Herman Cain: Racism doesn't hold blacks back in a big way

[ErikHeaven]

I am just reporting what i see.

[ladislav]

Erik and Contrarian. I think there is a difference in the schools of thought you subscribe to and I can see good points in each one. Contrarian recommends strict self reliance while Erik points out that there are definitely racism-related obstacles in society that prevent people from achieving their goals and recommends a milder approach. I think the correct way lies somewhere in between. I personally think that while America still has a problem with racism, there are also many ways to lift oneself by one's bootstraps. And, since we are on HA, we definitely need to include other countries into the equation and then we can get pretty good results.
The American system of officially separating people into sub-nationalities instead of just treating all citizens as just Americans is not good and it needs to be fought against. But the fight for such equality is a long one. We also need to enjoy life while at it, this is why we add a few other countries where we can all be treated well and enjoy what life has to offer.

Contrarian's formula is tough and it will work for some people, I guess, while a softer, Erik's formula should work for others.

As far as the Blacks from other countries. Trinidadians and Jamaicans see themselves as just that. They grew up in places where all people are just called by the name of the country so they do not constantly harp on being black. Also, most cannot get into the US unless bright or rich so this process selects only the cream of the crop and that is why they do so well.

But I am curious about such people as Haitians refugees. How have they been doing?

[NorthAmericanguy]

Contrarian

You are good! I enjoy being put in my place in such a humorous manner. My apologies! I really do not know what it is like to be a black man in the US and no matter how much I observe and interview and study, I must admit I cannot inhabit a black man's body and walk in it and experience America from that person's point of view.

That said, there is a book called, Black Like Me where a white man tinted the pigment of his skin to find out how he would be treated as a black man; he then documented his experiences.


"John Howard Griffin's groundbreaking and controversial novel about his experiences as a white man who transforms himself with the aid of medication and dye in order to experience firsthand the life of a black man living in the Deep South in the late 1950s is a mesmerizing tale of the ultimate sociological experiment. Ray Childs' narration is both straightforward and deeply satisfying."

[Contrarian Expatriate]

I want to take this opportunity to publically recant the mean-spirited vitriol I expressed on this thread at Mr. Erik Heaven.

I recently learned that ErikHeaven has a YouTube channel with a wealth of thoughtful and thought-provoking contributions. He is an exceedingly intelligent individual a wealth of knowledge to impart.

My public apologies to ErikHeaven for my meanspiritedness. He and I may not agree on all subjects, but this man is to be deeply respected. Go check out his videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/aahmovingon