Recently
Farewell
Dear Larry: You are the sanest man in America! I look forward to your columns because I ALWAYS agree with your answers. Great work! Thanks for speaking the simple truth about all issues — racial, political, parental, common sense, etc.
I often …Read more.
Hate Groups
Dear Larry: I want to forget for a moment that it is their constitutional right, because I detest the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and all other groups that preach hate. A long time ago, they came into cities across America without any protest. Now …Read more.
Troubles With Raising Teenage Son
Dear Larry: I am African-American and a single mother with three children, ages 15, 10 and 8. All of them are boys. I am having a lot of problems with them, especially the eldest.
He argues with me about almost everything. He thinks he is the man/…Read more.
How To Get Race Relations Back on Track
Dear Larry: So many of my friends are upset with the way things are going, especially race relations. They are not saying anything openly, but among themselves there is constant complaining and fear. There is something simmering and brewing that …Read more.
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Ethics and Race RelationsDear Larry: I am very disappointed Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., won the primary and probably will be re-elected. Rangel should be ashamed of himself for his behavior. What is worse is how people could re-elect a dishonest person to represent them in Congress. I fail to believe that the people did not know about the findings of the Office of Congressional Ethics. I believe they knew but just didn't care. I just do not understand how a man of his low moral character could be returned to office. What is even worse is how history repeats itself. His predecessor, Adam Clayton Powell, was found guilty and removed from Congress for corruption while he was chairman of the Education and Labor Committee. Powell was found guilty for misappropriating funds for personal use and evading a subpoena. At the time, it was a big scandal, and it appeared in every newspaper. Just like Rangel, Powell was re-elected. What a travesty and mockery. I also remember former Washington Mayor Marion Barry. He was caught on tape with a prostitute using crack. His behavior was a national scandal. He was found guilty and served six months in prison. When he was released, the voters returned him to office. What a disgrace. Larry, I am sure there are more, but these examples immediately come to mind. My question is: Why do blacks return obvious crooks to office? Am I biased? I would appreciate your reaction. — April Dear April: I am convinced that any oppressed group will ignore indiscretions as long as those committing them hold to the beliefs of the oppressed group. For example, in the black community, it is important that one support black causes. As long as he/she holds true to that theme, the community will deem the other issues as irrelevant. However, if the representative violates issues of the group, he/she will be ousted. This phenomenon does not only apply to elected officeholders. It also applies to any minority, for example, the black community with O.J. Simpson. The black community will ignore the facts and favor the minority as long as that person acts black or supports black issues.
Dear Larry: You mentioned that you think race relations are improving in America. I do not agree with you. I think they are getting worse. More and more non-minority people are getting upset with all the charges of racism. They feel they cannot say anything regarding any of the president's policies or those of any other minority in office without being branded racist. I am sick and tired of all the new programs coming out of Washington. I told that to a group of people, and someone accused me of not liking the fact that a minority is president. I do not care anything about the ethnicity of the president or any elected official. I just care about his position on the issues. When I was accused of being a racist, I became unhinged. I told that person in no uncertain terms to get off my back, and I said I am entitled to say my opinion. Larry, I can't take it anymore. I am tired of being falsely accused. I am speaking out on the issues. Tell me how race relations are getting better. — Martha Dear Martha: People believe race relations are going down because there are so many charges of racism. I believe these increased charges of racism are made to control a person's position on political issues rather than real charges of social racism. There have been so many charges of political racism that people are becoming immune and inflamed. The charge is losing its sting. People like you are fighting back. I believe it will not be long before a racism charge is like being called a communist after the McCarthy era. In the beginning, it had a sting, but after its overuse, it became meaningless. This is what is happening in America. Minorities must be treated equally. Being treated equally requires equal responsibility. As long as blacks and other minorities are treated like misbehaving children, racial problems will exist. Race relations are improving. To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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