“Venezuela’s socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro and his regime just issued an arrest warrant against opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez for questioning the results of the recent election
This is a textbook copy of what American Democrats did to President Trump
The truth is that the opposition was wise to acquire election result tally sheets from 80% of the voting stations before the regime could confiscate and change them. The real results showed an overwhelming victory for the opposition and a final defeat of the socialist regime. Maduro is now on a manhunt for all his opponents
I don’t often advocate for foreign interventions, but I hope Venezuela’s neighboring countries help the people because what’s happening there isn’t sustainable.”
The reference in a post yesterday to a Denny’s got my attention because years ago, before the girls came along, Hubby and I would often go to a Denny’s for dinner on Friday evenings after work. These days, I think there may be only one Denny’s left in our general area, and I’m not even sure about that one. Anyway, that’s why I was curious about the video, so I watched it.
What bothered me was the quote on the post (emphasis mine):
~ “Let’s take a brief look at the Denny’s sub-saharans, who resorted to their usuаl һostіӏіty after being held аccountable for serving customers expіred meats and оperating the establishment in an іnsеct-іnfеstеd еnvironment.” ~
The Denny’s employees were black, but they sounded American, not “sub-saharan”. This quote sounds very prejudiced, and it surprised me that the person who wrote it was so blatant about their prejudice. Then I briefly googled the name the guy goes by (“MuhSocioFactors”), and saw that he uses that “sub-saharan” term in other anti-black people posts.
Yes, one can find plenty of videos of black people being violent and acting out. But guess what? There are also plenty of videos of white people being violent and acting out. You find what you look for.
People are people, and violence and bad behavior does not have a color scheme.
Now we have gang members in Chicago (and vets elsewhere) threatening to “take care of business” because the police and government officials aren’t doing anything about Venezualan illegals who have invaded apartment buildings in Aurora and Chicago. Coming soon – gang wars?
I know which presidential candidate, who, as president, would have such problems taken care of in no time…
I noticed the phrase and thought it odd, but passed over the post. I am glad I had discernment. I don’t look at all things here, just what is of interest to me personally. I guess since we don’t have Denny’s near here, as far as I know, that is why I passed it by.
X is a mixed bag. We don’t need to spend precious time on every detail that we can criticize. As Christians we need to be grace givers and encouragers. I encourage all of us to focus on the good and drop what is displeasing. I wish I could hear more encouragement here. Everyone makes a mistake at times in what they post or share. To constantly point out errors or perceived errors gets to sounding like a lack of love: gong, gong, gong.
I keep thinking about the guidelines that existed on the World blog (always needed for all of us, in my view).
But there was this when the offshoot blog began, maybe we can bring that back?
~ “This blog is a place for folks to have their “voices” heard. It’s for conversation, interaction, and a chance to hear what others are thinking. Most are Christian, some are not, but all are welcome. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I believe He was crucified, died, was entombed, has risen, and will be coming again. I hope for those beliefs to be obvious, and that you would become better aquainted with all that this entails. I hope to introduce you to some people who are working to make this world better, thru their actions, and service to the world in His name. The rules are simple. Be nice, be respectful of others with differing views, and no cussing. I hope you enjoy it.” ~
Janice – This thread is supposed to be for discussion. Disagreement is part of that.
The hateful prejudice of that person on X does not seem to me to be something to be overlooked.
Quite frankly, I had recently made the determination to not comment here much anymore since I do not feel welcome, and realized that it being me bringing up that post would probably mean that my point could be easily dismissed. But I felt that it was important enough to point out what I did.
Considering that this is a blog filled with Christians, letting that post sit without any comment would seem like we are all okay with that kind of thing. We shouldn’t be.
Janice, I look at the News/Politics thread differently from the others. The Daily Thread and Prayer Requests are our lives and each others’ lives, and we do our best to encourage each other. And I think we do see a lot of encouragement there and I hope you are encouraged yourself.
In this thread, for commentary and discussion on news and politics, if I disagree about something, I might speak up. Or even if I agree with it mostly, if I think there’s a flaw in the argument, I might say so to help make the argument better. It’s not a reflection of my love or care or respect of whoever posted it.
Also, by speaking up on my disagreement, I might get a reply that changes my thinking, which is helpful to me.
Speaking of replies that change my thinking, AJ, thank you for replying to my comment the other day on the unrealized capital gains tax. I was not aware of the background of the economist you were quoting. I still wonder how he arrived at his percentage, but at least I respect his credentials.
There were people paid as part of their careers to keep up the World blog. When we went out on our own without the World umbrella, I did not have the expectation it would be the same. That was a good gift from God we received in the past.
The expectation that things would and could remain the same are not reasonable in my opinion. We went out in uncharted territory. No one offered up front to set up rules and no one was given a position as policing authority. So many things have been assumed over the years.
I don’t have any answers. I don’t know if anything I say makes much difference to anyone. I just see that there is strife, and it is ugly. Does Kizzie want to be the designated one that AJ has to get to vet or edit everything before he posts it? Would you have the time and desire to do that, Kizzie? Would that be a fair and equitable presentation of both sides and always ensure the truth is told, swearing on the Bible we have the truth and nothing but the truth? Anybody have suggestions other than a Make the Blog Great Again as it Was Under World? These are all unpaid positions.
As for me, I think AJ has done a great job overall, and I appreciate all he has done and he has not taken a dime in pay. No one else has given nearly so much.
I was thinking back to how on the World blog we were all commenting mostly on the news as reported by World Magazine, which to the best they could, was from A godly perspective. It was limited in scope which made a huge difference. And we also had personal news mixed in with that, no segregated threads, if I recall correctly, except for Rants and Raves? Correct me if my memory fails me.
If someone on X or other social media uses bad language, I don’t hold AJ accountable for that. I try to over look the language and find a nugget of truth if it can be found. If it is not there for me then I shrug my shoulders and think someone else saw something I will never get.
The sub-Saharan comment was so beyond me that I just did not grasp that it was a racial comment even though I was curious, but not that curious as to what it was referring to. In my innocence, it slipped right by me. But, then again, I was not looking to be offended.
We did at some point have a daily open thread on the World Mag Blog, which Lynn Vincent cleverly named Whirled Views. I think that’s a lot of where our friend-making happened.
I caught the ‘sub-saharan’ comment, didn’t really understand or care for the term and didn’t look further. Not the best terminology since it’s a broad brush. We have a Denny’s not too far away that we used to go to. The employees of most chain restaurants are not that well paid. I’m not sure I understand the benefits of taking a swipe at people who work hard for a living and are not well paid for the trouble. If the writer is talking about crime by poor or black people, there are better ways of saying it, I think. But I didn’t think it was an issue worth trotting out the Bible to show everyone the error of their ways on the blog.
mumsee, very possible to have animated (but not offensive) discussions!
I think there is a line that can be crossed and I suspect most of us sense what that it when we see it.
As for “trotting out the Bible,” well, guess I’d say that’s always a worthwhile light in which to view most things, including our words and behavior? Maybe I’m wrong or overthinking it.
I also don’t believe any of us here *seeks* to find or “take offense.” Again, when it’s there, it’s there and most of us will recognize that – whether to mention that or not is a matter of discernment, often we all just let those things go.
Posting gives us a huge advantage in choosing our words and ideas (and sources — I agree with Kevin on the Cato Institute and the other source, can’t remember what it was, that AJ used for his more serious responses; we can agree or not with those sources, but they are serious and thoughtful and can help us with our own decision-making process).
When writing a response, we can (none of us is perfectly faithful to do this, me included) pause and re-read or rethink or do further research before we hit “post.” We can even copy and paste a draft comment to ourselves first if we feel it needs more thought or rewording it might be helpful.
And as for letting things go, I find it helpful personally to fast from this particular thread from time to time. No reading, no posting. I’ll usually look at the other threads, but not this one after it’s become too inflammatory (in my view).
Janice – AJ voluntarily runs this blog, particular the news thread, because he has, as it seems, a deep interest in news and politics. As such, it really should be up to him to double-check his posts and sources before sharing them. To post something without checking it out risks spreading rumors and/or bearing false witness.
As I have sometimes said on Facebook, if you don’t have time to look into a matter more deeply, then you don’t have time to share it.
DJ shared AJ’s old message in the “About” section, in which he invited us to participate and engage in discussion. That’s what I am doing.
That post yesterday was prejudiced and nasty, and that should have been pointed out by someone. When I came to the blog this morning, I was hoping that someone else had done so, knowing that my doing so could only end up with me being criticized for pointing it out. But it was important enough for me to do so.
And Janice, I was not looking to be offended, either. We are supposed to be innocent as doves, but also wise as serpents.
(AJ – I’m sorry. I did not want to make this personal, but am merely trying to reply to Janice’s comments. Also, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt, that perhaps you did not catch what that guy was really saying.)
Debra – I did not intend to show anyone the error of their ways, but to give a head’s up about what that guy was actually saying, and the fact that he apparently tends to post anti-black posts on X.
As I just addressed to AJ, I realize that he may not have caught the guy’s intent, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt on that.
I’m sorry I’m not up on what’s offense to some or not. Isn’t sub saharans a reference to where they’re from? Is doing that offensive now? Why is that offensive? Should the term be Sub-Saharan Americans?
——
I will obviously never not offend some of you. But thankfully, you’ll be here to let me know if I do.
Obviously, I am not wise as a serpent :-), but perhaps there is still time for me to grow into that. I wish He’d used an animal other than a snake, maybe an owl. I’d prefer to be wise as an owl. But I defer to Him. A snake it is.
I’m reminded of how a co-worker, a person from the deep south, would refer to blacks as Canadians . . . just her way of being subtle. I never joined in her cleverness, btw.
AJ – The people he was putting down were black and American, not necessarily from the region of the Sahara. What I found was that he uses that term in place of the more offensive terms that I will not point out here. And part of his quote included “their usual hostility”, which is definitely indicates prejudice. (I am purposely refraining from using the word “racist”, although it, too, may apply.)
Despite my not addressing that initial comment to you, apologizing to you for mentioning you in my comment to Janice, and telling you that I was giving you the benefit of the doubt that you did not necessarily agree with what that guy was getting at, you still assume that I am saying that you offended me, and are giving me the implied eyeroll. * sigh *
Why would that poster use “that” term (odd, no?) in an X post clearly designed to malign those same people? Coincidence? I wonder. Did he quickly somehow research where they were from and so used the term that specifically to their exact birthplace? Impressive research skills, if so.
The plain reading of it says it would appear to be a too-clever ‘cover’ to call people out by their race.
When in doubt, leave it out. A good rule of thumb helpful in the age of social media.
DJ – From the little I saw on Google, it seems that guy uses that term in posts in which he shares videos of black people behaving badly, as if behaving badly is a particularly black trait. 😦 He uses it in place of the racist words he wouldn’t be able to get away with.
I find that in some restaurants and other service businesses around here that there is reverse racism, and I feel sure there are names used for us Whities. It is not right, either way, but it is rarely mentioned about the reverse side and awful treatment we suffer.
A restaurant we loved in our neighborhood had great food and service, but was taken over by blacks exclusively who managed and staffed it. They changed the music, and were so slow in service, and exhibited disdain for certain customers. Sadly, it was not long before it went under based on that poor management and bad treatment of customers. People do get frustrated about things like that and don’t use kind words to vent their frustrations. We’d still be going to that neighborhood restaurant if it had not gone so downhill long before Covid shut down so many.
DJ – Apparently, the use of the term “sub-saharan” in a racist way has been around for a while. I was not aware of that, but the tone of the guy’s quote clued me in to that, and that he was not merely referring to a geological area of Africa.
“Reverse” racism — but that is nothing like the actual thing that really did occur in this nation. That history isn’t something that can be forgotten overnight but it is hard for those of us in the majority to understand and feel or experience. It left damage and ripple effects still felt today, economically but also in so many other ways. Actual racism still exists. And, fair or not, the “majority” white population will feel the heat of that for a while.
God calls us beyond that, of course, and our hope remains in his sovereignty — but also realizing the lessons of past sins, ours or others’, and that those ramifications remain with us, sadly. So we are still called to be a people of understanding.
Big difference between the real racism and what it did to so many families, still affecting their offspring and heirs, and (presumed?) ‘reverse’ racism of an occasional rudeness.
Even if reverse racism is not as egregious as slavery, let’s not minimize the sting and hurt of those who experience it.
I wonder if it happens more in the South. I can only think of one time I experienced reverse racism myself, and it wasn’t really being mistreated or disadvantaged, just judged negatively by my race.
I was waiting at a bus stop heading for work in LA. A Hispanic high school girl asked me for money. I asked her what it was for, and it was something I thought frivolous [like gum or something. It wasn’t food, and she clearly was not homeless or starving]. I declined. She walked away saying “White people are so…” I forget what word she used, stuck-up, selfish, mean, something like that.
I’m not sure if I was more stunned by her feeling so entitled or by her turning it into a race thing.
But that was very mild compared to what Janice described.
Kevin, I appreciate that, but … still. Really? And sometimes people are just being jerks, we read into it the “reverse” racism. We don’t know their motives, we only guess at them from the outside.
I feel certain that you do not know the extent of reverse racism, Dj. Is shaming children in school a good thing because of the color of their skin? Oh, it’s really nothing, people should not be so easily offended.
Those who have not lived under the oppression of it should not be so quick to say it is really nothing. Yes, true, it is not being ripped from one’s family and boarded on a slave ship. I get that. But to blame all that horrendous past evil on innocent white children who are in public school because of poverty . . . where is the compassion? A lot of the slaves were rounded up and sold by greedy bullies of their own race in their own land. It was an equal opportunity kind of evil. Evil perpetrated by both races, colluding for selfish gain, not unlike human traffickers of today. Difference between then and now? The numbers are much bigger.
Kevin, When you’re not a racist, and therefore not accustomed to rehearsing racial grievances in your own head, it can be difficult or even shocking to hear someone expressing racism toward you. On the other hand, someone who has experienced actual racism on a frequent basis may have the dual difficulty of dealing with the inner dialogue it would naturally create, and the racism itself. To me racism is always a little shocking and discomfiting whether it’s being shown to someone else or to me.
I said there is a history and a perspective that goes with all of it. It’s part of our world and part of our nation, and that may always be so though I am hopeful it someday will subside.
Amen. It is corporate sin of mankind. It seems to be in all people to desire in one way or another to Lord it over others. But following Jesus redirects us to let Him be Lord of all so that fleshly desire is defeated by the authority of Jesus.
Wandering Views 
First Aurora, now Chicago.
Blame the Border Czar, Kamala Harris.
Since the dems in charge will deny it, they included the 911 call.
https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1830807423206015453?t=1ammCYdTpBXa0mSF2u7XwQ&s=19
“A group of 32 armed Venezualans took over an apartment building in Chicago tonight. Here’s the audio of the 911 dispatch call.
First they did this in Aurora, CO and now Chicago? Which city will be next?
This invasion happened on Kamala’s watch.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like her ethnicity, her speech changes on a whim, for whatever audience she’s trying to appeal to.
And say what you will about Trump, he rifts, his speeches are never the same, they have variety. Kamala works straight from the script.
https://x.com/greg_price11/status/1830739171234787649?t=gZ9RUCVAhmJCgD3clBPhoQ&s=19
“Kamala Harris speaking in Detroit earlier today vs Pittsburgh a few hours later.
Same speech. Two entirely different accents.
She’s the fakest human being that has ever lived.”
LikeLike
“Venezuela’s socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro and his regime just issued an arrest warrant against opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez for questioning the results of the recent election
This is a textbook copy of what American Democrats did to President Trump
The truth is that the opposition was wise to acquire election result tally sheets from 80% of the voting stations before the regime could confiscate and change them. The real results showed an overwhelming victory for the opposition and a final defeat of the socialist regime. Maduro is now on a manhunt for all his opponents
I don’t often advocate for foreign interventions, but I hope Venezuela’s neighboring countries help the people because what’s happening there isn’t sustainable.”
https://x.com/BehizyTweets/status/1830731502507937978?t=09V5qSmGMDJ8_VG6BGmOqQ&s=19
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a fake and a phoney. See for yourself.
https://x.com/_johnnymaga/status/1830733169072767446?t=ZZcBVljfIR7nHYwCc7bQrg&s=19
“Kamala in Detroit vs. Kamala in Pittsburgh — literally 5 hours apart
The difference is insane”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Audition as a voice over for a new career?
LikeLiked by 2 people
The reference in a post yesterday to a Denny’s got my attention because years ago, before the girls came along, Hubby and I would often go to a Denny’s for dinner on Friday evenings after work. These days, I think there may be only one Denny’s left in our general area, and I’m not even sure about that one. Anyway, that’s why I was curious about the video, so I watched it.
What bothered me was the quote on the post (emphasis mine):
~ “Let’s take a brief look at the Denny’s sub-saharans, who resorted to their usuаl һostіӏіty after being held аccountable for serving customers expіred meats and оperating the establishment in an іnsеct-іnfеstеd еnvironment.” ~
The Denny’s employees were black, but they sounded American, not “sub-saharan”. This quote sounds very prejudiced, and it surprised me that the person who wrote it was so blatant about their prejudice. Then I briefly googled the name the guy goes by (“MuhSocioFactors”), and saw that he uses that “sub-saharan” term in other anti-black people posts.
Yes, one can find plenty of videos of black people being violent and acting out. But guess what? There are also plenty of videos of white people being violent and acting out. You find what you look for.
People are people, and violence and bad behavior does not have a color scheme.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That didn’t sit well with me either, Kizzie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing on “X” should shock us anymore. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now we have gang members in Chicago (and vets elsewhere) threatening to “take care of business” because the police and government officials aren’t doing anything about Venezualan illegals who have invaded apartment buildings in Aurora and Chicago. Coming soon – gang wars?
I know which presidential candidate, who, as president, would have such problems taken care of in no time…
LikeLike
I noticed the phrase and thought it odd, but passed over the post. I am glad I had discernment. I don’t look at all things here, just what is of interest to me personally. I guess since we don’t have Denny’s near here, as far as I know, that is why I passed it by.
X is a mixed bag. We don’t need to spend precious time on every detail that we can criticize. As Christians we need to be grace givers and encouragers. I encourage all of us to focus on the good and drop what is displeasing. I wish I could hear more encouragement here. Everyone makes a mistake at times in what they post or share. To constantly point out errors or perceived errors gets to sounding like a lack of love: gong, gong, gong.
LikeLike
I keep thinking about the guidelines that existed on the World blog (always needed for all of us, in my view).
But there was this when the offshoot blog began, maybe we can bring that back?
~ “This blog is a place for folks to have their “voices” heard. It’s for conversation, interaction, and a chance to hear what others are thinking. Most are Christian, some are not, but all are welcome. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I believe He was crucified, died, was entombed, has risen, and will be coming again. I hope for those beliefs to be obvious, and that you would become better aquainted with all that this entails. I hope to introduce you to some people who are working to make this world better, thru their actions, and service to the world in His name. The rules are simple. Be nice, be respectful of others with differing views, and no cussing. I hope you enjoy it.” ~
Just a thought …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Janice – This thread is supposed to be for discussion. Disagreement is part of that.
The hateful prejudice of that person on X does not seem to me to be something to be overlooked.
Quite frankly, I had recently made the determination to not comment here much anymore since I do not feel welcome, and realized that it being me bringing up that post would probably mean that my point could be easily dismissed. But I felt that it was important enough to point out what I did.
Considering that this is a blog filled with Christians, letting that post sit without any comment would seem like we are all okay with that kind of thing. We shouldn’t be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janice, I look at the News/Politics thread differently from the others. The Daily Thread and Prayer Requests are our lives and each others’ lives, and we do our best to encourage each other. And I think we do see a lot of encouragement there and I hope you are encouraged yourself.
In this thread, for commentary and discussion on news and politics, if I disagree about something, I might speak up. Or even if I agree with it mostly, if I think there’s a flaw in the argument, I might say so to help make the argument better. It’s not a reflection of my love or care or respect of whoever posted it.
Also, by speaking up on my disagreement, I might get a reply that changes my thinking, which is helpful to me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Speaking of replies that change my thinking, AJ, thank you for replying to my comment the other day on the unrealized capital gains tax. I was not aware of the background of the economist you were quoting. I still wonder how he arrived at his percentage, but at least I respect his credentials.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were people paid as part of their careers to keep up the World blog. When we went out on our own without the World umbrella, I did not have the expectation it would be the same. That was a good gift from God we received in the past.
The expectation that things would and could remain the same are not reasonable in my opinion. We went out in uncharted territory. No one offered up front to set up rules and no one was given a position as policing authority. So many things have been assumed over the years.
I don’t have any answers. I don’t know if anything I say makes much difference to anyone. I just see that there is strife, and it is ugly. Does Kizzie want to be the designated one that AJ has to get to vet or edit everything before he posts it? Would you have the time and desire to do that, Kizzie? Would that be a fair and equitable presentation of both sides and always ensure the truth is told, swearing on the Bible we have the truth and nothing but the truth? Anybody have suggestions other than a Make the Blog Great Again as it Was Under World? These are all unpaid positions.
As for me, I think AJ has done a great job overall, and I appreciate all he has done and he has not taken a dime in pay. No one else has given nearly so much.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was thinking back to how on the World blog we were all commenting mostly on the news as reported by World Magazine, which to the best they could, was from A godly perspective. It was limited in scope which made a huge difference. And we also had personal news mixed in with that, no segregated threads, if I recall correctly, except for Rants and Raves? Correct me if my memory fails me.
If someone on X or other social media uses bad language, I don’t hold AJ accountable for that. I try to over look the language and find a nugget of truth if it can be found. If it is not there for me then I shrug my shoulders and think someone else saw something I will never get.
The sub-Saharan comment was so beyond me that I just did not grasp that it was a racial comment even though I was curious, but not that curious as to what it was referring to. In my innocence, it slipped right by me. But, then again, I was not looking to be offended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We did at some point have a daily open thread on the World Mag Blog, which Lynn Vincent cleverly named Whirled Views. I think that’s a lot of where our friend-making happened.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What Kevin said. I would like to see what DJ quoted from World posted on here once a day and we all try to abide by it. Nobody needs to be policing.
I do recall some rather animated theological discussions, starting with my question on infant baptism, throughout our time on World.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 2 people
I caught the ‘sub-saharan’ comment, didn’t really understand or care for the term and didn’t look further. Not the best terminology since it’s a broad brush. We have a Denny’s not too far away that we used to go to. The employees of most chain restaurants are not that well paid. I’m not sure I understand the benefits of taking a swipe at people who work hard for a living and are not well paid for the trouble. If the writer is talking about crime by poor or black people, there are better ways of saying it, I think. But I didn’t think it was an issue worth trotting out the Bible to show everyone the error of their ways on the blog.
My 2 cents, and worth every penny. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
mumsee, very possible to have animated (but not offensive) discussions!
I think there is a line that can be crossed and I suspect most of us sense what that it when we see it.
As for “trotting out the Bible,” well, guess I’d say that’s always a worthwhile light in which to view most things, including our words and behavior? Maybe I’m wrong or overthinking it.
I also don’t believe any of us here *seeks* to find or “take offense.” Again, when it’s there, it’s there and most of us will recognize that – whether to mention that or not is a matter of discernment, often we all just let those things go.
Posting gives us a huge advantage in choosing our words and ideas (and sources — I agree with Kevin on the Cato Institute and the other source, can’t remember what it was, that AJ used for his more serious responses; we can agree or not with those sources, but they are serious and thoughtful and can help us with our own decision-making process).
When writing a response, we can (none of us is perfectly faithful to do this, me included) pause and re-read or rethink or do further research before we hit “post.” We can even copy and paste a draft comment to ourselves first if we feel it needs more thought or rewording it might be helpful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And as for letting things go, I find it helpful personally to fast from this particular thread from time to time. No reading, no posting. I’ll usually look at the other threads, but not this one after it’s become too inflammatory (in my view).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Janice – AJ voluntarily runs this blog, particular the news thread, because he has, as it seems, a deep interest in news and politics. As such, it really should be up to him to double-check his posts and sources before sharing them. To post something without checking it out risks spreading rumors and/or bearing false witness.
As I have sometimes said on Facebook, if you don’t have time to look into a matter more deeply, then you don’t have time to share it.
DJ shared AJ’s old message in the “About” section, in which he invited us to participate and engage in discussion. That’s what I am doing.
That post yesterday was prejudiced and nasty, and that should have been pointed out by someone. When I came to the blog this morning, I was hoping that someone else had done so, knowing that my doing so could only end up with me being criticized for pointing it out. But it was important enough for me to do so.
And Janice, I was not looking to be offended, either. We are supposed to be innocent as doves, but also wise as serpents.
(AJ – I’m sorry. I did not want to make this personal, but am merely trying to reply to Janice’s comments. Also, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt, that perhaps you did not catch what that guy was really saying.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Debra – I did not intend to show anyone the error of their ways, but to give a head’s up about what that guy was actually saying, and the fact that he apparently tends to post anti-black posts on X.
As I just addressed to AJ, I realize that he may not have caught the guy’s intent, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt on that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
BTW, I did not even address my initial comment today to AJ. I was referring to the X post, and the guy who wrote it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry I’m not up on what’s offense to some or not. Isn’t sub saharans a reference to where they’re from? Is doing that offensive now? Why is that offensive? Should the term be Sub-Saharan Americans?
——
I will obviously never not offend some of you. But thankfully, you’ll be here to let me know if I do.
The eyeroll is implied.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now this, this is offensive..
https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/1830757963109224647?t=WL-bcB7lfUtibKekOpdT7g&s=19
“75% of recent arrests in Midtown Manhattan for assauIt, burglaries, and domestic vioIence are illegal aliens.
SEVENTY. FIVE. PERCENT.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Obviously, I am not wise as a serpent :-), but perhaps there is still time for me to grow into that. I wish He’d used an animal other than a snake, maybe an owl. I’d prefer to be wise as an owl. But I defer to Him. A snake it is.
I’m reminded of how a co-worker, a person from the deep south, would refer to blacks as Canadians . . . just her way of being subtle. I never joined in her cleverness, btw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
AJ – The people he was putting down were black and American, not necessarily from the region of the Sahara. What I found was that he uses that term in place of the more offensive terms that I will not point out here. And part of his quote included “their usual hostility”, which is definitely indicates prejudice. (I am purposely refraining from using the word “racist”, although it, too, may apply.)
Despite my not addressing that initial comment to you, apologizing to you for mentioning you in my comment to Janice, and telling you that I was giving you the benefit of the doubt that you did not necessarily agree with what that guy was getting at, you still assume that I am saying that you offended me, and are giving me the implied eyeroll. * sigh *
LikeLike
Why would that poster use “that” term (odd, no?) in an X post clearly designed to malign those same people? Coincidence? I wonder. Did he quickly somehow research where they were from and so used the term that specifically to their exact birthplace? Impressive research skills, if so.
The plain reading of it says it would appear to be a too-clever ‘cover’ to call people out by their race.
When in doubt, leave it out. A good rule of thumb helpful in the age of social media.
LikeLiked by 2 people
DJ – From the little I saw on Google, it seems that guy uses that term in posts in which he shares videos of black people behaving badly, as if behaving badly is a particularly black trait. 😦 He uses it in place of the racist words he wouldn’t be able to get away with.
LikeLike
The intent is actually pretty transparent by its very weirdness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And this doesn’t (really) surprise us. Nothing new under the sun, of course.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find that in some restaurants and other service businesses around here that there is reverse racism, and I feel sure there are names used for us Whities. It is not right, either way, but it is rarely mentioned about the reverse side and awful treatment we suffer.
A restaurant we loved in our neighborhood had great food and service, but was taken over by blacks exclusively who managed and staffed it. They changed the music, and were so slow in service, and exhibited disdain for certain customers. Sadly, it was not long before it went under based on that poor management and bad treatment of customers. People do get frustrated about things like that and don’t use kind words to vent their frustrations. We’d still be going to that neighborhood restaurant if it had not gone so downhill long before Covid shut down so many.
LikeLike
DJ – Apparently, the use of the term “sub-saharan” in a racist way has been around for a while. I was not aware of that, but the tone of the guy’s quote clued me in to that, and that he was not merely referring to a geological area of Africa.
LikeLike
Not shocked, Kizzie.
“Reverse” racism — but that is nothing like the actual thing that really did occur in this nation. That history isn’t something that can be forgotten overnight but it is hard for those of us in the majority to understand and feel or experience. It left damage and ripple effects still felt today, economically but also in so many other ways. Actual racism still exists. And, fair or not, the “majority” white population will feel the heat of that for a while.
God calls us beyond that, of course, and our hope remains in his sovereignty — but also realizing the lessons of past sins, ours or others’, and that those ramifications remain with us, sadly. So we are still called to be a people of understanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big difference between the real racism and what it did to so many families, still affecting their offspring and heirs, and (presumed?) ‘reverse’ racism of an occasional rudeness.
LikeLike
And we simply cannot know someone else’s motives or reasons for what we may feel is their slight of us; they could just be having a really bad day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Calling out actual racism is always a good call. I don’t ever use the term ‘reverse racism’. Racism is racism is racism. But that’s just me I guess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even if reverse racism is not as egregious as slavery, let’s not minimize the sting and hurt of those who experience it.
I wonder if it happens more in the South. I can only think of one time I experienced reverse racism myself, and it wasn’t really being mistreated or disadvantaged, just judged negatively by my race.
I was waiting at a bus stop heading for work in LA. A Hispanic high school girl asked me for money. I asked her what it was for, and it was something I thought frivolous [like gum or something. It wasn’t food, and she clearly was not homeless or starving]. I declined. She walked away saying “White people are so…” I forget what word she used, stuck-up, selfish, mean, something like that.
I’m not sure if I was more stunned by her feeling so entitled or by her turning it into a race thing.
But that was very mild compared to what Janice described.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Kevin, I appreciate that, but … still. Really? And sometimes people are just being jerks, we read into it the “reverse” racism. We don’t know their motives, we only guess at them from the outside.
Either way, perspective is important.
LikeLike
I feel certain that you do not know the extent of reverse racism, Dj. Is shaming children in school a good thing because of the color of their skin? Oh, it’s really nothing, people should not be so easily offended.
Those who have not lived under the oppression of it should not be so quick to say it is really nothing. Yes, true, it is not being ripped from one’s family and boarded on a slave ship. I get that. But to blame all that horrendous past evil on innocent white children who are in public school because of poverty . . . where is the compassion? A lot of the slaves were rounded up and sold by greedy bullies of their own race in their own land. It was an equal opportunity kind of evil. Evil perpetrated by both races, colluding for selfish gain, not unlike human traffickers of today. Difference between then and now? The numbers are much bigger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin, When you’re not a racist, and therefore not accustomed to rehearsing racial grievances in your own head, it can be difficult or even shocking to hear someone expressing racism toward you. On the other hand, someone who has experienced actual racism on a frequent basis may have the dual difficulty of dealing with the inner dialogue it would naturally create, and the racism itself. To me racism is always a little shocking and discomfiting whether it’s being shown to someone else or to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never said it was “nothing.”
I said there is a history and a perspective that goes with all of it. It’s part of our world and part of our nation, and that may always be so though I am hopeful it someday will subside.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It all comes back to living in a broken world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen. It is corporate sin of mankind. It seems to be in all people to desire in one way or another to Lord it over others. But following Jesus redirects us to let Him be Lord of all so that fleshly desire is defeated by the authority of Jesus.
LikeLiked by 1 person