Does the blaming of Black folks never end?

[barrow-wight]

91. "cuts to your welfare and programs???"

So what is this idiot saying, that being on welfare and programs is somehow intrinsic to the Black experience or something? Yes, we live in a racist society where blacks have higher rates of both incarceration and "welfare and programs," and we should correct this. However, taking that to an assumption that these qualities are what define Black americans is just beyond disgusting and assumes that they somehow must be kept in a little bubble and do what they're told. It's insufferable to read.

I detest Condoleezza Rice's politics as the day is long, but she said something years ago that has stuck with me ever since and I wish I could find the exact quote or clip. She was talking about her journey and how she was taught by her parents to be "twice as good" as any white man if she wanted to succeed. It hit me first because so many Black republicans act as though systemic racism has somehow magically gone away. Ms. Rice didn't say that. She acknowledged the systemic racism. But then it hit me. She became twice as good. Yeah, I don't like her political beliefs or her participation in Iraq but I do celebrate her pride in kicking the system's ass and doing it in a way where she didn't have to be a template for anyone else's politics, even ones I disagree with. And that right there is the kicker. These Bernie supporters feel like people like you, Bravenak, are no better than Condoleezza Rice because, to them, you should fit some template of what a black person should be. If a black woman wants to be Condoleezza Rice, that's her choice! And if a black woman wants to be Bravenak, rock on! I can see why you get so angry and I couldn't be more lily white. It pisses me off every time I see you say these things and see how little they actually hear you.

I thank God that I did not have to face the challenge of systemic racism. The challenge of straight-up poverty was hard enough, but more than anything I wanted to proud of what I achieved. The way these people talk about support for Hillary misses a huge point. The black community had its highest income averages during Bill Clinton's presidency. That's pride in one's own achievements, a quality that can build hope and strength in any color. Who doesn't want the empowerment to feel great about themselves? Yes, we all want to know there's a safety net when we need it and I believe that Hillary supports that net in a more empowering way. I partly supported her husband's reform of welfare not because I wanted to see those nets go away, but because I wanted to see the conversation changed to one where people are empowered to feel better than a refugee floating in a life preserver in the middle of a stormy sea. Not being black, I can only guess at this, but if I had to zero in on why the Clintons speak to many in the black community, it is because they see them as more than just a cardboard cutout of poverty and programs.