Say a hurricane is about to destroy the city you live in. Two questions:
What would you do?
What would you do if you were black?
Sadly, the two questions don't have the same answer.
To the first: Most of us would take our families out of that city quickly to protect them from danger. Then, able-bodied men would return to help others in need, as wives and others cared for children, elderly, infirm and the like.
For better or worse, Hurricane Katrina has told us the answer to the second question. If you're black and a hurricane is about to destroy your city, you'll probably wait for the government to save you.
This was not always the case. Prior to 40 years ago, such a pathetic performance by the black community in a time of crisis would have been inconceivable. The first response would have come from black men. They would take care of their families, bring them to safety, and then help the rest of the community. Then local government would come in.
No longer. When 75 percent of New Orleans residents had left the city, it was primarily immoral, welfare-pampered blacks that stayed behind and waited for the government to bail them out. This, as we know, did not turn out good results.
Enter Jesse Jackson and Louis Farrakhan. Jackson and Farrakhan laid blame on "racist" President Bush. Farrakhan actually proposed the idea that the government blew up a levee so as to kill blacks and save whites. The two demanded massive governmental spending to rebuild New Orleans, above and beyond the federal government's proposed $60 billion. Not only that, these two were positioning themselves as the gatekeepers to supervise the dispersion of funds. Perfect: Two of the most dishonest elite blacks in America, "overseeing" billions of dollars. I wonder where that money will end up.
Of course, if these two were really serious about laying blame on government, they should blame the local one. Responsibility to perform – legally and practically – fell first on the mayor of New Orleans. We are now all familiar with Mayor Ray Nagin – the black Democrat who likes to yell at President Bush for failing to do Nagin's job. The facts, unfortunately, do not support Nagin's wailing. As the Washington Times puts it, "recent reports show [Nagin] failed to follow through on his own city's emergency-response plan, which acknowledged that thousands of the city's poorest residents would have no way to evacuate the city."
One wonders how there was "no way" for these people to evacuate the city. We have photographic evidence telling us otherwise. You've probably seen it by now – the photo showing 2,000 parked school buses, unused and underwater. How much planning does it require to put people on a bus and leave town, Mayor Nagin?
Instead of doing the obvious, Mayor Nagin (with no positive contribution from Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco, the other major leader vested with responsibility to address the hurricane disaster) loaded remaining New Orleans residents into the Superdome and the city's convention center. We know how that plan turned out.
About five years ago, in a debate before the National Association of Black Journalists, I stated that if whites were to just leave the United States and let blacks run the country, they would turn America into a ghetto within 10 years. The audience, shall we say, disagreed with me strongly. Now I have to disagree with me. I gave blacks too much credit. It took a mere three days for blacks to turn the Superdome and the convention center into ghettos, rampant with theft, rape and murder.
President Bush is not to blame for the rampant immorality of blacks. Had New Orleans' black community taken action, most would have been out of harm's way. But most were too lazy, immoral and trifling to do anything productive for themselves.
All Americans must tell blacks this truth. It was blacks' moral poverty – not their material poverty – that cost them dearly in New Orleans. Farrakhan, Jackson, and other race hustlers are to be repudiated – they will only perpetuate this problem by stirring up hatred and applauding moral corruption. New Orleans, to the extent it is to be rebuilt, should be remade into a dependency-free, morally strong city where corruption is opposed and success is applauded. Blacks are obligated to help themselves and not depend on the government to care for them. We are all obligated to tell them so.
The Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is founder and president of BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny, and author of "Scam: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America."
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This is a copy and paste I wanted to share. I like this guy!!!! Its about time African-American Community Leaders speak the truth and hold people responsible for their actions and poor choices. I wonder if he would like to run for President. I would vote for him regardless of his political party.
Again this is a copy and paste job on my part and his actual words.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
Ohhhh I forgot to mention Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is an African-American.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
He understands that real leadership takes stock of things in the light of day, identifies the real problems, confronts them, and does not blame others for what people bring upon themselves (like the other Jesse and his racist ilk). That's a pretty brave thing to do, regardless of whether it's black talking about black, white about white, Christian about Christian, Muslim about Muslim.
I am sure he is getting vilified by his own "people", just like Bill Cosby, after he spoke up about the dangers young blacks face.
I can only hope that his leadership inspires others to be truthful, decent and productive.
Posts: 818 | Location: Central New Jersey | Registered: March 15, 2005
He understands that real leadership takes stock of things in the light of day, identifies the real problems, confronts them, and does not blame others for what people bring upon themselves (like the other Jesse and his racist ilk). That's a pretty brave thing to do, regardless of whether it's black talking about black, white about white, Christian about Christian, Muslim about Muslim.
I am sure he is getting vilified by his own "people", just like Bill Cosby, after he spoke up about the dangers young blacks face.
I can only hope that his leadership inspires others to be truthful, decent and productive.
Its a shame that the Muslim leadership wont stand up and speakout about terrorism.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
This guy is wise......As I was watching the aftermath of the storm, I noticed that mostly women and children were huddled together and you hardly ever saw any "men" with them. The only time they were shown were with a group of other "men" or alone. What would you do if you had a "family" in harms way?
Posts: 426 | Location: Norman, OK | Registered: November 23, 2002
Its a shame that the Muslim leadership wont stand up and speakout about terrorism.
Thats what i would like to see.
F.P.N # 2 FSN# 840 "A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" ----------------------------------- Warning! Do not cut your cigars down, it may cause Damage. That is all. ----------------------------------- I refuse to tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death. ----------------------------------- "F*&K the G ride, i want the machines that are making them" __________________________ A Society of sheep begets a goverment of Wolves.
Posts: 1798 | Location: Hollywood, CA USA | Registered: September 16, 2003
Originally posted by DDC: This guy is wise......As I was watching the aftermath of the storm, I noticed that mostly women and children were huddled together and you hardly ever saw any "men" with them. The only time they were shown were with a group of other "men" or alone. What would you do if you had a "family" in harms way?
I am divorced and have no children. Maybe if I did I would look harder at my duty to my country. I am in the Army National Guard and I know this sounds harsh and unfeeling but my first responsibility in this situation is to the Guard and my duties serving my country and community. I would worry like hell about my wife and kids and would hope my wife would be levelheaded and hardcore enough to handle the family situation in my absence. I made it as clear as I could when I married that I love my wife and if we ever had kids I would do everything I could for them. However I am a soldier and there are times like it or not the military has to come before my family. I do have 3 dogs and 2 horses that I always worry about when I have to deploy. I know this is not the same as a family but they are still very special in my heart and thoughts. I am very lucky to have a neighbor that at a moments notice will care for them when I have to leave on what sometimes is just a few hours notice. As far as my soldiers go I try to understand their family needs and responsabilities and alow them as much slack as I can but I always tell my new soldiers that they are in the military now eventhough we are part-time we still took an oath and the needs of the unit and the country have to come first. I realize this seems a little cold hearted but it has to be this way or it can compromise our mission and obligation to the citizens of this country which includes our families.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
This is an interesting speech and I am compelled to Google the Reverend and read more of his works. Unfortunately, this will fall on many deaf, over Welfared, WICed and ADCed people who feel that it is there God given right to forever have their hand in the taxpayers pocket.
Originally posted by PJ Murphy: This is an interesting speech and I am compelled to Google the Reverend and read more of his works. Unfortunately, this will fall on many deaf, over Welfared, WICed and ADCed people who feel that it is there God given right to forever have their hand in the taxpayers pocket.
I agree!!! First they have to take a close look at thenselves and admit that they are responsible for their actions and poor planning. Then they would have to break free from their addiction to free handouts and work hard to overcome their situation. They would have to change their attitude about education and racism and concentrate on where they want to be in 5 or 10 years. They would also have to band togather to help each other instead of destroying each other.
As for the rest of us we need to quit giving everything to them and running from the issue due to fears of being called racist. This is the issue more than any other issue what we say and believe in private differs from what we are willing to say in public. I believe it will take all of us to end this road to self destruction for the Black community and for our country.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
Not necessarily disagreeing with what he said (that Black men should have been helping the women and children to get out) but he said it in an extremely self-racist manner, applying his words to all Blacks rather than just those who abandoned the community and those who wreaked havoc upon businesses and upon the Superdome. Are there any Black men reading this forum? I'd like to see your responses.
Saul D.B.C. Member #0002 B.A.S.E. #0015 <(0)> B.A.S.E. Minister of Niggling Details.
I think I'm going to play the devils advacte on this one. After reading the article, I must say that my stomach dropped when I read the first few paragraphs. While I agree with the Rev.'s comments on the local and state governments lack of response to this disaster, I do not agree with his comments stating that most of the "immoral, welfared-pampered blacks" stayed behind and waited for the government to bail them out. You mean to tell me that his one man, black, white, or whatever, knows the story of every single black person in New Orleans and else where, and has the right to comment on their situations or their morality? How about the people that may not have fully understood what was about to happen? What about the poor "welfare-pampered" people who may not have wanted to lose what little possessions they might have, and decided to take a chance and ride out the storm because when you have so little you hang on tightly to what little you have? How about the people who just could not get out because they are so poor they don't have a pot to piss in, let alone a means of travel? I don't think the issue here as anything to do with "morality". All though I do agree with the Rev. on the racist issue(I don't believe the lack of response from the governement had anything to do with race, more like stupidity), it is clear to me that the good Rev. has probably never had to live through or experience a life changing disater like this. It's easy for all of use to critize everyone when we are sitting safe in our houses, with our loved ones tucked in their warm beds, playing with all our "possessions", the most of pressing issue on our minds being "what am I going to have for dinner" as opposed to "how am I going to rebuild my life and that of my family".
Just my two cents
Ladi
A.S.U member #003
"Courage is when you're scared half to death and saddle up anyway." John Wayne
Go Yankees! 2006 World Series Champions...
Posts: 206 | Location: NJ | Registered: January 07, 2005
Originally posted by Ladi77: I think I'm going to play the devils advacte on this one. After reading the article, I must say that my stomach dropped when I read the first few paragraphs. While I agree with the Rev.'s comments on the local and state governments lack of response to this disaster, I do not agree with his comments stating that most of the "immoral, welfared-pampered blacks" stayed behind and waited for the government to bail them out. You mean to tell me that his one man, black, white, or whatever, knows the story of every single black person in New Orleans and else where, and has the right to comment on their situations or their morality? How about the people that may not have fully understood what was about to happen? What about the poor "welfare-pampered" people who may not have wanted to lose what little possessions they might have, and decided to take a chance and ride out the storm because when you have so little you hang on tightly to what little you have? How about the people who just could not get out because they are so poor they don't have a pot to piss in, let alone a means of travel? I don't think the issue here as anything to do with "morality". All though I do agree with the Rev. on the racist issue(I don't believe the lack of response from the governement had anything to do with race, more like stupidity), it is clear to me that the good Rev. has probably never had to live through or experience a life changing disater like this. It's easy for all of use to critize everyone when we are sitting safe in our houses, with our loved ones tucked in their warm beds, playing with all our "possessions", the most of pressing issue on our minds being "what am I going to have for dinner" as opposed to "how am I going to rebuild my life and that of my family".
Just my two cents
Ladi
Ladi,
I agree in part with what you are saying. And true enough that not all the folks that stayed in N.O. during the hurricane were what he was describing. I believe his intent was to offer a counter argument to other Black community leaders like Jackson and Farrakhan. I dont know this guy but believe he has got it right about the majority of the folks that stayed. I truly believe there should be opposition from Black community leaders to the lies and crap stirring comming from people like Jackson, Sharpton, and Farrakhan. As far as his living through a life threatning situation like this I cant say but you cant either. I do think its about their morality or the lack of morality. I would think he would know more about the Black Community and its cultural problems than you or I do. I hope more community leaders like him will stand up and tell it like it really is and move these folks in the right direction iwould be a good thing for all of us.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
He is a black community leader who recognizes that there is a prevailing, deep-seated problem with HIS race, HIS people in this area, and wants to expose and comment on it to bring about positive change. Of course, he does not think that all blacks are alike and immoral. Why are we even wasting space talking about that point. Leave that to Jesse Jackson and Farrakhan, as it is the only thing they have to try to deflect the hard-hitting truth coming from their "errant brother".
Posts: 818 | Location: Central New Jersey | Registered: March 15, 2005
I agree in part with what you are saying. And true enough that not all the folks that stayed in N.O. during the hurricane were what he was describing. I believe his intent was to offer a counter argument to other Black community leaders like Jackson and Farrakhan. I dont know this guy but believe he has got it right about the majority of the folks that stayed. I truly believe there should be opposition from Black community leaders to the lies and crap stirring comming from people like Jackson, Sharpton, and Farrakhan. As far as his living through a life threatning situation like this I cant say but you cant either. I do think its about their morality or the lack of morality. I would think he would know more about the Black Community and its cultural problems than you or I do. I hope more community leaders like him will stand up and tell it like it really is and move these folks in the right direction iwould be a good thing for all of us.
I think that there could have been a much better way to counter the argument proposed by Jackson and Farrakan...saying that the people of N.O suffer from "immorality" and "lazyness" is not a great way to get the black community on your side. People like Jackson, Sharpton, and Farrakan, exploit situations like this for their own benefit...and I don't see how the Rev. is any different. This is an issue of the governments lack of response...from the local government, to the state, to the federal. I remember sitting at work before Katrina hit and listening to the weatherman say "this is going to be a real bad one." They were already predicting the possibiltiy of the levy's bursting due to Katrina. Does the government not get the weather channel? Why did they not say "listen, we have to do manditory evacuations of the cost, no matter what the cost." Better to be safe then sorry, right? If the government doesn't take things like this seriously and would rather ride it out and see what happens, then why should the people? So, I have to disagree with you about the morality issue. This has nothing to due with morality, like it has nothing to do with race. While I'm sure that there will be some people, black and white, who will blame the "racist" government and expect a free handout so they can buy their crack and heroin, you can't generalize the entire black population as immoral and lazy. And no, I have not been effected by a major disaster but then again, I am not critizing those who have.
Ladi
A.S.U member #003
"Courage is when you're scared half to death and saddle up anyway." John Wayne
Go Yankees! 2006 World Series Champions...
Posts: 206 | Location: NJ | Registered: January 07, 2005
I don't see it aas an issue of Black or white but an issue of reliance on government rather than self reliance. Their just happened to be more poor black folks rather than white folks in NO.
The "welfare state" keeps people down and dependant on the government. (Just like they want it to justify their jobs!)
The problem is now that we have at least three generations of this dependace brought about by the "great society". Way to go Johnson!
JC Self reliant and teaching my kids to be the same way!
"Only those who attempt the absurd achieve the impossible"
Posts: 435 | Location: Buffalo, NY | Registered: January 19, 2005
