George McFly February 27th, 2009

We had a pet chimp in the house. It was a great pet for Marty when he was a kid. Tought him how to be responsible. It was only after the chimp taught a 9 year old Marty to fling sh*t at Lorraine and I that we had to get rid of it.

Thomas February 27th, 2009

That was a good show, I thought you guys were trying to be as honest as possible as it relates to race from your perspective. I like when you referred to the Imago Dei as your theology for relating to people of others races. I think it was Obed who touched on the word minorities and I totally agree with the assessment that it's a word to keep people ( American citizens mind you ) categorized and apart from the dominant culture ( Anglo Americans ) strata wise, therefore racist at it's root. I like the power reference that you piggybacked onto that piece Eric, that was good… Oh yeah and the guy who made the statement that it didn't make sense that the editors didn't catch a potential public relations nightmare that was good also. Which leads me to my next 2 points. You guys kept saying " I don't think the Post intended any harm" Yes they did Eric that's why they got the repose that they got. You guys don't know the historical context between the New York Post and Blacks over here in New York. How could you, your in Florida right? If you google New York Post and racism you'll see what I mean. And another thing, and don't get all guilt tripped over it, contrary to popular belief Blacks and Latinos read and listen to mainstream news outlets so we heard about what happened with the whole monkey deal, that wasn't lost on us when that cartoon came out. I made an informed decision to get upset because I had of montage of different racist newspaper articles that I've read in the NY Post.That was the point of reference for myself and many other Black and Latinos in the NYC area.And stop being so hard on Al Sharpton, I don't see any other Christians looking to advocate for Blacks when there's racial problems in the city. I mean does he have motives, maybe, but then again, who is totally altruistic, we live now in a glass darkly and only when we see Him face to face, then we'll be operating without self interest… Also, I think the way towards total freedom from hatred and fear of the other, it applies to all of us, me included, is to be honest that we all at one time or another have fed into hating others who are not like us, muttering a racial slur or thought in a negative light about people not like us. The more we say Eric, "I'm not a racist I've never called anybody a Nigger or a monkey" the more we feed into our worse selves and adopt warped worldviews of other people because we are just operating on a guilt premise. Jesus loves us even in our worse state of mind and he understands the temptation to hate other people of different ethnicities, all we have to do is be honest with Him he'll change us. But I think you guys are off to a great start, keep up the great work Eric!

Hurk February 27th, 2009

Thomas, I couldn't agree more with your comments about Al Sharpton. He's been made into a cartoonish figure by the media and been accused of being a publicity whore. But it his job to get media attention to draw attention to racism and unfair treatment of minorities – to hopefully facilitate change. He could go away and live a peaceful life away from the media if we had racial harmony in our cities and in t he country. But since that day isn't coming any time soon, he'll remain in the spotlight whenever racially tense situations arise. I hope he stays there.

Thomas February 28th, 2009

There was another part of the conversation between you guys that I found interesting. I believe it was Eric who made the admission that he had no Black friends. That strikes as kind of odd. Eric your highly sociable, engaging and a Christian. Why wouldn't you want to become curious to experience a different cultural group? I don't think your a whacked out racists, but you would think somebody like yourself would make an effort to cross racial lines just out of sheer curiosity. Any bad encounters dealing with other nationalities while growing up? Or is it that the area you live in is highly segregated socially?

Erik February 28th, 2009

Any bad encounters dealing with other nationalities while growing up? Or is it that the area you live in is highly segregated socially?

No, I've never had any bad encounters. I've not met any black neighbors, I don't work with any African Americans and I don't get out much.

You're right about me not making an effort to cross racial lines though. Then again, I don't make much of an effort to meet new people period. I've had the same tight group of friends I've had for years.

So, does that make me racist (whacked out or otherwise)?

Thomas February 28th, 2009

Nah, doesn't make you a racist. I called the NYPost racist not you. I might have aggressively critiqued your thinking on the subject, but I know better. And I'm sorry for if it seemed as though I was implying that you are, I'm just trying to get a better understanding on why people say and do the things that they do. I think you answered the answered my questions very clearly though. There is something to be said for living in a racially homogeneous environment informing the way we view others. For instance, I live in a very diverse city so I'm exposed to many different cultures. So, I while enjoy being around different kinds of people and cultures ( Whites are included in that bunch ) It could be only because I'm conditioned by my environment to be that way.So in other words I shouldn't project my expectations onto other people like yourself. I'm just trying to understand people Eric that's all. Sorry that I used you as a crash test dummy. If you feel like pummeling me your free to do it, I'll take it like a man.

Obed March 2nd, 2009

I've got a lot of that same problem, Erik. While my circle of friends is diverse (raciallly, anyway), it's the same circle I've had for about 5-10 years now. Meeting new people is HARD for me.

Jordo April 1st, 2009

The biggest cause of social segregation in this nation is fear. Its not fear of other cultures as much as it is fear of offense. Until we draw the lines more clearly as to what is considered offensive by other cultures and other nationalities there will forever be this implied barrier between people. Racism is stupid, but its not racism that segregates people groups today (for the most part). Its fear of racism. The truth is we are not all the same– we are all different. Thomas, I'm assuming you are black. But you are not black, my friend. You are Thomas. Just as I am not white, I am Jordo.