Dependence on Government, Not Racism, Hurting Black People, Pastor Says

[Desertdog]

This should start a big firestorm against a black man. The truth will set you free.

Dependence on Government, Not Racism, Hurting Black People, Pastor Says
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
Shttp://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=\Nation\archive\200509\NAT20050908a.htmleptember 08, 2005

(CNSNews.com) - A black conservative leader says don't blame racism or President Bush for what happened to thousands of black people during and after Hurricane Katrina.

"The truth is black people died, not because of President Bush or racism, they died because of their unhealthy dependence on the government and the incompetence of Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco," said the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder and president of BOND (the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny).

Peterson singled out the Rev. Jesse Jackson, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and rapper Kanye West, all of whom blamed President Bush for not doing enough to help black people, especially in New Orleans, where TV images showed scenes of desperation and violence that continued for several days after the hurricane hit.

Jackson called President Bush's response "incompetent" and charged that racism is partly to blame for the slow evacuation of survivors; and during a nationally televised fundraising event on NBC, West said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

Not fair, said the Rev. Peterson: "If black folks want to blame someone for this tragedy they only need to look in the mirror." Mayor Nagin has blamed everyone else except himself, when it was Nagin who failed in his duty to evacuate and protect city residents, Peterson said.

"Our prayers go out to the families of the deceased," Peterson concluded. "Hopefully this will help black people realize the folly of depending on the government or leaders and serve as a notice to avert future tragedies in other cities."

Peterson frequently criticizes the entrenched civil rights leadership, saying liberal black leaders have failed and exploited African-Americans.

 

[dasmi]

I like this guy.

 

[Alex45ACP]

I'm glad someone sees what the real problem is.

 

[pcf]

Another Lawn Jockey for the far right, like Bill Cosby and Clarence Thomas. Any black person who suggest that black people should take care of themselves, is of course, a brainwashed puppet.

 

[Jake!]

too bad his words won't reach any major news outlet....

 

[Standing Wolf]

The truth is black people died, not because of President Bush or racism, they died because of their unhealthy dependence on the government and the incompetence of Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco...

People with high expectations achieve more than those with low expectations.

 

[Mnemesyne]

He hit the nail on the head...it's just a shame no one will listen :banghead:

 

[Nightfall]

Amen, Rev.

 

[longeyes]

The problem is that the philosophies of "compassion" and self-reliance are in essence at odds. The irony is that the Reverend, with whose remarks I agree, is promoting this from a Christian pulpit. America has been torn, philosophically, along these lines from its beginnings.

 

[BigG]

[holding breath] Jus waiting for the "compassion crowd" to arrive to chastise you "insensitive neanderthals" [exhaling] tap tap tap...

 

[Zundfolge]

A black conservative leader says...

How come the media never reports what Al Sharpton or Jessie Jackson says with "A black liberal leader says..."?

The problem is that the philosophies of "compassion" and self-reliance are in essence at odds.

No they are not.

Its NOT "compassion" to enslave an entire people and destroy their family structures and sense of self determination with the welfare system.


The most compassionate thing you can do for me is leave me the hell alone.

 

[fourays2]

Patiently waiting for someone to call the good Pastor "Uncle Tom".

 

[longeyes]

true and false compassion

"Its NOT "compassion" to enslave an entire people and destroy their family structures and sense of self determination with the welfare system.
The most compassionate thing you can do for me is leave me the hell alone."

I am using the term as it is commonly understood. I happen to agree with you that compassion, viewed in a "tough love" perspective, would not shackle people to a welfare ethos, but that isn't the way this issue is perceived by people at large, by the government, by our political establishments, or, apparently, by the President himself.

This President has used the word "compassion" more than all previous Presidents put together, and he has the Federal budgets to show for it. He also talks grandly about freedom and liberty, perhaps more than any previous President. Some of his problems emanate from the fact that he doesn't grasp the conflict inherent therein. One example is illegal immigration: he is still couching this issue in terms of "compassion."

I still think there's a philosophical impasse here that we refuse to deal with. Would Christ enforce our borders? I doubt it, but Christian ideals (compassion) and Enlightenment principles remain in uneasy tension. Liberty requires boundaries; compassion breaks down boundaries.

 

[El Tejon]

long, I think you can be compassionate and enforce the rule of law. Shooting border crossers who want to wash dishes in Chicago is one thing; deporting them pursuant to immigration law is another.

About time someone of African American ancestry said this. No it needs to be said one hundred million times to counteract the influence of the media.

 

[BrokenPaw]

Somewhere along the line, the meaning of the word "compassion" got twisted.

com·pas·sion Pronunciation Key (km-pshn)
n. Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

A desire to relieve someone's suffering does not automatically equate to a willingness to give that person everything he or she needs or wants simply because they're unwilling to work for it.

If my neighbor came to my house and said, "my barn was destroyed when a tree fell through it in a storm. I'm rebuilding it, but some parts need more than two hands, will you help me?" I would say, "yes". That's compassion. A desire to relieve his hardship by helping him.

If he came to me and said, "my barn was destroyed when a tree fell through it in a storm. It needs to be rebuilt, so can you come do it? Oh, and some parts need more than two hands, so can you bring BrokenMa, too?" I'd say, do it your bloody self. It wouldn't be compassion to do for him what he was unwilling to do for himself. It'd be stupidity.

That's the crux of it. If someone is doing all they can on their own, and they need help with some parts that someone can't do alone, then helping them is compassionate. Doing everything for them, as if they're a child, creates dependency, engenders bitterness, and ultimately causes more problems than it solves.

-BP

 

[xd9fan]

Finally

someone is getting right.

 

[beerslurpy]

When I saw the headline of the thread I was like "hey that sounds like something my hero Jesse Lee Peterson would say." Ding ding ding.

Btw, anyone who hasnt should read Scam. It is the most scathing attack on Jesse Jackson, Farrakhan and friends that I have ever had the extreme pleasure of reading.

As far as black authors go, I still prefer Thomas Sowell (read Black Redneck, White Liberal, it is mind blowingly awesome; also check out Quest for Cosmic Justice) because he has a less religious and more intellectual inclination.

 

[TheEgg]

Its NOT "compassion" to enslave an entire people and destroy their family structures and sense of self determination with the welfare system.

Stands up and applauds!!!!!!!!! Well said.

 

[BigG]

Its NOT "compassion" to enslave an entire people and destroy their family structures and sense of self determination with the welfare system.

I object to this characterization; this portrays welfare recipients as victims, not willing accomplices. You deny their basic right of self determination, which of course they have willingly abrogated, but nonetheless...

 

[iiibdsiil]

If a white person said this, it would be racist. The truth hurts.

 

[Sergeant Bob]

When I saw the headline of the thread I was like "hey that sounds like something my hero Jesse Lee Peterson would say." Ding ding ding.

Exactly. The Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson has been espousing this view for years but, the MSM will not report it. Though every time Jackson or Sharpton open their cracks we here all about it.
Sadly, about the only outlets on which we hear conservative blacks is talk radio.

 

[Zundfolge]

About time someone of African American ancestry said this.

El Tejon, you haven't been paying attention

Larry Elder
Thomas Sowell
Walter E Williams
Bill Cosby
Montel Williams
Star Parker
I'm sure there's more I've missed.

Lots of black folk speak the truth. Lots of black folk know the truth. Lots of black folk live by these truths.

Problem is the DNC/MSM (which I am more and more convinced are the same thing) only show us the lies of Sharpton, Jackson, Farrakhan et al and act as though the vast majority of "African" Americans agree 100%.

 

[El Tejon]

Zun, not so, I was unaware all those individuals have been commenting upon Hurrican Katrina. I am aware of their prior writings, but have heard nothing from the individuals you cite regarding New Orleans.

I'll look around.

 

[Zundfolge]

Ah ... I didn't realise you meant specific to Katrina ... I thought you meant in general.

Then the only one on that list I've read anything specific to Katrina and NOLA is Larry Elder and Thomas Sowell

Although I'm sure the others will follow suit.