DavidDexter's Blog

david, i just can't help but laugh (HARD) at the irony of this.......good job

gorbash81: The United States DOES owe these Native American groups for the land it stole from their nations and tribes

But, it's still not a valid excuse to blame all of your personal problems someone else (or some other group of individuals) because you do not want to take responsibility for what you have done to yourself in the present.

Although Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho Indians decimated the 7th Cavalry at Little Big Horn ... a present day 7th Cavalry descendant who is accused of spousal abuse has no right to blame his personal actions on the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho Native American descendants living today.

History shows that African tribe leaders sold slaves from other tribes and also their own tribal members to prevent loss/competition of position or title/rank within their own tribes. Also, tribal leaders sold slaves for money & trade. And it was not the whites that first brought slaves over, it was the Spanish. The Dutch also purchased slaves in the same manner for use as servants not slaves. Later is when the English started the slave trade here in the United States where the then white American settlers took slavery to a new sad and disgusting level. Slavery in the early days was a very expectable form of trade both in African tribes and American labor. America was built on and by the blood and sweat of both African and Asians. We would not be where we are today if not for our fellow African and Asian American comrades. Based on that, it is both terrible and cruel for some people today that do not or will not see them as equal. If it were not for laws and legislation, African Americans would not be where they are today in America. That in it’s self proves there is still racism in today’s America.

Ellak-The Spanish are white.

David Dexter- I don't think it's a valid excuse for criminal behavior, but it is a significant factor in race relations and policy, and should be, because we cannot pretend that racism and xenophobia does not exist- pretending it doesn't exist only makes it stronger, it does not make it go away.

This is an excellent post, it really makes a person think. I have also heard persons of minorities say that "the white man" or "the man" is opressing them. This is kind of amusing to me because there are so many oppertunities for a person of a minority decent to advance in our society. I believe in equality, I don't look at colors, I see people, and what they show me they are worth. I hate to hear someone blame my decendents for why they are so down trodden. And no, I am not racist, or a xenophob. I am a 23 year old FEMALE Firefighter, talk about a turn of pace. If the women of the world all got together and said that "the man" was holding them back, and he owes us something for what our "sisters" went through back in the day, why men would laugh! Out loud even. Work hard and it'll pay off, that's life, don't blame anyone but yourself for the NOW!! :)

Gorbash;

Technically speaking you are correct. Time frame wise the Spanish from Spain were involved in the Slave trade before our White British settlers started to use slaves. As far as today, The Spanish may beg to differ by your statement.

The point that I was making was in the early days of slavery, Both sides were equally involved and at fault. Many people never thought that the Spanish were considerd white even today when it came to the early days of slavery. But to have racism still around today after all that has been learned from our past,is truley sad don;t you think?

I agree, racists like to say they are not racist, it's common. Xenophobes, I'm not so sure claim it is okay to kill immigrants, I don't know to many that off the wall. Xenophobes are persons who are unduly fearful of that which is different, as in culture race religion, etc. And not all homophobes are Christian, besides, Christians use the BIBLE to justify their hatred ( but in my opinion it's only the fanatics that do that!). Really though, what does that have to do with someone saying the wrongs done in the past DIRECTLY affect them? Again, women don't pull the sexism card every time we are denied a pay raise, a job, or promotion. We just work harder for what we want. I also notice you say nothing about sexism, that's just as serious today as it ever was.

And while I have you here, in case you are implying that I am a racist, I assure you I am not. When I was in high school (which really wasn't that long ago) I had a crush on a "minority" boy, (for lack of better wording!!). I didn't see his color, I saw his big heart, his sweet disposition, and his beautiful smile.

Not everyone here is negative about everything! :)

Again, women don't pull the sexism card every time we are denied a pay raise, a job, or promotion. We just work harder for what we want. I also notice you say nothing about sexism, that's just as serious today as it ever was."-JenBen

I haven't gotten around to pay inequality between men and women YET! But when I finish this semester- there will be ALOT of gorbash posts on Equality and tolerance that you might enjoy.

Ellak- I never claimed that slavery was a new concept or that the U.S. invented it- but the type of Plantation Style slave system was a concept that was developed in the United States.

the only person in this world responsible for the condition of one's life is oneself.(as an adult) yes, terrible things have happened in this world to people, but, that does not have to hold anyone back from realizing their dreams. CHOOSE to make your life what you dream and you will. CHOOSE to whine about it and blame someone else & you will get nowhere. it's CHOICE everyone has it. sure, it will probably be hard work, harder for some than others even, but it CAN be done & there is no excuse for NOT taking care of one's own life. NONE

OLD FREEDOM FEE , IS WHAT YOU SEE ,

EVERYBODY , IS A SLAVE FREE ,

JUST VOTE TO FREE , SLAVERY ,

THE VOTE IS FREE , FREEDOMFREE .