tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064693649271811211.post7554503825017728547..comments2019-04-26T17:20:22.272-04:00Comments on The Black Thought Reformer: The Death of Debate and DiscussionBlack Thought Reformerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02502575415299942445noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064693649271811211.post-20522403473287767492010-07-01T05:11:29.683-04:002010-07-01T05:11:29.683-04:00I believe that one thing you said is very correct....I believe that one thing you said is very correct. That we need to LISTEN. Before we can have a debate, we as Black people need to work on listening and actually digesting what we hear and having an open mind to it. Many Black people are very stubborn, even when they are wrong, or especially when they are wrong. In such a situation any sort of attempt at debate is futile. Black people tend to argue, not debate, which are two very different things that some people tend to confuse. Such a misconception should be rectified..<br />I also agree with the statement of encouraging intelligent expression of thought. That also is an area we fail in.. Though I think before anything else the task that should be tackled is the art of listening. <br />The question is 'How can we encourage Black people to open their ears, and in turn, open their minds?'BBBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064693649271811211.post-1970850058095680072010-06-29T20:03:39.985-04:002010-06-29T20:03:39.985-04:00@Funkola, I hear you. A lot of times, actions are ...@Funkola, I hear you. A lot of times, actions are taken due to the frustration with debate/discussion, rather than an as a result of it. That's the paradigm that should shift so that action can be the butter to debate's bread.<br /><br />@Tanya, it's important to have people speak intelligently, and you're right about the need for developing that skill. Also, some people's talents lie in action, not speech - there's nothing with that. We just need enough of both...Black Thought Reformerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02502575415299942445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064693649271811211.post-31877216204119462372010-06-29T19:02:18.466-04:002010-06-29T19:02:18.466-04:00The synopsis- we as Black people need to talk, deb...The synopsis- we as Black people need to talk, debate & discuss in a healthy and constructive manner- is spot on. I'd be concerned if many were to disagree with that synopsis. Consider the alternative- being mute, of no opinion and with no ability to articulate a rebuttal- this a bleak existence indeed. <br /><br />That being said- there are always reasons to talk- and my only ask would be that people actually know what that reason is when opening their mouths :). The first and most important reason is to be heard. This is a skill that needs to be developed, practiced, and nurtured in our children. As parents we need to have conversations that stimulate thought and constructive debate. Children from a young age should be encouraged to give their opinion- even if initially it is "diddo". If we do not feel comfortable to speak our minds in the comfort of our own homes- it is likely that we will not speak in a classroom of peers, auditorium of strangers, or a boardroom of decision makers.<br /><br />As we mature our thoughts & speech should tie to an objective. The objective may be to drive awareness of a given issue; influence a partner to join a cause; convince an investor to have confidence in our project. These are all actions that can be taken based on our debate & discussion if we are clear on what we want at the end of the day.Tanya Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09407236250268824925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064693649271811211.post-81539409458982509482010-06-29T12:19:44.279-04:002010-06-29T12:19:44.279-04:00i totally agree...however, talk is cheap, so i can...i totally agree...however, talk is cheap, so i can understand why people ditch debate & discussion especially if there's no accompanying action.funkolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08313791003249827924noreply@blogger.com