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November 09, 2009

Racism is not dead

On Oct. 29, I read an article in the Washington Examiner saying the Gallup Poll suggested a hope that racism would dissipate in the United States. The hope soared after Barack Obama was elected president, but now is plunging just one year after the election.

I could have saved the pollsters a lot of time if they would have talked to me first. I keep hearing we have come a long way in this country when it comes to race relations. People tell me racism is on its way to extinction and then point to the election of this country’s first black president to prove their point.

If racism has almost disappeared in this country, why do I, a middle-aged, college educated, African-American female, still get followed around retail stores, but they don’t give me a second thought when I go with a Caucasian friend? Believe me: Racism is not dead.

Andria J. Platt
Lawrence

Comments

Keith Williams3

What ever you are you may need to take anger management, I mean I feel the same about some of the people but it doesnt consume me dude.

NoMoreMrNiceGuy

Pubic has no idea what heshe is talking about. He implies I am a Mong, which he is wrong as usual. I do not have a hatred for American I have a htared for libeal commies and deadbeats that like to mooch if the governemnt and taxpayers then wave a flag from another country and spit on our flag.
It is my understanding Pubic may very well be a Cuntlosi supporter and a attends Barney Frank ballpark frank parties. He claims he some big shot wealthy guy that works from the beach.

Pub 17

Jazz-Man, in case you didn't know, Mr. Nice Guy is an Asian, Southeast variety, who has severe self-loathing problems.

As well as a deep and abiding hatred for the United States of America, incidentally.

Keith Williams3

Who said blacks are not racist? NOMO, you are one angry and bias dude. I will pray for you and next time tell them you want more meat; the fat gives it more flavor anyway.

NoMoreMrNiceGuy

I should complain to the Star then, when we went to Gate's they gave us th fatty meat and smaller protions than the black couple in front of us. I wonder why?

NoMoreMrNiceGuy

Of cours stores can distinuish whom purchased a college degree and which patrons are deadeabt unworthy non-degreed criminals. Last time I checked it would seem the biggest crooks are those with the most education (i.e. lawyers). Race has nothing to do with it, that is a bogus claim.

Gary

If Ms. Platt owned her own business in which the extent of shoplifting could be the difference between success and failure, I doubt that she would spend much time monitoring Chinese-American shoppers. If she were serious about the effort, she likely would be doing just about what the stores she complains of are doing.

NoMoreMrNiceGuy

I understand people of "color", I am half Asian. My family did not own slave, my grand parents were poor by a true definition, not American urban poor where you can afford San Jean, ne Jordans, a Blackberry, 50" Plasma, 8 cwt studs to appease looking like a pimp to scure your insecurities, then get food stamps and cry racism without merit. I hav experienced ignorant racist comments by whites, blacks, latinos, and even asians. The problem I have is this default attitude that blacks are not racist when in fact they are probably more racist than caucasians.
When a black person gets pulled over becaus ethey act, roll and project a ghetto, thug, rapper, hip hop behavior, they get what they advertise. People get treated as they appear. It's like when a cop pulls a white yuppie over on the East Side and asks then if they are there to buy dope. Same same.

Keith Williams3

Thats what this is about Kee. You don’t have to say it to believe it so play dumb we or I know what you are talking about. You have posted enough stupid comments in the past for me to not second guess your efforts.

Kee

Jazzy man you live on a one-way street don't you? Who said anything about the "black culture", just you buddy. I think you play the race card more than the Race Card did, and that is saying something.

Arminius

"The hope soared after Barack Obama was elected president, but now is plunging just one year after the election."

If rascim were dead, Obama would not be president today. It's clear that many people voted for him BECAUSE of his race and not for his policies, which were almost identical to Hillary Clinton's.

Keith Williams3

Lol, I was waiting on that; see once again so blinded that you think everyone in the black culture is what ever you feel they are. Hear what I am saying our leaders are far from that, we have new leaders that emerged and they consist of many back grounds and are good decent people that are not money hungry fame seeking “Activist Actors”. You can have Al and Jessie and do with the as you will. Lol!

Kee

"Activist Actors"? Oh, please. Egotistic, arrogant, anc codescending jerks.

Keith Williams3

I’m going to say it before anyone else does; Al and Jessie don’t represent the black culture, they do what they do for them. At one point they were great representatives of AA’s but not now. Who does, well I say I do, the many college grads, the young senators, the volunteer, the activist actors, and the philanthropist.

Keith Williams3

Which is why we (blacks) need to make some changes in our culture/communities. Can’t make the white man do anything he doesn’t want to do. I'm a firm beleiver that the change start with-in!

Greghand

Blacks didn’t create this issue as well as blacks cant dwell on it either. Black rights groups, fairness acts and so on were created due to racism. Jazz
I agree they didn't create it but they do dwell on it! Rights groups point the finger at racism where it doesn't exists to convince the addle brained populous + (Supreme court Liberals) they need help beyond the line of equality.

Keith Williams3

GHMAN you may right to an extent but what’s the bottom line here, blacks didn’t create this issue as well as blacks cant dwell on it either. Black rights groups, fairness acts and so on were created due to racism; they benefit whites as well unfortunately we have to have any of it but its still boils down to racism. NOMO, as a Black Cubano I have never walked in any ones shoes but mine, the difference is I respect and listen and try and understand that’s particular cultures life. I have many white friends that are struggling and poor, that have no special White group to go to when they need help at least with out seeming racial. Life as we no it is a double standard; these double standard were created out of racism and until we realize that it will be around forever.

NOMO what I was talking about as far as understanding is take the time to understand people of color, if I judged whites based of Minute men, comments on these letters and TV I would think all whites are crazy and racist.

NoMoreMrNiceGuy

Jazz have you walked in my shoes? Most whites do not vote based only on race, in Obama's cas he could have run under the COmmunist party and blacks would have voted for him and they will support ANYTHING he does simply due to race. After all, spedning money we don't have on things that do not create jobs and then playing the race card is not genius. It is amazing that he is so all knowing and it takes him forever and a day to get a full sentence out while he tries to conjure up the hippest fashionable thing to say. He is robotic and kind of like an Ivy Lague dr, Seuss.

Greghand

She may get tailed at retail stores from loss prevention but she also would be chosen over a more qualified white college applicant because of her skin tone. She see's racism in a very narrow view. "Only I can be a victim!"

Keith Williams3

Music Man you either are a believer with little faith and understanding or you are judging something you have no idea about. Either way you are wrong. But I respect that its your opinion.

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