Tavis Smiley'sThe Covenant with Black... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Email This Page

  AddThis Social Bookmark Button

AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Thumper's Corner - Archive 2006 » Tavis Smiley'sThe Covenant with Black America #2 on Amazon « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy

Post Number: 333
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 06:49 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Published by Third World Press, Smileys Covenant was ranked #2 on Amazon & B&N yesterday.



The Covenant with Black America


http://authors.aalbc.com/tavis_smiley.htm
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4411
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 07:07 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Troy,

"My only advice to the organizers is to figure out a way to save time by asking the speakers to stop paying each other so many compliments."
http://authors.aalbc.com/state_of_the_black_union_06.htm

I don't mind the mutual backslapping that much. But I think the program could have been shorten by A LEAST an hour if Tavis had talked A LOT less than necessary.

And I think the Republican State Senator (who sat next to Farrakhan) made an EXCELLENT point about there being too LITTLE emphasis on the Black FAMILY. You're not going to get ANY of this "Covenant" stuff done if foks AIN'T formulating stable, productive families.


Btw: Is Tavis Smiley married? Has he EVER married and raised children? Hmmmmmmm....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4054
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 02:19 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Tavis isn't married but I think I remember him saying that he came from a very large family with lots of siblings. Tavis is like Oprah; he never met a pause he didn't want to fill. LOL
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 1909
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 04:41 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Boy I can't STAND that guy--

Sorry Roxie
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy

Post Number: 334
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 12:06 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

IMHO, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is perhaps the greatest living orator. Now don't get me wrong Sharpton is no slouch and Akbar is quite good too, but Farrakhan kicks it up another level.

I don't always agree with the man. However I agreed mostly with Farrakhan regarding the Covenant; which, despite is current sales velocity, will have no impact for the reasons Farrakhan mentioned and many others. Farrakhan also mentioned a similar document generates during as a result of the Million Moore March. It would have been interesting to hear Tavis' response to the comment

And of course the Covenant ain't gonna mean sh*t without stable families. Indeed I suspect if there were more stable families the Covenant would be an anachronism. If anything the Covenant book will generate a lot of money that I hope will got toward supporting Black folks.

I still applaud Tavis for his unique ability to pull together and event of this magnitude and gather the resources to create a document like Covenant. He is great in this regard. Of course, ABM, raising a family or staying married, more than a minute, is much harder....

Smiley, Sharpton and others were in Brooklyn yesterday as part of the road show for the Covenant . I could not attend as I was in an East Harlem restaurant getting my drink on (it was Fat Tuesday right).

I know someone is saying:
"See Troy, that is our problem. Brothers can't push back from the bar long enough to support their own people"

Chris why do you hate Smiley? I know you hate Sowell. Are not Smiley and Sowell polar opposites?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl

Post Number: 78
Registered: 05-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 12:50 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Troy, I totally agree with you about Farrakhan's orator skills.

And I'm happy for Haki, owner of Third World.

I've always been so in love with him. He's one of my heroes. His book with his mother on the cover, YELLA BLACK, is really good.

Go Haki!!







Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sisg
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Sisg

Post Number: 247
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 10:20 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

And to top it all off Troy...as Smiley said on the TJMS this morning....the Covenant book is about to make history....the first book published by a Black Owned Publishing company to possibly hit the NY Times Bestselling List....Big UPs on that! Reminds me of what you wanted to do with a little known author Troy...and it shows it can be done, and AA authors and publishers have something to aspire to and can conceivably achieve with the support of Black America.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4418
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 04:56 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Troy,

It would have been interesting to see whether Smiley, Dr. Cornel West and others would have had the stones to rebut Farrakhan's criticism of the Covenant had he not left the program prior to its conclusion.

I think I was MOST impressed by Harry Belafonte's comments. I mean, dude flatout called Bush the biggest terrorist in the WORLD. I think if Belafonte voice was less raspy, he might give Farrakhan a run for his money.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl

Post Number: 79
Registered: 05-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 05:03 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yeah, but whatever Bush is, I don't think Harry Belafonte has been any more helpful to Black America than Bush has.

I really resent him sitting up there as a leader of blacks when his whole family (He and His Children) are all married to white people--there's NOTHING BLACK in his family.

But he's a leader for black people? That's the problem in America.

The BIGGEST problem.

None of these men mentioned "the black family" because it's not important to them in the least. None of them truly have "black people" at heart.

They simply have nowhere else to rule.

When Farrakhan goes to Sudan--he's an Arab, not a black man.

You don't have any genuine black leaders.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep

Post Number: 917
Registered: 01-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 05:15 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Importance of Black family--I second that emotion. (Family studies is my discipline, so I'd better!)

Also, don't laugh, but have any of you heard Cornel West's spoken word album? Don't laugh. It's worth a listen.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4068
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 05:48 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Harry Belfante's first wife was black and all of his children with her are black. And anybody who calls Bush the "worst terrorist in the world" is OK in my book. Belafonte certainly takes more of a stand than that authentic Sidney Poitier who is also married to a white woman and who never rocks the boat when it comes to race.
As for the black family thing, it'll never be resolved because it is not politically correct to declare that the ramifications of single women having too many children with multiple fathers is what gives rise to the multitude of problems that plague female-headed families in the underclass. The word "genocide" immediately jumps into the birth control equation, and blaming the deterioration of the black family on the racist System is still the standard rationale. When Bill Cosby spoke up about people becoming more conscientous parents, he was either shouted down or shushed up. And the black middle-class continues to be villified because they have made better lives for themselves. Pointing these things out is considered blasphemy because they are considered a part of the conservative doctrine.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl

Post Number: 80
Registered: 05-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 06:01 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

The very first step in Black people getting well is to at last define "black people" and then make everyone work towards meeting that definition.

That alone would cut out 80% of the B.S. leadership from men who clearly want to take the white man's place rather than create any capital for black people and blackness itself.

I castigate Sidney Poitier all the time, but I despise Harry Belafonte just as much. No matter how slick he talks---he only speaks on the black balcony because that's the only place he speak.

He's no black leader.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4069
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 06:28 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

And you aren't a black leader, either Kola. You are a distraction and a hindrance to the cause because you advocate divisiveness. You have no credentials or legitimacy no history or roots in America. You are not authentic. And you are not Mother Africa; you're just some second-rate Sudanese hybrid who wants to tell the descendants of West Africans what to do.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl

Post Number: 81
Registered: 05-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 06:49 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Try telling that to Noam Chomsky.

:-)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4070
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 06:53 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Everybody knows he is radical idealogue who nobody takes seriously because talk is cheap. And he sure ain't black.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl

Post Number: 82
Registered: 05-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 08:34 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Haki Madhubuti is my Harry Belafonte. Him I will listen to. I trust him and I love him. I always wanted to be his wife.





Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4071
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 09:54 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

He's too short for you.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep

Post Number: 918
Registered: 01-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 10:10 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

One of the highlights of my life was when Brother Haki came to Purdue while I was a grad student there and spoke with us student writers who were part of Haraka Writers (one of the performing arts ensembles of the Black Cultural Center there). I actually had to read one of my poems for him. I thought I'd die. I chose my shortest poem, figuring at least he wouldn't be able to find too much to criticize--cuz there was so little there! But he was actually incredibly encouraging to me and to all of us.

Ummm...what was the topic again? LOL
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4072
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 09:36 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

A few years back, I had a chance encounter with Haki at a 3-day writers conference being held at Chicago State University where he teaches, and an occasion where, incidentally, Alice Walker was the guest speaker. After the formalities were over, when the large crowd was milling around net-working, as my daugher and I were on our way out, Haki was passing by and I casually handed him a copy of my book and kept walking. He called me back and said that was not a good approach, and I shrugged, said I was sorry and asked for my book back. He acted as though he wanted to elaborate on his reprimand but I was in a hurry and didn't linger. Anyhow, he used to own a book store in Chicago and I later sent him 4 copies of my book as a donation to the school that was run in conjunction with his store. A couple of months later, his secretary called me and said that Mr. Madhubuti wanted to know if I would like to have a book signing at his store. I could hear him in the background telling her what to say. I graciously thanked her and said I'd get back to her. But I never did, because by that time, my book was no longer a priority of mine. I had set it aside and moved on. But I remember thinking at the time that Haki Madhubuti or Don Lee which is his birth name, was a man with a lot of class.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl

Post Number: 83
Registered: 05-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 12:05 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Great stories all.

I'm so glad that I honored Haki in my chapter "God Is A Black Man" in my autobiography.

He's one of my favorite poets and thinkers, and my definition of a true leader who cares about BLACK people. I love him.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 1913
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 01:23 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I do hate Sowell, but Thomas Sowell is to Tavis Smiley as--I dunno, Malcolm X is to Sammy Davis Jr. Sowell is at least trying to have some substance, though through his mediocrity he cannot obtain it. Tavis would not know what substance is.

Re Farrakhan:

Troy, you continue to amaze me.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy

Post Number: 335
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 12:45 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Sisg, I'm actually glad you remembered the idea I had for selling 50,000 copies of a good book written by a little known author. Of course it could be done. I still plan to do it -- perhaps when I achieve a little more prominence. Celebrity still drives much in the country...

I too was glad, and honestly a little surprised, to see that TWP was the publisher of this book.

---

Chris don't be amazed; Farrakhan is my man, but my love for bacon and booze will forever keep us apart.

---

Sankegirl, given your definition of being Black there are few Black People left in America.

Hey did you hear the story about the "Brother" who believed he was Black, indeed wrote articles on the subject, got an DNA test and discovered he had African blood?

--

Cynique, you handed the book to Haki for a reason. Why? I can't image what would have kept you from engaging Haki, particularly if your book was involved. It seems to me if you truly set it aside you would not have been at the writers conference, handed the book to Haki or sent 4 more copies in for donation. Have you set aside the prospect of writing another book?

----

ABM, if West, Tavis and others had the opportunity to debate Farrakhan; THAT would have been more productive and interesting. I truly believe Farrakhan left to avoid that confrontation. Besides the book is already in print so what would be the point... They obviously here not interested in Farrakhan's input.


Also panels with more that 4 or 5 people are a complete waste of time in terms of getting across and working through ideas. Big panels never accomplish anything they are self serving by definition and usually setup to draw people.

I would have preferred to see Farrakhan and West (alone) debate about the book.

---

Again I agree with Farrakhan these guys "don't have the juice" to make anyone listen to these ideas. They would need a much broader base of support and that takes work. A personality like Tavis does not have what it takes.

I don't even understand why he would dis the invited Black Republicans for not making it to the panel without even finding out why they could did not show. That was poor form, and is illustrative of the divisiveness Tavis fosters without even being conscious of it.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4073
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 01:04 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Well, Troy as I said in my post I sent the books to Haki's store, and set the book aside and moved on months AFTER I had attended the Writers Conference. My handing my book to Haki at the Writeres Conference was an impulsive act, which is why I immediately took it back when he seemed offended. I was in a hurry and didn't feel like being lectured to. And yes, I have set aside the prospect of writing another book.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy

Post Number: 338
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 01:12 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Cynique, sometimes are impluses yield better decisions than the ones that are contemplated over a long period of time.

It is too bad you've set aisde the prospect of writing another book. You have a lot interesting things to say...

Peace
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4430
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 02:23 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Troy,

I agree it would be interesting to witness Farrakhan and West debate the merits of "The Covenant", although, as you said, Farrakhan's criticism was not so much directed at the The Covenant as much as it was whether it can be enforced and whether Tavis and the rest of us could/would throwdown when the going got REAL tuff.

But I've previously criticised Smiley's annual State of Black America conferences for not producing an end-product (I'm sure I've expressed some of such on this website.). Therefore, I should at least congratulate him and others for writing and publishing "The Convenant".

And congratulate them I do.


I think GOP'ers reneged for the reasons that were implied by Smiley. Sorry. But all you have to do is witness what's going on in the White House, the US Congress, the Supreme Court and much of the rest of American state governments to discern what the GOP - and that includes those amongst them who are Black - are mostly all about.

Therefore, I have the utmost respect for the lady Republican State Senator (I regret not recalling her name) for having the stones to do what the male Black GOP'ers invitees did not: Show (the FUHK) up!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Phoenixnm
Newbie Poster
Username: Phoenixnm

Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 04:19 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"As for the black family thing, it'll never be resolved because it is not politically correct to declare that the ramifications of single women having too many children with multiple fathers is what gives rise to the multitude of problems that plague female-headed families in the underclass. The word "genocide" immediately jumps into the birth control equation, and blaming the deterioration of the black family on the racist System is still the standard rationale. When Bill Cosby spoke up about people becoming more conscientous parents, he was either shouted down or shushed up. And the black middle-class continues to be villified because they have made better lives for themselves. Pointing these things out is considered blasphemy because they are considered a part of the conservative doctrine."

Generally, I agree with this... with the exception that it isn't just black women having children with multiple partners, but black men too. These are lost souls who are in dire need of direction. I wonder whether the Convenant will be of use to them at all.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4074
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!)

Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 12:20 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

It is absolutely correct that single young black men also need to be cited for their irresponsible practice of impregnanting multiple partners. But most of these back-sliders have been raised in female-headed families and they have no role models. Just another result of indiscriminaste breeding, results that spill over into other areas; into the over-populated schools where unruly children with no home-training make it difficult for teachers to teach and for other kids to learn, - into the streets where gangs become the surrogate families of young boys who have no structure at home. Then on to the next phase where the kids who come out of these schools where teachers haven't been able to teach are not prepared for the work force or college, and the kids drawn into gangs become a part of the drugs and crime and violence of the street life. And this all culminates in the final stage where the gang members end up prison and the young females who have no direction begin the series of pregnancies that are ennabled by the welfare system. And so it goes; the vicious cycle continues. And, of course, a strong argument can be made that the conditions of the underclass are not entirely their fault. But their life style contributes to their dilemmas. And since institutionalized racism is so entrenched, black folks have to try and solve their own problems. In the words of Jesse Jackson: "the only people who can help us - is us!" And to those who would question critics like me in regard to what am I doing about this situtation? I say, I simply tried to practice what I preach when it came to my own family.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4075
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 03:18 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Troy, I agree sometimes we should give weight to our impulses, but when Haki's representative called me about a book signing all I could picture was me sitting there in an empty store far away from my home turf, twiddling my fingers waiting for somebody to show up. Nobody knew anything about me or my book and all of my family and friends had already purchased copies when I'd hosted my own book signing much earlier. This business of book writing calls for a total comittment, and requires the blood, sweat and tears of an author, all of which more often than not are to no avail. And to me, the gratification has always been in the writing, not in the marketing. Anyhoo, although I haven't written anything lately I do have a novel about the para-normal saved on my word processor, just languishing there waiting for my Muse to take it to the next step. I haven't been that motivated because I think non fiction really is my field of "expertise" and writing a journal-style book, taking into account all of the eras I have lived through is something I think about doing. Somebody said that those of my generation have been witness to one of the most incredible vistas in the historical panorama of the American scene and I'd agree.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4437
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 10:37 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Cynique,

Would you support the argument (that has been asserted by many conservatives) that the single worst thing to happen to the Black family and community(s) was LBJ's The Great Society?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4107
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:31 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I don't know. I just remember that after JFK's assassination, LBJ sought to put in place all of Kennedy's civil rights programs under the pretext of carrying out Kennedy's legacy. It's been suggested that these programs took the initative away from minorities and gave them a free ride in order to "level the playing field."
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4439
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:40 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Cynique,

I asked you that question because I recall reading somewhere that in 1970, close to 70% of all adult Blacks were married. Now, close to 50% of Black females will NEVER marry. When I consider those and juxtapose them with what you describe above above, I can't help thinking that maybe there's reason to condemn some of what LBJ did (whether or not it was in honor of JFK).
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep

Post Number: 925
Registered: 01-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:42 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Well, we will never know if the "Great Society" programs would have worked or not since few (any?) were ever implemented fully and fairly with Blacks. Each program has changed substantially from initial design to enactment--as they have all had to go through the political process, which of course involves compromise. Then you add in resistance and outright disenfranchisement...

Whites have benefitted much more from "free rides" than Blacks have (e.g., unions, GI Bill, welfare, corporate tax breaks, even affirmative action--at least in the case of White women).

We have this idea that we were "given" far far more than we have actually received. Often I wish we had just gotten our 40 acres and a mule and be done with. But even then we did not get that.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4440
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:50 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yvettep,

I agree that Whites have far/away benefited MORE from government subsidies than have Blacks. But, I guess, I was focusing more on those elements of the "Great Society" that actively/explicitedly discouraged poor Black people from building/maintaining 2-parent families.

What parts of the "Great Society" did Black foks NOT receive?

And has ANYBODY ever done a study on the FEW Blacks who did, in fact, receive 40 acres and a mule (assuming they ever really existed)? It would be interesting to contrast their fortunes and those of their progeny with those of us who were left high/dry post-slavery.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4109
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:52 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

That's true, Yvette, and it has always been true when it comes to enacting laws because you cannot legislate the hearts and minds of people. They will circumvent laws, and the weak will falter and the strong thrive. It is the irony of America that blacks expect fairness from a country they think is incapable of being fair.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4442
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:56 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Cynique: "It is the irony of America that blacks expect fairness from a country they think is incapable of being fair."


Indeed. But I also believe the moment when BLACK foks stop expecting/demanding SOME semblance of fairness is when this thing we call America TRULY and INEXORABLY goes straight to HELL.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 4110
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

And, ABM, certainly one of the reasons 50 per cent of black women will not marry is that too many black men are languishing away in prison. I don't see a connection between the Great Society and the drop in the marriage rate among blacks. Great numbers of woman of all races remain single nowadays because of the cultural changes that do no put pressure on women to marry.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 4444
Registered: 04-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 12:12 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Cynique,

The vast majority of White women will still marry REGARDLESS of the myriad opportunities they enjoy. Yes. Many of them will divorce. But still, a high percentage of them successfully remarry.

Again: It is not mere coincidence that LEGIONS of White women with MBA'S and JD's are tossing 6-figure salaries for minivans and breastpumps.

There is only so much a woman (or man) can achieve on her own. Most women will eventually want to have have children, establish roots and become a part of a safe, thriving and prosperous community.

And I think it is PROFOUNDLY clear that we Black foks - man and woman - are failing to succeed because we are trying to do on our own things that we can barely - if at all - do together.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration

Advertise | Chat | Books | Fun Stuff | About AALBC.com | Authors | Getting on the AALBC | Reviews | Writer's Resources | Events | Send us Feedback | Privacy Policy | Sign up for our Email Newsletter | Buy Any Book (advanced book search)

Copyright © 1997-2008 AALBC.com - http://aalbc.com