tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977092.post7821858864953876952..comments2011-01-15T16:25:23.799-06:00Comments on steve's journal: Racism - A tool that dividesStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920181074592764028noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977092.post-11178662181160395252008-03-23T21:20:00.000-05:002008-03-23T21:20:00.000-05:00Working link<A HREF="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/19/22153/6888/275/479743" REL="nofollow">Working link</A>Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920181074592764028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977092.post-39826450396763647632008-03-23T21:11:00.000-05:002008-03-23T21:11:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920181074592764028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977092.post-5355048499825902482008-03-23T20:54:00.000-05:002008-03-23T20:54:00.000-05:00Oh Dani ...You kinda missed the point I was making...Oh Dani ...<BR/><BR/>You kinda missed the point I was making.<BR/><BR/>Firstly, I was not talking about Tulsa. I appreciated though, that the remarks I made could equally be applied here.<BR/><BR/>I agree that there is a path for any given individual to break out of poverty. There are a great many *rags to riches* tales that show this to be true.<BR/><BR/>I disagree that people actually like being poor, but I would suggest that there are those who have neither the ambition nor interest to do much about it. That may be an individual failing, in many instances, but it is also the product of a lifetime of lowered expectations, poor education and, yes, racism, in many others.<BR/><BR/>My point, though, was about understanding the need for the wealthy to maintain a large "underclass". People they need to service their drive for ever more wealth and power. These people need the working class (as a whole, if not individually) to remain poor, and, crucially, to remain disorganised.<BR/><BR/>The greatest fear is that the *poor*, be they black, white or brown, will reject the argument that racism offers, and see their problems as stemming from lack of education, healthcare and other opportunities. If they make this leap they might organise and take back some of the wealth they work long and hard to create. That terrifies the power-brokers.<BR/><BR/>Your kids, my kids, the neighbour's kid .... they all can rise through the ranks by their own efforts. That is the American Dream and it is held as a carrot to all. While all the time the lie is pushed. You can do it, but watch the backlash if you all try to do it at once.<BR/><BR/>Good comment though .... Thanks, I enjoy the discussion.<BR/><BR/>There was other discussion of this post, you may enjoy reading it:<BR/><BR/>http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/19/22153/6888/275/479743Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920181074592764028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977092.post-7411921622927976022008-03-23T11:08:00.000-05:002008-03-23T11:08:00.000-05:00Oh Steve... And normally I agree with so much you ...Oh Steve... And normally I agree with so much you say! :-( This is one that I don't think I can even debate with you other than in person...<BR/><BR/>Briefly stated...<BR/>The people in Tulsa who are poor, like the way they live... I grew up in the neighborhoods that you mentioned, and attened those segregated schools. I have seen this first hand.<BR/><BR/>If you don't want to be poor, then do something about it!<BR/>If you want to go to college, try going to school!<BR/>If you don't want your kids living in the projects, get your ass off welfare!<BR/><BR/>I do agree with you about Barack Obama, so far he's the only one who's made any sense! Hope that he has a real shot!<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>DaniAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977092.post-27266827648269584052008-03-19T19:17:00.000-05:002008-03-19T19:17:00.000-05:00This post was excellent.Just excellent.This post was excellent.<BR/><BR/>Just excellent.Day Dreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02287486337770132645noreply@blogger.com