*Disclaimer - If you know anything about me you know that I'm not racist & why I could never be. I'm definitely a realist, but not racist.*
With that being said, correct me if I am wrong, but 99% of the time, I know we can identify the racial groups involved by a simple headline.
- Man Snatches Gold Chain on Rush Hour Subway Train
- Wife Caught Cheating, Angry Husband Destroys Trailer Home
- 15 People in 2 Bedroom Home Rescued from Fire
- Brother Stabs Another over a Neckbone Dinner
- Bungee Jumper Dies after 10-day Coma
- Fruit Stand Operator Barely Escapes Freeway Crash
Even tho I made up all but one of the headlines mentioned, I'm pretty sure you all can figure out who did what sans the mention of any apparent racial identifier - Black, White, Hispanic, etc.
Doctor Mike has a video post about an 8-year old who is still breastfeeding. Right away, several people including myself identified those involved before we even started the video. Another person who happens to be of the same persuasion as the stars of the show was a little taken aback at the "racial profiling" that ensued on this post. Ok....
With all we (as minorities) have witnessed and some may have even experienced (especially black men behind the wheel of a car), is this really racial profiling or just plain old telling it like it is? I tend to believe the latter.
Let's talk about it.
I agree with you that most of the time you can tell the race of an "actor" in a given situation when you're given certain types of information in the headline. Whether we like to admit it or not, there are certain things that Black folks seem more inclined to do, and certain things that White folks seem more inclined to do...
ReplyDeleteThen of course you get the DC Sniper which blows that theory ALL out the water.
Agreed! Even the FBI thought he was white!
ReplyDeleteHey Mo-
ReplyDeleteAll stereotypes are somewhat based on truth. I believe that. They may be exaggerated, but their is always some truth to them. It may not be a truth that is for every individual of that race, religion, but for a percentage.
The thing that burns my ass is when someone believes a stereotype and meets someone who so clearly does not fit it, but they are so closeminded that they cant see it. Thats what gets me going.
The DC sniper... everyone was bugged out about him.. I remember that...
ReplyDelete**bungee jumps outta here for a second... Maia's thirsty... I gotta go breastfeed. LOL**
Preach!
ReplyDeleteSee *lol* that's why I like you!
ReplyDeleteand just so everyone knows. I breastfed, but my theory is this.
ReplyDeleteIf you can walk to it, or ask for it, you are tooooo old.
**MAD**
ReplyDeletelmao
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ReplyDeleteFor the most part,,,, Im not racist... Sometimes I not even a realist... More like an optimist (Damn thats a lotta IST in one sentence)... But I see people for who they are... I really dont dislike anyone, And theres no one race that I've encountered thats made me nervous... well, truthfully I would say most Arabs just around the NY attacks... but I think that was out of fear and then most folks thought or feared the same... But Im good now... But yeah, there are some articles that you can read and before going into detail you already have a sketch in your mind as to who or what its about...And thats not really being racist... maybe just experience... we know from experience that most black people do chop and eat up humans... we know that from experience.... We know that most white folks dont do drive-by's... we know that because experience and history has shown that... Thats my take on it...
Oh really? *devilish grin*
ReplyDeleteAnd there you have it....my sentiment exactly.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty much a realist also. And as was stated there is a certain level of truth to most if not all stereotypes. There are certain happenings that if you hear of them you know that odds are (and we all know that odds are not concrete, that's why their odds lol) that a certain group may be behind it. That's just a point of knowing at least on a basic level certain traits or thought processes. The issue with stereotypes is that most people that use stereotypes do so as a means of not only labeling but not having to actually take people at their own merit. They take the stereotype as a blanket statement of a person, typically so that they don't have to actually learn the person and they can base all of their dealings with said person on this stereotype. It's like hearing a story about a group of guys sitting around smoking blunts and drinking 40 ozs. Now, odds are , upon hearing that, you would think these were some black men, and there isn't anything really wrong with that because odds wise, they probably are. But you have to know that they also sell Coors and Budweiser in 40 oz form, and who would you "assume" odds are of drinking those lol. But to continue, the assumption here is not that much of an issue. The issue comes when a person upon coming to this conclusion uses it to mean ALL black guys sit around smoking blunts and drinking 40ozs, therefore they don't have to get to know them because in their mind they already know what they do. This is where the racism or discriminatory items come into play.
ReplyDeleteI just did a blog on prejudices. We all have them. Need to stop denying them. Most of mine come from experiences that have led me to prejudge people. I aint always right, but most of the time, I am
ReplyDeleteWell for the grown and sexy, different rules apply. LOL
ReplyDeleteLMBBO.........I'm soooo tripping off of numbers 3 4 & 6. But to answer your question, I dont think its racial profiling at all. I think its plain old telling it ike it is !!!
ReplyDeleteI mean it is what it is. You can usually figure out who did what, but sometimes the outcome does surprise you!!!
ReplyDeletePulling over damn every black or latino man who drives a luxury vehicle or following damn near every black or latina woman who enters Sak Fifth Avenue - that's racial profiling. The stuff I mentioned above is not, nor were the video comments - plain ole telling it like it is.
ReplyDeleteI agree
ReplyDeleteSometimes there's TRUTH to some sterotypes, but it doesn't make it the GOSPEL!
ReplyDeleteCASE AND POINT: the DC SNIPERS!!!! **I just KNEW it was a crazy, deranged, angry WHITE MAN!!! You couldn't have TOLD me that it was TWO brothas committing such a crime!!!!**
However, some have been instilled in our minds so tough that we DO automatically retreat to it in certain situations.
But of course. Even the flippin' FBI just knew he was a 40-50 white man.
ReplyDeleteHowever, breastfeeding an 8 year old? C'mon, we knew & weren't ashamed to say/print it.
When I read the headline to that blog yesterday I knew the woman was white. As someone already mentioned, certain races are more inclined to do things that other races won't do such as breast feeding a child until he/she is past the age of 2.
ReplyDeleteActually the neckbone deal was true. It was a headline in a local black rap sheet kind of newspaper about 18-19 years ago. The editor was even a guest on The Arsenio Hall Show.
ReplyDeleteI think its both actually. Some things are just more identifiable with different races. At the same time, any race could be represented in any of the situations mentioned. When I read the breast feeding title, I automatically assumed it was a white woman. I would have been surprised if it was actually a black woman, but would have accepted it and moved on.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't think it's racism at play when you make assumptions about a race of folks, but rather stereotyping. I believe you are racist when you employ or act upon those stereotypes to keep a class of people down or to oppress them.
ReplyDeleteI was taught that the spectrum goes something like this:
stereotype---prejudice--discrimination---racism--bigotry
Just my 2 pennies....
Very good point! I get tired of the korean lady folling me in the beauty store. I don't want that crap. Also, I have found myself to be followed a lot in stores period. It's because I fit a "certain profile". It use to bother me, but now Im like freak it. If they haven't figured out by now that I am just indecisive and slow with my purchases, screw em. LOL
ReplyDeleteSee, what pisses ME off is when I walk into a store and NONE of the sales associates feel the need to ask me if I need anything. BUT- let SUZY Q walk her little behind in there, they're damn near BEGGING to get her business!!! I just walk my happy ass right on out and give my hard earned money to their competition! Hmph!
ReplyDeleteI profile all the time. It may not be racial but, take today for instance. A guy walked into my job and I immediately thought I should keep an eye on him. I am not prejudiced by locs (some of my best friends have locs lol). The gold grill itself wasn't threatening. The baggy clothes--- a turn off but not particularly suspicious. But there was something I can't explain that made me take a second glance and think "watch him". Turns out he had just been released from prison. I profiled. It wasn't racial. But I was right.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteWe all do this, but you can't assume they are true for all people.
" 1. Man Snatches Gold Chain on Rush Hour Subway Train
ReplyDelete2. Wife Caught Cheating, Angry Husband Destroys Trailer Home
3. 15 People in 2 Bedroom Home Rescued from Fire
4. Brother Stabs Another over a Neckbone Dinner
5. Bungee Jumper Dies after 10-day Coma
6. Fruit Stand Operator Barely Escapes Freeway Crash"
As hilarious as these headlines are, one can't help but to assume the ethnicity of the parties involved correctly at least 98% of the time.
Wow...who knew you did a blog about me.
ReplyDeleteI was making a tongue-in-cheek joke when I mentioned racial profiling. It saddens that we are still in a time of so much tension in race relations. For the most part, our country has a long way to go before we can all TRULY just get along.
I'll be honest, I was getting frustrated at how many comments were directed at the fact that the mother nursing the 8 year old was white. It is, in my opinion, an unhealthy situation for an 8 year old to be nursing regardless of race, but the comments in Mike's blog to her being white. Never mind that she was BRITISH, a whole different country, culture, etc. That didn't matter.
So a friend of mine asked me if I would be so indignant in a case of racial profiling against black people. I shouldn't have to sit here and justify this, but apparently my character doesn't speak for itself. I've done the same thing in cases where profiling or general statements were made against various groups. Its wrong in any form and I have a hard time taking it sitting down.
I don't know that much about you and even then, your character was never in question. Your statement was. The tone didn't sound like a joke... maybe it was just me....who knows.
ReplyDeleteI replied to you privately, so I won't go into all of that again. I hope you've taken a look at the replies & really took in what I said.
I've read the comments, and I agree with them. There are some times when some guesses can be made before even reading the names involved. In fact, we tend to do some name profiling too. We'll assume LaTerrian Jackson is one color, and Cody Labinski is another, and we are usually safe in doing so.
ReplyDeleteI guess what I'm concerned about is that if we keep in that mindset, the assumptions and then the prejudices continue along with it, and we as a country continue to be divided among color lines.
You are right, my character was never called into question by you. I guess I'm just looking forward to a time in our country when we stop with the internal and sometimes external dialogues of "see, that's *insert race here* folks for you" and just get to a point where we see that "that mess is wrong, I don't care WHO is doin' it."
Not to beat a dead horse, but it's my blog I'll do as I choose.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6986489&version=8&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
If the names aren't a dead giveaway, my name ain't what it is.
Cornandance??????????
ReplyDeleteheeheeheehee
If not for that middle name, I would have to wonder, but you know how we do.
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOLOL Ok right? The last name of that dude could have been Native American. But that middle name was a dead giveaway!
ReplyDelete