Wal-Mart Security: An American Perspective

About a year or two ago, I went to Wal-Mart to get some items.  As I was walking out, I saw a Black lady with a plastic bag at the exit, acting like she was waiting and looking for someone.  As I approached her, some White families and friends walked pass her towards the outside of the store.  Just when I was about to pass her for the exit, she jumped ahead of me and walked right into the White group ahead.  It was then that the alarm rang because an item that has not been paid for has just being taken out of the store.

About a year or two ago, I went to Wal-Mart to get some items.  As I was walking out, I saw a Black lady with a plastic bag at the exit, acting like she was waiting and looking for someone.  As I approached her, some White families and friends walked pass her towards the outside of the store.  Just when I was about to pass her for the exit, she jumped ahead of me and walked right into the White group ahead.  It was then that the alarm rang because an item that has not been paid for has just being taken out of the store.

As we all walked outside, I could see the Wal-Mart security running towards me as if I was Bin laden himself.  They search me to see if the items in my bag matched my receipt.  As they searched me while I noticed the girl increase her pace, I repeatedly told them to go after the Black lady and that they will find the stolen item.  I even explained the situation to them.  To my surprise, they where uninterested in my explanation and watched the Black girl enter her car and drive off.
 
I was very sad because again I felt that I was profiled for crime.  Is the job of the Wal-Mart security to prevent items from being stolen or arresting Black men?  I felt that if they were truly interested in their item or catching a thief, they would have stopped us all and searched us.  It seemed to me that they were not interested in the item at all, but were more interested in arresting me.  They appeared to be so disappointed that they missed out of some important opportunity.
 
What saddened me to most was that people will take advantage of a discriminating system, even against their own, to get way with a crime.  You would expect a fellow Black or minority to stand against racial profiling or police brutality.  Here, a Black girl knowing very well that a Black man is the scapegoat of American judicial and racist system, waited to have a Black man walk by before making her move.  She could not try that with the White group because she will be the suspect.  Does she have any regards for her sons and nephews, or she is just grateful to the system?

Why is it always the Black man? Why can’t we just let him walk off sometimes and give him a benefit of the doubt?  Why must we always get him for something no matter how little? Or is this to create cheap labor for the capitalist economy?  If I was arrested for a stolen item that day, I might not only lose my right to vote and elect leaders eventually, but maybe no descent company will hire me for a good pay.  Then I may have to become a prison laborer from continuous stealing to survive, or a rehabilitated citizen creating wealth for others at almost no pay.

•  Good post! Though sad.

  I live in a pretty upscale part of the SF Bay Area, and yet every year there are several cases of police harassment of black men, teenagers, and even little boys.  One was a much beloved TEACHER at the local high school.   Of course the police didn't realize that at the time, and the guy thankfully sued and got a decent settlement for his pain.  

  This place I live is supposedly educated, and supposedly liberal.    But when I came to school here, everyone told me "Don't go into that (African-American neighborhood on the other side of the freeway) because they'll kill you.  You know, or rob you or mug you.   I made a point of going there, not in your face like, but just going about my business.  I was never, not once, hassled.  

  And, statistically, who is killing whom in this country?    Overwhelmingly it has been white men killing black men throughout history, and still today.   Not just directly, though that happens plenty, but also indirectly.    It f'ing sucks.    Only one thing, I wouldn't blame the girl.  She's just a victim of a racist society like everyone else.

  by mrogers2007 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:09:41 PM PDT

•  OK, WHERE ARE THE GOD-DAMNED COMMENTS?

  From the so-called progressives on this site?

  The latest Hillary hit piece got 28 comments and the pollster horse race speculation with yet-another-poll got 97 comments, and something over 103 on the latest set of claims that Bill Clinton is a race-baiter.

  So, where are the comments on this poignant and insightful diary?

  It is now 10:17 pm PST and this diary was posted at 9:19 pm PST.   That means it's been up for an HOUR.  

  Wow, I'm going to hope (yes, Obama supporters, hope) that this is a glitch in my browser and not evidence of something deeply ugly about the people on dkos.

  by mrogers2007 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:21:03 PM PDT

  •  lol

    there you go

    by Stampy51 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:27:32 PM PDT

    •  sorry for that, i'll explain

      it's not rational to say we are closet racists for missing a diary at 2am.  i mean, it is really insulting and like i say, irrational.

      by Stampy51 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:42:58 PM PDT

      •  Stampy51

        What is irrational?  That you guys ignore Black issues of discrimination, but still count on our votes.  I always vote democratic, but what do you expect others to think of democrats if you usually get over 80% of our votes but never address our issues?  I hope you see us as individuals with a mind and soul, and not mere followers who have no voice or feelings.

        by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:03:41 PM PDT

        •  Um... Does it say "BLATANT RACISM!!!!" in title?

          That's what most people see when a diary goes up. A title. Nothing else. And a diary that has no comments doesn't get attention. If you believe in your diary you'll put up at least a tip jar. That would then show 1 comment. Do you think every registered member here is just waiting on pins and needles for you to put up a diary?

          Further a lot of people just don't care about Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart diaries don't get a lot of attention or comments on a regular basis.

          Yet you put yours up late night on a weekend in the middle of the primary season and expect... what?

          But that doesn't mean people didn't look and decide not to comment. In fact, on my last diary I had 250 page views but only 44 recs.

          However, if you get snotty and insulting then you think those you've attacked will... what? Fall over themselves to do your bidding?

          Seems from what you have written elsewhere and in these comments you'll point at racism where ever you can -- for the reason anything and everything happens to you even if it doesn't exist -- but that you may be the most racist of all.

          Do you think we are all white here on dKos (like Markos?) and that we somehow owe you something for being black? For your Democratic vote? Is it more special than Democratic votes from other people? You think we are all happy with every Dem or that we feel we get everything we want from them or that you might get some better treatment if you go over to the Republicans?

          Might give that a try... see how that works out for you.

          Or maybe you think caucasian people should speak for you? What? So you don't have to bother?

          ~~~~

          You get a voice by speaking up and expressing your experience, your wants, your dreams, your hopes -- and I don't mean by making accusations to get attention.

          But let me make something very clear. Life is NOT fair. Never has been. We can all get a lot farther in life when we begin to realize that and stop being so pissed off as though our anger alone will do anything.

          by CSI Bentonville on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 03:04:07 PM PDT

          •  Excuse

            Stop making excuses.  Yes, life is so unfair, so let us turn a blind eye to injustice and just get along.  People are busy with elections, you post things on weekends, no one likes Wal-Mart, and people do not have to respond.  How smart of you.  I do not need you to bid for me.  All I am saying is let us discuss, and if you are not interested, that does not mean that the whole democratic bloggers are not.  If there are genuinely not interested, then I am truly afraid for the Freedom America is advocating for in Iraq.

            by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 04:54:20 PM PDT

            •  No, I'm not saying that all...

              But you are sooooo stuck in what you want to believe you will see nothing else.

              What the hell do you want?

              Do you think I can make Wal-Mart un-racist? P'fft! That's one thing that Wal-Mart does do. They are equal opportunity oppressors. If you want change, STOP SHOPPING THERE!!!

              That's how change happens. You don't go there, compain about how icky it is, then go back and reward them with more business.

              Did you never shop there without being detained? Then it's not "always" the black man. You think you're the only one who's had problems?

              The guy who was killed there was white.

              No, you are centered on your problems because they happen to you but you are failing to see (or care) what happens to anyone else but you... unless it feeds your ideas of how you are being oppressed solely because of what you are.

              But you don't even know, nor do you bother to ask. You just assume in the other comment to me that I am (and that others are) white but you DO NOT KNOW!

              So... how can there be any true discussion when all you do is accuse and make assumptions?

              You don't even care about all the great information I brought you to support your claim and what I thought this diary was about (but obviously mistaken). Not good enough for you, not worth my time. Not a bit of gratitude.

              But rather than accept that there is anything you could have done differently you accuse an entire blog's membership of being racist and responsible for the actions of others...

              ~~~~

              Nope, stay at Wal-Mart. You are both equally bigoted.

              by CSI Bentonville on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 07:21:03 PM PDT

  •  The low response to this diarist

    might be due to last night's diary. Something along the lines of 'American kids are bad because of single Moms and abortion'.

    by operculum on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 11:51:57 PM PDT

    •  Progressive Change

      Is the democratic party really a party for progress and change, or is it a party of stagnation?  So you dwell on past postings as oppose to addressing current and vital issues that should unite our party and nation.  Must one be rejected for past disagreements, despite the fact that he is a democrat?  I am a democrat of a unique background, so we will most likely not agree always, but we can reason and learn from each other.  If this party is serious about winning the election, then it needs to be more matured, more open-minded, and exchange its ideas better.

      by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:09:58 PM PDT

      •  If you are really interested

        in the exchange of ideas, might I suggest, that after posting your diary, you are here to respond to the commenters. Many users will not notice that you have responded 12+ hours later.

        by operculum on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 01:08:19 PM PDT

        •  They do

          It is under hotlist.  You can view how many people have responded to your comments.  When I post my article, I have already stated my opinion.  You do not have to wait for me to state yours.  The truth is that I still get statements or responses to my article over a week later.  This point here is that it seems the democrats on this blog do not want to respond to Black issues.  It is either they do not care or they enjoy the way things are.  So, if I am not responding until 12 hours later, it should not be an issue why Democrats take Black issues lightly, but still count on their votes.

          by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 01:27:24 PM PDT

          •  Um...

            Maybe you do but a large percentage of the people here can barely manage their comments (many have never posted a diary) and a ridiculous amount don't have a clue what the hotlist is while many of those who do, never use it.

            No offense, but people respond to those things that affect them. If they are Latino, they might respond to that, or if they live in Florida, they might respond to that.

            Just because no one responds to your dairy does not mean that no one cares or is happy with the status quo. Nor does dKos mean every Democrat in the world comes here.

            And mind you, they have to be on the site and not involved elsewhere to even see your post. I only saw it because I have the Wal-Mart tag on my RSS. That's my focus. Not race.

            If you can't respond until 12 hours later then maybe you should wait and put up your diary 12 hours later rather than come back in moaning about the lack of attention. But this diary is not on the recent diary list or the right side of the front page once another 30 diaries have been posted and given there is over 400 put up each day that's not long.

            ~~~~

            There is a black caucus here on dKos. Maybe you might find it. I'd point you to it but you seem to understand the site very well without assistance and expect everyone else to as well judging by the way you bring up the hotlist.

            by CSI Bentonville on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 03:16:34 PM PDT

            •  Thanks

              Thanks for the response.  Yes, people do not have to respond to my diary.  I was only replying someone who I thought was making excuses.  Thanks for the explanantion.

              by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 04:57:30 PM PDT

•  here's a tip for you

  you do not have to agree to be detained.  keep in mind, this is very general advice and i am not a lawyer or offering legal advice.  but ..

  they cannot detain you for shoplifting (on the basis of reasonable suspicion) unless a very specific series of events happens,

  which is that,

  they witness you take an item
  maintain visual on you
  watch you not pay
  watch you leave the store.

  (i googled this to be sure, but who knows with the interwebs.  here is a link)

  the situation you described makes it clear to me that all those elements could not have possibly occurred.

  walmart knows the rules.  they also know it is unlawful to detain you over nothing.  that's called false imprisonment.  and it's a big deal.

  i am young looking and worked in a walmart shopping center.  a lot of times i buy beer after work.  one day, i got my beer and was walking out.  no bag and no visible receipt and i got stopped (probably b/c they thought i was too young to buy beer and clearly stealing).  i calmly told them that i know my rights and i own this property, and they can try to stop but i will sue for false imprisonment.

  and i walked off, leaving the security employee's jaw on the ground.

  know your rights.  use them.

  by Stampy51 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:36:45 PM PDT

  •  Yup

    100% right. You put it better than I did.

    by Rubicon on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 11:38:32 PM PDT

  •  Obvious

    I am not known for calling people racist, but you are beginning to sound like a certified one.  You are White, so the police will let you speak.  There is a difference between the suspicion of an under-age buying alcohol for a White and a stolen item for a Black.  A lot of Blacks are not allowed to speak or even stand face to face with an officer, especially if they have being caught with a stolen item.  The system was not designed for you to be arrested, it was designed for you to profit from at the expense of others.  You were lucky you are not Black.  They would have claimed that you stole the beer without a receipt and may God help you if you are also under age.  Remember, in Georgia, a Black has no right a White (the system) should respect.  It is in the LAW, and has never being removed.  Know what rights; Blacks have none in the USA and the Democratic party does not know this.  Too bad.

    by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:22:34 PM PDT

    •  Uncalled for

      People are trying to help and you are calling them racist? Surely you know that one doesn't have to be white to be racist.

      You do have rights even at Wal-Mart. If they detain you, you can sue. You can tell them you want a lawyer, you can tell them you know your rights (and it certainly does help if you do know them). Of course, they don't have to listen to you. They can choose to exercise that "right" but that doesn't mean they aren't still wrong; make a stink while people are watching if you have indeed done nothing wrong.

      But yes, Wal-Mart is very racist from following customers of color, to entrapping them at the checkout, to accusing them of fraud, to firing employees of color (even using taco chips as an excuse), to refusing to hire employees of color to creating Astroturf organizations claiming to represent people of color but only for the purposes of furthering their interests in school privatization. They've even been accused of racist software. Oh, and who can forget the Nazi T-shirts that were on store shelves for over a year even months after congress stepped in and asked them to finally pull them.

      It's part of why Obama speaks about them with disdain. Wal-Mart is not a nice company.

      There's even a compilation of cheap cartoon DVDs sold (apparently for a $1 each) at Wal-Mart that have racist scenes on YouTube:

      But please do not accuse others of being racist because you don't feel they understand. It causes you to appear over-sensitive. If you don't feel you are being heard correctly then it's okay to state that but to make accusations such as that is to get yourself written off.

      by CSI Bentonville on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 02:20:08 PM PDT

      •  Nice

        Thanks for your response again.  Blacks are not stupid.  Some have tried to talk and got beaten down with battons to the state of unconsciousness or even death.  Many are even shot to death without threat of weapons.  What does the American courts do?  They free the officers involved and say that they were doing their jobs.  Before that, they put them on suspension with pay.  So they get a paid vacation for killing Blacks.  Blacks and the court knows that Blacks have no rights, so I do not know why even Whites in the Democratic party do not understand that.  You can make noise and get away with it with a fair judgement in court.  A Black might not even be able to afford a good lawyer and will also be charge with noise violation.  Don't you guys get it or are you guys also just part of the benefactors of the system?  I have a civil case in the Federal court and Republican Judge Janet King refused to rule on it.  She is looking for a way to rule in favor of the accused, and she seems to be stuck.  How can a White tell me that we are the same in America?  Come on.

        by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 05:12:15 PM PDT

      •  here's another trick

        show them your fucking receipt and move along although i prefer the other method i outlined.

        i am beginning to think this diariest is a troll.  but i guess it's just as like he is just a fool.

        by Stampy51 on Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:59:42 AM PDT

    •  fuck you

      I am not known for calling people racist, but you are beginning to sound like a certified one.

      by Stampy51 on Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:52:00 AM PDT

    •   ps i am not white

      and again, fuck you for calling me racist.  way out of fucking line you ignorant asshole

      by Stampy51 on Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:52:36 AM PDT

    •  this post is ignorant on so many levels

      i'm a minority and so is my girlfriend (black for your info).  the scenario you described above is ridiculous.  i had the receipt for the beer.

      if you buy an item, you cannot be convicted of shopping lifting unless you are an utter fool.  this has nothing to do with race.  unless you eat your receipt, i don't see why you will be convicted, if wrongly accused, of shoplifting.  simple common fucking sense dictates that.

      and may God help you if you are also under age

      ps - if you are underage walking out with beer, that means you stole it and need to talk to the police.  give me a fucking break.

      Know what rights; Blacks have none in the USA

      your hyperbole does not do justice to your argument.

      if that statement were true, which it is clearly not, then i don't see how you would be alive, b/c any random person would kill you for any random reason and face no more penalties than when one squishes an ant.  see, because that does not match with reality, your statement is pure hyperbole.

      by Stampy51 on Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:57:17 AM PDT

•  Wal-Mart Security

  has beeen totally revamped since your unfortunate incident. Now we just let all the thieves go. White, black, male, female, whatever.  Seriously, it's the policy.

  We're also continually bombarded with commands not to racially profile people, and have been since I've been there, over 9 years.

  But, it happens.

  Also, there's a list of rules which they have to follow in order to even think about stopping you.

  I agree fully with your post.  It's a long slow road to progress, my friend.  

  by Rubicon on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 11:38:04 PM PDT

  •  Two Wrongs

    Two wrongs can never make a right.  It is bad to profile people instead of preventing items from being stolen, but is also bad and worse, to encourage people to steal.  Wal-Mart is a business and their security should be fair and alert in recovering their items and punishing those that try to steal.  They should have a system that puts a light on some screen on the individual or bag that sounded the alarm.  This is America; believe me it can be done.

    by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:29:12 PM PDT

  •  This is at your store, correct?

    Can you speak for the other more than 4,000 in this country being the same as yours?

    It seems obvious that it is happening still at many stores as it was hardly an exhaustive list in my other comment here.

    by CSI Bentonville on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 02:30:07 PM PDT

•  Yes, sometimes it seems

  that Daily Kos is a site with 150,000 lurkers who are shy about taking the bait, unless it is just right....  Wal-Mart loses a lot of stuff every day.  A simple checkpoint catches a lot of it.  But every checkpoint has its limitaions.  I agree, firmly, with this case in point, that anyone stopping you should have requested the others also stop.  But, as the other commentor stated, it is only in the hope the thief will somehow cooperate....It makes me think there should be cameras, and snapshots should be posted so that those at the checkpoints could have a rogues' gallery to look at there at the door, to spot repeat offendors, and try other tactics with them.  I am not a lawyer or a security expert, so I do not know what should be done, exactly.  But once again, I agree with your main point.  Anyone at a checkpoint must see the scams and see beyond the ignorant profiling that goes to the black male, and looks no further.

  by bigjacbigjacbigjac on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 11:41:04 PM PDT

•  Of course, anyone reading a Wal-Mart diary

  must be linked to this site.  Lots of intersting information about the mighty Wal-Mart empire.  Ways to make it better that is.  This is a progressive site, right?  Progressive means wanting to make everything better, right?  So, this is the site about how to make Wal-Mart better.  After all, many of us live at Wal-Mart, either as workers, shoppers, or both.

  by bigjacbigjacbigjac on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 11:53:30 PM PDT

•  Has anyone heard...

  ....what happened to the case in Texas where Walmart Security killed a guy in the parking lot from positional asphyxia on the hot asphalt pavement?

  by LakeSuperior on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:03:54 AM PDT

  •  $750,000 settlement

    Although the story is wrong as it keeps saying Ohio but there is a Cleveland in Texas. Sometimes we have a hard shaking stuff out of automatic even when we know better.

    by CSI Bentonville on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 02:26:17 PM PDT

•  Do you hate all women?

  Or just mostly Black women????

  Most of your past diaries degrade women, especially Black women very viciously. Why is that? I thought you might be a white racist from reading your drivel. But I guess not. What is terribly sad is that when you do make good points about the racism  Black men face, you appear to blame it on Black women for the most part. I can't believe you get away with this.

  From some of your writings:

    What saddened me to most was that people will take advantage of a discriminating system, even against their own, to get way with a crime.  You would expect a fellow Black or minority to stand against racial profiling or police brutality.  Here, a Black girl knowing very well that a Black man is the scapegoat of American judicial and racist system, waited to have a Black man walk by before making her move.  She could not try that with the White group because she will be the suspect.  Does she have any regards for her sons and nephews, or she is just grateful to the system?

  I write this article because I want Black parents and young Black boys to realize that they cannot compete with Whites or Black women fairly in America.  This is because for the Whites, it is their system and for the Black females, they will always keep their tails between their legs for the sake of building a career and caring for their children.  Black women are known to do their jobs well no matter the insult because they will not miss a dollar for their children’s care and they have other Black women watching out for their success for the same reason

  The root of these delinquent children is usually fatherless homes and abortion.  Abortion helps lead to a lifestyle of our women not carefully making sure that the men they sleep with are responsible or will be there for their children.  It creates a lifestyle of chasing temporary flashiness instead of a perceived permanent relationship through marriage.  This also leads to many fatherless homes and single teenage mothers.  Most of the problem children I had in my teaching days were children from divorced homes, single mothers, and homes were their fathers were working far away from home on weekdays

  The intentional single mothers deserve nothing in my book.  These are the ones that intentionally get pregnant and put the man in a situation of "marry me or pay child support", and usually they get the child support.  Some also want children without a man.  They feel that by having a man means that they are dependant.  This is a cheap way of convincing themselves and others who care that they are strong and independent.  Some of them want to be the unchallenged boss by all means, so they try to make their husbands from dependant spineless men for themselves and not the children, which usually do not work out anyway.  This is because the men eventually move on or have another woman on the side.  Others waste their time on men they know will not be there in the future.  These are men with little or no skill, education, vision, or morale.  They are usually on the street corners or in jail.  This is a life of confusion and I do not see any reason or logic why confusion needs to be subsidized.

  This must be a very smart move by Tiger to follow the unwritten success book many Blacks, like The Rock and Clarence Thomas, follow to be successful in the United States.  In the United States, it is considered socially dangerous or evil to associate with Blacks and be successful.  If you are too Black or even an African and want to be successful, try hard to be an "Uncle Tom".  This is someone Black who pretends and does anything possible not to identify with Black heritage, history, and culture.  Also, it is a gradual process of discrediting and belittling anything Black publicly in order to be more acceptable to the lighter peoples who control the economy.  This is why many Blacks who have a non-Black parent are secretly very happy that God has given them a way out of their original curse.

  Many of the women felt that they did not need their men for economic, social, and political survival in the United States.  They felt that they had governmental programs for single mothers and their children; they also felt that they were more educated, hardworking, and determined, and they also believed that they were better off in climbing the societal pedestal without the hindrance of their men.  Based on this reasoning, many women considered their males as "dogs" because they were not meant for marriage; instead they are seen as providers of sexual gratification for multiple partners or baby mamas.  The men on the other hand, feel that since they had no father, there should not be an obligation on their part to be anyone’s father or husband.  Despite how often their women complain, they feel it is their obligation to provide that sexual gratification their women need without responsibility for the end result.   Since their women are always available and the women know very well that they have no interest in marrying them or becoming a father, it gives these men the license to call them "bitches", which some women respond to publicly and often call themselves

  Everything good can become bad if misused or used in excess.  It is always good to encourage all people, including women, to aspire to their highest and fullest, and must be given a fair and equal opportunity in all things.  As far as I am concerned, Black feminism has gotten to a point where we now celebrate single mothers and fatherless homes, not fighting enough against Black male oppression in terms of the law and employment, and the contentment of seeing Black males at the bottom to satisfy their feeling of superiority.    
  Not only do we celebrate single mothers more than married mothers on Mothers’ Day, many young girls today truly feel in their deepest souls that it is more prestigious to be an educated single mother than to have a father for their children as her husband in America.  Despite the fact that the White governed systems of America allow Black women to excel more than Black men in most places of work and even to management positions, Black women are known to hire and watch out for themselves than give their qualified brothers a fair chance.  They are even known to make statements that let you see that there are more Black women hired here or that there are more Black women in powerful position there.  This is true, but what are they doing with the opportunity and power to make sure that their sons have someone economically stable to look up to and that their daughters have someone responsible to call their fathers or husbands?

  by jennybravo on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 01:56:18 AM PDT

  •  It is complex

    Certainly the hip-hop world has not been kind to women of any race.   And there may be abuse issues that black women are avoiding by wanting to stay away from their men.  I can't speak to that.

    But most of what civilrights says about white culture is true.  And it's long been known that white culture is less threatened by the black women than by black men AND that they can "kill two birds with one stone" in terms of Equal Opportunity Requirements, by hiring a black woman.  

    So I agree with most of what civilrights says, but would caution him against blaming someone who is much a victim as he is:  the black woman.  

    by mrogers2007 on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 11:21:02 AM PDT

    •  truth

      There is nothing as good as a person who speaks the truth even when the truth does not favour the individual.  Many Black women will never admit to what you just said.  Honestly, I sometimes feel that they (Women and Black women)help to promote the cover-ups of these discriminatory practices because it favors them.  Do I hate Black women or women in general?  No.  Do I hate White People? No.  I have many White friends and White college students who take my classes each semester.  As civilrights, I only demand that we fight and speak up against injustice no matter how small, and no matter how much it reduces our advantage. Big thanks mrogers2007 for your open-mindedness and honesty.  You are a true democratic symbol.  

      by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:45:17 PM PDT

  •  See

    Can't you see we are having an intellectual conversation on this diary?  Why do you come with your needless distractions?  Is the issue here about Black women?  I write what I feel and experience and it could be about the injustice of anyone.  If I am Black and live with Black people, most likely I will have Black women in my illustrations.  Please contribute to the message constructively instead of attacking the messanger.

    by civilrights on Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 12:36:38 PM PDT