Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 09:38:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Beth Gray
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Dear Mr. Landrith:
I'm sure you and others have noticed, and perhaps others have posted about it, and if so then I repeat: Why is it that when racist "whites" and "blacks" post to the site they only do what they have always done -- attack, denigrate, or deny mixed race identity. Don't they have the guts or the brains to really read and think about the ideas and experiences expressed here? Racists that are allowed to sound off on your site never address the myths of white purity and of hypodescent. They never address the fundamental truth that one person can not define another, they never address that each human being has the right to define herself/himself. They don't grapple with the fact that they are hung up on trying to dominate and control others. They very vocally spout their own self-definitions but are not civilized enough, not psychologically nor spiritually mature enough to understand you allow them to express themselves here, which is more than they would allow you or me.
Editor: This letter ran at the end of last quarter, but is so good that I'm running it again. Thanks Beth!
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 00:31:52 -0400
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Thought you'd find this interesting
I came across this at National Review's website and thought you might find it of interest.
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 06:37:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Charlotte
Subject: INTERRACE HAVEN FORUM
Hi James - there's an interesting discussion going on at the Delphi Interrace Haven Forum in the "What do White men really think of Black women" thread. It's about how children of interracial unions should indentify. We need a few more on our side, but we're holding out OK for now.
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 14:03:48 -0000
From: Scott & Candice Shelton
Subject: I Need Help
I am a mother of a seven year old daughter that last year a back woods judge
gave her biological father custody, My daughter is a biracial child and the judge said on stand that I deserve everything I get for going out side my race,It took me seven years to get away from my ex-husbands abuse and now he is taking it out on our daughter. We buried our youngest son May of 1996 due to the beating he gave me while i was pregnant that caused my son to hemerage at birth, now my daugther has suffered abuse from not only her father but her fathers girlfriend which is another white women who just had another child with my ex-husband, my daughter has been beaten with leather belts, her arm was broken to were she had to have surgery and pins put in it. She was ate up with head lice and head mites that you only see on a animal. I have contacted all the right people I thought attorneys and human services and no one wants to get involved. I have refused to send my daughter back and I may be facing jail, to protect my child. But if I don't stand up for her who will? Any help you can give me is very much appreciated. I now live in Indiana but my divorce took place in Columbia, TN which I don't see how that happened since we were residents of Alabama at the time where my daughter was attending school.
Sincerely,
Candice Shelton
I buried my youngest son I don't want to bury my daughter too!
Editor: I hate getting mail like this. Any attorneys out there want to take this on? What about those of you in the Justice Department who read this page? How about passing it on to some private sector colleagues. Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 23:13:10 -0700
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: How Race Is Really Lived in America
I came across this at Salon and thought you might find it of interest.
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2000 00:28:47 EDT
From: JJ
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Dear Friend
I need your help spreading the word about a tragedy that continues today. In Hampton, Virginia, Medic/Firefighters are deliberately withholding and delaying care to minority patients who call 911, causing serious injury and death. They have also been caught molesting unconscious female patients in the back of the ambulances. I am calling for an independent investigation into these activities. Please view the below site and see the evidence for
your self. Thank you so much. PLEASE VISIT MY PAGE AND SIGN THE PETITION FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.
UPDATE, The state EMS board is finally investigating this case. Please email the investigator and let him know you support an investigation, and the truth will come out. The investigator is Dave Cullen, his email is, dcullen@vdh.state.va.us
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2000 21:27:46 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Pushkin claimed by "one droppers"
_________________________________________________________________
>
>MAGAZINES & JOURNALS
>
>A glance at the summer issue of "Transition":
>Exploring Pushkin's black roots
>
>Aleksandr Pushkin's African roots are crucial to understanding
>Russia's beloved poet, writes Anne Lounsbery, a lecturer in
>Russian literature at Harvard University. Ms. Lounsbery writes
>about Pushkin's pride in his genealogy, and his strong
>connection to his African ancestor, Avram Gannibal -- a man who
>appears in some of the poet's literary endeavors. Gannibal was
>the son of a local prince in what is now Cameroon. Purchased as
>a slave by a Russian diplomat, Gannibal so impressed Peter the
>Great with his intellect that the czar made him his godson and
>sent him to France to be educated. Gannibal eventually became a
>great general, and both of Pushkin's parents were his
>descendants. Although some scholars have argued that Gannibal
>was Abyssinian and therefore not black, others have protested
>that view; the poet himself took pride in his blackness.
>"Pushkin described himself, and his African ancestor, with words
>that designated all black people, including the slaves of the
>New World; he referred to American slaves as 'my brothers
>negry,'" she writes. According to Ms. Lounsbery, Pushkin "first
>entered American consciousness as a black man." He has been
>written about in the black press; there is a prize for black
>writers named after him; an African-American museum in Harlem
>dedicates an exhibition to him. Much of his Russian-ness was
>thrown into relief by his relationship to his estranged
>homeland, Africa. "He was a race man for Russia," Ms. Lounsbery
>writes. The article is not available online, but information
>about the journal is available at
>http://www.TransitionMagazine.com
>_________________________________________________________________
>
>You may visit The Chronicle as follows:
>
> * via the World Wide Web, at http://chronicle.com
> * via telnet at chronicle.com
>_________________________________________________________________
>
>Copyright (c) 2000 The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inc.
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 15:08:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nathan Griffin
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I am 16 and biracial and I like to thank you for supporting the mixed race. I have 7 other biracial siblings who are proud to be mixed. If it were up to me everybody would be mixed so they can see what true beuaty is. Any way I like thank you guys and also ask to be apart of your orgainzation please email for a response.
sincerely
Nathan Griffin
p.s. MIX POWER FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 21:17:52 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: HATE-CRIME LAWS NOT FOR `WHITES ONLY'
I came across this at Chicago Tribune and thought you might find it of interest.
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 20:42:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: stephen mcdow
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Hi, This is Stephen McDow, and I have a new email address that I check. ci911e@hotmail.com
I just want you to know that I'm in an inter-racial relationship. I am African American and she is Greek. Her family love me, however her father, who she does not get along with and barely takes care of her, hates me and he doesn't even know me. I'm a good guy, from a good family and he hates me because of the color of my skin. Poor guy, it's shame he has so much pride.
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 03:53:25 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" claims Tiger Woods as "black"
The public radio program "Talk of the Nation" aired a shamelessly pro-hypodescent program on July 24 attacking Tiger Woods. Host Juan Williams and sportswriter John Feinstein made a ludicrous comparison of Tiger Woods with Muhammad Ali, speculating as to when Tiger will use his fame to promote a "black" political agenda for "his people." These idiots tried to promote the idea that Tiger is somehow morally bound to use his money and fame to promote some kind of black militancy. They implied that Woods was somehow deluded or foolish to not identify as "African American" and abandon his Asian and other non-black heritage.
Thankfully, one Asian caller to the program pointed out that Thais and other Asians are well aware of Tiger's kinship to them, but they do not demand constant assertions of "pride" and oaths of "racial" loyalty the way American "blacks" do. To but it frankly, they do not have a major inferiority complex while "black" Americans are almost totally defined by their emotional insecurity.
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 22:22:39 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Editor's Note: Priests in the Temple of Hate
I came across this at Frontpage Magazine and thought you might find it of interest.
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 21:05:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: vera king
Subject: Letter to the Editor
The one thing I really hate about this board is the broad generalization of people. This especially concerns the July 24 message from A.D. Powell to James Landrith concerning a Tiger Woods special on "Talk of the Nation". Why do people constantly say black people are trying to claim Tiger Woods? Have you talked to every single black person in America? Did every black person in America and the world call into "Talk of the Nation" and tried to claim Tiger Woods was black?
I do not care what Tiger Woods does or what he is. My life has gone on before and I know it will go on after Tiger Woods leaves the limelight. I'm so tired of people saying blacks are so insecure we have to try to claim Tiger Woods. Do you think we all are betting our lives on Tiger Woods? Please give us a break. NOT ALL BLACK AMERICANS CLAIM TIGER WOODS IS BLACK!!!!! And then you have the audacity to say one, I repeat one Asian caller called and because he said Asians do not have to claim loyalty to Mr. Woods you felt he talked for all Asians because ONE single Asian caller called in. So really you see a few people making remarks and you broad stroke the whole culture. You do not know every black person and it is really insulting to make such an insensitve generalization. I am so sick and tired of people thinking blacks are monolithic, we only have one train of thoughts or views. I hope if you are in an interracial relationship with a black person you will give that person the respect of individuality.
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000 00:24:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: National Alliance
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Editor's Note: This message edited for ridiculous content. After editing, there was nothing left. Sorry.
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000 14:52:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Why is it that everybody in this country confuses skin color with race? Here's a surprise for everybody - Skin color is the LEAST deciding factor in determing race. Race has to do with physical features such as nose shape, eye shape, height of cheekbones, lip thickness and shape, and hair texture. So how do we define race, you ask? Well, there are three main races of the world: Caucasoid (Caucasion), Negroid, and Mongoloid. Caucasoids include peoples indigenous to Europe, North Africa, West Asia, and India. Although people from these regions may range from light to brown skin color, you must look at the similarities in their facial features. The next group, the Negroids, include peoples indigenous to central and southern Africa. Finally, the third group, the Mongoloids, include peoples indigenous to central and east Asia. In case you were wondering, the peoples indigenous to South and North America, otherwise known as Native Americans, are a subgroup of Mongoloids. If, for some reason, you don't believe me, look at the similarites in facial features and hair. Now to answer my question posed at the beginning - Why does everybody confuse skin color with race? The answer: We have become overly politically correct. Do I expect everybody to start calling themselves Caucasoids, Negroids, and Mongoloids? Absolutely not (Although the term "Caucasion" is still widely used today). However, using these terms sure would cause a lot less confusion. When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Black, white, yellow, and brown are not races - they're colors. Asian and Mexican are not races either - they're countries. In fact, it is truly idiotic and lazy of the United States Census Bureau to put all people from Latin America into one group ("Hispanic" or "Latino") when people from Mexico and Puerto Rico have virtually nothing in common in terms of race, food, music, and overall culture. The only thing they share is that they both speak Spanish. That's all for now - I'm tired of typing and it's nice outside.
Editor: Regardless of what is "correct" or "incorrect" - why do we have to have labels in the first place?
Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2000 06:42:18 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Reply to "Tom" on the myth of "3 races"
Reader "Tom" is totally wrong when he promotes the myth of "three great races." In my review of "Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the Alchemy of Race," (http://www.webcom.com/intvoice/powell11.html), I go into great detail to show that what we now call "ethnicities" or "nationalities" used to be called "races." It should be obvious that it is totally idiotic to say that a black-skinned Tamil in India and a Nordic Swede both belong to the same "race" when the same people who defend the myth of the nearly black "caucasian" won't defend a part-African European accused of "passing as white." The fact is that you can take any quality and create a "race" in the mind. Likewise, there will always be exceptions to any "racial" rule you create. The Third Reich gassed blond Jews and made alliances with darker Italians and the very NON-Aryan Japanese.
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 11:44:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: stephanie baldwin
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I'm here to comment on the Republican National Convention. I think it's a sham. Have they ever thought that it was they who practice racism in everyday life. From racial profiling to redlining, I haven't heard any condemnation from them. What about racial classification? Unfortunately, they are silent on that issue. How about Bob Jones and the Confederate Flag controversy? Still no condemnation. Sure, those Republican politicians Parade around the convention with their interracial and transracially adopted children as well as gay relatives, yet their platform and the delegates said otherwise.
Stephanie
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 13:25:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: K. Jackson
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I would like to concur with Vera, most black Americans do not care what race Tiger Woods chooses to be, that is his own right. Some of us support him for his honesty and pride in the fact that he is of both worlds. But Tiger, like Juan Williams, is not a spokesperson for all Blacks. When will the national media and the rest of the world get it that Blacks are no more monolithic in their beliefs than any other group.
It is a racist, paternalistic statement to make to say that we are all democrats, liberals, poor, uneducated, on welfare, and it is racist to think that we all sit around waiting for a role model or spokesperson. I for one do not fit the mode of any of these categories. I have never voted for Democrat and never will, I am not liberal and have never been poor. I am fifth generation college educated (paid for not by financial aid or handouts, but rather by my hardworking professional and educated Father and mother) and I have never even seen a food stamp.
Let Tiger Woods be Tiger Woods, a bi-racial/multi-racial young man and one hell of a golfer. Let's worry about our lives and helping those less fortunate, not trying to create false idols and icons to give racial pride. I am Afican American married to a Scottish American. We are proud of being Americans, of where we come from, but especially of where we are going. My color doesn't give or take away from my self esteem, what I am proud of is being a Christian and living to serve God by serving others.
Peace Be with You all!!
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 23:27:40 EDT
From: Marc Levin
Subject: Thank You
James,
Thank you very much for reprinting our editorial. Your website is superb.
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 18:53:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Check out Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America at Amazon.com
There is a good article about McWhorter and his book in "The Chronicle of Higher Education (August 11, pages A51-A52). Also, read the excerpt in Amazon.com. He doesn't go all the way to endorsing multiracial identity, but the mindset he describes is the same one we encounter.
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 10:46:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frances Onipede
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Has anyone seen the movie, The Nephew. It was shown on the Starz channel last week. It is co-produced by Pierce Brosnan who also has a role in the film. It is made in Ireland and has an Irish theme.
The story is about a teenage boy whose mother was Irish (from Ireland) and father was either a black American or Black Hispanic. His father died when he was ten and his mother died of cancer recently. He goes to Ireland to live with his uncle, his mother's brother, on the uncle's farm in a small Irish village. The film explores his conflicts, a romance with a local girl, Irish and American music (he sings at a wake and his cousin makes up an Irish rap piece. Mainly it concerns conflicts in the village from an old scandal involving his mother and the local bar owner (Pierce Brosnan, the father of the girl in the film). It all ends happily.
I liked the film because it ended happily and accepted that the boy was Irish and should be accepted as such. I would like to hear other people's comments, from those who have seen the film.
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 21:22:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Winkel
Subject: February colloquy, George Winkel and Charles Michael Byrd
February colloquy, George Winkel and Charles Michael Byrd
Rummaging in old e-mails I rediscovered this February 2000 e-mail colloquy. It
is Charles Michael Byrd replying to my asking about Jean Toomer's characterizing
"race" as "verbal hypnotism." This threads our discussing some timeless, very
central ideas, and I think maybe Multiracial Activist readers might find our
exchange worthwhile.
George Winkel wrote:
> Charles,
> Jean Toomer wrote: "I would liberate myself and ourselves from the entire
> machinery of verbal hypnotism.... I am simply of the human race."
> http://www.webcom.com/intvoice/editor22.html
> I feel these words might convey much more than poetry.
>
> I am intrigued with Toomer's insightful suggestion "race" "exists" as a
> hypnotic suggestion (i.e., a "trance" maybe?). I feel I arrived at this
> thought too (almost independently). Do you know if Toomer had more to say
> about this? Perhaps others have investigated the idea? Do you know?
>
[Charles:]
He most likely did have more to say about it, though I'd have to reread the book "The Lives of Jean Toomer: A Hunger for Wholeness" to be sure. Amazon.com carries it, and their quarterly reports tell me that a few others have purchased that particular book through them.
[George:]
> I don't claim to know much about hypnotism. I took my undergraduate degree
> in psychology, but I probably learned more about the subject sitting in the
> audience watching a professional hypnotist named Dean performing his show in
> San Diego years ago. "Hypnotism" is simply a name for the surprising power
> of suggestion. From childhood we hear suggested the "reality" of "race,"
> and we inevitably receive the quiver of little stereotype arrows which get
> shot into each "race." Probably all sorts of prejudices transmit this same
> way -- by suggestion. But with "race," elements of physiognomy that can be
> seen, pointed too, generate a reinforcing suggestion of substantive reality.
> All of this is repeated (reinforced) in various forms throughout our lives.
[Charles:]
Yes. It is reinforced every time the President of the United States talks about improving "race" relations or some civil rights spokesman talks about tension between the "races." These individuals hold positions of authority, and the average person views them as opinion leaders who wouldn't possibly lie to them about something this important. It's like anything else. We believe what we're told until we open our eyes and see a higher truth. I've always believed that those of "mixed-race" are least likely to embrace this hypnotism, because it goes almost completely counter to their personal situations. "Mixed-race" people -- especially those who are phenotypically more "white" while being called "black" -- are kinda forced by this society to maintain open minds, to develop their intellectual curiosity. We tend to be the first to see the game for what it is.
[George:]
> I am thinking about possibly a distinction between "racism" and "race," with
> the latter far more culpable. In a nutshell, "racism" is probably a fear
> response, ranging to repugnant bigotry. But "race" is -- frankly -- a
> mental disease. And of course, it underlies racism and everything else.
[Charles:]
I like to say that "race" is a belief system, almost like a religion.
[George:]
> The symptom of this mental illness is deluded belief in the existence of a
> set of distinct categories into which everyone must fit. Of course, the set
> of categories are what we call "race." In fact there are no categories --
> only smoothly ranging natural variations in our human physiognomy.
[Charles:]
Exactly. It's like the old, worn-out yet still appropriate example which follows. Let's say it was possible to line up every single human (all six billion) on the planet side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder, starting with the lightest all the way to the darkest. Now, let's also say that it was possible for you to walk down that line looking each person in the eye, from number one to number six billion. Would you be able to detect any discernible difference in
skin color, hair texture, nose width as you proceed from human being to human being? Of course not! Would you be able to tell where the "white race" begins and ends, where the "black race" begins? Of course not! The media, however, has so brainwashed us that we only "see" representatives of the extreme ends of the color continuum. The average person wouldn't want to waste time thinking about what I've just typed. He's too comfortable with what he's been told since childhood.
[George:]
> (I suppose mixed-race people are perceived as mixed categories in this
> delusional world of "race." But it's hard to visualize, since the
> categories depend on indelible separating lines. Does this problem drive
> One-Droppers? A special name helps: e.g., "Eurasian," "Mulatto," etc.
> Then the mixed person can be fitted back into a subcategory of the "race"
> system.)
[Charles:]
Liam Martin says that "mixed" people use "race" more as language than anything else. I don't know that I agree with him 100%, and I do agree that "special names" can actually exacerbate the problem. Different people, however, come to this table with varying levels of consciousness, and I believe some are better served in the shortrun with one of these "special names." Others have totally transcended "race" and reach for spiritual enlightenment. Jean Toomer was such a person. So, at least within the context of a website like IV, you try to understand that we're not all at the same level, and you try to accommodate those who are just waking up from the hypnotic trance.
[George:]
> Of course millions of irate citizens will deny with their dying breath being
> "racist," and perhaps they are not. Another word for it, though, is
> "racialism" (meaning belief in inequalities between "races"). My point is
> you can struggle in your mind 'till the cows come home trying not to be
> racialist, and never banish the hypnotic suggestion "race exists." Indeed,
> "race" exists for the purpose of implying inequality, difference,
> "divisions," etc. The bottom line is: hell with "racism," it is "race" that
> has to go. (Don't worry, you can keep your eyes.)
[Charles:]
Yes. It's the notion that I'm constantly trying to drive home to people -- deconstruct "race." Once you do that, everything else collapses on it's own, because there's no longer the underlying support.
[George:]
> Perhaps modern mankind is especially vulnerable to hypnotic suggestion of
> "race's" existence. For one thing, it has a reputation of scientific bona
> fides. Certainly the Government assiduously collecting, tallying, and
> involving itself with "race," also stands in the way of our debunking the
> myth. But it seems to me the respected institutions of our society have the
> standing to all deny "race" with one voice, and be believed. I feel sure
> the same power of suggestion can be used to break the spell.
[Charles:]
Agreed, but they also have too much invested in maintaining that spell. That's not likely to happen anytime soon. It's also what infuriated me about Clinton's much ballyhooed "Race Panel." IT didn't achieve a damn thing, and Clinton deliberately missed the golden opportunity of a lifetime to stand in front of the cameras and tell America exactly what we're talking about. Being the consummate politician that he is, though, he remembered that the Democratic Party needs to be able to count on receiving 90+% of the "black" vote in every election, and so he opted for talking about "improving race relations." What a crock!
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 15:34:51 -0700 (PDT)
From: kihindei g. adai
Subject: Letter to the Editor
In response to the "mixies have made it" comment. Allow me to enlighten you that all mixed people are not mariah carey look-a-likes. Yes, she may have been successful because she has the best of both worlds. However, she may be a victim of exploitation by both races. It may come as a surprise to you, but the natirahs who catch all of the flack are what some people describe as strikeing in appearance. Not because of their light hair and skin tone, but because their look is an perfect blend of West Afican, Indian, and white. I am one of those people, and yes I live in hell everyday. People stare at me wherever I travel. Whites are usually complimentary about my looks, yet if they are unaware of my professional status, they may think that I am a prostitute or a kept woman. Not because of the way I dress but because they think that I am "exotic." The blacks are more aggressive. They express their disapproval with snide remarks and snicker when I walk past. This has happened from childhood to the present, out of safety, I have chosen to live in a white culture. I have to constantly smile because my deepset, narrow lt. brown eyes and very high cheekbones and 6ft slender frame is intimidating to most. My natirah heritage screams to most prejudiced whites that my beauty and intelligence is equal of better than their stereotypes and they fear it. My natirah heritage forces blacks to acknowledge that eventhough my skin is darker than mariah carey, they may be looking at the face of the slave master or an indian and they want to bury the stain, and be their own made up version of African. I feel that God allowed the creation and survival of Triracial people for a reason unknown at the present. Yet, I am not here to be a spy for the white man black men. I am not here to take your man away white women. I am not trying to act white black women. I am not here to be your sex toy white men. last but not least, yes I am a part of you Native America.
Editor: This writer is referring to a September 12, 1999 Letter to the Editor by Addie Scott.
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 11:06:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Eugenia Mitchell-Duguay
Subject: Letter to the Editor
James,
I decided to come by and make some comments. This just comment for those who are multi-racial or in interracial relationships. I am one thing and one thing only, an individual. We are all individuals which means that we all think and act as individuals. I am libertarian and the philosophy makes me in the end responsible for myself and what I do. I do not ask for government help and don't want it. All the good things and bad things that happen in my life in the end are results of some stupid or good decision I made. The fact that people seem to want to blame people for all their issues and problems, is why they seem keep having them. I don't vote democrat, because I'm tired of their brand of "soft racism" and I wouldn't vote republican, because the government has not business telling me how to live my personal life i.e. abortion and drugs. As for the question of race, I read this on BBC website a while back. We argue about race and in truth there is no such concept as race. With all the discoveries about genetics here lately, here's the best one. You could put four people's genes side by side and not be able to tell who is white, black, asian or anything else. People, race is a made-up concept once used to oppress and subjugate people. Now, used dumb race mess we have going on this country now. So, let's get a hold of ourselves in the end you are still an individual and not part of some group. There is more to me than just being black, there's more to everyone than just their racial make-up. Not that it counts anyway.
Jeannie Mitchell-Duguay
Editor: Jeannie, your comments help reinforce my reasons for launching The Abolitionist Examiner last spring. It's far past time to stop being a "race" and start being Human. Thank you.
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 13:23:16 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Cleo Laine in "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells"
Britain's mixed-race Dame Cleo Laine co-stars in the HBO comedy-drama, "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells," about the reunion of the aged members of an "all-girl band." Sunday, August 26, 9:00 p.m. Eastern and 8:00 p.m. Central.
Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2000 05:26:51 -0700 (PDT)
From: eleanor
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Dear Writers & Readers,
As a single parent of a multiracial family I would like to share my humble opinion.
All people are multiracial -'white'is claimed by those who appear 'white enough'and 'black'is claimed by those who appear'black enough'and so for all other categories.
'Pure White' and 'Pure Black' does not exist.
It is obvious from our appearance that multiracial people are a combination of races.
And yet, while we all have ancestors from other races most people limit themselves to one depending on which they most look like, denying their own richness and diversity.
To say 'I'm multiracial', with pride, is to accept and love not only ourselves but the entire human race.
I look forward to more inspiration from TMA.
many thanks.
Editor: I am humbled and will do my best to continue to inspire.
I grieves me to read from you're website. As Christians we need to not attack one another. There are many areas of liberty where we all may differ. Everyone's Christian walk will look different. To share your beliefs especially in areas of Christian liberty must be done in a spirit of love and not condemnation. Love is patient, kind, ...never rude. May God grant you peace as you seek His grace to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8)
Tricia
Editor: You're kidding right? You must be referring to BJU's "spirit of love and not condemnation" when they called Catholicism and Mormonism a "cult." Let's not get into their attempts to tie interracial marriage to "one world government" and the anti-Christ. Okay? Do your homework before you email me please.
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 18:30:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Black Anti-Semitism
I came across this at The Chicago Tribune and thought you might find it of interest.
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000 16:34:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Cheyenne Yarber
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Well first of all I have to thank you guys for having such an open non-politically correct forum.I'd just like to say that I am the product of a marriage between two "mullatoes". My mother is brown skin and my father is very fair. I came out copper brown with green eyes. Now for all the one drop rule supporters, DOES THAT SOUND like what a person from Africa would look like??? I didn't think so. Obviously I am not White. But isn't it also obvious that i am not Black or african American! It means yes that I am Biracial!!! To anyone who says Ttiger Woods is wrong for identifying as Biracial ask yourself if his father is African American and his mother is Asian, what is he?? To all the Biracial youth out there here are some of our great brethren...Booker T washington..We DuBois.. Thurgood Marshall and endless list of others. Dont be classified by the one drop rule. You are what you are!
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 09:49:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: jaquio
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I don't get it. Most of the people that post here that happen to be mixed with black (African descent) seem to really have a problem with that part of them. How is it negative for a group that you are a part of (which you are) to accept you as one of their own? If we did things the way you all are saying there would be NO Black/African Americans in this Country. I have been reading for awhile and have yet to see anyone post the fact that OVER 90% of the people that make up the African American Community are MIXED with 2 or More races. So REALLY who is Black ?? What makes you different ?? I for one have African, Native American, Mongolian, and Scotch Irish blood, Yet, My white/black father and black/Indian/Mongolian (white?) Mother both Look black, well as black as any other person that wears that label. And even given that, I Appear to be what people would consider OTHER, Other than Black. I am Very Light with green eyes, long sandy blond hair. Hispanics are always coming up to me and speaking spanish. Should I be Offended like most of you would be when people assume that you are what you are (part of them)? How many get upset when people assume that you are white? Do you raise hell ? Think not. Do you think that you will be treated better? No matter what label you try to tag on to yourself, whites will still see you as black and blacks will still see you as trying to be seperate from the REST of the MIXED fold(Black). This is addressed to those of whom are descended from African Diaspora.
Editor: First off, you generalized by saying that "whites will still see you as black." Ahh, the white bogeyman argument. The only people coming to this forum and pushing that B.S. are one-droppers who despise the free-will expressed by those who wish to identify with all of their heritage, not just the part that they find acceptable. I'm still waiting for all of these "white people" to come here and push one-drop. Maybe someday....
Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 09:05:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: George D. Allen
Subject: Racial hate crimes and Duke University
A Dominican American Student, George Luis Allen, was blocked from registration
this semester using verification from Spring of 1999 which was withheld until
the money was lost at Duke University. Verification has been used for four years
at Texas Academy of Math and Science/University of North Texas (TAMS/UNT) and
Duke University as part of a racial targeting of this student. He is still
attending class and seeks justice.
The Director of Financial Aid, Mr. Belvin, and his staff members have used
verification to withhold financial aid to harass the student for two years,
since his transfer from TAMS/UNT. Through this technique the materials requested
by Mr. Belvin were sent repeatedly via US Mail, FedEx, and hand carried to the
Financial Aid Office but they refused to acknowledge receipt in order to
continue the abuses of "verification".
Demands for payment in full were sent each test period through the bursar's
office. The money was withheld until it was sent back to the federal loans
system and lost, federal student loans were then changed to Fannie Mae Loans.
Verification was used to withhold registration until the last day of the next
semester causing the student to begin classes late and he never knew if he could
start a semester. This semester Mr. Belvin used verification to prevent the
Student from registering at all.
For two years, at Duke both the student and parent contacted the President
office of Duke, the provost office, the Office of Intercultural Affairs, the
student's advisors and other Deans and officials repeatedly about this abuse and
its direct link to racial hate crimes and the abuse of verification at the Texas
Academy of Math and Science/University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. The
harassment at Duke through financial aid and the racial hate crime activity
which has continued in Texas lead to academic failure and dismissal in the fall
semester of 1999. The student’s reinstatement was withheld by Dean Bryant by
refusal to acknowledge the receipt of a recommendation sent three times. The
student was finally reinstated the week before classes began. When the student
requested credit for courses taken at TAMS/UNT which had not been credited, Dean
Singer contacted TAMS/UNT and obtained transfer information which listed a
different student’s records (with different courses a!
nd different grades) on it without identifying the student. The President’s
advisory board ruled the student not only was not to be allowed credit for
courses taken at TAMS/UNT but that the student did not deserve credit already
received but allowing that credit to stand.
The President and the provost, Mr. Roberts, refused to speak with the student's
father, refused to stop the abuse of verification and refused to exercise
oversight to the criminal misuse of federal funds. They selected instead to
allow this illegal activity to continue and eliminate the student while
withholding credits earned at Texas Academy of Math and Science, University of
North Texas from Duke credit and by allowing registration of the Fall Semester
2000 to be blocked.
The abuse of verification by the Financial Aid Dept at Duke is directly linked
to racial hate crime activity in Texas. These activities include but are not
limited to: alteration of grades and records, alteration of IQ, very specific
death threats (both face to face and by phone), both front wheels of a vehicle
falling off after the lug nuts were loosened, multiple constant break-ins and
burglaries of correspondence and records related to school, alteration and
elimination of police reports, withholding of grades, open white supremacist
rhetoric of Texas Academy of Math and Science/University of North Texas
(TAMS/UNT) officials, constant and unrelenting abuse of verification to withhold
financial aid, exclusion from science competitions, thefts of research papers
and tampering with research project, exclusion from receiving his eagle scout
award , a man attempting to run the student and parent off the road for
approximately five miles, and withholding the student’s TAMS/UNT di!
ploma.
US Dept of Education Assistant Secretary of Equal Opportunity Norma Cantu and
the Dallas Dept of Education officer of equal opportunity chose to actively
protect criminal misconduct at the Texas Dept of Education, Texas School
Districts and the Texas Academy of Math and Science/University of North Texas.
Former Senator and Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bensen used his authority to
retaliate against the student’s father, George D. Allen MD, for seeking redress
to grievance’s concerning racism and corruption in the Texas Board of Medical
Examiners and the 1984 Claud Pepper Ad Hoc Committee on Aging which conducted a
witch-hunt claiming 10,000 medical doctors in the US were frauds and targeting
the father’s medical school, UCIFAS in Santo Domingo among others as diploma
mills, claiming the graduates had never studied medicine. The motivation of the
witch-hunt was to close the door to foreign medical graduates for economic
protection and was justified by white supremacist rhetoric. The lives, families
and careers of legitimate physicians were destroyed. The father blew the
whistle on demands to be “compromised” in illegal activity in the Houston Health
Department in order to be licensed. He was offered an 86 on the ECFMG exam and
admission into the UT School of Public Health in exch!
ange for “going along to get along” with an ongoing drug racket in the Houston
Health Department Jail Health Clinic. Multiple agencies of the US government
have been used to retaliate for seeking redress to grievances as stated in the
first amendment for the father seeking relief from corruption and racism in
medical licensing. The targeting of a gifted minority student is part of those
retaliations.
Seeking relief from this activity in TAMS/UNT and Duke University has resulted
in increased retaliations in both institutions through the administration.
Sincerely,
George D. Allen
Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 12:09:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: alt
Subject: Letter to the Editor
was there a black family on the Titanic?
Editor: There was an interracial family on the Titanic. You wouldn't know it though by the way the usual anti-interracial interests are running around using a perverse distortion of the "one-drop" rule to claim the family as "black" instead of interracial. Obviously, some self-esteem is lacking somewhere...
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2000 15:12:23 -0400
From: Bruce Soluski
Subject: Formula Man
Dear Mr. Landrith,
I am writing to you because you might understand why I am disturbed.
On my way home from work I stopped into the local Biggs Supermarket. At
checkout there was a commotion ahead of me. The man with a small child
ahead of me was ethnicly different from me and most of the people around me.
The manager came over to the man and said something. The man exclaimed:
"You will not sell it to me because I am not American!"
My turn to check out. Jokingly I said: "I am an American. Can I buy
stuff?" The cashier said the man had tried to buy too much baby formula.
The box boy said "They use it to make drugs." I knew a person could be
arrested for having baking soda and a frying pan, but I had not heard of
mainlining baby formula. I asked him how he knew and he told me he had read
it. I asked him if he had read it at Biggs and he replied "Yes", but
shortly told me it was not officially Biggs.
I asked the young girl cashier why they did not sell the man the formula and
she told me: "they send it back home and sell it on the black market for $20
a can!" I asked her if maybe the guy had a few babies home. She told me
THOSE PEOPLE come in every few days and buy the same stuff. She assured me
it must be for the black market.
I took my purchaces out to my car then returned to the manager's desk.
Another young girl was there (with a pierced tongue). I asked about the
situation and she told me they restrict the amount of items one person can
buy such as sale items. I asked if the formula was on sale and she told me
it was not but they needed to keep it on the shelves for the people with
WICK coupons. If they do not have it for the WICK people they loose money
big time. She assured me that THOSE PEOPLE will just sell it on the black
market, especially the iron rich variant. I asked her who "those" people
were and she said "the formula people".
So the "formula man" should have just bought two cans of baby food and not
gotten upset. He could have come in again and bought two more cans. But if
those Biggs employees showed their bigotry to me I am sure the "formula man"
felt it also. It is also ironic that the Biggs chain was originally founded
by a French company.
I may be a white man but I know something about bigotry. My mother was born
in Scotland making me a second generation immigrant. I wear my hair long
down my back, so I get remarks. My computer is a Macintosh, so I know what
it feels like to be an ignored minority.
It would please me if you would publish this in your letters.
Bruce Soluski
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 07:19:35 -0500
From: A.D. Powell
Subject: Here's a scary article
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 16:48:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: vera king
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I would like to know why are some multi-racial(of "black" and "white" heritage) people so upset when "Black" people call them "Black". Why should this affect your everyday life? So what if some people still think in the past, does this really effect your life? Will these peoples' views stop you from getting jobs, endanger your health, decide who you marry? What's up with this silly "self-esteem problems" nonsense. Really there are too many pressing and more important events in this world than to cry every time a "Black" person calls a multiracial person "Black". Some multi-racial people call themselves "Black". Do you want to tar and feather them? If you don't like the term "Black", so be it, but this crying and whining is rather tiring. You can call yourselves whatever you want I don't give a hoot. I am a light-skinned black female who is about 3 shades lighter than my bi-racial friend. I am sometimes asked my race more than my friend. If you saw her walking down the street you would think she was "Black". I don't care if people think I am bi-racial, I am more than a label. All I want is respect given to me and I will respect you. If in time people start calling multi-racial people "multi-racial" would those multi-racials complaing about the "one-drop rule" then focus on more important matters? My boyfriend now is white and when we have children if anyone asks them "Are you multi-racial/black/white?". I hope they will say, what difference is it to you.
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 19:17:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Rojas Bottger
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Honestly, it sounds like the purpose of this is to start a war, or something along those lines. I may be young and all but i am aware that multiracial children, as well as multiracial couples, can be very happy if all of you "funny" people left us alone! Mind your own business. There's many other things we ought to worry about.
And the only thing you're accomplishing is (in many cases)creating resentment where there wasn't or making matters worse. You make the world what it is...and it isn't nothing nice. What's with you?!! Just leave it alone!!! Living in a color-aware (or should a say 'segregated') world has not help any, so far.
I thought i'd find more positive thinking. My boyfriend is black and chinese, while i'm hispanic and german (although i consider myself hispanic simply because i was brought up in this CULTURE). I love EVERYTHING about him and it's mutual. We have love, respect, and everything we need to achieve happiness. However, i understand that i will need to protect my relationship and my family from your destructiveness. I also understand that by becoming a 'victim', if you will, I'd contribute to this madness. So, don't fall for it. Be proud of who you are!
And all those so called "religious" people...don't fall under the hypocrite category, please. It is a shame! You people ruin others' pureness...of heart. Educate yourselves! Good luck in life!
Editor: This reader is responding to a couple of 1998 letters to the editor sent by rabid one-dropper Sharia Jenkins among others.
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 21:57:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mularso Adhi Nugroho
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I am a student of English Department Faculty of Letters in University of 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya, Indonesia. I just want to give my comment about Like Dismay's problems that he wants to marry a white woman. According to me, Love is general thing and every man in this world must be ever feel it. Unfortunately, our feeling about love has barrier to pass it. Like myself, I am a Javanish and moslem but I love a girl who is christian so much. Meanwhile, our society prohibit it including my parents too. But it doesn't matter for us as long as we love each other. So, Love is the power to strengthen our feeling to someone who we love and it is the most important to face the consequences that we will through it.
