Why we pretend racism (systemic and everyday “casual”) and our caste system (See Isabel Wilkerson immediately) aren’t directly responsible for the state of our people just amazes me. Poverty and oppression wreck havoc on human beings – many impoverished Black/brown/white people – every kind of people – exhibit deplorable behavior, while MOST impoverished people manage to live lives of dignity nonetheless as they struggle to survive day in and day out. To characterize the rest of us along with those who are the most damaged by poverty and oppression is ridiculous. They aren’t going to read this article. Instead we should all be fighting to end poverty and oppression and not blaming those whose lives provide glaring examples of why poverty and oppression are so bad for human beings. That’s the fight the oppressors work to distract us from day in and day out, by promoting confused articles like this one and rewarding degrading stereotypes (see Herschel Walker). By all means, don’t look at them, or at what they do and how they do it! Don’t connect the dots. Don’t blame us. Point your fingers at each other. You’re too sensitive.

I agree that this article is seriously lacking in critical, informed analysis. The author needs to do a lot of reading: Fanon’s “Wretched of the Earth”, “The New Jim Crow”, DuBois, Angela Davis, “1619 Project”, all the Republicans’ banned books – to start with… The list is long. And then he needs to synthesize that knowledge. That work might (hopefully) stop him and others from writing about how “we” need to stop being so (fill in the blank). And when the author is doing something useful like actively working to get gangbangers to stop shooting each other – as in helping them heal from the ravages of slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, white supremacy, etc. (which are still with us every day in so many varying degrees) – write about that. We’d love to read it because we’re all trying to heal from the worst of what humans are capable of.

That should be “A mind convinced against itself is of the same opinion.” (smile) Should have had my grandson check it.

C Proctor.

I was getting gas the other day and a young black man pulled in to get gas. Music was quite loud, and he did not turn it off. I heard the N word, the B word, and other profanity as multiple songs played during his time getting gas. So, I decided to attempt ascertain why he would listen to such music that uses such derogatory language to describe his people in such a manner. He educated me with language unbefitting someone my age, 70…very disrespectful. I did catch, during his rant, that the N word didn’t have the same meaning that white people use it. It is not even spelled the same way…foolish me. Also, if I knew anything about the music, I would know it is a term for a “brother”. REALLY? He explained other things regarding the terminology. I thought for a minute about presenting my thoughts on the matter to him, then I realized “That a mind convinced itself is of the same opinion.” I guess you CAN turn a pig’s ear into a silk purse. Consider me educated…but unconvinced that this is beneficial to us as a people. So, I agree with you. Not looking for anyone to agree with me. I have learned most recently that “civil” discourse is a thing of the past.

Furthermore, how does the way someone wears their clothes, affect another person to the point that you ask them to wear their clothes like you wear yours. Clothing for some are self expressions, and again, generally speaking, whenever you attach a person on a personal preference level…expect a strong, somewhat hostile retort. For generations, hair and clothes preferences tend to be a trend that comes and goes for all cultures. However, it appears to be of everyone’s concern when certain people regardless of their own cultural preferences, dislike what a sub-sect of BLACK AMERICANS are wearing, styling and the like. I have been at intersections all over AMERICA and loud music erupts from cars driven by all types of people/cultures.

When referring to…having worked with various ethnicities (in the context described thereafter), the writer is still somewhat characterizing BLACK PEOPLE as one monolithic group (what/who defines ‘JUST MANY’). This is concerning as well.

Taking into consideration (not blaming, there are historical facts whether published or not) all variables, BLACK AMERICANS, percentage wise (based on the total world’s population)….., are on par with most cultures. And in many cases are leaders, in many aspects, OF LIVING IN THIS WORLD….regardless of our history in the continental United States of America.

Finally, in stating….’The African-American community needs to grow up, be accountable from within and learn how to accept correction for the better;……..WOW…..I mean….WHO DETERMINES…..’CORRECTION’……

Hopefully, this opinion article circulates and provokes more open and honest conversations. Maybe another ‘Opinion by Staff’ writer can provide another point of view and find meaningful solutions and not more rhetoric…..about the REAL ISSUES such as….crime, quality education, a lack of targeted consistent resources, and how do we support the entirety of the BLACK COMMUNITY (without attacking them too).

Referencing SLAVERY is a lack of sincere desire to find solutions to real problems that exist. In 1968 MLK was assassinated for basically wanting a better life for a sub-sect of Americans. And, there have many atrocities in the BLACK AMERICAN communities since SLAVERY….

So mentioning SLAVERY is akin to saying everything has been great (manageable) thereafter…

Agreed and let’s ALL also stop referring to our women with the B word! You call us Black Queens out of one side of your mouths and then out the other side comes the B word. Really? We do more damage amongst ourselves than that which comes from outside the Black community. Please, please, please, can we not pull together! Don’t reinforce the poor stereotypes others have of us. Dignity, education, family values, responsibility – if we have these things, nobody can stop us.

IF WE DO NOT FIND/ADDRESS THE CAUSE OF LACK OF PROGRESS AS “PEOPLE” OUR DEMISE IS CERTAIN !!

Then let it go. You say, “they can’t let it go”, but it seems to me that it is YOU who can’t let it go. You cannot change people’s hearts and minds by attacking them. We need to educate, not denigrate. Have we been discriminated against? Hell, yeah! Are we the only people in America who have been? Hell, no! And this includes people of the White race as well. Irish were told back in the 20s and 30s – no more Irish. Many poor Irish got here by boat only to be told they weren’t welcome and could pay passage back home or get back on the boat and Canada would take them in. They overcame and it’s about time we do too.

God bless you, Joe.

Well said, Mr. Griffith.

Simple response to your constant drum of comments, so what?
Yesterday, my brother called me a name, do I hold it in my heart forever? nah, it was yesterday and today is today.