Timmy84 said:

Serious said:

My parents told me how things were in Hitler times. Really scary. And to think that the ancestors of David were probably slaves is scary too.

This is why it's important to discuss this because I knew about it at home not school.

Yes, it's very important. But, is that something that can be done here on the Org. Anytime race is brought up, it is just as quickly, shut down. The simplest of discussion turns into a bunch of nastiness and ignorance. There are people on here that I would swear are some of the most racist people on Earth whenever the topic of race comes up. And it's said that race doesn't matter. Well, as far as I'm concerned..whoever said that lied. When people get offended because someone said that they look black. Or when people assume that only blacks came from Africa. Especially, when there on those that question why we say that we come from kings and queens and even after given the answer, they chose to rebuke it like they know my history better than me...it does matter. And that just what we encounter as African-Americans. What about the racism that's face by Hispanics, Indians, Middle-Eastern, or Jewish people to name a few. We all are victims. Discussion is necessary.

mimi02 said:

Timmy84 said:

This is why it's important to discuss this because I knew about it at home not school.

Yes, it's very important. But, is that something that can be done here on the Org. Anytime race is brought up, it is just as quickly, shut down. The simplest of discussion turns into a bunch of nastiness and ignorance. There are people on here that I would swear are some of the most racist people on Earth whenever the topic of race comes up. And it's said that race doesn't matter. Well, as far as I'm concerned..whoever said that lied. When people get offended because someone said that they look black. Or when people assume that only blacks came from Africa. Especially, when there on those that question why we say that we come from kings and queens and even after given the answer, they chose to rebuke it like they know my history better than me...it does matter. And that just what we encounter as African-Americans. What about the racism that's face by Hispanics, Indians, Middle-Eastern, or Jewish people to name a few. We all are victims. Discussion is necessary.

It's never healthy around here. That's why I avoid it. I guess it's best to get it from movies like "Roots".

Timmy84 said:

mimi02 said:

Yes, it's very important. But, is that something that can be done here on the Org. Anytime race is brought up, it is just as quickly, shut down. The simplest of discussion turns into a bunch of nastiness and ignorance. There are people on here that I would swear are some of the most racist people on Earth whenever the topic of race comes up. And it's said that race doesn't matter. Well, as far as I'm concerned..whoever said that lied. When people get offended because someone said that they look black. Or when people assume that only blacks came from Africa. Especially, when there on those that question why we say that we come from kings and queens and even after given the answer, they chose to rebuke it like they know my history better than me...it does matter. And that just what we encounter as African-Americans. What about the racism that's face by Hispanics, Indians, Middle-Eastern, or Jewish people to name a few. We all are victims. Discussion is necessary.

It's never healthy around here. That's why I avoid it. I guess it's best to get it from movies like "Roots".

Well, I'm thinking that you've been a member here longer than me, so I'll take your word for it. Race will be one of the topics not discussed on the Org...

Timmy84 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Thanks to DNA-testing, it's easier for us today to find our 'roots'. If y'all have the spare cash, I highly recommend you do it.

I took both the African ancestry and admixture test, and the results blew my mind.

I've thought of doing that for YEARS but I doubt my parents would invest in spending on a credit card to find out about our heritage.

You should have them visit http://www.africanancestry.com & http://www.ancestrybydna.com

All it takes is a simple cotton swab. I was shocked to find I had more European than Indigenous American ancestry. Like most black folks, I thought the opposite. Check out "African-American Lives" on PBS.

Timmy84 said:

mimi02 said:

Yes, it's very important. But, is that something that can be done here on the Org. Anytime race is brought up, it is just as quickly, shut down. The simplest of discussion turns into a bunch of nastiness and ignorance. There are people on here that I would swear are some of the most racist people on Earth whenever the topic of race comes up. And it's said that race doesn't matter. Well, as far as I'm concerned..whoever said that lied. When people get offended because someone said that they look black. Or when people assume that only blacks came from Africa. Especially, when there on those that question why we say that we come from kings and queens and even after given the answer, they chose to rebuke it like they know my history better than me...it does matter. And that just what we encounter as African-Americans. What about the racism that's face by Hispanics, Indians, Middle-Eastern, or Jewish people to name a few. We all are victims. Discussion is necessary.

It's never healthy around here. That's why I avoid it. I guess it's best to get it from movies like "Roots".

Don't avoid anything. Say whatever you want to say. The haters can go fuck themselves.

uPtoWnNY said:

Timmy84 said:

It's never healthy around here. That's why I avoid it. I guess it's best to get it from movies like "Roots".

Don't avoid anything. Say whatever you want to say. The haters can go fuck themselves.

I'm sure if I was confronted, of course I'll speak my mind but yeah I feel ya.

I read the book. It moved me considerably. I should really watch the series...

essential viewing for everyone, no doubt

[Edited 2/28/11 0:25am]

Serious said:

Timmy84 said:

On the rise? You mean hidden, right?

No not hidden . The political atmosphere and the atmosphere in the whole polulation has been changing a lot here in the last years . Just these days they are making the laws for immigrants a lot more strict and the population would want it even more strict . We have a German term here called "Gutmensch". the translation means "good human being" and it is used as a derogatory name to make fun of people who fight for human rights, against racism and things like that.

hi Martina

I know how you feel, it's frustrating and disturbing... the Strache voting right wing dumbfucks are more annoying and scary than Jörg Haider bots ever were... but idiots scream the loudest and make themselves more heard, and I'm confident that there are still enough sensible people around, and that this ignorant scumbag won't get anywhere near any political position of importance

it's a twisted world really, because on the other hand we just had a black girl with Nigerian roots win Austrias Next Top Model

and btw, she looks truly stunning

[img:$uid]http://www.modelwettbewerb.at/images/model-header-17.jpg[/img:$uid] [img:$uid]http://files.puls4.com/m1/t2/APm6YnXhok.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.seitenblicke.at/typo3temp/pics/bcd7e9c87c.jpg[/img:$uid]

ahhmmm... and don't ask me why I know about such TV shows... rather ask my wife

but back to the thread topic... memories....

I've watched both Roots and Roots: The Next Generations when they originally aired.. here in Austria it was on rather late at night, well at least for me as a 12 year old kid... saw some re-runs over the years and finally bought the DVD-sets two years ago.

I very much enjoyed it as a kid, but only later on learned about all the buzz the series created in the US. everyone should see this. haven't seen Queen though yet, but the DVD is kinda cheap so it's on my 2get-list

I just bought the complete series boxed set from Amazon. Although I had watched it when it first aired on TV years ago, I wanted to see it again in its entirety uninterrupted. It also includes the seguel "The Next Generation."

I was fortunate enought to actually see and hear ALex Hailey talk about his book/masterpiece before it was published and subsequently made into the mini series. He was the guest speaker at an AKA boule back in the early '70's. He was talking about tracing his roots and the story of Kunte Kinte. I was absolutely fascinated and could not, for the life of me, understand how one woman at our table slept through his entire speech! I wanted to knock her upside her head and say, "WAKE UP AND LISTEN, FOOL!" But, alas. She was old, so I left her alone. But I will never forget that night. He told his story for at least 2 hours, and I hung on every word.

Dancelot said:

Serious said:

No not hidden . The political atmosphere and the atmosphere in the whole polulation has been changing a lot here in the last years . Just these days they are making the laws for immigrants a lot more strict and the population would want it even more strict . We have a German term here called "Gutmensch". the translation means "good human being" and it is used as a derogatory name to make fun of people who fight for human rights, against racism and things like that.

hi Martina

I know how you feel, it's frustrating and disturbing... the Strache voting right wing dumbfucks are more annoying and scary than Jörg Haider bots ever were... but idiots scream the loudest and make themselves more heard, and I'm confident that there are still enough sensible people around, and that this ignorant scumbag won't get anywhere near any political position of importance

it's a twisted world really, because on the other hand we just had a black girl with Nigerian roots win Austrias Next Top Model

and btw, she looks truly stunning

[img:$uid]http://www.modelwettbewerb.at/images/model-header-17.jpg[/img:$uid] [img:$uid]http://files.puls4.com/m1/t2/APm6YnXhok.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.seitenblicke.at/typo3temp/pics/bcd7e9c87c.jpg[/img:$uid]

ahhmmm... and don't ask me why I know about such TV shows... rather ask my wife

So good to see you around here again Markus .

Don't worry I used to watch model shows when I was still with Peter as he watched them as a photographer .

She is very beautiful indeed, is she the one that was called by the n-word by that dumb other contestant? A friend told me about that....Like you say it's really ironic that she won! They would try everything they can to deny her a visa or residency to stay here in Austria. But as she looks the way she does she won that competition and Anna Netrebko had no problem to become an Austrian without knowing German . The same with professional football players . But if somebody black uses the underground they have to be prepared to get targeted by the police as a drug dealer .

Yeah I am really sad and frustrated .

Thanks for your perfectly fitting words about Strache and the people who vote for that "I just ordered 3 beer"-Nazi . The FPÖ pretends to fight to protect Austria's catholic tradition and acts totally against any christian belief with their hate . And people are so prejudiced and selfish to fall for all the shit Strache preaches, it's so very disturbing indeed . But what is even more scary in a way is that within the last 5 years or so I noticed how many "average" people who probably would not vote for somebody like Haider or Strache slowly get more and more prejudiced and start to defend racist shit. And the SPÖ agreed to that new immigration law that makes it pretty much impossible for somebody like my boyfriend to ever live here in this country. So it's not only the right wing parties any longer, but the others start to get more and more in that direction too, probably because they are afraid to loose even more votes to somebody like Strache if they don't .

Shyra said:

I just bought the complete series boxed set from Amazon. Although I had watched it when it first aired on TV years ago, I wanted to see it again in its entirety uninterrupted. It also includes the seguel "The Next Generation."

I was fortunate enought to actually see and hear ALex Hailey talk about his book/masterpiece before it was published and subsequently made into the mini series. He was the guest speaker at an AKA boule back in the early '70's. He was talking about tracing his roots and the story of Kunte Kinte. I was absolutely fascinated and could not, for the life of me, understand how one woman at our table slept through his entire speech! I wanted to knock her upside her head and say, "WAKE UP AND LISTEN, FOOL!" But, alas. She was old, so I left her alone. But I will never forget that night. He told his story for at least 2 hours, and I hung on every word.

Thanks for sharing. WOW That's great that you were fortunate and able to see Alex Haley and listen to him for at least two hours.

NMuzakNSoul said:

Shyra said:

I just bought the complete series boxed set from Amazon. Although I had watched it when it first aired on TV years ago, I wanted to see it again in its entirety uninterrupted. It also includes the seguel "The Next Generation."

I was fortunate enought to actually see and hear ALex Hailey talk about his book/masterpiece before it was published and subsequently made into the mini series. He was the guest speaker at an AKA boule back in the early '70's. He was talking about tracing his roots and the story of Kunte Kinte. I was absolutely fascinated and could not, for the life of me, understand how one woman at our table slept through his entire speech! I wanted to knock her upside her head and say, "WAKE UP AND LISTEN, FOOL!" But, alas. She was old, so I left her alone. But I will never forget that night. He told his story for at least 2 hours, and I hung on every word.

Thanks for sharing. WOW That's great that you were fortunate and able to see Alex Haley and listen to him for at least two hours.

@ Shyra: I know that feeling. Mr. Sidney Poitier was the keynote speaking at a luncheon that I went to a few years back and I was the same way. He was so down-to-Earth and spoke with such authority that you couldn't help to be in awe. I will never forget that moment and will always be grateful for that opportunity.

SCNDLS said:

Be sure to check out Shaka Zulu, too.

That movie scared the shit out of me when I was watching it one time as a kid and I never got a chance to watch the whole thing to this day.

KidaDynamite said:

SCNDLS said:

Be sure to check out Shaka Zulu, too.

That movie scared the shit out of me when I was watching it one time as a kid and I never got a chance to watch the whole thing to this day.

I hear ya, Shaka was gangsta wit dem white folks and his traitors.

Another movie I STRONGLY recommend is called "Prince Among Slaves" (2008). It is based on a true story of an African prince who was sold into american slavery. I dont want to ruin it for anyone so I wont tell the story....but I will simply say it was unbelievably amazing....and I know the story. Its is mindboggling.

Prince Among Slaves, this one should DEFINTELY be added to your home library for educational purposes. PBS put this one out by the way.

Also...if nobody mentioned it, being from Massachusetts....you seriously need to watch the movie "Glory" if you haven't seen it yet.

StillGotIt said:

Another movie I STRONGLY recommend is called "Prince Among Slaves" (2008). It is based on a true story of an African prince who was sold into american slavery. I dont want to ruin it for anyone so I wont tell the story....but I will simply say it was unbelievably amazing....and I know the story. Its is mindboggling.

Prince Among Slaves, this one should DEFINTELY be added to your home library for educational purposes. PBS put this one out by the way.

Also...if nobody mentioned it, being from Massachusetts....you seriously need to watch the movie "Glory" if you haven't seen it yet.

I'm sorry, but PBS always has the best historically-based movies/programs. People sleep on that channel once they leave "Sesame Street". The best one was entitled, "Before We Were Slaves". Another must-see!

Serious said:

So good to see you around here again Markus .

Don't worry I used to watch model shows when I was still with Peter as he watched them as a photographer .

She is very beautiful indeed, is she the one that was called by the n-word by that dumb other contestant? A friend told me about that....Like you say it's really ironic that she won! They would try everything they can to deny her a visa or residency to stay here in Austria. But as she looks the way she does she won that competition and Anna Netrebko had no problem to become an Austrian without knowing German . The same with professional football players . But if somebody black uses the underground they have to be prepared to get targeted by the police as a drug dealer .

Yeah I am really sad and frustrated .

Thanks for your perfectly fitting words about Strache and the people who vote for that "I just ordered 3 beer"-Nazi . The FPÖ pretends to fight to protect Austria's catholic tradition and acts totally against any christian belief with their hate . And people are so prejudiced and selfish to fall for all the shit Strache preaches, it's so very disturbing indeed . But what is even more scary in a way is that within the last 5 years or so I noticed how many "average" people who probably would not vote for somebody like Haider or Strache slowly get more and more prejudiced and start to defend racist shit. And the SPÖ agreed to that new immigration law that makes it pretty much impossible for somebody like my boyfriend to ever live here in this country. So it's not only the right wing parties any longer, but the others start to get more and more in that direction too, probably because they are afraid to loose even more votes to somebody like Strache if they don't .

well, what can I say except for.... co-sign

but hey, we've made it through the Haider years, we will also make it through the Strache years. FPO always had self destructive tendencies bubbling under and I trust that those still work

Dancelot said:

Serious said:

So good to see you around here again Markus .

Don't worry I used to watch model shows when I was still with Peter as he watched them as a photographer .

She is very beautiful indeed, is she the one that was called by the n-word by that dumb other contestant? A friend told me about that....Like you say it's really ironic that she won! They would try everything they can to deny her a visa or residency to stay here in Austria. But as she looks the way she does she won that competition and Anna Netrebko had no problem to become an Austrian without knowing German . The same with professional football players . But if somebody black uses the underground they have to be prepared to get targeted by the police as a drug dealer .

Yeah I am really sad and frustrated .

Thanks for your perfectly fitting words about Strache and the people who vote for that "I just ordered 3 beer"-Nazi . The FPÖ pretends to fight to protect Austria's catholic tradition and acts totally against any christian belief with their hate . And people are so prejudiced and selfish to fall for all the shit Strache preaches, it's so very disturbing indeed . But what is even more scary in a way is that within the last 5 years or so I noticed how many "average" people who probably would not vote for somebody like Haider or Strache slowly get more and more prejudiced and start to defend racist shit. And the SPÖ agreed to that new immigration law that makes it pretty much impossible for somebody like my boyfriend to ever live here in this country. So it's not only the right wing parties any longer, but the others start to get more and more in that direction too, probably because they are afraid to loose even more votes to somebody like Strache if they don't .

well, what can I say except for.... co-sign

but hey, we've made it through the Haider years, we will also make it through the Strache years. FPO always had self destructive tendencies bubbling under and I trust that those still work

Dein Wort in Gottes Ohr .

Yeah but somehow they always come back . Just like Haider did until he killed himself. But we have no choice anyway apart from hoping for the best and trying to fight them when we can....

Roots is one of my favourite mini-series of all time. I was only 13 when it came out and watched each show every night. I remember being appalled and crying over the treartment of black.

The book is excellent too. In fact, I think I preferred the book over the mini-series. I've read the book twice, it's in my top 10 all time favs.

StillGotIt said:

Another movie I STRONGLY recommend is called "Prince Among Slaves" (2008). It is based on a true story of an African prince who was sold into american slavery. I dont want to ruin it for anyone so I wont tell the story....but I will simply say it was unbelievably amazing....and I know the story. Its is mindboggling.

Prince Among Slaves, this one should DEFINTELY be added to your home library for educational purposes. PBS put this one out by the way.

Also...if nobody mentioned it, being from Massachusetts....you seriously need to watch the movie "Glory" if you haven't seen it yet.

I 4got about that one..............it was interesting 2 say the least.

I wish he would have made it all the way back home.

I wonder which movie is long roots or the color purple?

PoppyBros said:

I wonder which movie is long roots or the color purple?

Hmm I'm gonna have to think about it...

I think technically Roots was a mini-series. If it was a movie, it'll probably been shorter than the Color Purple and I think that one was FOUR hours long.