Maggie's Farm

I have to say, that's a very disheartening stance you've arrived at, especially if you've listened to someone of Ms. Owens' caliber speak extemporaneously.

I've lived and worked with black people all over the world who capably refute your assertion at almost every level, including one extremely talented black CEO of a multi-billion dollar oil corporation, whom I was fortunate to report to and who was nothing less than continually impressive with his skill and intellect. And on the other hand, I've lived in Texas for nearly all my adult life, in areas of the cotton-bottoms where violent prejudices and racism ran the deepest and longest - I've had old black men get out of line in front of me at the bank, just because I was a young white man, because they had been beaten down by that culture to that extent, as late as the 1980's. I even had the sorry vestiges of the Klan try to subtly recruit me once, way back then.

But those times are long gone. Do I feel white privilege guilt? Hell, no. My ancestors fought the revolution, then the Civil War. The state of our predominantly black cities in our country got to where they are now because of an unfortunate and toxic combination of politics, bad social science, exploitation with malice with many bad actors, and yes, acquired behaviors as influenced by racial character.

The bell curves of the racial characteristics undeniably overlay with different shapes. I'm not a nature vs. nurture guy, I believe they are both fundamental to the formation of a person's character. There are rotten behaviors and predilections to violence that I've seen here, in Africa, in the Far East, in the Arab nations. All you need is poor people, limited resources for existence, little hope, and ignorance. I think you have it wrong, and hope you at least continue to observe and shape your views with an open mind.