Comments on: White Man Says “When Will WE Get Over It?”

By: Cedric Anderson

Cedric Anderson — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:43:12 +0000

We get over it when we accept the new concept of a black man!
Obama has changed more that the environment of politics. He has changed the symbol of a black leader. This in turn changes the meaning of the black man. It’s not his actions at all, but what he now means to the symbol of the black man and thus the black woman, the black family, the traditional idea of the white man, the white woman and the white family. In fact the concept and abstract meaning of all men, women and families have around the world have changed because of this symbol we call Barack Obama. And what he now means to American culture and to all cultures of the world.
When we change the meaning of a symbol we in fact change the word that defines that symbol. When we do that we change language and culture.
Barack Obama seems to good to be true, but in fact he is true. Tested and true. He is the world’s first black American President. He embodies the ultimate human concept that transcends all race, gender religion and culture, “YES I CAN, SO, YES YOU CAN.”
Wikipedia says: A concept (abstract term: “conception”) is a cognitive unit of meaning— an abstract idea or a mental symbol sometimes defined as a “unit of knowledge,” built from other units which act as a concept’s characteristics. A concept is typically associated with a corresponding representation in a language or symbology such as a word.
Obama has come to mean for all people, “Yes I can, so, yes we can.” Therefore black men are saying to themselves and other black men yes I can, so, I have to get myself together.
Black women are saying to themselves and other black women yes I can, so, I have to get myself together.
Black families are saying, “Yes we can! So, we are going to have to get it together!”
Some White’s who believed the old concept of blacks are now being challenged that they are not as good, qualified and lucky as they thought.
Some White’s and others are now dealing with the fact that by blacks being held back a bit they have enjoyed certain privileges that would not have been given them if they always had to compete straight up.
There are also those whites and others who have always stood for civil rights and believed that race was never an issue above character of skill. They are also affected because they have to deal with the fact they were right. They are still being called racist because they have never voiced that they are the whites who stood by blacks and others when blacks’ human rights were being withheld. They are mixed in with white racist because of the color of their skin. For every Jackie Robinson there was a Branch Rickey who was the white general manager who insisted that Robinson play. Rickey and family was ostercized just as much as Robinson for allowing him to play. These whites have and still say, “Let’s just let go of raceas an issue! Obama as the symbol of the new black man says to them. “No! You were right and you should be credited for your stand too!” “Character and skill are all that matter!”
Besides all that, the meanings of the words nigger, cracker, honky and other racial slurs have changed and are now useless and stupid in human interactions. Word associations to blacks like criminal, ignorant and physical are also no longer relevant all because of OBAMA.
Barack, Michell, Malia and Shasa have already changed the world it’s concept of itself and language as we know it. Like with all foreign languages it takes time to learn a new dialect but with practice, “YES! WE CAN!

By: Ms Walidah

Ms Walidah — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:42:05 +0000

It is refreshing to see that there are those whose eyes are becoming wider…….Thank God for the individuals who are able to see a much wider scope.

By: rdaddy3

rdaddy3 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:31:08 +0000

Nice 2 c that someone can “look” at things thru black eyes. Yet it is still a “black thang”. We need 2 step up; Obama raised the bar! Our community is in need of a overhaul in a lot of areas: faith, morality, unity, involvement, etc. We relate to Obama since he speaks, from personal experience, to the issues we face daily and historically, but are we truly committed to the “CHANGE”. I mean, we are good at the meetings(i.e. Million Man March) but OUR follow thru is downright horrendous. “The Dream”, as I interpret it, is for unconditional equality and brotherhood, Obama becoming president is HUGE, but it is not the end of this journey. We CAN talk the talk, but CAN we walk the walk. Ponder this. ‘nuf said!

By: Osiris Munir

Osiris Munir — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:12:18 +0000

Mr Manis I applaud you as you are actually showing us that you understand your purpose in life as a professor. It is a natural law of nature to continue evolving whether our consciousness evolves or not..just as other species and generations have paved their way through planetary changes, I suspect mankind is in our final frontier. We have to expand our consciousness not just for the sake of our own planet but the universe as well. Our country relatively speaking is a much younger country than the European countries. We developed an arrogance much like teens in self discovery and who have no sense of mortality, we must show less of our animal nature and more of our humanity. The time is now that we must express a noble and dignified human condition, in order to not only understand our own culture but others as well.

By: Steph Minor

Steph Minor — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:36:39 +0000

WOW… change has come. This was an excellent read. I am moved and encouraged of the possibilities of the future. Thanks JB

By: Sister Deb

Sister Deb — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:29:24 +0000

Hey this is the best article I have read in quite sometime.Prays god for at least 1 non-person of color seeing that this is a new mellinium can we please just all get along, for the common good. I think by now we all have figured out that blood is all red and we all love our families. Think people how magnanimous this world would be if we all respected each other and worked towards the common good! I think the higher power would shower us with Blessings! So non people of color stop BLOCKING OUR BLESSINGS THEIR YOURS TOO!!!!!!!!!

By: sharon waugh

sharon waugh — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:23:18 +0000

WOW!!! This hit the nail on the head!!!
I clap my hands in awe of this essay!

Good Job Dr. Manis

By: odislen

odislen — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:02:10 +0000

dr. manis ur da man. i really wish more white people would read dis article and come to terms with the racism and hatred we as black people especially black men have endured for hundreds of years. this is a great piece!! look at it white people. embrace it, love it. it is what it is. Go Obama!!!

By: Danielle, Los Angeles, CA

Danielle, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:39:08 +0000

Dr. Manis, Thank you for writing your article on this subject. Your thoughts had to come from you – from one of our white brothers. Black people have NEVER created hateful laws, or a holocaust, systematic genocide or ethic cleansing towards white people, as white people have done to blacks and other minorities – throughout the world! It is my hope too, that America will heal from it’s sickness of racism. I too will pray for all of our collective efforts, in our 400 years of healing. If we really believe what this country stands for; we will truly make this country the great nation we want the world to respect and admire…

By: Lynda

Lynda — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:32:49 +0000

Bravo! Racism is like a disease and perhaps finally America can realize a more healthy future.
It is, however, time for America to also understand that there are other minorities that require the same diligent efforts to end the denial of their civil rights. Gays and lesbians are still anxiously hoping for a time when they can live openly and freely in a society that does not view them as ill, indecent or less worthy of equality under the law.
Obama has a lot to accomplish durng his presidency, but giving Rick Warren, who views homosexuals so negatively, a favorable position at the inauguration is not a very good first step. Rick Warren’s ministry damages America by continuing to promote a message of unacceptance toward gays and lesbians.
Along with making whites feel uncomfortable when they make racist remarks, let’s make anyone feel uncomfortable when they make anti-gay remarks.