Sadly, this is not news.

Imagine if the author were white, and saying these things. He would be condemned immediately. The fact that he is black means that he will simply be ignored.

Some years ago, Bill Cosby also tried to hold blacks accountable for their behavior. His efforts were met with deafening silence. Demanding personal responsibility does not get you on the news, nor does it get you political contributions.

This is, unfortunately, not the only time Mr. Williams has said basically the same thing... although if memory serves, he did once say that back at the start of his career, he was accused of being a racist white guy (for something he wrote).

So, the point about "Imagine if the author were white," is apt.

This is so much horseshit. According to an ABCnews report a couple of weeks ago, only 1 in 6 babies now born in the United States is white. Will there be a NAAWP? Should there be? And in the news today, Asian immigrants now surpass the Hispanic population: Will they get a NAAAP? WTF?? Personal responsibility is NOT a race issue, it's a HUMAN issue.

...he was accused of being a racist white guy (for something he wrote).

If I remember correctly, so was Dr. Thomas Sowell.

Yuck. If you live in the Northland, just remember, "It's hard to see racism when you're white." What crap: http://unfaircampaign.org/

We woke up to these lovely billboards one morning a few months ago, caused quite a stir, understandably. Pissed off a lot of people, myself included.

Flynne,

Now I'm going to have to go look that up. It might have been both of them.

I also read Dr. Sowell's articles. Unfortunately, I used to read the two's columns back-to-back and sometimes mentally switched who wrote which piece (not helping that they occasionally reference each other and have similar topics). So, it might be both or I might be remembering incorrectly.

P.S. Sorry if I'm less than coherent - allergy meds, need I say more?

I'm sorry, what now? https://www.facebook.com/pages/BlacksAfro-Americans-for-Mitt-Romney/231659056888330

The reason there isn't a "White People for Candidate X" campaign for either party is that the default campaign is geared toward white people. That's the nature of being the racial majority.

Also, generally, anyone saying "Waaah, we're not racists, THEY'RE the ones who are racist" is a racist.

"Also, generally, anyone saying "Waaah, we're not racists, THEY'RE the ones who are racist" is a racist."

Horseshit. You actually think that only minorities can be discriminated against and that only they have the right to point it out? Tell that to the white kid that loses his college spot to a black or Hispanic kid with lower grades. Tell the white men that wait for years to get hired on to Fire departments, Police forces, etc while less qualified minorities are hired to satisfy some arbitrary Affirmative Action bullshit rules.

If the "N" word is unacceptable, then society should shun it from EVERYONE without allowing the double standard.

Discrimination and racism exist in ALL groups, to excuse or fail to denounce that behavior regardless of the group of origin is in itself discrimination and racist.

>>"John used to motor around Portland in his wheelchair saying stuff like. "Like my new shoes? I hear they're comfortable."

My dear friend has no arms. Lost them in an accident. He makes more fun of himself and enjoys poking fun at the whole situation. He has a *ton* of T-shirts with sayings on them like "I Didn't Let the Wookie Win". He also loves to dress in costume for comic conventions where his "arm" drops off. (They did a whole routine to "Thriller" once. He was a very effective zombie.)

What's with the potty mouth, Idiot? And why would you tell me what I think? Because that is not at all what I said.

But you're right -- it's really tough to be a white man in America, and not to be allowed to say the N word. Maybe you should talk to someone about your terrible burden?

@franco

Who said I was white? I am not. I did not tell you what you think, you did. I was merely pointing out the foolishness of your assertions and the hypocrisy of those that consider themselves "oppressed" by whites engaging in the behavior they condemn. The "n" word is the perfect example of this. I can give others if you are offended...

I will repeat, in the context of my non-white status, your point is horseshit.

Idiot,

Which of my original points do you take exception to? That white is the norm by definition in a majority-white society, thus there tend to be special-interest-groups for only other ethnicities? Or that people who are preoccupied with who's a racist tend to be racists? Because I didn't make any others. Also didn't refer to your whiteness, because, man, I just don't see color on the internet.

franco,

Your assumption of skin color was obvious:

"But you're right -- it's really tough to be a white man in America, and not to be allowed to say the N word. Maybe you should talk to someone about your terrible burden?"

Your original statement, that you can discern who is racist based on their protestations about accusations of racism, is offensive. Short of saying "some of my friends are black...", one being accused of racism should be free to compare and contrast their behavior/beliefs with any that apply, although the proverbial pots speaking to kettles, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Jeremiah Wright may disagree. Furthermore, I have found minorities to have more bias and prejudice within their communities than whites as a percentage and are the first to become outraged if accused, often asserting (laughably) that it is not possible for them to be racist.
Secondly, to assume that a political campaign is by default "geared toward white people" is ludicrous. I live in So Cal and the Hispanic vote here is eagerly sought by those on either side of the political spectrum. Candidates shamelessly court voters based on all skin colors and make foolish assumptions about political leanings based on race. Nationally, I can't think of a single presidential race since Kennedy was elected that did not have campaigns that actively courted women, blacks and Hispanics. By pointing out the "Blacks for Mitt" campaign you make my point.
I was angered enough to use "potty words" because those that perpetuate the victim mentality, whether a member of a group being victimized or simply sympathetic to the cause, sharpen the differences between races and delay what they truly seek; equality. This is Obama's problem. He uses race. He is dividing or pandering on every subject, constantly pointing out how different we are (This pattern is adhered to when he discusses political ideology as well, but that is fodder for a different thread).

"My dear friend has no arms. Lost them in an accident. He makes more fun of himself and enjoys poking fun at the whole situation. "

When I was a teenager, for a while I worked for an, ahem, well-known pizza restaurant chain, as a rotating substitute. One of the stores where I worked had an assistant manager who had lost one arm above the elbow. She had a prosthetic lower arm with several attachments, one being a metal hook that she could open and close. The pizzas were baked in pans in the oven, and she was the only one who could take a pizza out without needing a pan holder!

> My dear friend has no arms. Lost them in an
> accident. He makes more fun of himself and
> enjoys poking fun at the whole situation.

Anyone? Anyone at all?

Relax, Go on. Safe Place! It's an anonymous forum. Go ahead.

No?

Very well then. But we're all on the same page, right?

He has a *ton* of T-shirts with sayings on them like "I Didn't Let the Wookie Win".

A Hitchhiker's themed shirt with "Mostly 'Armless" would appear to be in order.