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photo by Destiney Robb
Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu delivers a speech about race relations during the New Morning Star Baptist Church Usher Board Program and Gospel Extravaganza Sunday afternoon in Ferriday.
Lt. Gov. Landrieu talks race
Published Monday, October 15, 2007
FERRIDAY — Louisiana’s lieutenant governor made a stop in Ferriday Sunday to speak briefly about race relations in the state and the nation.
Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu spoke at the New Morning Star Baptist Church’s Usher Board Program and Gospel Extravaganza Sunday.
“I’m not going to talk about politics, because we’re in (a church) service,” Landrieu said. “Instead, I’m going to talk about something I talk about wherever I go, because it’s something near to my heart: race.”
Landrieu’s heart is heavy with the issue of race and people getting along and being together, he said.
“Sometimes, when things are sensitive, we don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “We haven’t had a discussion about race since the death of Dr. (Martin Luther) King (Jr.) or the death of (Robert) Kennedy.”
The problems in the state such as the recent Jena Six episode are only a mirror of the nation as a whole, Landrieu said.
“If they make the mistake of thinking that this is only our problem, they are going to miss a major learning opportunity,” he said.
People moving into the United States and people moving around within the states are all coming to the south, and that means people of all races are going to have to learn to live together, Landrieu said.
“If we are going to put our best foot forward, if we are going to get along and get ahead, we need to come together,” he said.
A resident of New Orleans, Landrieu said after the city flooded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he found a glowing symbol of what race relations could be like.
“When someone saw you coming in the boat, they didn’t care what color you were,” he said. “That boat is symbolic. We’re all in one boat together.”
Comments
Posted by Hunter (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 3:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anybody believe that racism and prejudice will ever go away?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think racism will ever go away as long as we deny it exists. I agree with Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu that "we are in the same boat" and until we come to some personal realizations, we are going to have a long, hard trip as we paddle uphill. Race is very close to my heart, too. I fight it every chance I get.
Posted by eaglebe (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We are of different races
But we don't hate
You don't talk like me
I don't talk like you
We are of different races
But we don't hate
You need me
I need you
We are of different races
But we don't hate
You embrace my differences
I embrace your differences
We are of different races
But we don't hate
We've cried about the differences
We've accepted the differences
We've embraced the differences
We are of different races
But we don't hate
The bottom line is this:
We've discovered we're alike
in so many ways
We will always be
of different races
But we will never, never hate
We have become friends to the end.
Posted by mwhittington (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My own personal opinion, which I know from experience, you have all been waiting to hear, is that until everybody accepts the fact they are racist to some degree, there will never be resolution. I am so sick of people using the race card for every little reason. Look people, sometimes you just weren't the most qualified person for the job, or you should not of ran from the police, or you didn't like the way somebody prettier looked at you!! etc etc... If we all were the same color and creed, we would still be hollering discrimination of some kind. And yes, it does exist and happen. Sometimes a woman is more qualified and a man gets the job etc... but the main thing is sometimes if you think real hard and are realistic about a situation, you can find a dozen other reasons than RACE, that could of been a reason.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People moving into the United States and people moving around within the states are all coming to the south, and that means people of all races are going to have to learn to live together, Landrieu said.
now why does this man say that?? is that really true? why are these people so attracted to the south?
Posted by mommyof3 (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Because it is cheaper to live in the south than any other region.
Posted by mwhittington (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah... You are right mommyof3. But I think people confuse our Southern hospitality with "they should get something for nothing." I am tired of supporting these lazy loafers. They come here, get low government loans to buy hotels and convenient stores, live off our assistance, and drive LEXUS or Cadillac's. Meanwhile OUR government lets OUR people starve or go homeless.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Landrieu is a joke in Louisiana like our Governor Blanco. He was very definately playing the game of "politics" and the race card issue since he is running for reelection!
Posted by mwhittington (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree.....
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ijohnson, very good point!
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
all this stuff makes my head hurt... even when i try to keep up with it i still don't know nothing! haha!!
well let me ask ya'll another question.. my grandma always told me it's not nice to ask who you may vote for to become president... but i just have to say.. the candidates aren't really holding my interest.. except one.. HILARY CLINTON... maybe because she is a woman.. my opinion is a man has been running things for this long and look where we have gotten so far??? i think a woman needs to run thing and see just what she may be able to do.. and after Hilary is in office maybe it will spark even stronger women to run...
Posted by mwhittington (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My, My, My, buttercup.... Do you realize what a can of worms you have just opened up???? lol
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
haha... well it must of been a good kind of worms...haven't got a reply... i hope, i guess meme was right when she said don't ask people about a president.. hmm... haha
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree mostly with what I read so far, including eaglebe. It would be a better world if we all accepted our differences and embraced equality. It's a little hard to do when I am scared to say the wrong thing or type the wrong thing on this forum. I don't want to be "politically incorrect". Why should I have to be worrying about this when minorities are allowed to express their opinions with no thought to my feelings? We are of the HUMAN RACE. Our skin color and culture are different but our hearts and souls are the same.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on October 15, 2007 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kpage, there you go! You've said what you feel, "Our skin color and culture are different but our hearts and souls are the same." No one should be afraid to say what they feel. Just be prepared to defend what you say if you are asked to clarify the meaning or if you are challenged.
I feel that if what you say is true and based on facts, then you have nothing to fear. If you're speaking from your own personal biases or ignorance as a result of having no personal experiences to support what you're saying, then sharing those views just might shed some light on the facts that may enlighten your thinking. A challenge or response adverse to yours may not be a bad thing.
Are minorities expressing opinions in this forum about Whites that are unjustified? If so, speak up. Most of the contributors who posts in this forum are anonymous, so they have the freedom to say what they feel and think. If you don't, then don't blame them. You see, it's so easy to blame someone else for our own failure to do something. We can always find fault with someone else but there's enough blame to go around.
Posted by hutto2007 (anonymous) on October 16, 2007 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The funny thing is that people use skin color to make you a minority, when ignorance is the majority. Ignorance comes in all colors, creeds, nationalities and is male and female. When we as parents teach our children to be IGNORANT, no one wins. If you want equality, teach it at home. Instead of teaching them that they can get something or are being punished by their skin color, we should teach them to overcome, reach for higher standards and goals, and persist dilligently through all struggles. He who overcomes shall find the glory. He who gives up, loses.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on October 16, 2007 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When it comes to racism. I don't know of ANY Black parent who teaches their children that they can get something because of the color of their skin or are being punished because of their skin color. America has been their teacher. Institutional racism has been the classroom. The Black community has ALWAYS inspired each other and their children to excel, reach for higher standards and goals and overcome. If there's ever been a race of people to persist in the midst of insurmountable odds and adversity, it's been the Black race.
To try and minimize this fact and present the Black community as a group mainly made of unruly, immoral, uncaring, finger-pointing, unmotivated, and government check-collecting people would be the biggest lie ever told.
Sure, there are problems within the Black community that need fixing. These same problems exists all over the world. Yes, there are unruly and defiant kids who commit crimes who are Black but there are more crimes being committed by other kids of other races. Yes, there is teenage pregnancy and a high number of unwed mothers in the Black community but those numbers would be higher in other races if there was no access to abortions.
Raising kids and changing America is an ongoing saga. I don't know of one race who can claim the crown for having conquered these issues and excelled at solving these issues in their community. The Black community is not the ones committing all these mass killing, suicides and killing of parents for money. You can talk all day long about raising your children right, instilling all these morals in them, and raising them not to be ignorant but when they are killing you, the parents, in record numbers for insurance money, what does that say about your parenting skills. Where is the real love and respect for you, the parent. And, if there is no love and respect for the parent, how can these precious children love and respect anyone else. This is not a problem in the Black community.
So, please stop all this talk directed at the Black community about how to raise their children and live their lives. Get your own house in order first.
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