OT - Disturbing racially motivated locker room assault
Saw this on ESPN. Very disturbing story about a Mississippi high school sophomore assaulted in the locker room with a noose put around his neck. I've been on sports team and seen some hazing, but never anything this nasty or racially motivated.
Not to over-generalize a population or demographics, but I always do wonder about African American kids staying in the south / SEC to play football in college. I understand many of these kids are from that region and want to stay close to home and that racism could exist anywhere, but I always find it strange when at Ole Miss or Bama games you see confederate flags and symbolism in the same stadiums where they cheer on their beloved team, usually with 50%+ black players.
http://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/17879404/mississippi-high-schoo…
Edit: I caught the same story on CNN, so it's more than just a sports story now. I think it's a horrible event obviously, but a good opportunity to have this discussion and educate young people as to why this behavior is disgusting and what it means to have empathy for your fellow man.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/25/us/mississippi-school-noose-incident-trnd…
October 25th, 2016 at 9:08 AM ^
You're creating a straw man. He just said it's "one of the bigger problems".
Either way, just because some problems may be bigger than others doesn't mean we shouldn't also address the "smaller" problems.
October 25th, 2016 at 11:16 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 11:26 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 12:04 PM ^
I never mentioned or compared 21st century issues. I said implicit bias was a large problem in 21st century *US racism*
October 25th, 2016 at 6:44 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^
That's true, the loudest voices have a disproportionate impact on how we see things, but I was mostly using the examples to show that Ann Arbor/Washtenaw county aren't these magical places with no racism or problems.
October 25th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^
One of them is the nominee of a major party for President. It's not fringe, unfortunately.
October 25th, 2016 at 2:13 PM ^
...but as '94 African American grad, I found, and still find, A2 way ahead of its peers as far as race is concerned. I rarely could identify racism in its overt or covert forms. Then again, I came from Sterling Heights where "nigger go home" was smeared on our garage door the first year we lived there with regularity. My neighbors were agast, but having grown up in predominantly white neighborhoods my whole life we were prepared for such incidents. My dad, a chief of surgery at a local hospital, was asked more than once if "they could speak to the homeowner" when answering the door. Yes, it happens here up north.
At school, the only time I sensed any kind of real racism (not the kind of racial insensitivity that passes as racism in many discussions) was when I was dating or hanging around white girls. And even then, it was my white friends (or "friends") that were more clued-in than me. I know I am not arbiter of like experiences, but those were mine.
But, I look at those as actions of individuals. I am sure that the kids playing in the south are more accustomed to the kind of brash racism of those schools and know how to deal with it. It's about Ws and depth charts more than anything or the personal connection to the coach (Dabo, etc.). Also, the devil you know...etc., when thinking about leaving the region...
October 25th, 2016 at 2:56 AM ^
a better place than it was in my youth. I was born in NC, lived in GA, Memphis and Cincinnati. I bike toured the Natchez Trace. I was never more scared than when I talked to some of the yokels down that way. From what I read it's much better now. The african american community in Mississippi is stronger than it has ever been.
My best to this kid. Not cool for the kid's names to come out in the media right away, but back in the day this wouldn't have gone outside the locker room.
People who say it happens everywhere have not been to Mississippi. It's more than a prank or hazing.
Got to clean the cat box now... joy. Why can't my cat be more dog like. He went to bed hours ago.
October 25th, 2016 at 4:41 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 3:31 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 5:19 AM ^
According to the article, it seems as if the incident was handled correctly by those in authority. For those who have asked, what is the answer, you punish the wrong doing. This has been the historical answer and will continue to be the answer.
October 25th, 2016 at 4:04 AM ^
These days it seems that everyone is angry at someone or something. Often both. Every since I can remember, there have been crazy violent, acts of racisim, extremism, hatred etc. going on.
Maybe its just due to the current state of the mainstream media stirring things up, but there seem to be more of these incidents and things happening today. BLM, the beatings of some Temple students by a swarm of hundreds last Friday night etc.
The past few weeks have been relatively quiet in the world, with regards to say...mass shootings, Islamic Terrorist acts etc. A big one is about ready to go down somewhere in the next few weeks, I'd bet.
What's all of this anger mean? Well regardless of what label or reason that is put on it, in my experience, probaby 45-50% of people who I have known in my life have had significant mental illness issues. I've walked in all areas of life from poor to wealthy and there are tons of bad people who will act with selfish interests and no compassion out there everywhere.
This incident was horribly hateful and racist the students, if found guilty should be punished but also get some counciling and try to rehabilitate. There are no answers to stop these types of things from happening again though.
As for mysef...I can only try to be friendly, get along with others as much as possible.. and watch my back too. Do unto others as you would like to you sorta thing.
October 25th, 2016 at 1:44 PM ^
Everything that happens is reported, re-shown and delivered quickly with no no nuance or context. The world has always had its share of misery happening - we just didn't see it in real time.
October 25th, 2016 at 4:00 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 4:16 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 4:29 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 7:23 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^
1. Some people had kids before losing their jobs -- before the Great Recession, whatever.
2. Sometimes the condom breaks, or the IUD fails.
3. Good for you (same w/ me, btw). But... not an argument you can scale up: you gotta admit there's something fundamentally wrong when & if lots of folks can't afford to have or raise kids.
October 25th, 2016 at 6:15 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 9:04 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 9:24 AM ^
There is a documentary on HBO that came out last year called "Southern Rites" it is well worth your time. There is also one called "Prom Night in Mississippi" which was done by Morgan Freeman and that one is just as good if not better. You think you don't want to leave the house after reading that ESPN article...watch those two documentaries and you will have an even greater perspective. If you do watch...which I hope you will...take note of the years in which they take place.....you will shake your head in disbelief.
And one more in case your feeling froggy....there is a new documentary that just debuted last week or week before last called "Class Divide". Although it is not on the same level of the two I mentioned because it is more money centric it is poignant in how the young people today are dealing with issues they are faced with and it takes place in New York. Very very good.
October 25th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^
Welcome! Glad to hear that you'll take me up on my suggestions. By all means...I'd be glad to hear your feedback or thoughts on them as well.
I would have recommended another one on Netflix called "13th" which is about the 13th Amendment but I have yet to watch it and have only heard about it. Everything I heard says its very good though. I plan on sitting down with my son to watch it since he is 18 now and this will be his first election in which he can vote. Hopefully it will give him some perspective and how important it is that he votes and pays attention and takes part in the political process no matter how turned off by politics he maybe.
Like you I'm always looking to learn...especially from other perspectives and viewpoints.
October 25th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^
to watch "13th" too. Looks great.
This conversation gives me hope.
Would be great to come back & touch base.
October 25th, 2016 at 6:44 AM ^
I mentioned the McDyess and playing basketball things for a reason as well... You would think he'd be considered royalty in a small town right??? He got a lousy, plastic sign acknowledging that he was from there...
I think that's pretty typical of how towns honor residents who become famous. There's usually a sign at the entrance and that's about it.
It's pathetic that it was vandalized though.
October 25th, 2016 at 5:49 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 5:48 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 6:46 AM ^
The "racism exists everywhere - not just the south" is th equivalent of "All Lives Matter."I don't know. I see it more as a caution not to get too complacent here in the North than as a justification for Southern racism.
October 25th, 2016 at 10:15 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 8:14 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 1:15 PM ^
Nuanced, intelligent response that just about nails it.
Thanks for the clarity!
October 25th, 2016 at 9:19 PM ^
Is there room for opinions that disagree with yours? I don't think calling someone's opinion "idiotic, tone-deaf, and infuriating" are likely to change a single mind. Part of the problem with the whole "let's talk about race" thing in this country is that usually the people who most often insist that we need to, are also the ones declaring that opinions that disagree with theirs don't belong in the conversation.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:52 AM ^
Of course there are. But I make no apologies for calling "All Lives Matter" an idiotic, tone-deaf, and infuriating argument, because it's the equivalent of responding to calls for dialog on our race problem by claiming that there's no problem to discuss.
October 26th, 2016 at 6:40 AM ^
I'm not convinced. Interpreting opposing arguments in the most delegitimizing and dismissing way possible is not far removed from demanding white-free safe spaces. Would you be open to dismissing the entire Black Lives Matter movement for rank hypocrisy, on the grounds that they protest and often riot and loot black-owned businesses to protest the handful of black people killed at the hands of police, while doing nothing to speak out against the thousands upon thousands of black people killed at the hands of other black people? Or is it wrong to assess them based only on interpretations by their opponents?
October 25th, 2016 at 6:15 AM ^
Internal migration (e.g., to Cary, NC, which I understand has long been known as Containment Area for Relocated Yankees) has altered the cultural profile of the south, but it's culturally a different place.
Books like "American Nations" and "Albion's Seed" get into the historical details. (I'd be curious to know what MGoHistorians think of those.)
October 25th, 2016 at 6:45 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 6:58 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 7:04 AM ^
My ex wife is from Belgium. You ever been there? Half the Country hates the other half because one side speaks Flemish and the other French. To the point they want to split the Country up. I'd say we do pretty good here in the States considering our vast differences.
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October 25th, 2016 at 7:57 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 7:20 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 9:08 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 9:34 AM ^
In France, it's complicated. The overtly racist stuff that goes on in some countries (monkey chants, throwing fruit at black players) is rare. But there is a segment of society that is clearly uncomfortable having a team with a large number of players of color. There is also a segment of society that is proud to feature a diverse team. It turns almost every appearance by the national team into a political debate.
October 25th, 2016 at 9:36 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
"But there is a segment of society that is clearly uncomfortable having a team with a large number of players of color."
Um... I'd call that pretty overt, myself.
October 25th, 2016 at 3:00 PM ^
It manifests itself differently than in a place like Russia. French people, in general, won't boo black French players or insult them to their face. They'll go online and complain that the team isn't "representative" enough, or that it's too "street," or that it doesn't sing the national anthem loudly enough, etc.
By the same token, fans of rival countries regularly spam French soccer forums with comments about "Frafrica" and how they aren't playing the "real" French team but the "colonial" one, which doesn't help matters.
October 25th, 2016 at 7:57 AM ^
Because most other places have much deeper and older cultural divides that don't rely on the color of someone skin. Doesn't mean that the prejudice and effects there of are any less though. AKA racism in many areas isn't reliant on skin color and has been going on longer than the USA has existed.
October 25th, 2016 at 9:05 AM ^
Case in point: the Dominican Republic. Almost everyone would be considered black by the U.S. "one drop of blood" tradition, but people will adamantly deny having any African ancestry, no matter how visible, and claim they are "Taino Indian" or something similar. That's because they associate being black with being Haitian, and Haitians are despised as the scary foreigners next door.
October 25th, 2016 at 10:03 AM ^
That's a good one, but I was thinking of ones without even skin color being a factor like many of the ongoing issues in africa, the balkans, ireland, scandanavia, UK, belgium, spain, southern italy, etc, etc, etc. Racism exists pretty much everywhere even in absence of skin differences because racism is a direct extension of tribalism which is deeply historic and deeply ingrained. And tribalism is everywhere, in every country, etc.