"just one in five blacks, or 20 percent, said things were better off for blacks compared with five years ago"

I'm just wondering what planet that 20% came from. Better off in terms of freedom? Sure. In regards to the way we're treated and stereotyped in everyday life? Not at all. Still looked down upon and denied good jobs that some are qualified for, I say.

discuss…

That 20% is the black upper middle class and things are better for THEM. This is not to knock those people in any way. We all live in our own little bubbles. It's not a lack of awareness on their part. They are probably well-informed but when you're far removed from the bigger problems, it's hard to really get it. If I'm judging by the black people in my particular town now, they are FAR better off than the black people in my town 5 years ago and overall, my level of hope for black people has increased substantially.

Vote Hillary!

The stereotypes and bullsh*t you have to go through since rap/hiphop took off (mid 80s) has made life enormously more difficult for black people. Anyone who thinks black folk are better off is way uninformed, and probably republicant.

Hillary Clinton will not do a damn thing for black people. If you'll recall, one of her biggest supporters in Louisiana was the same Sheriff Lee who prevented black people from crossing the bridge to safety, from Katrina. She never disavowed this career racist, and she has many many more in the bunch of racist white women who support her. She is also a warmonger (supporting the war in Iraq AND the crazed notion of bombing Iran), and is a SUPER supporter of Israel, a country that takes tens of billions of dollars from America every year (more than all other countries combined), and then pats itself on the back for being 'smart'. Yeah, 'vote Hillary' if you've been bamboozled.

She did disavow Sherrif Lee's actions. She did it on nation TV if I recall. Racisct white women who support her??? Like who? For every racist white person that supports her there are 100 black people that do also - so your arguments makes no sense. She is not a racist so what does that have to do with anything. Name one Democrat running for president who is anti Israel. They all support Israel. I happen not to, but as politician to not support Israel is to be labeled an anti-semite. She is NOT for bombing Iran. And she is for bringing the troops home. She did vote for the resolution that sent the troops into Iraq, yes, but so did everybody else - except for Obama who has the luxary of 20/20 hindsight.

Get your facts straight BEFORE you call somebody bamboozled.

She supports sanctions on Iran, not bombing them.

She, like most people in Congress, supports Israel and probably to a fault. Israel deserves the right to exist safely though I strongly believe that the decision to create it was a mistake of the US and some European countries. It's part guilt, part anti-Semitism that led to it's creation.

As far as aid goes, FAR more has gone to Iraq. The US pretty much created Israel almost single handedly. The decision to do so was faulty and expensive. The fact that there'd be more unrest in the region was predictable. The US govt basically created a common enemy among many common enemies. By the way, the #3 recipient of aid is Egypt. Afghanistan, Jordan and Pakistan are top recipients.

I don't know about Harry Lee's career but it was made very clear from a report that I had watched a while back that he had no control over the blocked bridge as it was some other independent government's jurisdiction.

Before I get called another name (and really get upset) - who will do the better job for black ppl, megsy?? Obama?

Can you name anyone who is running for President who doesn't support Israel almost 100% of the time? Some haven't been in a place to make any decisions on Israel, but I can assure you that is political suicide unless said politician is from one of those middle states (state that does not border an ocean) or Alaska.

megsy's reasons for not liking Hillary are straight off of the RNC's talking points. They are like a swift boat ad. If you don't like her fine, but don't make things up. This is exactly why Democrats/progressives/liberals are going to LOSE the fucking white house again. We are going to tear each other apart before the Repubs ever even get a chance to. It's difficult for me to even combat someone who just is operating out of pure hate. I don't like Obama, but I don't make shit up. Hillary is a racist! Get the fuck outta here! LOL. Ok, I can't be mad any more. It's too lame to even be mad at.

The reasons why I'm not voting for Obama is that I don't agree with many of his viewpoints. This personality/popularity contest thing is tired. I'm not picking a friend. I'm picking someone whose views are somewhat close to what I think is right. I don't expect Hillary or Obama or anyone else to help/save/rescue black people. I expect her not to put policies in place that will hurt the disadvantaged segments. God helps those who help themselves.

I don't have to make things up. Hillary Clinton is a racist, and her long relationship to Sheriff Lee couldn't have happened if she weren't. Her lack of support for black people in her own district is another. Comparing her actual actions to denying someone's service history are HER talking points, which are simultaneously crazy.
And yes, I AM for Obama, because unlike you, MBD, I am not going for the bullshit notion that Hillary Clinton is the de facto dem candidate. To dislike her, I have the incentive of watching her fence-straddling, racist-appeasing ass from within her senatorial district. She is neither progressive nor liberal. And from her membership to the Young Republicans in college, I'm pretty sure even being a democrat is just another calculated measure on her part to gain power.
I don't like her, and I don't like her lies. If you do, that's good for you– not for me, or for the rest of the country. She IS a warmonger, though.

It's blackmistressdiva (BMD) and I don't think she is the de facto dem candidate. I think she is the BEST candidate. And, like all Obama supporters, you are telling me what's wrong with Hillary w/o once saying what's right w/ Obama. If you are in her district then you have a vantage point that I do not, but you also have some vitriol that is clouding your judgment. For example, assuming that someone can't change the political affiliation they had in college is something that is exposing you for being a little bias and unwilling to look at or listen to reason. I don't think you can speak for the rest of the democratic party, nor can you speak for the country. You clearly have a grudge that I don't have. All politicians fence straddle when needed, all politicians lie. If you think Obama does not, you're naive. It's politics, not kindergarten. The things I care about she will protect. For the things I care about she is the best candidate. I am not being lied to, nor am I bamboozled. Please don't be so arrogant as to think that I am b/c you disagree.

I want facts regarding her being a racist. As many things that have been said about her - with all the negative things ppl have been trying to dig up, you are saying that she hasn't supported black ppl in her district. So that means what? Qualify that statement. What does "support" mean. Some things haven't gone your way so she is a racist. I volunteer for her campaign and I have met many people who have worked with her from all over the country (incl. blk ppl from her district) and the woman isn't a racist. She may not be who you want her to be or may not have voted that way you want, but she doesn't hate, dislike or hold ill-will toward ppl of color. She'd have to call me a nigger to my face for me to believe that. It's preposterous.

Finally some good political debate!

Like most Americans, I don't really completetly agree with any party. I am not a fan of the Dems or Reps. My political affiliation is fluid because different issues matter more at some points more than others. I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative. In New England (where I live), that makes me a Republican. In most of the country, that makes me a "moderate," "independent" or "Democrat." If Obama somehow wins the primaries, I'd have to thing looong and hard about who gets my vote come 11/08 because as far as the war goes, as much as I disagree with it, I have more faith in Romney's ability to deal with it. I actually would feel for Obama if he wins because some of his biggest supporters seem to be under the impression that he'll sprinkle fairy dust on the issues and all will be well with the world. That is why he's the candidate of choice for every bright-eyed idealist under the age of 40.

Clarence Thomas was a liberal. 'Nough said on changing your political views. As much as republicans try to paint her as ultra-liberal, she really is not at all and I don't think she's ever claimed to be.

Disagreeing with your support of Hillary, BMD, does not require arrogance. If you love war, go for it. She does too. Obama did not support the Iraq war, and he supports diplomatic attempts BEFORE bombing the shit out of people. Hillary thinks war is better than diplomacy, and ridiculed Obama for daring to suggest that TALKING– even with one's enemies– was better than warring. I like that about Obama. I don't like that about Hillary. It's a big point.
Hillary is owned by PACs and corporations. The overwhelming majority of Obama's supporters are individuals. I like that about Obama.
He also indicated a lackluster support of Israel at the beginning of his candidacy. He withdrew it when the pro-Israeli house fell on him– but I attribute that to the needs of politicans– something you accuse me of being naive about.
As to Hillary's STRONG Republican affiliation as a college student– people typically become MORE conservative as they grow older, not less. Anyone who was Republican when Goldwater was running (as she was), was just plain racist. He was a master racist, and campaigned as such.
Having a strong and informed opinion is not 'vitriol', by the way– but to call it 'bias' is just silly– just like your gung ho attitude for Hillary. She will disappoint you, if she is elected. I am certain of that. Even more important, is that she would continue to disappoint me. And in my book, I am more important than you. See how this works now?
Go ahead and feel something, why don't you? That lack of strong opinion and 'vitriol' bullshit is just disingenuous.

No, she's not ultra liberal. I don't need her to be. I am not. I am socially liberal, but can be very conservative. My dad was a Marine so I for a strong (heavily funded) military. A very conservative value. I am also very much in favor of the death penalty. Another conservative thing. But, y'all know, my big hot button is women's reproductive rights. Anyone who even tries to impose on a woman's right to chose anything catches a huge wrath from me. I am very much a feminist. Blah, blah, blah…that being said…I vote straight ticket Dem.

With the exception of the military part, I agree with your stances. My view is that IF you must send American CHILDREN to war, you better protect them. My brother went to both Iraq and Afghanistan. It's no joke. If you're going to send people's children out there, you have to make sure they can get the job done quickly and safely. Hillary and I are in agreement 100% on reproductive rights: keep abortion safe, legal and rare.

Megsy - you are not telling me anything I didn't already know or haven't seen written practically word for word on sites before from others who are anti-Hillary. I do feel something. I FEEL that you are WRONG.

Dude, let it go. We are on opposite sides and will never agree on anything. Period. See how this works now?

I am not pro-war, just pro military. There's a difference.

BMD. I'm not a dude. But if you're resting your pro-choice hopes on Hillary, you should take a look at her hiccups on the topic. It figures that you're pro-death penalty, because the government WILL kill you, IF you kill a white woman. They very very rarely kill you if you murder a black person. Perhaps you should temper your unrequited love of white women… or maybe that's working for you.
If you're truly pro-military, why would you want our service people killed? That's what happens when war happens.
You're right about one thing: we disagree. You're wrong that we would 'never' agree on anything– but that's the position of the demagogue, so I'll leave you and upur indefensible positions alone.
For now.

Me thinks I have a stalker. Great.

Not to bolster stereotypes but I think it's that time of the month for megsy.

(sorry. had to lower this discussion to an immature level.)

So, you dislike Hillary because she was allegedly a republican 30 years ago? That doesn't make any sense.

That's 'cuz your so cool, bmd.

Damn. Thank you Michelle for havin' a sistas back up in this piece. Aight y'all ima remember that when y'all get a crazy stalker, too.

megsy, please back your claims up if you're going to make accusations. I am very informed. Interned for LWVs. Until recently loved politics. I follow people's voting records and at no point ever have I seen Hillary vote on reproductive issues in any way that would not be pro-choice. It is possible that this could slip under the radar, but your claims (Iran, abortion) seem to just be plain false.

I love that supporting a particular candidate = "love for white women."

And still, you have yet to say why Obama is the right candidate.

To bring the discussion back to the findings of the study… It is true there is so much going on today that there is no wonder blacks are pessimistic. However, one interesting finding is that more black believe that blacks are more responsible for not getting ahead than discrimination. That was a bit surprising. I blogged on it here: http://thecheckup.wordpress.co.....-progress/

ARE BLACK PEOPLE THE ONLY ONE'S ASKED ABOUT THIS?? i would think that EVERYBODY is a little more pessimistic about things these days! who does these "studies" and why have i or anyone i know of ever been asked? why are they always studing black people like were some sort of exotic animal! you dont hear of these kinds of studies on white people, asians, hispanics, w. indians, etc! it's a conspiricy! seriously! they know every thing there is to know about how/what kills black people (diabeties etc.)and whats "wrong" with black people. i wish someone would do a study on why whites think they are superior to all other races or something along those lines. every month a new "finding" surfaces on black people and they keep getting worse and worse.