dreamdeferred:
Out of curiosity.......what part of what he said seems valid from your pov?
afrakabob:
i'm curious as well.
I'm almost 100% sure that no one is going to like what I have to say but hell that's never stopped me from saying my peace before, so enjoy.
I really am tired of this whole woe is me victimization that many in the black community dwell in. They dwell in the past and use the past as an excuse for the present and future. There is definitely a lack of motivation, self-discipline and self-accountability in the black community. Anytime something goes wrong for them, they want to blame the white man of today and of 200+ years ago. Enough is enough. We see the statistics of crime, HIV/AIDs, broken homes, prison population- enough of the excuses already. Yes, there is a lot going against them [socially] but that should not be used as an excuse. Yes there is still racism but again don't use that as a life-long excuse as to why you're unsuccessful. There are kids who come over to this country with jack crap and don't know a word of English yet they excel and succeed. Why do you think that is? Motivation. You can't tell me that black Americans, inner city and else where, have absolutely no chance at making something positive of themselves because I know far too many that have. They have so much opportunity in this country than others around the world- I mean for God's Sake the library, which is filled with thousands of books, is free! They can apply to tons of scholarships. They are given an education. Many states, if not all?, offer state funded Health Care.
Afrakabob mentioned in the thread post about the stigma of dress- well who wants to hire some hood rat? Under no circumstance is that dress attire considered professional- so why are they sabotaging themselves by stubbornly sticking to it? Then they want to complain that they are being 'unfairly judged'. Please. It's like an emo kid complaining that he can't get a job on Wall Street. No **** sherlock. I have a real problem that many can afford hundred dollar shoes but they can't afford a decent shirt and dress pants? They can afford to deck out their cars lovely but they can't afford a library card? They can afford all that food to be overweight but they can't afford a decent shirt and dress pants? Many unfortunately have their priorities all twisted.
Afrakabob also mentioned about random here and there success stories. They are not few and far. Many bust their asses during the day and go to community college classes at night. Some have two jobs and go to school. That's what we call being motivated and having self-discipline. Even if it takes them twice as long to get the degree- they are putting the effort into it.
Bill Cosby is not the first black celebrity to speak out against such behavior.
It was not right for the guy to make a sweeping generalization against ALL Black Americans but surely the points he made are valid and can easily be applied to many black Americans. This is not blaming the victim, this is keeping it real.
shadha-