Organizing for America | CHANGE IS POSSIBLE ONLY IF WE ALL GET INVOLVED: RACE

Post from CHANGE IS POSSIBLE ONLY IF WE ALL GET INVOLVED:

RACE - AMERICA'S GREATEST ILLNESS

By Ms. J - Jul 15th, 2008 at 9:07 pm EDT

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Tags: racism, sickness

I must admit that I am a little angry and disappointed that Senator Barack Obama appears to appese the majority by not dealing with this race issue head-on. By the hand of the mighty Creator he is who he is regardless of skin color. Here today in 2008, I still cannot wear my hair natural or prefer to cover in clothes of color without being judged negatively because I'm Black. I have worked for more than forty years. Hell, when I started at 17 years of age, white women were going to college to find husbands, so they would not have to work. Yet when they and other minorities joined the workforce, their pay was elevated above my years of experience because of color. Every day I work in a county government office where the hieraracy is white is right, hispanic is in as long as they pretend that Blacks are invisible or they serve as overseer and racial discrimination is not allowed to be talked about, yet is practiced in everything from work assignments to pay and benefits. Having become homeless this year as a result of cancer and the cost of recovery, I'm told in Orlando Florida that I don't deserve work or a job with benefits because I'm black, I'm over experienced, too old (50) and must submit to drug tests and credit checks, all stumbling blocks for Blacks more so than others, and that I don't want to work for my living. I am a wage slave and haven't received more than a twenty five cent a hour raise over each of the last ten years and I'm told that my misfortune of housing costs over half of my income and food and healthcare are inaccessible because I am black. I am sick of everyone who deny the impact that racism in America has had on the Black male and female, how systems were and are still in place to corrupt the Black family, prevent the accumulation of wealth by lack of access to loans and other tools including inherited wealth and education and I would challenge any American of immigrant origin to start with nothing over and over again while fighting the unjust and unequal systems Blacks live with every day. I hope the day and leadership comes when people like Barack Obama don't have to whitewash their presence to gain acceptance. After all, regardless, there will be a reality check and like it or not Black is a nondescription of who he has become and is. Let's forget color and strive to equal the playing field so all may reach their potential and are free to speak from their full pool of experiences.

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By Candace N. - V.O.B Jul 15th 2008 at 9:25 pm EDT

In your situation it seems like you have been treated unfair and I do agree black's do have to work harder to get equal pay and treatment as white people do. But I also believe that anyone can make it if they want to, if they work hard enough. Many successful black people have come from dirt poor upbringings. Black people need to take more personal responsibility and parents needs to encourage their children more when they are in school to have high goals and study hard to achieve them. I always tell my children to join school clubs, study hard and pick courses that are going to help you in the future. I constantly remind them that knowledge means everything. I have one child who will be in honors math and science. There is never an excuse to fail.

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By Mike Mansfield Jul 15th 2008 at 9:35 pm EDT

You can believe that hard work and determination will allow you to make it; and that will help you to make it.

However if you're white in America you have a better shot at it. On top of that by the very nature of capitalism some MUST fail in order for some to be so rich.

So I do not agree with your premise that it is just a matter of black people taking more responsibility. That same argument is thrown at white people in eastern Kentucky, btw; but it just isn't true. Your choice as a "hillbilly" is to move away from the place you love or just "get by" for too many folk. If you ever get really sick and lose your job and your insurance you'll find yourself bankrupt very quickly unless you're just lucky.

Well said, Mrs. J | Report to Admin

By Mike Mansfield Jul 15th 2008 at 9:31 pm EDT

I would be homeless myself right now if not for family members helping me out; and I'm 63 with a very ill spouse. If it weren't for Medicaid she would literally be dead, too, because there just isn't enough "family" money to pay for her health care without insurance.

Bush can say there's no recession; and he's right. It is closer to being a depression. Denial doesn't change the reality, you know.

Now I don't have to deal with the negative aspects of racism because I'm a freckle faced Irish/Scott/English/French/Ger man American; but I have to deal with the fact that African Americans who do not know me may very well be afraid of me. In fact, I had that happen earlier today right outside our apartment. It was two young women and a child in a car making a cell phone call; and I basically said "Hello" while heading toward our mail box. The driver took off when I got near the car. She had nothing to fear from me; but I can't blame her for worrying about it.

I believe Barack Obama is capable of changing the direction of our country toward a more inclusive and loving society. It is my hope that he will make us greater as an American community than we have ever been.

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By Nicole Garrett Jul 15th 2008 at 9:42 pm EDT

I feel you on most of your points. The one I disagree with is your assessment that Senator Obama is 'whitewashing' anything. Why does he have to 'prove' his blacknesss with some people? One would think that those that want this sort of 'proof' could look at the fact that his wife and daughters are African-American. And if you don't think he knows about racial pain, take a look at that New Yorker cover. I think it hurts him more when his wife and children have been dishonored than anything else.

Many people of all races have been through what you've been through with healthcare and the job force. Senator Obama knows it's a complete disgrace that anyone in this country that wants to work, either can't find a job, or can only find work that doesn't even make enough to afford a deposit on an apartment.

I know you're frustrated and sick and tired of the MANY, MANY problems in this country. But I do believe that the Senator, along with the right type of congress, will improve the lives of many Americans when he takes office. He never said it would be easy. But he has said countless times that he cannot do it alone.

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