The only thing about this entire thread that confuses me is the usage of the word division. The word is constantly thrown around. So I'm sitting back and wondering at one point were we not divided? The socioeconomic constructs of this nation were built on division. Since when have Black people and White people been united in America? Where is this America some of the contributors to this forum have been living in? I haven't seen it.

I go back and watch the debates from the 1950's and 1960's. White people would tell Black people that their rhetoric was divisive...during Jim Crow segregation. The irony. Those who went as far as to create legislation to keep the races separated telling the other group they're being divisive. It's an odd concept for me to grasp.

I'm also seeing the words "truth" and "reality" utilized. Well this idea of unity isn't rooted in any truth or reality. My great-grandfather didn't know anything about this unity when he went off to fight in World War II and couldn't eat in the mess hall with the White soldiers. He didn't know anything about this unity when he came back and eventually had to join in on the Civil Rights Movement.

My grandparents didn't know if this unity when they were attending segregated schools. My grandfather didn't know if this unity when he became the 1st Black engineer at the Paper Mill in Moss Point, MS and was routinely called boy and ******.

So this idea of unity...it just really throws me off. When Black people rallied behind Obama White people weren't unified with us in that decision. When White people rallied behind Bush Black people weren't unified with them in that decision. Sure, we come together in spurts. We'll join hands in tragedy, despair, and times of war. When it's over it's business as usual.

I'll watch people weaponize MLK against Blacks because he was so "unifying". Yeah...unifying enough that he was murdered. MLK was NOT liked in the 1960's just like Muhammad Ali. The love affair with MLK came after his death. But the victors write the story per usual.

I'm not interested in talking about the perils of the ghetto if we aren't going to talk about who implemented the concept and how it became what it is. I'm not interested in talking about the perils of the ghetto if you have no tangible solutions. If helping the people in the ghetto was a priority then there would be no ghettoes.

Difference between me and most, I'm not looking for the help, so in turn I don't want to here the *****ing and moaning about communities you don't ever have to go to. If I'm Michael Jordan I'm building a Jordan Brand factory right in the hood of Chicago. I'm training and giving well paying jobs with health benefits (since for some reason they tie healthcare to employment) to the residents to work there. This increases the property value and improves the schools by default.

So that's what I'm planning to do to help where I can. Create healthcare facilities and partner with the school systems to funnel these kids from high school, to a junior college/university, and right into a facility in their community made specifically for them to work at. Plans. Ideas. Solutions.

I'd bet a years salary you'll see a dramatic drop in crime rates and an improvement in educational outcomes. People need resources and opportunities. You can't just blindly throw money at things. You have to strategize and try to create solutions.

More importantly, nobody posting has ANY problem being divisive when they want to get their point across. Either you agree or you disagree. If one side is saying that this is their reality and the other side is saying that's not true we're supposed to come together because we both like the Saints? That's the unity we're talking about? Again, just odd.

The only thing about this entire thread that confuses me is the usage of the word division. The word is constantly thrown around. So I'm sitting back and wondering at one point were we not divided? The socioeconomic constructs of this nation were built on division. Since when have Black people and White people been united in America? Where is this America some of the contributors to this forum have been living in? I haven't seen it.

I go back and watch the debates from the 1950's and 1960's. White people would tell Black people that their rhetoric was divisive...during Jim Crow segregation. The irony. Those who went as far as to create legislation to keep the races separated telling the other group they're being divisive. It's an odd concept for me to grasp.

I'm also seeing the words "truth" and "reality" utilized. Well this idea of unity isn't rooted in any truth or reality. My great-grandfather didn't know anything about this unity when he went off to fight in World War II and couldn't eat in the mess hall with the White soldiers. He didn't know anything about this unity when he came back and eventually had to join in on the Civil Rights Movement.

My grandparents didn't know if this unity when they were attending segregated schools. My grandfather didn't know if this unity when he became the 1st Black engineer at the Paper Mill in Moss Point, MS and was routinely called boy and ******.

So this idea of unity...it just really throws me off. When Black people rallied behind Obama White people weren't unified with us in that decision. When White people rallied behind Bush Black people weren't unified with them in that decision. Sure, we come together in spurts. We'll join hands in tragedy, despair, and times of war. When it's over it's business as usual.

I'll watch people weaponize MLK against Blacks because he was so "unifying". Yeah...unifying enough that he was murdered. MLK was NOT liked in the 1960's just like Muhammad Ali. The love affair with MLK came after his death. But the victors write the story per usual.

I'm not interested in talking about the perils of the ghetto if we aren't going to talk about who implemented the concept and how it became what it is. I'm not interested in talking about the perils of the ghetto if you have no tangible solutions. If helping the people in the ghetto was a priority then there would be no ghettoes.

Difference between me and most, I'm not looking for the help, so in turn I don't want to here the *****ing and moaning about communities you don't ever have to go to. If I'm Michael Jordan I'm building a Jordan Brand factory right in the hood of Chicago. I'm training and giving well paying jobs with health benefits (since for some reason they tie healthcare to employment) to the residents to work there. This increases the property value and improves the schools by default.

So that's what I'm planning to do to help where I can. Create healthcare facilities and partner with the school systems to funnel these kids from high school, to a junior college/university, and right into a facility in their community made specifically for them to work at. Plans. Ideas. Solutions.

I'd bet a years salary you'll see a dramatic drop in crime rates and an improvement in educational outcomes. People need resources and opportunities. You can't just blindly throw money at things. You have to strategize and try to create solutions.

More importantly, nobody posting has ANY problem being divisive when they want to get their point across. Either you agree or you disagree. If one side is saying that this is their reality and the other side is saying that's not true we're supposed to come together because we both like the Saints? That's the unity we're talking about? Again, just odd.

What are your thoughts on reparations? Do you thing it would solve anything on a long term basis?

Honestly, as a conservative, I am starting to think it would be a good thing. Although it may not actually fix long term issues in those communities but it may help jump start better jobs and businesses in those areas. We just had over 6 trillion in stimulus with more coming. I think 250-300 billion in direct payments (25k per family of 4) to the black community may be a positive.

What are your thoughts on reparations? Do you thing it would solve anything on a long term basis?

Honestly, as a conservative, I am starting to think it would be a good thing. Although it may not actually fix long term issues in those communities but it may help jump start better jobs and businesses in those areas. We just had over 6 trillion in stimulus with more coming. I think 250-300 billion in direct payments (25k per family of 4) to the black community may be a positive.

These guys are professionals. Y'all are acting like they are children. They are grown up.