# A proposal to address a racial injustice **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 21, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292 "2009-01-21T13:46:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/21 "2009-01-21T17:28:35Z")
> [@spike404](#): > > There is a lot of reverse racism in the USA. > > This is an excerpt from Rev. Lowery’s benediction at BO’s inauguration: > “.. we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right…” > > Notice the implication that whites do NOT embrace what is “right”? What do whites embrace? Only wrong? > > Kind of a broad brush, correct? That got me too, tbh. I know he had to rhyme it but it was a bit dodgy. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/22 "2009-01-21T17:30:38Z")
> [@spike404](#): > > There is a lot of reverse racism in the USA. > > This is an excerpt from Rev. Lowery’s benediction at BO’s inauguration: > “.. we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right…” > > Notice the implication that whites do NOT embrace what is “right”? What do whites embrace? Only wrong? > > Kind of a broad brush, correct? or as Jon Stewart so eloquently added When blue can finally break through, when puce can be set loose, when we embrace the minutia of fuchsia ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/23 "2009-01-21T17:30:41Z")
I suppose, we could addressthe blatant lies in Calabro’s little publicity stunt: > [@](#): > > Whereas the United States of America fundamentally denies whites their right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and freedom to travel when it consciously conceals, hides, and/or suppresses the facts relating to t he alarming crisis level of a disproportionate number of black on white felony crimes being committed annually; Since the figures are all public record provided by the government, Calabro lies when he claims they are suppressed. > [@](#): > > Whereas although the white community suffers greatly in body and spirit from this neglect by its Government, they have nevertheless persevered and achieved great civic minded successes, particularly in the field of helping their fellow Americans through voluntary work and financial support; The white community achieved its success during the period when it actively enslaved and later oppressed the black community, (among others), so the word “despite” is a clear lie. In addition, blacks and other non-white citizens are very much involved in the helping of their fellow citizens, white and non-white, in voluntary service and financial support, so that part is mostly just a red herring. Then, using Calabro’s numbers, only 0.3% of the white population has been victims of black on white crime, so his claim of the “white community” suffering is a gross exaggeration. = = = Alternatively, we could simply discuss whether Calabro is an active racist or simply one more whiny white loser who would like to blame his personal failures on the fact that people who do not look like him finally have an opportunity to succeed in this country. = = = (I also wish that the president emeritus of the whiny whites association would use his middle initial or something to distinguish him from the composer of the same name who does not desrve to have his name smeared. BTW, is there an actual “European Issues Association” somewhere? Or is that just something that Colabro puts on his letterhead when writing his screeds from his basement?)) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/24 "2009-01-21T17:32:04Z")
> [@spike404](#): > > Notice the implication that whites do NOT embrace what is “right”? What do whites embrace? Only wrong? > > Kind of a broad brush, correct? Lowery was quoting and referencing the lyrics to an old blues song. People were laughing during that part of his benediction and it was clearly not intended to be taken literally. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/25 "2009-01-21T17:32:48Z")
I don’t get it, we already have hate crimes laws. Blacks targeting whites because of their race can be prosecuted under those laws. That’s essentially all a legislative body can do, isn’t it? I suppose someone can create a Department of Hate Crimes that specifically seeks out these crimes for prosecution, but that would be fairly silly. Department of Sex Crimes. Department of Armed Robbery. Department of Domestic Abuse. Department of Picking Your Nose In Public. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/26 "2009-01-21T17:33:00Z")
> [@spike404](#): > > There is a lot of reverse racism in the USA. > > This is an excerpt from Rev. Lowery’s benediction at BO’s inauguration: > “.. we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right…” > > Notice the implication that whites do NOT embrace what is “right”? What do whites embrace? Only wrong? I think the speaker’s point is that insofar as white people are supporting or acquiescing in prejudice and discrimination that disadvantages black, brown, yellow, and red people, they are embracing what is wrong. Naturally, this isn’t the same as saying that **all** whites support prejudice and discrimination, or that white people are embracing what is wrong in **all** aspects of life. Similarly, if somebody says “Black Americans need to address the high levels of homophobia in black communities”, that’s not the same as saying that **all** blacks are prejudiced against gays. > [@spike404](#): > > Kind of a broad brush, correct? The victim goggles tend to magnify the apparent brush size. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/27 "2009-01-21T17:34:08Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Help, help, I’m being repressed. Bloody Peasant! ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/28 "2009-01-21T17:40:14Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > or as Jon Stewart so eloquently added > > When blue can finally break through, when puce can be set loose, when we embrace the minutia of fuchsia Jon Stewart conveniently left out the “white” rhyme when he quoted the minister. My first reaction to hearing it was “Fuck you, buddy.” The implication that white people have not been embracing what’s right is insulting to the extreme. [QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Help, help, I’m being repressed. [/QUOTE] That tune is getting way tired. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/29 "2009-01-21T17:42:50Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Once again, the rights and needs of freckled persons are ignored and set aside by the dominant monochromatic culture. We will not be silenced! Freckled is just code of GINGER!!! ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/30 "2009-01-21T17:43:06Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Lowery was quoting and referencing the lyrics to an old blues song. People were laughing during that part of his benediction and it was clearly not intended to be taken literally. Oh, OK, I didn’t know that. I thought he was doing a Jesse Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/31 "2009-01-21T17:45:51Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > I think his point is that if something similar was presented in your Congress, but dissin’ whites instead of blacks, then it might well pass, or at least would be considered acceptable. > > It reminds me of a video I saw, which had a black pop star (I think it was Puff Daddy), saying that because the vast majority of people in jail for drug dealing were black, it was “a racist law”. I’ve been to parties that were generally upper middle class yuppie types and had friends shouting, “Mushrooms for sale!”, knowing that we knew pretty much everyone in the room and that the place wasn’t going to get raided. If you’ve been around drug culture at all you’ll know that white kids are not concerned about going to jail on drug charges. White kids get away disproportionately with things that black people are prosecuted for. It IS a racist law. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/32 "2009-01-21T17:45:52Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > Bloody Peasant! See! That’s what I"ve been on about Come and see the violence inherent in the system! ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/33 "2009-01-21T17:47:37Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Jon Stewart conveniently left out the “white” rhyme when he quoted the minister. > > My first reaction to hearing it was “Fuck you, buddy.” The implication that white people have not been embracing what’s right is insulting to the extreme. Of course it is given the myth of racial inequality in this country. I’ll bet that’s what God thought too hearing the prayer since the movies clearly show us Jesus was white. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/34 "2009-01-21T17:48:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Lowery was quoting and referencing the lyrics to an old blues song. People were laughing during that part of his benediction and it was clearly not intended to be taken literally. Yes, well it was unfortunate because it unecessarily alienated a lot of white people who weren’t clued in to his obscure pop culture reference. It was a very poor choice on Lowery and Obama’s part. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/35 "2009-01-21T17:54:40Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > It was a very poor choice on Lowery and Obama’s part. I would agree that Lowery could have made a better choice, although I would cut him some slack given his personal involvement in the Civil Rights movement. OTOH, what sort of odd belief do you have that Obama had the time, energy, inclination, or opportunity to vet every single address, prayer, oration, etc. that was given yesterday? Do you think that Bush and Cheney submitted their remarks for approval? How do you know that Lowery did not ad-lib the last part at the last minute? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/36 "2009-01-21T17:59:48Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Yes, well it was unfortunate because it unecessarily alienated a lot of white people who weren’t clued in to his obscure pop culture reference. > > It was a very poor choice on Lowery and Obama’s part. Unless those same white people can take the “get over it already” suggestion they dish out. IMO it wasn’t a big deal and I didn’t feel it was an attack or comment about all whites. No need to over react. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/37 "2009-01-21T18:00:39Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Yes, well it was unfortunate because it unecessarily alienated a lot of white people who weren’t clued in to his obscure pop culture reference. It was probably not that obscure to Lowery. Regardless, some googling leads me to the conclusion that most of the people who were upset about what Lowery said were upset Obama was inaugurated at all. > [@tomndebb](#): > > OTOH, what sort of odd belief do you have that Obama had the time, energy, inclination, or opportunity to vet every single address, prayer, oration, etc. that was given yesterday? Obama shouldn’t have picked someone who was closely associated with the controversial Martin Luther King Jr. Of course at this point, “controversial” no longer means that someone is the subject of debate; it just means someone is objecting to their actions loudly and (probably) unreasonably. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/38 "2009-01-21T18:01:43Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Jon Stewart conveniently left out the “white” rhyme when he quoted the minister. > > My first reaction to hearing it was “Fuck you, buddy.” The implication that white people have not been embracing what’s right is insulting to the extreme. > That tune is getting way tired. Quit giving me reasons to sing it then. White people are not victims because an old black preacher rhymed “white” with “do right.” Of all manufactured outrages, white people crying oppression is without a doubt the lamest. I am as white as a ghost and I couldn’t care less that a near-90-year-old former victim of Jim Crow said “I hope white will do right” in a poem. Getting outraged about it is an insult to those who’ve actually suffered through something. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/39 "2009-01-21T18:04:02Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I would agree that Lowery could have made a better choice, although I would cut him some slack given his personal involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Sure, but I’ve been to so many so-called unity events where some black speaker gets up and says nasty things about white people that makes me feel suddenly very uncomfortable and out of place. I’m just kind of tired of hearing, ‘Yay unity, fuck whitey!’, it’s just a bitter pill to have to swallow over and over again. I’m all for unity, but I’m tired of the the backhandedness. > [@](#): > > OTOH, what sort of odd belief do you have that Obama had the time, energy, inclination, or opportunity to vet every single address, prayer, oration, etc. that was given yesterday? Do you think that Bush and Cheney submitted their remarks for approval? How do you know that Lowery did not ad-lib the last part at the last minute? You don’t think he did? Maybe he didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/40 "2009-01-21T18:04:21Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Yes, well it was unfortunate because it unecessarily alienated a lot of white people who weren’t clued in to his obscure pop culture reference. > > It was a very poor choice on Lowery and Obama’s part. What did Obama have to do with it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292.md?page=3)