I watched almost this exact same lecture, given in a different university, where and when it was time for the Q&A session, almost every question posed by students kept dragging this issue straight back to the standardized and conventional currently 'correct' systemic set of attitudes both racist and all-oppressive. Mr Riley appeared at a loss, I think in particular because it seemed no-one had actually listened to him. Perhaps they were all happily texting away or otherwise happily distracted while he spoke. But I had a different take. Speaking out loud and only to myself, I posed the question I would have loved to have been there to ask him: "Is it possible that in some ways, and having escalated certainly since the mid-1960's and certain implementations of Federal government policy - could it be that a certain freedom is guaranteed by Federal law, but that another sort of freedom is denied, by significant portions of the black population itself? When I consider that the building blocks of literacy, knowledge, academic achievement and life success, when all these things are relegated to a scorned and shunned behavior. as being, thinking, speaking and acting white, then I would ask, where is the black equivalent of all these things? (that can lead to that first list up above, starting with literacy). I'm a librarian. In an academic university library holding the highest standards. I love books. I spend my life surrounded by them. I am well aware of the absolute treasure that they hold. Wanton illiteracy to me, is a crime of the first order. To be in grade 10 and read at a grade 4, or even 2 level, is a crime committed upon the dormant intellect of that individual. Why is this issue not raised to the highest order within the national black community? And one final question: Why is it that the rates and statistics, the facts and the data outlining black violence, black crime, homicide and all things criminal perpetrated by black on black.......why are these realities silenced? Cast aside as if meaningless? Swept furtively behind closet doors and under carpets? Ignored or even attacked as false? By people who are "technical" enough to benefit greatly from the derivatives of data and factual information, but only and especially when it suits their political purposes?
This is the best speech/presentation I have ever heard on this topic. People like Jason are so important and must be supported and their content shared. I just bought a copy of his book to help ensure I have done something to support him and his message. Thank you Jason!
Mr. Riley,Don't worry. There will men and women who want the best for our race and country. I Thank GOD for this country and ancestors that carried my generation to be here .
This man is excellent. He cares enough to speak honestly rather than just saying whatever is considered politically correct. I worked in Mental health for years. The only way people do better is to understand the roots of their problems then make the necessary changes in thinking and behaving that lead to better success. If people blame rather than take responsibility nothing improves. Mr Riley believes that black people havd the power to do better. Liberals believe only whites have the power to help black people fo better.
It's nearly impossible for the government to provide better schools when the subculture in these neighborhoods sees studying and learning as "selling out to the white oppressors".
Everyone calling him "sell out" or "uncle Tom" are not adding anything to the conversation. He isn't the only one talking about these issues. Someone mentioned him being on the "right" or "just trying to please white people," but it's the black community he's speaking to. He's addressing the problems in his own community but his own degrade him by calling him names, as he said they resort to playground name. There have been men speaking on these issues for decades but apparently people prefer to be offended rather than to actually see if there is any truth in what they say. I'll never understand why people use the term "acting white." What does it even mean to act white?
brookwest: You and people like you are an embarrassment to the race. You add nothing to an honest, informed debate but ignorance and dumbassness. Please, climb back into your roach motel and never come out again.
