| Topic Name: |
BRAIDS: do you wear them to work? |
| Message Name: |
i mostly agree |
| Date Posted: |
07/25/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
I agree with most of your comments...but just want to clarify things. The natural resources topic was in reference to the origination of man and the ease at which they were able to "evolve" for lack of a better word. Farming, logging, lack of passable terrain to promote trading were vital necessities that impeded Africa's development in many areas(except along the Nile and the Mediteranean). Oil's use and harvesting was much later and Diamonds were not a necessity. In fact Diamonds were not a main stay production in Africa until rather recently. And further my comparison was in relation to the countries I mentioned prior...DeBeers and RoyalDutch are recent history and not even part of the conversation. If you are going to get in the conversation please read into what is being talked about.
First off, what race is the majority in this country? Please elaborate on how white people have more opportunities. what opportunities made themselves apparent for you? Where were mine?...I had to scrape, claw, and bust my rear to get where I am...I didn't see anyone help me. In fact my first job offer with a Big 5 firm the director that hired me was black. My first job I got out of College, I was hired by a Puerto Rican woman. So are you gonna say being white was an advantage with them? The bottom line is that too many individuals spend way too much time finding excuses why things can't be done instead of finding the reasons why they can be. And thats true regardless of race, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Life is what you make it...we all have our own obstacles and hurdles in life, and frankly many people should thank god that they are healthy. Instead people continuously shout..."life's not fair"..."he had it easier than me"...etc.
How do you feel about you friend's parents paying for their college education while you and I had to work 3 jobs, take 20+ credits per semester, and take loans out the wahoo for the next 15-20 years because our parents didn't have the money? Is that fair? What was my advantage again? The truth is, is that this country is becoming extremely lazy, hence why we are the worlds most overweight society. Our country spends too much time accumulating(or trying to) material possessions and valuing our standings in life rather than what really matters. Nobody has the same opportunities...period, regardless of race, gender, or whatever. So as far as working your way up is concerned...yes as a race or gender...they have to. Thats not a "duh". You can't just become a CEO, Doctor, Accountant, or Lawyer because your a minority...you have to know what your doing...and the only way to do that is to advance your education, understand the business your going in, be smart, play your cards right, and above all...patience, have patience. The balance of power is skewed but eventually through time things will hopefully even out.
Indeed for hundreds of years white males ruled most of our society, but over the last 50 years an extreme amount of forward progress has been made in order to "equalize" things. Yes we still have a far way to go...but being angry and thinking that things are owed to you is bullsh*t. Work your ass off...do what you can to make this world a better pace for your children...If thats your priority in life than good things will come to you. |
| Message: |
Most of your points are pretty much on the money. I too believe that there has to be some level of self-accountability within all of us. You are right that far too many people blame something or other for their current status. Yes, it's a cop-out in many cases. I also agree on an individual level that opportunities may be slowly becoming more equal. Yes, i'm sure i haven't gotten jobs because i didn't meet diversity requirements. This happens all of the time and it only serves to further widen the gap between groups in America. I also agree that plenty of people in this country, regardless of race, have it very hard. The price of college, as you mention, is bordering on ludicrous and most americans need some serious-ass loans to get through a decent school. Is it fair, on an individual level, that someone from say, inner city NY gets a free ride to an ivy while you are working 2 jobs? Maybe not on an individual level. Maybe not at all. BUT, that being said, being white makes it easier to get to where you need to be in life. Look, the simple fact is that it's easier (all relative) to work your way up if you're white. How would you like to be a minority and constantly think that the ONLY reason you were anywhere (school, job, etc.) was because of your skin color? I mean, i know I"d have a chip about it and I would think that people would think that I wasn't as hard working or smart. I guess what i'm saying is that yes, everyone needs to work hard. Everyone SHOULD work hard and do the best job that they can. But i feel that this is an easier task if you are in the white majority. THere are fewer stereotypes about you. Many americans see a poor, uneducated white person. Certainly, many doors are closed to that person. But holy shit, if you're a poor black kid, all of a sudden we have stereotypes out the ass. I mean, and this is statistically true, most minority kids in a poor environment, have a harder time getting out of that environment. I guess what i'm saying is that your argument that people should simply work hard is accurate...But it's too simplified and does not take reality into account. It's not that easy for everyone to simply work hard. How can you work when you haven't really had any chances. And a poor white kid and a poor black kid are both in bad situations...However, the chances of the white kid "succeeding" are far higher. If all it take is hard work, why is this the case? Is it a conscious decision on the part of disenfranchised minority youth? I think it's more. I think it's environment and so many other factors. What do you think? Because, let's face it, most americans are smart enough to work as professionals and go to great colleges. But they don't have the correct environment.
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