no discussion yet? ill start it up.

its an unfortunate incident down their, perhaps indicative that jim crow is still alive in some parts of the country.

but in the big picture, its irrelevent. jim crowe might not be dead, but he is living a life of easy retirement in most parts of the country. whites dont need lynch mobs anymore, blacks took that role long ago.

did you know 49% of murders in america are committed by black men, who represent ~6.5% of the population? and a vast majority of those murders are committed on members of their same race (something like 80-90%).

hell, the city of detroit's adult illiteracy rate is 47% (!!!!). how is that possible in a 1st world country? think about what that means, what these illiterate adults are doing all day, the chances that these people are giving their children any chance of succeeding in the world. how bad their lives are and how much worse it can actually get for detroit. what the effects of consentrated extreme poverty can be for the city of detroit, the surrounding metropolitan area, and even the state of michigan. right now, to me, it looks like detroit is absolutely fucked barring a massive humanitarian intervention that is far beyond the ability of our state. and barring this aid, detroit may very well be a heavy enough weight to bring down the entire state.

jena 6 is a red herring. its an anomally that diverts attention from where it really should be. jena 6 is not the problem that most black people face. but as long as THAT is the problem, and as long as we make sure as hell that the rutgers womans basketball team knows that they are victims, the real problems will go largely ignored.

On one hand, I do think that Black Americans have a problem with self-image that has its roots in slavery. Fundamentally, Anglo-American society was (and is) profoundly sick. We are willing to let people be abused and neglected as long as it satisfies the almighty dollar, and we haven't really made that much moral progress as a society since the 1700s.

But on the other hand, I do believe that dignity and liberation are mental phenomena, not physical phenomena. Each person is responsible for his own dignity and liberation. Every time Black History Month rolls around and people hold up pictures of Frederick Douglass, I wonder how many people really know the amazing spiritual truth he discovered - that freedom is a state of mind, and that it cannot be reached if you remain in ignorance. He really is the closest thing there is to an African-American Buddha.* And if there's a spiritual teacher needed in the black community, it's not Jesus or Elijah Mohammed. It's Buddha.


*Other than James Edwards

On one hand, I do think that Black Americans have a problem with self-image that has its roots in slavery. Fundamentally, Anglo-American society was (and is) profoundly sick. We are willing to let people be abused and neglected as long as it satisfies the almighty dollar, and we haven't really made that much moral progress as a society since the 1700s.

But on the other hand, I do believe that dignity and liberation are mental phenomena, not physical phenomena. Each person is responsible for his own dignity and liberation. Every time Black History Month rolls around and people hold up pictures of Frederick Douglass, I wonder how many people really know the amazing spiritual truth he discovered - that freedom is a state of mind, and that it cannot be reached if you remain in ignorance. He really is the closest thing there is to an African-American Buddha.* And if there's a spiritual teacher needed in the black community, it's not Jesus or Elijah Mohammed. It's Buddha.


*Other than James Edwards

[smilie=freedarko.g:

...and we haven't really made that much moral progress as a society since the 1700s.

Define "moral".

In the 15th century, nobody had a problem with conquering lands and killing the indigenous... just take a look at Columbus. How many "americans" did he slaughter in order to "discover" us (nevermind the Vikings, right?). But back then, they really saw no problem in what they did.

How about the 1800's. U.S. Cavalry v. the indians...er, "native-americans". Did any U.S. citizen at the time find our actions barbaric? Maybe, but it certainly wasn't a majority.

The industral revolution and factory conditions at the time. Child labor. No unions. Lung cancer. Severed limbs. Death. No health insurance or pensions.

General safety, in cars, the food we eat, the air we breathe. I'd like to think we've made advancements in our overall quality of life.

As for the Jena 6. From what I've read, the principal did his job (recommending expulsion of the white kids for the noose display), and was overrruled by the board.

Now, ask yourself the question: What if this had happened 30 years ago. Would the principal had even thought of expelling these kids in a school that is 85% white? Would there be such an outrage over this incident, leading to massive marches on the town?

What pisses the fuck out of me is the general assumptions liberal fucks make over this incident. Unfortunately, I listen to NPR at work from time to time, and there have been so-called "expert" crying about how this nation is still one of segregation and racism. Sure, "this nation" is EXACTLY like backwards buttfuck Louisiana. I take a look around the San Fernando Valley, and I see nooses hanging from trees and dudes in white sheets burning crosses on the lawns of City Hall. I see minorities averting their eyes from The Fuzz. I see beatings every day. There isn't a black man for a radius of seven miles from where I live.

Bullshit.

I see blacks, hispanics, whites, asians, etc. walking up to the cops at Baja Fresh and Starbucks to say "hi"... and The Man says "hi" right back. They don't care what color you are out here. People are fucking people, which means cops, like you and I, will have an occassional bad day. Yeah, if you dress the part, all gansta and shit, the Fuzz will stare you down. And why not?... you CHOSE to dress that way, so don't bitch like a drunk no-undies whore in a pool hall when you draw attention.

Are there racist assholes out here in Cali. Yeah, sure there are. Racism abounds everywhere. Wherever there are people, there will be a racist. It's been that way for thousands of years, and it'll be that way for a thousand more. The difference is power. Up until the mid 20th century, racists were largely unchecked, not held accountable for their actions. Protected by the system. Now, they are a minority, not powerful enough to protect themselves from within the system. Watchdog groups as well as the mainstream media and the internet are all dropping eyes on these people.

Jena is a rather small town, and I'm sure stuck in a sort of time warp as far as values go. Off the radar, the powerful of the region were left unchecked. Now, that superintendant not only may lose his job, but might never work for any other school board again. Powerful individuals are lining up to assist the Jena 6. The small town is under a crushing scrutiny it may never shake -- it's economy might suffer tremendously (according to Wikipedia, WalMart just built a superstore in that region...lucky Jena, just getting it in before Hell broke loose).

I don't think any of this would have happened several decades ago.

Playing the anti-Buddhist's advocate: Freedom is a state of body. When your heart, arteries, and veins aren't free enough to circulate blood, you are dead. If death is some ultimate freedom, it isn't about body -or- mind (exceptions will be made for 'la petite mort').

And now back to your regularly-scheduled racial profiling...

Playing the anti-Buddhist's advocate: Freedom is a state of body. When your heart, arteries, and veins aren't free enough to circulate blood, you are dead. If death is some ultimate freedom, it isn't about body -or- mind (exceptions will be made for 'la petite mort').

And now back to your regularly-scheduled racial profiling...

Betcha can't wait for Matrix 4 to come out.

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/the_matrix__reloaded/lambert_wilson/matrix.jpg

And now back to your regularly-scheduled racial profiling...

is saying black males commit 40 whatever percent of murders racial profiling?

Can we talk about tipping?

is saying black males commit 40 whatever percent of murders racial profiling?
It's not that simple.

First: It's fair to say that impovershed areas see more violent crimes.

Now compare races. Is it fair to say that a majority of blacks in America reside within these impovershed regions? Can you say the same about Whites, or Asians? If you can assume with a reasonable amount of certainty that a large percentage of blacks live in areas of violence, then the conclusion is that black male will find themselves either victims or suspects of violent crimes.

Of course, then one can place the argument as to WHY these regions are so violent. Is it the poverty? The hopelessness? Do blacks live in these regions due to cheap rent as a result of a lack of decent job opportunities, which very well could be a direct result of inferior schooling brought about by a system that wishes to crush the black man of his dignity and free will? Does the Nubian Warrior defile his race by choice, or is there a larger portrait of coercion amongst those who are fearful of unleashed Black Power. Jim Crow wishes not to be butt-raped by the superior African King, and knowing an inch of give might ultimately equal the fall of his ethno-european heritage, will do whatever it takes to bring down the black man in any form imaginable.

Because the black male averages 14 inches, while whites average 6. Those figures are scientifically accurate. A study at the University of Rhode Island proves it.



Just sayin'.

(smap snap snap)



Denny's PoEtRy Hour sponsored by Buttdowl Douches... because being green isn't always a good thing.

"I LLLOOOVE those douches!!!" -- Bukdow

Did this thread just get incredibly weird or is it just me?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299237,00.html


WASHINGTON — A group of students at a Washington high school for the deaf scrawled "KKK" and swastikas on a black student's body with a marker while holding him against his will, police said Wednesday.

District of Columbia police are investigating the Saturday night attack as a possible hate crime, Chief Cathy Lanier said. The incident began in the dorms of the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, on the campus of Gallaudet University.

Seven students — six white and one black — took part in holding the black student, Lanier said.

University officials would not say whether they had been disciplined, but in a campuswide e-mail Wednesday, Katherine Jankowski, dean of the center that includes the high school, said the seven were sent home.

The school discussed the incident at an assembly Monday and has worked with students on issues of diversity and race, said Stephen Weiner, provost of Gallaudet.

"We do not tolerate any kind of action, any kind of behavior of this type," Weiner said.

Lanier said the attack began when two groups of students, one white, one black, were "horsing around" in the dorms. The groups eventually separated, but the seven students took the black student and held him for about an hour.

The student who was held contacted Gallaudet authorities, who called police early Sunday. He is at home with his family, the provost said.

No charges have been filed, but police said they have identified all seven students involved; they range in age from 15 to 19. "We take it very seriously," Lanier said.

Gallaudet, the nation's only liberal arts university for deaf students, was founded in 1864 by an act of Congress. The university had about 1,800 students last year.

About 170 students attend the Model Secondary School, with roughly 100 living in dorms on campus, Weiner said.

It is part of Gallaudet's Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, which also includes an elementary school. The center works on developing courses and teaching methods for deaf and hard of hearing students.


A. Why did a black kid help? Is he one of the illiterates?

B. People are fucked up.

C. B.


I've stayed out of this topic on purpose. Racism is bad.

The Detroit illiteracy rate is scary. I could read when I was 18 months old.. how this nation manages to get by while not teaching people to read blows my mind. I'm guessing that won't last beyond our lifetimes if we don't pick it up.

The Detroit illiteracy rate is scary. I could read when I was 18 months old.. how this nation manages to get by while not teaching people to read blows my mind. I'm guessing that won't last beyond our lifetimes if we don't pick it up.

Not a chance. The advantage lies with the politicians. Far easier to lump dough on the lap of a Madison Avenue ad firm to drum up support than to cross your fingers and pray Mr. and Mrs. Voter don't actually READ about the pros and cons of a Proposition, a Measure, or a Candidate.

It's about power, and control... and thre aynt a dam thing u can du abowt it.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299237,00.html




A. Why did a black kid help? Is he one of the illiterates?

B. People are fucked up.

C. B.


I've stayed out of this topic on purpose. Racism is bad.

The Detroit illiteracy rate is scary. I could read when I was 18 months old.. how this nation manages to get by while not teaching people to read blows my mind. I'm guessing that won't last beyond our lifetimes if we don't pick it up.

what the fuck?? I don't think it was because he couldn't read but he was either high or just wanted to fuck somebody up. Most black people get offended still by anything relating to the KKK...this is just one fucked up kid

As an aside (because my interest in feeding the main discussion is minimal), the oft-quoted 47% for Detroit refers to a 10-year old report which speaks of "low literacy" (NALS Level 1), not total "illiteracy". In practical terms, a NALS Level 1-literate person generally CAN:

- sign one's name
- identify a country in a short article
- locate one piece of information in a sports article
- locate the expiration date on a driver's license
- add up money for a bank deposit

but generally CANNOT:

- locate eligibility from a table of employee benefits
- locate an intersection on a street map
- locate two pieces of information in a sports article
- identify/enter background information for a SS#
- calculate total cost of purchase from an order form

So, just be clear what you're dealing with. Thus far, a lack of practical literacy has been tied strongly with poverty, but I'm sure that either it's spreading or the definition of literacy needs refining/dumbing down. It's not just about politicians wanting to assert control, either. Here's the guy in charge of all new Saturday morning cartoons in the U.S., talking to a bunch of manga-heads about reading:


I think manga is a problem because we're in a culture that is not a reading culture. Kid's today don't read, they read less today. In every survey, we find that they're watching more television, they're on the Internet more, and that content, although being king, is very disposable. Because the way content gets put out now, it gets put out free. We're streaming most of our shows. The reason why we're streaming them is we want kids to watch them as much as they can, and get vested in the concept and go out and buy products. The products ain't free. The content is going to be free. And manga in my mind is trying to put a square peg in a round hole in the U.S. It will never be a big deal here, for the kids that are in the computer or the Internet generation, because they're not going to read. They haven't read, and they're not going to start now.

As an aside (because my interest in feeding the main discussion is minimal):


I'm still shaking my head about the Duke Lacrosse fiasco and what those young kids and families were put through.

I'm still shaking my head about the Duke Lacrosse fiasco and what those young kids and families were put through.
Does this really relate to the Jena 6 situation or anything else brought up? That seemed more like sexual politics than racial.

I'm not particularly interested in talking about Jena 6 because I haven't really formed a good opinion about it, and it hasn't captured my spirit as far as issues of the day go. "Race and dumbassery in Louisiana", "school violence", "fun with jury selection" etc. have been talked about to death in other recent contexts.

Just that these kids were railroaded because of race.