Quote:
Originally posted by Frank W
What the media fails to report is that "leaders" like Jackson, Sharpton, Farrakhan, et al represent the MINORITY of African American point of view. Most African Americans have the same values as mainstream America. These leaders' "solutions" to the problems plaguing black America focus on EXTERNAL solutions--ie., what does the mainstream need to GIVE black Americans to set things straight. This usually involves the same tired Big Government cocktail of welfare, subsidies, affirmative action, etc.
Farrakhan sometimes talks about INTERNAL solutions such as self-help, economic initiative, and individual responsibility but these are buried in the "I blame white people" rhetoric that most of its listeners easily gloss over them.
The solution has to come from internal sources since other minority groups that had to deal with a lot of external pressures succeeded. Their success did not come through political concessions but through economic boot strapping. Examples: Jews in the 1800's, Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans, other blacks who immigrated directly from Africa or the West Indies.
Unfortunately, the legacy of the "black leadership" that focuses on victimhood rathen self-empowerment is the creation of a black middle class who owes its existence to affirmative action rather than economic initiative. This may explain recent polls that show blacks making over $50,000 still being pessimistic about racial and economic progress in the US.
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As I posted above: I blame the media, more than I do the black " shit stirrer leaders" that the media keeps in the forefront. There are several excellent black leaders that would rise to the top in prominence, if the media would put the spot light on them. The media will not do this because the "shit stirrer leaders" make for better ratings.
You stated that "Most African Americans have the same values as mainstream America." I doubt that is an accurate statement.
There seems to be far to many of the adults that are buned out druggies, under educated, and have criminal records.
There seems to be far to many children born out of wedlock.
There seems to be far to many of the younger generation that are either in prison or are awaiting trial and will be going to prison.
There seems to be far to many of the younger people that are into hip hop or ganster rap and there mannerisms, dress, lifestyle and thinking, is far from being main stream.
If your statement is accurate, in my opinion, it would barely qualify as being accurate.
I think it is still a "the man still owes me" culture.
If good leaders could somehow become more prominent and the "shit stirrer leaders" would fade into the background, some healthy progress in thinking and motivation would come into being.