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Normally, Don Black would be a footnote and not even worth mentioning on this website. But Don has suddenly become relevant because it turns out that Arizona State Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray (pictured below) actually follows Black on Twitter.
The inferences from this finding are quite telling. By hanging out with former Klansman on Twitter, Senator Gray is giving credibility to those who accuse him and other Republicans in Arizona of being nasty racists. Their recently passed law allowing for racial profiling in the state in response to illegal immigration is a great example of Arizona's latest effort to label itself the most racist state in America. One should also mention, however, that we can't be responsible for the actions of those we follow on Twitter. This opens a dangerous door to guilt by association, since I don't know half of what most of my friends on Twitter are doing in their spare time. But given that Black is a well-known racist and regularly speaks up about his hatred of minorities, Chuck Gray certainly should have known better than to actively decide to follow Black on Twitter. I can't wait to hear his explanation.
The comedian Bill Maher made a very interesting statement recently. He said that "If you're a Republican, you are probably not racist. But if you're racist, then you're probably a Republican." One of the great challenges of the Right Wing is that it can be very difficult to differentiate Republican policies, which appear to embrace exclusion and oppression, from the subtle racism that continues to infect the fabric of most American institutions. The lack of tolerance shown by the Republican party is going to push them into oblivion if they do not find a way to overcome their tendency to embody that which is most damaging to our society. That is a simple fact.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (36)
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By: jeromequigley on 5/05/2010 2:19PM
Dr W, here is an idea for your article. Before you go on and on about a conclusion about Chuck Grey, why don't you try interviewing him first???? I know by reading your articles that actually talking to the person your trying to lynch, hang, slam, however you want to phrase it, is some thing you never seem to do. You take bits of info, not even all that is available on the story on the web, you come up with your own far out theory and normally just get people mad and upset about things that are normally not true!!! I used to give you the benefit of the doubt like maybe you did not realize that you were doing this. But after months of reading you it is clear you do this on purpose to drive home what ever twist you want on a story!! Just like your story about the NAACP taking from Wells Fargo. You say you talked to Ben but was unable to discuss what was said??? What the hell is that about?? And with your conclusions of that article he did not seem to say much to you then cause you still had questions. Oh but I forgot, your one of their footsoldiers that must obey and tell it like they want you to. BECAUSE YOU OWE THEM AND THEY OWN YOU!!! When the NAACP and Al came to your rescue and got you your tenure and your university you did not realize that it was going to be for a very large price!! Now you belong to them Dr W!!!! Not that you mind that much since you seem to benefit from the Black community the same way they do but do nothing but blow a lot of wind back!! You go on and on about how there are little to no good teachers at HBCU's yet you don't work at a HBCU...HMMMMMM!!! You talk a lot but say and do nothing. It was just funny to see my man Jam Donaldson Call you out!!! You need to be called out and kicked out, You have done nothing to help any one but yourself and your greedy friends!!! When life starts throwing you a lot of bad luck and problems, remember that you formed that Karma a long time ago and for many years!! Still laughing that the NAACP has got your man hood in there power and you just sit there and nod along with what ever they tell you to say!!
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By: rick on 5/05/2010 3:30PM
jerome, you may be right but you are still not explaining why a elected state senator and the majority leader is tweeting back and forth with Mr. black. Now if this is alright with you then I'm wasteing my time but you are probably the first person that goes around saying black people should forget the past and move on. How the hell can we with stuff like this. I say to you my black brothers, open your eyes and be prepared. There will be all kinds of excusses and apolgies but remember the senator is doing exactly what he wants and there was nothing wrong with it until he got caught.
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By: solar257 on 5/05/2010 4:18PM
Do you know how many role model/mentor African American teachers there are at Syracuse University much less professors or tenured faculty? As a student at SU, I can say there aren't enough. Aside from Dr. Watkins, the only other African American professor I can think of is Laurence Thomas. Naturally there are African American professors in African American studies, but what about those who are interested subjects other than AAS, like say International Relations (my major)? Dr. Watkins doesn't need to go teach at an HBCU he needs to stay at SU and encourage other African American professors to come as well. As it stands African American professors are an anathema at SU.
Links to consider:
http://drboycewatkins.com/thesyracuseprofessor/?p=42
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By: solar257 on 5/05/2010 4:20PM
One more link to consider:
http://ephphatha-poetry.blogspot.com/2010/04/imagine-if-tea-party-was-black-tim-wise.html
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By: jeromequigley on 5/06/2010 9:24AM
@Rick: first you are correct I did not address the issue at hand. The main reason is because I have no idea why Chuck Gray is following Don Black on twitter? Maybe he is trying to keep updates on the guy to block him if he comes to Mr Gray's area. Maybe he agrees with Don? I don't know because no one has asked him. So unlike Dr W I am not going to ASSume anything about him until I get the facts and paint him a racist with out cause!!! Now if he is following him as a "Fan" then it should be noted and come election time the people of that state need to do what is needed to remove him. We do not need those kinds of leaders in my opinion. Now as for your comment of accusing me of "feeling black should get over it" again you make bad assumption about me and my character. Not that it is the first or last time it will happen. Everyone has a right to their opinion so you surely have a right to yours! But try not to judge or put words into my mouth or in my heart with NO facts! I do my best to never disrespect peeps on here and hope for the same from peeps who respond to me. But life is unfair and I accept that! My main point to my post was that Dr W writes too many articles based on mainly his opinion and some times wild imagination instead of facts!! He accuses people of some very serious things with out ever talking or getting their side and to me that is wrong!!! The worst part is some of the things he writes are reckless and insite more violence and hatred then the people he writes about!! It is just very disappointing from such an educated man!!!
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By: ((( HiRoader ))) on 5/10/2010 7:02PM
I've been suggesting the Limbaughs, Becks and Hannity's do exactly that same thing for years now...Can you imagine them going on on and on and never facing or publicly debating.., Just cowardly character assassinations with no rebuttal...
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By: The Rain on 5/10/2010 10:51PM
Hey Weenie,you sound like someone defending one of their buddies that got caught looking at kiddie porn.Don't get mad at the guy that told on his sick ass,get made at your creepy buddy for, well..looking at kiddie porn.Oh,unless you like looking at kiddie porn too.
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By: Vickiss on 5/05/2010 2:37PM
But Dr. Watkins, this whole country is racist. The fact that Arizona is part of the "United States" is a telling sign.
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By: summerfield01 on 5/05/2010 3:24PM
You're right Vickiss, this whole country is racist and that includes us as well. Deep in our heart of hearts (and not even that masked in most of us), we don't like white people!! we don't care much for other races either but our past has made us that way and we need to defeat it. The fact of this particular matter is that Mr. Watkins is trying to overshadow the real issue by showing his hatred of white people by showing an incident of their racism. The real issue Mr. Watkins, is that these people are ILLEGAL, what part of that is hard to understand? Our economy is reeling because our tax dollars pay for every medical condition they have. Our communities suffer because they can commit any crime and get away with it because they don't even exist in our databases, let alone have a fingerprint on file. Our insurance skyrockets because they never have any when their in a wreck. Theres a way to come into this country legally but they just can't seem to do that and it's killing our country.....that Mr.Watkins is the real issue, get well soon.
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By: Little Dickie Dydoe on 5/05/2010 3:46PM
Dr Watkins it seems that you got your PhD in racemongering. I'm no fan of Don Black, but you appear to be just as narrow minded and racist as he is.
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