They’re starting to get it, too.
Recently, we have been focusing on the topic of race relations in America, and have pointed out that white racism really isn’t a problem of any magnitude in America today. We’ve had a discussion/debate/knock-down-drag-out of sorts — dueling blog posts, and the like — with some commentators, whom we’ve dubbed: “race addicts.” We coined that designation because, as I’ve observed, they’re deeply attached to the notion of white racism which gives them their identity as Noble Victims.
Now, others in very, very high places are saying the very same things that we’ve been saying all along.
- Bill O’Reilly has been shouting our message for the past couple of weeks.
- He has bemoaned the collapse of the black family.
- He has said clearly that there is a lot of money in shouting racism every time something happens.
- He has condemned the leadership of the so-called “Civil Rights Establishment” for failing to address the real problems of black people in America’s inner cities.
- Larry Elder has been saying the same thing as we have for some time now: white racism, as envisioned by the race pushers and addicts(*), is largely dead. It’s certainly not a problem of any magnitude in America today.
- He has spoken of how racism has been used for way too long as an excuse for simple bad behavior and bad choices.
- He said on C-Span yesterday (not sure of the actual date of broadcast) that there are prominent black leaders who know privately that white racism is mostly dead, but would not dare to say it in public; Kweisi Mfume, for example.
- He has further said, what we said here (all the way back in November of last year), that Republicans are not racists, but have worked since the inception of the party, to further the progress of black people; while Democrats had done everything possible to prevent black advancement.
We’ve long said that the leadership of the “Civil Rights Establishment” — the Al Sharpton’s and Jesse Jackson’s and Louis Farrakhan’s of the world — have made a very comfortable living flogging the dead horse of white racism. We’ve long said that these race pushers have no interest in the actual demise of white racism, because then they’d have to get a real job.
Let’s face it: there’s still a whole lot of money, fame, power and prestige in finding racism under every rock and around every corner. See for example, Obama, Barack, and Holder, Eric.
At long last, others — some with large audiences — are saying it too.
Let’s summarize a simple and obvious truth: If black people (1) get an education, (2) speak well, (3) work hard, (4) interact well with others, then they will succeed in an America that has long offered at least equal — and sometimes unequally favorable for minorities and women — opportunity to prosper. I’d add something else: (5) if you also avoid covering your body with tattoos, wearing outlandish jewelry, and can walk normally, then hiring managers of all colors and sexes will view you favorably from the get go.
Note: these are simple, straightforward truths for all people of all colors, ethnicities and sexes.
The good news. This last item, #5, alone will set black job applicants apart from and above many other job applicants of any color. White people have to do — at the very least — items #1 through 5. Then they have to figure out a way to stand out from the pack in other ways as well!
Look for others finally to start expressing the messages contained in the last two paragraphs also. 🙂
Look also for the race addicts — like this one and this one — to howl in denial, and to redouble their efforts to dress up anything at all in the cloak of racism.
— xPraetorius
(*) Important Note: we have spoken of the other “racism” that is buried deep in the fabric of the Democrat Party’s ideology. George W. Bush’s 2004 campaign (I believe) said it well. They called it the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” It’s the idea that without the benevolent hand of the Democrat Party to assist, black people would not be able to succeed, even in a climate of equal opportunity. This arrogant, condescending, superior, and profoundly destructive attitude, while not overt racism, is far more dangerous to the black population than any actual hostility directed toward blacks from whites. Any discussion of race relations must take into account this deeply harmful attitude on the part of America’s political left wing.
The Praetorian Writers' Group 
“Let’s summarize a simple and obvious truth: If black people (1) get an education, (2) speak well, (3) work hard, (4) interact well with others, then they will succeed in an America that has long offered at least equal — and sometimes unequally favorable for minorities and women — opportunity to prosper.”
This passage reflects the type of reasoning you often use in many of your other posts: it is overly simplistic and flawed.
It is logically fallacious to assume that an African-American who is educated, articulate, and generally non-stereotypical will enjoy a social advantage.
While my personal experience does not constitute an argument against your view, I nevertheless have experienced widespread discrimination in employment – in NYC of all places. In spite of having a 4.0 G.P.A. In spite of having a strong social network. In spite of choosing the “appropriate” career choice in one of the STEM fields. In spite of relevant, successful internships. In spite of “working hard”.
As my fellow white classmates partied their way through college (with lower G.P.A.’s and relatively less work experience) yet were still able to land job offers *prior* to graduation, I wondered in amazement: where were my offers? I did everything that was suggested for a so-called bright, young, black male.
Responses to my applications were nonexistent. As a result, I took drastic measures, such as changing my first name to appear more “Anglo”. Not surprisingly, this garnered significantly more replies. The problem, however, reappeared as soon as they discovered that this “perfect” candidate was actually a person of color. Perhaps they didn’t expect a black male? One can only guess.
My story, however, is not alone. Black college graduates are almost twice as likely to experience unemployment as white graduates.
As for your “race addict” label, you are again employing fallacious reasoning. You assume that talking about Discrimination Type X is not necessary because it doesn’t exist. But it is question-begging: you critique your opponents by presupposing the truth of your position, namely, that the alleged ongoing discrimination no longer exists. Moreover, you engage in confirmation bias by using sources who support your position – as if the source itself is objective (Fox News Contributors).
One clear form of racial discrimination that still exists is housing discrimination. To this day, racial steering is still a common practice in some major U.S. cities, especially in NYC:
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/housing-bias-black-white-andrew-cuomo-targets-discrimination-rampant-n-y-article-1.465403
The latter is actually considered one of the most racially segregated cities in the country. It explains why even a black applicant with a higher credit score and income will be rejected in favor of a white applicant with a lower score and income (among other factors) as demonstrated in one sting operation conducted by then NY Attorney General Cuomo.
NY is not alone. A recent NY Times article highlighted the national problem:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimination-in-housing-against-nonwhites-persists-quietly-us-study-finds.html?_r=0
BAE: I read your New York Times article. First of all, it was awash in all sorts of vague insinuations and very few particulars. It mentioned a study in which a white person was sent out to see a realtor, then a black person, then a Hispanic, and so forth…supposedly some 8,000 times. Then, after the hair-raising original premise of the article, it backpedals to say that in certain cases there was steering, and in others there was door-slamming and in still others they were told there was nothing available. I’m going to stipulate to the entire premise of the article, even though it was Shaun Donovan delivering the message. As I stated above about Andrew Cuomo, Shaun Donovan, likely will NEVER do ANYTHING that does NOT produce a finding of white discrimination against nonwhites. Whether he finds it or not. I have direct and personal experience in that realm with Deval Patrick’s Justice Department (Civil Rights Division) under Bill Clinton. The mortgage company where I worked ACTIVELY discriminated against white people, in an attempt to immunize themselves against the race addicts of the day. When the “Justice Department” came in to do an “investigation” they found out that we were engaging in rampant discrimination against whites. Still, that didn’t fit what they WANTED to find out, so they invented the term “steering.” I was there, AT the invention of the term itself!
However, as I mentioned, let’s stipulate to the entire Times article…I’m betting there’s a LOT more going on than the article indicates. Why? Simple. If you’ve been paying attention AT ALL recently, you know that times are tough “out there.” Again, like mortgage originators, realtors see only one color: green. Any decisions they make are based solely on what will maximize the GREEN they see in their bank account. They don’t care whether the person whose economic activity provides that green is white, black, yellow, orange, purple or chartreuse. Again, the article gives no particulars,but I would be willing to venture a guess that there was bias in the execution of the study itself.
How might a Shaun Donovan-driven study build in bias that likely would find white racism? Simple: present a white person and a black person with equal FINANCIAL qualifications for a rent or a loan, but with very different PHYSICAL presentations.
Play a thought game with me. if a black man approached me, as I walked down the sidewalk, and he was wearing a suit and tie, was clean-shaven and normal-looking, I’d have no qualms about continuing as I was. I suspect you would feel the same way. However, if a black man — or a man of ANY color (<– key point there) — were approaching me on the sidewalk, and he sported numerous tattoos and/or piercings, wore his pants way down so that I could see his underwear, wore all sorts of fancy bling, with untied sneakers, guess what: I'd entertain SERIOUS thoughts about crossing the street. So would, I suspect, you. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin, but rather with his presentation of himself to the outside world.
It'd be the same with realtors. A realtor has only a limited number of information points on which to resolve EXTREMELY important questions, such as, can this person make me any money?
I'm betting that a Shaun Donovan-driven study — or anything emanating from the thoroughly corrupt Obama Administration — will make SURE that it finds bias against non-whites, even where none exists. I can tell you right now — with absolute certainty — if you seem like a promising candidate to make a realtor money, then he or she WILL talk to you and try to serve you. Absolute certainty.
Best,
— x
Thanks for your thoughtful reply, BAE…let’s examine it a bit (My contributions will be in [*** square brackets ***] inline):
“Let’s summarize a simple and obvious truth: If black people (1) get an education, (2) speak well, (3) work hard, (4) interact well with others, then they will succeed in an America that has long offered at least equal — and sometimes unequally favorable for minorities and women — opportunity to prosper.”
This passage reflects the type of reasoning you often use in many of your other posts: it is overly simplistic and flawed. [*** Ok…let’s see what you have to say to support this. I tend to reply to shallow, simplistic arguments…you don’t need a tank to defeat a pea shooter. With that said, the shallow, superficial arguments that I encounter are often really sillinesses and inanities wrapped in reams and reams of academic-sounding blather. It is often instructive and useful to simplify. Not always, but often. ***]
It is logically fallacious to assume that an African-American who is educated, articulate, and generally non-stereotypical will enjoy a social advantage. [*** Nope. It’s not at all logically fallacious. Not only will he enjoy an advantage over many of his black competitors for employment, he will enjoy a distinct advantage over ALL job applicants. I’ve been there. I’ve spoken with many, many hiring managers. They are BEGGING for black applicants who can present themselves as NOT an HR-issue-waiting-to-happen. Look, no one bemoans that fact more than I, but it is simply true. You will NEVER catch me being a shill for American corporations… trust me on this one. There’s PLENTY wrong with corporate America, but anti-black racism is simply NOT a part of it. ***]
While my personal experience does not constitute an argument against your view, [*** well said ***] I nevertheless have experienced widespread discrimination in employment – in NYC of all places. In spite of having a 4.0 G.P.A. In spite of having a strong social network. In spite of choosing the “appropriate” career choice in one of the STEM fields. In spite of relevant, successful internships. In spite of “working hard”. [*** Our experiences are extremely similar…same GPA, same experience of being the wrong color. I’m white. I’ve also been turned down for employment, as well as for a mortgage and other credit because of the color of my skin. I’ve been told right to my face: Sorry, you simply don’t represent enough affirmative action points. Oh, it was never an official declaration, and I was told in hushed tones, but it was overt and plain. ***]
As my fellow white classmates partied their way through college (with lower G.P.A.’s and relatively less work experience) yet were still able to land job offers *prior* to graduation, I wondered in amazement: where were my offers? I did everything that was suggested for a so-called bright, young, black male. [*** Again, anecdotal, but I don’t diminish your experience…it’s ALWAYS wrong when discrimination happens because of skin color. I don’t know your circumstances, and might question other aspects of your experience. Remember: you would always go to the bottom of the pile if there were any indication whatsoever that you might represent a potential HR-issue later on. This is going to sound brutal, but many, many corporations DO make that calculation. If, for example, a white man presents himself with piercings and visible tattoos, then HE will face automatic subtractions in most interview contexts as well. And it will be BECAUSE of his deviation from white stereotype. However, a black man presenting himself as educated and articulate and enthusiastic and ready to work hard goes straight to the top of the heap. Nearly every time. ***]
Responses to my applications were nonexistent. As a result, I took drastic measures, such as changing my first name to appear more “Anglo”. Not surprisingly, this garnered significantly more replies. The problem, however, reappeared as soon as they discovered that this “perfect” candidate was actually a person of color. Perhaps they didn’t expect a black male? One can only guess. [*** Again, I don’t want to diminish your experience, but I’m suspecting there is simply something else going on here. I’d be curious as to your before and after first names. Are you willing to divulge? ***]
My story, however, is not alone. Black college graduates are almost twice as likely to experience unemployment as white graduates. [*** Yep. And they are more than twice as likely to speak poorly, and to present themselves in such a way as to seem unprepared to do the job. Trust me, corporations don’t see black or white. They see green. Want proof? They’re replacing ALL Americans with “brown people” — Indians — all over the place. In this way, they think they’re seeing green. The more green they can see, the more they are willing to hire a person…any person. ***]
As for your “race addict” label, you are again employing fallacious reasoning. [*** Nope. And many, many others are starting to say the same thing. We simply got there first. You can be sure that you will see and hear our terminology on the media in the near future. ***] You assume that talking about Discrimination Type X is not necessary because it doesn’t exist. [*** I’ve never said that it doesn’t exist, just that it’s no longer a big problem in society at large. For individuals? Of course, it’s still occasionally a problem. However, there is ALSO recourse, like never before. ***] But it is question-begging: you critique your opponents by presupposing the truth of your position, namely, that the alleged ongoing discrimination no longer exists. [*** Again, I never said it no longer exists, but rather that it is not a big problem society-wide ***] Moreover, you engage in confirmation bias by using sources who support your position – as if the source itself is objective (Fox News Contributors). [*** Yes, I use FOX News and other sources. Presumably you don’t consume FOX News? Then YOU never balance or challenge your own viewpoint. Plainly, I do. It’s funny…people have accused me of watching FOX News, and I do, but nobody has ever accused me of NOT watching or consuming the OTHER news sources. Why? Because it’s obvious that I DO pay attention to ALL news sources. You on the left, plainly, do not. ***]
One clear form of racial discrimination that still exists is housing discrimination. To this day, racial steering is still a common practice in some major U.S. cities, especially in NYC:
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/housing-bias-black-white-andrew-cuomo-targets-discrimination-rampant-n-y-article-1.465403
The latter is actually considered one of the most racially segregated cities in the country. It explains why even a black applicant with a higher credit score and income will be rejected in favor of a white applicant with a lower score and income (among other factors) [*** I’m actually an expert in this area, and the truth is that there IS racial steering. However, there is VASTLY more anti-WHITE discrimination in mortgage lending and in real estate. I know this well. ***] as demonstrated in one sting operation conducted by then NY Attorney General Cuomo. [*** Sorry: just not a credible source. He was preparing the black population to vote for him in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Let’s face it, you can be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that no communication done by the likes of Andrew Cuomo will EVER contain anything less than urgent calls to end the RAMPANT white discrimination he finds — whether it exists or not — thereby guaranteeing 90+ percent of the black vote later on. I guarantee that if Cuomo had investigated the presence of discrimination against whites, he’d have been doing five stings a day. Again, white racism is NOT gone, but it’s NOT a big problem anymore in America either. ***]
NY is not alone. A recent NY Times article highlighted the national problem:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimination-in-housing-against-nonwhites-persists-quietly-us-study-finds.html?_r=0 [*** I’ll read both your articles, but I don’t consider the media outlets in which they appear — either the NY Times of the Daily News — to be credible. Their record for bias is long and undistinguished. ***]
If reading your articles changes anything, I’ll write more later.
Best,
— x