Black Panthers vs. KKK? Double Standard?
Hate to bring up a controversial topic, but....
I read a great article on drudgereport.com last week about the black panther case voter intimidation case being dropped. That alone isn't the issue.... What intrigued me was the following question:
What if instead of the Black Panthers harassing white voters, it was the KKK harassing black voters?
I mean this with utmost respect, and hold no racial prejudices. This is the kind of double standard that I find absolutely ridiculous. The reasons it was dropped are a bit.... questionable? Thoughts? In a society where equality is preached, why does this happen?
Because there are 2 versions of what equality means in our society:
1) Past injustices and unfair treatment targeted at some groups needs to be rectified with current injustice and unfair treatment against other groups.
2) Everyone plays by the same rules regardless of race, meaning the law is applied uniformly, standards of achievement are applied uniformly, etc. This is essentially the "colorblind society" that gets talked about.
Obviously, the current administration isn't a huge fan of meaning #2. Racial resentment is a powerful vote-getting ploy (doesn't help that people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have a vested pecuniary interest in perpetuating racial tension) and it fits really well into the whole hard-left ideology. It isn't going to be abandoned any time soon.
Keep networking, it's tough coming out of a non-target but keep up your GPA and get a good sophomore internship and you'll be on pace to get a decent gig after graduation
nice. made me lolz.
Drudge is so slanted, it's out of control. The black panther case is blown out of proportion by far-right talk radio (Drudge is the online equivalent.)
To compare them to the KKK is to compare a puddle of water to the Ocean. As far as I understand it, the Black Panthers involved in the case didn't hang anyone from a tree or burn any crosses. I'm not saying that what he panthers did was in any way ok, but comparing it to the KKK is lunacy. How about we take it for what it actually was: some dumbass thugs trying to act tough at a polling place.
And how often has that happened recently (by the KKK)...not excusing the KKK, but I believe they're not so violent anymore, mostly just ignorant hateful hicks.
The head of the BP says he is all about the destruction of white people...he is a true radical, as radical as any modern KKK.
Drudge is very slanted but so are Ariana Stassinopolous aka Huffington, Keith Olberman, Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Stephanie Miller, Bill Maher, Arne Arneson, Al Franken and a slew of others, yet none of these people are ever slung mud upon like Drudge, even though they are the same animal.
The comparison is quite adequate, you just clearly feel more strongly about racism then about other forms of abuse. Though the Black Panthers come nowhere near the KKK in terms of race related violence, they are responsible for the formation of Chicago's biggest gang, The Gangster Disciples who have brought more pain, death and drug sale/use related misery upon the Midwest over the past 25-30 years than any criminal organization. They have also been enshrined as heroes of the Black community in America over the past decade or so. This is a direct result of Liberal politics and definitely does reflect negatively on the Black Panthers themselves. They are by definition (just like the KKK) a violent, terrorist organization. Whether you personally feel that way or not is a different story. Having had firsthand experiences with Panthers and Klansmen I can tell you wholeheartedly, it is the same subhuman piece of shit we are talking about, they just tell different tales of victimhood to excuse their animal behavior.
It is about time people in this country started looking at criminals as scum, regardless of excuse/rationalization.
There definitely is a double standard. Black on white crime is rampant, but of course the liberal media does not cover it. Meanwhile, if a white person were to ever kill or rape a black person, every media outlet will incessantly talk about hate crimes and how racist America still is. CNN will probably do another special on "Black America."
It has become socially acceptable for blacks to make fun of other races and to blame whites for their problems. And race baiters like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have only exacerbated this problem.
In the most respectful way possible, you are quite off the mark. This is a messy topic, but one worth discussing, so I hope that we all stay rational and level headed as we tackle it.
The answer to the main question of this thread is about historical context. The guy who made one of the earlier replies, this sort of links up with his #1 point. If you really wanna get nerdy look into the two types of liberty, positive liberty and negative liberty. Just because black people are now "free", does not mean all of the injustice goes away. That does not excuse black on white crime/double standard either, no. But when viewed within a historical context (i.e. how those black people got to be in the position they are) then it is understandable how this double standard can come about. The same can be said for male/female relations.
Also when we talk of black v white, lets also remember that the majority of black people are law abiding citizens who go about their daily biz like everyone else. Its only a few who act out and make everyone else look bad.
I'm too hungover to go deep into this but, here is what I always find striking when discussing this stuff. Black people have really only been considered human beings by white institutions within the last 50 or so years. The last case being South Africa in 1994. Think about that for a moment. 16 years... I dunno about you guys but that shit is fucked up!
And for clarification when I say human beings I mean allowed to vote/own their own countries and to have the freedom (relatively speaking) to dictate one's own life, i.e. what many other people have taken for granted for centuries.
It's NOT rampant. You are more likely to be a victim of a crime from a white person. Bu Bu Bu But what white on white crime??
Let me chime in as an offical "white" person. I feel zero fucking remorse or fault for slavery. I am Italian and German, guess what, my family wan't even in this country until middle of the century. We owned no slaves nor did we partake in apartheid or the race issues down south. Before all white people get painted by the same brush I think it should be said that only a few select white people owned slaves or engaged in anything oppressive. Saying all white people are at fault is just as bad as saying all black people are bad.
Keep living in the past and you will be irrelevant in the future. Move on. We were all fucked over at one time or another.
That's my situation: not a single one of my ancestors was in this country until long after slavery. But, even if my ancestors were in this country before the Civil Rights era or before the end of slavery, I never did anything racist in my life: how can you punish people for acts they did not commit? Two wrongs do not make a right.
I know that the history of blacks in the United States is tragic. But equalizing downward, i.e., discriminating against whites to rectify past wrongs, is also unjust. We need to equalize upward by taking on the teachers' unions to provide inner-city blacks with the same educational opportunities as their white peers (vouchers, charter schools, whatever it takes to hold our education system accountable for their results). We need the media to stop glorifying the black ghetto culture when it is the attitudes that prevail in the ghetto that hold blacks back: anti-intellectualism, violence, drug abuse, etc. Bring the black community up; don't tear white people down.
Also, it isn't just that very few people in the South owned slaves; don't forget all the whites who served the Union, many of whom gave their lives to free the slaves. And don't forget that individual groups within the broad classification of "Southern whites" started out as poor as black slaves and are just as poor as African-Americans today, many of them poorer. But affirmative action policies discriminate against them all the same. I did not realize this until an article by Senator Jim Webb brought the issue to my attention: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240527487037241045753796309523094…
For the record, I am not African-American. I am part European and part South American--a country in South America torn by civil wars, a country where earning a dollar a day is commonplace. I am a mixed race person but I refuse to classify myself as such; race is a 19th Century social construct--a monumentally stupid, polarizing one at that--and I refuse to let it shape my sense of self. People are people and it's time to stop this "group identity" nonsense; it only breeds hate, violence, and misunderstanding. When God sees us, he doesn't see race; neither should we.
^That is a fair point.
If you note I framed my point around institutions.
You know, we treated Chinese like dog shit and made them virtual slaves to build the railroad. For some reason I never hear them bring up the past and complain and it looks like they are doing just fine. Just saying.
Amen Anthony. Blacks are not the only ones who were wronged by racism in this country. Jews, Irish, Italians, asians, hispanics, basically any non-WASP male, has suffered some form of racism and discrimination. It's all about how you deal with it. Chinese-Americans were treated like slaves as railroad workers, and Japanese-Americans were interned during WWII. But they don't complain or bitch about their grievances. They work hard and have done pretty well for themselves. Blacks have a lot to learn from Asian-Americans.
I think that no more comments should be made. This topic is too messy. Lets move on to something else.
Chimp-o-matic, you do realize this is a finance forum right? You suck at trolling.
And if you need an answer to your question, the Black Panthers get a break because they're BAMFs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Black-Panther-Party-armed-guards-in-s…
Actually you know, what, fuck it!
Have a good day gentlemen.
The New Black Panther Party is NOT the KKK. That is the most ridiculous comparison that I have ever heard. Was what they did correct? absolutely not. should they have gotten at least a slap on the wrist or maybe more? yes. However standing in front of a polling booth with a stick is not morally equivalent to burning down churches and lynching human beings. Period.
If you want to come here with your double standard talk then please make better comparisons.
Midas Mulligan Magoo the Black Panthers are DIFFERENT from the New Black Panther Party. The people in this case are the New Black Panther Party.
If you want to split hairs the KKK has split and been reborn many times. Originally they were against everyone except white protestants. They then relaxed their standards to Catholics. You now see them as primarily a quasi militant group that is strongly against anything immigrant. The old Klan burnt Churches and lynched a few people. The new Klan does nothing of the sort.
People really don't care about racism anymore, we just listen to it like a parent listens to a kid bitch about not getting a toy.
Chinese people got shit on, but it was their gateway into this country. Now they fucking run shit. Instead of bitching about past injustice, realize that you are now in the greatest or one of the greatest nations in the world and have all the opportunity available.
No one ever talks about this.
1) Blacks sold themselves into slavery. Kings invaded countries and tribes, caught people and sold them. Sucks to be the loser of a battle.
2) Suppose we brought in no slaves. Everyone would be in Africa right now. What kind of educational opportunities do you think everyone would have over there right now? You need rape insurance in South Africa, probably one of the best countries in the continent. You have genocide in a handful of countries. Long story short, even the ghetto in the USA is 10x better than living in Rwanda.
Racism sucks, but shit happens. You come here, you get abused and shit on and you build a better life for the next generation. The more time you spend bitching the less time you have to educate yourselves, raise children, save money.
I see people risking their lives to cross a boarder for the opportunity to work in fields for what might as well be slavery right now. You don't here any of them complaining. All they want is to be US citizens and make a better life. I think there should be less bitching and more learning from people who actually appreciate the opportunity the USA gives them.
I think the reason why this is - is because of cultural differences. All ethnicities have faced trials and tribulations - what sets each apart is how they've dealt with them, and what's been handed to them.
For example - Native Americans are given a lot of additional benefits in Canada (I don't know how it is in US). Things like rights to certain lands, no taxes on alcohol and certain staples and etc. Because many of them grow up within their reserves with a lot of the basic elements of life given to them, there's little incentive to branch out and expand their knowledge, experience, their world. And with the government feeling so apologetic about taking their land and making amends - you're in a lot of ways hurting them. Same concept of giving a man a fish, instead of teaching him (or letting him learn how to do so).
Not saying it wasn't wrong of early settlers to screw over Natives that didn't have a concept of ownership... but wars, conquest, spoils to the victors and shit for the losers has happened to other groups as well since the dawn of time. Except, what sets the ones that have done well for themselves (e.g., Asians and Indians) is that they realize 'yes, I'm at a disadvantage, but I can't expect a handout because that's life'
Yeah, or you could just grow a sack and learn to debate and discuss topics like an adult.
Yeah, we give American Indians a lot also. Hand outs never work.
Hahaha
PM me dude. Bartley is dead quiet right now.
.
1) Racism is still part of this country, not going to deny that.
2) I had nothing to do with slavery, never burnt a cross, lynched someone, denied someone a job, whatever. Not my problem.
3) You can only blame the past for so long. People are sick of hearing about it.
Single parent households, high rates of crime, idolizing negative role models vs positive role models, etc are all issues that the black community still has not tackled. I think the million man march was a great idea, but there has not been any follow up. The high rates of imprisonment is a major issue.
I also am really sick of hearing the moaning about slavery. What is so funny is whenever you speak to people who actually lived through these horrible times they are much more well adjusted than the people who only heard about the stories.
For anyone that thinks Africa is a much better continent or place to be right now than the USA you can feel free to go there. We all pay the piper in one way or another. Sorry some people paid a little more than others. Get the fuck over it.
Oh, let's get into the Chinese comparison even more. In the 40's and 50's Mao basically raped the living shit out of that country. Took the educated class and sent them to the farms. People were imprisoned, killed, forced to work in slave labor, etc. This is pretty recent. Chinese people are doing just fine.
India has a ridged caste system with "untouchable" people. I look around and see Indians doing just fine and they are coming from a country that provides them with very little.
Keep on blaming the past and hoping someone gives a shit. Look around at how successful people are who take responsibility for the here and now.
Since I am the White Devil I think I will refer to Mr. Bil Cosby.
http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/bcill.htm
Nice historical reference. The communist revolution was 'successful' through a very swift and brutal takeover of land and ownership by the government, and recruiting peasants to fight/kill their landlords. Many Chinese families that are directly from China have fled to North America away from communism, and essentially have to start all over again.
Indians of 'lower castes' - and even worse, women of lower castes (having to face all that honour killing and forced marriage crap) - are incredibly limited in what they can and cannot do in their home country even today. Why do you think so many try to leave the country? Caste is not something that can be changed with wealth. And those past and currently wronged - you think their government is giving them benefits now to make up for it? Hell no.
For blacks and other visible minorities to move forward - they must realize that yes they are disadvantage and racism is not going away. But take advantage of whatever opportunities are available (e.g., corporations that are now supporting diversity - like the SEO program, scholarships, etc) or make your own opportunities and ensure that your children and your children's children can have better/easier opportunities based on your achievements. I had a number of black colleagues from my training class - and like everyone else that weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths, they worked their asses off to get where they are.
And for those wondering - no I'm not white. I'm a minority that no longer benefits from diversity programs and the like because we've got too many of us fighting to get into business/medical/law schools already...
http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-slavery.php
I am probably descendant from slaves. Fuck it, I have been victimized. Someones else's fault!!!
I am so sick of hearing about slavery.
Were you a slave? Was your mom a slave? Grandma? If not then it had no effect on your. Just because you look at a history book and someone who looks like you was a slave does not mean it has any bearing on your life. What is this shit.
I would happily pay reparations just so I could never hear anymore pissing and moaning.
Most people have a grandparent or great grandparent who was a slave or who grew up drinking from another water fountain bc of segregation. People also experience forms of racism today which is a minimized version of the past. Just saying.......
Haha, you're on campus Anthony? My flight home isn't until tomorrow so I'm on a dead campus as well.
To danjohn4real--
No, they are slaves, "servants" is how they are referred to in her culture, but they live in house and are "paid" in food and shelter. They do not take vacations, they do not have leisure time if somebody wants a bath or a fanning. They are victims of a rigid caste system, yes, but they are slaves nonetheless.
Lets refrain from the personal attacks. This is a decent topic and I think has merit being discussed.
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