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• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  

  Don Niederfrank

  7:38 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  LOL! Thanks, Fire Fly. Frank Costanza's words seem quite appropriate here. "I've got a lot of problems with you people, and now you're going to hear about it!"

  http://www.festivusweb.com/

• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  Don Niederfrank

  7:14 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  And for those of you who want to believe Grothman's lie about Kwanzaa being presented as a Black alternative to Christmas and that no Black people observe it---
  http://chicago.everyblock.com/neighbor-events/dec26-trinity-ucc-kwanzaa-celebration-service-5586387/

  Reply

• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  

  Don Niederfrank

  4:47 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  Hershal, say more about why you don't want you children to have anything to do with Kwanzaa.

  I think Grothman's statement is racist because its level of condemnation seems over the top if all that is functioning there is his being irritated at what a couple of predominantly white school districts are doing. But he seems both uniformed about the number of Black persons who do observe Kwanzaa--though mostly in churches and schools--and determined to paint the entire holiday with a broad brush dipped into one aspect of its founder. In other words, if Grothman didn't have a "problem" with black people, I believe this would be pretty much a non-issue as it is for most people, black and white.

• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  

  Don Niederfrank

  4:43 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  C'mon, Dominick. How many people call say that they are German, Norwegian, Dutch, etc. with no desire or intention to return to the land of their ancestors. African-Americans, people of various colors and hues, including those of Irish and Italian descent point to their ancestry as part of their identity and with pride. The term was adopted by Black Americans as a way of saying 'There is more to my history than slavery.' You knew that.

• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  

  Don Niederfrank

  7:09 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  Are you kidding me, Dominick? How many people do you know who say they are German or Norwegian or Dutch but who have no desire, ability or intention to return to the place of their ancestry but use these labels as an affirmation of their heritage and definition of who they are beyond their present reality. The term Afr0-American was an intentional response for Blacks to affirm themselves in response to their experience of racism. It was a way of pointing back beyond the history of slavery and Jim Crow laws and their (at that time) struggle for equal rights. C'mon. You knew that.

• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  Don Niederfrank

  8:50 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  It is ironic/funny/sad the number of white posters following Grothman in suggesting/demanding (slapped down?!) that black people stop doing something that has little/no effect on them (the posters) based on the most negative portrayal of the source this holiday and the assertion that it is not wildly popular among blacks.
  This is like Jewish people telling Christians they ought not to celebrate Christmas because of its questionable source, sinful materialism and disregard by many who claim to be "Christian".
  In spite of what some are trying to claim, some things/words/deeds truly are racist, based in fear/ignorance/judgment of others b/c of race. It seems to me that there is no other reason for caring about what black Americans do or don't do within their own communities, homes and churches.
  Sure, there's white liberal guilt. Sure there's an overcompensation for it. Been there, done that, at times am that. But there is also racism, and it's present in Grotherman's "concern" and many posts here.

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• On the article State Sen. Glenn Grothman Declares War on Kwanzaa

  

  

  Don Niederfrank

  2:59 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013

  AWD, I'm not sure why you applaud G.G.'s stance. Say more. And do you really think the White House Christmas Tree and Menorah involve no government expense?

  For me, it seems to be a bit odd that he is so incensed about something that has little/nothing to do with him. I think this is racial fear. Would he be comfortable with a non-Christian telling him how and whether he should celebrate Christmas? Would he propose to tell Jews that they should tone down drop Puriim?

  Whether it is or is not or to whom and to what degree Kwanzaa is relevant ought to be a non-issue for those of non-African heritage. Unless you've got a problem...

  Earlier comments about the source of Christmas are spot on.

• On the Blog Post What's White, Crusty, Full of Holes And Aging Quickly? ~ The GOP

  

  

  Don Niederfrank

  9:32 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

  There are more differences between urban and rural dwellers than those you point out. Rural dwellers tend to have less contact with persons who are different, tend to have a lower education level, a lower income level. There are other differences as well, but those I mention could be used to explain political differences as well.

  Re. the growth of U.S. economy, it might be pointed out that the U.S. is bordered by two significantly weaker nations and two oceans. It has one of the largest areas of arable land, significant water ways, mineral and petroleum resources.

  It also has a profound mythos of the individual who "goes it alone", is "his own man", etc. manifest in our heroes and in our strong entrepreneurial ethos and widespread optimism.

  IOW, the factors you site for both your points might well be relevant, but to make a case that they are primary cause would really difficult without begging the question.

• On the Blog Post What's White, Crusty, Full of Holes And Aging Quickly? ~ The GOP

  

  Don Niederfrank

  10:22 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

  "suppose as" should be "support". duh. :)

  Reply

• On the Blog Post What's White, Crusty, Full of Holes And Aging Quickly? ~ The GOP

  

  Don Niederfrank

  10:19 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

  The demographics of the nation are changing. So the agenda of the majority of citizens is changing and will continue to do so. The Democratic party is seen by those who have needed and need individual governmental support as on their side. And when they no longer need that suppose as the party that will provide it for those like them who do.

  The GOP is seen as conserving the status quo and providing governmental support to large corporations. When you see yourself as disadvantaged by the status quo b/c of gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. you vote for the party that offers change. When you see yourself as advantaged by the status quo you vote for the party that offers stability.

  The conservative myth is that people who voted Democratic did so because they wanted "free stuff", that is, that they wanted something that they did not deserve. The truth is many people voted Democratic because they felt they have been denied what they deserved--not free stuff but fair opportunity at acquiring stuff.

  The movement is tectonic in speed and inevitability.

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