Black Man Claims ‘Racist’ Treatment by Police, Cop’s Body Cam Shows He’s a Liar

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think that institutional racism in the US has created a class divide that is reflected racially - that's not a controversial viewpoint. But yes - it IS a crutch for some people. For others, it's like trying to play chess game with half the pieces missing against someone with a full set who can't understand why their opponent continues to lose.

I think it's unreasonable to expect a group of people who have been denied access to money, education and resources for 200+ years to suddenly catch up with anyone else in less than 50.

Not to forget the institutional racism that continues to exist to this day. It is harder for a black person to find a job. A black man - with a squeaky clean background - has about the same odds of getting hired in this country as an equally qualified white felon. A black person - if the name suggests so - has to send out 50% more resume's to get a call-back than a white person. All you really have to do is look at the discussions on this board - and countless others - and it is clear to the naked eye just how much prejudice still exists.

[Jacque67 7,328]

There, their...sigh

[Teddy B 17,252]

I think that institutional racism in the US has created a class divide that is reflected racially - that's not a controversial viewpoint. But yes - it IS a crutch for some people. For others, it's like trying to play chess game with half the pieces missing against someone with a full set who can't understand why their opponent continues to lose.

I think it's unreasonable to expect a group of people who have been denied access to money, education and resources for 200+ years to suddenly catch up with anyone else in less than 50.

I think it's unreasonable not to look within the black community for at least part of the cause for their problems.

[decocker 7,198]

why does no one say that to poor white people? look within the white community for the source of your problems..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Not to forget the institutional racism that continues to exist to this day. It is harder for a black person to find a job. A black man - with a squeaky clean background - has about the same odds of getting hired in this country as an equally qualified white felon. A black person - if the name suggests so - has to send out 50% more resume's to get a call-back than a white person. All you really have to do is look at the discussions on this board - and countless others - and it is clear to the naked eye just how much prejudice still exists.

I agree but it's difficult to define. At the same time though there is a view that because so many blacks are in jail or likely perpetrators of crime that it justifies treating all blacks differently from the rest of the population. Some people see that as pragmatism, and it may be, but it totally ignores the feelings of the person on the receiving end to be able to go about their business without being harassed for something that another person did.

That view is actually quite prevalent on here - I can't count the number of times I've read this sort of thing - "if blacks are so bothered about being profiled, the black community should pull its socks up".

That imo is a very insidious form of a racism that's very pervasive because it is disguising prejudice (though perhaps not overt prejudice) with practicality. The reality may well be that blacks commit more crimes, but the consequences of making the assumption that a black person is up to no good and must justify themselves if (for example) they are out after dark, driving an expensive car etc. is that the freedom of many law abiding people is being curtailed.

[Teddy B 17,252]

why does no one say that to poor white people? look within the white community for the source of your problems..

Huh? The white man gets blamed for every bad thing done since the wheel was invented. Where do the white people shift the blame to?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You have a valid point here. Trayvon was followed, and even chased, at night by a total stranger. He responded in a very bad way; but his bad judgement should at least be understandable. But some of these same people have said they would pull a gun on a person who approached them in a parking lot. IMO, also very poor judgement. It seems some people are more like Trayvon than they know.

However, I have more of an issue with the charge of racism being used too much. In the OP, a totally false charge of racism could have ruined this man. I don't think you really understand what being labeled a racist can do to a person. In my job, my career would be over if I got stuck with that reputation. I have a black coworker from one of the Caribbean islands. He is a great guy with a great sense of humor. He'll pass me at work and say, "Hey, white man" or "Hey, whitey". I know he wants me to reply in a similar manner and I feel like I'm hurting his feelings when I don't. But, there is no way in the world I will ever risk saying something like that. If somebody overheard and the word spread that I'm a racist, I don't think I could overcome it. Once you're labeled a racist, it's gonna stick.

Yes, there is racism in this world. Probably more than I know about. But, when the cries of racism are overused they hurt innocent people and then, when real racism does occur, it isn't given the attention it deserves because the racism claim has been overused.

And that's funny part. Bad judgement seems to be not understandable in that case, it's completely ignored because of how TM is perceived. It's overlooked because TM decided to fight instead of run. Had this been anyone else, GZ would have been read the riot act. Why didn't you just identify yourself? Why did you chase him for that long? And TM made it worse by using racist language.

My problem isn't with admitting their is racism in the US nor that it has played a major role in the plight of the black man, my problem lies with everyone continuing to use that crutch and playing the race card for every woe that the any black person suffers.

These statements may all be true in the US,

But I want to see where in the world the opposite exists. When you continuously blame racism in the US for keeping the black man down, I would expect someone to show me a country where the black race thrives. I've googled it several ways but there doesn't seem to be one. So now the question must be asked as to why?

Well, that's because look at what we're dealing with as a whole. Being black carries a stigma with it. Like I said before, I have to prove myself before I even step in the room. All of the countries I've been in, it's obvious I don't fit what expected of me. When I speak a little bit of whatever country I'm in at the time, you won't believe the looks I get. Almost like it's unheard of that I could say hello in Chinese. So going overseas and thriving would be a challenge unless you speak the language fluently. Even then it would be tough.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies ever

[decocker 7,198]

Huh? The white man gets blamed for every bad thing done since the wheel was invented. Where do the white people shift the blame to?

you're exaggerating. and why is it about blame? i thought it was about community owning up?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

why does no one say that to poor white people? look within the white community for the source of your problems..

That is very true. I'd say it's because many people see black people as a homogenous self-contained group (hence the oft-used term 'black culture').

Of course, it falls apart when you look are your own race that way.

For me (and I suspect for many whites), being white isn't a conscious part of our identities.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Well, that's because look at what we're dealing with as a whole. Being black carries a stigma with it. Like I said before, I have to prove myself before I even step in the room. All of the countries I've been in, it's obvious I don't fit what expected of me. When I speak a little bit of whatever country I'm in at the time, you won't believe the looks I get. Almost like it's unheard of that I could say hello in Chinese. So going overseas and thriving would be a challenge unless you speak the language fluently. Even then it would be tough.

And this is why I don't agree with the US being the poster child of racism in the world. It is much worse in many places, yet white America bears the brunt of it. My feelings towards racism in general have taken a bit of a turn in the last few years. It's time for people of all colors to start taking responsibility for their actions and stop blaming everyone else.

[Karee 4,191]

why does no one say that to poor white people? look within the white community for the source of your problems..

Because no one in the white community is constantly blaming racism for all their ills. They can't.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Because no one in the white community is constantly blaming racism for all their ills. They can't.

The term 'white community' is a fiction. It doesn't exist.

[Teddy B 17,252]

you're exaggerating. and why is it about blame? i thought it was about community owning up?

I'm not exaggerating at all.

In order for someone to own up to something, that usually entails excepting blame for something.

[Karee 4,191]

The term 'white community' is a fiction. It doesn't exist.

OK then. White PEOPLE aren't blaming their problems on racism. They can't. Feel better now?