Introduction Thead!

[xultar]

Hey, I'm Xultar a SBF consultant mid 30's who lives in a Red state, GA.

I will participate and see how things go here in the DU AAIG.

[qanda]

1. I'm pbl, a married black female from Glen Burnie, MD

I home school my two children and help run my husband's business.

[undergroundrailroad]

2. Wow! That's wonderful pbl.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[kitkatrose]

3. I'm kitkatrose, a 19 year old student from Memphis

at Howard University. I'm gonna be some kind of environmental biologist. :hi:

[undergroundrailroad]

4. Hello Everyone! I'm Undergroundrailroad. I am so excited about

this DU group!

I am an African-American civil rights activist and writer. I am also a DU moderator!

I would like to encourage everyone to join this group. There is so much to talk about and I would love to hear from you!

Do you have any experiences to share? I would love to hear them! What is your perspective on the Civil Rights movement?

Please, sign up! Let's make a difference :-)

Best wishes,

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[qanda]

11. Undergroundrailroad...

I responded to you last night and apparently it was when DU went down, because it never posted. However, I just want to say that I love your enthusiasm and look forward to your contriubtion to this group. :hi:

[undergroundrailroad]

43. Thanks!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Nestea]

5. I'm a 27 yo black male from Dallas-FW area.

This subforum looks pretty cool so far.

I am self-employed in the computer industry. I run a small hardware company out of my house and also do some consulting.

Racism is not a big deal here but I have certainly experienced a fair amount during my short life.

[undergroundrailroad]

6. Hi Nestea!

Thanks for joining the group!

So, I see that you're an entrepreneur! Cool.

Thanks for joining the group!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Nestea]

7. Thanks for having me

:hi:

The name is Rick by the way. It was taken though, so I chose this name, for my favorite beverage.

Take care.

[undergroundrailroad]

16. Hi Rick!

Oh, and I LOVE Nestea Ice Tea with mint leaves.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[itzamirakul]

8. Civil Rights Activist...

I'm a Theatre Producer/Director/Playwright living in New York City.

Major interests are Black Theatre History and THE PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS for which I fought in the 1960s.

[undergroundrailroad]

15. Wow! NYC Producer/Director and Playwright!

I agree, nothing is more important than the protection of civil rights. In this regard, I strongly urge voter reform.

Thanks for joining the group itzamirakul!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[undergroundrailroad]

17. itzamirakul

I live in NY. I would love to attend anything you're working on!

UGRR

[goclark]

9. I live in Los Angeles

I am a Consultant for UCLA and I have been a civil rights activist all my adult life.

I hope this forum will be an opportunity for us to share our views about political issues that affect our community.

Someone just emailed me the link to the Black Commentator. I don't always agree with everything that they say but I enjoy reading the articles.

http://www.blackcommentator.com/

[undergroundrailroad]

21. Welcome goclark!

A Consultant for UCLA! Wow!

I also hope this forum will encourage participation in the fascinating subject of civil rights.

Thanks for joining!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Huckebein the Raven]

10. Dark_Leftist, 25, student going to

CBU in Memphis. Native to Memphis as well. Majoring in Computer Science.

:hi:

[undergroundrailroad]

22. Welcome Dark Leftist!

Good luck with your career pursuits!

Thanks for joining.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[msgadget]

12. I'm a liberal, SAHM, registered Independent

and this is the right time to re-evaluate the issue of race in the Democratic party. No longer is it a given that blacks vote blue when the Right is pushing relentlessly to marginalize race as an issue as it wins over voters across the color spectrum. The diversity of the president's cabinet creates a unique challenge for the Democratic party regarding civil rights, Affirmative Action and other such issues. I'm here to get busy! :hi:

[undergroundrailroad]

26. Welcome msgadget!

Excellent points!

Thanks for signing up.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[msgadget]

31. Thank you Underground!

Y'know I keep trying to think of a hot topic starter because inactive forums drop off. In the meantime I'm just glad to be here.

[Chovexani]

13. Hey folks

I'm 23, unemployed (thanks Mr. Bush!), queer black female. Thankfully I live in NY or I'd probably be even more oppressed. :silly:

[msgadget]

14. :loveya: Hang in there

Most change came from social action and I think we can make things right again. For the moment the gays and liberals are the new oppressed 'minorities'. We're not havin' it.

(why am I smiley impaired??)

[undergroundrailroad]

27. Hey Chovexani!

NY a country (and power) unto itself. I agree!

Welcome!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Pallas180]

18. Hey, are any un-African American Liberals allowed here?

I'm convinced that the Black Caucus in Congress, John Conyers, John Lewis, Maxine Waters, and Julian Bond of the NAACP (etc.) are the only ones who can show leadership to the 50% of us who rejected the current administration.

As a matter of fact they're the only ones who have openly and actively been fighting this administration along with non-African Henry Waxman and (now hold onto your hats) Robert Byrd.

The Black community has always been the one to bring about change in this society....and I think the Black community has to be the ones to show the rest of us sheeple the direction and acitivity to follow.

BTW - these thoughts include abandoning the democratic party which apparently now is a division of the republican party.

[Pallas180]

20. And Post post script

a word to the wise...not everyone who posts on DU is an honest to
goodness liberal progessive well meaning DU'er.

We have an Agent Mike here, who spies for the govt...and a couple of
shills too. So watch your fingers. :)

:hi:

[msgadget]

23. Welcome :D

and, damn, just when I was getting comfortable ya tell me Big Brother is watching! Oh well, I suspected it anyway, DU has been mentioned a lot lately in the media.

[qanda]

24. Absolutely,

Didn't you read our mission statement-- all are welcome to join in! :hi:

[undergroundrailroad]

28. Of course! Welcome Pallas180 and

thanks for your comments!



Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[EEgrad2003]

19. Hey everybody

I'm a 25 year old engineer, living in Chicago,IL, from Baltimore, MD. I hope everybody is doing well.

[undergroundrailroad]

29. Welcome to the group EEgrad2003!

Wow, one name, Barack Obama! You have a wonderful Senator elect!

Thanks for joining the group.


Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[ecstatic]

25. What's up?

I just turned 25 a couple weeks ago, SBF living in Atlanta, Georgia. Started off majoring in engineering, but changed at the last minute to psychology. That's what my degree is in. Glad to be here!

[undergroundrailroad]

30. Hey Truth Hurts A Lot! Nice user name.

My Father is from Newnan, GA. I love visiting Atlanta. Always a lot of fun.

Hey, thanks for joining the group!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Kahuna]

32. kahuna, checking in.

From NJ.

[undergroundrailroad]

33. Hi Kahuna! Welcome.

Thanks for checking in and joining the group.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Kahuna]

34. But of course!!!!

:grouphug:

[Catherine Vincent]

35. Hello, I'm Glenda from Texas.

:hi:

Not to change the subject but the other day I was driving behind a car that had a bumper sticker that read "African Americans for John Kerry". I'm for Kerry but I don't know if I like that particular bumper sticker. It's like us Democrats were bragging that AA's support John Kerry, I would expect repukes to do that, not us. What do you think?

[msgadget]

39. I don't like anyone speaking for me or AAs as a group

but it doesn't freak me out. I'm sure there are a lot of conservatives who don't like being lumped into the mean zealot category either.

So, how is it in Texas for a Democrat, girl??

[tjdee]

36. I'm me. And I'm here.

:hi:

Thanks to my fellow New Jerseyan Kahuna for giving me the heads up.

[Kahuna]

38. Hello, Baby Girl. Glad to see you made it over..

:pals:

[AgadorSparticus]

37. Hey, I'm Bebe, MAF, early 30's, & living in a pink state: AZ.

We're working real hard to turn it blue. I'm excited because I just found out that my county is under consideration from Bev for recount. :)

[bettys boy]

40. Another white guy checks in

Hey,

Veteran here. While in the Army I was blessed with black friends who shared with me their America(s), which I knew existed but only in abstract terms.

My life is better for that (except for fatback and chitlins - just. can't. do. it...)

As their friend I have an obligation to watch their back. That means being attentive to issues that may affect them. Thanks for helping me in this.

[Kahuna]

41. God bless your heart, BB. Welcome to DU and to our forum..

:grouphug:

[jejuneharpoon]

42. Rural Alabama white guy here.

Proud to make your acquaintance folks. This is the best group idea so far. Hope to be posting here soon but I tend to be long winded. Trying to master brevity.

[FrenchieCat]

44. FrenchieCat here....

A bi-racial French naturalized emigrant raising two black daughters....married 20 years to an Oakland born and bred Black man.

We work politics on-line and via Allen Temple Baptist Church located in Oakland, CA. It is the largest Baptist church in the East Bay. My husband is a Deacon and the personal assistant to the Pastor. The church just celebrated its 85th anniversary. This is also Barbara Lee's church and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson as well as other Black dignitaries have visited us many times.

I supported Wes Clark during the 2004 elections....and will support him again if he chooses to run in 2008.

I am afraid that a draft won't be neccessary in order for this Bush Government to build up its troops for more of its wars. They will gut government programs, i.e., Pell Grants (already started); refuse to increase minimum wages; continue the dismantling of other social programs.....Using this method, young people will have fewer options...and the Armed Forces will be end up being most attractive to many of them, unfortunately. The well off folks who can afford options for their children will continue to use the children of disavantaged families to man the defenses of the United States. This is a plan already fait accompli.

[Kahuna]

45. Hi Frenchie!!!!

Glad you made it over. :pals:

As far as bush and a possible draft goes, the sob will pull a lot of troops out of Iraq after their elections. He will leave Iraq in shambles, as is his pattern to leave his droppings whereever he goes. This freeing up troops for another unprovoked attack on a muslim country.

[msgadget]

46. Welcome, Frenchie,

Has there been a reach-out among all churches or are they segregated along political lines in your area?

[FrenchieCat]

47. Thanks for asking....

There are soooooo many churches around, until it's not even funny. The Non Denominational churches tend to be more integrated than the rest. I used to go to one a few years back that was filled with all types of folks. I enjoyed the services there....because the message from the pastor was always so pragmatic.

I would say that, yes....most churches are still pretty segregated although there are always White folks that come to my current church...but it's not more than a handful out of 5,000 members.

I don't want to generalize because I don't attend enough various churches to really make that kind of a judgement. I do suspect, however, that for the most part and in general.....yes, churches are still pretty much segregated.

[msgadget]

48. You're very welcome and

I was also asking if they were segregated along political or biblical translation lines. For instance, would a Pentecostal Church visit a more progressive congregation? I remember when churches visited each other, had guest choirs and such but with the current conservative movement I wonder if many are taking pages from the Jehovah's Witnesses and holding firm to one inviolable doctrine that discourages such interfaith activities.

(I'm really glad to meet you, btw!)

[FrenchieCat]

49. Now that I do see.....

Our church does plenty of visiting other churches.....even those that are not of Baptists denomination.....but again, my knowledge on this is limited...and usually I don't like to comment too much on things that I am not informed about.

(nice meeting you too).

A New thread on a discussion of Churches and the black community would be stellar. It is still via this vessel that the majority of middle age and older Black folks are reached.

I will say that many non Blacks inaccurately believe that Black people are super progressive on all issues....and that they stand very close to if not totally to the extreme left. Many don't understand that although tolerant, many Black Folks (especially those that vote)are somewhat much more moderate in their views of social and moral values. Many also don't understand that what makes a Cynthia McKinney or a Barbara Lee appear to be radical in many cases is that they speak the truth to power because they understand that blunt truth is more effective than "Nuanced" verbal dancing.

[msgadget]

50. Yes, and the other side recognized just that

when they were marketing for recruits. I was taken aback when a religious acquaintance struck up a conversation on the issue of gay marriage one day before the election until I remembered the '...not Adam and Steve..' line isn't new at all.

Please, do start a thread on either the churches or powerful women who speak to truth and I'll be there.

[m berst]

51. hi Mike here

I am white, and was blessed to live most of my life in John Conyers district on the northwest side of Detroit. I am an old civil rights dinosaur who still believes in the positive value of integration, and who sees the burden for this as properly being on the majority community. I am disturbed by the increasing racism I see today and do not want to see us go backward, as I believe that we all lose when that happens.

Politically I see racism as an underlying cause of many of the country's problems, and I see much less awareness of this in the white community than was true 30 years ago.

[GOPFighter]

52. This is a great group!

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a white guy married to an African American. I'm 59. I grew up in Indiana in a railroad town with a sizable black population that was entirely invisible to the rest of the population. After high school I worked in a factory with a number of KKK members. I will share some stories someday. I then joined the Air Force and for the first time in my life came in contact with African Americans. I couldn't help but be impressed. Most were smart and had dignity, a real contrast to the red-neck southern baiters and brawlers also in our squadron (in fairness, not all of the southern recruits acted that way).

During the remainder of my four years in the Air Force the guys I hung with were both black and white. Race meant little (except for some mild kidding). These years changed my life. My family back home were mildly racist, mostly because of their politics and religion, and I would have grown up the same way no doubt, but in the Air Force, I saw for a fact that blacks were my equal (and often my superior in many respects).

I am now married to a wonderful, lively African American woman (who is also my superior in many respects). We live just outside of Washington DC. I work for the federal government as a manager for an environmental agency. Someone posted earlier that government agents monitor DU forums. Let me say this: I don't give a rat's ass. One of the great things about our country is the right to free expression. The day this ends, America is doomed. Put me in a file, harass me, fire me, but you won't silence me. And I'm too stupid to be afraid <chuckle>

Thank you, Xultar, for starting this forum and to all the others who have participated so far.

:grouphug:

[undergroundrailroad]

54. Wow! Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for sharing your story and for joining the group.

We're all here to listen and learn. You have a wonderful insight on both sides.

Welcome!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Kahuna]

56. Welcome to the forum, GOPFighter!!! You are..

certainly one of us. :grouphug:

[Kolesar]

53. Another white guy in your midst

Hi, I'm Tom. I have lived in Ohio most of my life. I admit that I don't know a whole lot about African-American culture. However, I am well read and and an NPR listener, so I do know what a lot of the issues are. I hope to learn more in this forum.

I grew up in the 1960s when there was a lot of racial tension in our communities. I could see distrust coming from the blacks and the whites and there was a definite divide. Fortunately, there were leaders who dedicated their lives to solving these problems and helped us create a better society. I just wish to continue the progress they started.

I am most concerned about environmental problems. When I wake up in the morning, I am worrying about those people in the Arctic losing their way of life because global warming is killing off the seals they depend on.

[undergroundrailroad]

55. Hi Tom and thanks for joining our forum. Environmental activism has a

deep component in the black community, especially urban communities where they throw all the "junk" in poor minority communities. Thank you for commenting on that.

We're all here to try and discuss matters related to racism and your input is welcome. Bringing you experiences helps so much.

Once again, thank you Tom and feel free to jump into any conversation that is posted!

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[Swamp Rat]

57. Hey y'all!

Checking in late as usual... something I learned growing up in New Orleans and living in Costa Rica and Brasil (I lived in Europe too, but I was always too late to get anything done). Not a good enough excuse? Okay, I'm a musician that easily gets distracted by too many things like fighting for freedom and democracy for all and getting into arguments with racists.

My personal philosophy: race is a construct.

My modus vivendi: peace and love.

Please allow my childhood hero conclude:

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh yeah

- Louis Armstrong

[msgadget]

58. NICE intro, Swamp Rat!

Welcome. How'd you come by that handle? And, how is it you grew up in so many culturally rich locales?

:toast:

[Swamp Rat]

59. Hi msgadget!

My handle was given to me back in the 70s by my truck drivin' uncle when I was very young because I grew up near the swamps of Louisiana. He's from West Virginia but moved to the desert in New Mexico. Therefore, my cousin, one of his sons, got the handle "Desert Rat" and I "Swamp Rat."

As for all the places I've been, I worked very hard in college and got a scholarship to study in Austria to learn German, then I returned a couple of times to travel as a bohemian musician... "Papa was a rollin' stone..." I took Sly literally I guess. Since I decided I liked traveling and learning languages, I went to Costa Rica to study and acquire fluency in Spanish, and to fulfill a childhood dream, I spent last year in Brasil learning Portuguese and traveling all over filming and playing music. Oh, I roamed around the States when I was a teen too.

The diversity in my life comes from being raised in a family of artists, in a multi-racial environment (neighborhood/schools), and having parents that are as non-biased and open-minded as anyone can be. They are both highly educated but not at all financially rich, as they preferred to teach the disadvantaged for a living. I'm attempting to follow in their footsteps, though I wonder if I will EVER finish my PhD.

How 'bout you?

[msgadget]

60. Well, mine has a much simpler origin

This is hard for me because I'm becoming more succinct with each passing year.

I chose the name because I collect gadgets of all kinds. I'm not an engineer and still don't mess with the VCR but I love PDAs, mp3 players, kitchen gadgets, old gadgets, all gadgets. I appreciate the brilliance of their design, how well they perform their purpose and manipulating them. I tend to ask a lot of questions and choosing something like RadicalBlackWoman might've prevented me from getting friendly responses. ;-)

What will you teach WHEN you finish your PhD? I have no doubt you will, btw.

[noiretextatique]

61. i'm hella late to this thread

:hi: Karen X here, poet and accountant living in Oakland, CA :hi:

[Chovexani]

62. Running on CP time

:rofl: :hug:

[noiretextatique]

63. 3 years late

that's some serious CP time :hi:

[Karenina]

64. BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

So interesting to read this thread so many years later! K-girl, you're such a good cook! ;-)

[noiretextatique]

65. i'm a dingbat, actually

i didn't realize how old the thread was because i was sorting in some weird way. but i do make a mean gumbo :D

[NOLALady]

66. When I lived in the bay area about 25 years ago

there was only one store where you could buy gumbo ingredients. My Father lived in Oakland at the time and he would go there for me during the Holidays to pick up my crabs and shrimp. He said there was always a line that stretched around the block. By now, I'm sure there are more stores that cater to the tastes of Southerners.

Are you cooking gumbo next week?

[noiretextatique]

67. maybe

and there are many places to buy ingredients now. i'm trying to eat mostly vegetarian these days, but a little splurge might be good for me.

[Karenina]

68. Check out the granite!!!

[M0rpheus]

69. Aw man! I promised, didn't I...

I promised Chovexani the next time I stopped by AA-I I would go and introduce myself or something.
So here I am. :)

M0rpheus:
Just a regular guy.
Benefits Associate for a major HR company in the greater Chicagoland area.
Father of three girls.

And an avid lurker in this forum and GD.
Way late for this introduction, but...
HI! :hi:

[psychmommy]

70. i am psychmommy

44 years young single black mom sr probation officer from nj. i see a couple of fellow new jerseyans-hey guys i am closer to philly and ac. hey everybody else. happy new year.

[Karenina]

71. WELCOME TO DU!!!

:hi: Please hang in as it's a tough board. We need every voice that we can muster!

[undergroundrailroad]

72. Happy 2008 psychmommy!

:hi: Undergroundrailroad

[psychmommy]

73. thanks guys

back atcha!!!!!

[AspenRose]

74. OK I've lurked long enough

DesertedRose, missing the southwest something terrible, am now in the mid-Atlantic region, mother of two boys (almost 3 years old and 4 months old respectively) and my MSW is on hold until they are a little bit older. I will be 40 this year. I majored in English and minored in Political Science.

Peace and blessings to all.

[psychmommy]

75. hey desertedrose

welcome to du and the east coast. is it cold enough for you? bet your kids'll love the snow.

[GigiMommy]

76. I'm GigiMommy

Born and raised in Motown. An eternally 29ish yr old Freelance Video Editor/Housewife and Mom. I still live in Michigan.

The love of my life.

[psychmommy]

78. what a doll baby.

welcome gigimommy you did a good job.

[politicasista]

77. Late shout out

I am politicasista. Educator from TN. :hi:

[psychmommy]

79. better late than never.

welcome policasista

[Karenina]

80. We on CPT here.

:hi::silly::hi:

[lightningandsnow]

81. Hey all!

I'm a 16-year-old Jewish/Pagan white chick who is working on being an anti-racist ally.

It's good to be here!

[psychmommy]

82. hello

how can you be a jew and a pagan? welcome.