Blacks in U.S. imprisoned at 5 times the rate of whites

[JamalNTam 1]

And what if he did? That would make him 'have issues'?

Funny you should say that chief because the other day a lady asked me to help her because there was a guy standing near her car, in a parking lot, with pants up to his knees. She thought he was going to steal here car and was afraid for herself and her baby. So I approached him and ask if there was any issues. He moved on. So yeah it seems that the guys image did play a part.

Which is another issue I am sure you will deny and play dumb too as well. Dress code that is. These apparent poor kids who are gang banging and shooting up neighbor hoods are driving around in $50K cars wearing $1,000 outfits. But hey segregation is to blame right or was it poverty.. hmmm

Plus wearing pants to your knees does not help you get a job now does it..

You are sterotyping like crazy and your racist remarks are driving me crazy! Why cant you just admit that you have a problem with Americans who are black? You are ignoring important facts that other people have pointed out in the thread. And for you to turn around and say that people wouldnt have a problem with MelandDaniel when they find out that he's 'not from the US' - its sick! So people would have a problem with my husband? Because he's American and god forbid ... black!!

Yes, there are some black people who dress 'hood' ... but guess what? There are also white, hispanic, asian people who dress that way. It happens to be the fashion that is in - expecially for the younger generation and has been for a while! And according to you, black people turn up at job interviews dressed that way? Are you stupid? Would you turn up to a job interview in jeans? Just because people dress a certain way on the streets doesnt mean that they'll attend a job interview that way.

And as for that woman who was scared that a black male wearing baggy clothes was going to steal her car! She's as bad as you! Stereotyping in a negative way! And people say that racism doesnt exist anymore .. whatever.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm not sure what point Boo-Yah! is trying to make - other than that certain, select groups should 'move on'.

That said, I'm not sure how he can honestly deny that the poverty rate in specific communities is a significant causative factor in the crime rate of those communities. Seems pretty obvious to me.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

I didn't see that remark. That is just wrong.

i noticed it but didn't call attention to it as everyone seemed to overlook it.

Things like this getting looked over help keep the issues going as well. I feel like that comment was totally uncalled for.

It's not too late to report it...

I suppose that I was the only person here who didn't know what that meant!!!

it stood out like a neon sign in the desert to me.

[Krikit 1,164]

Mel has told me that I should be prepared for racism and discrimination on a scale on which I have never experienced before when we move into the midwest. I can't say that I have ever experienced any kind of discrimination on the basis of race in my life. Do you think that I should be concerned?

My prayer is that you won't face discrimination, but the reality is that you will. You will experience it in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Some are quite open and "in-your-face" about it, and some do it in a passive-agressive style. Some profess they are not racist or discriminatory and have not a clue that the very thing they protest against is the very thing they are. This thread gives you an indication of the types of people you will encounter.

On the bright side, these closed-minded and uneducated people are in the minority. You will have far more pleasant than unpleasant encounters with some very truly nice Americans. You need not be concerned.... But you should be aware.

WRT the original post, racial minorities do receive more punitive sentences than their white counterparts for the same type of crime. There are various mitigating circumstances for this, but race is definitely a factor. For those who will come back at me and demand to see evidence and statistics to back this up.... do your research. The documentation is out there and available.

[thetreble 19]

WRT the original post, racial minorities do receive more punitive sentences than their white counterparts for the same type of crime. There are various mitigating circumstances for this, but race is definitely a factor. For those who will come back at me and demand to see evidence and statistics to back this up.... do your research. The documentation is out there and available.

I'm not sure if you saw my post but one thing you have to understand is in some places in America, it is Caucasians that are the minority. I just want to make that point because I think it is a valuable one. In a place like Newark, NJ, 53.46% of it's residents are black compared to 26.2% of white residents. So when you say something like "minorities", you have to understand that it is a variable term.

Also- I don't agree with stereotyping people by their clothing. Lots of African Americans don't dress like "gangsters" and lots of white people do! Some times I wonder how some of you guys would survive in a place like I live in Jersey, or in Philly, the Bronx, etc.

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

I didn't see that remark. That is just wrong.

i noticed it but didn't call attention to it as everyone seemed to overlook it.

Things like this getting looked over help keep the issues going as well. I feel like that comment was totally uncalled for.

It's not too late to report it...

I suppose that I was the only person here who didn't know what that meant!!!

it stood out like a neon sign in the desert to me.

This phrase means absolutely nothing where I come from, and I'm pretty sure that throughout most the Caribbean, it would be ignored as well. I actually had to do some research last night to find out what was being said. With ideas like that going around, stupidity must be a virtue!!!

[thetreble 19]

That is because it is a phrase predominantly home grown here in America.

[Caladan 19]

I find it telling that people are focusing on the watermelon comment but not the seventeen pages of 'but they're just culturally lazy and ignorant' while denying that anything like poverty, history, or racism could have anything to do with 'culture.'

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I find it telling that people are focusing on the watermelon comment but not the seventeen pages of 'but they're just culturally lazy and ignorant' while denying that anything like poverty, history, or racism could have anything to do with 'culture.'

Soft racism at work perhaps...?

[Heracles 417]

I find it telling that people are focusing on the watermelon comment but not the seventeen pages of 'but they're just culturally lazy and ignorant' while denying that anything like poverty, history, or racism could have anything to do with 'culture.'

Call it whatever you like, I call I reality. I have traveled to numerous cities throughout America and usually see the same old story. Funny Number_6 that I have not see the same attitude in NZ, AUS or South Africa. That is when seeing the people you constantly mention..

PS Can you please tell me why Oprah has not built any schools in poor black American communities?

Edited August 6, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I find it telling that people are focusing on the watermelon comment but not the seventeen pages of 'but they're just culturally lazy and ignorant' while denying that anything like poverty, history, or racism could have anything to do with 'culture.'

Call it whatever you like, I call I reality. I have traveled to numerous cities throughout America and usually see the same old story. Funny Number_6 that I have not see the same attitude in NZ, AUS or South Africa. That is when seeing the people you constantly mention..

The problem is that you keep resorting to generalizations to justify a very selective prejudice towards one social group while ignoring similar trends in others.

And again – whether or not we’re talking about ‘perceived’ (key word) attitudes, there’s no denying that formerly repressed populations in NZ, Australia and South Africa share certain commonalities with minorities in the US – with regards to common social problems. I simply don’t understand why you have such a problem with the idea of a less than salubrious past playing a role in shaping the present. Saying ‘get over it’ is all well and good, but while the issues have changed – the legacy of that repression is still very much alive. I’m going out on a limb here and wondering if there are any sociologists here who can explain it better.

PS Can you please tell me why Oprah has not built any schools in poor black American communities?

No I can't - and honestly I don't understand why you think that so important.

[mawilson 2,133]

PS Can you please tell me why Oprah has not built any schools in poor black American communities?

No I can't - and honestly I don't understand why you think that so important.

Presumably because Oprah, a successful black woman, considers poor black communities a "lost cause".

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

PS Can you please tell me why Oprah has not built any schools in poor black American communities?

No I can't - and honestly I don't understand why you think that so important.

Presumably because Oprah, a successful black woman, considers poor black communities a "lost cause".

That doesn't really say anything substantive about the underlying issues, IMO. But I'm sure it serves Boo-Yah's love of generalisation and innuendo.

Seriously - we pick out a few random quotes and come up with a whole diatribe trying to justify the rationale behind an act of charity. This is getting pretty low IMO.

[thetreble 19]

PS Can you please tell me why Oprah has not built any schools in poor black American communities?

No I can't - and honestly I don't understand why you think that so important.

Presumably because Oprah, a successful black woman, considers poor black communities a "lost cause".

Um oprah is a tv star who cares about press. I have seen her do a show before where she went to rural illinois and showed how there are people in america that do not have running water still in 2007. After she did the show on this specific family who was struggling she simply said, "well...good luck..." and left. For all the money oprah gives away and what she does, I believe she is just another example of someone who cares more about her heritage and roots (ie. why shes so adamant about schools in africa) then what is happening around her. There are many celebs that have money to give to charities like animal rights and don't put money towards slowing down gang violence 20 minutes away from their mansions. That is just life, unfortunately. I don't think it is thinking poor black communities are a lost cost, I think it is more or less not caring.

Edited August 6, 2007 by thetreble

[Heracles 417]

You are sterotyping like crazy and your racist remarks are driving me crazy! Why cant you just admit that you have a problem with Americans who are black? You are ignoring important facts that other people have pointed out in the thread. And for you to turn around and say that people wouldnt have a problem with MelandDaniel when they find out that he's 'not from the US' - its sick! So people would have a problem with my husband? Because he's American and god forbid ... black!!

Yes, there are some black people who dress 'hood' ... but guess what? There are also white, hispanic, asian people who dress that way. It happens to be the fashion that is in - expecially for the younger generation and has been for a while! And according to you, black people turn up at job interviews dressed that way? Are you stupid? Would you turn up to a job interview in jeans? Just because people dress a certain way on the streets doesnt mean that they'll attend a job interview that way.

And as for that woman who was scared that a black male wearing baggy clothes was going to steal her car! She's as bad as you! Stereotyping in a negative way! And people say that racism doesnt exist anymore .. whatever.

Well then the main article of this thread must also be stereotyping. The stats I posted about the top 17 most violent cities having a predominately black American demographic must also stereotyping.

I have never ever said every single poor black American is like this but there is an observable problem within the community. Funny how my neighbor, who is black might I add, says it herself. That there is a huge cultural problem within poor black Americans. She does not like to be called African because she is not African. Strangely enough the same goes for Oprah's friend Gayle King. Two people who I have enormous respect and admiration for.

'Some' people who dress 'hood'? lol Which areas are you talking about? You been to NW DC? Anyone who dressed liked that overseas would be beaten up.

Next you're going to tell me that hip hop and rap music with the terms ###### ho etc are a conspiracy of someone racist..