they have the market cornered on oppression?
i am irish and scottish and my people were also enslaved and oppressed by the english and also here in america.
why is it o.k. to complain and not o.k. for me or the other races that have suffered in the past?
2006-08-23 07:34:15 · 27 answers · asked by bgdadyp 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I think that its wrong that black Americans are still ragging on the whole slavery thing like I'm supposed to feel sorry for you. The slaves themselves didn't feel sorry for themselves cause if they did, they would have died out. But they prevailed and that's why most of the population are there . Don't get me wrong , I'm black and born in Canada from Jamaican parents, but i cant stand that small mentality that pity is the way to go . That goes for all people . There are people that complain more than others. I think the best thing to do is to put all the complainers in one big room and let them pity themselves to death.
Not one wins in such an argument.
2006-08-23 08:18:34 · answer #1 · answered by dramaqueen 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Afro-americans don't think they have the market on oppression, but they remember that up to the 1960s in some parts of the US they weren't allowed to vote; were killed for looking too hard at a white woman, were considered animals, etc....
How many times have you had a woman hold her purse when you enter an elevator? Has your neighbour ever walked over from the next condo block to tell you she locked her keys in her car and wanted you to help.Justifying it by saying that as young black men my cousin and I would know how to open it with a coat hanger or something (vague gesture in the air here). You ever been pulled over because you drove in the suburbs? with the cops asking you what your doing there less than a block from your house?
Afro-american and hispanics get it from everybody and even practice in different forms themselves,but there are tangible examples of why they feel oppressed everyday.
When was the last time someone called you a dirty >>> or >>>>? You want to feel oppressed move to England, still a lot of people over there who hate the Irish and the Scots. It is not about feeling or belonging oppressed it is about trying to live in dignity and fighting for everything that you have been denied for so long.
2006-08-23 08:14:48 · answer #2 · answered by zubinlcooper 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I feel for all races that have been enslaved or persecuted in some form. Having said that I don't think I'm owed anything but fairness. Most blacks, if you actually get to know them are still struggling. Not because of what they are doing or not doing, but because they are still in the chocolate coating. A white person who is actually Irish or Jewish, may have some distinguishing features, but are mostly considered white and treated better even in the year 2006, blacks have drama! I was in a bookstore one day and a white woman(not sure of her culture) looked shocked to see me there, and mad as if she never seen a black woman read a novel written by a white author! She kept asking if I knew what I was reading! Anyway, blacks suffered the longest, thats the only difference between other groups that have been oppressed.
2006-08-23 09:27:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
one i think you should also complain it is really the reason so much bad is going on today , because people are willing to look the other way and not say anything if they feel stuff is not directed at them or that it will only make things worse, second as a aaf i think one of the main reasons African Americans complain is that we did not come here voluntarily but once here our strength and mental abilities were used to build this country and in exchange we were broken down as a people now while that was a while ago the after affects are still here and so is the mind set that caused slavery to start with, next i don't know where you've been but i hear plenty people complaining they are also the ones trying to stop the US from regressing morally
2006-08-23 08:46:30 · answer #4 · answered by hi people 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all not all African Americans claim to be oppressed. I personally think that it is a way for a lot (NOT ALL OR MOST but A LOT) of blacks to have an excuse not to work harder to get what they want. I have never used being black (or part black) as a crutch. I think I make my own future. If you want to be crippled by being oppressed then by all means go right ahead. While you and others are moping around feeling pitiful and sorry for yourself I will be making my own way in the world. I don't mean to attack you if this is a hypothetical question but I think the idea of "I cant get a job or a leg up in the world because I'm black and my people are being oppressed is a big load of horse crap!" With that said. Have a great day! :)
2006-08-23 07:44:32 · answer #5 · answered by nimopiba 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Although you say that your people are oppessed and have been you need to remember that its all about the color of your skin. Even though you have gone through and maybe still going through you are considered white by race even if you are scottish and irish. Its not so much about who you are but the color of your skin. You probably could get a job quicker than a black person just based on your skin color and maybe thats why some blacks feel the need to complain but I just think if we are worker harder to get along then the world would be a better place.
2006-08-23 10:08:08 · answer #6 · answered by sharethalove 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where are you getting your information from? I am african american and I am against oppression for ALL people. I have never heard of any black person telling you it is not okay for you to complain about your suffering. This seems to be the opinion of a lot of non-blacks. Something that is generally assumed, because I seriously doubt that anyone has ever had the guts to ask a question like this to some one of african american decent, other than on this particular forum. And even then, the answers you get are not all that educated. So, let me be the first to tell you, you're 100% wrong in what you are thinking. I am black (african american) and i am against oppression PERIOD. But, being that I am from the black community and I see it EVERYDAY, that is of course what my focus is going to be on. Complain all you want. You should. But, more than that... try doing something about it. Educate your people. A lot of people in the black community do not realize how oppressed we are. And there are a few of us who do try to educate our people based on that.
P.S.... there is a difference in being educated and knowing about the oppresion going on within your community, and being the ignorant type who blames "the white man" for all of their problems because they are too lazy to get off their butts and work hard. I am a successful african american woman. I work for a fairly large radio corporation. There are a few of us concious black people who are aware of the things our community faces, while still getting up and going to work in the morning. I never said anything about using oppression as a reason NOT to handle your business. That would do nothing to help our communities. Be productive, be successful, be organized, educate one another. Thats what I believe in. Not sitting on your butt and hoping reparations will soon come.
2006-08-23 07:43:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's quite simple! First there are very few African Americans.. Have you ever heard the expression you oil the squeaky wheel? They CRY & ***** the loudest. There are NO previous SLAVES still living. They are gone with the Times just like Hitler. What about the German Jews, English, Russian, Spanish, Etc. I hope you get the picture. The American government is not smart enough to figure out that if you want to prosper GET A JOB. The only way you can be heard is to Protest loud and long (take it to the streets) Forgive me that's bad advice. You are most likely not on WELFARE and can not afford to hang out in the street all day
2006-08-23 07:53:51 · answer #8 · answered by Weatherman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because blacks complain more and have organizations like NAACP and the ACLU always looking to sue somebody...slavery is not gone...in Asia it is still happening by the millions!!!
Slavery in the U.S. is over, except in some small parts in the back woods...everybody knows that it is still happening everywhere else, let's focus our minds on that...
what about that?!?
and the sex trade of children is rampant, as well for kidnapped adults (17-23 years od age)
Focus our efforts on something we can stop!!!
2006-08-23 07:39:06 · answer #9 · answered by Arthur Q 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because african americans are STILL dealing with racism and oppression in the US.
I dont know about complaining but all races need to work on this problem. We live with subtle racism every day.
2006-08-23 07:38:22 · answer #10 · answered by friskygimp 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋