Black lives matter?

Their ACTIONS speak louder than words.... 

Tbone95 wrote: John, I'm normally one to go very easy on people who pop their head up from the usual Politic Section turmoil, even if on a topic that should probably be put their (or moved there when people push it beyond its original scope). So, I will continue that trend, and not go too hard on you. I will just say this. I absolutely believe racism still exists. A LOT, and I think it is terrible. Our agreement ends there though, as I believe racism exists amongst ALL races to all OTHER races. And it seems nothing will change that except time. And I know how that sounds, but nobody ever passed a law that changed anyone's heart, and that is a point of fact. As for BLM, it isn't what they're saying that's the problem. It's HOW they're saying it.

Thanks Mark and Joe.

I may be all wet and all wrong on what I'm about to say, but it's what's in my head and in my heart, so I'll say it anyway.

My best friend growing up, literally K-12, was black. There was nothing "black" about him other than the color of his skin and hairstyle. He was about the only black person in a 50 mile radius except for the Air Force base, and he was living and being raised by white foster parents.

As always, hindsight is 20/20j, and looking back, you could see the evolution of how people viewed and treated him as we got older. The older we got, the more heavily racist people treated him. And why? What reason did he ever give anyone other than his color? None. When we were young, grade school, he was just the cute little black boy that lived with Sylvia. Once we got to 8th-9th grade, fathers would forbid their daughters from going to a dance with him, forbid them from seeing him. Couple more years go by, older kids would start fights with him, either because they didn't want a black guy around, or for the type of people who think fights are fun, they'd fight him on a dare or whatever because they'd assume he was strong and/or athletic and/or wild because after all he was black. You'd walk in somewhere with him, like an eatery or something, a hush would fall over the crowd. And by the time we were 17 or 18, we knew we always had to watch our back. He had a hard time finding a "nice" girl, because really only the rough ones with no family structure could hang out with him.

To me, there's two levels of racism. There's the blind hate type, where there is no other reason for the thoughts and behavior than what you see in their color, they're different than you and therefore they must be bad. I have never, can never, understand how people can feel that way.

Then there's the "apprehension" type of racism. That type, I understand. Certain neighborhoods you just know you shouldn't walk into. You see a group of 6 guys of another race on a street corner, and you think twice (black, Hispanic, middle eastern, doesn't matter). Doesn't mean you hate them for how they look, but you just know there's a racism issue underlying everywhere. That's going to take a long long time to disappear.

You seriously think you had to tell me that jay? And bring Trump into it to boot? You're saying where it stems from, and well no crap, I know that. My statement of not understanding it runs a little deeper than that.

One of the biggest fund raisers ifor B L M is CHESIMARD. She was convicted in NEW JERSEY to life in prison. Involved with killing a policeman. Escaped is still on the F B I wanted list.   She is hiding in Cuba and they DO NOT want to deport her

I've had such very good experiences with some black people. A couple I can think of that I'd like to share. One was 6 years ago when my son needed surgery and we were at U of M Medical Center and waiting for him. A black lady was there and after a while we made a little chit chat and then she said it was time for her to go. I said to her, I hope all goes well for why you are here (I didn't know, other than it was a younger person). She said, God bless you, and thank you so much, and I pray for you and that your child is OK. I said, it's not anything serious that he is here for. She said, that doesn't matter, he is your child and he is in surgery, and I will pray for you. When she left, I looked at the wife and said, why can't interactions between black and white people be more like that?

A couple years ago, moving my daughter into college, and she had a black roommate, with a black boyfriend, both from Detroit. The young man pitched in and offered to carry a few things, and he was trying to help me assemble a Futon. Not sure he'd ever used a wrench before, but his heart was in the right place. The nuts were the nylon insert type, and I had put them loosely together the prior year disassembling the Futon. He was handing me the nuts and bolts, and he had like 4 that he couldn't get apart. He said he'd go find something to help get them apart. As he was looking around, he saw I was putting them in place, he says, whoa how'd you get those apart? Just pure man strength?? LOL...yep. We talked a little football. He aske who I liked, Steelers. He says oh Man! Lions baby! Detroit! I said well, they have sucked my whole life, so I needed a backup. If the Lions are in a game besides the Steelers, heck yeah I'll root for them. He says, man, I think they could make the Super Bowl this year! I said buddy, if they make the Super Bowl, I don't care where you are, you and I are watching the game together! He says, I WILL TOTALLY HIT YOU UP ON THAT!!!. Well, of course the Lions did NOT make the Super Bowl. But I saw the kid about 4 months later when we went down to watch a hockey game. He was in the lobby with some buddies. He saw me and his eyes lit up and he literally RAN across the lobby and jumped into my arms for a big hug! (he was just a little dude!) The look on his buddies' faces was kind of priceless. Sigh....Yeah, I must be a big ol' hater eh?

. . . and yet I would absolutely be apprehensive in certain situations. You'd be stupid not to be!

What if my daughter was dating a black guy? I know I would filter that guy through the finest of fine tooth combs. Sure, I would for any guy, but I know being honest I'd be harder on a black guy. Just want to be sure. And I'd be concerned for their children if they wanted to marry and it came to that. One of my best friends from college has a 20 year old daughter who is now dating a black guy. Haven't had a chance to talk to my buddy about it yet to see how he's doing! Probably fine....

100% correct Steve. I know as much if not more white trash than black. I have very good life long friends that are not white. I think the long and short is people are confusing prejudices with attitudes. I don't care if your neon green if you approach me with an attitude expect the same attitude right back. The people I know of a different color than I am think EXACTLY the same way,and are bright enough to see there's a bunch of people making a pile of money convincing other people that prejudice and attitude are the same thing. They are not.

Tbone you are a good man! I have friend Bill who is black. Bill did 2 tours of duty as a Marine in Vietnam,he was also a Golden Gloves Boxer. Bill came home from the Marines to milk cows with his Dad until the farm economy in the 80's . Bill's Dad a WW2 vet figured he could sell the cows and retire and Bill went to work in the Prison as a Corrections Guard.When I sold my Cows Bill tried to get me to work at the Prison. He told me it's no different than working around Bulls you never turn your back to them.Bill retired after his time. I used to ask him when he was going to retire and he said"Mark there are good people and bad people I like to keep an eye on the bad people"! Now he and his wife enjoy his retirement with gardening their 2 little dogs and 2 adult children. Bill belongs to the local American Legion and as a true Marine folds the flag the best and stands at attention the straightest when the flag is raised or lowered! Not a better man in the community!

We live in an area that has a meat packing plant.. Lot of workers are Mexican or Blakc from Nigeria...... I take the kids to McDonalds ( last year) a couple times a week to play in the play area and eat.... 6-8 kids at all times... Black , White, Brown, maybe Green, Male, Female.... some very poor or no English...... kids dont know the difference or care.