(VIDEO) Is Shaquille O'Neal Racist??? (Luka Doncic case)

[PETRO2222]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGWNVR99ndg

[FultzNationRISE]

Investigating and interrogating other people for "potentially being wacist" is for socially conditioned beta dweebs.

Don't be one of those guys OP.

Don't do it.

[PETRO2222]

Investigating other people for "potentially being wacist" is for socially conditioned beta dweebs.

Don't be one of those guys OP.

Don't do it.

Why not... I am not investigating anyone, but double standards in NBA are creating only counter-effect nothin else

[KennyPowers]

Shaq is a Freemason and wanted to be a cop.

Could be bias against whitey but doubt he is racist since he joins white fraternal orders. He also seems to love Superwhiteman.

More likely that Shaq just doesn't like current nba players because he is jealous they are in prime still playing. Though, I can't knock Shaq for thinking players are soft spoiled pampered bitches... Cause they are. Players today are LeSoft.

[FultzNationRISE]

Why not... I am not investigating anyone, but double standards in NBA are creating only counter-effect nothin else

So just give your own opinions and don't worry about what all the cringey SJW's with blue hair think about it. If they wanna call you racist every time you lack conformity to SJW dogma, let them expose themselves as generic, uptight, neurotic limp wrists trying to belong to trendy groupthink.


https://i.makeagif.com/media/8-09-2016/LoVphD.gif

Just be glad you're the guy in the flannel and not Carl the Cuck or AIDS Skrillex.

Don't worry about policing Shaquille O'Neal's opinions, ya know?

[FultzNationRISE]

Shaq is a Freemason and wanted to be a cop.

Could be bias against whitey but doubt he is racist since he joins white fraternal orders. He also seems to love Superwhiteman.

More likely that Shaq just doesn't like current nba players because he is jealous they are in prime still playing. Though, I can't knock Shaq for thinking players are soft spoiled pampered bitches... Cause they are. Players today are LeSoft.

I didn't watch the video but I'm guessing this is what it is.

Shaq hates on everybody in today's game.

[tpols]

Investigating and interrogating other people for "potentially being wacist" is for socially conditioned beta dweebs.

Don't be one of those guys OP.

Don't do it.

If you watch the video though Barkley is often very correct, and shaq's arguments are very poor. I get that his role on the panel is to play bad cop to sir charles good cop, but he's awful at it. His arguments suck.

[FultzNationRISE]

If you watch the video though Barkley is often very correct, and shaq's arguments are very poor. I get that his role on the panel is to play bad cop to sir charles good cop, but he's awful at it. His arguments suck.

Ok.

I've heard Shaq make countless bad arguments about lots of players.

I mean if we're gonna have both sides now just turning everything into paranoid accusations of racism... I dunno wtf Im gonna do with myself.

Gonna have to move to the South Pole to get away from this shit.

[FultzNationRISE]

^ Also my original point isn't even to say that Shaq ISNT being racist.

I didnt watch the video and I have no idea what's motivating his take.

My point is that I dont give a ****.

[PETRO2222]

Ok.

I've heard Shaq make countless bad arguments about lots of players.

I mean if we're gonna have both sides now just turning everything into paranoid accusations of racism... I dunno wtf Im gonna do with myself.

Gonna have to move to the South Pole to get away from this shit.

Jesus Christ man, he just said that if you say to Doncic; "Bit... ass white boy" that's not personal???

:D, I know what you wanna say, ok Shaq says a lots of shits, but this shit in particular is often heard by him and some others, and Barkley reacted totally great.

We cannot have double standards, if Luka called any black player as; "Bitc... ass black boy" he would be sacrificed in medias and his career would go down the toilet, but HEYYYYY, according to Shaq... when black guy says it... it's not personal... It's just HEAT OF THE GAME :D

**** that game.

[TheImmortal]

How about you stop making monkey sounds in soccer stadiums and basketball courts in europe first.. European culture is unapologetically racist. Majority of NBA fans on NBA courts are white people who look like Doncic. Enough with the fake outrage.

[FultzNationRISE]

Jesus Christ man, he just said that if you say to Doncic; "Bit... ass white boy" that's not personal???

:D, I know what you wanna say, ok Shaq says a lots of shits, but this shit in particular is often heard by him and some others, and Barkley reacted totally great.

We cannot have double standards, if Luka called any black player as; "Bitc... ass black boy" he would be sacrificed in medias and his career would go down the toilet, but HEYYYYY, according to Shaq... when black guy says it... it's not personal... It's just HEAT OF THE GAME :D

**** that game.

That's just life man.

Some black people are gonna be more racist than other black people. Some white people are gonna be more racist than other white people.

Can't get caught up playing thought police on everyone's prejudices and opinions.

Just gotta learn to live with it. Easier said than done for sure, and I'm not perfect about it either.

But IMO you're not gonna get anywhere stooping to that level. Just makes it worse.

Let Shaq say whatever the **** he wants to say, and you say whatever the **** you want to say.

If anyone gives you shit about it I'll back you up :cheers:

[tpols]

Ok.

I've heard Shaq make countless bad arguments about lots of players.

I mean if we're gonna have both sides now just turning everything into paranoid accusations of racism... I dunno wtf Im gonna do with myself.

Gonna have to move to the South Pole to get away from this shit.

I mean dude... Shaq defended Harrell calling luka a bitch was white boy. Even you would say that's racist. Chuck pointed out that if luka called him a bitch ass black boy he'd probably be tossed from the league. And he's right. Black people are allowed to be racist in America as revenge.

[tpols]

^ Also my original point isn't even to say that Shaq ISNT being racist.

I didnt watch the video and I have no idea what's motivating his take.

My point is that I dont give a ****.

Well if you're not gonna even watch the video, then shut the **** up. What does your opinion matter at that point?

[FultzNationRISE]

I mean dude... Shaq defended Harrell calling luka a bitch was white boy. Even you would say that's racist. Chuck pointed out that if luka called him a bitch ass black boy he'd probably be tossed from the league. And he's right. Black people are allowed to be racist in America as revenge.

Yeah but those double standards aren't Shaq's fault. That's the league's fault and its large share of SJW fans.

Also as Kenny Powerz mentioned, Shaq is hardly a raging bigot. He just doesn't go in for all the political correctness.


I remember years ago during his rivalry with Yao he told someone to give Yao the message: "Wing wong ching chong ping pong" :yaohappy:


It's just whatever. If the point here is just to illustrate the double standard, sure, I agree there's a huge double standard and I think we're all aware of it.

But I don't think we need to be like, crucifying Shaq for whatever his prejudices are. We all live in glass houses.

[FultzNationRISE]

Well if you're not gonna even watch the video, then shut the **** up. What does your opinion matter at that point?


I think I understand why "bitch ass whiteboy" touches you in some kinda way.

[tpols]

Yeah but those double standards aren't Shaq's fault. That's the league's fault and its large share of SJW fans.

Also as Kenny Powerz mentioned, Shaq is hardly a raging bigot. He just doesn't go in for all the political correctness.


I remember years ago during his rivalry with Yao he told someone to give Yao the message: "Wing wong ching chong ping pong" :yaohappy:


It's just whatever. If the point here is just to illustrate the double standard, sure, I agree there's a huge double standard and I think we're all aware of it.

But I don't think we need to be like, crucifying Shaq for whatever his prejudices are. We all live in glass houses.

If a white guy were to EVER call Shaq the n word.... He would turn into a madman charging. And undeniably label him a racist. Yes... Shaq can dish it out he can call Yao ching chong or a white guy a cracker but if it were to ever be doled out to him he would flip shit. So if you don't see a problem with that double standard that's on you bro. I know you're a hardline nobody is racist! guy, but in those cases it was justified. Like when that guy got shot in the back 8 times for pulling a knife and resisting a felony warrant and the cops got put through the ringer. That had nothing to do with racism. This does.

[FultzNationRISE]

If a white guy were to EVER call Shaq the n word.... He would turn into a madman charging. And undeniably label him a racist. Yes... Shaq can dish it out he can call Yao ching chong or a white guy a cracker but if it were to ever be doled out to him he would flip shit. So if you don't see a problem with that double standard that's on you bro. I know you're a hardline nobody is racist! guy, but in those cases it was justified. Like when that guy got shot in the back 8 times for pulling a knife and resisting a felony warrant and the cops got put through the ringer. That had nothing to do with racism. This does.

Of course it's a double standard.

I mean if you gave an opinion on here and an executive from TNT swooped in and said you were out of line, inappropriate, wacist etc. then this thread would be a useful response.

But it seems like kind of a tiresome thing to bring up out of the blue. I don't think anyone really cares what Shaq's prejudices are. Am I supposed to hate him for it now or what?

What am I supposed to do with the information that 'Shaq is wacist"?

[Axe]

^ Also my original point isn't even to say that Shaq ISNT being racist.

I didnt watch the video and I have no idea what's motivating his take.

My point is that I dont give a ****.
:roll:

[Im Still Ballin]

Uh, what? Is this a troll thread?

Shaq literally cannot be racist, as he's African-American/Black.

[MaxPlayer]

Shaq may enslave Luka

[Manny98]

Black's can't be racist

[FultzNationRISE]

Shaq may enslave Luka


These are wild times indeed.

https://pics.esmemes.com/the-4-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse-pestilence-war-aka-aids-skrillex-24619126.png

[FultzNationRISE]

https://pics.esmemes.com/choose-more-female-seroes-ham4-er-aids-skrillex-carl-the-4335999.png

[FultzNationRISE]

I inadvertently opened Pandora's Box on a google search for Carl the Cuck, now I have to binge post the results.


https://pics.me.me/thumb_oros-aids-skrillex-fiveheads-52985686.png

[FultzNationRISE]

https://i.imgur.com/QnLsThq.png

[FultzNationRISE]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChH_7Q0W4AAQHrx.jpg

[FultzNationRISE]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChTMKexW0AARIJ3.jpg

:roll:

[Kings2024Champs]

What kinda liberal sjw post is this?? Shaq backs the blue no chance hes got a racist bone. He makes some poor jokes both ways but who doesnt. All this Luka caping has to stop, he doesnt need a cheer squad snowflakes

[PETRO2222]

Uh, what? Is this a troll thread?

Shaq literally cannot be racist, as he's African-American/Black.

Are you RETARD or are you trolling me? Or is it that you americans are all retard togethar? Both whites and blacks?

"AfricanAmericans cannot be racist"? GTFO, my IQ is droppin just lookin at your post.

[Drygon]

Lol, no.

Shaq hates on Donovan Mitchell, a player who is brown as chocolate.

[insight]

If a white guy were to EVER call Shaq the n word.... He would turn into a madman charging. And undeniably label him a racist. Yes... Shaq can dish it out he can call Yao ching chong or a white guy a cracker but if it were to ever be doled out to him he would flip shit. So if you don't see a problem with that double standard that's on you bro. I know you're a hardline nobody is racist! guy, but in those cases it was justified. Like when that guy got shot in the back 8 times for pulling a knife and resisting a felony warrant and the cops got put through the ringer. That had nothing to do with racism. This does.

You don't know much about American History do you? Your thought process is like a young child, I bet you don't even know who Earl Lloyd was.

[ZionDunks]

Why not... I am not investigating anyone, but double standards in NBA are creating only counter-effect nothin else

The NBA is losing culture with these kind of tactics. They learned nothing in 2020.

Let them lose it more.

[light]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGWNVR99ndg

He's not racist, he's a hater.

[PETRO2222]

You don't know much about American History do you? Your thought process is like a young child, I bet you don't even know who Earl Lloyd was.

Many of us here are not americans, but what is your point? So, tell me yours AfroAmerican plan and program how would erase racism in USA, will you do it with; "let's piss on everything white in NBA, medias etc", that's the right way I guess?

Racism was always part of USA unfortunately, before Europeans started to dominate in NBA, now when white americans became trash in NBA, now Europeans are targets of african-americans, funny... racism toward whites who never experienced racism in any form, but I guess many african americans dont give a shit, to them all whites are same right.

Luka's or Jokic's ancestors were not slave-masters, they didnt do anything to anyone in USA, not all whites were slave-masters in history, but who cares right?

[Sulico]

Maybe he is. Maybe he isn't. Why would I care?

[insight]

Many of us here are not americans, but what is your point? So, tell me yours AfroAmerican plan and program how would erase racism in USA, will you do it with; "let's piss on everything white in NBA, medias etc", that's the right way I guess?

Racism was always part of USA unfortunately, before Europeans started to dominate in NBA, now when white americans became trash in NBA, now Europeans are targets of african-americans, funny... racism toward whites who never experienced racism in any form, but I guess many african americans dont give a shit, to them all whites are same right.

Luka's or Jokic's ancestors were not slave-masters, they didnt do anything to anyone in USA, not all whites were slave-masters in history, but who cares right?

Shaq not being impressed with Luka's performance has nothing to do with racism. If Shaq claimed Luka was as talented enough to play in the NBA because he was a White European that would be racist. If he supported excluding all Europeans from competing in the NBA based on where they were born that would be racist.
My point was
People like Jackie Robinson, Earl Lloyd paid a tremendous price integrating white only pro sports. Most White Americans believed African American were inferior and did not belong in mainstream society. In contrast Luka has been celebrated in the NBA, the argument can be made he has received too much media coverage and praise relative to his accomplishments on the court.
Let's not trivialize what racism really means.

By the way, TPOL was trying to gas light the issue and cannot be taken seriously. He has called the BLM movement racist, and justified officers killing unarmed African Americans.

[jmcwilliams]

Shaq isn't racist. He hates on everyone. LeBron is racist as **** though. He will find A way to interject race into any situation to try and paint himself As Malcolm X figure even though the conditions that guy's like Malcolm, Martin and Ali no longer exist haha. LeBron: People are racist we cannot stand for it! Everyone else: we all are to some degree LeBron now STFU and dribble. You cannot legislate what's in people hearts but we have done A great job of protecting people from race discrimination. If you are great at what you do and work hard you will rise to the top in spite of race. LeBron the ignorant SJW is A perfect example. He should be telling the black community not to get hung up on excuses and work hard and improve yourself like he did. Instead he wants to sell them the victimhood mentality that has kept so many in the gutter for years now. I wouldn't pin the the racist argument on Shaq though. I never got that vibe from him.

[jmcwilliams]

Uh, what? Is this a troll thread?

Shaq literally cannot be racist, as he's African-American/Black.

What are you saying exactly? Are you insisting that American blacks cannot be racist?

[MaxPlayer]

What are you saying exactly? Are you insisting that American blacks cannot be racist?

If I'm not mistaken, the argument goes something like this:

-"Racism", being an "-ism" is a description of a power structure (like "Communism", "Socialism", "Capitalism", etc...)
-In a democracy, which this country basically is, the majority wields the power
-The majority is white
-Ergo, a racial minority does not possess political power, so any racial prejudice it may harbor cannot possibly manifest itself in "racism" (as a power structure)

Personally I think it's kind of a stupid definitional argument. Racial prejudice is stupid regardless of the prevailing power structure.

[insight]

Shaq isn't racist. He hates on everyone. LeBron is racist as **** though. He will find A way to interject race into any situation to try and paint himself As Malcolm X figure even though the conditions that guy's like Malcolm, Martin and Ali no longer exist haha. LeBron: People are racist we cannot stand for it! Everyone else: we all are to some degree LeBron now STFU and dribble. You cannot legislate what's in people hearts but we have done A great job of protecting people from race discrimination. If you are great at what you do and work hard you will rise to the top in spite of race. LeBron the ignorant SJW is A perfect example. He should be telling the black community not to get hung up on excuses and work hard and improve yourself like he did. Instead he wants to sell them the victimhood mentality that has kept so many in the gutter for years now. I wouldn't pin the the racist argument on Shaq though. I never got that vibe from him.

Actually if you listen to what Malcolm X was talking about in the 60s you realize many of the same racial issues exist today even with all the progress that has been made. America built race into all the laws and fabric of society so it plays a big part in many situations.
Talking about race, is not being racist, funny how you mentioned Lebron James is the racist, Malcolm X would say you had a guilt complex.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZMrti8QcPA

[jmcwilliams]

[QUOTE=insight;14241352]Actually if you listen to what Malcolm X was talking about in the 60s you realize many of the same racial issues exist today even with all the progress that has been made. America built race into all the laws and fabric of society so it plays a big part in many situations.
Talking about race, is not being racist, funny how you mentioned Lebron James is the racist, Malcolm X would say you had a guilt complex.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZMrti8QcPA[/QUOS
Do yourself A favor and stop listening to Malcom X. Start listening to Thomas Sowell. He is A national treasure that I am certain you know nothing about. He's Black and A personal Hero of mine. You'll probably call him an uncle Tom though.

https://youtu.be/JtyoNSmOYzo

[ThatCoolKid]

"Talking about race is not being racist."

Bingo - you're enlightened insight.

Racism is a set of thoughts and actions that exacerbate racial disparities in a host of domains (finances, health, education etc). Talking about how there is no longer racism and people should just work hard ignores the material conditions that this country was built on (slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration) and discourages real patriots from enacting policy the improve racial disparities. By ignoring race - you are helping the racists. The only way to undo racism is to talk about race - identify inequities and improve them.

Thomas Sowell is a popular puppet because he says things that are appealing to right wing idiots that have no evidence to back them up. But he made money off of book deals and media appearances by saying the popular buzzwords. Anyone who tells you to "read Thomas Sowell" is an idiot.

[insight]

Prejudice is something will all do. We make assumptions based on age, race, wealth, religion and gender.
That is different from racism where laws and systems are designed or executed in a way that disadvantages based on race or other criteria.

[MaxPlayer]

By ignoring race - you are helping the racists. The only way to undo racism is to talk about race - identify inequities and improve them.

I'm extremely skeptical that continuing to harp on racial distinctions between people will do anything but further inflame racism/prejudice.

[jmcwilliams]

"Talking about race is not being racist."

Bingo - you're enlightened insight.

Racism is a set of thoughts and actions that exacerbate racial disparities in a host of domains (finances, health, education etc). Talking about how there is no longer racism and people should just work hard ignores the material conditions that this country was built on (slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration) and discourages real patriots from enacting policy the improve racial disparities. By ignoring race - you are helping the racists. The only way to undo racism is to talk about race - identify inequities and improve them.

Thomas Sowell is a popular puppet because he says things that are appealing to right wing idiots that have no evidence to back them up. But he made money off of book deals and media appearances by saying the popular buzzwords. Anyone who tells you to "read Thomas Sowell" is an idiot.

Thomas Sowell a books are well researched facts. He refuses to let folks like you play the victim. He demands that you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and stop looking for excuses. That's why you don't like him.

[MaxPlayer]

Thomas Sowell a books are well researched facts. He refuses to let folks like you play the victim. He demands that you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and stop looking for excuses. That's why you don't like him.

Both things can be true. Logically it's completely possible that black people are systematically disadvantaged AND the best way to overcome this is by working extra hard.

[insight]

"Talking about race is not being racist."

Bingo - you're enlightened insight.

Racism is a set of thoughts and actions that exacerbate racial disparities in a host of domains (finances, health, education etc). Talking about how there is no longer racism and people should just work hard ignores the material conditions that this country was built on (slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration) and discourages real patriots from enacting policy the improve racial disparities. By ignoring race - you are helping the racists. The only way to undo racism is to talk about race - identify inequities and improve them.

Thomas Sowell is a popular puppet because he says things that are appealing to right wing idiots that have no evidence to back them up. But he made money off of book deals and media appearances by saying the popular buzzwords. Anyone who tells you to "read Thomas Sowell" is an idiot.

I agree, when continually are talking pass each other about race and being exploited by people like Thomas Sowell who only wish to profit on the discord.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

He's a sworn sheriff deputy, so I doubt he's racist. A racist black guy would hate cops. He's not a racist, just an asshole.

[insight]

Both things can be true. Logically it's completely possible that black people are systematically disadvantaged AND the best way to overcome this is by working extra hard.
I agree with you 100%
The problem with his approach is he tries to discredit one side of the equation to give more creditability to the other. I believe he knows his approach is one sided but continues to promote it because it appeals to those who do not support racial equality initiatives.

[jmcwilliams]

Both things can be true. Logically it's completely possible that black people are systematically disadvantaged AND the best way to overcome this is by working extra hard.

I don't disagree with this. I would only counter that This is not A black only issue. Many people are discriminated against for many reasons. You move on, work hard and find where you can be productive. I am not saying that Blacks don't have things to overcome I just think the majority of it is Psychological at this point and that race baiters are setting black youth BACK not pushing them forward.

[insight]

I don't disagree with this. I would only counter that This is not A black only issue. Many people are discriminated against for many reasons. You move on, work hard and find where you can be productive. I am not saying that Blacks don't have things to overcome I just think the majority of it is Psychological at this point and that race baiters are setting black youth BACK not pushing them forward.

There is lots of racial challenges and inequalities that exist today, but most Americans do not understand how pervasive they are because they are seamlessly built into the fabric of our society.
Just take the misconception, people earn more, because they work harder, 60% of American wealth was inherited not accumulated for personal production. The most wealthy people leverage EXISTING capital grow there income.

If your favorite NBA team started a game with behind 25 points but played the game anyway and at the end of the game they lost by 10 points. Would you think the complaint about starting from behind is psychological?

Malcolm X said it best.
“You don't stick a knife in a man's back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you're making progress ... No matter how much respect, no matter how much recognition, whites show towards me, as far as I am concerned, as long as it is not shown to everyone of our people in this country, it doesn't exist for me.”

[MaxPlayer]

There is lots of racial challenges and inequalities that exist today, but most Americans do not understand how pervasive they are because they are seamlessly built into the fabric of our society.
Just take the misconception, people earn more, because they work harder, 60% of American wealth was inherited not accumulated for personal production. The most wealthy people leverage EXISTING capital grow there income.

If your favorite NBA team started a game with behind 25 points but played the game anyway and at the end of the game they lost by 10 points. Would you think the complaint about starting from behind is psychological?

Malcolm X said it best.
“You don't stick a knife in a man's back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you're making progress ... No matter how much respect, no matter how much recognition, whites show towards me, as far as I am concerned, as long as it is not shown to everyone of our people in this country, it doesn't exist for me.”

I totally get that "just work harder" is a very unsatisfactory answer.

But that being said, I also don't think it's obvious what IS the correct answer. Most likely, it took centuries to create this problem, and it will take centuries to escape it. There are no shortcuts or easy answers, unfortunately.

[ArbitraryWater]

If I'm not mistaken, the argument goes something like this:

-"Racism", being an "-ism" is a description of a power structure (like "Communism", "Socialism", "Capitalism", etc...)
-In a democracy, which this country basically is, the majority wields the power
-The majority is white
-Ergo, a racial minority does not possess political power, so any racial prejudice it may harbor cannot possibly manifest itself in "racism" (as a power structure)

Personally I think it's kind of a stupid definitional argument. Racial prejudice is stupid regardless of the prevailing power structure.

andddd thats where you get it wrong right off the bat lol

[ArbitraryWater]

"Talking about race is not being racist."

Bingo - you're enlightened insight.

Racism is a set of thoughts and actions that exacerbate racial disparities in a host of domains (finances, health, education etc). Talking about how there is no longer racism and people should just work hard ignores the material conditions that this country was built on (slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration) and discourages real patriots from enacting policy the improve racial disparities. By ignoring race - you are helping the racists. The only way to undo racism is to talk about race - identify inequities and improve them.

Thomas Sowell is a popular puppet because he says things that are appealing to right wing idiots that have no evidence to back them up. But he made money off of book deals and media appearances by saying the popular buzzwords. Anyone who tells you to "read Thomas Sowell" is an idiot.


Its actually the opposite.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3cGfrExozQ

[MaxPlayer]

andddd thats where you get it wrong right off the bat lol

That's how they define it. Hence the distinction between "prejudice" and "racism". Racism requires political power.

These aren't my definitions. I'm just explaining the argument as I understand it.

[jmcwilliams]

There is lots of racial challenges and inequalities that exist today, but most Americans do not understand how pervasive they are because they are seamlessly built into the fabric of our society.
Just take the misconception, people earn more, because they work harder, 60% of American wealth was inherited not accumulated for personal production. The most wealthy people leverage EXISTING capital grow there income.

If your favorite NBA team started a game with behind 25 points but played the game anyway and at the end of the game they lost by 10 points. Would you think the complaint about starting from behind is psychological?

Malcolm X said it best.
“You don't stick a knife in a man's back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you're making progress ... No matter how much respect, no matter how much recognition, whites show towards me, as far as I am concerned, as long as it is not shown to everyone of our people in this country, it doesn't exist for me.”

Okay, I am A white man who grew up in poverty with blacks. I didn't have this wealth you speak of nor did millions of other Whites. It's A small segment of the population that is wealthy. That's why they call it the 1 percent.
So what is it you want exactly? We already have equality of opportunity. You looking for reparations? I want some as well if that's the case. I have no rich family. Noone has swung doors open for me. I didn't have anyone to pay for my college tuition. I just cannot understand what you want? Life is difficult. If you are looking for equality of outcome then you are asking for socialism. Good luck with that.

[insight]

Its actually the opposite.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3cGfrExozQ



I love Morgan Freeman but I don't consider driving Miss daisy an authority on race relations. Especially since he benefited from the sacrifices of those who refused to stay silent, and were beat, jailed and killed so Morgan could have an opportunity to work in an integrated Hollywood.
We live in a Caste system in American which most people on unaware or refuse to recognize exist, it will not disappear by pretending it does not exist.

[insight]

I totally get that "just work harder" is a very unsatisfactory answer.

But that being said, I also don't think it's obvious what IS the correct answer. Most likely, it took centuries to create this problem, and it will take centuries to escape it. There are no shortcuts or easy answers, unfortunately.

Agreed!

[insight]

Okay, I am A white man who grew up in poverty with blacks. I didn't have this wealth you speak of nor did millions of other Whites. It's A small segment of the population that is wealthy. That's why they call it the 1 percent.
So what is it you want exactly? We already have equality of opportunity. You looking for reparations? I want some as well if that's the case. I have no rich family. Noone has swung doors open for me. I didn't have anyone to pay for my college tuition. I just cannot understand what you want? Life is difficult. If you are looking for equality of outcome then you are asking for socialism. Good luck with that.

Jim Crow, Redlining and many other government instituted discriminatory laws left a huge wealth income gap between whites and blacks. If you are white in poverty it is not because the government was actively working against you to insure you did not succeed. Asking for what someone stole from you is not socialism, the person who stole is the freeloader.

Excerpt on wealth gap (https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/02/27/examining-the-black-white-wealth-gap/)


A close examination of wealth in the U.S. finds evidence of staggering racial disparities. At $171,000, the net worth of a typical white family is nearly ten times greater than that of a Black family ($17,150) in 2016. Gaps in wealth between Black and white households reveal the effects of accumulated inequality and discrimination, as well as differences in power and opportunity that can be traced back to this nation’s inception. The Black-white wealth gap reflects a society that has not and does not afford equality of opportunity to all its citizens.

[jmcwilliams]

Jim Crow, Redlining and many other government instituted discriminatory laws left a huge wealth income gap between whites and blacks. If you are white in poverty it is not because the government was actively working against you to insure you did not succeed. Asking for what someone stole from you is not socialism, the person who stole is the freeloader.

Excerpt on wealth gap (https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/02/27/examining-the-black-white-wealth-gap/)

Just throwing out statistics doesn't really say anything. How much Net worth can A black home have when A black home is comprised of A single mother because dad is A deadbeat and probably in Prison. That speaks to A cultural problem within the black community not some unfair wealth gap. Heal the home and you'll see your wealth gap dissipate. These sites constantly throw out percentages to back up narrative and there is never any critical analysis. Black communities Are crime ridden and they chase away good business and decent folks. There are A plethora of stats to back up that statement if that's your thing. So the community is killing itself and Father's are not taking care of their families. That is what you need to fix. It starts with an emphasis on personal responsibility. Not finger pointing.
As far as you being disadvantaged because of the Jim Crow laws many years ago... Tell that to the Asian business owners. The ones who legally immigrated here and made something of themselves in A single generation. Keep. Looking for excuses. You'll always find them. It's the last thing your community needs though.

[insight]

Just throwing out statistics doesn't really say anything. How much Net worth can A black home have when A black home is comprised of A single mother because dad is A deadbeat and probably in Prison. That speaks to A cultural problem within the black community not some unfair wealth gap. Heal the home and you'll see your wealth gap dissipate. These sites constantly throw out percentages to back up narrative and there is never any critical analysis. Black communities Are crime ridden and they chase away good business and decent folks. There are A plethora of stats to back up that statement if that's your thing. So the community is killing itself and Father's are not taking care of their families. That is what you need to fix. It starts with an emphasis on personal responsibility. Not finger pointing.
As far as you being disadvantaged because of the Jim Crow laws many years ago... Tell that to the Asian business owners. The ones who legally immigrated here and made something of themselves in A single generation. Keep. Looking for excuses. You'll always find them. It's the last thing your community needs though.


Many years ago. This is still happening today you either don't care or are just not paying attention. How can you offer valid solutions when you don't even understand the scope of the problem.

Wells Fargo had to pay 175 Million for racial discrimination not to long ago.

Link (https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/222500-wells-fargo-pay-175-million-settlement-discrimination-lawsuit)

Bank of America settled for over 335 Million for racial discrimination and then was fined over 2 million for racial discrimination
Links
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/business/us-settlement-reported-on-countrywide-lending.html
https://money.cnn.com/2013/09/24/news/companies/bofa-racial-discrimination/index.html

Sun Trust 21 Million

On the second point
Do you really need me to explain the difference between coming to a country against your will and working for free vs coming to America as willingly in search of opportunities. What is a "legal immigrant"? Wasn't this land illegally taken from the Native Americans and Mexicans?

[jmcwilliams]

Many years ago. This is still happening today you either don't care or are just not paying attention. How can you offer valid solutions when you don't even understand the scope of the problem.

Wells Fargo had to pay 175 Million for racial discrimination not to long ago.

Link (https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/222500-wells-fargo-pay-175-million-settlement-discrimination-lawsuit)

Bank of America settled for over 335 Million for racial discrimination and then was fined over 2 million for racial discrimination
Links
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/business/us-settlement-reported-on-countrywide-lending.html
https://money.cnn.com/2013/09/24/news/companies/bofa-racial-discrimination/index.html

Sun Trust 21 Million

On the second point
Do you really need me to explain the difference between coming to a country against your will and working for free vs coming to America as willingly in search of opportunities. What is a "legal immigrant"? Wasn't this land illegally taken from the Native Americans and Mexicans?

Okay, Blacks and Hispanics in certain tiers of society are nearly twice as likely to default on loans.
Also, males get A ***** charge for car insurance because they are far more likely to get into an accident when younger.
Point is, put yourself in A business man's shoes. You own the business. It's your money that will be lost. You would probably do the same thing. What you see as institution racism is really just A business trying to protect itself. Whether there actions are right or wrong the courts can decide that. Not everything is RACISM. It's greed.

[MaxPlayer]

Do yourself A favor and stop listening to Malcom X.

I'm extremely torn on Malcolm X.

On one hand, I'm very attracted to his teachings on self-reliance. He recognized that black people, in order to be successful, had to take matters into their own hands rather than begging whitey to be nicer to them.

On the other, I find racial identarianism to be a primitive and divisive viewpoint (regardless of which race is holding it.) And I didn't like his "back to Africa" proposal, both out of selfish (e.g. I think the US is a better place if black people stay) and non-selfish (many black people would fare worse in Africa than here) reasons.

[jmcwilliams]

I'm extremely torn on Malcolm X.

On one hand, I'm very attracted to his teachings on self-reliance. He recognized that black people, in order to be successful, had to take matters into their own hands rather than begging whitey to be nicer to them.

On the other, I find racial identarianism to be a primitive and divisive viewpoint (regardless of which race is holding it.) And I didn't like his "back to Africa" proposal, both out of selfish (e.g. I think the US is a better place if black people stay) and non-selfish (many black people would fare worse in Africa than here) reasons.

As an outsider looking in I have always wondered why the Black community showed so much love to Malcomb X and so little to Martin Luther king JR. I found the king so much more inspirational and efficacious in his Approach.
That said, there was A point in History when Blacks had every Constitutional right to declare civil war on an unconstitutional form of governance. I think very few would ever argue that. Thankfully, that time is past and in its wake we now have An entitled generation fed by Toxic ideology from our Highest institutions that knows absolutely NOTHING about real oppression so they try and invent it at every available opportunity.

[GOBB]

Imagine someone’s saying go Shaq is jealous of today’s players when he is arguably a top 10 player of all time and still makes a killing off endorsements. The shit people say...

[GOBB]

As an outsider looking in I have always wondered why the Black community showed so much love to Malcomb X and so little to Martin Luther king JR. I found the king so much more inspirational and efficacious in his Approach.
That said, there was A point in History when Blacks had every Constitutional right to declare civil war on an unconstitutional form of governance. I think very few would ever argue that. Thankfully, that time is past and in its wake we now have An entitled generation fed by Toxic ideology from our Highest institutions that knows absolutely NOTHING about real oppression so they try and invent it at every available opportunity.

Dr MLK approach would be call the cops if you hit my kids
Malcolm X approach would be to open a can of whup ass
Dr MLK approach would be to chuckle at a racist joke and say “you know that could cost you your job”
Malcolm X approach would be to ask them to repeat it again at which they don’t

[insight]

Okay, Blacks and Hispanics in certain tiers of society are nearly twice as likely to default on loans.
Also, males get A ***** charge for car insurance because they are far more likely to get into an accident when younger.
Point is, put yourself in A business man's shoes. You own the business. It's your money that will be lost. You would probably do the same thing. What you see as institution racism is really just A business trying to protect itself. Whether there actions are right or wrong the courts can decide that. Not everything is RACISM. It's greed.

This is simply not true, what I see a country built on a racial caste system. This system is embedded in our laws, financial institutions, and judicial system. It is built into our constitution. You can attempt to rationalize the discrepancies that exist as good business practices but that is simply not true.
Do you know why so many more white people own homes than black people?

Two main reasons.

Many white people were GIVEN land through the Homestead Act, I Repeat GIVEN LAND, blacks were systematically excluded from taking advantage of the program. (Most inherited wealth comes from land and home ownership. )

FHA Loan Program which was backed by the GOVERMENT to encourage and promote home ownership was not made available to blacks.

All the banks I mentioned were bailed out by American taxpayers for irresponsible behavior during the 2008 banking crisis. Many of the bankers broke federal laws and caused financial ruin for thousands of people.
These so called businessman not only should have been out of business they should have went to jail none of which did.

You contrast that with George Floyd, a man accused of attempting to cash a 20$ bad check.
He was slammed on the pavement and choked to death in the middle of the street.

I wish it were different but race has been built into the country from it's inception. Has thing improved yes, mainly do to leaders like MLK and Malcolm X who died to move our society but big problem still exist and old wounds have never been healed.


Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another inferior
Is finally and permanently
Discredited and abandoned
Everywhere is war
Me say war
That until there no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man's skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes
Me say war
















0

[insight]

As an outsider looking in I have always wondered why the Black community showed so much love to Malcomb X and so little to Martin Luther king JR. I found the king so much more inspirational and efficacious in his Approach.
That said, there was A point in History when Blacks had every Constitutional right to declare civil war on an unconstitutional form of governance. I think very few would ever argue that. Thankfully, that time is past and in its wake we now have An entitled generation fed by Toxic ideology from our Highest institutions that knows absolutely NOTHING about real oppression so they try and invent it at every available opportunity.

MLK was much more popular in the black community. Malcolm X represented the National of Islam at the time which is a Muslim faith.
Christianity is more popular in America and many more blacks understood the teachings. Both men were tremendous leaders and were wise and insightful.
Most White Americans hated Martin Luther King, polls at the time said 70%, Hover the head of the FBI at the time said MLK was an Enemy of the State. MLK just like Ali who was hated back then are beloved now because the stood on the right side of history.

[MaxPlayer]

MLK was much more popular in the black community. Malcolm X represented the National of Islam at the time which is a Muslim faith.
Christianity is more popular in America and many more blacks understood the teachings. Both men were tremendous leaders and were wise and insightful.
Most White Americans hated Martin Luther King, polls at the time said 70%, Hover the head of the FBI at the time said MLK was an Enemy of the State. MLK just like Ali who was hated back then are beloved now because the stood on the right side of history.

I feel like part of the reason MLK is so universally celebrated today is because his brand of non-violent resistance was/is only mildly threatening to the political establishment.

[insight]

I feel like part of the reason MLK is so universally celebrated today is because his brand of non-violent resistance was/is only mildly threatening to the political establishment.
You are 100% correct. The very establishments who destroyed MLK quote him regularly now to maintain status quo. What I find interesting as the attempted to paint MLK as a communist and posted billboards all over the country to undermine his influence. You rarely hear that being discussed today.

https://wgbh.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/999ee3a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3674x2004+0+236/resize/990x540!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwgbh.brightspotcdn.com%2F6d%2Ff 2%2F84068b3e41fb98f70d99d34d2f39%2Fgettyimages-517388128.jpg

[PETRO2222]

He's a sworn sheriff deputy, so I doubt he's racist. A racist black guy would hate cops. He's not a racist, just an asshole.

Asshole maybe, but ... All this in times of racial tensions in USA... I think Shaq just went along with those tensions, and revealed his stupidity totally.

[ZionDunks]

Lol, no.

Shaq hates on Donovan Mitchell, a player who is brown as chocolate.

Ironically Spider is one of the biggest bigots on the planet too. Black supremacy is just a form of reverse racism. Which is still racism. All forms of it need denounced.

That said what happens first: leagues like the NFL & NBA curing racism with slogans or coronavirus being cured by lockdowns and a shot. I’ll be realistic with you and admit neither happen in this lifetime.

[ZionDunks]

Asshole maybe, but ... All this in times of racial tensions in USA... I think Shaq just went along with those tensions, and revealed his stupidity totally.

“In these times...”

Of manufactured crisis during an election year.

Where did the crimes by cops go? And if a cop shoots a person of color now is the president racist? Who do you blame ? Who Lebron James tells you to blame?

Bootlickers and white liberals automatically think blacks are experts on race . It’s a joke .... black Americans will only tell the hard truths towards whites but won’t speak the truth about themselves, perhaps because they don’t like what they see . Why don’t we march and protest when a black person kills a black person? I can see as a POC Myself you don’t even realize you got got by a lie

[insight]

“In these times...”

Of manufactured crisis during an election year.

Where did the crimes by cops go? And if a cop shoots a person of color now is the president racist? Who do you blame ? Who Lebron James tells you to blame?

Bootlickers and white liberals automatically think blacks are experts on race . It’s a joke .... black Americans will only tell the hard truths towards whites but won’t speak the truth about themselves, perhaps because they don’t like what they see . Why don’t we march and protest when a black person kills a black person? I can see as a POC Myself you don’t even realize you got got by a lie

What are you talking about? Eric Garner, Trevon Martin and many other shootings happened when Obama was president. This is nothing new, it has nothing to do with the election. Why does Lebron intimidate you?
You seem more outraged with Lebron speaking his mind than seeing the murder of a human being pleading to breath and crying for his mother.

[Mr. Woke]

Nope.

Lol at dumbass crackers with persecution complexes!

[Smoke117]

Pretty much all blacks are racist against whites.

[rmt]

I love Morgan Freeman but I don't consider driving Miss daisy an authority on race relations. Especially since he benefited from the sacrifices of those who refused to stay silent, and were beat, jailed and killed so Morgan could have an opportunity to work in an integrated Hollywood.
We live in a Caste system in American which most people on unaware or refuse to recognize exist, it will not disappear by pretending it does not exist.

Another Freeman video (start at 1:38):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNCmOBDIag

[insight]

Another Freeman video (start at 1:38):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNCmOBDIag

I like Freeman, great actor. He mentioned India but failed to realized America has a caste system too.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0HYnQWMwQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m49DT8pPe0

[rmt]

I like Freeman, great actor. He mentioned India but failed to realized America has a caste system too.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0HYnQWMwQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m49DT8pPe0

If America has a caste system, why are Morgan Freeman and Don Lemon millionaires from poor backgrounds? Ditto Lebron and why was Obama President for 8 years?

[insight]

If America has a caste system, why are Morgan Freeman and Don Lemon millionaires from poor backgrounds? Ditto Lebron and why was Obama President for 8 years?

This video kind of addresses you questions, but you won't gain a full understanding with reading the book Caste.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m49DT8pPe0

[PETRO2222]

People like Jackie Robinson, Earl Lloyd paid a tremendous price integrating white only pro sports. Most White Americans believed African American were inferior and did not belong in mainstream society. In contrast Luka has been celebrated in the NBA, the argument can be made he has received too much media coverage and praise relative to his accomplishments on the court.
Let's not trivialize what racism really means.

Why should I ****ING CARE because your ****ing ancestors were slaves? What do I as a white man from Europe have in common with those ****ERS who enslaved YOUR ****ERS and why do I or Luka Doncic would apologize to you? WHO THE **** ARE YOU or your ****ing people AND YOUR ****ING COUNTRY known as USA?

Are you enslaved now? Do you have chains around your neck? Is it hard for you?

Most of you African Americans MAKE ME SICK, you and your ****ing talks about slavery, you think you were THE ONLY SLAVES in history of menkind? What about other races who had 10 0000 times worse experience with slavery? WTF?

But I dont see them whining all the time about slavery, are you ****ing angry because you're black, you wanna be white? Are you angry you're not white? What is the problem exactly?

I think you blacks have some big FU..C...ING INFERIOR COMPLEX about yourself, a big time one... and it is eating you alive.

You have no respect what so ever for your own kind, not to mention for others.

[PETRO2222]

So we should just come from Europe and play in your American ****ing league, but the price is that WE BOW TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN ****ed up race? WELL **** YOU AND YOUR ****ING RACE.

Oh; and your ****ing sick country.

There.

[insight]

Why should I ****ING CARE because your ****ing ancestors were slaves? What do I as a white man from Europe have in common with those ****ERS who enslaved YOUR ****ERS and why do I or Luka Doncic would apologize to you? WHO THE **** ARE YOU or your ****ing people AND YOUR ****ING COUNTRY known as USA?

Are you enslaved now? Do you have chains around your neck? Is it hard for you?

Most of you African Americans MAKE ME SICK, you and your ****ing talks about slavery, you think you were THE ONLY SLAVES in history of menkind? What about other races who had 10 0000 times worse experience with slavery? WTF?

But I dont see them whining all the time about slavery, are you ****ing angry because you're black, you wanna be white? Are you angry you're not white? What is the problem exactly?

I think you blacks have some big FU..C...ING INFERIOR COMPLEX about yourself, a big time one... and it is eating you alive.

You have no respect what so ever for your own kind, not to mention for others.

Do you complain about people sharing the historic information about the Holocaust, or world world I or II. Would you like me to talk about the African Americans who fought and died to liberate Yugoslavia from Nazi Germany?

Nobody is asking you to care. if you don't have anything meaningful to add on the subject, just move to a subject that interest you.

[rmt]

To answer the title thread: no, I don't think Shaq is racist - he just says a lot of dumb things about players like this about Duncan:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ungM0pNezkE

[LAL]

I remember him trying to kill Brad Miller when he should've attacked Charles Oakley.


Btw everyone is racist basically.

[Dbrog]

Morgan Freeman is 100% accurate. It's been proven time after time that the genes you are born into doesn't impair your ability to be successful. Certain environmental factors obviously will make that more difficult but as Morgan says, "courage is the key to life itself." Poor people don't understand the unknown risks you have to take (taking out loans to go to college, starting your own business from the ground up, etc) to move up in the world and ironically settle for the risks they see daily (drug trade, working low wage jobs and struggling to get basic needs met, etc). Some poster on here said it...education (and now you can educate yourself online) gives someone the tools to take those risks talked about above, even if it's not talked about in their schools or by their parents. People love being victims though...poor me! Give me sympathy and money for free! GTFO

[insight]

Morgan Freeman is 100% accurate. It's been proven time after time that the genes you are born into doesn't impair your ability to be successful. Certain environmental factors obviously will make that more difficult but as Morgan says, "courage is the key to life itself." Poor people don't understand the unknown risks you have to take (taking out loans to go to college, starting your own business from the ground up, etc) to move up in the world and ironically settle for the risks they see daily (drug trade, working low wage jobs and struggling to get basic needs met, etc). Some poster on here said it...education (and now you can educate yourself online) gives someone the tools to take those risks talked about above, even if it's not talked about in their schools or by their parents. People love being victims though...poor me! Give me sympathy and money for free! GTFO


"Doesn't impair your ability to be successful"
What is successful?
I don't even know what you mean by "poor people". Half of all Americans do not have 400 dollars in savings. many Americans are 1 or 2 paychecks for financial ruin. Are these people successful to you?
What Morgan Freeman does not acknowledge is you can control effort not outcome.
You can practice basketball and workout 12 hours a day but if you consider success playing in the NBA the chances of achieving that goal are still slim. Why because in the current system a high school player has about a 00.3 chance of being draft, no matter how much courage they may have.

[rmt]

What is successful?
I don't even know what you mean by "poor people". Half of all Americans do not have 400 dollars in savings. many Americans are 1 or 2 paychecks for financial ruin. Are these people successful to you?
What Morgan Freeman does not acknowledge is you can control effort not outcome.
You can practice basketball and workout 12 hours a day but if you consider success playing in the NBA the chances of achieving that goal are still slim. Why because in the current system a high school player has about a 00.3 chance of being draft, no matter how much courage they may have.

What is your idea of successful? Americans have access to food banks, churches, homeless shelters, school provided breakfasts and lunches, government food stamps, etc - are they better off compared to starving people across the globe who do not have access to food/basic needs? The point that Freeman makes is that here in America there is the OPPORTUNITY to lift yourself out of poverty - what you do with that opportunity is mostly dependent on your effort.

And if working out at basketball 12 hours a day is not getting you anywhere - find something else that you are better suited for. Go to any public library and sign on to the computer and there's the world wide web out there for you.

[Dbrog]

What is successful?
I don't even know what you mean by "poor people". Half of all Americans do not have 400 dollars in savings. many Americans are 1 or 2 paychecks for financial ruin. Are these people successful to you?
What Morgan Freeman does not acknowledge is you can control effort not outcome.
You can practice basketball and workout 12 hours a day but if you consider success playing in the NBA the chances of achieving that goal are still slim. Why because in the current system a high school player has about a 00.3 chance of being draft, no matter how much courage they may have.

Yes all those millions of people I would indeed consider poor and not successful. That's just my standard though. For instance, if one of those mentioned people have great social or family lives and they are happy with that, that's a fine definition of success. The dynamics I'm talking about, and Freeman, is if people want more, they can eventually get it. If you put yourself consistently in positions that have potential for success, you will eventually be successful. You can't look at outcome as a one-time event. Comparing sports abilities is a silly argument though because there's only like...400 jobs total...that's like saying the average person can be Elon Musk. No...they can't. There are certain physical or mental limitations that can prevent people from being the top100 worldwide in a field. Again though, that doesn't mean you can't be successful. It's 100% possible for anyone to get to a spot where they make 6 figures or have influence over at least part of a group of people (think local elections and such)

[tpols]

I remember him trying to kill Brad Miller when he should've attacked Charles Oakley.


Btw everyone is racist basically.

That's because Shaq is a big *****. It's a stereotype in the hood that "white boys" are soft, so he can easily muster the courage to throw a sucker punch at a white guy, but would ***** out vs true gangsters. (Oakley)

[MaxPlayer]

What is your idea of successful? Americans have access to food banks, churches, homeless shelters, school provided breakfasts and lunches, government food stamps, etc - are they better off compared to starving people across the globe who do not have access to food/basic needs?

People always lose sight of this.

I know it's really hard to admit this reality for anyone who seeks political change, but the status quo (as revolting as it is) is not THAT bad. We sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses, and to keep things in perspective.

[insight]

What is your idea of successful? Americans have access to food banks, churches, homeless shelters, school provided breakfasts and lunches, government food stamps, etc - are they better off compared to starving people across the globe who do not have access to food/basic needs? The point that Freeman makes is that here in America there is the OPPORTUNITY to lift yourself out of poverty - what you do with that opportunity is mostly dependent on your effort.

And if working out at basketball 12 hours a day is not getting you anywhere - find something else that you are better suited for. Go to any public library and sign on to the computer and there's the world wide web out there for you.

My point was Morgan Freeman enjoys freedoms and opportunities that others fought, sacrificed and died for knowing they would never enjoy the success themselves. IMO That is TRUE COURAGE, to sacrifice for needs greater than you own. Allowing yourself to show empathy not sympathy.

I don't disagree with Morgan Freeman, I believe it's an overly simplistic world view and does not acknowledge we all have DIFFERENT obstacles and challenges, some greater than others.

Effort, Courage, etc are important qualities to have but if you think that was all it took for Obama to become president in America I think that is naïve.

Too me success is subjective, I believe it is a pursuit not a destination.
Continual progress, being better and doing better day after day is the foundation of success.

[insight]

Yes all those millions of people I would indeed consider poor and not successful. That's just my standard though. For instance, if one of those mentioned people have great social or family lives and they are happy with that, that's a fine definition of success. The dynamics I'm talking about, and Freeman, is if people want more, they can eventually get it. If you put yourself consistently in positions that have potential for success, you will eventually be successful. You can't look at outcome as a one-time event. Comparing sports abilities is a silly argument though because there's only like...400 jobs total...that's like saying the average person can be Elon Musk. No...they can't. There are certain physical or mental limitations that can prevent people from being the top100 worldwide in a field. Again though, that doesn't mean you can't be successful. It's 100% possible for anyone to get to a spot where they make 6 figures or have influence over at least part of a group of people (think local elections and such)

I think sports ability was a great analogy.
Morgan Freeman is in a similar industry. No matter how many acting classes you take the chances of you landing a leading in role in a blockbuster movie are equally slim.
That was my point, America is not a equal playing field with equal opportunities for everyone. Courage and sacrifice are good qualities to have but they do not insure we get the job or pay we may want.
Again, I do not disagree with Morgan Freeman, I think it's half the equation.

[Dbrog]

I think sports ability was a great analogy.
Morgan Freeman is in a similar industry. No matter how many acting classes you take the chances of you landing a leading in role in a blockbuster movie are equally slim.
That was my point, America is not a equal playing field with equal opportunities for everyone. Courage and sacrifice are good qualities to have but they do not insure we get the job or pay we may want.
Again, I do not disagree with Morgan Freeman, I think it's half the equation.

Ironic to your screen-name, you don't seem to have much insight. You are still arguing extremes. No one, including Freeman, is saying that you will be guaranteed to land rare positions only taken by a few people in the world if you just work hard enough. We are talking about just making a good financial life for oneself and their family...very attainable in America and yet people use things like race as an excuse to not do the work the rest of us have to do.

[Dbrog]

People always lose sight of this.

I know it's really hard to admit this reality for anyone who seeks political change, but the status quo (as revolting as it is) is not THAT bad. We sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses, and to keep things in perspective.

Yes not to mention now, there is a plan for minimum wage to increase to $15 over the next 5 years. To put into perspective, my first job WITH A MASTER'S degree was $22 an hour. People are so privileged now it's not even funny

[insight]

Ironic to your screen-name, you don't seem to have much insight. You are still arguing extremes. No one, including Freeman, is saying that you will be guaranteed to land rare positions only taken by a few people in the world if you just work hard enough. We are talking about just making a good financial life for oneself and their family...very attainable in America and yet people use things like race as an excuse to not do the work the rest of us have to do.

Well let me give you some insight, the majority of money made in America is not made due to hard work. 60% of wealth is inherited primarily through real estate like home ownership. The top 1 percent in the United States own more wealth than the bottom 90 percent. The numbers are far worst for African Americans who represent 13% of the population but only own 1.5% of the wealth.
The difference for African Americans is this was intentional and by design. They were denied the access to the engines of wealth creation and at the same time told to pull yourself up by you boot straps. That is not an excuse, that just means many African Americans were born with additional burdens that many white Americans never had to endure.

Can you pull yourself up by your boot straps as Morgan Freeman suggest, YES, there are lots of opportunities, but lets no pretend the we are all playing on a level playing field.
Same thing happens in the NBA if the refs cheat your team out points, your team is expected to play through it and still try to win. That doesn't mean you should not try to implement instant replay so the game is called more fairly.

[insight]

Yes not to mention now, there is a plan for minimum wage to increase to $15 over the next 5 years. To put into perspective, my first job WITH A MASTER'S degree was $22 an hour. People are so privileged now it's not even funny

Do you know what the highest paid job in America was? Truck Driver you could make 30 dollars an hours straight out of high school. Truck drivers incomes have dropped 50% accounting for inflation since then. The middle class is shrinking, which is why America's GDP is larger than ever, but most Americans would be considered the working poor. I have personally benefited from it but understand the massive income inequality is destroying America. It's why you have people storming the capital and blaming illegal immigrants for their financial woes.

[rmt]

My point was Morgan Freeman enjoys freedoms and opportunities that others fought, sacrificed and died for knowing they would never enjoy the success themselves.

We ALL enjoy the freedom and opportunity (and progress/advancement) that others fought, sacrificed and died for - so it is for each successive generation.



That was my point, America is not a equal playing field with equal opportunities for everyone. Courage and sacrifice are good qualities to have but they do not insure we get the job or pay we may want.

Can I play basketball like Lebron James? Am I as smart as Bill Gates? Am I as beautiful as Scarlett Johansson? On the other hand, do I have advantages over people who are blind, deaf or can't walk? How can we make ANYWHERE so that it is an equal playing field - is that even possible given the differences/diversity we have? Or should we do the best with what we are blessed? America is by no means a perfect place, but it's the place with most OPPORTUNITY - how else do you explain a Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook rise in such a short time - he is only 36 years old!

Is/should anyone be ENSURED that he/she gets the job/pay he/she WANTS?



Well let me give you some insight, the majority of money made in America is not made due to hard work. 60% of wealth is inherited primarily through real estate like home ownership. The top 1 percent in the United States own more wealth than the bottom 90 percent. The numbers are far worst for African Americans who represent 13% of the population but only own 1.5% of the wealth.
The difference for African Americans is this was intentional and by design. They were denied the access to the engines of wealth creation and at the same time told to pull yourself up by you boot straps. That is not an excuse, that just means many African Americans were born with additional burdens that many white Americans never had to endure.

Can you pull yourself up by your boot straps as Morgan Freeman suggest, YES, there are lots of opportunities, but lets no pretend the we are all playing on a level playing field.


All Americans have INHERITED the freedoms and opportunities that you mentioned in the first post above. What say you about affirmative action, diversity programs like Google's STEP for underrepresented minorities, college admissions driven by/based on diversity/race (instead of merit), quotas, etc.? I do not believe that African American are NOW being denied the access to the engines of wealth creation - think RobinHood, Oprah, and all the scholarships based on race - not just need.

[MaxPlayer]

Do you know what the highest paid job in America was? Truck Driver you could make 30 dollars an hours straight out of high school. Truck drivers incomes have dropped 50% accounting for inflation since then. The middle class is shrinking, which is why America's GDP is larger than ever, but most Americans would be considered the working poor. I have personally benefited from it but understand the massive income inequality is destroying America. It's why you have people storming the capital and blaming illegal immigrants for their financial woes.

Really, so people born 50 years ago were better off?

[Kiddlovesnets]

According to black people, you cant be a racist if you are black. White supremacy is evil, black supremacy is justice.

[insight]

[QUOTE=rmt;14243984]We ALL enjoy the freedom and opportunity (and progress/advancement) that others fought, sacrificed and died for - so it is for each successive generation.




Can I play basketball like Lebron James? Am I as smart as Bill Gates? Am I as beautiful as Scarlett Johansson? On the other hand, do I have advantages over people who are blind, deaf or can't walk? How can we make ANYWHERE so that it is an equal playing field - is that even possible given the differences/diversity we have? Or should we do the best with what we are blessed? America is by no means a perfect place, but it's the place with most OPPORTUNITY - how else do you explain a Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook rise in such a short time - he is only 36 years old!

Is/should anyone be ENSURED that he/she gets the job/pay he/she WANTS?

When did African Americans INHERIT their freedoms as a citizen? What year?

I listed several examples of all the major banks that recently paid out Millions of dollars in settlements over racial discrimination. There is a large amount evidence discrimination exist in the education system, judicial system, and several other areas of society. Belief is one thing, but facts based on data is another. Saying you have rights now does even begin to address the damage that was done.
Do you know What is the force multiplier when it comes to wealth creation?
It's TIME!
That is why if you save $5 a day for 10 years, with 10% interest you would earn 30,000 but in 30 years it would be 300,000.

FYI, most scholarships are based on Financial Need about 14% of white receive merit based scholarships vs 11% of black students. Mark Zuckerbergs parents are doctors, or one is a dentist, he is a Harvard drop out. Not sure what he represents?

[insight]

Really, so people born 50 years ago were better off?

Yes, but more so if you were white and male. From the end of World War II through 1970s the US economic expansion was the greatest ever. What do you think " Make America Great Again" represents?

[MaxPlayer]

Yes, but more so if you were white and male. From the end of World War II through 1970s the US economic expansion was the greatest ever. What do you think " Make America Great Again" represents?

Man, I have to totally disagree.

Today we have better/safer cars, bigger houses, better drugs, cheaper airfare, vastly better entertainment, longer lives (as long as you're not morbidly obese or an opioid addict), way more options for food and clothing, safer working conditions, etc, etc.

Even if aggregate economic growth has leveled off a bit (in the developed world, anyway) everything that matters is still getting better. "Make American Great Again" is just nostalgic nonsense.

[insight]

Man, I have to totally disagree.

Today we have better/safer cars, bigger houses, better drugs, cheaper airfare, vastly better entertainment, longer lives (as long as you're not morbidly obese or an opioid addict), way more options for food and clothing, safer working conditions, etc, etc.

Even if aggregate economic growth has leveled off a bit (in the developed world, anyway) everything that matters is still getting better. "Make American Great Again" is just nostalgic nonsense.

You do know most of the technology we use today was invented in the 50-70s. The national debt in 1975 was about 500 billion dollars, the National debt in 2020 is 26 TRILLION DOLLARS