Is it in vogue to denounce America?

[FAMU]

Seriously... because some of the topics and replies I've read around this site since last 9-11-01 would indicate that, at least to some, it is. For those of you who feel like America got "what it deserved" on 9-11-01... please... for an unaware brother who crams to understand your reasoning... explain to me how you can feel alright even LIVING... working... existing in a country of which you think so little.

Some of you are coming out of the woodwork with some comments that have me wondering WTF you're doing here if you hate the country so damn much!!!!!!:blast

[Brightness]

I don't think it has anything to do with being 'en vogue' at all.

As for myself, I've had critical thoughts and opinions long before the bombing of the trade center and I refuse to just shut up about VALID points, thoughts or concerns I have because they don't fit in with the majority or because they are thought to go against popular beliefs.

For those who don't have as strong feelings, haven't had some of the experiences that other have had and can sweep the feelings of others aside with statements like "you've got it good here" or "go live somewhere else if you hate America so much", etc. etc. . . .I think that's just the type of attitude that White people appreciate them having and they feel that they've trained them well. . .it's the other unruly, unpatriotic and vocal ones that's getting under their (and some people here, too) skins.

The average White person feels they are fighting for the good of established and current White America and in my opinion that's what they want the Black or other ethnic person to fight for. . .the good of established and current White America. I personally have a problem with that.

Because no matter what LeRoy, Antonio, RayShawn and DeMarcus do overseas or wherever in the name of AMERICA, they have, can and will still come back over here on AMERICAN soil and still be BOY to a good portion of Americans. That's been proven time and time again.

So, can I honestly tell any Black person who has concerns about defending a country with that type of mentality to 'sit down and be quiet because it could be worse'?

And as far as living, working and existing in a country of which you think so little. Did Mandela follow that line of thinking and leave Africa or was he vocal about his displeasure and deal with the repercussions? You can even look at Afghanistan and the Afghans who are in opposition to the Taleban's rule should they leave their country because they disagree with those in control?

Leaving isn't necessarily the answer in all or most cases, it's being vocal and evoking some change which is ultimately more effective. So, I think the same can apply with people who live here, agree that something must be done to protect our country but all the while can still cite their differences with the majority opinion.

I hope that makes some kind of sense. . .I don't know how else to explain it.

[lasttry]

Originally posted by Brightness+
Leaving isn't necessarily the answer in all or most cases, it's being vocal and evoking some change which is ultimately more effective.

that's my problem with these folks.. all they are doing is being vocal...they sound like a record....they are not trying to evoke any change.... many of them don't vote, have only started to follow the news in the last two weeks and are just fussing to fuss...
where were these comments before sept. 11 or better yet....whose gonna run for a local, state or national office and TRY to change the situation for LeRoy, Antonio, RayShawn and DeMarcus

we are americans so i say if you can root for vince carter and kevin garnett and every other american during the olympics...then why not at least show some solidarity when YOUR COUNTRY IS BEING ATTACKED...

news flash...before the world trade center and pentagon hit..the same man accused of organizing it bombed US embassies in tanzania and kenya...(yall know that's in AFRICA right? the red black and green) and when they showed it on tv i didn't see hardly any white people being pulled from the rubble...they were basically alll BLACK....now none of us (white or black) were up in arms over that like we are now....but maybe us AMERICAN black folks should have took the lead expressing sorrow and outrage for the attacks on those AFRICAN black folks...at our US embassy....

some folks seem like they not gonna feel upset and outraged until the plane crashes in their own back yard....

black folks will be lined up to buy the new jordans with the washington wizard colors to go with their tommy jeans and dkny sweater, don't forget the bling bling either.... but gonna get mad if somebody else want to raise a damn flag...

[Brightness]

Okay, I feel you on that one lasttry, indeed talk is cheap. . .at some point you need back it up.

There are some things you can accept whether you like it or not but there are some things that you deserve to question at the same time. I feel this situation is one of them.

True, I have never doubted that there needs to be some sort of military action taken. I have friends in the military and when this happened my thoughts went to them immediately.

I don't know about everyone else who has military ties but not everyone who is in there feels overwhelming like the people who will never see war face-to-face, flag-waving and talking about going somewhere and kicking some bin Laden ass from their nice cozy livingroom. There are some men in there who do have ambivalent feelings about this country but still choose to remain in for whatever the reason. Some of these men aren't gung-ho waving flags or feeling overcome to shout "God Bless America" but neither are they fearing being deployed and doing the job they are being sent there to do.

I just don't feel like you have to be on one side or the other with this whole deal. . . .there is a lot of gray area and there are a lot of people who encompass that gray area but who are being tossed by default to the 'unpatriotic' side by the die-hard patriots.

I could give a damn about who waves a flag, sings Stars & Stripes Forever while beating a drum and playing a flute but I don't expect to be faulted for not feeling and saying I don't feel that way. I had to articulate my feelings about this when my job was talking about wearing red, white and blue and praying, etc.

I informed them that I stayed in prayer way before this happened and would continue to do so. . . I didn't need an edict from President Bush to tell me what to pray for or when to pray. I've been praying since he got into office that the Lord grant him some wisdom to run this country for the good of it's people and not just let him be an extension of his father.

And as far as voting. . . .I may as well be the national spokesperson for this issue. . .I've been talking about that forever to whomever will listen. With the unrest in Cincinnati was an example but actually way before then I was talking to people to register and vote on issue not just during presidential elections. I cannot vote for city of Cincinnati issues but that doesn't stop me from talking to the people who can and are able to do so. I have been thinking moreso this year than any other that I'm going to volunteer my time to educate Blacks about the voting process and it's relevance to us. . .you'd be amazed how some people just don't get the concept of electing officials, city council meetings, filing petitions, etc.

Okay, I'm off the subject slightly but I guess I said all that to say that I have tried to look at this from all angles and to understand more points beside my own. . .and part of understanding is to question or to ask for clarification and sometimes it is to express your opposition.