EUCLID
Mastermind
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Registered: Mar 2003
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Posts: 911
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oneofpeace said this in post #8 :
In comparing Al & Jesse to MLK, I was merely comparing the similarities. Everything you say Euclid about Jesse and Al has been said about MLK and more. The evil word of those times (60) was “communist” and MLK was even labeled with that.
What’s wrong with Al & Jesse wanting to extend their platform to help the less fortunate? Racism is systemic in many forms in our country against minorities of all types. Minority communities often seek to speak with one voice as any other institution. Effectual leaders are needed to achieve agendas. It doesn’t mean that their leaders are without flaw however being a leader isn’t without its sufferings. When Al Sharpton took a knife in the chest, I saw someone from that Bensonhurst neighborhood say Al deserved it because he’s nothing but a trouble maker. Sound familiar?
The glory hound, power seeking labels has always been dealt out throughout history to those leaders of minority communities. However there’s a price to pay for such “glory” that not too many people are willing to pay. I believe Al (though at times needed better diplomacy in his rhetoric) and Jesse are earnest in their desire to help their communities. Throughout all the derogatory claims made against them both it is usually those who’s power structure they present the most danger to who are the loudest critics.
Imus was wrong. Those of you who only see his offense as merely “words” should maybe think for a moment. Has anyone said anything about you that has every made you hurt or angry? If you’re honest you’d say yes. Contrary to the popular belief, words can and do hurt people.
An apology should stand alone on its own merit without any appending phrases beginning with “but”. People within their own ethnic groups often refer to themselves in phrases that are considered offensive by those outside their group. This doesn’t start nor end with the black community. Because this is the case, it doesn’t mean it’s ok for those outside those groups to do the same.
Some seek to compare Imus to rapper’s derogatory lyrics. And though I believe those lyrics are no less disrespectful, the platform is different. Anyone with such a platform as Imus will find themselves in the same predicament regardless of who ever else may be “using the phrase”. |
I can believe that every black leader has been criticized in a derogatory way. But I do not conclude that all that destructive criticism has been unjustified and falsely leveled. I also do not agree that everyone who disparages the efforts of a black leader does so with all black leaders. And I do not agree that all such criticism is based on racism. Some is.
Personally, I make distinctions according to how I read the individual circumstances. And in the case of Sharpton and Jackson, I happen to conclude that their efforts are disingenuous, self-serving, and destructive to black culture. It’s my opinion based on how I read the facts. And, so far, I am free to express my opinion. The opinion has nothing to do with race. I hold the same opinion for the same reason about many white leaders. And I don’t happen to hold that opinion about MLK.
Probably some people’s contempt for Sharpton and Jackson. is racist-based. Mine is not. However, I do believe that Jackson and Sharpton themselves are racists.
It is also my opinion that Sharpton and Jackson would like to have laws that prevent me from expressing opinions that they disagree with. I believe there are many other politicians who support Sharpton and Jackson on that point.
I never said Imus was not wrong. I am not defending him. Nor have I heard anybody else append Imus’s apology with “but” as you suggest.
Imus’s platform may be different from the rappers’ platform, but the effect is the same, so I don’t see the point of the distinction in platforms. I am not defending Imus, but I have heard a lot people dancing on the head of a pin to defend the rappers. The only reason Jackson and Sharpton are talking about going after the rappers now is that they realize how hypocritical they look by going after Imus while ignoring the rappers.
Sure words can hurt, and I have been hurt by words. But it will always be a cruel world. There are also people who merely harbor ideas that I believe work to my detriment. But those people are free to think and say what they want. What can you do about it? I can only control my own reaction to the cruel words. I can rise above it –or- I can cultivate the hurt and use it to obtain sympathy or get laws passed to limit speech. The problem is that while I may get the sympathy or laws, I will have made the wound bigger than it really was.
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04-16-2007 09:52 PM
