Good responses from you and George. The issue's complicated and none of us have the answer. I mean, hell, growing up I was always told I wasn't really Black by whites, and most importantly, other Blacks. It was because I "talked white", had white friends, loved science fiction, did my homework, was respectul to teachers girls, etc. So I'm aware of the irony of *me* then questioning whether someone like Rice is really Black. Like i said, my opinion, and I guess I still feel she's not as much concerned with helping Blacks as i feel she should be. But her right--and my right to keep people like her out of power whenever I can.
Anyway, I *love* your last statement: " ...I'm sure she felt the impact of racism...maybe she just chooses not to make it an overt issue...? Or not!" That line encapsulates the whole racial issue and our confusion as to what's really "Black" or not. -----Original Message----- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of M C Jennings Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 15:36 To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Fw: Rice's Star Ris experienced racism of any kind?ing Even as Public Sours on Bush Well-said, George. Just one comment on her 'firsts'...I think WE appreciate the impact more than she does...or she covers her appreciation of her position and accomplisments well. It could just be that she knows that one gets what one expects and visualizes...and it seems that her visions have served her well... I wouldn't judge her...after all, she DID lose girlfriends in a bombing when most of us were learning to clean chalk boards...I'm sure she felt the impact of racism...maybe she just chooses not to make it an overt issue...? Or not! :o) -------Original Message------- From: g123curious Date: 01/01/06 14:58:12 To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Fw: Rice's Star Ris experienced racism of any kind?ing Even as Public Sours on Bush > Nothing *is* wrong with it. Being a Black American > is a point of pride I cling to, and I hope that > others will as well. That Ms Rice's father possibly > wasn't too keen on the idea- sounds like his loss, > and hers by extension. One sad day, she'll get her > head aroundthe reality of the issue. Just pray that > she has the strength of spirit to get through it > intact. I think that it is important to recognize that African-Americans, like any other group in the USA, have a range of experiences and political attitudes. Ms. Rice has the unfortunate situation of picking a set of politics that most African Americans strongly disagree with. So, she doesn't get the adulation she might have gotten otherwise. I am sure that it does not bother her. By most other measures of success, she has been and is very successful. She has recrded a lot of firsts, such as the first female African-American Secretary of State and presidential Chief of Satff. that is nothing to disregard. As for her father, my opinion of most parents is that they teach their children the values and attitudes that they believe will help them navigate the world successfully. I feel it is a good assumption that Ms. Rice's parents did the same. Now we may not agree with their parenting choices and methods, and that is our choice. Her parents probably would feel vindicated by her achievements. I prefer to look at the situation this way. Rice (and W and Cheney and Rummy) all will ultimately be judged on how well they protect the USA citizens and fight the war against terror. I prefer to come up with measures of success for this. While she may be the first African- American this or that, ultimately she must be judged along with her president and administration on what they accomplished... as Janet Jackson used to sing, "what have you done for me lately?" - Are we winning the campaign against terror? - What is a good definition of "winning"? - How well is the USA government achieving its foreign policy objectives? - How well is the USA government using a range of options (e.g., not just military, but diplomacy, negotiation, etc.) to achieve our foreign policy objectives? - Hw well has the neo-con emphasis on military options helped keep the country secure and achieve our foreign policy objectives? - How well is the USA government achieving cooperation between the USA and other countries to achieve our foreign policy objectives? - How well would a military attack against IRan prevent Iran from going nuclear -- or help us win the campaign against teror? - How well is the USA government protecting its citizens thru the campaign against terror? Through natural disasters? -How well is the USA government helping its citizens meet the challenges of increased fuel costs and its associated financial strains? - How well is the USA government educating its citizens? - How well is the USA government balancing the needs of corporations, the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor? - If the USA government's approach toward a free Iraq fails (e.g., it becomes a religious theocracy), what does that mean for our campaign against terror? (have we lost a battle but can still win the war?) These are some of the questions I will judge Rice given her role in the US government so far. In the Secretary of State position, she has assumed a role around foreign policy... which means she does not participate much, or at all, in domestic policy (e.g., civil rights, health, education, etc.). At the end of the day, are we better or worse off in 2006 compared to 2000 when W entered office? Will we be better or worse off in 2008 at the end of W's 2 terms vs. in 2000 when he began? These are the questions that matter to me. And the answers to these questions will largely be how I judge Ms. Rice (and Cheney and Rummy, and Wolfowitz and Powell and the rest of the neo-con gang). George SPONSORED LINKS Science fiction and fantasy Music genres Genre magazine YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "scifinoir2" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. 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