N.C. mayor stands by comments on black youth

NAACP: Charlotte leader’s words stereotypical, reinforce ‘racist thinking’ (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19731679/from/RS.4/)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The mayor said he stands by his comments that black youth are imitating gangsters, despite a call from the local NAACP to apologize.
Mayor Pat McCrory, who is white, said he was accurate when he wrote that “too many of our youth, primarily African American, are imitating and/or participating in a gangster type of dress, attitude, behavior and action.”
His remarks came in a July 5 letter to the city manager in which McCrory congratulated police for their presence the night before, when 169 people — mostly black — were arrested.
The mayor painted “African American youth with a broad swath that cuts deep in many of our communities,” said Ken White, president of the Charlotte branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
“Mr. McCrory’s comments reinforce that stereotype, especially to those inclined to hold onto racist thinking and behavior,” White said.
McCrory told The Charlotte Observer that he understands his remarks offended some people, but he cited statistics that more than 60 percent of Charlotte’s gang members are black.
“My role as mayor is to communicate what I consider to be concerns and in doing so you have to step on some toes,” he said.
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:rant:

Far too many groups protest when ndgative truths about them are stated. They wish to sweep these negative facts under the rug and pretend they do not exist.

It is true that more crime is committed by young black men than by members of other groups. It is also true that young black men dress disproportionately like gangsta thugs than members of other groups.

Stating this fact does not cause it to happen. It only points out an existing condition or set of actions.

Bill Cosby was castigatted by much of the Black community when he stated hard truths about black youth and this mayor is being castigated for the same reason.

Ken White of the NAACP saying, “Mr. McCrory’s comments reinforce that stereotype, especially to those inclined to hold onto racist thinking and behavior,”, misses the point. The Mayor's comments will not make someone who is not racist suddenly become racists. What it might do though is cause some parents to think and to realize that by allowing their children to emulate gangsta thugs they are doing them a disservice. Mr. White would better serve his community if he were to stop whining and start trying to change the attitude among some of the young people of his community.

Realistic or Stereotypical?
Realistic.

I think the NAACP should stop denying things like this and either provide evidence to prove them wrong or make atempts to fix the problem.

I'm not saying that all "African American" people are in gangs or even that there are more African American's in gangs. Statistically speaking the opposite is true.

You're racist for even talking about it!

I think the NAACP should stop denying things like this and either provide evidence to prove them wrong or make atempts to fix the problem.

I'm not saying that all "African American" people are in gangs or even that there are more African American's in gangs. Statistically speaking the opposite is true.
Really? I'd think there's about an equal amount of young men of different races in gangs. Are you saying that blacks have the least?

I'd think there's about an equal amount of young men of different races in gangs.
There's not. I think it's probably like 60% black, 30% Mexican and Puerto Rican, 5% Asian, and 5% white/other.

Those are just guesses... Probably wrong. I think it would be more than 5% white.

Those are just guesses....
You're right - they were. I guess (well, as close as they can approximate) these figures are more accurate. Here are numbers from the 4th annual National Youth Gang Center Survey of about 3000 law enforcement agencies:

Officials reported 46% of all gangs were Hispanic/Latino, 34% African American, 12% Caucasian, and 6% Asian.

Now that does seem more accurate to me.

Really? I'd think there's about an equal amount of young men of different races in gangs. Are you saying that blacks have the least?

Demographically speaking it would vary from area to area. I don't think I'm beyond my guesstimate in saying that a small town in Nebraska with a 95% white population, would be likely to have an all black gang.

And despite mis-information only 12.9% of the American population is black.

Now, there are alot of complex sociological issues that most people can't discuss without leaning back to racism.

And despite mis-information only 12.9% of the American population is black.
A key point, indeed. Staggers the imagination, doesn't it?

Bill Cosby was castigatted by much of the Black community when he stated hard truths about black youth and this mayor is being castigated for the same reason.

Which should do more than make people stand up and notice.
Maybe many Blacks feel The "Cos" sold out with his huge success
which might have come at the hands of White Producers and Hollywood
types.Cosby was a Hero of mine in High School.Along with
Marlon Brando.At that Time Bill Cosby had a TV show,where he
played a Kool High School Gym teach,who always managed to
unravel the Kids problem,with a combo of Wisdom,pragmatism and
stern reality.He often had to physically PROVE his point,Literally.
Kinda like round dis hears pop stand.

As far as the NAACP,it is run by arguably The Biggest Racist
AssKlown on the Planet.Julian Bond is simply a troublemaker.
I don't know what he's done for that organization,except try and
stick his Racist Finger at the White Man,repeatedly.
He just got thru with a Convention,and again,made headlines
by stating that Blacks in New Orleans were purposedly Forced
out of Fee Simple Property rights,as one would expect from Whitey.
Juilian Bond isn't even clueless.
He's just dagburn hellbent on Putting All Whities back on the
plantation,and having Blacks play the Massa.

Realistic or stereotypical?

Both. Stereotypes aren't manufactured out of whole cloth. Like myths, there's a grain of truth in them somewhere.

Realistic or stereotypical?

Both. Stereotypes aren't manufactured out of whole cloth. Like myths, there's a grain of truth in them somewhere.
So what are you saying? Yes or no?

So what are you saying? Yes or no?

I'm not trying to be obtuse here...yes or no what?

Sorry, drunk and fucked up. I was just looking for something more definitive. (Yes, at 11 am - my night never ended.)

Sorry, drunk and fucked up. I was just looking for something more definitive. (Yes, at 11 am - my night never ended.)

Ahh...take some aspirin before you go to sleep. ;)

I think the mayor is taking heat for speaking about a subject that desperately needs addressing. I commend him for it.

Sorry, drunk and fucked up. I was just looking for something more definitive. (Yes, at 11 am - my night never ended.)
He's thing 2. I'm thing 1.

And some crazy transvestite stripper named Jynx is the Cat in the Hat.

Ahh...take some aspirin before you go to sleep. ;)
Awe, thanks, Vile - and you didn't even tell me to take acetaminophen....;)

I think the mayor is taking heat for speaking about a subject that desperately needs addressing. I commend him for it.
Bingo...you're starting to sound rational, Vile - be careful....:D

Bingo...you're starting to sound rational, Vile - be careful....:D

Great...a drunk thinks I'm starting to sound rational :D

Realistic or stereotypical?

Both. Stereotypes aren't manufactured out of whole cloth. Like myths, there's a grain of truth in them somewhere. I agree with what you're saying. However he said "Too many" For me one youth of any color, creed etc imitating gangster bullshit is too many. realistic.