OPINION & EDITORIAL
State horrible for blacks
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Adam Lichtenheld:
- American policy not very 'Christ-like' (November 26, 2007)
- Media martyrdom plagues shootings (November 14, 2007)
- Discussing Middle East? Go there first (October 31, 2007)
- 'Awareness' weak on Islamic reality (October 17, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Race does, should, and will continue to matter! (December 5, 2001)
- Civil rights movement needs 'Black-In' (November 12, 2007)
- Why skin color should not matter (December 4, 2001)
- Campus diversity stresses differences, not similarities (June 20, 2001)
by Adam Lichtenheld
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
When venturing out of state, I am often asked how I like living in Wisconsin. Aside from the weather, I usually quip that it's pretty damn good.
But then again, I happen to be the favorable skin color.
A week after our state celebrated the pinnacle of the civil-rights movement and a revolutionary leader who helped take us there, with vivid memories of passionate gospels and emotional speeches ringing through the Capitol Rotunda etched in our minds, a reality still remains. Wisconsin is black America's worst nightmare. Only this past summer, it was ranked the worst state to be black by the investigatory online magazine The Black Commentator.
Such a disturbing distinction is not without merit. In Milwaukee, our state's largest and most diverse urban area, a staggering 59 percent of black men are without work — the highest rate of any U.S. city surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly half of the state's black population lives in the most polluted neighborhoods, according to an Associated Press analysis. The latest Census Bureau data shows that Wisconsin is the fifth-worst state for poverty for African-American children. And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice, the Badger State retains the highest African-American incarceration rate in the country — a disturbing reflection of America's severely disproportionate prison population, which is 50 percent black in a nation in which African-Americans make up only 20 percent of citizens.
A fall study by the UW-based Center on Wisconsin Strategies revealed that on a multitude of measures, the state's racial disparities are among the worst in the nation. Milwaukee's steep unemployment rate for black males is four times that of their white counterparts. Black youths in Wisconsin are six times more likely to grow up in poverty than white children. The tenfold difference between the black/white prisoner ratio is something I can personally attest to — as an intern for the state public defender in Madison last summer, I rarely spoke with a Caucasian while interviewing potential clients.
The disadvantaged conditions that minorities endure in America reflect a greater underlying societal problem — one which perpetuates the unfavorable racial conditions that have become Wisconsin's distinction. The social complexities of "white privilege" allow most of us to overlook elements of subconscious racial hostility, disregarding their existence as pure myths told by those who, as we love to allege, are merely "playing the race card." But the sheer fact that some individuals are unaccustomed to having to think about race in their daily lives reveals that white privilege is more than a fabrication inspired by unmet historical grievances.
The fact is, as a white man, I can apply for a job, stand in line at a nice department store looking disheveled and unkempt or drive a car blaring my music and not be considered threatening. As a white man, I can shop without being suspected of shoplifting, be broke without being suspected of being poor and speak without being suspected of being uneducated. As a white man, I can be pulled over by the police or airport security and the thought of racial profiling never enters my mind. As a white man, I can walk into a history class and be sure that the lineage of my country will be told from the perspective of my own race. As a white man, I won't have to seek special "white history" classes to learn about my ancestry, or wait until "White History Month" to remember great leaders of my race. As a white man, I can meet someone for the first time and know that his or her initial focus will not be on the color of my skin. For most individuals, racism is associated with blatant acts of oppression — but it also includes invisible systems of universal complicity whose intrinsic components construct an aura of superiority around one racial group. This is the racism of today — a much less distinctive, though just as ugly, head of bigotry.
Some still attempt to deny that the United States — where, according to the ACLU, one out of every four young black men is in jail, on probation or on parole — is a racist society. Though much of it now exists on a subconscious level, racism continues to be used as a tool of oppression. White privilege is the epitome of intuitive social domination, a hidden infrastructure that emerges, however minimally, on a daily basis. In a self-proclaimed "equal" nation, it continues to endure preserved by the adamant denial of its existence by those who benefit most from it.
Adam Lichtenheld (lichtenheld@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in political science and African studies.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 8:12am):
That can't be right!! I keep hearing about how hard it is to be a white man in this world! What is going on, I thought only Black women got hired for any job or to be in positions of power. Have I been lied to??
Kirk Muse (January 25, 2006 @ 8:57am):
Editor:
Regarding Adam Lichtenheld's: "State horrible for blacks" (1-25-06).
In 1963 when Dr. King delivered his famous I have a dream speech,we had about 200,000 total prisoners. Today, largely because of our war on drugs policies, the United States has more than 2.2 million prisoners.
It's obvious that the so-called war on drugs is actually a war on (politically selected) people--and black people are those politically selected people.
Even though blacks and whites use illegal drugs at about the same rate, blacks are 13 times more likely to go to jail or prison for a so-called drug crime.
Where is the outrage? Where is the outrage from the Black Community?
Where is outrage from the so-called black leaders? Where is the outrage
from America? Where is the outrage from the rest of the world?
The whips and chains of slavery have been replaced with prison cages.
Where is the outrage?!!!
Kirk Muse
1741 S. Clearview Ave.
Mesa, AZ 85209
(480) 396-3399
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 9:36am):
It can't all be racism, not with the success of the people of color who were not born in the USA and raised in the culture of dependency and victimhood created by the welfare society.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 9:59am):
If 1/4 people in any subgroup commit crimes, they will be in jail, on parole, or on probation. It is that simple. Stop comitting crimes, and you have nothing to worry about.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 10:53am):
Great article! It's great to see someone commenting on this issue. As liberal as Madison and Wisconsin are, neither are particularly good places for African-American students to be and at least one person is not afraid to be honest about it.
Wisconsin is a racist state and this is proven by ignorant students like the one who wrote the following quote, :
"If 1/4 people in any subgroup commit crimes, they will be in jail, on parole, or on probation. It is that simple. Stop comitting crimes, and you have nothing to worry about."
I'm not even going to get into this one.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 12:22pm):
I'm so tired of that "look at the immigrants" argument. Go ahead, take a look. I think you'll find that non-white imigrants (antecdotal examples of some truly exceptional and inspiring people notwithstanding) assimilate based on their racial background - and the shame in this country over slavery still means that the darker the skin, the tougher the road.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 12:34pm):
I agree with alot of what you say. The most important think black kids need is an education. So why is Gov. Doyle and WEAC trying to throw black kids out of good choice schools? If you get an education, you can get a job, if you have a job and pay taxes your invested in your community. Then you don't want crime, and you raise your kids with work ethic, and strong family values. rwb
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 2:13pm):
You quoted the ACLU! That's great! Not only did I get a good chuckle, but it allowed me to dismiss the notion that there's at least a sliver of legitimacy to your article. The ACLU...good one!
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 4:29pm):
"...means that the darker the skin, the tougher the road."
I call BS - it's the darker skinned that have it easier, but that's because they're immigrants who are grateful for the opportunities available to ANYONE who has a good work ethic.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 4:35pm):
Aren't blacks the victims of most of the crimes committed by blacks?
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 5:14pm):
Open the playbook and presto lets pick a retread notion from the 1960's. Racism is the casue of poverty and poverty causes criminal behaviour therefore a=b and b=c so we must conclude that a=c.
The truth should be spoken as follows, have children out of wedlock and you will be poor. The effect of single motherhood in teens is not limited to the mother.
What percentage of Blacks in Milwaukee moved from Chicago in the 70-80's to take advantage of better welfare dollars in Wisconsin vs. Illinois? Would that all new citizens in a state moved for employment reasons but there was a day when the best dollars competed for came from the state.
Most of this article is an unelightended rehashing of statistics that some poor white boy feels bad about. Forget the fact that most violent minority offenders are in prison for attacking another minority. Lets all say chant in the direction of the misfortunate few who have learned how to vote for the Democratic Mayors that year in and year out keep them unemployed, fat and hopped up on goofballs. Seems to me that without the votes of the blacks kept unemployed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a red state and Feingold is still annoying the hell out of me in the Wisconsin Assembly.
Of Course Adam, you have not noticed that the large unemployed minority populations in the United State are in Cities that have been run by the DNC for the last 50 years, except New York were prior to 9/11 Guilliani was compared to Hitler by the likes of you. Nor have you considered why these places have been unable to come up with a plan that fixes the problem. The city budgets grow, but the problem in your eyes is always solved with a greater redistribution of wealth, which is the same plan that keeps failing. Good thing that on the left failing is considered proof of ability so you should fit in for a very long time.
If the playbook wasn't so old and trotted out with the same old schtick you might get away with this idiocy. To bad for you no
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 10:43pm):
"I'm not even going to get into this one."
Yeah, probably because you know you don't have a very good response to it.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 10:46pm):
Adam, you scare me. I think I'll go against affirmative action, stop going to Starbucks and start wearing preppy clothes like my parents did in 1984.
Anonymous (January 25, 2006 @ 11:14pm):
Blacks are more likely to get lung cancer
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-01-25-ethnicity-cancer_x.htm
Man, even tobacco is racist!
Anonymous (January 26, 2006 @ 1:41am):
right on buddy right on
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 1:28am):
This state should get as unfriendly towards blacks as possible, they have ruined every community they come in contact with. I know, I used to live there!!! I miss the the differing European communities, but the blacks ran everyone decent out. No nation has ever survived their co-existence for long. Egypt, Rome, etc... Multi-culture life is a LIE!!!!
Just listen to what they say about YOU. "A "nice" cracka ? NEVER heard or seen one all i see is crackas who befriend and "help" Afrikans out of guilt or ignorance of self or completely are oblivious to the fact that there are other people in the world besides them and Black folk who think whites are their friends will eventually find out that they look out for their "race" before they will look out for you.....sorta like the way Afrikans should be doing but don't in hopes of racial harmony ......I like this question it seperates the coons from the Afrikans that are about Black liberation at any cost !"
Don't believe it? Check out your self: http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11191
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 1:31am):
puhleeeeeese...
have you ever lived in a black ghetto? i have. often,they dirty their own nests. quit crying.it doesn't cost a thing to pick the garbage up from their front lawn. it is not mandatory to harrass white women.selling crack is not the only option.
and guess what...i am black and i think this way. so quit crying for my people.it is pathetic.
when my more uninspired brothers and sisters realize white folks like you are not making excuses for them, they will be more likely to move forward.
signed
nate jackson
atlanta,georgia
a black man who doesn't need your false pity.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 2:20am):
Which state do you believe it is worst to be White in?
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 2:54am):
If it's so horrible, why don't you cash your welfare check, or use some crack money and get on a plane or boat to Africa!
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 3:35am):
Blacks seem to be out of there element in a cooler climate!Go south young man!
Boomer Scout (February 1, 2006 @ 9:57am):
What the author of the piece that is the subject of this thread fails,nay refuses, to recognize is that blacks are incarcerated at highly disproportionate rates when compared to whites because they (blacks) commit crimes at a highly disproportionate!!!!!!!
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 10:07am):
Can Adam Lichtenheld write an article about Jewish privilege in Israel and the USA? Would he dare to be so fair in his condemnations?
Many liberal Jewish writers have antipathy towards traditional White/European-American culture, and Adam reveals this bias.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 10:49am):
"Some still attempt to deny that the United States -- where, according to the ACLU, one out of every four young black men is in jail, on probation or on parole -- is a racist society."
Yeah, right. They're in jail just because they're black. Couldn't be that they are in jail for committing violent and other crimes along with drugs could it?
"Where's the outrage from the black community?"
What do you want? The city in flames? Black outrage is what lands so many of them in prison in the first place.
Instead of crying 'racism' as they are so fond of doing, maybe they should look at the way they choose to live. Maybe they are the problem and not society.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 11:38am):
First off I just want to say that I'm only posting anonymously because I don't wish to take the time to register. My name is Jim and I'm from southern Ohio.
"And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice, the Badger State retains the highest African-American incarceration rate in the country -- a disturbing reflection of America's severely disproportionate prison population, which is 50 percent black in a nation in which African-Americans make up only 20 percent of citizens."
--Could this be because blacks commit most of the jailable offenses?--
"Milwaukee's steep unemployment rate for black males is four times that of their white counterparts."
--Could this be because more whites go job hunting? You can't tell me that none of these unemployed blacks could find so much as a job at a gas station if all other avenues were exhasted. Give me a break. It's much easier for minorities to get state assistance. And they know this. And it's much easier to live off the state.--
"The fact is, as a white man, I can apply for a job, stand in line at a nice department store looking disheveled and unkempt or drive a car blaring my music and not be considered threatening. As a white man, I can shop without being suspected of shoplifting..."
--The fact is that blacks are much more likely to shoplift, commit crimes in general and MANY times more likely to physically assault a white person than vice versa. For that matter, many times more likely to assault members of their own race than a white man is to assault members of his own race.--
YES racism indeed does still exist in America. Racism exists all over the world. But as you said above, racism has many forms.
For isntance, it is nothing more than human nature for a human being of any race to feel more comfortable surrounded by members of his or her own race. It's a natural gravitation. A sense of security and familiarity. Perfectly acceptable and understandable to normal folks. But to a person like YOU this would no doubt be considered....racism (in a bad form). Unless of course it pertains to someone who is other than white. This is the predominant form of "racism" that exists in the white community these days. Perfectly natural.
On the other hand we have "bad" types of racism. Violence toward others based on the color of their skin and things of this nature. I'm sorry to have to inform you of this but sir...blacks have the market cornered on this type of racism. And you'll never convince me otherwise because I live in a large city. Any police officer white or black would vouch for that statement.
That being said, let us get to the "why?"
Well, to put it bluntly, mainly because of folks like yourself.
There was a time in this country when blacks were truly persecuted on a large scale. Those days are over. I will admit that in some areas this perceution continued even into the 1960s. But that was over 30 years ago now. Today it is much easier for a black person to get a free ride to college than a white person. It is also much easier for blacks to get jobs not only because of affirmative action but because if an employer turns a black applicant down that applicant can easily go to one of several organizations and create quite a substantial problem for that employer. Even if the applicant was turned down solely because of an issue that had nothing to do with his or her race. (I've witnessed this.)I could go on and on. Yet they remain largely unemployed and on welfare despite the fact that universities and hiring laws are on their side.
As far as the violence and the general hatred toward whites, this can be atrtibuted to you and those like you. You constantly remind black folks of the crimes comitted against them by whites of the past. And you constantly feed them nonsense such as what is written in your article. You keep fanning flames that should have gone out long ago. If you truly want racism in America to end then quite frankly, shut up already. You're planting seeds in the minds of the younger generation. They hear this stuff, get angry and develop an attitude toward white people in general. Then the white folks say "what the hell is this guy's problem with me? I haven't done anything to him. I wasn't even alive when blacks were being persecuted!" So now he develops an attitude toward black folks.
And the cycle continues.
You had best heed my words sir. I've definitely been noting a change in the minds of the white community in general. More and more whites each day are growing tired of the same old same old "you owe me something" and "your ancestors persecuted my ancestors so you must pay" attitude. Quite frankly they are starting to just not give a rat's behind anymore. And, I don't blame them. You can only feed a person so much of this stuff.
There is a problem sir among the black population in America. It's called "Eternal Victim Syndrome". And YOU are a carrier.
Pull your head out of your ass.
Jim
Southern Ohio
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 12:19pm):
Being poor, unemployed, or even surrounded by crime does not exscuse criminal behavior. West Virginia is one of the whitest and poorest states in the US but yet it has one of the lowest crime rates too. Heck I've been around people that committed crimes, but it made me want to be the opposite, not get it on it! There are a lot of things I don't know, and I may be poor myself but its possible to learn and get out of such situations by learning through experience and seeking help. If programs like public housing, Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, affirmative action, racial quotas, etc, aren't enough for someone to help themselves then they must be incompetant or just plain lazy. There are no more exscuses, they alone are responsible for their problems. Its not America's job to take care of people who won't help themselves. I've spoken with whites who have been turned down for jobs, loans, etc, soley because they were white. Blacks have organizations, scholorships and more all specifically for them alone. Why can't they take care of their own? Why is it always some one elses fault? If you want continue the existance of guilt-complex white that is your own business, but I have to ask, don't your own people mean anything to you? There are plenty of whites in this country who are poor, struggle to get an education, find a decent job, but we don't hear about anyone championing their cause do we?
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 1:37pm):
The author is wrong in the comment saying blacks make up 20% of the population. In truth they make up only 13% at last census. The Wisconsin rate of black incarceration is keeping with the norm of nationwide of 50% black incarcerations.
I fail to see where the author is going based on economic hardship. Is it a veiled attempt to say Blacks only fail because of white racism? It sure seems to be that way. Secondly, consideering barely any real history is taught anymore in public schools other than political indoctrination, I do not see why he thinks that black history is only taught so one can learn about their "ancestors". History is taught to learn about past events of note, not past events based on someone's skin color.
All in all I really can't see where this person is coming from or what the article is really about. Perhaps it's because I do not have my white guilt goggles on at the moment while reading this.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 8:07pm):
As I Black man I will personally state that I'm moving to Wisconsin tommorow to meet up with all the white women there.
I'm going to impregnante them all with my seed and destroy their culture and heritgage.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 8:32pm):
To the author, it is suggested that you acquaint yourself with the statistics of Afican American criminal tendencies.
Statistics have been compiled and interpreted in the book: "The Color of Crime Race, Crime, and Justice in America"
Second, Expanded Edition, 2005
Crime Rates
- Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder, and eight times more likely to commit robbery.
- When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likely than non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife.
- Hispanics commit violent crimes at roughly three times the white rate, and Asians commit violent crimes at about one quarter the white rate.
- The single best indicator of violent crime levels in an area is the percentage of the population that is black and Hispanic.
Interracial Crime
- Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent.
- Blacks commit more violent crime against whites than against blacks. Forty-five percent of their victims are white, 43 percent are black, and 10 percent are Hispanic. When whites commit violent crime, only three percent of their victims are black.
- Blacks are an estimated 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against a white than vice versa, and 136 times more likely to commit robbery.
- Blacks are 2.25 times more likely to commit officially-designated hate crimes against whites than vice versa.
Gangs
- Only 10 percent of youth gang members are white.
- Hispanics are 19 times more likely than whites to be members of youth gangs. Blacks are 15 times more likely, and Asians are nine times more likely.
Incarceration
- Between 1980 and 2003 the US incarceration
rate more than tripled, from 139 to 482 per 100,000, and the number of prisoners increased from 320,000 to 1.39 million.
- Blacks are seven times more likely to be in prison than whites. Hispanics are three times more likely.
Concerned American Citizen
Jeremy Hand (February 1, 2006 @ 8:39pm):
Invisible systems?
True racism, I detest. But Im beginning to think these subjective, "eye-of-the-beholder" situations, or invisible systems as Mr. Lichtenheld calls them, are just make-believe nonsense to justify hate of Whites.
These imaginary "privileges" that we have cant be proven, you make the accusation and expect us to disprove them, which of course we cant. Reminds me of the spectral evidence used at Salem in 1692.
The older I get (Im 31) the more Im getting the feeling the REAL racism is against us.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 9:42pm):
I would wager the author has limited contact with blacks. I would welcome him to visit Los Angeles for a good look at the multicultural utopia he envisions Wisconsin becoming.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 9:53pm):
Well perhaps you enlightened writer can explain to me why in every country I have visited negroes make up a disproportional amount of the total prison population. In Brazil (which is a largely mulatto and negroe country) see how the prisons are all black, and here in Colombia, perhaps you should take a look at the joblesness rate at buenaventura , quibdo, or any of the other all black cities we have here.
Regardless of wether blacks are among caucasians, indians, chinese,etc.. they will always lead in every criminal category and other measures of social underachievement.
Daniel Gonzàlez Buitrago
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 10:50pm):
Wisconsin rated by The Black Commentator as the worst state for Blacks? What, did they cancel welfare? By the way, blacks are NOT 20% of the U.S. population, more like 13%. And the reason they make up such a large portion of the prison population is because they commit a large proportion of the crimes. Oh, I forgot, thats everyone elses fault because we owe them a living.
Anonymous (February 1, 2006 @ 11:05pm):
None holds a gun to their head and tells them to do drugs ,steal ,etc. Don't do the crime if you cant do the time. Perhaps you should understand why racial profiling works. Maybe if those in the black community would work as hard at proving statistics wrong as they do at placing blame , then the black community might just get somewhere.Equal Rights for ALL, special priviledges for NONE!
Anonymous (February 2, 2006 @ 2:08am):
This is not White!
This is how jews right they like to use backs as a tool and adgitate blacks to attack whites
The jews holliest book the talmud. It says non jews goyim(cattle).
If blacks want to blame someone for bringing their anscesters over to this county in chains they place it where it rightly belongs. After all it was the jews that owned nintey percent of the slave boats.
Let's see how long this post stays up on this comment area now that the truth has just been stated.
White people were the first slaves in the united states.
BJB
Anonymous (February 2, 2006 @ 9:50am):
To the author, it is suggested that you acquaint yourself with the statistics of Afican American criminal tendencies.
Statistics have been compiled and interpreted in the book: "The Color of Crime Race, Crime, and Justice in America"
Second, Expanded Edition, 2005
Crime Rates
- Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder, and eight times more likely to commit robbery.
- When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likely than non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife.
- Hispanics commit violent crimes at roughly three times the white rate, and Asians commit violent crimes at about one quarter the white rate.
- The single best indicator of violent crime levels in an area is the percentage of the population that is black and Hispanic.
Interracial Crime
- Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent.
- Blacks commit more violent crime against whites than against blacks. Forty-five percent of their victims are white, 43 percent are black, and 10 percent are Hispanic. When whites commit violent crime, only three percent of their victims are black.
- Blacks are an estimated 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against a white than vice versa, and 136 times more likely to commit robbery.
- Blacks are 2.25 times more likely to commit officially-designated hate crimes against whites than vice versa.
Gangs
- Only 10 percent of youth gang members are white.
- Hispanics are 19 times more likely than whites to be members of youth gangs. Blacks are 15 times more likely, and Asians are nine times more likely.
Incarceration
- Between 1980 and 2003 the US incarceration
rate more than tripled, from 139 to 482 per 100,000, and the number of prisoners increased from 320,000 to 1.39 million.
- Blacks are seven times more likely to be in prison than whites. Hispanics are three times more likely.
Concerned American Citizen
Anonymous (February 2, 2006 @ 1:02pm):
Are you kidding me???? This guy hasn't ventured out of his own state ever, has he??? The world is a changing place, things are equal for those who step up and work hard-there is the problem. People(mostly negro) don't want to work hard. I am a white male, I have been pulled over and "profiled" before, it is society, i must be assesed to be determined as a threat- not for color but for the officers safety. The things you mentioned in this article are vague and unfounded in the rest of the world. If you don't like the heat, get OUT of the kitchen, there are other places that will put up with the crap that the black population seems to carry EVERYWHERE with them-Try the "Chocolate City-trust me all kind of crap goes on there. Try a trip to Houston and ask some people their opinion. then write another article-an educated one!
Anonymous (February 13, 2006 @ 6:38pm):
i am actually planning to do a documentary on racism for a project (high school), and hwile resaerching i found this article. I find that most of my thoughts, ideas and discussion have been summed up into this well written editorial. I am a black canadian citizen and i do feel as if blacks have been under represtend in all of the worlds communities. It just so happens that africain americans have the lowest employment rate, lowest literacy rate, and highest emprionsment rate...how can this not be racism? Are you telling me that africain americains were born like this?, were we meant to be dangerous people?, i dont think so. The reasons why all these statistics appear to be this way is because of history and what africain americains had to overcome. Slavery was a time when africain americains were thought of as less than white people. They were given less services, less money, and most of all less attention as people. Poverty was also a big thing that stemmed from racism, and as forced many generations to be born into this world of racism. Since slavery has ended, people have tried to reconstruct sociey so that all races were equal. Suprisingly this is not the case as black people are still to this day looked at in a different perspetive. The news portrays africain americains has prime suspects in murders, dangerous and agressive people. I cant walk into a store without feeling nervous that everyone is paying attention to me and watching my every move. Its kind of sad ho people are willing to identify you as a bad person or a bad "thug" without them even knowing you. Well i guess people have alreadyc hosen who to racially discriminate and theres no way to stop them from thinking that way. to "jeremy hand" im not sure i can recall any imaginery privilges as all the priviledges are shown int he statistics. Cacuasians are the most fvored in the society and im not sure how you can feel that the real racism is against whites. Dont get me wrong. i think everyone is racist in some way, but its to the extent that you discriminate people that makes it wrong. Everyday africain americains r given a bad representation and i wish it could stop.
Anonymous (February 23, 2006 @ 11:05am):
Thank you for giving life to what is already known in the black community. That rascism and white privielge exists. If this topic was discussed in mainstream discourse, it would provke many more questions and discussion. Until then, I will be sure to save this article and share it with others.
Tamika L. Jenkins
Madison, WI
