On Friday afternoon, July 19th 2013, six days after the verdict of the George Zimmerman murder trial let Trayvon Martin’s killer walk free, President Obama appeared suddenly on television and talked for 17 minutes – the longest he has talked to America about race in five years.
Obama:
You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago. And when you think about why, in the African-American community at least, there’s a lot of pain around what happened here, I think it’s important to recognize that the African- American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that – that doesn’t go away.
There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes me.
And there are very few African-American men who haven’t had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars. That happens to me, at least before I was a senator. There are very few African-Americans who haven’t had the experience of getting on an elevator and a woman clutching her purse nervously and holding her breath until she had a chance to get off. That happens often.
And you know, I don’t want to exaggerate this, but those sets of experiences inform how the African-American community interprets what happened one night in Florida. And it’s inescapable for people to bring those experiences to bear.
Etc. Wonderful stuff to hear a president say – except that he never says that race played a part in the Zimmerman case, just that the experiences of blacks give them the “sense” that it does.
What to do? Obama’s current thinking:
- Push better police training by bringing together state and city leaders.
- Examine Stand Your Ground and other such laws to see if they truly bring more peace and security.
- Think about how to help black boys, “to give them the sense that their country cares about them and values them and is willing to invest in them”, so that they “feel that they’re a full part of this society.”
- Talk about race – not at a political level where people quickly get locked into defending positions they already hold, but in families, churches and workplaces where people are possibly a little bit more honest.
- Question one’s own biases to wring them out.
Nothing about ERPA (racial profiling), the War on Drugs, etc.
“Things are getting better”: America is not post-racial, but:
kids these days I think have more sense than we did back then, and certainly more than our parents did or our grandparents did, and that along this long, difficult journey, you know, we’re becoming a more perfect union – not a perfect union, but a more perfect union.
Last month the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
See also:
- Obama’s remarks: transcript, video.
- Reverend Wright affair
- Obama: “A More Perfect Union” – the race speech he gave back then, the last time he talked to the country about race at length
- Zimmerman case
- Issues:
- Is Obama a Rented Negro?
- The Nadir of American race relations
And I mentioned tis in the other thread The Nadir Of American race relations, I am not satisfied with the empty rhetoric coming from Mr. Obama. He is still being evasive about the race issues in this country. Race is the giant pink elephant standing in the room, that he refuses to address. I expect better from him. The black community should hold his feet to the fire on this issue.
LikeLike
Last month the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Speaks volumes about how impotent his little speech really was, IMHO.
LikeLike
No one really gives a crap about Mr.Obama, destroyer of Liberty and benevolent bomber of innocent children in Pakistan and Yemen. His schpeel is just there to distract the common public from the important issues.
LikeLike
I don’t mean to cause offence by criticising your president, but Mr Obama is a *huge* disappointment.
When he got in first time I posted “Congratulations, America” messages to all my US friends. It really felt like something had changed. Now it really feels as if very little has changed. Maybe resistance and inertia is just too much for him to fight. Maybe the GOP inhibit reforms he would like to make…
But where is the promised closure of Guantanamo? Where is any real change for black people? Where is any reigning-in of the corporations who really own the West and exploit the third world?
I still cheered when Obama got his second term. It was better than the alternative.
Drone strikes, online surveillance of citizens, persecution of whistle blowers like Snowden.
Nah.
I believe the term often used here is “whitewashed”. Mr Obama fits SO well into the framework of rich white privilege.
He is not my president – I’m British – but I feel betrayed all the same.
Meet the new boss – same as the old boss.
LikeLike
@halalhassan…I’m so-o-o with you there! And let’s not forget the decimation of the North African country of Libya, in which this son of an African was complicit.
LikeLike
“Meet the new boss – same as the old boss.”
No shit!
LikeLike
Well, I read that Trayvon’s parents were pleased with the speech, and thought it was a beautiful tribute to their son. Trayvon’s parents were pleased with this, that has to be respected. But by the same token the country has been polarized since he took office. Thinking about how to help black boys is a good thing. Especially in a country where the life of black males mean nothing. Parents of young black males are frightened and paranoid about their well being.
LikeLike
“Wonderful stuff to hear a president say – except that he never says that race played a part in the Zimmerman case”
I don’t really expect Obama to, as trayvon’s own parents keep saying race had nothing to do with it, while their attorney Benjamin crump says it did. They keep sending mixed messages, trayvon’s parents are afraid to say race played in it for some reason, but their attorney isn’t. idk either they don’t think it did or they naïve to it, or they figured they can’t say it or ppl will hurry up and discredit them. But it hasn’t worked, their son didn’t get justice and they still say race didn’t have to do with it
LikeLike
@mstoogood4yall…Here’s my take on your take — a reply to my dear, Sister Carolyn’s question on my own blog post:
“Do you think she’s had time to re-think her initial thoughts on the shooting or the acquittal took her to another level regarding this matter? “
I think the acquittal took her to another level. Maybe in the beginning, they were being advised by the State and their attorney, that it’d be best not to make this into a “racial matter” as some form of prosecution strategy — “We don’t want to alienate the white folk who might support us.” Bad advice IMHO, because it always was. I’ve come to understand, that’s how lawyers work.
“What’s the best strategy to use to get a possible win” is always their first motivation, not necessarily the truth, thought that helps. But the truth is never their sole motivation, it’s the wins that count. Now, that there was no win, she’s standing in her own truth (where she should’ve stood all along) — “another level” as you mentioned.
I understand how we can get scared when we’re faced with a serious situation about which we have no knowledge or expertise in handling — so we defer to the “experts,” who by the way, are more invested in the financial or social benefits for them (i.e. reputation, professional standing, etc.). But there ALWAYS, without fail, comes a time when we have to stand for ourselves and what we really believe, regardless of the outcome, so as not to suffer what I call a “soul murder.” That’s where I think she is right now.
It’s a long painful lesson to learn, but learn it we must — for our own, first and foremost, spiritual survival because, as I’ve said before, if your spirit’s broken, it doesn’t matter how the body’s doing. Just my personal opinion of course…
LikeLike
Damned if he does mention Trayvon and damned if he doesn’t mention Trayvon. The president can’t win for losing. I do appreciate the conversation even if it’s a little too late.
LikeLike
I also noticed, how Obama struggled as he spoke. He didn’t come off as fluid, when speaking about the white children and adults, that were killed in the Sandy hook elementary school, here in Connecticut.
He also came off, very uncomfortable and seemed as though, he was trying to be very careful about what he was saying.
Hell, he even shed a tear for all the white children, that died but no tears for a 17 year old black child.
The old white men, behind the scenes are trolling this rented negro, like a puppet with strings, attached.
LikeLike
It was more for The Martin family, than anything…
LikeLike
I was quite shocked he said as much as he did. I actually felt proud of him. Maybe proud isn’t the right word, ill just say I was pleasantly shocked.
I wasn’t shocked by the swift condemnation from the right wing.
I honestly don’t think it would be responsible for him to say it was about race. He pointed out the racial disparity in the justice system that is back up by empirical evidence. He talked about the universal black male experience of being treated as criminals. He explained why some black people would see it that way. He wasnt trying to apologize for that view point, I think he tried to legitimize it.
He asked if Trayvon Martin would have been able to stand his ground. I think that question got the point, while asking the listener to actually think and come to a conclusion.
LikeLike
It seems to me Obama was trying very hard to be diplomatic in his approach.
Last year when he said that if he had a son, the son would look like Trayvon Martin, plenty of whites online went ballistic over it. Many of them seemed to take the remark as Obama taking sides with Black in spite of the fact that his mother was white — some even made the claim that, as Obama is half white, any son of his has just as much chance of turning out white as he does black (lol). I myself took the comment at face value: that a son born to Obama AND his wife Michelle could possibly resemble Trayvon Martin, since (to me) Trayvon bore a slight resemblance to a young Obama in photos I’ve seen of him.
LikeLike
@ deb
GOod comment. I do understand she was probably advised not to say it was about race or whites would quickly shut it down and think oh there they go playing the race card. But at least have both attorneys on the same page, the black female attorney said it wasn’t about race while ben crump says it was. But later on if she tries to say that it was about race, ppl will use her interviews against her and just say she is being bitter because the case didn’t go in her favor.
LikeLike
[…] Obama: “Trayvon Martin could have been me” […]
LikeLike
[…] Obama: “Trayvon Martin could have been me” […]
LikeLike
Twitter followers are slamming Tavis Smiley,for his criticism of POTUS. Tavis Smiley,has been very critical of Mr. Obama, for not addressing the Black community and race relations in America. “Took POTUS almost a week to show up and express mild outrage. And still, it was weak as pre sweetened Kool-Aid”. It’s a catch 22 for Mr. Obama.
LikeLike
@mstoogood4yall…Damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t (This game-playing shit wears you the hell out after a while.)
LikeLike
America’s presidents, since Jimmy Carter have been horrendous, imo. Carter for all his perceived misdeeds at least had an air of morality about him,
Bill Clinton was dubbed the first “Black” president (wth??) was a womanizer, groper, serial rapist and worse (see documentary: The Clinton Chronicles).
Bush (shrub) the liar re Iraq and WMD was an intellectual embarrassment to the U.S. – as if he were the best, most qualified person in the land to hold that office, not once but twice! All Americans should have awakened to the farce of the Presidency with this particular Bush in office.
Then along comes Obama, a better more polished presentation than his predecessor but essentially a continuation of the Bush administration’s policies. The only difference now is that a lot of silly white folks are all worked up and convinced he has a BLACK agenda and is somehow constructing some sort of racist angle against their (white) interests.
Speaking of race, Obama’s lack of real power was revealed to the world when he was forced to backpedal from his statement that the cop acted stupidly when arresting Prof Skip Gates in his own home.
Obama isn’t a disappointment. He’s just simply the latest contrived cog in the machine that gets certain “FRONT MEN” selected and willing to follow the instructions of those in the background with the real power and wealth that’s quietly directing the affairs and policies of the USA.
LikeLike
@ Matari
“Bill Clinton was dubbed the first “Black” president (wth??) was a womanizer, groper, serial rapist ”
rofl, that is probably why he was dubbed first black prez.
@ Deb
Yep she sure is, I think a lesson can be learned from it though, I just don’t fully know what it is right now. Other than to trust ur gut and be careful what u say as it will be used against u.
LikeLike
@ Matari
“Bill Clinton was dubbed the first “Black” president (wth??) was a womanizer, groper, serial rapist ”
rofl, that is probably why he was dubbed first black prez.because they attribute those bad characteristics to black men.
LikeLike
@ Sondis
Hmmm… did you say “puppet?”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/24/obama-inflatable-sex-doll_n_692627.html
LikeLike
@ king
wtf, well I know somebody who will be happy, the girl that said she has a crush on Obama. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=i+got+a+crush+on+obama&mid=3611A2A75AA727D8C5843611A2A75AA727D8C584&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1
LikeLike
He should have mentioned race. He knows the issues like we all do. He knows we are right about it. Whites can continue to use this “playing the race card” trope all they want and they do. And to their satisfaction, too. Quite effective, so much so that you almost want to congratulate them.
But then I realize that I’d rather congratulate a thief than one the whites who refuse to admit systematic racism.
LikeLike
@Matari…“Obama isn’t a disappointment. He’s just simply the latest contrived cog in the machine that gets certain “FRONT MEN” selected and willing to follow the instructions of those in the background with the real power and wealth that’s quietly directing the affairs and policies of the USA.”.
Definitely Cosign!
LikeLike
I think he is in a tight spot. He talked in a way that he knew an average white person could tolerate when it came to race. At the same time this is the first time I was truly convinced he understood how the average black man felt. Tough balancing act for sure. Cut the guy some slack! He’s trying. He’s just someone who caught lightning in a bottle and trying do something good with it. Could we really get better results in his shoes? Could we say it any better? All Presidents in many ways are just a figure head domestically. If the other branches of government don’t play ball there is only so much he can do. He’s not king! We always complain that sometimes our own people don’t acknowledge what we are up against and how hard it is for us. Lets not do the same thing to him. It’s not like he’s Clearance Thomas or something!
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…“Lets not do the same thing to him. It’s not like he’s Clearance Thomas or something!”
Yeah he his, just the flip side of the same coin.
LikeLike
@ Deb
You can’t be serious.
LikeLike
Anonymous
I agree with the comments made by lookingforanswers. For the most part the POTUS has a difficult balancing act. Change is slow. The POTUS is one man. People need to become more involved in politics on a local level.
Also, I’m of the opinion that he is a very methodical person and his comments were historical.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…As a heart attack.
LikeLike
@kiwi
Whites tend to believe Whites and Blacks tend to believe Blacks. It’s not that White people’s feelings are inherently more important. I certainly don’t think so. It’s that they are the majority. THIS is the elephant in the room. As long as they are the majority and can set the rules and bully the minority, you have to be careful not to turn them off completely because you will need some measure of support from their community. Until they are no longer the majority you just have to chip away around the edges. Obama understands this.
LikeLike
@ Deb
If you can’t see a difference between Barack Obama and Clearance Thomas, there is probably nothing he could that you would give him any credit for.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…You’re absolutely right. He deserves no credit. The Changeling is a puppet, as is Clarence Thomas. Both are tools to confuse the Black electorate on both sides of the spectrum. One day we’ll realize (hopefully before it’s too late) how we were played by the real powers-that-be. You do realize the Changeling has no real power right?
LikeLike
[…] Obama: "You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago. And when you think about why, in the African-American community at least, there’s a lot of pain around what happened here, I think it’s important to recognize that the African- American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that – that doesn’t go away.There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes me.And there are very few African-American men who haven’t had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars. That happens to me, at least before I was a senator. There are very few African-Americans who haven’t had the experience of getting on an elevator and a woman clutching her purse nervously and holding her breath until she had a chance to get off. That happens often. And you know, I don’t want to exaggerate this, but those sets of experiences inform how the African-American community interprets what happened one night in Florida. And it’s inescapable for people to bring those experiences to bear." […]
LikeLike
@Deb
I agree he has no real power except in one way: he can/will become a POWERFUL symbol for young Black boys today. A symbol of what could be. I simply cannot overlook that or give him no credit for that. He is largely inspirational but inspiration can mean a lot to a young Black boy who may have none.
LikeLike
I just thought of something. Wouldn’t it be wild if he pardons Marrisa Alexander when he leaves office?
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…Sorry, you can’t eat, sleep in, nor ride to your non-existent job in “symbolism.” As a mother of two, Black, over-twenty young men who, themselves get all of that, I respectfully disagree.
LikeLike
@Peanut…“…we need to include one another and look out for BOTH Black men and Black women…Obama didn’t mention that at all.”
Based on my own personal experience — Amen to that!
LikeLike
@Deb
Your two Black over-twenty young men have a mother to gain inspiration from. Of the boys less fortunate, I believe this matters. Symbols matter to the human psyche. Like the little boy touching Obama’s hair to see if it felt like his, symbols matter. Too bad you can’t appreciate that.
LikeLike
LookingforAnswers…Though it sucks she’d have to be locked up at least three more years — he sure as hell should! (Ever been in jail?)
LikeLike
@ Deb
Me, never.
LikeLike
Yes I do believe that Obama could have been Trayvon at the same age. This country has never meant well for us at all. This country, well White AmeriKKKlan has always been after Black men and always viewed him as a criminal and thug based on the color of his skin and race. It makes me sad because as a young, Black woman, I worry about my little 14 year old brother. This country is getting more and more dangerous for Black children to live in. I live in Florida and I haven’t left my home since the verdict came out, that is how dangerous it has become for me.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…“I believe this matters. Symbols matter to the human psyche. Like the little boy touching Obama’s hair to see if it felt like his, symbols matter. Too bad you can’t appreciate that.”
Too bad you can’t appreciate that they realize, somewhere down their road, that “symbols” don’t mean Jack.
As for your “Me, never” — consider yourself lucky. I used to be able to say that before cops came to my home (at my 911 request) — but they got a little warm when I denied them entry to my whole house. Seems that 4th Amendment right didn’t matter. Symbolism, like belief in the Bill of Rights is seriously over-rated.
LikeLike
It would be nice if he pardoned Marissa, but I won’t hold my breath. Yes peanut they should include black women in this discussion as well, because there are black women being killed and beaten by the police.http://www.yourblackworld.net/2013/07/black-news/honor-student-inexplicably-beaten-by-police-i-awoke-spitting-my-teeth-out-on-the-ground/
LikeLike
In a way, I feel that President Obama might feel guilt about not caring about Black issues at all. I am very disappointed in Obama as a president. I didn’t expect him to be perfect but at least I expected him to fix the economy and help solve Black issues that mattered to me.
What did he do?
He didn’t help fix the economy and he tries to avoid Black issues like the plague. He didn’t even cry for Trayvon at all. Makes me sick. And now he speaks out as if he is truly concerned? At least he admitted that he could have been in Trayvon’s place when he was seventeen.
In a way, I am glad I am seventeen and didn’t vote for this man. I respect him but I believe he is not a very good president.
LikeLike
@Mstoogood4yall
It isn’t fair that Marissa went to jail for shooting a gun in the air because she had to dealt with abusive ex husband yet fat ass half Jew half Peruvian bastard Zimmerman goes free for murdering a Black kid?
What type of country do we live in?
A country that values White life over Black life and there is still a double standard.
I wonder if Hispanics think they are the new honorary Whites now that fat ass half Jew half Peruvian loser Zimmerman got off for killing a Black kid.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers
*Whites tend to believe Whites and Blacks tend to believe Blacks. It’s not that White people’s feelings are inherently more important. I certainly don’t think so. It’s that they are the majority. THIS is the elephant in the room. As long as they are the majority and can set the rules and bully the minority, you have to be careful not to turn them off completely because you will need some measure of support from their community. Until they are no longer the majority you just have to chip away around the edges. Obama understands this.*
Your being the majority doesn’t give you clearance to bully anyone. It doesn’t allow you to push your evil on the rest of us.
Stop trying to justify white bloodthirst. Their evil. We should allow these “people” to continue killing us off because as a majority, it is their opinion that their treatment needs to be accepted. This is their M.O. That “democracy” shit they talk about all the time. Your subjugation of Brown People and murder of those you can’t control. We should wait until you all to become a “minority” to have this discussion.
The “answers” you’re looking for are on stormfront with those cunts. Don’t waste anyone’s time here.
LikeLike
Having listened to the utter drivel and nonsense of President Obama about This whole Trayvon Martin shooting verdict. Particularly with regard to “race” or more explicitly racism (White supremacy) in US society. What is even more appalling and shocking is the level of empathy or expressed commentary sympathy for his speech in by some African-Americans. The word “DRONES” comes to mind….
Its shows quite clearly the level of programmed acceptance and acquiescence there is to the words spoken from a “perceived” Black president. Which can be used to such devastating numbing effect when it comes to dismissing the outrages or excesses of white supremacy in an unequal and unjust American society!!!
Its utterly appalling and shocking….which is what those people protesting are trying to SAY!!!
LikeLike
mstoogood4yall
@ Matari
“Bill Clinton was dubbed the first “Black” president (wth??) was a womanizer, groper, serial rapist ”
rofl, that is probably why he was dubbed first black prez.because they attribute those bad characteristics to black men.
That’s exactly how I remember it. Toni Morrison got that ball rolling by labeling Clinton “the first Black president” in a New Yorker article, and her point was more that the behaviors obsessively focused on by his critics were behaviors commonly and stereotypically attributed to black people. Not a black president; a “black” president. Sadly, her point was too subtle and insightful for most people to grasp.
I was glad to hear Obama speak at length and in a personalized manner about the “perspective” of “the African American community,” but it’s getting pretty late in his eight years for me to keep waiting for his inspiring and seemingly concerned words to turn into concrete legislative action. Especially when so many of the policies he actively supports and institutes continue and even increase the ongoing abuses of not just black Americans, but people of the (non-white) majority globally.
LikeLike
I support the president in general. I find it a little jarring that many Americans of both races blame him for not fixing complex problems in such a short time. If anything the president’s greatest social justice failure was not intervening in the ongoing black genocide in Libya.
LikeLike
Also while I believe the Zimmerman verdict was a travesty, some of the conclusions people are jumping to, like being able to know Zimmerman’s thoughts or stating that because of this one case, all black Americabs are in mortal peril.
The president is great leadership material because of his calm, collected, rational disposition. Of course he didn’t jump to wild conclusions about Zimnerman bring a closet klansman, just as he rightly disagreed with the verdict.
LikeLike
@Solesearch and Fiamma,
I think you two are the only ones who made any sense on this.
Thanks
Phoebe
LikeLike
Oops…can’t forget about Lifelearner’s comment as well.
I’m seeing it from that angle too.
LikeLike
@ Dee
I never said symbols are the end all be all but they do serve a purpose. No you can ‘t eat it, drive it or go to work in it but the purpose it serves is inspiration. Are you implying that inspiration means nothing because you can’t eat it or drive it? How silly and narrow-minded. To be inspired is no small thing.
As far as not ever being in jail, I probably am “lucky” as you put it. It could have easily been different through no fault of my own. I realize that.
LikeLike
“Seems that 4th Amendment right didn’t matter. Symbolism, like belief in the Bill of Rights is seriously over-rated.”
********
DEAD letters both! The Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
A nation of laws and a Police State can not coexist in the same space at the same time.
When Clinton, and later Bush, failed to get impeached (held accountable) for their collective crimes against humanity, it became crystal clear that the veil had which hid how the LAW is applied was ripped to shreds.
Anyone who was willing could observe the blatant hypocrisy/corruption in the US political system THEATER.
Obama is only an actor (aka polititian) playing his role… why anyone would believe that he truly cares about Trayvon while simultaneously directing/permitting drone attacks that kill children elsewhere on this planet defies any semblance of rational/logical thought. One’s mind should never be in a state of constant flux.
I say Obama deserves an Oscar! For he has certainly bamboozled and hustled a LOT of people – imo.
LikeLike
@ Average Bee
Justify white blood thirst?, Your subjugation of Brown people? Stormfront?
First off. I am not white. I am all black, born and raised in one of the roughest hoods in this country. I experience the same frustration that many others express. No one is saying that being the majority makes them morally just. And no one is saying to stay silent until whites are the majority. But righteous indignation alone won’t beat a majority if they all turn against you. You have to speak in a way they understand if you want to win some over which at this point in history is necessary.
The assumptions you made about me are so stupid. Stormfront? I almost put my hand through a wall last week when I heard the verdict. If that’s your best attempt at judging character, I am not surprised of your views at all.
LikeLike
@ MsGood & Aspergum
From Wikipedia:
“Clinton drew strong support from the African American community and made improving race relations a major theme of his presidency.[163] In 1998, Nobel laureate Toni Morrison called Clinton “the first Black president”, saying, “Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing, McDonald’s-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas”.[164] Noting that Clinton’s sex life was scrutinized more than his career accomplishments, Morrison compared this to the stereotyping and double standards that blacks typically endure.”
LikeLike
@ Matari
OMG, right! And it is not just his reckless disregard for the lives of brown children. Because of signature strikes by drones – where Obama kills not known terrorists but males of military age who seem to be up to no good – Obama could have said:
LikeLike
I’m glad the President finally took a stand, although in comparison to his Sandy Hook response, this was tepid.
I am curious as to why people *think* this travesty if justice wasn’t racially motivated? I mean how could you not see the racism strewn throughout the entire thing? Did Zimmerman accost Trayvon simply because he was bored and a gung ho wannabe cop? Did the police dally in arresting him after the shooting because homicide is a trivial matter, and their priorities are parking tickets and drug offenses? Did the defense paint Trayvon as a thug and worthy of being killed because he wore a hoody in the rain? Did the 5 white and 1 race undetermined jurors acquit Zimmerman because they thought HE was attacked? Really? If race wasn’t a factor, what was? Most black folks see a pattern and can attribute it accordingly. For those of you NOT seeing race as the underlying issue here, what do you see?
LikeLike
Maybe, hopefully, the Zimmerman verdict is a wake-up call for him, but as far as I can tell so far it has not. On the one hand he was able to talk for 17 minutes about black people without scolding them for their failings, so maybe he is changing. On the other hand:
1. He did not personally call out the racism in the Zimmerman case.
2. His proposed actions require little political capital on his part. None of them require him to stand up to the Republican Party.
LikeLike
Hmmm Abagond,
Did you write this post to give Black people yet another reason to find fault with and constantly express their unhappiness with Obama?
I mean, not supporting Obama’s politics is one thing, but i don’t see what drones and missiles have to do with him choosing to share his personal experiences…
In fact to mention drones when talking about Trayvon is REACHING.
Phoebe
LikeLike
Not just the policies of the US, but the world. The distraction of “race” is one of the greatest tools used in the obfuscation of the real agenda.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers
You’re right. I am a horrible judge of character. My emotions control me in these sorts of issues. That’s the hardest part about this shit. I want to get away from it but can’t, it seems.
LikeLike
@abagond…“Obama could have said:
“I could have been Trayvon Martin but I am George Zimmerman.”
You are so-o-o-o right!
LikeLike
@Matari…“Anyone who was willing could observe the blatant hypocrisy/corruption in the US political system THEATER.”
You are of course right. But the operative words in your moment are, “Anyone who was willing… So many folk aren’t, because it would mean everything they ever believed about the system — and themselves — was not true. But instead of taking that as a point of growth and moving on enlightened, they choose to stay mired in the illusion — more comfortable.
“I say Obama deserves an Oscar! For he has certainly bamboozled and hustled a LOT of people – imo.”
Yeah, instead of that Nobel Peace Prize they gave him just for being…{smdh}
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…“Are you implying that inspiration means nothing because you can’t eat it or drive it? How silly and narrow-minded. To be inspired is no small thing.”
Call it what you like, even though I never said it meant nothing. As a matter of fact I agree with you that inspiration is no small thing. I just don’t think sharing skin color counts for anything if the symbol has no substance, relative or relevant to the existence of the one supposedly being inspired. There’s just something real Stockholm Syndrome-ish about that to me.
LikeLike
The protest marches have been peaceful.
LikeLike
He should do this, he should do that, he’s hypocritical, he’s a puppet, symbols mean nothing, blah, blah, blah….
I guess outmaneuvering republicans into giving 30 million people access to health care, covering preexisting conditions and young people staying on parent’s insurance until 26 means nothing too. Just symbolism right? It only matters if it only helps Blacks seems to be the standard everyone is setting which is juvenile at best.
So many here are critical to the point of being childish. Easy to criticize from behind a keyboard without the pressure of being in his shoes.
LikeLike
@ Deb
Symbols do not necessarily need a lot of substance in order to inspire someone. It only needs to represent a simple idea. In Obama’s case it tells a young Black boy “I can be anything I want to be.” That is SO POWERFUL!
LikeLike
Tell me this is picture is not powerful:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/photo-speaks-volumes-about-obama-and-race/2012/05/24/gJQA2T2lmU_blog.html
LikeLike
@ deb
“I just don’t think sharing skin color counts for anything if the symbol has no substance”
I agree. It should be about what the person does and how they treat ppl and what they do to correct wrongs. I think Malcolm x is a good example of how u can mess up but get back up and do something about the injustices u and others who look like, u face. I also think parents should be a childs first role model.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers: That is a Norman Rockwell moment. It is very sweet.
LikeLike
Maybe seeing Obama,gave that liitle kid hope that he could be whatever he aspired to be in life.
LikeLike
@ mary burrell
That is exactly my point. And that is why symbols matter.
LikeLike
@LookingforAnswers…“In Obama’s case it tells a young Black boy “I can be anything I want to be.” That is SO POWERFUL!”
Look, if it’s powerful to you — fine. We’ve all got a right to our opinions. I, however, fail to see the “power” in having somebody who looks like me, with hair like mine, publicly denigrating others who look like him, with hair like his at every turn or, as Matari, abagond and Kwamla have so eloquently stated, bragging about a kill list and murdering young men who might be terrorists who were just minding their own business or worse, trying to escape the madness being rained down them from U.S. weapons in the sky and providing cannon fodder for the Military Industrial Complex, yet not making a concerted effort to ensure there is treatment for the broken bodies and brains when they return (the backlog of VA claims is despicable!) and being complicit in the total decimation of an African country (yes, Libya is in Africa), while “dreaming of his father” and the list goes on and on — it’s confusing at best, and akin to child abuse at worst to send these mixed messages to young Black boys. “You can be anything you want to be as long as you do what is counter and detrimental to your very being, not only as a Black man, but a human being” is no lesson I’d want any young Black boy to learn — but that’s just me.
LikeLike
@LookinggoAnswers…“I guess outmaneuvering republicans into giving 30 million people access to health care, covering preexisting conditions and young people staying on parent’s insurance until 26 means nothing too. Just symbolism right? It only matters if it only helps Blacks seems to be the standard everyone is setting which is juvenile at best.”
No, what is juvenile is not paying attention, yet jumping to defend the indefensible. First of all, I could care less about his alleged “outmaneuvering Republicans,” because the Democrats are no better than they are. I’d settle for just doing what’s right. Giving 30 million people access to health care, covering preexisting conditions and young people staying on parent’s insurance until 26 is great if that’s what happened — but it wasn’t. It was merely a boon to the insurers, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare agencies who helped write the bill that Congress didn’t even read before passing. And his recently giving a further break to businesses instead of those 30 million, by delaying the employer mandate for a year, but not the individual mandate — was yet another boon for those who need it the least.
If their employers don’t provide healthcare coverage as a benefit,those 30 million will be paying to get into those exchanges, so it’s no “gift” and it won’t be cheap. And those who smoke will be paying upwards of double what non-smokers pay (so much for “pre-existing conditions). And if they can’t pay, the individual mandate calls for them to be “penalized” (read taxed, since the IRS will be collecting the penalty) monthly for not having healthcare coverage. If they couldn’t afford to pay for healthcare before this, where are they going to get the money to pay for it, or the penalty now?? Yes, IMHO it was just symbolism because if they’d stop spending so much money on war and fomenting rebellions in other countries and keeping Israel armed — they could have passed single-payer for all and the POOR (of which this country has many and who are NOT all Black) would not have to be worrying about how to find the money to get into these exchanges or pay the penalties they will incur on top of figuring out how to eat and live affordably.
I bet you believe he did something wonderfully beneficial for women with his signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act too. He didn’t. Ledbetter had nothing to do with fair pay for women, he and the Democrats just wanted everybody to believe it did, with that flourish of a signing he did right after his inauguration (the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have don something great for women is still sitting in Congress not passed).
We don’t need a symbol, we need somebody willing to stand for something other than himself and the string-pullers who write his script. Since he hasn’t, he’s no different from his alabaster brethren who came before him. Just my two cents…
LikeLike
@mstoogood4yall…I totally cosign everything you said. My grandmother always told us, “It’s not what they say, it’s what they do!” She was right.
LikeLike
“So many folk aren’t, because it would mean everything they ever believed about the system — and themselves — was not true. But instead of taking that as a point of growth and moving on enlightened, they choose to stay mired in the illusion — more comfortable.”
*******
@ Deb
More comfortable, perhaps – but only for a bit longer. We’ll see how well their illusions bring care and comfort when the SHTF.
Americans are arguably the most dumbed down people on the planet!
I truly hope their love for “symbols” sustains them when the next man-made calamity or natural disaster hits … and it WILL hit!
History is rife with lessons that are not learned – so the lessons keep coming around. Where there’s fire and smoke, there’s some guy dressed in a Toga fiddling his violin.
LikeLike
@ Phoebe
Obama kills people who look like they are up to no good – the signature drone strikes. How is that morally different than what Zimmerman did?
What makes it even worse is that Obama should have known better. It seems at first he did but he has since made his peace with it – and with much else that white presidents do and do not do.
LikeLike
I Hope every here holds themselves to the same standards in their personal lives that they are holding Mr. Obama to but I doubt it. The lack of practicality toward setting expectations are stunning to put it mildly. No wonder why many people sit back and look at us as being childlike.
Personally I know people with serious preexisting conditions who will now have coverage and some who now have coverage through their parents. I bet they feel differently and have a more practical view.
LikeLike
Abagond,
Trust me…i do not deny that DRONES are killing other people’s innocent boys and husbands, but DRONES are an issue much bigger than Obama since it has been happening for decades now–like way before the current administration.
The issue i take with this is context. What is the context in which he talked about his personal experiences? Drones do not refute the fact that what happened to Trayvon has haunted Black men in this country for generations now.
Is there a bigger picture here? Absolutely. But you have been expressing that Obama does not talk about race and when he finally does, you give the side eye.
Phoebe
LikeLike
@Matari…“Americans are arguably the most dumbed down people on the planet!”
As an American, I take no offense at your observation (I don’t know about on the planet, but I get your meaning :-)) — because my own lived experiences have shown me just how much my college-educated self didn’t know about not only the world, but about my own country. Not only is reading, as well as stepping out of one’s familiar, fundamental — so is paying attention.
“History is rife with lessons that are not learned – so the lessons keep coming around. Where there’s fire and smoke, there’s some guy dressed in a Toga fiddling his violin.”
Yes indeed!
LikeLike
@Abagond,
Or i should say, different methods of destruction (nuclear weapons, assassinations) have been used for decades by the U.S. in addition to the drones.
LikeLike
Abagond, “Obama kills people who look like they are up to no good – the signature drone strikes. How is that morally different than what Zimmerman did?
What makes it even worse is that Obama should have known better. It seems at first he did but he has since made his peace with it – and with much else that white presidents do and do not do.”
He should know better, but as you so aptly demonstrated on your Tommy Sotomayor post those we think should know better don’t.
What keeps people from seeing the obvious? From perpetuating the same crimes on others?
You see it so frequently on this board. People are blinded by their fear and become what they hate.
LikeLike
I think that’s the irony of all this.
LikeLike
@Solesearch
America’s chickens come home to roost. Jeremiah Wright was right. All the bad things that America has done to the world such as exploiting third world countries to their own benefit and killing innocent people aboard is coming back to our country to haunt us.
And for the Trayvon Martin tragedy, America will get what she deserves for the lack of empathy that they have for his death and letting his murderer go free. Sad to say but more White children will be slain and murdered by men as payback for the way they disregarded Trayvon’s life and Emmett Till’s life as well. I didn’t want to write this but I know it will happen.
White America and America on whole is paying for her sins.
And President Obama is a poor and incompetent president. You are correct that what he did killing people with thrones wasn’t any different from what Zimmerman did to Trayvon. And I am sure this hit close to home for President Obama because he was once a young, Black male as well.
LikeLike
White conservative pundits on Obama’s speech: Racism is over stop talking about it. Once again, they’re the only ones qualified to determine whether people who’re not white experience racism. Even Obama’s relatively tepid response got their panties in a bunch.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/19/white-men-racism-over_n_3624866.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
I would love for them to do a thought experiment and change one aspect of the case. Replace Trayvon Martin with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed 17 year old white girl who was stalked one rainy night by a half-Peruvian who shot her and killed her after she defended herself. Not guilty? Yeah, right.
LikeLike
Adeen,
“Sad to say but more White children will be slain and murdered by men as payback for the way they disregarded Trayvon’s life and Emmett Till’s life as well. I didn’t want to write this but I know it will happen.”
Isn’t that the way it always happens. More black and brown children will continue to die as well. I guess all of our chickens are coming home.
I think Obama’s call for introspection just might be the most important part of the speech.
What are you going to do to stop the cycle?
LikeLike
@Adeen
Please don’t say that. About any retaliatory attacks being somehow justified. I’m a father and if my kids were to get hurt, I would want to retaliate. Not on the perp. I would allow the criminal justice system handle that. No.. I would want to retaliate on race baiters. This has gone toooo far.
You know the clan probably had some lone case that they used to justify hurting random innocent people too.
LikeLike
http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/obama-talk-verdict-followed-black-prodding?wpisrc=root_more_news
LikeLike
@Dave
Jeremiah Wright was right. America’s chickens are coming home to roost. We, as a nation are paying for the ways he exploited third world countries to our own benefit and killing innocent people in the so called Middle East which is really Northeast Africa. And for the way we disregarded Trayvon Martin’s life and Black life in this country and letting fat ass Zimmerman go. The way we uphold White supremacy and downplay the effects of racism in our country. I can go on and on about this I wouldn’t.
I didn’t like writing the retaliation post but it will happen. Trust me. We, as a nation, have gotten away with too much for too long.
LikeLike
@Dave
Another thing, what does around comes back around. The things we do is coming back to us because of karma and God. Yes I do believe in God. And another thing, don’t think America is ”home of the brave and land of the free” like most White Americans think. I see things differently from you and I don’t see America as the ”home of the brave or land of the free”. All I see is cowards and the system denying minorities especially Black people certain rights as Americans.
I will always see things differently from you. Please don’t tell me to think otherwise
LikeLike
@Adeen
It already has happened. Enough is enough.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5izt8Kioj4)
LikeLike
Hey Abagond, I have a proposition for you that has to do with Adeen’s comment about black on white violence. Do a post on the subject and instead of bickering about it… The commenters can only write the names of the victims , and people can do their own research. In fact only people since Trayvon’s death. Since that is what has sparked the debate. The debate can not be one sided if you want it to work.
LikeLike
So now we have blacks thinking the whole white race is out to get them. I just stumbled on this blog and boy the hatred is palatable. I’m a white andI have no desire to subjugate anyone here but I’ll admit I worry..the hatred. We have a black president but all he’s done is pour fuel on the fire and you all lap it up. Sad
LikeLike
just in case there is any confusion
LikeLike
I don’t understand how W&P could say the POTUS poured fuel on the fire. He stays away from the race topic with a 10-foot pole.
We need someone to break the ice.
LikeLike
jefe:
I think that for many people, the President’s initial comments about Martin struck a discordant note and could be perceived as a bit of a “thumb on the scale” of justice in a situation which will not only forever remain unknowable, but where It’s possible that Zimmerman could have been the true moral victim.
LikeLike
@Dave
I never said anything about Black on White violence. I care about the Black Community and educating myself about race relations in this country. Black and Black crime is at a high time high and it is a issue that should be addressed.
Everything that White America and America in general does is coming back to haunt them as karma for the evil things that they have done. Like I said, Jeremiah Wright is right. America’s chickens are coming home to roast.
LikeLike
Here’s a great Doc on racial profiling as exercised by the NYPD and what appear like false flag events orchestrated in order to all for practice to continue:
Corruption, Quotas, Discrimination- UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR! Stop&Frisk!
(http://youtu.be/18UcIHGfoGs)
LikeLike
correction: *to allow for the practice to continue*
LikeLike
Here’s a short clip about the same issue titled: “The Hunted and the Hated: An Inside Look at the NYPD’s Stop-and-Frisk Policy” – A secret audio recording of a stop-and-frisk. I first came across the vid via DK diary:
LikeLike
@ Peanut
Yeah I too wonder what the interracial couples think and what they tell their kids. Especially if one agrees with the verdict and one doesn’t, and if one thinks it was racial profiling while the other doesn’t. I like the chescleigh vids especially this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B1qUrvgJKg&list=SPLreUsexUtEOBNz3NsGOnfnv01B5MaC1y)
LikeLike
Well, quit wondering, because, Im in an interracial relationship and I blame Zimmerman for his death ….and , Im also discussing with him about acting out anger and how it could hurt him a lot if it goes the wrong way..
I really dont know what the heck interracail relationships have to do with Martins dieath or Obama’s statements about it
and , I support, and could give a fuk what anyboey on here thinks, Obama’s drone program since the sob’s are killing way more children , have had bunches of attacks since Abagonds post, , and poisening girls trying to go to school…i support anyone standing up to religious fundamentalism that thinks its ok to take their religion to violent extremes
(ive fuking discussed this enough on the other thread, take it there if anyone wants to)
as a matter of fact , i like Obama and think people have forgotten just how close to the precipice we came under the Bush administration…how close all the middle class black Americans who are in the system would have lost what they worked so hard to gain…it sounds like no one has lived in a country where the currency starts tanking like you cant believe and what ever people earned or are working for is losing value by the day…Ive seen it and it almost did happen to the states under Bush
LikeLike
and in more eugenics news:
“Lawmakers call for investigation into sterilization of female inmates”
http://cironline.org/reports/lawmakers-call-investigation-sterilization-female-inmates-4961
“California prisons sterilized female inmates without permission”
http://rt.com/usa/california-prison-sterilized-inmates-782/
LikeLike
@ GoldFire
I read that story, i’m not surprised they’ve been sterilizing ppl, and children. They so messed up, hitler got his ideas from American eugenics. Planned parenthood is also is part of eugenics.
LikeLike
“people have forgotten just how close to the precipice we came under the Bush administration…how close all the middle class black Americans who are in the system would have lost what they worked so hard to gain…it sounds like no one has lived in a country where the currency starts tanking like you cant believe and what ever people earned or are working for is losing value by the day…Ive seen it and it almost did happen to the states under Bush”
************
B.R.
Some people remember …. Everyone, regardless of color, is at risk. Especially those who have less AND those that lack the knowledge and experience regarding coping during HARD times!
The world’s economy continues to hang by a thread at the precipice. It has little or nothing to do with who’s in office, and has everything to do with creating FIAT dollars out of thin air, crooked bankers and their enablers in office. Sooner or later, sooner than most think, the piper is going to have to be paid. It’s a house of cards!
If one believes Obama can save – or stall for much longer – the US from defaulting on it’s enormous debt of trillions owed, well … one might as well believe that the tooth fairy or Superman can save the world in the nick of time.
Other nations are beginning to see the handwriting on the wall are forming economic coalitions and are steadily starting to move away from the world’s default currency, the dollar. This does not bode well for Amerikkka.
The Titanic is heading for some form of disaster – and that’s putting it mildly!
LikeLike
@GoldFire…That link to “The Hunted and the Hated” was right on time! What a great illustration of the games the Changeling plays to pacify Black folk, with a wink-wink to white folk. This crocodile-tears-havin’, first Black president is considering Ray Kelly to fill his new vacancy to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Can you imagine?? Just incredible.
With all these Swat-outfitted cops sent out to quell dissent in these alleged United States today — http://www.salon.com/2013/07/07/“why_did_you_shoot_me_i_was_reading_a_book_the_new_warrior_cop_is_out_of_control/ — along with these stop & frisk automatons led by Kelly, ANYBODY who thinks Posse Comitatus — http://hnn.us/articles/16616.html — hasn’t come full circle in this country and won’t get worse — just isn’t paying attention. But I’ll tell you what, they won’t be confused one iota if Kelly is confirmed.
The Changeling is manipulative hypocrite who says one thing and does exactly the opposite when it comes to us — yet many Black folk support him, talking about he’s some kind of “symbol.” There’s just something real Stockholm Syndrome-like (or PTSD, Post-Traumatic Slavery Disorder-like if you prefer) about that. So much so, all I can do is {smdh} and hear Solomon Burke singing:
(Abagond, please fix that embed code for me, I forgot what you told me to do <before when i messed one up the first time. 🙂 Thanks)
LikeLike
@mrstoogood4yall,
Did they say they were sterilizing children? Wow, I might need to read those articles over again. I thought they were just talking about women; not that I have any doubt they would target children as well. Did you notice how whoever presented the story conveniently forgot to mention the race of the women who underwent the procedure? lol. Well, judging by the pictures, the names of the women, and the interview the tubal ligations were clearly performed on black and Latino women. You should have seen some of the comments left on blogs/sites that reported the story. It appears that many people, on either side of the political isle, don’t have a problem with it. That was particularly of interest to me when considering black women’s abortion rates are already 5 times higher than those of whyte women.
http://www.blackgenocide.org/black.html
LikeLike
“Cornel West on Obama’s Response (Speech) to Trayvon Martin Case”
(http://youtu.be/oDYfwYvCYPA)
LikeLike
@ GoldFire
I meant they used to sterilize children, I don’t know if they do anymore. I did watch a documentary on youtbe called maafa 21, it was long but very interesting. They said when abortion was illegal white women were the ones getting it done more, but since its been legal black women have been doing it more. I kinda figured the women targeted in the prisons were black or latino women, because u already know if it were white women the feminists would be out protesting.
LikeLike
@mstoogood4yall:
Yup, maafa 21 was a very informative, and interesting documentary….and long :), but worth it; So glad you mentioned it:
Here’s the full length version for anyone who’s interested:
(http://youtu.be/02t3Wqg-4Iw)
You said: “I kinda figured the women targeted in the prisons were black or Latino women, because u already know if it were white women the feminists would be out protesting.”
Holla!!!
LikeLike
@Matari…” It has little or nothing to do with who’s in office, and has everything to do with creating FIAT dollars out of thin air, crooked bankers and their enablers in office…If one believes Obama can save – or stall for much longer – the US from defaulting on it’s enormous debt of trillions owed, well … one might as well believe that the tooth fairy or Superman can save the world in the nick of time.”
Thank you for pointing that out. It’s the sole reason this “civilized,” want-you-to-believe-they-give two-shits-about-human-rights, US government, led in the decimation of Libya, bringing all that military might to bear and facilitating the murder of Qaddafi. His plan to only do business (that’s oil business folks) using gold dinars instead of petro dollars had their panties in a huge knot — cuz they knew they didn’t have any money backed by gold to speak of (no matter how much Quantitative Easing magic the Federal Reserve could muster).
So they sold that need for a “human rights intervention (R2P)” BS to put the kibosh on that. Same thing for Saddam in Iraq who was feelin’ petro euros instead of their fake money. Same reason for the saber-rattling toward Iran who’s feelin’ petro euros themselves.
(From my link hoard: http://www.oilempire.us/euro.html)
LikeLike
More like Posse ComingAtUs
LikeLike
@GoldFire…Chile! you just keep contributing to this post that’s bouncing around in my head! Thanks for this video as well! Bro. West is on-point, but I know the Changeling’s supporters will keep on crowing about him still being mad about not getting tickets to the damned inauguration — as if what he’s saying has no validity at all. {smdh}
LikeLike
@ Deb,
(b){{{{{{{{{PREACH IT!!!! }}}}}}}}}}}(/b)
LikeLike
@King…You ain’t never lied!
LikeLike
@GoldFire…I get a little full sometimes.
LikeLike
@ Deb,
My pleasure :)). I know right. I posted the vid of Dr. West’s interview prior to reading your post and I was like, WOW, on the same wavelength anyone? You basically elaborated on what Dr. West said at the tail end of his response.
You said: “Changeling’s supporters will keep on crowing about him still being mad about not getting tickets to the damned inauguration — as if what he’s saying has no validity at all. {smdh}”
Lawd Jesus black people better wake up and start realizing we’ve got bigger fish to fry.
LikeLike
@Deb,
You said: “@GoldFire…I get a little full sometimes”
Well, you can feel free to pour some of that in my cup anytime. 🙂
LikeLike
While I empathize with and umderstand what President Obama said, race was not an issue here. The media manipulated the information and made race an issue. Clearly, it was not. We must be willing to set emotions aside and objecrively examine the facts. Only then wi we be able to work towards more effective solutions.
LikeLike
@GoldFire…“Lawd Jesus black people better wake up and start realizing we’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
We surely do!
“Well, you can feel free to pour some of that in my cup anytime. :-)”
Thank you much, I will — in as many small doses as I can (don’t want to beaugard abagond’s space too much! :-))! Really ‘preciate the convo…
LikeLike
“this “civilized,” want-you-to-believe-they-give two-shits-about-human-rights, US government, led in the decimation of Libya, bringing all that military might to bear and facilitating the murder of Qaddafi. His plan to only do business (that’s oil business folks) using gold dinars instead of petro dollars had their panties in a huge knot — cuz they knew they didn’t have any money backed by gold to speak of (no matter how much Quantitative Easing magic the Federal Reserve could muster).
So they sold that need for a “human rights intervention (R2P)” BS to put the kibosh on that. Same thing for Saddam in Iraq who was feelin’ petro euros instead of their fake money. Same reason for the saber-rattling toward Iran who’s feelin’ petro euros themselves. ”
**********
All TRUE, Deb. Absolutely!
Yet now, China, Russia and their trade partners/allies are going the same route. This time with the Chinese yen, more likely backed by GOLD, which is more than the U,S, can claim .. What’s Amerikka to do, smash China & Russia militarily?
I guess it remains to be seen whether the US is foolish enough to attempt to take on the other big boys on the block — with nukes at their disposal.
(Anyone here have an extra Warp Drive Engine I could borrow??)
LikeLike
@GoldFire Re: covert sterilization
I’m not surprised. Black people should also pay attention when they hear talk about high birth rates and overpopulation and want to ‘develop’ your agriculture when you’ve farming sustainably long before they could enter your land without being killed by Malaria.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/European-nations-offer-incentives-to-have-kids-3201278.php
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Development/Family-Planning
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Development/Agricultural-Development
AFRICA is NOT overpopulated, by the way. There are 1.033 billion people in AFRICA. That’s less than the 1.241 billion in India while Africa is over NINE times as large. It has only about 1.5 times the population of Europe when it is three times as large. It’s a sparsely populated continent which is part of the reason invaders were so successful. The baby boom means potential for a strong future Africa even after the ravages of Slavery, Colonialism, and AIDS. But beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
LikeLike
@Matari…“Yet now, China, Russia and their trade partners/allies are going the same route. This time with the Chinese yen, more likely backed by GOLD, which is more than the U,S, can claim .. What’s Amerikka to do, smash China & Russia militarily?”
Regarding Russia, they’re hedging their bets against the U.S. either way — leaning partially on the yen, while they also consider the euro: http://globalresearch.ca/articles/BLA310A.html — as “strategies” go, not bad.
They kinda tried that, “smashing” the former Soviet Union before — it ended in the Cold War. The fact that the U.S.S.R. dissolved matters not — same folk, different day. Their awkward, IMO, shift to the East, trying to infringe on Russian Black Sea ports to get to China might just ruffle a few feathers.
“I guess it remains to be seen whether the US is foolish enough to attempt to take on the other big boys on the block — with nukes at their disposal.”
The ultimate game of chicken — only time will tell (keeping BRICS in mind, of course).
LikeLike
It’s not going to be about nukes.
LikeLike
African Americans have lost more ground under President Obama than ever before. Wake up people before it’s too late.
LikeLike
I found the early pro Obama messages extremely entertaining at first. Later I found it troubling that people I regard as not just worldly but educated and exposed could fall so totally for packaged MSM hype.
This was written 3 months to the election:”He’ll win if his handlers want him to.I’ve not seen any indicators otherwise. What does it matter anyway when the Powers That Be,could manufacture a leader out of a Riley Freeman to do their bidding if they were so inclined?”
http://karanjazplace.blogspot.com/2012/08/why-obama-is-returning-and-why-it.html
I just hope when the Obama era is over we’re all wiser.
LikeLike
You guys mean Chinese Yuan, not Yen, right?
LikeLike
@jefe…Yes, I stand corrected.
LikeLike
Matari , I used to hear from a Brazilian stock holder on a Brazilian site, how the USA dollar was going to bottom out and fall, and the economy was going to colapse , and that Brazil and the Mercosul were going to ditch the USA dollar because it was going so low…that was one of the big deals, Dilma the president complained of the cambio wars with China and the USA and how they were driving the dollar down, bad for Brazilian exports
hasnt happened, as a matter of fact what is happening now, and, beleive me, I dont consider myself an expert , or say this is the way it stays, because economy doesnt work that way now, but, the dollar is actualy strong against the Brazilian real, and, there is inflation creeping in on Brazil, and there is trouble in the streets now because of the threatened economic trouble
The BRIC countries were in a bubble , they did have amazing growth, mostly using economic tricks of the “neo liberal/globalisation” that many in their countries condemned, but, that is one of the reasons they had growth and lifted people out of poverty
but, the bubble is getting ready to deflate… Im sure rooting for Brazil to get through it …but, all the pundits people would say before , about the BRIC countries stopping the dollar and using their currancy, dont aply at this moment…the Euro is too strong and its hurting the economies there
LikeLike
And, its been under Obama’s watch, he really saved this economy when at the end of the Bush administration, the dollar was really weak and the threat of the whole thing colapsing was real..
Its a slow , almost hard to judge pace. Damage was done by the Bush administration that will last a long time, and, it will take decades to recover from…you dont just face that kind of near colapse and fix it right away…for sure, the bottom of the economic society will be the last to recover…
If people on the right and left dont get that deregulated hyper predatry capatalism doesnt work , after what happened, then that will be the biggest hurdle, because people need to start voting for that, more regulations, and republicans have to cut the bs and their voters better get back to reality
There are huge solutions in this crises that are mind boggling they arnt being used…legalise marijuana nationaly and it will give a huge boost to the local economies…enormous…you can bet on that…not only money coming in and local people having work possiblities, but, huge amounts of people wont be sent to jail , witch is a big economic lift
LikeLike
@ Origin,
You said: on “covert sterilization – I’m not surprised. Black people should also pay attention when they hear talk about high birth rates and overpopulation and want to ‘develop’ your agriculture when you’ve farming sustainably long before they could enter your land without being killed by Malaria.”
Thank you. Sadly these people are not going to stop trying to kill us off by every means and measure available to them, including using our very own to help them do so. It’s phucking unreal is what it is! Thanks for the links. I especially had no idea they were simultaneously trying to increase birthrates in Europe. Wow.
Any who, to your point about Bill Gates:
Bill Gates: “My Father Headed Planned Parenthood”
(http://youtu.be/EZ6mjx4J7dM)
“The Truth about Bill Gates Foundation Depopulation Agenda”
(http://youtu.be/LbGLZSXkS_4)
As you mentioned India, as you well know they’ve been aggressively pushing they’re depopulation agenda there as well for some 50 years to great effect:
(http://youtu.be/eb9U-AbrdEQ)
and here’s Monsanto doing it’s part in India:
(http://youtu.be/EVryne4vFQk)
and just recently:
In so far as GMO’s in Africa are concerned, I had a really difficult time finding relevant current information on the topic, one of the reasons I gave the links on India, however, I did find this YT vid where the topic was being discussed by some Africans:
“Should Africa go GMO free?”
(http://youtu.be/YCe2dyWXnjo)
albeit a “Petition to African Union calling for a ban on GMOs” was submitted by many organizations representing average African citizens throughout the continent to be put on the agenda at their January 2013 summit, I have as of yet not been able to find anything on the net which confirms it was addressed at all.
http://www.acbio.org.za/index.php/publications/rest-of-africa
but it doesn’t look good.
“As health fears ebb, Africa looks at easing GM crop bans”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/06/eu-africa-gmo-idUSL5N0EG3K520130606
In other eugenics news:
Israel Admits Forcing Birth Control on Ethiopians
(http://youtu.be/1W5J25MvSp0)
LikeLike
here’s an excellent discussion posted a week ago by Saharatv regarding the GMO push into Africa, specifically into Nigeria.
(http://youtu.be/k8knVi8lHo8)
LikeLike
WTF? Here’s a clip from a documentary titled “Genetic Roulette—The Gamble of Our Lives” about an “African” farmer in South Africa who fed his livestock GMO corn based feed, and his workers genetically modified corn. Some of the affects, especially on the pigs, were horrific, but the people were being horribly affected as well; some dropping dead at the prime of their lives.
(http://youtu.be/kOlj-iX25lg)
I hope African leaders care enough to pay attention.
LikeLike
GMOs are off topic here unless you can tie it to Obama and American race politics.
LikeLike
@ Richard
i deleted your comment because it was plagiarized.
LikeLike
http://news.msn.com/us/zimmerman-juror-b29-i-owe-trayvons-parents-an-apology
Juror b29 who is part Hispanic is showing her face, at least she isn’t a coward like the others whose face we haven’t seen.
LikeLike
I wouldn’t just label them cowards. You know the risks of revealing who you are.
But, I still get the impression that the people who messed up were the police. No surprise there.
LikeLike
Here I also feel it was the police that messed up.
LikeLike