White Kossacks Should Read Some Black Blogs

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Friday June 08, 2007 · 1:58 PM PDT

2007/06/08 · 13:58

This started as my memorial to Steve Gilliard. I came to his blog, before I came to Kos, looking for anti-Iraq and New York City based. Of course I learned from his knowledge of military history. But also, once I realized he was Black, I appreciated his perspective on issues related to race relations. He even convinced me, albeit partially, of the legitimacy of Al Sharpton (or at least why he is respected & used in some parts of the NY Black community.

I've diaried before on whether White kossacks "get race" & how White it seems we are here. I think the comments and discussion generated was useful then.

This is just a call-out to anybody who has not browsed some diaries by African-Americans to go take a look at some. You will probably find some you hate. You might find some you like. Maybe even expand your blogroll beyond the usual suspects of Atrios, Digby, TPM etc. Similarly I like Krugman at the NYT, but how come he gets the love for every Bush/Iraq bash, but not so much love for Bob Herbert?

It's a big mixed up world out there and we should break out of OUR little ghetto. Give it a try. Here are just some starting points:

One recently started and exciting site is http://rsspect.org/ a cross-syndication of black blogs.

There is also a whole lot more at this Blogroll: http://ybpguide.com/...

Below are just a few I found first via the blogroll at Jack and Jill Politics.

By the way, if you have not heard of Jack and Jill of America, the social and civic organization of upper-class(or at least the "bourgeoisie") African-Anericans, well... maybe you should. Have you heard of the Junior League, Jaycees, Rotary, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Hadassah?

African-American Opinion http://african-americanopinion.blogs...

African-American Political Pundit http://africanamericanpoliticalpundi...

Afro-Netizen http://afronetizen.blogs.com/

Angry Black Bitch http://angryblackbitch.blogspot.com/

Black Agenda Report Blog http://www.blackagendareport.net/

Black Electorate http://www.blackelectorate.com/

Black Races http://www.blackpolls.blogspot.com/

BlackProf http://www.blackprof.com/

BrownFemiPower http://brownfemipower.com/

Field Negro http://field-negro.blogspot.com/

Mirror on America http://mirroronamerica.blogspot.com/...

NegroPhile http://www.negrophile.com/

Oliver Willis http://www.oliverwillis.com/

Prometheus 6 http://prometheus6.org/

Republic of T http://www.republicoft.com/

Skeptical Brotha http://skepticalbrotha.wordpress.com/

Terrence Says http://www.terrencesays.blogspot.com/

Where Is The Outrage http://www.whereistheoutrage.net/...

There are of course many more. Just a sampling.

So, go explore. Read a learn.

Update:

Let me offer two counter-arguments to those who suggest race shouldn't/doesn't matter:

from commenter archangel: "I don't see why this is such a big deal. I've always been of the belief that one's background is quite influential on one's perspective on things... my black friends have pointed out quite a few things I never would have figured out on my own precisely because of their ethnic/racial background." To which I commented: An obvious other example is being Jewish, whether its about middle east peace, or separation of church and state, one's background effects one's context and knowledge.

But it does go further than that for "visible" minority (e.g., blacks, not Jews): If you are walking down the street... identically dressed, saying nothing, minding your own business... If you are white, then the people around you, passersby (police, little old lady, taxi driver, John and Jane Q Public) view you differently then if you are black. Being a "visible" minority, not able to "pass", being "read" by passers by... it's real.

As the old joke (New Yorker cartoon I think) goes, "on the internet nobody knows if you are dog." But what you bring to the conversation probably is different depending on who you are in the non-virtual world. How could it not be so?

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White Kossacks Should Read Some Black Blogs

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