Racism Vs. Personal Responsibility (Read the Description)

[Satansoppressed]

The FEAR is why Blacks don't usually even attempt to make major changes. Most fear being attacked either by radical racist (the type who prank call or DRAG YOU behind a pickup truck which did happen to a Black man recently) and then you have the undercover racist who are usually lawmakers (to make sure nothing pro-Black get's passed), cops (to bully you) and media personalities (to exploit you). Racism is on a more esoteric level now days which is why it's more dangerous than ever before.

[Satansoppressed]

Your perspective on this subject assumes that life is fair. Well, it's not fair and we have a LONG history of approaching the government: We have taken the radical approach (marches, protest) and also the more rational approach (writing representatives). Nothing has really worked. Even though we gain employment in positions of authority (ie senator, president,) we still get death threats from GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (CIA, FBI and other unchecked posse's) for making decisions to help our communities.

[anywayokey]

You're a great man. Thank you.

[90rashad]

I can send you a video of a white woman admitting that racism done non politically correct today, then it was back in the 60s when it was politically correct. There are certain things we are limit to in this society. I can put this whole video to shame. Although you have made some good points. You really don't have a clue what really going on behind closed doors.

[dmulherion24]

they won't hire us, they target us to go to prison. um in jail cause i couldn't pay a fine for 90 days but a white boy slept with his little sister and we did the same time. i can't walk down the street without being approached by a white police, checking to see if i have a warrant. i was attacked by my neighbors but the white policemen wouldn't even help me or my family almost like they wanted me to kill them. they lie about all our history they can't even admit christ was black. i have more

[younggenius83]

man, why don't you make anymore videos!

[markusmccourtus]

hair colour , the media tells us all were different and it's just not the case , we are all human beings and we all have the same capabilities , so forget about how dark or light your skin is or any other physical attributes as they make no difference to how you are , it's your enviroment that creates you and nothing else !!

[markusmccourtus]

it's simply way's of thinking that make people different , and it seem's to me that the media has conditioned everyone to think black and white people ae different, and thats not technically the case , i believe culturly everyone can be different but of course that is no different from an american being different to a canadian white or black , it again boils down to ways of thinking , racism is ridiculous and should be stamped out , we are all beautifull no matter what colour our skin eyes or ..

[markusmccourtus]

i half agree with this , i am white and i beleive that a lot of people have devoloped racist ways of thinking weather they realise it or not, and i think it can be suttle but it definately exsists , i';m sure a lot of you know what i'm saying. it seem's to me that this personal responsibility sounds like a fancy way of saying you should confirm to what wwe would typically call white behavours, and that should not be the case everyone is beautifull and unique we all have the same abilitys..

[rosdreamer19]

I very much enjoyed your video. I agree with your statements.

[honestflutterby]

But since I moved I have been called a racist, accused of using the N word (which I did not do) and told I look "suspect". My boyfriend and I have been threatened. Some of the black people seem to assume we are racist. Their hostile attitudes toward us have actually made me for the first time fearful of black people. Please give me your advice to be at peace with my neighbors and not become fearful or racist due to these experiences. Thank you!

[honestflutterby]

Thank you, you proved my point beautifully.

[honestflutterby]

I am white and I used to live in a white neighborhood. I have been a foster parent and have cared for black, brown and white children. In the past I have even dated black men. I never considered myself racist. A year ago I moved to a neighborhood where I am now the minority. I was not very worried about it at first.

[SylviaNCali]

I've always been telling people it boils down to personal responsibility, and that when a person doesn't have a great life as an adult, it's mainly because they set themselves up for failure. If they want to make excuses it's clearly a sign of defeatism. We Blacks hold the power to our own success. So lets believe in ourselves and take responsibility for the life we create for ourselves and our children.

[molloyx]

I certainly agree with much of what you have to say but nonetheless cannot ignore how difficult it must be for a young black man or a young black woman to come up out of the war zones of inner city environments [ which are ENTIRELY the result of racism ], where schools are underfunded and falling apart and the economy is equivalent that of the Great Depression. That said, I detest the 'get paid' for waking up black aspects of certain hip hop idiocy and so aplaud you for your courage.

[ForChangeMovement]

While i agree that racism plays a part in what goes on in poor communities, i think that its probably not a good idea to say that it is entirely the result of racism. I just dont like absolute statements like that. There are many reasons why things are bad in these areas, and racism is just one of them.

As for schools. You should research Kansas City & a few other places where they poured boatloads of money into inner city schools. There schools had it all! Still, the students did poorly...

[matthartman19]

YOU will succeed in your venture, because you take personal responsibility for that journey! I applaud individuals who look to themselves for betterment. The bootstrap technique is where its at. You know I see you, people like you and I want to do better by myself. Great message, the application is difficult, though.

[Natashalulu]

Education! In predominately black schools the educational curriculum is inadequate. The curricula in schools like these doesn't prepare students for college. You know it and I know it but why can't the government see it?

[ForChangeMovement]

If what you are saying is true, then it is up to us to make sure that the government knows.

I am now enrolled in an HBCU. In speaking with the professors, It seems as if the students arent taking education seriously. As a matter of fact i have a new video that focuses on studies done on education and blacks reaction to education in America. These studies seem to point to more cultural problems then governmental issues. Most blacks are middle class and not poor. They attend schools w/ Whites.

[ForChangeMovement]

Still even in optimal situations blacks are still doing worse than other students. Check out my video called "the sport of embracing failure" Where I highlight some of these studies.

This isnt to say that schools cant do better. All im saying is that we have to take more responsibility ourselves.

[hueyot]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[mzsuzuki]

The problem I had with Dr. Cosby didn't have anything to do with his personal responsibility topic..it was the WAY in which he approached the people. Dr.Cosby approached these mothers as if he had never neglected his children for his career...Let's keep it real here. It was the racism that had you thinking you had to engage in criminal activity in order to be down. It was the personal responsibility that helped you embrace a new mindset.

[ForChangeMovement]

I dont think it was racism that directly had me thinking that i had to engage in criminal behavior. It was the after effects of that racism. Whites did not encourage me for the most part. It was my own people who pushed me to become that. Call it a form of peer pressure if you will...

[mzsuzuki]

Direct or indirect, systematic...it doesn't really matter what you label the racism but I hear you. Systematic racism and the media plays a big part in how you and other African American males define yourselves. They didn't even think Dr.Cosby's show would make it..they thought we wanted to see another "Good Times".

[mzsuzuki]

Whites no longer have to encourage bad behavior..we do it on our own..go to the back of the bus on our own, its like the invisible fence that you have for your pets. Those are the images I have to help my students break away from.

[ForChangeMovement]

The question I have is this... Are we actually responding to the actions of today or from the past? It seems that many of us continue to dwell on past actions of whites towards our ancestors rather than judge the actions of whites today. IMHO... If werent taught about the past racism or slavery how would that affect us? Would we act any different?

[ForChangeMovement]

Yes the Cosby show did well. It was given a chance. I also think that many whites were tuning in to watch. Hip Hop also has like an 80% white audience. Its very interesting to me....

[mzsuzuki]

The problem is that most dont know much about their history beyond MLKJR to make that type of connection about past actions versus current situation.

[mzsuzuki]

When I take my all male class on field trips, I personally experience, the angst, hesitation, fear that is projected on them on a daily basis..Even when they are not doing anything wrong..I can honestly say my students are not responding to anything from the past but present day situations.

[ForChangeMovement]

So True....

[Nicegirl74]

True. As my mom says you either choose to 'live down or live up'. Racism is an enormous obstacle but believing that you can't do anything about your situation is a bigger one.

[jcjamrock]

I think racism is not the fundemental problem. The game is rigged no matter if you are a poor white person or a poor black person. If you do reach a level of "success" you will have to conform to elite ideology in order to remain in those circles.