Is the race card overplayed?

[ABoyNamedSue]

If white men are less likely to commit crime the question is why? Are you saying black men are gentically predisposed to be criminal?

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Then provide some proof for profiling.

On the count of three, we'll do it at the same time. I STILL haven't seen any numbers on your end. Oddly enough they're only requisite for one side of this discussion.

The best you're going to find is that black people get caught in areas that also happen to be high crime areas. Although I've admitted that there is some profiling, I'm really starting to debate if EVERY black man arrested is arrested because of his skin color.

This silly statement isn't worth a response, just acknowledgement.

Definitely. But seeing it a lot on Cops, hearing about a lot in papers, and seeing it on television news does make it a trend. Some of us don't just rely on the internet, you know...

RG

Oh, so our word is good here? In that case, I see racial profiling a lot on Cops, hear about it a lot in papers and see it on the television news. That makes it a trend. See how I did that?

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Thanks for the armchair commentary. We (blacks) never would've thought to fix our own problems if your graciousness hadn't come along to suggest it. I can't wait to tell all my friends!

Does somebody need a hug?

I'm aware of the number of programs in black neighborhoods, the black scholarships trying to get blacks out of the inner city, and so on and so forth. I'm also aware of the number of administrators that are constantly frustrated that those resources aren't used, not to mention how little scholarship money goes unclaimed each year while black students complain about the lack of them that are available.

In essence, I'm aware that there are those that are trying to fight the crime. But I'm also just as aware that crime is getting the upper hand. And I'm also aware that there is racism; just saying that not every encounter between blacks and whites or blacks and cops is necessarily racist....

RG

 

[bounder]

Relatively tame? That shit couldn't get anymore tame than a which suburb on the Harvard campus.

I say relatively tame because someone tried to rob me in Cambridge. It was 4 AM, but I hardly felt like I was in any real danger.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Does somebody need a hug?

I'm aware of the number of programs in black neighborhoods, the black scholarships trying to get blacks out of the inner city, and so on and so forth. I'm also aware of the number of administrators that are constantly frustrated that those resources aren't used, not to mention how little scholarship money goes unclaimed each year while black students complain about the lack of them that are available.

This is your song and dance I was talking about. The problem is always blacks. Blacks not trying. Blacks crying racism-wolf. Blacks not taking advantage of education. For somebody who knows so much about black American life, you sure do offer a lot more silly statements and obnoxious questions than solutions.

just saying that not every encounter between blacks and whites or blacks and cops is necessarily racist....

RG

Umm... duh? Is this some major epiphany you had because I thought it was common knowledge.

No, I don't need a hug from you, a coherent statement would be nice but if you haven't offered one by page 2 I'm not gonna get my panties wet in hopes of one.

 

[ABoyNamedSue]

Yes but the question you asked is the race card over played, and the answer to the question is no. If you looked at the stats I gave you that broke down the prison population by race. White men were the smallest group.

There were 4050 more black men in prison than white men.

 

[Apollo]

I say relatively tame because someone tried to rob me in Cambridge. It was 4 AM, but I hardly felt like I was in any real danger.

Damn, that's fucked up.

Well, when I come back to this in the morning. I am expecting AT LEAST 3 more pages.

Have a wonderful and long debate y'all. From my kitchen, to yours. (Paula Dean)

 

[Alpha1851]

In essence, I'm aware that there are those that are trying to fight the crime. But I'm also just as aware that crime is getting the upper hand. And I'm also aware that there is racism; just saying that not every encounter between blacks and whites or blacks and cops is necessarily racist....

No, you're implying that racial bias doesn't play a part.

Are you black by the way? I mean, you're acting as though you're an authority on all things black. Black people are frustrated that black children aren't applying for the black scholarships. Are you on that committee or something? You must live in Harlem.

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Maybe instead of looking at why the black community seems to have issues, we should look at society as a whole to ascertain what's going on.

Definitely.

To act like there's no bias in the judicial system is absurd.

And I'm not. I did just sort of point out the specific issues, right?

When a female teacher did it, she lost her teaching license and was put on probation.

No offense, but how many years ago was that? The last few cases have had the woman going to jail, and then placed on probation when she was released (as a sex offender). Oh yeah, and she definitely didn't have her teacher's license.

How many women compared to men sit on death row. Compare the women who received life sentences for committing similar crimes in the same state as the men who received the death penalty.

Definitely, but besides the point. But...I'm not saying by any stretch that there isn't any bias. What I'm saying is that the bias is being over-stated. More to the point, that bias is being used a defense even when the guilt is provable.

In other words: Yes, Virginia, there is bias. However, it doesn'y apply in every case....

RG

 

[Alpha1851]

In other words: Yes, Virginia, there is bias. However, it doesn'y apply in every case....

But you're assuming that it doesn't apply in this case. You weren't there. You don't know the cops. You don't know the neighbor. You don't know the professor. None of us have first hand knowledge and the media leaves out a lot of key information.

I wonder how many of us have based our opinions on this issue from how the story was presented. This morning, CNN's report seemed to place the professor in a more sympathetic and positive light. Fox news this evening did just the opposite. It's sad that our news stations don't just present the facts and only the facts.

 

[ABoyNamedSue]

Lets not forget they dismissed the case... If it were that strong of a case why did they dismiss it. Something is not right here. We are not getting the whole story. If they had a solid case there would be no reason to dismiss it.

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

No, you're implying that racial bias doesn't play a part.

Sorry; let me clarify then: I'm aware that there is bias, and that it does have a definite effect. By the same measure, I'm saying that the effect may have been overstated.

I mean, you're acting as though you're an authority on all things black.

Sorry; part journalism major (so I've had to do articles on scholarships), part business writer (which means I've had to look at minorities in business and how to get more of them into management positions). It doesn't help that I'm a history geek, so it's interesting to see the same things repeat.

In full disclosure, I'm Irish/Native American whose had way too many black friends complain about the same stuff. My mentor in high school didn't like blacks milking the system the wrong way (we wanted to see more black kids on scholarships). The guy who honed my chess game made fun blacks that relied on muscle instead of brains. Heck, even my boss was recently complaining about blacks that don't take advantage of the resources available to them.

And, yeah; I know about bias first hand. I've done the homeless thing, and try competing with my real name and weight in a field traditionally done by women (I do have secretarial skills). Not exactly black, but being black isn't the only source of bias...

And I definitely wouldn't call myself an authority on all things black; don't ask me about rappers, for example;-).

RG

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Alpha: Definitely. And that's not including The Root's version, where the cops were treated as Gestapo. In a lot of ways, it comes down to who you believe and why....

Lets not forget they dismissed the case... If it were that strong of a case why did they dismiss it. Something is not right here. We are not getting the whole story. If they had a solid case there would be no reason to dismiss it.

Actually, there was no case; the charges were dropped before there could have been a case. In all honestly, it probably came down to the cops arrested him to make him cool down, and then released him when he cooled down a bit....not that big of a deal.

RG

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

^Sorry that blacks aren't jumping up to follow your desires and commands for them but they're not pets.

Nothing you're talking about is without reason, but, without considering reasons, the only assumed explanation is that they're inferior.

Why aren't they taking advantage of education? Why aren't they taking scholarships, I thought they were supposed to LOOOOVE free stuff.

 

[Alpha1851]

Actually, there was no case; the charges were dropped before there could have been a case. In all honestly, it probably came down to the cops arrested him to make him cool down, and then released him when he cooled down a bit....not that big of a deal.

Well, typically, folks aren't arrested b/c cops believe the suspect needs to cool down. I mean, this wasn't a domestic viol. issue. This wasn't a drugs or alcohol issue. This man wasn't accused of being a threat to himself or society. The cops can't just give him a time out.

I also think most of us, incl yourself, would think it was a very big deal to be arrested, even if the charges were dropped immediately. Jail is scary. Having your freedom taking away, if only for one day, is scary. Having your neighbors and friends find out about it is scary. And don't forget that arrests are public info and are often printed in the paper. That's something to think about it too. So, yes I think being arrested is a huge deal.

 

[ABoyNamedSue]

Umm "it isn't that big of a big deal" then why the hell is it all over national media and we have been discussing this for how many post now...

 

[bounder]

Alpha: Definitely. And that's not including The Root's version, where the cops were treated as Gestapo. In a lot of ways, it comes down to who you believe and why....

Have you had any experiences with police in the Boston area? The account given in The Root details similar police behavior that I and my friends have witnessed there. As much as I would like to say the police always act in our best interest, that is not the case.

Actually, there was no case; the charges were dropped before there could have been a case. In all honestly, it probably came down to the cops arrested him to make him cool down, and then released him when he cooled down a bit....not that big of a deal.

To make him cool down? This is not some guy who was belligerent and intoxicated on a populated street, this is a guy who was mad because he was treated like a criminal in his own house.

 

[yeeeaaahhh]

I think it is easy for anyone to say that the race card is overplayed when they have always been in the privileged, white group.

Until you have experienced life as a minority you really have no grounds to speak on such issues. This is my opinion, of course.

 

[SonOfSlobone]

BTW, after reading Gates's own account of the incident at

http://www.theroot.com/views/skip-gates-speaks?page=0,0

I think it's pretty obvious that the police fucked up. At the time they arrested him they already knew it was his own house he was trying to get into.

I'm assuming the arresting officer was trying to save face at that point (in front of about half a dozen of his buddies, including one black cop). Although of course it's also possible he's a total jerk.

Gates is right to be outraged, and I'm sure a lawsuit is forthcoming, but somehow I don't think this ugly incident is going to trigger the long-awaited racial apocalypse in America...

 

[jaycee style]

so, the best thing for the cops to do is leave. if indeed this guy didnt live there he would have been free to burglarize the house. what would have been so difficult for him to show the cops his id? my gut is that this guy would have balked at any thing the cops said or did. some people are just belligerent.

i bet it's real safe to reach for your black wallet when your a black man at night

especially given the cops reputation in this country with us

the first time i got jacked up by the 1-times i was 12 fucking years old, full search, all up under my sac, dumped my pockets, dumped all my school work outta my back pack in a mess on the ground

threw my fucking glasses on the ground and scratched the shit out of them

and this particular incident was because i "fit a description"

after sniffing around the hood, i found who i "fit the description" of....

a fuckin crackhead in his 30s

how the fuck do i fit the description of him

and this was just first time i got jacked up

one of my favorite times that they hit me up was when they couldnt find shit on one of the infamous ballsack searches, so they dipped out with 50 bucks i had in my pocket.

the only safe way i've learned to deal with police as a darkskin black dude is to not say fucking shit, and just lay on my stomach and put my hands behind my head before they even get near me,

i know a lot of white people out there turn a blind eye to how the police are with black men in a america and thats alright, it's our problem and we don't need you to believe us until some shit like "sean bell" happens,

but after 30 minutes in the news, go back to your cheerios, and we'll go back to trying not be turned into human pencils.