Pantagraph.com | Letters | How can blacks believe signs against racism?

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 27, 2008 7:24 PM:

" Interesting statement from "thetruth"aka Yacub Helm, writer of the letter to the editor: 'This issue will be resolved by the end of summer. This is a guarantee coming from an EDUCATED, QUALIFIED, EMPLOYED man. " Such POWER is very impressive! Is that a guarantee or a warranty? So, share with us HOW you're going to do this, considering your demands for jobs are far beyond the population share of all those AFRICAN AMERICANS who were never born in Africa. What magic wand are you going to wave? "

hmoore wrote on Apr 26, 2008 11:48 AM:

" I am a cosmotology student about to graduate. In school we are taught to work on EVERY single type of hair...aa, caucasion asian indian ect... To me...hair is hair. But more times than not, and AA woman will come in and the ticket will be given to me(i am 1/2 korean 1/2 scottish) and the AA woman does not want me to do her hair. She only wants another AA to do her hair as if I were incapable. Now i ask, if I were to apply at a predominantly AA hair salon, would i get hired?!?!?!?! From my experience at school i would have to guess, probably not! To "thetruth" How about you go to every AA hair salon in this town and poll how many caucasians are working there!!!! Or why don't you ask your AA friends if they would let a caucasian work on there hair?!?! My talents and skills are being discrimanated against because I am not AA! Please ponder on that for a minute! "

Anchor wrote on Apr 26, 2008 9:02 AM:

" To Truth - You have your "ear to the streets", do you? Sounds like political babble to me. "Finger on the pulse of the Black community" and all that B.S. Do you realize that the Black community is diverse in itself? Or do you only recognize CERTAIN Black people? Those people who you think have their "ear to the street". No, I am not going to any Meetin's. I am not engaging in the same old rhetoric that has been tossed around for decades with out any decent plan of action. I am on the front lines, black man. If you want to see real change , get a job (who cares why you are hired), earn, educate your children, own something. Go to all the meetings you want but only ACTION is going to make a difference. And again, I don't care what people think of me. Life is not a popularity contest. Disrespect me if you like but I am making more of a difference just living my life than your poorly written letter to the editor, your ear to the street, AND your vapid, blow-hard meetings. CHURCH! "

terry57 wrote on Apr 26, 2008 5:50 AM:

" I WONDER IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT, WOULD THE BLACKS HIRE WHITE PEOPLE ? I HAVE SEEN RACISAM ON BOTH SIDES, BLACK , AND WHITE..IT IS TRUE THAT BLACKS DO HAVE A FEW MORE RIGHTS , THEN WHITES DO..ONE COULD FIRE A WHITE PERSON FROM HIS JOB, FOR ALMOST ANY REASON, BUT NOT A BLACK, THEY BETTER HAVE A REAL GOOD REASON..I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT RACISAM IS AROUND ANYMORE,, MY GOD LOOK AT ALL THE MEXICANS, WHICH ARE ALMOST OUT NUMBERING THE BLACKS, THE INDIANS, AND SO MANY OTHER RACES,, WHAT IF THEY ALL GRIPPED ABOUT RACISAM..I BELIEVE IT IS UP TO THE PERSON ON HOW THEY MAKE THERE LIFE,,COLOR NO LONGER MATTERS, OR HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOU MAKE OF YOURSELF..SO LETS ALL BE AMERICANS, AND GET ALONG..AND QUIT BLAIMING EACH OTHER FOR OUR FUTURES,,,TERRY "

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 25, 2008 9:16 PM:

" TO OUtspoken. If all you can say is Amen to nonsense, please conserve energy by giving up your internet access and cpu usage. Thanks in Advance for your cooperation to what I'm sure you realize is the greater good.

Knowing "

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 25, 2008 9:14 PM:

" To the truth. I'm white. Good job. No connections. Just good hard honest work ethic. I challenge any unemployed black, white, man, woman, to prove they are more qualified then me for my job. Also, I'm a supervisor. And I've been told (it's actually company policy) that it's my job to hire and promote minorities based on their color not their qualifications. And I would, but no minorities are applying. THere's nearly 250 responses to this kid so enough's enough. C'mon folks, leave the college student alone and reserve your responses to when an actual grown up writes a letter. To the Truth, your letter asked for nothing but hand outs whether you can figure that out or whether you need me to figure it out for you. Nice effort though, like most college students I deal with, it's always cute when you think you know how the world works. "

Outspoken wrote on Apr 25, 2008 1:38 PM:

" To thetruth, All I can say is AMEN!! "

thetruth wrote on Apr 25, 2008 12:59 PM:

" To all: For some reason there is an idea being shared by some who have read my article that I wrote it so blacks in this town can receive "handouts" as it has been so put. I want to say it is employment and diversity I am seeking, not handouts. As a business major, I understand the importance of diversity in any establishment as a means to success. There are more unemployed qualified blacks in this town then whites, and its not because of the population. State Farm, Country, and ISU are not exempt from being under scrutiny for their hiring practices here. Just because they appoint one black into a high position does not make up for the high percentage of QUALIFIED blacks that are overlooked for their white counterparts, who most of the time have their jobs not because they are qualified, but because of their connections in this town. The hiring process needs to be monitored here to ENSURE that qualified blacks are not being discriminated against. This issue will be resolved by the end of summer. This is a guarantee coming from an EDUCATED, QUALIFIED, EMPLOYED man. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 25, 2008 12:41 PM:

" To anchor: I never said you were a sellout...but I did say your comments suggesting that the hiring system in Bloomington/Normal is fair sounds a little far fetched to me. The hiring system in this town does discriminate against blacks. The comments on this site alone has suggested that blacks are lazy and not qualified. Ifyou have children this should upset you. For you to be a black man and read the comments on how we are perceived in this town, and still think that it is skills that get you in the door, makes me wonder how many blacks you have talked to about this disparity, compared to you just making an opinion. I have my ear to the streets everyday and I talk to people everyday. They are the reason I wrote the article. If thats not doing something about it then what is? Since my article there has been meetings in Bloomington about this issue. If it wasn't a problem, why do you think the more respected blacks in this town called a meeting? Were you invited? "

thetruth wrote on Apr 25, 2008 12:19 PM:

" To Leroymom: They made businesses hire blacks not because there wasn't enough blacks being represented, but because there was proof that the businesses were indeed not hiring blacks because they were blacks. As a matter of fact if you did your research you would know that the blacks were actually more qualified then the white counterparts that were hired instead. So Leroymom blacks were qualified...thats the whole point of the term discrimination. It isn't called discrimination because they don't hire people different then them...its called discrimination because they don't hire qualified people who are different then them. "

cocoa wrote on Apr 24, 2008 5:07 PM:

" Hey everybody, how about trying this for a change: don't think of people as the color of their skin, but by what their personality is like and what they have to say. I do not go into a shop or other business and notice what color skin the people working there have. People are human, and if more of you stopped taking notes about what race people are, there would be less racism. WTH can't you all do this? I'm tired of the race card being used and I'm also tired of people saying, "I'm not racist, my best friend is black." Whatever! Every race and ethnic background has been persecuted at some point in its history. It's done, it's over. Learn from the mistakes and prejudices of others so you can avoid making the same mistakes and having the same prejudices and the world would be a lot better place. Maybe if you all started making eye contact with people when you see them instead of staring at someone's skin color, racism really WOULD become extinct! "

JohnDW wrote on Apr 24, 2008 3:43 PM:

" To TheTruth: It's comments like this that make your argument laughable "if you think the black workers were just behind the scenes, then whoever is assigning the tasks are discriminating the employees, put some of those black workers in the front to prevent this perception". It's quotes like this that enrage white people and should people of color as well. Why should anyone, black or white be brought out of a job working behind the scenes with luggage, maintenance, or whatever occupational duties they may have just to please those looking to point out the obvious or imply racism? No work would be accomplished and we'd all be S.O.L.! Remember those working in the back most likely applied for that position or were only qualified for that type of work(I'd think it would be embarrassing to falsely puppet people around just to make you feel represented). Keep in mind the whole white/black population statistic as well-- In case you've forgotten, and if filling a quota is part of the equation here, sadly folks like me are getting the stick in the ol' behind... and that is discrimination also!!!
"

vzbb wrote on Apr 24, 2008 3:00 PM:

" To everyone: Just because you have black friends/family doesn't mean you aren't racist. My grandpa had black friends and he was racist. He was just friendly with them because they weren't like "the other black people." "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 24, 2008 1:44 PM:

" Put in your application, wait, wait, interview well, get real lucky, work really hard so you can be out front, and you won't have time to stroll around the airport. That's what the rest of us do!! Come on man, assimilate it's 2008. "

leroymom wrote on Apr 24, 2008 11:19 AM:

" I am a caucasion. However, I have family that is black and biracial. You can make what you want of your experience of the airport. It is one place of employment. If you look beyond at places like State Farm, Country, Growmark and ISU, there are many successful african americans. In fact, the president of our local university is african american, a very successful man I might add. So don't pass judgement on one place of employment. Maybe you should conduct more research before you display your thoughts and opinions. I would have to say that if anything, white people in this town are being discriminated against. Because now, companies have to hire a certain percentange of minorities so they do not get sued for racism. Pretty sad because you hire to meet a quota instead of hiring because someone is qualified. If you ask me, the whole race card is played way too much so people will feel sympathy for you. "

r we there yet wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:58 AM:

" to the truth, I will clairfy my response, I said my best friend is black but I do have many black friends, even growing up in a very racist southern town I have gotten past my parents brainwashing, i think you need to do the same. "

HD wrote on Apr 24, 2008 8:55 AM:

" to thetruth: even your comments back to people are awful. You answer no questions and dispute back to people with absolutly no reference to their comments, you keep repeating the same thing over and over because you know your argument has been broken. The places I refered to previously was not in this town... When I was in chicago last weekend, I didnt see a single white working at union station (while I was there), did it bother me? Not a bit, I figured they were on different shifts or perhapse the percentage in that area of whites were lowered... but then again I use common sense. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE. "

PK wrote on Apr 24, 2008 8:37 AM:

" to thetruth: I admit that the title of your letter intrigued me to read it. But it was the content of the letter that led me to believe that the writer was making accusations without proper analysis or research, and since the theme of this letter was race based, it makes the writer look like a whiney racist. I have not ONE, but MANY friends who are black, and also many of other races. I choose my friends not by race but by mutual interests. I am sorry it makes you "sick" to think not enough blacks are employed in the places that you frequent. It has been pointed out to you that given the percentage of blacks in this community, then in many cases, you don't want fair representation in these establishments, but you want these places to employ a higher percentage of blacks than exist in this community. So what you really want is what we call reverse discrimination. You want blacks hired by establishments to fill a quota, not to hire the best person. Those are the hiring practices that make me sick. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 24, 2008 6:30 AM:

" Pixie: I have decided that not seeing people of color properly represented in this town in places of employment is sickening. If you think it is because they are not qualified, then the school system is failing, if you think the black workers were just behind the scenes, then whoever is assigning the tasks are discriminating the employees, put some of those black workers in the front to prevent this perception. A business has the duty to be fair. If there is signs of unfair hiring practices in this town, I WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT! So if any business owners are reading these comments, clean it up fast because a big audit is on its way. And thats THETRUTH. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 24, 2008 6:24 AM:

" To Blinkice...its easy for you to say such things because the majority of your race and friends probably have jobs...maybe at country or state farm. Thats not how it is on the other side of town. You think it fair but its not. Perhaps you like the disparity in the workforce between races. Well there are some who don't. And its not because they aren't qualified. Where do you work at and how many blacks work with you? "

thetruth wrote on Apr 24, 2008 6:19 AM:

" It seems that everytime a person comments about having this one black friend in their life, they have to add a story about something they did with their ONE black friend, just to validate that they actually have ONE black friend. Read these comments and see what I'm talking about. It funny to me. Now I'm not saying that makes you a racist. Instead I think that makes you a scared individual, afraid to try something new. Afraid to meet someone different then you and claim them as your true friend. Afraid of what the neighbors will say when they are over your house after the sun goes down. And please don't let them play their music too loud. Its pathetic. Come on folks its 2008. Assimilate! "

thetruth wrote on Apr 24, 2008 5:52 AM:

" I want to point out that first of all, the title that was given to my article was chosen by the editor of the Pantagraph. I didn't give a title. If you read my article without the title, I feel that a different perception will be received. My article was not stating that the hiring process was indeed racist here in Bloomington/Normal. What I did say was that not seeing one's race represented in employment at such a large facility can be discouraging and could cause this perception about the establishment, be it grounded or not. We can claim it is due to whatever factors you all can come up with, and most of them I agree. But the fact still holds that if a certain group does not see themselves represented in organizations within their community, then what other feeling towards the hiring process can be ascertained by the certain group but discrimination and unfair practices. To remedy this, establishments here should check their human resource departments and see if indeed this is a problem. We all want the same opportunities. "

Pixie wrote on Apr 23, 2008 9:35 PM:

" So you have decided the airport is racist based on a stroll around the airport 4 times? There are different shifts at the airport, regardless, people are hired based on their qualifications, not their skin color. If you want to cry racism, I recommend you polling this business properly and scientifically. Your findings have no real structure to them at all. "

dirkdavebigalow wrote on Apr 23, 2008 6:32 PM:

" It’s not right to judge unless you know all the facts. The area around the airport is predominantly white. It would not be practical for a person living in a predominately black area in town to commute all the way east to the airport for a low paying job. The same argument could be made about the McDonalds you visited. Why were there mainly blacks working there? Was the manager racist? If you had examples of whites getting jobs over equally qualified blacks now that would have been newsworthy. I find your observation to be racist.
"

r we there yet wrote on Apr 23, 2008 3:51 PM:

" You know with the way that this world is turning out this problem should be on the bottom of the list. We all have racism in us and I would challenge anyone on that. We need to be worried about what is happening to us, our government, just the poor state that we are making this world. Shouldnt we be more worried that people are crossing the border as we speak and taking our jobs and our welfare, shouldnt that be a worry, shouldnt it be a worry about how many children are without food and healthcare. Shouldnt we be worried about how many kids and adults are being abused and killed, right here in the US, so Im sorry if this is not one of my worries, yes Im white yes my best friend is black, and yes I grew up in a very racist southern home, can you stop racism? not as long as it keeps being thrown in our faces about slavery and then hear black people call eachother the n word, get a life Yacub and stop the racism within you. "

anchor wrote on Apr 23, 2008 2:12 PM:

" To FYI - Just racist against white men? What about the white women? Or the other races? As I try to follow your flawed logic I am thinking maybe it was more than race that kept you from getting these "good" jobs. "

anchor wrote on Apr 23, 2008 2:10 PM:

" to darknight - I am stunned by your posting. You are a shining product of Washington School. Your Grammer/Composition teacher must be spinning in her grave as we speak. "

lowrider wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:56 PM:

" My mother taught me to treat everyone the same. I have lived in places where I was the minority and places where I was the majority. In my experiences there is racism from both sides. What we all need to do is realize we all bleed red.
If you could be less P.C. and ask people why they do things the way they do, you will find out we are all the same and we all want basically the same things. "

BarBGrl27 wrote on Apr 22, 2008 11:38 PM:

" Did this guy give thought about if a white or hispanic person went to the same places and asked for applications that they too may be turned down because the business was not hiring? I have to say to those who think racism is still a factor ~ Its a factor because apparently they want it to be a factor. Slavery was a long long long time ago and did not happen to any one recently so why keep bringing it up if you dont want it to be a factor anymore? "

FYI wrote on Apr 22, 2008 7:36 PM:

" You are the racist here sir. There is no entitlement for employment based on race or anything. You earn a job by your qualifications. There are plenty of black and other races working at the airport(you obviously didn't look in the kitchen and maintenance shack). OK, that was low, but it's really the same thing you're saying. Try some of the major employers, and you'll find a dis-proportionate amount of minority races working...just because of their skin not being white. I use lots of people for labor, of all races. However, my being white has kept me from getting more than a few good jobs, as there are requirements for minority tokens...whether they are as good a me or not at the task. That's unfair and racist against white men people. "

What?!?! wrote on Apr 22, 2008 2:37 PM:

" darknight: Are you serious?? Native Americans get TONS of government money given to them. I think all you have to be is like 1/16th Native American to get all of the benefits. "

darknight wrote on Apr 22, 2008 10:39 AM:

" racism; this person seams to think there racism in this town. and I read one person name off all the countries. you forgot one nationaltie. The AMERICAN INDIAN. And I believe they were here before the nergos was. And guess what. There is still racism against them, and there is segreation shown against them, and this Yacub Helm complains because there is no nergros working at the airport. It seam to me , that they were here long befor you was,and they don't get a free rides to collage. You should look at who is causing this racism. I will say this. Bloomington has never pracitce segreation. I lived and still do. I went to washinton school, and had a lot of nergro friends. still do. and I'm white. this was from 1945 to 1955. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 22, 2008 10:38 AM:

" jipsi - Maybe you misunderstood my comments? Because after reading yours I see that we both agree that Yacubs letter was ignorant and BDP's comments were good. So are you arguing with me just for the sake of arguing? Talk about middle school...

There were people that had problems with BDP's posts; I cannot help that the Pantagraph decided to delete some of the negative posts I was replying to. I'm surprised you didn't think of that since you like to educate everyone on how this forum works and how posts do get deleted. I didn't start any unhealthy debating and I don't hiss, I'm not a cat. I also never said that BDP needed any support but the last I knew this was a public forum where people did just that, support & debate. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:58 PM:

" ChooGirl: Nobody here had a problem with BDP at all; as a matter of fact, I give her much respect for getting her thoughts across in a way that was friendly, sincere, passionate yet diplomatic.
It is not YOU, but your vitriolic posturing, that rubs many the wrong way (myself included).
Any "support" and valid points you might make (and you do make them, at times) are usually clouded by your hissing cat-calling delivery.
This was actually a nice, HEALTHY DEBATE, and I believe ALL hope it stays that way.
Yacub needs no help; he has shown he is more than a team, fending for himself VERY WELL against dozens of opposite viewpoints in one sitting (proven) ! :-)

And BDP was doing FINE without your "support"; as a matter of fact, I hope she understands how well accepted her comments WERE (and are) taken by many here.

Please don't turn everything into a middle school foodfight from here on...(sigh)
Both sides' "misunderstandings" are IMPORTANT ISSUES that all here WANT to continue to discuss!
But there's going to be some harsh words from BOTH SIDES. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 21, 2008 8:49 PM:

" Those signs. Mr Helm, are wish signs put there by sincere people. Believe them because they're saying we don't want racism. HOWEVER! Racism and prejudice are still around, outward and "covert," and Negroes don't have the exclusive on being put upon. Try thinking about everyone in your "cause," Yacub. Each race also has prejudices against people, even of their own race...particularly newcomers, the poor and "strangers." Have you ever heard "she has such a night light complexion" from a Negro? Sadly, I have. The lighter the complexion the better? Please!! Racism from within. I hope most blacks can be satisfied with their own beauty and realize only an idiot would not recognize Negro intelligence has the same range as any other race or ethnic group. Do you have any idea how other races, mixes, age, 'religious", ethnic and income groups are with each other? We've all been through slavery, racism, prejudice and hate to some degree. You are not alone Yacub. Try walking in the shoes of "poor white trash" some day. 2 laps might be enough. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 21, 2008 6:02 PM:

" However, I restate that when I was in retail management not one black person came in to apply for a job. Not one. So did that make our store racist? I would have loved to have a black employee b/c half the clothing was geared towards our "urban" customers but they never came in...far different from down south. It was weird to hardly see black people here at all. I didn't like it. I like the diversity. What I haven't liked is having to take my kids somewhere other than this town so that they feel like they can meet black folks that are nice so they don't grow up thinking that they are all mean like just about every kid they have to deal with in school. But then, according to Mr. Helm I am sounding stereo-typical because I am recounting my actual experiences and he is not for sighting his observations. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:51 PM:

" The point of my posts was that racism isn't just whites against blacks...there are many good white folks out there who are not racist and who would like to see more diversity and aren't scared of it but have had to deal with much anger directed at us. Like I said, it is very different with the black folks up here...sad to me because I so enjoyed all my friends down south. I do think racism still exists in this town...but in the 10 years I have lived here, things have changed a lot. I have personally seen/heard very ignorant white folks here say derrogatory things about blacks with a black person in the room and couldn't believe my ears! I have also seem many more white folks do what they can to help kids whose parents don't seem to care if they get breakfast before going off to school. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:47 PM:

" To BlackDisneyPrincess...I don't view your comments as hostile either. I think that the point all us white folks were trying to make is that Mr. Helms wrote a letter to the editor based on an observation and implied those companies were racist because he didn't observe any black employees on two trips around and asking for applications. B/N Airport is not a large airport but it is an airport in a city with a small black population so it is probably less likely to see black employees there, however, Mr. Helms tried to make it a race issue when he truly has nothing but his two-time around observation to go on. "

Anchor wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:48 PM:

" To blackdisneyprincess - I guess my over all point is; if you are going to wait for white people to help you or to make the playing ground level then I suggest you pack a lunch. You are going to be waiting a long time (i.e. Disney will not have a black princess until the MONEY says they need to). "Truth" sees fit to call me a sell out because of my views. In my mind the true sell outs are black people who sit around waiting for the white people to make life easier for them. They talk about repairations and programs and the great white plan to keep us down. There is no replacement for hard work, tenacity, and focus. If I stopped everytime some one told me I was not allowed...I couldn't...or I would never... I WOULD be nowhere. Long story short...if you want a black princess, be one, then make one. God is Love. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:30 PM:

" And no you don't follow my logic at all...can you score 38 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in one game? Didn't think so because if you did you'd be out there earning millions of dollars doing just that. It's called talent and opportunities. You see more black people playing basketball & football because that's what they grew up doing and they are naturally talented at it. You see white people playing tennis, soccer and hockey because of the same reason. etc etc etc. You can read my posts again if you like because never once have I or will I defend this Yacub and his letter, I think it's ignorant. But I think what blackdisneyprincess posted was wonderful.

Just because I'm not blind and see racism doesn't mean I'm anti-white, it means I'm pro human. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:27 PM:

" to PK: KUDOS, you said everything I needed to say, and in a fifth of the space I might';ve taken. LOL
Choogirl maligns your words: you were NOT saying blacks "live in a white man's world, get over it'; you were trying to get it across to disneyprincess that our country is of ONE PEOPLE, a virtual melting pot, and race "denomination" issues are what's causing the greatest "hostility".
Polish, German, Swaziland, Aremenian, Arabic (a people who are NOT the equivalent of "black"; some villages/clans closer to central Africa might be intermixed, but the race, as a whole, is of Middle Eastern origin), Spanish, Korean, etc. - all become "Americans" and MERGE into the MAINSTREAM (a MIXTURE, a MELTING POT, of whites AND many races and diversities). Only a large group of the Negro persuasion NOW fight this EQUALITY as "going white".
To concentrate into a tight "community" and swear off your new homeland as "against you" is what is "HOSTILE". It's one thing to be proud of origins and heritage; another entirely to create your own "island" BASED ON RACE and then cry "quit treating us different!". "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:22 PM:

" Good ole boy - We meet again.
Maybe if people like you would stop referring to black people as "them" black people wouldn't feel so distanced. And if you really read BlackDisneys Princess's posts, you would understand that she doesn't use the race card but she's also not stupid and blind to see what's happing in front of our faces everyday.

You said "Nowadays people it's all about how you work and act, if you want the jobs you get them because of your color if you don't keep them try actually working hard and quit looking for hand outs !! " Um huh? *L* Try retyping that because I don't think that's what you meant to say since it doesn't make any sense. Now let me guess, you're going to wonder why I'm on this post getting in your business like I did on the last topic...well it's sorta the same as you posting leaving other people comments now isn't it. DUH! "

Burns wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Yacub: so now you should get a job because you have a college degree (and you wear Old Navy?)? You have more excuses than George Bush. How about you start applying for positions, network the career path you've chosen, and hit the pavement. No one, ever, will GIVE you a job. You earn a job by offering something other applicants can't. A willingness to work with others always helps, but I think you've pretty much destroyed that as a selling point for yourself. So skillset is your best bet. Probably need more college now to make up for the shortcomings. "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:44 PM:

" JCG, If I follow your logic, white people are getting the short end of the stick in pro sports because almost all of the coverage you see nowdays is people of color. Maybe we should boycott sports until all teams are 50/50 split. Get real, in this world your life is what you make of it so if some want to play sports and some want to work for a living and some want to set in the projects and whine till they get something given to them, then I guess thats the way it will be. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:14 PM:

" So PK basically says " You live in a white mans world, get over it" Nice. :(

BDP - Unfortunately some people will never get it. I don't think you sounded hostile at all, you were just pointing out very obvious things that some people can't see because they don't have to. : ) "

blink2ice05 wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:02 PM:

" This story disappoints me. It just so happened that no african americans were working at the airport. It doesn't matter if you work at McDonalds or IBM there's still going to be a diversity of people whether it is white, black, purple or green. IT DOESNT MATTER just live life without thinking about what bothers you racially. Well maybe i should complain about that I have never seen men working at Victoria Secret in the Mall, I wont because it DOESNT MATTER if theres 10 black people or 100. You must be ignorant if you go business to business seeing how many black people are working and then complain because there wasn't enough. Maybe the airport stores actually weren't hiring. You cant classify the airport as being racial discriminating. We are all human in society, equal people, so quit acting like being Caucasian is the dominate race if you thought as people as equals maybe you wouldn't be racist and declare the airport all white. I think YOU are being discriminating against caucasians because you must think that there has to be a superior race in the world but there doesn't so just GROW UP. "

PK wrote on Apr 21, 2008 12:32 PM:

" to blkdisnyprincess: Your comments seem especially hostile. There should not be a separate month to study black history or separate college funds, or music awards or anything else. If you cannot function in the larger community then you are setting yourself apart, and promoting differences instead of working with others within the larger community. And by assimilate, it doesn't mean you need to give up your individuality or your culture, but you need to realize that you are part of a larger community and you need to try and join it instead of setting yourself apart and criticizing when the larger community doesn't do exactly what you want to do. So, yes, you need so assimulate into the larger community. And yes, I know what it means. But I don't think you do. You have every opportunity that everyone else has. It is just a matter of how you use that opportunity. You need to take responsiblity for yourself, and quit blaming race. "

PK wrote on Apr 21, 2008 12:21 PM:

" When some black people don't get what they want or things are not exactly how they thing they should be, then they pull the race card. If they are the type of person that will play the race card, it is pretty evident in their other actions too. Who wants to work with someone who pulls the race card whenever something doesn't go their way or things do "look" the way they think they should? (Like how many blacks are working at the BMI at a given point in time.) Perhaps that is why they don't get the jobs even if they are well qualified. Just a thought. "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:38 AM:

" A town where they can't be on the streets after dark ?? Man I'll bet they had a really low crime rate !!! Nowdays people it's all about how you work and act, if you want the jobs you get them because of your color if you don't keep them try actually working hard and quit looking for hand outs !! "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:35 AM:

" blackdisneyprincess - How many black people have won an Oscar for best actor or actress? 6 When was the first Oscar ceremony? 1929. So in 79 years, there have been 158 people that have won for best actor or actress (a man and woman each year) And out of 158, 6 have been black. Sad isn't it? I have also noticed the non existing black princess doll that Disney has yet to create & yeah Jasmine was definately Arabic. *L* I have stopped posting when it comes to racial divide because in this town, it doesn't exist. ummm yeah... and if you bring it up then you just need to get over it. Well I am white as can be and I live in Bloomington-Normal. And my eyes are open and I see it every day.

Kudos to you blackdisneyprincess, very well said. :) "

fishpoop wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:28 AM:

" My wife at this time (Cuban) still has been looking for a job for 2 years now. Have we once pulled a race card, no. We move on and keep searching. For me I have worked at the same location for 15 years now, and have watched other people receive promotions, as I have not had one in 10 years, am I pulling the race card, not I am pulling the you know I need to work hard and prove myself. Having bi-polar it plays more of a factor then color. when they find out that I have a "mental" condition they become weary, and since I had been diagnosed with this disorder I hadn't had the promotion. I am able to function every day, but I over come this just as you should over come your "illness" of thinking everyone is out to get you. Thank you "

fishpoop wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:28 AM:

" What I laugh at is he thinks of the BMI as a "large airport" It is by far a "large airport" I think before you come to a conclusion that maybe you should spend a few days there. You jump to this conclusion over 2 laps? I fly out of there every other week, and see blacks all the time. My mentor and best friend is black. I listen to what his father had gone through when he was younger, and still his father believed in treating everyone equal, just as my friend does. I have more respect for him then most people around here. It saddens me that you have to make comments as much as this, though you don't say if your "white" friend got the job. I applied there years ago and didn't get the job. "

HappyInIllinois wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:50 AM:

" Is it simply possible that the stores at the Airport Are really just NOT HIRING.....Give me a break, do you know how many caucasian people are passed up for positions and promotions at businesses simply because they are not considered a "minority" and to cover their behinds they will hire and less qualified minority to fill the positions...Is there anything else the African Americans here can complain about, you don't complain about the college funds set up for you that white people are not offered simply because of skin color.....Get over it and quit walking around town looking for a reason to cry "racism" if you hate it here so much because of the "way your treated so unfairly" then move......I think just about everyone is sick of hearing it....Get a different hobby and maybe your life won't see so "unfair" "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:30 AM:

" Choach and black prin., maybe if some of them worked a little harder and quit trying to distance themselves from mainstream AMERICA, they would see that the same chances were avail. to them. If they would just get out and work for them like everybody else and not think it should be handed to them because of color!! "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:55 AM:

" to iknowit: Comments like "Most whites are tired of blacks complaining"and "Slavery has been over for a long time now. Let yourself be free. Assimilate" are not cool. Not cool at all. I didn't want to say it, but it also sounds a bit racist to me, but thats just my opinion, you can have yours and I will have mine. First you grouped us all together and all blacks don't complain, just like all white people aren't racist. Then you told us to assimilate, do you know what that word means? You should since you used it, why should we have to do that to be accepted by you or anybody else? You ASSimilate into the black race, so you can see things like SOME blacks do and start complaining. "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:44 AM:

" If we talked about all of those people, we would need more than a month, so stop complaining before somebody tries to lobby for another black history month. That’s the only time most of you (didn’t say all) probably acknowledges someone other than Martin Luther King Jr. I’m not from B-N, but from reading you guys comments, some of you seem a little hostile, and quick to say racism doesn’t exist in a town that is mostly white, that further lets me know that some people are just not opening their eyes wide enough, or just don’t care to see what somebody else sees. This guy did not make anything up; it was a simple observation and an even simpler response to the observation. Yall took it to a whole other level with those comments. All of you all need help, probably Yacub too! LOL! Guess I will be getting an evil comment from someone now; I just insulted half if not all of the population of B-N. I didn’t mean it though, just kidding with ya! "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:43 AM:

" They are all referring to the same race, and I wouldn’t be offended by any one of those terms, nor do I care, or follow the masses or which one is more appropriate. Please at least not have an issue with that, can we at least have the right to call ourselves whatever we want. I personally have not traced my ancestors back far enough to say if any are from Africa, so I’m fine with Black or Negro. As far as having a white history month, or white expo, why in the world would you need that in America? Every day is White history month in America, and almost every Business is owned by white people, so would that really make sense? Really? All we have is one month; can we just have our month without some white people getting upset about that? I mean we only talk about the same ten to fifth teen black people that did something great, so nobody will ever know about the rest of the spectacular black people who were not in the limelight anyway. "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:41 AM:

" Or what about Lord of the Rings, not one black Hobbit, or Elf (Orlando Bloom was fine BTW), or Dwarf, or Man was in Middle Earth, maybe one of the blacks was a tree or an Ork, yeah that’s what it was (Loved those movies too). I know I am talking about movies, and we have Denzel, Halle, Will, Angela, Tyler, and many more, but even in Hollywood we are few in the many, same thing with the Airport that Yacub was talking about. Concealed racism people, its happening even when we think its just fun and games. I know, we have a lot rich athletes too as blacks, so we are really just making this racism thing up as a ploy to get over on white people. My next issue is about how blacks refer to themselves as a race or on an individual basis. What difference does it make if we call ourselves African-American, Black, or Negro (which BTW Negro is not a derogatory term, it’s the other N word that we don’t like for people to call us)? "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:40 AM:

" Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, let this man have his, without all the ridiculous comments about black people, we are not all the same, nor do we all see or do things the same. Anchor can probably attest to that one.  I have a problem with Disney, after over 75 years, not having a black princess! Jasmine was the closets we’ve gotten and she was most likely Arabic, I don’t really know because it’s not like they ever have an accent to compliment where they are from. Oh and Nala, from the Lion King, but she was a lioness in Africa, LOL, not an actual person. Does that make me a racist because I observed that about Disney? I still love Disney though. Also, I noticed that in Transformers, the only possible black one was Jazz (because they had him speaking like the stereotypical inner city black kid), and he was killed off. Why is that huh? Guess that makes me a racist for noticing that too (Transformers still one of my favorite movies ever!) "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:39 AM:

" I don’t think this man is a racist, nor is he trying to keep racism going, it exists whether someone writes about it or not. There is even racism within a race. People think that because black people have a month designated for them, or we have award shows dedicated to blacks, we have a black man running for president that could actually win, we have BET, constitutional slavery has ended, and other things, that racism is somehow not a problem, and that some blacks are just looking for a reason to be ignorant and lazy, but racism is real, not just against blacks, it does exist, and it is mostly very concealed (you do have instances of overt racism). Why else get so offended by someone's observation and opinion of how he views his community. Everyone is from different backgrounds and has different experiences, how you see things are not the way I see them, but that does not mean because I don’t see it, it’s not true, and vice versa. "

blackdisneyprincess wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:38 AM:

" Hi people! I read this article and a lot of the comments (impossible to read them all) and I was wondering why people were so hostile. I didn’t think the article was being racist or harsh; it was a person making an observation of a factual situation. If you live in a town, even if the population of blacks (don’t understand the issue with how we refer to ourselves either, but I will address that in a separate comment), is smaller then whites, why is there ever a time of day when you can go into a large place of multiple businesses like an Airport and see not one black person working there, or any other race besides white people for that matter? There are hundreds of people working in an Airport at all times, having to go in after the lunch hour to see one to four black people is still crazy. That is a questionable sight. Also, someone said something about Chicago, but even in Chicago with its larger population of blacks, there are still plenty of places you can go and see very few if any black people at all. "

Coach W wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:10 AM:

" Responding to Marlaj56- Marla. I have news for you. White history month is 12 months of the year. There is something to be said when you are a part of the dominant culture. Your culture is express as the norm. We do not complain about loud Harley Davidson bikes but we complain about loud music emanating from young blacks cars. This is just one example of how the dominant culture works. Just like women will never be called sexist in a male dominating society, the dominant culture cries out when they think their position is being challenged. "

Coach W wrote on Apr 21, 2008 3:35 AM:

" ......... Six years ago I was a finalist as a job candidate at UHigh and was sent to meet with the department chair and other faculty to determine who would have a better 'chemistry' with the department. African-American male teacher vs a white female teacher in a predominantly white institution. Who do you think won the 'chemistry' battle? "

Coach W wrote on Apr 21, 2008 3:33 AM:

" As professional black in this town I am appalled by the comments of mostly white respondents. The perpetuation of white privilege is very evident. When blacks make an observation and comments we are quick to shoot it down. Sometime ago I had a conversation with a white friend of mine who was very disgusted about a non hiring of a very qualified African American job candidate at a very prominent car dealership in town. Apparently, his boss suggested that he did not want to deal with the 'race issues' that might surface in working with a black person. I found that to be very disturbing. While I do not believe racist practices are done blatantly I know of many whites that got their present or previous jobs because of some connections they had at a company. Who are more connected in Bloomington? Blacks or Whites? When there are 10 applicants for one job with similar qualifications and experiences who will prevail as the likely candidate? "

iknowit wrote on Apr 20, 2008 7:59 PM:

" to thetruth: Knock off the pitty party. Most whites are tired of blacks complaining. I would hire anyone who is qualified, regardless of race. And, if they do their job well, they would advance. Slavery has been over for a long time now. Let yourself be free. Assimilate. "

4stals wrote on Apr 20, 2008 2:17 PM:

" Black History Month, Black Expos, African American Awards Shows, African American Music Awards, College Negro Fund, African American Parade, NAACP. Are you kidding? And we want to stop racism. Who keeps it going? Enough already! Again look at the person and what they do with their lives and how they act in life, not the color. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:36 PM:

" to thetruth (3, cont. from 2)

Now you claim that you all want SUCCESS (it's played pretty prominently in many of your comments, Yacub.), a "fair shake", like "whites".
But you are disgusted by those of your "community" who have to LEAVE to find success ... and don't RETURN? Are you kidding me?? Even working blacks don't want to be mugged, burglarized, car-jacked, etc. by the roaming youths who have resorted to crime because of poverty; black on black crime is HIGHER than any other demographic! If YOU had the extra income, you would be looking at moving to a more family-oriented, safer neighborhood, too. ANYONE WOULD.
If even ONE KID in your "community" can stay in school, work himself through college, and land a career, become a successful Architect or somesuch, THAT is all the community should NEED TO KNOW!
That it's POSSIBLE, that "if he could do it", you could do it!
(cont. to 4)
"

anchor wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:33 PM:

" By the way...I was at the airport today and saw three black people working there. Two working for airlines and one behind the counter at the rental car desks. What do you make of that? "

anchor wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:32 PM:

" To thetruth - Sorry I am not black enough for you. Maybe send me a list of things I need to do in order to be 'more black'. Sell out?...sure I am a sell out. Because calling some one a sell out to me is just another excuse uses to justify why a person is not where they want to be in life. That people who make it are not doing so by working hard but through some secret 'deal' or club. Or that being nice to white people rockets you to the top. THAT will get you ahead in life. You think that being black is somehow tied into my willingness to sympathize with those who do only the very least to survive. I am not the least bit impressed with your labeling me a sell out. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:25 PM:

" to thetruth:

I thought a little more, last night, about your problem with most successful blacks (you referred to them as "sellouts" (going white) unless they were actively getting their family and friends into similar jobs, remained in the "projects" or "black community" or whatever, refraining from having more than a token white friend, etc.).
The problem is this adherence to "black community".

Since I was young, in the 60's, I've noticed a "seclusion", or "separatist" clustering, going on in this area.
Instead of INTEGRATING into the AMERICAN MAINSTREAM, assimilating and blending in as EQUALS, blacks have actually retreated into "black communities" in urban areas across the country (I WILL NOT call them "little Africa's", like "little Chinatown's" or "little Italy's", because where THOSE communities ARE havens to mostly foreign-born or first generation naturalized immigrants, the black "communities" in American cities are comprised largely by AMERICANS and very few naturalized "Africans"). (cont. to 2)

"

RAIN wrote on Apr 20, 2008 11:37 AM:

" I just got back from Mississippi. And was at a few different high end shops. Only people I had seen working was African American. WOW. No big deal didn't think any thing about. Maybe I should have wrote to the local paper. This is the most ridiculous article in the paper. Get over it. It's not a conspiracy "

BFM wrote on Apr 20, 2008 8:37 AM:

" "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day" During February we observe what has always been referred to as Black History Month, right? During that month on a Chicago radio station, maybe others too, a black city councilman or someone like that was heard saying in a PSA (Public Service Announcment), that during the month of February we observe "African-American History Month". What the heck? Out of the blue now we just decide to change the name of a national observance? And you expect us to give you all kinds of respect? Some blacks it seems now can't even respect the name of a national month of observance to Black History. "

marlaj56 wrote on Apr 20, 2008 8:32 AM:

" OH PLEEEAASSEE!!! Let's talk about reverse racism. Do you know what would happen of March was "WHITE HISTORY MONTH?" That would be racism but February is BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! And what about the "black expo" in Peoria every year? When is the white expo??? Let's move on. There's always someone looking for something to gripe about because they are treated unfairly whether black or white. Your comments are unfounded anyway, because I have rented a car from enterprise on more than one occasion at the airport, from a black salesperson. Go back after the lunch hour. "

onlydownstate wrote on Apr 20, 2008 2:27 AM:

" Show me one personn in B-N who is starving because he/she is black. By the way, since you like to use a continental descriptor - African-American - for black Americans, then show the same courtesy for white Americans - then the descriptor should be European-Americans. Using caucasian is akin to using negro ( it is a scientific term that is degrading). This shouldn't be too hard for you since you say you are not racist - which I doubt. Your hatred is so much a part of who/what you are, you can't even notice it. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:26 PM:

"
to thetruth (2, cont.):

Talk about an answer "not well thought out".

You owe me an apology for YOUR error and INCORRECT statements.
You kept extrapolating on it in your response (60k a year!!), almost gleefully, in order to make me look like the "ignorant, silly white person" you want to portray me as.
You should be ASHAMED.

That you did not even UNDERSTAND (READING HELPS) my post shows you and your arguments are no longer WORTHY of debate to me. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:25 PM:

" to thetruth: You apparently DON'T READ, either!
If you HAD, you'd understand that I USED TO WORK and earn 60k a year! Over seven YEARS AGO! (a position I worked my A** off for, again, as I STATED)...
NOW, disabled, I bring in about the equivalent of what my former "new car" payment (plus interest, insurance, etc.) was (before I lost it), just under $860 a month.
In case you didn't catch this either: I receive NO state assistance, no child support, and have no 'rich family' to 'help'. And we STILL, as a family, have never, and will never, use our poverty as an excuse to resort to crime (and before you cleverly attack my use of a computer and the internet: my sons both do field work in the summer and used their earnings to pay for the computer and internet they use for SCHOOL and gaming; Mom gets to enjoy the computer while they sleep.)... (cont. to 2)

"

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:04 PM:

" (cont., to thetruth):
I'll do this for you: 8.6% of 20 is 1.7, so even 2 is a "rounding up" to a higher number... with "3 or 4" in that room of 20, the percentage climbs to 15 to 20%!!
Sounds to me like State Farm is trying diligently to bring their 'numbers' more than just up to the bar...

In CHICAGO? 8.6% of 20 is 7.36 (or 7 to 8 people). Now, YOU go to a Chicago business and I'll BET you'll find a LOT MORE than 36.8% AA's working there!
Larger cities tend to have a higher percentage of blacks (I'd rather use the term 'blacks', because we use the term 'white' to represent Caucasions, and NO ONE wants to hear the equivalent old-fashioned proper word for that, for sure, and African Americans is an INCORRECT term concocted in the 60's/70's for ethnic pride reasons; many have NEVER been or descended from "Africans"), so the percentages will reflect the variations in overall population.

You just WAY lost a lot of any respect I may have had for you and your agenda... "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:03 PM:

" to thetruth: You wrote: "Out of those twenty or more there is never more then 3 or 4 AA in that class, if that many. Does this seem like fair hiring to you? You can't tell me that AA in this town do not apply for State Farm. 2 out of 20...that only 10%...a very low percentage for a town claiming to hire people fairly."

Yacub, are you math-illiterate?
You DO realize B-N is NOT Detroit, or even Chicago (whites 31.3%, blacks 36.8%, other minorities 32.1%) , where the black population comprises a much bigger percent of the population than here (whites 83.3%, blacks 8.6% other minorities abt. 8%) ??

You think 2, 3 or 4 blacks out of a group of 20 new hires, 10%, is a "very low percentage" and UNFAIR, when, IN FACT, it is MUCH HIGHER than the norm! One cannot take twenty percent of the population and extract them all into twenty percent of all available positions because it just isn't feasible or MATHMATICALLY POSSIBLE!
(cont.) "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 19, 2008 8:00 PM:

" Yacub says, " to voiceinwilderness: Don't not help the cause because you think that I am saying the wrong things." You don't have to agree for me to try to help. Hate is so serious we all need to help each other. I've tried to help since 1953, before MLK, before integration and in the deep South where racism was about the same as I've discovered in the rest of the USA or the world. I now live in a small town in North Central Illinois that had a law forbidding "negroes"(that's what MLK called the folks you call AA) to be on the streets after dark. So, yes, I can believe there is still racism....and "covert racism" as you mentioned...but the people on this string are not all racists. Most are trying to understand and be understood. Consider yourself lucky they care enough to try to explain and clear the air. You gotta admit, the air is particularly thick now. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:40 PM:

" YacubHelm says, "You can't tell me that AA in this town do not apply for State Farm. 2 out of 20...that only 10%...a very low percentage for a town claiming to hire people fairly " & "continue to miss my point until one day you wake up & walk around the bloomington airport & see nothing but AA working there. Or walk into Country Insurance & see 88% blacks and 7% Caucasians." I see your point, reverse the situation and how would the whites feel. Is the black population of Bloomington 7 or 8.5 %, give or take a few? Are you saying it should be more than 10%? Isn't 10% close enough to the proper proportion? I doubt you're saying the proportion should be reversed because I know you're smarter than that & were just trying to make a point, such as "walk in our shoes." Good point, Yacub, which documents that the proportion is just about correct. Think about how much we are all probably mixed race and so similar genetically to each other that we can now call ourselves members of the HUMAN race. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:38 PM:

" To Anchor: If AA felt that other AA who are sucessful were sellouts, why in the world would they complain about not being represented in higher paying jobs? That makes no sense. I'm not saying you are a sellout becasuse of you income...I am saying that reading your responses reminds me of a guy named Uncle Tom. Any AA who lives where a sign was put up to put an end to discrimination and still say there is no unfair hiring process in this town has to be out of touch with the black community. If you are an AA and you don't know a thing about what is going on in the AA community in your town, and you claim to be successful...then yes, by definition you are a SELLOUT. But I am sure you don't care wjhat other AA in this town think about you because you have been accepted into the elite in this town. We all know that the elite in this town doesn't have a high AA population. The only time you feel like you are AA Anchor is when you get pulled over. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:34 PM:

" Finally, your point about asking companies in this area to release their employee stats is rediculous. That is like asking employers in New Olreans, East St. Louis, and other areas with a large "urban" population to explain why they don't have more whites. I guarantee if you go to New Olreans and find national companies that operate there, you will find that there is a greater number of black employees because there is a great black population. Your argument on this is not a good one. As I said before, I first moved here, this town was very white and it was weird for me. Now, I see much more diversity which means there IS progress and you want it all to happen over night. I have seen many more black people employed in these two cities and I don't need companies to prove to me what I see with my own eyes, as I said, take off your blinders and quit looking for what you only WANT to see.
"

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:28 PM:

" Furthemore, at least I am at home with my children teaching them that not all black kids are bad or mean...which is more than I can say for the parents of those kids who come to school and spew about how bad white people are. Where do you think they get THAT from? All I am saying is STOP pointing the finger at white people, take a look at how some of your community behaves and ask yourself if you really, really believe that it is simply because of skin color? If you say yes, then you need to take the blinders off to as much as you say white people do. Stop trying to spread hate and resentment and perhaps learn to get your message across in a more positive manner. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:25 PM:

" So you can post on your observations and they aren't supposed to be viewed as stereo-typical but I post on my personal experiences, and many of them and I am being stereotypical? Whatever! My first suggestion to you in helping to end the racism problem is to start with yourself. I wrote that regardless of how my children are treated by these mean kids, we teach them to view the person individually not as a whole group. I also said that B/N has come a very long way in the 10 years I have lived here as far as other races being employed. You seem to want to perpetuate that it is your skin color and nothing else that doesn't land you or others of your race a job. How about taking some personal responsibility?
Perhaps the only reason I sounded stereo-typical is because this is a typical thing that happens with some of the black kids, just as you have pointed out many stereo-typical things about us "white" folk.
"

thetruth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:23 PM:

" jipsi: I feel your pain on the issue of you being turned down now that companies refue to take a risk on you...but you also stated that you were making 60k a year. You can afford to not be hired. I assure you that people living over the railroad tracks can't afford to not be hired. Making 60k a year! How in the world can you comapre your situation to someone who hasn't made 60k in all the years they have worked total. 60K a year, no college background, just a HS diploma...wow! AA in this town without college experience can hang it up on that dream. They will be working in the lowest income jobs available. I assume you think it is fair that every new hire group at State Farm consists of more then 20 Caucasians and maybe 4 AA on a good day? Imagine if State Farm hired 25 AA, and 4 Caucasians. Do you think caucasians would consider the hiring process fair? Would you consider it fair? Being AA is not a handicap, comparing your situation to that of AA was not well thought out. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:10 PM:

" To 4stalls: AA had to create their own award and music shows to win...how many Oscars have you seen AA win in the last 15 years? If AA didn't make these programs for ourselves...who else would have done it? The ones in charge weren't givin out anyawards to us. Sidney Portier got one I think...then years and years later Halle Berry and Denzel receives one. So whatevr arguement you were bringing up, just put it away. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:01 PM:

" To in my opinion: I know you are not stereotyping, but it sounds that way. The fact of the matter is there are bad seeds in all races. My friends range in all colors shapes and sizes and I see the same actions in all races. There are many white children in this town who are just as bad as the the black one's you are refering too. Once again there is a stereotypical tone in your response, but you are basing it off of what you observed. Here I am basing my letter off of what I observed. If you want to prove me wrong, join me in asking the companies in this town to release the worker ratios in their companies based on race. If what I observed and have been observing in the places I have personally worked or have been in shopping or whatever business I had to take care of is incorrect, I will personally appologize to anyone who felt offended. If not then I expect all here to help me make a change when the time comes. "

thetruth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 6:34 PM:

" To LLM: I go off of what I see...and if I don't see them then what other conclusion can I come up with. The people on here act like I have only been to the airport once...or they assume I have never been employed at Country or State Farm, or that I don't know people who do work at these places. I would love to give exact data, but as soon as I do that, the excuse will be something else coming out of these people's mouths. They'll say "well we are in a recession" or "they didn't have the skills required" "or theres only so many minorities that live here compared to Caucasians. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to sort mail, or label documents. The problem here is that "

thetruth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 6:27 PM:

" to voiceinwilderness: Don't not help the cause because you think that I am saying the wrong things. Instead I would challenge you to take a look for yourself. How is it that every new training class that starts at State Farm has about 20 or more new hires. Out of those twenty or more there is never more then 3 or 4 AA in that class, if that many. Does this seem like fair hiring to you? You can't tell me that AA in this town do not apply for State Farm. 2 out of 20...that only 10%...a very low percentage for a town claiming to hire people fairly. "

4stals wrote on Apr 19, 2008 1:35 PM:

" Hard to believe let's see the other side, do people flip and claim racism when we watch the African American Awards show, African American Music Awards show, pay money to the College Negro Fund, attend the African American Day Parade, is there an NAAWP, no. Let's move on and stop looking at color and look at people. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:40 AM:

" (2 cont. from 1) REPOSTING the missing #2:

See, I was a professional in my field, making 60k a year not long ago. I can't even get hired to water plants because I'm "overqualified". I KNOW it's because they're afraid I might get hurt (slip and fall, drop something, etc.) so they're protecting their legal butts. But they can't SAY that (it's against the LAW)...

Now, "kind sir", you tell ME: how many disabled/handicapped persons have YOU seen today, at one business or a dozen, where you saw a person as myself working, of ANY COLOR?
(and PLEASE, Name places BESIDES a particular retailer and their greeters; no offense to them intended)

Tell ME: how many "physically-challenged" people have YOU helped to get a job?
That you count as friends AND often HELP to better THEIR lives?

This is the WORST possible minority, because we can't even consider resorting to a life of crime! LOL... what a picture: someone in a walker, trying to hold up a convenience store, and hobbling slowly away to the bus stop More hilarious: they'd have to ASK someone to CARRY the "take" FOR THEM!(cont. to 3) "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:12 AM:

" to anchor: BRAVO! Yours, for me, WINS as the BEST POST here, and all else pale in comparison. You were able in one short paragraph to make the most significant summary of the topic yet. THANK YOU. And know that I know and respect the particular PAIN you must endure as a result of believing in yourself and taking that somewhere.
You absolutely needn't be made to feel shame or remorse or guilt in ANYWAY; this guy, as you stated so well, simply whines for what he WANTS for all that all don't care to WORK for. NOBODY gave me (no college, just HS) any special 'fast track' opps; I worked my butt off, sacrificed my young years and social life (what's THAT? LOL) to get a TOEHOLD in the mountain I had swore to climb and overcome, and I DID.
You know exactly what I'm talking about. It has to come from WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL. And race plays NO PART in THAT... "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:04 AM:

" Bluedog: the LETTER WRITER had posted almost HALF of the total (140) posts by now HIMSELF! Yacub is going by "thetruth" here. Now go back, reread, and see WHO is trying to make this the "frontburner" topic.
Quite IRONIC. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 19, 2008 10:43 AM:

" (4 cont. from 3)
ANY successful AA is DEFAMED by their own people if they are "successful" and don't make it their "crusade" to "bring everyone to success" WITH THEM.

What happened to personal responsibility? You make your own way, your own life.
Contrary to what you may think, whites DO NOT employ this "brother/sistah" method in the way AA's do. It all boils down to what an INDIVIDUAL DOES, to make or break their LIFE, and, in ANY CULTURE, they should NEVER be "shamed" for being AMBITIOUS, and certainly not CONDEMNED for not bringing their family "along" to reap the benefits of THEIR labors.

Ads by Yahoo!

Online Degrees

See Today's Mortgage Rates

Weekly New Car Bargains