Shalom AaronJudah,

I have been reading this thread with much interest trying to see both sides. When I look at the man I do see one of us. But I am sure you have heard of blacks in the USA passing for white? Even I as what is called "redbone" (light-skinned black) know that we definitely have color issues here. Light-skin has always been favored over dark. Guys seemed to prefer the light-skinned girl with long hair over the girl who seemed to look more "African".

I have two friends who though black can not be distinguished as black by white people. Yet black people can clearly distinguish them as black. Herein lies the problem. Maybe I am being presumptuous but I think this is part of the issue with this "white-man". There seems to be agreement among many that he was chosen so he would not be an affront to whites. We may see him as black but I guarantee you that your or my perception does not jive with white peoples view of him.

So we are still catering to the white man's perception and giving him what he likes to not insult his sensibilities. We have to get to the root of the matter. Until we can be bold enough to say in all honesty that "black" and, I mean the darkest of us, is truly beautiful, we are still yielding to their idea of us and the system of oppression will always win.

You see the objection to this man as Nazism, and I disagree. You seem to express a view that as long as it's a black person, it's all good because we are all suffering oppression. While this view sounds good, like I said above, it still does not get to the root of the issue. Should it not matter that the light-skinned person was chosen because his appearance is less of a threat to white people? Why do black-dark skinned people always have to be the one's to settle?

On another note, name calling is not befitting a righteous brother of Ysrael. Why not express your thoughts without degrading others? Just speak what is true and right and let it stand. In all my lurking here, I have found Ayinde to be one of the most conscious people I have ever read. It shows in his demeanor as he has not met your name-calling with a similar retaliation. May the Most High help you!