Victimology.
Can someone give me a definition that makes sense?
Right now, I conclude that it's useless rhetorical hyperbole soon to be over used like "political correctness".
For more details, see Jesse Jackson, perjurer Al Sharpton, the entire Congressional Black Caucus, John Kerry and any white liberal you see on the street.
Posted by: La Shawn at August 24, 2004 04:27 AMLooks like you're right, Ed.
Please, I'm on the edge of my seat to hear where I'm incorrect or using the word as "useless rhetorical hyperbole." We can trade sound bite-sized comments all day. If you want a clearer example or "non-rhetorical" use, I'm amenable.
Posted by: La Shawn at August 24, 2004 08:24 AM...although I get the feeling nothing I'll ever say or write will provide a close-to-satisfactory answer for P6.
Posted by: La Shawn at August 24, 2004 08:26 AMSee La Shawn, that's why, even tho we'd look great together in a snapshot, you'n I won't be best buds. It's why I don't even bother visiting your site anymore (not like you care, of course).
Your first parag in the first post was strong, forceful, direct. But then you hadda follow it up right away with over-the-top rant-talk. It's like you have to get the venom out or it'll kill you or something. I understand passion, but geez...
Posted by: memer at August 24, 2004 09:26 AMp.s. oh, I don't have a problem with that first paragraph La Shawn, btw. My only concern is that label being applied at any and every turn, to anyone who dares squeak about an injustice. It smothers, via stigma, legitimate protest.
Posted by: memer at August 24, 2004 09:30 AMWell, I can't satisfy everybody.
1,100,050 satisfied to 2.5 unsatisfied ain't bad.
Have a good week, gentlemen.
Posted by: La Shawn at August 24, 2004 10:08 AMThe art of teaching someone that they are and will always remain in a state of perpetual helplessness, and the dark forces of evil America will always be against them.
Fine, but now you have to list quotes from the "usual suspects" that supports what you wrote.
Capitalism, white racism, the legacy of slavery --- these things mark one a target of uncontrolled forces that only group indentification can alleviate but not overcome.
Given that the "usual suspects" never speak out against capitalism, what does that mean? Even the NOI preaches capitalism.
And does it make sense to say that identifying as Black is the only way to alleviate racism or the legacy of slavery? Or, do they say that because of being identified as Black, which is part of the U.S. legacy of slavery, there is a group identification?
After all, that identification was forced on us, not us forcing it on the outside.
As long as one has black skin in America, there is no cure.
Michael Jackson has the cure! :-D
Although certain poor immigrants manage to take advantage of the gifts of freedom and opportunity America has to offer, the black man cannot simply because he is black and white racists will not let HIM in particular succeed.
Actually, I've yet to hear that said.
The person with black skin who does manage to succeed does so either on pure dumb luck or shilling for the white man.
Then how do you explain the praise from the "usual suspects" for Bob Johnson of BET, Earl Graves of Black Enterprise, Robert Johnson of Johnson Publishing, Willy Gary, "Famous Amos", Ken Chanault, LeVan Hawkins (pre scandal), Berry Gordy, etc?
How's that?
Respectfully, I find it lacking.
"victimology", "the underclass",and other such sophistries are rationalizations for the endemic problems of corporate capitalism as well as a soothing balm for the insecurities of those members of black middle class who feel a sense of alienation from the black community and indignation related to thier efforts to achieve assimilation into the dominant politcal culture that caricatures blackness as a marketable exoticism or source of all america's urban problems .
Posted by: neohoodo at August 26, 2004 05:25 PMOhhhh....
Kaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy......
woo! neohoodo, i don't know why i had to bus' one big, deep, long belly laff after reading your post the first time 'round. mebbe it's cuz you write like it's fiddy dollaz per period. or mebbe it's my black middleclass insecurities at not getting it at first. really, s'okay, you don't have anything to prove here. it's safe to dumb it down and talk reg'lar like.
anyway, after reading it (slowly) a couple more times, i see your point. there are indeed some uppity black folk who use the term as a nyah-nyah rejoinder to those who shout "sellout" at them. waddayagonnado.
i am curious to know more about your suggestion of victimology as a cover for the weaknesses of capitalism. but i'm afraid you might answer ;-)
Posted by: memer at August 26, 2004 06:22 PMHow do you explain large numbers of black and poor people who are unable to negotiate the mainstream? Simple,they are lacking.Enter the long line of "theories" of black pathologies including ideas like the underclass and victimology.
Posted by: neohoodo at August 27, 2004 06:19 PM
The art of teaching someone that they are and will always remain in a state of perpetual helplessness, and the dark forces of evil America will always be against them. The effort to relieve oneself of the burden will never be successful. Capitalism, white racism, the legacy of slavery --- these things mark one a target of uncontrolled forces that only group indentification can alleviate but not overcome. As long as one has black skin in America, there is no cure. Although certain poor immigrants manage to take advantage of the gifts of freedom and opportunity America has to offer, the black man cannot simply because he is black and white racists will not let HIM in particular succeed.
The person with black skin who does manage to succeed does so either on pure dumb luck or shilling for the white man.
How's that?
Posted by: La Shawn at August 24, 2004 04:25 AM