The Dark Side Of White History

The Nation: More Honest History About White Racism Is Needed

(The Nation)  This column was written by Gary Younge.

---

Whatever happened to James Blake? He is probably the most famous bus driver ever. And yet when he died at age 89 in March 2002, the few papers that bothered to note his passing in an obituary ran just a few hundred words of wire copy and moved on.

Given that February is Black History Month, it is worth taking a moment to ask how such a crucial figure could be so cruelly forgotten.

Blake was the Montgomery driver who told a row of black passengers: "Y'all better make it light on yourselves and let me have those seats." Rosa Parks was one of those passengers. She made her stand and kept her seat. The rest, as they say, is history.

Well, black history anyway. We know how African-Americans boycotted city transit for thirteen months until the segregationists caved in. We know how the boycott launched the career of a previously unheard-of preacher called Martin Luther King Jr. and made Parks an icon. In schools, bookstores and on TV there is an awful lot of talk about them in February. But nary a word about Mr. Blake. That's because so much of Black History Month takes place in the passive voice. Leaders "get assassinated," patrons "are refused" service, women "are ejected" from public transport. So the objects of racism are many but the subjects few. In removing the instigators, the historians remove the agency and, in the final reckoning, the historical responsibility.

There is no month when we get to talk about Blake; no opportunity to learn the fates of J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, who murdered Emmett Till; no time set aside to keep track of Victoria Price and Ruby Bates, whose false accusations of rape against the Scottsboro Boys sent five innocent young black men to jail.

Wouldn't everyone — particularly white people — benefit from becoming better acquainted with these histories? What we need, in short, is a White History Month.

For some this would be one racially themed history month too many. Criticisms of Black History Month from cynics, racists and purists are about as predictable as the arrival of February itself. But for all its obvious shortcomings, Black History Month helps clear a space to relate the truth about the past so we might better understand the present and navigate the future. Setting aside 28 days for African-American history is insufficient, problematic and deserves our support for the same reason that affirmative action is insufficient, problematic and deserves our support. As one means to redress an entrenched imbalance, it gives us the chance to hear narratives that have been forgotten, hidden, distorted or mislaid. Like that of Claudette Colvin, the black Montgomery teenage activist who also refused to give up her seat, nine months before Rosa Parks, but was abandoned by the local civil rights establishment because she became pregnant and came from the wrong side of town.

The very notion of black and white history is both a theoretical nonsense and a practical necessity. There is no scientific or biological basis for race. It is a construct to explain the gruesome reality that racism built. But, logic suggests, you cannot have black history without white history. Of course, the trouble is not that we do not hear enough about white history but that what masquerades as history is more akin to mythology. The contradictions of how a "free world" could be founded on genocide, or how the battle for democracy during the Second World War could coincide with Japanese internment and segregation, for example, are rarely addressed.

"I am born with a past and to try to cut myself off from that past is to deform my present relationships," writes Alasdair MacIntyre in his book After Virtue. "The possession of an historical identity and the possession of a social identity coincide."

The purpose here is not to explore individual guilt — there are therapists for that — but collective responsibility. When it comes to excelling at military conflict, everyone lays claim to their national identity; people will say, "We won World War II." By contrast, those who say "we" raped black slaves, massacred Indians or excluded Jews from higher education are hard to come by. You cannot, it appears, hold anyone responsible for what their ancestors did that was bad or the privileges they enjoy as a result. Whoever it was, it definitely wasn't "us." This is one more version of white flight — a dash from the inconveniences bequeathed by inequality.

So we do not need more white history, we need it better told. Settlement, slavery and segregation — propelled by economic expansion and justified by white supremacy — inform much of what the United States is today. The wealth they created helped bankroll its superpower status. The poverty they engendered persists. But white history does not mean racist history any more than black history means victims' history. Alongside Blake, Milam and Bryant, any decent White History Month would star insurrectionist John Brown; the Vanilla Ice of the Harlem Renaissance, Carl Van Vechten; civil rights workers Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, murdered near Philadelphia, Mississippi, during the Freedom Summer of 1964; and Viola Liuzzo, murdered during the Selma-to-Montgomery march. It would explain why Ronald Reagan kicked off his presidential campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi; why George W. Bush chose Bob Jones University to revive his presidential hopes. It would tell the story of how Ruby Bates recanted her rape accusation in a bid to save the Scottsboro boys from the noose and how the Blakes never did reconcile themselves to the event that brought them infamy. "None of that mess they said was true," said his wife, Edna. "Everybody loved him. He was a good, true man and a churchgoer."

It would offer white people options and role models and all of us inspiration while relieving the burden on African-Americans to recast the nation's entire racial history in the shortest month of the year. White people, like black people, need access to a history that is accurate, honest and inclusive. Maybe then it would be easier for them, and the rest of us, to make history that is progressive, antiracist and inclusive.

[bigwhtpony]

"Setting aside 28 days for African-American history is insufficient, problematic and deserves our support for the same reason that affirmative action is insufficient, problematic and deserves our support."

Please. It's more than sufficient. My neighbor's kid (12th grade) spent 4 hours last Friday in the school's auditorium listening to "whitey keeping da man down" rap music, then getting the rest of the day off....all to celebrate black history???? What a waste of time and money.

It's like getting MLK day off. Do something good for your community?? Nah....sleep late and go to the mall. These things probably only mean something to about 0.005% of the black population.

[perception5]

"The Nation: More Honest History About White Racism Is Needed"

The Nation magazine, friend and allies with the Democrat party. Nation magazine your certainly not qualified to speak the truth.......
....historically it's been the Democratic Party that has kept Black Americans "down". From the 1860's to the 1960's they beat and murdered Southern Blacks to keep them in line........ they created an outlaw miltia called the KKK.....and the 1964 Civil Rights Act was nearly blocked by Senate Dems......... in the end nearly 40% of Dem Senators voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Rights Act while nearly 90% of Republican Senators voted FOR the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
.........Even Al Gore's father .....Senator Al Gore Senior voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Rights Act..............

Americans don't expect any truth from the Nation magazine regarding this "all too real history".......keep your left-wing propaganda comiing Nation......you have ZERO creditablity

[triassic-2009]

This continued focus on the past does not help the American black community. It creates a perpetual victim mentality, which is reflected in the general poor performance of blacks. By most objective metrics, blacks trail other races in test scores, wealth accumulation, education achievement, etc. But blacks do lead as a huge percentage of prison populations. Why is that?

Success will only be achieved when the black community starts looking forward.

[perception5]

Success will only be achieved when the black community starts looking forward.

Posted by triassic at 01:32 PM : Feb 21, 2007

....... Yeah and when they stop voting for the candidates with the "D" behind their name.....the their biggest problem.......no accountablity......from their pals the Dems.

[bluestardad]

When will the focus be on a person%u2019s content of their character instead of their race? People make money by keeping Race in the forefront of the news. Would the Legislative Black Caucus have a job if everyone were called Americans that lived here? It is OK to remember a fault from time to time as to never let it happen again, but to make a living from dredging up past wrongs is a disservice to all those who actually endured the hardship. I myself will not accept the hate, guilt, or be held accountable for the transgressions of people who claimed to be wronged by people before my Grandfather was born. Don%u2019t push your opinions on the rest of us. If you want to that is on you but don%u2019t expect me or millions of others to accept your guilt trip. Make your life based on your abilities if you can, not clinging to the sorrows of hundreds of years past in hopes of explaining your own weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings! Take responsibilities for your own actions and choices quit trying to blame your problems on how others were treated!

[getcentered]

Racism exists in this country just as ignorance does.

It takes new generations of progressive thinkers to eliminate oppressive reactions to ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.

American still has a way to go, especially in the mid-west and south.

[terrapin78]

The same can be said of the National Review (on-line and otherwise).

They are the "spinners" of the right wing Republican Party and therefore are LIARS.

Americans don't expect any truth from the National Review magazine regarding this "all too real history".......keep your right-wing propaganda coming Nation......you have ZERO creditability.

(I know how to use spell checker! perception5 ought to do the same).

[actornaught]

Free speech and being receptive to free speech is how we will grow as a people. Debate makes points along an arc that has extreme ends, as well as a middle.

We can draw many observations and conclusions about such a broad topic. In the end, all decisions must be made on an individual basis. Use generalities to dismiss a race, a politic, a gender or any of the many categories we've put life into, and you are very much hurting yourself. You're doomed to stay in one place, and drag everyone around you down.

[susanhelit]

A White history month to explore the dark side of White history... hmmm. Should we have a second Black history month to explore the dark side of Black history? From selling their neighbors as slaves, to a near modern equivalent with selling drugs that enslave far too many black people - there's a lot there to improve on. Maybe it's not such a bad idea.

[fascistusa]

Blacks and White finally have a uniting cause.

Our Fascist Government.


Without We The People believeing in the Mainstream "News" Propaganda and our Brainwashing Schools... Government is slowingly losing control over the Population.

There's enough HATE towards the Government to start a Second Civil War.

[rafterman1]

perception5,

Must we AGAIN have the discussion about the difference between political parties vs liberal/conservative philosophies?

The fact that dems did all that is MEANINGLESS. It was CONSERVATIVES that did all that, regardless of their party affiliation of the time. LIBERALS were the ones who undid all the damage that CONSERVATIVES did. But today, in 2007, the repubs are the CONSERVATIVES and the dems are the LIBERALS. And black Amercians are going to get ZERO consideration from 2007 repubs. So, as usual, nice try attempting to make liberal dems sound like racists.

[getcentered]

Rafterman1:

and to add to your comment, I'd just like to say, that it took years for the Democratic party to rid itself of racists and in doing so the Dems lost almost the entire southern vote to the Republicans, who were more than happy to except the new electoral votes.

[triassic-2009]

perception5:

This issue is way beyond Dem vs Repub or conservative vs liberal. Try to expand your narrow vision of the world. The solution to this and many other problems is not political.

[cryonbrian]

The most tragic thing about American history is that when Black folks were segregated they thrived. It is amazing how these Black people were segregated but they had the most thriving businesses and lived in the finest neighborhoods. If you look deep into the American History books you will see that White folks burned down every prominent Black community in the United States. White folks would always make up a story about a Black man raping a White woman and that would be the fuel to burn the community to the ground! I can not understand why the White community did not want Blacks in their community but also did not want Blacks to have a successful community? One can only wonder what would of happened if the US did not remove the military during the reconstruction period? People can knock Black folks all they want but Black folks have come a long way. Every race that comes here has some grand story about coming to the US with 50 dollars on them. Remember black folks came here in chains and no pockets!

[bluestardad]

When will the focus be on a persons content of their character instead of their race? People make money by keeping Race in the forefront of the news. Would the Legislative Black Caucus have a job if everyone were called Americans that lived here? It is OK to remember a fault from time to time as to never let it happen again, but to make a living from dredging up past wrongs is a disservice to all those who actually endured the hardship. I myself will not accept the hate, guilt, or be held accountable for the transgressions of people who claimed to be wronged by people before my Grandfather was born. Do not push your opinions on the rest of us. If you want to that is on you but do not expect me or millions of others to accept your guilt trip. Make your life based on your abilities if you can, not clinging to the sorrows of hundreds of years past in hopes of explaining your own weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings! Take responsibilities for your own actions and choices quit trying to blame your problems on how others were treated!

[Syndicate]

"There is no scientific or biological basis for race." Must be an IDer. Seperation into races is the first step to Speciation.

I think the author is black or a self hating white man.

"So we do not need more white history, we need it better told. Settlement, slavery and segregation %u2014 propelled by economic expansion and justified by white supremacy"

What about all the white people who were decent people. The ones who took action. The ones who offered there homes and farms for the underground railroad. What about all those in the northern states who baned slavery. What about those who gave there lives in the civil war.

The author sounds to me as if he is a Black supremeicist. After all his idea of positive white history is some guy in harlem.

Why don't we call it human history and cut out the ***. Perhaps we could explore how there is good and bad in all of us. Perhaps we can show how greed is a powerful motivator. Perhaps we could show how we try to advance our culture above all others. Peerhaps we could explore the roots of slavery and give the black man his fair share of the blame.

[Syndicate]

I recomend watching the 60 minutes clip that goes with this story. Morgan Freeman gives an excellant interview.

[mitywhity]

Character trumps color! Culture trumps color!However these perpetuatually-oppressed people place color above character and have denegrated their own culture. They indirectly infer that blacks are excused from self-responsibility and that whites are guilty of causing all their shortcomings. Who they expect to buy this?

[mitywhity]

I'd just like to say, that it took years for the Democratic party to rid itself of racists

Is that weed you are smoking that strong? The dems are just as racist; "Is Obama Black enough?" Hillary and her Ghandhi "jokes". Biden and his gaffe' about clean black guy. How pious. Republicans are racist too, Trent Lott, etc. We're all racist by the modern expanded definition of the word. Don't tell such self-serving lies.

[rafterman1]

For those who think race does not matter or that it is artificially kept alive, consider the case of a kid in Georgia, who was 17 years old. He was a 3.2 GPA and got a scholarship to Columbia for football. At a party, he received consensual oral s3x from a 15 year old - both are minors. This 17 year old kid was convicted of an archaic Georgia law and sentenced to 10 years, no parole (he's two years into the sentence now). The kid happens to be black.

So, the case goes to the Georgia Supreme Court and the conviction is upheld 4-3. All 4 justices who upheld the conviction were white, the 3 against upholding the conviction were black. Coincidence? You think if this kid was white, he wouldn't be playing football at Columbia (which in itself is sort of a sentence) right now?

While it's great that Georgia has three black supreme court justices to begin with, it doesn't mean that the playing field is level everywhere, all the time.

Race doesn't matter? My a$$ is doesn't matter.

[rafterman1]

My point of the below story was, for every black justice that people will point to and say "see, race doesn't matter in America anymore", there is a black kid in prison when he shouldn't be. You can't look at just the steps forward and ignore the steps back.

[knyghtwolf]

Black & White? You can thank the industrial revolution for the problems of Black history and don't leave out the fact that slave trading was a concept born out of Africa, the term slave is very different in defining a Roman slave and an African slave. The major tribes in Africa were the first to break the ground in trading conquered tribes for goods. Then England took after the Dutch and did more and more in slave trading, which inspired The Beastiary Rules that literally defined humans of color & likened them to domestic cattle. England sent in missionaries around the world to convert the native populations and wound up conquering many countries and controlling their cash crops via ownership and slavery. If anyone wants to end racism, start by NOT teaching it in your own home and then it will be forgotten eventually. Human growth can only be attained and acheived by rich fertile minds that are open to positive Spiritualism within one's self.

[cryonbrian]

FARTKNOCKER2

I am talking about this country! Read your history books that were written by white people! Everything that I wrote came from American History books! I did not make it up! From the Wilmington Race Riots to The Burning down of Oklahoma to Rose wood in Florida! It is in your history books! Do not pity me, I am a Millionaire!

[duhrer]

The notion of division between white/black/ insert ethnic group here is passe'. What is white? The unfortunate fact of life is that humans are prone to be cruel to one another. In history, peoples once enslaved inevitably end up being slavers and the cycles begin all over again. What is unnerving is that so many people still believe they are part of a "pure" strain. There are no pure strains, we're all mutts. In spite of all this, the golden rule is that we should be as thoughtful and sensitive to others as we would like them to be thoughtful and sensitive of us.

[vancouverboo]

So your idea of Black History month is to find all kinds of good things to write about blacks, and your idea of White History month is to find all kinds of bad things to write about whites.

Isn't that racism? but, no, I'm sure you have some blah blah blah to explain why that is Not racism, but just fairness and justice. Right?

[cryonbrian]

FARTKNOCKER2
Right and being so rich you have nothing else better to do than write hate on this board..And by the lack of command of the english language you must have been given you money for you surely couldn't have earned it yourself..Or maybe your wife gave it to you!!! LOLLOLLOL

Please show me what hate I am spreading? I only stated what I have read in your American History books? I may not be as smart as you but I am *** sure richer! LOL

[paulbruton17]

This article is not about creating a racial divide in the study of history. Rather, this article encourages us to take an honest look at the history of this country. We can and should celebrate the successes of this past century, for undoubtedly progress has been made in the area of American race relations. What we cannot and should not do is ignore the darker parts of our history. Too often history is written as only a partial story. The ideas of both black and white history share the same shortcomings... they fail to address the bigger picture. Slavery and segregation are facts of American history, and it is important to recognize them as historical processes that helped to shape the world we live in today. There are consequences of slavery that we continue to live with today. Until we are able to look honestly at our history, our entire history, as a nation, we will not be able to make significant progress towards creating a more just and equitable social order.

[paulbruton17]

This article is not about creating a racial divide in the study of history. Rather, this article encourages us to take an honest look at the history of this country. We can and should celebrate the successes of this past century, for undoubtedly progress has been made in the area of American race relations. What we cannot and should not do is ignore the darker parts of our history. Too often history is written as only a partial story. The ideas of both black and white history share the same shortcomings... they fail to address the bigger picture. Slavery and segregation are facts of American history, and it is important to recognize them as historical processes that helped to shape the world we live in today. There are consequences of slavery that we continue to live with today. Until we are able to look honestly at our history, our entire history, as a nation, we will not be able to make significant progress towards creating a more just and equitable social order.

[dallison7]

to The Burning down of Oklahoma to Rose wood in Florida! It is in your history books! Do not pity me, I am a Millionaire!
Posted by cryonbrian

Whoa pardner, wait a minute!! I grew up in Oklahoma, Oklahoma history was a mandated subject, when did it burn down?

[dallison7]

Do not pity me, I am a Millionaire!
Posted by cryonbrian

So am I, and my kids are too... but nobody cares about that. When did Oklahoma burn down... I still have kin there!! You're scarin' me.

[falasha-2009]

Amazing! White people write the history but do not even know it! lol

[gwlafayette]

why does the media refuse to show non-white racism? all we hear about are the terrible things whites have done, yet everyone wants to live in white neighborhoods and everyone gives their children white names. it doesnt make sense. this type of article is a tool to make whites feel guilty and make others feel morally superior. lets see an article about how the nations built by whites have the most opportunities for women, are the most diverse, have the best health care, and have the least crime. the constant white bashing is getting old. at least bash someone else once in awhile for a change. get some guts and take a look at PRESENT racism of always the PAST.

[fascistusa]

Let's be honest.

How many of you have those postcards they use to send in the early 1900's of black people being lynched?

How many people know a full blooded Indian?

Have you seen pictures of Hiroshima?

I'm starting to understand Racism.

Unfortunetly, our Government Propaganda just wants to divide the races. makes us easier to control. Divide and Conquer. Even though we have a mutual enemy:

Our Government.

[dumbwoman]

Sounds like anothereason for white people to feel guilty about things people living hundreds of years ago did. It serves no real purpose to highlight these things. People are well aware of past inequities. How about the African tribes still existing today who sold their brothers as slaves hundreds of years ago. Or the fact that as slaves of anglo saxons they were still better off than slaves of bloodthirsty Congo tribes. Lastly how about the never-acknowledged fact that being brought to America was the best thing that could have happened to these people. Whether its politically correct or not, all this is true. Have you had a look at life in Africa lately? Its not going so well.

Leave the past, lessons have already been learnt. Look to the future.r

[dontbasucka]

CBS where is your African American weeknight anchor? How many blacks are on your board?

You write "Criticisms of Black History Month from cynics, racists and purists are about as predictable as the arrival of February itself. But for all its obvious shortcomings, Black History Month helps clear a space to relate the truth about the past so we might better understand the present and navigate the future."

What future? White on black crime is nonexistent.
How are we better off each year with more black on white crime? What message is creating that, because it needs to end.

Lead the way CBS our diversity is what makes us strong. Of course nobody knows why but thats all we hear from your propaganda megaphone.

Also another story dealing with WWII Korean women forced into prostitution by the Japanese, included a line that it serves no purpose to dig up old wounds. Isn't that Black History Months purpose to continue to pick at old sores?

[gwlafayette]

i think its dangerous to continuously teach white children about white racism when it is not apparent here and now. if we were to just look at what has happened in the last 20 years, i dont think whites would be considered very racist but actually less so than other peoples. so if you continue to tell people things are one way, and they only see that things are not that way but actually the oppposite, you have a recipe for a massive backlash of an entire generation.

[proportion]

This article was another example of the disservice done by propagandizing people instead of honest communication. This intelligent writer's prose was so wormy with cliche' that I could not bring myself to agree.
Bogged down by those cliche's, the writer went part way to the starting line. The true situation cannot be improved with pre-starting-line information.
1) "White" and "black" are not technical terms.
2) The groups known as "white" and black" were not formed or classed according to healing, intelligent criteria. They were originally assigned those labels by ignorance of humanity and of history. We should not play that game.

[mortifyd]

History is such a fascinating subject. How about the historical fact that the first slave owner (as opposed to someone who sponsored indentured servants) was a black man in what is now New York state - who came over as an indentured servant. You won't find that on a PSA about Black History Month, will you?

We go out of our way as a nation to keep race as a divider. My family came here in the 1900s. We didn't own any slaves - coming to the US after the fact - and my own father picked cotton in the summer to pay for his school clothes in rural Mississippi in the 1950s. Did I mention we're white?

Race is just an excuse to keep people from having to actually make an effort to get along. That's pathetic.

[bluestardad]

Dumbwoman; great post

[russellvbrla]

The US fought a nasty civil war in which millions, mostly white, died over the issue of slavery. Shall we talk about this subject more when discussing white racism?
We spend way too much time talking about color in this country. What's the point?
What makes one black? I know many black people who have lighter skin color than me, so skin color can't be it. Is it family origins that can be traced to Africa? I think that pretty much sums up the human race as Mama Africa is the origin for all humans. Does it mean tracing your family back to slaves in the US? Well, how would Barack Obama and other families of African immigrants after slavery was abolished fit in?
Enough of this black vs. white stuff. I just want to be a human being.
In the words of Rodney King: Why can't we all just get along?

[denisetoo]

This is a great article. Many whites admit racism in the US. Few admit who the racists are. Racism without the racists.

When I tell whites my grandfather had to leave the south because he hit a white man, I get responses like, "I think it was wrong to hit any man". Then I must explain how this white man had stolen, cheated and disrespected my grandfather. My grandfather had no legal recourse. White man's word against a black man...

We surely need more white history. Not talking about the role of the white racists fuels the myth that blacks can just pull themselves up by thier bootstraps like other immigrants.

Thanks for this article. It shows your courage.

[politikz2]

I think this is a good article. I don't think articles like this are trying to separate anyone, just make us aware. We always sweep things under the rug in this country and when it starts to fester, nobody knows why. Let's start talking and working things out, so that we will all have a better understanding of each other. It will make for a better society!!

[richzurb]

No wound will heal if you keep picking at it.

[slyfoxtoo]

There is no need for a designated "white history month". We have white history month 11 months out of the year. White history is basically all that is taught in school. The history of this country is taught as white history, as if blacks played no role in the making of this country.

[anopinion1]

now a days black people are way way way more racist then whites... period

[anopinion1]

rosa parks
is not a historical figue...
ever watch the dave chappele show??
he says it best....
+ their were hundreds of people before her that probably did the same thing on the bussess as she did. she just got lucky

[grumpas]

This country constantly needs to be reminded of it's racist past! Otherwise they tend to conveniently forget and slip right back into the same pit. It still exists right below the surface!

[retiredusnav]

The only way to beat this dead horse, is to treat ALL people with respect without regards to race, etc. And BTW, the civil war was not fought primarily over slavery. I'm really tired of the "Keeping the Black Man Down" statements and tales of horror hangings. Well, I was not there! Do I complain about the 5 black kids that beat me and took my bike when I was 12? No. I let it go. I don't blame all black people for the ignorance of the few. And only 2 days ago in New Orleans, when 3 black guys walked away with my ice cooler. Did I scream up and down the parade route about how terrible crime is because of those black people? No, I got the ice cooler back because they were stupid enough to stop to watch a parade float. They do not represent the mass. They were petty criminals. Color didn't make them crooks. In the same context, stop this white folk keeping the black folk down ***. I%u2019ve had enough of that poison.

[dogsoul]

So we should have a white history month eh? But with one caviat - it must be a month dedicated to bashing white people for their racism with some scattered praise for those whites who helped other races... in other words, it's still supposed to be about black people & other minorities. Black history month rejoices in the accomplishments of blacks and lauds their struggle to overcome racism... white history month should focus on the evils of the white race & the few heroes who overcame white racism to help blacks...

It always amazes me how some people claim to be anti-racist while in the same breath talk about racial "collective responsibility" and "racial history" - an inherently racist concept. I cannot imagine the backlash if someone were to suggest that during Black History Month we should focus on black racism against whites, or the problems they have with crime, welfare, illegitimate children while praising a few successful black people for 'getting it right' - how'd ya think that'd go over?

I happen to be white... and I cannot hold individual blacks collectively responsible for the actions of other blacks - I am told this time & time again by people like the guy who wrote this article - I accept this notion... In the same way, I do not accept collective responsibility for the actions of other whites.

[fitedafuture]

racism is schism.