Actually, it is neither fate nor circumstance, it is personal choice. No one forces people to go out drinking all night. You are allowed to spend your time working, studying, volunteering, basically whatever you choose to do. If someone becomes a drug dealer, they are not a victim, they are a criminal. It isn't society's fault they are selling drugs, it is their fault.
I'm not saying that criminals out there are not responsible for what they are doing. They have made bad choices. However, I'm saying that it's no coincidence that the majority of these people are minorities. Circumstance plays a big role in why certain people make certain choices. I'm not excusing them. However, I can at least see myself justifying why they do what they do.
I think there are two issues here. The first is regarding the history of racism in the US and whether African-Americans should feel more distrustful of the US government and the white majority. The second though is for whether Obama's perception of being beyond a race and a leader for all of the US. The problem with these issues is that the debate regarding the first undermines the second. Certainly there are legitimate arguments regarding whether African-Americans should be resentful and one can say that Rev Wright has a point but when Obama not only has to win many white votes but has crafted a campaign message to win those votes how helpful is it to be associated with someone who rehashes those resentments? Whether there is merit to Wright's comments Obama's association with him only raises doubts about how much Obama is truly about getting beyond race and being a leader for all.
I disagree that Obama or his message is really that we are beyond race. I think Obama hasn't made race an issue in his campaign, and that his campaign goes beyond that. It seems like his desire is that we all go beyond that, just the same as the MLK "I have a dream" speech expresses a desire to go beyond that. But MLK wasn't saying that we were beyond race. Obama isn't saying that voting for him will make us be beyond race. I will agree that it definitely isn't helpful for Obama to be associated with Wright. But Obama has no association with Wright on political issues and never has. Wright is no longer the pastor at Obama's church, and no longer associated with his campaign. I realize that won't be enough for some people, and that's too bad. I don't think the most important issue in the campaign is if Obama knows people who've said stupid crazy things.
I don't think so. Sharpton or Jackson made race a central issue in their campaigns, and that was their issue. Obama is saying it is an issue, but not the only one, and that he is able to not have that issue impede his ability to deal with all the issues the nation is facing. He is saying that he isn't one dimensional. If that was his one issue, white voters wouldn't support him as a candidate. It isn't because they are racist, just because their lives aren't as effected by that. When others tried to paint Obama as a race issue only candidate, he took steps to point out that wasn't the type of candidate he was. So while in practice there will be people who hold Wright's stances against Obama, it is too bad, because Obama has never sought any political guidance from the guy, and Wright isn't the one running for office. There are other far more important things to focus on in 2008, than somebody Obama knows who said some crazy things.
Minorities are taught from their parents that they live in poverty because of someone else, and that blame gets passed on and on. Bad attitude and work ethic commences. Rebelious and criminal behavior thrives. Maybe we'd be better off if we just forgot some of our history?
Is this what you was Taught in your home? "He who forgets history . . is bound to repeat it" - someone obviously wiser than you Rocket River
Ah, I didn't mean minorities, I'm one myself. A better term would be, "impoverished". Obviously, it doesn't apply in all cases.
In most cases, that quote is true. But animosity often ensues when some people can't let the past be the past.
