Eric Holder: US is a nation of cowards on racial matters - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Honus · #1 02-18-2009, 03:38 PM

He's right, I think.

Quote:

Holder: US is nation of cowards on racial matters
Feb 18 01:21 PM US/Eastern
By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer

"[I]n things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards."

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues.

In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.

"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.

Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race."

He urged people of all races to use Black History Month as a chance for frank talk about racial matters.

"It is an issue we have never been at ease with and, given our nation's history, this is in some ways understandable," Holder said. "If we are to make progress in this area, we must feel comfortable enough with one another and tolerant enough of each other to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us."

He told Justice Department employees they have a special responsibility to advance racial understanding.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96E53483&show_article=1

awsrock · #2 02-18-2009, 03:52 PM

I agree.

Unfortunately, things still trickle down through the generations. I think things are getting better though, at least through my experiences, when I look back and compare my grandparents generation to my parents, and to mine.

Botnst · #3 02-18-2009, 05:54 PM

Uhhhh, black (-ish) president? Black(-ish) AG? Etc. Anybody notice?

Not perfect by any stretch but hardly an example of cowardice for the majority race to elect a minority.

aklim · #4 02-18-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Uhhhh, black (-ish) president? Black(-ish) AG? Etc. Anybody notice?

Not perfect by any stretch but hardly an example of cowardice for the majority race to elect a minority.

Nah! Just a couple of token appointments by the white man to shut up the black folk.

Ken300D · #5 02-18-2009, 06:43 PM

I never could get Christie Brinkley to talk to me either. She seemed to discriminate against me socially.

Some people just want everything to fall into place for them with no effort. Kinda like the movie "Bruce Almighty".

Honus · #6 02-18-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken300D

I never could get Christie Brinkley to talk to me either. She seemed to discriminate against me socially.

Some people just want everything to fall into place for them with no effort. Kinda like the movie "Bruce Almighty".

I like the line about Christie Brinkley, but I don't get the rest of your comment. Are you saying that Erick Holder wants things to fall in place with no effort? I don't understand the connection you are trying to make.

The Christie Brinkley line is quite good, though.

Honus · #7 02-18-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Uhhhh, black (-ish) president? Black(-ish) AG? Etc. Anybody notice?

Not perfect by any stretch but hardly an example of cowardice for the majority race to elect a minority.

The reaction by many to the election of Obama and the appointment of Holder illustrates Holder's point. Many people think that the success of Obama and Holder prove, for example, that we don't need affirmative action anymore. Regardless of how one feels about affirmative action, to conclude the success of Obama/Holden is a reason to end it is to miss the point of what it's like to be black in America, or at least what I believe it's like to be black in America.

PaulC · #8 02-18-2009, 07:48 PM

Is that what Holder was carping about? As soon as I heard him declare that most Americans were cowards, I somehow mustered up the courage to switch radio stations.

If you're articulate and have a valid message, you should be able to present it in a manner that doesn't require an attempt to shock or shame your intended audience.

Honus · #9 02-18-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

...If you're articulate and have a valid message, you should be able to present it in a manner that doesn't require an attempt to shock or shame your intended audience.

His message is that Americans are cowards when it comes to talking about race. How is he supposed to convey that message without coming out and saying that?

Botnst · #10 02-18-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

His message is that Americans are cowards when it comes to talking about race. How is he supposed to convey that message without coming out and saying that?

If you want to have somebody agree with your argument would you start the conversation by calling that person a coward?

tankdriver · #11 02-18-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

His message is that Americans are cowards when it comes to talking about race. How is he supposed to convey that message without coming out and saying that?

I'm sure Obama would've found a better way to say it.

Honus · #12 02-18-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

If you want to have somebody agree with your argument would you start the conversation by calling that person a coward?

I would start the conversation by saying, "Hello", or some other greeting. Then, if the point I wanted to make is that the other person is a coward, then I would say that somewhere close to the beginning of the conversation. Is there a better way to convey that point than to say it?

Botnst · #13 02-18-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

I would start the conversation by saying, "Hello", or some other greeting. Then, if the point I wanted to make is that the other person is a coward, then I would say that somewhere close to the beginning of the conversation. Is there a better way to convey that point than to say it?

Uh, yeah. There's a better way.

You call me a coward and that's the end of the conversation. I leave my glove in your face.

Honus · #14 02-18-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Uh, yeah. There's a better way.

You call me a coward and that's the end of the conversation. I leave my glove in your face.

That's a reason to not raise the issue. I understood your criticism to be about how Holder delivered his message, not about his decision to raise the issue in the first place.

I don't know why Holder felt the need to raise the point, but I think he made it quite well.

PaulC · #15 02-18-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

I would start the conversation by saying, "Hello", or some other greeting. Then, if the point I wanted to make is that the other person is a coward, then I would say that somewhere close to the beginning of the conversation. Is there a better way to convey that point than to say it?

I like that: Chirp out a nice crisp "Good morning!" then basically call someone an ass.