A.G. Holder: 'Race-protected cocoons'

Screw you Holder.

What the hell is this supposed to mean? I hang with my own. People of like interests and means. Some of them are black. Now that I think of it though there are no Asians, Native Americans, or Hispanics. So what? I have nothing against hanging with them. Sure as hell ain't going out of my way to find them though. Why are so many blacks in public life such god-awful jerks. And don't tell me it is because they have been deprived cause that is b.s. This clown Holder had a bigger silver spoon than I ever had. And I doubt that he'd ever want to hang with me. But then the feeling is mutual.

I agree - I always taught my children to never judge a person by the color of his skin or religion - but how they are inside. It's their "soul" that counts. That's how it should be for everyone. Judging someone without knowing them is shameful. Trust me, if Jesus came back, I doubt he'd be happy how this world has evolved.

I will shop with whoever is paying the bills

It is too risky to try to speak openly and candidly about race -- people will brand you racist if you veer at all from the P.C. talking points, and you could easily be ostracized at work, if not fired.

I suspect most black leaders don't really want candid race discussions. If they did, the Jesse Jackson types wouldn't try to silence anyone whose opinions and views differed from their own.

Well, if "the issues that divide us" such as "disparities in health care, education, and income" separate us (I disagree in that these issues are shared by ALL races in lower income groups), then crime filled neighborhoods, gangs, reverse discrimination opportunity funding, and forced political correctness should be added to the list of things that cause a divide.

To be honest, our family lives in an integrated neighborhood and usually the separations are from economic levels; not racial. African American families with college degrees and professional jobs tend to hang with white people with similar backgrounds, and not other African-Americans who they fear as "gang bangers".

It shocks me that this attorney general is so out of touch and living in the past.

Is he campaigning for the Supreme Court?

Trying to compete with Barack's April Philadelphia speech?

Because his parents are from the Barbados, perhaps he doesn't have ancestral ties to that little blip back aways called the Civil War.

Which was about race big time.

To suggest Americans didn't have "guts" about an issue over which that war was fought seems, er, insensitive, uninformed about major currents in American history, elitist, condescending, superficial....what IS the word I'm looking for?

Americans don't lack guts.

And there is still a reason people from every other country on earth want to immigrate to, not emigrate from, America.

I think he missed the course on American history at those elite schools he attended. Or maybe they didn't teach it.

Holder is correct. It's about time someone asks the African-Americans why they refuse to shop where white people shop. We also need to discuss why whites are victims of crimes committed by blacks at a far greater percentage than blacks are victims of crimes committed by whites.

Holder is correct. It's about time someone asks the African-Americans why they refuse to shop where white people shop. We also need to discuss why whites are victims of crimes committed by blacks at a far greater percentage than blacks are victims of crimes committed by whites.

Maybe it's becuase we are so tired of hearing about the 1st Black or the 1st Hispanic, etc. you get my drift.

I thought we were all Americans but I guess not. It's only going to get worse becuase of all of this 1st retoric that is promoted by the main stream media and radicals of all races.

Let me be the first to say that I am the 1st White American to be sick of the whole mess.

Ok, here goes. I'm afraid to go to a mall where there are more black people because I expect there's an increased chance of violence. I don't like the way they let their underwear show, I don't like the way they cuss, I don't like the way they disregard the crosswalks or the traffic laws and I don't like the they yell at the movie screen.

Now, this isn't perception, the truth is going to a black mall vs a white mall is very different. and if you don't acknowledge this is the truth, you're lying to yourself. there's you courage, I spoke my mind, now, let's watch for the backlash and maybel you'll understand, mr Holder, why people keep their opinions to themselves.

What the "heck" is Holder saying? If he wants to end racist practices, he can put an end to hiring quotas that help the dark skinned. He can end black college funds. He can enable a white man to get a contract at O'Hare or Midway airports. I am sure that he also a huge fan of the separation of church and state, so he end the practice of every poitician running off to a black church for a huge political "Thank you Jesus" promotion of their pet projects to be televised all over the country.

Oh shut up about race already, we have a black President who white people like me, voted for, what more do people want? it is getting pretty annoying listening to everyone make such a big deal over race constantly, we need to focus on the economy before we don't have a country to complain about soon.

Why do some have better health care, higher incomes and better education.. They work harder than the next. What does any of that have to do with race?

Hard to figure where Oobam is coming from on some of his appointments .

Racism is a two-way street, Bub, and it is time someone said it. The notion that racism is a one-way street is only subscribed to by ignorant and arrogant people. No one is immune, no one has any room to brag. When Blacks are racist, odd how we never read about it in the news.

Well at Woodfield Mall I see groups of mixed races, groups of blacks, groups of whites, groups of Latinos and groups of Asians. At a bowling alley I often see large groups of Asians who come to bowl after the leagues. More often than not, they are not with people of other races. Does that make them racist? Cowards?

Well, it sure doesn't sound like he is interested in enforcing the law of the land equally.

It sounds like he is going to force an agenda driven AG office.

Isn't this what people faulted the Bush adminstration for?

Thanks andie for the intelligent comment.

Holder encouraged frank, honest conversations; looks like we're doing that, for the most part.

Mr. Holder---who do you think you are lecturing me? A coward is someone who backs down from something they should stand up to- this country has a long history of standing up for Muslims and African Americans that has not been matched by any other country...
==
You have been nominated to enforce the laws of the land- that’s it- you and your boss somehow believe this has given you license to get on a soapbox about your perceptions and solutions of/to racial "problems"...
==
Lets make a deal-
I will continue to lead my life and raise my children to be reasonable, honest, fair-minded, law abiding, productive citizens- and, in return, you do your job as AG, stop facilitating the pardoning of criminals for political gain, and stop lecturing me on your perceptions on how I should lead my life...

Fair

Living in my neighborhood I don't really need to be lectured to by people like Holder. It's worth noting, though, that both and the president are of mixed race, and like Obama, does not trace his roots back to former slaves (his parents both trace their lineage to Barbados), so it's rather presumptuous of him to lecture anyone that chooses to associate with people of their own race. Their experiences are probably vastly different than his.

Wow...reactions seem pretty strong from people out there...most criticizing Holder's comments. Perhaps we dost protest too much?? I wonder how many of those comments are coming from whites? I always find it amazing how easily folks in the dominant culture can simply dismiss the experiences of those from the non-dominant culture. No matter how many times it is stated, there always seems to be a way to explain away perspectives that are contrary to that dominant culture's self perception.

God forbid white Americans actually examine their own beliefs and actions regarding race. Certainly they have been pulled over by the police for simply being in the wrong neighborhood. Of course they all know what it is like to have women switch to the other side of the street simply because you are coming their way. We have all been followed around in stores as if we are certainly planning on stealing something. Sure, we all have the same experiences out there; we are all just Americans, right?

While issues of race are far more complex than perhaps expressed by Holder's statements, the reactions to them speaks volumes about how much work we still have to do.

Dear Mr. Holder - Please speak for yourself when you talk about a 'nation of cowards'. It does not represent any view or action taken by most of the Americans I know. I thought we were past this. Guess not in your view. Please not only visit Guantanamo but go to Iraq and repeat your coward comment to the many Americans that you now call cowards.

Americans cowards? I think not. Holder how many times have you confronted a true racist? ie a Neonazi or someone from the KKK by yourself? I have three times without anybody backing me up. People of similiar likes and dislikes will congregate together - its not about race stupid!

This administration does not have a goal, it does not have a plan. And it is getting very annoying!

Perhaps we dost protest too much?? I wonder how many of those comments are coming from whites?

Posted by: Joel | February 18, 2009 5:39 PM

Joel- I am guessing that you don't see the irony of your placing these two sentences together...apparently you have some issues to work out as far as your perceptions of the "dominant" white culture nonsense
--
Who cares what race the comments are from? Either they are valid or not. Holder's comments are completely off base regardless of his race- or should I follow your lead and evaluate them differently because Holder is not white?

To Joel -

No, white people in the wrong neighborhoods are usually going to be victims, not criminals. Look at the crime statistics and then you may understand why "white people" are scared.

Joel c'mon man. Some of those stereotypes you mentioned are there more often than not not just because whites felt it would be fun to do or because they are bored.... Watch some rap videos will you... watch some BET programming will you... The culture perpetuates the stereotypical thoughts many whites have through what blacks deem as "cool". Speaking in half words and slang makes one look very uneducated not "cool". Cursing and disrespecting women is not "cool" or tight or dope. You go start talking to your black leaders and start focusing on educating the black youth then come back here and contribute. Until then you show the rest of us how ignorant you are. Its about education but until the culture gets over thinking you're a sellout if you educate yourself and you're a sellout if you treat women and others w respect and you're a sellout if you dont speak "black" your culture will go nowhere and its on a steady course now.

Yeah, the only honest racial speech that Holder wants us to engage in is about white guilt leading to more handouts and quotas. Nothing about how blacks themselves make themselves undesirable and engage in anti-social behavior far ahead of anyone else. If it was all about racism, then all those black majority countries would be flourishing, not the worse places in the world to live.

This is not the president we voted for but the administration and its afteraffects

By the look of the posts to this story it looks like
Obama is really bringing people together. A real uniter.
Yeah right.

Is this the kind of crap we can expect to hear for the next four years? Give it a rest! A lot of us - black, white, hispanic and asian - are sick of it!

Oh by the way I never heard
Condi Rice, Michael Steele or
Colin Powell talk like this.

It's sad that the President saw fit to nominate someone as Attorney General who appears to be so out-of-touch and mired in the long-gone days of lunch counter sit-ins and confrontation with Bull Connor and German shepherds in Selma. Obama was supposed to be about bringing us together and emphasizing our common humanity. Oh well, so much for that set of hollow promises as well. If Mr. Holder wishes to be a polarizing figure and one whose anachronistic attitudes on racail issues
will be a growing hindrance to his patron's administration, he couldn't have picked a better venue. It may be time for Obama to take his embarassing AG to the woodshed, as he is certainly being ill-served by this particular Clinton administration retread (and not all that well by the others).

Affirmiative action scumbag! So much for change! Holder is one racist PUNK! I pray he keeps up with the stupid comments. This PUNK makes Wright and lil Louie seem almost rational. God help our country!

Oh great, we have an antagonistic racist as AG. Just what we need to bring the nation together. With this kind of race baiting by Holder, kiss Obama's chances in 2012 goodbye.

Certainly Holder calling Americans a nation of cowards when it comes to race is long overdue, but it leaves the question of Holder's bravery open to discussion. For instance as Attorney General will he be brave enough to address the separate and entirely unequal nature of the criminal justice system over which he presides? It is the merest of child's play to determine that blacks, hispanics and poor whites do not receive equal justice. All one has to do is look at the outcomes of those who are represented by public lawyers and those who are represented by privately retained lawyers. The out come of a trial in this country is directly related to the amount of money available for defense. This is to the detriment of the tax payer who picks up the bill for prisons. See http://www.therealcost of prisons.org/blog. 50,000 per year for jailing a person for several years is very expensive when compared to 10 - 15 thousand for a real defence, never mind considerations of justice, We just don't have the money for 10 million in prison in about as many years and that is where it's heading. Where I live a new prison for women was built at a time when a proposed new school was stonewalled. We build a new prison every day and have no money for new schools or even to fix the ones we have, What's wrong with this picture? Most of the people in prison are there as a result of poor judgement associated with choosing the wrong cradle for their initial landing. And now we have Holder as AT pointing out the cowardice of others, let's see how brave he is in addressing the issue of injustice. Such an issue, heavily overladen with racism and fear would be a great place for Holder to start and wipe out some of the questions that remain about some of his prior behavior. Or does Holder think he has done the job when he said Americans are cowards around the race issue. Well enough but now let's see how brave Holder is with respect to this racially charged issue. Equal justice for all and as AG Holder is where the buck stops and let's hope he isn't a coward. http://www.saintpeterii.com

Talk about our new misguided attorney general stiring the pot with race bating statements and adding a dash of crap;Erick Holder has disgraced his party and the Attorney General position he has recently been appointed to by Barach Husein Oboma. His assertion that the population in the United States are cowards for what ever reason- he claims to be exalted and has demonstrated his dislike for anyone not of his color.The only question that remains is will Barach H. Oboma conur with his new Attorney General in that regard or just try to forget about this matter.

who is this man to call Americans cowards? if we are cowards, how did he become attorney general, or barack husein obama become president?

Cowardice by whom? Americans have rightly focused on segregation, Jim Crow laws, and other forms of white discrimination towards blacks. But another type of evil lurks before our eyes, one that we dismiss as being another sign of racism when the evil is unmasked. We are quick to condemn Bill Cosby when he points to the evil of those begetting children with no concept of becoming a father. We ignore the cowardice of those who refuse to intervene in black-on-black crime; especially cowardly are those who refuse to testify. We feel afraid to condemn the culture of poverty less we be condemned as ignorant and uncaring. Mr. Holder is correct, cowardice is rampant in America.

Some of what is described as "racism" is really just male rivalry. As a white guy, I can say that most of my negative stereotypes about other races involve other guys, and women are pretty much all good, regardless of race.

America remains "essentially a nation of cowards,'' in some ways not much better than it looked 50 years ago. ~ The Big AG
--------------------------------------

50 years ago would make it 1959 and apparently not much has changed in America since 1959, at least nothing measureably good, by Mr. Holder's standards.

Maybe it was just Mr. Holder's day to give The Lecture. There seems to be one every damn day on what Americans need to now be doing. Democrats are really fond of this micro-management stuff, and race, there's a topic that defies measureable progress. You can always deal that one. This Endgame has no end.

Who is the "coward" Holder? My wife can't go shopping in certain areas, I'm afraid to get out of the car in certain areas .. this in Philadelphia. Are we cowards? I'm tired of paying taxes for the education and health of thousands of children born who have no idea of who their father was but have their "rights" -- which means we have to work for them. Land of the slave and home of the coward. Let it go Holder.

Holder is entitled to his opinion, but he is making a false assumption on that we are all cowards when it comes to race. I am very tolerant and do not judge someone on their race. Frank discussion? Um, that will actually incite more violence.

The problem is not with race, Mr. Holder, but on how we deal with the violence and everyday problems in the country. Focus on the issues that matter rather stirring the ethnic melting pot in society. We have made great strides in the past 50 years. Anybody can vote without prejudice, and you can shop without getting kicked out based on race. People's attitudes have changed and most have taught our children on tolerance.

Cowards? There maybe some out there. But I, sir, am not.

Whites don't discuss race because of what can happen if any comments are misunderstood. If a white person misspeaks, even unintentionally, their lives are ruined. Either by being fired from your job, or being physically assaulted.

I'm sick of black hypocrites.

Holder is not all wrong here. It's source that causes the irony. I never had the opportunity to become AG or President or Secretary of State or Four Star General, black guy. It was never within my realm of possibility.

I get most of my news from print and was not aware of Holders ethnicity when I read the comments. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that he was black, it just didn't. Then I went back to the top of the page and looked at the picture. Here is what changed when I saw the picture. My thoughts went from "That's brave of a white guy" to "That's typical."

You see, we get so sick of this racial unity crap because we are not invited to the conversation. In fact it's more of a lecture.

He doesn't mean that white public figures can begin to discuss the issues that perplex us about black culture. Holder means we have to sit and listen to more blither from the PC crowd about oppression, enforcing white guilt.

Will he stand up for the next white public figure that asks why there are programs designed to assist Black Americans from every angle, but none for me because I'm white? How is that not prejudice?

I simply wasn't around for the past 200 years. My parents were and are broke. My family has always been dirt poor and we never owned slaves. If you think I have enjoyed privilege, don't tell me I have. Prove it to me. I grew up in the post civil rights era. I have enjoyed no privilege for my race. Why do black people continue to recieve privilege for theirs, while lecturing me about being a coward?

wow.... the rednecks are out in force today, between that cartoon and black history month.

Holder is dangerous. So is "The Messiah." Be careful white America, they are coming to get us. This is the "real" change they want.

Holder is wrong.

Holder was a poor choice by Obama.

Obama and his Chicago thugs are destroying what we have known as the United States of America.

Socialism is not to be emulated despite what Newsweek mag rag thinks.

Europe's socialism models are failing more than ours.

Capitalism is what has made America great! Let's keep it!

Wake up America!

The brilliant, Chicago native Hillary Rodham Clinton should be our President. Barack Obama is simply a carpetbagger, unqualified and not up to the task of being President.

Burris should resign taking Obama, Durbin, Rham Emmanuel and the evil Axelrod with him.

Blago is looking better to me.

Hillary 2012!

******************************

Maybe this is the kind of courage that Holder is promoting. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/18/chimp.cartoon/ Sharpton drawing rediculous connections like a racist conpiracy theorist with A.D.D., must be Sharpton's way of expelling cowardice. I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said mister Holder... I was expecting Mr. Holder to comment. Something like, "Quit dropping the A-bomb every time there's a monkey in the news, Mr. Sharpton." Mr. Sharpton's a drama queen, but, he's no coward!

I'd love a conversation-I'm sick of bending over backwards to help black people.No more.From this day,I will withhold any federal taxes because it all goes to blacks anyway.I will NEVER build another hab. for humanity home for a black.I will never donate $ or clothes in a hurricane for start

The coward here is the person that hides behind his office, his political status, and his personal security force and only then voices his hateful, race-baiting statements like this guy is doing. Whose dress did he hide behind before he was in public office?

Bravo and major kudos---to our new Atty. Gen. Eric Holder, for having the intestinal fortitude and unmitigated courage from on high to challenge America. If the attorney generals historically accurate facts or his challenge to America offends you, then that in and of itself should give you pause. Democracy defined in a word is, RESPECT: Respect of self, family, friends, neighbors, community, city, state, Country and all people of this World. Let all of us selfishly forester respect at the gate of our every action---the outcome will be mind blowing, of this I can assure you.

Bravo and major kudos---to our new Atty. Gen. Eric Holder, for having the intestinal fortitude and unmitigated courage from on high to challenge America. If the attorney generals historically accurate facts or his challenge to America offends you, then that in and of itself should give you pause. Democracy defined in a word is, RESPECT: Respect of self, family, friends, neighbors, community, city, state, Country and all people of this World. Let all of us selfishly forester respect at the gate of our every action---the outcome will be mind blowing, of this I can assure you.

Wow, has the USA really gone in the wrong direction. Speaking in generalities like he has is not very accurate. I am tired of having to defend or otherwise feel badly for who I am or who my friends are. I won't hold it against you and you shouldn't against me. And Jesus isn't coming back any more than another person who died. You get one chance to get it right and it's in this life and no other.

By Mr. Holder's suggestions, my husband and I will be awaiting our invitations to his luxurious home next Saturday night.

But I doubt he and his wife will consider us worthy of his "class."

Gimme a break, Holder.

As a middle-aged middle-class libertarian agnostic straight white male, I will say that it is those who bring up and make issues of race, gender, sexual preference, age, religion and politics who are indeed the racists, ageists, homophobics, etc. Can we just get over this???? People deserve to be treated as INDIVIDUALS!!!

Wow...sounds like the people are ahead of the elected (or "chosen") officials. Mr. Holder does NOT get it. The people living it DO. I know my children do. They are the only ones I worry about. This will be their world to share with people of all kinds...(My children are bi-racial....like so many I am meeting today.)

Oh for crying out loud, give me a break. Racial segregation is a free choice that most people make. Segregation by choice is a natural thing. Holder is acting out the stereotypical black person, and whinging and complaining that whites do not suck up to blacks enough.
Get over yourselves for once and for all. Please.
What the hell must whites do to satisfy blacks? Must we dress like you? Listen to rap music like you? Wear bling like you do?
Why don't more blacks start acting, talking, and dressing like white people? Why will that not satisfy you? Why must we always come to you, instead of you just for once come to us....just a little.

I am so sick and tired of hearing black people forever whinging and complaining about being black. I've had it with them.

The "Truth Hurts", deal with it.Try to be a better individual because of it. Look around your offices, there are so many talented, highly intelligent African-Americans out of work today because the hiring managers would prefer to base the decision on out dated stereotypes of who we are.

Things are "changing" for the better.... get on board of be left behind!

I'm not sure what Holder would surmise from this, but Bannister Mall was a Kansas City shopping center we used to frequent, and it was in a predominantly black neighborhood. It's been closed for some time and is in the process of being demolished. The Costco I frequent, located in a like neighborhood, has a KC Police Car patrolling the parking lot throughout the day. Not so for the Costco in neighboring Overland Park, KS, a predominantly white area of Metropolitan Kansas City. Being a gifted, even brilliant attorney, I wonder what Holder can deduce from these examples.

Cowardly? Nah, I'm just bored with it. After six decades of the Civil Rights Movement, it's time to move on.

It takes a brave man to work towards a pardon for terrorists and tax cheats.

Thanks for the moral guidance, Eric.

You're my hero.

/s

Polarizing comments from the Attorney General. Poorly chosen words at a time in our country when everyone needs to pull together to help get things back on track.

Cowards because we don't always talk about race? Well, here's an invitation to Holder to have a conversation with me about race. Problem is I don't believe the man has a clue. So what if a group of black girls go to a shpping center together. And so what if a group of white guys go out together. That doesn't make either group racist. They are going out with their friends. Besides, God forbid a black guy did go out with a group of white guys...he'd be called an Uncle Tom. God forbid a black person didn't vote for Obama, he'd be called an Uncle Tom. It can't be both ways, Holder. You can't complain there's no mixing and knock people when they do mix. And oh yeah, people need to be able to accept criticism when it is just. Yeah right. Let one white person say even just one thing about the rapping, the thugging, the whatever and he'd be called a racist, even though the criticism would be justified. You're sorely lacking above the eyebrows pal and it's scarey to think you're the new attorney general. Real scarey.

Chicagoan's post hits the head. We have to go through this for the next four
years?
I am with my kind where I feel comfortable and that is my choise and my right.
Whatever others choose to do is their
right and I respect that.

I am offended and disgusted!
The Attorney General of the United Stated called Americans "cowards"!
This is a totally unforgivable affront to the nation as a whole. We have so many people throughout the world that think and say horrible things about us already. We do not need an Attorney General who denigrates and divides us. His comments are eerily similar to the Rev. Wright's and we certainly do not need that! This man needs to either resign or be fired.

I think its a very accurate statement. Every time someone brings up or asks a race-related question they are called racist when in fact they were only curious. I think people have become afraid of offending certain races and therefore remain mute.

The only reason Obama AND Holder are employed today is that they're black. Not because of ANYTHING they've done. How about THAT for an honest discussion on race?

Mr. Holder's comments aren't about all of you who indignantly protest that you're perfectly P.C. on all things racist. He doesn't care about who poster "Tom" hangs out with for lunch, or if poster "Joanne" "lives in an integrated neighborhood." In addressing any problem, one does not look to the pockets where the problem has already been solved. Indeed, in Chicago the pockets of racial progress are vastly obscured by the larger problem. Any Chicagoan who claims the race issues are no longer a problem is truly blind: the city is among the most segregated in the nation. Look at crime rates, household income, even life expectancy, and the city's racial problems are eminently obvious. And I know many will contend that the South Side's problems are its own, that we the rich are not responsible for the poor. But we are responsible for alienating the blacks and Hispanics and homeless, and are guilty of classifying these humans as different, unwelcome, and deserving of their lot. Perhaps the entire South Side of Chicago cannot be called a "race-protected cocoon"--more like a planet--but if anything, Mr. Holder is guilty of understating the problem. You readers who smugly boast of your own racial equity: open your eyes to the world! If not the world, then your own city! Racism exceeds "Darkwater's" experience with radical Nazism, exceeds explicit violence, exceeds those comments and beliefs modern culture jumps upon and labels "racist." Racism is "Joanne," who ignores the very problem when she accuses Mr. Holder of "living in the past." Racism is "Jeremy," who exhibits astounding prejudice in believing that "blacks themselves make themselves undesirable and engage in anti-social behavior far ahead of anyone else." Racism is the ironic "Barack Obama," who attributes the white man's success to hard work and ignores, nay insults, the thousands of African Americans on the South Side who work harder than him, but who are shackled because their parents were poor, their education dismal, and their prospect bleak from the day they were born. The naive conception of racism as a disruption in absolute equality between races, the conception of "BDD" when he complains that affirmative action is not "equal," is poisonous, both in contagion and in injury. That being born black inherently decreases your expected income, quality of life, and life expectancy is an outrage, and I defy any of you rich and you whites to claim that you are "better" than a South Sider, simply because you were born into a better world. Mr. Holder has gotten your attention by calling you "cowards." The next step is teaching America about the true problem of racism.

Are Blacks followed around more by store security guards? First, I am a minority.

At the mall where I did security (about 60% of the guards were Blacks) the mall shoppers were evenly divided about one-third each for Whites, Blacks and Hispanics; yet about 90% of the shoplifters we detained for the police were Blacks. These were not proud moments for the Black security guards or Black police officers.

Another figure: in the 1990’s Blacks comprised only 12% of the U.S. population but were responsible for 40% of its violent crime. On illigitimate births in America: for Whites 25%, Hispanics 35%; and for Blacks 69.1%. Commonsense tells you that children from broken homes where dad is not around are more likely to turn to crime, and as adult criminals may land in prison. Nor is the high rate of HIV in the Black community a credit to anybody. These are the things that need to be discussed but cannot for fear of being accused of racism.

S. T. Castle

"Oh by the way I never heard
Condi Rice, Michael Steele or
Colin Powell talk like this."

Very, very well stated. This speaks volumes. I pray we aren't going to have to listen to "victim speak" for 4 years. I voted for Obama and thought he was a uniter and from a new generation. This AG is living in the past.

wow.... the rednecks are out in force today, between that cartoon and black history month.

Posted by: gladys | February 18, 2009 8:08 PM

Gladys, we're discussing race! Join the conversation! Oh, I see.. When white people talk about race we are "rednecks."
I wonder if the moderator would so easily allow the "N" word as they have the "R" word. It's a double standard. It's a double standard and Gladys is the perfect example of black people "willing to have a conversation" that ends with calling me a racist redneck. Why don't you address the issues, Gladys? I'll restate the questions. Why do stores frequented by black people need armed guards in parking lot in broad daylight when that is not the case for stores frequented by whites? Why do I have to ignore the absence of professionalism in the workplace perpetrated by black people, i.e.; inappropriate dress, aggressive antisocial behavior against whites, voluntary segregation both in the workplace and out? Why do you qualify for tuition assistance that I do not qualify for on the basis of the color of my skin and how is that not prejudiced? Gladys?... I'm waiting for the conversation.. We are ready. You apparently are not.

Jared, I'll field that ball. Stores frequented by black people need armed guards because crime is higher in the poorer neighborhoods that black people tend to be born in. You knew that. The real issue is whether you see this as a problem to be solved, or as another reason black people are inferior. You do not have to ignore the absence of professionalism in the workplace *populated? perpetrated is not the right word* by black people. This is a problem on both sides, but thinking that you are exempt from being good because black people are not perfect is pretty awful logic. Also, I'm not sure what "absence of professionalism" you are talking about, and it seems to me that you are making unfair generalizations. Can you provide an example, and also show that the majority of black workplaces lack professionalism? Lastly, regarding tuition assistance: prejudice is a "preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience." Affirmative action IS based on reason and actual experience. University administrators have noted that black people are, on the whole, poor and disadvantaged, and in effort to grant the black community access to a resource that will improve the rather dismal outlook of black people. You can be outraged that you're not receiving the funds allotted for affirmative action, but you're missing the point. Universities have taken a philosophical standpoint that by helping along the (disadvantaged) African American youth, they can combat the terrible conditions found in areas like the South Side of Chicago. A black youth who is the first in his/her family to attend college can radically change his family's outlook. Can admissions same the same thing about you?

It’s nice to know that Congress confirmed as Attorney General someone without a shred of common sense. That’s okay, I guess. His last several predecessors in office didn’t have any common sense either.
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I mean, come on: Holder is advocating race consciousness. Race consciousness is not what unifies people; it’s what divides them. The first thing any propagandist knows is that it’s easier to make an enemy out of a group and then fight that group when you can demonstrate just how different they are. Emphasizing differences allows one group to dehumanize the other. Better treatment for everyone comes when those differences are erased in the mind’s eye.
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The correct approach is to emphasize the virtue of a color-blind society. There is only one race - and that’s the Human Race. A color blind society is what Martin Luther King Jr. “dreamed” of when he spoke of a society that would judge a man, not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. I’m with MLK on this one. Holder, on the other hand, represents a great leap backward on this heading.

Holder holds such a simplistic world view. Whites are 74%, Blacks are 13%, so he forgets the other 13% of the US population. Why focus on the two colors? Unlike cartoons, the real world is not black and white.

Jared, I've long posted that when used the way most of the liberal posters here at the swamp use it, the word redneck is a slur against the rural poor. Not just a racial and ethnic slur, but a classist slur as well.
These protests have fallen on deaf ears for years now. That's the fair and balanced swamp for you. Nice job of showing the people who don't live in cities and suburbs what you truly think of them there, Frank and Mark.

Read the speech at http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2009/ag-speech-090218.html . It's actually fairly bland, with a couple of unfortunate turns of phrase that are being spun for the shock value. Nothing to see here, move along.

Posted by: David | February 18, 2009 9:59 PM
"That being born black inherently decreases your expected income, quality of life, and life expectancy is an outrage, and I defy any of you rich and you whites to claim that you are "better" than a South Sider, simply because you were born into a better world. Mr. Holder has gotten your attention by calling you "cowards.""

Hey David, why don't you go ask the Asian immigrants who come here in droves. They come here dirt poor, start a small business, work bloody hard, and in one generation their kids are in the best public universities, ahead of whites, and they do even better. Maybe they can tell American blacks how to stop whining about how they are somehow perpetually disadvantaged by their poor parents, who had poor parents who had poor parents. America is essentially about getting off your ass, I think you want it another way.

Funny how racists talk about race incessantly. Kudos to Obama and Holder for this wonderful post racial world you are bringing us. LOL - this administration is setting back race relations to the mid-1960s. Perhaps that is their plan - to divide and conquer.

"Gladys is the perfect example of black people "willing to have a conversation" that ends with calling me a racist redneck. ... Why do I have to ignore the absence of professionalism in the workplace perpetrated by black people, i.e.; inappropriate dress, aggressive antisocial behavior against whites....Why do you qualify for tuition assistance that I do not qualify for on the basis of the color of my skin and how is that not prejudiced? Gladys?...
Posted by: Jared

Jared-- #1, I'm not black, #2, I didn't use the word racist, #3, but you apparently are.

Attorney General Holder's comments are way, way out of line. Even if I were black, man, at a time like this, when our government is spending money we don't even have, that man needs to check himself. I love all races, no doubt about it. But he needs to button it up calling us a Nation of Cowards. That just flat out ticked me off to no end. I'm proud to have served my country and our military men and women, they are anything but cowards. I think it's total BS what he said and furthermore, he doesn't have a right to say that. Colin Powell, well stated earlier, never, ever said crap like this.

older is a Marxist - that's for starters. He is also a stone RACIST. That's another truth! Otherwise he would not have made the remarks that he did. He's also an idiot since he doesn't understand that HIS job is to enforce the law of the land - not to lecture ANYONE on social or moral matters. I go to the closest mall to my HOME because I cannot afford to drive miles to find a mall that may or may not be "racially diverse" to AG Holder's standards. AG Holder, you stick to your beliefs and leave me to mine. THAT is what this country is about, you know, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to live my life without interference (or snarky, condescending lectures) from some nanny who wasn't elected by ANYONE.

Name-calling by the AG is so classy. Here's a guy who battened down the hatches and wintered out the Bush years for his own personal gain, now joining the BO mafia and finger-wagging us bad whities. Andie said it first and Best in this chain.... "Screw you Holder." I'd add only that Holder's a pompous and hypocritcal monkey, too. Frankly, I only added the 'monkey" part so Al Sharpton would call me names.

Tim from Downers

freedom of speech,
Posted by: Gayle Miller | February 19, 2009 10:12 AM

I see ....you want your freedom of speech.....but denounce his......brilliant!

"Colin Powell, well stated earlier, never, ever said crap like this."
Posted by: Brooks

Colin Powell said plenty the day he also endorsed Obama; I guess you weren't paying attention.

So when do we celebrate White History Month? What an uproar the nation would have if we chose a month to celebrate that. Hispanic American Month, Black American Month, Asian American Month, these are okay, but White History Month. Why can't we just be Americans. Period. End of Sentence. And celebrate this great melting pot of a nation.

Posted by: White bread
So when do we celebrate White History Month?

January through December.

The most alarming paragraph of Holder's address:

"But we must do more, and we in this room bear a special responsibility. Through its work and through its example this Department of Justice, as long as I am here, must -- and will -- lead the nation to the "new birth of freedom" so long ago promised by our greatest president. This is our duty and our solemn obligation."

We won't be able to say we weren't warned...

Mr. Holden,

It is truly a shame that one phrase will garner all the attention. On the other hand, you have successfully started a conversation. Good start!

That said, as I read your entire speech, I find it frustrating, as I have many other speeches before it. You are right in one sense. We should not need to have a “Black” History month. We also should not need to have “African” Americans.

What we need is History and Americans.

In speeches by most people discussing the racial issues we face in this country the one thing that is a consistent theme is the complete lack of a call for unity.

In your speech for example, you fail to mention that you also stand on the shoulders of many soldiers and leaders of many ethnic backgrounds who have fought to preserve the freedoms you enjoy in this country. This is not to diminish the work of the early civil rights leaders. Their efforts and the level of success achieved so far are a key part of this nation’s history. I realize your speech is in support of Black History month and that focused your comments, but should it? It is my belief the continuous reference to “Black”, African”, and the sins of our nations past continues to be the biggest obstacle to the elimination of racial considerations in our country.

The people of Polish, Irish, Jewish, German, British an other descents who are now citizens of this country by and large do not feel the need to constantly refer to themselves as hyphenated Americans. Why do Blacks?

Would it be OK for the above group to celebrate “White History” month? Of course not. They would cetainly hear about it from many sources.

Your goal should be to see the words “Black” and “African” disappear from daily use and help assure they take their due place in the history books with the same relative emphasis as the other ethinic groups above in their respective parts of history.

In the society I seek “African” Americans and “Polish” Americans and “Irish” Americans and the rest will cease to exist in the daily language leaving behind only Americans to chart our future.

Are you bold enough to do that?

"Posted by: White bread
So when do we celebrate White History Month?

January through December."
O really? Way to sound like an educated individual.
All that month does is bring to light the differences. Just like a "Whites Only" bathroom sign used to do. One who celebrates black history month celebrates hypocrisy plain and simple.

"So when do we celebrate White History Month?

January through December."
So how is it that we celebrate this "White history month" Rupert? Should be easy to answer since it spans so many months. I seemed to have missed all the commercials and specials and so on on this "white history month" Educate us will you please.... if thats even possible.

Congratulations Mr. Obama. Besides tax evaders you've now chosen a prejudiced African American as the head of our Legal Department. You've made more mistakes in your first month of office than George Bush made in his entire time as President.

To this I can only say "up yours Eric Holder".

I have 25 friends coming to my house this weekend. In that group will be some Latino's, a black neighbor, two interacial couples. That said, I hang with my own people, people I have things in common with. I like spending time with Bridge Players, people who like good wine, people that enjoy the sports that I enjoy.

Maybe just maybe Eric Holder does not spend much time with White people after work because he is simply NOT LIKED FOR WHO HE IS...not because his skin color is black. No offense intended here Eric Holder, but you strike me as a real intellectual PRICK, and I would NOT want you any where near my social gatherings. Maybe what you percieve as voluntary after work segregation is really a statement about an arrogant prick who is whining because he is not getting invites to events he feels entitled to attend.

I believe by the end of Obama's term relations between the races will be uglier, much uglier, than they are now. Obama will make sure of that. He has people like Holder adding fuel to that fire. Mark my words. It will get worse.

Ruth

http://www.usdoj.gov/02organizations/

I would suggest to hit the .gov link above and read what the Attorney General's job is.

And reading what HIS job is, (Law) and what he said he should apologize to the American people for sprouting his racially sensitive personal views in a formal setting. That has nothing to do with his job.
That isn't being courageous.
He in the wrong job.

How many times have you heard people say, "personal views" as an excuse.

Try this, "my job is the Law, and I'm not going to answer any questions that result in my personal opinions". Next question.

Try this, "my job is Defending this Country, and I'm not going to answer any questions that result in my personal opinions". Next question.

Wouldn't that be a nice change.

I have to agree with this gentleman
"Whites don't discuss race because of what can happen if any comments are misunderstood. If a white person misspeaks, even unintentionally, their lives are ruined. Either by being fired from your job, or being physically assaulted.

I'm sick of black hypocrites.

I have to add that I can be called a racist by any black person but I cannot call a black person a racist no matter how true it is.

Holder can kiss my ass!

Jared-- #1, I'm not black, #2, I didn't use the word racist, #3, but you apparently are.

Posted by: gladys | February 19, 2009 7:50 AM

Gladys, "R" was in reference to "Redneck" not "Racist". Furthermore, if you are in fact white, you must have some real self-loathing and identity issues causing you to use the racial epithet "Redneck" on other white people. You are typical of the racist militant strain.

“Jared, I'll field that ball. Stores frequented by black people need armed guards because crime is higher in the poorer neighborhoods that black people tend to be born in. You knew that.”
No I didn’t. My parents were poor too. We didn’t steal. My parents worked their butts off and put off possessions they desired to afford a better life. No rims. No designer clothing. But, I guess they could get away that. See, my culture doesn’t put bling over the welfare of their children. By the way, it’s not a race thing. It’s a culture thing.
“The real issue is whether you see this as a problem to be solved, or as another reason black people are inferior.”
I don’t see black people as inferior. I see American black culture as inferior. That is the frustration of many whites, too scared to tell you so. We honestly believe that blacks are no different than us. The ones that believe black people are inferior are people like you who think they couldn’t get by without a handout. Name one race who has never endured persecution. I’ll call you a liar. Name one race who has received the assistance to overcome that persecution in the same manor that African Americans have. I’ll call you a liar again.
“You do not have to ignore the absence of professionalism in the workplace *populated? Perpetrated is not the right word* by black people.”
No, perpetrated is the right word. Look it up. It’s the past tense form of perpetrate.
“This is a problem on both sides, but thinking that you are exempt from being good because black people are not perfect is pretty awful logic.
I’m not saying that I can be bad. I’m saying that African Americans can drop the victim role already. I believe they can be better than the welfare state and the equal opportunity advocates are giving them credit. I can’t say it enough, get over the victim role. People aren’t buying it anymore.
“Also, I'm not sure what "absence of professionalism" you are talking about, and it seems to me that you are making unfair generalizations. Can you provide an example, and also show that the majority of black workplaces lack professionalism?”
You ask me to show that a majority of black workplaces lack professionalism, but lecture me about generalizations. I can’t speak for the rest of the United States or my city for that matter. I can only speak for what I have experienced. If I came into work unable to communicate well because I didn’t pay attention in English class, I would not have a job. If I came into work with my pants hanging down or wearing tennis shoes, I would not have a job. If I required equal opportunity to qualify for my position, I would not have a job. Unfair generalizations perhaps, the real issue is that I as a young white man am expected to have better grammar, more professional dress, and am not given any points on my entrance exam to a good school to make up for my poverty.
“Lastly, regarding tuition assistance: prejudice is a "preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience." Affirmative action IS based on reason and actual experience.”
If you are referring to Jim Crow, I and many of those I encounter daily were not alive for Jim Crow nor did they suffer the injustices imposed by these laws. Certainly, the African Americans I am competing with in the professional arena did not suffer this. If you are suggesting it has had a residual effect on their ability to compete in the workplace, I must ask, how long I must suffer the ridiculous and adverse injustice of equal opportunity before your self pity is satiated!?
“University administrators have noted that black people are, on the whole, poor and disadvantaged,”
You just used a generalization to combat my generalizations. Do you see the irony? The thing about your generalization is that I have to pay fore much of its result. I don’t have to enter generalization to know that I did grow up poor. You cannot contest that African American youth are receiving preference and that white youth of the same financial means do not have access to the same assistance. Don’t feed to me the line that it’s a poverty thing. It’s absolutely a race motivated entitlement.
“and in effort to grant the black community access to a resource that will improve the rather dismal outlook of black people. You can be outraged that you're not receiving the funds allotted for affirmative action, but you're missing the point.”
No, I’m not. It’s racism on the part of African America. That’s the point
“Universities have taken a philosophical standpoint that by helping along the (disadvantaged) African American youth,”
If you respond to nothing else I have written, tell me why white youth of the same or less means must be excluded from the means to receive an education and how that is not racism.
“they can combat the terrible conditions found in areas like the South Side of Chicago. A black youth who is the first in his/her family to attend college can radically change his family's outlook.”
Oh, the south side of Chicago is a much more difficult place to grow up that the poverty of Appalachia or the poverty of any other rural white population. That’s sarcasm. The hilarious thing is that you actually think that I am the close-minded one. Sad. I’m the first one in my family to go to college and I did it without depending on a handout.
“Can admissions same the same thing about you?”
Posted by: David | February 18, 2009 10:44 PM
That is saddest part of your whole argument. You obviously think that African Americans are the only people in America to suffer adversity. You are wrong in that. You may even think that white America is given everything through some secret inheritance fund that keeps us prosperous. You are wrong in that too. We are not all prosperous. You are right in one thing though. You are right that we have received a hidden inheritance. We have received the inheritance of individual freedom to succeed and to fail by our own merits. My forefathers fought and died for that. Yours did too. So, quit disgracing your and my forefather’s sacrifice by depending on privilege and entitlement based on your skin color or the skin color of anyone else. Receive the gift of being born in this country. Quit whining and complaining about the past and the need to make sure that white America “understands your pain”. Get over it. Move on. Quit being weak and playing the victim.

AND THE BOTTOM SHALL RISE TO THE TOP! WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND! YOUR FOREFATHERS INHERITANCE WAS AT THE EXPENSE OF NON WHITE HUMAN BEINGS! THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH! DEAL WITH IT, ACKNOWLEDGE, ACCEPT, CHANGE YOUR WAY< AND MOVE ON! BY THE WAY CRIME IS CRIME IS COMITTED BY ALL NATIONATILITIES!

What is next ? Racial sensitivity camps for all Americans?

"AND THE BOTTOM SHALL RISE TO THE TOP! WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND! YOUR FOREFATHERS INHERITANCE WAS AT THE EXPENSE OF NON WHITE HUMAN BEINGS! THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH! DEAL WITH IT, ACKNOWLEDGE, ACCEPT, CHANGE YOUR WAY< AND MOVE ON! BY THE WAY CRIME IS CRIME IS COMITTED BY ALL NATIONATILITIES!"
Hey evelyn, go educate yourself.. My forefathers were born and raised in europe and most others here probably the same. What typical thinking coming from someone of your culture. We all must pay because you people feel just because we are white we owe you something. WRONG! Do us all a favor and educate yourself and purge your hate somewhere else.

Still nothing. The article was written about race relations.

The article should have been written about Holder abusing his position as head of the DOJ, using that platform in a formal setting about "Social Engineering/race relations".

His own opinion. You tell me what his comments have to do with upholding the Law of the USDOJ?

Evelyn, I can be mad at you for your ignorance. You probably bought into the lies they tell you during Black History Month. 'Me' was right. Many of my forefathers immigrated during the potatoes famine coincident with the Civil War (1845-1850). The 30 years preceding the Civil War saw 1.5 million Irish immigrants. During that same 30 years the population of the US as a whole went form 9.6 million to over 31.4 million, due in large part to immigration (not birth rates). I wager that few of these penniless immigrants were not able or eager to go out and buy a slave, nor would they have the means to feed or care for a slave if one were given them. Further more, of the 9.6 million I initially indicated, a very small minority would have owned any slaves, they were simply too expensive for most people. Unless you were rich or owned large stretches of land to farm, it simply wasn't profitable to take on the feeding and care of another human being. Of all 8,289,782 free persons in the 15 slave states, 393,967 people (4.8%) held slaves, with the average number of slaves held by any single owner being 10. In the War against slavery, 360,000 white union soldiers gave their lives to end slavery. But, you give them no credit for their sacrifice. You have a silly notion of how my ancestors afforded us all the freedoms we enjoy today. You probably think that Barack Obama was elected single handedly by the 12% black population. Unfortunately for your version of history, it only serves to alienate you from greater society. No one buys the black history lie that collectively white culture has somehow prospered from slavery. You simply weren't that productive. Slavery caused harm to both the black and white culture, because of the greed and avarice of a very few wealthy land owners and the southern society that supported them. Go back and look at history a bit and, this time, start with concept that whitey ISN'T the devil. You'll see things totally different when you drop your KKK, Black Muslim, Jeremiah Right, Racist slant.

I find it very difficult to talk about race with blacks as one gets tagged as racist and immediatly the HR Department is looking for heads...as attorney general , he should find a way for people of all walks of life to talk with each other with recrimination or false representations those seeking to talk as racists....Mr. Holder tell me how we can accomplish this without the likes are Sharpten tagging someone or their company as racists...Give us a forum and you will have accomplished your objective. If you cannot do this many view you as a coward as you hide behind your color.

OK;
So when do [insert this decades name for coloreds/blacks/African-Americans/ect. here] join the rest of the races in this country? Every group that has come here had to "suffer" a bit before they were "accepted" in this country, by that I mean "No Irish need apply", "you may not convey this property to members of the jewish faith", ect. Heck even women born in this country weren't allowed to vote until the 20th century. & from what I've seen, any member of the black race that even suggests blacks look to themselves, pull themselves up by their boot-straps so to speak, gets ostrisiced *sorry* from the comunity, ex: Bill Cosby, there was a guy on PBS I forget his name, but addressed the NAACP 10 years ago suggesting they form an investment group & pick an industry to work in (I think he suggested hotels) he has totally dropped off the national scene! If this is what AG Holder is speaking of, he right, & it's got nothing to do with "caucasians"! Frankly, I'm still worried for Obamas' safety, I don't think "Americans" in certain areas of this country are as developed as the rest of us hope we are. I also agree with some of the folks that say its becomming more soci-economic rather than racial. Sorry but dinners ready,
God Bless America

eric holden was talking about white people as a whole.i know,i,ve heard this type of redirect befor.he,like the white people befor me make the same diologe to indem themselves with there own kind.hate speech in camelfloge elequints.no person who is white should ever discuss race with any minority unless you want you'r chestnuts handed you!

I'm confused. When people say America do they only mean white people? Mr. Holden called all Americans cowards, but only white people seem to be offended here. I feel that most of you have completely missed his point. He called for open dialogue. He didn't say whites were wrong. He didn't blacks were right. He said we are all cowards, and he is absolutely correct. We're all online blogging about our opinions on racial issues today, but how many of you will ever sit down with someone from that race and have a serious and honest conversation. You're afraid you'll be labeled a racist. You're afraid you might say something politically incorrect. Who cares? It's time to talk about it and stop pretending like we don't have a problem. We do have a problem. We have always had a problem. Ignoring the problem until someone says something we don't like hasn't solved our problems. Electing Obama didn't change much it just let the Republican Party know that a lot of Americans are pissed off. Communities all over our country are still segregated. Cafeterias in our school are still segregated. Churches are still segregated. Yes we have made progress and that is great, but we still have a long way to go and silence isn't getting us anywhere.

what?

This is leading to more Buyer’s Remorse. Changing the name does not mean it goes away. Everyone I know is concerned with OB Policy’s. They’re really angry as your seeing in the Town Halls because of his handling of the issues from AG Holder dismissing the Black Panthers case when they clearly intimidated the voters to the economy. So trying to appease the terrorist will not work but this is the liberal mind set. I noticed for months after 9/11 these individuals kept their mouth shut. This is just giving strength to the Grass Roots, Tea Party democrats and Republicans. I predict Republicans will totally route the Democrats in 2010 and 2012 Obama will lose his bid for reelection. Not even the media is spinning him out of this and it’s because America is not listening anymore.