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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Tricia Baker:
I'm a using the term "you" not meaning you, specifically-I mean in general. I'm also a woman. I don't believe that should entitle me to preferencial treatment. Indians experienced genocide back in the days of the Wild West. The government, in their infinite wisdom, later "donated" land back to the tribes for them to live on. Not only that, our elected officials decided to send them checks every month. Alcoholism is one of the main problems associated with those living on reservations. So is fetal alcohol syndrome. Trying to right a wrong didn't do anything but create another problem. Indians can have their college education fully funded. I learned this after I graduated from college. Most minorities can get a college education. Do they? Nope. It's too easy to sit on a street corner pointing fingers and whining about who did what to whom to go out and change their destiny. My philosophical view on racism and class war is simple and can be summed up in one sentence-Get over it and get a life.

[This message has been edited by Tricia Baker (edited 06-30-2004).]</font>


Tricia, I also pretty much agree with what you said here. The only thing I'd add is I believe it's easier for white folks to get over being looked down on.

My family never had much money. My father was an alcoholic but he did value education and encouraged all three of us kids to at least get a degree. I was fortunate that my mother was and still is a great woman who showed me unconditional love because I didn't get that from my dad. I never felt looked down on because I honestly never paid attention. I was born in the south and we moved up north when I was 8 years old. I was certainly looked down upon by the kids in school but I just never let it get to me. I think my mother's love has a lot to do with that.

By contrast, a person of color has a more difficult time of moving on. Part of this has to do with culture and part of it personal choice, no doubt. That's why you have the Bill Cosby's of the world going around and trying to talk black kids into staying in school and such. But part of it is what has been institionalized for 300 or so years.

Like I said, black communities have issues that are disproportionate to their numbers. Those who are trying to help younger blacks learn the value of self-reliance and other values, are trying to change that. It just takes time but I do believe progress is being made. There's been an emerging black middle class for about 20-30 years that we don't usually hear much about. They are out there and things are changing.

The entitlement mentality of some folks (and I've met enough folks in my life to know it's not just minorities - not saying you said that), has been fostered by a paternalistic government which wants to provide "care" for us in exhange for our freedoms. This is the root cause of a lot of the entitlement mentality. I personally don't mind helping people who truly need it and are willing to help themselves as much as they are able. I strongly object to anyone who thinks that the government (you, me and all other taxpayers by extention) owes them anything. If you are able to help yourself, get up off your ass and do it or don't come crying to the rest of us if you're too lazy.

Van



[This message has been edited by Buzz Grudge (edited 06-30-2004).]

Van Borden
a.k.a. Buzz Grudge