Ubiquitous
2014-09-04 00:55:02 UTC
Last night on The Factor, Megyn Kelly and I debated the concept of white
privilege whereby some believe that if you are Caucasian you have
inherent advantages in America.
Talking Points does not, does not believe in white privilege. However,
there is no question that African-Americans have a much harder time
succeeding in our society. Even whites do. But the primary reason is not
skin color. It's education and not only book learning. Here are the
facts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for
black Americans is 11.4 percent. It's just over five percent for whites,
4.5 percent for Asians. So, do we have Asian privilege in America?
Because the truth is, that Asian American households earn far more money
than anyone else. The median income for Asians, close to $69,000 a year;
it's 57,000 for whites' $33,000 for black -- so the question becomes
why? And the answer is found in stable homes and in emphasis on
education; 88 percent of Asian Americans graduate from high school
compared to 86 for whites and just 69 percent for blacks. That means 31
percent of African- Americans have little chance to succeed in the free
marketplace because they are uneducated. They are high school dropouts.
Asian Americans also tend to keep their families intact. Just 13 percent
of Asian children live in single parent homes compared to a whopping 55
percent for blacks and 21 percent for whites. So, there you go. That is
why Asian Americans, who often have to overcome a language barrier, are
succeeding far more than African-Americans and even more than white
Americans. Their families are intact and education is paramount.
American children must learn not only academics but also civil behavior,
right from wrong, as well as how to speak properly and how to act
respectfully in public. If African-American children do not learn those
things, they will likely fail as adults. They will be poor. They will be
angry, and they often will be looking to blame someone else.
One caveat, the Asian American experience historically has not been
nearly as tough as the African-American experience. Slavery is unique
and it has harmed black Americans to a degree that is still being felt
today, but in order to succeed in our competitive society, every
American has to overcome the obstacles they face. And here is where the
African-American leadership in America is failing.
Instead of preaching a cultural revolution, the leadership provides
excuses for failure. The race hustlers blame white privilege, an unfair
society, a terrible country. So the message is, it's not your fault if
you abandon your children, if you become a substance abuser, if you are
a criminal. No, it's not your fault; it's society's fault.
That is the big lie that is keeping some African-Americans from reaching
their full potential. Until personal responsibility and a cultural
change takes place. Millions of African-Americans will struggle. And
their anger, some of it justified will seethe. The federal government
cannot fix this problem. Only a powerful message of responsibility can
turn things around. And that's "The Memo".
--
"President Obama ran on a platform of prosperity, uniting America and a
bold new progressive vision that would provide for the poor and ensure
a permanent level playing field. None of that, none of it has come to
pass. What we have now is declining power overseas that has emboldened
those who attacked us on 9/11, an enormous debt that is not being
controlled, and a porous southern border that the feds cannot or will
not solve. A population of 320 million Americans, many of whom are
apathetic and ill-informed stimulated only, only by individual
pursuits, even if those pursuits harm them."
-- Bill O'Reilly
privilege whereby some believe that if you are Caucasian you have
inherent advantages in America.
Talking Points does not, does not believe in white privilege. However,
there is no question that African-Americans have a much harder time
succeeding in our society. Even whites do. But the primary reason is not
skin color. It's education and not only book learning. Here are the
facts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for
black Americans is 11.4 percent. It's just over five percent for whites,
4.5 percent for Asians. So, do we have Asian privilege in America?
Because the truth is, that Asian American households earn far more money
than anyone else. The median income for Asians, close to $69,000 a year;
it's 57,000 for whites' $33,000 for black -- so the question becomes
why? And the answer is found in stable homes and in emphasis on
education; 88 percent of Asian Americans graduate from high school
compared to 86 for whites and just 69 percent for blacks. That means 31
percent of African- Americans have little chance to succeed in the free
marketplace because they are uneducated. They are high school dropouts.
Asian Americans also tend to keep their families intact. Just 13 percent
of Asian children live in single parent homes compared to a whopping 55
percent for blacks and 21 percent for whites. So, there you go. That is
why Asian Americans, who often have to overcome a language barrier, are
succeeding far more than African-Americans and even more than white
Americans. Their families are intact and education is paramount.
American children must learn not only academics but also civil behavior,
right from wrong, as well as how to speak properly and how to act
respectfully in public. If African-American children do not learn those
things, they will likely fail as adults. They will be poor. They will be
angry, and they often will be looking to blame someone else.
One caveat, the Asian American experience historically has not been
nearly as tough as the African-American experience. Slavery is unique
and it has harmed black Americans to a degree that is still being felt
today, but in order to succeed in our competitive society, every
American has to overcome the obstacles they face. And here is where the
African-American leadership in America is failing.
Instead of preaching a cultural revolution, the leadership provides
excuses for failure. The race hustlers blame white privilege, an unfair
society, a terrible country. So the message is, it's not your fault if
you abandon your children, if you become a substance abuser, if you are
a criminal. No, it's not your fault; it's society's fault.
That is the big lie that is keeping some African-Americans from reaching
their full potential. Until personal responsibility and a cultural
change takes place. Millions of African-Americans will struggle. And
their anger, some of it justified will seethe. The federal government
cannot fix this problem. Only a powerful message of responsibility can
turn things around. And that's "The Memo".
--
"President Obama ran on a platform of prosperity, uniting America and a
bold new progressive vision that would provide for the poor and ensure
a permanent level playing field. None of that, none of it has come to
pass. What we have now is declining power overseas that has emboldened
those who attacked us on 9/11, an enormous debt that is not being
controlled, and a porous southern border that the feds cannot or will
not solve. A population of 320 million Americans, many of whom are
apathetic and ill-informed stimulated only, only by individual
pursuits, even if those pursuits harm them."
-- Bill O'Reilly