| AFROMERICA - A Nation Under One God |
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Thomas Duffy on the Issues In this collection of intellectually opinionated essays, Thomas "T" Duffy explores the depths of a society complexed with issues not so easily unraveled by the nations supposed experts. He addresses the most important ones affecting our lives each day and offers reasonable explanations and an analysis of each. Truth of Consequences From A to Z Most people have little concerns about it, one way or another, unless circumstances makes it a matter of choosing or not choosing to use it. The anti-abortionists said they are protectors of the unborn child, yet they are often guilty of killing innocent people and doctors. But the strange thing about this group is they have suddenly quieted down. I believe the rightful and respected advocates should always be those who express their concerns from a moral and spiritual relationship of life and death. A more obvious truth is men have less concerns about it because it sometimes relieves some from the task of lifetime payments for a child he will sometimes never see. In addition, men may not care because he feels it's never his child until he's behind in child support payments. Women - on the other hand - deal with abortion emotionally and most of the time is in conflict with its moral pro's and con's. But if her pregnancy gets less concern from her partner - if she knows whom he is - she may sometimes avoid abortion, which in turn may satisfy her as a way to punish him for being uncaring and unsupportive. Although I believe this isn't something most women would do. But men who feel, "Mama's baby daddy's maybe" are sometimes reluctant to accept responsibility unless DNA proves it's his. The unfair treatment of others, physically or verbally. As we look at the rest of the world and decide what we see going on there is similar to the things we often complain about, we suddenly have a need to intervene. Although it's never an important issue most of the time in other places, we often help to encourage it. But when the subject comes up in this country, the male seems to be the primary person who's guilty of doing it. If we choose to believe this lie, then it shouldn't be believable that women provoke most of the situations that sometimes end up being called abusive. The truth is, statistics has proven women are more apt to strike their partner first, use revenge as a weapon of punishment and destroy personal property out of anger then men are, although physical abuse is determined to be more serious if and when he strikes back. But we all have had a little touch of abuse in some way, only today there's a hidden dialogue amongst a few who say if you believe you've been abused, you probably were. Our memory may help to remind us of the butt whippings some of us got, although we still believe we were good kids and didn't deserve to feel the sting of the belt or the switch. In many cases, when someone say they've been mistreated it's only to find some way to hide their own indiscretions against someone else. The so-called experts will often avoid the truth by concluding any feelings one has about being abused was probably lying dormant in that person, where one day it suddenly clicked on in their mind. But it's known in cases where abuse was never an issue, people who claim they were, were found to have falsely accuse another to punish them, although this action may go undetected if the accuser is known to have psychological problems. A system like ours, which allow agencies to use statistics to create social data to support the so-called experts, may also avoid revealing the truth to tally up their sometimes-bogus findings. But the real concern should be, any person who's genuinely in an abusive relationship, shouldn't have any compromising reason to stay, but only to get out of it. Affirmative Action was and still is a positive way for blacks to even the playing field. But it's become a means for other people to use; people who attack its real purpose as being unfair to whites. But regardless of the complaints coming from those who's looking to jump on the band wagon, blacks have to preserve it for what it really means for them all these years, because there seems to be a never ending fight about who should be privy to its benefits. Whites, and more unbelieving to me, some blacks are suggesting it's unfair and racists and should be faded out. Aside from a few white men who have challenged it, white women have benefited from it more because many of them claim they have also been discriminated from many of the same opportunities blacks have. But concerned blacks today are wondering why they should fight to keep something for people who really are in a better social and economic circumstances then they are. Yes, women have been treated unfairly in many areas, but white women have more support on their side to correct it because they are often married to or involved with white men who can make a difference in their lives. Putting this aside, few will also admit they're more in control of their lives and have more money at their disposal then any black person. So the truth is, Affirmative Action was to become a better way to insure blacks would gain more independence and an opportunity to choose what they want to do with their lives. But an added fact is whites have chosen to challenge its process and purpose by using reverse discrimination as the reason. I wonder sometimes, why we're always being reminded about things that's suppose to not be good for us, yet we haven't found a way to handle it in moderation. Regardless if it's cigarettes drugs, or a six-pack of beer, if there's a real concern, find a way to control the volume being sold. Unfortunately to most that would be unconstitutional because unless you're a few seconds out of mother's wound, or spent most of your life in one room, you should know most people don't live moderately. So why is it a political issue when it's really a social issue that, not only affects our lives but our medical future. The dictionary say's it's to have some hostility or discrimination against people of the Jewish faith. Why is it whenever someone criticizes or disagrees with someone of that faith they are called anti-Semitic? Blacks who lived in the oppressed areas of New York City remember the slumlords and inferior food sold at the stores by these individuals. Many remember the many fires started by unknown arsonists who injured and sometimes killed people when these landlords chose not to repair them. Older blacks sometimes never forget how their parents said they were treated, working in their homes and businesses, by some of these same people. And let's not forget the many recording artists of yesterday who still complain how crooked record moguls stole their money and future. These feelings shouldn't be considered anti-Semitic, but maybe anti "those who took advantage of people," just because they could, who said their faith just happened to be Jewish. Most people, regardless of race, are aware of the significant improvements they have made in their lives and their contributions to this country. But the rewards for there accomplishments haven't always been shared by black men. Looking back some years ago, it wasn't unusual to see less black men in prison. But over the years the numbers have increased to where black men out number men of other races. Some of it may have resulted after the end of the Vietnam War, but a large percentage of this disparity is the results of years of planned obsolescence. Few could get jobs, which gave crime an entrance into their lives. But this also gave the organized and more powerful criminal a chance to offer him the opportunity to make more money working then he could ever make working for them. I'm reminded of a subtle quote in the movie "God Father", which clearly revealed how many young black men's' lives were steered in the direction of failure. The message was clear and represented a feeling that may still exist throughout this country. "If you going to sell drugs, sell it to the Blacks". So in order to make it all work, they hire blacks to sell drugs to blacks. This may have been written in a movie script, but it was also the real feelings shared by many. So looking at the criminal records of a large percentage of these men, you would see most of their crimes centered on some relationship with drugs. Eventually drugs infested the neighborhood and women and children also fell prey to it. Unfortunately this blemish upon the race has kept many blacks still fighting off the idea that they only sell and use drugs. An added blemish is that generations of blacks have fallen to the same. Although there may have been some immediate reasons or long-term circumstances, blacks as a group, seem to differ about the effort it's going to take to get drugs out of their lives completely. The truth is, it's going to take a different kind of relationships within the black community, other than rehabilitation. Because drugs has been used sometimes as a substitute for addressing social and economic ills. It's has to be a matter of taking control and using basic "stick-to-it-ness", to find a solution to set new standards and to establish a new character of concern for the community. On the other hand, it may be difficult for some black women to concern herself with problems in the community, until she willing to take herself out of the lime light. But regardless if she's willing to or not, the truth is blacks have to find a way to solve this problem and not expect it to come from somewhere else. There's enough black religious leaders, therapists, psychologists, around the country who can get to the core of the problem without expecting the courts or anyone else to do it for them. Are they burdens, or mistakes? In Gods eyes they are neither, but rarely are we able to deal with this truthfully without having to prove it to the new so-called social experts on family and children who concern themselves with our business because they know more than we do. Primarily to get us to read their books, listen to their formulas for modern family life, because they know everything about what we should or should not be doing for our kids. Although many of them are divorced and live as we do, they disregard this flaw and start to fill our heads with their nonsense as soon as our children are born and their social security numbers are filed. So it should be easy to understand why some parents may feel they've had enough when it comes to raising their children. But the unspoken truth is, children have become nothing more than a commodity to create jobs titles and tally up credentials that's necessary for the social service community to remain in tact. So many are being damaged from both ends. First by parents who lack the skills to help their growth and secondly from the social critics who often scolds us for trying. It's now accepted that children don't need both parents [following the radical feminists idea] as long as there's money to provide for them, and unfortunately the courts often agrees as they choose women over men as the custodial parent, regardless if she's fit or not. But parents are sometimes guilty of creating their own dilemmas by disturbing the flow of the potential family. Sometimes after the birth of a child, one or even both may suddenly feel they're stuck in a situation that gives them no time or chance to have a life of their own. And sometimes the parent that's left with the responsibilities may not be willing to deal with single parent circumstances, and also the financial problems that are often associated with it also. This often opens the door for intervention by many agencies to sometimes interfere in their lives and tries to act like the missing parent. A place for hope and fellowship. Only today it's become a place for some individuals to place themselves in a position to falsely translate what's written on the pages of the Holy Book. Regardless of the laws written by man, all laws and how life should be lived derives from the Bible. Should we challenge it or find any excuse to change it like the way we amend the Constitution so we can set our own standards within the framework of society? Of course we shouldn't because it allows so-called religious leaders to set themselves up as healers for God. When an elder of the church tells me they have the only answer to my salvation, should I question them? When the philosophy of my church causes me to question my worthiness, should I look for answers someplace else? When I see families breaking up because a wife or husband casts out the other because of their failure to believe as they do, it makes me wonder who's really reading and following what the Bible says. But to not go to far with this subject, knowing religion is a tough subject for some people to accept. Regardless if you believe in God or some other supreme being, no mortal has the power over living and dying, it's a choice that's left up to the unknown. So the only reason we're suppose to believe spiritually in something more divine and superior then ourselves, is to live a more worthy, fulfilling, and giving life until our death And the odds are one to one, none of us will live long enough to see who beat those odds. Is a well written and thought out document, but like many other documents of that magnitude, written for the betterment of all Americans, it's often interpreted without forethought of it's true meaning, which have allowed some of the worse people in our history to use it's contents to infringe on the right's of other's, often without penalty. On the other hand, because of certain group's "rights of privilege" who many still be living in the past, groups such as blacks still have difficulty convincing the status quo they are part of the American sketch. This attitude, unfortunately, still exist amongst these diehards who still believe blacks were ever included. Because these laws excerpt those from the Bible are written with areas of gray, this often gives the ruling class a chance to paint in the color that's missing for their benefit and the only individuals in this country who believe they have more right to do it is the white male. So there's no reason to continue this argument, because the truth is, they usually win this one. Exist from the top of the society to the bottom, where it seems to be more scrutinized, although most crimes committed at that level is usually a matter of survival. But if it suddenly disappeared, what areas of the society would go into immediate bankruptcy? The truth is crime rates second to nothing we can think of economically. Even the illegal drug trade helps to elevate its value. Regardless if it's corporate heads caught for their poor judgment, or a little guy on the corner arrested for selling a few vials of crack, money spent from the beginning to the end to bring people to justice sustains it's economic value. It's written in the Bible that man doesn't have to marry, but to keep from sinning in the flesh he should. And the only way he should divorce is when the other commits adultery. But the truth is, most marriages end for lesser reasons. Many marriages are short on time and long on bitterness. Few last past the birth of a second child, supposing some marriages are because of a new birth. When one person starts to compare the things they see someplace else to their own situation, the next thing is to complain and find fault with the other in order to get out of the marriage. Often it's because they bring their need to control into the marriage, only to feel the shock of knowing their mate is as controlling as they are. Some even expect the other person to make them happy when the truth is they were probably never happy about anything, not realizing happiness is their responsibility anyway. Many go into a marriage with nothing, yet they expect the other person to take care of them when it's all over. Unfortunately, no one has been able to suggest any alternatives to marriage other than staying single. But I believe sometimes, if someone tried hard enough, they could probably think of something better than going through the entire ceremony, screwing up later and eventually asking for God's forgiveness. And what's never considered are the people whose lives are already screwed up. Most of these unions are between individuals with similar problems. So this will often help to continue the circle of confusion and contempt. So some of the causes or reasons for what helps to end these marriages are often like a ball player making all of the decisions for his teammates, they usually don't believe the others have the skills to play the game anyway. What's the point of me talking about it? Regardless if it's trying to educate people about its affects on everything they do, to hoping most kids are smart enough to "say no". The pros and cons of this dilemma haven't changed the position amongst the advocates against it, as they continue to believe they can stop it. But what makes it more difficult to stop it is few countries can say they don't have the same problem, regardless if it's not a small dealer on the corner near one of the famous international hotels. But the first thing to understand when it becomes a question of who's the most powerful in the drug traffic business, blacks have the least power, although they are arrested and serve more time for it. Although there have been a few blacks lucky enough to get a few big bucks, the truth is, the real wheeler dealers don't live in the "Hood". They remain out of sight and run the big businesses, selecting other people who are willing to put their life on the line to distribute their goods for enormous profits. And it seems regardless where it's processed; most of it will end up in the land of the free, because of the money and legal jogging associated with it. But listening to the new idea about legalizing it say's to me a large percent of the people aren't really concerned about lessening its value. So it would be silly to believe these people who want it legalized would only have using it in mind. Are we using some of the same methods to educate children today as we did years ago? If this was a real question being asked, why couldn't educators examined the good and bad of the past and present to see when the system was near to working better. Investigate why it was better and apply at least some of those methods today, because it's impossible to believe there was never a time when it didn't work. Children, regardless of social or economic backgrounds have little difficulty learning most things in their early years. But after getting to an age where the ritual of learning constantly rings in their ears, some kids are ready to give up. My thoughts about this is maybe it's because somewhere between going to school in the morning and returning home, few teachers remember if they were even in school that day. And maybe it's because they focus primarily on two types of kids. The kids who's always in trouble or slower, and the others who's above average, which means, the kids in the middle, who wants to learn, may not get the same consideration, although they're usually the students who set the academic profile of the system. If simple teaching methods could be adopted along with hiring people who's willing to challenge a system that complains it's getting worse, maybe the politics of education can be put to rest. This is not to suggest the problems exist mainly in minority areas, it's to show that regardless what race or creed a child is, if educators don't know what kids need to go forward successfully in the future, the system fails. Unfortunately, the payback from kids who fall through the cracks can be devastating, economically and socially, which most of us are already seeing. I wonder how many remember what family is supposed to represent. But I must first inform those who are puzzled, that although it meant something years ago, it means nothing today. I'd like to know who's idea it was to suggest that a male/female social environment isn't necessary. Most people know we learn new things most of the time because of information passed on to us from other people. But to challenge this idea, I can safely say, no man or woman have the profound wisdom to know what's best for any of us, especially if the information has no truth to it. Because in most situations, it's their own idea and it's interpreted to please their personal choices, which leads me to say why living the truth should be part of our daily life. Sometimes when others tell us they have all the answers, we should question their motives, for it could help to see their real intent. If we avoid challenging them when they tell us they have the solution for what's best for us, it's often a smoke screen to try to and influence us with other things and not deal with the issues on hand at the time. Issues that go unchallenged by us will often destroy us for believing it. As explained in Webster's dictionary, is the quality or state of being free; the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint or from power of another. As an American, do you complain about not being able to exercise your freedom, or do you function generally with no concerns about it? A simple understanding about what I'm trying to get at and a moment of honesty will reveal what you are and why you've never had a reason to be concerned about it. Is never a real issue until you get older, are poor, or have less money to contribute to the HMOs who usually limit your needs because their expenses are going up to take care of you. Those who need it can't get it and those who got it often complain about what it doesn't do for them. But the truth is, whenever the idea or thought of socialized healthcare arises (which would make a difference) the concern about it quietly disappears. Just to use the Black Muslim and the Black Panther Party (which may no longer exist) to show what hate groups are about, neither of these organizations is an example of one. Their concern about what affected them and other blacks is and was the primarily reason for their existence. And never was their concern or sometimes anger directed towards the destruction of this country. So it can be assumed by this example, that only whites really have organized hate groups, because their campaign is not only directed against more individual groups, but the government also. Unfortunately they believe they must remove certain people from this world to save the white race. I guess they haven't read how most other civilizations have disappeared. Groups like these were part of this countries beginning, although the purpose of most black groups was trying to gain racial equality. Most black organizations were usually spiritually motivated, so they were less apt to bomb federal facilities, build and train armies to overthrow the government or suggest the shooting of innocent whites just to get their point across. Black organizations were usually passive and tried to get their followers to stand up for their rights and to help themselves. White groups, on the other hand, are known to use the ideals and methods of Hitler to enhance their feelings of superiority over others. Whiles also using religion and quotes from the Bible as a backdrop for their foundation. But the real difference in the groups is the methods used to get new members. Black's signed new members, while white groups recruited members as the military does and it usually starts when changes in the economy affect them negatively. During this time, the weakest individuals are easily recruited because they're convinced they can make a difference. A person's sexual preference was never my concern, knowing I wouldn't be around to see which way they prefer anyway. First realizing none of it has any importance to me and secondly, if I should cross the line, the consequences may leave me suffering for the rest of my life. So I have no reason to become a personal advocate against it because I'm to far remove from it. But thinking about it, I do believe some of these individuals can't help their circumstances, misguided and some even opportunists. I can safely make this judgment because it's not difficult to see many of them aren't really gay. The truth is, men who want to provide themselves with the surroundings to enjoy the finer things in life may look for it sometimes amongst the gay population, where a sizable amount are wealthy. And black men, who have woven themselves into that community, may chose to do it primarily because they feel the system accepts him being gay, much easier then being black. And from the female prospective of that community, some women who may not be satisfied with their female appearance, and inability to chose the right men may chose to live this way as a way of avoiding socially prostituting herself for men to be accepted. Others may chose to try these relationships as an alternative, not realizing it could be difficult to get out of later. But there's a new woman who's suddenly gaining an appetite for this life style and she's young, attractive and black. But regardless of the population or reasons people are involved in these relationships, if you gave some a choice to return to the heterosexual life style and not have to deal with the slander, hatred or biasness anymore, the truth is, a large percentage would do it automatically. Of course this is only my theory, which may be questioned, although there may be some truth to it. The dialogue that usually surfaces when talking about this issue has proven through the years to be nothing more then a convenient subject to talk about when political hopefuls need something to bait their constituency and get votes. Like most other things that's important to people, it's only becomes something to be concerned about when election time comes around. But if you were old enough to live in one of the old tenement neighborhoods, especially in New York, you may see how politics have and can fail the people. It may show how most of those communities were torn down to make way for someone's personal ideas, yet few of these ventures were successful. An example of one failure is where the Cross Bronx Express now lies. Buildings were torn down and thousands of people were uprooted and promised a better life through better housing. Only they ended up living in one of the biggest financial burden in the cities history, call Projects. The truth is, these high-rise ghettos gave the powers that be, a chance to choose where the poor should live and narrow down their areas of destruction. But somehow it became something much more troubling and complex then they imagined. Because of this, there was less money spent to improve the surrounding areas, which lead to fewer concerns for the communities needs. When crime swept over many of these areas and became a giant size problem, the question was never asked about why it failed. But the truth is, a Project is the "definite formulated piece of research" that's usually in process, so because they didn't research the formula that would have made the end results beneficial to the people, it will always remain on the economic and social drawing board. Other than complaining about the people who sneak under or cross over the imaginary wall between the United States and Mexico, there are people visiting here and staying, who don't get the same negative attitudes as that group of people. And most of these people come from Europe. Looking at the reasons many have decided to stay, we see that a large percentage of their problems wasn't political or a weaken infrastructure, it was crime. The truth is, regardless where people come from, whenever there's a priority in their life to do things against the law, because of the weakness of our Constitution, this country seems to be the primary place to get started. So to avoid adding to a criminal justice system that already has more problems then it's able to handle, would it be unfair to only allow people into this country, who's capable and able to contribute something? When people migrate into any new country without restrains, it usually interferes and puts a strain on the economic system, create social problems often when jobs are scarce, and criminal activity. Just take a look at the Atlanta's gang problem, whose member's are primarily Mexican. Secondly it creates additional burdens on the younger populous heading for jobs and the elderly population in regards to survival needs. But any new method of controlling who comes to this country may only allow agencies like the ACLU to proclaim everyone has the right to be here regardless, as long as they follow the procedures to become a citizen. Because of the interference of their politics and these kind of agencies, the real work is usually past on to someone else to just keep an eye on things, such as law enforcement. But an easier way of lessening the load is to primarily use any sudden criminal activities as a genuine reason to send them back to burden where they came from. Statistics shows people today are more willing to live together without marriage then take the vows, although most don't realize that shacking up doesn't prevent any of the same negative things or responsibilities from existing. In fact, it sometimes can be worse. And considering the laws in some states, it still doesn't protect you from serious financial obligations when it's over, especially if there's children between the two. One reason is men and women often have abstract hopes and dreams going into these relationships, which leads them to believe any domestic problems are less meaningful, primarily because the union is usually a relationship without commitment. Just to see that few people are willing to commit to anything unless there's something in it for them, it's odd that it doesn't stop some couples from chosen to do it. But no one has to ask for the statistics to show how many are in this situation, because most of them are short lived. Often it's because of physical attraction, or personal needs centered around finances, so when the attraction becomes less of a need for the other, the easy thing to do is move on and start the same adventure with someone else. Why should I concern myself with this knowing few people will challenge or even have the power to limit what it does? Why should this be an important issue when most people depend on the information pumped into their heads from this medium as the only truth, not realizing there are other sources to get information. But this medium that gives us so-called necessary information, often over stepped their privileges of free speech, to where they keep no secrets. Regardless if it's revealing a new weapon developed by this country or new methods to catch criminals. "The public has the right to know", always cover-up their reasons for making money. But do we really have the right to know about everything? Watching some of the new cable networks that try to pattern themselves after the others, we see most of them have become forums to criticize, complain and use unscrupulous methods to open old wounds about anything and everything to keep us most of the time at each other's throats. Were they really created in the image of God? If so, I know I need someone else to worship. Men over the centuries have destroyed lives, cultures, countries, dreams and more, although many who have helped us to fulfill our dreams. But he's also found a way to live off the rhetoric, which allows him to keep doing most of the horrible things he still does. "The sins of our fathers", has left me sometimes wondering why they didn't let me, a man, die at birth. Maybe it's all because he believes he has the right to do whatever he pleases, because God is said to be man, so he has the same rights. Although necessary in many ways, some have fueled the fire of hatred, terrorized communities by doing some of the same things they are expected to control. And sometimes with some of the same viciousness as a dictator who rules over a nation of starving people. Fortunately, most are not that way or maybe it's because they don't know how powerful they are. Unfortunately, though, there are others who fall short. They're usually highly opinionated and will often act out with vengeance against anything they believe does not live up to their expectations and are quick to put themselves in the middle of situations just to prove themselves right. Parents and the community they live in whose alleged moral and ethical attitude expects them to follow the same convictions usually form their character. Some have been known to act out on their personal feelings on innocent people. And years ago, I would have believed only white officers were guilty of this, but seeing the attitude of some black officers, they're no longer guiltless. My observation of what influences this is the self-proclaimed feelings of position versus individual power. The truth is, most police officers live and come from some of the same backgrounds and neighborhoods with people who think like them. Looking back many years ago, the police in many towns and cities often mistreated people in other communities, at will. Sometimes to the point where people would do anything they said, including lying for some in court. Many officers in southern towns were members of the Klan and committed heinous crimes including murder, although they were suppose to protect all people. Modern day police officer's like Frank Serpico told the world how dangerous his comrades were. But few law enforcement agencies are really able to weed out the ones who may use unethical methods against people until they are caught stepping over the line. Or like they say "doing something that's unbecoming an officer". So my final thoughts are this, it probably won't ever be something we can change until the society relieves itself from acting out with some of the same stereotyping biasness and hatred that exist within them. This group seems to me to be a farm team for the larger group which most people have no idea how powerful they are. When I speak of politicians, I usually mean the smaller ones we usually see and hear about in our communities. But I believe their decision to work at that level is just a stop over, to get experience, and learn the ways of the masses before they take advantage of us somewhere down the line. But expecting them to work in our behalf should give us the right to ask why is it necessary to try to make us believe they are always at war with each other. If we believe this is the way things are, why should we believe they are capable of working for us without always showing us internal turmoil. But the truth is, they're really friends and only haggle in front of us to make us believe they're on our side. Regardless what their political preferences, they dramatize the events so we can pick the group we want to side with, because they all need numbers to win and stay in power. The smaller groups, who say they're liberal, have to be careful what they say. While the Democratic group, try to allegedly hold on to old issues that often disgust the partisan groups of Republicans and Conservatives who fight amongst themselves for superiority. Although we say our politics is our choice, the truth is, few of us have the intellect to choose right, especially to know what's really better for us. There isn't any reason for me to talk about Prejudice, because Prejudice and [Racism] has somehow ended up becoming one word, at least in this country it has. But prejudice is alive and well all over the world. Regardless if it's ethnic cleansing in Europe or the slaughter and starvation of thousands of people in Africa, everyone has some degree of hatred in their hearts. But when you take Prejudice and add Racism it now becomes more devastating and profound, especially when it's directed at a particular group of people over a long period of time, as it was during and after slavery. But slavery wasn't what was so terrible about this country, because I believe slavery in some strange way, was a salvation to many Africans brought here, looking now at the horrible things they are doing against their people today. But the physical acts against blacks, which allowed whites to randomly kill, rape and assault blacks because they could get away with it, was one of the greatest crimes against human beings in modern times. Native Americans may have suffered from the actions of whites also, but never from slavery. Blacks not only had to deal with decades of subservience, but also generations of tyranny from people sometimes less fortunate then they. I guess they didn't believe blacks had been through enough and deserved to be left alone, so although many areas in the country became predominately black, whites still found their way into the neighborhoods to disrupt their lives. Even during the Second World War, when blacks were allegedly free, they were still segregated in their service to this country. The truth is, although rarely a part of the social dialogue is the unspoken fear from the minds of white men who's only concern was to keep the black man from any relationship with the white women. The old feeling about black men marrying their daughter's was imbedded in their minds and souls where it got many black men murdered without reason. Fortunately, black women and children had no relevance to these feelings, so they were spared, although they sometimes paid in other ways for his generosity. No, this isn't about living together or getting married, it's about the general relationships people are expected to have with each other. And in my personal experience dealing with people of different races, I see a special effort amongst most to offer support, share if necessary, and respect the rights of others. Of course there are some who step out of character, regardless of race, but the percentage amongst is lesser then those that do. On the other hand, and sometimes strangely enough, I see little of these same characteristics amongst blacks, although relationships are a good foundation for stability. Networking is necessary for the exchange ideas, problems and many other things we all go through, but when we chose to shut down, to avoid reaching out to each other, we're often stuck to deal with issues we really need help to solve on our own. Knowing most of us aren't patient or even smart enough to solve everything that affect us, sometimes avoidance or blame or self-hate becomes a better way to deal with it. Although social psychologists would tell us blacks lack of relationships could be because of long term conditioning, regardless if it's true or not, the truth is, it's the most common way they have chosen to suddenly start dealing with each other, although there has always been a stereotypical belief about people relating to people in different social strata. Within most groups, regardless of level, there's a commonality that assures relationships such as foods, geographic, life style and customs. Within the black community, this doesn't exist, primarily because most have acquired those things from other groups. But learning to accept what they are and the circumstances of other blacks can teach human compassion and open concerns for genuine and necessary changes. Is this dilemma today the result of homes being broken apart, because of one parent leaving or parents separating, or does preference set the stage? The truth is there are a large percentage of women who's actually in favor of this. Just saying "I'm a single parent" is synonymous with many women today. Which could mean, the reason it could most likely become an accepted way of raising children is because of choices, not because of circumstances. Although single mothers in the past were associated with black women, white women are now being touched by what I call "a social indiscretion". I'm sure there are a small percentage of men who feel this way, but women are more likely to prefer it. So why are women substituting fathers for daycare center's and personal baby sitters? Probably not being able to get an answer to this, maybe we should ask a more important serious question. Why would anyone want children if their primary focus were on other things? But maybe a better question is what is the relativeness of being a woman to wanting children? There's no rule that say's because you're a woman, you've got to have children. So the sad thing is some children may end up being tossed about in the system because of adult's unclear reasons for having them. But regardless if it's chosen or circumstances created because of other reason's, in either case, few people whose in the position to challenge its pros and cons seem to forget the children, who should be the primary focus, will someday be adults. Because of the increase in these kinds of family settings, we can assume many of them are because of poor judgment. But to not keep repeating myself, we should know that these are the same individuals who plea their case in the courts when things suddenly fall apart. They often find some way to make excuses for what they've done; looking for someone to fix the mess they created. Unfortunately, somewhere down the line, their children may show some of the same irresponsible habits that usually cause most of the same kind of problems to appear in their lives. This arena to many individuals is more important then sitting down sometimes, having a family meal together. It's more socially accepted than the family getting up on Sunday going to church because Sunday to some is usually reserved for the Football game, which often carries over to Monday night. Most of their kids can quote statistics, names of players and what teams are most likely to win at the end of the season, better then they can their studies. Parents support this by buying them sports wear of players and expensive sneakers they usually can't afford. They sometimes spend weekends watching their children play sports, as they threaten to kill other parents who yell at their child's weakness to play the game as well as theirs allegedly does. Preoccupied with things that don't really mean anything, often allow themselves to place blame someplace else because of their lack of parenting skills. Today, many parents are now expecting sports icons and celebrities to be their children's role models, instead of them being responsible parents. Most people will yell to the top of the mountain about the most silly things, but when it comes to either voting against certain methods of taxation or voicing their opinion about it's financial burdens on our lives, they keep silent. Often, when they decide to give us some relief, it's only because they don't need the money then. Although they often plan to take it back, plus some, just when we think we better put some away to save. Some politicians listen to the whining of smaller political leaders in the cities about their shortage of money and the services that will suffer because of it. And this often occurs shortly after a new President and their cabinet are in office, or just before their term ends. It's like they're asking for money for supporting them and asking for the same to help do it again. So the question about how much they can afford to give away seeps into the political chambers, which causes the money managers to say they're not going to be threatened by any smaller politicians. So to save face, they give us a tax break. We don't understand it, but the more we hear about it, the more we like it, because we believe any amount we get will make a difference in our lives. But most of us miss hearing what's being said, instead of asking how would tax cuts benefit us. They fight in front of us about wanting the tax cuts, but the truth is behind the scenes they already know how much money from each person or family they will need to satisfy their financial needs. So it's easier and takes less effort to give it to us so they can get it in increased taxes. But it helps to strengthen their political integrity with their colleagues and gives the smaller governments other avenues to get the money they need without begging. Has become the expensive way to influence people to buy what they don't need, worry about staying young, develop symptoms of stress and keep women worrying about breast cancer. It tries to make older men and women believe their lives could be less interesting if they don't take viagra or drink special juices to be receptive so they can keep up with the rest of the oversexed group under forty. And ever since the feminists have gain some powers on this medium, many commercials are about white women talking about their looks, face, hair, legs and more sickening their period. Many so-called full figured women spend their money on untested substance's trying to lose weight, but the truth is, they will never look as good because the women they see in the commercials are often young girls under the age of twenty. The so-called reality shows are giving people the chance to write in, call in and fall in, hoping for more than 15 minutes of fame to become another untalented contestant who goes on television trying to convince us later how hard they worked to get the million dollar house they're showing us on the screen. An unspoken truth is, they get rich because of our failure to take care of our priorities first, instead of choosing to buy their wares or anything else that will make them rich. The cable news stations are suppose to be an informative part of television, but they have forgotten their purpose and have become a regular source for so-called experts to sell their books and unethical journalists to criticize most everything else. I decided to use the letter V because I had to include this subject, although I really didn't know if it was worth writing about. But as I started to write this, I realized it was very important. Anyway, I don't feel most people believe their is such a thing as someone becoming a Victim, but the is truth is, it does exist, although some people use it as a defense to cover-up for their misdeeds and strange behavior. So I realized after I added this segment somebody would probably say, who the hell am I and what do I know about their problems. All you have to do is read books, watch programming on television and listen to come to the conclusion that most of these so-called victims have often harmed someone else. The ages of these individuals are usually between their late twenties to middle forties, who's constantly angry and blame most of their circumstances on someone or something else. They are individuals who were probably raised in homes that were ridged and tough with rules, with parents who demanded respect and taught them early to know their place, which meant, they were expected to be accountable for all the things they did. Today they create a mental picture of their past and look for similarities in the present to compare their circumstances to. Often they hide the reason for not doing what's right in their life, on being neglected or past abuse. Unfortunately the neglect or abuse is often falsely blamed on people who really cared for them and have dealt with their strange behavior for years. As adults, they often have difficulty with their children and other relationships. The truth is, they're blinded by its affect on their lives not caring their children are being primed to deal with their lives the same way as they have, which keeps the circle of blame continuing. This segment is about all women, regardless of color or socio-economic circumstances and the controversy that surfaces around women today, have suddenly become a political issue. Regardless of how much they have done or how far they've come, there is still some trying to get it all. It's now a male against female society and women in a position to enforce the new rules are using this power to set the destiny of men. In a society where men are now expected to move over and die, the white woman who's the primary advocate, will often benefit more, financially and in more ways then black women who are now trying to keep up with her pace. But black women don't exercise some of the same feelings about other blacks as her male counterpart did towards her, although most are in the position today to change that. Unfortunately, she will probably continue this way until her circumstances are in jeopardy. The new black woman reveals her selfishness and uncaring manner by constantly putting the black man down, trying to fit in where she will eventually discover she doesn't belong. Although white are raising their fists for independence, they are still concerned about family issues. But her benefits are related to her "right of privilege" that's passed down to her from the white male. Yet her weaknesses, and truth is, whenever her situation becomes confused and more demanding, she quickly looks to the therapists or someone who will find the answer for it happening. Although some are quick to criticize the motives and circumstances of men, if they're challenged in an open forum, it's usually considered sexists. But they will challenge anything and everything labeled "Men only". Yet their attitude and most of their social involvements centers on "Women only". There's very little or nothing to write about using the letter X, unless I was talking about someone in the past who used the letter to identify themselves with a new religious order But Y could have some use, if I used the letter to ask [Y] we expect our existence on this earth to be eternal when we do nothing to make the time we're here worth while. I could also ask [Y] there are people in this country still following the philosophy of Adolph Hitler and waste their lives away hating. I could also say [Y] I feel so strongly about our demise and not blame it on God, because he gives us the right to choose the right way and that's with truth. But no one seems to know [Y] they're angry, confused and can't stand the sight of the next person. They say they don't understand [Y] their children turned killers, rapists and are completely out of control. But the truth lie within them until they're willing to admit it, because none of their dreams or accomplishments will mean anything in the future until it surfaces. So until then, it may only mean as much as the [Zebras], who lives amongst the lions, hypothetically believing because of numbers they can singly beat the odds of being eaten alive. Of course I couldn't cover all facets of the society. What I was able to do was to show some areas of the society that affects us the most and how we live each day, although we challenging none of what we hear and less of what we're told. The strange thing about social ills is, the same people who often proclaim their honesty usually put them away on the shelf. But it only hides the truth until its relativeness to our lives are so overwhelming that few of us are strong enough or willing to care if trying to fix it really matters at all.
Author Bio Thomas Duffy John Jay College of Criminal Justice NYC NRI School Washington DC Construction Engineering Degree He is a retired officer from the NYC Department of Correction and Volunteer worker in 1978 at a New York Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Queens. After retiring in 1990, became head counselor and motivational speaker of a youth rehabilitation center in Henryville Pa, until closing. Past member of the NAACP, until they relocated.
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