Black People Owe Very Little to White People

I can't believe good ol' Pat would try to get race credit for Pell grants, food stamps, and all the rest. Last time I checked, they were for everybody. Still, it is important to keep things in perspective, and to look at an issue from every angle. While Whites, as a race, don't universally deserve accolades from Blacks for bringing them into the fold in this land, they also don't deserve to take the entirety of the blame either. Remember, it was Black Africans who sold each other into slavery to begin with - but a White man who set them free. AND, early America did have its share of White slaves, and even the Indians owned slaves, in titanic numbers. More to the point, not one of us alive today was involved; we had no vote, no say. So why should any of us, no matter our race, recieve credit or take blame for any of it one way or the other? Why should any whole race be damned for the crimes of just a few of its members? If my brothers were all criminals, should I be sent to jail too?

There's no whining or crying here. All this article does is point out how ridiculous it is to say that black people owe white people a debt of gratitude in America. There is a big difference between "whining"--as you put it--and simply pointing out that amends have never been made for hundreds of years of slavery--which is what I am trying to do. but really, your comment makes no sense. You seem to suggest that your people have suffered a genocide, yet you defend the absurd attitudes of those on the right who say "get over it" to both the atrocity of slavery and JIm Crow, and the destruction of this lands native people. That makes little sense to me. Confronting the legacy of our very real history doesn't mean someone is a "defeatist", or is curling up in the fetal position playing victim. It is ridiculous for you to suggest that slavery and theft and murder of native americans have no lingering affects, or that teh circumstances created pose no real or unfair obstacles.

Hey Paul, you want some cheese with all that whine? You bring absolutely nothing to the table except the same tired myth of the hobbled black. "Oh, their trapped in ghettos, with no opportunity and that's why they commit crimes". But I notice that instead of proposing any meaningful ideas, you just posture blame everybody else, and wave your hands like the legendary demagogue your are in your own mind. As a native American (to be PC), I've little patience for the whining of others who cry about oppression. Would you have preferred genocide? And while I refuse to live on "the res" I've seen first hand where the same defeatist attitude that you espouse in this anti-intellectual canard will get you; nowhere if you're lucky. But in a way, I see deep similarities between the rampant victimhood of both minorities. There's oodles of money for education and college for both natives and blacks. But it seems to me that the native would rather swill down their 40 oz Crazy Horse and blac

Just so you know, there is much pointing of the thumb that goes on in black communities, and I have first hand knowledge from conversations I've had with black folks. I only say this because I hear the "stop blaming whitey" crap far too often from defensive white people. Despite what you may think, black people are perfectly capable of addressing problems within their own community and have a history of taking responsibility and helping themselves--which is part of what I am saying in this article.

Thanks for the comments Michelle. But, your point about the slave trade is hard for me to understand. White Christians here in this land whole-heartedly participated in buying and selling slaves, and then Virginia was literally turned into a breeding ground and market place for the slave trade. The bottom line is something that you seem to agree with--that the idea that black people owe any gratitude to white people is absurd, for all the reasons I lay out in the article. now, as far as "blaming whitey" goes, I don't see how you cannot see that "whitey" is indeed to blame for a large portion of the problems blacks face in this country. True legal equality was only given them not even 50 years ago, because "whitey" ferociously denied it for 400 years . Since then they have been purposely confined to ghettos where the schools are inadequate and the best opportunities available for too many are at McDonalds or hustling on the streets.

Lastly, unwed mothers and welfare reliance are a result of letting people rot in ghettos devoid of the opportunity rich white suburbs enjoy. Public schools are unequal, meaningful jobs are non-existent, and therefore, persistent crime and poverty naturally follow

Sorry Dennis--but Buchanan very clearly sadi that black people need to show gratitude to white people, and I quoted him in context. I pointed out in the article that black people owe no gratitude to the white people for anything--not one thing--because ANY progress they have made since emancipation has come as a result of their own hard work and struggle. The social programs Buchanan listed have been primarily used by whites, so he is wrong on that. As for everything you saying Dennis, none of it is fair or accurate. IF, and I stress if, there is any victim mentality, it is because black people are largely still victims--but this whole "victim mentality" concept is thrown around far too often if you ask me. As for "violent rap music", I suppose the elite WHITE record and radio executives have nothing to do with promoting it huh? You are also ignoring a whole bunch of postive rap music that is ignored by the elite, WHITE music execs.

WHOA, Pilgram. Time to get off the pitty potty and face the facts. Buchanan did not imply or state all you have ranted about. He was merely commenting on the racism of the likes of Rev Wright. Sorry, there are black racists , too. Lot's of them even tho the likes of you would deny that. No other country gives blacks the opportunities available to them in this country. I, as a white American, do not seek any sort of 'gratitude' personally. I just want blacks to stop this 'victim' attitude they seem too have adopted. And clean up the rampant problems in their own subculture. Such things as violent and profane rap music, crime disproportionate to their numbers, 70% unwed mothers, welfare reliance, etc. When Bill Cosby spoke out on this he was vilified. Supreme Court Justice Thomas has been called an "Uncle Tom' by prominent balck leaders, I guess for not subscibing to being a 'victim'. Save your energy - adopt a down trodden black family and help lift them out of the ghetto. After all, Je

You are so right, Paul....as for Rev. Wright, his comments are no worse than Falwell's or Roberstons' or Dobson's or Parhall's. If there was a god, and he was truly just, he just might damn America as represented by Mr. Bush.

As I white person I could care less if someone is grateful or not. I didn't pay taxes to force someone to be grateful . Pat Buchanan is just plain wrong. There have been many times in my life in which I felt that the only true friends that I had happened to be black. I believe that the contributions that Black Americans have made to this country have truly helped this county be a better place. I like allot of what Senator Obama has to say, however if you hang around a nut like the Rev. Wright for 25 years, keep quiet when he states gd america, and america deserves 9-11 you have to wonder? Rev. Wright is a close personal friend of Senator Obama. Rev. Wright married Mr. and Mrs. Obama. Senator Obama dedicated a book after Rev. Wright and now there is evidence that Senator Obama was at church when the Rev. Wright made some of his most infamous comments. If you want to bring race into the picture ask the families of the 9-11 victims if they think the comments Rev. Wright made were fair

Apologize I could not read this. I almost puked when I read the Buchanan line. I need to go take a walk and calm down. (insert some very unladylike language) (and I am not African/American...so no future readers will think I am a bigot against white people...)