LOL 
you made me blush...I dont think this is the best analogy but i think you were going for something here.
Ya ...your attention! I think my analogy got yours.
But there are unfortunately many people who still harp on this, not on a daily basis but slavery is what it generally always boils down to.
But as long as people choose to dismiss it, or look away from it because it makes them uncomfortable, the roots of the problems can never be excised. It's not that Obama, or anyone else
wants to harp on slavery, ...just the opposite, ...however, without an understanding of your past, you will not know how you got to the present, and without an understanding of the present, you cannot get to the future. You will forever be running East looking for a sunset. First you must get your bearings. it's not about wanting to milk slavery, it's about creating understanding to move the country forward. Obama does that across the board, whether the topic be race relations, ...or the state of the economy. you have to know
HOW you got into the mess in order to solve it, ...and you cannot get out of a situation with the thinking you used to first get you into the situation. Just have a listen to his recent economic speech as an example. He paints a chronological picture for us, giving us the timeline from the past to the present situation, along with a plan for the future.
Those who forget their past, or do not learn from it, are destined to repeat it, ...and right now, more of the same current economic trend is not something America can afford to continue to go through. Citing the past, to understand the present, empowers you to accept responsibility to more effectively take charge of the future. It is nothing new. It's a very necessary step in moving forward beyond the challenges of the present to the brighter future of tomorrow.
I mean for Gods sake there were people not to long ago who were ordered by courts to pay reperations for slavery, Come the fvck on. The people alive today had no bearing on that situation what so ever.
This is very innacurate. There have never been any reparations paid, ...nor will there ever be. Most intellegent people in the African American community realize this and have dismissed the idea of reparations (as most people know it) It would be impossible to do. Damages have been paid to the Japanese because of the attrocities committed by the US gov to them in WWII, as well some form of reparation has been paid to Jews, again stemmimng from WWII, but there is no way reparations, comparable to the damages suffered can ever be paid to African Americans. Leaders in the black community have known this for years. That is why great men and community organizers like NAACP founder Carter Woodson have always advocated African Americans should
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ...ask what you can do for your country" Simply put, make the country a better place for future generations. It was such a profound call to action that John F. Kennedy decided to ask that very same question to all Americans in a speech which went down as one of the great historic speeches of your nation. Had your nation been listening when Carter Woodson said it, a lot of her issues today perhaps would not have festered, compounded, and become as chronic as they did, ...but unfortunately, the chronic problem with the children of America's former slave owners, is that they have an aversion to listening to the children of their former slaves. Much progress has been made, but much more has still to be accomplished, ...and until this issue of RACE in America is resolved, America will not, ...infact cannot move forward to her destiny of a more perfect union. The best reparations for slavery is to revitalize the school systems and provide opportunity for ALL children. But this must be a partnership with the political will from all segments of society behind it, ...because what affects one, should interest us all, ...if not for altruism, ...then at least for our own preservation. Kids with futures aren't robbing you at gunpoint. Kids with futures aren't standing on street corners slinging crack.
Like I said its not that we need to forget about it and education is what needs to be done. It is the blaming of society for individual short comings that needs to stop. The problem is that society cant say anything or the people who do will be labeled as rascist. I guess what my point was that the excuses need to stop and that individual accountablity as well as the accountability of the african american community should be called into action. You dont get good grades at school, study more - you keep getting arrested, stop breaking the law. I cant tell you how many times ive heard african american activist say that the system is set up for AA youths to fail.
But for so many years this has been the case. When you have separate schools with inferior education, how is someone supposed to get ahead in life. You may graduate with a high school diploma, but if you are still illiterate, that diploma does you no good. The schools and how they are financed, as well as the quality of education they provide, has an impact all these years later. America is still feeling the legacy she handed down to subsequent generations, and some segments of society have continuously been feeling it more than others. Accountability is important, but there is much to account for on all sides, including those who may not have had a hand in constructing the trainwreck, ...but who sat idly by and watched it happen as it didn't directly affect them.
This is horse crap, Guess what an african american high schooler with a 3.5 gpa has a much greater chance of getting into a specific college than an caucasian american high schooler with the same gpa.
The sad part is... depending on where that kid went to school his 3.5 might have equaled a 2.1 elsewhere. The system is not perfect, there are advantages and disadvantages (both real and perceived) that african americans and caucasian americans can point to. The reason for this, is that America is still a divided nation (relatively speaking). The immense advantages certain groups have held for years is so far off the scale, that something had to be implemented to at least level out the playing field somewhat. Had she not veered so far off the path, a need for Affirmative Action solutions designed to remedy the situation would not have been required. The problem is not in the program itself, but rather in the inefficient implementaion of it, and it's exploitation to further agendas on all sides. I doubt though that the caucasian son of a multi-billionaire with that same gpa would have difficulty gaining admittance, ...especially when his father & grandfather were alumni. This is also part of the priviledge enjoyed my many, but it's so hush/hush, that unless you are part of this crowd, you don't think about it, don't realize it's even happening. It's far more easy to just point the finger at Affirmative Action, or use it as a scapegoat for their own or someone else's shortcomings.
The system is the same for everyone, quit complaining about your misfortunes and do something to change it...sorry i know i got on a soap box here
A system that is the same for everyone is what Obama is trying to accomplish. A system for the people, of the people, by the people, ...not one created of by and for special interest lobby groups. When EQUAL opportunity for a good education is afforded to ALL children, you break that cycle of disenfranchisement. Many of the problems Obama has been addressing have traditionally been experienced in poorer areas, but with the past 8 years of Bush economic policy, middle class mainstream America is getting a taste of it as well. That needs to be turned around before America takes on the feel of a 3rd world country ie: Upper classes & lower classes with no middle class whatsoever. But you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and recognize we're all in it together.
