The Conservative Fantasy History Of Civil Rights
Leslie Odom Jr.: We Are Not All Artists the Same
"Because employers, potential employers, will look and see that gee, they've been out forever, it doesn't make sense. And I think that's partly playing in to this cycle. And at some point then it becomes a matter of you lose your work ethic, your values are impacted, you know, getting up, showing up, dressing well, all that good stuff. So I don't know that that's smart."
I would say that Williams' comments are shocking, but they are certainly to be expected from the man who publicly sold himself to the most racist television network in the history of our country. I'm not sure why Williams felt the need to jump in on this issue in such an insensitive way, but it appears that he's working hard to earn the two million that Fox is paying him.
Perhaps Willams should do his homework. The $250 per week received through unemployment benefits is hardly enough for anyone to become spoiled. I've spent a great deal of time around wealthy people, as I teach at a private university where the tuition is over $30,000 per year -- total annual cost approaches $50,000 per year. I can say, without question, that wealthy people are quite likely less disciplined than working class Americans. It is our nation's paternalistic and demeaning way of viewing the unemployed that somehow leads the wealthy to believe that people don't have jobs because they are lazy.
Adding insult to injury, the notion that Republicans are refusing to extend unemployment benefits in exchange for tax cuts for the rich tells us that they are willing to allow millions to go homeless in order to add a few dollars to the pockets of those who don't need the money. Williams and his colleagues at Fox should stop to notice what it really means to be truly spoiled. Given that Juan is among the wealthy who stand to benefit from tax cuts at the expense of the poorest in our country, such campaigning by he and others to build their personal bank accounts is beyond reprehensible.
If Congress doesn't act soon, 635,000 Americans stand to lose their unemployment benefits this week. Another 1.6 million will lose their benefits by Christmas. Finally, six million could lose their benefits over the next year. The situation is dire, children are being affected, and the insensitive disposition being taken by those in power threatens to undermine the security of our nation. As the gap in wealth grows between the rich and the poor, we are further and further at risk of seeing our country erode into violence (since that's what happens when the rich keep everything and let poor people suffer).
With regard to Juan Williams, the truth is that he's not going to stop making such snide and ignorant remarks on television. My own tangles with Williams have been interesting, and I had no problem telling the truth about his behavior. But at the end of the day, my hope and prayer is that he will one day realize that in spite of a challenging economy, a man doesn't have to sell his principles up the river in order to make a buck. Williams is fully aware that Fox News not only serves to attack minorities and the poor, but they are also in consistent violation of fundamental rules on journalistic integrity. The only thing that surprised me about NPR getting rid of Juan Williams a few months ago was that they didn't do it sooner.
We've got to do better than this, especially at Christmas time.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (72)
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By: Cornell on 12/05/2010 10:33AM
By far the best investment fox ever made, i negro saying all the things they want him to say, pricless. this guy is under their desk simply because, he feels like his ethics and values got him that job at fox when he was unemployed, im curious to see how long they keep him after the 2012 election.
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By: The Truth on 12/05/2010 1:03PM
OK fine extend the benefits beyond the holidays so that some can by even more useless crap for others.
Certainly Some really need the money and use it responsibly, BUT...MOST DO NOT!!
Max out those credit cards (contributing to your current financial setback) that you have no intention on paying back while you're at it to ensure you're
HO HO HOMELESS by February!!
You REALLY want more CHRISTMAS "joy"
Try giving up those vices of ( Booze, drugs, and cigarettes)!!
Other wasteful expenses include magazines, newspapers, scratch tickets, eating out and anything else one just doesn’t NEED.
Just giving up that daily cup of (restaurant bought) coffee can save you 45 dollars a month.
Any lights on around the house? Shut them off!
Taking an hour in the shower? My dad used to say if you’re in there for more than 5 minutes you’re probably doing more than washing (use your imagination).
Is your TV on all hours of the day (It wouldn’t be if you were working)
Is the store just down the street? Try Walking!!
Every little bit helps, Common sense goes a long way.
Sometimes WE ALL HAVE TO pull back and regroup.
If you’re capable and not mentally ill or TRULY physically unable to work you have no excuse!
WE ALL know there are jobs available out there but some have the perception they’re too good to work for minimum wage until something better comes along
MERRY FRI**EN CHRISTMAS
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By: eeduj1001 on 12/05/2010 10:18PM
He did not stay unemployed long enough. He needed to have stayed unemployed long enough such that he no longer mattered and would have quickly faded from any existence in this world.
@the truth
You are very presumptuous to think that the unemployed need something like your worthless advice "lights..turn them off", advice for when they can watch television.
As a matter of fact its the opposite, YOU would learn something from them, especially from those who have had the humbling experience of unemployment for 2 years (as opposed to being handed down another job like the pig, Jaun Wms.)
You need to humble yourself before you can give anyone anyone advice.
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By: Jeannette on 12/06/2010 1:16AM
@ The Truth. You should really change your name. I do not know, or care about what rock you are living under, but it is obvious you will believe anything someone tells you.All unemployed people do not buy booze and cigarettes. Two hundred and fifty dollars do not go very far. You must have forgotten that a vast amount of jobs were shipped overseas, and those very companies are still collecting tax incentives(Welfare) from the American tax payers. I guess it is okay with you that the USA go out and borrow 8 billion more dollars so that the rich can get their wealfare checks. What ever happen to "we must stop the borrowing and spending are our grandchildren will inherit this burden."? The rich has been getting this check for ten years and this economy is still in the toliet. It is okay to borrow money to give welfare to the wealthy, but the unempolyed, through no fault of their own, should sit and rott?
Anyone that only takes a five minute shower usually smells as bad as if they did not take one in the first place.
There may be a few jobs out there, but not enough to employ the majority. People say they can not afford to hire, and if they do, it is only short term, and you are back to unemployment. This is old news, you need to update your rock.
I heard about a lot of people in a city in Florida, that put extra sweaters, blankets, and did without heat last winter, with temperatures dropping down in the 20's and 30's, and since that power company did not get the revenue that they expected, they wanted to go up on their customers bills to make up the difference.
Fox news is using Juan to say what ever they want him to say, but as soon as they have used him up, it will be exit stage right, and that's when old Juan will change his tune.
I do not know the people that you hang out with, but all that I do would rather be working, and stand in long lines for any job that comes available. So stop bad mouthing people that you know nothing about. Why don't you write your Congressmen or Congresswoman, and your Senators and ask them why they are so intent on borrowing 8 billion dollars to give welfare to the rich!!!
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By: bad robot on 12/06/2010 9:29AM
@truth
"My dad used to say if you’re in there for more than 5 minutes you’re probably doing more than washing (use your imagination)".
BAD ADVICE FROM YOUR DAD! AND BAD ADVICE FROM YOU! I HOPE YOU REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU GET BOUNCED FROM YOUR JOB!
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By: Mrs. K on 12/06/2010 6:54PM
Mr Boyce you are believed to be a well learned man. It doesn't appear to be the fact by many of your writings. Have you ever really paid attention to fox news. It gives the news in a truthful manner. Watch it sometimes than write your articles.
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By: lahelama on 12/06/2010 9:16PM
Truth, your speaking like a person who has never been beyond their front gate.
$1000.00 a month...after paying house note or rent, buying grocery, paying utilities, and car fare (In case you don't know Truth, car fare can include; gas for a vehicle, bus, subway, cab, or car pool fare) a person can succesfully wager that you would be in the hole financially and not be able to purchase lotto tickets or Henny.
Now what planet are you and Juan living on where living on $1000-$2000 a month is paradise!?
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By: Sally on 12/06/2010 4:48PM
Actually Juan makes a lot of sense. One of the reasons employers are not hiring the 99ers+ is because they haven't worked for a year or more. They've lost their skill. and as an employer, I would look at someone who's been out of work 2-3 years and wonder 'why'? A lot of unemployed employees still think that because they made a high income (50,000+) that they are still that valuable. But the work world has become more competitive. younger people can fill the position quite nicely for 1/3 the salary.
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By: SteveLC on 12/07/2010 3:53PM
Some of you knukleHeads have not experince looking for a job, Hispanicss have pretty much taken over in many low and no skill jobs. Try to find a Black or White person working on a construction job. And, you haven't seen nothing yet, just wait until the Dream act is passed, the open door into the USA for ILLEGAL immigrants. GOOD-BY to more jobs for US citizens..
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By: acura2010 on 12/05/2010 12:07PM
Juan Williams remarks is accurate, "the longer the unemployed stay out, employers will trash your resume". But there are too many people out of work and not enough jobs and I'm talking about decent paying jobs to provide for your family. $9 an hour jobs won't provide the basic necessities. Republicans know there are not decent paying jobs available to compensate what workers lost and this is what they created to destroy middle-class. People need to work their own garden and stop throwing monies to the "greed" who cares nothing for you.
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