Black History Month
Read to understand26 total reviews
Comment from michaelcahill
I'm not so sure this won't win. At the very least, if we are honest, most people have thought what you are putting forth. It is a long time ago and none of us living today have any personal involvement. Whatever racist feelings people hold today they developed on their own. This is well-written poetically and the thoughts flow with purpose and conviction. Very persuasive. mikey
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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I'm not so sure this won't win. At the very least, if we are honest, most people have thought what you are putting forth. It is a long time ago and none of us living today have any personal involvement. Whatever racist feelings people hold today they developed on their own. This is well-written poetically and the thoughts flow with purpose and conviction. Very persuasive. mikey
Comment Written 12-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much, Mikey. You were right. I was looking at your bigotry contest. I looks very interesting and I'm glad you created it.
Comment from Jay Squires
The fact that this is rational, rather than emotional.
Many layers of emotions, lies, truths and half-truths among whites and blacks; and those layers don't fit neatly or smoothly one atop the other. It's not a pretty house we've built from them.
Bound in chains upon the sea and then casted [and then CAST ...]
Thanks, Lance for this intelligent presentation.
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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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The fact that this is rational, rather than emotional.
Many layers of emotions, lies, truths and half-truths among whites and blacks; and those layers don't fit neatly or smoothly one atop the other. It's not a pretty house we've built from them.
Bound in chains upon the sea and then casted [and then CAST ...]
Thanks, Lance for this intelligent presentation.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much. Good catch, I knew something was wrong with that word.
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
This is an amazing read! You artfully call out all the things that are never said with masterful imagery and the use of sublime internal and external rhyme. I was completely awe struck by the courage to mention the fact that even blacks owned slaves and are accountable for their own sins as a race, not to mention the division and tension which arise from celebrations such as this. We are all brothers and sisters and only by looking beyond color and culture will we ever truly bring an end to racial tensions in all forms. I wish you all the best in the voting and am blessed to have been able to share this with you.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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This is an amazing read! You artfully call out all the things that are never said with masterful imagery and the use of sublime internal and external rhyme. I was completely awe struck by the courage to mention the fact that even blacks owned slaves and are accountable for their own sins as a race, not to mention the division and tension which arise from celebrations such as this. We are all brothers and sisters and only by looking beyond color and culture will we ever truly bring an end to racial tensions in all forms. I wish you all the best in the voting and am blessed to have been able to share this with you.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much. I appreciate the great review.
Comment from Muffins
Your viewpoint is brave and honest. This side of the debate is whispered in the black community behind closed doors ,late at night. And like you, in school I cringed at the posters my school posted on the wall every February, always the same people. As I got older, I hated going to book stores in February. All books by black authors were dusted clean and displayed in the front.
Yet, I do think Black history is important. "Must we always be society's victim or remembered as a withered beaten slave?" No, we do not. Black history month needs a makeover and maybe a name change like American History month? The young people of today don't get or care about history. The past is not sexy or entertaining.
It's a sensitive subject and I respect your open book observation of it. Your Math teacher was a man of the world. He knew people did not want to hear something that would make them feel uncomfortable. The school taught you and the students a horrible lesson. You can speak your mind ,but only if we agree. Thought provoking poem.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Your viewpoint is brave and honest. This side of the debate is whispered in the black community behind closed doors ,late at night. And like you, in school I cringed at the posters my school posted on the wall every February, always the same people. As I got older, I hated going to book stores in February. All books by black authors were dusted clean and displayed in the front.
Yet, I do think Black history is important. "Must we always be society's victim or remembered as a withered beaten slave?" No, we do not. Black history month needs a makeover and maybe a name change like American History month? The young people of today don't get or care about history. The past is not sexy or entertaining.
It's a sensitive subject and I respect your open book observation of it. Your Math teacher was a man of the world. He knew people did not want to hear something that would make them feel uncomfortable. The school taught you and the students a horrible lesson. You can speak your mind ,but only if we agree. Thought provoking poem.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much, Muffins. Yes, I saw the same thing. I hate when book stores put black authors in their own section.
Comment from granny goes viral
Wow. You took my breath away. You are brave, very brave.
Keep on being brave. You might get bruised, but fight on.
I write this as a Jew, who has trouble dealing with my feelings towards Israel, and its politics, which are so conflicted. And as someone who has confronted "isms", both as a victim and potential inflicter.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Wow. You took my breath away. You are brave, very brave.
Keep on being brave. You might get bruised, but fight on.
I write this as a Jew, who has trouble dealing with my feelings towards Israel, and its politics, which are so conflicted. And as someone who has confronted "isms", both as a victim and potential inflicter.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much.
Comment from TAB_that's me
You are right in many things you say. Blacks can use it as an excuse and whites still don't want to admit what they did. I am many times ashamed of my "white" roots. Actually I am part Native American Indian and I hate what "we" did to them as well. I think your poem is a very good entry and does have a chance. It's for sure that not every one like mine or agreed with it either. I do appreciate you entering my contest and wish you the best in it.
Teresa
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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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You are right in many things you say. Blacks can use it as an excuse and whites still don't want to admit what they did. I am many times ashamed of my "white" roots. Actually I am part Native American Indian and I hate what "we" did to them as well. I think your poem is a very good entry and does have a chance. It's for sure that not every one like mine or agreed with it either. I do appreciate you entering my contest and wish you the best in it.
Teresa
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much. It was a great contest, and thank you for making it.
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Hey congrats! Well deserved.
