The Life And Times Of A Right-Wing Uncle Tom
82
The following is a true story.
Back in the early or middle 1990s, I was the lone guest on a talk show broadcast on what was then the most highly-rated black-oriented radio station in the greater New York City metropolitan area. The topic was “Why I Am Opposed To Affirmative Action”.
After introducing me to the listening audience, the host of the show asked me to state my views on the federal policy.
I did not mince my words. My opening statement was I hate affirmative action.
I then went on to say that affirmative action is nothing more than a present-day version of what took place in slavery. It is an example of the “Great White Masters” in Washington, D.C. and other high places tossing the “darkies” a few scraps and allowing a few of them to move into the “Big House.”
I added that even though I am a member of one of the most, if not the most, disadvantaged groups in America, I do not want, nor do I need, any special provisions to help me land a job or promotion. When it comes to gaining employment and advancing in the workplace, I am always ready, willing and able to compete with white males under “their rules”, even if “their rules” are “unfair to women and minorities”.
Besides, I went on, on those occasions when I am denied a job because of my race, I have what I consider to be two reasonable alternatives: (1) I can seek employment someplace else. (2) I can “create” a job for myself, even if it comes down to shining shoes on a street corner.
Concluding, I said, It is beneath my dignity to accept a job in a place where if not for an affirmative-action program, I would not be regarded as equal to white males. Before I allow myself to be classified as someone who cannot keep up with white males unless special provisions are made for me, I will sleep in the streets and stay alive by eating out of garbage cans.
Then the phone lines were opened for the listeners to call in and respond to what I had conveyed, and I will never forget what the first caller had to say.
He asked, “What kinda Af’ican-Ame’can man is you? You be soundin’ like a Uncle Tom”.
I responded, For one thing, I am a very good-looking African-American man, and for another, I am one who knows how to speak English properly.
And following that call, it was “on”. During the one hour show, I was under siege for the entire time. About 20 calls came in and each consisted of some black man or black woman attacking me for my opposition to affirmative action and calling me such names as “Uncle Tom”, “sell out” and “oreo”.
However, none of that was a problem for me. I gave as good as I got. I went toe-to-toe with that irate crowd. As a matter of fact, I was sorry when the show was over because I wanted to do some more fighting.
What I am driving at is, I am, in fact, what many, if not most, blacks describe as an Uncle Tom. I really do fit the bill in that I am a card-carrying member of such conservative organizations as the Republican and Tea parties, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC).
Furthermore, I worked on the presidential campaigns of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, George W. Bush and John McCain. And every year, I donate quite a bit of money to the Republican National Committiee (RNC) and a number of Republican politicians.
Yes, I am a stone-cold black conservative, or right-wing Uncle Tom, if you please. And the following is a list of where I stand on various social, economic and political issues:
-- As I already stated, I am opposed to affirmative action.
-- I do not believe that there should be law-enforced desegregation of such places as schools, neighborhoods and workplaces.
-- In my opinion, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday should not be a holiday.
-- I believe that the Civil Rights Movement was largely a waste of time, money and lives.
-- Abortion, in my opinion, should be outlawed in all 50 states and classified as homicide.
-- I am opposed to same-sex marriage and believe that it should also be outlawed in all 50 states.
-- I do not believe that homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
-- I am against “women in combat” and women serving on warships.
-- Prayer should be allowed in the schools, as far as I am concerned.
-- I do not ever wish anyone “Happy Holidays.” I always extend such wishes to others as “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Easter”.
-- There should not be any gun-control laws in the U.S., in my opinion.
-- I believe that able-bodied individuals on welfare should be required to work for their checks -- and those who refuse to do so should be required to live in institutional settings and not be allowed to have such things as their own houses/apartments, cars and TVs.
-- Based on the way I see things, the “rich” should only be required to pay very low taxes.
-- I think that the border between the U.S. and Mexico should be manned “24/7” by federal agents positioned nearly shoulder-to-shoulder and extending all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.
-- My attitude is the military draft should be reinstated.
I am just scratching the surface here. There are a lot more items I could add to the foregoing list. But because I hold beliefs and opinions such as those, it is not easy being me, especially among many of “my own people”, blacks. I am an outcast, a man without a place in America’s black society, a turncoat and a traitor.
However, none of that bothers, upsets or disappoints me. I am as pleased and satisfied with myself as I can be. And that is because in the words of the late great Richie Valens, Yo no soy marinero. Yo soy capitan (loosely translated, I am not a follower. I am my own man).
Even though more than 90% of my racial counterparts support the Democratic Party and are in favor of such things as affirmative action, law-enforced desegregation of schools and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday being a holiday, I do not feel compelled to follow their lead, nor do I ever feel any pressure to do so.
Finally, I must say that if holding my conservative/right-wing views and beliefs make me an Uncle Tom, then so be it. I do not give a da … or I should say, I do not care at all.
What I do care about is what I feel is best for my country.
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Will Starr, excellent comment; truly excellent. You covered a lot of ground that needs to be covered. In the 1950s when I was a child, America's black society was up and coming; it was advancing by leaps and bounds, rapidly overcoming the damage that had been done by centuries of slavery. But along came the late 1960s and such left-wing liberal undertakings as the "War on Poverty", the "Great Society" and widespread teachings in the schools that "America is the Enemy of the People".
And as a result of all that, much of black society today is going backwards instead of forward, and plagued by self-destructive and counter-productive behavior.
I believe it is the ultimate insult to convince a segment of the population that they are so "equal" that they must have a boost through affirmative action, an edge on test scores, etc. Real equality offers a hand up not a hand out and assists one to fulfill all potential.
I was appalled when I saw a documentary showing that 80 percent of all black men in prison grew up without a father figure. Lets fix THAT and all the other actions won't be needed.
feenix, you were brave to withstand that assault. You are a warrior and I admire you.
Well feenix I will say this, it is not often that someone makes me think about why I think the way I do. Congrats on being one of those few. I grew up during the 60's and 70 and was fortunate to start my education in Pittsburgh Pa. I don't remember seeing the racism that was forced on me when I moved to SC in the late 60's. I never bought into the hatred and disrespect I was expected to display due to being white in the south.
I agree with some of what you say and respect your beliefs in the rest of it. Most of my dislike of the conservative agenda comes from being able to think in an area where it is taboo to do so. Most of the people I come across in thew bible belt are right wing conservatives due the their religious beliefs and their feelings of superiority over the minorities the live to look down on.
I will also state that I respect your position as it appears to me that you have arrived at it due to spending time developing it on your own. The majority of people here in the south are rightwing conservatives simply because they have been told to be one. In closing, thank you for making me think about why I feel the way I feel and think the way I think.
"In the 1950s when I was a child, America's black society was up and coming; it was advancing by leaps and bounds, rapidly overcoming the damage that had been done by centuries of slavery."
Yes. In those days, and all the way into the early 1960's, the black family was the most likely of all families to stay together. That included a father and mother who stayed married and in the home.
Then, as you said, along came liberalism, selling their cultural poison.
"The majority of people here in the south are rightwing conservatives simply because they have been told to be one."
Why is it that liberals believe they came to their own political conclusions by wisely pondering all the possibilities, but conservatives just do what they are told?
I'm a conservative, and so is feenix. Obviously, neither of us are stupid, so why would you assume other conservatives are stupid and just do what they are told?
Will, I am not assuming that all conservatives are stupid. How ever the quality of education here in South Carolina point to the fact that the majority of people who graduated school in this state lack a decent education. The majority of people in this state are conservative rightwing republicans. How could I possibly arrive at a different conclusion. There are always exceptions to the rule but when the ability to read is not a requirement to graduate I have a hard time assuming anything other than the obvious.
"How ever the quality of education here in South Carolina point to the fact that the majority of people who graduated school in this state lack a decent education."
"How ever" is actually one word: however.
Not only am I a right-wing Republican, I went to school in Williston South Carolina, where I learned to spell 'however'. In fact, I still own property in South Carolina.
Your attempt to paint southern conservatives as non-thinking, uneducated robots is absurd.
How did you like Rupa?
Feenix great hub, but as you know I am a pragmatic. I fully disagree with affirmative action. If someone needs to raise you to great heights, you never earned that position. It rips away both achievement and responsibility, above all it creates a belief in entitlement without sacrifice. I tend to agree with you on the Civil Right Movement, while most break into a song and dance routine about “civil disobedience” there are enough grave markers to mark it for what it really was.
Try this on for size... Instead of the draft, let us strip the citizenship from everyone who does not choose to take on the burden on national defense. I think the nation would be much better off if the people who truly participated in its wellbeing made the decisions. Instead of having shoulder-to-shoulder federal agents on the border, let us do what 75% of other nations do; turn all illegal crossing sites into a free fire zones and minefields.
I am for women in combat in fact I fully support them on the frontline, especially since 75% of our population is too fat and too cowardly to get off their collective behinds.
I think that the homosexual community needs to experience the same level of responsibility for this nation as any other group, though they should find assignment to separate units. Their lives are not precious, so why do we make them so by denying them the opportunity to die for this nation. I also believe that if they could marry they would regret it, since this particular community still holds the highest infidelity and relationship failures. We have given them a free pass on divorce and actually created a new protected group, who will ultimately drag down society.
For you Stump, great to see you here, I will let you in on a little secret. When it comes to the Democratic Party, it is a group of school-trained ninnies with little or no honest to god knowledge of how to apply theory to real life. Theory without technique is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute at 250 feet and 500mph. Republicans, on the other hand hold too many beliefs in what constitutes a harmonious society. Southerners tend to be religious regardless to our educational level, and this encourages most of us to support the Republican Party. To add insult to injury, the Republican Party demographically is far more educated then the left, own more companies, and dollar for dollar hold more wealth. This is why Republicans still fume over contribution limits in political campaigns.
Have a good evening Will, I finished school in Inman SC and my mastery of the spelling skills shows it, If it makes you feel better to run away than soi be it. You had no problem understanding what I wrote and chose to act like a kid. If you only converse with people who use proper spelling on here it must be a boring hobby for you. The majority of people I meet on a regular basis do not believe in evolution. The majority of people in this area believe the planet is only 6000 years old. The majority of people in this state actually think Sarah Palin is what this country needs.
Tages, good evening. I will be the first to admit that the Democratic party has all or even most of the answers. There are some republican canidates I support whole heartedly. Party politics is the root of all evil. It is as simple as that. The answer is easy to find. Term limits. No self-serving politician on either side will agree to this. Lobbyists have aquired total control of our so called Democratic process. All right Stump just got off himself. Someone else's turn.
sorry Tages, I just caught one of your comments as I was posting my reply. //To add insult to injury, the Republican Party demographically is far more educated then the left// I dont understand this statement and here is why. Out of the top least educated states in this country, 8 of them are the most religious. The majority of rightwing conservative republicans are christians. There has to be and there is a high concentration of republicans in this uneducated state in this country.
WOW!!!!
Hey, I always admire anyone from any group or ideology that states what they feel and where they stand.
I've never liked affirmative action. I worked for eyars that the Dallas ISD, and saw first hand the never ending race wars there between whites, blacks, and Mexican Americans. . .mostly due to affirmative action.
Nothing good about the "good ol' boy" system, but affirmative action was . . . no better.
When Bill Cosby went off that time a few years back - it blew my mind, I douldn't do much other than applaude.
Well, 'Stump' (apt name), I believe it was you who chose to attack conservatives as uneducated dolts incapable of making their own political decisions, so don't start whining when you get a dose of your own medicine.
And I never run from anything.
Deleted my comments to your hub. I gave you 108 things Obama has acoomplished and you refused to post them. Maybe not a run but it sure was a really fast walk.
Well, I missed all the action. Anyway, I was off line because I was out doing The Lord's work. I held an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting at the Manhattan Detention Facility (the Tombs).
What I would to see is a conversation in Washington that even remotly resembles those I read here on Hub Pages. You know when the best ideas are tossed out and maybe even used to help America get beck on track. feenix, the most telling thing you said is that you are willing to shine shoes. I take that to mean that working at all is better than no work at all. I crawed under retirement homes here in Florida fixing the plumbing. We need to get America back to work instead of worrying about who is left and who is right we need to move forward. I don't care if you are a lib or a con losing your home is tough and it is not good for Americans,no matter how they vote.
Hi Stump,
"Deleted my comments to your hub. I gave you 108 things Obama has acoomplished and you refused to post them."
That's because it had zip to do with the topic of accusing the Tea Party of racism, not to mention that your 108 line 'comment' was longer than the original Hub!
Comment on the Hub topic and I'll let it stand.
GNelson, YES! For so long as I have my strength and good health, I will do whatever work is available to me, even if the only employment available is such things as working at McDonalds, working as a men's room attendant in an upscale restaurant, mowing lawns and shining shoes. I do not ever want to be dependent on government handouts for my well-being.
Will, I really do regret that I was not here last night when Stump wandered in. I would have had a good time "duking it out" with him.
Hi Feenix! Well, you certainly opened up a hub for discussion today! Gosh, I have so much to say!
Let me say that even though we have never met, regardless of our political views, you are my brother. I appreciate your perspectives and respect them. It is unfortunate that some blacks turned on you because you believe what you believe.
As I look at your list, I am with you on most of it and may disagree on one or two - mainly based on history or perception. For example, I believe the Civil Rights Movement helped bring the plight of many blacks to the attention of those whites not impacted by the negativities associated with Jim Crow laws (whites that lived in states like Montana and Wyoming). This ensured that laws were changed and put into place to protect blacks.
I think liberal policies have hampered blacks because some of us have become dependent upon social programs and policies. Progressive policies have not been good for blacks in general. Hollywood and the music industry has not helped. I think that many liberals harbor an intense prejudicy for blacks and use politics to keep us separated, segregated and dependent upon them. But where are the conservatives? Republicans allowed themselves to be branded as wealthy, aloof racists and have done very little to overcome this. It is not all the liberal media's fault. There is a fringe of the GOP that needs to be dealt with.
Admittedly, it took me some time but I grew to like Reagan as a very good communicator and I actually voted for the first George Bush over Clinton. I did, however, grow to like Clinton (Bill, not Hilary). I did not like the second George Bush and the nation is still suffering due to him. I voted for Obama - but I have grown to dislike his policies and would not vote for him today. I am what you would call an independent voter - I vote for who I believe will best represent me and the country.
White conservatives, I believe, need to be better educated about the contributions of blacks to this nation as well as understand that not all of us live in poverty, are involved in criminal activity and are involved in the illicit drug trade. Michael Steele, Condi Rice and other high profile blacks are not the "special ones" that made it. There are many, many more like them. I know blacks that are living much better than whites - and many whites are surprised that blacks are doing well. The media give the impression that blacks are bad and some white conservatives - distrustful of the liberal media - are willing to believe what is reported about blacks in the same liberal media (yet their is silence when the Justice Department finds evidence that white police officers are framing blacks in major cities).
I see white conservatives making enroads into black communities by doing several things. First, start speaking out against prejudicy and racism because it DOES exist. There is a misconception that blacks want special treatment. Some, yes. But, all in all, blacks want to be treated fairly and equally FOR REAL! When you see or hear of a black person being denied an opportunity or promotion, do something. Stop covering for friends and family members that are obviously prejudiced. Second, start approaching black communities, learn the culture and start working to change things - if you really care. Black people want change in this country as well as others. In other words get to know your fellow Americans outside of work and superficial means of communication.
What I don't want white conservatives to do is to "identify" black conservative politicians for us and then thrust them in our face wanting "us" to accept them because "they" feel comfortable with them. That is insulting. I would be happy with a black or white conservative that can communicate with ALL segments of the black community as well as people in rural America. Black people are not going to accept someone that smiles in their faces and then secretly washes their hands after shaking the hand of a black person. Just as blacks should not allow Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to represent us as the leaders of the black community, conservatives need to stop allowing Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck to be seen as theirs.
I know that the title of your hub, in part, is in jest but I don't see you as an Uncle Tom. An Uncle Tom in my opinion, is one who totally turns against ones people while extolling the virtues of another people, while still not being fully accepted by that people the Uncle Tom is most favorable towards. An Uncle Tom hates what he sees in the mirror. You, sir, understand that problems do exist, you acknowledge and confront them and move on. You like what you see in the mirror.
We have a lot of problems in our communities. However, white conservatives talking about the problems but not having the willingness to help is akin to sipping soda through a straw with a hole in it. I'm not suggesting handouts. I am suggesting advice, help in setting up businesses and mentoring. Start challenging the rich liberals "working" in black communities.
Ok. I have written enough. Feenix, I own handguns, rifles and shotguns. I use them to hunt and for protection. I am not giving them up. I am a stones throw away from earning a PhD. I have worked my way based upon my talents and abilities. No need for AA as long as I am treated equally and fairly. I am conservative in many ways and in no way an "oreo." But I also know too well that ugliness in our society exists. Liberals and progressives have held us back in some ways. I'm looking to see more from conservatives than talk.
Excellent hub, sir and I enjoyed reading the comments associated with it. There are so many wonderful, caring people here!
Dexter, thank you very much for your thoughtful, well-written comment (you should have published it as a hub ;-) ) And I feel the same way that you do: You and I are brothers. In fact, I really do admire and respect you, Dexter. I owe you so much because you are one of my biggest fans here on HubPages and you have given me a whole lot of encouragement which is helping me to improve both as a person and as a writer.
I agree with feenix, Dexter. That should be a Hub!
feenix,
Very impressed with your integrity...a common trait in most conservatives. I really appreciate you standing up for your beliefs with the passion you have.
Excellent hub....I vote up and awesome....and I have become a fan.
Sorry! But I had to say what I said while I had some attention! lol :-)
Why thank you very much, CMerritt. I really do appreciate your encouraging words and the vote that you gave this post. And I am your fan, too.
Greetings, feenix, some of your quotes in the article
"I am always ready, willing and able to compete with white males under “their rules”, even if “their rules” are “unfair to women and minorities
If we took this rule as a premise, then only WASPs would have jobs,
-" I do not believe that there should be law-enforced desegregation of such places as schools, neighborhoods and workplaces".
Good grief, man, you have been around long enough to know what it was like prior to the desegregation laws. Are you advocating a return to that, no sir, absolutely not!
You have to be just aggravating people just for its own sake, where is the basis of the positions you take, beside their being rightwing?
"Concluding, I said, It is beneath my dignity to accept a job in a place where if not for an affirmative-action program, I would not be regarded as equal to white males"
Would it be beneath your dignity to accept a job when you are the best qualified applicant, for goodness sakes thare are many that the say the President attained to his position based on AA, utter nonsense.
There are plenty of good looking African american men with a mastery of the English language that have a problem with your position.
" Based on the way I see things, the “rich” should only be required to pay very low taxes."
Why?
"Even though more than 90% of my racial counterparts support the Democratic Party and are in favor of such things as affirmative action, law-enforced desegregation of schools and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday being a holiday, I do not feel compelled to follow their lead, nor do I ever feel any pressure to do so."
Nothing wrong with some of your points or having your own opinion, just be prepared to defend them in the arena of ideas, why is Jimcrow better than equal access to facilities? Seems that if you are up to it, you need more articles and I will be watching, reading, and commenting as you do. But on the other hand you may have some that addressed your incindiary statement that you have already penned.
regards Cred2
Great article! Way to go feenix! ( I agree with everything but I think there should be gun control) I think there should be more people like you in this world.
Excellent hub!!
Feenix, I don't agree with Affirmative Action. It is an insult to blacks or any other minorities as it is saying that these people don't have a hope and hell of getting a job otherwise. What a bunch of crap!
I am a white female. Being white does not make me
better, smarter or more entitled to a job. The most qualified candidate should get the job regardless of
colour, race or creed.
In Canada affirmative action is known as Employment Equity. The following is from an editorial from a Toronto newspaper.
"Honesty is one thing that has been missing from the debate on employment equity, with the truth obscured by layer upon layer of carefully scripted pseudo-science, bafflegab and out and out lies."
Credence, with all due respect, don't worry about me defending myself. I am always ready, willing and able to get it on.
It is just that opposite of the way that most other blacks think, I do not think like a slave. I don't give a damn about being "permitted" to sit on the same toilet stools as whites.
And similar to what I have already stated, such things as law-enforced integration and affirmative action are nothing but present-day versions of the "Great White Masters" allowing a few of the "darkies" to move into the "Big House".
You can think like a slave if you want to, but I choose not to think that way. I am highly liberated in the way I think, which is an attribute that most American blacks do not have.
Memories1932, thank you very much for your generous comment and I am honored that you took the time to read this hub.
Sueswan, thank you for your comment, but I am especially grateful to you for quoting that paragraph from a Toronto newspaper. That writer really did hit the nail squarely on the head. He hit a home run, or because you are one of my Canadian cousins, I will say he scored a goal ;-)
Uncle Tom or insert Red Neck, or even Coon Ass, but definitely not a Black or African American mind, I guess your assoiations has changed your mind. You are really interesting.
With all due respect, feenix, I had you to call you out on this one
"It is just that opposite of the way that most other blacks think, I do not think like a slave. I don't give a damn about being "permitted" to sit on the same toilet stools as whites"
The courts say that in the circumstance of Dejure segregation that in practice,separate is inherently unequal, are you in disagreement with the courts? If so, why?
So that means while whites have toilets, you get a outhouse and thats ok? You don't think that you are worthy of a toilet to sit upon? You are a slave when you think that you are not entitled to the best commensurate with your preparation and effort. You are more than willing to resign your life and life chances into the hands of others without cause or merit.
If you see yourself as not equal to others and accepting of abuse, does not constitute a form of self-loathing?
Yes, I am a lib, interested in fair and equal access to opportunity and benefits in this society, not special privileges.
Those that are cheering you on here are feeding it.
I am conversing with you because I want to understand the other side, with is the philosophical pins that hold it together and under it does it truly mean that we all resign ourselves to a life similar to that of Uncle Tom in the novel.
Pony express must be used to deliver your cmmments Feenix. You are not all gated up, huh? No one but Frog Prince ever denied me a comment.
Credense2, if I am ever denied access to a "white toilet" I will construct my own toilet. I am not going to expend my time and energy on crusading to gain access to a place where I am not welcome.
As a matter of fact, if back in the 1950s and 1960s blacks had pooled their resources to build and establish such things as their own transportation companies, restaurants, hotels, and private schools instead of expending their energies on marches, sit-ins, etc. to gain the "right" to sit next to whites on buses and share toilets with them, black society would be far better today than it is.
And I am not saying the foregoing in hindsight. Back in the 1960s, there was a large organization of young blacks in Los Angeles, including myself, who were strictly opposed to the Civil Rights Movement. We believed that movement should have been replaced by a bold new one driven by high degrees of black enterprise, capitalism and self-determination.
However, our oganization was sabotaged and knocked out of operation, largely by Martin Luther King, Jr. followers. They did not want anyone or anything stealing his thunder. And those same types helped the feds to destroy the Black Panthers, US and the Black Liberation Army.
Credense2, if I am ever denied access to a "white toilet" I will construct my own toilet. I am not going to expend my time and energy on crusading to gain access to a place where I am not welcome.
As a matter of fact, if back in the 1950s and 1960s blacks had pooled their resources to build and establish such things as their own transportation companies, restaurants, hotels, and private schools instead of expending their energies on marches, sit-ins, etc. to gain the "right" to sit next to whites on buses and share toilets with them, black society would be far better today than it is.
-----------------------------------------------------
Equal access to public accomodations is a right not a privilege. It certainly is not a matter of your being welcome or not. We cannot build our own hospitals, law schools and the like. So this separate, build your own idea can only go so far...
"We believed that movement should have been replaced by a bold new one driven by high degrees of black enterprise, capitalism and self-determination"
Ok, you might have said so in the first place. What has that got to do with "uncle tom". Uncle Tom was a slave and a slave is by definition not about empowerment. I would not say that the civil rights movement needed to replaced more than augmented with the points that you make. We have a strong left leg, but the right leg(self reliance, self determination, black capitalism has atrophied, consequently we don't walk but hobble as both legs are necessary. I agree that emphasis needs to be placed here almost exclusively, looking at the success of other groups, the Asians, seeing how insular they are and exactlng in their standards. They are an example of how it is done.
The GOP is not the solution to anything, they are interested only in promoting the interests of the very upper crust of income earners. They have nothing to promote or even acknowledge the need for Blacks to develop in the areas you mention. Consistantly voting against the interest of the middle class and small business owners certainly is not the way.
BTW, you are not going to take on the annoying rightwing habit of insulting others are you? Your misspelling of my 'handle" was it intentional or not? I don't know but it does act as an impediment to civil conversation.
Credence2, as a group, Americans of Asian descent have the highest average income in the U.S. And because I am from southern California, which has a very large concentration of Americans of Asian descent, I have seen first-hand what is at the root of their financial success.
They do, in fact, frequently pool their resources for the purpose of constructing and establishing their own businesses, private schools, transportation enterprises, and I could go on.
The big difference between you and me is that you believe that government intervention is the answer and I believe that self-reliance and self-determination is the answer.
One more thing. When I was growing up in Los Angeles in the 1950s and 1960s, I lived in an all-black community in which nearly all of the local businesses were owned by blacks, there were several black-owned private schools, and most of the residents were property owners.
In other words, the neighborhood was essentially self-contained. About the only things the residents required from government was to provide police protection and to pick up the garbage on time.
And back then, there were many, many black neighborhoods like mine around the country. But along came the Civil Rights Movement, and that resulted in the dismantlement of those great neighborhoods. Large numbers of blacks started moving out of those areas to live next door to whites who almost always moved away as soon as those "strange new neighbors" moved next to them.
You see, I believe that if black society had continued to be self-reliant like much of it was in the 1950s and 1960s, a great many racial barriers would have ended up crumbling all by themselves. By becoming a strong economic force (like the Americans of Asian descent have done), blacks would have been absorbed into the mainstream with hardly any questions asked.
Credence2, please accept my apology for mispelling your handle. It was not intentional at all.
And you have to cut me a little slack because, after all, I am a senior citizen. Perhaps the reason why I keep misspelling your name is I am in the early stages of some kind of memory disorder.
Feenix, we are not so far apart, the difference is that I acknowledge that both government invention and self reliance and determination are necessary. I recognize that the self reliance and self determination side is more than inadequate. I am not sure that the right's solution of ignoring and turning back the former is going to promote the latter. I could only dream that we had the discipline and structure enjoyed by the Asian groups. We would be running the place by now. They don't seem to need civil rights leaders, why do we? Slavery has had profound effect on the psyche of our people. Why do our kids take an anti-intellectual bent in school? Many black men tell me that they fundementally distrust the system and that only thru sports and entertainment can they find an unfettered access to success and that the traditional disciplines are controlled by, the 'man' who they see as subconsciously dedicated to their failure. Bill Cosby says that we are in control as a group of vast amounts of financial resources if we would direct it toward investing in ourselves rather than consumption and immediate gratification. The hispanics are doing a better job of these things. These discussions are much like the ones had by Booker T. Washington and DEB DuBois about the fate of Black America over a century ago.
Credence2, I think you're right. You and I are not that far apart. In fact, I have given thought to what you said about how important it was for black people to secure equal rights and equal access.
Now, I am beginning to lean towards envisioning a movement consisting both a "crusade" for equality and one that addresses blacks' social and economic problems.
And you mentioned Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Well, as a matter of fact, those two had an ongoing debate that was similar to the one that you and I have been having.
Essentially, Washington argued that "black progress was contingent on what could have been described as black enterprise while DuBois argued that "black progress" was contingent on blacks' gaining equal rights and being admitted into the mainstream.
Feenix, Our conversation has been of great value to me that far exceed the accumulated total of those that I have had with others on my side of the ideological divide last month. I have learned a great deal. I am with you in doing what needs to be done in our communities to improve things.
Credence2, the feeling is mutual. I have learned a lot, too. I believe that what we have here is the beginning of a good friendship here on Hubpages.
Well, Feenix, you aim to debate. LOL.
I will not debate you for who you are. That is not cool to me. Even though I do not agree with you for a second,-- LOL. Sorry, had to get that in. LOL.
You call yourself a right-winger -- Oh lord. LOL. -- and I am certain -- like Lawrence O'Donnell -- I am a socialist. No shame in our games huh? LOL.
Hey, I love the social programs that help this country. The V.A., State and City Universities, Pell Grants, Prisons -- keep their asses in jail, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Job corp, public schools, and etc.
I love those jobs created by the government too. Police officers, fire fighters, EMT, school teachers, soldiers, and etc. LOL. I do not believe those things or people hurt this country at all. Well, that is my opinion. LOL.
So, yeah, I believe I am a big time socialist Liberal. LOL. My father's so not proud. LOL.
Just sharing a little of who I am. LOL. Just being as brave as you sharing this Hub.
I am sharing this Hub on my Face-Book page.
Take Care,
N.E.
N.E. I do not really see anything wrong with the ways in which you see things. One of the primary reasons why America is such a great place to live in is the country has such a wide range and efficient assembly of public services.
One more thing, N.E. I will always consider you to be one of my best friends on Hubpages, no matter what. After all, when I joined this site, you were one of the first people to welcome and reach out to me. I will never forget that, mi amiga buena (a little Bronx P.R. and D.R. lingo).
LOL.
Same here Feenix.
Have a great Memorial Day.
My brother's restaurant is closed I believe so I am going to be searching for a BBQ place for my son. LOL.
Take Care,
N.E.
Hi Feenix, we have many of the same views. But if there was a way for me to be a Democratic/Republican then thats were I would be.
Brinafr3sh, thank you for the comment.
And do you know something? You can be a "Dem/Rep" if you want to because there is nothing wrong with that.
You do not have to be loyal to any one party; I'm not. For example, just because I have conservative views on social, economic and political issues, the Republicans do not have me in their back pocket.
What it comes down to is I am a member of my own party and I very pleased with that, even though there is only one person in it.
Well I guess thats what matters. I'm taking notes.
Brinafr3sh, just keep in mind that quite often, I am really wayout. So, please bear with me, or forgive me, on those occasions ;-)
feenix, you are cool. Can we clone you and spread you around the world?
mslizzee, thank you very much. You made my day. And you're not so bad yourself, my new friend. I glanced at some of your hubs and they looked very interesting. When I get back from church today, I am going to read some of them and let you know I was there.
Hi, very nice reading yr hub.http://www.micocrane.com/
Mico, thank you very much. And if I ever need any heavy equipment, you're my man ;-)
Aaaahhh, that was good reading. Thanks!
Again another interesting read Feenix! I can see we would disagree on a hell of a lot, but the conversation would be extremely interesting. Hope to be back and address some of your beliefs... I still don't think I have convinced you on the same sex marriage issue. LOL Wishing you a good day.
Hello, Justsilvie,
It is really good to here from you. I was thinking about you yesterday, because I was wondering how things were going with your preparations to move back to the States.
And so far as the "same-sex marriage thing," I don't know what's coming over me. My opposition to it is beginning to dissolve -- somewhat ;-)
As usual Feenix, this was a great hub to read. I grew up listening to old stereotypes and weird racist ideals. Which is kinda funny, really. I am half Native American and half white (English/German descent). My parents grew up in the 50's and 60's like you. And I heard all of these stories on both sides of the Black Panthers breaking up the white neighborhoods etc... Then on the other hand, I heard my Grandparents talk of growing up as Native Americans and how hard they had it. Personally, I just don't care anymore. At one time or another every ethnicity has had a bad rap or been enslaved either by literal chains or by being barred socially or economically. Hopefully my generation and my children's generation will forget about and not teach our younger generation about the hate and ethnist ( I hate the term racist, we are all of one race, human)stories and contempt of our ancestor's. Thanks again for this great hub. Not many people would be willing to go out on a limb like you did to write a hub like this!
Hello, daskittlez,
Thank you very much for your generous and thoughtful comment.
During my lifetime, I have seen vast changes for the best when it comes to race relations. And because I am an optimist, I am confident that the best is yet to come.
Hey feenix, just got around to reading this hub and as usual it is one of the better hubs out there. I, too, hope that one day we will see people for who they are not what color. We ALL bleed red. Voted up and awesome!
Hey, Geo,
I am really glad to hear from you, and thank you very much for the compliment and the vote.
Just had to come back and read it again. I was just thinking, I'm surprised that talk show didn't have you back. Not because they agreed with you but it could have been good for ratings. Just wondering, are there any good liberal black radio talk shows in America today? I'm sure I'll be back to read it again. Keep up the good work.
Hey, Right Black,
It is really good to hear from, and thank you for coming back to this page.
And as a matter of fact, I appeared as a guest on that radio station two times after the one I discussed in this hub.
"Good liberal black radio talk shows?"
Isn't that an oxymoron? ;-)
Can I get a big, "AMEN"?
"... nor do I need, any special provisions to help me land a job or promotion."
Oh, and why is that? That's right, because you're just as capable as anyone...not 3/4 of a man, as the liberals would have us believe! I truly feel affirmative action policies "affirm" the fact that democrats have never changed their view of the blacks, other minorities, women, and coming soon... homosexuals.
Liberals only like the black man if he continues to play the role of the victim. They need those votes! Libs only like women when we are objects of sexual gratification. I am NOT allowed to think for myself and G-d forbid I express any conservative views. I am shunned. I have had the most vile things spewed at me from folks who claim to "support women" and "minorities." Liberals only like gays if they are parroting their politics. A gay person who challenges them? Not even recognized -- fully ignored. Hell, Hollywood basically only hires straight men to play gays, so what does that tell you about their "real" feelings? Mexicans? Oh, they love 'em! ...when we are mowing their lawns.
Uh-oh...I'm a mixed-race, woman, Christian, and conservative. According to messages from liberals, I should have been aborted. Aren't they loving? Those open-minded, tolerant people.
They hypocrisy of the left in this country is so insane.
Look, I get that there are genuine people that felt like those affirmative action policies might actually help people get through life...but, hasn't enough time gone by to see that none of these things have really done what they promised? You would think by now they would recognize, "This isn't working; let's do something else."
The only reason that many of them do not is because it *feels* good to support these types of laws. They are not genuinely interested in results; they just want to FEEL good about their support. Anyone who dares calls them out is not a "real woman," not a "real gay," not a "real black," and not a "real Mexican/other minority."
For a group who goes around, sanctimoniously declaring how they never judge others, they sure have no trouble judging people as "real" or not, don't they?
I know there are differences in how minorities are treated and I know there is REAL racism that occurs but, black folks are not weak. They don't need white people. They just need to be treated equal, not special. If someone honestly does not want to hire you because of your skin color, why would you want to work for them anyway? Start your own business and hire only blacks.
You are VERY brave and you are doing right by your people! Keep it UP and get as loud as you can. I am linking your stuff everywhere I can! BTW, YOU are not the Uncle Tom. We know who the REAL Uncle Tom's are. ;)
Hey, Tuesday,
Terrific comment. Absolutely terrific.
You see, the problem is left-wing socialistic white liberals view such people as blacks, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans the same way that most humans view pets and livestock.
Those liberals regard blacks, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, etc. as poor dumb animals that have to be cared for, and that should be pitied.
Excellent! You are so brave to be on that talk show. I think that Affirmative Action is one of the greatest insults toward minorities.
I even agree with you on your ,"women in combat" view.
Hi, Skarlet,
One of these days I am going to write a hub about the time I was a guest on a TV talk show on which I locked horns with Al Sharpton.
And I really did "do him in."
That will be a good one. I don't know how you can do it. It's really emotional to get into things lie that. Good, I am glad you did him in. Haha! :)
Hello, Skarlet,
A few years ago, I developed a technique that I call my alter-ego routine.
On those occasions when I must argue or debate about politics, I become my alter-ego who goes by the name Ol' $kool Kool.
And by doing that, I keep the heat off me. ;-)
Wow! More power to Ol'$kool Kool! That is one thing I would have a lot of trouble trying to do.
Skarlet, because I was born and raised in Hollywood, I've got show business in my blood. ;-)
WillStarr Level 8 Commenter 12 months ago
As ten year old boy in the fifties, I flew with my mother and sisters from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Augusta, Georgia, and I almost immediately saw segregation up close and ugly when I looked for a restroom and saw my first “Whites only” sign.
Do we owe blacks anything today for that?
Yes, we owe them the dignity of great expectations.
How is the current, covert, liberal view of limited black ability that must be buffered with special advantages and guidance by superior white liberals, any different from the overt segregation of fifty years ago?
Teaching young people that they are forever inferior, dependent, and limited has resulted in 75% out of wedlock births, growing up without fathers or fatherly discipline in the home, and dying on the streets of the ghettos with a misplaced loyalty to a gang family.
When I was defending the right to keep and bear arms in a political forum, I looked into the reasons why other armed citizen countries has such a lower gun crime rate than the US. I was stunned to learn that over 50% of all gun murders are committed by young black males, who make up less than 7% of the population, killing other young black males. Nearly another 25% are committed by young Latino males killing other young Latino males. Other armed, western countries have very small minority populations, so their rates are far lower.
This is a well hidden national disgrace! We have blacks right where liberals want them…in ghettos where they are thrown a bone and out of sight. A few make it big as rappers where they are also prone to kill or be killed. A few make it big as sports stars. A few make it in music or on the stage. A few break out and excel in school and go on to greatness, but most are condemned to ghetto life.
Hopefully, the likes of Herman Cain, Clarence Thomas, and Condoleezza Rice will inspire more and more young black kids to throw of the ugly yoke of liberal low expectations and to strive for greatness.
All of us really are created equal, despite the liberal teachings that we are not.
Sorry to be so long winded, feenix, but this one has been gnawing at me for a long time.
Excellent Hub!