en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/767101 Comments by gcj https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/tent-cities-in-haiti__trashed/#IDComment70021997 Charisma, determination, RESILIENCE. These three words were reoccurring themes as I watched this video. When times get tough, the tough gets going. That phrase could not be any more accurate because life is survival of the fittest and if we do not learn to adapt and transform to situations we will always be stagnant. The people of Haiti know this and avoid this state of nothingness. They find life and culture in disaster. They find a way to smile love and live in what many of us would consider Hell. They learn to live as close to their own lifestyle as possible and it is a very noteworthy gesture. It seems to be a cultural thing, many people of color throughout history has demonstrated this ability. I guess it is a learned tactic, a very useful one at that. When slaves were forced to the Americas from Africa they were forced to live life the ways the European slave masters set for them to live, or so the Europeans thought. They were mandated to eat, sleep, and work on the command of others. They were placed in groups with other Africans who lived a different lifestyle from what they were used to back in their particular country in Africa. They were forced to work and live with people who they could not even communicate with but low and behold they found a way. These American slaves were fed the remains of animals. They turned these discarded parts into delicacies. Who would ever imagine the foot or intestines of pig could be a food many seek to eat. The groups were forced together, the work was mandatory, and the food was given but the way in which they used these things became a way the slaves were able to outthink the much more educated Europeans. They found ways to communicate, they worked, and they made delicious meals from scraps. They found a way to unite and not only endure slavery but contribute largely to this new society. This behavior is also evident in the blacks in New Orleans. They were citizens of this great nation however they were not given the best support. We showed more vigor to go to war than to go help them, but nothing stopped them. They stood on roofs, waved flags, and helped each other. They resorted to stealing from stores. Many people saw it as barbaric but it was a makeshift tactic to stay alive, to strive until the necessary help arrived. This is also the case with the Haitians. Pity, sorrow, and regret will get you know where. Help may come but probably too late if you just sit still and wait. Your destiny, your life, your future, your well-being is all in your hands. These Haitians are aware of this and decided to renew their community within this tent city. They are determined to be the strong resilient people they are known to be. No earthquake, war, or poverty will ever be able to change that because those traits are written on their hearts. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:46:42 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/tent-cities-in-haiti__trashed/#IDComment70021997 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment70021930 “The inmates are ghosts whose dreams have been murdered,”- Jill John. Somehow this quotes sums up how I thought of inmates. I viewed them as dead bodies simply sitting in a jail cell awaiting their death. I never saw them living lives as we live them. I imagined them lifting weights, doing pushups, showering, maybe reading a holy book, and sleeping. Showing compassion? Sympathy? I didn’t expect. This blog shed a whole new light on the way I view the inmates, it allowed me to take a half-mile walk in their shoes. I visually saw every word he spoke, every scenario he played out and realized that they are able to sympathize with others. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:46:07 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/letter-from-an-inmate__trashed/#IDComment70021930 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment70021828 This seems to be a very hard question initially asked however when you think about it, it really is not. Yes, all people should be given equal and comprehensive care in hospitals and medical centers. It will be a difficult task but it is possible, many countries have this established. When we visit their countries and become ill we receive medical attention with little to no cost. When they come to visit us, they better hope to never become ill because unfortunately we are not nearly as welcoming and friendly. Our hospitals are a lot more chaotic but what do you expect when our medical system is driven more by money than by the goal to help the people. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:45:15 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-health-care__trashed/#IDComment70021828 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68327255 Society sees no color or sees no gender. Society creates limits for us all, yes including us males. Men tend to be less open about trying to live up to society’s standard. Women have this belief that men do not face these challenges or these struggles. I believe men have been better at swinging right back at society. For letting society know that they have to accept the variety and men have learned to embrace their true self. Women, have this same potential but the majority of them allow their bodies and lives to be shaped by society. One year society wants skinny girls with small chest and the next year thick girls. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:32:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-about-the-men__trashed/#IDComment68327255 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68325183 I completely agree, I believe that the outcome will be different for each person. Moreover, I believe that there is not an end goal however an on going process. We walk each day of our lives in an attempt to improve race relation. Some may advance faster than others. We can always learn something new even those in the humanitarian stage. Each encounter with another person gives us the opportunity to become that more educated on the race relations topic. Arriving at the humanitarian stage does not mark the end of your journey, just the start of your journey through a new understanding. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:04:54 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/what-are-we-doing-here-really__trashed/#IDComment68325183 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68313938 There is always more to the story. Ironically, we rarely get the full story; we are provided with the portions of the story that supports the story teller. For example, when your friend has a discrepancy with someone else. It is not common for your friend to shed light on the whole situation. They allow you to know the side of the story that they hope will create in you a negative view towards the other party. You, completely oblivious, began to do just that. This is the case with the media. In America, we hear about terrorist and how invasive and wrong they are. We hear about their suicide bombings. We are informed of their ominous threats. We are given the privilege of seeing their mobs and their chants of jihad. This causes negative feelings to surface within us and they become the enemy. We never wonder what they see? Or thought how they viewed us. We selfishly assumed that they knew that they were wrong and we were right and that they were immoral and inhumane for keeping this going. Sam shed light on this topic and did so very intriguely, if I may add. I knew that he was passionate about the topic it was evident-his attitude, facial expression, and complete demeanor conveyed the sincerity of the topic. When he informed us to take the role of an Arab or Muslim in the middle east I thought it was going to be another useless mechanism used to try to make a big lecture class feel interactive. To my surprise it was not, it was a very useful tactic that allowed us to take a couple of steps in the shoes of middle easterners- the other side to the story. While in the role of an Arabic/ Muslim, I viewed the U.S. as the terrorist and the big bullies. I saw the media shape America into the big bad monster. Resentment, scorn, anger, and retaliation all furnished in my small frame. I was appalled at the U.S for their abuse of their power. I felt the pain as I was informed to imagine my friend, my family, or even me being killed. In peroration, I was truly enlightened. As Sam said, I too understand through the sociological perspective although I do not support this war, the insurgency war, or even hatred against the U.S. I can see why they feel this way. We are both masked from the entire story. As in the example earlier we are both fed parts of the story to make our government, army, and country seem like the “good guys.” Neither group of civilians can be blamed; we are merely acting on what we are fed. We should however begin to become enlightened on the other side of the story and once we are enlightened we can remove our hatred and begin to understand. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:28:27 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/christian-invaders-the-turnaround__trashed/#IDComment68313938 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66898659 Some things he says are absurd, I must admit but overall he is a pretty intelligent guy. I may not have the same view as him but a lot of times the things discussed I his class allows me to think about where I sand on the issue. A lot of times I come to my opinion by disagreement to his statements. I think we have to do exactly what he reiterates time and time again,” to think”. That is all he aims to do. Yes, sometimes he seems a little pushy but as long as you stand firm in what you believe in you will be fine. It is not until one is willing to have an open ear to listen to other views that they will get the true essence of Sam’s lectures. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 23:49:12 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/i-really-want-to-know-also__trashed/#IDComment66898659 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65686503 Sometimes I believe people lose sight of the ways these terms were used. It is especially hard for people of another race to understand. As Sam always say, “people of the white team will never understand what it means to be black because they aren’t black.” This words has roots in the mistreatment of our people and the fact that elders may only think of themselves as Negroes makes it that much worst. It makes it worse because it seems as if they are brainwashed into believing that the word “Negro” is who they are. I think the census people should prove their study about some people only identifying with the term negro and then show them trying to make a effort in to telling them that the terms black and African American are the same thing but less offensive. In the end, who cares about the census? Why is it that important, it is not accurate anyway? Sat, 3 Apr 2010 02:39:05 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/nothing-about-the-census-is-easy__trashed/#IDComment65686503 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65686458 When do you win? Do you ever win? Lets observe and see if one could ever “win”. In society you will always have those who oppose what you do. You will either be too black or not black enough. You are either for the “people” or against the “people”. Working for the “man or “against the man”. It is an inevitable journey that people of color experience. If Jackie Jackson never went to the Appalachians he would have been considered a candidate strictly for the black people. However, he did go and probably received scorn from blacks in the country who believed he was conforming. Whites watched as he came to appeal back to blacks and considered him just going back to his people. I was shocked when Sam used this example. Why couldn’t he just be appealing to the poor, they were his target audience. Actions are not defined by color or ethnicity. I do not think Sam was hinting at that, I thought he was just making a joke so no I was not offended by that but the young lady in the video has every right to be offended by whatever she sees offensive. No one can bash her views simply because you think different. Yes, Sam is very intelligent and passionate but that does not mean that everything that comes out of his mouth is golden. He says it himself; he sets out to make us thinkers. That is exactly what this young lady is doing. She uses information brought forth in class and creating an argument and standpoint. When she saw this picture feelings sparked in her that caused her to react, who can tell her she should not be offended. I do not agree that if you become offended that you are not able to move forward. I believe if you are willing to move pass the offense and the anger then you are ready to move forward. You are ready to conquer racism, discrimination, segregation, and rivalry amongst the American people- all people. I believe passing judgment hinders our forward strides. So we should try to look pass judging people, try to avoid our chastising ways. For the most part, our judgment comes across as condescending and discourages the opposing person from trying to make a change. Why do you think he won? Because people of different races agree with him? There are also people who disagree with him and people who believe what he says is absurd. It just goes back to the saying you can’t pleased everybody. I believe he “won” because he accepts himself, his beliefs, ad moves toward uniting people. He wins because he is using his talents to better others. In essence Jesse Jackson was doing the same thing. If you are accomplishing your goals and 1you are happy with yourself and put an effort to make others around you better, I believe you won but who am I? It is up to the person to believe they “WON”! Sat, 3 Apr 2010 02:38:32 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/how-can-we-ever-win__trashed/#IDComment65686458 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64279000 I do not believe that men are uneducated about menstrual cycles. I could be wrong though because of course I do not talk about it with other men. However, it is like an unspoken rule to just not speak of the menstrual not really in fear but just out of tradition. It is a social norm and we know in America social norms are considered laws amongst the people. I am in no way saying it is right though. The ideology or question that if men had menstrual cycles tampons would be free is absurd! In that case any common necessity needed by both genders would be free. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:17:48 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/if-men-could-menstruate__trashed/#IDComment64279000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64278878 I have female friends who will straight out just begin to talk about their periods, tampons, or things of that nature and time and time again I say “way too much information.” I do respect and sympathize with women having to endure these monthly battles but just as I would not want to hear about some one moving their bowels in the bathroom, I do not think its important to discuss one’s bleeding in the bathroom. However, if it is that important to woman then I will be open to the conversation. Sam did open my mind to that up however he was a bit graphic. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:16:24 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/in-her-own-words__trashed/#IDComment64278878 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64278796 A disgusted feeling formed in my gut when I watched this video mainly because I realized its truths. We as Americans are given images on TV on what beauty is and we become completely brain washed. This video clearly shows this. These kids are very young in age so many of their beliefs are based on the beliefs of the people around them. The fact that they associate black with evil and white with beauty is appalling. I am not saying that white is not beautiful but Black is as well. For this reason many people of color grow up with complexes about their skin tone. They grow to feel bad about embracing their natural brown tone. They grow envious of lighter skin and wish they were lighter. Which they should not because on the other side of the spectrum Whites yearn for tans to have a darker complexion. Some people of color with brown skin are fortunate enough to grow up with confidence. This confidence allows them to love their chocolate skin despite what others may say. They are not afraid to be themselves and that confidence makes them appear even that much beautiful. They still may face discrimination and it still may take a toll on them but they always find ways to rise up. Many dark-skinned females who are pretty are often told you are pretty “for a dark girl.” Does that mean that in comparison to a light -skinned female she is not as pretty? This color divide only prohibits us from uniting as a race to overcome even greater things. It actually serves as a divider, a way for us to stay in battle with each other and in essence become weary so we are not able to battle against others as efficiently. When I watched the video I remembered my childhood. I am a brown-skinned black man and never really did I wish I had lighter or never did I believe I was ugly. However, I only found lighter skinned girls pretty. I loved light skin and if you look mixed race than you were that much prettier. Fortunately, something happen (I am not sure what) that allowed me to appreciate a darker toned girl. I realized the beauty and uniqueness that comes with her chocolate skin. It frightens me that many other males may feel the way I felt about African-American females. I am perplexed at the source of my former thinking. If I knew the source I would try my best to alleviate the source and prevent this way of thinking from occurring in other young black males. My mom recently did a similar test in her nursery school and again the kids picked the “white” doll so this still happens today. I hope these young children who believe that lighter skin is better come to the realization that his/her beliefs are not necessarily true. This will only come through the embracement of our color, and our people. All shades of the black race, all shades of the human race signify beauty. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:15:27 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/those-damn-dolls__trashed/#IDComment64278796 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment63102560 “Woman was taken out of man; not out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled underfoot; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved”. Any one in their right mind knows that woman are great and many times the driving force behind many successes in our world. So although this is a surprising event it most certainly shouldn’t be. What impresses me about Natalie Randolph is the fact that she sets out no to prove that woman are better. She allowed “ the pieces to come together” and watched “as the cookie crumbled. Her goal is not even to bash the football industry for not having woman as coaches either. Her goal is not to use this as her ticket to history books.” Her goal is to win, to help the kids win and to coach the game of football. She stayed professional throughout the whole interview and came across as a very sophisticated woman who is about her business. She did not allow the hype about being the first woman high school football coach to drive her.” “I have a lot to prove for myself,” she said and I must admit that is a very good reason to do great because what happens when the buzz dies down. Do your skill, abilities, talents and passion die down as well. It is very appalling that women’s football is not well known. In fact, I did not even know it existed. I must say I am pretty embarrassed by that fact. It truly perplexes me why this is so. As I try to analyze it I can come up with no concrete answer. As a man I feel the disappointment in us, as a country, for not knowing. I am also disappointed for being unsympathetic to woman athletes not just to female football players. I am glad that her players are accepting of her and respect the fact that although she is a woman, her skills as a player and a coach are not defined by her gender. By no means do I question her ability to coach well and even win. I am however skeptical of how accepted she would be by the general public. Will we watch her like hawks and highlight her wrong doings and criticize her for every slip up? Will we allow her to get through the kinks that many early coaches have to do as they get a feel for their players, the football program, at the school, and the competition? My question to others is: do you believe she could have great success as a coach, do you think any woman can have great success as a football coach or do you believe this is just another interesting story to make it seem as if America is living up to its motto as a nation where “ all men [and women] are created equal.” Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:25:01 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/women-and-sports__trashed/#IDComment63102560 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63101763 Let me start off by saying that yes, the rudeness does go both ways. In reference to the text messages, the things that made people react about the white comments were the fact that they were racist. Most of the black comments were stereotypical, which I may say could have been avoided as well. Take for example the comment “nigs ain’t shit” posted under the white responses. Never did I see a person of color call a white person a cracker or anything offensive over the text responses. But let this not become a black vs. white thing. As a whole I feel it is a way the people respond. As a black man I will not take to be offended in such a way and when I read the comment I immediately reacted. Maybe whites did not react the same way when they were offended but that is not my fault nor is it the fault of any person of color. Whites just as well as blacks have the right to comment or react and if white people allow themselves to be silence then shame on them. We are coming together in this race relations project, although it may be hard we have to get past the guilt and come to a common answer. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:22:19 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/does-this-rudeness-thing-cut-both-ways__trashed/#IDComment63101763 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment63101041 This is a great question. I think that when Sam groups the classes into these broad categories he leaves it up to the person to respond where they identify themselves. Honestly I would say that your friend is a person of color. I am not saying that my answer is right though. Decades ago if a person had any bit of color in them than they were considered Black or a person of color. So I guess I am brainwashed into believing the same way. At your statement about white being a color, indeed it is and I always wondered why whites were not considered a people of color, especially as a kid. Now I guess it is just our sad attempt to identify people. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:20:09 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/what-happens-to-multiracial-people__trashed/#IDComment63101041 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment61706909 I cannot say that I am surprised that this has happened. I am not saying it is right but it sure is no surprise to me. As Americans, we are stuck in some of our traditional views and when things seem to defer from our natural flow we reject it. I must admit my senior year in high school I was on face book and I saw pictures from a local public school’s prom. I seen an old friend wear a tuxedo and sneakers and accompanied another female. My eyes popped out of my head and initially I was a bit distraught. Now I think about it, why should she be forced to wear a gown or take a male date? Is it because it fits our senior prom portrait? This is America and as much as one may disagree with her choice at the end of the day it should be her choice. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:44:02 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/prom-or-no-prom-just-dont-let-the-queer-students-dance-together__trashed/#IDComment61706909 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment61706759 There is no problem with a company creating an image but when it begins to exclude potential employees because of their religion, it is too extreme. I appreciate you being open about your opinions but in this case Abercrombie and Fitch is just wrong. I am pretty familiar with their “look policy” having friends work for the company and through out high school I respected the “look policy” saying it taught discipline and unity however, in this case it is going to far. Her religion is her way of life and her headscarf is a mandatory religious garment, why is it such a problem to wear? It is not as if she just made some religion up out of the blue it is known that a head scarf is associated with the Islamic faith. Her headscarf should not be a problem as long as she follows the color codes. Abercrombie and Fitch has to step up as an American company and realized that head scarves and Muslims are a very huge part of America too. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:43:23 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/fired-for-a-scarf__trashed/#IDComment61706759 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment61705545 Race drives our lives. With this said we should all be more conscious as to what we do or say. It is completely preposterous to hear about such vulgar actions occurring at an institute of higher education. History seems to always repeat itself, a few years ago nooses were found on Columbia University campus. As I watched the video and read the article my mind just seemed to come back to Penn State’s campus. What if this happened here, being as though the Penn State campus is predominantly white as well? As a campus we seem to be very respectful of each other, each other’s cultures, and sensitive topics. Does this unity allow us to avoid such drastic situations? Or are we walking on thin ice, just avoiding the conversation? Will this happen here? I doubt it and hope not but things of this caliber are usually started by only a select few ignorant people who come in all shape, sizes, and shades! I must admit I am not truly convinced that minority students started the events that occurred at University of California at San Diego. It seems like a cheap cop out of the racial conversation. It seems like a scheme to get the White students and the administration as a whole out of hot water. A way to say it can’t be that bad if it was done by their own people. Its funny how the student, David Ritcherson, was not even aware that this was done by a person of color. More importantly, we must realize that no matter the color this is still an act of hatred that must be ended and the campus officials should be taking the lead in this. As the assistant professor of ethnic studies, Sara Clarke Kaplan, said it starts with learning. Let’s take the noose situation, many student had to see the noose hanging, why couldn’t any one just remove it before someone else walked by and saw it? In the same aspect, if students were aware of how others feel about touchy situations, less people would probably have shown up for the “black” party. That is why I honor the race relations project, it allows us to talk with one another and moreover be educated on the words, systems, beliefs, and actions that are offensive to others who may not look just like us. In this aspect, Penn State is making steps that should be mirrored by the rest of our country. Speaking from the perspective of a person of color, Penn State is far from racially equal and discrimination free but I doubt anything of that caliber would be able to thrive on our University Park campus. The reason is because we allow ourselves to be educated even if this only on a surface level, about others. Being a predominantly white school I anticipated much more obvious discrimination and I was pleasantly surprised that it is not so, nothing too monumental occurs, if things do occur it is easy to just reprimand the few knuckleheads causing the ruckus. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:37:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/this-is-getting-to-be-too-much__trashed/#IDComment61705545 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-four__trashed/#IDComment58879611 When initially asked what to do to help mend the situation one becomes perplexed and bewildered. Questions begin to formulate in one’s head. What can me, one-person do to help make this massive issue go away? What can I do to bring back the lives of the lost Native Americans and how can I retrieve their land. Reality is that this is not what is being asked of us. No it is nothing, nothing we can do to bring back the fallen lives of the Native Americans. No we cannot turn back the hands of times and save the lives of the people who were slain during genocide. What we can do however is educate. Many of us are ignorant when it comes to the Native American people. Our knowledge of their history is limited to the stories of the first thanksgiving with the pilgrims. Our school systems should integrate more information into the curriculum. Children should be informed about Native Americans at a young age, Many children are not even familiar with the term. If they were given just the term Native American they would display faces of confusion. What I do not agree with is that we as American should give them an apology. Were the actions of early Europeans wrong, absolutely but I personally did nothing wrong to offend a Native American. Everything my family members or I have has been earned. Am I supposed to give my house and land to the Native Americans and say I send apologies from my deceased ancestors? If this is the case why shouldn’t blacks be offered an apology form every white American for being held as slaves .The reason is because the whites that are living today are not the ones who held, owned, slashed, beat, mistreated, and downright demoralized blacks. Also the blacks living to day were not the ones chased, oppressed, beat down, whipped, and mistreated. Similarly I should not have to openly express an apology for others mistreating ancestors of the Native Americans. Especially when my ancestors, being as though I am African American, probably did not oppress them that severe. We do owe the Native Americans though. We owe them the right to be understood and recognized as humans. We owe them the right to be in as much American history as any other race or culture. We owe it to them to be open and to befriend them and try our best to understand their oppression. We owe it to them and to our American culture to make mend of this entire situation. We should unite as a nation to overcome this hurdle. Because of that, our debt to the Native American and American culture, I will apologize so that we could move on and strive to be an equal and just nation. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:06:26 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/native-americans-question-four__trashed/#IDComment58879611 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58879432 I believe you are misinterpreting the data. The statistics were about blacks receiving longer sentencing and in that case I do believe that money plays a role. Actually Sam mentioned that in his lecture. He spoke abut how blacks have less money so they could not afford to purchase lawyers. Whites, in general can afford the top of the line lawyers to get them out of the crimes. However racism does play a part sometimes, often times unconsciously. Racism is not living in the heart of every judge or law enforcement figure. However we cannot deny the fact that race does play a part and when it does it is not always intentional. People are brought up (raised) on the beliefs that blacks are criminals so they unconsciously label blacks as people who are more likely to repeat the crimes. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:05:29 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/inequality-class-question-two__trashed/#IDComment58879432