Race and the Color of Money
Part 1
Juneteenth
Usually I attempt to lighten the mood by being flippant, sarcastic and iconoclastic, while I’m attempting
to be exhaustive. I don’t have the stomach for that considering the topic.
to be exhaustive. I don’t have the stomach for that considering the topic.
I have to start with this because this is a famous black man, (Dave Chapelle) whom I respect,
with some excellent things to say about the recent riots and protests following the George Floyd
murder. Chappelle 8:46 He’s an all-time great not attempting to be funny, and he is acting more as
philosopher and historian than as comedian. It is important, in a well-meaning perspective offering like
the below, to lead with someone well more qualified to speak about the issue than I am, even if his
humility somewhat stifles what could have been his message. This may be where Chappelle would say-
“get off my side.” Chappelle even mentions several times how he does not need to specifically speak
about the problem (“Does anyone give a [bleep] what Ja Rule thinks?”), because the streets have been
speaking. He’s the type of person I would want to hear from, my iconoclastic comments below aside,
because he doesn’t think he should be the type of person speaking, not because he is black, but because
he is famous.
with some excellent things to say about the recent riots and protests following the George Floyd
murder. Chappelle 8:46 He’s an all-time great not attempting to be funny, and he is acting more as
philosopher and historian than as comedian. It is important, in a well-meaning perspective offering like
the below, to lead with someone well more qualified to speak about the issue than I am, even if his
humility somewhat stifles what could have been his message. This may be where Chappelle would say-
“get off my side.” Chappelle even mentions several times how he does not need to specifically speak
about the problem (“Does anyone give a [bleep] what Ja Rule thinks?”), because the streets have been
speaking. He’s the type of person I would want to hear from, my iconoclastic comments below aside,
because he doesn’t think he should be the type of person speaking, not because he is black, but because
he is famous.
Now, I can’t possibly imagine what it is like to be black. I have no idea what it is like to be stopped for
some minor infraction because of my skin color. I have no chance to store a lifetime, or generations, of
frustration inside of my mind, internalize most of it, and think of what I might do if others were oppressing
me still, still in 2020, perhaps with no hope of it getting any better after legislators, the media, white
community leaders, and law enforcement representatives decide to sit on their hands again, again, again.
That frustrates me to no end as a white person; there isn’t a word for the amount of anger I’d be feeling if
I were black. Life imitates art and just to keep my sanity- I think of the Eddie Murphy line from “Beverly H
ills Cop”- “Disturbing the peace, I was thrown out of a window . . . what’s the charge for getting
thrown out of a moving car . . . jaywalkin!?”
some minor infraction because of my skin color. I have no chance to store a lifetime, or generations, of
frustration inside of my mind, internalize most of it, and think of what I might do if others were oppressing
me still, still in 2020, perhaps with no hope of it getting any better after legislators, the media, white
community leaders, and law enforcement representatives decide to sit on their hands again, again, again.
That frustrates me to no end as a white person; there isn’t a word for the amount of anger I’d be feeling if
I were black. Life imitates art and just to keep my sanity- I think of the Eddie Murphy line from “Beverly H
ills Cop”- “Disturbing the peace, I was thrown out of a window . . . what’s the charge for getting
thrown out of a moving car . . . jaywalkin!?”
Many many people, almost everyone really, thinks the derivation of the George Floyd murder from May
25th, 2020, and thousands of like incidents is a black v. white problem. Don’t get me wrong, the differences
still at work in this country based on skin color are very combustibly obvious, because unless someone is
wearing pants, a hooded sweatshirt, mask, gloves and sunglasses, a person’s skin is like a beacon of
obvious identification. However, saying the principal problem in this country is only a matter of skin color
is actually a pretty laissez faire (that isn’t French for “lazy”) way to think of the problem. This is true in the
short term, on the day of Mr. Floyd’s death, the May and June riots and protests, and more broadly, since
approximately 1619, the first recorded instance of black people held captive on American soil (Jamestown)
to work as slaves. Solidarity has been a long time coming; not in every city and not consistently enough
for everyone’s liking, but it’s coming, and I don’t blame black people for not wanting to wait anymore.
What isn’t coming any time soon is its economic solidarity equivalent. Not in relation to whites who have
money and blacks who don’t, but in terms of those who have capital M Money, actual absurd amounts of
money, and everyone else, no matter their race.
25th, 2020, and thousands of like incidents is a black v. white problem. Don’t get me wrong, the differences
still at work in this country based on skin color are very combustibly obvious, because unless someone is
wearing pants, a hooded sweatshirt, mask, gloves and sunglasses, a person’s skin is like a beacon of
obvious identification. However, saying the principal problem in this country is only a matter of skin color
is actually a pretty laissez faire (that isn’t French for “lazy”) way to think of the problem. This is true in the
short term, on the day of Mr. Floyd’s death, the May and June riots and protests, and more broadly, since
approximately 1619, the first recorded instance of black people held captive on American soil (Jamestown)
to work as slaves. Solidarity has been a long time coming; not in every city and not consistently enough
for everyone’s liking, but it’s coming, and I don’t blame black people for not wanting to wait anymore.
What isn’t coming any time soon is its economic solidarity equivalent. Not in relation to whites who have
money and blacks who don’t, but in terms of those who have capital M Money, actual absurd amounts of
money, and everyone else, no matter their race.
The more deep-rooted and complex problem color in this country isn’t black and it isn’t white- those are
shades, and metaphorically speaking, they are just shadows of the larger, more imposing, yet less obvious
American problem color . . . the color green!
shades, and metaphorically speaking, they are just shadows of the larger, more imposing, yet less obvious
American problem color . . . the color green!
I know, I know, people who would actually read this, or hear about the point I’m trying to make, would say,
“what an absolute moron.” They’ll level with you, light cigarettes on stage and come off all pontifical,
breezy and street and tell you, “that bastard’s crazy.”
“what an absolute moron.” They’ll level with you, light cigarettes on stage and come off all pontifical,
breezy and street and tell you, “that bastard’s crazy.”
I’m a white guy and have lived in the suburbs all my life. I’ve known very few black people. Just because
I’m white, doesn’t mean I’m taking any bows for criticizing white talk show hosts or New York city police
union chiefs, politicians, sports coaches or white executives trying to determine which police drama to
ban from broadcast, cable, or syndicated television. I also don’t think I deserve any awards for praising
Dave Chappelle. One of the recipients of Chappelle’s rant in his 8:46 performance, is Don Lemon, a black
host at CNN, and one is Candace Owens, a black social commentator. Chappelle lambastes Owens for
a chronological reading of George Floyd’s rap sheet- Owens on Floyd. I’m with Chappelle on this one.
Why does something Floyd did in 2004 have anything to do with why he
should be begging for his life in 2020?
I’m white, doesn’t mean I’m taking any bows for criticizing white talk show hosts or New York city police
union chiefs, politicians, sports coaches or white executives trying to determine which police drama to
ban from broadcast, cable, or syndicated television. I also don’t think I deserve any awards for praising
Dave Chappelle. One of the recipients of Chappelle’s rant in his 8:46 performance, is Don Lemon, a black
host at CNN, and one is Candace Owens, a black social commentator. Chappelle lambastes Owens for
a chronological reading of George Floyd’s rap sheet- Owens on Floyd. I’m with Chappelle on this one.
Why does something Floyd did in 2004 have anything to do with why he
should be begging for his life in 2020?
Still, the reason I don’t get into statistics and specifics about what percentage of violent crimes black
people contribute to, black on black crime, and the differences between perception and reality, which
Owens does, (I knew someone would), is because it is not important at this time. We’re talking about
systemic racism, not just by cops. Let’s resolve the obvious systemic racism problem first and worry
about the B-topic, which Owens shares admirably, a little bit later. An armless man can’t plug two leaks
in a canoe 8 feet apart unless he’s the starting center for an NBA team and is very very flexible. And who
would want to see that anyway. Owens can’t almost categorically deny there is a systemic racism issue
in the United States by any measure.
people contribute to, black on black crime, and the differences between perception and reality, which
Owens does, (I knew someone would), is because it is not important at this time. We’re talking about
systemic racism, not just by cops. Let’s resolve the obvious systemic racism problem first and worry
about the B-topic, which Owens shares admirably, a little bit later. An armless man can’t plug two leaks
in a canoe 8 feet apart unless he’s the starting center for an NBA team and is very very flexible. And who
would want to see that anyway. Owens can’t almost categorically deny there is a systemic racism issue
in the United States by any measure.
The color divide in this country is important to understand. The reason black people were taken from
their homeland and brought to America to be used and abused was for economic reasons. They provided
cheaper labor than indentured servants or hired workers. It was cheaper to use slaves to work in the
cotton and tobacco fields, which were the commodities which kept the South in business. The labor
“problem” was the disease. Slavery was the symptom, albeit one hell of a symptom, but what that free
labor equated to economically is the principal reason the country was almost torn apart during the Civil
War. Yes, I know, I know, why didn’t the slave traders invade Scandinavia or Quebec and bring them over
as slaves? It could be maybe because that civilization was more advanced by then, had a more evolved
social contract, arts and sciences and demonstrated wealth, and with that, power. Again, I’m not saying
we only have a color green problem- but that people are short-selling the economic component to
societal injustices. I can get to that more next time.
their homeland and brought to America to be used and abused was for economic reasons. They provided
cheaper labor than indentured servants or hired workers. It was cheaper to use slaves to work in the
cotton and tobacco fields, which were the commodities which kept the South in business. The labor
“problem” was the disease. Slavery was the symptom, albeit one hell of a symptom, but what that free
labor equated to economically is the principal reason the country was almost torn apart during the Civil
War. Yes, I know, I know, why didn’t the slave traders invade Scandinavia or Quebec and bring them over
as slaves? It could be maybe because that civilization was more advanced by then, had a more evolved
social contract, arts and sciences and demonstrated wealth, and with that, power. Again, I’m not saying
we only have a color green problem- but that people are short-selling the economic component to
societal injustices. I can get to that more next time.
Another thing which has escaped most people’s notice is that there have been tens of thousands of white
people protesting arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, rubbing potential asymptomatic COVID to COVID
uglies with black people for the last couple weeks. With an educated guess, anyone care to wager on the
net income of the average white or black person protesting- peaceful or violent? Anyone care to guess
how many green people were at ground zero of any of these protests? Name the city in the U.S. that had
commensurate representation, solidly in support of black lives matter tirades from those making over
$250,000 a year.
people protesting arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, rubbing potential asymptomatic COVID to COVID
uglies with black people for the last couple weeks. With an educated guess, anyone care to wager on the
net income of the average white or black person protesting- peaceful or violent? Anyone care to guess
how many green people were at ground zero of any of these protests? Name the city in the U.S. that had
commensurate representation, solidly in support of black lives matter tirades from those making over
$250,000 a year.
You can’t. And I know this because there is not an effing thing going on in this country worth paying
attention to other than to make riots appointment television. Being appalled that the police, national
guard, mayors, governors and community leaders sacrificed gas stations, small businesses, police
precincts and entire city blocks to mobs throwing batteries, bottled water and cocktails made out of
flammable liquid is an incident which will make the racial divide seem obvious, while we are oblivious that
we’ve not much advanced since John Jay, the first chief justice of the supreme court, stated that “those
who own the country ought to govern it.”
attention to other than to make riots appointment television. Being appalled that the police, national
guard, mayors, governors and community leaders sacrificed gas stations, small businesses, police
precincts and entire city blocks to mobs throwing batteries, bottled water and cocktails made out of
flammable liquid is an incident which will make the racial divide seem obvious, while we are oblivious that
we’ve not much advanced since John Jay, the first chief justice of the supreme court, stated that “those
who own the country ought to govern it.”
The well-off, to me, are noticeably absent, in aggregate, from any peaceful or violent protest. They like
their economy right where it is. The only times they were pushed to act in their own self-interests (to hint
at Adam Smith) the only times they raised objections to the general tenor of this nation’s history, is when
they wanted to overthrow the British, so the rich American could supersede the rich Englishmen, or the
South wanted to retain the economic status quo leading up to the Civil War. Do some research on the
history of protests in this country dating back to its founding (read some Howard Zinn)- and be mindful
of Martin Luther King’s quote gaining traction and relevance with every protest- “A riot is the language
of the unheard.” The complaints made by Thomas Paine (Common Sense), Thomas Jefferson
(Declaration of Independence), and any statements made by Washington, Hamilton, John Marshall,
Samuel Adams and countless other American aristocrats, made it clear that back during this nation’s
founding, being subjected to second class citizenry wasn't sustainable. The words “Taxation without
Representation” ring any bells?
their economy right where it is. The only times they were pushed to act in their own self-interests (to hint
at Adam Smith) the only times they raised objections to the general tenor of this nation’s history, is when
they wanted to overthrow the British, so the rich American could supersede the rich Englishmen, or the
South wanted to retain the economic status quo leading up to the Civil War. Do some research on the
history of protests in this country dating back to its founding (read some Howard Zinn)- and be mindful
of Martin Luther King’s quote gaining traction and relevance with every protest- “A riot is the language
of the unheard.” The complaints made by Thomas Paine (Common Sense), Thomas Jefferson
(Declaration of Independence), and any statements made by Washington, Hamilton, John Marshall,
Samuel Adams and countless other American aristocrats, made it clear that back during this nation’s
founding, being subjected to second class citizenry wasn't sustainable. The words “Taxation without
Representation” ring any bells?
I know that during the protests there were white people holding up signs, burning buildings, chanting
supportive messages, breaking glass and throwing things at police and the national guard; I bet you there
weren’t many rich people doing it. There is no question that the disparity between white men and black
men gunned down, arrested, convicted and incarcerated on the streets is less than the disparity
between poor men, no matter their color, and rich men. The latter are safe in their office buildings,
transacting fraud, money laundering, deceiving the public out of millions. If we had to choose- we’re fine
letting any number of people turn into Gordon Gekko as long as we keep Jean Valjean off the street.
supportive messages, breaking glass and throwing things at police and the national guard; I bet you there
weren’t many rich people doing it. There is no question that the disparity between white men and black
men gunned down, arrested, convicted and incarcerated on the streets is less than the disparity
between poor men, no matter their color, and rich men. The latter are safe in their office buildings,
transacting fraud, money laundering, deceiving the public out of millions. If we had to choose- we’re fine
letting any number of people turn into Gordon Gekko as long as we keep Jean Valjean off the street.
I’m not challenging the status quo opinion of this problem to be creative, to play devil’s advocate, or
even to offer a more sober version of non-humorous iconoclasm, but because there is ample evidence,
if one is interested in using their eyes to read rather than just to see, and use their heads to think rather
than to shake them in negation at this prospect- that green people, as well as black and white, are part of
the problem.
even to offer a more sober version of non-humorous iconoclasm, but because there is ample evidence,
if one is interested in using their eyes to read rather than just to see, and use their heads to think rather
than to shake them in negation at this prospect- that green people, as well as black and white, are part of
the problem.
The result of the George Floyd incident is despicable, embarrassing and unrelenting. It pisses me off
beyond words to think that a human being could do that to another living being. Any person who could
pin someone’s neck to the ground with their knee while the victim is invoking the absence of their mother,
and the oxygen to remain conscious, and to have it caught on videotape, should be instantly imprisoned,
their head rammed into a steel pole, and other crap I better not put in print.
beyond words to think that a human being could do that to another living being. Any person who could
pin someone’s neck to the ground with their knee while the victim is invoking the absence of their mother,
and the oxygen to remain conscious, and to have it caught on videotape, should be instantly imprisoned,
their head rammed into a steel pole, and other crap I better not put in print.
The charges can come later. I don’t care about due process, innocent until proven guilty, or anything the
ridiculously outdated constitution does, or probably, doesn’t very generally state about criminality; nor do
I care what any state’s Criminal Procedure handbook covers as it attempts to inoculate the allegedly
guilty against a mob of violently proactive amoral recidivists, moral entrepreneurs, hangmen, second
guessers and apoplectically-chronic apologizers.
ridiculously outdated constitution does, or probably, doesn’t very generally state about criminality; nor do
I care what any state’s Criminal Procedure handbook covers as it attempts to inoculate the allegedly
guilty against a mob of violently proactive amoral recidivists, moral entrepreneurs, hangmen, second
guessers and apoplectically-chronic apologizers.
You guessed it, there are going to be 3 parts to this. When I’m gone, I want to make sure posterity had
the opportunity to read some level-headed stuff and chose to do something else on Juneteenth besides go to a home improvement store and bitch about how having to wear a mask is a violation of their constitutional rights.
Juneteenth (June 19th) is being recognized this year nationwide for the first time in our nation's history.
This date was recognized as the date the last state in the union, in 1865, recognized the emancipation
of all slaves following Lincoln's proclamation two and a half years earlier.
However, I think it is important to note, for all of the credit which Lincoln has historically gotten about that
act of unity, it is overlooked, similar to our oversight where the color green is concerned that pressed by
Horace Greely to take a clear position on the abolition of slavery, Lincoln responded with this:
"...If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that...." Lincoln freeing slaves
Those weren't the worst words Lincoln used in his time in the public spotlight to qualify his position on the
issue of slavery. Maybe its time to look into things which are a little less obvious when considering the
problems we're facing.
the opportunity to read some level-headed stuff and chose to do something else on Juneteenth besides go to a home improvement store and bitch about how having to wear a mask is a violation of their constitutional rights.
Juneteenth (June 19th) is being recognized this year nationwide for the first time in our nation's history.
This date was recognized as the date the last state in the union, in 1865, recognized the emancipation
of all slaves following Lincoln's proclamation two and a half years earlier.
However, I think it is important to note, for all of the credit which Lincoln has historically gotten about that
act of unity, it is overlooked, similar to our oversight where the color green is concerned that pressed by
Horace Greely to take a clear position on the abolition of slavery, Lincoln responded with this:
"...If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that...." Lincoln freeing slaves
Those weren't the worst words Lincoln used in his time in the public spotlight to qualify his position on the
issue of slavery. Maybe its time to look into things which are a little less obvious when considering the
problems we're facing.
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