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5 Comments on “Roland Burris Erected Mausoleum With His Accomplishments Chiseled in Granite”

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1. 1. thgirbla
   January 1st, 2009 at 6:21 am

   The best (?) politician that money can buy!!!

2. 2. DelCallo
   January 1st, 2009 at 8:17 am

   Well, blogger, the controversy surrounding this appointment notwithstanding, listing all those African-American firsts may appear petty, even un-American to some who may not appreciate what Blacks of Burris’ era had to endure in order to succeed in this country. Back in that day, it was not at all uncommon for promising young black students to be officially advised by their school guidance counselors to lay aside any ambitions for college or careers that might follow a college degree. The standard line was that “no one will hire you, anyway.”

   Back in that day, many state universities would not admit a black student.

   In light of the imminent inauguration, listing those firsts as accomplishments would seem to have little meaning, but, if you were black and lived through during Burris’ lifetime, you would appreciate the exceptional talent, perseverance, and outright bravery it took for blacks of the time to break through traditional racial barriers. More than one lost his/her life for displaying the audacity to reach for more than what “white” America had reserved as traditional roles for them.

   It’s possible you meant your comments to sound as racist as they appear to me. I realize that it is also possible that you are simply from a younger generation who, like many from all races/walks of life, are simply not familiar with this country’s history – not even its relatively recent history. I find the second possibility both disturbing and refreshing.

   Discrimination against blacks is most commonly associated with southern states, but, although northern states did not so overtly display their racial bias, it was, most definitely, present up north, too.

   Burris’ lists of firsts, in light of the resistance he would have faced during his career, are, indeed, accomplishments of which he should be proud. On the other hand, while they do speak volumes about what type of person he must be, I would be the first (pun not intended) to agree that they do not, of themselves, make him more qualified to serve as US Senator than anyone else of any race, creed, color, or religion.

   Frankly, while I applaud his list of “firsts”, I find it a bit over the top that he would erect such a monument on which to list them – I view that sort of self-promotion to be over the top. But, it’s no more over the top, IMO, than anyone of any color or means of accomplishment who would erect such a monument (and others having doing as this for a long time – it is a personal matter, after all). I think all the monuments and libraries, ranches, retreats, resorts, what-have-you that US Presidents (and their supporters) erect are also way over the top, but such is life.

   It’s too bad the inauguration of our first black president has to occur in such an atmosphere of distraction, but, if it were not this issue, it would be some other. I trust that BO will navigate skillfully so as not to entangle his agenda, and I hope the Illinois controversy will be settled soon.

   DC

3. 3. Bea Elle
   January 1st, 2009 at 10:06 am

   People who have to toot their own horn – seem to me to be more concerned with prestige than actions and deeds. So, erecting a granite wall for yourself – well, to me that is in very bad taste. Sounds pretty egotistical if you ask me……………………………..

4. 4. SAGG
   January 1st, 2009 at 10:39 am

   Bea Elle, you hit the nail right on the head! This is a MAUSOLEUM, you know, what a person has erected for them AFTER they die for their burial site? Mr. Burris has put this all out while he’s still ALIVE. This is incredibly egotistical and presumptious of him to do this. Oh, and I’m Black, btw, so this has NOTHING to do with his race. Unbelievable! Well, Mr. Burris, you will NOT have “United States Senator” chiseled on that block anywhere because the state of Illinois is against their Governor’s pick, the United States Senate is, and more importantly, President-Elect Obama is! Perhaps you can add, “Rejected Senatorial Pick” to the stone instead, hmmm?

5. 5. blogger @ the blog of record
   January 1st, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   DelCallo,

   I understand achievement for a public servant as something good he does when in office. You see achievement as being the first of a certain race to reach that office, and YOU are calling ME a racist?
   Need an example? Ronald Reagan’s achievements were not getting into the White House, twice – lots of people had done it before him; they were stopping the Carter madness, putting the country on track for an unprecedented growth of wealth, reviving the military after Carter’s humiliations, and beating the commies.
   Barack Obama’s achievement so far has been being the first man of a certain race to get to the White House – and stirring the racial pot in the process. I hope he gives the country many real achievements to remember him for when his presidency is over.
   Do you see the difference?
   I don’t care about someone’s race; you do. And it’s I who is the racist? When will people like you realize that it’s they who are stirring up racism by constantly emphasizing race as a black person’s most important quality?

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