I see and understand what you’re saying, but I’m arguing that It’s life. You had opportunities those black kids didn’t. And you were missing opportunities the higher class had.seacoaster wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 1:12 pmThe 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.ChairmanOfTheBoard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 1:00 pmwhile it's a very compelling argument, the counterpoint is- why did i make those bad decisions- it's because of racism.tech37 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:50 pm+1 kramkramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:33 pm 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.
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.
+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.
Life is hard and it’s still based on specific choices we make. Injecting race into the discussion gives people a crutch, and distracts from the real issues of poor education, opportunities etc. It’s not a solely black or white issue. It’s an America, society and governance issue.