Nice intro.

My dad is white. I interject. “Let’s conference him in,” I say. “Listen, he married a black woman, he has six black children. He’d be the first person to tell you I’m black.”

I personally don’t understand why some people don’t get this. It has nothing to do with denying one parent.

For most (or I might even say ‘all’) of US history - even if a biracial/black wanted to be claimed white, he or she would be laughed out of town. I don’t understand why when Barack Obama sealed the nomination - so many people did not understand why he would be referred to “The first African-American President.” It makes me wonder if people realize that in black history - many many of the leaders and the 1sts were also biracial… and I don’t ever recall people screaming about that. Malcom X was not even “100% black” (if there is such a thing).

I also have to add that when blacks get into any trouble and make the news, no one wants to go out of their way to clarify that he or she may have a white parent - so he/she is really not black. Never once have I heard someone want to step in and clarify this for anyone when a biracial/black gets into any trouble.

Like you said - “black people come in all hues.”

Looking forward to your series, Soledad!

Soledad you raise a very good point. If a mixed race person
calls themselves black they are not denying the white parent.
You can’t they are your parents. I think part of the problem lies
in American history particularly in the south. I have even read
about something called the paper bag test and read history
books about how race was determined by how much of a
percentage one was white,black, etc. I look forward to seeing
this documentary. Thanks for the hard work on a year-long
project.

I am looking forward to watching the programs tonight and tomorrow night.

Soledad thanks for highlighting that black persons are more than just thugs. Like all races we encompass a wide range of professions,hues and experiences.

Soledad

I am so looking forward to watching your report over the next two nights. As a white female I think it important to hear and learn from these stories just as it is for African Americans.

Personally I went to a predominantly black high school; there could not have been more then 20 white students in the entire school. I have a cousin through marriage who is bi-racial ( his mother is white, father black) and many of my friends and co-workers are black so I feel like I have some sort of knowledge about the topic but I also know I have much, much to learn and I hope to learn a great deal from this documentary.

If this program has been anything like the MLK special, reclaiming the dream or your After the Storm special for the anniversary of Katrina’s second anniversary then I know it will be great.

Congrats to you Soledad and the entire team who worked on “Black in America”

Better late than never to get this out and in the open. Do not be fooled, many people around the world will be watching and this will cause conversation and debate for awhile. Most of us expatriates are taking our naps now so we can be up and fresh for the show. You go CNN!!!!!! Did not think the network and powers that be in the media would let this air. Does but heart proud to say I was wrong!!!!

Soledad, can’t wait to see your special.
As in everything, communication is SO important–so I definitely agree–’let’s start talking’!

Dear Sir:
I look forward to watching your coverage on Black in America. I am a Black American whom attended college, volunteer in the community and the church. however, I received the worst case of discrimination.
I was placed in a dusty area to work with occupational asthma. I was denied any assitant when my wrist was hurting . At this point I as receiving therapy. On Administration Day, I was given collard greens, grits, and cornbread by my business manager, I was called a slave in the presence of my other white co-workers. A door had hit me in the mouth and the personel director fail to file an incident report. Through, all this, I hired an attorney to protect me on breach of contract, job discrimination, and job harrassment. One of the attorneys relocated without notification. At this time the institution had a summary judgemnet in court and the case was given to his partner. Please note that the Ethics committee have sited this attorney. The sad thing is in Charleston South Carolina, I can not locate an attorney to represent me against this attorney mal-ptactice. It seems like a southern oat. Through documents discovered in my attorney file, I found that the opposing attorney discuss a settlement, I was never notified. The judge odered an mediation, I was never notified. They fail to file my second law suit and making it difficult for me to refile. Finally, she told me the wrong date for my appeal (9days) which made it impossible for me to find another attorney. Please help. I have documentation to back all my complaints. I wrote a letter to James Clyburn and he inform me that I was not in his judisical area. Therefore, he good not help me. There half to be an attorney out theri that would represent common people when their lawyers make the wrong decision. Please help, I have a very youn family.
thanks.

Soledad I am definitely going to look forward to this tonight.

It’s interesting that you mention how that reporter had a hard time seeing you as black. I consider myself black but I am light skinned so some times when people look at me they ask me what am I? I think its so annoying and just start answering I am human.

Both of my parents are black however, my father’s father was mixed and therefore his complexion was extremely fair, and apparently that has passed down to me through my father. Still I don’t consider myself as mixed just because my grandfather was.

You point out that the reporter was white which is interesting because I find that most people who question my race are black people, its not just white people who have a hard time seeing fairer skin people as black. I hope you cover that in your documentary because sometimes there I feel there is this tension which is so stupid between light skinned and dark skin black people.

I personally don’t see why how you identify yourself is anybody’s business and why it’s so important. If we are to ever really reach the dream Dr. King had for us then we have got to stop being so concerned with racial identities. So what if I am light skinned and you were born to a white father. There is so much more to people than a racial identity.

I still don’t get it - if a person is both black and white why would you only say you’re black? Wouldn’t you say I’m black and Irish, Scottish etc? To me when a person is bi-racial and only says they’re one part of the race - they’re not acknowledging they are also the other.

I’m looking forward to “White in America”…or would that be racist?

Let’s talk indeed instead of this one way blacks are victims “dialog” that is trotted out under the guise of dialog.

Changes need to be made, Black America has never been in deeper trouble..

I cant think of a more boring program to watch so count me out.

It is not just shopping, but at hotels also. I am a professional, black female, who travel for my government job. I cannot tell you the number of times I have been in upscale hotels, dresssed in my business suit and with a briefcase and someone will come up to me and ask if I work there or if I can help with their luggage. One person actually asked how I got into the club room at one hotel. Believe, we still have a long way to go.

To be honest with you, I’m tried of hearing about it.

I am really tired of black this - black that!! If we can’t talk as Americans - leave it alone!! All your doing CNN is causing issues and trouble for the sake of ratings!!! I’m also tired of labels, black entertainment TV (BET) NAACP, black caucus, UNCF!!! not one reading this (which I know you will not print cause your biased) has EVER new slavery. Whites get SECOND pick when it comes to equal opportunity employment - minorities encouraged to apply, Schools - taking your pick!!! I try hard NOT to be biased but you all who think along racial lines SURE make it hard!!!!!

I think it’s funny that the poster, Melissa had a hard time with the bi-racial issue thought that bi-racial people should refer to themselves as “black and Irish, Scottish etc”
Does she think black it a place? Is black a country I’ve never heard of?
Maybe that’s part of the problem.

I am Asian-American, so when are you going to have an Asian in America special, or a Latino one, or Middle-Easterner, or Eastern European? I have been the victim of racism and know it exists. But when I continually see specials like this I understand the fatigue that White America sees in race relations with Blacks. Instead of having these specials why doesn’t Black America spend their time promoting more personal responsibility. I’m glad a person like Obama is finally saying the truth. Black America, while you’re busy with your marches, rallies, televisions specials, there’s a generations of minority immigrants (including Africans) who are working their butts off in school and achieving the American Dream which is attainable for everyone who is willing to work,

I am so excited about seeing this tonight! I commend CNN for broadcasting this special. I will have my son up tonight and tomorrow with me so he can be informed. Soledad I understand why you say you are black its because if you have an ounce of black in you you are considered black.

I am so excited to watch your documentary! I am a biracial female (black and white) who identifies as black mostly because it is easier than explaining all of my racial history when asked. I hope you touch on the subject of race within the black community and how blacks treat each other based on the color of our skin. Job well done!

If a person is bi-racial they choose the race that gets them the farthest, and today that is Black. Society wants everyone to be Black so why not claim you are. I would rather get ahead in life because of what I can do instead of a DNA link. LIke Homosexuals, no one cares. Just be a decent, law abiding, hard working American and you will be respected more for that than anything else.

I think you must first reserach the history of why bi-racial people identify with the Black race and not the white race. When a slave woman had a child by her slave master, that child was not embraced by him, that child was just another slave, whites did not acknowledge bi-racial children they were either black or white. Hence the reasonging, Black people have always embraced the bi-racial children, whites for the most part deny them.

Reese’-Richmonnd, VA said:
“Soledad I understand why you say you are black its because if you have an ounce of black in you you are considered black.”

Does that mean that an ounce of white is without value?

I wish I had an ounce of black in me in that case. College sure would be a whole lot cheaper.

Unfortunately there is still a difference between blacks and aother ethnic groups. Yes even in 2008 I can experience racism which is sad. Especially with all of the gains that we as a people have made. Yet even today you still have those individuals who feel that they are superior. But today the racism is more in a socio-econcomic form. This is especially noticed in the eductional systems in the large cities. I know that is has been 50 plus years since Brown vs The Board of Education which struck down separate but equal. But if you notice now that is it back in a different form.
But we as a people have to become more aware and stop being so complacent with the gains that we have made. If we as a people are going to change it has to start within.

Other than the obvious, a recessive gene of the caucasian allows the african gene be more prominent in a person’s physical appearance like brunette over blond and brown over blue eyes. If you look at the Brazilians, who have intermixed far more than Americans, you can hardly tell who has african genes as opposed to white, latino, etc. Maybe one day the black & white communities will be more accepting of mixed people, as in the past and somewhat in the present, these people get shunned by both sides. Light skinned blacks tend to look black enough not to be white and not black enough to be black. We’ve heard Beyonce and Tyra speak of not always being accepted by either side. If you asked me, the more mixed you are the more beautiful. Why do you think so many super models come from Brazil?

I find it funny that growing up I was taught to not judge people by their ethnicity and now it’s being forced back into my face.

I don’t see Soledad O’Brien or Barrack Obama as simply black because that is such a small part of who they are. The sum of their experiences is far far more than their skin color.

I believe Colin Powell said it best when asked how he dealt with the overt racism in the Army when he joined. He simple said it wasn’t his problem and he focused on being the best officer he could. That mentality worked out well for him too.

The more you focus on the negative, the more you miss the positive that happens around you every day. Why let a minority of bigots that still exist control your emotions and anger so much?

If you asked me, the more mixed you are the more beautiful. Why do you think so many super models come from Brazil?

I remember a special several years (maybe 10 years?) about the races in Brazil. They showed how the darker skinned Brazilians experienced more discrimination. I don’t remember what network it was on (cnn, history channel, etc.) but it was an eye opening special.

Melissa you wrote–

if a person is both black and white why would you only say you’re black?…..To me when a person is bi-racial and only says they’re one part of the race - they’re not acknowledging they are also the other.

Is it fair to force your opinion on others?

Bi-racial individuals embrace the race that others may degrade them for. If Susie Down-the-street belittles you because of your racial heritage, you start to identify more with that part of your lineage.

The thing that gets me is that America is ’supposed’ to be the place where you can be whatever you want to be. If I have a black father and a white mother, why am I inherently WRONG in the eyes of many White Americans because I consider myself ‘Black’? I believe many of the problems we face stem from the negative portrayal of what it is to be ‘Black’. Some White Americans feel that bi-racial individuals are denying that White lineage but we understand that having ANY ‘Black’ lineage instantly MAKES you Black. That negative stigma is so profound in this country.

My experiences lead me to believe that White Americans look down on Blacks. I live in Richmond, VA, one of the most historically racially charged cities in the US today. Since the times of slavery, my city has participated, profited from and accepted actions that were meant to demean people of color. It’s really tragic.

Maybe one day we can all live together and race not be an issue in the back of everyone’s mind.

I wish I had an ounce of black in me in that case. College sure would be a whole lot cheaper.

Do some research on the amount of college debt that black students (who actually make it) end up with in comparison to white students.

Then come back and post on this blog about how its cheaper for blacks to go to school.

Soledad, I have a question for you about another article you posted along this subject, Black and Shopping in America.

In the article, nothing is mentioned, by either the employees of Old Navy, the mall security, local police officers, or even the three women themselves, about the reason the three women were suspected of shoplifting. Clearly they were innocent as nothing was found on them. However, there is also no mention of derogattory remarks made towards these women by anyone involved. Did such things occur, and they didn’t make it into the article? If not, it would seem that the women came to the conclusion that they were stopped based on the color of their skin based on zero evidence.

I do not claim to know the reason that the women were stopped. Perhaps they were in fact stopped because they’re black. But if they came to this conclusion on no supporting evidence, aren’t they just as guilty of the prejudice they claim to be victims of?

I’m with you Chad. I’m about “diversed” out. Minorities talk about how unfairly they are treated, but in the workplace….I’ve never witnessed it. I’ve been on employment search committees where we didn’t get to hire the most qualified person for the job because “someone” on the committee would always say….isn’t that job underutilized. On two occasions, I’ve had to hire individuals that were not the best qualified individual, but were the right race for the job.

I work for a state agency that has experienced deep budget cuts over the past couple of years. How has our organization handled these budget cuts….reduced employee benefits, but kept hundreds of thousands of dollars for diversity training. Are you kidding me! Everyone has problems…suck it up and get going.

My husband and I are an interracial couple and we have two bi-racial children. My kids do not choose one side over the other. If they did, whichever one of us was left out would feel very badly.

Raising interracial children can be a challenge. We have always played up the fact that they are mixed, and how lucky they are to have two cultures.

My kids are very well-adjusted and successful and, I think, it is because we never tried to ignore the obvious, sweep it under the rug, or have them choose a side. They are extremely proud of their
ancestry(s) and have always felt that they are special and unique because of it. My son travels frequently, and he always jokes about the fact that he can “fit in” anywhere he goes.

A lot of outside factors can make a difference in raising bi-racial kids. We live in Southern California, which has a more diverse population than many other parts of the country. If we were in an all-white community, it may have been more difficult.

Every family is different but for my kids, NOT defining them as one race or the other has worked for us and they have grown into happy, confident adults.

“I still don’t get it - if a person is both black and white why would you only say you’re black? Wouldn’t you say I’m black and Irish, Scottish etc? To me when a person is bi-racial and only says they’re one part of the race - they’re not acknowledging they are also the other.”

Melissa, I think it’s because, as the first poster said, people of biracial marriages had *no choice* but to identify themselves as black since the very earliest days of colonial America. For centuries, the universal assumption was that having one black parent automatically “downgraded” you to being less than white. Therefore you MUST be defined by the so-called “lesser” of the two races.

Until the last 20 years or so, it would never even have *occurred* to you or the white reporter to ask this question. And in some parts of the country, it still wouldn’t.

So in a way, I think it’s progress that people like you don’t understand the underlying reason. You’ve never been taught that having a black parent automatically meant you’re “downgraded” to being black. As annoying as such a question is for biracial people to deal with, that has to be a good thing.

I think you must first reserach the history of why bi-racial people identify with the Black race and not the white race. When a slave woman had a child by her slave master, that child was not embraced by him, that child was just another slave, whites did not acknowledge bi-racial children they were either black or white. Hence the reasonging, Black people have always embraced the bi-racial children, whites for the most part deny them.

Most people wouldn’t know anything about American history even if it came up to them and knocked them unconscious.

And what about so-called “equal opportunity?” In the airport in Atlanta, 99 percent of the workers are black! So, where are the Latino, Asian, and Anglo-Saxon workers in a so-called “equal opportunity workplace?” There is a double standard alright, and the double standard in play is against what is fair and equitable for all races, not just blacks. All any of this talk about “Black in American” is is simply another method used to drum up sagging network ratings and to futher the cause of propaganda-based social engineering programs in the U.S.

Thank You Soledad for this series Black In America.

Your Coverage is from all walks of life because Black In America is composed of a complex make of all people of color. I am Black but my family has White, Asian, Southeast Asian, Native Indian, and Middle Eastern. That is a whole lot of strong love at our family reunion’s all nations under one groove. No one can define MY Black in America story but my family.
My family’s story is not the same as another Brother’s or Sister’s but we do and sometime struggle to come together as one Black In America family.
Thank You for Continuing to Strengthen Our Story.

While I am appalled at racial profiling don’t for a minute think that white parents haven’t had discussions with their children of what to do if stopped or questioned when “shopping while teenage and male”, or “driving while teenage and male”. I am a middle aged white woman who has been asked if I worked in a hotel, store etc and I guess ( while it isn’t always flattering) I assumed I just looked like I was familar with the place or perhaps looked professional. I guess my point is that while profiling does go on, not every instance mentioned previously was necessarily racial profiling. By the way I was also stopped once and accused of shoplifting and I demanded an apology the next day publically in the middle of the store…store keepers really don’t want a fuss on the floor.

Soledad has a lot more patience than I do. I applaud her for her patience and talent as a journalist. This is a very hard subject to approach.

I remember years ago being asked by an Asian woman if Whitney Houston is black, I asked why? She said, “she’s so pretty”.

So, there you go, to this woman Black did not equal pretty.

The way CNN has been hyping this story for at least the past month it better be worth the wait. I can’t even turn on CNN without hearing an advertisement for this special. What kind of agenda is this? I realize the story is important, but the hype is a little ridiculous.

Jimmy K you wrote–

I wish I had an ounce of black in me in that case. College sure would be a whole lot cheaper.

Why do Whites, and I’m assuming you’re White because of your comments, believe that being Black gives you some “magical free ride” through college? One where we don’t receive excessive student loan debts just like our white counterparts? Where is all this free money coming from? I sure as hell pay for my own college tuition through government aid and loans like everyone else.

Or did you fill out the “Whites Only” FAFSA?

CNN is referring to this as a “Groundbreaking Documentary.”

Now who’s the hype network?

To Lou, It is indeed true that when your parents DECIDED to come to america to fulfill a dream, work hard and achieve it. thats applaudable, However when One is stripped oh its heritage, culture, made to believe htat they are less than human, demorilzed openly up until around the early 70’s and put in chains raped beaten sold like cattle, DID all the work on plantations paid nothing, Then I would like to say that This is the least that we can do, by putting a special that shows some of the progress that we have made throughout the years. Now with saying that I also believe that we do need to take more responsibility for our actions and now that I tink about it we do. ( Its just not broadcast around the country) Just the negativity that is associated with the culture of Black Americans, Surprise

Black people make talking about race hard, not whites or anyone else for that matter. African Americans are not the only ones who have endured hardship in the United States, singled out for slavery? Yes. But, what about Native Americans singled out for extermination? Japanese Americans in re-location camps… The Irish (a white group) left starving in the slums of NYC until they themselves took on everyone else and brought themselves up the ranks.

I think what is interesting about this whole situation and what i’m expecting out of this program is a depiction of the division within the black community that i’m not even sure if they’re aware of. Nothing about Obama to me is black or Rice for that matter. Other than skin tone, they dress white, talk white, and it wouldn’t shock me if they ate white as well. Now in comparison when i’m walking around the street or at school I see a vastly different black culutre than the one they represent. Hence I don’t consider them part of the black culture that feels racisim in this country.

And also just because you have one black parent that doesn’t mean your black. Your bi-racial. Terms and labels carry alot of power and influence. And what about all of the ethnic groups that came here from Europe. Not all whites are the same and yet we’re pooled together. And half if not three quarters of those groups didn’t even get here during slavery, but we all share the burden because of our milky white skin. Fare?

Thank you Soledad. Im a 28yr old black man from South Carolina. I have been through the same things thats you have mentioned in your story. I was stopped by 12 police officers, one of the black, for fitting the profile of a robber in the area. I had just dropped my friend home. A police followed me in the neighborhood and watched me drop him off and then leave. I was stopped though and searched and no one apologized. I had been told by my dad what to do. Just be quiet, answer their questions, and do what they tell you to do. I moved from south carolina because its still a big problem. Racism is a big issue, especially in Columbia. You still get followed around the stores and you still get stopped because your black. You may not hear much about it but it exists and black men see it more than anyone else. Your story will shine a light on the things that went on and are still going on in this country with black people. I just hope and pray that everyone watches and tries to learn something so we can come together and unite as one people. Americans

Soledad,

I respect you for trying but as you can see from these posters and the people WE encounter every day, there’s really no point. People will never change and don’t want to understand. Anyone who talks about “personal responsibility” and “attaining the American dream” is willfully ignoring the overwhelming (and historical) disadvantages and discrimination that Blacks still face in many quarters, the things that disadvantage a child from day one and prevent them from ever having the opportunity to “pull themselves up from their bootstraps”. They are also willfully ignoring their own privileges. It’s an easy thing to do, America has always been about “manifest destiny” and we all like to thing we got where we are by ourselves. We didn’t. Hell, we didn’t even win the Revolution without the French.

This show, while a valiant effort, is probably more for US anyways, as most people of any other race are too busy wallowing in self-pity and self-righteousness to ever open their minds to the struggles that someone else may be facing.

But thanks for trying.

I echo comments made earlier regarding immigrants (even from Africa) working there butts off and succeeding. The main problem with “native born” Black America is that generally there is no personal accountability when it comes to the family unit. So many single moms raising kids alone, with the dad either MIA or behind bars. Until Black men accept responsibility to their fellow man (be it white, black, family, friend) nothing will change! I look at the manner in which one carries him/her self before the hue of their skin before making a decision to speak with, interact, or get on the other side of the street. CNN and every other news organization can do all the documentaries they want to on the plight of being black, but until a societal change is made from within the Black community, there will be no change in its current collective socio-economic condition. I will be watching the special, and am anxious to see if there is any real exploration into the many stereotypes held by non-Blacks regarding Blacks (since it must be these preconceived notions that are contributing to the current state of affairs for Black America), and whether there is any truth to those stereotypes.

I have a couple of question’s to ask of all black people 1. Why would black people be profiled in the first place could it be because of a history of a particular problem in there community such as shop lifting or gang violence or drive by shooting you really dont see much drive bys in the white community do you so you would not profile white people for that is this not true? My question to Blacks in general clean up your act ,stop the violence, stop the one parent familys,take care of your problems then profiling will stop, look at crime stats this will tell you why profiling happens clean up your communitys act and crap will stop happening am I wrong or right?

So in a way, I think it’s progress that people like you don’t understand the underlying reason. You’ve never been taught that having a black parent automatically meant you’re “downgraded” to being black. As annoying as such a question is for biracial people to deal with, that has to be a good thing.

Mary - this is a great way of looking at it. Great perspective.

First of all, there is only one race and that is the human race. Blackness was traditionally defined by bigots as anyone with any Negro blood in them no matter how small. For example half black half white equaled mulatto, one quarter black three quarters white equaled quartroon, and one eighth black and seven eighth white equaled an octoroon and that equation kept going. Blacks or negroes were considered in-human. Hence the word mulatto for mixed race which is derived from the word mule. A mule comes from the forced mixing of a male donkey with a female horse which do not breed naturally and are hence infertile. Two mules can not produce offspring.Two separate genus of animals. Many plantation owners sold their own sons who were the result of the white men having sex with their black slave women. They considered the offspring as black and chattel and hence was able to sale them by law. My bi-racial children, for a lack of a better term, prefer to be called Mixed but identify them as Black.

Steven, Virginia:

99% of the workers in the Atlanta airport are black because most of the VISUAL positions that you see passing through the airport are ENTRY LEVEL - TSA personnel included. Please believe that if you go into the back offices of the airport to see mid and upper level management amongst the airlines, airport administration and TSA, the landscape becomes inarguably more and more white washed.

Speaking as one who works at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, I know what I’m talking about.

I am a white woman married to a man that is half asian, a quarter black and a quarter white. I’m sorry but I don’t think it would be right to label my child as “black” and never understand that “one drop” rule. Shes a human being. Saying she is “of color” would be more appropriate. I don’t think that everyone should be labeled or have to fit into a specific race.

For as long as I have been on this earth, almost 60 years, I could never understand why there has been such a big deal about skin color. Skin color has been used against those who are darker, like myself, for discrimation in just about all facets of life. I’ve had family members where color was a big deal. When I was growing up in the 60’s, being called “black” was derogatory. One was made to feel as an outcast because their skin was darker. When black power came into vogue, I was thrilled because I could finally be proud of my brown skin. Now I realize how silly that was back then. Underneath, we all look the same. We are all one race- the human race, just of different hues.

As i read through the comments. Some of them are sad. CNN decided to do something on black americans and the struggles they have faced and that we are still facing. As in everything people have negative things to say when you haven’t even seen it. Try watching the documentary before making a comment. Lets learn something first. Stop comparing what you have done as a white person to something that has happend to a black person. Its not the same. Watch the documentary and be open to the struggles of people who are not the same hue as you are.

Steven,

It is people like you and the mentality of the area you live in that warrants such a special to be shown. When your state and this country practiced and still practices racism and discrimination, are you out there protesting for those whose lives are adversely affected everyday. Unless you have lived the black reality in america you are hardly qualified to scrutinize the behavior of anyone black. We have to address social issues that are not even a part of your reality. I am a highly educated black man who completed it all at a very young age….so to sit here and listen to fools talk about black responsibility….where were you all when black men with Ph.D’s had to work as waiters and busboys while uneducated white men who did not even finish high school had good-paying professional jobs? The racial and economic inequties that was created by this country are now spoken of as if it was just a momentary blip on our historical screen. Some of the pathologies you witness in urban areas are the results of racist policies that america has never fully addressed.

chrisNY you wrote–

African Americans are not the only ones who have endured hardship in the United States, singled out for slavery? Yes. But, what about Native Americans singled out for extermination? Japanese Americans in re-location camps… The Irish (a white group) left starving in the slums of NYC until they themselves took on everyone else and brought themselves up the ranks.

This is the problem. Why can’t Whites ever stay on topic? We are talking about Blacks here, not Native Americans or Irish, unless they are of a biracial nature associated with Blacks. This is an issue that needs to be addressed in America and it seems like the main oppressors would rather switch the blame on the oppressed. Where is the logic in that?

TESAP: your sense of racial equality is as good as your grammar you ignoramus.

I agree with Lou AND “Joe from Florida”. All races and nationalities have struggled in this country at some point - blacks are not the only ones that have been treated poorly believe it or not. This CNN special has gotten us all talking - but is it productive? If we are going to fight about which race has had it harder, then we are all missing the point and we are all morons that deserve a crappy country run by crooks.
The true discrimination these days is against the working class men and women that are constantly kicked down while the rich get richer. You may think it’s because the poor are usually minorities, but there are plenty of whites that are being kept down as well.
When will CNN do a special against the elitist upper class, the rich, and the super-rich?? This will never get on the air because it’s more profitable to keep airing shows that will divide the working class and make us hate each other instead of fixing the real problem.

I don’t know too many African Americans, slave descendent’s in particular that are not of mixed race. So what do we call ourselves? If referring to ourselves as black , or African American is so offensive to white Americans…..what do they suggest we call ourselves? I happen to be Creek Indian, Black, and Irish.

What title is more appeasing to white America?

Hey Jimmy K,

Apply to a historically black college and u can go for free. I went to one as a black male, who had a good GPA, good test scores and could not get one cent from anybody. Meanwhile, alot of my white friends who went to my college, got full ride scholarships, with lower GPA’s and test scores. Affirmitive Action is designed to help minorities, so try getting a job at an all predominately black company, or black school and you too my friend will be a beneficiary of affirmative action.

Too many people seem to oversimplify the reasons why a biracial individual might identify with being black rather than white. Even here, some have said that it is because they have chosen the race that will “get them ahead.” This could not be more insulting. The reasons one may identify with being black are diverse, but I can only speak for myself and those close to me.

I choose to be identified as black because that is how the world sees and approaches me. When a police officer stops me from walking in a white neighborhood just to ask me where I’m coming from and where I’m headed, followed be telling me to move along quickly, I know what race it is he sees. I’d like to be seen as simply human, but when something race related happens in the news and most of the white people I know ask me what “the black position” is, it’s hard to be so naive.

why do we need some white lady to tell
black people what it is like to be black in america?

is this just an attempt by cnn to make money off black peole?

i can give you a 37 year long investigation of what
its like to be black in america, that would be way more
accurate than some white lady can conjure up. if you
were not scared.

EXACTLT LORETTA. MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS THE CHILD OF AN IRISH FATHER AND BLACK FOOT INDIAN; However she identified herself as being Black…………. on my Mothers birthcertificate it says “Colored”. My great grandfather on my fathers side still has the “freedom” papers from his great grandfather.

I am Black……….. not 1/2 not 10%…. SAY IT LOUD……………..

Black are still stereotyped because the continue to behave in stereotypical black behavior.

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, you call it a duck.

Racism is fostered by the “blacks” not the whites. It has benefited them greatly and they won’t let it go - what else would they talk about? When you consider that their own people sold them into slavery, and that at that time, 8 year old children were cleaning chimmneys in England (just to mention one item), you have to see the whole sociological picture. There are still children in slavery today - what are the “blacks” doing about that? Get a life.

On second thought Soledad, these posters are scaring the hell out of me. Maybe you should do a show called, “Institutionalized Racism in America”. Until then, I’m moving to Canada. People like John, Mike and especially ChrisNYC are two steps away from bringing a gun into a McDonald’s in Harlem and reviving the “great and glorious” tradition of lynching.

John you wrote–

1. Why would black people be profiled in the first place could it be because of a history of a particular problem in there community such as shop lifting or gang violence or drive by shooting you really dont see much drive bys in the white community do you so you would not profile white people for that is this not true? My question to Blacks in general clean up your act ,stop the violence, stop the one parent familys,take care of your problems then profiling will stop, look at crime stats this will tell you why profiling happens clean up your communitys act and crap will stop happening am I wrong or right?

You act like profiling is a good thing! The police are meant “To Serve and Protect” meaning they should be working for us, not against us. Cops go out looking for Blacks to arrest. Not because they commit crimes, but because they “look like” they commit crimes. Is that wrong or right?

When I read the comments on this board, it further reinforces my feeling that topics like this are completely worthless. This is more about the person who initiated this topic, then it is about making any change. I am a black male, and I have never been profiled, I have never been detained in any store, I have never been wrongfully arrested or detained because I fit a profile. But more importantly, if I had, I would not sit around complaining about it. Why, because complaining makes not one bit of difference to anyone. I, and I alone, am responsible for whatever success or happiness I achieve from the few years I have on this earth, and I have to overcome whatever discriminations, whatever unfairness, whatever challenges, my skin color, my weight, my face, whatever it is that some people will try to use to make it hard.

The problem is not white discrimination, or unfairness, or racism. The problem is that too many black people do not consider themselves 100% accountable and responsible for WHATEVER happens to them. Our problem is not being unfairly profiles in stores, or by cops. Our problem is failing to become educated, failing to maintain two-parent families, failing to have a real moral compass, failing to know the difference between a rap video and real life, failing to make achievement and education top priorities for our children, failing to rid ourselves of leaders who do not espouse the aforementioned values, failing to ostracize criminals and criminal activity from our communities and families, failing to demand that we get more from all of the black churches and preachers that fill up our poverty laddened and crime filled neighborhoods but evidently make little difference to either. In 2008, the failure is OURS, not the government, not white people, not racism or discrimination. OURS!

Melissa you don’t have to get it. It’s not your place or anyone else’s to define someone. People have the right to identify or define themselves as they see fit.

You can’t understand the world one race at a time. We can’t put everyone elses needs on hold to handle one group. Throughout history it has been the responsiblity of a group or culture to lift themselves up not everyone elses by feeling sorry for them. This documentary is a smack in the face to any sub culture in our country who doesn’t have CNN sponsoring a documentary on them, and say they did, how would blacks feel if they didn’t go first? I think we all know the answer to that question. Figures they’d budge in the bread line.

Congratulations Soledad! I look forward to the program and will be watching with my entire family.
For people such as Melissa in Los Angeles, believe me, the LAPD will not ask a so called “suspect” if they are Black-Irish. It’s great to be proud of your entire heritage however most of us have learned that if you are half black, you are black. There is nothing wrong with that and I don’t think most black/bi-racial people mind that. If asked to be more specific then I don’t think most mind that either. While living in Los Angeles myself I was asked on more than one occassion if I were of Hispanic decent, which I’m not but would be proud even if I were. I’m proud to be black and wouldn’t change it if I could.

Your efforts continue to fan the embers to keep the keep the “black” flame burning. If blacks truly think there is injustice, basis, racism, etc…. then what would be the response if white congressional caucus was formed or a white Miss America beauty pageant started. The United States of America is and has been a melting pot of races. Today the number of Latino-Americans is larger than African-Americans. I’m patiently waiting to see a journalist do the “Latino in America” followed by the “Asian in America” … it will never happen! This type of journalism continues to “validate” blacks as the down trodden members of society. I’m black and have done what pretty much everyone, regardless of race, has done to succeed in this country … DO IT YOURSELF and be measured on your results.

Hey Brian,

Listen to this….My “white” son (who scored a 29 on is ACT in 10th grade) who made great grades, and was never a problem child, couldn’t get into the two top high schools in the city we live in….. because of his race. The application for these school listed check one of the following:“race: black and all other”. Both school’s guidance counselors told me not to waste my selection process on their schools because his chances of getting in were very slim to none. My son went to the third best high school in our city, where he took accelerated and AP classes, but I had to listen to his teacher tell me that they wished he could be challenged more.

I asked these school counselors to please consider him for this grades and accomplishments…not his race, and I was told that would not be possible. I guess that’s why the Supreme Court determine that my hometowns school assignment plan was racist towards everyone but blacks.

I think the reason “some” people struggle with this is because its not really based on how one “looks”. There are so many “black” looking people, who dont actually consider themselves black…but rather Latino. There are many people who look “white” but consider themselves black.

So while, in part i understand her saying “well, just look at me”…but it goes deeper than that, clearly….as “looks” are not the only factor.

As a “white” person, I dont fully understand how one “decides” what they are. I am “white” because i look white. True…but I also claim “white” because i dont claim French, German & Irish as who I am, much like how African-American’s do (although, the same people who claim this also appear to claim “Black” but that wouldnt work for O’Brien who is Cuban & Australian & Black)

College’s generally do not offer “race specific” scholarships anymore; everything has gone socio-economic. So this Black girl worked her way through school, even while hearing her non-Black friends comment on how much cheaper it must be for her (seriously? all of my scholarships were merit based and even then, with a 4.0 I was about 6 grand short on my private school tuition each year). Unfortunately, my parents always just miss the cutoff for full tuition assistance.

My father is bi-racial, and he always sang about being black and proud. His mother was practically disowned by her father for marrying a Black man. The Black family refused to have anything to do with them. Would he have chose differently? I don’t think he had a choice; he had to go to the segregated Black school. Society decided on the one drop rule, not the children whose parents were color-blind. And even today, whether parents acknowledge it or not, their children must choose. Because society likes the delination of black and white.

Shopping and driving while Black are special experiences. As a child, I remember my father being placed in the back of a police cruiser and the car being searched because he was pumping gas near the scene of a robbery where the suspect was 5′5 to 6′5 and Black. Yep, they really do give out such dumb descriptions (even now; this is public record people). And my father just sat there, while all of the non-black people looked and pointed. My father has never committed a crime, and has no criminal record. But I saw him in the back of a polic car no less than four times. And the officers didn’t bother to ask him if he identified. And no one ever apologizes.

I have already watched the preview for this program on itunes; I will purchase it as soon as I can to show to as many people as possible. Furthermore, I think that CNN should acknowledge the other disadvantaged groups in this country, and highlight their history and plight as well. The United States of America has a terrible track record with their minorities. ALL their minorities.

Can we do White In America later? Break it down to the Irish, Scots, English, German, French, Austrians? And then later do Hispanic in America with Mexican, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, Panamanians? And maybe Polynesian in America with Samoans, Guamians? I know! How about if we do American in America!? Then we can focus on us; Americans!

Get it now?

Dear Soledad - we appreciate the program “Blacks in America” - but we are concerned that the myth that HIV/AIDS is the number 1 health in our community is being perpetuated. Most of our African American sisters and brothers are dying from heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes with risk factors of obesity, hypertension, stress & depression.HIV/AIDS is a serious problem, but it is not the number one health problem decimating our community.
Thank you for your series on Black in America - it is important and informative.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Hughes Gaston, MD
Gayle K. Porter, Psy.D.

We are in such a sad state in America right now with race relations. Only an idiot would say that discrimination does not exist. It does, and it is everywhere.
Unfortunately it seems, that in the news, the only racial incidents that happen are white against black. There is so much hipocracy that exists in the media when it comes to racial discrimination. There is a proud proponderance of self claiming “black groups” in our society. These are accepted groups, and never thought of as racist. There are black media outlets (BET, Ebony), black news papers, black congressional groups, black religious groups, black colleges, and the list goes on and on. In discussions in these groups, there is often the mention of “our people”, “our race”, “white people” and this is accepted as fine.
What would happen if there was a “white congressional caucus”? It would instantly be recognized as racist. I think the same would be held true if there was White Entertainment TV, or Ivory Magazine. If a white person says “you people” that person is instantly labeled as racist. How many “white scholarships” are available?
Too many times, anything not labeled as black is presumed to be white…i.e., white media.
Mr. Obama can go to a NAACP meeting and talk about the “problems in black society”, what the responsibilities of black fathers should be. Can you imagine if Mr. McCain said the same thing?
How many times have you seen a nationwide media spectacle where a black cop shot a white person, and have it labeled as a racial outrage? Never. How many times in the media do you see stories of a non-hispanic cop shooting or beating a hispanic person being portrayed as racist?
When is THE national media going to really, openly discuss this nation’s racial problem?
I guess since I am bringing up the concept that the racial issues that face us, as a nation and society is not limited to the black community makes me a racist in many peoples eyes. I realize that this will comment will not be addressed by the big media because it is not something that will be popular, it will not garner increased publicity, but at least it has been said.

Respectfully,

Rick Gray

Blah, Blah, Blah…

With so many immigration, legal, political and economic issues, why do we continue to be innundated(sp) with Black, Black, Black ???

Blacks are not even the largest minority population in the US anymore.

Go to school and graduate
Participate in life
Get married before you have children
Rely on yourself and family to make things happen

NEXT

Specials like this do nothing constructive. In a time when we are trying to erase racial divisions, such reporting, not to mention the existence of organizations such as NAACP, La Raza, the various black and hispanic, Chambers of Commerce plus the racially specific caucuses in Congress…ad nauseaum…merely reinforce those divisions.

I always thought that “separate but equal” didn’t work, but by all appearances that is exactly the direction these groups are moving in. I suppose that’s fine if it’s what you want, but stop making whites the whopping boy for your actions.

Soledad,

I understand that the african-american community embraces barack due to the ‘one-drop’ rule. I thought that the Supreme Court threw out that rule.

I served in the military for four years and have had many black and white friends in my lifetime. The cultural divide between blacks and whites is never more prominent than in the military. Go to the chow hall, bars, gym, and barracks you will see segregation at its finest. We as a society tend to group ourselves first by race, then gender, and finally by interests. I regret somtimes not going over to another ethnic groups conversation, I might have learned smething or at least lessened the gap of racial discomfort.

Why isn’t the term “Bi-Racial” ever used whenever someone such as yourself (Soledad O’Brien) discusses her or his ancestry?

OK.. this is getting stupid now.

CNN.. is race baiting.

CNN is holding FAKE discussions with the usual suspects.

CNN is afraid to point out WHY blacks have problems shopping and the like

CNN is trying to gloss over all of the relevant facts in order to portray blacks as victims.

CNN moderates these very discussions to tailor the outcome ..

Tim wrote:

“I cant think of a more boring program to watch so count me out.”

I won’t watch it either, even though non-stop white guilt trips are anything but “boring.”

Eric wrote:

“Why do you think so many super models come from Brazil?”

I haven’t noticed that. They just seem to get more media attention.

BTW, the most famous Brazilian model, Gisele, is of 100% Northern European ancestry. I think she puts the other models to shame.

KH wrote:

“Some of the pathologies you witness in urban areas are the results of racist policies that America has never fully addressed.”

Catch-all excuses — the gifts that keep on giving. One hundred years from now people like you will be saying the exact same thing.

Soledad –

I look forward to viewing this special but the views displayed in the comments are disheartening. It’s sad to see how many individuals are careless for the plight of others. It’s young Americans like me who struggle to raise children, struggle to teach them values in a world that values nothing. I only hope our children shake the chain of negativity that many grow up still wear with pride.

When I read the comments on this board, it further reinforces my feeling that topics like this are completely worthless. This is more about the person who initiated this topic, then it is about making any change. I am a black male, and I have never been profiled, I have never been detained in any store, I have never been wrongfully arrested or detained because I fit a profile. But more importantly, if I had, I would not sit around complaining about it. Why, because complaining makes not one bit of difference to anyone. I, and I alone, am responsible for whatever success or happiness I achieve from the few years I have on this earth, and I have to overcome whatever discriminations, whatever unfairness, whatever challenges, my skin color, my weight, my face, whatever it is that some people will try to use to make it hard.

Tim,

Are you equating ’standing up for oneself’ and ‘expecting equal & not denigrating treatment’ to ‘complaining?’ Surely you jest.

Soledad.. I noticed that you are a member of the “Blcak Journalists Association” AND you are a member of the “Latino Journalists Association”

Can you tell us why there are race based organizations like this in America?

While you are at it try and explain how the Black Caucus is an appropriate thing in an integrated society.

kc July 23rd, 2008 1:07 pm ET

Blah, Blah, Blah…

With so many immigration, legal, political and economic issues, why do we continue to be innundated(sp) with Black, Black, Black ???

Blacks are not even the largest minority population in the US anymore.

Go to school and graduate??? ONLY BLACK KIDS DROPOUT
Participate in life-WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
Get married before you have children-ONLY BLACKS HAVE CHILDREN BEFORE THEY GET MARRIED
Rely on yourself and family to make things happen- WHO SAYS WE DON’T

NEXT

ARE YOU SAYING WE DON’T?

“I am a black male, and I have never been profiled, I have never been detained in any store, I have never been wrongfully arrested or detained because I fit a profile. But more importantly, if I had, I would not sit around complaining about it. Why, because complaining makes not one bit of difference to anyone. I”

This is the only person who has it right. Soledad.. Get this..?

God bless you Tim.

That was beautifully written. I believe that Martin Luther King, Jr. shared your thoughts. ….”my children would some day be known for the content of their character and not the color of their skin”…. I tell my children all the time that “action have consequences” and “their failures are theirs”…no one else’s. You are right on the money.

The day when we can all stop focusing on our differences, whether good or bad, black or white, is when we can expect racism and prejudice to end. We’re all human beings….that’s it.

As a 28 year old college educated black male, I can honestly say i’ve never used the “oh i’m black so i’m the victim” card. My mother had me out of wedlock at 16. She’s since went on to have a 6 figure career and i’m not doing bad myself. But i do have to ask, has anyone that is not black been pulled over by the police in their own neighborhood and given the reason “cuz you dont look like you belong here”? Or shopping in an ritzy store and not receiving any service for a half hour while other people of a differerent skin tone come in and get helped from the door? If you havent experienced these types of situations, u definately should watch Soledad’s special.

Rick Gray you wrote–

What would happen if there was a “white congressional caucus”? It would instantly be recognized as racist. I think the same would be held true if there was White Entertainment TV, or Ivory Magazine. If a white person says “you people” that person is instantly labeled as racist. How many “white scholarships” are available?

Don’t you get it? Congress was always white before Blacks became legal to even run for office. Most of these organizations exist to level the playing field. When outlets like MTV, VH1, wouldn’t play our music, a Black man created BET so people of color would have an outlet. BET is now owned by a White corporation. Whites profit from the negative images displayed on BET. Do your research.

Dear Soledad - we appreciate the program “Blacks in America” - but we are concerned that the myth that HIV/AIDS is the number 1 health in our community is being perpetuated. Most of our African American sisters and brothers are dying from heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes with risk factors of obesity, hypertension, stress & depression.HIV/AIDS is a serious problem, but it is not the number one health problem decimating our community.

Dr. Porter -

While it is true that blacks are dying (disproportionately) from most of those diseases you mention, the issue of HIV/AIDS is a special one. This one is taboo. Extremely taboo. Blacks are contracting HIV at a rate of 8 to 10 times greater than the general population. That is alarming.

People (especially many in the black community) want to pretend like this is a gay white male issue and that is why they are still contracting this disease in signficant numbers.

Most people are not afraid to talk about (and admit) diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. But for Americans (especially several Black Americans) too many are still in denial about HIV/AIDS.

If anything - I think we need to ‘up the ante’ on discussions about prevention, awareness, and taboo subjects like these which only cause more people to become infected (and thus have shorter life spans, reduced quality of life, increased episodes of discrimination & depression, etc)

While I have no dount that racism exists, the only places I have seen it are in people who are too stupid or stubborn to change, both black and white. The people who would watch this show already agree with you, so what is the point? It is like going to Brown and offering a free screening of An Inconvenient Truth.

I think if we are actually going to be a “post-racial” society (as an Obama supporter put it), we need to stop talking oppression and what is owed. Let people truly be judged on the content of their character.

The subject of race is complex to say the least, however, the use of race for convenience or as a lightening rod is unacceptable.

Los Angeles contains over 140 nationalities which is representative of today’s America which helps make our nation so colorful.

I find it a bit troubling to focus on one race when in many cases, including yours Soledad, the tapestry is multi-colorful and diverse.

How is it that an asian immigrant can come to America with nothing, often times having been persecuted in his or her homeland and within one generation marry, start a family, start a business and then send his children to our nation’s finest schools.

This example can be attributed to people of all races, however, the amswer may lie in self respect and the culture the person came from.

I find it very interesting to see Barack Obama rise up yet some in the black community like Jackson and Rev. Wright want to slow his ascent and maintain separatist ties.

Unless the black community starts demenading accountability of their own and creates a culture that does not tolerate anything less, they will collectively fall behind all immigrants and plummet to unforeseen depths.

When I hear stories of black individuals receiving unjust treatment from the police, I feel for them. I know they are racially discriminated against in some form with nearly every facet of our society.

However, I think some education needs to go on. Almost every WHITE person I know has received improper treatment from the police.

I believe the police in this nation are suffering from an epidemic of thinking they’re the law. They’re not. They’re law ENFORCEMENT.

These people have never apologized to me. Ever. Not for pulling me over for no reason. Not for pulling a field sobriety test when I haven’t had a drink in 25 years. Not for telling me I couldn’t go into my own home while they were investigating a burglary two blocks away.

The problem is that the police don’t apologize because they think it’s their right to treat the public like everyone’s a criminal.

So they’re biased against everyone. With my African-American friends, it’s just way easier for a cop to rationalize it as an excuse.

Soledad,

To be quite honest I did not know you were of African decent until you mentioned it. I honestly thought you were Italian, Morrocan, or whatever.. Go figure…

Sorry sweetheart, but not everyone views this world only in Black and White..

I think the issue of race in America is always going to be very touching.
I am currently working for acompany and I received a racial email from the vice president of Human resources. I contacted the head of the company and I did not get no response instead they hired a team of lawyers to defend the HR Vice president and I am the subject of a lot of harassment. I email the governor of MAryland and all the senators. The EEOC is handling the case but I am still harrass. We don’t have anyone or organisation to complaint to.
When are ever going to have equality in this contry?

The Race issue as played out at nauseum ever since the phonemon of Barrack Obama started .Cnn should just focus on the candiates and leave the that alone. This just creates more hype and agruements . But of course good ratings grabber right?

Soledad,

What happened to Dr. King’s call ‘that we judge a man ( and woman) not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character? Why, in your reference to Sen. Obama, do you say ‘have you seen him’? I thought Sen. Obama said we are not white americans, black american, asian americans, latino americans; we are ALL americans.

Well, one thing that doesn’t matter if you’re Black is the police when they do something wrong. They simply don’t apologize and generally act with disdain and arrogance towards those they’re supposed to “serve and protect”.

I also think the real days of racism are long gone in these days where most people are multi-racial like myself. There is absolutely still discrimination but it is more about “Class” and “Culture” than skin color.

I’m tired of hearing about it too. I’ve been followed by security too - all because I’ve dared to stop in a store on the spur of the moment and wasn’t dressed up enough to meet their standards. Get over it. I work for a department store. We pay special attention to whoever we need to pay special attention to. If we’ve caught teenage shoplifters, then we watch teenagers closely for a while. If we’ve had a particular minority get caught stealing, then we’ll watch that particular group for a time. It may be unfortunate to have to do this, but you’d be surprised to see how many times it pays off and saves us thousands of dollars in losses.

Why do we even have to have a debate about black and white. Black is black and white is white. Their should be no bi-racial marriages. When there are child born into this kind of relationship they do get misplaced. I believe if God had wanted blacks and whites to be together as man and wife this is what would have been. This is really what gets me. When I am out and I see a black and white couple together they cannot look at you in the face as if they were embarrassed or something.

As I read through thos Blog, I understand why race will alwasy be an issue. Many white people believe that black people are just complaining, other races want to be included. How could a series on Black in America be offensive to other races? All black people don’t complain, all black people aren;t on welfare, gun toting thugs, 6 kids by 8 different men. BUT, we are all viewed that way. I have heard on numerours occasions that “We need to get over slavery and Jim Crow laws”… OK so the Jews should get over the Holocaust?? The problem here is and has always been a failure to communicate… BETWEEN BLACK PEOPLE AND WHITE PEOPLE………. OUR HISTORY IS HUNDREDS OF YEARS OLD……….. AND IT ALL HAPPENED HERE… IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…….. Until we realize and recgnize that we will forever be lost. I understand that there are immigrants here……… legal and illegal, and all of that…. but to be truly honest.BLACKS AND WHITES BUILT THIS COUNTRY AND THE ONLY THING WE (BLACKS) ARE ASKING IS THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, RESPECT AND JUSTICE THAT IS DUE TO US. If the civil rights movement had not happened, if the fight to be equal had not happened….Can you imagine the americathat we would be living in????????

THE MAIN POINT: THIS IS OUR COUNTRY JUST AS MUCH.. IF NOT MORE…. THAN YOURS.

I have even read
about something called the paper bag test and read history
books about how race was determined by how much of a
percentage one was white,black, etc.

Actually, the “paper bag test” was supposedly used by Light Skinned African Americans as a way to discriminate against those who were darker.

It is just another example of how twisted the entire notion of race has become. The reality is there is no biological basis for race. There is, instead, a social construct that is used to categorize the uncategorizible. While racism does still exist and it still matters what one’s official race is, for good and bad, in this country. I hope for the day when we can put this nonsense behind us.

Stop whining about the challenges you face in life. People profile for reasons outside of ignorance, the profile because of statistics.

kat wrote:

“People like John, Mike and especially ChrisNYC are two steps away from … reviving the “great and glorious” tradition of lynching.”

All three posts were intelligent, articulate, and factual.

You need to get a grip.

Can you do a show on White America? Or would this be considered racist? I’m dont view black ppl as thugs, in fact i view them as having just as many rights as i do. I’m not sure how it works in the rest of the world but where i’m from if you are black your chances of getting a job are much higher than if you are white. I feel if you are going to do a show on “being black in america” then you also need to do one on hispanics as well as whites. Just so you know i have black and hispanic friends. I think i am becoming sick of discussions about black people! Everywhere i turn, a black tv programming station like BET, black magazines, black month, somebody did some black man wrong, NAACP rasing hell about a flag in SC, to a word that starts with a N. I actually hear more black ppl saying the N word more than any other race combined. If you are any other race and you say that word you are guilty of being racist, just doesn’t seem right! A flag? Does the NAACP have anything else to do? Who is paying for them to cry about a flag? They wanted it moved from one location, so guess what? they moved it, now, they want it moved again and are holding protest? This kind of action really upsets me. Conclusion: Stop giving in everytime a black person screams racisim, and that goes to any other race including white or hispanic! And just because someone says the N word don’t consider it a word of racisim since anytime i hear it its usually coming from a black person. And if you think America is racist, then look at these events; Basketball and Football and tell me what the percentage rates are on that!!! In my area called “projects” which means live in an apartment and pay nothing or get paid to live in them over 97% are black so you tell me who is getting the short end of the stick here? Come on People slavery ended a long time ago this is 2008 not 1908 move on and stop being “all about the black” !! Thank You - God Bless All Nationalities in America

I can’t wait to watch the show since it will undoubtedly be a long winded blamefest about whitey holding the black man down in every aspect of life while totally ignoring personal responsibility or cultural aspects that black communities need to address. No doubt we will see a ton of claims of racism, but they won’t be proven by actual evidence; instead we’ll just be prejudice, automatically accept the black person’s word on it, never give the other party any chance to confront the accusation, and skew stats/give one-sided stats to try to make a connection. Makes me sick to even think you’re trying to pass such nonsense off as real in-depth reporting.

Jimmy K. it was whites who created the law that if a person has an once of black blood even though that person had black and white parents, you are considered black. Basically, because the white racists in the Jim Crow era felt a person was contaminated with that “black” blood running through them. Now we’re seeing those old racist laws and values start to bite America on her butt. You reap what you sow.

In regards to the special, “Black in America”, it’s very important because African-Americans are still not treated fairly in a lot of areas. Not to say society is totally to blame for that because personal responsibility is something that we all must have but there are still an institutions of racism that discriminates in the job markets and the housing markets particularly.

People can say look at Sen. Barack Obama. He’s black. He’s successful but can they say unequivocally he will be president? Oprah Winfrey is a very successful black woman but it didn’t stop her from being mistreated by a major white department store in France. Even after being famous for over 20 years they claimed to not know who she was. So let not be blind and think that we’re on an equal playing field because we’re not there yet.

Jimmy K you wrote–

I wish I had an ounce of black in me in that case. College sure would be a whole lot cheaper.

Why do Whites, and I’m assuming you’re White because of your comments, believe that being Black gives you some “magical free ride” through college? One where we don’t receive excessive student loan debts just like our white counterparts? Where is all this free money coming from? I sure as hell pay for my own college tuition through government aid and loans like everyone else.

Or did you fill out the “Whites Only” FAFSA?

_Brian_
To respond as a third party, I have just gone through the college system and seen first hand how the actions of a few can taint the opinions of many. After applying for federal aid, and scholarships and getting none of them because my single mother made too much money. To then go to college and find students who didn’t have the grades I did, nor the experiance before college, got the same aid and scholarships that I tried for does nothing but taint peoples opinions.

Just one persons opinion

Soledad,

It does not say on my passport that I am a caucasian-american.; it only says I am a citizen of the United States of America. Does your passport say you are an african-latino-american citizen?

CNN…why are you not posting the submission from an West African Black person…or does Black in American mean Americans only not Africans?

Trust me ..Africans also experience racism from African American. some who believe we are tribal touting/ machete wielding savages…

In short Africans are charity cases (not equals) as you journalist made the world to believe….

“THIS IS OUR COUNTRY JUST AS MUCH.. IF NOT MORE…. THAN YOURS.”

You lost me at the “if not more” aspect. Adding it just goes to show that you don’t want any form of equality in terms of acknowledgment and instead want us to act like the country is more yours than ours.

This series sucks, it’s pointless and a waste of tv space. Grow up CNN.

This is beyond belief. I thought if your father was black and your mother white, then you were considered black. I am not understanding this discussion on race, when people have an ounce of black blood will claim to be black, but in years past it would be hidden. Is this opportunism at its best. Really, what happened to us all being humans. Because I was born in poverty, suffered physical and mental abuse, malnutrition and all effects of the above, mean that I should pronounce to the world..hey, look at me, I deserve more because I was disadvantaged…is being black truly disadvantaged…I think not.

My sister-in-law recently told me of some friends of hers, a couple that are both visibly multiracial. She tells me that every time they have to wait because a store clerk is busy and can’t get to them right away, or a waitress takes too long to get to their table, or whatever, they ALWAYS assume it’s racially motivated. And they get angry, every time… which is to say, almost every day. And they are certainly not alone in this; I’ve heard similar grievances from many black folks.

For purposes of illustration, let’s take a look at some of my own social grievances:
I’ve had to wait a long time for restaurant service..many times…. it seemed that the waiters/waitresses “forgot” about us. .
I’ve been refused service at a Denny’s (!) for no reason that I could detect — right at a time when Denny’s was in the national news for this!
I’ve had white store clerks take their time getting to me, more times than I could count.
I’ve gotten hostile, ‘rejecting’ vibes from white people I just met.
As a teenager (the most “shoplifting-prone” profile), I often got the distinct feeling that I was the object of suspicious attention by store staff… despite the fact that I’ve never