Telling It Like It Is

[babylonsister]

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/reading-ta-nehisi-coates-is-like-having.html

Telling It Like It Is
digby

snip//


When I was done reading all these posts I was reminded of someone else who had an elegant way with words who found it necessary to remind people of good will that justice isn't negotiable:

I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

The above quote comes from here:

"Letter from a Birmingham Jail {King, Jr.}"

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

[ThomCat]

1. Unfortunately, a very relivant quote still today.

It has been so very appropriate many times in discussions here over the past few years.

Not just when discussing racism, but sexism, and homophobia too, and specific examples like choice and gay marriage. :(

If you are a member of the dominant power group ("the majority"), and you claim to support the rights of a "minority group" you really need to understand that the minority group has a legitimate and valuable need to be radical, active and outspoken. If you really, truly are an ally, you should support this.

("Majority" and "Minority" are in quotes because in the case of men and women in particular, men are not really a majority and women are not a minority. Men just have a lot more power and act like they are a majority.)

[Number23]

2. One of the greatest things to come out of the black American South since the blues

What a marvelous man. And Ta-Nehisi Coates is pretty great too.

Kicked and rec'd