Peter writes: > Being a white racist in Minnesota means never having to say you're sorry > because you can always call people in the South racist. > ------------Peter Schmitz CARAG
I could just as glibly say being a guilt-ridden white person in Minnesota means never having to prove your case. Both my statement (intentionally) and the one above are over-the-top, stereotypic and at some point, useless. Britt's point is perfectly defensible in sort of a civil standard (preponderance of evidence). Who out there doesn't believe racial discrimination happens daily - but often on a sub-lawsuit basis. Given society's inherent racism, I believe there is a likelihood that what this family alleges happened - but that is informed speculation. Others argue a criminal standard (innocent until proven guilty). This, too, makes great sense. Were any of us accused of doing what the Market did (put yourself in an employee's place), we'd damn sure want it proven that we'd done what the family alleges - and that it was racially motivated, not a bad day or a bad question from the cops. I think the only statement that's out-of-bounds is that it COULDN'T have happened because of race - it's impossible to rule out, given the facts as we know them. I think each side's outrage stems from understandable societal concern: those who believe racism is denied too often in this society, and those who believe proof is necessary for serious accusations. We can tar and feather each other all day (itself a racist punishment), but I think there's less to demonize in this discussion than the rhetoric might indicate. Can both sides agree we need more information? Britt and I are in the media. ... maybe it's a race? David Brauer King Field TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
