Black Rednecks and White Liberals

"Why are WHITE LIBERALS the problem? Why aren't these so-called black rednecks the problem?" They both share blame, and it obviously is hyperbole since it does not extend to every single white liberal or every black redneck. Just for clarification, the term "black redneck" was borne out of history. For instance, in the first chapter he goes over how black culture is anything but authentic, but rather, actually shows evidence of a highly dysfunctional white, southern redneck culture. He doesn't stop there because the antebellum South borrowed its poor manners from across the pond in the Scottish highlands. He uses philology and mannerisms to trace it back to these roots. He then attempts to uncover why such modes of speech and mannerisms seem to persist in Southern culture today. But more than that, Sowell claims that while the South is moving away from these attitudes, contemporary blacks who seem to not only condone such brash behavior, but also glorify it. He then explains why this rationale is so highly favored amongst black communities in America. He makes a beeline straight toward black activism and white liberals who have coddled, praised, and perpetuated such ill-behavior. Sowell alleges that white liberals have placed all the blame on white society for all of the abject misery that has come upon the negro culture in America. He quickly dispels such a notion in a very thoughtful and insightful manner. "Here he is blaming white people (surprise surprise) though this time it's the Liberals he's attacking instead of the Conservatives -- the ones who usually get the brunt of the blame for society's inherent racism. Does he think he's being clever?" No, he is accurately assessing the situation. Many people within black America have been sold on the notion that it is liberal America that has their best interests in mind. But history tells a very different story. Conservative blacks, such as Martin Luther King, have stood for REAL equality, where liberal America has stood with racist ideologues like the Black Panther Party and the Nation of Islam. "He's only repeating things that Conservatives or others who have opposed things like Affirmative Action have been saying all along! Yet because he is black this is supposed to be... ground-breaking? Give me a break." He isn't claiming any kind of ground-breaking revelation here. He is simply trying to educate people of all races that that things like Affirmative Action is completely counterproductive and is itself inherently racist. He does not believe that a white man should be passed up for a job if he is more suited for the job against a black man who gets the job simply because he was born black. As wonderful as the intentions may have been to "level the playing field," it has done nothing to fix race relations. Moreover, if I were a black man I would be indignant at how offensive a policy like AA really is. "the last time I checked, black Americans were capable of reading and writing; I'm sure they have figured out by now that we are all EQUAL human beings" Yes, but that is exactly the point I, and Sowell, am trying to make. In fact, by the sounds of it, you and I would actually be in agreement with Sowell. Granted, you presumably have not read the book, so it is conceivable that you cannot fully understand his position. But let me put it to you this way: There are many, many black people that refer to him as an "Uncle Tom," a disgustingly slanderous term for the crime of not "keeping it real," whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. "if Sowell was capable of figuring this all out, then OTHER black individuals are capable of figuring this out." Which is why he wrote the book. "maybe they should try focusing on hard work and education to learn how to overcome the present injustice, instead of continuing to blame white people for their circumstance." Amen! And that is actually his point... What he is saying is that the very people who are "trying to help the black man," is actually hindering them and encouraging them to live out this idea that white America is out to get them. Many white liberals are indictable under this charge as co-conspirators as far as I'm concerned with the way they kiss so much a**. It's pathetic. They romanticize black activism as if it were some kind of a virtue to aspire to, presumably because it appeals to their own communist roots. "Don't blame the PC white folk who are brainwashed/threatened to consider their perspective. Blame the people who perpetuate "white liberalism" entirely - the "black rednecks" themselves." Brother, I am in agreement with you. Both are accountable. But you must understand that the little disclaimer has to be given in this day and age, that, heaven forbid, somebody say an ill-word about a stereotyped black guy. Don't you think it's bull crap to labeled an Uncle Tom just because he aspires to rise above the ghetto culture that so captivates many people within black America? Think of it this way: On the Left side of the playing field, as far as relatively prominent blacks go, we have Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Cornell West, Louis Farrakhan, etc. These are liberal blowhards who perpetuate this nonsense as if it were a genuine culture to be preserved, whereas on the opposite end of that spectrum, we have Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Bill Cosby, and Shelby Steele. All of the frightening black demagogues of our time have all been from the left -- the hard left, who were swept up in the 60's It isn't "white people" per say, anymore than it is "black people" per say. And this is what Sowell is distinguishing. There is a specific kind of people who are perpetuating the thug mentality, and that is this MTV generation liberals who spun the wool over the eyes of the lemmings, who fall all over themselves for such superficial nonsense. By cheering it on and calling it one thing when its something totally different is the problem. The point is that it really isn't a white/black issue. Its an issue of mentality spewing out of an ideology-- a liberal ideology that exacerbates it.