Cam Newton GQ Article "It's not racism we're beyond that." regarding extra scrutiny because he's black.

[Guild]

Just now, Panthers1990 said:

Lol you dont have to "agree with it". Millions of the blacks that are living in this country that are being discriminated against on the streets, in jobs, in stores, in life period, that are living in poverty due to the effects of slavery and not having gotten any reparations; that are being killed by police in alarming numbers, that are being called racial slurs by their white peers for saying that their lives do in fact matter? I can assure you that black people are not waiting around for you to agree with anything. 

I am sure you are correct with what you assert.  I am not arguing with you I am trying to show you the first step in having a discussion where both sides can understand each other.  I've been around the block a few times arguing exactly what you are now.

[Montsta]

Also, you wanna see the powerful effects of real racism?

Be a white guy that grew up with tons of black guys and then go to prison where people you know from the streets are not allowed to talk to you and you can't talk to them except for *maybe* an indiscernible head nod while walking down the main line because their shot callers and your shot callers will have you fuged up. And know that if the ish pops off and there is a big brawl you will be expected to go toe to toe with these friends side by side with pieces of poo you would never talk to in any other situation. 

fug racism.

[panthers55]

7 minutes ago, Guild said:

The first line you posted is great but the last paragraph is very antagonistic I don't see how you can have a meaningful discussion with that approach.  Perhaps your intended goal is just oneupsmanship in which case forgive my interjection.

The point is not antagonism at all , it is debunking the notion that being white makes me part of the problem and that I can't have a very positive effect on black people. I say very little about what I do like the 10s of thousands of dollars of scholarships I gave to underprivileged students when I owned a tutoring business or the minority troops I encouraged and supported as a scout leader and numerous other endeavors I would need pages to even summarize.. But it galls me to be criticized by people who know nothing about me and judge simply because I am white. 

[PhillyB]

2 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

The point is not antagonism at all , it is debunking the notion that being white makes me part of the problem and that I can't have a very positive effect on black people. I say very little about what I do like the 10s of thousands of dollars of scholarships I gave to underprivileged students when I owned a tutoring business or the minority troops I encouraged and supported as a scout leader and numerous other endeavors I would need pages to even summarize.. But it galls me to be criticized by people who know nothing about me and judge simply because I am white. 

you're not part of the problem, but you benefit from the fact that there is a problem, or at the very least you are not affected by the problem. this is what white privilege actually is

[Guild]

2 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

The point is not antagonism at all , it is debunking the notion that being white makes me part of the problem and that I can't have a very positive effect on black people. I say very little about what I do like the 10s of thousands of dollars of scholarships I gave to underprivileged students when I owned a tutoring business or the minority troops I encouraged and supported as a scout leader and numerous other endeavors I would need pages to even summarize.. But it galls me to be criticized by people who know nothing about me and judge simply because I am white. 

In which case you are better than that.  I am glad that you have contributed in such a way to people who aren't involved with your life in any direct way.  That is far more than I have every done or probably will do in the near future.  That criticism comes from an empathic dissonance and I am certain you can forgive the critic for that :)

[Guild]

8 minutes ago, Montsta said:

Also, you wanna see the powerful effects of real racism?

Be a white guy that grew up with tons of black guys and then go to prison where people you know from the streets are not allowed to talk to you and you can't talk to them except for *maybe* an indiscernible head nod while walking down the main line because their shot callers and your shot callers will have you fuged up. And know that if the ish pops off and there is a big brawl you will be expected to go toe to toe with these friends side by side with pieces of poo you would never talk to in any other situation. 

fug racism.

Sorry you had to experience that Monsta.  Being around some of the worst people in the worst situation must assuredly increase the cynicism you experience now.  I can barely imagine how that would affect me and I am certain that estimation is far from what the reality would be.

[panthers55]

1 minute ago, PhillyB said:

you're not part of the problem, but you benefit from the fact that there is a problem, or at the very least you are not affected by the problem. this is what white privilege actually is

I don't pretend to know what it must be like to be a minority in this country. While I have not had many breaks I haven't had systematic racism to deal with. I certainly can feel the plight which is why I have done many things to try and make a difference and give a voice to those who don't have one. I have always been an advocate for the underdog no.matter the race, sex or creed.  

[Kakarot]

1 hour ago, motocross_cat said:

Some of you are basically calling cam a sell out.

 

I like Cam. Have defended him since he was first brought up on here, and will continue to do so. I will continue to be a fan, and tout him as my favorite player...but if the shoe fits...

At the very least, it was a sell out move. I guess good thing for Cam is, this will be all but forgotten about in a month or so. Right now, though, he hurt the feelings of many African Americans with his comments and will be criticized by many blacks and black media outlets. Black twitter has had a field day with this.

[Vagrant]

1 minute ago, panthers55 said:

The point is not antagonism at all , it is debunking the notion that being white makes me part of the problem and that I can't have a very positive effect on black people. I say very little about what I do like the 10s of thousands of dollars of scholarships I gave to underprivileged students when I owned a tutoring business or the minority troops I encouraged and supported as a scout leader and numerous other endeavors I would need pages to even summarize.. But it galls me to be criticized by people who know nothing about me and judge simply because I am white. 

I always find it a little funny, and I'm not picking on you too hard here, when people talk about "how little they talk about" what they've done and then proceed to itemize it afterwards. 

Nobody needs to be arguing here for why they get a hood pass. The problem is more complex than our individual contributions. We're talking about the structure of society and how people of color are only about 5 generations away from their people being considered animals and about 2 generations away from the country finally accepting that it was "okay.... I guess" for them to go to the same schools as white children. The National Guard being on the scene to escort these kids into schools. The problem is that a lot of us only look as far as our own lives. We see disadvantaged people of color who are trying to carve out ways of life that aren't on the legal side of things because they don't BELIEVE they can be successful with their minds because somewhere, somehow, a white person will take what they've earned. Does it matter if that's a real fear or not if it prevents young people of color from striving for the same goals that white children do? I see it every day. 

 

[Guild]

1 minute ago, Kakarot said:

I like Cam. Have defended him since he was first brought up on here, and will continue to do so. I will continue to be a fan, and tout him as my favorite player...but if the shoe fits...

At the very least, it was a sell out move. I guess good thing for Cam is, this will be all but forgotten about in a month or so. Right now, though, he hurt the feelings of many African Americans with his comments and will be criticized by many blacks and black media outlets. Black twitter has had a field day with this.

Perhaps Cam has grown weary of this narrative and simply wants to be a quarterback and entertainer at this point.  You can call him a sellout but surely the narrative grows heavy when you are constantly in the spotlight.

[Montsta]

2 minutes ago, Guild said:

Sorry you had to experience that Monsta.  Being around some of the worst people in the worst situation must assuredly increase the cynicism you experience now.  I can barely imagine how that would affect me and I am certain that estimation is far from what the reality would be.

I remember waiting for my trial in county and getting jumped in a holding tank because I was playing spades with three black guys, two of which lived a few blocks from where my mom lived when I was younger and who I knew from playing ball with when we were like 12 years old. 

[Guild]

Just now, Montsta said:

I remember waiting for my trial in county and getting jumped in a holding tank because I was playing spades with three black guys, two of which lived a few blocks from where my mom lived when I was younger and who I knew from playing ball with when we were like 12 years old. 

I cannot personally relate but I can empathize and I feel very sad for all parties involved especially you my friend.

[panthers55]

20 minutes ago, Vagrant said:

I always find it a little funny, and I'm not picking on you too hard here, when people talk about "how little they talk about" what they've done and then proceed to itemize it afterwards. 

Nobody needs to be arguing here for why they get a hood pass. The problem is more complex than our individual contributions. We're talking about the structure of society and how people of color are only about 5 generations away from their people being considered animals and about 2 generations away from the country finally accepting that it was "okay.... I guess" for them to go to the same schools as white children. The National Guard being on the scene to escort these kids into schools. The problem is that a lot of us only look as far as our own lives. We see disadvantaged people of color who are trying to carve out ways of life that aren't on the legal side of things because they don't BELIEVE they can be successful with their minds because somewhere, somehow, a white person will take what they've earned. Does it matter if that's a real fear or not if it prevents young people of color from striving for the same goals that white children do? I see it every day. 

 

Actually I haven't talked about a 10th of what I have done including what I do for a living which impacts families profoundly. This was simply making a point that what you see on the outsides hardly defines the inside. 

My motto has always been rather than complain about society ills or wait for systematic changes, I have always looked at what change can I effect today. If I end up changing the world it will be one child or family at a time.

As for the issue of black children feeling as if their efforts won't pan out no matter what, that is my earlier point. If black children are taught that white people will take away everything so you need to grab what you can and work outside the system, it is a huge disservice to them and sets them up for failure. Where would Cam be if Cecil had drilled that in his head instead of a belief he can do anything he wants to if he works hard enough and never gives up.

[Guild]

2 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

Actually I haven't talked about a 10th of what I have done including what I do for a living which impacts families profoundly. This was simply making a point that what you see on the outsides hardly defines the inside. 

My motto has always been rather than complain about society ills or wait for systematic changes, I have always looked at what change can I effect today. If I end up changing the world it will be one child or family at a time.

Keep pounding!