On Blast
Several African American men entered the predominantly white area of Howard Beach in New York City to steal cars when a few white men jumped out at them and beat them with bats and other weapons. The white guys were said to have called the African American guys “Niggers.” The white guys were charged with assault and a hate crime. Two days ago several African American and Hispanic teens chased a white man down in Harlem, struggled with him and assaulted him in an attempt to rob him. Before chasing him to his death in front of a moving vehicle, the teens screamed, “Get whitey!” The teens were charged as adults, but they were not charged with a hate crime because it was felt that the crime was incited by their desire for money, rather than prejudice or racist motives.
What’s the difference here? Both groups of assailants yelled racial epithets, yet only one group was charged with a hate crime – why? Do we hold white America more accountable for racial slurs than we do minority races? Should minority races – i.e. African Americans be charged with a hate crime if they call their victim “Nigger” during an altercation? What’s really going on America? Are we all equal and therefore equally accountable and responsible for our actions?
Let’s keep it real… be honest…be open and tell it like you feel it is.
Keep passin’ the open windows…
8 comments:
We hold white America more accountable for racial slurs than we do minority races because when was the last time you saw a minority burn a cross on a persons lawn? When was the last time you saw a minority with slaves? Does that answer your question?
I am very tossed at questions like this and because I am clueless about the New York area I have questions. First how did the white men know that the black men were there to steal cars? If they knew I am not condoning what they did but I know why they did it. They were protecting there area the same that black people would do depending on the neighborhood. However, if they did not know and just assumed that they were there for that purpose then yes it was not only a hate crime but racial profiling. Now for the young men chasing the man to his death calling him whitey is no different than two men of different race getting into something and calling each other racial slurs. Once again I am not condoning it but there is no respect anymore for anyone. I hope it does not sound as confused as I think.
on a similar note does anyone watch the FX series Black. White.?
Well Anonymous 8:17 a.m., it would seem that it’s a case of “how long can the ancestors of one race be held accountable for and punished for the wrong doings of their predecessors?” The 20-year old man, who was beaten and chased into the street in Harlem, did not own slaves and as far as we know had not burned crosses in anyone’s yard. Conversely, a report in today’s NY Post mentioned that there is an ongoing tension between the haves and have-nots as more whites move into predominately black areas of Harlem. So when the youngsters yelled, “Get Whitey!” it would seem they meant to take down the white man. Would they have yelled “Get Blacky” if the victim had been black? I suspect they wouldn’t. Also, the white men in the Howard Beach incident were said to have been provoked by the black men who were clearly on the hunt for a car to steal. Before you go there – the black guys admitted to being in the neighborhood to steal cars. So, can we also give the white assailants the same benefit of the doubt and say that they were incited by the car thieves in their neighborhood and make the assumption that calling these assailants, “Niggers” may have been just the white men finding the most hurtful words for these men?
• There are real statistics for white, black and Hispanic culture idiosyncrasies ranging from slave ownership to high crime rates in our history, but can we continue to define and punish current generations unrelated to these statistics for these crimes and idiosyncrasies?
• If you use a racial epithet, slur or condescending remark in conjunction with your crime you should be charged with a hate crime. PERIOD. Let’s level the playing field and make all Americans equal and equally responsible.
• Many cultures have been enslaved, mistreated and oppressed by other cultures. Black Americans are not the first and certainly not the last, so let’s rise above our history. We recognize the ancestors of some white Americans oppressed the ancestors of some black Americans (yes, it’s actually “some” folks) but it doesn’t mean that in the year 2080 we should still find it acceptable to whip Bif’s ass because Otis’ ancestors were enslaved by white folks in 1872. Get a grip and let’s get off the soap box.
• Current racism must be addressed and punished, but we cannot continue judging, punishing and excusing behavior because of ancestral heritage. It’s insane. We have black, white and Hispanic parents and grandparents (in present day) who are racist pigs, but that doesn’t mean we are that way or that we should be judged for the way our ancestors feel or act.
Yes Donya, I do watch Black/White on FX and find it hysterically funny at how some issues still are so prevalent in both communities. It goes to show you the long-term effects of racial conditioning.
Hector said: "If you use a racial epithet, slur or condescending remark in conjunction with your crime you should be charged with a hate crime. PERIOD. Let’s level the playing field and make all Americans equal and equally responsible." Do you feel the same way when a black person calls another black person a nigger? If so how do you think others would respond to this solution?
I LOVE YOU CASPAR. Very well put. :-)
...and my sistah and main bitch for over 30 years... so what's really going on?!
Okay... now let me start saving the bail money... LOL
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