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Calibrate This, Mr. President
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by nancyvideo | August 1, 2009 at 03:29 am
1128 views | 29 Recommendations | 28 comments
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Who is helping Professor Gates down the White House Steps
uploaded by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Dear Mr. President, I'm one of those Americans that lives in flyover country. I was treated to your much publicized 'teaching moment' last night and felt a response was warranted. I'd like to say, with all respect, that this American resents the patronizing arrogance you exhibited as you deigned to 'teach America' about race. First off, I don't need lessons on race from you. I take my teachings from the Bible, not a man who sat through 20 years of 'hate whitey' sermons. I'd much prefer you bestow your teachable moments on, oh, say terrorists, or enemies of democracy. Secondly, if you were genuinely interested in promoting racial healing, you might have used that teachable moment last night to address the third rail of race relations: namely, the reluctance of many blacks to look at whites without automatically assuming they are racists. Last night, you had the perfect teachable moment, but, alas, you let it slip through your grasp. You had a wealthy, influential black man who continues to insist he is still oppressed. Then you had the white police officer who was merely doing his job in the correct manner. And then, we had you, Mr. President, a prime example of the problem. Said problem being the automatic assumption of racism without any facts to back it up. You might have touched on the fact that many blacks of your generation have been taught that anything bad that happens in their life is a result of white oppression. You could have extrapolated or calibrated the fact that attitudes like that are extremely counterproductive and keep many blacks mired in the false comfort of victimization. You might have addressed the fact that the only oppression happening these days is by your buddies Castro, Chavez and all the other third world dictators you seem to think are misunderstood men of good will. Hey, you actually could have lectured your buddy Gates on the proper etiquette when dealing with law enforcement officers. Think of the great message that would have sent to young Americans. Respect for the law. That would have been a good thing to teach. But you let the opportunity pass with nary a word. I'm sorry you didn't get a good soundbite or photo op out of this unrelenting media saga. I know you were envisioning a hearty three way handshake that could be flashed around the world, signifying absolutely nothing. But the evening wasn't a total waste. I actually did learn something. I learned that you, and Henry Gates and other black men continue to believe that America is a racist country. I learned that you, Mr. President, will never solve any problems of race until you acknowledge your own racism against whites. I don't think that will happen in my lifetime but I will continue to 'hope' for 'change'. And just out of curiosity, I was wondering what in the world you, the President of the greatest country in the world, is doing mediating the equivalent of a traffic ticket when our young men are dying in Afghanistan, our economy is in meltdown and Iran is on the brink of nuking Israel. Do you really think that was the best use of your time and political capital?
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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
Recommendations (29)
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Barry ORegan
Burnaby, British Columbia, CanadaKarl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
Hugh Askew
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
jjenet
Ilford, Essex, United Kingdom
eastvanray
vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Rory Cripps
New Port Richey, Florida, United States
everchanging
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (28)
at 03:38 on August 1st, 2009
An excellent post.
at 08:24 on August 1st, 2009
MEEEEEOOOOWWWW!!!!
at 08:27 on August 1st, 2009
Awesome Story Nancy, I pride myself on good solid debates on many subjects on Now Public with my readers, I like to think I win the majority of them when I state Facts, versus fallacy! One thing for sure, I would not want to tangle with you! Ouch!
at 12:14 on August 1st, 2009
Thanks, Barry:)
at 08:28 on August 1st, 2009
Boy wait till Karen reads this story!
at 15:14 on August 1st, 2009
Barry, I can respect that you and Karen have different opinions and both know it, but I have to say this comment seems like needless provocation and not relevant or useful to the discussion at hand. Please consider your words more carefully next time and ask yourself if it's really necessary to publish them. Thanks.
at 21:08 on August 3rd, 2009
A note to Now Public Intern, Cyn, Khoo , I Just thought I would mention what I just mentioned to Karen Hatter, I reread my comment and do not see Karen Hatter mentioned, I see Karen! Why would you assume Karen Hatter and I have a difference of opinion? Did I say this? Did Karen Hatter say this? All I can gather is perhaps you assumed something not valid!
So one should never assume such as yourself one is talking to a particular person in my comments. Why did you automatically assume I was talking about Karen Hatter, unless you felt this was an article directed to her style of commentary? Tsk, Tsk,
Certainly jumping quite "Rabidly" to this conclusion without further clarifying who I am referring to certainly is immature in nature.
If you had read my posts and comments over the last couple of years, you will see most readers monikers such as Barry Artiste or Paschen or Moonwolf, surely you do not think that is the name on their birth certificate now do you?
For the last 2 years I have been posting stories on here I know many here on a first name basis and sometimes use their real first name instead of their Pretend names, no big deal.
One last note, I call Moonwolf Skeeter, he calls me Redneck Delmer. I have called others such names, even Jordan hilarious nicknames, none being offensive, and in good natured ribbing, including my lefty friend Karen in Scotland who lovvvvvvvvves Obamarama. Amy also knows me well enough not to assume. So should you I would think.
at 17:02 on August 2nd, 2009
Hi, Barry.
If I am the Karen you had in mind, I have read this piece and noted your subsequent enthusiasm for it.
Others here, such as Amy, have addressed points at the thread that are more worthy of note.
at 19:51 on August 3rd, 2009
I didn't know Now Public only had one Karen out of 500,000 members, I don't see anywhere stating Karen Hatter in my previous comment, sorry if you thought it was you!
at 20:25 on August 3rd, 2009
Barry, I just figured I'd join in and play along since I am A Karen.
As you say, you didn't specifically address me.
Cyn.khoo did not allude to me using my full name either.
Although, I would venture I am, based solely on my personal observations, the only Karen frequently and consistently posting and commenting here at NowPublic.
Maybe the assumption, on my part and in this case, can be chalked up to that possible reality.
at 21:10 on August 3rd, 2009
Not to worry Karen, perhaps I should have been more specfic next time. :O)
at 08:34 on August 1st, 2009
I'm so glad you marked this piece as opinion as I find it to be quite filled with hate, and actually making the problem worse than better.
at 12:13 on August 1st, 2009
Amy,
Could you be more specific?
Nancy
at 07:36 on August 3rd, 2009
Being a communist supporting website (news...ha.!) , anything that is not communist literature based on hatred and jealousy is "racist" and "hatred".
at 20:03 on August 1st, 2009
Me, too, Amy. It is thinly veiled racism masquerading as indignation, and it's silly.
"How dare a black person suggest that racism happened?! He already has plenty of privilege -- so what if he gets mistreated by a cop? He probably deserved it."
That's the ugly tone of this whole piece, but it's not surprising. As America's racial makeup changes, many people are bringing their bigotry out in subtler yet ugly ways.
at 12:19 on August 2nd, 2009
Sioen: You look like a white guy! LOL! . . . .What are you doing in Thailand if you don't mind me asking? I know an American, from my home town, that's been living in Thailand for many years. He knows a lot of people there. Perhaps you two might hook up and get acquainted . . . .
The term "thinly veiled racism" is absolutely meaningless. It's one of those terms that people use when they don't have the mental capacity, the writing skills, or the facts to engage in an open and honest debate. I think that you need to go back to the drawing board and re-invent yourself.
Eight recommendations for extremely shallow platitudes? JEEZ!
at 15:51 on August 2nd, 2009
people who make personal attacks, are also, sadly, "lacking!"
at 17:15 on August 2nd, 2009
Rory, please don't make personal attacks on other members, it's completely against our code of conduct that every member agrees to when they sign up to the site, and is detrimental to the discussion.
If there are any more comments of this nature on this thread, I will simply close it.
at 18:46 on August 3rd, 2009
Amyjudd: I understand completely. However, in my opinion, there is something suspect about the "member" that I've personally attacked. If I'm wrong (and only time will tell whether I'm wrong or not) about my opinion, I will be the first to apologize. Furthermore, I will refrain from replying to this particular member's comments or posting any comments and replies to his or her stories. I will simply read his or her stories, comments, and replies and keep my opinion to myself until such time that I feel my opinion to be validated or not validated.
at 13:24 on August 1st, 2009
And let's not forget the jews. Oh, and the Armenians were slaughtered, the Irish were refused employment, need I go on?
How productive it is to dwell on historical grievances? We only exacerbate and validate them.
We'll always have whiny victims. I just prefer not to waste my time dwelling on stuff I can't change and focus on stuff I can. One thing I can change is to refuse to waste anymore time proving I'm not racist or pattern my life to live up to other's expectations of 'sensitivity'.
at 16:25 on August 2nd, 2009
Yeah nancyvideo! Good advice! Let's move on to better things and make good use of the time that we have left on this earth. Unfortunately, however, the "race hustlers" have the media's ear and that's a tough bunch of nuts to crack.
at 20:13 on August 1st, 2009
WOW. "... the only oppression happening these days" is by third-world dictators? You must like in some fantasy land there in South Carolina.
Reminds me of a relative who lives in a gated community in Florida and was shocked to hear my mother was working with homeless children as a volunteer. "You have homeless children there? We don't have homeless children here." No, not inside the gates, I don't suppose you do.
There is plenty of oppression happening all around you, ma'am. You just have to look.
I've seen it firsthand in India, in the oppression of capitalism that keeps many people in the grossest poverty so that other people can have cheap goods and services. I've seen it firsthand on the streets of American cities as young gay people are beaten and killed for being who they naturally are.
I've seen it firsthand at a homeless women's shelter I worked at last year, where one black woman explained the significantly less-than-fair home loan she was shoved into by an unethical loan officer, and which had now forced her onto the streets. I also saw it in other women there, oppressed by grotesque, violent men and an economic system that relies on the downtrodden to prop up the comfortable.
One man's onion is often another man's lily, but the assumptions you use for your piece are conveniently tailored to only support your preconceived idea that blacks have no business claiming racism, even when it actually happens.
Shame on you for the rhetorical trickery.
at 02:17 on August 2nd, 2009
"Shame on you for the rhetorical trickery."
Its called an opinion. Are you trying to oppress me?:)
at 09:52 on August 2nd, 2009
nancyvideo: WOW! A frank and candid post accompanied by frank and candid comments! What more can a reader ask for! I'm not an African American, therefore it's impossible for me to know what goes through the mind of African Americans in regard to white people. On the other hand, it's impossible for African Americans to know what goes through the mind of a white person when he or she is dismissed as a "racist" simply because they're white. I guess (and unfortunately) what it boils down to is that it's a black thing, you wouldn't understand . . . and it's a white thing, you wouldn't understand. What a sad state of affairs.
Hats off to the real racists and the race hustlers! You know who you are and we know who you are! You've succeeded beyond your wildest expectations in forstering division, animosity, and mistrust between decent whites and decent blacks to the point where everyone is now consumed with their racial identity and looking under their bed for racists. It has gotten to the point of the pathological and paranoid.
For centuries, African Americans had a terrible go in America. We all know that and no one denies that. A bloody civil war was even fought over it, because a mere 3% of the American population were slave-holders. I and my ancestors had nothing to do with slavery (except the blood that poured out of my ancestor's bodies while fighting on the side of the Union), but I offer you my sincere and humble apologies, notwithstanding, for your ancestor's plight and your present plight. I ask you, in all sincerity, what, specifically, do I have to do (as an average white American who bears no animosity towards African Americans), to get you to stop calling me a racist?
at 09:12 on August 3rd, 2009
Yep. It's good to know some first-world countries are way more underdeveloped than they think :).
at 16:14 on August 3rd, 2009
A breath of fresh air. Why is it that it is only acceptable for people to speak from the heart when they are offering criticsms of caucasion males? Racism will continue until all races feel completely free to offer their equally valuable perspectives and opinions.
at 19:58 on August 3rd, 2009
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21293963/
at 21:16 on August 3rd, 2009
Yeah, that's Right Queens Hart, if anyone who knows and who has lived the Black Experience longer than most Armchair Social Theorists have been alive its Bill Cosby, He is the Man! Bar None! Like he used to say "Immature Black Boys will always make excuses for their predicament, where as it takes a Real Black Man to get results and go his own way and make his own mark on the world. Course that analogy would apply to most men and boys in the world.