Once Again, We Are Shown What America Really Thinks About Us.

[Solomon]

Everytime I try to enjoy the illusion that I really am an American,...

[Greybnk48]

1. do you mean African Americans? Us who? n/t

[Solomon]

4. You'll never know the pain of living your entire life feeling like a

"refugee" in your own country because of the color of your skin.

[Thtwudbeme]

6. apparently you and I are on the same wavelength

I am so ashamed, so angry.

[H2O Man]

7. "Refugees In The Land of The Free"

a great book by Vine Deloria, John Mohawk, and Oren Lyons.

[Greybnk48]

11. No I can't know because I don't live it

but I've tried my whole life to get as close as possible (56 years).

[understandinglife]

20. I'm 58 and have done the same. Impossible, of course. I'm as white ..

... as you can get, but ever fiber of my being empathizes with those who have suffered because their skin is not white.

It's the best I will ever be able to do; along with demonstrating total intolerance for any form of bigotry, discrimination.

Solomon, I apologize, for what little that is worth.


Peace.

[Ladyhawk]

13. I'm so sorry, Solomon. :(

You're right. I can't know what you're feeling. All I can say is that I am furious, appalled, sickened (none of these words are strong enough) that African-Americans were left to suffer and die in NO.

*shakes head*

Shame on America. Shame.

:cry:

[Eloriel]

26. No, I won't, Solomon, but I stand with you

to the best of my ability, brother, I stand with you -- AND pledge mhself willing to learn. Because I know that as a white woman I have my own little racist tendencies, as we ALL do who grew up in this culture.

It's interesting. Just immediately, and i do mean immediately, before I opened this thread I was thinking to myself that we really have to do much, much better at DU on our racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, etc. We must. And I have an idea of something I want to do about it, or try to, but I'm not ready to talk about it. It's a small thing, but perhaps it will grow.

[proud patriot]

35. I'm sorry

We must change the racism and classism in this country .

I'm not black so I don't know how you feel :cry:

Let me tell you my family has $7 to our name
until sometime next week .If we had to evacuate
we wouldn't get very far on $7 worth of gas .

:cry: I'm ashamed of my skin color when I think of
how people who look like me have treated you and
people who look like you .

No words can fix this , I look for leadership.

We have to face this head on as a nation .

I'm so utterly ashamed :cry:

[Tomee450]

39. I couldn't agree more.

African Americans can never feel secure in a country that their ancestors helped to build.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

2. I'm sure Barbara Bush hasn't given this a second thought

Her beautiful mind continues to get more beautiful with each passing day.

[Neecy]

3. it's what the wealthy elite thinks...

But I can tell you, I've spoken to a number of people of all political stripes today - even very conservative Bush supporters - and they're mad as hell. They ALL are deeply offended by what is blatant to everyone except some in the media that poor African-Americans were (and still are) left to suffer and die in a situation that NEVER would have developed had those individuals been middle class and white.

The Republicans have hurt themselves very, very deeply this week. Yes, racism exists in America but so does a basic concept of fairness and decency.

[Solomon]

5. They are just mad because they are embarrassed by it.

Race has always been and will always be America's biggest problem.

[Neecy]

10. you would think so---

But there was real anger out there today. They didn't even try to defend Bush, they were too pissed.

I agree that race is still a huge issue. Maybe if anything comes out of this it might at least be a REAL discussion.

[bread_and_roses]

15. Right and Right Again

They are mad that this time they can't hide the ugliness of what they've voted for, the jokes they've made, the poor-welfare-minority jokes they've made, theeir White neighborhoods and schools that they've been perfectly happy with...

And the whole world is watching.

[Lindsay]

8. Not everyone in America thinks that way.

Too many do, and we've seen a lot of ugliness out of them again and again.

But to me we are all humans first, and everything else is incidental. Especially in times like these.

[Thtwudbeme]

12. It doesn't matter if 3 people in the US think that way...they are in the

WH right now.

This is NOT "incidental." Do not even attempt to downplay this.

[distantearlywarning]

9. I'm sorry.

For all the good that does.

This white person is deeply sorry and ashamed tonight.

[Ladyhawk]

14. Yeah, this white person is deeply sorry and ashamed, also.

I feel sick. :(

[H2O Man]

17. Don't be ashamed.

White people do not need to be ashamed. Everyone needs to simply recognize that racism tilts the playing field. It is sad when some white people of good will just can't see it in the case of this hurricane -- note that a lot of black folks aren't saying, "No! Race isn't a factor!" (Nor that it is the ONLY factor.)

The playing field surely ain't level. But that does not mean that you are on the "white" team, any more than it means that Condi is standing in solidarity with the blacks and other poor in NO.

Shame is our enemy. Take pride in being on the good side. Black, brown, red, yellow, and white. Young and old. Atheist, agnostic, Jew, Muslim, Christian, Pagan, New Age, and Old Age. Gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual. Moderate, liberal, radical, and anarchists. No shame on our side. We can look in a mirror and feel pride. And we can go out onto that unlevel playing field, recognize the rules of the game, and we will compete successfully. As a team.

[understandinglife]

21. "...and we will compete successfully. As a team." Yes, indeed, and ...

... very much because of the diversity of the members of that team.

Wise words, my friend, as always.


Peace.

[shadowknows69]

23. I'm on the human being team

n/t

[Eloriel]

29. No, H20 Man, you're wrong. I'm sorry, but you're wrong.

racism tilts the playing field.

No, racism kills. New Orleans is just the most recent, most strikingly obvious manifestation of that. It's MUCH more than tilting the playing field, it's deadly. It is ESSENTIAL that people understand this.

So does sexism (kill). And homophobia. And classism. And differently-abledism. And agism. They are all DEADLY.

[H2O Man]

36. Yes, of course they are.

People recognize that. And that's the playing field. "Playing field" does not imply we are going out for a Sunday afternoon softball game against the Washington Neocons. It means real life.

[Brewman_Jax]

16. So true

to make matters worse, we black people aren't considered Americans. History has shown that enough. :(

edit for clarity.

[applegrove]

18. I can well imagine the pain. So sorry. n/t

[ClassWarrior]

19. You're an American in my world.

:patriot:

Never Give Up.

[Matariki]

28. we wouldn't BE america

without the contributions of african americans. everything that is good about our culture comes from this contribution, comes from the mix of all our cultures. it's part of who we all are. i have a lot of faith that we'll eventually get it right.

[AspenRose]

22. My dad was a black GI in Germany in 1968

and he always said the Germans treated him better than whites in his own country.

I was born three weeks after MLK was assassinated....in Germany.

I hear you. It is frustrating to go abroad and hear foreigners complain about America this and America that, when they don't realize that, as a person of color in this country, you don't feel like you have a stake in your own country, and that the complaints really don't apply to you because 'your people' aren't really the ones making the decisions. Odds are, you'll find yourself agreeing with the foreigners. "Well, you're an American, though, aren't you?" they'll ask.

Sort of, is how I like to answer. I'm a person of color who happens to be American. Color always comes first in this country, ALWAYS.

[tlsmith1963]

24. So Sorry...

...I have noticed the racism (& classism) of this whole situation right from the beginning. It's disgusting. The neocons need to go. They have been vilifying people & ignoring their cries for help for too long. I know that this has been going on a lot longer than the neocons, but they have perfected this kind of stuff like no one else has ever done. This "White Chick" is extremely annoyed by this whole situation. The neocons should be ashamed of themselves, but of course they aren't. They have no conscience at all.

Tammy

[nini]

25. My Grandson is half Black.

I fear for his future. I mourn for what he may go through. I have no idea how to fix it for him when the attitudes in this country are what they are. I can only protect him as much as I can.

I'll fight to my last breath for him and all of you.

I'm so sorry this country still doesn't get it.


:cry: :hug:

[AspenRose]

27. If he's raised right, it will make him stronger - I speak from experience

"Hybrid vigor," I like to call it ;-)

[nini]

31. He's being raised right

Loving and strong people on both sides who will make sure he has a chance.

I'll do everything I can to make sure he gets educated. I'm hoping he'll be political like his nana and go out and make a difference.

thanks.. I appreciate it. :-)

[Window]

30. This Black woman feels you.

In my sixty years, and all that I've been through as a Black woman, I have never felt so like I just don't count. I'm so sad and don't want to go through surgery next week feeling this way. I don't know what to do...crying and so damned depressed.

[nini]

33. Hugs to Window for your surgery

and all the other stuff hurting you. I hope all goes well next week for you.

:hug:

[Window]

37. (((((((( nini )))))))

Thanks so much.

[Tomee450]

40. Exactly

"I have never felt so like I just don't count." That's exactly how I feel. I've also felt depressed today. In this country, African Americans are the throw away people,expendable.

[Window]

41. I have to believe some good will come of this.

Perhaps a wake-up call to a lot of people.

Peace to you and yours.

[Catherine Vincent]

32. I hear ya.

But there was always evidence. We are still segregated, in the north, south, east and west.

[Eloriel]

34. Some other posts on the subject

Evacuation delayed to accomodate more hotel guests
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1747727
Link: http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

(REv) Jackson Blasts Bush Over Katrina Aid
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1747580
Link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050902/ap_on_re_us/katrina_jackson_hk4

Hispanics or whites only, please
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2055038&mesg_id=2055038
Link:
http://www.hurricanehousing.org/request.html?housing_id=12507

Questions of racism in hurricane photo captions; Yahoo
responds
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1747027
Link:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Blogs_raise_questions_of_racism_in_hurricane_photo_cap_0902.html

Conservative magazine blames blacks, political correctness for
chaos
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1746720
and:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x152559
Link:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Conservative_magazine_blames_blacks_political_correctness__0902.html

Katrina Exposes Racism
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x152045
Link:
http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=8625&sectionID=10

*WOW* Lauer and Russert on the Today Show
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2054044

A classist/racist tragedy...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4531590

Racism - if it was white people on the roofs...........
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4552081

Wolf is getting it....Jack is getting it....we KNEW this was
going to
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4557241

Well well well well well, would you look what made it to
Snopes!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4562212
Link: http://www.snopes.com/photos/katrina/looters.asp

Am I the only one who gets a chill up their spine
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4562480#4562717

I am sick and FUCKING tired of all this "racism"
talk.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4563721&mesg_id=4563721

CNN's Spellman report -"Poor cannot get on the
buses(superdome)"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4548383

Rove's talking points are now clear. Be aware. Sean has
spoken!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4565833

I can't stop crying. I'm a skinny white woman. This is racism.
No doubt
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4567299

[Skidmore]

38. My husband is black and and one of my closest friends is as well.

I know the hardships they have experienced throughout their lives. Every single day. I have experienced the glares when we're in public just doing our errands as all other couples do. It breaks my heart to see how hard he has had to work to be what he perceives of as equal. He is a much better man than any of those who would put him down. Only recently has he come to accept that the problem is not him, but it is the ignorance and hatefulness of others.

It is our national shame and our filthy lie clothed as national myth that we are all equal. Much divides this nation on many levels--race, gender, orientation, class. I only know that we all bleed red and we all feel pain. And not one of us has the right to take away the humanity of another.

Peace, my friend. You are my compatriot. I stand with you.