While I agree with the cartoon and Phredturner, I also see the many people, nearly all white, who believe there is NO “race relation chasm” and, if there is, it is ALL the fault of nonwhites. That attitude is at least as unrealistic as Mr. Sharpeton’s. However, as long as there are people who make their living with uncivil and disrespectful observations about others, there will be Americans willing to widen the divide between neighbors in order to be proven “right”.It is a sad way for a country called United, to behave.I am so grateful for the many people who are able to set aside their prejudices in order to maintain a real dialogue between neighbors, and countrymen.Respectfully,C.
The biggest problem is that many people don’t recognize that there is a problem. So Steve’s view of the race chasm depicted is more like that of a white man than of an unbiased observer.
onguard said, “If Martin Luther King was alive today he would be a Conservative.” Lonecat says, If John Lewis were alive today he would be a Congressman on the left of the Democratic Party.
All people should be treated equally, color of skin, nationality, sex, etc. shouldn’t matter. At least that’s a nice utopian view and one that I embrace.What we have today is, by far, much better then what we have experienced in the past, and it continues to get better despite the best efforts of some people. The unfair treatment of a people has not been exclusively directed against the African Americans in our nation, every race, nationality, sex has experienced some form of unfair and onerous treatment, some longer then others.Those that have broken free, for the most part, have chosen to do so by assimilating into the greater populace and have not tried to set themselves apart for special treatment. The continuance of the victim mentality, by those that adhere to it, will only serve to keep those same people beholden to the hustlers and the government.
I don’t like the “sharpness” of Sharpton’s tone much of the time, nor Jackson’s, but it goes along with being “reverend”, gee, just like Fred Phelps and the crew!
When listening to Rev. Wright’s entire sermon, not just the outtake that gets everyone bent out of shape, I have to agree with much of what he said.
The real problem with much division in the world, race, cultural, ethnic, IS the fact that the division is driven by RELIGIONS!! Faiths based on a total lack of facts ARE the “unkindest cut of all”, figuratively, and quite literally.
Thank you, PAJ.When MLK was assassinated, one of the few big cities where no riots occurred was Indianapolis where Bobby Kennedy used a campaign stop to instead tell the crowd about the death and what civil and respectful Americans should do in reaction.^From my perspective, racism is still prevalent with class-ism being even worse. Mr. Holder’s interjection into the Trayvon Martin shooting was wrong, but it is his JOB to look for and prosecute racism when it violates rights. The President has a right as an individual and a duty to a large segment of our people, to discuss how his own life has been effected by the way his color effected how he was perceived.We have no Bobby Kennedys who can talk to the nation as a white man to whom blacks can listen and trust as they did Bobby that day decades ago.^Sharpton and Jackson get paid to rant and by doing so, just like Limbaugh and others on the right, end up making an entire political side look bad.Respectfully,C.
I’m glad your back with us Dred Ventriliquist…Compared to Limbaugh, Mr. Sharpeton is nearly a whisper in the library. If you add Ms. Coulter, Mr. Hannity, & a litany of conservative talk tv/radio voices I could name, Mr. Sharpeton can’t even be heard over the din.However – Whenever a ‘liberal’ commentator speaks up in a bombastic manner, those conservative voices get even louder, never admitting their own culpability in our uncivil discourse hurting our nation. I agree with your comment, but I find myself wanting those who identify themselves as progressive to speak in a more progressive manner.I expect the extreme right to be intolerant and uncompromising. I want the left to be better.And in that, you are also right.I’m deep into the horse poop.Give a shovel, and maybe I can get this stuff to a garden where it will do some good.I very much liked your comment on how much influence Limbaugh and Sharpeton actually have on their sides. Nicely done as usual.Sincerely,C.
Wow, it’s all SO simple for you, isn’t it? Not one word about the “character” of Zimmerman for ignoring police directions to responsibly stay out of the way. Not one word about the ridiculousness of a law that doesn’t take into account a person’s REAL responsibility to walk away rather than bring out a gun at any given moment.
You rail against the “race card” being played and yet your post simply drips with simmering under the surface “soft” racism. The racism that absolutely will not see the pain that many Americans feel on a daily basis, the treatment they receive regularly (the prez addressed this quite eloquently, but of course you’re defensive and can’t see it).
It’s really too bad that you can’t see the denial in which you’re wallowing. Many here can, though.
“Personally, I’m just so tired of people playing the race card, and everyone letting them get away with it.”
Yeah, Zimmerman following Martin after being told not to and then getting into a fight (we only have his word that he didn’t instigate this), and then using his gun to defend himself, and then killing Martin…..and people getting upset about such a ridiculous way for a young person to die is PLAYING THE RACE CARD!!!!!!
Respectful Troll, grow up; go to Iraq where racism exists in the form of genocide. I spent the better part of 3 years there. What we have here is dysfunction. It’s a mixture of weak and strong minds. It will never be perfect, and if that’s the case, deal with it like you have to deal with an idiot in-law. Choose to largely ignore it.
chazandru over 10 years ago
While I agree with the cartoon and Phredturner, I also see the many people, nearly all white, who believe there is NO “race relation chasm” and, if there is, it is ALL the fault of nonwhites. That attitude is at least as unrealistic as Mr. Sharpeton’s. However, as long as there are people who make their living with uncivil and disrespectful observations about others, there will be Americans willing to widen the divide between neighbors in order to be proven “right”.It is a sad way for a country called United, to behave.I am so grateful for the many people who are able to set aside their prejudices in order to maintain a real dialogue between neighbors, and countrymen.Respectfully,C.
Peabody-Martini over 10 years ago
History begs to differ with you. So does reality.
ossiningaling over 10 years ago
The biggest problem is that many people don’t recognize that there is a problem. So Steve’s view of the race chasm depicted is more like that of a white man than of an unbiased observer.
alan.gurka over 10 years ago
Let’s not forget all those other lovely reverends too: Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson, and Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s favorite for 20 years.
lonecat over 10 years ago
onguard said, “If Martin Luther King was alive today he would be a Conservative.” Lonecat says, If John Lewis were alive today he would be a Congressman on the left of the Democratic Party.
jinrock over 10 years ago
Sharpton wants blacks to view themselves as victims so he remains relevant and in the limelight instead of viewed on their individual merit.
lonecat over 10 years ago
What??? How is that comment in any way responsive to what I said?
dpbriley over 10 years ago
All people should be treated equally, color of skin, nationality, sex, etc. shouldn’t matter. At least that’s a nice utopian view and one that I embrace.What we have today is, by far, much better then what we have experienced in the past, and it continues to get better despite the best efforts of some people. The unfair treatment of a people has not been exclusively directed against the African Americans in our nation, every race, nationality, sex has experienced some form of unfair and onerous treatment, some longer then others.Those that have broken free, for the most part, have chosen to do so by assimilating into the greater populace and have not tried to set themselves apart for special treatment. The continuance of the victim mentality, by those that adhere to it, will only serve to keep those same people beholden to the hustlers and the government.
Quipss over 10 years ago
Hence why he was an active supporter of Socialism…
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
I don’t like the “sharpness” of Sharpton’s tone much of the time, nor Jackson’s, but it goes along with being “reverend”, gee, just like Fred Phelps and the crew!
When listening to Rev. Wright’s entire sermon, not just the outtake that gets everyone bent out of shape, I have to agree with much of what he said.
The real problem with much division in the world, race, cultural, ethnic, IS the fact that the division is driven by RELIGIONS!! Faiths based on a total lack of facts ARE the “unkindest cut of all”, figuratively, and quite literally.
chazandru over 10 years ago
Thank you, PAJ.When MLK was assassinated, one of the few big cities where no riots occurred was Indianapolis where Bobby Kennedy used a campaign stop to instead tell the crowd about the death and what civil and respectful Americans should do in reaction.^From my perspective, racism is still prevalent with class-ism being even worse. Mr. Holder’s interjection into the Trayvon Martin shooting was wrong, but it is his JOB to look for and prosecute racism when it violates rights. The President has a right as an individual and a duty to a large segment of our people, to discuss how his own life has been effected by the way his color effected how he was perceived.We have no Bobby Kennedys who can talk to the nation as a white man to whom blacks can listen and trust as they did Bobby that day decades ago.^Sharpton and Jackson get paid to rant and by doing so, just like Limbaugh and others on the right, end up making an entire political side look bad.Respectfully,C.
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
I just read a column by E.J. Dionne which highlights Cory Booker and his assessments of race relations over time. Highly recommended.
chazandru over 10 years ago
Not Jesse Jackson so much, but Al Sharpeton has more than his own moments of bombastic commentary. sorry to disappoint.C.
Michael Peterson Premium Member over 10 years ago
Doesn’t really matter how wide the gap is, if the right-wing refuses to build a bridge, does it?
kamwick over 10 years ago
As usual, little Stevie Breen doesn’t get it.
How would you know how large the gap is anyway, Stevie? Did you just pull a distance from whence the sun don’t shine?
chazandru over 10 years ago
I’m glad your back with us Dred Ventriliquist…Compared to Limbaugh, Mr. Sharpeton is nearly a whisper in the library. If you add Ms. Coulter, Mr. Hannity, & a litany of conservative talk tv/radio voices I could name, Mr. Sharpeton can’t even be heard over the din.However – Whenever a ‘liberal’ commentator speaks up in a bombastic manner, those conservative voices get even louder, never admitting their own culpability in our uncivil discourse hurting our nation. I agree with your comment, but I find myself wanting those who identify themselves as progressive to speak in a more progressive manner.I expect the extreme right to be intolerant and uncompromising. I want the left to be better.And in that, you are also right.I’m deep into the horse poop.Give a shovel, and maybe I can get this stuff to a garden where it will do some good.I very much liked your comment on how much influence Limbaugh and Sharpeton actually have on their sides. Nicely done as usual.Sincerely,C.
kamwick over 10 years ago
Wow, it’s all SO simple for you, isn’t it? Not one word about the “character” of Zimmerman for ignoring police directions to responsibly stay out of the way. Not one word about the ridiculousness of a law that doesn’t take into account a person’s REAL responsibility to walk away rather than bring out a gun at any given moment.
You rail against the “race card” being played and yet your post simply drips with simmering under the surface “soft” racism. The racism that absolutely will not see the pain that many Americans feel on a daily basis, the treatment they receive regularly (the prez addressed this quite eloquently, but of course you’re defensive and can’t see it).
It’s really too bad that you can’t see the denial in which you’re wallowing. Many here can, though.
kamwick over 10 years ago
“Personally, I’m just so tired of people playing the race card, and everyone letting them get away with it.”
Yeah, Zimmerman following Martin after being told not to and then getting into a fight (we only have his word that he didn’t instigate this), and then using his gun to defend himself, and then killing Martin…..and people getting upset about such a ridiculous way for a young person to die is PLAYING THE RACE CARD!!!!!!
Only in goober land.
rossevrymn over 10 years ago
Respectful Troll, grow up; go to Iraq where racism exists in the form of genocide. I spent the better part of 3 years there. What we have here is dysfunction. It’s a mixture of weak and strong minds. It will never be perfect, and if that’s the case, deal with it like you have to deal with an idiot in-law. Choose to largely ignore it.