Reply #111: Then answer me this...

[INDIA]

Do you think Asian-Americans, many who arrived in the US as refugees with nothing, were locked up in camps during the 40's, and were arguably more foreign to this land than African Americans, are somehow genetically pre-disposed toward hard work and doing well in math/science? Neither do I. THAT would be racist to think such things. Yet Asian-Americans are scoring higher on SAT's, going to better colleges, making higher salaries, and actually having children within stable two parent environments. It's the culture, stupid. It's why China and India are going to take the place of America as the world's superpower one day.

Do I believe that Asian culture is more work/education oriented, and more conservative in it's stance toward marriage/sexual relations? Yeah, I do, and it seems to be working. Have you ever read "The Joy Luck Club"? As tough as it sounds to grow up in such a conservative (almost draconian), work/education centered household, the children, and therefore the overall community as a whole, become successful adults.

So you can blame the system and the "white man" all day long. Certainly some of the blame must go toward the majority population, as well as a poor economic situation. But to ignore the problems in African American culture today? That's just being unrealistic. If you blame everybody BUT yourself for your problems, you won't be able improve yourself.