As "urban war" escalates, neighbors are on patrol (armed with cellphones, flashlights and Twitter)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

In and of itself - it isn't taboo. But a lot of people cry foul when accused of racism - because they don't seem to be aware that they are being racist.

If you, for example, cross a street to avoid a group of black or hispanic youths walking the other way - you are prejudging those individuals on the basis of how you expect people like that to behave.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If you, for example, cross a street to avoid a group of black or hispanic youths walking the other way - you are prejudging those individuals on the basis of how you expect people like that to behave.

IMO that's not a bad thing, since you crossing the street to avoid them doesn't do any harm to them. We shouldn't completely ignore our instincts, you know.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If you, for example, cross a street to avoid a group of black or hispanic youths walking the other way - you are prejudging those individuals on the basis of how you expect people like that to behave.

IMO that's not a bad thing, since you crossing the street to avoid them doesn't do any harm to them. We shouldn't completely ignore our instincts, you know.

If your only basis for doing it is that they're black/brown (as opposed to doing something actually suspicious) - that's not instinct, its subconscious prejudice.

When organizations like the police do it (i.e. pulling over a black man for no other reason than that he's driving an expensive car) that's institutional racism.

Edited February 3, 2009 by Paul Daniels

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If your only basis for doing it is that they're black/brown (as opposed to doing something actually suspicious) - that's not instinct, its subconscious prejudice.

Instincts can be and oftne are driven by prejudice.

So what, though? You're not harming them. No harm, no foul.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If your only basis for doing it is that they're black/brown (as opposed to doing something actually suspicious) - that's not instinct, its subconscious prejudice.

Instincts can be and oftne are driven by prejudice.

So what, though? You're not harming them. No harm, no foul.

In that specific simple example - no.

But obviously what I'm getting at isn't limited to that.

[Peikko 1,575]

A.J is whooping our librul azzes PD

[DeathNova 0]

Neighborhood watch is a great idea. But, it requires you to not only get to know your neighbors, but to also work together with them. Sadly, that often takes a crime or two to get the ball rolling.

As for some of the watchers "packing" while out there, I'm sure there are a few that do. Afterall, they are out confronting criminals. However, having three or four guys "watch" a garage burglar and make a phone call is a lot safer than individually confronting a criminal engaged in assault or another violent crime.

In the cases of home invasion, 9-1-1 is probably not very effective. Actually, I've never heard of a single case where someone called 9-1-1 and was saved from violent crime during a home invasion. Please provide evidence if you have. If you have good neighbors though, maybe they'd be able to call 9-1-1 for you. If you have outstanding neighbors, maybe they'd be able to "watch" the criminals down the barrel of their 12 ga. while you waited on the police to arrive.

I've worked in law enforcement for four years now and i've heard of numerous such cases.

[Danno 1,228]

In and of itself - it isn't taboo. But a lot of people cry foul when accused of racism - because they don't seem to be aware that they are being racist.

If you, for example, cross a street to avoid a group of black or hispanic youths walking the other way - you are prejudging those individuals on the basis of how you expect people like that to behave.

What if you crossed the street at night to avoid a group of MEN... yet you know you wouldn't have if it were a group of women... is that Prejudiced too?

Or does this test only work with race?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I've seen women do that actually. But no race isn't the only component to that example.

We do know however that blacks have been (and still are). Disproportionally targetted by police for road side traffic stops. The argument can be made that black men are more likely to commit crime, yet it is reasonable to wonder to what extent that knowledge factors into police decisions as a matter of course than of individual precedent.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

You're a red blooded heterosexual male. Totally into the ladies. You're walking on the sidewalk.

You see these two groups of women walking in your direction. Group A is on your side of the street. Group B is on the opposite side.

Do you cross the street? And why?

Group A

Group B

Edited February 3, 2009 by A.J.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Neighborhood watch is a great idea. But, it requires you to not only get to know your neighbors, but to also work together with them. Sadly, that often takes a crime or two to get the ball rolling.

As for some of the watchers "packing" while out there, I'm sure there are a few that do. Afterall, they are out confronting criminals. However, having three or four guys "watch" a garage burglar and make a phone call is a lot safer than individually confronting a criminal engaged in assault or another violent crime.

In the cases of home invasion, 9-1-1 is probably not very effective. Actually, I've never heard of a single case where someone called 9-1-1 and was saved from violent crime during a home invasion. Please provide evidence if you have. If you have good neighbors though, maybe they'd be able to call 9-1-1 for you. If you have outstanding neighbors, maybe they'd be able to "watch" the criminals down the barrel of their 12 ga. while you waited on the police to arrive.

I've worked in law enforcement for four years now and i've heard of numerous such cases.

Shhh! You're killing the John Wayne fantasy here.

[Danno 1,228]

I'm bettin the one in the pink, thinks "she's the skinny one".

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Way to miss the point, Danno.

[Danno 1,228]

I've seen women do that actually. But no race isn't the only component to that example.

We do know however that blacks have been (and still are). Disproportionally targetted by police for road side traffic stops. The argument can be made that black men are more likely to commit crime, yet it is reasonable to wonder to what extent that knowledge factors into police decisions as a matter of course than of individual precedent.

But you didn't answer my question... would I be Prejudiced .. if I crossed the street to avoid men but not women?

[HAL 9000 96]

I've seen women do that actually. But no race isn't the only component to that example.

We do know however that blacks have been (and still are). Disproportionally targetted by police for road side traffic stops. The argument can be made that black men are more likely to commit crime, yet it is reasonable to wonder to what extent that knowledge factors into police decisions as a matter of course than of individual precedent.

But you didn't answer my question... would I be Prejudiced .. if I crossed the street to avoid men but not women?

Do you have any issues with guys? Would your face betray a slight tinge of discomfort at having shared the sidewalk with a group of dudes that has nothing to do with the lost space as in crossing paths with AJ's larger example above?

If no, then no.

Move along now...