![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TexasChic on January 17, 2006, at 20:36:08
Has it been long enough that that statement isn't lame anymore?
-------------------------
Mayor Ray Nagin apologized for a... speech in which he predicted that New Orleans would be a "chocolate" city once more and asserted that "God was mad at America.""I said some things that were totally inappropriate. ... It shouldn't have happened," Nagin said, explaining he was caught up in the moment...
During the speech Monday, Nagin, who is black, said that the hurricanes that hit the nation in quick succession were a sign of God's anger toward the United States and toward black communities, too, for their violence and infighting. He also said New Orleans has to be a mostly black city again because "it's the way God wants it to be."
The mayor said his speech was really meant to convey that blacks were a vital part of New Orleans' history and culture and should be encouraged to return. "I want everyone to be welcome in New Orleans — black, white, Asian, everybody," he said.
Nagin said the other main point ... was that when blacks do return, they must work to stamp out the crime and political infighting that have held them back.
-------------------------You know, as a non black person, I understand the need to rally around a specific group that is downtrodden. I've seen it happen with women all the time. But everyone freaks out about race. I think as Americans, its impossible to know who has African blood and who doesn't considering the history of out nation. The biggest bigots probably have a black heritage that they don't even know about.
I can't even comprehend slavery. Its like completely alien to me. We all came from the same place at some point, no matter what your beliefs! We just happen to have enough people in the world now that we can segregate according to skin color and/or race.
Oh well, off the soapbox now. If I offened anybody I am truly sorry, it was not intentional. I know how touchy the subject is, and I by no means think I'm the authority on it. I am only one very ignorant girl just trying to comprehend this world I was born into.
-T
Posted by James K on January 17, 2006, at 21:03:14
In reply to Can't we all just get along?, posted by TexasChic on January 17, 2006, at 20:36:08
We have a small thread going about this on Politics. I think more about the God part than the race part.
James K
Posted by wildcard on January 18, 2006, at 11:55:32
In reply to Re: Can't we all just get along? » TexasChic, posted by James K on January 17, 2006, at 21:03:14
It's like the Christian network and Pat ?? having said more than one racial and crude remark on public television BUT HE'S A CHRISTIAN RIGHT?! B*LLSHIT...I think i'm hormonal today.
Posted by Phillipa on January 18, 2006, at 17:57:49
In reply to It just pisses me off... » James K, posted by wildcard on January 18, 2006, at 11:55:32
I can't believe the difference between the North and South. Heck way back in high school in Ct my best friend was Afro-American. All the while they poor people were going to the back of a bus in the South. Unveliveable! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by TexasChic on January 19, 2006, at 17:44:41
In reply to Re: It just pisses me off... » wildcard, posted by Phillipa on January 18, 2006, at 17:57:49
> I can't believe the difference between the North and South. Heck way back in high school in Ct my best friend was Afro-American. All the while they poor people were going to the back of a bus in the South. Unveliveable! Fondly, Phillipa
I know, it IS pretty unbelievable.
What would make sane people believe they are superior to other human beings, that their lives are worth more because of the pigment of their skin? It ridiculous.
-T
Posted by lynn971 on January 19, 2006, at 20:02:27
In reply to Re: It just pisses me off..., posted by TexasChic on January 19, 2006, at 17:44:41
OK
I am a white lady who teaches mostly African American students. I love!!!!! my students. Sometimes my hubby has to tell me that he is tired of hearing me talk about my students.
Today a student said that her favorite movie was "The Titanic" because she enjoyed watching all those white people die. I was so sad that she feels that way. I cant help but think that she is getting that from home. Most children are not prejudice, unless they are taught prejudice.
Posted by James K on January 19, 2006, at 20:12:24
In reply to Re: My heart was broken today, posted by lynn971 on January 19, 2006, at 20:02:27
That's sad. I don't know what age you teach, but if it was a young child she was probably just mimicking something she heard. If it was an older child, well we all know how they can lash out in anger.
You are showing them that the world doesn't have to be that way, every day that you show up. Teaching can be a thankless job sometimes (I know a couple of teachers) but I remember the ones that reached out to me. I think you are one of those.
James K
Posted by wildcard11 on January 19, 2006, at 21:59:21
In reply to Re: My heart was broken today, posted by lynn971 on January 19, 2006, at 20:02:27
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 19, 2006, at 22:34:23
In reply to Re: My heart was broken today » lynn971, posted by James K on January 19, 2006, at 20:12:24
She may be mimicking what she heard, but she also might be reacting to how she has been treated by white folks.
I agree that it is horribly sad. I think a lot of racism has gone "underground." It is more subtle now compared to 50 yrs ago, but it is still there.
I think one of the thoughts abput racism that I have found most profound is the idea that every person's fate is linked to the fate of every other person. Prejudice is everyone's problem b/c when we keep people "down" we may be silencing the next great thinker of our nation.
I think it is a simple, but very important idea.Best,
EE
Posted by James K on January 19, 2006, at 22:49:19
In reply to Re: My heart was broken today, posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 19, 2006, at 22:34:23
> She may be mimicking what she heard, but she also might be reacting to how she has been treated by white folks.
>
---Yeah, I didn't mean to minimize the real crud that still goes on. There are things that happened in my life that make me furious. Things involving the police or "people of a higher class" than me. But they only happened a few times. I know from the black guys I've worked with that they suffered this on a regular basis.If I'm mad for having my rights violated every once in a while. I can't imagine what it takes to contain and maintain when it's daily or monthly or whatever.
James K
Posted by ClearSkies on January 20, 2006, at 6:30:27
In reply to Can't we all just get along?, posted by TexasChic on January 17, 2006, at 20:36:08
I just got back from a short road trip up north, which is down South from where I live. I was totally discouraged by what I saw and heard. On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday holiday, I went to a museum on African American history in a prominent southern town. I was the sole visitor. This museum was located in a really rundown, depressed part of the city. Boarded up businesses interspersed with pawn shops. I was panhandled twice between getting from my car to the front door of the museum.
This isn't just about a city having a dying and broken downtown, or about homeless people looking at a promising visitor who might have an open wallet. I was trying to find a communion on that particular day, with other people, to honour the memory of an important civic leader. It was the first time since the holiday has been named that I didn't have to work during it. I wanted to be able to participate in celebrating MLK's contributions to American life.
Instead what I got was a lesson in apathy and yes, segregation. It was very upsetting to see how little anyone cared about commemorating the day. It's an illness in my daily experience that isn't talked about in anything but the vaguest terms. It doesn't ever get talked about here at Babble, either (thank you, TC for starting this thread). You know, I don't keep quiet about my views on racial prejudice; not any more. And I am soooo careful to keep my language civil (!).
But I'm kind of glad that N.O.'s mayor said what he did, even to retract it a day later, if only because he named the elephant in the room as an elephant.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 20, 2006, at 8:31:12
In reply to Re: Can't we all just get along? » TexasChic, posted by ClearSkies on January 20, 2006, at 6:30:27
Good for you CS for seeking out an appropriate ways to honor MLK. In a way I feel optimistic abt this thread. It is heartening to see people (aka Babblers) who really care abt the important things in life.
best,
EE
Posted by Dinah on January 20, 2006, at 9:14:52
In reply to Re: Can't we all just get along? » TexasChic, posted by ClearSkies on January 20, 2006, at 6:30:27
I can't go that far, CS.
There were ways and ways he could have done that, and given the political reality of the situation, he hurt *everyone* with the way he did do it.
Personally, I find the comments about God wiping out half the city, and sweeping clean the gulf coast worse than the chocolate city comment.
But the reality of what he did made politicians already uncomfortable with sending money to Louisiana leaders (or gave them more of an excuse, depending on your viewpoint). And it further ignited an already tense situation in a tired, hurting, and therefore very volatile populace.
There are ways and ways of pointing out pink elephants.
He's apologized for both comments, and I don't really want to belabor something already publicly regretted. I daresay he'll regret it even more come April.
But I can't say I'm happy he said it.
Posted by TexasChic on January 20, 2006, at 20:48:11
In reply to Re: Can't we all just get along? » ClearSkies, posted by Dinah on January 20, 2006, at 17:00:18
On Thanksgiving I saw my 19 year old cousin who I used to babysit along with her 2 brothers. She's dating a black guy and confided how upset she was that she couldn't bring him to celebrate X-mas with her Dad because her Grandfather was so incredibly prejudice. I told her that at one time people were raised to think that way, like it was the most normal thing in the world. It doesn't make it right of course, but it can help in understanding them.
I told her that her Mom was raised in an age that promoted it, but less so than her grandparents generation. I said she's proof that what is taught can be untaught. She may show slight discomfort - it takes awhile to get stuff like that completely out of your head. But she supports her daughter completely and obviously sees that she can't hang on to old attitudes if she's to be a good mother. I told her that says ALOT about the kind of person her mother is. She agreed.
I also told her that I see a trend, the younger generations seem to be less and less prejudice. In my generation, I still see some prejudice out there. We remember the 70's, that although less blatant, still had a strong undercurrent of prejudice. But in working with 25-28 year olds, I've realized they seem to have a completely different perspective. All they know is from the 80's on when everything suddenly had to be 'PC'.
I told her that her generation seems to only vaguely understand it, and by the time she has children, they will be removed from it even more. They might not even know it except as an old belief like the world is flat. Of course, it will still be taught by parents who won't let it die out, but kids can be strongly influenced by society.
She seemed happy that an 'older' person like myself had absolutely no problem with her having a black boyfriend. I told her when it it comes to men I don't discriminate, a cute guy is a cute guy. She agreed.
-T
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 21, 2006, at 15:21:12
In reply to Re: Can't we all just get along? » ClearSkies, posted by Dinah on January 20, 2006, at 9:14:52
> There were ways and ways he could have done that, and given the political reality of the situation, he hurt *everyone* with the way he did do it...
I agree, let's redirect follow-ups regarding N.O.'s mayor to Psycho-Babble Politics. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20051121/msgs/601524.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.