Week
of
04/11/98:		 Greenbay Packers all pro defensive end Reggie White recently shocked the Wisconsin General Assembly by making sweeping generalities about various racial groups (i.e. "whites enslaved blacks instead of American Indians because the Indians knew the territory and knew how to sneak up on people"). Many people were offended.
What are your thoughts about his statements?



Name: K. Leonard
Email: leonard@detroitbest.net
Response: It makes me wonder about the intelligence of the Wisconsin legislature. Reggie White is an expert on sacking quarterbacks. What legislative business required them to need advice from an expert on sacking quarterbacks? His opinions on any other subject are just that: biased opinions.


Name: J. Powell
Email:
Response: Pittbull, you are one sick puppy.


Name: BMR
Email:
Response: Pittbull you need to realize that everybody doesn't need to agree with everyone else in this world. People are entitled to their own opinions. I agree with some of what you say, however I take offense every time I read one of your responses saying "sisters need to stop trying to be men." What the h*** does that mean? I could respond with "brothas need to start taking care of their children (and I don't just mean financially) and sistahs would gladly stop trying to be both a mother and a father." But you are entitled to your opinion, I didn't send you no crazy e-mails just because I disagree. Solomon, a lot of your responses have been interesting and insightful, I agree with a lot of your responses. So there it is I agree with some of what you both have to say. That is why we have these discussions so everyone can post their opinions and we don't have to agree with anybody.


Name:
Email: k.hutchinson
Response: this one goes out to mr. pittbull who's messages i am constantly seeing on every topic. yeah great that you are voicing your opinions (in a mighty rude way might i add) and some of what you're saying i agree with. but let me ask you something. if this is such a "rotten country" WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO CHANGE IT? i would like to know if you are just sitting on your ass complaining like way too many of us are doing, or if you are actually out there bettering yourself AND your society. if you think that police brutality, for example, is an issue, why don't you go out there and change it. join an organization, participate in a march, start a protest. DO SOMETHING.i am sick of hearing people complain complain complain. how does complaining change anything? we say that the white man has brought us down, true, but we are now living in present day and it is time to stop complaining and take action to better ourselves. so, if you complain about racism, do something to help change it, and if you are blaming other people for your problems, well go ahead as long as you accept that it is your responsibilty to change your conditions, and nobody elses.


Name: shelley wood
Email: mrw2@hotmail.com
Response: I am not offended by Reggie White's opinions, for they are his to own. It is unfortunate that those opinions invoke sweeping generalizations of other races/groups/cultures. I am sure Mr. White has by now reviewed his remarks in hard print (media). Hopefully he will revisit his perceptions and come to a better realization and understanding of his fellow earthly inhabitiants; people.


Name: mark deill
Email: mrdeill@aol.com
Response: First of all, I want to believe that Reggie meant well. However, it was a very unintellegent move to put it the way he did. Actually he did me a favor. I am a teacher, and was able to use his stereotypes for classroom discussion. People need to realize that it is not a "gift from God" that hispanics can fit 20 people in a house. Nor that whites have any monopoly on structure. In my experiences and studies, Africans and African-Americans are some of the most structured people that I know. They are also the most conservative. We only became liberal to equal the playing field. Damn, the truth is told. The overall truth is that there is more diversity within a culture than from culture to culture. Also, we need to talk about his comments on homosexuals. Keep in mind that I am as heterosexual as they come, and, at one time homophobic. But through my growth and discussions with gays, I realize that 1)They did not choose to be gay. Think about it. Did you choose to be heterosexual? I didn't. It just happened. If it was a choice, then that means that being gay was a choice for me. Hard for you to handle? Answer this? If it was a choice why would a person choose a life of riducule by being gay? What do they have to gain? Reggie is a heterosexual telling of how gays think. Sounds kinka stupid. On moral grounds? I don't think that God is up there rating sins. I know, its an abomination. But the bible was written by man, not by God. We need to fight against all forms of discrimination. Period. We need to educate our youth in all cultures. We need to educate Reggie!


Name:
Email: PITTBUL@webtv.net
Response: One day when I was in the 4th grade, the teacher left the room momentarily and he returned, there were children laughing, playing and throwing spitballs across the room. He said, "If you take a full barrel and an empty barrel and roll them down a cobblestone street, the empty barrel would make the most noise" then he said, "there are some empty barrels in this room." I say to you, there are at least "two-empty-barrels" among this discussion group...!! Think about it... "drag Queen" Solomette, [Solomon?] and LDAWG, the RACIST. Which one of the 200 White Racists groups [in America] do you belong to DAWG...? This exhibits what can/will happen when an African-American Man Dares to exercise his constitutional right. It didn't matter that Reggie White spoke the truth; determined Idiots always attempt to distort and confuse the issue. These two Idiots were made for each other; A House Nigger--and a Racist...!!!


Name: Prophet
Email: kgary@sunset.olemiss.edu
Response: This is an example of an individual whom spoke on a subject that he had limited imformation on. When we have limited knowledge of a group of people we tend to take sterotypes for facts. Mr. White's comments showed that he has very little understanding of the history and culture of the Native American, African American, ect... A sterotype is something in which we must learn to look beyond. This is the only way we can truely see an individual for who he/she is. To take sterotypes as factual imformation we tend to see and treat people in an unjust manner. Peace out!!!!


Name: kevin
Email: kevwood@rocketmail.com
Response: This is just one of too many examples which repeat themselves too often that WE as a people MUST not only learn our black history, but also understand its impact on american history, ie. we must learn both to make intelligent actions for our future. Reggie White needed a mentor from his community; someone to make him understand the importance of preparing for any public speaking event. The rest is BACK TO THE BUSINESS AT HAND! Our future on this planet.


Name: kevin
Email: kevwood@rocketmail.com
Response: What if he said these things on purpose?


Name: Khne3mu
Email: Khne3mu@aol
Response: Mr. White is a classic example of what negroes will espouse when you put a microphone in his or her hand. Giving his theological background, I can see why he characterizes Black people the way he did. His ster-e-o-type of Black people was vintage whitefolks.


Name: Joyce d.
Email: empii@webtv.net
Response: I think he has a right to his opinion and I am glad to know he shared it. They say the truth hurts and the truth is they did enslave blacks, placed Japanese in prison camps after the bombing of Pear harbor, put Native Americans on reservations and they currently watch the Mexican border like hunting dogs!! He proved he can be an athlete and have a brain!! Bravo Reggie for not playing into their hands by being their "good little colored football star."!


Name: jackie
Email: jackieco@juno.com
Response: Reggie was out of place for the forum but revealed what many of us do think about. So I'm sure there is some agreement to parts of his statement, morally. Maybe he should have been given a questionnaire on his speech, so no surprises? But freedom of speech exists and it was a definite wake up call to issues. He now is on the "s" list and coverage and opportunities will lessen. He was not in tune with their "game plan".


Name: Solomon Landers, Uwohilatlitigv
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: Thought the discussion group might like to know that some folks here resort to sending threatening e-mail "flames" to others when their own arguments are too weak to stand on their merits. Mr. PITTBUL@webtv.net, or some fool using his address, proceeded to treat this as his own private forum, and assure me that my thoughts were not welcome. Tsk, tsk, for shame. I'm just cowering in fear!!! Mr. PITTBUL, I don't think YOU own this discussion group. This is a public forum, and if I disagree with you, I shall CONTINUE to challenge your words. This is America. You don't seem to think much of the country, but we DO have FREEDOM OF SPEECH here, which you have no right to abrogate. If you can't stand the heat, buddy, get the H*ll out of the kitchen!!!


Name:
Email: PITTBUL@webtv.net
Response: How many of you have never talked about people behind their backs? None of you Big Mouths are innocent...!! Mr. White expressed himself in a public forum for everyone to see and hear what he had to say. He didn't hide; he stood there as a MAN...!Now you vultures and closet gossipers come out of hiding [trying to sound so intelligent] as you take unfair pot-shots at him Which one of you would stand nose-to-nose with Mr. White and repeat [to him] what you have written here...? None of you hypocrites... Hypocrites...Big-Mouths...and...Cowards...!!!


Name: LDAWG
Email:
Response: WHEW! I WAS SCARED FOR A MINUTE, BUT I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON PITTBULL TO BLAME REGGIE WHITE'S RACIST COMMENTS ON "WHITEY". SOMEHOW, PITTBUL KEEPS BLAMING ME ("WHITEY") WHENEVER A "BROTHER" SCREWS UP. " DENIAL" AIN'T JUST A RIVER IN EGYPT PITTBUL. BY THE WAY PLANES LEAVE THIS "ROTTEN" COUNTRY EVERYDAY FOR OTHER COUNTRIES. YOU MAY WANT TO USE YOUR COMPUTER TO TRY AND FIND THE BEST RATES!! TO SOME OF THE OTHER WRITERS, I APPLAUD YOU FOR PLACING THE BLAME WHERE IT SHOULD BE, IN REGGIE WHITE'S LAP.


Name: Mel
Email:
Response: People step on each other toes every minute, secondhour, day, week of the year. He's not the firstand won't be the last.


Name: Willie C. Lang Jr.
Email: :cc lotus mail.lang/mesa.edu
Response: It doesn't matter who espouses ignorance. It is still ignorance. Reggie was allowed to speak to those people by virtue of what? His scholarship? His humanitarian efforts? His achievements? When we allow professional athletes to speak for us without considering their intellectual prowess and level of social responsibility, this is what we get. I think we believe that the title 'Reverend' bestows some level of expertise on social issues. Those of us who have listened to ignorance coming from the pulpit, know otherwise.


Name:
Email: beasleys@ojp.usdoj.gov
Response: What can I say, he married a white woman didn't he? What can you expect? I just feel sorry for these people who marry white people beacause they can't stand black men/women and then they have black parents and black children and wonder why the world is so screwed up!!!!!!!!


Name: Solomon Landers, Uwohilatlitigv
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: The PROBLEM is, that if we don't care about the feelings of others, why should they care about ours??? Then it's just dog-eat-dog, everybody hating and stereotyping everybody! Is that the world we want? We cannot condemn in others what we do ourselves. If we're going to be racists, we might as well stop screaming about the racism of other people. Oh, and about the Tsalagi slaveholders, yeah, they got involved in that dirty business, trying to be "civilized" like the white southerners. Over a hundred years ago, many of them also expressed regrets at being misled in that way. The only apology I ever received for slavery came from a Tsalagi (Cherokee) man, who expressed his open sorrow for this deed on the part of his ancestors. But again, if we're going to indict all slaveholders, regardless of the reasons or the conditions of servitude they imposed, we have to go all the way back home to Mother Africa, and pick on our own African ancestors as well. Let's get a grip and get some perspective here!


Name: Ron
Email: ROJEWIL
Response: So what's the problem? Could it be that as a global people, we cannot allow the language to be spoken for fear of offending someone or everyone. In the name of political correctness have we grown fearful of all language be it spoken words, body English, facial expression? In some cultures, showing the soles of one's shoe is a no-no. Granted, Mr White stepped on some toes, in point of fact, Reggie stepped on everybodies toes. He was truly equal opportunity. So what. To me, he was saying wake up everybody. There is good in us all and it is that good that we all possess that collectively makes God. Maybe Reggie stepped our toes so that "we" would look at our feet, heads bowed and wonder what is all this language sensitivity about. Are there any real people out there who aren't afraid of language?


Name:
Email: PITTBUL@webtv.net
Response: So...Other Races got their feelings hurt. Who Cares? Not a day passes that we don't get slapped in the face by some "Hate Monger!" Not one race on the planet can honestly say they don't hate us. You know, Reggie could have said the Cherokee Indians were slave owners themselves! Furthermore, Mr. White could have said that white boys killed off six million buffaloes to prevent the Indians from feeding themselves. In the late 1920's, whites discovered gold on Indian territory, and every white boy alive got "Gold-Fever." Finding gold meant the Indians had to go Jack!! When the whites finally dislodged them from their property [in extremely cold weather] 4,000 [of 18,000] died in the transition. When our ancestors were forced into slavery, 60 million Africans died in that HOLOCAUST!! Who the hell cares about "THEIR FEELINGS?" President Clinton just visited Africa. He let President Nelson Mandela know he would not be apologizing for slavery... I continue to reiterate--this is a rotten, stinking country with rotten, stinking people living here. African-Americans should know this!! If you Brothas and Sistahs weren't jumping into bed with "White-Folks," You Might find some African-American Pride!!! When Our Feelings get hurt, where are the "ears" to hear, and the "hearts" to Understand.....?


Name: v.king
Email: king2001@mysurf.com
Response: I think Reggie definitely took a flying leap before he looked. In this high-tech era, every word and action of "celebrities" are scrutinized daily. With all his $$ & fame he should realize certain responsiblites come with Superbowl rings & 15 million dollars. Even though our society pays him MILLIONS for playing a game, we get so touchy when he steps on a few toes. In any case, the minister could of done made his point more clearly using a different example than "and mexicans can save space because they can live 30 deep in a house"


Name: neighbor
Email: cookoo@earthlink.net
Response: Mr. White was only stating what I thought was a fact of history. The Africans were brought as slaves to America because the slave owners found it very difficult to keep the native Americans from running away and hiding. Since natives know their home better than visitors do, this was not hard for the native Americans but next to impossible for the Africans. What's the problem with Mr. White stating what I believe is a fact of history?


Name: jaycee
Email: jimmiecook@hotmail.com
Response: I feel Reggie meant well, however, he really didn't realize that America is not quite ready for truths relating to Race. Certain facts that all races know to be true about themselves, is not always for others to know about. These facts can be sensitive and very dear, other races may not even be able to relate to these facts. Reggie has to realize this since he is always called upon to lecture to large groups of people and organizations. Also, Reggie has to remember, people are always listening to famous people and just waiting to see what they say wrong so they can be eaten up.


Name: Solomon Landers, Uwohilatlitigv
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: Well, at least Mr. White is an equal-opportunity stereotyper. He had something stupid to say about everybody. He maligns his own race as being little more than minstrels and shuckers and jivers. His comments about Indians is inaccurate, for Indians (Native Americans, First Peoples) were enslaved in the Americas before Africans were. They were removed outside of their normal campgrounds to distant places where it was not easy to escape. It was also reported that he said Indians were more "spiritual." What does that mean? At best, it is only part of what Indians or anyone else is. The problem with stereotypes is that they demean and diminishe the humanity of people. I am part Tsalagi (Cherokee), so Mr. White has insulted me twice. And by the way, when it comes to stereotypes, Indians don't appreciate being treated as mascots, either, by having sports teams named after them. I live at the home of the Washington "Redskins." How many blacks would play on the team if it were called the Washington "Niggers"? Redskins is just as offensive and pejorative to Native Americans. Let's get rid of ALL stereotypes! Please see "Native Notes" at http://home.att.net/~Numberup/Tsalagi.htm


Name: abdul malik
Email: ameer@earthelink.net
Response: reggie is moron and needs to keep his mouth shut and maybe talk about something he knows about


Name: Monte Pratt
Email: sanderdl@co.forsyth.nc.us
Response: Stereotypes about entire races of people are never good. He should have thought about the stereotypes that people have of him as a football player and an African-American man. That should cure him of making a repeat performance. (I think Reggie White is a good guy, but his mouth in this instance ran faster than his brain.)