MovieChat Forums > American Violet (2009) Discussion > Let's do this! African Americans... unit...

Let's do this! African Americans... unite!


Someone please kill me or I might die slowly just waiting for American Violet to release in DVD.

I have several African American friends and frankly I find nothing wrong with them. I'm even planning a trip to Africa (South Africa) next year.

So, word up for shows like American Violet and Miss E.
I've even heard Nicole Beharie has a family now.
Good for her and all African Americans worldwide.
It's nice to hear good news once in a while.

Keep it up AfAms.

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Actually it's very much in time to say things like that now with Obama being president and all. I agree though there's nothing wrong with them.
If they want movies of course they can have it just like anyone else on this planet.
Yeah, keep it up!

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Ahem.

Unfortunately, by saying things like "African Americans unite," you are actually isolating your race from all the other races, and in fact, doing the opposite of what you claim, and the dearly departed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. claimed to want, and that is to be treated and viewed upon as equals.

However, if you continue to group together (unite) and separate yourself just out of the sole purpose of ego, all you are doing is the exact opposite of what you should be.

Is there a cause you are fighting for? If there is, I haven't heard it. Also, if there is, why can't I, a "European American," or rather, a white person (I always wonder why white people don't care if they are called white, but some black people don't like being called "black" - then I realized because it's all about their bitterness and resentment, and that until they let go of it, and realize that all that is holding them back is their hanging onto the past, they will continue to struggle) fight alongside you? If you are fighting for an injustice done to black people, I want to know about it, and I want to fight along with you. Yet, the truth is, you aren't fighting for anything worth fighting for, you are just pounding your chest with pride...because...what? you are black?

However, if this is just a "Let's do this thang 'yo,' African Americans unite!" just for the sake of "pride," you're embarrassing yourself...and unfortunately, you are embarrassing other intelligent, articulate and ambitious black people who just want (and are getting) their chance to live their life without other black people telling them they have to continue fighting for things that have long since passed.

As generations go by, black people, white people, hispanic people, asian people, middle easterners: we all slowly learn to get along with each other better. It takes time. Unfortunately, what slows this process down are the ones with "pride." Your "racial pride" is pathetic. Did you do something to accomplish becoming a black person? Then where do you get off taking pride in something you had no hand in? I don't take pride in being a white person. Just the thought is ludicrous.

The other thing that slows us down is the older generations spouting their racism in front of their children (this involves all races), and the younger generations. You would think the older generations would be wise and know not to do this, but rather, they actually tell their children to "take pride" in being their color of skin. Maybe I will start taking pride in the fact that I am right-handed, or that I have a certain color eyes, because it makes about as much sense.

A word of wisdom to any person of any race: you are unique, and that is what makes you special. If you are truly proud of who you are amd secure with yourself, you do not mind being who you are, and don't feel a need to surround yourself with those who are the same color as you (the only ones who do walk around in gangs are the cowards). You should be proud to stand out and be unique and be yourself. You should also understand that everyone is an individual. People need to stop thinking that they are "alike" someone else simply because of skin color. They need to start seeing people as individuals, giving everyone, regardless of color, the same opportunity to be their friend, lover, etc., and you will find that when you do, your life will be enriched with a variety of culture and perspective that makes the world beautiful and then maybe you will start to truly be colorblind as it pertains to a human being. Until then, you are nothing but a hypocrite, screaming at the world about how racist it is against you, when you have nothing but the same contempt in your own heart.

When I hear things like "African Americans Unite," what I start to think is: The African Americans are the ones that seem to be seeing other people based upon the color of their skin. They seem to be the racist ones. I would think and feel the same way if I saw "Hispanic Americans Unite," or "European Americans Unite."

You really should change that to "African Americans Unite with everybody who will stand beside us as human beings" and together, maybe one day, this entire planet can find unity.

I know it this is just a post, but, if you believe it, and you live it, you can be that tiniest of sounds that creates an avalanche. You can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. The world is what we make of it. So if you choose to "unite" with other black people (and specifically choose them because of their race) realize that it was you who made that choice, and it wasn't made because you weren't welcomed by white people or hispanic people or asian people. You have a choice, and things like "African Americans Unite," is the same old juvenile, prideful, racist speech that causes resentment between races to start with.

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I could not have said it better aaronva83! You rock!

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aaronva83,
nice post.
My point, exactly ;-)

If you read my post again you find that I'm referring to African Americans in third person.
You do know what that implies regarding my own race... right?

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Wow aaron,

All for someone that isn't even African American. You should probably take more time to read the posts before going off on a tangent.

Before you my whole life was acapella

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Hmm it's seems kinda funny that this post was started by someone who wasn't African-American. So aaronva83 re-read that original post and look at who said it.

With that being said. I am African-American and I applaud you for one statement.
You said "If you are fighting for an injustice done to black people I want to know about it, and I want to fight along with you." That is very admirable, but the rest of your statements do not seem to add up. If you want to fight for Black people how about listening with an open ear about the injustices that happen to not only us but to those Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans and other people of color too. You can't fight with us unless you listen.

As for the whole pride argument. White people need to stand up and be proud of the heritage too! If your part British-American, Irish-American, German-American, Polish-American, Dutch-American, Norwegian-American etc etc. Take pride in who you are and respect others who take pride in themselves

You said "I don't take pride in being a white person. Just the thought is ludicrous." I AGREE WITH YOU 100% Take pride in those people that came before you as you yourself are a descendant of immigrants. You actually have very much in common with our Hispanics brethren so I am glad you named them in your list of ethnic groups.

aaronva83 keep up the good work before you know it you will be marrying a person of color! ;-)

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@aaronva83

Black Americans claim pride in who they are because for our first 300 years as slaves in this country we were told/taught to hate EVERYTHING about ourselves--our hair, our color, the way we spoke,what we ate, our languages (very few of us spoke English when we got here from Africa,since it wasn't our first language to begin with). It wasn't until barely 50 years ago that we were able to fight our way into saying, "I'm black and I'm proud!" because white folks tried constantly to strip EVERY damn amount/little bit of pride we could keep for ourselves from us. Back then, we didn't have a choice----we either stuck together or we perished, because nobody gave a damn about us except ourselves.

You act as if it's so damn simple to just forget race and get along---hell no, it isn't, and it never WILL be as long as white people keep believing that they are superior to everybody else that isn't white. It was white racism that created that bitterness and resentment you talk about, which came from the fact that for nearly the first 300 years of this country's existence, white folks got ALL the opportunities/riches/entitlements at everybody's else expense because they ran s***, not because they were all qualified enough to deserve them (including mainly, but not limited,to black people). I wish it WERE that simple, but it is not, and has never been. You NEED to read up on African-American history and find out WHY black people feel certain ways about certain things instead of claiming something we say is racism just because you obviously don't understand WHY we said this or that. Saying "African-Americans Unite!" is a call for us to get OURSELVES together---it doesn't have a damn thing to do with you or any other white person. It's not always ABOUT you, so get over it.

Honestly, I get tired of having to explain online all the damn time that whatever a white person perceives as racism from black people, it's usually for a reason---we did not just wake up one damn day and decide that white people were responsible for all our problems--it's BECAUSE we get sick & damn tired of being discriminated against in so many ways that the average person dosen't always pick up or see. Plus racism is SO institutionalized, you barely notice it UNLESS it affects you directly. The average white person will NEVER have to worry about someone constantly questioning them about their qualifications, no matter how much education or how hard they work, or be told they can't live a certain place, or not be hired for a certain job. So when a white person is quick to yell, "You're racist!" or some bulls*** like, "You're playing the race card," I wish they would shut the *beep* up, because they don't and will NEVER know what true racism is, since y'all are in the majority, have all the damn privileges and control damn near everything---meaning everything's in YOUR favor. SO get off that "oh, let's all just ignore race and we're get along just fine bull****," because in real life, it has NEVER worked because white folks insist on keeping racism going for THEIR own damn benefit---especially in a racist society---forget about it!

You mention some black folks should let go on the past---well, hell, from all the comments and bitterness I see online about our President and black people in general (I should have mentioned by now that yeah, I'm black) a lot of white folks can't let go of the fact that they can't say and do whatever they want to black people/people of color any more and get the hell away with it--that's why they constantly b***h about "political correctness" which is simply being respectful of someone's culture and calling them what they WISH to be called--not whatever ignorant-a$$ racist name white people felt/feel like slapping on them--like the "N" word---also they can't deal with the fact that white folks won't be the majority in the future, so to them that's the end of their WHOLE *beep* world, the bastards. Okay,enough of my spiel---hope you learned something--have a nice day!

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"I have several African American friends and frankly I find nothing wrong with them."

"I've even heard Nicole Beharie has a family now."




do these statements sound off to anyone else?

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Wow... came across this amazing discourse while checking out public opinion about the film. There are more honest-to-God truths in the lively and thought provoking comments above than in any other public forum I have ever seen online! I applaud you all for your honesty but one question remains... did you all enjoy the film?

*****"Sometimes, I guess, there just aren't enough rocks."

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