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Our current topic:
What was the most positive event of African American history in the 20th Century?
Submit Date: 21 JUN 1999 Name: TheIntern Email: Response:
ToGlenCosgrave: You are white???Now THAT is interesting....I suppose that would say something about your perspective. Maybe you are a white liberal or something. I always wonder how white people stumble across this website, and why you would even be interested in it? Are you married to a Black woman, or something? Just curious...
Submit Date: 20 JUN 1999 Name: David Email: tastybred@hotmail.com Response:
If we can ask this question sometime in the future and get an HONEST and truly unified
answer from our people, then and only then will
we have made the PROGRESS past stuggles have HOPED to accomplish. The message we
each receive from the SUM of our positive BLACKNESS must start to resemble a unified voice and a UNIFIED mind!! When we take control of our families as black MEN and take
control of our communities as black PEOPLE
we will in affect REALIZE our past struggles.
Apparently we have not come nearly far enough. Sure "most positive": exercising our
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS! (please, read them often - teach them to our YOUTH)
"most positive": black men RAISING their OWN children! "most positive": becoming your
BROTHER'S keeper! (please, CRY-OUT just as loudly against black-on-black crime/murder as WE do when the BANDWAGON rolls around for the "political soapbox" incidents.)
I'll not specify a SINGLE event in African American history of the 20th Century as the
"most positive" for WE (dare I say) have yet to realize the full potential of IT!!
Submit Date: 20 JUN 1999 Name: Linzay Kelly Email: Pharmer2@ix.netcom.com Response:
Easily, the most significant event of the 20th century was the Million Man March. I am proud to have taken part in this event. I demonstrated a degree of solidarity that crossed all classes of Black people.
Submit Date: 18 JUN 1999 Name: Glen Cosgrave Email: BGROVEG@juno.com Response:
You have a fairly bleak world view Urban Gorilla. Question you have to ask yourself (which you won't because it's easier to blame someone else for your problems.)Is what is really holding you in the ditch and what are you going to do to get out of it. I see these people all the time talking about how they are going to do this, that, and the other to whatever group is keeping them down. When all they really do is sit on the sofa and grow angrier and angrier. You know what Urban Guerilla? You have'nt done jack crap to anybody. There is not a white person on this planet who knows anything about you, or even cares if you sit around at home with your Web T.V. taking cyber potshots at some website. All you ever do is sit at home and stew. You are the one who is suffering. Not us. You keep thinking about how you are going to get us, and really do us in. But we don't even know you exist. That is what you are going to have to come to terms with. Who is really hurting, and who is not? And if we are not hurting, Then why should you. If your life is truly a big ditch, your're probably not doing right. If you are man enough to reply please post something with a little substance. I'm already familiar with your vocabulary of four letter words.
Submit Date: 18 JUN 1999 Name: john sr Email: ojwrsr@freewwweb.com Response:
The greatest event happens daily when individual
decide
to "set their ancestors" free by sanctifying the
life that was given to them by their own quest for the
the essentials of life, for freedom. Freedom equals health, happiness and
prosperity for the everwidening circle of self, family
community, country, and all of humanity. Freedom
is the assumption that I am responsible and theirfore
can blame no man. Freedon assumes that I am able
and therefor can make no excuses.
means assuming
Submit Date: 17 JUN 1999 Name: Email: Urban_Guerrilla@webtv.net Response:
Someone expressed Great Fear of falling into a Ditch!!...When I awake in the mornings I realize -- "I'm in a Ditch!!" The Entire African-American Contingency is in A Ditch! Our Intrepid African-American Warriors Recognized this reality when they Prepared for Battle!! When Rosa Parks Refused to Relinquish Her seat on the bus (for the second time), She was Fighting to Climb Outta "The Ditch"!!! When Malcolm X was Gunned Down -- In that Horrible Display of Brain-Washed Hatred -- He Gave His Life in Defiance of "The Ditch"!!! And, Martin Luther King, another Brave Warrior, Submitted His Life to the Revolution Against "The Ditch"!! I Reiterate, Where's the Intelligence of "Grading" Our Every Move?? If It takes falling into Ditches to Live as Human Beings - then, Bring On "The Ditches"...!!! Life is the BIGGEST DITCH of all. And the only way out of This Ditch is, DEATH! Then you go to Your "Final DITCH..."
Submit Date: 17 JUN 1999 Name: dwalker Email: dwalker@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu Response:
I don't know if we should grade every aspect of the movement. However,
every man, woman, organization, governement, business, etc etc, should
look at and evaluate where its been and where it is going. Then decide howit
is going to get there. Anyone who doesn't is apt to repeat previous mistakes. I only
wish we could do that as a people but it is physically impossible and not very realistic.
We are individuals and will conduct ourselves accordingly. However, if there is
anyway possible to look at where we have been as a people and be proactive to better
ourselves as a race of people, we would be amiss not to do so. Each step DOES affect the next
however, if I fell in a ditch trying to get from A to B, and I had another chance to try it all over
again,I would avoid the ditch. Nothing is wrong with reflection. Especially if it is used in a positive
manner.
Submit Date: 16 JUN 1999 Name: jeremy k. grice Email: littlejroc@hotmail.com Response:
Without a doubt the Civil Right's Movement. I have a question for us all. Are we the benefactors of the struggles of our past brothers and sister's doing enough to uplift the black community as a whole?
Submit Date: 16 JUN 1999 Name: Email: Urban-Guerrilla@webtv.net Response:
How much more is Required to This Question? The very thought of what it Implies, is Demeaning to the Importance of the African-American Struggle. (And, it's obvious I'm alone on this revelation!!) Why is it Needful to Dissect each Attempt of Our Struggle to Determine Its Positiveness?? It's been Stated that Every Effort of our Journey is Important, Necessary, and needs No Other Determination!! Must We "GRADE" Every Approach we Take?? Are we in Kindergarten here?? Or, Are We in a Serious Lifetime Contention?? I Suggest We Return to ADULT REALITY, and Abandon Childish Folly...!!!
Submit Date: 13 JUN 1999 Name: ADILAH Email: Response:
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT OF THIS CENTURY. IT STARTED WITH ROSA PARKS AND CONTINUES TODAY. I SAY IT CONTINUES EVEN THOUGH IT HAS SLOWED DOWN AND APPEARS DEAD AT TIMES. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN AMERICA BUYS OFF OUR LEADERS BY OFFERING THEM THINGS THAT MAKE THEM SHUT THEIR MOUTHS ABOUT THE INJUSTICES THEY SEE. IT FLAMES UP AGAIN WHEN AN EVENT OCCURS THAT HURTS OUR FEELINGS AND THE ENTIRE WORLD SEES OUR SHAME.
THE SHAME IS WE ALLOW AMERICA TO DIVIDE US BY THE WILLIE LYNCH METHOD. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ADOPT THE THOUGHT THAT WE SHOULD STICK TOGETHER AS LONG AS THE PERSON IS MORALLY CLEAN. WE CAN HAVE A DIFFERENCE IN OPINIONS, RELIGION,AND THE WAY ONE SHOULD WALK AND TALK. AS LONG AS IT WILL NOT BRING HARM TO OUR PEOPLE AND LOWER THE MORAL STANDARDS OF OUR CHILDREN I BELIEVE WE SHOULD NOT SPEAK OUT AGANIST ONE ANOTHER. IF YOU FEEL THAT SOMEONE HAS NOT FULFILLED HIS/HER PROMISE TO US YOU SHOULD WRITE THEM AND TRY TO GET A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION. AS LONG AS WE MAKE AN EFFORT TO DESTROY THE MEN AND WOMEN AMONG US THAT HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND ON THE FRONT LINE OF THIS WAR THAT WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN SINCE WE FIRST STEPPED ON THE SHORES OF THIS COUNTRY WE WILL ALWAYS BE DOING THE WORK OF THE OVERSEER.
Submit Date: 11 JUN 1999 Name: Email: drenner@apc.net Response:
The Civil Rights struggle which has been a series of unbelievably heroic acts, large and small by great men and women known to us all and by those whose names are spoken quietly only by their friends and families. Let us not forget the extraordinary contribution of Medgar Evers in Mississippi. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of his assassination, June 12, 1963.
Submit Date: 10 JUN 1999 Name: danny Email: dwalker@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu Response:
The civil rights movements and all its tenets...BAR NONE!!
Million Man March, hardly. Don't get me wrong I think it
was important in its time. The Million Youth March, the
Million Women March are all important in their time. However,
the tenents of the civil rights movements and the giants who
participated made all that possible. AND THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES...
Submit Date: 10 JUN 1999 Name: Sensitive Email: wrights88@hotmail.com Response:
Please guys, stop it! Let's focus our energies on empowering our community, not arguing over our perceptions. When I made the comment that I'd seen no change after the MMM, I never realized that I'd learn some of the things that actually happened as a result of that event. I had no idea that money was collected......
It's over! Learn from it and move on.
Much Love,
Submit Date: 9 JUN 1999 Name: Randall Email: B1MORE1@aol.com Response:
The passing of the historic 1964 Civil Rights Act, symbolically is AMERICA's MOST POSITIVE EVENT.
MMM is African Americans most positive event.
To all who want a measureable return on investment free labor largely Af-Amer built America yet it took 3 or 4 Centuries for the right to vote 1964. From 1964 to 1997 a mere 33 years many of those rights are now outlawed. PLEASE review what has happened to African Americans and other peolpe of color as a result of the 1997 Civil Rights Act.
Please remember that MMM exposed Willie Lynch, and yet strangely Willie has found his way in to this forum regarding positivity.
The speakers at MMM did not say just join Islam. Kwesi Mfume was and is the President of the NAACP, Marion Wright Alderman was representing the League of Women Voters, Bettye Shabazz was representing the Healing surrounding the Death of Malcolm X, the youth were asking us to listen and articulating their future, Rosa Park told us she loved us and was glad to see us come together, gang bangers from Cabrinie Green Projects was saying War No More. If you need return on investment, some of those Cabrinie Grren gang bangers are part of the citizen run house authority in those projects, doing so well that their buildings look like high dollar condominium, those men are living the MMM Pledge. Call CNN they ran the story, I seen it last night (8Jun99).
Peace and Love
Submit Date: 9 JUN 1999 Name: TheIntern Email: Response:
ToGlenCosgrave: You are probably right about the effect of sticking it to TheMan in the long run. There is a FAR cry between the NOI and KKK though Mr. Cosgrave. Come on now. The NAACP wouldn't even belong in the same conversation with either of those groups. I understand your point though.
Submit Date: 8 JUN 1999 Name: Ramon Collins Email: rayc1@novanetworks.com Response:
There are many voting districts were African are the vast majority of the population. In many of these areas, Democrats are elected by nomination, and have very little debt to the voting community. In these areas a healthly number of African Americans should register for the Republican Party. This will serve many purposes. 1. Put the Democrats on notice that they can loose, and therefore should pay more attention to their employers. 2. If there is a way to have a two party election where we control both parties, then both candidates can receive matching funds from parties, and both candidates can be people we nominate to fulfill our programs. 3. If we can get more of our voices in the Republican Party, then we can pass our messages onto the floor of 'their' committees, and get information back from their camp to help our people justice. As we stand now, 'they' control 'that' party, and 'that' party controls many parts of our life in the US. We need to stop worrying about the name of the party and spend more time trying to tame the beast that bites us, or at least get more notice on when the attacks will come.
Submit Date: 8 JUN 1999 Name: Ramon Collins Email: rayc1@novanetwork.com Response:
In my opinion, the most positive event of the 20th century has been the MLK Jr. murder. This event was the cement that held African Americans together, wounded as a whole and in everyone's recent memory. That wound has helped keep us together deep down, even though we may choose different ways to acknowledge and to fight descrimination over the long term. While there have been many events that could have separated our community, we still have remained a somewhat unified group overall. I think that there were forces that would hve liked us to become splintered seperatist groups, without unified anchor point.
Submit Date: 8 JUN 1999 Name: Prince Albert Smith Email: Response:
My point of view to the question at hand. I see no singular event that's more important than the one preceding it. They are all milestone occurrences. One couldn't happen without the one before it!! Like walking, to make two steps, you must begin with one step! And each step makes way for the next step! Is the (MMM) more important than an African-American woman holding on to her seat on the bus after paying her fare?? That particular incident spearheaded the introduction of (M.L.K.), and Martin introduced African-American passive resistance! Out of that came the bravery of our people sitting at counters knowing that they would be targets for a most vile experience. Being spat on, called nigger, and beaten by the insanity of racism took courage!! Out of that came the defeat of segregation in the deep South! And you can hold on to any seat on the bus now, without fear! Martin broke the back of "Jim Crow" The momentum continued to build from each succeeding adventure! A flux of African-American Mayors exploded all over America!!! That reality was never possible until the undying persistence of determined African-Americans who dared to be free!! Free to choose their own destiny. And let's not forget the fire hoses, the attack dogs, and the vicious cops who clubbed every woman, child or man who moved! If anyone should not realize the importance of this reminder, as it is stated, then envision yourself, personally, involved in each situation! In your mind's eye, live the horror that your bothers and sisters lived in those tension filled years, then tell me they don't matter!!! The one thing to be remembered, as such, is that it takes every phenomenon we can produce! Regardless who or what it may be, we need it!! The Black Panthers! Rap! O.J. Simpson! Rodney King! Malcolm X! Mike Tyson! (The list is too numerous to continue) This should be enough to make my point.
Submit Date: 8 JUN 1999 Name: Glen Cosgrave Email: BGROVEG@juno.com Response:
To the Intern: That was exactly the point I was trying to bring up. Don't believe anything you hear from either side. Like I said, it could have been 50,000 or 5 million. You never can tell. The white media? You mean the untrustworthy media period. I can't stand the media they are only interested in what they want to hear regardless of whether it's the truth or not. The media is also the best friend any liberal group could have. Actually I kind of got off the subject with the MMM we all know that alot of people went, and there were alot of people in other various places that had their own local marches. The thing that I was really wondering was how effective was the MMM. Was it really that effective. Did it really, seriously, do alot of good for alot of blacks or did Farakhan just make alot of money off of it at the expense of everyone else. Were white people welcome to the march? Could white people donate to the NOI? Are any of these groups like the NOI, NAACP, Femenists, ACLU, the Unions, KKK, etc. Really helping anyone? Or are the leaders of these organiztions just pocketing the money and using the members as a base of power. Remember the UPS strike a couple of years ago? The union officials got all the money, UPS made all of it's money back by the shopping season, and the workers did'nt get jack squat. And they were all out there making a big deal about how they stuck it to the man. I honestly believe that people who join groups in order to stick it to the man are working for the man and don't realize it.
Submit Date: 8 JUN 1999 Name: Email: TheIntern Response:
ToJazmanJ: I saw "get on the bus". Attended the March. Got the point: 'It's all about Brotherhood.' And what a great point it was. But without consistent, unrelenting dissemination of that message back in the communities, what does it matter, in the long run? Sure, that was a glorified, holy day. NO ONE can deny that, EVEN if someone had the audacity to try...BUT the AGREEMENT was to take that good feeling, and PLEDGE from the Brothahs BACK to the communities. Not to mention the money from the big cardboard boxes. I think Farrakhan said the money was to be used for education of Black children, so it is possible that the money went to the Nation's University of Islam in Chicago. Don't you all think we have the right to at least be TOLD that though???? All I'm saying is the ball was SERIOUSLY dropped on this thing, and that diminished the impact of the Million Man March. Tragically so too, in my opinion.
Submit Date: 6 JUN 1999 Name: jazmanj Email: jazmanj@hotmail.com Response:
(My, my, my, got the jazman making a second appearance.)Finance 101, don't invest ANY money in ANY thing until you check your expected earned yield. Invest no money in any thing that promises no return. (Check financial statements if you must)Now, I don't care if its got "Black" on it. If it shows not a financial future, INVEST NOT!! With no financial reports, Farakhan, has conned... . (I'm not downing the brother, but lets get real!!!)
You may ask, why did the jazmanj come back on for this? Peep the first comment,I made a few weeks back; if we are going to function economically for the good of our people, we MUST DEMAND financial reports of our money. Otherwise, we are just throwing money in the trash can!!!. As far as the good or legitimacy of the MMM. SHABUYA, YA YA, SHABUYA ROLL CALL . JUST GET ON THE BUS!!!!(please tell me you saw the movie and got the point!!!)
peace jazmanj
Submit Date: 6 JUN 1999 Name: Darnel Tanksley Email: DarTanksle@aol.com Response:
Sooo, this has become a Million Man thing. As far as the issue of the most positive event of American Negro 20th Century history, the concept that "Black is Beautiful" reigns supreme, for me. But on the issue of the Million Man March, well I'll never buy another Final Call again. And for the record let me say that yes, I am afraid that some FOI brother will hunt me down and punish me. But the MMM was such a wasted opportunity, I'll take my chances. The only positive that came out of the MMM was that it stopped the White O.J. backlash in it's tracks. But as far as being a step to defining and uniting Negro Culture in America and/or the world it failed miserabley. There I was standing in front of the Smithsonion Institute waiting, begging for Farakhan to show me the way. One hour, two hours, three hours: Still no Farakhan. Chunks of people were leaving, I was getting bored. Then he comes only to say, in essence "come to work on time". I had wanted so much more. But I went home, to my inner-city to 'planned meetings' which had all the markings of chaos to me. Still I returned for the next few months, signed up with the voter registration committee. I returned for the next few months to see Muslim brothers trounce on anybody who made any mention of any money collected. I returned to see the Muslims slowly retreat. Then one day I blinked my eyes and they were gone. No support from anywhere for my beloved voter registration committee in a state election that was narrowly lost by my favored Democrats. I gave money to my Mother so she could deposit it in the MMM bank in her city. Niether me, my Mother, Sister or Brother have seen our money since. Yes there I was in front of the Smithsonion angry at White America who were showing their true colors in the wake of the O.J. verdict and the L.A. riots. There I was waiting for this man who I had previously heard speak with such passion you would just have to say "Amen" as he would state truths that Ted Turner and his liberal syrup would never tell. Yes, after years of admiring the Muslims, from a distance, I was ready to accept this man as my leader. Ready to have my culture measured on some other yardstick besides the yardstick of silken hair. One dollar, ha, I gave a check (that didn't bounce) for twenty five. There I was on time and ready to go to work and all Farakhan said, in essence, was come to work on time. Such a wasted opportunity.
Submit Date: 4 JUN 1999 Name: yulandasimmons Email: yulandarsimmons@hotmail.com. Response:
ITHINK THAT THE MILLIONMAN MARCH WAS THE MOST POSITIVE EVENT IN THE 20TH CENTURY, BECAUSE OUR BLACK MEN ARE IN NEED OF UNITY. IT TAKES A STRONG BLACK BROTHER TO UPHOLD OUR BEAUTIFUL BLACK SISTAS.WE NEED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR YOUNGER BROTHERS. I FEEL THA THE NATION IS LOOKING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES , CHUCHES ,FAMILIES ETC TO FAIL THEY OUR AFRAID OF THE POWER WE CAN HAVE WE ARE NATURALL DICIPLINED PERSONS SOME NEED A LITTLE GUIDENCE BUT TAKE FOR INSTANCE MALCOM X HE HAD SO MANY FOLLOWERS THE WHITES WERE AFRAID OF THE POTINTIAL HE HAD WITH HIS FOLLOWERS. IMAGINE IF THE BLACK RACE PERIOD WOULD UNITE . DO YOU HINK LET A STONG BLACK SISTA KNOW.
Submit Date: 4 JUN 1999 Name: W. H. RANDALL Email: stsimons@bellsouth.net Response:
THE FOUNDING AND THE WORK OF THE NAACP WAS THE
MOST POSITIVE EVENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
IN THE 20TH CENTURY.
Submit Date: 2 JUN 1999 Name: Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu Response:
I agree with the person who said that the need for reparations within the Black Community will be the final great step towards racial healing between Blacks and whites in this country. If anything "great" would or should happen in our last six months in this millenium, it would be that. The chances are slim though, since Congress cannot even agree to appointing a commission to study the matter. One thing is for sure, as long as Blacks remain the only wronged group of minority Americans without compensation for the damage done to us, and as long as less qualified whites continue to get promotions and school acceptances over Blacks with higher credentials, there WILL BE no racial peace between Blacks and whites in America. No matter HOW many town meetings President Clinton hosts.
Submit Date: 2 JUN 1999 Name: TheIntern Email: Response:
One more thing GlenCosgrave: I was at the MMM. The parks and recreation census takers were definitely WRONG about that 400,000 figure. NOI may exhibit CROOKED behavior at times, but on THIS particular estimate, I believe they are correct, because ironically enough, later that year, I attended ANOTHER event in the Baltimore-D.C. area at which 1.2 million were in attendance. Standing at the front of the crowd, on a hill, where I could look out over the entire crowd, and witness the space and perimeter THAT many people occupied, it looked and felt very much like the MMM, in terms of throngs of people being packed together ALL day. The length of the particular area was similar to the Mall in D.C. as well, so I knew then that the estimate of 1.2 was correct, because the news and white media was all too happy and eager to admit that the 2nd event did indeed have 1.2 million participants, because it was an event put on by whites. To Randall and GlenCosgrave, don't believe EVERYTHING that they tell us, because they only tell us what they WANT us to know. WE have to read in between the lines to figure out the REAL deal on our own.
Submit Date: 2 JUN 1999 Name: Randall Email: B1MORE1@aol.com Response:
MMM Most Positive in the 20th Century.
To those who want to see the change. Look back on that Historic Day and you may note that many did not make the trip to DC. You may recall the Preachers who bad mouthed the March, the many who where fearful of what they would do to us. Until they seen the news reports, A Million plus Black Men came together in the Nations Capitol for the World to see, PEACE and LOVE. This unbelieveable occurance still has many blind to the significant good that came of it.
I caution all who believe the eye is capable of viewing the great and significant impact MMM brought about. There is power in the darkness or unseen.
If Blacks in America number approximately 30 Million, do the math. If you are cautious of the governments numbers, weight them as you choose. If Black Enterprise has issued a positive report in the bank area, how many other positive statistics have gone unreported in how many areas? Did the decline in Black banks after the Civil Rights Movement make this an interesting statistic to report on?
If PEACE and LOVE for and amongst Black Men has increased and distrust and jealousy has decreased, you may not be able to see it or may not understand what you see when it appears. I have choosen a few indicators and stated those in a previous message.
What I recall most, "work where you are". You know the fartherless children, there is an opportunity. You hear of the child that needs help with school work, there is an opportunity. These things happening across the country are in the darkness. Many of them we would not see, we could not track. But if you are earnest in your want for information, there are fraternaties they have numbers, other not-for profits they also have numbers.
If those of you who read this message would like to experience the power of darkness. If you need to see what is meant by " From darkness came the light". Affirm each day that the peace and love of the Million Man March is present and growing in Black America.
Witness the change. "And first there was the word". Farrakhan asked 1 million to come and more than a Million showed up !!!
Peace & Love
Submit Date: 2 JUN 1999 Name: covi Email: jfcovi@hotmail.com Response:
the freedom of Nelson Mandela , his becoming the
new president of south africa and obviously the
end of apartheid.
Submit Date: 2 JUN 1999 Name: Glen Cosgrave Email: BGROVEG@juno.com Response:
The way I understand the Nation of Islam's position, is that they want all blacks everywhere to be responsible and productive members of society. But what I have also seen and heard, is that they believe that the entire Earth belongs to blacks and that one of their big purposes is to get rid of whites. Kind of the Black version of the Neo Nazi movement. Farakhan was pushing a certain notion in the early 90's that the "White U.S. Government" is currently setting out to commit genocide against the entire black race. The strange thing about all of this is that if the Government was so bent on killing all of the blacks, and won't work with any blacks, then why did he get all of these people together to go to D.C. to whine about their problems to the very entity that is supposedly keeping them down. If I were in a postion like that (which I am evey now and then) I would quit worrying about who is out to get me, get to work on my own life, and grow so big that whoever is trying to get me would be so insignifigant that it would'nt matter anymore. Questions to bring up would be. The media says that 400,000 were there, I've heard 500,000, and the NOI says there were 1.2 million. Who is right and/or telling the truth? The media is flat out incompetent alot of times. And the NOI given it's track record could be cooking the books. I say don't take any of that stuff at face value. For all we know there could have been 50,000 or 5 million.
Submit Date: 2 JUN 1999 Name: Glen Cosgrave Email: bgroveg@juno.com Response:
Hey Choirboy, you sound vaguely familiar. Do I know you from somewhere? White arrogance? Theres no arrogance about it. The guy just happens to be friends with this black guy in his home town. What's wrong with that? If you are truly as open minded as you make yourself up to be, then you would'nt have to worry about white people on this site. The problem with you is that you don't want to solve any problems with racism. You just want to sit around the house, blame white people for the slightest thing that goes wrong in your life. And continue to be hatefull. Who is the real racist here? The guy who sticks up for his friend? Or the choirboy who has nothing to say but hatefull speech. Oh yeah Choirboy, have something of real substance to say before you write back to this site to tell me that you don't have the time to waste with me. Everybody is asking me why I apologized to Emancipator the other day. The reason why I did it was because if you want to solve the problems that you guys are having, someone is going to have to come part of the way in order to bridge that gap. Yeah Emancipator was extremely hatefull and yes, all he had was hatefull speech. But it's really about breaking through that hatefull speech to get to the real issues.
Submit Date: 1 JUN 1999 Name: Emmarell Wilson Email: emmarell@ameritech.net Response:
The most positive event of African American history in the 20th century is for African Americans to receive reperations in full. It's the only way to began the healing the U.S. needs so desperately so it can move foreward. Until then there will be more and more unanswered problems that America cannot solve.
Submit Date: 31 MAY 1999 Name: Calvero Email: gmann@cwo.com Response:
To me, it hasn't happened yet. I'm waiting for the day when more of us will understand that we are free and no one is holding us back.... I waiting for more of us to better prepare ourselves and take this world - good and bad - head on... I'm waiting for more of us to stop allowing ourselves to be led like sheep to slaughter by our so called "leaders" - To start thinking and questioning things for ourselves... To take what we saw at the million man march and move to a higher plain. For more us to understand that it's not where you're from - it's where you're at. To remember the saying " Free your mind and your a$$ will follow....comments welcome
Submit Date: 31 MAY 1999 Name: TheIntern Email: Response:
I do believe Urban Guerilla is like a rabid dog....foaming at the mouth, growling, barking, but making absolutely no sense. Whatever happened to Anonymous/BonnieJackson? I expected to find her on here judging and trying to regulate the webpage as the self-appointed CYBERPOLICE or somesuch.
To Randall-I REALLY and truly hoped that the MMM would prove to be the most significant event in recent African-American history, but I see no real changes in day-to-day life that indicate its lasting impact on the Black Community. Even George Curry from Emerge Magazine had to ask what happened to all those big boxes of dollar bills that were collected at midday on October 16th, 1995. I mean, I at LEAST thought somebody would do a Million Man March update newsletter on the Final Call website periodically from then on out, where we could see significant changes around the country as a direct result of Brothahs taking the good news back to the community. SOMETHING! Black Enterprise reported a rise in Blacks banking at Black-owned banks in Philadelphia and L.A. in 1996, projecting that the change was a direct result of the Million Man March. I hope that all of the positive statistics you stated are direct results of the March as well, but I know better than to trust the statistics put out by government agencies whether they are positive or negative. I mean, they said only 400,000 showed up at the March, and thought we would be stupid enough to actually believe them. LUCKILY, the NOI had their OWN census takers hovering over the crowd the entire time monitoring the swelling crowd as the day wore on. THAT is how the more accurate count of 1.2 million came into existence. That should tell you right there not to believe whole-heartedly ANYTHING they tell us-PERIOD. Another thing: Even if the 1.2 million Black men got themselves together to revitalize the community and be responsible mates and fathers, and 2.2 million Black women attended the Million WOMAN March, that still leaves 1 million Black women by themselves, or without male leadership in their households. That of course, would be if in a perfect world the 1.2 from the MMM were available to match up with 1.2 of the MWM to work together to create strong Black families. Only in a perfect world I know, but it seems to me that after all this marching, the men, the women, or even the YOUTH would have effected some nationwide ripple in the Black Community. I personally, am still waiting to feel it, Randall.
Submit Date: 31 MAY 1999 Name: Email: ChoirBoy_X@webtv.net Response:
One thing remains Constant under the sun. White Arrogance!!" We, African-Americans, can't conduct Our Affairs without a White Boy Infiltration; Furthermore, he Demands to speak in our behalf...!! Not only that (Hartzell 2000 aka, White Idiot Youth), Seeks Our Acceptance as African-American Protector!!! He claims he's getting his ass beat Protecting Us... (LAWD-A-MERCY)!!! If He's all We've Got - We're in Deep Pooh-Pooh...!! Somebody please tell this FOOL to get the Hell out of Our Faces!
Submit Date: 31 MAY 1999 Name: Email: Urban_Guerrilla@webtv.net Response:
African-American experience is not a Scoring Contest!! We don't need to focus on what was the most significant event in any time frame!!! Our lives are an every day challenge, and will continue to be until the Force of White Aggression is Eliminated!! Our Every movement against this aggression should be significantly remembered as such! Many of you don't realize we're in a lifetime struggle against White Hate, White Fear, and White Ignorance!! Every African-American Man, Woman, and Child who Give of themselves for this cause - is a HERO to be Honored...!!! Our focus should be on the Complete, and Permanent Annihilation of the Evil, Disgusting behavior of man's Primal Stupidity For the purpose of Continued Slavery of an Innocent People...
Submit Date: 30 MAY 1999 Name: dani e. Email: esslinge@stud.uni-frankfurt.de Response:
what about brown v. board of education?
Submit Date: 30 MAY 1999 Name: Randall Email: B1more1@aol.com Response:
The Million Man March. The Day more than a million Black Men came together and stood for peace and unity. This event debated, sabotaged, polarizing yet undeniably successful because it exceed the expectations of all but the million plus Black Men who made this historic statement.
To those who question the impact, check these statistics for yourself.
Crime (in urban areas populated by Blacks) is down.
African American men participation in the lives of their children is up.
Homicides in the African American comunity is down.
Don't trust what you think you see. Eyewitness accounts are proven to be less than adequate. Check the Federal and State Organizations responsible for these figures and take in the reality of the Milion Man March impact on America.
One factor is the deciding reason I chose the Million Man March over the I Have a Dream March. The Dream March, focused more on changing the actions of Americans outside of our community; the Million Man March focused on changing African American community interaction.
Peace!
Submit Date: 29 MAY 1999 Name: lance watkins Email: lancewatkins@hotmail.com Response:
Maybe the best thing yet hasnt happened---and if it has I'm just as curious to know what my cousins think about what is worst! However I believe that the REAL question is afro.com, you and me gonna do to makes things better. Just like you, Ive got great ideas and motivation too! How about we get more substantial questions and dialogue going on here? Any takers?
Submit Date: 29 MAY 1999 Name: Glen Cosgrave Email: BGROVEG@JUNO.COM Response:
What do you guys think about Clarence Thomas being appointed to the Supreme Court, or J.C. Watts as a Rep in Congress? If the liberal black philosophy of rampant white racism is true then what good did the 60's Civil rights movement do? All other attempts at Black Civil rights prior to the 60's we're underminded by legal loopholes. What has Bill Clinton done for anybody that he would do for himself? How can you believe Clinton after all of the crap he has done? Now don't get mad guys, these are just questions that I'm putting up, I just want to throw in a few other factors that this site does not. This site intentionally does this so they can bring in people like me to upset the status quo and get things moving again. As for my vote for the positve. I would have loved to have been DR. Martin Luther King during those days. He was just this guy (although very educated guy) who had this power largely thrust upon him (of course he did organize part of the movement in the 60's) and he was able to ultimately organize a huge movement that finally made people realize that blacks are people too, they contribute to society also, and that they should never be treated like second rate citizens. Moreover I just think about all of the positive things that personally happened to him, all of the assemblies, backyard BBQ's, church fellowships, the choir that came in and sang for him that one evening, and especially the events of the Moutaintop Speech. He had alot of bad things happen to him too. Lots of trumped up charges and other things that will not be mentioned here out of respect. Although the 60's Civil Rights movement was a massive undertaking that even resulted in bloodshed at certain points there was also alot of love and positive spiritual energy that resulted from it. And if there were any part of the 60's that I could personally live, it would probably be the Civil Rights movement. Emanicipator if you're reading this I'm sorry you had to close your E-mail box. If you were that upset I would have just stopped writing.
Submit Date: 28 MAY 1999 Name: Email: umhari Response:
Most important events of the 20th century relating to african americans, to me would be the fact that more AA's sought quality and higher education.We realized that the way had been paved for us through our parents, grand and great grands. Because the powers were determined to keep us back, or take us back, we rebelled by educating ourselves. Once called the very few or tokens, educated black men and women are great in number. Hopefully by the next century, we will be even greater,more educated and "together as a people"
Submit Date: 28 MAY 1999 Name: Rose Camp Email: Response:
There is an ongoing series of them. . .every time a parent tells their child that they are great and that they are the treasure of their world!
Submit Date: 26 MAY 1999 Name: mcprince Email: majesticprince@webtv.net Response:
mlk's march on washington..."i have a dream"
Submit Date: 26 MAY 1999 Name: Hartzell(aka. strereotyped"white youth" Email: hartzell2000@hotmail.com Response:
1. I think the most positive event was the legacy left behind by Martin Luther King, but then again my opinion desn't count according to Choirboy because im white.
2. Choirboy, What the hell gives you the right to steroetype me as a predujice "white youth". You dont know me, my parents, or my backround. Next time you decide to stereotype me maybe shouild know that my best friend is black and i get my a*sbeat at least once a month defending because he's not big enough to femd for him self, but luckly i'm a Jedi Knight. So how am i know, im i still the rascist "white youth" you thought i was before?
Submit Date: 26 MAY 1999 Name: jazmanj Email: jazmanj@hotmail.com Response:
We HAVE NOT HAD IT YET. (we got 6 months) I nominate African Americans functioning as a collective, economically for the good of our people. (I know, sounds crazy- doesn't it?)
Empowerment, anyone?
Peaceness Jazmanj
Submit Date: 26 MAY 1999 Name: angie Email: athompson@oag.state.md.us Response:
I think the most positive event of African American history in the 20th century is the election of President William Clinton. This is the ONLY president that has ever had over 50% black americans/hispanics within the Oval Office.
Submit Date: 26 MAY 1999 Name: Sensitive Email: wrights88@hotmail.com Response:
I think that the most positive event for African Americans in the 20th Century was the Civil Rights Movement. It was carried out by a group of determined and strong people, who we should look up to and continue to carry that torch.
And to piggy back on the individual who thought the Million Man March was the most positive, I would really like to know what has that individual observed that has been positive as a result of it. I see brothers doing the same things they were doing prior to that march. The concept was good, but I have not personally seen a change. If someone thinks different, I welcome you comments!!!!!!!
Submit Date: 25 MAY 1999 Name: E.W.Clarke Email: ewclark&us.ibm.com Response:
The most postive event of African American history in the 2o th Centry must be the Voing Rights act of 1964
Submit Date: 25 MAY 1999 Name: Salwa Ali Email: Response:
The most positive event of African-American history in the 20th century was the Million Man March. Blacks were recognized!
Submit Date: 24 MAY 1999 Name: Bakari Email: usoto@swbell.net Response:
The most positive event of Afrikan-American history in this century has to be, in my opinion, the pride and dtermination that was instilled by the leaders of the equality movements. The individuals that I see had the greatest affect were Marcus Gravey, Martin Luther King and the Honorable Malcolm X(pbuh). These individuals are a testiment to the spirit that was inbodied to the African race in America.
Submit Date: 24 MAY 1999 Name: Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu Response:
The establishment of a Middle Passage Memorial Statue to be placed on the shores of the Atlantic in New York on July 3rd, 1999, along with a replica placed on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. For further information about the event please visit: www.middlepassage.org
Submit Date: 24 MAY 1999 Name: Darnel Tanksley Email: DarTanksle@aol.com Response:
The most positive event of Negro history in the 20th Century was the concept that Black is Beautiful.
Submit Date: 22 MAY 1999 Name: Phil Haris Email: pharris214@aol.com Response:
In my opinion, the signing of the Civil Rights Act into law in July 1964, was by far the most positive event for African Americans during the 20th century. It marked a milestone achievement that many civil rights leaders labelled as the defining moment for black America. President Johnson's signing marked a new beginning for blacks. No longer would we sit back and accept the evils of discrimination. The law brought about significant change for black America, one that will forever be remembered as the beginning signal of change in America. Although we have a long way to go, the passing of the Civil Rights Act was by far, the most important and positive achievement for the African American during the 20th century
