You are continuing to show your democrat ways.

I think that for those of you who want to make comparisons, maybe you need to learn the history of how our ancestors came to America against thier will. You see, a bunch of folk got on a boat and went to Africa and hunted young Africans piled them into their boats and brought them to America and sold them. Many were killed on these boats, many were killed for trying to escape. This is just a very brief history that you really need to do the research on. It such a small part of how we became the United States of America.

I would also urge you to seek out the accomplishments of AA's in this country and their inventions that now help you live a more comfortable life.

A proud AA who works hard for what she has and never asks for a handout.

Overall, as the old haters die off things are getting better.

With that being said, I think there are minimal improvements that have been made in the black community. I am an American of African heritage and I come from Detroit, MI and I now live in Florida where I'm working on my BA. I had a difficult journey in life, but I endure and I continue to fight; but my story isn't the typical story of many people in the Detroit area. I remember hearing a startling figure that said only 25% of Detroit's students finish high school! This country has to focus on building its eternal infrastructure if it hopes to change the life for all Americans. Until conditions change, there will always be the lingering argument about the physical and physiological damage of a people who were forcibly brought to this country as slaves; freed, than hated, murdered, and disgraced, because of their race.

If the race in which we are discussin does not think conditions are better; WELL THEN NO OTHER RACE CAN COMMENT ON THAT. DOES IT REALLY MATTER IF WHITES THINK THINGS ARE SOOO MUCH BETTER.......... OR IS THAT THE PROBLEM???

If America is so racist, why do so many Non-White Immigrants do so well here. Did you ever think that its because of their hard work and family values. There are millions of people who not only are not white but had to learn new customs and to speak english. You dont see them whining!! Ask any Korean, Indian, Greek, Chinese, Philipino, etc and so on and so on. Ask these people about the American dream to succeed.They did it by working hard and not by expecting hand outs.

Get life people.

It won't take me 57 seconds to figure out you're a racist.

Obama 08

You can't be an African American because you said you were an Afro-American brother. I don't believe it. Most African Americans don't call themselves Afro-Americans any longer, because there's no such place as Afroland. Nice try, but it didn't work.

An afro is a hairstyle, and nothing else.

You do have a WET equivalent to BET...its called FOX NEWS NETWORK!!!!!!!!!

That being said many minority kids attend decrepit underfunded schools and although the education is free it's useless longterm.

The best discourse I can think of that addresses these complexities is the speech on race given by Barrack Obama.

TO MING HO – You clearly have no conscientiousness about the history of Africans in this country and thus your statement is one made in ignorance. Just as one cannot blame the victim of a crime for the crime perpetuated on him/her, you cannot blame African Americans for being victim of racism. I would agree however, that in the face of a hostile political and economic climate, that African Americans must begin to take personal responsibility and "do for themselves".

Let me add that Asians too are the victims of racism, although from my vantage point, a racism that allows Asians more favorable access. Please do not be so bias as to forget that your people do not have a heritage of broken families such as that sustained by slaves; lynchings, inability to vote and still today the list can go on and on.

The gains and access you enjoy today have to do with the sacrifices by Dr. Martin Luthur King and others who advanced the needs of people of color.

TO A NIGHTINGALE SINGS IN BERKLEY SQUARE:
(1) Answer the question (2) Get on the Democratic Bandwagon and please don't vote against your own self interest. i.e. Remember the Supreme Court will change with this next election.

I agree with you. Things have improved, but here in the South, the pay scale is a problem for the same work; even if the qualitly of work produced by blacks are better. I too have been very successful at gaining positions, but the pay has not be the same.

What kind of question is that?

I guess you'll expect a thanks for improving situations next?

Don't plan on it coming from me.

I served my country, paid my taxes...Now all of a sudden I am supposed to show gratitude for a nation "improving" on treating a whole race of people equally?

Absurd.

You should be ashamed iof yourself, if you need to "improve"
on racial equality.

First of all, this topic should not be on the political ticker. This is more of a substantive, historical socio-economic phenomenon that has left many blacks in this country disillusioned by the government's involvement since the trans-atlantic slave trade. J

ust think about it, for a huge majority of whites in this country, for generations, they have accumulated wealth, attained higher socio-economic status, and benefited off of free labor of the Africans that were brought here over 400 years ago. Can you imagine working for years and years and giving your salary to someone who says that they own you? Where would that leave them financially? I would say that we as a people are making progress, however, just think about the psychological, social, and financial effects that have impacted many African Americans. Many are still hurt and feeling pain from hard times that were faced in this country. Just like the Jews and the holocaust, many blacks still feel the same type of sentiment. Although there are many blacks who have made great strides in getting past the pain of discrimination, a lot are so stuck in generational disfunction where there is no family guidance nor structure. These are some characteristics and side effects of post-slave mentality. We as a modern American society superficially could say that blacks are given the same opportunities as whites, but if you look at the overall picture, it's obvious that there are serious issues that need to be acknowledged and dealt with.

So Maggie as far as I'm concerned, you have a point, you should be disappointed, but this nation has not healed from the wounds of slavery. The government has not officially apologized for it. People of color have to forgive and and move in a more progressive way to makea better life for their children.

But to answer the question, life is definitely better for African Americans, but there are still those who cannot accept that they have to take accountability for their actions and be more self responsibility. This goes for everyone, black, white, yellow, brown, and red.

Ming Ho…. Race does matter. Until you have had black skin and lived in the United States your opinion does not matter. This country will give a sba loan to an Asian, Hispanic or White person way faster then they would a black man

got to hell you idiot, minorities get grants and scholarships, while whitey gets loans to pay back. black men dont care about college if they did they would go. dont give me this crap that no college will accept a black man either when there are hundreds of historacally BLACK colleges they can choose from.

SHOTTA NIC:
I also understand you but you have to put that away from your head and work hard as an individual, you dont have to be complaining about race and so.put into consideration that there are enough blacks who are from the same neighbourhood like you who are doing well and there children are living more respectiful life,are they not blacks?.why not look at such families to give you more hope that if you try you will make it instead of lookin at those who dose'nt think of a brighter future.
you dont have to be on the street trying to make people see you as a hard man so they can be afraid of you and still expect them to trust you and work with you. you can't eat your cake and have it

GO AND THINK WELL ,CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOUR AND PEOPLES APROACH TO YOU WILL CHANGE TOO ,BECOME RESPONSIBLE.

life is not just leaning how to dance,smoke,cont how many girls you have as girl friend, it is all about aticulation and wll reasoning.

bye for now.

once more i thank you maggi for tour vision.

from black man in canada doing well.

The same negative comments could be said of you. For every finger you point at someone else there are at least 3 fingers pointing back at you. After reading some of your vile posting I wonder how does someone get this filled with hatred? Please enlighten me.

CNN, how about some real moderation.

Connie from Indiana

Hey I visited the Berlin Wall when it was dangerous and the press didn't cover my trip
________________________________________________
Do you get paid by the number of times that you cut and paste this comment?

I do believe that if you work hard, you can be successful in this country, but I think you are extremely naive if you, or anyone else believes race does not still play a major role in this society. I am an African American woman, I am college educated, and I consider myself successful. But yet I am still monitored in certain stores that I visit, to make sure i am not stuffing merchandise down my pants. I stopped by a grocery store near by my job the other day on the way home, in a predominantly white neighborhood. I had changed into some sweats because I was on my way to work out. The cashier took one look at my attire, and my skin color and told me to make sure I had my foodstamp card ready. My son got stopped, going to a friends swim party, in a predominantly white neighborhood, last summer. He was not speeding, he was wearing his seat belt, and to this day, the two police officers involved can not tell me why they pulled my son out of the car, cuffed him, laid him face first on the ground, and asked him if he stole the BMW he was driving...MY BMW!!! Just look at the racisits and culturally ignorant comments that get posted on this ticker about Barack Obama. The thought of an African American becoming president nauseates some people in this country. There are some African Americans in this country that are simply not trying to better there circumstances. Just like there are some Whites, Asians, Latinos, and Native Americans who are not using the resources available in this country to their fullest potential. But somehow, media distortions, and sterotypes, allow some people to lump all African Americans into the category of gang banger, or hood rat, rapper or thief. Until all sides are willing to sit down and understand the differences, and accept that it is okay to be different, then we will NEVER be rid of the racial problem plaguing this country.

Guess what CNN? I am white, but never have I been racist, mean or rich.

Just a working white guy, raising four nieces, and just so happen to be gay, but I'm not crying over being discriminated against.

Thanks for nominating the least qualified candidate for President Dems... I really appreciate it...

McCain 08

As a person of color from the caribbean, there were many conversation in my household citing how lazy black americans were that the didn't realize how good they have it here if they applied themselves. Who drops out of school, when it's free! Growing up, if my american friends brought home bad grades there were no measurable consequences. In my west indian household bad grades and negative comments from the teacher led to a beating, more chores, and parents constantly on your back until you got the message, and no one called child welfare. I think today that part of the problem we have people who want to be friends with their children and not parents. Also coming from a country where the Prime Minister, lawyers, doctor, teachers look just like you shows young people where they can be some day, it was not a stretch to believe you can be a Prime Minister if the current one look like you. Which is one of the reasons I am extremely happy Barack Obama is running for President, win or lose, he is a role model he has shown black and white america for that matter what can be accomplished through education and hard work.