NORD AKOTA NICE NOT ENOUGH?
If all goes according to plan, we will soon have a local chapter of the NAACP, according to the Grand Forks Herald (02/10/2007) "Pastors to start NAACP chapter". It's needed, Nord Akota Nice not being sufficient according to the pastors interviewed. Well.
I suppose there's no good way for me to refute that need, not being a person of color myself in this PC world. But let me posit this one question anyway: Why?
We're told in the article that Rev Henry Passmore believes "If you watch the treatment of people in the area, it's not what it should be”, refering to I guess, how we treat...... who? Blacks, possibly Native Americans? Maybe just each other?
Is there any room in this debate for the possibility that maybe we as humans just aren't nice to each other sometimes- regardless of skin color? I would think Christian pastors would be most acquainted with this proposition- man's inhumanity to man reaching clear back to Cain and Abel, who were obviously the same skin color. Maybe I'm missing something here...?
Anybody got an opinion? Anecdote?
I suppose there's no good way for me to refute that need, not being a person of color myself in this PC world. But let me posit this one question anyway: Why?
We're told in the article that Rev Henry Passmore believes "If you watch the treatment of people in the area, it's not what it should be”, refering to I guess, how we treat...... who? Blacks, possibly Native Americans? Maybe just each other?
Is there any room in this debate for the possibility that maybe we as humans just aren't nice to each other sometimes- regardless of skin color? I would think Christian pastors would be most acquainted with this proposition- man's inhumanity to man reaching clear back to Cain and Abel, who were obviously the same skin color. Maybe I'm missing something here...?
Anybody got an opinion? Anecdote?
posted by Good Ol' Boy at 3:44 PM
25 Comments:
I'll bite. Why? Why not? Why do we need the Elks, Moose, Knights of Columbus, Sons of Norway, Masons, etc.
When looking at the websites of these organizations more than one specified enhancing the lives of its members. In fact, promoting it's own membership's welfare seems to be the mission for most of these fraternal organizations. Yes, outreach and support of community members is also a large part, and I don't mean to diminish their works, but that is always listed second.
A quick look at the mission statement of the NAACP shows that they aim to promote the welfare of all people, not just blacks. Achieving equal rights, the elimination of discrimination and race prejudice, etc. are among the goals.
So why? Why is it even a question? I hope a chapter does start up. I'll join, as will the Missus. We can never have too much brotherhood.
In the article in the Herald, it seemed that there were some perceived problems of a racial nature. What I'm asking is- were they really racial? Or just people being jerks, which knows no racial bounds? And how does one go about changing this in society anyway? The civil rights movement has for all practical purposes taken away any institutional and/or entrenched racial bias, wouldn't you say?
I would ask the Reverends involved this question- If preaching the gospel hasn't made enough of a difference in your fellow man to suit you these last 2000 years, what is another organization going to offer? What new approach will this take?
Of course anyone is free to associate with whomever in this country. By all means form a chapter of the NAACP. I am just asking what difference they hope to make, and how?
The civil rights movement has for all practical purposes taken away any institutional and/or entrenched racial bias, wouldn't you say?
Do really believe this? Maybe the racism isn't as overt in North Dakota as it is in other parts of the country, but racial hatred is very much alive and well in the USA. I could relay one particular episode I encountered a few years ago in Cooter, MO (a mere 1.5 hours north of Memphis) that would make your skin crawl.
If you really think that there is no racial issues in this country I'd say that you need to get out more.
As far as whether or not we need an NAACP chapter in North Dakota, I again say "Yes." I've lived here for just a few years and I've already heard things in passing conversation that makes me think that not everybody feels the way I do.
Whether or not the need is pressing is, in my opinion, moot. Is there really a pressing need for the Boy Scouts, especially here in North Dakota? I was never a scout, yet I was somehow instilled with values and ethics, thoughts of citizenship and service, to say nothing of being able to find wholesome fun and recreational things to do with my spare time.
Do I really believe this? Well, yes, I guess I do. I wrote it, didn't I? No one is denied a job, a loan, seating, based on race in anywhere near the way it happened forty or fifty years ago, happy to say. Can you find instances of racism yet today? Sure. You can find anything if you look hard enough, or lower your threshold of tolerance far enough. And that's my point. How hard are they squinting to try and see this around here?
If the good Reverend wanted to do this years before but wasn't sufficiently motivated enough to do it until now, well, how bad was it then? I think that's a fair question.
And I'll say this again- how much of this bad behaviour is just genetically programmed into us, regardless of color? In my own experience, jerks come in all colors- an equal opportunity vocation, really. If Human being X treats Human being Y badly, Y could easily come to the conclusion that X is a bigot. But would an objective observer see it that way?
You don't have to squint to see racism. You only need to open your eyes and understand what you are seeing.
Yes, people of all colors and backgrounds are bad. Thanks for pointing that out. I was merely answering your question.
And I appreciate that. Thanks for having an opinion and voicing it.
BTW, what do you think of Folgers Columbian, Medium dark? :)
What do you suppose would happen if we started the NAAWP? National Association for the Advancement of White People, we're going to need it soon.
Anonymous — Re: NAAWP, there already is one. It was started by David Duke, and promotes white separatism.
Next question?
GOB — Re: Folgers, too much low grade robusta, which gives me sour stomach and headaches. Not to mention it just doesn't taste good.
In Houston, TX there is a White Officers Assoc in the police department. It gets condemned all the time but it also has a lot of black members.
"NAAWP, there already is one. It was started by David Duke, and promotes white separatism."
Evidence of a classic case of reverse discrimination in front of our vey eyes, as only colored folk can be discriminated against I guess.
Anonymous, show me where in the NAACP mission statement it mentions anything about discrimination against "colored people." You can't.
Try to sound more intelligent in your argument. I'll bet you can't do that, either.
Congratulations. You sound like you represent everything that the NAACP and the civil rights movement has fought against since their inception.
GOB, I apologize for attracting this "we're going to need [the NAAWP] soon" person into this. Assuming this person is in the GF/ND area, that statement only reinforces the Reverend's original statement. You sound like a rational person, GOB, and I enjoy talking with somebody who is looking for a good discussion.
It's hard to type when you need your knuckles to stand upright.
It's hard to type when you need your knuckles to stand upright.
Oh, I don't know, Jesse Jackson does a pretty good job of it. I don't know what his "mission statement" is, but the results have been riches for his family members. Google it sometime and then tell me his "mission statement."
I know the thread was about the NAACP but a mission statement is nothing more than a theory if it isn't followed. I think results mean a lot more than "mission statements."
Not starting a knuckle dragging argument, just making an observation.
I'd rather see the NAACP hanging around than the "rainbow coalition."
Why is this necessary here? I don't go to downtown Detroit and make demands there about how things should be done. A chapter of the NAACP will make demands, and will do so LOUDLY.
Wait and see, there will be some instance of a black person not getting seated fast enough at Perkins and a lawsuit, care of the new local NAACP, will follow. As a former city dweller, I can tell you that I promise it will happen sooner or later.
I moved to North Dakota to get away from that kind of crap.
Before you brand me a racist (a convenient blanket term for someone who doesn't have the same opinions as you, by the way) Let me just say that I do not mind having people of other races near me. In fact, I didn't mind being the MINORITY in the inner city as a caucasian. I just can't stand when people and organizations make big deals out of nothing, as the NAACP has a documented history of doing.
If you disagree, I encourage you to ask the Duke Lacrosse players how their lives are going.
Oh, I forgot to mention this.
The pastor is setting this up now because of what happened in Larimore with the police chief.
BET ON IT.
The NAACP is a litigious organization.
First, They will make an official statement on the Fighting Sioux nickname within three months of starting, and will organize meetings with NCAA representatives without inviting anyone from UND to give their side of the story. They will announce solidarity with the NCAA and will refer to UND as a racist institution. A class action lawsuit will follow.
Next, they will have a list of local businesses that are not "accomodating" to black people within ten months. These business will be picketed and called out in the media until they have complied with the NAACP's demands, which usually include calls to employ a minimum percentage of minorities. They will start at the top (large chains) and move down to locally owned small businesses systematically until their will is done. Imagine the El Roco being picketed for not having enough black bouncers and proclaiming that the owners only employ caucasians so they can "beat on us". I've seen it happen.
If this kind of "civil" disobedience sounds good to you, then by all means sit back and enjoy the show.
Coffee Guy - Cooter, MO. What were you doing down there? I'm from that area! Not everyone from there thinks that way.
Forgive my phillistine tastes in coffee- its the Pembina county coming out in me...! As far as my Phillistine opinions, well, those won't change much either, but that's what makes blogs interesting.
Pem-bina county?? !!
No wonder you don't use your real name here! ! ! !
Just kidding, my wife is from the Icey-Lander part of the County. . . . .:-)
I grew up an hour or so west of there (some would argue the grew up part)
Oh dear. This is getting curiouser and curiouser. If ever there were a group that needed an NAA-whatever, its those poor people. Well, tell her Islenskur Mattur for me.
She thinks it's Icelandic Mother?
(and she is)
Nigh onto thirty years ago a bunch of Mingies (ethnic slur) got together and printed a bunch of Tshirts with a picture of a raised, clenched fist and that phrase emblazoned across it. It means "Icelandic Power".
Not willing to admit my mixed heritage, I did not purchase one. I would have bought a "Heini Wine" shirt from Hoople had I known about them at the time, however. I did attend August the Deuce more than a couple times, but when they started tipping over cop cars with the cops still in them, I decided it was no place for me.
You know, talking of this reminds me of a story my parents told me. When they were growing up in the Dirty Thirties out in Bottineau county, it was said that the Icelanders lived on one side of the Souris river around Newburg and the Germans lived on the other side around Kramer. And just like in today's gang wars over turf, you best not cross the line without your homies.
But I guess since they were all white folks, they had to come up with some other kind of distinction to fight about, so it was Nordic vs. Teutonic instead of Crips and Bloods. Blond on blond violence, as it were... Either way, someone was looking to throw a dirty beating into you, right?
I say all this to make my point again- blacks don't have the market cornered on victimhood.
Some organizations have made some real money off of convincing people that they are victims.
Just an observation. I have lived in Nodak for mt entire life. I have worked with people of all colors. One thing that I have noticed, no matter what ethic background, is that person to person, people are civil to each other. But, get a group of one ethnicity together and the stereotypical behavior becomes apparent. I don't care if you are hangin' wit d homies or slummin vit yer svedes, people change. I have received more "racism" beacause I am not of color than I have ever displayed. I say displayed because we all have our "predjudices", what makes us "civil" is how and when we choose to act based upon our situation. OK call me a racist, but you know I am right. Are you any less racist because you choose to wear your PC staus on your arm?
I don't understand how "tolerant" people can't let someone else have their own opinion. Doesn't that make them biased? Just because I don't agree with the gay lifestyle doesn't mean that I am going to be rude to these people. My wife works with someone who is gay. He has never brought it up as an issue, so it's no big deal. If it were a topic, I would let it be known that I disagree with it and that would be that. I don't like tofu or sushi either, but if you wnat to eat that stuff, its up to you, just don't push it on me.
Sooooo, Did anyone attend the big organizational meeting this evening as mentioned on the WDAZ news??
Not me- I was hanging out with my oppressed Native American homies. As the "token Whitey", I gotta say I had fun at the basketball game. Icelander jokes aside, that is.
Seriously, either the reporter missed it, or maybe not but there was no mention of how many attended (or shots of the crowd, I don't believe), but I thought they needed 100 people to get a chapter off the ground.
Maybe today's Herald will have a big splash on the whole issue?
Post a Comment
<< Home