USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Dr. Ben Carson on the race issue in the US

At the risk of defending Ben Carson, let me say I don't think he is oblivious of the plight of black people. His first book - Gifted Hands - is an autobiography of a black kid who grew up in an impoverished black neighbourhood. There must be something else that explains why he is saying unacceptable things: postracial politics of success?

"being a member of a minority race doesn't mean being a minority achiever." 
― Ben Carson, Gifted Hands 20th Anniversary Edition: The Ben Carson Story

As for the conservatism, an explanation is readily available. He is a Seventh-day Adventist (SDAs). Although there are liberal SDAs, the foundation of adventism is pretty much conservative as far as issues of sexuality and abortion are concerned. He is indeed caught up in an ideological dilemma - no wonder SDAsm and politics tend not to mix.

"Adventist Church in North America Issues Statement on Ben Carson's U.S. Presidential Bid" - http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story2602-adventist-church-in-north-america-issues-statement-on-ben-carsons-u.s.-presidential-bid

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From: kenneth harrow <harrow@msu.edu>
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 3:52 PM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Dr. Ben Carson on the race issue in the US

this is the historic low point for the political thermometer of this nation. we are more conservative, extreme conservative, xenophobic, right-wing, and even neofascist, than any time in my memory.
that candidates like carson and trump are leading the pack, given their views, their hatred of foreigners or the poor, is unbelievable.
thanks for providing the quote that just confirms my pessimism.
ken

On 9/25/15 1:07 PM, Anunoby, Ogugua wrote:

Ben Carson has said worse.

According to The Washington Times (10/11/13), Carson said that Obamacare is "the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery…" in that year's Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. Imagine that from not an African-American, but a trained medical doctor to a blood thirsty ideology driven audience. Did Carson say who blacks are happy with and grateful to "for what they were given" Does he know that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others on all sides lived? Is knowledge of history his problem? I wonder.

Specific audience targeted hyperbolic statements might just be his stock in trade. Everyone must make up their minds about whether or not he believes them.

 

oa

From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of kenneth harrow
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 10:12 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Dr. Ben Carson on the race issue in the US

 

he really said this? amazing. no wonder white conservatives like him.

On 9/25/15 6:08 AM, Cornelius Hamelberg wrote:

It's outrageous that a Black man could see  and if he wasn't a brain surgeon you'd think that he had a screw or two loose, up there. And this man wants to be elected president of the United States?

"Before Obama, people barely noticed skin color; that goes back 150 years. Blacks were happy and grateful for what we were given."  (Benjamin Carson)

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kenneth w. harrow 

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professor of english

michigan state university

department of english

619 red cedar road

room C-614 wells hall

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ph. 517 803 8839

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--   kenneth w. harrow   faculty excellence advocate  professor of english  michigan state university  department of english  619 red cedar road  room C-614 wells hall  east lansing, mi 48824  ph. 517 803 8839  harrow@msu.edu

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