Jezebel Exposes Young Bigots In-Training

Young people are known for mixing up the sequence "ready, aim, fire" to something more akin to ready, fire, uh...aim", but Tracy Egan Morrissey, over at Jezebel has certainly taken some of the kiddies to 'school' on how responsibility goes hand-in-hand with the First Amendment right to free speech (here).

It seems that quite a few young white folks took to Twitter just after the presidential election to let their worlds know just how they feel about four more years of Mr. Obama. What many had to say was not indicative of good anything...parenting, schooling, coaching or anything else. Mrs. Morrissey/Jezebel simply gave these young people a greater public forum for their youthful vileness. Good for her. It is important for us to know the kids we are raising.

Black parents certainly get a daily dose of what vileness their kids can produce left unattended, but this time around it was white folk's turn to say 'what the hell?'. I also know that kids speak in ways that they were not taught, so I do not automatically blame parents for any particular kid, however, all parents collectively share the blame. You cannot assume that what your kid says in front of you is what they say to others. Parents need to be a little crafty in order to really know their kids - because kids are crafty. And for many parents, it all begins with setting a good example.

In the coming days their will be more made of this, but one thing is for sure, what you say in public forums, electronic or otherwise, follows you and is sticky like syrup. I'm sure Mr. Romney wishes he could take back "self-deportation", "binders of women", "the 47%...", and the like, when he considers how Latinos and women reacted to those words. Mitt certainly wasn't dropping N-bombs, but his gaffes showed that someone could have schooled him a little better about measuring his words.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Jezebel Exposes Young Bigots In-Training, Tracy Egan Morrissey, Jezebel, Racism, Twitter, Acting White

Disintermediation: The End of Black America

If the economic troubles of this country were a swimming pool - black folks, including their inability to swim, are definitely in the deep-end. Low-level jobs, not just the ones in manufacturing - are disappearing at an alarming rate.

I was buying something at the Apple store recently and was told that I did not need a sales clerk to 'check out'. There is now an app for this. I found my item, scanned and paid for it with my iPhone, and walked out without any intervention. I even asked the black security guard how he knew I was not shop-lifting, whereupon he instantly pulled up my name and picture of my purchase on, you guessed it, his iPhone.

Expect to see this capability in all retail stores soon - along with more double-digit black unemployment. It's called disintermediation when middle channel jobs go away due to whatever the reason - technology, globalization of labor, etc. - you name it. It is the process of squeezing out every penny of cost from the goods we just can't live without.

Blacks, as the lowest educated/skilled demographic (of size) in this country, are unemployed at minimally 2x the national average, and well beyond the reach of the Congressional Black Caucus, President Obama, or Bill Gates/Warren Buffet. Add to this the carte-blanche that US financial institutions have been given to exploit black financial ignorance (via financial deregulation), and you get one unmitigated economic and social disaster, with no end in sight!

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Disintermediation: The End of Black America, Unemployment, Apple, Globalization, Middle-man, Acting White

Rodney Glen King: 1965 - 2012

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Rodney Glen King: 1965 - 2012, Can We All Just Get Along, LA Riots, The Riot Within, Police Brutality, Acting White

Obama's Gay Marriage Head Fake

When I first heard that President Obama was coming out in support of same-sex marriage, I thought for once that he was playing it 'straight', so to speak - but no such luck. I say this because the president added the caveat that laws granting this 'civil-right' of union, should be left up to the states. Say what?

As a constitutional scholar, Mr. Obama knows too well, after studying Brown v. Board of Education (desegregation), that state implementation of civil-rights protection is a dog that does not hunt. In other words, he knows that gay marriage left up to the states does not stand a chance in hell of becoming a right, by law. His Harvard legal education showed him, in no uncertain terms, that when the Supreme Court, under Justice Earl Warren, handed-off the implementation of their landmark rebuke of 'separate but equal' (Plessy v. Ferguson) in 1954, it took the states another twenty years to make it a reality. Even then, desegregation occurred amid street battles. To hear former NAACP lawyer and Justice Thurgood Marshall tell it at the time, the Warren Court was being purposefully "S-L-O-W" in handing their desegregation decision to the states, as I believe is Mr. Obama in his caveat-ed support of gay marriage.

Obama is denying what he knows - that it is the role of the federal government, as outlined in the constitution, to defend the civic-rights of every citizen (including equality under the law), particularly when individual state pursuits might abridge such rights. In true political slight-of-hand, Mr Obama is looking for voter credit, for gesture over real substance, while giving the politician's wink/nod to anti-gay factions that know history, especially those folks in the South.

Thurgood Marshall is certainly shaking his head, somewhere in the after-life, and maybe wishing Obama had attended Howard Law (Marshall's alma mater), rather than Harvard.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Obama's Gay Marriage Head Fake, Homosexual, Lesbian, Same-Sex, Civil-Rights, Acting White

Obama vs. Biden On Gay Marriage, And Euphemisms

The other day, when Vice-Presiden Joe Biden usurped President Obama's yet-announced position on gay marriage with his own "I'm comfortable with it", I'm sure many things ran through Obama's head in response - before he hastily put out his own position of support. Here is my quick list of Obama's thoughts...

1. Obama the Urban President... "Biden let his mouth overload his hips on that one!"

2. Obama the Gangsta' Prez... "Biden f_cked-up!"

3. Obama the Black Intellectual President... "Excuse me Joe, it's woodshed time!"

4. Obama the Post-Racial President... "Biden's timing could have been better!"

5. Obama the Two-Term President... "Joe got out a little bit over his skis...but out of a generosity of spirit!"

President Obama's challenge, as I see it, is to be as good a leader of a nation-in-decline, as he is a politician looking for re-election.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Obama vs. Biden On Gay Marriage, And Euphemisms, Homosexual, Lesbian, Re-election 2012, Romney, Acting White

Justice Department Study Says Black Juveniles Victims Of Racism

Upon reading a summary of a just released justice department study (here), that revealed disparate treatment upon apprehension, I wondered if black kids are simply more dangerous, as Jesse Jackson spoke of (here). I will have to spend more time with the study, but I suspect that the question may not have been asked. This can often be the case in these studies when the answer is something that might wake the elephant in the living room.

In any case, the first two comments to the HuffPo article (here) set the context for my question, better than I ever could.

Comment One: (from Jamar Jahi),
"another reason why whites make themselves the enemy".

Comment Two: (from Truthseeker427),
"The truth is to[o] scary to print.
African "youths", will knock you out,
then blow your guts out,
and then group steal everything off your dead body,...
To prove it, take a walk in the hood tonight.

That is to[o] scary to comprehend, so let's be in denial,..."

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Justice Department Study Says Black Juveniles Victims Of Racism, Memphis Study, Shelby County Study, shelbycountyjuv, Jesse Jackson, Acting White

Racist Jury Selection Rescues Death Row Inmate in N.C.

A N.Carolina judge recently ruled that prosecutors 'have intentionally discriminated' against murder defendants - such as Marcus Robinson - by using the peremptory challenge to eliminate black jurors at twice the rate of whites. (here)

The judge found no reason, other than race, for the exclusion of so many blacks from cases with black defendants. Robinson's death sentence was automatically commuted to life without parole.

A Michigan State professor, Barbara O'Brien studied 160 capital murder cases, including Robinson's, to build a convincing argument for the statewide racism. The professor studied selection outcomes for 7,400 capital jurors.

The peremptory challenge is a legal bastion of racism that poisons the judicial process in this country.  Only Kentucky and North Carolina have such laws available to capital inmates who may have been the recipients of racist conduct by prosecutors.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Racist Jury Selection Rescues Death Row Inmate in N.C., Marcus Robinson, Death Row, Racial Justice Act, Prosecution Racism, Acting White

All-Non-Black Juries Harder On Black Defendants Than Whites

In a new study, referenced here, if there are no blacks on a jury, the chance of conviction of a black defendant increases by 16%, over a similar white defendant. The study also presents that having one black juror in the jury pool (not the actual jury) eliminates the disparity in verdicts. Okay - hmmmm? So, from the fairness standpoint, the question is what is at play in attaining that lone black juror in the pool to even up the chance at a fair verdict?

As a part-time trial consultant, I know that getting blacks into the jury process and onto actual juries is easier said than done. The first issue is one of jury pool selection, the greater starting group of people from which the petit jury (trial jury) is selected. Selection algorithms exclude blacks by virtue of the nature and quality of public records keeping upon which they depend. Second is attendance, whereby blacks who are selected will no-show at a rate often reaching 80%. Third and finally, there is the dastardly peremptory challenge, whereby attorneys get to exclude whatever blacks remain, without giving the judge any reason. It is here where racial stereotyping runs amok. For more on this go here (Race and Jury Selection).

The result - blacks are significantly absent, as jurors, from the judicial system, and more black defendants are convicted, than if they were white. My solution? It starts with requiring jury pools to be representative, including hitting no-shows in the pocketbook (tickets) along with driving restrictions. Tax rolls and refund check addresses are the most accurate and up-to-date point of contact. Also, juror compensation must take the economic penalty out of serving. Finally, we must eliminate the peremptory challenge, in the case where doing so would exclude a classification that was present in the initial jury pool (not just blacks). Challenge for cause would remain.

James C. Collier

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Why Do Whites See Trayvon Martin Case So Differently?

I read today how Whites and Blacks have such starkly different views on the Trayvon Martin case (here). I'm going to go out on a limb, for the sake of discussion - so bear with me.

White Americans live culturally under at least two evolved and competing, but nonetheless symbiotic, philosophies of the rule of law. The first is state law, the Constitution, describing what bad acts are allowable. The second is Judeo-Christian law, expressing how good we need to be, in the eyes of God (presumably to enter heaven). Blacks live with no greater or lesser discipline, but to the greater extent, under the cultural philosophy of Christianity.

In the Black view, Zimmerman acted against advice (as armed pursuer), showing bad intentions (faith), so he is guilty of what followed, plain and simple. In contrast and the White view, bad intentions are not enough. Zimmerman would also have to exceed a minimum standard of unacceptable behavior established, in part, by 'stand your ground' laws (statues). In other words, evidence must show, beyond reasonable doubt, that he was not defending himself.

So in the end, Whites may very well see George Zimmerman going to hell, but not to jail, for killing Trayvon Martin, while Blacks make no such distinction. And what looks like racism to many, in reality, is a blind spot(s) created by competing and evolving legal philosophies, attempting to govern our disparate and colliding societies (cultures).

Have at it.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Why Do Whites See Trayvon Martin Case So Differently?, George Zimmerman, Sanford, FL, Rule of Law, Constitution, Acting White

Seven Black Boys Arrested For Hate Crime In Beating Latino Boy

I hate it that the Huffington Post plays the very race games they accuse others of (playing). I found this story on the Latino Voices section, when it should have been on the front page, and Black Voices, too. Also, I resent that the HufPo fails to identify the race of the attackers in the headline, as black. They have no trouble identifying non-black people who attack blacks. I say no double standard. Hate is hate, Violence is violence. Anybody can be racist, and blacks need to take the full hit of seeing themselves portrayed as criminals, along with everybody else. Balanced reporting is the only way we are ever going to begin to make any headway.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Seven Black Boys Arrested For Hate Crime In Beating Latino Boy, Palmdale CA, Cactus Middle School, Racist Teens, 15 Year-Old Hispanic, Acting White

Trayvon Martin Killing Bad Omen For Race In America

Innocent until proven guilty! Guilty beyond reasonable doubt! Burden of proof! These are the tenets of our system of justice, underpinning the goal of justice while of keeping the innocent free. The problem, as illustrated in the Trayvon Martin case, arises when prosecution is delayed or absent because conviction cannot be guaranteed. But, how can a system be both just and promise a particular outcome? What then is the role of investigation and evidence?

The current limbo of the Martin-Zimmerman investigation compounds the tragedy of the killing, because it thwarts justice for any and all involved equally, and poorly sweeps issues of race under the rug.

No one of decision-making authority wants multiple Rodney King-type riots, with it's 55 dead, happening on their watch, so we are force-fed an investigation/prosecution procrastination that mires justice, and threatens a no-confidence revolt nonetheless.

The clock is ticking.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Trayvon Martin Killing Bad Omen For Race In America, Sanford, FL, George Zimmerman, Neighborhood Watch, Vigilante, Acting White

Watch George Zimmerman With Police On Night Of Killing

Check out ABC Video (here).

Try to find a mark or spot of blood on this guy, who was in a 'death struggle' with Trayvon Martin?

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Watch George Zimmerman With Police On Night Of Killing, Sanford, FL, Trayvon Martin, Neighborhood Watch, Vigilante, Acting White

Can The Feds Go After Zimmerman For Killing Trayvon Martin?

As more and conflicting information comes out on the Trayvon Martin killing by self-appointed neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, history tells us that the probability of a satisfactory decision by a local jury of his peers lessens - regardless of Zimmerman's ultimate culpability in the death of this young man. When Zimmerman strapped on the weapon and ignored the 911 operator, he went down a road of no return as the aggressor, however victim Martin defended himself. The State of Florida should convict him, all things being equal. Of course, we know that equality is a curious thing.

In this light , I went looking for the US Attorney's position, when and if the state of Florida unconvincingly delivers justice, leaving the people to act up and out (into the streets). As it turns out, there is only one avenue whereby Zimmerman finds himself in Federal crosshairs - that of committing a hate crime. And the evidence that convicts him will likely be the 911 recording.

The statute that applies is 18 U.S.C. 249, Hate Crime Acts, enacted in 2009. That statute provides:

a) In General.— (1) Offenses involving actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin.— Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person—

(A) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and
(B) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if—
(i) death results from the offense; or
(ii) the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

What the Feds will try to show is that Zimmerman killed Trayvon, due to his race. It is important that the two did not know each other, and Zimmerman identified Trayvon by race, and included negative language eluding to his race, 'these guys always get away', and including a potential racial slur.

Certainly, the Feds would rather not intervene, but their response is dependent on the local system generating some credibility, and so far this has not happened. The white Sheriff, who stepped down, admitted that the crime scene investigation was not thorough, and his office has a reputation of bias and laziness. It certainly hurts credibility, all the way around, that George Zimmerman is not on 'ice', rather than walking freely and uncharged nearly a month after the killing.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Can The Feds Go After Zimmerman For Killing Trayvon Martin?, Federal Government, Sanford,FL, Rodney King, Hate Crime, Acting White

Zimmerman Fails Test Of Self-Defense In Trayvon Martin Killing

George Zimmerman claims that young Trayvon Martin attacked him, thereby justifying his use of deadly force, in killing him. As proof, the Sanford Police point out the grass stains on Zimmerman's back, as though he was on the ground. They point out Zimmerman's injuries, including a broken nose and other bruising, as evidence of defense. Zimmerman may have been attacked, but the real question is if that attack was provoked by his own actions of threat and deadly force (pursuit and possession of a deadly weapon)?

In rebuttal to the Sanford Police, it seems that when one person pursues another while possessing a deadly weapon, the pursuer becomes an antagonist of deadly potential, by absolute definition, and nothing short of breaking off the pursuit can reset the roles. If I attack a bear and that bear subsequently chases me down and claws me, is the bear now the aggressor? No. The aggressive response of the bear is in defense of its life, and justifiable.

Similarly, the probable aggressive response of Trayvon Martin to George Zimmerman's pursuit of him, including Zimmerman's possession of a deadly weapon, does not prohibit young Martin from aggressive defense of his life. In fact, Martin's response is predictably that of someone in fear of their life.

Zimmerman created and controlled all facets of the situation by which he took the life of another person. The only question is how much of his preparation, and actions leading up to the killing, were pre-meditated.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Zimmerman Fails Test Of Self-Defense In Trayvon Martin Killing, Trayvon Martin, Sanford, FL, Neighborhood Watch, 776.012, Acting White

Florida Stand Your Ground Law Will Not Protect Zimmerman, Lawmakers Say

The Florida lawmakers of the "Stand Your Ground" law that Sanford, FL police authorities are using to avoid arresting George Zimmerman, admitted killer of young Trayvon Martin, are quoted as saying, "This law is for innocent, law-abiding citizens who are under attack by a perpetrator. Anyone who is out pursuing and confronting people is not protected by this statute. I think they (the Sanford Police) need to go back and read the statute".

"I don't see why he hasn't been arrested," said Sean Caranna, executive director of Florida Carry, a gun rights group. Caranna also said, "Being the neighborhood watch guy doesn't give you carte blanche to stop and question every guy you see walking down the street".

"You cannot provoke the confrontation. You cannot be the instigator and then claim 'stand your ground,' said Scott Sundby, professor at University of Miami law School.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Florida Stand Your Ground Law Will Not Protect Zimmerman, Lawmakers Say, Trayvon Martin, Sanford, FL, Neighborhood Watch, 776.012, Acting White

Trayvon Martin Killing: America's Nightmare

After eighteen days, some answers are finally beginning to come out (here) about this tragic killing in Sanford, FL, just beyond Orlando. The fact that the unarmed young man, Trayvon Martin, was black and his pursuer/killer, a 9mm-armed, white, neighborhood watch captain, yet charged, only makes the whole damn thing all the more vexing. It is clear that the police have their own agenda, which may center on explaining why this neighborhood vigilante was allowed to have a gun and walk the streets, in the first place.

The Sanford Police released the 911 recording today, made through the assailant's cell phone, beginning with seventeen year-old Trayvon 'looking suspicious' walking down the street with skittles (candy) and a soft-drink, and ending with him seemingly begging his eventual killer to stop. Even though the 28 year-old shooter, George Zimmerman, was instructed by the 911 operator to stop following the boy, Zimmerman ignored this and ultimately shot and killed the youngster, to the claim of self-defense.

The recording is already painting a picture that should push calls for second-degree, possibly first-degree murder. The police delay in arresting Zimmerman, while infuriating, will surely invite state and federal authorities into the investigative/prosecution mix, which will be good. Small southern towns are not known for their even-handed investigations and prosecutions.

I ache for Trayvon's parents, as I am continually forced to remain vigilant, with my own son, to all the challenges ready to snatch away the future of young boys/men still buying candy and dreaming about their futures.

Stay Tuned.

Update 3/20: "The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI have opened an investigation into the "facts and circumstances" surrounding the killing of Trayvon Martin."

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Trayvon Martin Killing: America's Nightmare, Sanford, FL, Trayvon Martin, Neighborhood Watch, Vigilante, Acting White

Black Students Face More Discipline In Schools, But Why?

The NYTimes is reporting on disparities in discipline levels (here) in US Education, across race, from soon to be available data (here).

On the surface, this article sounds a familiar alarm on unfair treatment of young people of color, but the presentation leaves me to wonder what the authors are really saying, versus what the data is actually saying, or not.

The title and language speak of results, whereby black and Latino kids receive more and harsher discipline than white and Asian kids, presumably. What is not presented is data on whether black and/or Latino infractions are also more serious, or not. The reader is left to assume that the black kids are punished differently for the same level and type of offense, but with no real way of knowing. Data on punishment following perceptions, rather than measured seriousness of offense, could be significantly misleading.

Two years ago, my son was assaulted by another black student at his high school, and the assailant was permanently expelled under a zero-tolerance school policy. The guardian of the boy thought the punishment was harsh, without consideration that zero-tolerance for breaking the law means ZERO! Because of my own experience, including the involvement of the local police in investigating and charging the young assailant, I am not so quick to assume that we are talking apples-to-apples in behavior data leading to disparities in discipline.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Black Students Face More Discipline In Schools, But Why?, Youth Violence, Crime And Punishment, Double Standard, School Racism, Acting White

Racsim: Alive And Well In America's Churches

A surprising number of southern whites recently polled in Alabama and Mississippi continue to believe that interracial marriage should be illegal (here). These strong feelings come to the surface at church, as one of the last strongholds of segregation.

Only 2.5% of US churches are integrated, defined as at least two different groups where each comprise more than 20% of the congregation. Another 2.5% of US churches are transisitoning from one group to another. So, depending on who you believe, 90-95% of all US churches are still segregated by race.

The more salient issue is not that people are racist (they are), but how more or less tolerant they are in "God's House". It also seems that blacks are no more tolerant than whites of worshiping together, or of issues of interracial marriage practiced alongside Christianity.

I think this one needs a series, stay tuned.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Racsim: Alive And Well In America's Churches, Interracial Marriage, Miscegenation, Loving v. Virginia, Race Mixing, Acting White

Judge Rules That NYFD Discriminated Against Blacks And Latinos: $128 Million

It certainly takes some brains, not just brawn, to effectively fight fires, but it doesn't take a degree in rocket science. However, even with decade after decade of initiatives to allow minorities the opportunity to join the ranks, the NYFD has remained 97% white. Yes, you heard me correctly, 97%. How is that?

Well, Judge Nicholas Garufis says he knows. Whites have kept their lock on firefighting jobs in the Big Apple by rigging the test. And even after the city was told their testing was unfair, they kept on testing and hiring the same as they have been for decades, with the same results. It seems the test administrators continually revised the test to ask questions in context where being white, growing up white, have friends and family that were white, was a distinct advantage in answering correctly, having nothing to do with firefighting.

Here is one definition of the cultural bias Judge Garufis is citing, "cultural bias in testing refers to a situation in which a given test is inappropriate for a certain audience as it does not test the test-taker's actual knowledge of a taught subject or includes details tied to a culture that the test-taker is unfamiliar with."

Addendum: If you divide the payout into the number of abused, it comes to $58,181 per person, offset by certain individual earnings that may have occurred.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Judge Rules That NYFD Discriminated Against Blacks And Latinos: $128 Million, Biased Testing, Garufis, Vulcan Society, Racism, Acting White

Democrats Square Off Against Obama On Indefinite Detention

Today, two Democrats, Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Congressman Adam Smith, (D-Wash.) presented a bill that will repeal indefinite detention of US citizens, on US soil. This effort is squarely at odds with Obama, regardless of the spin/rhetoric put into the air. (here)

Last year, on December 24 to be exact, President Obama signed NDAA 2012, which notably included, at the White House's insistence (threat of veto), indefinite detention of US citizens. Now, there is a Democratic plan afoot to repeal the inclusion, thereby acknowledging that no president, even a cool one, or branch of government is above the US Constitution dictate, protecting due process and the right to speedy trial.

The White House will try to keep this low-key through the election - but many Democrats should worry about looking un-American in their home states, while supporting the President's ill-advised and un-constitutional power grab.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Democrats Square Off Against Obama On Indefinite Detention, NDAA, Mark Udall, Adam Smith, Section 1021, Acting White