Newt Gingrich has made a claim that poor kids lack work ethic, and further more that black people in general should be demanding jobs and not food stamps. This idea that a person is content to do nothing for society and go through life poor and living off food stamps is of course true in some cases (but just as true for any race). What is appalling is that he assumes it is ok to make this general assumption and just limit it to certain minority groups. The statement would still be tremendously offensive even if his words were geared towards a more general crowd. This off hand attack on minorities and poverty is nothing new for the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIyewCdXMzk Party. By calling President Obama the  “Food Stamp President,” Gingrich falls in line  with Ronald Regan’s criticism of “welfare queens” and Jesse Helms racially driven ad campaign titled “White Hands.”

It is high time the Republican party wake up and realize that this country is no longer a rich white man club and that the racist ideas they are trying to hide in their political language is not fooling anyone. Sure, a lot of people are poor because of a lack of work ethic, but many more are merely suffering from issues and restrictions placed upon them by situations they have no control over. I find it truly comical (and disgusting) that those who have been given all the luxuries of growing up rich and white think they are some how the leading authority on the work ethic and opportunities of poor minorities.

By: Embra King (A well off white male)

Those appose the bill say that if the law is left in place it will cause major set backs in North Carolinas justice system. Of the 157 people currently on death row, all but five have submitted RJA claims. With all these cases that must be reexamined, attorneys say our court system will become clogged and backed up even more than it already is.

Those who defend the Racial Justice Act have already submitted their rebuttal letter to Senate leader Phil Berger asking him to stand behind the Racial Justice Act. They say that the law was put into place to help counter the biased court and jury systems that are a harsh reality we live with.

So what is your take on the Racial Justice Act? Does it truly help to counter balance the white majority run court system, or will the abuse of the law lead to major set backs in our justice system.

            Thanksgiving has been held at my parents house for as long as I remembered, the place where my grandparents and what ever aunts and uncles could make it that year would converge for one giant meal followed by days of amazing sandwiches.

While new dishes and ways of preparing the meal were always coming and going the basic formula was always the same: turkey, stuffing, greens, and my moms home made cranberry sauce that tasted different every year. One never really thinks about how ones Thanksgiving rituals, or those of any holiday for that matter, differ from others.

My experience of cultural differences did not occur between racial lines as in Mr. Granderson’s story, but instead across the Mason Dixon line. In college I use to date a girl who was only the third generation American, her family coming over from Italy in the great Elis Island rush. My family on the other hand could trace its heritage back to at least the revolutionary war, and was now deeply rooted in the south.

We seemed to disagree on a lot of issues but one thing about her that stood out to me was the peculiar Thanksgiving menu her family had every year. She would tell me of food that I had never heard of, and while I made strange faces at words like manigot and prosciutto, her eyes would light up in fond remembrance of the foods that made her Thanksgiving special. I realized that my family had strange southern traditions for Thanksgiving, like raw oysters and cheese straws to hold us over until the big meal, but I mean come on, pasta for Thanksgiving? Just didn’t seem right to me.

I never made it to one of her Italian Thanksgiving dinners. Looking back on it now, I wish I were a little more enthusiastic about hearing about her family traditions that were so different from mine. One of the best parts about being in the United States is the ability to explore others cultures, to experience things from around the world. Sure this is a melting pot of sorts, but the soup is always better when you can taste the individual ingredients.

So this holiday season, try something new, and share with others the great tradition and food that make your family special.

Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, doesn’t believe that racism exists on a soccer pitch. He instead equates negative remarks or gestures on the field as a result of passionate individuals who are simply venting their desire to win in a negative way toward their opponent, regardless of what race he/she happens to be. Mr. Blatter goes on to say that players who are being verbally abused on the field should think to themselves “this is just a game”, and that when the game is over we will shake hands and the negative feelings will be over.

Blatter’s views have sparked uproar in the fotbol community. Players especially are asking how can he say such things when there is clearly been multiple cases or racists remarks or gestures from both fans and players alike.  Blatter had this response to his critics,  “…sometimes, in the heat of the moment, things are said and done on the field of play which are wrong… This does not mean that, in general, there is racism on the field of play. Football unites people more than it divides them.”

I don’t know what to say about this cartoon I found in the August 14th Charlotte Observer. It shocked my system so much I couldn’t think. I emailed the authors expressing my concerns over the use of one the most tragic and shameful events of this country’s history. I was offered the standard “if we offended you we’re sorry” apology. I guess I should be happy I received a response. I shouldn’t be surprised to the insensitivity toward the “Trail of Tears.” In the inaugural Civil Rights Baseball Game, Major League Baseball chose the Cleveland Indians to represent the American League. The game was played in Memphis, which sits on the “Trail of Tears.”  Could the Holocaust or Darfur be accepted as punch lines?

William Lowry

If their son was into MLK day, or Cinco de Mayo would it have been acceptable for him to answer the door dressed up as an African American or a Latino, complete with make-up to enhance the look? I wouldn’t think so. Would his parents explain that it is offensive to mock the way other races of people look? Probably. Why then is it ok to do that to my people? What makes us so different that it’s acceptable? Why do I have to explain all the Indian costumes, all the bumper stickers, t-shirts, and hats showing mascots “honoring” our people to my daughter? Why are we so different than everyone else that this is still allowed to take place?

William Lowry

The story immediately focused on race because history tells us that racial bias was a distinct possibility, if not a probability. It has evolved to also include the possibilities of suspicion between classes, male egos in high gear, and poor judgment. I’m not writing to accuse or defend, but rather to challenge us to follow the President’s lead and take advantage of the “teachable moment” here in Charlotte.

Regardless of where this particular situation ends, I do believe that the complex history of race and class influenced all parties, adding fuel to the fire and enabling it to become a national story. I believe that some of my insights as to the impact of one’s history and circumstances comes from my participation in LDI, a core program of the Community Building Initiative that centers on our personal responsibility for creating racial and ethnic inclusion, equity, and access in Charlotte.

Commentators question whether the country is ready to have an ongoing conversation about race that can lead to some sort of better understanding. We are incredibly fortunate that in this community, we have an organization like CBI that is charged with doing just that, and I am proud to play a part in that endeavor.

President Obama is actually modeling our CBI philosophy of personal responsibility for furthering this conversation by inviting the professor and the police officer to the White House for a beer. If a beer can open honest conversation, instill better understanding of how our history shapes us, and create trust, I’ll order a “round for the house.”

But we all know it’s not that simple and will take honest talking and even more importantly, patient listening.

Deb Hanna

Thank you CBI for being a leader in the community!

ENW

Charlotte-Mecklenburg is marked by its rich identity as an historic New South community – an identity that continually evolves as its population becomes more racially, ethnically and culturally diverse. Patterns of racial and social trust that affect the community’s health and viability are as challenging today as they have been in the past.

CBI helps the people and institutions of this community study, understand and act on both the opportunities and challenges that arise as Charlotte-Mecklenburg experiences these dramatic changes. CBI convenes and engages individuals, organizations and institutions in a structured and effective process around issues of racial and ethnic inclusion and equity.

CBI is a vital part of the community’s capacity for addressing broad issues around demographic, cultural and social change rooted in race and ethnicity and serves in this role as:

* a collaborator and convener
* an educator and communicator
* a strategic partner to individuals, institutions and organizations

This blog is offered as a resource for exploration and learning to communities around the U.S. and the world. On this site, individuals actively involved with CBI will chronicle what they personally are doing to advance CBI’s mission in their communities.