I characterized Reverend Gallmon's comments as "racist" per the definition given in the Merriam Webster dictionary (1994 edition) and supported that characterization with reasoned arguments. Instead of refuting the arguments, Eric Mitchell engages in race-baiting. My racial identity and the extent and nature of my involvement with black people over the past 30 years (here and in Atlanta, Georgia), about which Eric Mitchell knows nothing, is irrelevant.
Gallmon says there is an alarming racial gap in Minnesota schools because African Americans don't value education as much as whites, and that it will take generations to fix that African-American cultural trait. That is racist on its face. Atherton basically says the same thing as Gallmon: "...it is likely that "it will take generations" for African American culture to develop the supports and needed emphasis on education opportunity..." This may be self-evident to Michael Atherton: he offers no reasoned arguments or objective evidence to support that contention. And it may sound reasonable to many. However, something that sounds reasonable can still be racist. And the ideas which most effectively support a racist belief system are the ones that sound reasonable. -Doug Mann, King Field http://educationright.tripod.com In a message dated 8/18/2003 2:28:37 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > It's taken me a while to admit, but I agree with Michael Atherton's post too. > > Let me also say that I am getting a little sick of this 'racist' tag being > thrown at some Blacks by Whites who don't agree with what that particular > person within the Black community is saying or doing within that community. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
