOs and Universities on the taxpayer's dime. So taxpayers are on the hook for their laziness. Or, using your narrative, for their parents laziness in not working hard enough to afford a private school. And guess what? About 90% of them turned out to be anti-socialist nutjobs, whining about handouts.....all while taking MY money to pay for their laziness. They attended State Schools. Every. single. one. of. them.

No I want to be crystal clear: I don't PERSONALLY think that not attending college is bad. Or that State Universities are bad or inferior in any way. My point is: those schools take money from citizens. If you believe in what you're saying here, that we shouldn't reward bad decisions that lead to citizens not having the grade to get into Stanford et. al., or that their parents "didn't work hard enough" to afford Stanford, we wouldn't have State Universities in the first place.

Now I'm fine with these State Schools. And I'm fine with the taxman showing up every year, taking my money in every State we sell our spirits in so that places like Pete's University of Florida can exist.

You're telling me that you're not. Those lazy bums should've studied-----and if they didn't? Well, here are the consequences: you can't get in to College at all. Sorry mate. Life is hard.

This is the problem I have with the Republican party. They give us this line about hard work and life isn't fair...and then turn around and empty my pockets to pay for their decisions, and their family's decisions.

I can list other examples until the cows come home. Rural subsidies. 60%+ of all housing originations are backed by my tax dollars.

You guys SAY you believe this stuff. But the way you vote, live, and govern says otherwise. It says: I want help from the government---my fellow taxpayers-----regardless of my choices.

or another example would be AA. institutions (like the gov, private enterprise, academia) making a SCOTUS-blessed distinction based on color. and then creating advantages/disadvantages.

sure, it's reactionary- but it's still discriminatory.

[ChairmanOfTheBoard]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

+1 kram

while it's a very compelling argument, the counterpoint is- why did i make those bad decisions- it's because of racism.

we simply aren't going to get anywhere on this issue because we are talking past each other. the reason we are talking past each other is because we use different definitions of racism.

and so i ask. what is racism.

The counterpoint is often the starting point. I had a head start on virtually every person of color simply because I was the child of a white, middle class mother and father. The spectrum of "decisions" for me -- particularly on the good side -- were enormously better and more plentiful than almost every black kid, probably every black kid I knew growing up in New Jersey. My access to learning was always better, and by better I mean the difference between the NFL and a Pop Warner team. My parent's connections were dramatically better. I made many, many bad decisions -- and still recovered. I am just really doubtful that a black kid doing what I did could make it back.

+1? Good rant. But far removed from any understanding of the reality of being a person of color in this country. Hang on by your fingertips, because the change you resist is certainly coming.

i think you directed this at the wrong post- i am not resistant to the change, in fact i support it.

[seacoaster]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

+1 kram

while it's a very compelling argument, the counterpoint is- why did i make those bad decisions- it's because of racism.

we simply aren't going to get anywhere on this issue because we are talking past each other. the reason we are talking past each other is because we use different definitions of racism.

and so i ask. what is racism.

The counterpoint is often the starting point. I had a head start on virtually every person of color simply because I was the child of a white, middle class mother and father. The spectrum of "decisions" for me -- particularly on the good side -- were enormously better and more plentiful than almost every black kid, probably every black kid I knew growing up in New Jersey. My access to learning was always better, and by better I mean the difference between the NFL and a Pop Warner team. My parent's connections were dramatically better. I made many, many bad decisions -- and still recovered. I am just really doubtful that a black kid doing what I did could make it back.

+1? Good rant. But far removed from any understanding of the reality of being a person of color in this country. Hang on by your fingertips, because the change you resist is certainly coming.

i think you directed this at the wrong post- i am not resistant to the change, in fact i support it.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, agreed. Sorry for the confusion. I was directing my comments to Kramerica's original post.

[kramerica.inc]

Life isn’t rocket science. Life is a series of choices. From the time you are a kid.

The vast majority of people who complain about life being hard are correct. And it’s even tougher when people make lousy decisions.

Show me someone, anyone, of any color, that has a “tough life.” Why is it tough? Almost every time I can point to a collection of bad choices, not institutional racism. Chose not to study, chose not to apply themselves, choose to go out and party, chose not to wear a condom. Guess what, later in life those small decisions add up. Now you don’t have the degree you need to move up in the world. Now you have a kid you need to support, with a lousy job. Now you can’t buy that bigger house or whatever else you need/want.

Life is hard. Even harder when you make bad decisions and expect good results. Don’t like your lot on life? Start working, start studying, start reading. Stop whining. Make better choices and better little decisions.

Bad choice can lead to a very tough life.

Good choices, while being black, can lead to a very tough life.

You can hide a lot of things, but your skin color is right there on your sleeve.

If you want it be a crutch.

Good choices, while being white, can lead to a very tough life.

Skin color is as relevant to people’s lot in life as their eye color, hair color or blood type.

[seacoaster]

"Skin color is as relevant to people’s lot in life as their eye color, hair color or blood type."

A Himalayan Range worth of evidence to the contrary. Please. Tell us you're overstating for effect.