NationStates Jolt Archive

In the "Righteous shootings" thread we have drifted to the topic of racism. Some examples that have been cited are:
One of their mothers was crying on the local news last night. She cried about her son wasn't bad and sure, he shouldn't have robbed that store, and sure he shouldn't have had that gun. But he really was a good boy and didn't deserve to be shot dead. Then she went on to moan that it was racist that he was killed.
And:
A 12 yo kid steals car! Police chase car that the 12 yo kid stole. 12 Yo ditches car and runs on foot. Cops chase the kid. One cop goes down followed by a shot. Other cop shoots and kills the kid.

This took place in Pittsburgh. The 12 yo kid was Black. The cops was a black and white duo. The black cop was the one that tripped and then the shot fired. It was the white cop that killed the 12 yo black kid.

Parents wanted the WHITE officer's badge for a racist killing. Nothing happened to either cop.

Another story out of pittsburgh. Police Dog bites black boy. The parents wanted the police dog destroyed because the dog was racist. Problem is DOGS are color blind so how could it be racist?
What do you all think about these examples, as they relate to the larger problem of racism and perceptions of "outsiders"?

What do you all think about these examples, as they relate to the larger problem of racism and perceptions of "outsiders"?

Neither is an example of racism.

Correction: Neither is an example of racism directed at those of dark skin. The officer charged basically due to being white is.

Meanwhile, just to clarify, dogs *can* be trained to attack those of certain skin tones, but it is very rare to see days. Dogs may be color blind, but they can tell the difference between dark and light.

For some people the race card is played whenever it's convenient. It wouldn't be so easy to falsely accuse sombody of racism if we could reduce the number of actual racist incidents.

Neither is an example of racism.

Meanwhile, just to clarify, dogs *can* be trained to attack those of certain skin tones, but it is very rare to see days. Dogs may be color blind, but they can tell the difference between dark and light.

But what he was getting at is that the victims love ones are saying it was racism when in fact it wasn't!

That is what he was getting at.

But what he was getting at is that the victims love ones are saying it was racism when in fact it wasn't!

That is what he was getting at.
Yes it is. I am sorry I wasn't more clear.

I AM NOT racist.
But it does annoy me how black people can offend white people

ie. Black people only clubs/hotels

White people would be accused racist. The government is out for racism, but from black people...how could they be racist? :rolleyes:

Idiots like those described in the first post do nothing but undermine the case of anti-racists.

okay. finally. this post may be seem disconnected and unorganized, but hell i have not slept in three days. however find the valid points as they appear.

first of all. enough of the news media asking people who have just had a kid killed ANYTHING! you have no idea how horrible of a time they are having, and certainly are not thinking straight. i work in the death care industry, and assist many families with loved ones that have died in violent ways. i have seen people still fighting and saying things they don't mean at the funeral (usually a week later), only to visit with me in a few months, and most normally, they have their head on straight by then.and, yes, some parents never get it together. judging by the general ages on this forum, not many of have kids, so you just cannot relate to your kid getting shot. face it.

i hate long posts. so i will wait few minutes to type the rest....

In the "Righteous shootings" thread we have drifted to the topic of racism. Some examples that have been cited are:

And:

What do you all think about these examples, as they relate to the larger problem of racism and perceptions of "outsiders"?
The first problem is that very few people know what racism means, or are unwilling to use it properly.

More later.

also, in the age of the interenet, there are many false stories. so i think the dog one may be. even if it is not.... still. basing your opinion on race relations from that story would be like europeans judging the usa using the jerry springer show.

racism exists in all forms. but do not ever, for one second, think all blacks think it is "whitey's" fault. i am half italian, and my mother is half black, half cherokee. we are educated on all branches of the family tree. my mother is a harvard law grad, retired public defender. we were taught from young age, that we were american children, and not to focus on where we came from, but rather where we were going, and what contributions to society as a whole we could make. i am an ultra conservative republican,(with a few of my own dementedideas thrown in), so is my entire family. we were born and raised in boston, mass. so don't try to tell me we picked it up from our surroundings.
i am against affirmative action, as was my black grandfather. no group of people living in this nation needs a hand up , or thier own language. it is not racist to say that. or bigotted,or whatever people want to say it is. if you come from shitty circumstances, get out. no excuses for being brought up in the projects, with no hope,no chance, etc. if you own a television in this country, you can get enough sense of the things that "other people " have, and find the drive to succeed in the same way.
more to come....

The first problem is that very few people know what racism means, or are unwilling to use it properly.

More later.

Correct Myrmidonisia! That is why I'm getting tired of all this talk that when a black person gets killed, it is automatically labeled as racist.

It happens all the time up in Pittsburgh thanks to the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP!!!

God the branch President is annoying as hell.

also, in the age of the interenet, there are many false stories. so i think the dog one may be. even if it is not.... still. basing your opinion on race relations from that story would be like europeans judging the usa using the jerry springer show.

Actually, the dog one is not. It'll take time but I can search through the Pittsburgh Post Gazzet and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review and find the story. It was also on the local television news too.

That's not racist. If they were killed because of the colour of their skin, then yes it would be racist. But they weren't. Like someone else said, the fact the man was accused of racism just because he happened to be white and happened to shoot some black, is much more racist.

That's not racist. If they were killed because of the colour of their skin, then yes it would be racist. But they weren't. Like someone else said, the fact the man was accused of racism just because he happened to be white and happened to shoot some black, is much more racist.

Try telling that to these people! Reverse Racism has never cropped up in society but it happens all the time now in universities and other places.

Maybe someone should start up an organization to expose all the reverse discrimination that is going on in our society today.

Neither is an example of racism.

Correction: Neither is an example of racism directed at those of dark skin. The officer charged basically due to being white is.

Meanwhile, just to clarify, dogs *can* be trained to attack those of certain skin tones, but it is very rare to see days. Dogs may be color blind, but they can tell the difference between dark and light.


Yeah they can be trained to tell the difference in people. A mexican friend of mines dad had a pit bull trained to keep blacks out of his yard. He would only bark and run after them.

In the "Righteous shootings" thread we have drifted to the topic of racism. Some examples that have been cited are:

And:

What do you all think about these examples, as they relate to the larger problem of racism and perceptions of "outsiders"?


I don't see any connection to racism in either of these.

Actually, the dog one is not. It'll take time but I can search through the Pittsburgh Post Gazzet and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review and find the story. It was also on the local television news too.

no, no, i believe you. i just wanted to point that out, as there are so many stories that referenced on these forums.

I don't see any connection to racism in either of these.

Correct! They were not racist.

However, in the case of the Pittsburgh ones, it was the Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP that tried to convence the city that what the Dog and the cop did was racist because in the first example, a Black 12 that stole a car and ran on foot and was killed after a shot was fired was killed and in the 2nd one where a police Dog bit another kid because the kid did something stupid to cause the dog to bite him.

Both of these incidents were tossed out because the people investigating them found nothing racist in them and then the NAACP tried to call the investigating board Racist soon thereafter.

And people like to know why I do not like the NAACP!

no, no, i believe you. i just wanted to point that out, as there are so many stories that referenced on these forums.

True! I've seen them and laugh my head off. Just like I laughed when the NAACP of Pittsburgh tried to use the Race card in the dog story.

another thing for people to think about. my brother lived in a rough section of boston. when the neighborhood formed a coalition to protest all the harsh treatments of the blacks by the white cops, he suggested that more of the youth in the neighborhood aspire to become officers in that burrough, in order to even out things. he helped tutor kids throught high school, and mentored several at risk teens. 12 years later, more than 20 of these kids went on to become proud members of boston law enforcement. and the neighborhood has completely changed for the better.

True! I've seen them and laugh my head off. Just like I laughed when the NAACP of Pittsburgh tried to use the Race card in the dog story.
people have to their homework. and the N double A cp needs to get a clue. i write letters to them often.

Good!

I remember what happened in Cincinatti when a black person was killed by a white cop. Protests in the streets so the white cops stated that they will no longer patrol the area and leave it to the black cops.

Then these same individuals protested that action and crying racism because it was a black neighborhood and they stated that they had a duty to protect them.

What are the Cops in Cinci supposed to do?

I may have to find this story though.

another thing for people to think about. my brother lived in a rough section of boston. when the neighborhood formed a coalition to protest all the harsh treatments of the blacks by the white cops, he suggested that more of the youth in the neighborhood aspire to become officers in that burrough, in order to even out things. he helped tutor kids throught high school, and mentored several at risk teens. 12 years later, more than 20 of these kids went on to become proud members of boston law enforcement. and the neighborhood has completely changed for the better.Ahh but that's different. He activly helped improve those kids lives. He didn't sit around trying to sue people or just stand by calling them racists... he made them work to improve their lives, took an active role in them. Much better than some of these organizations. I commend him and those like him.

Ahh but that's different. He activly helped improve those kids lives. He didn't sit around trying to sue people or just stand by calling them racists... he made them work to improve their lives, took an active role in them. Much better than some of these organizations. I commend him and those like him.
i know many blacks (mostly friends) in boston who have the same take on things. it is the only answer. and these special interest groups need to see that. and, as a side note, not many blacks consider jesse "give me some of that fiiine ass" jackson to be representative of their beliefs.

i know many blacks (mostly friends) in boston who have the same take on things. it is the only answer. and these special interest groups need to see that. and, as a side note, not many blacks consider jesse "give me some of that fiiine ass" jackson to be representative of their beliefs.

I personally think it is sad that black people are so falsely represented by the special interest groups that just end up being so much louder than everyone else.

I also have a problem with certain black commedians who try to blame all their hardships on the "Crackers". Excuse me, you don't like being called "******" so why are you throwing fuel on the fire by choosing an equally racist term for whites? Seems very counter-productive to me.

Pop Quiz. Okay what about this situation? Is it a racist act?

A black kid is driving through a nice neighborhood. There have been several burglaries in the neighborhood over the last couple weeks. A cop sees the kid, stops him and politely questions him. Then he says, "Thank you, Good Night", and lets the kid continue on his way.

Pop Quiz. Okay what about this situation? Is it a racist act?

A black kid is driving through a nice neighborhood. There have been several burglaries in the neighborhood over the last couple weeks. A cop sees the kid, stops him and politely questions him. Then he says, "Thank you, Good Night", and lets the kid continue on his way.depends on the questions the cop asks.

Pop Quiz. Okay what about this situation? Is it a racist act?

A black kid is driving through a nice neighborhood. There have been several burglaries in the neighborhood over the last couple weeks. A cop sees the kid, stops him and politely questions him. Then he says, "Thank you, Good Night", and lets the kid continue on his way.

I don't consider this racist. If the subject they're looking for is black then the cops have full right to question him. They actually have full right to ask him politely if he has seen anything suspicious in the area especiall if he's a native to that region.

However, I'm sure that someone would consider it racist even though it isn't.

I personally think it is sad that black people are so falsely represented by the special interest groups that just end up being so much louder than everyone else.

I also have a problem with certain black commedians who try to blame all their hardships on the "Crackers". Excuse me, you don't like being called "******" so why are you throwing fuel on the fire by choosing an equally racist term for whites? Seems very counter-productive to me.I don't care what comedians call me. I take it in context... the comidians job is to point out the sterotypes and make them funny. Hell, I tell Jap jokes (Jap as in Japanese and I am one) and I don't care because I know the spirit is suppose to be in humor. now if you call me a Jap (or slant, slope, rice-eye, or anything else) in a conversation or argument, then that is different. As George Carlin once said, if done right, even Rape can be funny. the thing is, you gotta take it in context... (and it helps to grossly over exaggerate.)

I personally think it is sad that black people are so falsely represented by the special interest groups that just end up being so much louder than everyone else.

I also have a problem with certain black commedians who try to blame all their hardships on the "Crackers". Excuse me, you don't like being called "******" so why are you throwing fuel on the fire by choosing an equally racist term for whites? Seems very counter-productive to me.


There is also

Devil
Peckerwood
(and ofcourse the oldie but goodie) Honkey

probably a few new terms around about now, but I'm not out and about to learn of it. Either way I can careless. If anyone calls me out like that its from ignorance anyway. So .. :rolleyes:

But with comedians.. I find it quite funny. To me comedians are the only ones that can say things that we all know is true (mostly) and not be attacked for it. I love a good comedian.

depends on the questions the cop asks.

for a definition of racism

From Merriam-Webster online:

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

You know, maybe I'm wrong about this racism thing. My example was supposed to be discriminatory, but not racist. Looks like racism might mean what everyone is trying to use it to mean?

I don't consider this racist. If the subject they're looking for is black then the cops have full right to question him. They actually have full right to ask him politely if he has seen anything suspicious in the area especiall if he's a native to that region.

However, I'm sure that someone would consider it racist even though it isn't.true... but if they ask him... "What you doing in this neighborhood?"... "Who you seeing?" "Why are you here if you don't live here?" then that's boarderline. also, if the cops are only pulling over black people (or people of minority) then even if they are polite, unless they have a partial discription of the perp, it can be seen as racisim.

sad isn't it...

I don't care what comedians call me. I take it in context... the comidians job is to point out the sterotypes and make them funny. Hell, I tell Jap jokes (Jap as in Japanese and I am one) and I don't care because I know the spirit is suppose to be in humor. now if you call me a Jap (or slant, slope, rice-eye, or anything else) in a conversation or argument, then that is different. As George Carlin once said, if done right, even Rape can be funny. the thing is, you gotta take it in context... (and it helps to grossly over exaggerate.)

Perhaps so, but you are apparently not the uneducated mass that I go to school with. Hell, I'm in a large state universtity and I still hear a large portion of the black population here spouting off Chris Rock in debates on racism, so apparently their context is a load of shit, but it doesn't stop them from believing it.

Something I just thought of!

This happened awhile ago but fits into this.

There was a flight attendent that was trying to seat everyone so the plane can taxi. A couple of blacks couldn't decide a seat so she stated. "Eni mini mighty mo, grab a seat we gotta go."

They found that racist because the orginal version was "Eni mini mighty mo, catch a ****** by the toe." That was the original version so don't call me a racist.

Was this racist?

I think a lot of the time the media purposefully points out if the person who has been murdered/raped/assaulted, or whatever it is, is a black person. This does nothing but induce autonomous racism in the people; the only way to EVER get rid of racism, is purely to stop thinking of people as 'types' of people, and erely as what they are: people. I may be a white male, a certain age and height and weight, but before all those things, I am a human.

Pop Quiz. Okay what about this situation? Is it a racist act?

A black kid is driving through a nice neighborhood. There have been several burglaries in the neighborhood over the last couple weeks. A cop sees the kid, stops him and politely questions him. Then he says, "Thank you, Good Night", and lets the kid continue on his way.


No its not racist. You stated he politely questioned him and let him go one his way. If he had blatanly accused and harrased the kid.. then possibly so.. but even then the cop could just be an ass and wasn't being racist and would have been that way to any kid regardless of color. In situations like that you can't really tell unless you are there to percieve the attitude and words used.

for a definition of racism

From Merriam-Webster online:

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

You know, maybe I'm wrong about this racism thing. My example was supposed to be discriminatory, but not racist. Looks like racism might mean what everyone is trying to use it to mean?but your pop quiz question only mentions one incident... now if you say the cop pulls over 3 out of 7 cars and all 3 have a black person driving, while 3 of the other cars are driven by caucasians... then that is different. trying to determine racism from one example is difficult. in which it then focuses on the questions asked.

true... but if they ask him... "What you doing in this neighborhood?"... "Who you seeing?" "Why are you here if you don't live here?" then that's boarderline. also, if the cops are only pulling over black people (or people of minority) then even if they are polite, unless they have a partial discription of the perp, it can be seen as racisim.

sad isn't it...

I have a problem with your last lines. If they are looking for a black or minority suspect, the cops have full right to pull you over and question you. Other than that, I can agree with you on what you said. It is borderline but is it actually down right racist? I guess it is what you make it out to believe it to be.

true... but if they ask him... "What you doing in this neighborhood?"... "Who you seeing?" "Why are you here if you don't live here?" then that's boarderline. also, if the cops are only pulling over black people (or people of minority) then even if they are polite, unless they have a partial discription of the perp, it can be seen as racisim.

sad isn't it...


Hell I've been asked that , and I'm white and was in a white neighborhood. They were definatly harrassing me.. but can't call them on racism.. cuz they were white.. I'm white.. Unless they were racist against their own color.

I have a problem with your last lines. If they are looking for a black or minority suspect, the cops have full right to pull you over and question you. Other than that, I can agree with you on what you said. It is borderline but is it actually down right racist? I guess it is what you make it out to believe it to be.that's why I said unless they had a partial description of the perp making them believe it was a certain person of color... they have no right to do racial profiling. even then it's all up to the lawyers to aruge it out.

Something I just thought of!

This happened awhile ago but fits into this.

There was a flight attendent that was trying to seat everyone so the plane can taxi. A couple of blacks couldn't decide a seat so she stated. "Eni mini mighty mo, grab a seat we gotta go."

They found that racist because the orginal version was "Eni mini mighty mo, catch a ****** by the toe." That was the original version so don't call me a racist.

Was this racist?

Depends on who it taught it to you, I was taught that version.. but my friend Karen had never heard it with "******" in it.. it was taught to her using rabbit.

I always thought it was eni mini Minie mo. never heard mighty.

that's why I said unless they had a partial description of the perp making them believe it was a certain person of color... they have no right to do racial profiling. even then it's all up to the lawyers to aruge it out.

Ok!

Now here's a question I want answered.

As you know, 9/11 was caused by Middle Eastern Terrorists of Middle Eastern Decent.

The government instituted things to make sure the people of Middle Eastern decent are scrutinized moreso than those of other decents but at airports!

Is that racist?

Depends on who it taught it to you, I was taught that version.. but my friend Karen had never heard it with "******" in it.. it was taught to her using rabbit.

I always thought it was eni mini Minie mo. never heard mighty.

bah! Its been awhile LOL!!! Your right it is Minie mo! My bad.

However, She said grab a seat we gotta go to them. Is what she said racist were all she wanted was for them to grab a seat so the plane can taxi out to the runway?

Something I just thought of!

This happened awhile ago but fits into this.

There was a flight attendent that was trying to seat everyone so the plane can taxi. A couple of blacks couldn't decide a seat so she stated. "Eni mini mighty mo, grab a seat we gotta go."

They found that racist because the orginal version was "Eni mini mighty mo, catch a ****** by the toe." That was the original version so don't call me a racist.

Was this racist?I would say so... but I too never heard this version.

I would say so... but I too never heard this version.

So you find it racist when she said "Eni mini minie mo! Grab a seat we gotta go?

Ok!

Now here's a question I want answered.

As you know, 9/11 was caused by Middle Eastern Terrorists of Middle Eastern Decent.

The government instituted things to make sure the people of Middle Eastern decent are scrutinized moreso than those of other decents but at airports!

Is that racist?

I don't know that.. there are computers on certain planes (and are on those that day) that can be controlled by computers "Home Run" .. Germany got rid of the airliners they had with them years ago.

Link to one site with this airliner info : http://www.geocities.com/mknemesis/homerun.html

bah! Its been awhile LOL!!! Your right it is Minie mo! My bad.

However, She said grab a seat we gotta go to them. Is what she said racist were all she wanted was for them to grab a seat so the plane can taxi out to the runway?


No, I wouldn't think so.

Ok!

Now here's a question I want answered.

As you know, 9/11 was caused by Middle Eastern Terrorists of Middle Eastern Decent.

The government instituted things to make sure the people of Middle Eastern decent are scrutinized moreso than those of other decents but at airports!

Is that racist? in the interest of National Security... no. after all, it was done to Asians after the Attack on Pearl Harbor. and the Asians worked hard to regain the trust of the US Government. now the key word is Moreso. that implies that they are still looking at other people. it's just that Middle Easterners were past instigators and thus they are following a pattern. now if they were only looking at Middle Easterners, then that is different as it was shown that there are some terrorist of other nationality.

Racism is a fine line. one that can be easily crossed and one that is defined on a personal level. Some believe that comedians shouldn't use racist remarks. others say it shouldn't be used at all. then there are some that will say that is censorship, Big Brother watchin you and telling you how to think. where is the line drawn?

I guess I might have a unique view on racism. Where I live, there is no ethnic majority. I grew up with blacks, jews, and muslims. I work with Philipinos, asians and a good mix of europeans... and I don't give it a second thought. I go by the individual deeds and not racial sterotypes.

...

Ok!

Now here's a question I want answered.

As you know, 9/11 was caused by Middle Eastern Terrorists of Middle Eastern Decent.

The government instituted things to make sure the people of Middle Eastern decent are scrutinized moreso than those of other decents but at airports!

Is that racist?
I wish they had. In fact, it's the opposite. Why I don't know because the description, "young Arab male", is a description of a suspect, not racial profiling.

...
racewar....

.. :mp5:

I personally think it is sad that black people are so falsely represented by the special interest groups that just end up being so much louder than everyone else.

I also have a problem with certain black commedians who try to blame all their hardships on the "Crackers". Excuse me, you don't like being called "******" so why are you throwing fuel on the fire by choosing an equally racist term for whites? Seems very counter-productive to me.
comedians.... they'll do anything for a laugh. you can't take comedy serious. i never have, whether its some one talking about black, whites, asians, etc. it's supposed to be funny. although, the things i think are funny are pretty sick. it depends on the individual though....

:gundge: ..yes...?

Perhaps so, but you are apparently not the uneducated mass that I go to school with. Hell, I'm in a large state universtity and I still hear a large portion of the black population here spouting off Chris Rock in debates on racism, so apparently their context is a load of shit, but it doesn't stop them from believing it.

let them be uninformed. their own lives will suffer for it.

let them be uninformed. their own lives will suffer for it. and that is why racism will always be around. Their own lives may suffer but they won't suffer alone. they yell loud enough and long enough then Lawyers start listening... then the Lawsuites will start...

this is it..its time!to bring thee hammer down now....!! :sniper: :gundge: :mp5:

warnations...NOW.

this is it..its time!to bring thee hammer down now....!! :sniper: :gundge: :mp5:

warnation #1..
are you done, yet, flamer?

are you done, yet, flamer?
:mad:

are you done, yet, flamer?Awww I wanted to see how long he'll keep trying while we all ignored him. :(

Awww I wanted to see how long he'll keep trying while we all ignored him. :(


I was going to fluffle him

:fluffle: :fluffle:

Awww I wanted to see how long he'll keep trying while we all ignored him. :(
i used my best judgement. idiots like that will go on alllllll daaaaayyyyy. :)

Awww I wanted to see how long he'll keep trying while we all ignored him. :(

...

Rascism in America is turning around. Instead of white people being rascist, its the blacks now. I mean, now there are black only nightclubs, black rappers are constantly saying "kill whitey", and if a white cop kills a black guy because the black man is shooting at him, then the white cop gets in trouble. If a black guy raped and killed a white woman, the black man would get community service. One time, in my class, I said to an Asian kid who was new, "Are you chinese or japanese?" then, the kid said "stop you are being rascist!" WTF? My and I were talking about the North Korean gov't and how its so oppressive. Same kid walks by and hears us. He tells the teacher we were saying rascist comments. I got a phone call home and a write up in a police report. For a "rascial slur". BS to the extreme.

Can't we all just get along?

:fluffle: is for weak nations always lossing all they have..no gain..no strength..just ruin and tolerance of weak..

so please...

Rascism in America is turning around. Instead of white people being rascist, its the blacks now. I mean, now there are black only nightclubs, black rappers are constantly saying "kill whitey", and if a white cop kills a black guy because the black man is shooting at him, then the white cop gets in trouble. If a black guy raped and killed a white woman, the black man would get community service. One time, in my class, I said to an Asian kid who was new, "Are you chinese or japanese?" then, the kid said "stop you are being rascist!" WTF? My and I were talking about the North Korean gov't and how its so oppressive. Same kid walks by and hears us. He tells the teacher we were saying rascist comments. I got a phone call home and a write up in a police report. For a "rascial slur". BS to the extreme.

Can't we all just get along?prime example of the "Oppressed Majority"

prime example of the "Oppressed Majority"

So very true!

As things have settled down, the airport security thing has become less about race. I flew down south about a month ago, and got 'randomly selected' for a full check. When I flew back last week, I was talking to the TSA people, after they informed that I had been 'randomly selected' again. As it happens, the computers run through a little checklist, you match any of the items, you get searched. Some of the items that can get you searched are: buy your ticket that same day, switching reservations, things like that. And just to clear up any mystery, I'm half-Irish, half-Austrian.

Einzen (spelling?)
i think you are really jumping the gun on the "if a black guy raped and killed a white woman he would get communtiy service". i mean, come on, research that one. that is an uninformed statement.then go visit the state of texas dept. corrections website. look at death row, and what whites and blacks are being gassed for. ( i am pro death, but, i just want you to see that people get death row for a reason)

One time, in my class, I said to an Asian kid who was new, "Are you chinese or japanese?" then, the kid said "stop you are being rascist!" WTF?

Can't we all just get along?
Why did you ask him this? Does it matter? Maybe he wasn't either. Maybe he rightfully thought it an odd question from someone he just met. Maybe he thought your preoccupation with his ethnicity inappropriate.

Do you question all your white friends about their ethnic origins when you first meet them?

The real problem with racism is some people don't even recognize it when they're personally involved.

Why did you ask him this? Does it matter? Maybe he wasn't either. Maybe he rightfully thought it an odd question from someone he just met. Maybe he thought your preoccupation with his ethnicity inappropriate.

Do you question all your white friends about their ethnic origins when you first meet them?

The real problem with racism is some people don't even recognize it when they're personally involved.

After reading above I thought a bit about it and I realized that I do ask people where they are from if I can tell that they are not from America.

How I make this judgement is by their accent. I would never have asked a Asian person with no accent what country they were from, but if they had a accent I would assume they were not born here and ask. Not for racist reasons, just so I could ask questions about where they are from.

There is no racism there, only curiosity.

There is no racism there, only curiosity.

Absolutely! Racism is when you threat bad or give privileges to somebody just because he/she is form a certain race. Plus, "young Arab male" apply to few hundred milion people so it's not very good description of a suspect...