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Are Black People Really Homophobic?
There always has to be someone to blame. So when California's Proposition 8 – the state constitutional ban on gay marriage – was approved by voters on Nov. 4, the story line was set: African-Americans, who had registered and turned out in record numbers for Barack Obama, delivered crucial, even deciding votes for Prop. 8.Initial reports cited exit polls with seven of 10 black voters backing the initiative. Cue the back-and-forth name-calling. In comments and on blogs, some of the measure's opponents called blacks who voted "yes" bigots. Blacks didn't appreciate being singled out, misunderstood and treated as a monolithic block. Was the LGBT community in California racially inclusive and was there enough outreach before the vote?
Admittedly, the conclusion of the Prop. 8 campaign made a tantalizing headline: a historically oppressed group had voted to deny civil rights to another oppressed group. No matter that the numbers were later proved wrong, or at least seriously flawed, or that – at seven percent of the California population – African-Americans could hardly have determined the fate of Prop 8.
After a little time passed and everyone took a deep breath, reports said the exit polling was exaggerated and put the percentage of black support for the measure closer to 58 percent.
The San Francisco Chronicle quoted Patrick Egan of New York University who with Kenneth Sherrill of Hunter College of New York wrote a post-election report for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: "Party identification, age, religiosity and political view had much bigger effects than race, gender or having gay and lesbian family and friends." In fact, among regular church-goers, black support for Prop. 8 was lower than for any other ethnic group. But the report also found that African-American support rose above the 52 percent that Prop. 8 received from all voters in the November election.
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The issue is far from over. In California, gay rights groups can't agree on the best time to fight the gay-marriage ban, in part because of the struggle to change hearts, minds and votes.
Politics Daily's Carl Cannon set the stage for a similar battle in Washington, D.C., over a city council proposal that would have the District of Columbia recognize marriages performed in other states, with pastors in conservative black churches opposing any measure that would accept same-sex marriage in D.C. and more progressive black churches supporting the measure.
The controversy is not new. Bayard Rustin, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s adviser and an architect of the 1963 March on Washington, "lived in the shadow of many other civil rights greats because of his sexual orientation (gay), his political orientation (socialist), and his religious orientation (atheist)," said a column on AOL's Black Voices.
In the King family, the civil rights leader's widow Coretta Scott King, who died in 2006, called gay marriage a civil right in 2004, when she denounced a proposed constitutional amendment to ban it. Her daughter Bernice, a minister, opposes gay marriage.
NAACP national chair Julian Bond and president and CEO Benjamin Jealous both support same-sex marriage.
In a question and answer in The New York Times, Jealous said when asked why the organization doesn't have an official stand on the issue: "We're engaged in fighting a whole range of issues of urgent relevance to the gay community and people of color in our country, including school bullying, hate crimes and employment discrimination. But we're a barge, not a speedboat. We're not going to repeat the mistakes of so many other institutions that have literally torn themselves apart over this divisive issue."
When the question, "Are black people really that homophobic?" was asked at the recent National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in Tampa, Fla., panelist Rashad Robinson, director of media programs at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said the question itself needs to be challenged. National polls show a majority of blacks supports hate-crime legislation but opposes marriage equality. Dig deeper, he said, and you find differences based on class, religiosity and geography, with the strongest opposition to gay marriage in the South.
Katina Parker, of the NABJ LGBT task force, who grew up Baptist and has stopped going to church because she's "afraid of being beat over the head" with views about homosexuality, still said her answer would be "no," as many African-Americans are trying to resolve their religious beliefs with family members who are gay.
Freelance producer Patrick Riley, the baby of three siblings who grew up in the Bible Belt of Savannah, Ga., was clear with his "yes." He said some relatives would "prefer to have a crackhead" in the family than a gay person. "I do think it exists," he said about homophobia in the black community. "I do think it is more. I do think there is opportunity" to shift opinion.
In some churches, "don't ask, don't tell" is the simplest solution. Others think such a policy would be abdicating their mission. At Friendship Missionary Baptist in Charlotte, N.C., the Rev. Michelle Jones, daughter of the senior pastor, directs the HIV/AIDS ministry, which offers testing, counseling and soon, affordable housing. "We're called to love and not to judge," she said. Her ministry speaks to everyone from seniors to young people. "There are things we don't want to talk about, but you have to have the conversation."
Why do some African-Americans – even those sympathetic to the goal of legal equality – bristle when gay rights activists insist that the civil rights struggles are exactly the same?
Put aside religion, and there is still a feeling that the language and goals of a historic movement – the civil rights movement – are being co-opted by the LGBT community. Yet, tactics are not exclusive. King borrowed from Gandhi. Protest movements from women's equality to the Polish workers of Solidarity have taken from one another without the same resentments.
"It's equally offensive that we cannot draw from our common experiences," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, a gay rights organization. Wherever it's coming from, it's the idea that there's one group that's inferior and there's a group that's superior, she said.
In common is a wish to be judged as an individual and not dehumanized by stereotypes and fear. And now, at least, civil rights and gay rights groups are talking to, not past, each other.
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Mary C. Curtis
Mary C. Curtis, an NPR contributor based in Charlotte, N.C., was previously a writer and editor for The New York Times and the Charlotte Observer... moreRelated Articles
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Comments (50)
Truth
5:38AM Aug 14th 2009
Blacks support hate crime legislation, but oppose gay marriage?
Blacks don't like being treated as a monolithic block?
Blacks support hate crime legislation but commit the most crime of any racial group. They vote as a monolithic block in every election. There is somewhat of a disconnect here.
The tone of the article seems to be incredulity that blacks can be bigoted. Maybe Mary has no black friends. In my experience, blacks have an acute focus on race as a primary issue in almost every facet of life, and many are quite bigoted.
I don't think blacks are homophobic, nor do I believe most people accused of being homophobic are homophobic. Being uncomfortable with homosexuality with some blacks is a religious issue, with others a macho thing, and with some a big lie. Not much different than whites or hispanics.
Does Eric Holder know we're talking about this? He'd be proud!
Blacks don't like being treated as a monolithic block?
Blacks support hate crime legislation but commit the most crime of any racial group. They vote as a monolithic block in every election. There is somewhat of a disconnect here.
The tone of the article seems to be incredulity that blacks can be bigoted. Maybe Mary has no black friends. In my experience, blacks have an acute focus on race as a primary issue in almost every facet of life, and many are quite bigoted.
I don't think blacks are homophobic, nor do I believe most people accused of being homophobic are homophobic. Being uncomfortable with homosexuality with some blacks is a religious issue, with others a macho thing, and with some a big lie. Not much different than whites or hispanics.
Does Eric Holder know we're talking about this? He'd be proud!
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(8)
(8) 
DD8V92
6:35AM Aug 14th 2009
From an intelligent point of view, you are absolutley correct, but you know as well as I do Truth, the ignorant and those with poor reading comprehension, will band you as a racist. From my vantage point, not a trace of racism. Good post.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (8)
(8) park457799
3:23PM Aug 14th 2009
Who cares?
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(3)
(3) WADE....
3:44PM Aug 16th 2009
Are Black People Really Homophobic?
Funny you should ask that...I'm sure Larry could answer that for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lrf8DbrJH0
Funny you should ask that...I'm sure Larry could answer that for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lrf8DbrJH0
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(2)
(2) jrotced02
6:37AM Aug 14th 2009
Truth: It was these sweeping generalizations that caused the Republicans to suffer the last two devestating losses, and in 2010, the beatdown will go on, especially since the thinly disguised racist debacle with Judge Sotomayor. Right now, the Republican strategy is to use homosexuality as a wedge issue in the black community. In the 2004 elections (if you believe the study) 16% of Africa-American voters voted for Bush II...exactly the same percentage of whites who admitted they would never vote for any black candidate. If blacks vote monolitihically, it is because they claim to be overwhelmingly Democrat. Duuuhhhh! Big surprise that blacks would vote Democrat? Odd, considering that blacks started out in the Republican Party, until Barry Goldwater broke with traditional Republican support of civil rights, and voted AGAINST the Civil Rights Act, to pander to white Dixiecrats.
Truth...whites commit more total crimes than any other racial group...they are arrested less often, and go to jail less often. Additionally, you seem to forget, that to this date, I'll bet you can't name a single "famous" black criminal, while whites not only dominate this area, they celebrate white criminality in books, movies, and TV shows, often portraying white murderers and criminals as sympathetic characters...I cite the "Sopranos" as an example. Whites know a lot about the Bloods and the Crips, but can't name a single member of these gangs, but who doesn't know members of the Mafia, racist white gangs, and neo-Nazis? In this country, whites who commit crimes are just criminals, however, blacks who commit crimes, are black criminals, and there's the difference (too esoteric for you to see).
The black middle-class, just like the Hispanic middle-class, the Native-American middle-class, and the Asian middle-class, are hard-working, pious, and very conservative, perhaps more conservative that the true Republicans (not the lunatic fringe wannabes'). They (and I shouldn't be speaking for them) feel exactly the same way about many social issues as middle-class whites feel...the difference being, that the black middle-class has the additional burden of racism to carry around, and many because many have deep religious beliefs, many tend to hate the sin, and love the sinner, thus the very high tolerance for homosexuals in the black community, and zero tolerance for homosexual activity. You will never see a "gay pride" parade in any black community in this country...it just won't happen, but you will see Wanda Sykes, or Queen Latifah, talk openly about their homosexuality.
Truth, again, you're one of those azzclowns who get all of their insight on the black community from TV comedies, and Fixed News. Your sweeping generalizations are the product of a narrow, uninformed mind, but don't worry, stick around. School is in.
Truth...whites commit more total crimes than any other racial group...they are arrested less often, and go to jail less often. Additionally, you seem to forget, that to this date, I'll bet you can't name a single "famous" black criminal, while whites not only dominate this area, they celebrate white criminality in books, movies, and TV shows, often portraying white murderers and criminals as sympathetic characters...I cite the "Sopranos" as an example. Whites know a lot about the Bloods and the Crips, but can't name a single member of these gangs, but who doesn't know members of the Mafia, racist white gangs, and neo-Nazis? In this country, whites who commit crimes are just criminals, however, blacks who commit crimes, are black criminals, and there's the difference (too esoteric for you to see).
The black middle-class, just like the Hispanic middle-class, the Native-American middle-class, and the Asian middle-class, are hard-working, pious, and very conservative, perhaps more conservative that the true Republicans (not the lunatic fringe wannabes'). They (and I shouldn't be speaking for them) feel exactly the same way about many social issues as middle-class whites feel...the difference being, that the black middle-class has the additional burden of racism to carry around, and many because many have deep religious beliefs, many tend to hate the sin, and love the sinner, thus the very high tolerance for homosexuals in the black community, and zero tolerance for homosexual activity. You will never see a "gay pride" parade in any black community in this country...it just won't happen, but you will see Wanda Sykes, or Queen Latifah, talk openly about their homosexuality.
Truth, again, you're one of those azzclowns who get all of their insight on the black community from TV comedies, and Fixed News. Your sweeping generalizations are the product of a narrow, uninformed mind, but don't worry, stick around. School is in.
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(-9)
(-9) captemp
11:18AM Aug 14th 2009
Well said, nuff said.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-5)
(-5) biltbod8
12:44PM Aug 14th 2009
O.J.SIMPSON!!!!!!!!!!!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
(3) Truth
3:42PM Aug 14th 2009
J-ROT,
Your rambling, disjointed, racial paranoia filled, maunderings do not in any way refute what I wrote. Facts are facts. If you don't like it that blacks are BY FAR the most likely to commit crimes, than why don't you do something to change it, by changing the reason for it, instead of blaming whites?
There weren't any "sweeping generalizations" in my post, just general TRUTH. Blacks want hate crime legislation to protect them, but are by far the biggest perpetrators of violent crime, and crime in general. Black on white crime far exceeds white on black crime, so who is it that is perpetrating the violent crime on blacks? Other blacks mostly, and a growing number of Hispanic on black incidents. Have you twisted that around to be white people's fault too?
Blacks vote monolithically EVERY election, and there is NO disputing that TRUTH. So what sweeping generalizations are you babbling about?
You're black. Why don't you have any insight on these issues? Why don't you have an intelligent theory on why blacks oppose gay marriage? (which, by the way, so do I). Your theory that blacks "hate the sin, but love the sinner" is more than a little problematic from a logic standpoint, and begs a rational explanation. Why don't you spend your energy resolving that non sequitur, instead ranting about your half baked theories on race and politics?
BTW, As far as the slavery issue goes, I haven't seen the "hate the sin, love the sinner" mentality in blacks, despite the fact that no whites alive today had any slaves, nor did their parents, nor their parents parents, and most whites never had slaves at any time, and hundreds of thousands of whites died in the Civil War to end slavery. So why the interminable racial haranging? Africans sold each other into slavery, to Europeans, and in much larger numbers, and for much longer, to Arabs.
Maybe blacks need to remove the beam from their own eye. Even a Marxist, racist like yourself can't really believe all of this victimology crap you spew.
You think blaming is a substitute for insight and intelligent, HONEST, analysis. It isn't, but you really aren't after resolving ANYTHING. You want to use it as a point of political leverage to keep blacks feeling the victim, and therefore angry and easy to manipulate, and you want whites to feel guilty. It don't work on me, J-rot. Not in the least.
BTW, I knew either you, or Wayupyours would be the first to attack me. You are so predictable.
Your rambling, disjointed, racial paranoia filled, maunderings do not in any way refute what I wrote. Facts are facts. If you don't like it that blacks are BY FAR the most likely to commit crimes, than why don't you do something to change it, by changing the reason for it, instead of blaming whites?
There weren't any "sweeping generalizations" in my post, just general TRUTH. Blacks want hate crime legislation to protect them, but are by far the biggest perpetrators of violent crime, and crime in general. Black on white crime far exceeds white on black crime, so who is it that is perpetrating the violent crime on blacks? Other blacks mostly, and a growing number of Hispanic on black incidents. Have you twisted that around to be white people's fault too?
Blacks vote monolithically EVERY election, and there is NO disputing that TRUTH. So what sweeping generalizations are you babbling about?
You're black. Why don't you have any insight on these issues? Why don't you have an intelligent theory on why blacks oppose gay marriage? (which, by the way, so do I). Your theory that blacks "hate the sin, but love the sinner" is more than a little problematic from a logic standpoint, and begs a rational explanation. Why don't you spend your energy resolving that non sequitur, instead ranting about your half baked theories on race and politics?
BTW, As far as the slavery issue goes, I haven't seen the "hate the sin, love the sinner" mentality in blacks, despite the fact that no whites alive today had any slaves, nor did their parents, nor their parents parents, and most whites never had slaves at any time, and hundreds of thousands of whites died in the Civil War to end slavery. So why the interminable racial haranging? Africans sold each other into slavery, to Europeans, and in much larger numbers, and for much longer, to Arabs.
Maybe blacks need to remove the beam from their own eye. Even a Marxist, racist like yourself can't really believe all of this victimology crap you spew.
You think blaming is a substitute for insight and intelligent, HONEST, analysis. It isn't, but you really aren't after resolving ANYTHING. You want to use it as a point of political leverage to keep blacks feeling the victim, and therefore angry and easy to manipulate, and you want whites to feel guilty. It don't work on me, J-rot. Not in the least.
BTW, I knew either you, or Wayupyours would be the first to attack me. You are so predictable.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
(2) ssdwyer115
6:54PM Aug 14th 2009
I agree with you, I am a fiscal conservative white person, who works hard, and I DO NOT care what race or ethic background you have. Although, I am a practicing catholic, I don't support abortion(unless rape or incest) and I may not agree with gay marriage, but I will not judge. I work hard, I do not have time to belittle people about their sexual orientation. As a white middle class person, I worked hard putting myself through school, so my children can have a better life. And I am the one who gets slammed, like you, for knowing the facts. As a supervisor, I don't care if you have one eye in the middle of your head, as long as you honest, good character, and a hard worker, I would be honored to be that person's friend. Unlike many liberals, I work, use my head for a living. I don't take gov't handouts.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) rooly
6:24AM Aug 15th 2009
Have you lost your mind? Whites commit the most crime? http://www.topix.com/forum/city/jacksonville-fl/TPFET4HPQU714S37C
that assertion is ridiculous.
"You will never see a "gay pride" parade in any black community in this country...it just won't happen, but you will see Wanda Sykes, or Queen Latifah, talk openly about their homosexuality."
I have never heard Queen Latifah talk open about her sexuality. And Wanda Sykes was shushed out the back door when she spoke at the President's roast, and didn't mention any kind of gayness once. What are you even talking about over there? The gay community was pissed at her!!
"School is in."
Then go there.
Facts are facts. Your third paragraph (except for the end, which was embarrassing) was accurate. Most minorities in this country want to do good, and do contribute, and are welcome, productive citizens. Guess what? SO ARE MOST GAY PEOPLE! So how bout all the intelligent, kind, accepting people (every race) of the world stand up and take over so the ignorant hateful masses stop getting their voices heard so singularly? Black people have gone through some serious poo in this world, but it doesn't give them the right to spew their hate on other people because they don't consider them morally equivalent. Hate is human, but it shouldn't be the law.
that assertion is ridiculous.
"You will never see a "gay pride" parade in any black community in this country...it just won't happen, but you will see Wanda Sykes, or Queen Latifah, talk openly about their homosexuality."
I have never heard Queen Latifah talk open about her sexuality. And Wanda Sykes was shushed out the back door when she spoke at the President's roast, and didn't mention any kind of gayness once. What are you even talking about over there? The gay community was pissed at her!!
"School is in."
Then go there.
Facts are facts. Your third paragraph (except for the end, which was embarrassing) was accurate. Most minorities in this country want to do good, and do contribute, and are welcome, productive citizens. Guess what? SO ARE MOST GAY PEOPLE! So how bout all the intelligent, kind, accepting people (every race) of the world stand up and take over so the ignorant hateful masses stop getting their voices heard so singularly? Black people have gone through some serious poo in this world, but it doesn't give them the right to spew their hate on other people because they don't consider them morally equivalent. Hate is human, but it shouldn't be the law.
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(0)
(0) hometown
7:20AM Aug 14th 2009
Remember homophobic = NORMAL NON DEVIANT NONPedophile type
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) geomcd
7:50AM Aug 14th 2009
If black people are 'homophobic', then good for them. Homosexuality is abnormal. All of you know that you wouldn't be here if you parents had been homosexual. If black people understand this then it's time that whites learn from them. I don't get why so many people are taken in by these weirdo's lobbying to try to make the rest of us think this is normal. There was a reason they were called queers when I was young. If you're homophobic, bless you! You're normal and know what your body parts were made for.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
(-4) claudia
12:04PM Aug 14th 2009
I agree with geomcd. It is abnormal. You should know what your body parts are made for and even if you get artificial body parts added on - it won't work. at all.
Even the word artificial tells you that something is not real. God made adam and eve not adam and steve. Get a grip people. If you choose to be gay at least acknowledge what you are and don't get mad at us for staring and calling you what you say that you are. Some of you look ridiculous trying to be a man/woman or she/he.
You can still be a man or a woman but its definitely a right of choice not a civil right.
Even the word artificial tells you that something is not real. God made adam and eve not adam and steve. Get a grip people. If you choose to be gay at least acknowledge what you are and don't get mad at us for staring and calling you what you say that you are. Some of you look ridiculous trying to be a man/woman or she/he.
You can still be a man or a woman but its definitely a right of choice not a civil right.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
(-3) LARRY CRAIG
2:53PM Aug 14th 2009
Kids are born with Downs is that abnormal weord as you say? How about that azy eye? Asthma? Cleft Pallet and the long list of other things that a person can be born with yet you bb brain retards do not think that homsexuality can not be...grow up how does this in one way or the other effect you?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-6)
(-6) Chris Williams
3:11PM Aug 14th 2009
That's not true. People being homosexual is not a roadblock towards having children. There are plenty of gay couples who have children through the use of a surrogate mother or father and these children grow up in healthy homes and become healthy contributing members of society. You may not approve of it as a means of parenting but that by no means proves that it doesn't work or happen.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) theweehedgehog
8:03AM Aug 14th 2009
I'm sick to death of the term "homophobe" being applied to anyone who won't embrace the lifestyle of homosexuals. How did such a small percentage of the population rise to such a level of discussion is beyond me. I don't care if a person is black, white, red, yellow or brown, to me, homosexuality is abnormal behavior. It is a chosen and I don't accept the lifestyle as valid. I don't hate them. I just don't accept that what they are doing is right. I'm not phobic, I'm not afraid I'm just disgusted that they get so much media attention. If that is what some chose, let them have at it and keep it to themselves. I'm sick of the media telling me that I need to accept this. I don't, and I won't! Last time I checked, I'm still free to say that. Who knows for how much longer as we throw our rights away at the speed of light.
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(0) Debbie Bell
8:25AM Aug 14th 2009
Mary,
Thank you so much for such a well-written and thought-provoking article!
I have many black friends with whom I discuss a wide-ranging array of topics. However, if they are Southern Baptists, I make the assumption that they were schooled in their church to hate both Gays and Catholics. I therefore tread very lightly around those topics.
Your story is loaded with enough objective data to make me feel knowledgeably enough to initiate a conversation...and really, isn't that the primary point of good journalism.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for such a well-written and thought-provoking article!
I have many black friends with whom I discuss a wide-ranging array of topics. However, if they are Southern Baptists, I make the assumption that they were schooled in their church to hate both Gays and Catholics. I therefore tread very lightly around those topics.
Your story is loaded with enough objective data to make me feel knowledgeably enough to initiate a conversation...and really, isn't that the primary point of good journalism.
Thank you!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) Dathi De Feote
9:01AM Aug 14th 2009
I disagree with the underlying premise of the article.
No one is denied civil rights (in this country, anyway) because of their sexual orientation.
You can have your civil unions, you can even commemorate it with a wedding dress and a ring. I'd be happy to celebrate along with you!!!
But to "pretend" that you're "married" to someone who is of the same sex as you is simply absurd.
No one is denied civil rights (in this country, anyway) because of their sexual orientation.
You can have your civil unions, you can even commemorate it with a wedding dress and a ring. I'd be happy to celebrate along with you!!!
But to "pretend" that you're "married" to someone who is of the same sex as you is simply absurd.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) thomas gentile
8:53AM Aug 14th 2009
LETS GET SOMETHING STRAIGHTENED OUT RIGHT NOW ! THEIR HAVE BEEN NO MASS IMPORTATION OF AFRICANS TO THIS COUNTRY FOR OVER 150 PLUS YEARS/ WHICH BRING US TO WHO ARE YOU? NO, YOU ARE NOT AFRICAN AMERICANS !! YOU ARE AMERICANS OF AFRICAN DECENT ! AMERICANS OF ASIAN , IRISH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, RUSSIAN, MEXICAN, ETC DECENT !SHOULD YOU NOT WANT TO BE AN AMERICAN THEN YOU ARE IN THE WRONG COUNTRY/// GO BACK ( VERY QUICKLY) TO THE COUNTRY THAT YOU CLAIM TO BE YOURS ! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT MIND YOU LEAVING THEIR COUNTRY !
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) princess Lakita
11:04AM Aug 14th 2009
Thomas, it has been but within my lifetime, as an "X-er," that blacks have actually been treated like American citizens (let alone human), though slaves were here before the Mayflower. The British colonists went to war in 1776 because they were taxed without representation, we'vew been taxed without representation until the 60's. And your comment about going back to our country of origin? Many would, if our countries of origin, names, language, etc. had been recorded when we stepped off the boat at Ellis Island: like the Russians, Irish, Germans, Latvians, and all other europeans who were given "American" citizenship, the vote ,and many of them millions of acres in land grants in the midwest upon arrival ("Americans of African" decent, as you say, weren't allowed to receive them, though we had worked for free for more than 200 years before they showed up) Instead we were catalogued as undomesticated animals, punished for speaking our languages, forced to do hard labour and all types of "Un" American things, not given citizenship or the right to vote (until just forty years ago!) if you want someone to call themselves an American you have to treat them like one. My family is proud to be American though our personal history makes "Roots" look like a picnic, and wouldn't live any where else. I'm not angry at your comments, they are predictable. Like most Americans, you have been taught a "sanitized" version of history. If you would like to dialogue further I would welcome it if it is sincere.
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