Reply to Anonymous comment on NASCAR, Grant

This is a reply to the comment of anonymous who commented on my post NASCAR, Mauricia Grant, and my opinion.

Because of the aspersions made, and the amount of ignorance espoused I felt that my response needed to be seen more prominently. To summarize the unknown commentor ignored the factual history of the South and NASCAR. They ignored the question and points discussed in my original post. Instead they produced an ill-formed rant that blames the woman and African Americans in general. To that I have this to say:

Your brilliance astounds me. The logic that you display has not been equaled since creation of protozoa’s (a single celled creature if you were wondering). The points you iterate are as straightforward as a Gordian knot. [I gave you protozoa, look it up] And in case you didn’t get it I am being sarcastic.

I realize you have an opinion, but I must ask where you form the idea that this woman has lied? What magical insight gives you such knowledge? Do you know her? Do you work with her? Based on your reluctance to provide any name, and the arbitrary nature of your arguments I have to believe you have no idea better than anyone else. Thus in taking the negative stance you highlight your support of NASCAR and dislike of her comments. [Of course I obviously have taken the converse position. Though that position has been backed up by the fact she has filed a lawsuit against a multi-million dollar industry which no one in their right mind would do lightly.]

Now if you are tired of hearing about the confederate flag, I suggest you ask millions of southerners to burn them and not stick them all over the place. I suggest you tell them to take it down from government buildings and off their cars and clothes. Because as long as it is in sight it is a statement of support of that history you so proudly want to remember parts of.

Perhaps you hate to be reminded of slavery because you feel guilt about something you have done in your life. Maybe it’s because you understand that the foundation of the nation was created on the backs and bones of African Americans, literally. Maybe you realize that the playing field in life is not even and your advantage gives you unease. But I doubt it.

You may not understand it, but in bringing up the unresolved past of America many African Americans are seeking to educate and heal the nation. Many are trying to ensure that actions of the past are never revisited, much like the way many Jews will not let their children forget the Holocaust. Because when people stop learning from the past, they tend to repeat it. You might recall all that from your high school history class.

By the way you say

“I hate that we had slavery but we did and we learned from it. We now have a mixed black and white nominated for president and that tells me we have come a long way.”

We learned from it? When? Right after the 13th Amendment Jim Crow laws were enacted and remained in place for about 100 years. There were riots as millions of Whites resisted any repeal or change in the Jim Crow laws and segregation. But that was 40 years ago. Today we do have a Black Democratic nominee for President. Yet that does not correct or absolve the prejudice and inequality in this nation. The Rodney King beatings were nearly 2 decades ago, Sean Bell’s murder was last year as was the atrocity to Megan Williams. Where is the learning? This says nothing of the fact that minorities are underrepresented in ever executive position in every industry in America. A fact that is statistically impossible for the numbers.

But then you want to blame the victim. Not unlike what happened to the woman in the Duke Rape case. [Yes she was found to have lied, but the media – like you now – instantly assumed her to be wrong and a criminal. When was the last time a White person was publicly assumed to be wrong and a liar when they claim to be a victim??] You blame her for trying to earn her living and surmount the problems around her. You blame her for not stopping the racism and sexism that surrounds her, allegedly. Let me ask you this, how would you stop such institutional problems. How do you stop people from treating you with disrespect when the top person in the company is joining into the fray? And how long do you think you could have worked with such pressure on you every day? By your statements you are not strong enough to have made it more than a day or 2. By your own words you would have immediately run and told, and then turned around and ran home. This woman stood her ground and tried to earn respect among people who could not give any for over a year, allegedly.

And let me correct something you stated. You would not stay and deal with the harassment for 22 months. You aren’t that strong. But there have been many African Americans that have endured what this woman, Ms. Grant, has and more. Think of every first African American, think of all those that lived prior to the civil rights movement, or those that yes were slaves. African American culture is filled with the belief that we endure difficult work and life conditions and make the best of it we can. So yes I do understand why she persevered for 22 months, and why I guess you could not.

Now at this point you jump top a different issue, about Black drivers. You say they CANT get sponsorships. Why the hell not? The best driver in the world currently is Lewis Hamilton, and he is Black. What difference does it make for an American Black driver? The culture of America refusing to accept him. And that is racist if you didn’t know it.

Again you jump to another thought. And I pause to note that these skips are not following a logical progression but spring from an association found only in your mind.

You make an assumption about “some blacks” and their desire to work. What about the fact that far more White Americans are not working. The fact is that even if every African American in America was to stop working it would not account for all the people in America that receive government aide. The fact is that far more than double are the number of Whites that “want everything without working hard for it.”

Again the culture of Black America is the recognition that because of the bias, and the implied benefit of being White, we must work 2x as hard to gain half the recognition and economic gain. That is not an assumption, nor are the experiences I have had that back up this cultural understanding. But you are right; Whites don’t get everything without working for it. But they will get it before me if I only do the same quality and quantity of work.

Finally you get back on point of the subject at hand. And you reveal that you see an opportunity for profit. You are motivated by her ability to sue to earn money. I see her ensuring that a point is made, and a path is cleared for the next Black person or woman that wants to work in NASCAR. But that is a difference in point of view. I see the aspect of improving NASCAR for everyone that is capable and interested in working there. You see a selfish get rich scheme.

But of course you had to bring Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson into this. [By the way they are reverends and should be addressed as such out of respect] Neither reverend was mentioned by a single news organization, or me. But you had to mention them. Why? Because you have some issue with them it seems. Because you don’t agree with what they do? Because it annoys you when Black men with power take a position against people that are used to abusing that power in regard to other African Americans? I make no claim to advocate everything the reverends have done, but there is little dispute that they have done many things to the benefit of America and individuals.

Now you sum up with a classic stop whining comment. I’m sure that was the same thing said about those injured in unsafe factories before unions existed. I’m sure that was the same thing said to women that wanted to vote and be considered more than their husbands’ property. I’m sure the same thing was said to American Indians as they were removed from their lands and placed into swamps and deserts. It’s the ultimate answer for someone that does not want to hear they are abusing their positions and don’t care about equality. It’s the penultimate comment by someone that is White in a country that prefers and respects those of the same color.

Now I don’t think she deserves $225 million. But to assume that she was not affected by abuse, insult, disrespect, and disregard for her humanity (assuming any part of her claims are true) is to be daft and obtuse.

You said

“When they set blacks free they thought everything was free from then on. We take three steps forward and a black comes along and sets us back 2.”

I took that personally and I will respond in kind. You small-minded, racist, cowardly, stupid, buffoon. How dare you. Blacks in America built this nation, fought and died for this nation. As a community we have contributed as much if not more to this nation than ANY group in our history. We have overcome the ill-conceived perception of being property, we have excelled in the face of oppression, and we have risen to the highest positions in the land in the face of resistance, fear, and hate.

Nothing is free in America, least of all the freedom that Blacks have been able to attain. Yes things are easier today than 100 years ago, but that does not mean anything is free or easy. Only the most dim-witted and thick-skulled individual would assume that the average Black American believes anything is just given to us.

Every African American I know or have known of has earned everything they have. From drug dealers to CEO’s every single African American works hard to attain the things they have. If you perceive this as being easy or simple, its just because we are accustomed to living with adversity and inequality and can be successful even in that environment.

Every time I write a post highlighting success and/or issues in America with regard to race, gender, ethnicity, or nationalism a repugnant, obnoxious, anonymous, feebleminded, peon makes a comment like yours and I see how America is not allowed to take a step forward after all.