tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post5415390485133128989..comments2024-03-20T07:14:40.521-07:00Comments on Black Woman Thinks...Religion, Politics, Race, Atheism and more...: Are Black People allowed to Critically Analyse Other Black People?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-32575877218768661992009-07-20T03:34:25.475-07:002009-07-20T03:34:25.475-07:00Hi Lorraine
Criticism is most effective when it co...Hi Lorraine<br />Criticism is most effective when it comes from close to home. For me as a white person in Britain to criticise American blacks when I know so little of the American black experience is likely to have little or no positive effect.<br /><br />At best I would be likely to cause irritation at the the ignorance and presumption of my criticism, at worst it might encourage the very "circling the wagons" attitude that would suppress constructive criticism from within the black community.<br /><br />The only circumstance under which it would be remotely possible that criticism from somebody outside the community would be taken to heart is if the critic already has a reputation for fearlessly criticising his own community, so that there is less chance of an accusation of double standards.<br /><br />So for the most part I restrict my criticisms to those times, places and people where I think that doing so might have a positive effect, and carefully avoid doing so when I believe that it will contribute to a siege mentality. It is important that in speaking you do not have the effect of making a bad situation worse.<br /><br />This way, I do what little I can to encourage the creation of an atmosphere where open and constructive criticism from within a community can flourish. Sometimes it is necessary to be silent in order to give others a better chance to be heard.Jonathan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527063732905729010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-30523502929662079962009-07-18T14:59:46.068-07:002009-07-18T14:59:46.068-07:00So where does this leave us, Jonathan, when it is ...So where does this leave us, Jonathan, when it is important to be honest with one another? We can confront only when no one else is watching?<br /><br />When we choose silent solidarity over open criticism aren't we in fact enabling the very things we see as wrong?Lorraine M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05182467192523615746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-21803308633882209802009-07-15T04:32:05.151-07:002009-07-15T04:32:05.151-07:00Hi there!
Followed you back from the very kind com...Hi there!<br />Followed you back from the very kind comment you left on my blog! Thank you also for the recommendation!<br /><br />This issue of whether it is acceptable as a member of a discriminated-against minority to make a public criticism of somebody else in the same minority is always difficult.<br /><br />On the one hand, we all have a duty to the truth, but on the other, such criticisms may be used by the outside world against the group as a whole, and so there is a great temptation to "circle the wagons" and decide that solidarity against outside criticism is the higher priority.<br /><br />Seth Freedman a couple of years ago wrote an article <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jan/02/sparetherod" rel="nofollow">Spare the rod...</a> in which he described just this issue in the ambivalent attitude of British Jews towards criticism of Israel.<br /><br />In essence, the conclusion of one relative was that the worse Israel behaves, the greater outside criticism it attracts, and so the greater is the need for solidarity. This resulted in the paradoxical position that the worse Israel behaves, the more it becomes impermissible for Jews to criticise it!<br /><br />There's no easy answer to this one, and so I am very careful to avoid joining in with kneejerk demands that the leaders of any minority group ritualistically condemn the activities (even terrorist activities) of hotheads from groups associated in some way with that minority. Such demands only make the external pressure and the need for solidarity even greater, and so are counterproductive. Criticism is more effective for not being made under duress (either in fact or by general perception).Jonathan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527063732905729010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-51156980076482072562009-07-09T17:27:06.664-07:002009-07-09T17:27:06.664-07:00Aach! Forgot to edit out the "going to" ...Aach! Forgot to edit out the "going to" when I re-typed; sorry, folks.Lorraine M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05182467192523615746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-18387339123030582002009-07-09T17:25:00.596-07:002009-07-09T17:25:00.596-07:00Agreed.
So, then, are we ever going to be allowed...Agreed.<br /><br />So, then, are we ever going to be allowed to talk about Michael Jackson? Or will the accusations--and his own remarks about the "innocence" of the bedroom visits--going to remain forever the elephant in the room African-Americans pretend isn't there?<br /><br />Just wondering.Lorraine M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05182467192523615746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-46369064736037344752009-07-09T04:07:29.499-07:002009-07-09T04:07:29.499-07:00In complete agreement, with this post and with the...In complete agreement, with this post and with the comments so far.Ralph Dumainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15886304779683587087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-66086995515373496142009-07-07T17:17:39.541-07:002009-07-07T17:17:39.541-07:00How does one believe criticism as an act of disloy...How does one believe criticism as an act of disloyalty? Where must a psyche be to acknowledge such powerless energy. <br /><br />I am no more loyal to unenlightened individuals, as I am to people who share the same pigmentation. <br /><br />Both acts would be superficial, race, gender, same neighborhood are worthless indicators of a sense of group pride.<br /><br />There's no scientific evidence that someone of the same race will Love us better. Such debates are adolescently driven, and antiquated.Robert Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10489413854472167052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-10583634639183123762009-07-05T16:28:45.652-07:002009-07-05T16:28:45.652-07:00It's funny that you compare the critisism to t...It's funny that you compare the critisism to the whole "Stop Snitching" ideology.<br />When you criticize - in effect you are "snitching" on those who should be doing better.<br /><br />These and the self-agrandizement through names (Diva This, King That) are just more lies to avoid the truth that one may not be on the level they would wish.uglyblackjohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404995571276457138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-84182255479309789282009-07-01T21:30:53.649-07:002009-07-01T21:30:53.649-07:00I agree with you. To me, nothing is so sacred that...I agree with you. To me, nothing is so sacred that it cannot be criticized. <br /><br />That being said, I believe the most helpful criticism is that from within one's own community. If a white person criticizes a black individual, s/he is labeled a racist. If a Gentile criticizes Israel, s/he is called an anti-semite. In both cases, the criticism is thought to be invalid. We all tend to dismiss criticism from without. Even though Arabs have valid criticisms of the U.S., most people just think they are angry Muslims who don't know or understand us. We need to see and move to correct our own faults.<br /><br />If the criticism of blacks comes from blacks, or of Israel from Jews, of of the U.S. from Americans, then progress can begin.C Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13053858627632648020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-6872666142128576372009-06-29T20:05:20.333-07:002009-06-29T20:05:20.333-07:00It's a touchy subject because Black people are...It's a touchy subject because Black people are often being criticized by outsiders. We begin to believe that to be a part of the family you must agree. You don't have to. You have the right to disagree. However, you must be careful that you don't fall into the category of being the one to always criticize blacks because that could indicate that you have some feelings of deficiency about blacks and being black.Jewelry Rockstarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03605029530908423889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-48958737203289984302009-06-29T08:40:14.718-07:002009-06-29T08:40:14.718-07:00What kind of criticism people place in the 1st pla...What kind of criticism people place in the 1st place? If the answer is 'constructive criticism' then it's important to sustaine the society, regardless the faith, race, and culture.<br /><br />If, on the contrary, it is just another 'destructive criticism' then it's another time-wasting since it add nothing but fussy regardless the faith, race, and culture.Hichamhttp://blog.hichamaged.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-58241407879818143592009-06-26T08:52:13.283-07:002009-06-26T08:52:13.283-07:00Doesn't matter who you are - if you are a huma...Doesn't matter who you are - if you are a human being then you are not perfect. We are all subject to criticism. If it is valid then it is a learning experience and gives us a chance to reflect on who we are and out actions.<br /><br />If it is not valid then it gives us a chance to educate someone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-2041426034868092892009-06-25T12:52:44.469-07:002009-06-25T12:52:44.469-07:00I agree that criticism of black individuals and cu...I agree that criticism of black individuals and culture is something many people find offensive. I think its a big shame though because criticism is a source of strength and improvement too. It's not going to tear our whole race down when we reflect on ourselves and each other and think critically.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-62895055915478261192009-06-23T19:11:13.910-07:002009-06-23T19:11:13.910-07:00As ever, I completely agree with you on this one. ...As ever, I completely agree with you on this one. As someone who is also interested in Ancient African history, having to wade through afro-centric nonsense is doubly irritating, especially as - like with so much hyperbole - it tends to drown out the more interesting reality.laBiscuitnapperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07085674629106780182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-2594737236635428172009-06-19T11:30:26.970-07:002009-06-19T11:30:26.970-07:00In total agreement with you.
I have no particular...In total agreement with you. <br />I have no particular dislike or favour towards anything or anyone. I'm my own person, with my own thoughts and beliefs.Olihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724277506773800593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-6282397112611724922009-06-19T10:39:34.163-07:002009-06-19T10:39:34.163-07:00great post, as always! haven't been here in a...great post, as always! haven't been here in ages ...<br /><br />not being open to criticism is, in my mind, a sign of immaturity. i don't care if you're black or green, or left or right or a german biracially-married white over-50 late-bloomiong-academic woman like me (those are all the labels i could come up with right now). critique is healthy and a source of progress and creativity.<br /><br />btw, have you seen field negro's "big timer"? it reads a bit similar to your post.isabella morihttp://moritherapy.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588572344099937920.post-42949447212515055572009-06-19T09:54:36.616-07:002009-06-19T09:54:36.616-07:00I think that I agree very strongly with this post
...I think that I agree very strongly with this post<br /><br />Others can give you such traitorous looks when you criticize other black people, it's crazy. When I took my African American Rhetoric class, it's amazing that the stares didn't burn holes in my clothes.byrdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04821682687646280000noreply@blogger.com