Holder: US is nation of cowards on racial matters

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues.
In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.

"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.

Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race."

He urged people of all races to use Black History Month as a chance for frank talk about racial matters.

"It is an issue we have never been at ease with and, given our nation's history, this is in some ways understandable," Holder said. "If we are to make progress in this area, we must feel comfortable enough with one another and tolerant enough of each other to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us."

He told Justice Department employees they have a special responsibility to advance racial understanding.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

LTRT wrote:Holder: US is nation of cowards on racial matters
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96E53483&show_article=1

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues.
In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.

"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.

Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race."

He urged people of all races to use Black History Month as a chance for frank talk about racial matters.

"It is an issue we have never been at ease with and, given our nation's history, this is in some ways understandable," Holder said. "If we are to make progress in this area, we must feel comfortable enough with one another and tolerant enough of each other to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us."

He told Justice Department employees they have a special responsibility to advance racial understanding.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More like a nation of double standards...

And how many voted for Obama because of skin color?

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:And now it's going to become a nation of cowards again when it comes to interrogation techniques too! Somebody has to make the sausage!

floridafun wrote:how many voted for him ONLY because of his color are surely more than balanced out by those who DIDNT vote for him only because of his color. had this conversation with you before.

floridafun wrote:you sir are who mr holder is addressing.

floridafun wrote:did you get mrs cincy a cute leather whip for valentines day?

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:I don't think you're alone. Flagrant homosexual behavior makes me uncomfortable too. But, flagrant hetrosexual behavior (if we're talking about in public situations) also makes me uncomfortable. Peck on the lips and hugging? Fine. All out groping and tongue action...get a room for Pete's sake!

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:And has there been a backlash against him for these comments? I haven't seen it. Imagine if a white A.G. had said Americans are a bunch of cowards when it comes to taking care of their own kids. That person would be screwed, blued, tattooed and BBQ'd. But oh no, it's fine if Holder says it.

LTRT wrote:
More like a nation of double standards...

Markwes wrote:I'm really having a hard time making sense of his remarks. "but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives." So what exactly are you asking us to do?

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

Markwes wrote:I'm really having a hard time making sense of his remarks. "but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives." So what exactly are you asking us to do?

meta4 wrote:I tell you what, It's not the "quiet" ones that get to me. I get uncomfortable with really flagrant homosexual behavior just as I do with really flagrant racist behavior. I have friends that are racist, and openly admit it. I have friends that are gay and are open about it.

Am I alone? I hope not.

Markwes wrote:

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

Markwes wrote:I'm really having a hard time making sense of his remarks. "but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives." So what exactly are you asking us to do?

So I guess if I see my black neighbor outside one day, I should walk up to him and say "Hi neighbor. Let's talk about the things that divide us racially." He will say "That's a great idea.". I have really been a coward for years. But things are looking brighter!

Markwes wrote:

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

Markwes wrote:I'm really having a hard time making sense of his remarks. "but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives." So what exactly are you asking us to do?

So I guess if I see my black neighbor outside one day, I should walk up to him and say "Hi neighbor. Let's talk about the things that divide us racially." He will say "That's a great idea.". I have really been a coward for years. But things are looking brighter!

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

Markwes wrote:

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

Markwes wrote:I'm really having a hard time making sense of his remarks. "but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives." So what exactly are you asking us to do?

So I guess if I see my black neighbor outside one day, I should walk up to him and say "Hi neighbor. Let's talk about the things that divide us racially." He will say "That's a great idea.". I have really been a coward for years. But things are looking brighter!

And just think, you only had to have gov't tell you what to do. I think I'll head down to the SE side tonight and try to reduce my cowardliness. Who's with me?

Aggie Transplant wrote:

meta4 wrote:I tell you what, It's not the "quiet" ones that get to me. I get uncomfortable with really flagrant homosexual behavior just as I do with really flagrant racist behavior. I have friends that are racist, and openly admit it. I have friends that are gay and are open about it.

Am I alone? I hope not.

Your post seems to imply flagrant homosexual behavior is as bad as flagrant racist behavior; is that what you meant?

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:I don't think you're alone. Flagrant homosexual behavior makes me uncomfortable too. But, flagrant hetrosexual behavior (if we're talking about in public situations) also makes me uncomfortable. Peck on the lips and hugging? Fine. All out groping and tongue action...get a room for Pete's sake!

Markwes wrote:

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

Markwes wrote:I'm really having a hard time making sense of his remarks. "but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives." So what exactly are you asking us to do?

So I guess if I see my black neighbor outside one day, I should walk up to him and say "Hi neighbor. Let's talk about the things that divide us racially." He will say "That's a great idea.". I have really been a coward for years. But things are looking brighter!

floridafun wrote:uh..how about just going over and getting acquainted and building on that. talk about kids, schools, lawn care..make a start. allow the same opportunity for friendship to begin as you would anyone who looked/seemed more like you? once you became comfortable together you might be surprised at some of their views and experiences. pretend its a white guy..or some "in style" race. pretend they are just another human, like you are.

floridafun wrote:

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:I don't think you're alone. Flagrant homosexual behavior makes me uncomfortable too. But, flagrant hetrosexual behavior (if we're talking about in public situations) also makes me uncomfortable. Peck on the lips and hugging? Fine. All out groping and tongue action...get a room for Pete's sake!

so..just curious..do you have the same thought when its a straight couple all-out groping and tongue action in public? i do.

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:

floridafun wrote:

Cincy Fan 44 wrote:I don't think you're alone. Flagrant homosexual behavior makes me uncomfortable too. But, flagrant hetrosexual behavior (if we're talking about in public situations) also makes me uncomfortable. Peck on the lips and hugging? Fine. All out groping and tongue action...get a room for Pete's sake!

so..just curious..do you have the same thought when its a straight couple all-out groping and tongue action in public? i do.

Isn't that the same as the "heterosexual" situation I mentioned?

At any rate, again, "Yes." Happened at a class reunion I was at between a guy and (I assume) his wife. Among the thoughts going thru my head at the time were "Get a room", "Get a life", "Quit acting like you're a sophomore." Just was an uncomfortable situation for me.