Guns, Germs and Steel

[MMMMMM]

Well, Cody, this is interesting.

Please name a few examples of current persons in the public eye whom you admire and view as "culturally black" (preferably, persons who would conceivably be good in public office as well).

[adios]

and elaborate as much as time permits.

[Cyrus]

I agree with you that Condi Rice is culturally white -- even though that is a loaded term --- and I do not intend to waste time explaining why.

However, it would be a serious mistake not to acknowledge the changes in American culture and politics by the (literallyy casual) ascendance to important political positions of people from racial and ethnic minorities, such as blacks and hispanics.

This has been accomplished during Dubya's first term and gets more momentum now, in his second term, most prominently with a black woman getting a position so close in the line of succession for the Presidency, constitutionally. [The first black woman was Patricia Harris, but entered at only 13th in line when she became HUD Secretary, in Carter's administration.]

The whole American culture, as a direct result of the decades' old civil rights movement and the subsequent legislation of the 1960s and 60s, has shifted; the zeitgeit is now duly reflected.

It seems always best for people's well-being when revolutions happen casually, bloodlessly and without much fanfare. Take the racial wars in America (still very racist in many parts, though) or the Cold War itself -- and then witness how Rice gets appointed without so much as a pip from the White Citizens Councils or how the USSR imploded with less dust than the Sands!

This is, however, a false picture. We don't see blood and agony now because there was a tremendous amounf of blood and agony before. We should remember Ms Parks and the rest, because they were behind Dubya's Rice.

But we should acknowledge Dubya's part in it, too.

(Who said an idiot cannot move History forward? [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img])

[Felix_Nietsche]

I think he is saying when a black person wearing a dew-rag(or sideways baseball cap), exposed boxers, gold teeth,and jeans hanging around his knees; becomes elected to high office....then the USA will be an race enlightened country....

I'll let Bill Cosby handle this from here... [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[HDPM]

so when Condi's father had to grab some guns and defend his family against a southern lynch mob was he more black or less black than Rosa Parks?

This kind of racial BS is so tiresome. Condi is an individual. She grew up with some hardships and problems because of her race that were worse than some other black people knew. Not as bad as others. But to say she is somehow less black because of her individual views is offensive and stupid. People have no obligation to think or act a certain way because of their skin color.

[Richard Tanner]

So you're saying that Condi is what you would consider the "average black women", or rather that most black women in America would say she represents them?

Cody

[Richard Tanner]

You know, I can't think of any, that's kinda the point. Minorities have to be run through such a normalizing process that it doens't seem as though they represent any part of the culture that they come from.
I suppose one exception might be Obama, from IL, but truthfully I don't know enough about him or his actions to say either way.

Cody

[zaxx19]

People have no obligation to think or act a certain way because of their skin color.

Apparently liberals do not subscribe to this type of thinking. Kind of ironic when you think about it.

The scary part is as far as I know the people on this board who are determining who is "culturally black: (whatever that is supposed to mean...) are non-blacks themselves.

Id like to ask which traits make you culturally black??

Who determines if you are culturally black??

If in fact there is something as being culturally black can white people be black?? Puerto Ricans?? Should appointments of these types of people be counted as moving black people forward in America??


So you're saying that Condi is what you would consider the "average black women", or rather that most black women in America would say she represents them?

P.S.

I wouldnt say Christine Brinkley is understood as an avg white women or that white women believe she represents them...SO WHAT SHE IS STILL WHITE.

[Richard Tanner]

Wow, that's a bit of a jump from my post. I was refering mainly to her policies. I believe in the 2000 election, Bush got 5% of the African American vote, I'm not sure what it was this time but I don't think I remember him getting a large amount. We could conclude therefor that most african americans, at least those that voted, do not agree with Republican policies. If this is true, then it's fair to say that Condi, while certainly a great politicain, isn't a real representative of african americans.

Cody

[Richard Tanner]

Ok, I now regret my choice of words, but not the sentiment behind them. So I ask again, do you consider Condi a representitive of the political beliefs of African Americans.

Cody