Alicia Keys Blames White People, Admires Black Panthers
As if you needed any more reasons to ignore the politics of celebrities, here comes Alicia Keys! The AP reports:
There’s another side to Alicia Keys: conspiracy theorist. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter tells Blender magazine: “‘Gangsta rap’ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. ‘Gangsta rap’ didn’t exist.”
Keys, 27, said she’s read several Black Panther autobiographies and wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck “to symbolize strength, power and killing ‘em dead,” according to an interview in the magazine’s May issue, on newsstands Tuesday.
Another of her theories: That the bicoastal feud between slain rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. was fueled “by the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing.”
Though she’s known for her romantic tunes, she told Blender that she wants to write more political songs. If black leaders such as the late Black Panther Huey Newton “had the outlets our musicians have today, it’d be global. I have to figure out a way to do it myself,” she said.
Geez, where do I start?
If you really believe that “gangsta rap” was a ploy for blacks to kill each other, that means (1) white people in America are evil, and (2) black people are really stupid, and can’t make any decisions for themselves. Neither (1) nor (2) are true — so throw that “theory” out the window.
And this gold AK-47 pendant: I don’t know for this for a fact, but I’m pretty sure that the AK-47 is the firearm responsible for killing more American soldiers than any other weapon in modern times — and she says it symbolizes “killing ‘em dead.” Who’s “‘em”? Americans? White people? Who else could she have been talking about?
Personally, I think it was terribly irresponsible for this interviewer to not have challenged Miss Keys on her statement of “killing ‘em dead.” But my guess is that the interviewer had (and has) absolutely no idea what an AK-47 stands for.
She speaks of a “great black leader”: Who, exactly, is that? Tupac or Biggie? Or maybe both? Does she really think that either of these two men, both of them who promoted violence and misogynistic behavior, could really have been “great black leaders?”
She dreams of Huey Newton having the “outlets that musicians have today.” What outlets are those? MTV? YouTube? Huey Newton was alive in the 60s, 70s, and 80s — decades where music was vastly more influential than it is now. Sorry Alicia: Newton had all the opportunity back then — plus more — than he would have had now, in 2008. His message didn’t catch on not because not enough people heard it; it didn’t catch on because a lot of people heard it and they thought he was full of crap.
So Alicia — in the wise words of Laura Ingraham — “Shut up and sing.”
April 12th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hey little girl, if you want to be taken seriously about anything, 1), learn about that to which you would like to speak,and, 2) Put your clothes back on.
April 12th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Black Panther Party
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There Ten Point Program;
We want power to determine the destiny of our black and oppressed communities’ education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present-day society.
We want completely free health care for all black and oppressed people.
We want an immediate end to police brutality and murder of black people, other people of color, all oppressed people inside the United States.
We want an immediate end to all wars of aggression.
We want full employment for our people.
We want an end to the robbery by the capitalists of our Black Community.
We want decent housing, fit for the shelter of human beings.
We want decent education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society.
We want freedom for all black and oppressed people now held in U. S. Federal, state, county, city and military prisons and jails. We want trials by a jury of peers for all persons charged with so-called crimes under the laws of this country.
We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice, peace and people’s community control of modern technology.
“New Black Panther Party”
As guardian of the true history of the Black Panther Party, the [Dr. Huey P. Newton] Foundation, which includes former leading members of the Party, denounces this group’s exploitation of the Party’s name and history. Failing to find its own legitimacy in the black community, this band would graft the Party’s name upon itself, which we condemn… [T]hey denigrate the Party’s name by promoting concepts absolutely counter to the revolutionary principles on which the Party was founded… The Black Panthers were never a group of angry young militants full of fury toward the “white establishment.” The Party operated on love for black people, not hatred of white people. [52]
– Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation , There Is No New Black Panther Party
April 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
To most people outside of the USA, the AK-47 is a symbol of and is used by people who are oppressed by their governments or in some cases “freedom fighters”. It is not only used by or associated with “terrorists”. I would say her use of the AK is more metaphoric than literal, as is her statement of “killing ‘em dead”. Why? BECUASE IT’S A NECKLACE. Why is it scaring you?
The AK is no more a symbol of “killing american soliders” than the M4 Carbine, M16, B-52 or Stealth Bombers are symbols of “americans killing innocent civilians”.
“His message didn’t catch on not because not enough people heard it; it didn’t catch on because a lot of people heard it and they thought he was full of crap.”
– This is a pretty inaccurate statement.
If by “a lot” you mean a lot of black people, then you’re wrong. Do you know what the civil rights movement was? I’m not going to put Dr. Newton and Dr. King on the same levels, but they BOTH stood for freedom and equality for blacks at their core…how many blacks were for equality in the time of the civil rights movement? How about ALL OF THEM?
Now if by “a lot” you mean white people…you’d be absolutely right. Why? Because in the 60s (when the black panther party was growing to it’s apex) blacks were not treated equally in society. Not to mention that in the 60s, 70s, and 80s…whites were a MAJORITY compared to a vast minority of blacks.
Would you really expect a white suburban family in the 60s to look at a picture of the black panther party wielding pistols and black clothing, with their fists in the air and say “let’s check out their message!” That’s naive at best. That, paired up with the fact that there was extensive coverage by the media stating that the black panthers were more or less “out to get white folks”…and you’ve got a pretty inaccurate picture painted to scare the hell out of people.
Don’t tell me you’re naive enough to believe that the media doesn’t and hasn’t done the same things to the likes of black speakers/politicians, talk show hosts, radio personalities, etc.? They’re painted with colors to discredit them the same way you’re doing right now.
If you don’t know something “for a fact”…maybe you should follow your own advice for Ms. Keys…
“Shut up.”
April 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Wow, J. Soul, you’re way out there.
I’m not going to waste my time refuting everything you said, people can judge most of it for themselves, but let me remind you about Huey Newton: He, along with his Black Panthers, was a radical socialist.
“We have two evils to fight, capitalism and racism. We must destroy both racism and capitalism.” — Huey Newton
Racial equality? Good. A socialist, radical egalitarian society? Very bad.
That’s the message that was — and still is — crap.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Wow we need the intelligence of Obama more than ever it appears. Alicia Keyes can’t really be that naive, can she? Her songs are terrible, she is still a one hit wonder. Her song that gets radio play at the moment sounds like something I could come up with in 5 minutes hitting the demo key on a keyboard and running the “With or Without You” baseline.
She is a talentless hack on the keyboard. She is an ignorant fool in life. Let’s all use her to masturbate to and use Obama to actually _learn_ from.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
J. Soul
There is a reason why people lump the Black Panthers and KKK together as being bigoted nincompoops. I dare say it doesn’t have anything to do with the CIA spiking our Kool-Aid or some fear of AK-47s. Alicia Keyes saying otherwise does not make it true.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’m so embarrassed to be white based on the idiots on this page. J Soul is right on. Why are you white people so afraid of a pretty girl with an opinion you disagree with? Maybe you need something to really worry about to give you some perspective, huh?
April 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Excellent work J. Soul. Many people get so caught up in their judgements that they forget to take the time to develop the logical steps to establish their conclusion. Ethan could have had a valid point in criticizing Keys for her statements but instead of making a convincing argument he wrote an emotional rant, which only draws to it people of the same opinion without influencing the opinions of those that don’t agree.
Huey Newton’s views on the economic system may be construed in that quote. A further look into his opinions may reveal an alternate meaning or help explain why he feels that way about capitalism. He may be using the word capitalism to symbolize the American system as whole, which held African Americans in poverty. If Huey is opposed to a system that economically suppresses a group of people based on race then we should destroy such a system. If he is actually for a system based on socialism there is no need to jump to the logical fallacy of assuming socialism as being evil. Years of American indoctrination have convinced American people that the words communism and socialism are inherently evil. Yet socialism is still practiced in many forms throughout the world today, and philosophers and economists continue to draw similar conclusions about the ideal situation that could arise from socialism.
A point about African Americans relating to the Black Panther party is that this is often perceived as approving of a racist organization that hates whites. However the allure of the Black Panthers for African Americans today is that it is one of the few symbols of black culture that represents power. It’s an important part of African American history that often brings nostalgic and proud feelings to African Americans who look back to it today. It’s similar for a Caucasian American who relates to and feels proud of the American soldiers that fought the British. That person is not proud of specifically the soldier himself, who may have been a religious fanatic, slave owner, or murderer of Native Americans, they are proud of what the soldiers represent: American independence.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I’m so embarrassed to be white based on the idiots who take Alicia Keyes statements to be historical fact.
You guys are too stupid to realize that the path you take to where you want to go does indeed matter. Dr. King advocated education and peaceful progression and moved mountains. Huey Newton advocated education in military arms and didn’t get anywhere or gain much respect…
Chris - you are a fool. Nobody is ‘afraid’ of Alicia Keyes having an opinion…we are just dumbfounded at the ignorance and stupidity she expounds upon. You are in the same boat as her, but unfortunately you’ll never get laid so bring some vaseline dumbarse.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Anonymous said, “The allure of the Black Panthers for African Americans today is that it is one of the few symbols of black culture that represents power.”
Ummm… maybe I’m missing something here… but there are black people all throughout modern American culture that represent plenty of power.
I’m not going to rattle off people’s names because of their skin color, but just look at the fields of politics, music, sports, movies, business, education… you name it, there are plenty of influential blacks.
So what are you talking about?
April 12th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Further proof that pop artists are rarely in possession of logic skills.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
This Propaganda Pieve is Clearly set to Demonize Alicia Keys. First, is it True? Doubltful. Second, when an Author “jumps Logic” and concludes that Alicia thinks White People are Evil. Stop. Stop reading right there. It’s a Hit Piece.
I’ll say 2 things. I’m White. Manifest Destiny is a Lie. We committed Genocide on The Indians AND enslaved the blacks. Amerikans use to send Postcards with pictures of Lynched black people on them!
That being said. Any Party is opposition to our Fascist Elite-Owned Government I am in favor of. Black people are the Soul of a Soulless Cuntry.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
In response: The Black Panther party is a historical, cultural symbol. It represents the time period, the emotion, and the spirit of black power. There are few other symbols that all African Americans can relate to, for example: Dr. King and Malcolm X. Other heroes of African American culture in categories such as sports, music, and movies are empowering to African Americans but do not hold the same universal potency that certain symbolic people and organizations do. These categories are ones in which African Americans have received the least oppression and so they are the most immersed. However in politics and business there are much fewer idols to look up to or look back on as is the case with the topic Black Panther party.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Ok, first, literal or metaphorical, “killing ‘em dead” is stupidity at it’s finest. Yes, what the world needs now is…more violence? I think not.
Second, if you want to be taken seriously, perhaps you should put some clothes on and spent less time on your make-up and more time learning about the topics you’d like to preach about.
Third, I am tired of the reverse racism rampant in this country. Yes, I understand there were slaves in this country at one time, and they were black. I also know that people of MANY races were slaves and still are, not just black people. If you want to be treated equally, stop singling yourself out. It’s the same concept as the Jewish people talking about the holocaust. Yes, atrocities were committed and yes, alot of them were committed on Jewish people. But they were NOT the only ones, not by a long shot. The Nazi regime tortured, imprisoned, and killed Blacks, Polish, Russians, gays, protestants. They wanted a perfect race, and wanted to be rid of ANYONE who didn’t fit their ideal.
Yes, I am completely aware of how politically incorrect it is to say these things. Doesn’t make them any less factual. There are all kinds of bigotry, and there are just as many African Americans that show blatant feelings of bigotry and prejudice as there are people of any other race. I hear them at the schools calling caucasian children cracker and mayonaisse, but I’m supposed to overlook that because slavery existed? No.
I don’t believe all people are created equal, because there are good people and there are bad people. People with souls and people without. It has nothing to do with race, religion, or anything else. Those are details that make individuals. There is good and evil in every race. It has nothing to do with what color you are, and everything to do with the impact you make on this life and this world.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I completely concur with jespeach, and let me tell you something else, it doesn’t just stop with name calling. If I, as a caucasian man, wanted to have a White History Month, or White Pride Day or White Miss America Pageant, I’d be called a racist. Why am I not allowed to proud of MY color, MY heritage? There are plenty of people in this world who’ve been oppressed that are not African American. There are over 60 self-proclaimed Black colleges in the US today. Can you imagine the furor if I wanted to built a White College?
I understand that things were different in the past, but these days we’re looking at a good possibility of a Black president, so if you’re not getting what you want out of life, it’s more than likely your own fault, regardless of color.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Isn’t Alicia Keys half white and half black?
Why does she hate white american people so much and want to use an AK-47 on them? She really just hates herself.
Think about it. It is deep.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
No — Chukumekan, don’t put words into her mouth. She never said that she wanted to “use an AK-47 on white American people.” That’s an unfair assumption that you made, not Alicia Keys, and it’s certainly not beneficial to this debate.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Um, WHERE does it say she blames white people? WHERE?!?!?
If anything, rap was created by blacks and distributed by a lot of jews. Whites are the consumers of rap, moreso than blacks. In other words, the message is quite clear:
Whites buy into black on black violence. Plain and simp, your system’s a pimp, but we refuse to be your hos. Who stole the soul?
April 12th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I wonder where she got that light complexion. Maybe she hates herself.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
NO WHERE in that article does she say anything about white people. her mother is white u idiot. what kinda sense would that make?
April 12th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
J.Soul is right-on
Ethan is a white clueless weener
‘nuf said!
April 12th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
She’s black? she’s not even brown.
April 12th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Speaking of “ignoring the politics of celebrities,” Ethan, don’t leave out Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston and Ben Stein.
I guess it’s okay to listen to them if they’re “conservative,” eh?
“Ummm… maybe I’m missing something here… but there are black people all throughout modern American culture that represent plenty of power.
I’m not going to rattle off people’s names because of their skin color, but just look at the fields of politics, music, sports, movies, business, education… you name it, there are plenty of influential blacks.”
Yeah, you’re missing something.
April 12th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
To whom does the “‘em” in the quote refer? If she is referring to blacks, her complaint is kid of ironic. But something tells me she probably isn’t referring to blacks.
Huey Newton killed both a cop and a 17-year old girl- what a freedom fighter. MLK did many good things, but he plagiarized his dissertation, and consequently is not deserving of the title “Dr.”
Whites did not commit genocide against the Indians, since about 90% of them died due to illness. Before whitey came to America, most of them were busy torturing and scalping each other. Most Indian tribes lived by the rule of might makes right, and they just happened to run into a stronger enemy. Kind of hard to complain about mistreatment when you would have done the same thing, if the roles were reversed.
Blacks and Arabs were also involved in the slave trade. Of the 15 million or so blacks who were shipped across the Atlantic in the slave trade, about 600,000 of them arrived in the U.S.
Capitalism does not keep blacks in poverty. On the contrary, blacks in white-majority countries enjoy a standard of living that blacks in Haiti or Africa dream of.
The Tuskegee Insitute estimates that about 4,000 blacks were lynched from 1880 to 1960, with the majority of the incidents involving a charge of murder and/or rape. To put that in perspective, blacks murdered over 4,000 blacks in 2005.
American blacks have an average IQ of about 85; African blacks, about 70. That goes a long way towards explaining why Africa was a cesspool before whitey came upon it, and why every immigrant group that comes to America, no matter how poor, quickly surpass blacks. Haiti kicked out whitey over 200 years ago, and the people there sometimes have to eat dirt. (that is not hyperbole, google it).
Man, I feel sorry for Alicia. To have the Man’s whip on your back like that . . . it’s tough. I gotta run, I work for the white government. I have to go bake some crack and distill some AID’s potions so I can poison the black community with it.
April 13th, 2008 at 1:52 am
“If you really believe that “gangsta rap” was a ploy for blacks to kill each other, that means (1) white people in America are evil, and (2) black people are really stupid, and can’t make any decisions for themselves. Neither (1) nor (2) are true — so throw that “theory” out the window.”
Putting aside the validity of Keys’ assumption, that attempt to deconstruct her argument is the shoddiest attempt at argumentation that I’ve ever seen. I doubt the blogger thought much about the argument because it was already given, in his head, that Keys’ assumption was wrong. The problem for the blogger is if someone isn’t as convinced initially that Keys’ assumption is wrong, then his argument does nothing to convince that person that Keys is wrong, which is the point of creating the argument in the first place. So, in effect, that entire paragraph is utterly useless.
Here’s what the blogger says:
If you believe gangsta rap was a ploy, then you also, by default, believe that whites are evil and blacks are stupid. That’s the poorest reasoning one could make about Keys’ belief because 1) as the blogger points out, those are ridiculous assumptions, and 2) as the blogger points out, blacks aren’t stupid, so Keys couldn’t possibly be making these ridiculous assumptions because one would have to be stupid to make them. And Keys, a Black person educated at Columbia, is no idiot.
So clearly, there must be some other more legitimate reason for someone to believe that gansta rap is an anti-Black ploy. And there, of course, is. But the blogger is likely to lazy to discover it. Well, here it is.
Because Blacks have been enslaved, oppressed, and segregated openly for roughly 85% of the time they have lived in the present-day United States, they understand the power that resides in and is used by the whites in the dominant culture. They also understand their relationship to that power, i.e. they share only a tiny fraction of it.
See, what the blogger perceives as a necessity by the Black Panther party and by Alicia Keys to believe that whites are evil and Blacks are dumb is really a belief that whites are very powerful and Blacks are not powerful, which is not a ridiculous belief at all. Whites do have a lot of power. They control academics, business, government, etc. Blacks participate in these fields in very small numbers and wield very little power in them.
Thus, the power whites wield is effectively the equivalent of evil (we all know the axiom “power corrupts”) and the powerlessness of Blacks is the effective equivalent of stupidity, i.e. a stupid person can’t do much to defend herself, neither can someone who has no power.
April 13th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Blame whitey again!,..will take her cd back to best buy today,..Im sick of all this shit,..These people will blame us everytime,..yet she’ll take the Millions of Dollars white america have given her,….My daughter will not have her cd in my home again!…slap your white mama Alicia,and to think I kind hope Obama gets elected so I can tell em to shut up and find a new excuse,you got one in the white house now,…So blame him!!
April 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I just got to laugh at this one along with MOST of the comments issued by black people in the spotlight. Like Rev. Wright and the millions of other blacks who blame their entire, dire situation on EVERYONE but themselves. This AK statement is soooooooooo great. Sums it up for me.
(laughing) Does she have any brians at all? Really? Think about what she said. The really bad thing is she is using this statement to get into the NEWS (newz?) to advance her BUSY melody career. So sad. BUT it filters things for us non blacks. Confirms what we all think and know. I want to hear what the GREAT Bill Cosby has to say about her statement. It will be right on the money. HE knows whats going on in the black pop culture and the blacks HATE him for saying so.
April 13th, 2008 at 11:16 am
This angry, militant, “blame the whites for everything” attitude that many blacks buy into will not help them acheive equality. Quite the contrary. When blacks buy into non-factual, insane theories put forth by their “leaders” it alienates blacks for everyone, not just from whites. Being angry at the world won’t solve anything and will only make everyones situation worse. If an african americn walks into an interview and seems standoffish and angry and doesn’t have good grammer, what does that say to the hirer? It says “I dont care”. Will that person not get the job because he or she is “black” No. Did it ever cross some of your minds that “leaders” like al sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, and various rap artists would like equality (or inequality in favor of blacks) but choose the ineffective path of controversy to get their message across because they GET RICH from the attention of being controversial? Their worried about themselves FIRST. The more controversial they are, the more headlines they get, and the RICHER THEY GET.
Blaming whites for “gansta rap”? Ridiculous!!
Whites secretly sabotage the levees in new orleans so the black would be displaced Insane!!!
Whites Create cancers that affect mainly blacks!! Ludacris!!
These leaders love demonizing whites because it sells albums and gets them lucrative speaking fees. They speak as if “whites” had a single collective mind and had a sole purpose in life to get rich and defeat blacks. Like white mothers and fathers sit home at night feeding their babies and teaching them racism. If whites were the racist, greedy elitists that black leaders make them out to be, then why do asians and indians come here, not even being able to speak the language well, and they flourish as a community? They’re all very different from whites yet their in the upper echelons of income. Why is that? I’ll tell you why, because their educated, respectful, they work hard, they don’t mug and rape people that happen to be strolling through their neighborhood and their not “angry”. Indian and asian communities don’t have that reputation. If black america wants to be equal in terms of wealth and prosperity, then stop blaming whites because the sky is blue, teach a good work ethic to the children, outlaw the gangs that exist in the neighborhoods, teach respect, education, and hard work. That will make us all equal, peaceful, and prosperous. Anger and blame will get us nowhere!!
April 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Keys was born in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, in New York City, New York, to Teresa “Terri” Augello, a paralegal and part-time actress, and Craig Cook, a flight attendant.[5] Keys’ mother is of Irish, Scottish,[6] and Italian descent and her father is Jamaican.[7] Keys describes herself as comfortable with her biracial heritage : “I grew up in New York, and thank God, I never had to go through that in regards to, ‘You’re not black enough, you’re not white enough,’ the whole kind of white/black-mixture thing. I never had to go through that. I went through prejudices and all, surely. But I never had to battle with those two parts of me.”[8]
April 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I personally think alicia is a influential person and she is also a great artist. People need to stop hating and stop sending so much negative comments towards alicia k. Poeople are intitled to their own opinions. I think Dave k is a little white prick and seriously needs to GET LAID!!! lol
April 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Two words:
RETAAAAAARD!!!!
Oh wait. Thats one word.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
jli,
What an intelligent response. You must be working on your PhD at Harvard or something.
What and obvious solution to people who are offended by hate speech: “GET LAID!!! ”
You are an inspiration.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
H. I. S. T. O. R. Y
We didn’t sell you into slavery you did that to yourself and when you got here you loved your job so much you just wanted to stay.
We let you fight for your freedom from the master’s system because jim’s system is way better. It even gives you 40 acres and a mule.
We let you attend school all you had to do was go down to Tuskegge and take your shot and you would have gotten a free education.
We let you fight for your great nation against the most evil man in the world you help to change history. But you gotta sleep and eat over there it makes a better soldier.
We understand now so here is your Civil Rights after 200 years and thanks for fighting for your great country again son. By the way we know you got injured in the war here is some medicine to cure all your aliments or until you can find a job.
We started to keep terrorism and other criminals out of your neighborhood. All you have to do is tell us who they are and we will get rid of them.
Even one of our greatest presidents Ronald Reagan made a tremendous trade agreement with a South American country in order for you to have better access to medicine in your community.
WHEN ARE WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA GONNA GET IT WE ARE ALL 1 IN THE SAME POT. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER THE RICH ARE GETTING RICHER AND THE POOR ARE GETTING POORER. AMERICA HAS MOVED PAST BLACK AND WHITE WE CAN’T HELP THESE DYSFUCTIONAL WHITE GUYS THAT KNOW THEY ARE LOOSING THERE GRIP ON THE POWER STRUCTURE THEY ONCE GREATLY HELD. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME EVERYTHING GOOD MUST COME TO A END. THEY ARE TRULY SCURRRRREEEEDDD AND ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE PROVED WHO THEY ARE.
PROF: His-story
April 15th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Wow Ethan, I’m actually impressed at how well you’ve covered this story. The only thing that impresses me more is how responsibly you’ve handled this debate and that you possess the sensitivity and skill it requires to respond to these clearly uneducated souls, without insulting them…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading it, it’s the amount of truth the statement “ignorance begets ignorance” holds.
The problem with Alicia’s statements are not the opinion that her words represent, but rather that she would use her stature to stoke the flames of hate, rather than to promote peace and equality.
The Black Panthers were fighting for just that, however, I feel like they’re intentions got clouded along the way… and clearly Alicia (who’s managed to do well for herself using her talent and looks) has heard and read about some of the negative, violent things that the Panthers have been remembered for - and taken those specific actions literally - as their purpose…
The term “fight” does not imply violence or hate…
April 15th, 2008 at 12:34 am
i hope this is just a bad rumor. Alicia is to smart to be statin somethin like this.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:35 am
POWER2THEPEOPLE-Pls tell me you are kidding? First, you are confused live stock of an individual spewing stupidity history! What AfriKan came over on their free will? Hello are you nuts! Are you nuts or just another overt racist? I guess we wanted to come over first class but settle for slave ships piling dead bodies on top of live people 5-10 deep mixed in with fetishes….well heck why not let them creatures eat and sleep in their spoils and fetishes. How dare you! Black people are the only race who didn’t come over by their own free will you Nut! We suffered for over 400 yrs of slavery making white people extremly wealthy! How dare you think its okay, to kill millions of black and rape our women.. I guess you also think since the Civil war was a privilege to fight and die for our freedom let alone deal with your idiot ancestors racism while fighting for the same cause…The same racism segrated their platoons until the 1970”!
Black people still are scared from your ancestor(s) hanging, killing, murdering, raping, stealing, lieing, covering up- wrong doing, corruption, sinning, denying, forget abt it…Get over it will ya! “I mean if I can forget abt certainly you can!” You’re are probably a guy that goes around using the “n” word in your inner circle and then pretend you know the answer to black issues…Just get it together…If I can do it, then so can you’ all.
People with this mentality are pure fools plain and simple. You have no idea what’s going, from the educational system, to blue or white collar jobs. People like you are the same people to wait and pounce on negative news abt black people…”See Ma I told you those black people are no good!” Thanks for the Jim Crowe era and becoming rich the blood, sweat and tears of my ancestors. Its funny how white people always say, it wasn’t me so get over it! At the same time, those same wealthy or rich white people live in their elaborate homes making millions from their ancestors, but certainly claim their wealth but yet their fortune was a direct result of slavery, but yet that parts okay.
People like you make me sick! Alicia may have said some words that are hurtful, but other than hurting some feelings…Pls tell me what crime did she do?
If all you guys ever did was call me a few bad words on a couple of occasions I could forgive you for that, but what American White have done to advance their kind against the will of black people are irrevocable. The attempt to affirmation action was a despicable proposition that lasted less the 20 yrs. The only reason why it ended was because blue collar white people said, “them people” are taking my job! 20 yrs of affirmative action for 400 yrs of slavery and another 200 yrs of post racism, but hell everything is fine…get over it! I got mine, now you get your’s. Sure you were slave’s but heck the other immigrant are doing just fine, what not you…Why do those people live in such poor conditions? So how do we make things right? Simple, stop pointing your finger and clinching your purses. Once you stop your own phobia, then you can stop spreading lie’s via the media and perhaps if you are in hiring manager, perhaps consider hiring someone outside of your comfort zone. Although it’s unfortunate, I truly feel racism will continue to decline, but will stay prevlant until the 2200-2300.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Ethan,
Uncertain if you wrote the email pertaining to Alisha and her thoughts abt Huey Newton. Although unsure of your ethnicity, but based on your insulting choice of words you have to white. I am extremely disappointed in your efforts…or lack thereof! First, as an African American am appalled at your statement abt Huey and his msg not catching on or getting out. As an ex-Jr. Panther, I had first hand knowledge of his good works, and bad works by the gov’t. His msg caught on to those impoverish communities…something you know nothing abt and obviously lack empathy. By the way the urban community, was his targeted grp and it did catch on…As you History books tell you the Civil Right era was abt liberty, rights, freedom which is the very fabric of what the BPP was abt. Unfortunately the gov’t and local authority were and to degree anti-black anything…I mean you do realize it was just 45 yra ago that your gov’t and some of your friend support such a hideous law…Using the bathroom or freely in public restaurant is why the Black Panther Party fought and shed a lot of blood.
While most of “white America” stood by while my father and mother and I were subject to such overt racism, and brutality… I couldn’t stand it anymore and at the age of 7 yrs old I joined the Jr. BPP and sold their newspaper to raise funds to feed the hungry, in which I was a recipient. Again, thanks for the insult…If hurting people is what you are abt, then mission accomplished!
40 yrs ago your grand parents or parents and statically speaking their friends, were probably on the other end of the water hose spraying children and mothers while laughing…perhaps even me! Or perhaps they were on the other side of the street point their finger angry stating “go back where you came from “N!” while we marched for freedom! How dare you mis-speak abt such a sensitive subject? The problem with most white free lance journalist is they think they know everything. However, for the well inform, blk or wht person understand rhetoric when they read or hear it! I get so jaded with people who tend to think they know everything abt black people and cast their opinion as though they know me, and then cringe at the very thought of befriending an AfriKan. Talk abt hypocrisy at it finest.
Quinched
April 15th, 2008 at 4:27 am
John, You are a fool and certainly well un-informed!
Black people arent bitter and most don’t blame you per say. How can you sit in front of your electronic and point you boney finger at us? But then again,like most white-men you raise your hand and think you know the answer. You seem some what educated, but yet ill-informed…okay stupid! You are just like “your leaders” you think if these immigrants were enslaved that they would be as successful? What you failed to calculate is immigrants are pointed in their work. As they should…If I am educated in Pakastain, India, Japan or China, and Nigeria (didn’t mention this rich nation of immigrants) and know I can get paid twice as much in American, then see ya Asia or Africa! Secondly, Nigerian are also very well educated and represent the black immigrants …However, America will not and typically have a quota system restraint when it comes to African Immigrants, but then you know this right? You knew that Nigeria own the world fines oil and approx 10% of the mkt right? BTW-You also knew that the immigrants who to grace our soil are one who did graducate, and therefore, slanting the stat’s. Those who didn’t graduate are permitted to touch our soil, and quite frankly are the one that are being petition bt the lobbies for an increase in wk visa, but know this as well. So when you talk abt comparing, let put some fact into the equation. Again, stop comparing our problems with immigrants who come over with their work visa’s and eventually stay and compare them with black people. I bet you are the type who cannot respect a black person and assume black people as a whole follow Farrakan, and rev, Al or Jessie Jackson. And for your info, there aren’t any black leaders…Remember your so called democratic gov’t killed them all back in the 60’s! The same gov’t that you or folks voted for…Thanks.
Again, thanks for sharing your intra-prospective. If you need further education…let me know…but then again, yopu seem to know everything abt failures of black America and haven’t a clue what positive gains black America has made inspite of dealng with people just like you! People just like you are the same people I work with…Under or graduate degreed. In a hiring position, but yet because they aren’t “comfortable,” won’t hire a blk person…Then you say, that’s not true! Let me describe you. You are a Atheis with no interaction with black people. You work with a few other minorities, mainly Asian. You spread you racist thoughts to people who would do anything to become accepted or become just like you…Certainly your mentality will resonate with Asians who can be as racist as some white people…By the way, I bet you’re dating if not married to an Asian chikca!
Until you thinking you know the answer, is when we can begin the healing process…Instead of being a rd blk become a bridge builder. You insults are aren’t true but my statement is based on facts. If you think abt leaders, try not to think abt those who are negatively viewed. But then, when you call say “your leader” tells me that you racist kind will not expect the truth abt.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
All I know is Ethan can T-Rex run better than any of you.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
You really need to take a persons opinion as just that, her opinion. we all are entitled to one but we dont have to agree with it. debate over.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
The panthers rock! It’s just a pity an organization of their thinking hasn’t appeared on the horizon to guide the lost amongst us. Oh well, the good old days. As far as this dude and his ranting, *Sigh* more white hysteria over blacks not liking them which I must say is quite amusing. (laughing hysterically)
April 16th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
John…It’s true that Indians and Asians make it far easier in the USA than blacks.I think that the biggest problem of black people today is the one in their heads.They are afraid to admit to themselves that they are the ones who are constantly putting themselves down in their own minds!
If you resolve that,that’s half of the problem.
If you give White people that much power over your lives…you’re lost.
White people did this,White people did that.
There’s just one possible conclusion a wise man can draw out of these “conspiracy” theories - black people are really,really,REALLY stupid and not even God can help them,when they can be manipulated so easily.
Alicia just can’t handle the fact that her mother is White.Therefore,she hates 50 % of herself.Good for her.
Her mother must be proud of her bi-racial daughter! **Sarcasm**
There’s alot of desperation in that statement of hers.
Because she feels powerless.
I personally think that that statement might’ve been influenced by…cocaine.;-)
April 17th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Wow! So much over an opinion. Why does it have to be a race thing? By reading the article I still don’t know what she was trying to say or what she meant by what she was saying. I as a white man or I think the proper term is caucasion man being only 31 don’t know what is was like in the past for any races there for want talk about it. Those who went through it have a right to talk about it and deserve to have thier own opinion. Who am I to tell them they are wrong are call them names for it. Why can’t we just learn from what people say. As I did with a lot of these comments posted in regards to Alicia’s comments. What it tells me is that we have a far way to go as we are still fighting over race instead of progressing as the human race. That’s right we are all homo-sapians. Look it up, you’ll find out that it is true. So untill Alicia expands on her comments none of us really know what she means by them. All I can say is hopefully she knows what she meant by them and hopefully they aren’t racist in mind and heart. Cause racism is wrong by everybody cause we are all the same race. THE HUMAN RACE!!!!
April 18th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I think a good conclusion would be: Alicia Keys is really, really stupid.
Quinch: You are talking about a very distinct part of America–the more generally impoverished South. There was a lot more racism in the South than there was in the North–there was actually almost none in the North. Also, the government was not anti-black… have you ever heard of John F. Kennedy? He’s famous; you must have heard of him. While speaking to a group of black leaders in 1963 regarding his support of them: “I may lose the next election… I don’t care”. Great point (I’m saying that VERY facetiously), don’t make it in the future.
I won’t generalize, but SOME well-publicized black people have the very silly idea that black people as a whole are targeted and mistreated. I can only speak for the parts of the United States which I have ever been to, but I have NEVER seen any maltreatment. I live in a town that is 95% white, yet the few black people who do live here are treated equally and I can assure you they have zero complaints about how they fit into the community. A good example of some VERY confused and well-publicized black figures would be that dope Al Sharpton. He’s such an idiot that I’m almost offended that I share the same planet as him… Duke lacrosse case? His very unfounded conclusion (which was wrong) was completely and utterly race biased (in a VERY lose way, a form of racism).
In conclusion, Alicia Keys is a dope and we should not only ignore her when she makes idiotic comments, but her music too (which apparently will be politically centered from now on–that scares me).
April 21st, 2008 at 12:04 am
Quinch,
I may a lot of things, but a fool isn’t one of them.
I didn’t “fail to calculate” the fact that many immigrants from other countries have taken advantage of educational opportunities in thier countries, my point was that many african americans (as well as white americans) don’t take full advantage of the opportunities they already have and complain when they subsequently don’t get the economic benefits that comes with an advanced eductation. With Colleges across the country for the last 20 years trying to show diversity and even implementing reverse racist policies like affirmative action, You can’t say African Americans don’t have the opportunity for education. That’s balony!!
Saying African Americans today are “enslaved” goes way beyond even exageration. It’s a complete falsehood. Slavery ended over 140 YEARS AGO!!! It’s time for African Americans to stop complaining and start working and coexisting with the rest of America peacefully. That means checking the grudge at the door and focusing on what it takes to succeed in this country.
Your comment:
” And for your info, there aren’t any black leaders…Remember your so called democratic gov’t killed them all back in the 60’s! The same gov’t that you or folks voted for”
-You speak as though White people deem individuals as “leaders”. White people didn’t deem Martin Luther King a leader, his words and his message led people (black and white) on their own accord because his vision of peace, hope, and equality was a message we could all relate too. He inspired African Americans to get behind him and they did. The problem today is that the messangers that many african americans listen to (Sharpton, Farrakan, and Jackson) aren’t preaching hope, but are preaching reverse-racism and stirring up animosity. That’s quite different, and frankly will not lead to equality, but will only lead to racial tension, which we have enough of.
Your comment:
“Remember your so called democratic gov’t killed them all back in the 60’s!”
-”MY government is also YOUR government remember? I was also too young to vote, since it was over 40 YEARS AGO!!!” To say their haven’t been any black leaders since the 60’s because they were all killed by whites is absurd and close minded. What about Obama? What about Condoleeza Rice, What about Colin Powell, What about the hundreds or even thousands of Mayors, Judges, Governors, and Senators and military leaders that have served that are black? They aren’t Leaders? They may not seem like leaders to african americans that listen to the whining, blame the whites, racist comments from people like Farrakhan and sharpton, but they are the REAL black leaders today and guess what? They’re economically successful and they’re highly respected in society because they respect themselves and others. They’ve made it!! They’re living the American Dream like the rest of us and guess what? African Americans that listen to laurel and hardy (i mean Farrakhan and Sharpton) call these black leaders “Uncle Toms” and condemn them. GO FIGURE!!!!. Wake up and see reality. Racism still exists to some extent, but isn’t BEHIND EVERY CORNER, nor is it in the minds of every white person. Equality is closer than you think, but you’ll never get it if your angry and if you don’t treat people of all colors with respect.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:26 am
wonder what alli’s ma thinks about her beliefs? especially since her black daddy abandoned her and her little girl…
April 21st, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Who cares! black!! white!! Shes not Black anyways shes a hybrid.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 am
John you have got to be joking! First, 20 yrs vs. 400yrs of oppression…is nothing.
Secondly, the Affirmative action was meant as a good will gesture, and quite frankly it didn’t wk. What I have personally experience along with many of my close friends is discrete racism, which is the case when you live in CA. While in the south it’s in your face/blatant racism. For example, if I am not in my normal clown suit, ladies in the grocery store, or whenever tend to clutch their purses. It doesn’t occurs everyday, but it certain happens. Having this happen to you can do wonders for your sprit and psyche. On a few vacations, I witness personal racism. While visiting San Simion, CA the home of Heart Castle I was staying at an ocean front hotel, and was unloading my car, (Mercedes) no less dressed in shorts no shirt and this guy asked me if I could bring extra towels to his room. Do you know how angry I was??? If I wasn’t a Christian I would and should have whipped his butt! Another time my family and a few friends joined us for a weekend getaway at a place called Hayes Mansion San Jose, CA. Haye is a converted and quite lovely historical center. I was walking out of the bar , heading out side to injoy gather my daughter from the adjacent park, and this white lady stopped me and asked if I could either park or fetch her car! What I should have done was take her car and burn rubber! My family and I went on the Disney Cruise and this white couple came up to me, and asked If I could get them their drinks! Again these are the same people who ether do the hiring or friend of a friend in corporate America, but yet they say the samething John, “I’m not racist, I just think blk have their place.”
DO YOU UNDERSTAND???? I can be as clean cut and righteous as I want to be, but majority of white people are subconsciously racist! Yet, you haven’t a clue and think because we can get educated that racism doesn’t exist in different social status.
Not only are you a fool, but your ignorant! People like you make me sick! You cast your judgment and think you know everything and figure because you consciously don’t feel race matters…You say blk people need to get off the dime and just “get er done!” John you haven’t a clue. Question, do you know any blk people, if so, do you actually have a relationship(s) with any blk people?. With your arrogant knowledge, I highly doubt it.
Freedom rang 140 odd yrs ago for slaves, and for some stupid and absurd reason WASP think because slaves were out of bondage that instantly they were suppose to be prosperous. Seeking a better life style yes, but do you think it occurred the first yr or decade?
What white would want to think is when Slavery ended all sins were washed away? Forget the fact abt all the lie’, tarring, murders, raping, stealing, of children, burning family’s while they sleep, hanging blk men if they spoke out. Killing women if they dare read, separating families, and breeding for the purpose of a perfect slave…Oh, I’m sorry I digressed. Question the first 50 yrs do you think there was equal education, or was educated even afford? If so, when do you think the very first school was started…Come on John, I mean 140 yrs was such a long time ago, but based on your slavery and blk knowledge you shld know this one. The fact is, 140 yrs was when my great, grandfather was alive, but for some reason you think that’s enough time for blks to get over the anguish, ostracism and mental scarring that occurred because of your ancestor did to my ancestor. There was Maybe 1 School in each township or city. In comparison to multiple schools for poor and rich white folk in every community.
When did the first school take place? Exactly! Approx 20 yrs because the slaves who knew how to read or write were mainly located in the areas where the abolitionist were. For those who were in a position to educate. Outside of these areas people were afraid for their life. You want to guess why? You guessed it! Because your ancestors would KILL any teacher and burn down the barns, churches and shacks…How long do you think that mentality lasted? In terms of your white ancestors burning down such historical dwellings? How abt 50 yrs! So let’s do the math. It took approx 20-30 yrs to change the psychology of slaves in terms of leaving the plantations because the didn’t have anywhere to go.
If education wasn’t afforded or organized until the early 1900’S,.were talking 100 yrs ago. YOUR gov’t didn’t recognize blks as citizens, but you knew that, right? If so, how did they survive? Any damm way the could, including stealing, but if the shoe was on the other foot given their families were starving it would be called commandeering.
Again, how did they survive especially given the confederate wearing southern had the mentality of dawning their white pillow cases and murdering as many blks as possible? While blks were attempting to make progress white people were doing everything in their pwr to be counter product. Correction they didn’t need to dawn their pillow cases, they just drank booze and burned, raped, stole and murdered along with much of the northern’s which limited their entrepreneur spirit.
Question, why was it limited? While white America was trading throughout the country and world, Blks business limited their earning production locally because white people were stealing their cargo! In terms of being able to patent ideas, tell me Mr. John, what yr am I talking?? Try the 1940’s! So let’s get this straight in via 1930-1940’s blk not only weren’t recognized for their patentable idea’s, but the law stipulated they couldn’t patent their ideas. So for 400 yrs of slavery the US became super rich especially after cotton became like gold. White people wouldn’t allow blks to try and prosper, NO Way!
To give you another sampling of life for blacks, in the 1950’s (58 yrs ago) The gov’t wouldn’t even allow pictures on themselves on their own album cover…let alone record and copy write their songs…I mean that’s why Little Richard was being recognized abt a decade ago, because people didn’t realize that Pat Boone didn’t write his biggest hits, but stole them from Lil Rich. What year or era am I referring to when I am talking abt blks not being paid their true royalties? . I will give you a hint; it was the same era of racial intolerance becoming the fore picture in the news. You know the same great treatment that your parents or friends gave us in terms of white only signs, sitting in the back of the bus.
It always baffles me…white people like you always say it wasn’t you who put your ancestors into slavery “ I wasn’t even born then, “but when their ancestors leave their blood money, they immediately get a case of amnesia…funny how that works!
Okay, so now we are in the 70’s 38 yrs ago, John 38 yrs ago…Affirmative action ends. What happened? White people started complaining abt black taking their jobs…can you believe it? You say, affirmative action shouldn’t have happened, but a lot of poor blks would disagree with you… The audacity of some people…So, let’s peel back your knowledge since your so smart? Most blks will agree that in the 70’s because of affirmative action was able to afford their children’s higher education. Which would have been my parents. So let me get this straight, you mean my grand parents didn’t leave their children an inheritance to help purchase their home let alone leave them some sort of an annuity? The bottom line is most blks start transitioning out of the ghetto greatly because of Affirmative action…Thank you God! My father was able to sweep up the airplanes at United Airlines, and my mom was able to work at a lock plant. Yep, while most blk people did seek a better way of life in the 70’s both parent had to work, and you what the implication are with not having a mom or parent at home to manage and the house and help the children with their school work. On the filp side white America had a mother at home doing the betty crocker thing and taking care of the kids…while the blk women was wk 40-50 hrs a week.. 40 yrs ago because of the civil rights era Brown Vs. The Board (let me get this straight, black had extremely poor educational system for 100 yrs, but JOHN seems to compare us to educated immigrant who didn’t have to struggle because blk blood has been shed for all minorities who step foot on the US soil, but yet they know nothing abt the struggles let alone the mental baggage that most blks unfortunately carry with them everyday…whether it’s due to constant reminders because of smart people like you or other idiots)of Education fair house act, and several other highly profiled cases allowed blacks to become second class citizens. 2nd Class citizens after 120 yrs, but yet we have people just like you who question the aspiration and desire of blk men. In terms of the ghetto, we will always have them, and unfortunately in this country instead of having great schools in poor neighborhood, we send our countries money overseas to fight a senseless war that costing us 400 million every other day. Taxes basically make or break our community; you tell me how poor people will have an even education? Why am I stressing the education so much? Because in yr 2008 our education system is still broken. White people tend to get the best schools because they make the most money, which equates to more taxes for their community to put into roads, schools etc. Question, what decent teacher will take less for working more hrs in a stressful environment and in some cases unruly? How will these blk men and women get out of the ghetto? I will tell you , one family at a time!
I can go in more detail if you like, but the bottom line is you only know HIS-Story and not history. The mentality of corporate America has been for a longest (if you white your right, if your brown stick around and if you black get back). As for leader comment as usual…white rhetoric. A Black leaders to me isn’t defined because they have a legislative role, it’s the men and women who will step up and put their neck and career on the line to fight social, economic and racial injustice….Something most white people don’t truly recognize it exist, because quite frankly they tend to have “I got mine, you get your’s” attitude. Well it’s easier said then done, and some people got a 400 yr head start, along with a helping hand of a few slaves!
It’s funny when white people talk abt MLK as if they were on the front line of the civil right with my parents…When those same people was standing on the other side of the line spewing racial remarks. I don’t know who you are referring to when you say blk cling or relate to Al or Jessse…Where are you getting you info from, you blk buddies, not! I know where…from the white dominated media. The same people who cvr missing white girls for a yrs, and when a blk girl goes missing it doesn’t even make the news, and if it does, it’s local coverage. Most educated blks do not support Jessie or Al, but certainly will listen…John, you are completely blind by progress and the mentality of just get over it! You really think it’s that easy then take your message to the ghettos of America and let the impoverish people realizes how you’ve made it and other immigrant. Before opening your mouth abt someone else’s struggles you need to be well informed and not based on what the media feeds you or what you seemed to have calculated…especially given you don’t have any blk friends.
Technically slavery ended over 144 yrs ago, but literally for most blks we weren’t truly free from laws and popular white America racism until the 70’s. Do black people want to do better? Absolutely! Are they progressing? Yes! Is there a long way to go for equality? Yep! Does overt racism still exist in America? Sure…Especially the south.
As life progress there will be more and more people escaping the vicious cycle of the ghetto, but in the minds of most people of color in the country an world is white people are the biggest sinner and the worst hypocrites in history. You murdered millions of black people and million of Jews and you cast you judgment or wash your hands of everything …like you didn’t do anything!
One question that perhaps a John you can answer…Why after 400 yrs of slavery and all the blood shed and wealth that occurred do white people hate blk people with such passion…shouldn’t it be the other way around?
PS- It wasn’t our gov’t, it was yours. Additionally, just because we voted for the Kennedy’s doens’t mean we voted for the lobbiest, Senators, and Congress…And as you know, the state runs itself.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 am
jim jones Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I beg to differ. First, white people plaged the Native Indians with illnesss, and you know it. White men stole their land and thier mercury, silver and gold and plagued thier sole. Secondly, pls tell me where your getting your IQ info from becauase there isn’t any average IQ for African’s let alone blk American’s. Obviously you are liar! In terms of the slave trade, yes some African did slave trade as they did in their country. However, the few hundred slaves isn’t in questions…its the 20 millions of slaves that you came into the ivory coast and stole.
Your ancestors were thiefs in the night, and do not get it twiisted!
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 am
Dave K Says: First that usless hack won 11 grammy’s and in terms of talent there aren’t too many other women today that can touch her skills. BTW- She’s a classical pianist.
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Ok. First of all white people didn’t steal the Indians land. If you know your history you will then know that the first people to be land in the united states was hunting parties from around England who followed the ice caps in search of food some 14,000 years ago. There is evidence of this found in Virginia.
It was also the Spanish who first brought Blacks over to this continent, not the white people. Plus which white people are you talking about? The Irish which I guess is some of the white people you are talking about are amongst the most pursecuted people thru out history.
The Spanish are also the ones who raped and pillaged many people. That’s why there is such cultures as Black Irish and ohh lets not forget the Mexican people. But I never hear of the great brown demons but only the great white demons.
Get over the race issues. There is racism by all cultures. Not just one. Get over it. We can all pick apart what the other cultures do or get that is not fair. For example if a black comedian makes fun of us so called white people it’s accepted by society, if a white comedian does it, it’s found to be a form of racism. We all have crap to deal with.
Plus Alicia Keys is very talented. I buy her music to enjoy her music, not her politics. Let her think what she wants to think. She has that right to do so just like everyone in this country. I say speak your mind, don’t be afraid. Just remember none of us have to agree with anyone else’s beliefs.
If you look thru any culture in the past you will find that almost all of them have been slaves thru out history. Slaughtered for no reason. Look at what the Romans did. Or Ghangis Khan. Look what the African leaders are doing to there own people right now. The Nazis did to the Jewish people plus others. The list can go on forever. Stop blaming others and make something of yourself. Be a strong individual.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
i suggest “wives of the leopard” by edna bay, if anyone wants to find out a little more about ancient african societal hierarchies.
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Yet another stupid, racist black who is absolutely adored by the mainstream media.
I hope she gets shot by black gang members. Maybe then the Rev. Wright can give the eulogy and somehow find a way to blame Whitey.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 am
Alicia Keyes is a mix of both black and white (white Mother and black Father). Black on black crime is destroying the communities in the inner cities. The cause for the black on black crime are numerous essential centered around lack of opportunity i.e. ability to earn a decent wage. Here views are shared by a larger proportion of black people in the U.S.
than whites (no surprise there).
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Aaron had a good point. There have been atrocities committed by every race throughout history.
Just because I’m white, why do I get blamed for what other white people have done in the past? I don’t know who my ancestors were, and other people don’t know who they were either. They could have been abolitionists. Would I get any thanks? I wouldn’t expect any, because they are not me. They could have been supporters of the Civil Rights Movement, laying their necks and jobs on the line, ostracizing themselves from other whites. The white supporters of the Civil Rights Movement had nothing to gain, and everything to lose. I refuse to be associated with the racist police, political figures, etc. of the past because that is not who I am.
There have been good whites throughout history. It is as unfair for colored people (Latin and African Americans, etc) to hold a grudge against me just because my skin color is the same as the slave holders’ were, as it is for white people to think of colored people as a “lesser” race and mistreat them in other ways that still go on today. It works both ways.
Sadly, racism still goes on today. Sexism still goes on today. Guys make lude remarks to girls all the time. I can’t walk down the street without someone honking or jeering. I am annoyed if I ever have to take my car to the shop because a guy there will (inadverdantly) treat me like an idiot and talk to me like a child. Nearly all rapes have been committed by a male on a female. This is fact. There are exceptions with everything, though. Still, females have been mistreated in nearly every society since the beginning of time, and continue to be today. The Chinese used to break the little girls’ feet in half so that they would have small and “attractive” feet. Women in impoverished India are forced by their husbands to have as many children as possible. Some are burned alive for having too many girl babies. In some African communities today, females are forced to be circumcised as a sort of “right of passage” into womanhood. If you don’t know what this involves, look it up. Not only is it painful at the time and for the rest of their lives, but it can also be fatal.
I am by no means a feminist, but am merely pointing out the unfair treatment that exists for non-black people too. I played on the basketball team in high school and wanted to sit with one of my (black) team mates and friend at lunch one day. Almost the entire table was black people, and when I sat down, many of them gave me looks like, “what are you doing here?” My friend had to tell them, “it’s okay, she’s cool,” for them to go back to eating their lunches. This is embarassing.
Racist, Confederate, rednecks are also embarassing to me that I have to live in the same state as them (Kentucky). I love all kinds of people, and there are good and bad in each race.
But please, just because I’m white doesn’t mean I grew up privledged. My mom was a single mom raising 2 kids who made very little money despite working 2 or 3 jobs at a time. We lived in a shack. We went to a public school. We didn’t have food sometimes. We didn’t have clothes or shoes sometimes. We certainly didn’t have a dishwasher, ice maker, or air conditioner. We couldn’t even afford heat in the winter. Please don’t group me with the racist white elitists. I am in no way associated with them.
I worked at Wal-Mart to try to pay my way through college, and almost lost my job becasue a black woman hustled me for $600 out of my register. I knew what she was doing early on, but was too afraid to stop her for fear of being labelled a racist because I knew I couldn’t prove she had robbed me until she was finished. She knew this too, and said she’d come back again soon as she walked away…
And yes, if a female is in a store or in public, some are taught to guard your pursse from ANY man.
I am not bitter from being mistreated. My female “ancestors” have been and are still mistreated.
Slavery was and is disgusting, but our nation needs to forgive each other, without forgetting lest we make the same mistake. There are both black and white racists in this country. The only thing that can be done is for the issue to be made known that it exists on both sides, so that both sides can understand each other and work through it. We all need to move on.
There are some white racists and some black racists, but that is not everyone, so don’t judge someone until you know them.
It is unfair for white people to feel guilty for who their ancestors may or may not have been, just as it is also unfair for all guys to feel guilty for what other guys do and who their ancestors may or may not have been.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
YES!!!!! SHE FINALLY FIGUERED IT OUT!!!! The problem for her now is that it’s too late to stop us now!!!! Are you kidding me? I have heard some people say some stupid things in my life but I honestly think that is the dumbest thing that I have seriously heard. She needs to put the crack pipe down and get her mind right.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Aaron Says:
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Here we go again with His-Story as opposed to the true history. I fight for equality every single day! Trust me I nvr under/over estimate anyone. In term of the Spaniards, I could have sworn the first Pilgrim were of English and French decent. History shows that white men intentionally gave the native Indians disease because of greed..you may want to look that up.
I will continue fighting racism until I die, nor will I forget what happened to blks that were in slavery. Does it mean, I won’t be a contributor to my majority white community, heck no! Does it mean I carry around a chip on my shoulder, nope! However, I am not afraid to discuss race in the open as opposed to talking amongst other blacks behind close doors. I stand up proud everyday, sir!
Aaron you may choose to sweep our past under the rug, but I choose not! I believe Barak was on the right track to breach the subject of race in America. White’s had and will continue sweeping history under the rug. Healing will continue to faultier and fester, but yet, it doesn’t matter to most white people, because of the mentality…it wasn’t me or I have mine, you get yours.
In terms of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan…it’s a sickening situation. It’s funny how we forcing democracy on other countries, and drain our resources while 10’s of 1000’s of Africans are dieing over a stupid war. Aaron you said, “Stop blaming others and make something of yourself. Be a strong individual.”
I feel your comment is racist, simply be assuming that this blk man hasn’t done anything positive or “something for himself.”
Your comment is exactly what’s wrong with this country…We stereo type people and then cast a net around the entire grp and view them as one as opposed to indiv. If you are referring to income or “making it,” in CA. I own a few homes in CA. and a six figure income.
To me success isn’t measured by $$$ but by how you deal with adversity, what you stand for, Aaron. When you say blaming you must think I’m struggling therefore I must find someone to blame…Why can’t I be an American who isn’t afraid to discuss race and politic. Why is it you assume I’m not strong?? If anything, Arron one must possess strength to fin out people who sweep history under the rug.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Quinch,
You mentioned that Aaron said “stop blaming others and make something of yourself”
And you said:
“I feel your comment is racist”
Are your comments below not also racist?
-”White’s had and will continue sweeping history under the rug”
-”but yet, it doesn’t matter to most white people, because of the mentality”
-”white men intentionally gave the native Indians disease”
-”Your comment is exactly what’s wrong with this country…We stereo type people and then cast a net around the entire grp and view them as one as opposed to indiv.”
White’s this, whites that, YOU are also stereotyping because of race (aka: racism). That’s what I and many other people hear. You SOUND angry and believing and regurgitating nonsensical stories out there like “white men intentionally gave the native Indians disease” where there is absolutely NO CREDIBLE evidence, is RACIST. YOU ASSUME whites did this probably by the use of “selective facts” and choosing to believe any tidbit of unsupported evidence you’ve heard because it’s something you think whites would do and it supports your overall impressions of whites. How do I know this? Because there’s no scientific proof or even strong evidence that indigenous populations were INTENTIONALLY infected with disease (by anyone, much less whites). Were they infected by infectious disease? Yes, was it intentional? Absolutely NOT. It’s very common for populations to be affected by diseases “brought” by contact with foreigners. The plague originated in Asia and was “brought” to Europe and killed 40 million people, but Europeans don’t “blame” Asians for this. It’s a simple case of Immunity. If I go to India and someone kindly offers me water from a faucet and I drink it, I might get sick. My body isn’t immune to some of the parasites that might be in the water there. If I ASSUME that person was “targeting” me because I’m black or whatever, without any evidence at all, THAT’S RACISM and you don’t have to be black to understand it.
Regurgitating rumors, gossip, and hearsay that paints whites in a bad light has unfortunately become in vogue with African American artists, leaders, and bleeding heart, feel good white liberals and frankly it’s pissing off many whites. People are getting tired of it. When you have Gangsta Rap groups promoting violence, the Black Panthers with their militant, intimidation tactics and their violent AK47 symbols, promoting violence, and you have black artists like Alicia Keyes buying into it and further supporting and perpetuating the militancy (so they can get their names in the media and sell more records) It serves to fuel violence and anger in young African Americans and whites who are tired of it. Will a new generation of angry black youths HELP ANYTHING? I don’t think so.
This is a pretty good, but long, article, if you have the time to read it. It touches on possible sources of some of this. http://www.city-journal.org/html/6_2_my_black.html
If people truly want equality where we don’t even think “black”, “white”, “Hispanic”, then anger, animosity, and skepticism of each other won’t get us there. Promoting POSITIVE examples of African Americans who we can ALL associate with is the key. People like Colin Powell, Obama, Condoleezza Rice, and entertainers like Will Smith will do much more for equality than NEGATIVE, alienating, figures from the Black Panthers or Gangta Rappers!!!
Unfortunately, people like Alicia Keyes probably understand this but simply don’t care because they’re making money by “defining themselves” as controversial. Meanwhile, some young, impressionable person out there is thinking “if Alicia supports the panthers, then they’re message must be important”. Pretty Sad.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:15 am
maybe Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Aaron had a good point. There have been atrocities committed by every race throughout history.
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Maybe you made some good points, although it appears you cut and paste you point abt the foul treatment of women.
Look, as a blk guy, we know and realize there were and are white people who were abolitionist and spared many lives, but unfortunately they were the EXTREME minority. As I’ve stated over and over again, the default response that most white people have when slavery is discussed the same response is looped…”It wasn’t me” LOL, LOL, LOL. Let me ask you a question? When your Great, Great, Great, Grandparents, were slave owner, (if they were) and they clearly profited off the backs and especially the blood of slavery via the Cotton Gin, wld except “blood money?” Well of course not, I mean not based on your comments, but its funny some people, not you, say it wasn’t me or my ancestors, but when the money is passed down from generation to generation …they certainly aren’t turning down the millions and billions of dollars.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
so what is the solution? anybody have any suggestions?
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:11 am
For starters I didn’t bring up the womans movement because I was commenting on previous posted comments. Not on future comments. Hello? Get the point. Thanks for the credit of knowing the future though, but I don’t. And I never said what was done through out history wasn’t wrong. And I know there are things going on today that are wrong.
In fact I brought up some things thru out history that have a valid point, and said in two blogs ago that people who have went thru them have the right to feel what theyu feel. Mot to sweep history under the rug. Talk about pulling a rabbit out of hat with that comment.
No I am not going to take the blame as a white man for what has happened in the past. I wasn’t there!!!!
As for facts, there are facts out there that you can use to swing any argumenet any way you want. Everything is a matter of one’s perception. Now I am not telling any one of you what to think, so please don’t tell me I was trying to sweep history under the rug. If anything you can pick up lots of history books and find many white slaves. As all other color of people out there. And you will find most white slaves were enslaved or sold into slavery by other white people, the same as any other race. If you want to call white pepole a race or a color of human, if you want to use color then replace the word “race” with color. It doesn’t matter.
Stop blaming other people for your problems. I work several jobs to make it and pay the bills. I have five kids under my roof and one on the way. My fiancee is mexican and white. Her two kids whom I love very much are puerto rican, mexican, and white. Mine are all white. Meaning they are Irish, German, Dutch, and Indian. Since all the races of light skinned people have to catergorized into one type. Cause we aren’t allowed to be proud of our heritage unlike other people who have different colors of skin. I bust my arse off to make a living. I have worked for everything I have recieved.
So please if you don’t know what I mean by something i have said then please e-mail @ popmany@att.net and I will be more than happy to explain myself.
By the way I work for a Female boss who I adore who happens to be black, have all kinds of friends of all colors, and only don’t respect people cause they don’t respect me. It’s not my job to judge anyone. So don’t judge me. I’m cool with all who are cool. But don’t ever put blame on me for something I had nothing to do with.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:26 am
As for the stop blaming others comment I meant all people. Not just black people. How ignorant of you to assume that I only meant black people. You just don’t get it do you. The rich don’t care about race or the color of our skin. They care about keeping themselves rich and us down. I say don’t stay down. Stand up and fight for what you believe. Stand up and fight to be a stronger individual. I don’t know why you assumed just because I am a white man that I was singling out only blacks unless that was your prejudging my comment only because it came from a white man. I’m proud of all who succeed and want to help and all who are trying to succeed. I donate my time at the local soup kitchen and the american cancer society. All of who need help. I also do the thanksdiving day dinners we deliver to needy families along with one of the most wonderful people i have ever met, and one of the people i respect the most. Her name is Evelyn Hunt. A wonderful strong Black Women. It don’t matter to me what color a person is. Stand up, be strong, and don’t blame others. Ask yourself what can you do to make yourself better.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Aron and John I was not blaming you, and nvr once mentioned your name. Additionally, I do not have a problem but was defending Alicia regarding the Blk Panthers. Why? Because of my “Good” experience with the Blk Panthers. (Stop blaming other people for your problems). What problem are you referring to? I don’t have a problem, thk you very much. I am a upper middle class blk guy who isn’t afraid to speak the truth, so if that describes a prob then, yepper!
Oh, wait a minute… I know what you mean…You aren’t talking abt me wh