Allen West interview: "Institutional racism is gone."

[chamberlandfill]

a republican's worst enemy will always be facts. Despise the fact that he is right that racism has ended in america

[linearrecords12]

This man doesn't know or has never been to the ghetto and seen the economic disparities in this country that plague black ploeple. He over simplifies the race issues in this country. Talk about a house nigga. Massa done bough him up from da cotton field to the main house to rub elbows with them white folks. I guess he thinks he's one of them now. Fucking uncle tom. He's a poor excuse for a black man.

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 So you are not a 'real' black man unless you spend your life in poverty, unable to string a cohesive sentence in English together (like your post)? He's served in front line combat and seen and done things most people, white or black would not be able to handle. He's articulate, successful and a far better role model for black men than inarticulate, mysogynistic gangsta rappers and people who say 'nigga' every three words.

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable Typical condescending comment. I was saying that a black man his age should understand how difficult it is for alot of African Americans to prosper in white America. Just look at the current unemployment rate for African Americans, its 16 percent,and twice as high than the national average of 8.5 percent. But this arrogant dick thinks that the playing field is now level for everyone. It isn't, even for this no sense of black history, hating his own people asshole.

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 Condescending? I'm not the one playing the cotton picking downtrodden hero and bashing West for having made something of himself. You don't become a Colonel in the USA by being born into privilege. His ancestors were also slaves. I don't doubt your employment figures - but is it due to institutional racism? How come African immigrants do well and African Americans don't? You can't blame racism alone - this isn't the 1950s.

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable what is your race?

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 Mongrel British....and you?

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable I am a educated black American beating the odds everyday. A Mongrel British I don't even know what that is. I assume its a black and white race mix. I may be wrong. Anyway its your race and that's cool. But unless you live in America and suffered racial discrimination first hand. You'll never understand.

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 Most people, black and white have to get up everyday and struggle if they want anything in life. Discrimination isn't half as bad as it used to be in my father's day (London used to have signs in stores and homes say "no blacks, no Irish". There will always be racists, even if the system is truly neutral...that's life, whites can suffer the same as blacks - and do sometimes. Race doesn't mean much to me. Culture and values is more important.

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable That's cute ideology. That may be the way it is London. In America we black folks here know better. We have a whole new breed racism here that you cant even imagine. They don't call you a nigger to your face anymore , they just deny you a right to live by starving you out economically.

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 Who's "they"? Britain has ghettos on ethnic lines too - it's a small country so obviously no comparison to the USA but there's plenty of non-white deprived areas, disproportionate numbers of blacks in Prison etc. What do you think of Prof. Thomas Sowell's books on how black Americans families have become MORE broken, fragmented and unemployed since Welfare and Affirmative Action? Also, why are African immigrants more successful than blacks already there?

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable they would be the white establishment who owns everything in America. Who only established their power through racist laws they themselves established. As for Prof. Thomas Sowell's books on how black Americans families have become MORE broken. I have to admit I don't know who he is, but I will say this. To truly understand the economic disparate treatment of black Americans, Just look at our legacy of slavery .  Were only 57 years removed from Jim Crowe laws

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 I think you should read some of Prof. Sowell's works on this subject. I also think it's a cop out to blame slavery or something that happened to our grandparents. The best way to effect change is to educate, adapt and improve...and to lobby against illegal immigration which takes jobs from all Americans, especially blue collar jobs many blacks used to do which fed their families and gave them some dignity. Welfare needs to end too - that's slavery for sure.

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable I think you need to be more realistic. Reading about how solve the issues of a blacks is good and all, but as long as there are people in this world who prefer their own race, there will always be a racial issues. Black people are making strides everyday, but African Americans are only 13.6% of the total population of a nation 308 million. Mathematically that puts us at a disadvantage to seize power. Commentary nor books bear out to the facts of everyday reality.

[Hereticalable]

@linearrecords12 Hold on a second...are for equality of opportunity for everyone regardless of skin colour or for seizing power? I fight rfor equality oppurtunity, a removal of any program that condones quotas for different groups, white ior black. I also think if you visited many African countries you'd be grateful for living in the West...and you still haven't answered my question about why African immigrants tend to do better than blacks already in the USA.

[linearrecords12]

@Hereticalable first of all I don't know what Africans you talking about I don't see them. And second of all when I say seized power I mean seized control over own destiny. The playing field isn't level for all to succeed because of the legacy of racism in our country and that is a fact. I see you like dissing public programs. Ask Allen West how he made it through college. If we didn't have public programs like Pell grants I never would've gotten my double degree in business.

[rjhome1]

As an ex-military black man, I respect LTC West for his military accomplishments, but black individuals like him are living in a world of denial. Over 90% of black intellectuals from academic scholars to business professionals all agree that institutional racism exist in the U.S. So the brightest black minds in America are all wrong and West is correct. Gimme a break! This man has serious insecurity issues.

[linearrecords12]

@rjhome1 White people still have all the power in this country even though we currently have a black president.And because of the legacy of racism in America alot of blacks, especially black males continue to be treated unequally. Allen West's views does not represent most black people in this country. The power structure in America has at its base "mostly white interests in mind", and those interests most of the time do not reflect society as a whole especially not black people

[DontFriendInviteMe]

I think that one thing that makes liberals look like idiots on the race issue is that if they would stop lying & open their eyes, they would see that republicans have had mixed families for decades. Republican households across America have multiple races at its kitchen tables over the holidays. This racist crap needs to shoved right down the libtards throats once and for all.

[rjhome1]

@DontFriendInviteMe Wow, So republican Bob inviting his neighbor Jerome over for a beer and pizza makes white conservative christians detest for minority groups disappear. LMAO! That's one hell of an argument you got there.

[DontFriendInviteMe]

@rjhome1 Actually, no you idiot. I mean that I hardly know a white family that doesn't have some other race in it. Not "inviting their black neighbor", but their black kids, in-laws, grandkids. You really need to get over your hate for white people who've never done anything to you. People are sick and tired of this racist bullshit when the only racists are the ones crying racism. You are a blind, racist asshole.

[Hereticalable]

@DontFriendInviteMe There are plenty of poor rednecks too. Plenty of poor mixed race people, plenty of poor hispanics and plenty of rich in all groups too. I think some people are blaming race when maybe they should be blaming poor economy, a lack of protectionism for US jobs, companies who hire illegal low paid workers and facets of certain sub-cultures that glorify criminality and underachievement.

[sickofcommies]

Liberals = institutional racism, they're still here unfortunately.

[TheCaliCapitalist]

Allen West is only saying this because he knows his bigoted voter base will eat it up. This man rarely speaks about policy.

[DontFriendInviteMe]

@TheCaliCapitalist wait a minute ... if he's only saying it because his "bigoted voter base will eat it up", then you're saying that his voter base "falls for it & believes it" ... well that means that they agree & like him for agreeing with them ... which means they aren't racists & know that they don't see racism in their communities, which means you're an effing idiot for calling them bigots when you claim they are "eating it up". Liberals are the racists, that's why the right hates you

[YoungTon22]

@controversyking there is institutional racism against "whites" in a country dominated by "white" males and "white" male culture? youre obviously lost.

[YoungTon22]

@controversyking what your saying is bullshit.just by the vast majority of whites to anyone else in the US, "whites" committing more crime should be common sense.the mortgage crisis was banks praying on poor people.no just "blacks" and Latinos. Affirmative action was for everyone else but business dominated "white" males. it especially helps "white" females.again, definitely not just "blacks".Youre obviously ignorant about these subjects. you have no idea what "blacks" say or what youre saying.

[MakeAGameWithMe]

I love this man so much, he is speaking direct into how i look at the world and have felt for so long. i pray that he will become president, it would mean alot for the whole world

[stephenabm]

We need more Congressman like Lt. Col. West!

[YoungTon22]

the belief that institutional racism is gone coming from a highly educated black american is troubling. there are so many glaring examples of it. high school history text books, subprime mortgage loans targeted to minority communities, the allocation of law enforcement resources being centralized in black communities, the prison industrial complex as a whole criminalizing black and latin males through policy changes, racial profiling by anyone in a position of authority, and on and on.....

[YoungTon22]

@YoungTon22 so coming from an intelligent black man it can only be two things. either he is intelligent and pretending these things dont exist for a political purpose as a republican. or hes not that intelligent imo

[ak47523]

@YoungTon22 How about keeping African Americans on a cycle of poverty through entitlements. Which is essentially what the agenda is for the Democrats. YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR ME I WILL NOT CUT YOUR MONTHLY CHECK. (That you did not earn.)

[YoungTon22]

@ak47523 im black and im not in a cycle of entitlements. so they dont keep me in shit! so what you mean to say is keeping poor people on a cycle of entitlements. and my question to you is, what would you do instead? and how would you do it without starving people running in your house shooting you in the face for money and food?

[YoungTon22]

also, helping poor people buy food and things they need to live isnt institutional racism. if a poor person stays on wefare or food stamps because theyre lazy than thats a personal issue. its not a glamorous life... there are people that need help that arent lazy.

[ak47523]

@YoungTon22 Yeah I agree to some extent however I see a lot of people seeing handouts as normal and how it should be. Sorry I ma busy at work I have a complete answer for ya on another day.

[RobinNeudorfer]

Intelligent, steadfast, courageous, loyal, ethical, spiritual, sensible, Leader

[ronaldlbell]

This man and some of the people on this board are prime examples of edumacated fools. We parents called ourselves giving them a better life instead of a link to our past. As long as Satan is on earth you will ALWAYS HAVE THINGS LIKE RACISM. Have we come a long way? Yes. Have we reached our Harmony Harbor dock? Please. Keep your armor on Sober Christian soliders

[cbm715]

He speaks straightforward, directly and honestly.

[TheGBPM]

Allen West was kicked out of the US military, he is a LOSER.

[Hotrod7031]

Allen west 2012

[dienglee]

He is blind as hell! He only won because he expouses what most recist White people want to hear. Black people hate his sellout ass.

[freshguy54]

@dienglee How do black people hate him? any examples? Is he a sellout in your opinion because he doesn't act and sound like Lil Wayne?

[Papasean7]

@freshguy54 exactly that's why a lot blacks don't like him because they are not educated on who West is. Research and reading will help anyone see the light and that's what a lot of people are not doing, blacks & whites! But yes you're right WEST doesn't act like Jay z or lil wanye therefore...WEST isn't popular, but WEST has my vote, I love what he stands for, the American way!

[Stufrogg]

If every muslim did what they were told to do in the Koran, then they'd all be killing the infadels. The fact is, only a few of them have the guts to do it.

[WTFisGo1ng0n]

rubbish

[rmmalloy]

Ronaldbell...can't/won't let it go, huh, man? Oh well, if it's making you a living and you can live with yourself, hang in there! Never seen a corporation with an EEOC/Civil Rights Division before. I like Allen West. He is simple, straight forward and speaks from his heart. Why can't you accept someone like that?

[shooshoo2012]

I like this man.

[ronaldlbell]

@stovetop It's been awhile but my rebuttal to your comment is that I'm the chairman of my company's EEOC/Civil Rights division and I see racism and other atrocities daily first hand, from the board room to the factory floor. The platform I speak from is that of experience, which one do you speak from, the Tea Party's(Republican) knee with their hand in your back? If you are an African American where were you descendant from North Africa? Amend the Constitution and do away with Civil Rights Act

[Hoschi0913]

@ronaldlbell

the TeaParty are the Republicans ?? i dont think so,here is why ,first and foremost there are tons of reps and dems and independents in the TeaParty,besides they are neither rep nor dem party orientated,the TeaParty is the "normal" regular common american that honors (and try's to restore) the value's and principles of the founding fathers,those that made this nation the great nation it used to be

[Hoschi0913]

and who's an african american today ?only those ppl that actualy came from africa and became an american citizen,all the rest are black or brown americans,nothing less,nothing more,i bet most of them know africa from a map only,would be the same as if you call me a nazi simply because iam from germany or am i suppose to call myself a german american now ?? NO iam an American first anything else is second,so stop calling the black ppl african american that IS racism,cuz they are americans

[LisaBaby67]

I wish he was our president.

[toothpickdinner]

@LisaBaby67 its going to take a wish for the racist GOP to put a black in as president

[LisaBaby67]

@toothpickdinner LOL So they're racist? Okay.....

[toothpickdinner]

@LisaBaby67 yes go to a teaparty an see all those hate fill white racist assholes

an look at the 60s with MLK its the same

[LisaBaby67]

@toothpickdinner LOL! Hilarious. Back in the 70s, they told us kids that t.v. would rot our brains. Turns out they were right. Look at today's youth, raised with the electronic babysitter....

[1stovetop]

A liberals worst enemy common sense .

[1stovetop]

The truth really kills some people , this guy makes sense , Ronaldbell is the one on dope

[ronaldlbell]

Evidently drug addiction is not dead, this man is on hallucinogenics if he actually believes what he's saying. Remember Ronald Reagan said the very same thing. Then why have race crimes increased 50% over the last 40 years? The same Tea Party(Republican Party) he is a member of is using him to regain it's two-term failure it gave us leading into the Great Recession. All parties have their agendas, the American Sheep have to think from experience,not Fox News

[walt7500]

@ronaldlbell Youré not smarter?

[1969floridagirl]

GO ALLEN WEST !!!!!!!!!! you are the man! I'll see ya at your victory party!

[BlackHomeSchoolers]

Is this guy delusional or is he serious?

[miamiwax]

i guess he hasn't been to a tea party rally lately.. lol

[goblue7405]

@miamiwax Gotta love your lib propaganda...not!

[millfordsange]

Institutional racism is far from "gone" and the very notion of people being "color blind" is hopelessly and insultingly preposterous. America is comprised of a plethora of "races", cultures and ethnic groups which is beauty of our nation yet until we see it as such, race will and has continued to be point of friction and tool of division. We should not ignore race or attempt to be blind to it, the freedom lies in not pre-judging someone because of it. Race should be embraced not ignored.

[millfordsange]

Institutional racism is far from "gone" and the very notion of people being "color blind" is hopelessly and insultingly preposterous. America is comprised of a plethora of "races", cultures and ethnic groups which is beauty of our nation yet until we see it as such, race will and has continued to be point of friction and tool of division. We should not ignore race or attempt to be blind to it, the freedom lies in not pre-judging someone because of it.

[SpinachSalad01]

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Ret) running as a member of the GOP for a seat as Florida District-22's Congressman. Here's a man who had a TS/SCI clearance. Higher than even the president can have. (His own words.) I had a TS/SCI clearance for 20 years...I must be higher than the president also. Damn, I also had Nato clearances of COSMIC and ATOMAL (no fooling here). All I have to say is if you elect this lieing puke, what a sorry world we indeed live in.

[mueygringo]

@SpinachSalad01 Right, Hey everybody Leon Panetta has joined the conversation. Remember youtube has created more billionares than exist in the world more geniuses with IQ's above 300.If you didn't know our you tube hero was awrded the Medal of Honor posthumasely and is the first succesful cryonic freezing experiment. Revived one year after recieving his medal

"lieing puke, what a sorry world we indeed live in."

Spread your fertilizer on Ron Klein!

[SilentNoMorePubs]

Institutional racism may be gone, but there remains an institutional slavery that affects Americans of all races, party affiliations, sex, and age. The excellent YouTube video WHY WE ARE IN SO MUCH DEBT explains.