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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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The Sad State of Race Relations
Dear Larry: This country is in a mess regarding race relations. I am 56 years old, and it is the worst I have seen in my lifetime. I cannot believe that every response to any criticism of President Barack Obama is to call the criticizer a racist.
A group of my co-workers were discussing how wrong it would be to put a mosque at ground zero. We were all aghast that the president is in favor of putting it there against the wishes of so many people.
One of my co-workers said he hopes that President Obama will be a one-term president. Once he said that, a minority co-worker went into an angry tirade, saying the only reason people don't like the president is the color of his skin.
I became so angry I just walked away. Eric Holder, the attorney general of the United States, said we are a nation of cowards, too afraid to have a serious discussion on race. I am not afraid; I don't believe minorities are willing to have a logical discussion on race. I believe that minorities are blinded by their rage and that any discussion quickly will turn into silly statements, such as "you don't know what it is like to be a minority," "you don't understand because you are not a minority" and "you would agree with me if you were a minority."
Then, if those statements do not win the discussion or if they have no effect, out comes the race bomb: "You are a racist." Those words are the trump card that is supposed to win any and all discussions on the issue. It is used to silence all arguments.
Larry, when people behave like this, how can we have a serious discussion on race relations? In fact, how can we have any discussion? How can we improve relations? — Linda
Dear Linda: People cast race bombs because it works for them. In order to negate the bomber and for race relations to improve, we must be willing to take the blasts.
I encourage you to stand in the line of fire and not to flinch when a bomb is hurled. Just pretend you did not hear the accusation, and continue to make your argument. Do not back down. I know it is not easy to be accused and slandered. However, the only way America will change is if the majority population speaks out with truth.
As an aside, I am greatly disappointed with Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the radio talk show host who is quitting because certain people are accusing her of using the N-word inappropriately in a broadcast with a caller. I listened to the tape, and in my opinion, her usage was not inappropriate. Writing this column puts me in a unique position to understand what it is like to be criticized and called vile names. However, we cannot quit speaking truth because some people will have problems with the message. When people like Dr. Schlessinger get tired of the hassles and quit, it is a step back for race relations.
Failure to stand firm reminds me of the famous quotation by Pastor Martin Niemöller:
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.
"Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
"Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
"Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me."
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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Comments
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9 Comments | Post Comment
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Beautifully spoken as always by Mr Meeks. I'd love to ask that liberal co-worker of the LW's: "How's that hope and change working out for you? Do we have that racial harmony we were promised during the presidential campaign?" I'm sure several of the regulars will be along in a moment to accuse Meeks of "hate," being a race-traitor, not understanding the "plight of the black man" (whatever that is), or otherwise cast aspersions on your integrity or qualifications. Before those people show up, please know that there's a silent majority out there who is grateful that people like you, Dr Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, and others are willing to speak out against the sort of nonsense the LW is complaining about. He's right too - something is seriously out-of-joint in America when the Atty General of the United States is calling his fellow Americans "cowards" simply because they refuse to step into the trap of "racial dialog." Any idiot knows this simply means a one-sided "discussion" where they'll be mocked or accused of something. The situation will only improve when enough minorities stop trying to deflect blame for their communities' problems onto others.
Comment: #1
Posted by: Matt
Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:45 PM
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Larry, in your typical fashion you have avoided an opportunity to shed some light on the truth. I can't help but think it's because you are loathe to agree with Barack Obama, so you are perfectly happy to print this letter full of factual errors and leave them unchallenged.
LW1 says "to put a mosque at ground zero" and this is simply not true! First of all, it's two full city blocks away from "ground zero" and it surely can not been seen from "ground zero". It's an old, damaged building that was a "Burlington Coat Factory" before 9/11. Since when was an abandoned discount clothing store sacred ground? Furthermore, there is ALREADY a mosque near ground zero --- only about a block past this "too close" Burlington Coat Factory.
Second, it's not really "a mosque" in the traditional sense. There will be no congregation of Muslims; it's a COMMUNITY CENTER : a 5-story, $100 million development that includes a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, restaurant, and bookstore. Yes, it will contain spaces for people to pray or hold religious ceremonies like baptismal or weddings -- one of those spaces will be a mosque, one will be a non-denominational chapel much like you'd find in a hospital. The Cordoba Center is being modeled after the YMCA and Jewish Community Centers. (their website: www.cordobainitiative.org )
THIRD, it's being built by an organization whose founder was appointed by GEORGE W BUSH to travel to the Mideast on a State Department mission as a symbol of American religious freedom. Under Bush's State Department, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf made four state-sponsored trips to the Middle East to attend conferences and make speeches. Geeze, sure sounds like a radical guy, eh?
So, Larry, why have you so conveniently omitted all these facts from your reply? Is it that you're happy to spread hatred of Barack Obama, simply because he's a Democrat and you are a staunch conservative?
Prove me wrong and edit your answer! Feel free to fact-check me -- it's all true.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Johanna
Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:49 PM
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As usual Meeks and Matt miss the point. According to recent polls, a third of Republicans (the all white party) think Obama is a Muslim. Only 42 percent of Republicans (the all white party) think Obama was born in the United States and is therefore eligible to be President. These persistent rumors are directly connected to the fact that Obama is black. They simply would not exist if he were white and therefore not "strange" to the all white party.
Is all opposition to Obama racist? Of course not. Is some of it? Of course. And some of that racist opposition comes from people who are not aware of their racism and are mentally invested in believing that it doesn't exist, or that it doesn't count because "blacks are racist, too." The sad truth is that EVERYONE in the United States is racist because everyone treats race as important and makes judgments based on it.
I'm a white guy with two adopted black kids, which is pretty much a free pass when it comes to being accused of being a racist. And you know what? I'm a racist. It is simply impossible for anybody raised in the United States during the era of popular culture and mass media to not absorb and incorporate a certain amount of racist thinking.
Consider: even the fact that we call Obama "black" rather than "mixed race" is a sign post of the pervasive racism. It goes back to the "one drop of black blood" concept of the slave days. Similarly, the fact that that an all white party exists (tokens don't count) is testament to the power of race in politics, regardless of how the Republican party evolved to be that way.
Make no mistake about it. People who insist that ALL opposition to Obama is totally based on his policies are simply not thinking clearly. There is no question that racism plays a part in both the support and opposition to Obama. And that situation exists because he is black and would not be the case if he were white.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Geoffrey James
Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:01 AM
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On the subject of Obama, I agree with some of his policies, disagree with others, and don't really care if he's green with orange spots. I don't doubt that racism does factor into some peoples' criticisms of him, but not always. (For the record, I'm white, thought Dubya was a dangerous idiot and voted for Obama.)
As far as "Dr." Laura goes, she can't get out fast enough to suit me, but because she's been spewing personal prejudice for years under the guise of "educated" advice. I see Mr. Meeks' point about her using the "N" word, but she should still be hauled off for her turning the blame onto the caller. The helpful and compassionate response to "How do I best cope with my husband's relatives using racial slurs in reference to me" is NOT "if you can't take it, you shouldn't have married outside your race." Apparently Dr. L needs to set her watch up to the 21st century, when, in most quarters, miscegenation is no longer a fair target for condemnation.
Comment: #4
Posted by: Kyla Jones
Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:19 AM
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I hate to dwell on yet another example of a LW making sweeping generalizations of all minorities, and Larry happily encouraging it, but to hear them tell it every minority who has a less than open-minded opinion automatically represents all minorities. But I'd like to share my thoughts on the Dr. Laura incident, as I made a point of seeking out an unedited clip that wasn't trimmed for a newscast.
The woman named Jade who called Dr. Laura wanted to address what she felt were instances of bigoted treatment by her husband's friends and family. The first thing I noticed that Dr. Laura (who complained that people debated without listening) took on a tone that indicated she was not really listening, but merely waiting for Jade to finish speaking so she could use her as a springboard to air her own complaints about not being able to say the N-word. Jade explained that her husband's friends frequently said things like, "You black people do this", and "You black people sure love that." Dr. Laura compared to joking with a black friend that white men can't jump, assuming that the people addressing Jade could only be joking with her, rather than consider the possibility that they were treating her as if she were interchangeable with all other black people. She also dismissed the fact that Jade took offense at the use of the N-word, and gleefully said it several times, calling Jade too sensitive to marry outside her race.
I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that some people can use a word while others can't is unreasonable. I have no reason to use the N-word, but I do believe considering context is key before crying foul. My issue with Dr. Laura is that she went into the "discussion" assuming that Jade was just another hypersensitive hypocrite, and refused to consider the possibility that maybe she truly was on the receiving end of some rather bigoted comments. She refused to listen to her, yet now plays the injured party for supposedly not being listened to. Well I listened very carefully, and I think she was wrong. Somehow it doesn't surprise me that Larry didn't think it was necessary to address the nuances of the situation.
Comment: #5
Posted by: Jon
Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:40 AM
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Geoffrey Jones: You forgot one other point. President Obama did not say that he supports the act of putting a mosque near ground zero, he said he supports the RIGHTS of those who want to put one there. Supporting someone's right to do something does not mean you think they should do it.
Comment: #6
Posted by: Michelle Keane
Sun Aug 22, 2010 6:31 PM
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Larry Meeks , I just read a column you had in our local paper where a writer wrote in asking you about why President Obama did not address the Conneticut shooting of a black man who shot his white workers due to racism in the company. Your comment was it was obvious President Obama supported this mans action. NEWS FLASH! First of all, if you had been following the story you would have known it was his white wife who made the claim and knew of the situation at hand. Mr. Meeks it is sad that you do not acknowledge who you really are. My advice to you is to retract your story and do not compare this story to the story of President Obama and the Professor who was arrested for trying to break in his own house. Very different situations! Noone has any idea as to what went on in the company other then the employees and the gentleman that died. Also try and remember your history...yes you do have a history. If it were not for your ancestors your biased column would not exist! Try to be fair to all races and remember, blacks are just as human as you are!!!!
Comment: #7
Posted by: Diane Bookhart
Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:39 PM
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Retract: Girlfriend not wife
Comment: #8
Posted by: Diane Bookhart
Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:44 PM
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Quite the contrary, Matt. Many people and pundits believed that Obama's election would make things worse, because it would cause all the toads to come out of their holes. And so it's happened. Obama has received three times as many assassination threats, many combined with "let's kill a lot of blacks, too" rhetoric connected to them.
In fact, Matt, it's been people like you who have been saying that Obama's election would result in some kind of racial harmony. Your opinion (stated several times in comments to this column) is that blacks should no longer be able to complain about racial inequality because a black man was elected president, thereby proving that white racism doesn't exist. (The opinion was also expressed by that harridan Dr. Laura while using the N-word and protesting that she's not a racist. Yeah, right.)
I don't expect you to understand the following statement because I doubt if you have the education to understand the reference, but here goes: "Thinking that Obama's election means that racism doesn't exist is like saying that antisemitism ceased to exist because Disraeli became prime minister." Once again, I'm relative certain you'll be scratching your head at that one, but there it is for you to ponder.
Comment: #9
Posted by: Geoffrey James
Sun Aug 29, 2010 4:37 AM
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