What is with the RNC?
The rest of the country is looking for ways to work together to fix this mess we're in and they are still out here acting like spoiled rednecks!
Barack the Magic Negro? Have a Very Spanglish Christmas?
A "We Hate America" CD sent out for Christmas?
Could a national group be anymore callous, ignorant, and kow-towish to the racist rednecks in this country?
My websites promote patriotism for our country. We encourage the use of "American" instead of hyphenated-American. We believe it does more harm than good to our country to be so ethno-centric and race conscious.
We do NOT support racism or ethnicism.
We do NOT think it is funny to pick on the different kids on the playgroud.
The RNC needs to grow the -uck up!
Showing posts with label drop the dash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drop the dash. Show all posts
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
hyphenated Americans and blackamericaweb
To sevennotrump and all who think I am an Uncle Tom from the blackamericaweb.com website:
Puleeze!
Obama won the presidency because he - like most of the successful people in this country - did not stress his race or ethnicity. He focused on what we ALL have in common based on our ideologies, morals, values and beliefs...not a miniscule dominant gene in our DNA.
This is not selling out in no way shape or form.
Yes, I cried when PA. VA. and Florida results came in because each one was a significant step towards that magic 270 for my choice of President.
Yes, I know the struggles, pain and suffering of my older siblings, parents and their parents. Yes, I am fully aware of the racists living in MY state and every state of the union.
BUT, this does not make me less proud to be born in this country. This does not make me want to qualify my nationality with the continent of SOME of my ancestors. I am an American with African and European ancestry. So are most of you. Why CHOOSE which ancestral tree limb you attach to your birth nationality? Because some dumb redneck cop sees your race/ethnicity first means that is what you are? Puleeze! Since your great-great-grandfather was black, I guess that makes you black, too, huh? Sounds like the Jim Crow laws to me.
Your parents and mine fought to be recognized as AMERICANS first...all else second.
This is our country. Obama is the President-elect of the United States of America...not just the blacks.
I am sincere in this post and all posts I make across the web. I love who I am, who my ancestors were, where they have come from and their triumph over all the obstacles thrown in the way.
I believe they want their descendants to be Americans first....black or brown or white or whatever second.
This country is about dreams. People come to this country to fulfill their dreams and - although some of our ancestors were forced here - this country has once again shown itself to be a place where dreams DO come true.
All I am trying to stress here is that WE need to start pointing out the greatness of our country sometimes instead of hypeing on the bad.
And, just because you do not agree with my position and we are the same ethnicity does NOT make ME wrong or naive or blind or whatever.
I may live in a different world than you but that MAY be because I SEE a different world than you. I know racism is all around. I know sexism is all around. I CHOOSE to see the good and fair people and they are all around, too.
The racist acts are exceptions to the rule now. We all go day to day without ever being exposed o this ignorance even here in Georgia.
I want to remove the power from the racists and their racist words.
How else to do this than to put the focus on the criminal act and not the race of the victim. When all Americans feel they could be victims of that crime, Americans react. We do ourselves a disservice by making all things racial racist.
Once again, don't question my blackness because I promote a different way of labeling ourselves. You have only been an "African-American" for twenty years. Before that you were black, afro-american, negro, etc. What was wrong wih being American blacks? What election was held where we all decided to change our label? I want a recount.
I say we have ALWAYS been Americans and that's what I prefer to be called.
Anyone who tosses "uncle tom" and other silly "think he's white" types of insults at me is just showing their foolishness and lack of intelligence.
Disagree if you will...but debate the usage of the label....not the messenger.
AND, I assure you all, Obama will eventually point out this same hyphenation-foolishness during his term.
Puleeze!
Obama won the presidency because he - like most of the successful people in this country - did not stress his race or ethnicity. He focused on what we ALL have in common based on our ideologies, morals, values and beliefs...not a miniscule dominant gene in our DNA.
This is not selling out in no way shape or form.
Yes, I cried when PA. VA. and Florida results came in because each one was a significant step towards that magic 270 for my choice of President.
Yes, I know the struggles, pain and suffering of my older siblings, parents and their parents. Yes, I am fully aware of the racists living in MY state and every state of the union.
BUT, this does not make me less proud to be born in this country. This does not make me want to qualify my nationality with the continent of SOME of my ancestors. I am an American with African and European ancestry. So are most of you. Why CHOOSE which ancestral tree limb you attach to your birth nationality? Because some dumb redneck cop sees your race/ethnicity first means that is what you are? Puleeze! Since your great-great-grandfather was black, I guess that makes you black, too, huh? Sounds like the Jim Crow laws to me.
Your parents and mine fought to be recognized as AMERICANS first...all else second.
This is our country. Obama is the President-elect of the United States of America...not just the blacks.
I am sincere in this post and all posts I make across the web. I love who I am, who my ancestors were, where they have come from and their triumph over all the obstacles thrown in the way.
I believe they want their descendants to be Americans first....black or brown or white or whatever second.
This country is about dreams. People come to this country to fulfill their dreams and - although some of our ancestors were forced here - this country has once again shown itself to be a place where dreams DO come true.
All I am trying to stress here is that WE need to start pointing out the greatness of our country sometimes instead of hypeing on the bad.
And, just because you do not agree with my position and we are the same ethnicity does NOT make ME wrong or naive or blind or whatever.
I may live in a different world than you but that MAY be because I SEE a different world than you. I know racism is all around. I know sexism is all around. I CHOOSE to see the good and fair people and they are all around, too.
The racist acts are exceptions to the rule now. We all go day to day without ever being exposed o this ignorance even here in Georgia.
I want to remove the power from the racists and their racist words.
How else to do this than to put the focus on the criminal act and not the race of the victim. When all Americans feel they could be victims of that crime, Americans react. We do ourselves a disservice by making all things racial racist.
Once again, don't question my blackness because I promote a different way of labeling ourselves. You have only been an "African-American" for twenty years. Before that you were black, afro-american, negro, etc. What was wrong wih being American blacks? What election was held where we all decided to change our label? I want a recount.
I say we have ALWAYS been Americans and that's what I prefer to be called.
Anyone who tosses "uncle tom" and other silly "think he's white" types of insults at me is just showing their foolishness and lack of intelligence.
Disagree if you will...but debate the usage of the label....not the messenger.
AND, I assure you all, Obama will eventually point out this same hyphenation-foolishness during his term.
Been gone awhile!!!!
Hey you all...I've been out of the loop for a minute...kinda still recovering from the Obama victory....Yes, I am an Obama supporter and have been since his 2004 DNC speech.
But, I am back so I hope you all are prepared to hear some more of my rants!!!!!
But, I am back so I hope you all are prepared to hear some more of my rants!!!!!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
more thoughts on hyphenated American labels....
The purpose of the Drop the Dash campaign is to get us to all THINK about what our usage of the hyphenation implies.....good and bad.
For some people, it will not matter what bad inferences are made by other people about their dash. They use it for their reasons - however weak or strong the reason may be.
For others, it will enlighten them to why some people treat them the way they do and they will choose to stop using the dash. Usually, these people were using it just because everyone else was. They still have pride in their heritage....they just understand you can separate ethnic pride from birth nationality without having to qualify one.
For still others, it will re-enforce their reasons for NEVER using the dash and let them know there are many other ethnic Americans that choose to remain dashless, also.
Freedoms are not all without consequences.
We have the freedom to be racists, bigoted, sexist, etc. as long as we do not violate employment or housing laws. Society, however, has decided that these "freedoms" are not to be considered virtues and they are actually looked down on by most of us. But, they are still your choice.
The same can be said for intolerance, selfishness, and a host of other personality traits.
"Drop the Dash" is trying to get us to all be conscious of what a qualification to one's birth nationality says to the others in that nation.
It says you want to be seen as different from the rest of us even while you try to tell us you are not to be treated differently.
It says you want everyone to acknowledge your pride in your ancestors - arguably - at the expense of your birth nationality.
Many people have stressed their intent behind the dash was singularly focused...."to show pride in their heritage"...with no intent or belief that by qualifying their nationality, they reduce their pride in their birth country.
Many other people stress that they have pride in their heritage and they do not need to qualify their nationality to show it. They - like me - are more focused on where they are going instead of from where their ancestors came.
If I - personally - had moved here from another country, I would still claim that country as my nationality until I became a naturalized American. Then I would probably qualify my nationality with a dash.
But, I would still encourage my children born here to not use the dash. Why? Because I would've moved here for a reason....and that reason would have been to become an American.
Why would I want my children to qualify it? IMHO.....
For some people, it will not matter what bad inferences are made by other people about their dash. They use it for their reasons - however weak or strong the reason may be.
For others, it will enlighten them to why some people treat them the way they do and they will choose to stop using the dash. Usually, these people were using it just because everyone else was. They still have pride in their heritage....they just understand you can separate ethnic pride from birth nationality without having to qualify one.
For still others, it will re-enforce their reasons for NEVER using the dash and let them know there are many other ethnic Americans that choose to remain dashless, also.
Freedoms are not all without consequences.
We have the freedom to be racists, bigoted, sexist, etc. as long as we do not violate employment or housing laws. Society, however, has decided that these "freedoms" are not to be considered virtues and they are actually looked down on by most of us. But, they are still your choice.
The same can be said for intolerance, selfishness, and a host of other personality traits.
"Drop the Dash" is trying to get us to all be conscious of what a qualification to one's birth nationality says to the others in that nation.
It says you want to be seen as different from the rest of us even while you try to tell us you are not to be treated differently.
It says you want everyone to acknowledge your pride in your ancestors - arguably - at the expense of your birth nationality.
Many people have stressed their intent behind the dash was singularly focused...."to show pride in their heritage"...with no intent or belief that by qualifying their nationality, they reduce their pride in their birth country.
Many other people stress that they have pride in their heritage and they do not need to qualify their nationality to show it. They - like me - are more focused on where they are going instead of from where their ancestors came.
If I - personally - had moved here from another country, I would still claim that country as my nationality until I became a naturalized American. Then I would probably qualify my nationality with a dash.
But, I would still encourage my children born here to not use the dash. Why? Because I would've moved here for a reason....and that reason would have been to become an American.
Why would I want my children to qualify it? IMHO.....
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Non-Americans and Americans are the only two labels for this country...
Connotations of words change with society and - likewise - society's use of words changes with the connotations.
The dash-American label's usage comes in waves just like the immigrants who use them. The current wave encompasses ethnic/racial minorities in America.
The use of the dash is a way of fighting back at a society that - the user believes - does not fully accept the dasher as a full member. Whether because of real racism or perceived racism, the dasher feels like a red-headed step-child to the nation. The inclusion of the dash - whether subconsciously or consciously - is a means of declaring one's independence and pride or self-worth.
What I believe is missed in the dasher's mindset is that society will change its view of you when you don't allow this step-child attitude to be applied to you. If someone infers you are not a full America because your ancestors did not come from a certain continent or during a certain timeframe, you fight back by declaring their inference wrong and contradictory to the laws of the land. If you were born here - regardless of how your ancestors came here or even if they came here illegally - YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.
Anyone challenging this status needs to check their OWN mindset and, while they are at it, the Constitution of the United States of America.
I believe the way to stop profiling, racism, discrimination and such, is to FIRST remove the qualified labels we adorn.
I am not African-American, African-European-American, African-European-Native-American....I am an American.
If you doubt what I am saying, check my birth certificate.
If you include the dashes in your nationality, you need to check YOUR birth certificate, also.
It is not about pride in one's ancestors...it is about pride in one's self. You are a citizen of this country - usually only this country - and you have an obligation and responsibility to contribute to the success of this country.
You can choose to enjoy the ride while you can benefit from the mood of society but you have to be prepared to lose that ride when society's mood changes. A basic tenet of this nation is that of individual's rights and responsibilities. If you fail, it is not the country that failed you, it is YOU that failed you.
All this does not justify racist behavior towards ANYONE or BY anyone.
The history of this country, with its accomplishments and failures, does not justify burdening its future by re-hashing history over and over again. The future of this country is dependent on putting to rest - sincerely and non-combatively, the truths of our country's mistakes and how some people have benefitted on the backs of others both directly and indirectly.
My words are intentionally contradictory because that is the situation we are now in. Both sides of the argument are correct...America has fought against including the minority-du-jour in its fabric AND Americans have fought TO include minorities. Minorities have fought to be included AND minorities fight to be seen as distinct threads within the fabric.
If you expect the American fabric to be admired and loved, it is ALL the threads of the fabric that make it what it is.
If you expect to be treated as a thread in the American fabric, you have to understand that the thread - by itself - is not as beautiful when it is on the spool as much as when it has been woven into the fabric.
America has checked itself by re-enforcing a clarification of the tenets of our basic documents.
All PEOPLE are created equal...anyone born here is an American...all AMERICANS are entitled to basic rights and equal protection under the law.
Americans need to check ourselves to make sure we act like what the citizens of America are SUPPOSED to act like.
If you are in a position of power and you do not see all Americans as having the same rights, YOU are the non-American.
If you are not doing your part to contribute to the success of this country, YOU are the non-American.
There are only two valid American labels...American and NON-American.
The dash-American label's usage comes in waves just like the immigrants who use them. The current wave encompasses ethnic/racial minorities in America.
The use of the dash is a way of fighting back at a society that - the user believes - does not fully accept the dasher as a full member. Whether because of real racism or perceived racism, the dasher feels like a red-headed step-child to the nation. The inclusion of the dash - whether subconsciously or consciously - is a means of declaring one's independence and pride or self-worth.
What I believe is missed in the dasher's mindset is that society will change its view of you when you don't allow this step-child attitude to be applied to you. If someone infers you are not a full America because your ancestors did not come from a certain continent or during a certain timeframe, you fight back by declaring their inference wrong and contradictory to the laws of the land. If you were born here - regardless of how your ancestors came here or even if they came here illegally - YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.
Anyone challenging this status needs to check their OWN mindset and, while they are at it, the Constitution of the United States of America.
I believe the way to stop profiling, racism, discrimination and such, is to FIRST remove the qualified labels we adorn.
I am not African-American, African-European-American, African-European-Native-American....I am an American.
If you doubt what I am saying, check my birth certificate.
If you include the dashes in your nationality, you need to check YOUR birth certificate, also.
It is not about pride in one's ancestors...it is about pride in one's self. You are a citizen of this country - usually only this country - and you have an obligation and responsibility to contribute to the success of this country.
You can choose to enjoy the ride while you can benefit from the mood of society but you have to be prepared to lose that ride when society's mood changes. A basic tenet of this nation is that of individual's rights and responsibilities. If you fail, it is not the country that failed you, it is YOU that failed you.
All this does not justify racist behavior towards ANYONE or BY anyone.
The history of this country, with its accomplishments and failures, does not justify burdening its future by re-hashing history over and over again. The future of this country is dependent on putting to rest - sincerely and non-combatively, the truths of our country's mistakes and how some people have benefitted on the backs of others both directly and indirectly.
My words are intentionally contradictory because that is the situation we are now in. Both sides of the argument are correct...America has fought against including the minority-du-jour in its fabric AND Americans have fought TO include minorities. Minorities have fought to be included AND minorities fight to be seen as distinct threads within the fabric.
If you expect the American fabric to be admired and loved, it is ALL the threads of the fabric that make it what it is.
If you expect to be treated as a thread in the American fabric, you have to understand that the thread - by itself - is not as beautiful when it is on the spool as much as when it has been woven into the fabric.
America has checked itself by re-enforcing a clarification of the tenets of our basic documents.
All PEOPLE are created equal...anyone born here is an American...all AMERICANS are entitled to basic rights and equal protection under the law.
Americans need to check ourselves to make sure we act like what the citizens of America are SUPPOSED to act like.
If you are in a position of power and you do not see all Americans as having the same rights, YOU are the non-American.
If you are not doing your part to contribute to the success of this country, YOU are the non-American.
There are only two valid American labels...American and NON-American.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
CNN "Black in America" special
There is a CNN special coming on later this month and - even before I see it - I have to respond to an email floating around.
This is the email:
Subject: High Priority ** Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:12:20 +0000 High Priority
** Did you know that companies in the US have said they would hire a white man with a felony record and no high school education BEFORE they would hire a black man with NO criminal record and a 4-year degree?
On July 23 at and July 24, CNN will premier a series, 'Black in America with Soledad O'Brien' and I personally challenge you to watch it WITH your children, especially your sons, if you have any, uninterrupted.
The aforementioned statistics and many others will be revealed during the series.
A friend had the privilege of meeting with Soledad O'Brien and actually SEEING this premier, and what she saw brought tears to her eyes and anguish, frustration, and a sense of helplessness to her soul. The first night the series will focus on Women and Families and the second night is dedicated entirely to the plight of the Black Man in America.
I beg and p lead with you PLEASE , PLEASE, PLEASE watch and internalize what you see and hear; no matter HOW disturbing the information revealed. Feel free to pass this email on or go here for more information: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
This is my response:
Not all black people nor all white people nor all brown people are perceived the same in America....nor do we all live the same life or have the same issues, values, etc.
We are as varied a people as any other group. We do not all share the same "black experience" in this country.
We share experiences based more on our socio-economic conditions than any racial or ethnic heritage.
This is a basis of the "Drop the Dash" campaign. It is trying to get "us" to see that we have the opportunity to be less a product of our birth environments than a product of our work and determination to overcome any obstacle thrown in our way.
There is no reason why we cannot be anything we choose....live anywhere we choose....or succeed at whatever we choose.We are republicans and democrats....conservatives and liberals...rich and poor....intelligent and dumb.....bourgeois and ghetto....and all the things in between.
We are Americans and its time we stop letting them - the media and politicians - group us all together like a breed of animal.
The saddest part is that WE buy into this bull and help promote it thinking we are doing "our people" a favor.
Our people need to understand that we all do not share the same experience in America anymore.
Once we get away from the thugs and ghetto, we mistakenly fear "forgetting where we come from" because some redneck cop may treat us all the same.Meanwhile, we condone the thugs-life, ghetto-fabulous baby-mamas, and multi-generational welfare mindset.
What happened to pulling ourselves up by our boot straps like our parents and grandparents raised us? When did WE drop the ball?We are our worse enemy.
We do more to keep ourselves down than any redneck with a badge could ever do against us.
When you watch the CNN special, make a note of everything that does NOT apply to your life.
If we believe our race can still hold us down in America, it will. But it is ourselves that is holding us down....not "The Man"!
I look forward to the special and I truly hope they have all aspects of our race/ethnicity reflected...conservative and liberal and moderate.
This is the email:
Subject: High Priority ** Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:12:20 +0000 High Priority
** Did you know that companies in the US have said they would hire a white man with a felony record and no high school education BEFORE they would hire a black man with NO criminal record and a 4-year degree?
On July 23 at and July 24, CNN will premier a series, 'Black in America with Soledad O'Brien' and I personally challenge you to watch it WITH your children, especially your sons, if you have any, uninterrupted.
The aforementioned statistics and many others will be revealed during the series.
A friend had the privilege of meeting with Soledad O'Brien and actually SEEING this premier, and what she saw brought tears to her eyes and anguish, frustration, and a sense of helplessness to her soul. The first night the series will focus on Women and Families and the second night is dedicated entirely to the plight of the Black Man in America.
I beg and p lead with you PLEASE , PLEASE, PLEASE watch and internalize what you see and hear; no matter HOW disturbing the information revealed. Feel free to pass this email on or go here for more information: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
This is my response:
Not all black people nor all white people nor all brown people are perceived the same in America....nor do we all live the same life or have the same issues, values, etc.
We are as varied a people as any other group. We do not all share the same "black experience" in this country.
We share experiences based more on our socio-economic conditions than any racial or ethnic heritage.
This is a basis of the "Drop the Dash" campaign. It is trying to get "us" to see that we have the opportunity to be less a product of our birth environments than a product of our work and determination to overcome any obstacle thrown in our way.
There is no reason why we cannot be anything we choose....live anywhere we choose....or succeed at whatever we choose.We are republicans and democrats....conservatives and liberals...rich and poor....intelligent and dumb.....bourgeois and ghetto....and all the things in between.
We are Americans and its time we stop letting them - the media and politicians - group us all together like a breed of animal.
The saddest part is that WE buy into this bull and help promote it thinking we are doing "our people" a favor.
Our people need to understand that we all do not share the same experience in America anymore.
Once we get away from the thugs and ghetto, we mistakenly fear "forgetting where we come from" because some redneck cop may treat us all the same.Meanwhile, we condone the thugs-life, ghetto-fabulous baby-mamas, and multi-generational welfare mindset.
What happened to pulling ourselves up by our boot straps like our parents and grandparents raised us? When did WE drop the ball?We are our worse enemy.
We do more to keep ourselves down than any redneck with a badge could ever do against us.
When you watch the CNN special, make a note of everything that does NOT apply to your life.
If we believe our race can still hold us down in America, it will. But it is ourselves that is holding us down....not "The Man"!
I look forward to the special and I truly hope they have all aspects of our race/ethnicity reflected...conservative and liberal and moderate.
New blog for Drop the Dash!
After much prodding by visitors to my website www.dropthedash.com and participants in the Amazon.com non-fiction forum 'Should all Americans "drop the dash" and remove ethnic prefixes to our nationality? ', I have FINALLY setup my own blog.
Here, I will post my thoughts, other reader's contributions, and pertinent news that relates to our promoting one America full of Americans!
be back soon...
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About me...
- dolarbil
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Just someone who doesn't want his children to have to fight the same race and ethnic battles that his parents did. It's the 21st century, isn't it time we all got along?
