Mon, Nov 23, 2009
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Name:
DoctorSmooth
Comment: It's all about accountability. I notice when JCP speaks on issues like this, people often want to come on this board calling him a sellout, Uncle Tom, or whatever. The black community apparent prefers "leaders" like Shapton, Jesse, etc., who would never speak out and address some of the issues being discussed by JCP and that New York Times article. Too many of us only embrace these (mis)leaders who reinforce the victim mentality that seems so pervasive among our people. But tough situations require tough remedies, and RECOGNITION of a problem is the first step to ever solving it. Without bold black leaders willing to confront these issues, and a black community willing to face these tought realities, we'll be in an even worse condition 20 years from now. Keep on speaking JCP, voices like yours are valuable and need to be heard.
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Name:
xavixavi
Comment: Unfortunately, I agree w/ JCP. I probably shouldn't say "unfortunately", but I do. I hate to admit it, but I'm agreeing w/ him a lot more lately..:)
He is right. If I need to make money. I may HATE McD's, Walmart or something other's, but they can pay more than unemployment. So if it's between "do you want fries w/ that", or "bro can you spare a dime", I going w/ that greasy shirt, and tacky hat.
I know a lot of people who go the bro can you spare a dime route, and then try to why they can't get nowhere.
Funny in NYC when you poor, you can get free job training, college education, and even token money to go back and forth to school. This aint for the scholars, but for "academically challenged" and poor. Very few people go for it. Hey even a associates degreee can help you better your life.
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Name:
DCGG
Comment: Mr. Joseph Phillips what an excellent article and I couldn't agree with you more! I made several of the same points that you reference in a discussion on the immigration issue a few days ago.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: Wow, I agree with JCP. Mark this date.
>DoctorSmooth: We don't call him a sellout b/c he talks about accountability, we usually call him a sell out when he mindlessly parrots the conservative right. He fails to realize that the social Darwinism they espouse is a repugnant as (and very similar to ) the rhetoric of the KKK.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: DOC...You're TOTALLY misguided by your own beliefs. It is RARE that JCP speaks on an issue (race/class) that doesn't bleed w/far right-wing politics. It is those times that people call him sell-outs. Not right..but they do. This particular article is a consensus building article...much different than his past ones. There hasn't been an occassion where I've agreed w/everything that JCP has written in a single article. This is one of those. Also, DOC..you're incorrect in ur accuzation that the "leaders" haven't spoken out against issues such as this. In fact, you're dead wrong. The problem is maybe u only listen to sound bytes of the "media" telling you that the "leaders" aren't involved as opposed to finding out for yourself and stopping the spread of the same lie..over..and over...and over again. If you want to start w/RECOGNITION...we have to start THERE as well.
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Name:
DoctorSmooth
Comment: Well, musbdherbs. I think it’s a bit unseemly the way you have chosen to turn this into an occasion to bash me and whatever you think my beliefs are. Calm down, first of all. And don’t I have the right to express my opinion just like you do But anyway, I fully stand by what I’ve said about most prominent black leaders not taking effective, if at all, about many of the issues that affect us. If you really think they’ve been doing so, you must live in a different America from the rest of us. Prime example. Bill Cosby made some comments last year about black parents who don’t don’t set a high standard for their kids as far as their education, grammar, etc.. and the negative long term effects it has on the kids and their future prospects. I heard many black people on this website and others trashing bill for being Uncle Tom-like, even though every word he said was true!. And you tell me, how often have you heard Jesse Jacskson, Sharpton , or Kweisi Mfume talk about that issue, or black illegitimate-birth rates, H.S dropout rates, or some of the other issues in our community? We see them spending more time trying using their clout for POLITICAL purposes, rather than to effect social change in black America.. You many feel my views on this are “misguided” ,as you say, but keep in mind I know of many blacks from liberal, to conservative, to in-between, who feel the same way. Peace.
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Name:
MER82
Comment: DocSmooth lets not confuse the issues. JCP occasionally has something relevant to say--mostly when it comes to family. Not to say that his usual Conservative rhetoric is missing from this article because it is definitely there--However, we all can agree that personal responsibility begins inside each of us-where we differ comes into focus once you look at the broader picture of what is behind what the recent studies suggest. The plight of a LARGE number of us Black people-MEN in particular is not JUST about personal responsibility -and we need to be real about that...
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Name:
JHD3rd
Comment: Despite the fact that my ideologies lean to the right, I hardly agree wholeheartedly with all things conservative. In this case, JCP has made several valid points. One thing I would like to add: I have heard Sharpton speak out on accountability. However, he only seems to do it during conversations with Black people. If the forum is a press conference or some other medium where whites will be listening, he seems to pull out the "victim" card. On the one hand, I can understand why he does that, but I completely disagree with the practice. We need to stop worrying about "airing our dirty laundry" or other community issues in front of white folks. In addition, we need to start concentrating on how to best eradicate the Black Entertainment Television philosphy that so many of our young people espouse.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Doc...bash u? Didn't think that was the case but ok. Saying that black leaders aren't taking an effective enuf stance on issues that affect us is a far cry from saying that black people prefer "leaders" who would "NEVER" speak on such issues. After reading for the 3rd time, that's what's ur post is saying. On that premise...I will continue to disagree. As you, I've heard the same people say those things about Cosby...but what's ur point there? Sharpton has a national action network that's been around since the 90's. They focus on many issues that afect "us" There is not ONE issue that we have to deal w/. It's a myriad of 'em. Because "I" haven't heard the media report of any issues that our "leaders" are focusing on, "I" wouldn't azume that they aren't because the "media" will have u believing exactly what they want. I may not agree w/the stance that some of our "leaders" take on issues but I certainly wouldn't say that they aren't doing nething. That's the lie that we need to stop perpetrating. There were people who doomed the MMM b4 it even happened. Yet, there were "leaders" who "spoke" out against a host of things. If we continue to speak "ineffectiveness" into existence...that's exactly what it will be "ineffectiveness!"
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Name:
Train
Comment: Jesse Jackson, Maxine Waters and Al Sharpton are nothing but triffling azz poverty pimps. Everybody is responsible for their actiond and all this b.s. about times being harder then ever for the black man is just that.....b.s. Back when my beloved fraternity was founded on 1/5/11 that's when times were really hard on our people. You had Jim Crow laws, discrimination and don't forget about lynchings on a daily basis nationwide. These kid's nowadays have it so easy and a lot of them are just kicking themselves in the azz. The problems in the black community are self inflicted. Things like hard work, preparation, faith and perseverance are the keys to success. I know I'd probably get called an "Uncle Tom" for saying this but I don't give a f_ck because that's the way I was raised. Bottom line, there are no victims in this country.
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Name:
MER82
Comment: Train-I wouldn't say you are necessarily a "Tom" for those comments but perhaps walking around with your head in the clouds and just a tad off base.
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Name:
MzTee
Comment: =====>MER82...I agree with you 100%. I couldn't have expressed it better myself.
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Name:
Renegade
Comment: Train I have to say this "F**K The Kappas" you keep yellin' that same ole' B.S. That crap is all divide and conquer. You are not even worthy of being called an Uncle Tom. How about an Aunt Jemima. You and dumb arse musbdaherbs.
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Name:
streetdancer
Comment: Train: I have to agree with you on that one, today's young black male is his own worst enemy, give ya an example, go to your neigborhood bookstore or library and I'll tell you what won't see ? Young Black men, but go to the black neighborhood of any city and you'll find young brothers standing around, wasting their time, listening to Tupac, 50cent or someother rapper while downing 40's.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Train...uhm..what exactly is ur definition of "poverty pimp" I know it's a widely used term but what does it mean to u? Not going to argue w/u on the people u named BUT what I will say is that Black Greek Letter Fraternities are NOT at the top of the list of "down for the cause" In fact, the divisive nature of them on college campus's more often than not makes their own existence ineffective. Now, not knowing much other than what I've seen/heard ur specific frat...Kappa's aren't doing anything to move us along. I would consider the organization college poverty pimps.
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Name:
blackman
Comment: I may be in the minority when I say this but I believe that black folks need the likes of AL, Jesse etc. I hate the term "poverty pimps". As long as black folks are catching hell I believe black leaders (flawed or not) are necessary. Herbs I could not agree with you more about Greek orgs. I did my undergrad. studies at an HBCU and the greeks were divisive and ineffective until they had to mobilize for a party.
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Name:
amethyst
Comment: I agree with JP on this one. Where is the accountability? Are our families teaching our children about good decision making? Please believe, racism is alive and well. However, Black folks have the MOST access to resources that we have ever had in the U.S. Our great-grandparents are in awe at the achievements we are making and the opportunities available to us. What upsets me is that too many people are not taking advantage of the opportunities. For example, Georgia has the HOPE scholarship. It provides free tuition and fees, and some funds for books to ANY high school student who graduates with a 3.0 and attends a state college. Anyone, regardless of age, can enroll in a licensing or certification program at a technical school and and receive free tuition and fees (i.e. hair stylist, mechanic, some medical careers, etc.). Even if your child attends the worst school in the state, nothing is stopping you from motivating your child to maximize his/her experience and aim for a free offer of higher education. We can't keep blaming "the white man" or anything else for not reading, writing, doing homework, and having discipline. As the adage says: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." How can we motivate more people in our communities to make better choices?
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: For all of you who are ragging on the Greeks, their original founding had nothing to do with a lot of the pettiness that you see on many campuses today. Many were about, are about and continue to be about community service. I agree that we haven't been able to mobilize effectively after desegregation but that's b/c Greek organizations are open to people of varying (and conflicting) political ideology. I think that's displayed in many service/social organizations. During segregation they (and others) appeared unified because middle, lower middle, working class, poor, and upper middle class blacks were ALL treated the same. There was a common foe to fight. Now black people seem to want to align themselves politically with those who are more representative of their socio-economic realities (or aspirations). Unfortunately, they don't realize that the same racism that hinders the poor will and can also hinder the not so poor (there a very few wealthy black people). Until we stop believing the lie that we've arrived (b/c once I get my JD I'm going to still have to work for a WHITE firm because there are NO predominately black multinational corporate law firms) we'll still be chasing windmills. Oh and Musb becoming a Greek involves a significant financial commitment. If one finds themselves in poverty during college, he or she need not pledge. It might sound harsh, but it’s true.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: >amethyst: "How can we motivate more people in our communities to make better choices?" DING, DING, DING ! Give the lady a prize because THAT is the crucial $20,000 question.
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Name:
Train
Comment: All I'm saying is that the worse is truly behind us as far as racism is concerned and we have the world in our hands compared to how it used to be back in the day....by a long azz mile. I grew up in one of the worst areas of Compton yet my folks wouldn't let me use my race as an excuse for not achievement despite most of my childhood friends getting into the Crips, slanging and becoming teenage fathers. People have to get off their azz and use that brain to make things happen. This b.s. that some of these youngsters use for wanting the knowledge is "acting white". What kind of mess is that? What about those stupid azzz t-shirts that say "Stop Snitching". What kind of mess is that? People at Leimert Park protesting back in early december for Tookie Williams, the co-founder of on of the most deadliest gangs in america. What kind of b.s. is that?? We can't blame white folks for any of this. That's what I'm saying and I don't practice PC, I call them as I see them. If these so called "black leaders" want to solve the problems of the inner cities then they will have to address the good and bad and that included the azzhole gangbangers and drug dealers, baby mamas, baby daddies and the whole nine. These are issues that only we can solve and not the govt. I just finished a book about a gentleman from Birmingham by the name of A.G. Gaston who died ten years ago and who was worth over 150 million dollars. He was a 10th grade dropout who was a self made man and he lived in Alabama at the height of all that Jim Crow b.s. and can anyone tell me these dayum kid's can't make it today with much better conditions??? I don't think so.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Spel..it's only been two of us that have "ragged" on the Greeks. My point in even bringing it up was to note that if I were to rely on the negative I see/hear...it would be quite easy to say that they serve no purpose. Train UPLIFTED his noble fraternity DESPITE the negative imagery. So IMO what works for some....has to work for others. I know all about the ins and outs of fraternities....namely..the original. I ALSO know that there are HOARDS of broke people who further break themselves trying to become a member of the Greek Letter Frats/Soros So, in theory...they shouldn't...but the reality is...many, many, MANY of them do. Black...ur not alone cuz I believe they serve a purpose as well. Consider what you said...compare it w/what Train, Doc said about our "leaders" and follow it up w/the insight Spel brought. It paints an interesting picture.
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Name:
Renegade
Comment: SpelmanRho,,,,,yada yada yada....Greek organizations are still crappy. You should know this (I am assuming you went to Spelman). I'll rag on anything that is detrimental to black people.
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Name:
amethyst
Comment: SpelmanRho - I'm with you. I have had many conversations with elders about desegregation hurting the Black community. You are right: we don't have a mutual struggle today. Also, Greek, social and other organizations are only as strong as their members. As you said, when there isn't a single focus or viewpoint, it is hard to have a consensus on which to base the organization's efforts.
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Name:
blackman
Comment: Yes Train A.G. Gaston was a great businessman. Earning his fortune in Insurance (life/death) He did it in spite of, but black folks have always done that. Still problems exist in our community. Some self made and others the result of being "victims". You can't just turn a blind eye to injustice.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: >Musb: You didn't rag, you gave constructive criticism. I can feel you. You know there's no beef here. You (or anyone, I’d love to hear your thoughts) care to comment on amethyst's timely question ? Because I think it strikes to the heart of the matter. Now that we have access to resources, how do we convince those who do need the help: 1) That the resources ARE available. 2) They are the tools that will ultimately break the cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Train...I agree that in comparison to how is used to b...we have made significant gains but I won't say the worst is behind us as far as racism. Nope..can't say that. Since my point is lost w/u...take the time to do research on the various involvments of these "so called black leaders" After doing so, if you can factually say that "they" are overwhelmingly inolved in things that have very little positive impact on our communities...then...well...I got it all wrong. But, I want u to do as u say and "call it as u see it." Do the research and I pretty much bet that u'll find that you have more in common w/their goals/programs than you might be willing to admit. Hell, I don't agree w/a lot of what Farrakhan has said..BUT if you can find another "leader" who has turned the life of so many black men 360 (in a positive way) then I'll be a Republican pundit. So, I won't dub him as an ineffective, poverty pimp, so-called black leader. Nope, can't bring myself to do it and I challenge those who do. I have a mutual struggle w/all of them...but I realize that it's impossible for me to agree w/everything they do/say. I didn't agree w/everything my mother did/said...but I won't say she's ineffective. Get my point?
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: >Renegade: We'll agree to disagree and so no more to each other on the subject.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: "and say no more..."
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Name:
blackman
Comment: Spel...one thing we can do is dedicate our time, money, and knowledge to the young sistas' and brothas'. I volunteer once a week at an inner city school. I am also a big brother to 3 young black males. I buy them books. Give them knowledge. Most of all I show them love. I refuse to have an elite attitude and look down at them.
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Name:
blackman
Comment: LOL@ Herbs. You'll become a Republican pundit. Shut yo' mouth :)
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Name:
Train
Comment: A lot of the problems in society start at home with a lot of parents not doing their job and letting the youngins get away with anything. I work at a juvenile facility in San Bernardino and if I would've pulled any of that stuff my Mama would've took me off this earth, literally. We now have a society of whiners and some folks who don't want to be held accountable for their actions because it's "not their fault" and that's weak. Folks smoking for years and then trying to sue the cigaratte companies is pretty stupid because it's self inflicted. Reading the book about A.G. Gaston and the dangers he faced just for doing the act of trying to uplift himself makes me all the more determined to continue to speak out on the merits of hard work. The kid's here hate my azz for not accepting their b.s. "victim" excuses and the gangbangers especially because they know where I stand on that. All of these weak azz excuses people make for becoming a Crip or a Blood is pure comedy to me and all of black america should've been there to pull the switch on Tookie's punk azz three months ago instead of trying to make him out to be some dayum hero. The only well known cat that's speaking out for what's right is my man, Harry Belafonte. If he ever ran for president I'll vote for him but otherwise if I'm looking for a leader I look in the mirror. I'm a product of the Guide Right Program, Kappa's national program for uplifting which I attended when I was a youngster spending the summer at my grandmother's in the Congress Heights section of DC by Alabama and Martin Luther King Jr Ave in the 70's which prompted me to pledge because of the positive impact it had on me so yes the Black Greeks does great things and I'm living proof of that.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Spel...I wish I knew what THE answer is but I don't. I can only speak to what has helped me. I grew up as a disadvantaged project kid - GHETTO! I drew from so many different sources. In my mother I saw drive/sacrifice. To this day, she's still working an %*$embly line at a local auto factory. Decent money but blue collar all the way. My mother didn't sit down w/me and go over homework. My mother didn't encourage me to participate in enrichment activities, civic leadership, etc. Yet, she was/is a GREAT mother. In college, my family visited my only once - when they dropped me off and I was there for FIVE years. The one thing I knew growing up is that my mother didn't want me to struggle as she did. It wasn't a whole lot of guidance provided but I knew that I didn't want to struggle. Ok I do have a point here...
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Which is...We have to learn that what applies to one child...may not be applicable to another. I was bad..my mother beat the hell out of me sometimes..but I was still bad even knowing that I wasn't supposed to be. I had mad mouth..still do but only realized in college how to use that "mouth" effectively. I learned a lot of things through trial and error. Most of all, I learned them on my own. So, I agree w/Train that a lot of problems start at home but parents can't control every aspect of a child's life...only what they see. We just don't need parents raising kids...we need the "community" raising them. W/the advent of technology it's harder than ever to raise a child. All of us have to be involved. Train, while some kids may have excuses..maybe u should realize that they are not you. They may not have the same drive/willpower as you to walk away from these vices. So, how do u teach a child drive? How do you teach a child willpower? You can't. But, what we can do is use our experiences as a "guide" for how to deal w/hardships but not as a "mandate." That's where I think we go wrong a lot...because "I" did it this way..then "YOU" should too. I just don't think that's the way to reach out...We can continue this tomorrow but it's already after 5 and I got a happy hour waiting for me..as I type!
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Name:
Train
Comment: At my job we have weekly workshops that focus on anger management, character building, academics and vocational skills. We try to focus on long term outlook with short term solutions. I tell the kid's about a lot of my childhood friends in Compton and DC stressing to them the harm that it causes in the communities and the reasons for lockups to teach about accountability. Is life fair? No. Does racism still exist? Yes it does. Does a person have to owe up to their actions? Absolutely. We have gone away from that in society from the president on down which is why kid's today have a worped sense of what's right and wrong because of the mixed signals society sends. They know my stand on gangs and drugs so while most of them don't agree with me at least they know I'm honest about it and a certain respect is formed. When I was coming up my neighbors had permission to whip my azz if I did something stupid and we all know that's gone from our society now. DC is changing too from when me and my wife went out there in september. A lot of whites are moving into the southeast section which will no doubt raise the property value while driving black folks to move to Maryland in the process. I feel a need to tell the kid's the truth about things which is why I always been a straight shooter but I don't lose any sleep over it.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: I have another question for everyone. How do you think the demise of the serious black press has hindered our growth as a community ? From what I hear on this board there are a lot of grass roots efforts to tackle the issues we face in many communities around the country but we RARELY hear about them. In the past, the grassroots efforts of the civil rights movement were reported by the black press around the country so that people in Detroit could hear about the progress of people in Birmingham. Knowing that progress was being made in the fight against racism fueled the efforts and encouraged people to continue the fight. All we hear now about the black community (in the mainstream press) is about our LACK of progress. I think this helps breed a feeling of hopelessness that keeps us from effectively using our new resources in continuing our progress. Comments ?
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Spel, I don't think the black press has neccessarily "hindered" our growth, I think that it has been so marginalized that it's deemed ineffective. We don't support the black press as we did. Money is what drives a lot of things now. No longer is it solely about substance but it seems as if we only want to be entertained. I champion mag's like Black Enterprise because I think there a significant value in them. This is part of the main reason that I'm always trying to speak out against those who want to not only dismiss our acheivements but believe "only" what the mainstream press wants u too. It's about supporting our own...and sometimes that would mean not just the "good" but the bad and the ugly. Ok..this is going way off base..but as I alway say..it only takes ONE time for a BLACK person to provide bad service for BLACK people NOT to use them again. However, we can have the same experience over and over again w/a non-black (doesn't have to be yt, jewish, irish, asian--u name it) and we will continue to support it. WE have to change OUR mentality. If we are truly lacking in progress...I think it has more to do w/us..than them. If we want to move ahead it has to start w/us. I can't go into the "hood" w/the same speech I may give in the "burbs" and expect the same result. Different audiences require different approaches and I think that's also some'n that's missing.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: I have to find the facts..but does ne1 remember when Cosby was attempting to purchase NBC? Does ne1 remember how much support he got from OUR community?
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Name:
blackman
Comment: Herbs...Cosby got nada support from the black community. The only vocal support(that I can recall) he had at the time was from Dr. Alvin Poussaint and Ted Turner. I was a kid at the time, but folks did not make it a major issue. Man what a great opportunity missed for the black community.
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Name:
mcoreo
Comment: This article is very insightful and well put. But one thing was left out... stop blaming white people and take responsibility.
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Name:
Train
Comment: There are no victims in this country. Sociey has placed such emphasis on half azz effort that kid's don't feel a need to give 100% in whatever they try to pursue. That's what I tell the kid's at my facility, take responsibility and don't make our people look bad.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: >Train: I disagree. There are victims in this society. When I hear stories about women selling their children to men to have sex with so they can buy drugs, I realize that their are victims. And for us whom may not have experienced the full horrors that life has to offer to simply say "Pick yourself up and move on" is not only callous but naive. There are people who suffer horrors who WANT to rise above their situations but they need the help and GENUINE kindness of others. And that genuine concern is rare.
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Name:
SilentJay
Comment: Once again I'm agreeing with JCP. I'm a young black man working in an afterschool program that tries to narrow the technology gap for minorities in a low income community. Every day my colleagues and I are talking to each other about how we can get the teenagers(particularly the black males) to embrace technology in productive way. The more I work here them more I see that the problems are bigger than just a lack of accesibility, but an overall turn off by many the teens to want to know more and do better themselves. It's not all of the teens but it is enough to make you wonder if the Gov. is putting something in water that stiffles the motiviation of young black people. I know that sounds like a crazy conspiracy theory but the point is there deeper problems that need to be addressed.
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Name:
Train
Comment: >Spel, I see where you're coming from but compared to those that grew up during the Jim Crow era who still achieved and kid's today who don't have that hanging over thier head and the achievement is looked down as "acting white". What part am I missing? A few kid's at my facility downplay their intellect to fit in with the knuckleheads and that boggles my mind to no end. We have the world at the tail and there's no way in hell I could've grown up during the Jim Crow era (I'm 40) because I would've tried to kill somebody which would've resulted in an early death. I've always been a student of history and I've talked to frat brothers who grew up in the south during the 1920's and 30's when I was a student at Southern Univ and I live everyday to achieve as a tribute to those who made it possible to make our lives a little bit easier.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: Train..I have to disagree w/u as well. There are victims in this country. A child growing up in a dysfuntional family is a victim because he/she didn't have a choice in the matter. People can be victims of a biased judicial system. So, yeah there are victims. I don't feel as if I have to carry the burden of our race on my back so I don't think about "making us look bad" That an unecessary burden and the reality is that we will NEVER be able to completely please each other. What may embarass u..may not embarass me...what u think makes "us" look bad..may not mean the same to me..so the question begs.."who's the author of what we should/shouldn't do"... "who's to say this/that is the standard of what makes us look bad?" There will always be divergent pov's. So, we have to change yet another mentality. Train...again there were common goals during that era that many people survived. But, u should also take into consideration that although we have excelled in many areas...there are new vices which we have to contend w/. Technology, street culture, lack of awareness etc...all of these are new and all-encompassing. So, we shouldn't always expect an old method (band-aid) to work for every new problem (wound). We have to get not just proactive but creative as well. Again, what works for some..may not work for others...BTW...people all the time talk about what they would've, could've but since u didn't,...I place my wager on u still being alive to this day...
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Name:
SilentJay
Comment: To Train: It's not just academics, I was listening to the radio wednesday, they were talking about a black person who said in a newspaper article that marriage was only for white people. Why do some black people think that the things in life that most normal people want are only for whites. A good education, marriage, land ownership are things all people should strive to achieve yet some of us think that the antithesis of those things is we are really suppose to have.
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Name:
BrandNouveau
Comment: Don't talk about it.... BE about it.
You are all wasting time bashing or agreeing with JCP. You are all wasting time arguing with each other. You are all wasting time bashing our "leaders."
We need to get out there & help those who need help.
I say this because I'm guilty of doing this myself. Now is the time to help lift up our bros & sisters.
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Name:
Train
Comment: I work with those kid's that show initiative and the drive to become somebody but those that aren't with the program and have no intention...later for them!!!
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Name:
amethyst
Comment: BrandNouveau - I don't think we are bashing. These are some insightful comments and points of view and I have appreciated following the posts since last week. Also, many who have responded mention the contributions that we are making in the community. We may not be able to save everyone, but it's important to do what we can. Renegade - I disagree with your blanket statement "Greek organizations are still crappy." I don't know on what information or facts you base this generalization. I'm a member of a Black Greek organization and I'm aware of lots of positive and productive actions that my group and others offer to communities all over this world, not just the U.S. There are always a few bad apples in any bunch. I hope you will research what our organizations do on a national and international basis, not just on college campuses or local neighborhoods, and draw a conclusion based on the "big picture".
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