Can we blame our ancestors for our own shortcomings? (page 26)

John Doe

I NEVER said anything of the sort.

I said, in essence, the legacy of pain passed down from slavery is a factor in how Black people behave.

That's all.

Sheesh!

Even English common law recognizes extenuating circumstances.

Sylvia

beksbks

We're going to rule the world you know. Mrs. Jones and I.

beksbks

Sorry Mastodon, I was just trying to make your post show up.

beksbks

Isn't it 5 o'clock for Sylvia? I don't' think its right to continue this discussion if she is not here to represent herself.

John Doe

I think a lot of things aren't right. But, you do have a point.

quietlyleaving

JD and how does Sylivia's comment tie in to the extended meaning you impart below

Sylvia says that history is a mitigating circumstance. The honest person, however, sees this for the hogwash that it is. From wiki:

In law, extenuating circumstances are criminal cases in which, though an offense has been committed without legal justification or excuse, its gravity, from the point of view of punishment or moral opprobrium, is mitigated or reduced by reason of unusual or extreme facts leading up to or attending the commission of the offense.

Punishment of one's ancestors is surely neither unusual nor extreme, and surely not something "leading up to or attending the commission of the offense." But, let's assume for the sake of argument that this is so. So, if slavery is a mitigating, or extenuating, circumstance in everything a black person does, which Sylvia has said, then a black person is effectively less at fault for any action. Equal protection under the law anyone?

The injustice done today folks, is the constantly "crying wolf" by people such as Sylvia undermines support for legtimate problems. If I were black, I would be ashamed of her.

The wiki piece you are quoting from doesn't support your conclusion. Extenuating cicumstances when taken into consideration mean that instead of the jury meting out punishment the Judge does. The jury still reach a verdict of guilty or not guilty based on the evidence. Your "less at fault" scenario is a figment of your imagination .

edit: bedtime for me now, as I have an early start.

Farkel

burntheships,

:They are Kenyan, which participated very little, if at all, in the slave trade to the Americas.

Oh, oh. That means Obama can't use the "Vick" excuse the next time he screws up (which will be the next time he opens his mouth).

Farkel

Can we blame our ancestors for our own shortcomings?

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