am I trippin' or do our black democratic leaders have more CAJONES?

[mopaul]

than most of our white democratic leaders, or is this a racist statement?

it isn't meant to be, it's meant to be an extreme compliment and make a point. conyers, cynthia mckinney, sheila jackson lee, etc. etc. etc. the list goes on.

[Kraklen]

1. Have you forgotten F911?

[ChiciB1]

2. Hey, I Replied To The Conyer's Hearing Thread Saying

EXACTLY the same thing. I remarked that as a white female I have the utmost respect for our black leaders. From many many years now.

I also commented that if it weren't for blacks, we wouldn't have such a fascinating culture today. Most of the fashion is dictated by black, sports is dominated by blacks, blacks have led the way in music for decades and more people pick up black slang and use it daily! Such as Yo Bro, Whaz Up, You Go Girl and hundreds more.

And yes, the black leaders have put their heads on the chopping block much more than the whites. I was brought up in a military family and this may account for my thinking, however there were many racists in the military too. My father always taught us that every person no matter what their skin color should be treated the same. Each person should be judged by the way he handles himself.

In fact, statistics say there are more whites on WELFARE than blacks!

[goclark]

24. Thank you for your compliments

As an African American I believe that we all should be treated the same. We are all flowers in the garden of life.

Most of our African American leaders came up through the civil rights
movement. If they could get through that they can get through this gang of thugs.:hug:

How long? Not long! = MLK

[Sanity Claws]

3. The African-American Dems are definitely stronger

My theory: many have been treated as outsiders their whole lives and are more willing to be outsiders and speak out on political issues.

[steve2470]

4. I almost made this exact same point several hours earlier today

But I was afraid of being shouted down as a racist. Glad you had cojones.

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

5. Here's my comment on another thread...

saying almost exactly the same thing:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3886997#3887083

[mopaul]

7. damn i thought i had an original idea, great minds think alike i guess

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

11. :-)

A few others have hinted at this on DU over the last few months.

This has been brewing in me for a while now, to the point that I now have a cogent thesis on why this might be!

[nini]

22. Yep, great minds

:D It hit me right between the eyes when I saw that pic I posted.

:thumbsup:

[undeterred]

6. Blacks and women have more CAJONES

Strangely, many (not all) white males in power seem to have lost theirs.

[graywarrior]

8. I thought the same thing as I watched the DSM hearing yesterday

[Deja Q]

9. Not racist. Anyone whose personal or cultural history involves oppression

and being the victim of it, is more likely to stand up for what is right than those on the side of the oppressors.

It's also a reason why every empire that has ruled with force ends up crumbling in disgrace. People ultimately tire of being oppressed and abuse and strike back. (or commit suicide) If there is a competing civilization, it stands to reason that those oppressed will help the invading forces. I hate to say it, but sometimes people need to take a chance with the "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"... of course, the enemy of your enemy ultimately turns out to be your enemy in the end anyway; all for naught.

Things never seem to change.

[Gabi Hayes]

10. since the pubic reference, may I pick a nit, STS?

Cojones

otherwise, total agreement

this goes back a long way, too

[alittlelark]

12. You are not trippin' ... Conyers, Mosley-Brown, Jackson-Lee

to name a few are outshining their anglo counterparts. They do not seem to care that their concerns are (MSM) 'fringe'. They seem to have no fear. I think they understand the base better than their paler peers. They seem to have a better sense of 'self' or something.... I don't know what (as a pale, pale anglo).

I hope they can help the rest of the Dem's w/ cajone stimularors or something.

[DS1]

13. I think the first three words of your question have a hint of that, yes

would you ask Am I trippin' if you were talking about Lieberman?

[mopaul]

16. old hippy phrase, not meant like 'man, you be trippin'

but i get it i guess. it's so hard to be pc these days.

[nini]

20. us older folks remember using 'trippin' to apply to anything

I didn't take it as racist. Depends on one's era I guess.

[Cleita]

14. Yes and the majority are women. I guess they don't need

cojones to fight for justice.

[Cocoa]

15. it's kind of racist, and kind of sexist

racist isn't exactly right, because you don't mean any harm.

But it's something like racist in that it ascribes something to race that has nothing to do with race. It shortchanges Conyers, and everyone else, including you.

It seems to me like the kind of thought that enters one's head all the time but which turns out not to be very high quality, that doesn't really hold up to much examination, and which should probably be disposed of.

And "cajones" imo is kind of sexist. And worse than being kind of sexist, it's a cliche.

[mopaul]

17. more and more every day i realize i'm a racist, sexist jerk

but you're right, i mean well

[Senior citizen]

18. Worse than being a "racist, sexist jerk"

you forgot to mention Maxine Waters.

But I know you mean well.

Maxine has always been a fighter. And in the photo of Conyers walking up to the White House, Maxine literally has his back--and appears to be carrying the petitions.

The pukes scheduled a lot of votes during the hearings and Conyers explained that the Democrats handled it by taking turns running back and forth. I noticed during the hearing that there were times Maxine Waters appeared to take over the chairmanship from John Conyers. That might be the explanation.

These representatives weren't born on third base--they had to fight just to get into the game. They've got principles, they've got heart, and they've got my allegiance and admiration. More than half a million people seem to feel the same way. Probably a LOT more.

Sure it is PC to forego the tired old sexist, racist metaphors. So what do you want to be, politically correct, or politically cuckoobananas? When I follow someone into battle, I not only want it to be a just battle, I want a leader I can respect so that I don't have to pretend to respect someone who doesn't deserve it. These representative are our natural leaders and they deserve all the respect we can give them. They're not fighting for themselves, they're fighting for us.

[fla nocount]

25. All descendents of native, agrarian and indigenous peoples hold

democracy in their hands like sleepy eyed children with a new Xmas present. In their innocence they will show it to you and share it with you for it's new opportunities and hope for the future. Threaten it at your peril for hope is forth fighting for. It doesn't matter if they're white, black, red or yellow, hope for a happy productive life and an honorable legacy is what jives for indigenous folks of this earth. We can't help it, blame the mean old ladies who raised us.

I know this to be my motivating factor. I've tried to fight it and concentrate on that cute little layer of fat on the top of Brit'neys low slung belt. I just can't manage it. There's life and death, there's right and wrong. Some of us really are that simple.

Some of us belong to the land where we were born, without that qualifier life is not worth living, through-out our history people have fought to the death, I venture that this is one of the reasons why.

[nini]

26. Agreed! If all Dems would fight like Maxine Waters

it would be a whole different world today.

She is amazing.

[bobbieinok]

34. during Clinton impeachment, several of my religious wrong colleagues

couldn't contain their hatred of M Waters

her appearance and manner (='attitude') seemed to exemplify for them everything they despised about blacks and 'non-traditional' women

when one of them saw Harkin of IA being interviewed after one vote, he said 'he should be investigated next'

[mopaul]

29. yeah, i'm only saying i admire the hell out of them

and maxine is one of the best

[politicasista]

19. They've always had CAJONES

The media doesn't want to hear from them, because they know the real truth about this evil administration.

[TankLV]

21. That's just an urban myth - oh, what were you saying?!?!

[UTUSN]

23. Babe, the Word Is "cOhones" But That's More Carribean n/t

[tjwash]

27. "trippin"?

:rofl:

Haven't heard that word used in a long time. Your showing your age Mopaul...:spray:

[mopaul]

30. i meant to say 'crackalackin'

but even that is worn out already.

[aaronnyc]

28. I think it is because their districts tend to be more liberal

While I agree that they are particularly strong opponents of Bush and co., I don't really think it has anything to do with "cojones."
Rather, a good portion of blacks in the House come from "majority-minority" districts, which are usually much more strongly Democratic than the rest of the country. I think they are simply representing the wishes of their district by taking on the Bush administration so strongly.

[journalist3072]

31. Here's why

Our African-American leaders, particularly those who experienced the Civil Rights Movement, have been born and bread in the heat of the battle. They have had to fight at practically every stage of their life for justice and fairness. So fighting for what's right is nothing new to them.

[otohara]

32. There Are Exceptions "Kenneth Blackwell"

although I expect the GOP are cheering his "balls" for rigging the Ohio election.

Our Democratic Congressional Black Caucus is a constant shining light. White lawmakers could use a dose of genetic DNA from the DCBC. Stem cell transfer possibly...grow a spine

[Stinky The Clown]

33. CBC Members do indeed have guts ..... but they have something else

working for them. The CBC, as a whole, and certain members in particular, have some real guts and a way of talking truth to power that is very refreshing. They have some serious star power to boot.

John Conyers ...... nuff said.


Charlie Rangel ..... I love that guy.


My own congressman, Elijah Cummings (MD-7) .... we're blessed to have him.


Then you get to the superstars .....

Maxine ....... if ever a congressperson could get by on a first name only, she's it. Cher. Madonna. Maxine!!! Rock star status to me. I **still** get all teary just thinking of her clear, unwavering, clarion voice before the senate in the waning hours of 2000, demanding just ONE fucking gutless senator to stand at her side. Just one. That woman made me so damn proud to be a Democrat and an American.


Sheila Jackson Lee .... a serious, determined, intense woman with the personal guts to say it ... long, loud, and 'in **your* face'!


Stephanie Tubbs Jones ...... **she** remembered the voters


And some from the past ........ (Sorry, celebrating some Marylanders here). Some truly great names here.

Parren Mitchell


Kwaesi Mfume


Shirley Chisholm


Walter Fauntroy


Ron Dellums


Louis Stokes


And so many, many others .....

But what else is it that they have?

Many are in safe districts. To be sure, that's changing, and to be sure the names above, and their colleagues, represent much of the greatness of America. But I dare say, given the ongoing simmer of racism in our country even today (a simmer moving closer to a boil?) many would have trouble in different districts. Please don't think I'm taking anything away from them. I am NOT. But that's a fact.

Of course, when it comes to pure gerrymandering, no one can top this bug:

[bobbieinok]

35. and a leader of them all, Barbara Jordan of TX from the Nixon impeachment

what a fabulous voice

I think she got some horrible disease and died way too early

[Stinky The Clown]

39. How could I have left her out? How?

Her keynote speech at 76 Democratic National Convention was truly inspiring. She was a truly great American.

If you wanna wax nostalgic, here's a link to an audio file of that speech:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/mp3clips/politicalspeeches/barbarajordan1976dnc.mp3

Here she is, in 2000, getting the Medal of Freedom .... when it actually meant something!


And doesn't this just say it all?

[fla nocount]

37. What a beautiful post. Maxine indeed. Thank you for the reality check,n/t

[catzies]

36. MAXINE WATERS rocks.

and so do you mopaul.

[libertypirate]

40. Maxine Waters does rock!

[pinto]

38. May be the diff between the House and the Senate. Saw some blunt talking

from black and white, male and female Reps, at Conyer's forum yesterday. The Senate's another kettle of fish, as they say.

[Senior citizen]

41. And those Senate fish startin' to smell bad too. n/t

[lumpy]

42. Level headed cajones.

Our black leaders appear to put a lot of thought into their political stances. There always seems to be a basic truth to what they have to say that conveys a feeling of trust. Maybe honesty has a lot to do with it. Barney Frank has this personna.