In the first part of “Blacks & Whites: What’s the REAL DEAL?” Loubro argues that skin color is the dividing characteristics between Blacks and Whites and therefore the root of most, if not all racial tensions. He also believes that the reason for the hate today is due to a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge about how slavery affected blacks in America and continues to impact subsequent generations to date.  If a coin has two sides, let’s flip it and see what Isis the white southerner who declared,  “I don’t mind living with other race except blacks,” together with other members had to say…

Isis: It is about attitude. It boils down to attitude. I, and millions of other whites are tired of hearing the same old crap about discrimination, slavery, education, etc. Screw slavery. There are many blacks that I like and respect.  They are not crybabies who sit back and blame the world and history for their shortcomings or depend on the willing liberals to give them what they want to make up for slavery. We are sick, sick, sick of hearing it. Many of us had pasts as well. All white people weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Whites weren't awarded Affirmative action, EEO or any preferential treatment if they were victims of poverty. The U.S. has offered every possible opportunity to blacks to get on the bandwagon and catch up economically, and educationally with others. Where Vietnamese, Jews, Koreans, Indians, and even blacks from other countries have surpassed American blacks by leaps and bounds. Blacks are given governmental jobs at the expense of more qualified whites and sit on their @sses with their 'attitude' thing going on. We have lowered standards in every walk of life to qualify lazy, uninspired blacks into the mainstream. It is time more blacks make it on their own and teach their children how to be good citizens and not a leach. It is not that whites hate blacks; it is just that we aren't ready to have them living with us until they learn to live with themselves. Those that have jobs and provide for their families are welcomed. We don't want murderers, druggies, muggers, etc. in our neighborhoods regardless of their color.  By the way, Jamaicans in the U.S. make more than the average white. Goes to show you that it isn't a color thing but a lifestyle choice.

                                                           Other Members Speak out…

Cajunmon: It is strange isn’t it? Blacks and Whites can't seem to get along. The only difference between them is the skin color. We all bleed the same blood. We have the same organs.  Yea, blacks kill....but so do whites.  The criminals  that murdered my Mother were white! If you want a prejudice free society you have to practice what you preach. We are teaching our son that a person can be good no matter what color he or she happens to be.  Skin color isn't what makes or breaks a person; it is their attitude toward life and others.  I personally think that if we teach our children to love everyone, racism will slowly start dying a long overdue death.

Dixie: You are going to find good and bad in every race and every culture. How you choose to react to each individual is your choice. For one...my husband and I moved into a predominantly black neighborhood a little over a year ago-a neighborhood of good, decent-hard working folks. They treated us no differently I feel than if we'd moved into a white neighborhood.  We were given the red carpet treatment when we moved in. We had neighbors dropping by to introduce themselves or invite us to next Sunday’s big BBQ. We were spoiled with covered dishes by the armloads, because they know how rough having to unpack and trying to cook could be. In all actuality, I honestly couldn't see a white neighborhood here in the south coming forth like that (as we moved down here, with OH NO, New York tags on our vehicles. I was born and raised in the south... but my hubby is one of them "damned yankees".

Tispandy: Most people see color. It takes a while before personality/ character defines the person’s merit or worth.  That’s from both worlds.  I grew up in a country neighborhood that only had boys. Plus, I had four older brothers. The only girls were in a Black family 'down the way.   Every once in a while, my mother would let me go play with them. Before I was walked home by one of the older girls, the old great-grandmother, would have me wash my face, hands and she would brush my hair.  That is the blacks I grew up with.  Never had a problem with color myself. I judge people by their personality, and character.

One Cell: I once worked in a shop comprised of good 'ole boys. One day one of the guys whom I liked pretty much referred to Colin Powell as "just another nigger". This is the description of a warrior, General and statesman by a greasy good 'ole boy machinist. My view of that guy changed for the negative that day, but that incident points to one of the obstacles to US truly becoming a united population. That guy's ignorant arrogance came from his upbringing and I fear he'll hand that down to his children.

I was in a hurry one evening and as I tried to pass by two rather large black women strolling side by side across the aisle one of them threw out her arm to point at something and in the process hit me right in the chest. I turned a bit and keep going and the next thing this woman who hit me in the chest was bellowing at the top of her lungs about this white guy bumping into her and not even saying excuse me. I did turn and with a sneer said, "Well excuuuuse me."  That rude, ignorant woman still makes me angry when I think of her.   Not to be flippant but this issue is, as the saying goes, "not all black and white.”

Robot  # 1 | 05.11.2007 19:37

In the first part of “...Read the full article.

WayoGuy  # 2 | 06.11.2007 22:27

Bennie: I think the variety of anecdotes by individual whites and blacks in this story of instances of being treated very well or very badly by members of the other races may not answer the larger question of how we inescapably develop racial prejudice as a society. I think a prejudicial mindset based on race is taught by society in both overt and subtle ways that you and I can never escape. Even if some individuals had positive experiences interacting with persons of other races it is impossible (if we all live in the same society) for the same individuals not to develop some racial prejudicial thinking from listening to news, listening to racists, reading historical accounts of the other race’s hatred, and personally running into discrimination based on their race. I think it is inescapable. My conclusion, therefore, is that if ten black children (say three years old each) and ten white children (also three years old each) were left together in a deserted Island with abundant food and protective shelter and with no adults and no television, no radio, no contact with outside world, no stories to explain the differences in their skin colours, they will grow up free of racial prejudice and free of discrimination based on race (assuming they survive).

uniben82  # 3 | 07.11.2007 12:52

Wayo, You're absolutely correct, there's no getting away from it; try as some may, or lead us to believe. Of all the responses that were posted by those board members, here' the only one(in my opinion) that was right on… "Most people see color. It takes a while before personality/ character defines the person’s merit or worth.” Hope you are well and have a terrific day! BD Myfamilyscene