Jesus Is Lord
Give Thanks, Repent, and Forgive
Before I answer. Are you a Black breh or a white breh?
Can and should black people be patriotic ?
- Thread starter Rhapscallion Démone
- Start date
Nope. How could any black person consider themselves "patriotic" when Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Terrence Crutcher, Mike Brown, Alton Sterling, Tamir Rice (you get my drift) were murdered and the people who did it ALL got off with no charges.
fukk THIS COUNTRY!
fukk THIS COUNTRY!
FeloniousMonk
Dont mind me..Im a azzhole
Im patriotic in the sense of what the country stands for..
Not for what it represents..
Not for what it represents..
Rob be spitting that fire
PhonZhi
Veteran
Barry and Michelle have been accused of being unpatriotic for just referencing slavery and Trayvon.
That James Baldwin quote about loving America so much he insists on criticizing it comes to mind. I think the answer to the question is nuanced and in addition the experiences of modern day Black people in America aren't monolith. I think thats why so many Black people on this board bump heads because not all of our experiences are the same.
But in relation to the thread question, quite a few Black people have prospered in this country and those oppurtunities wouldnt have been available in most other countries. Which is why so many foreigners are literally dying to get here including Haitians and Africans. That said, can you blame Black Americans for having pride in the country they've been able to prosper within? The flipside of that coin is for those same successful Black people, how do you turn a blind eye on the systemic racism still operating and its victims? Which goes back to the James Baldwin quote. Can you be patriotic and critical of your country at the same time? I think you can do both.
My personal conviction though, I'm not patriotic. Personally, I think patriotism is idolatry. Nothing wrong with being prideful about where you're from, but outright patriotism is the same as bowing down to a god in my opinion. The same way ignorant natives bow down to an image and sacrificed their children, modern day patriots bow down to a flag by saluting it. They sacrifice their children to the interests of oil companies, the Saudis, and Israelis and call it the ultimate sacrifice. Many of them are Christian too but instead of worshiping God they worship the ideal of Democracy and the Republic. They worship it. I can't cosign that.
But in relation to the thread question, quite a few Black people have prospered in this country and those oppurtunities wouldnt have been available in most other countries. Which is why so many foreigners are literally dying to get here including Haitians and Africans. That said, can you blame Black Americans for having pride in the country they've been able to prosper within? The flipside of that coin is for those same successful Black people, how do you turn a blind eye on the systemic racism still operating and its victims? Which goes back to the James Baldwin quote. Can you be patriotic and critical of your country at the same time? I think you can do both.
My personal conviction though, I'm not patriotic. Personally, I think patriotism is idolatry. Nothing wrong with being prideful about where you're from, but outright patriotism is the same as bowing down to a god in my opinion. The same way ignorant natives bow down to an image and sacrificed their children, modern day patriots bow down to a flag by saluting it. They sacrifice their children to the interests of oil companies, the Saudis, and Israelis and call it the ultimate sacrifice. Many of them are Christian too but instead of worshiping God they worship the ideal of Democracy and the Republic. They worship it. I can't cosign that.
I'M BLACK.
OneManGang
Veteran
You both make good points though. What's stopping you? If you had the money would you bop?
YOU CAN'T UP AND LEAVE BUT YOU CAN START THE PROCESS FOR SURE. I'VE CONSIDERED A FEW PLACES BUT ULTIMATELY USA IS THE PLACE FOR ME RIGHT NOW. I HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS RECENTLY TO MAKE MY TRANSITION AT SOME POINT WHEN MY RESPONSIBILITIES ARE FULFILLED HERE.
I HAVE GIVEN UP ON A FUTURE HERE.
Pure Water
Superstar
If I had the money and linguistics skills I would have been out of here. But most people live paycheck to paycheck so...
I HAVE THE MEANS TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW. WHAT I DON'T HAVE IS THE MEANS TO COMPLETELY SUSTAIN A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL SOMEWHERE ELSE.
MY EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE IS VERY SPECIALIZED. WITHOUT A DEGREE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE MY WORK HISTORY IN ANOTHER FIELD. I'M WORKING ON THAT THOUGH.
OneManGang
Veteran
And there's not a damn thing wrong with that. You go wherever you can make a living for your family. And for me, it's that plus I don't think I could call anywhere else home. If people feel differently, more power to them.