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Home › Politics

Poll | 02/19/2009 12:00 am

Attorney General Eric Holder said the U.S. is a 'nation of cowards' when it comes to discussing race. Do you agree?

Read more about: Eric Holder, Race, U.S.

207 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

eleanor roche
Obviously, I am not speaking and can not speak for "black folks"—did I say that anywhere in my comments?. I am speaking of my own racial experience. I am sick of people like you making victims out of people to push your political agenda. This, IN  MY OPIONION, keeps people right where they are with little or no hope.
By eleanor roche on 02/27/2009 10:15 am
Serena .

Do you not call being herded like cattle, detached from family, and restricted to a reservation—when the entire country was yours to begin with—being enslaved?

I don’t know what in the hell else you’d call it!

By Serena . on 02/23/2009 5:49 pm
DeBúrca obj
I don’t understand, did Holder say we are cowards with regards to discussing racism except for asians?
By DeBúrca obj on 02/22/2009 2:38 pm
Kel Choate
I think there is such a fear of offending any race that people are afraid to openly discuss race issues in many ways—  I think there is always the wildcard, in any race/religion/etc that is going to take offense and be indignant when it comes to discussion— I think people are secretly afraid of the wildcard and don’t want to be the one that is singled out for being open— I don’t think it is limited to any one race or religion—
By Kel Choate on 02/22/2009 2:40 pm
Kel Choate

And I forgot to mention that I am surrounded by a wonderful group of friends in which I am very lucky to be able to openly discuss race, religion or whatever, without feeling judged—  It’s a very free-ing feeling.  I think the fact that we are discussing the topic, indicates that it is a burgeoning thread and just waiting to be addressed— what a great opportunity.

By Kel Choate on 02/22/2009 2:43 pm
Judy K.
Rose, I agree.  The only thing I can think of (not knowing the context) is that he means most people are too cautious to discuss race in a group they don’t know.  People are very touchy these days and seem to be looking for more meaning in a remark than is there.  Look how the media jumps on any comment slicing it six ways of Sunday. 
By Judy K. on 02/19/2009 1:30 am
Marjorie C.

Judy:  …seem to be looking for more meaning in a remark than is there.

I agree.  It is almost easier to not enter the discusssion, than to say something or use language that can be miscontrued. 

That is as much as I dare say about it.

By Marjorie C. on 02/19/2009 5:38 am
Chrome Toe
Marjorie - you and I are quite different politically. but you’ve been on this board a long time. you are respectful and brave about stating your views even when you’re in the minority. don’t you think that your statement as to not being willing to enter the discussion is a loud affirmation as to our inability to discuss race in this country?
By Chrome Toe on 02/19/2009 8:49 am
Marjorie C.

Chrome:  …is a loud affirmation as to our inability to discuss race in this country?

Could be.  I saw the AG make his speech on C-SPAN in honor of Black History Month.  His point was that we should all be interested in black history and take the time to learn it.  This was not an angry or condemning speech — certainly not anything at all like Rev. Wright — just an awareness thing.  That being said, he was probably preaching to the choir. 

This subject is hard to broach because both sides (we’ll call them black and white) come from a very different place.  Then there is the subdivision of blacks:  blacks whose ancestors were slaves in America have a different attitude from those who simply came to America as immigrants.  And on and on.

For a worthwhile discussion to take place, both sides have to be willing to overlook at lot. 

 

By Marjorie C. on 02/20/2009 6:19 am
Oh! My Favorite
First let me say how happy and grateful I am that we ARE talking about race.  I believe that we must air our private opinions, thoughts, rationales and misconceptions in order to clear them up and out.  In light of that, I’d be interested to know, Marjorie, where you get your information in order to state "blacks whose ancestors were slaves in America have a different attitude from those who simply came to America as immigrants."  I know a wide range of Blacks with heritage in the USA, numerous Caribbean countries and African countries.  What I DON’T know is that any of them have a differing attitude about being Black in the United States of America.  I doubt that any bigotted White American has ever distinguished a Black’s country of origin before subjecting that person to bigotry and hatred.
By Oh! My Favorite on 02/20/2009 7:33 pm
sibelle daubigne

Marjorie,

"That is as much as i dare say about it"

I have to add: "A Nation of cowards" in the mouth of an Attorney General" is totally inappropriate! Where is Holder coming from? He better learn Diplomatie over power and violence, if he wants a civilized conversation! 

By sibelle daubigne on 02/19/2009 10:24 am
Marjorie C.

sibelle:  "A Nation of cowards"

Yeah, well, it was a speech in honor of Black History Month, and he was speaking to all well-educated, reasonably prosperous people. 

I don’t know how well his speech would have gone over in Rev. Wright’s church.  The congregation might has sent him packing.  But, it is exactly there that he might try to calm people down.       

 

By Marjorie C. on 02/20/2009 6:29 am
Oh! My Favorite

Dear Sibelle, the definition of the word "coward" is: One who shows ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain. [cite:  The American Heritage Dictionary].  It is painful for American’s to talk about race, especially when individual citizens are setting parameters for that discussion.  "He better learn Diplocatie over power and violence, if he wants a civilized conversation!"  So there’s a script?  I can’t just start sharing my opinions, feelings and misinformation in the hopes that it will spark honest discussion which will lead to enlightenment and improvement?  C’mon.

By Oh! My Favorite on 02/20/2009 7:44 pm
sibelle daubigne
Dear Favorite, who is preventing you to share your opinions? I never heard of "Diplocatie". Maybe you didn’t understand my comment and should check that word in the American Heritage Dictionary! I also have another post on the subject somewhere, if you are interested.
By sibelle daubigne on 02/20/2009 8:17 pm
Oh! My Favorite
Please, Sibelle, there’s no need to ridicule me for a typing error.  I meant to copy YOUR word "diplomatie" of which I am aware of the definition.  I did see your other post on the subject and didn’t feel the need to comment because I largely agreed with that comment.  I think I offended you when I asked about needing a script and for that I apologize.
By Oh! My Favorite on 02/20/2009 11:23 pm
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