WWII veteran beaten to death by teens in robbery

[The Oi]

Fuck it. Maybe I just need to be black for a year.

 

[gourimoko]

Fuck it. Maybe I just need to be black for a year.

Honestly, if you have any Black friends that concern themselves with matters of politics or ideology, to any degree, just ask them. Is racism dead? Do you feel oppressed sometimes? Have you been discriminated against?

Dude, I can tell you so many stories of times where I needed something, be it a job, apartment, whatever, and didn't get it because I was Black. I've been charged with a crimes like Obstruction of Justice and Falsification to a Police Officer because a cop asked me "Is that your little brother over there?" I replied, "Yes, why?"

My 'little brother' isn't biologically related to me. He legally isn't my brother. But in the context of being approached on Lee/Van Aken on my way home, I was stop and frisked. There wasn't another soul for miles. I was accompanied by my little brother, and a friend, and we were coming back from getting some late night grub at this Gyro/Corned Beef spot across from the Shaker Plaza. It was maybe 1:30 AM?

I was 19 years old... My lil bro told him I was his big brother, which is what he told everybody because I was basically raising this kid. His mom was on drugs, they lived in the ghetto, and there were tons of bad influences in his life, so he came and lived with me. Not thinking, I just said "yes" and the cop says "You don't look like brothers." My little brother is White, with red hair and blue eyes. Looks like Eminem. Nevertheless, I was furious. "Where do you get off questioning me on the street like this, I've done nothing wrong!"

"Where do you live?"
A: "Right over there (pointing at my apartment building on Van Aken)"

"I don't think so.. You sure you don't live further down Lee Rd?"
A: "Positive."

"Let's see some ID"
A: "Why?"

"I'm not going to ask you again."
A: "Here you go."

"Who do you live with?"
A: "I live alone."

"So you sellin dope?"
A: "I'll be sure to report this conversation to your superiors."

"Smart ass huh? You're under arrest."
A: "For?"

"Obstruction.. Now shut the fuck up!"

And so I sat handcuffed in Shaker Police Department until my mother came a bonded me out.

Do you know how much that cost me? How many thousands of dollars were spent defending me? My attorney walks in and tells me to cop a plea, I fire him instantly, and then the judge orders a psych eval - which cost me $1500 - because I was turning down this bastards counsel?

I had to hire another attorney, a psychiatrist for the evaluation, miss work repeatedly, and deal with the stress of facing charges. And this was not the last time something like that has happened to me.

The point is that my story is common... Just a guy coming from the gyro spot, getting something to eat, accosted by police, and put into the criminal justice system. Solely because I was Black. Had I been White, nothing would have happened. You know why? Because my little brother, the one who told the lie, wasn't charged with a thing - he was let go. And my friend, who is White, wasn't charged with anything either. But me, the Black guy - I was charged.

Suffice it to say, I beat the case. But the point being is that many people would have simply given in, accepted the plea, and been stuck with a criminal record for the next 13 years. If I had a tiny bit of marijuana on me, my life would have unfolded completely differently because I would've likely been kicked out of school.

 

[Man Called X]

Gour, would you prefer it be called "urban culture" or rather "hip-hop culture"

As a white kid who lived in a predominately black neighborhood and got the everliving shit kicked out of me on a daily basis, I'm curious what culture I should blame for that.

Should I blame that on the poor kids that came from broken homes? Should I blame that on institutionalized racism?

I grew up relatively poor. Why don't I commit violent crimes? For fuck's sake, I'm bi-polar, was paid to kill people, and yet, have 0 violent crimes on my record. Ever seen my blowups on here?

I grew up in the same damn circumstances as the majority of those people. Why am I a semi-productive pothead, and not an abuser of the system? Why don't I derive pleasure in physically hurting people? Isn't that the standard expectation of a white kid that was bullied?

You don't like it called "black culture." I don't like you telling me I have white guilt and resentment. I'll be damned if I ever feel guilty about something I had 0 to do with.

You know, I have one black woman that works at my store with me. Any time she does something inappropriate, she plays the race card. We're picking on her because she's black. It couldn't possibly be the piss poor attitude, constant snarling, or plain rudeness that comes out of her mouth. Nope, it's because she's black.

You know what, fuck this whole thread.

Fuck all races. You're all scum and I am better than you.

White, Black, Jew, Asian, Arab, wtfever you want to call yourself.

Fuck you.

 

[oasis05]

Humans are animals. People tend to allow their ethnicity to define them, which is why something as corrupt as the census exists.

 

[gourimoko]

Gour, would you prefer it be called "urban culture" or rather "hip-hop culture"

I'd prefer this culture be defined first.. I keep hearing "BLACK CULTURE" and I'm looking around like huh?

As far as hip-hop, I wouldn't call hip-hop violent, but I'd define hip-hop differently than most. As far as "urban" well,

As a white kid who lived in a predominately black neighborhood and got the everliving shit kicked out of me on a daily basis, I'm curious what culture I should blame for that.

I dunno, you tell me. My little brother was a small White kid growing up near Shaw, and while he had to deal with reverse racism on a routine basis (just as I dealt with racism on a routine basis), he would be the first to tell you that there is absolutely no comparison between the two. Period.

Getting beat up at school may have happened to you regardless of where you lived, and if you were a target for bullying that might have happened anywhere and by anybody. So I'd say blame the bully.

Should I blame that on the poor kids that came from broken homes? Should I blame that on institutionalized racism?

You're really equating bullying in school to institutional and societal racism and oppression? You feel oppressed?

I grew up relatively poor.

Okay.

Why don't I commit violent crimes?

While poverty is one of the primary determining factors to criminal behavior, others include a sense of hopelessness, feelings of oppression, resentment, and true destitution.

You don't commit violent crimes because you are not destitute, you are not indigent, and you have a great array of options. You are where you are in your life, and society did not hold you down. African-Americans generally speaking, have to work with a boot on their neck that extends far beyond the playground. Try to understand that.

For fuck's sake, I'm bi-polar, was paid to kill people, and yet, have 0 violent crimes on my record. Ever seen my blowups on here?

Don't understand what this has to do with anything? You're saying that you're White and poor yet do not commit crimes. I am saying that you are more likely to commit a crime than a White person who is middle class. I am saying that a Black person who is poor is more likely to commit a crime than you are, assuming a similar economic level, due to additional factors such as their personal outlook on their future life options, which is a direct result of their life experiences. Those life experiences will almost certainly include serious instances of racial discrimination, which create a sense of limited options, and even hopelessness.

I grew up in the same damn circumstances as the majority of those people.

You say this because you don't give any value to the burden of being Black in America. You did not grow up in the same circumstances, and you'll never have to deal with racism and discrimination like a Black man would - not in this country at least. So rethink what you're saying because it doesn't make any sense.

If you shaved, had a fresh hair cut and a decent job, people would welcome you with open arms on first glance. They don't know you for shit, but you're a pleasant looking White man. IIRC as to what you look like, you look like fucking Hugh Jackman. Whereas there is no amount of cologne, no haircut, nothing that will make me look like something I'm not - at least, not in Ohio. I am Black or Mexican or something at first glance, and that brings with it greater scrutiny automatically.

Being here in Hawaii was the first time in my life that I didn't feel that I was being discriminated against. First time in 30 years, and I've traveled about half the United States. What's the difference here in Hawaii? Asians are the majority race, and "Asian" isn't a race, so there is no majority. That is how America will be in 100 years, so I guess I'll just wait it out?

Why am I a semi-productive pothead, and not an abuser of the system?

Are Blacks "abusers of the system?" How do they "abuse" the system? I'd love to hear this one.

Why don't I derive pleasure in physically hurting people?

Who does?

Isn't that the standard expectation of a white kid that was bullied?

Not as far as I know... no..

You don't like it called "black culture." I don't like you telling me I have white guilt and resentment.

I didn't say shit to YOU.

I'll be damned if I ever feel guilty about something I had 0 to do with.

As you should.

You know, I have one black woman that works at my store with me. Any time she does something inappropriate, she plays the race card.

Mkay.. And if she is the only Black woman at your job, and you work in Ohio, she probably feels severely isolated.

We're picking on her because she's black. It couldn't possibly be the piss poor attitude, constant snarling, or plain rudeness that comes out of her mouth. Nope, it's because she's black.

It's a defense mechanism that was wrought from years of experience of being discriminated against. You can't see that?

You know what, fuck this whole thread.

Indeed.

 

[Triplethreat]

Every race faces some racism, not just black. Blacks over-exaggerate it though, making it sound like its 2 mil x worse when it's directed towards them.

 

[Man Called X]

I'd prefer this culture be defined first.. I keep hearing "BLACK CULTURE" and I'm looking around like huh?

As far as hip-hop, I wouldn't call hip-hop violent, but I'd define hip-hop differently than most. As far as "urban" well,



I dunno, you tell me. My little brother was a small White kid growing up near Shaw, and while he had to deal with reverse racism on a routine basis (just as I dealt with racism on a routine basis), he would be the first to tell you that there is absolutely no comparison between the two. Period.

Getting beat up at school may have happened to you regardless of where you lived, and if you were a target for bullying that might have happened anywhere and by anybody. So I'd say blame the bully.



You're really equating bullying in school to institutional and societal racism and oppression? You feel oppressed?



Okay.


While poverty is one of the primary determining factors to criminal behavior, others include a sense of hopelessness, feelings of oppression, resentment, and true destitution.

You don't commit violent crimes because you are not destitute, you are not indigent, and you have a great array of options. You are where you are in your life, and society did not hold you down. African-Americans generally speaking, have to work with a boot on their neck that extends far beyond the playground. Try to understand that.



Don't understand what this has to do with anything? You're saying that you're White and poor yet do not commit crimes. I am saying that you are more likely to commit a crime than a White person who is middle class. I am saying that a Black person who is poor is more likely to commit a crime than you are, assuming a similar economic level, due to additional factors such as their personal outlook on their future life options, which is a direct result of their life experiences. Those life experiences will almost certainly include serious instances of racial discrimination, which create a sense of limited options, and even hopelessness.



You say this because you don't give any value to the burden of being Black in America. You did not grow up in the same circumstances, and you'll never have to deal with racism and discrimination like a Black man would - not in this country at least. So rethink what you're saying because it doesn't make any sense.

If you shaved, had a fresh hair cut and a decent job, people would welcome you with open arms on first glance. They don't know you for shit, but you're a pleasant looking White man. IIRC as to what you look like, you look like fucking Hugh Jackman. Whereas there is no amount of cologne, no haircut, nothing that will make me look like something I'm not - at least, not in Ohio. I am Black or Mexican or something at first glance, and that brings with it greater scrutiny automatically.

Being here in Hawaii was the first time in my life that I didn't feel that I was being discriminated against. First time in 30 years, and I've traveled about half the United States. What's the difference here in Hawaii? Asians are the majority race, and "Asian" isn't a race, so there is no majority. That is how America will be in 100 years, so I guess I'll just wait it out?



Are Blacks "abusers of the system?" How do they "abuse" the system? I'd love to hear this one.



Who does?



Not as far as I know... no..



I didn't say shit to YOU.


As you should.



Mkay.. And if she is the only Black woman at your job, and you work in Ohio, she probably feels severely isolated.



It's a defense mechanism that was wrought from years of experience of being discriminated against. You can't see that?



Indeed.

No, she's not even close to the only black person in the store. In fact, she once tried to play the race card on her black manager. That obviously worked out real well for her.

You consider the bullying I received to just be standard bullying. I was repeatedly beaten for being the only white kid in the neighborhood. I had my father's car set on fire because "we had no business living where we did." I wasn't welcome to play sports at school. I was told if I did, I'd sit my cracker ass on the bench and never see the field/court.

So you call it reverse racism because it was a predominately black community treating the outsider white guy like shit.

How about you just call it racism and be done with it?

You know I <3 you, and I hate getting involved in threads like this. But you attack white people so eloquently, no one ever seems to want to say shit.

And to that, I say fuck you.

Still <3 you though.

 

[gourimoko]

Every race faces some racism, not just black. Blacks over-exaggerate it though, making it sound like its 2 mil x worse when it's directed towards them.

Or... or.. you just want to minimize the problem of racism directed towards Blacks by diluting it, equating it to just normal, mild forms of everyday prejudice. It's not so bad.. You would know right?

 

[Triplethreat]

Or... or.. you just want to minimize the problem of racism directed towards Blacks by diluting it, equating it to just normal, mild forms of everyday prejudice. It's not so bad.. You would know right?

If you really think racism towards blacks is worse than the racism towards Hispanics/Latinos/Asians and even Whites then you're kidding yourself.

 

[gourimoko]

No, she's not even close to the only black person in the store. In fact, she once tried to play the race card on her black manager. That obviously worked out real well for her.

Then she's a fucking cunt. Surprise, they have Black ones too.

You consider the bullying I received to just be standard bullying. I was repeatedly beaten for being the only white kid in the neighborhood. I had my father's car set on fire because "we had no business living where we did." I wasn't welcome to play sports at school. I was told if I did, I'd sit my cracker ass on the bench and never see the field/court.

Sounds like you were a victim, and I understand that. Who told you that you couldn't play sports?

And I want you to understand that school bullying, while horrible, is only one small facet of the much larger problem with societal and institutional racism.

So you call it reverse racism because it was a predominately black community treating the outsider white guy like shit.

I use the English language. "Reverse racism is discrimination against the dominant racial group in a society."

How about you just call it racism and be done with it?

It is racism, but it's important to note that it is not the majority race against a minority, but the minority against the majority. The parameters are different, and the causes are also likely different - so why would we use a term that would lose that bit of information? You can call it racism if you prefer, but reverse racism describes the situation a lot more clearer.

You know I <3 you, and I hate getting involved in threads like this. But you attack white people so eloquently, no one ever seems to want to say shit.

I'm not attacking White people. I hope that is very clear. If I were attacking White people, that would make me a racist, would it not? I do not consider myself racist, or prejudiced, or bigoted in any way.


If I am coming off as attacking Whites, then I am being inarticulate in my argument, and for that I apologize.


I'm attacking American society with respect to race relations. And I say that as someone, who you should know by now, is very patriotic.

And to that, I say fuck you.

Yo mama.

Still <3 you though.

You too pimpin.

 

[gourimoko]

If you really think racism towards blacks is worse than the racism towards Hispanics/Latinos/Asians and even Whites then you're kidding yourself.

Then either you or I are "kidding themselves." But I have 400 years of American history backing up my claim, but for some reason you think racism and discrimination against Whites is equal to that of Blacks, based on...... nothing?

 

[Triplethreat]

Then either you or I are "kidding themselves." But I have 400 years of American history backing up my claim, but for some reason you think racism and discrimination against Whites is equal to that of Blacks, based on...... nothing?

When did history come into play here? I'm talking about right now, in today's society. Sure, in te past blacks obviously faced te brunt of the racism/discrimination but that's not how it is today.

 

[gourimoko]

When did history come into play here? I'm talking about right now, in today's society. Sure, in te past blacks obviously faced te brunt of the racism/discrimination but that's not how it is today.

According to what? Honestly, I'm curious as to how you've come to that conclusion? You think you have a good view from your vantage point? Because I can tell you that using statistics, just like Jigo was using previously, that African-Americans are subjected to the harshest forms of institutional discrimination in this country (no matter where they live). Do you really dispute that or are you just unaware of it?

 

[Nathan S]

Teachers that don't bolster your dreams but hinder them. Counselors that suggest nursing school instead of medical school.

Good stuff gour, just want to expound on this point since it's something I've seen first hand. I'm not black myself, but I went through the public school system in South Carolina, and my school was about 1/3 black.

Excelling in a public high school as a black student is nearly impossible. In the relatively rare case that there's a black student or two in an advanced class, the teacher (invariably white for high level classes) will, perhaps subconsciously, never do anything to help the student. If there's a white student struggling and a black student struggling, the teacher will go to help the white student first not 60% of the time or 90% of the time, but literally 100% of the time. They can relate to the white kid. They feel like they can understand him or her and get them back on the right track. The black student is exactly where they expected them: struggling to keep up with the class. Clearly they're not struggling because they work a job after school and have no one at home with a high school degree. They're struggling because they're black. The black student is treated like a terminal cancer patient in an overcrowded hospital. "Oh, they're still hanging on another day. Good for them. Shame there's nothing I can do to help them." At some point a guidance counselor tells them "Hi. We noticed that you're having trouble in some of your classes. You should consider taking some different classes, ones that will help prepare you better for the real world..."

The problem is even worse in the lower level classes, where the majority of black students are (Guess what? They're all here because they were "advised" to take them, because these classes will "prepare you for the real world!"). I transferred from another school and started out in these classes by default. I was one of several students easily acing the homeworks and tests...and guess who they recommended to move up to more advanced classes? Meeeee! None of my black classmates, several of whom were getting literally identical grades. A black student moving up? That would be preposterous! No, black students who excelled in these basic-level classes were completely ignored. "Oh good, looks like you aren't going to hurt our graduation rate. Keep it up!" Teachers in these classes focused first and foremost on making sure sure the bottom 30% of the class didn't fail the standardized tests. If you're not in danger of failing, you can pretty much forget about getting any kind of special attention no matter how smart you are.

I'm not sure if it's this bad elsewhere in the country, but this is what I experienced. Basically, a black student had to...

A. Be savvy enough to ignore the advice of counselors.

B. Be willing to take classes in which they would have virtually no fellow blacks at all.

C. Be smart enough to do well in difficult classes in spite of the fact that they're going to get no help from friends, no help from teachers, and (for the most part) no help from family.

If they don't do A, B, and C, they simply don't have a chance in hell to get the education most white students of the same ability level get.

 

[Tlyons]

Meanwhile hate groups have increased from 150 to 1250 since President Obama was elected. The census is freaking out white people too. In less than 40 years at this rate minorities will be the majority.

White Guilt? White Fright