Do blacks have it bad in life because of slavery?

Question

I read on a website that blacks have it bad in life because of slavery. The fact that there's so much crime in the black community is because of some sort of generation-to-generation wounds from the slavery days. I would like to ask people what they think. There is a lot of problems in the black community. I'm not trying to stir up racist feelings. I am just thinking intelligently about it all. How come so many blacks still rely on welfare, and public assistance? Why are black kids known as "At-Risk?" What is the reason for gangs, and selling drugs? Shouldn't blacks be trying to help eachother get on the higher rungs of the social ladder? Too many blacks don't drive cars, who walk, ride public transportation, and ride bicycles. Look at hurricane katrina. TOO many black people were victims, because they couldn't get out of new orleans. They didn't have cars. WHY? They don't want cars?

Let's hear some intellingent answers.

Answer 1

ha! do you want to see ALL of the black people riding the bus? or in gangs? because not ALL black people are in ANY of the situations you just stated. for example, my mother is a doctor and my father is a professor and used to be a welder and my brother is a co-founder and manager of construction company and i am a student in university to studying law... oh yeah and by the way, we're africans. so i dont understand why black people are the only ones that rely on social security, are in gangs, dont own cars(thats so pathetic), using public transportation... LOL whites make up this country more than black people do and i see white people take the bus EVERYDAY, i see white people sniffing drugs, i see white people riding bikes and its the norm to me. although you see black people as a lower class and that is not right. DO NOT generalize black people because white people rely on welfare, take the bus and were victims as well. you will never know how it feels to be generalized as "at risk" or walk into a store and have people ASSUME youre going to rob it! its ridiculous. black people have come a long way. you need to read your history books again in particular the 1960's which is a while back. look how people were then.( blacks on the left, white on the right)
To me, theres always going to be that line between black and white people. it started from then and it will probably continue for generations to come. i guess thats just the way it is.

Answer 2

I'm an African American and I'm not on welfare, drugs, in a gang, and etc...I just wanted to let that be known. Blacks that live in the "ghetto" don't want to live in the "ghetto"...and this is the God's honest truth. Futhermore, the way I would answer your question is that slavery butchered "family" and the feeling of togetherness. During the centuries of slavery, Africans and African Americans were sold at the will of their master and because of this it split up families and caused great pain. This great pain carries on today...I believe their is a problem today in the Black community in America when it comes to family ( I'm not blaming Blacks at all because it's not their fault, but at this point the blame game doesn't matter) ,...not neccessarily familiy values but simply family in it's purest form and spirit. I call this a generational curse, because it has been the plauge since the first Africans were brought to the Americas. Also, slavery as it relates to African and African Americans was born out of the attitude that Blacks where inferior to Whites. This attitude went on for centuries and still goes on today, whether or not people want to admit it. Slavery had a domino effect...things just kept falling. Not to say that Blacks are helpless, because we're not...but so many of the odds are stacked against us. That domino effect will continue and effect the economics, education, and etc of the Black community until...well I don't know. Blacks have come along way from to being called 3/5 of a person, to lynchings, sitting in the back of the bus, drinking at the "colored water fountains" and the countless other cruelties. All I'm trying to say that even though some people would argue that slavery was centuries ago, and Blacks in the US are equal to with their White counterparts, that simply is not true. The effects of slavery are so intricate and complicated that I could write a book about it. I will say it again though that Slavery had a domino effect, the first domino was knocked over and the rest just keep on collapsing.

Answer 3

Last time I checked, slavery was outlawed a long time ago... Because someone's great or great great grandparents were slaves has absoutly no grounds for "putting them at risK". Yes, it was wrong and inhumane, I completley disagree with it all but, it happened, get over it. There is nothing that can be done to reverse it. Yes, there are still racist people out there but, there are also racist black, asian and white people. Everyone's different, that's what makes the world intresting. Not everyone is goign to like each other, blaming in on the color of someone's skin holds no clout. The fact is that it is an excuse, my great great granfather came on a boat from somewhere overseas... should I be sour about how he was treated when he arrived here? Couldn't find a job, was treated like ****, etc.? No, I don't ever think about it. There's no excuse for the amount on welfare, or being "low" on the "social ladder" except that they WANT to be there. Asking and expecting handouts is never the answer but, our government seems to cater to it so, whose fault is it now?

Answer 4

Yes, there are divisions along ethnic lines, but you seem to want to lump ALL black people together. For one thing, most of the poeple on welfare are WHITE. And the average Welfare recipient wil only bee on Welfare maybe two or three years.

Gangs, oftentimes, offer neighborhoods more protection that police. Not only to the police do racial profiling (maybe they will take their time responding to a call in a "ghetto" area), they may take a hell of a lot longer to get there. White people, and the people who DON'T live the life, are more prone to see gangs as these roving horrors on the street.

Katrine was a mess all around. Did you stop t consider that in most large cities, cars are not necessary? There are trains and busses and the public transportation is more economical--parking fees are outrageous. Many people in large cities don't want or need cars regardless of economic class.

It was largely hte poor, true, who did not get out of New Orleans but that was because officials said "get out!" and then left them to find their own way. They didn't provide busses or carpools or anything for these poor people, so they were left behind to manage as they could.

And Blacks are, studies have shown, MORE likely to hep out their friends and family, moreso than Whites. Black men are more likely to help with housework and the children, and they are more likely to give aid to those who are needing it

I am only part Black, but this question seems to raise a lot of ire. There are places, like the ibrary and internet, where you can study these things.

Answer 5

Well we all know that not all blacks are living in poverty, it is true that predominantly black cities tend to be very poor and crime ridden.

For those who don't know, after slavery ended, blacks had to live under the Jim Crow Laws (1880's-1960's) which basically denied them access to most public places occupied by whites and employment opportunities.

The people alive today who were born before 1970, suffered through this. I think that because mothers could no longer stay home to raise children because they had to go out to work and drugs being pumped into black communities by the government, has led to the demise of many black communities.

Answer 6

I have to agree that everyone looks at people by the color of there skin. I don't believe black people have it bad because of slavery, I think its just because you have people out there that are still prejudice. I think that we shouldnt look at people for what color skin they have because on the inside we're all the same. We have hearts that beat and blood that runs through are veins, and a skeleton to hold us together. And no not all black people are on welfare. Alot of black people have decent jobs but then again there are people that dont hire people of "color". Im a white person and i think that its totally wrong not to give black people jobs just cause they're black. As for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, not TOO many of them were black. Incase you have forgotten the hurricane hit about 3-4 states. It hit southern Florida, Alabama (part of Alabama), Mississippi's gulf coast and New Orleans, LA. So you have a massive diversity of cultures there. As for gangs I dont know why there are gangs but incase you havent noticed black people arent the only ones who have them. All kinds of people have gangs and all kinds of people sell drugs. No one looks at the whole picture. But then again thats just my opinion.

Answer 7

I don't mean to sum up all of the black population but I feel that there is a lot of victimization being carried with them. Segregation was bad, but I believe that in this society today most (except for the ignorant) have expanded there concept of self beyond the past injustices brought onto them. It seems to me that too many blacks like to hold grudges on others for their heritage. Are they ashamed of who they are so they strike out at others? But it is not just blacks. Unfortunately poverty exist in this country as so many can see. With poverty comes depression and drastic actions, which comes crime.
I am native american and proud of my heritage. My ancestors were victims, but I was taught to be proud of who you are and making a lasting positive impression from it. It is a gift, not a curse.

Answer 8

Maybe at one time we did, but one of the things I've found to be the greatest hold back of us as a people is "Interracial Prejudice". If you notice every other race can stick together and help each other, oh but not black people, they are so afraid of having someone get a step ahead.

As a black woman I have experienced some hurting things as far as racial prejudice goes, but the fact that we can't get along and be kind to each other is the worst.

Answer 9

whatever you read on that particular web site was absolutely 100% WRONG!!!!!!!!! you are right that there seems to be a generation-generation problem, (a self-perpetuating problem). i'm not saying that slavery was right, just that it was a long time ago, and was imposed upon people who have been dead for a very long time, so to all those who still like to use the SLAVE excuse, i say, LET IT GO, because thats exactly what it is, an excuse to bit@h about their problems. i've read somewhere (and believe it) that it a psychialogical fact that we as human beings create roughly 90-95% of all out problems, and that it is human nature to blame your problems on other people or events instead of accepting responcibility for them yourself. if parents preach and teach their children hate, lies, and bigotry, then those children will most likely grow up and repeate the cycle all over again with their children. i accept and live by a simple code " the maxium range (meaning how far it will truly get you) is ZERO meters" simply put, there are excuses, if you screwup, be a man, own up to it and fix it, if you can't or don't know how to fix it, ask for help. believe it or not you well get more respect for admitting to a problem and asking for help than someone who doesn't ask for help and gets into more trouble. if you spill milk, it's pointless to cry over it, what's done is done, just clean it up and move on, that's the only thin that you can really do. as far a wellfare, many have been born into it and probably except it as a way of life. there are a lot of people on welfare who are too dam LAZY to get off their butt's and try and better their lives. (why work and pay taxes when you can live for free on the tax payers tab, you just have to live in slums). once again, it's human nature to take the easy path, why work hard all your life when you can live for free and indulge in whatever activities you feel like, so long as you can afford them. welfare was originally intended to be a temporary assistance to help people out who've fell on hard times and allow them to get back on their feet, NOT TO SUSTAIN SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTENSION TO GET A JOB OR GET OFF OF WELLFARE AND BETTER THEMSELVES. too many blacks were victims in New Orleans brcause, New Orleans is predominantly a black city, yes thats right, blacks are the majority in New Orleans. many of them are poor and on welfare, but a lot of them work locally, and either due to financial reasons or for simple practically, didn't own or need a car. (if your a bartender for ex. and live 3-4 blocks from the bar that you work, would you buy a car, especially knowing that it could very easily be stolen........prob not....i wouldn't, it just doesn't sound practical to me). but the real question is why didn't they leave? at least 2-3 days prior, the order to evacuate the city was given, and people still stayed. come on.........the most powerful hurricane in recorded history to date and it's headed at where you live, and where you live happens to be 4-10 feet below mean sea lvl, (which you already know), and you don't leave at the first chance that you get.........if you are that stupid......you deservive to die. i'm sry but it's that simple, i know of plenty of people who left days brfore the hurricane hit, and they were safe....... you can't help it if people lack common sence, or are just too stupid to leave a dangerous situation.

Answer 10

No, things have evened out. They can become whatever they aspire to be now. With financial aid for college, even the most poverty stricken black children can go to college. It's a shame so few take advantage of it. I've seen black kids that, when they hit the 11 or 12 age, gravitate to the gangster culture and neglect other things. Too bad for them.