As a white American I have been thinking a lot about this lately

[Harmony Blue]

I wasn't sure how to put what I was thinking all together until now. The reason I was able to put it all together now was that I had a moment of clarity. This clarity is based on thinking about communities in the past (eg Irish, Italian, Greek, German, etc) in United States history. But for the modern, I have seen thriving Jamaican, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Pakistani, Indian, Filipino, Mexican, Brazilian, etc communities in the United States. Having lived and traveled on both coasts of the United States one thing remains clear. Most of the problems encountered by each individual can be countered by having the full support, love and friendship of a community. A community wanting to build something and to rise through hard work and for a better future for the children.

To build a community it doesn't involve pointing fingers but holding hands and offering help. If you know a single mother that has to go to her shift then volunteer to watch her kids for a bit. If you know someone is struggling for food invite them over dinner and treat them like a queen or a king. If you know of someone that is being harassed by the local gang of bullies for walking late at nigh because they do not have a car offer to help them with transportation.

I have observed DU for quite a while and a lot of topics are dominated by black vs white stereotypes and accusations that do no good. It is interesting to me because there is a huge Asian and Latino community in the United States that is often left out of the conversations that take place on DU. The irony is that all this focus on white and black dynamics has caused people to overlook the rising political and economic power of Asian and Latino Americans.

[brush]

1. So your point is . . . .? nt

[RandySF]

2. It's obvious to a Californian, or even a Texan.

But there are huge swaths of the country where the racial dynamic is black and white.

[upaloopa]

3. My wife and I spent last Saturday at Universal Studios

in Hollywood. As White people were most definitely in the minority. I would say 80% of the visitors to the attraction were either Asian or Hispanic.
I am a person who is comfortable with diversity. We all were there to have fun, ride the rides, see the sites, buy the junk in the shops and eat all kinds of food. No matter what language we spoke we all identified with the Minions, the Transformers and the Fast and Furious cars.
We can all get along when we want to.

[Senator Tankerbell]

4. I think that the treatment of black people in America is historically unique.

I don't think you can compare it with other ethic groups. We are still dealing with the effects of the specific oppression inflicted on black people in America. Some aspects of this specific oppression persist to this day.

[qwlauren35]

5. Equally unique

is the treatment of Native Americans... and horrible. And uncorrected.

The one thing about African-Americans that is real is that the individuals, groups of people, or even the government has, on several occasions, done whatever was in its power to destroy thriving black communities. That's part of the uniqueness...

[Senator Tankerbell]

6. I agree.