Monday, August 21, 2006

I Love People

I came across this gem from a socially conscious student in the Red and Black mailbox today:

On Saturday night, University students and faculty recieved an official email warning of a knife-wielding, “black male, 5’8” to 5”9” in height,medium build, in his mid 20s, with short hair in an afro style, mustache, goatee, and wearing dark shoes, a black shirt, baggy jeans and a silver chain.”

Using generic descriptive language to incite awareness resolves while simultaneously turning hundreds of local black males into suspects. Racial profiling continues to be a destructive form of discrimination perpetuating the social disadvantages facing minority citizens.

Irresponsible news continues to drive students and the black community apart, instead of bringing them together. This white male — 6’01” to 6’02” in height, with short brown hair, no beard, wearing sandals, blue jeans, and a collared shirt — would like to do something about it.

MATT WOOTEN
Senior, Clevland
Modern History & Politics

2 comments:

Patrick said...

I don't get it. How does he propose the media describe a black suspect without using the word "black" or something similar? Is he saying we should stop warning people of suspects altogether, even at the dangerous expense of having more criminals on the loose, just so we can be sure we're not slightly offending overly sensitive douchebags like him?

I guess he can keep strumming Jack Johnson songs on his 6-string in his utopian cocoon on the 8th floor of O-House. The rest of us, meanwhile, will have to remain in reality where, unfortunately, things like bad people exist.

TC said...

"We are searching for a knife-wielding male with skin, a height tall enough to fit in with society, not too skinny or too fat, and his age is not an issue. He styles his hair like he likes, and may or may not have facial hair. He likes to wear clothes when he leaves the house. If you have seen this man please call the Athens Police Department immediately.