Slavery still affects black people in america

[Arkitech]

A lot of times I hear people say that slavery happened a long time ago why bring it up now? I also hear some people say that slavery does'nt affect anyone living today. I used to get angry when I heard statements like that but now I realize that people just need to be better informed about slavery in america and its far reaching effects.

Some of the reasons slavery still affects people in America

1. The Civil War

2. During slavery slaves received minimal to no education, therefore when these people were eventually freed little emphasis was placed on acheiving higher learning if any at all.

3. Families were often broken apart during slave times and as most people who study history realize that strong families are the basis for strong communities. So when many slaves were freed their very foundation from the beginning was fractured.

4. Perhaps one of the most far reaching effects of slavery is the racism and hatred. I can't even begin to explain how it feels to belong to a race of people who can invoke pure hatred from others based solely on the color of their skin. Often times I've wished to be any other race than black simply to not have to deal with the racism and hatred.

5. Economically black people have suffered because of slavery. Many blacks in the US who have slaves ancestors can trace them back in 3 or 4 generations. (my grandmother's grandmother was a slave) And while this does'nt appear to be much of a factor think about americans who have 3 or 4 generations in this country. Thats 3 or 4 generations of family who've had the opportunity to attend college, build businesses, pass down family fortunes, etc.



I don't offer these explanations as an excuse for crime in the black community nor do these explanations give any black person the right to display racist attitudes towards whites. However I think people should have a clearer understanding of how slavery affects people today.


This has gotten out of hand.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[kreb]

Last time I checked, the Civil War is over...

 

[Yossarian]

I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

 

[Arkitech]

Just another thought: I agree completely with Bill Cosby's statements a few months ago in regards to black people needing to stop making excuses and work on bettering themselves through education and hard work. In fact I think his words should apply to people of any race.

 

[Nitemare]

Where is my mule and 40 acres, biyotch?

 

[her209]

And don't forget that segregation was abolished not more than 50 years ago.

 

[yllus]

Oh, BULLLLLLLLLLLLSHIIIIIIIIIIT.

From one person 'hated' for skin colour to another, suck it up you whiny beotch. I mean, WTF? How does the Civil War still affect America? We barely have any World War I veterans left alive, let alone people from the 1850s. Segregation was done away with almost a half century ago.

Your clear understanding is a copout for black people, a reason on which to direct their blame for not succeeding. I'm not saying all black people do this, or you do this yourself, but WTF man. It's a new century, come on down and join the rest of us.

 

[Ranger X]

Asians were once enslaved in America as well. You don't hear them b|tching or blaming their shortcomings on the past. Step away from the blame game for heaven's sake.

EDIT: How many Civil War and slavery survivors do you know, to this date? By the way, reparation is BULLSH**!

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Asians were once enslaved in America as well. You don't hear them b|tching or blaming their shortcomings on the past. Step away from the blame game for heaven's sake.

The Red Man got the shaft as well

 

[Whisper]

Same logic (essentially) could apply to those people whose families immigrated to America within the last three or four generations. They, too, lack the "foundation" of which you speak.

Your environment affects you, as does the past, yes; but in the end, we all make our own decisions in the present, and we all control our own future. Some of us might have to work "harder" to get on equal footing with someone else, but that's just the way of the world.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

your grandparents were slaves?

 

[BannedTroll]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

OK mine were. Your point is no longer valid.

 

[erikistired]

my grandparents were poor and german and they did rather well from themselves. they were targeted because of hitler but that didn't seem to stop them from making a living for themselves and their family.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

welcome to my ignore list you ignorant bastard

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: BannedTroll

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

OK mine were. Your point is no longer valid.

As were mine; poor immigrants from Italy who arrived in time to deal with both the Great Depression, and the racial stigmas that arose during prohibition.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: yllus
Oh, BULLLLLLLLLLLLSHIIIIIIIIIIT.

From one person 'hated' for skin colour to another, suck it up you whiny beotch. I mean, WTF? How does the Civil War still affect America? We barely have any World War I veterans left alive, let alone people from the 1850s. Segregation was done away with almost a half century ago.

Your clear understanding is a copout for black people, a reason on which to hang their reasons for not succeeding. I'm not saying all black people do this, or you do this yourself, but WTF man. It's a new century, come on down and join the rest of us.

How does the Civil War still affect america? Come on man, read your history. The Civil War was the birth of major changes in this country.


My reasons are not a copout for black people. Many black people who don't succeed today have themselves to blame, however I'm not naive enough to believe that slavery has not had far reaching results down to this day.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

Minorities are STILL potential targets for racism, and plenty of those people are poor and uneducated, but we don't hear from them, do we?

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

My grandparents were poor, educated and targeted for bigotry anywhere in the US and it hasn't had an impact on my life.

Do you know why? Because they made their lives better by working hard.

 

[BunLengthHotDog]

Then why is Oprah so damn rich..she started from a VERY poor background...this is ridiculous, life is what you make of it

 

[n7]

Oh lordy :roll:

*pulls up a chair*


I swear you made this thread purely to get attention, cause i see no other point for it.

 

[hysperion]

3. Families were often broken apart during slave times and as most people who study history realize that strong families are the basis for strong communities. So when many slaves were freed their very foundation from the beginning was fractured.

Ridiculous. What about the fact that half of black babies are born out of wedlock. Does that have to say something about strong families? Or is slavery 150+ years ago responsible for that too?

Slavery existed 150+ years ago. Where do we draw the line? I'm Irish and at one time they were persecuted but you don't see me complaining about it.

Quit throwing out racist flamebait. There are enough African Americans that I know personally who are all around great people who work hard and are successful- that these excuses for the group of negroes who haven't made anything of themselves are unfounded and baseless.

 

[BannedTroll]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: yllus
Oh, BULLLLLLLLLLLLSHIIIIIIIIIIT.

From one person 'hated' for skin colour to another, suck it up you whiny beotch. I mean, WTF? How does the Civil War still affect America? We barely have any World War I veterans left alive, let alone people from the 1850s. Segregation was done away with almost a half century ago.

Your clear understanding is a copout for black people, a reason on which to hang their reasons for not succeeding. I'm not saying all black people do this, or you do this yourself, but WTF man. It's a new century, come on down and join the rest of us.

How does the Civil War still affect america? Come on man, read your history. The Civil War was the birth of major changes in this country.


My reasons are not a copout for black people. Many black people who don't succeed today have themselves to blame, however I'm not naive enough to believe that slavery has not had far reaching results down to this day.

OK I agree with you. Slavery affects those who let it.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Yossarian
I don't see how any of those things, most of which occurred 200 years ago, affect people today. And I don't think racism is a result of slavery, it's a result of stupidity.

If your grandparents were poor, uneducated and a potential target for racism anywhere in the US I can assure you that it would have an impact on your life in some form or another.

My Scots -Irish immigrant ancestors were DRIVEN from their home by people of the same color.
When they got here they were subjected to the same sort of discrimination every other preceeding immigrant group has been subject to.
As a matter of fact, I have felt the hatred simply on my skin color when I do sound or lights in clubs where the only other white thing in the place is toilet paper.
So take your "cop outs" to someone who buys into it.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

man and i gotta study tonight...cant stay and read thread...must study...aaaaahhh