Whats wrong with doing business only with Whites (or Blacks)?

[DeadPoolX 9]

Of course it's ok, and it's ok whoever chooses to restrict their own choices based on whatever criteria they deem appropriate. You are free to choose to only buy American goods, that does not necessarily make you a bigot because your choice to do that does not prevent someone else from making a different choice. It has no effect at all. All it does is restrict the choice of those who make these rules for how they shop. Lot of nonsense is what this is.

So you wouldn't consider it racist if an organization run by whites decided to do business with only whites?

Organisation? This is about an experiment by individuals to see just how far the influence of a particular group has extended into larger society. What this is not, is an attempt to suppress the influence of another group in the market place. I am quite sure there are individuals who make all kinds of purchasing choices based on all kinds of reasoning that creates an exclusive group. This is fine of course. What would not be fine and I am sure you can appreciate this point, is if the actions of a group marginalise and suppress the actions of another group. Should this be the case then of course that will cause problems. Back to my earlier point, if the group has power/influence beyond outside the simple business transaction and exercises that influence/power to suppress/marginalise then bingo.

Hmm... I don't care who I buy from. My decisions revolve around price, if I really need it and the quality of whatever item I'm looking to buy.

And for the record, this isn't about people making covert choices based on race. This is a very public choice to discriminate against a group. Yet somehow this is considered okay, whereas it would be a disaster if the situation were reversed.

No, it's not about discriminating against a group, it is about making a positive decision to favour a group. would you consider a person who chose to only by American bigoted?

Your argument falls flat.

If I chose to buy only American products, that would be the consumer's choice; not the business owner. In the case specified above in this article, the business itself is choosing to restrict access to anyone but those of their own race.

Once again, it's a huge difference.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This decision makes no sense economically, but there's a larger picture here. This couple has decided to do business with only one group and that, in of itself, is exclusionary. It's not wrong to say that if whites did this, there'd be cries of racism and hell to pay. But since blacks have chosen this route, it's okay. How very racist is that?

I'm sorry - but that's just silly. One crazy couple - doesn't equate to a flood of people, nor does it imply anything beyond the fact that these individuals are rather a bit eccentric. I don't get why there is this need to inflate stories like this to justify "well if so and so did it, there would be outrage".

So if only one white couple did this, it would be "eccentric", not racist?

The better question would be - why should anyone care about the shopping habits of individuals.

I'm not the thought police. Neither are you.

[Caladan 19]

I think the article is describing the choices of consumers. The businesses aren't restricting to whom they will sell.

[Peikko 1,575]

They do not own a business and they are not telling anyone else what to do. Their choices have no influence on the choices of anyone else. What article did you read Deadpool?

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

I think the article is describing the choices of consumers. The businesses aren't restricting to whom they will sell.

Exactly. It's about patronage.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You guys are missing the point here.

This isn't about someone choosing to do business with their own race, religion or culture. This is about business owners restricting business to one group.

There's a huge difference between the two.

Technically businesses can't legally do that - but a small business grocery store in a predominantly ethnic community isn't likely to be sued because the shopkeeper refused to sell a packet of mints to a couple of white people who happened to be passing.

We can be all politically correct about it - but its only large chain businesses that are obliged to adhere rigidly to equal employment and discrimination laws.

Small businesses which fly under the radar can (and often are) a bit quirky. BTW - the soup nazi in Seinfeld is actually based on a real person...

Edited May 13, 2009 by Private Pike

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

For that matter - so is Fawlty Towers...

[The_Dude 1,142]

If I chose to buy only American products, that would be the consumer's choice; not the business owner. In the case specified above in this article, the business itself is choosing to restrict access to anyone but those of their own race.

Once again, it's a huge difference.

Ummmm did I read a different article than you did? The one I read was about a couple who is making a concsious choice to patronize black owned business'. That is a personal choice, plain and simple.

[c_and_a 0]

Whatever, it is a free country and these people can choose to do what they want.

However I doubt most of the "free choice" people would be playing the same game if a group of white people decided to do this.

In the long run, though, this is probably good for black businesses.

Edited May 13, 2009 by c_and_a

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Whatever, it is a free country and these people can choose to do what they want.

However I doubt most of the "free choice" people would be playing the same game if a group of white people decided to do this.

In the long run, though, this is probably good for black businesses.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me in some practical terms how exactly this would happen. Perhaps you will take the bait.

I mean... I'm white and I'm not going to go out of my way simply to shop at a local business to be politically correct.

If I wanted to do the same thing that this couple is doing, how exactly would I go about it?

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

However I doubt most of the "free choice" people would be playing the same game if a group of white people decided to do this.

Playing what game? I think it's fair to judge the intentions of people based on their motivation. If ten percent of the businesses in a city are owned and operated by blacks and the traditional success rate of black businesses during economic good times was mediocre at best, I see nothing wrong with believing it's important to patronize those businesses, especially during a Recession.

Edited May 13, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[Marilyn. 340]

what I got from the article is that the couple only shops at stores owned by black people..

it doesn't say anywhere that white people are not allowed to shop at thsee stores..

[Peikko 1,575]

Whatever, it is a free country and these people can choose to do what they want.

However I doubt most of the "free choice" people would be playing the same game if a group of white people decided to do this.

In the long run, though, this is probably good for black businesses.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me in some practical terms how exactly this would happen. Perhaps you will take the bait.

I mean... I'm white and I'm not going to go out of my way simply to shop at a local business to be politically correct.

If I wanted to do the same thing that this couple is doing, how exactly would I go about it?

Avoid boutiques. Oh, wait, this isn't an anti gay thread is it?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I guess - or perhaps I'm doing it already, because I don't drive out of my way to buy soy sauce and noodles in Chinatown rather than my local supermarket.

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

New poll.