Black Christians, why can't you see that you've taken on your ancestor's oppressors beliefs?
961666
First of all there were black people in the bible *shock*. One of the disciples is even refered to as Niger, which in Greek, yes Greek, this is not a misspelling of "the N-word", it means- "The Black Man". So, blacks even followed at the footsteps of Jesus when he was living. In the New Testament era, slavery was not an all bad thing. Slaves were required by law to be released at age 33, they were paid for their work and recieved the lump-sum at their release, and after they were release they became Roman citizens. It actually was a pretty good deal, assuming your "owner" treated you well, and most did from all of the accounts we have. Most slaves once released used the skills they learned and the money they made to go open their own business. Oh, and most Roman slaves were white. Also, there is a Ethiopian eunich mentioned in the New Testament, most likely he was black, and he became a Christian as well. So, Christianity and black Christians far outdates the White to black slavery you are refering to.
421791
My father had very racist views which he acquired from his parents and friends in his youth. It was interesting, however, that he did not show the racism to individuals, just to groups. For example, he worked with a black person, and I was had good friends who were black; he simply saw them as an exception. I would expect your father to be the same way.\nDid my father ever really change? Not exactly, but he knew that he could not show his racism openly. I did not try to argue him out of it, but I also did not express agreement with his views, or laugh at any of the racist jokes. That was enough to keep racism out of our interactions.\nFor most people, the best you can hope for is they will not be openly racist towards individuals. Changing their group views is very difficult because they are too deep-seated in childhood experiences, and they are unlikely to open their minds without some unusual experiences.\nThere is much evidence to show that people do change when confronted with reality. For example, if you marry someone from the disliked group, your father would raise hell in advance, but after the marriage his views would gradually change. If you had asked the military whether they would accept blacks in the late 1940s, they would have opposed integration vehemently. Once Truman signed the proclamation, however, integration quickly became less of an issue than before.\nHere are my suggestions, based on many of my experiences and the experiences of others:\n1. Don't try to argue him out of his beliefs.\n2. Do make friends with anyone you choose and do expect/demand that your father treat all of your friends with respect.\n3. Do not respond emotionally to his racist statements. Just calmly assert that you see it differently, or ignore his rants.\n4. Do not be afraid that your father will embarass you with his racism around friends. If you show that you are not the same, they will respect you and disregard your father's problems.
735865
yea.. I suffer this problem as I'm a muslim & used to live in a nne-muslim country.\n& also black pepole "colored" as they used to call them r suffering this problem.. anyway.. just be brave enough & have a self confidence to define yourself. don't care for their injustice towards you.. & don't care for their mocking at you.. call for your right till the day you die
976991
Are we to assume that you are brave to cast insult in God's face calling yourself "Black Atheist.? Good for you. We all will see what happens when you stand before God.
16750
People often cannot accept what they do not know. My brother married a black woman, it was kind of a surprise to my family because we didn't know many black folks. Also, because he is really really ugly.\n\nSome folks are just closed minded and don't want to change. The other day I was trying to get into a movie. Threre was a really long line we were trying to sneak in to stay warm. It was 32 deg outside. I overheard this older lady prattling on about how selfish my friend and I were because we were letting in cold air. She was telling her friend that we were not good Christians and we would probably go to hell for our selfishness. \n\nLot of knuckleheads in the world.
456339
I think those who bash without having experienced the ones they are bashing are doing so on the bases of hearsay.  Years ago I was involved with a person who really tried to get me to see the way others worshiped and open my mind to the ideas that just as my worship wasn't wrong, neither was theirs.  Needless to say my experiences of worship have never been the same.
427077
I am the original "black Hebrew" of the tribe Yahudah.\n\n\nBlack People in Africa are Africans of what ever tribe they belong to. A black Hebrew is different then a black African. They are call the original Hebrews, because they are from one of the tribes of Yisrael. Which means they are the seed of Israel. You can be black, and NOT be what we call "Africans."\n\nNot to be confuse with "black Jews" or the people we know today as Jews. If you ask any Jew why he is a Jew, they will say because there religion is Judaism or someone in the ancestry converted to Judaism. If you notice none of them will stay they are descendants of the tribe of Judah, which is what the word Jew means. Just because you practice the religion or your parents did, doesn't make you a seed of Jacob. The black Hebrews are in fact the direct descendants of the Israelites, but not all black nations are Israelites. It just happen that many of the Israelites happen to be black.\n\nDon't think that because they are black, that it automatically means they can't be Israelites.
1019101
I also have an argument....why is it that the Mormons did not allow African Americans to sit in their funky little churches until the late 60s, saying it was the word of God?  If what you claim is the word of God, why is it that one minute you make Him all powerful and the next you make Him change His word?  Why one minute African Americans are beneath you and the next you say that it is allowed for them to worship along side you.  The word of God dose not and I repeat dose not change with the times.
524614
Yes, the real question is why don't blacks value each other.\n\n2pac said "I got love for my brother but we can never go no where unless we share with each other, we got to start making changes learn to see me as your brother instead of two distant strangers"\n\nAnd Coolio said "tell me why are we so blind to see that the ones we hurt are you and me."\n\nWhat do you have people who oppress their own people not only hurt their people but also bring a curse upon thereself because of their wrong doing. Then what do you have a seed of generational curses. How can you create a Peace when you have a lot of your own people who are hell-bent on keeping you down so they can look good.
1020698
I am sick and f*cking tired of black people playing the race card every time they don't like something or another that happens in their life. Get the hell over it already! I mean hell, when you think about it black people almost have MORE rights than white people do. How do you think it was that OJ got away with murder? And for another thing, I hate to break it to all the people who associate the confederacy with slavery, but guess what? There were people who had slaves up north, too! Not to mention that racism didn't stop at the southern half of the Mason Dixon line, as racism was once just as plentiful up north. But anyways to answer your question, like the other person said, the rebel flag is a piece of southern history, so as far as the states that were a part of the CSA I say let them have it. If black people can get reparations for the treatment of ancestors they probably wouldn't even care about if  it wasn't for the money, and that they never even had to experience personally,  then southern people should be able to still fly the rebel flag as a part of their history. So long story short (I know, too late) I would have to say that it is heritage, in just the same way that we have In God We Trust on our money even though so few people in this country believe in, let alone put their trust in God.
268006
i have, even though they were my anscestors, i still say, i am sorry that that happened.  My family is black, i am white. it is not a guilt that i neccesarily carry in my own heart, it is just a true and deep human desire for me to say to someone, i am sorry that someone hurt you.\na friend looses a loved one, we say were sorry even though its not our fault the loved one died.\nwhen a race that i happen to belong to dehumanizes another race, just because of skin color? the least i can do is say, im sorry; know that "I" take no pride in that, and know that i see how it has hurt and affected millions.\n\nto those who say, well it wasnt me? it might not have been you, but you would surely say something to a friend who is hurt; \nit places no blame on you directly, takes nothing away from your pride, and promotes human understanding, all in about 3 seconds.
310237
Interesting inquiry...My family taught me to be a racist because of the treatment they experienced while living in the south back in the 50's and 60's.  When I went to college and found out that I could be friends with people of all races my entire existence expanded.  I had to learn how to take a stand for what I believed in whether my family and friends agreed with me or not.  Learning to be my self and bridge the race gap with others has been quite enlightening.  Then again...I challenge myself to grow spiritually, so letting go of the past is one lesson I have been able to conquer.  The gift is not to resist, but to examine and inquire.  You're on the right path.  Peace.
1061013
Every conquered person usually takes the religion of their conquerors. Christianity was forced upon blacks as it was upon countless other conquered people but now there is a huge underground Black Muslim movement that is growing day by day. I truthfully don't know what some blacks are Christians but it's just like most Bosnians are Muslim (conquered by Turks and forcibly converted to Islam) and most Russian people are Russian Orthodox (forcibly converted by Prince Vladimir because he thought the Hagia Sofia was beautiful).
1176639
This question was posted awhile back and I said No but now after such bitter answers from the two above,I will say yes!\nAfrican-Americans do deserved reparations regardless of the incompetence of others who say present or future inheritors and generations don't deserved. Racism still exist today. Blacks may not be in invisible shackles or chains of bondage but we are still bounded by whites in economically,classicism,and religion etc... I just pray that we don't splurge the money on materialistic things and be laughed at for our wastefulness. You must realized that the money will go back to the ones who ancestors that have enslaved our past generations. As for myself, if I was to receive this money, I would buy a piece of land nd build a house so that my son will have a place for him if something was to happen to me.
526097
I would find a book on African- American history, or, more specifically, African-American religion. You should have no trouble finding sources for this, or searching under these topics for online info. The African-American (Negro) spirituals go back to this time, and you should be able to find much material on this too.
124434
This practice started in the Ku klux Klan of the 1920s, NOT the post-Civil War Klan.  Originally, the Klan hated Jews as much as Blacks in the 1920s and the Klan saw themselves as defenders of Christianity.  Therefore to show Jews that they were going to "pay" for the murder of Christ, they would burn a cross on their lawn.  Therefore a burning cross made reference to teaching Jews a lesson.  Today the Klan will still burn crosses even to intimidate blacks, even though it doesn't make any sense to use a cross to intimidate blacks.  No one will ever accuse the Klan of being deep thinkers.
526268
As for me,I am white and married my black man.  I did not associate with my family for three years, yet they called me and they just don't talk about him.  When they start talking trash I let them know, "conversation over"!  I guess, they do love me or they would have nothing to do with me.  I know they are prejudiced, but I KNOW HATE does NOT exist in heaven!  I have to control myself, also because HATE creates HATE!  I love my husband more than anyone or anything I know.  I was never really ME until I met a man who loves me and will do anything for me.  He is first a MAN, and then a BLACK man.  God loves us all.  Where does it ever say in the ten commandments, "thou shall not marry one of another race!"? Where in the new testament does is say such a thing? It DOES not!!