disappointed

 I have various websites or groups whatever you want to call them that post regularly on my Facebook page. I have noticed if you click once on them, you're on the list and will keep getting posts from them. That's just how it works I suppose. Anyway, this being Black history month I have seen a great number of posts on that subject. Quite interesting, to learn about who invented what or who wrote certain famous books, stuff like that. That has been the majority of the posts I have seen. The first black this or that. One in particular, was about the co-founder of the Black Panther Party. A young man that had earned a PhD in social philosophy, despite all the setbacks he faced because of his race. My only comment was the Black Panther Party was founded to oppose capitalism and, on the precept, of economic oppression. That was it. I did include my opinion that that isn't much different than what the Democrats preach today. 

 There were quite a number of comments on that thread, some good, some bad, and others just outright racist, although racist is a word I seldom use. Race is an excuse, not a cause in my thinking. You cannot legislate emotions nor can you legislate what is taught to children by their parents or social groups. You can protest all of that, but you won't change any of that. Anyway, one person in particular immediately attacked my statement claiming I was putting words in his mouth. I pointed out that I had only written what the Black Panthers said was their policy, I didn't make that up, it was their policy. I pointed out that we are talking about the original Black Panther Party, not the new one. And yes, they are different. So having refuted that accusation he wasn't done. In the end I was labeled a racist. I have to say I wasn't surprised, but I was disappointed. 

 I had quite a lengthy and what I felt was amicable conversation. No name calling or any of that. I seldom go and look at someone's profile page so I didn't know his race, or what he identifies himself as. I also didn't ask. I did assume he was black because of his heated defense of the Black Panther Party. He pivoted to that when he realized I hadn't said a thing disparaging the co-founder of the Black Panthers. Further discussion about capitalism followed and about social programs. He was a proponent of "socialism" but wouldn't call it that and "social" programs are not a part of socialism, in his view. I ended the discussion at that point, it being fruitless to continue as neither one of us were going to change our minds. I bid him a good day. It was then I was called a racist. 

 I didn't respond, just left disappointed. Disappointed because I thought we had a meaningful discussion but apparently that wasn't the case on his part. I had dared to express the founding principles of the Black Panther Party as a negative thing. The underlining sentiment was, I'm a white guy and have no business speaking about any of that. 

 That was the big disappointment. In the end, despite discussion, I was just a racist. That was the final response, the go to answer for everything. It wasn't that we had an ideological difference, a political difference, or even as simple as a different opinion. It was, you are a racist because you are white. Disappointing. I was a racist even though I hadn't made a single negative remark regarding race. How long will the black community cling to that club? 

 And what is worse? I'm not supposed to even talk about this. I should simply agree, sympathize, and provide comfort and support. Interesting to note is that 8% of all millionaires in the United States are black. About 14% of the population are black. That means about 57% of all Blacks are millionaires. About 26% of all whites in America are millionaires. Seems like the Black community is doing quite well to me. But, I'm not supposed to talk about any of that. Disappointing, you bet it is.