[Gpsma]

I didnt want this to get into a debate about whether there is white privelage, systematic racism, or if people worked hard to become affluent.
I just wanted to know if anyone had suggestions on how to support BLM and assist our African American neighbors . We need to become engaged and woke to the new reality. The reality of the oppressed people among us.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

I didnt want this to get into a debate about whether there is white privelage, systematic racism, or if people worked hard to become affluent.
I just wanted to know if anyone had suggestions on how to support BLM and assist our African American neighbors . We need to become engaged and woke to the new reality. The reality of the oppressed people among us.

You are not going to find many people in the villages who will support an organization out to destroy our way of life.

[Heaven Bound]

AMEN to post #22, we all got here with our own doing, not free bbs & hand outs

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

I didnt want this to get into a debate about whether there is white privelage, systematic racism, or if people worked hard to become affluent.
I just wanted to know if anyone had suggestions on how to support BLM and assist our African American neighbors . We need to become engaged and woke to the new reality. The reality of the oppressed people among us.

Gpsma - I'm sure your heart is in the right place. But I look at the demographics living just outside of The Villages. There are so many people and families below the poverty level. So I donate and contribute to the local Food Pantry. I donate to provide both food and uniforms for Wildwood students. I also give to numerous local "drives." The people who are recepients... some are white, some are black, etc. Why would I assist only black neighbors, when the local need is broader than that?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

I didnt want this to get into a debate about whether there is white privelage, systematic racism, or if people worked hard to become affluent.
I just wanted to know if anyone had suggestions on how to support BLM and assist our African American neighbors . We need to become engaged and woke to the new reality. The reality of the oppressed people among us.

Then you shouldn’t of mentioned it. Daa.

[Northwoods]

I want to address the claim of "white privilege," I feel the same as many people on this post.
My daughter was denied entry to our state University even though she had a 3.6 GPA (and I PAID state taxes to support this University)... the school was looking for a more diverse student body (so I'm paying for a state University system that I can't even get my child into).
Throughout my work career I busted my as# in my job. Not only did I work hard every day at least 5 nights a week, I also brought my computer home and worked another 3 - 4 hours to get everything done. There were times I worked 14 days straight because something had to get done. I easily worked 50 - 60 hours a week... every week (I was salaried so no additional pay). Almost every year I didn't take all my vacation pay because I was working on "hot" projects. I didn't get compensated for that.
So don't tell me about white privilege.
I worked VERY hard and long hours for everything I have today.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I want to address the claim of "white privilege," I feel the same as many people on this post.
My daughter was denied entry to our state University even though she had a 3.6 GPA (and I PAID state taxes to support this University)... the school was looking for a more diverse student body (so I'm paying for a state University system that I can't even get my child into).
Throughout my work career I busted my as# in my job. Not only did I work hard every day at least 5 nights a week, I also brought my computer home and worked another 3 - 4 hours to get everything done. There were times I worked 14 days straight because something had to get done. I easily worked 50 - 60 hours a week... every week (I was salaried so no additional pay). Almost every year I didn't take all my vacation pay because I was working on "hot" projects. I didn't get compensated for that.
So don't tell me about white privilege.
I worked VERY hard and long hours for everything I have today.

Agree with you totally. Do not understand people who just dont get it.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Agree with you totally. Do not understand people who just dont get it.

Because they did have privileges, some people never actually had to work day in there life, let lone when to bed hungry not cause the just missed supper.

[tvbound]

The fact that white privilege does indeed exist and gives us a head start in life, is as I've said before, proved by most of us knowing deep down that our lives would have generally been harder had we been born with black skin. That doesn't mean that all whites have taken advantage of this head start, or that a lot of those born black haven't gotten past the inherit disadvantage, but to deny it isn't there-is to ultimately prove its existence.

IMHO, there are a lot of white people who are scared of movements like BLM (and not the rioting, looting, violence from the small percentage of those using BLM for cover, which everyone should condemn, but is not at the core of or the goal of of BLM) because they are afraid of having a level playing field.

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by tvbound

The fact that white privilege does indeed exist and gives us a head start in life, is as I've said before, proved by most of us knowing deep down that our lives would have generally been harder had we been born with black skin. That doesn't mean that all whites have taken advantage of this head start, or that a lot of those born black haven't gotten past the inherit disadvantage, but to deny it isn't there-is to ultimately prove its existence.

IMHO, there are a lot of white people who are scared of movements like BLM (and not the rioting, looting, violence from the small percentage of those using BLM for cover, which everyone should condemn-but is not at the core of BLM) because they are afraid of having a level playing field.

That made me laugh. Because I think there are many people in the workforce today that would welcome a level playing field.
Why? Because as a manger, I had to have a "diverse" person on any slate for any job posting. Part of my performance evaluation was based on how many "diverse" people I had on my staff. Leadership was also rated on their diverse staff. So minorities were promoted because leadership had to have a diverse staff. (it didn't matter if they were ready... or qualified... leadership found positions to promote minorities to make their numbers.)
So I'm sure all those people who were passed over because they didn't have the "bonus points" of being a minority would say.... "bring it on." Because they would LOVE a level playing field. (I am 100% sure of this).

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

We all see on the media the awful situation Afro-Americans are dealing with. Systematic racism, abuse by the police, and decades long poverty.

We here in the Villages have been blessed with a wonderful lifestyle. Due in part by our White Privelage. Whether we admit it or not, white privelage is real and so is our unconscious racism.

Perhaps its time, we here inTV, do something for our African American neighbors...especially in the so poor parts of Wildwood.

Just some suggestions...

Donate you next stimulus check to the Wildwood Food Pantry.
Volunteer at the food pantry.
Take some of your income and go to the black churches and donate it.
Drive into Wildwood and engage our neighbors in constructive, healing conversation.

We have all been blessed here...we need to do more for our brothers.

Does anyone else have some suggestions?

My suggestion is you study up on BLM and recognize it is a Marxist organization at heart that exploits the uneducated and naïve. The fundamental objective is to destroy America as founded and replace it with a “socialist” alternative. Think of it as 1776 vs 1619.

With respect to “white privilege” it’s more accurately defined as having two stable parents and some degree of religious training. What’s a privilege is being born in America as opposed to the Middle East, Africa, South America or various other places where people like to leave.

Helping our less fortunate neighbors in Wildwood is certainly a good idea. My church operates a Food Pantry to help with that.


...

[anothersteve]

Originally Posted by tvbound

but to deny it isn't there-is to ultimately prove its existence.

Exactly what the hell does that mean?

Steve

[tvbound]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

That made me laugh. Because I think there are many people in the workforce today that would welcome a level playing field.
Why? Because as a manger, I had to have a "diverse" person on any slate for any job posting. Part of my performance evaluation was based on how many "diverse" people I had on my staff. Leadership was also rated on their diverse staff. So minorities were promoted because leadership had to have a diverse staff. (it didn't matter if they were ready... or qualified... leadership found positions to promote minorities to make their numbers.)
So I'm sure all those people who were passed over because they didn't have the "bonus points" of being a minority would say.... "bring it on." Because they would LOVE a level playing field. (I am 100% sure of this).

Sure, there's no doubt that the pendulum swung too far in one direction in trying to level the playing field at times, but all too many people want to pretend that prejudice and segregation magically stopped with the Emancipation Proclamation, never even understanding that it took the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution to try and make it stick. Even then, most whites today conveniently forget about Jim Crow laws and the bylaws of everything from professional sports, to civic and social groups (where the real power and influence exists) banning blacks. For every instance you mentioned, there were probably thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of instances where blacks weren't promoted or allowed to be included, simply because of the color of their skin. In fact, it wasn't until 1961 (when a lot of us were alive), that the PGA removed their Caucasian-only membership rule.

Just think about that, Arnold Palmer won 4 of his 7 majors prior to the PGA Caucasian-only membership rule was finally removed.

[JimJohnson]

Perfectly said OP. Because of fear and misunderstanding, you will see disagreement with a variety of excuses. I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ so I get it, Support it and try my best to Live it.

[Jtcoggin@bellsouth.net]

White privilege??? Go to road intersections, street allies and parks, and homeless shelters. You will see "whites". Not so privileged. Yes, isolated police brutally is bad but so is laziness and black on black crime. How about serving ALL the ones in need.