June 20, 2008
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Race and Crime Part 2
Last night I posted in the issue of “Race and Crime.”
I linked an article that gave a hypothetical situation. Here it is:
“Say your wife’s car runs out of gas in the middle of the night in a desolate neighborhood. She has no idea which way to walk to find a gas station. However, if she walks one way she has to pass by a half dozen black youths lounging on a corner. If she walks the other way, she would have to pass by a half dozen Indian immigrant youths. Which way would you prefer she went?”
I want to change this situation just a bit.
Imagine your car broke down in the middle of the night in a desolate neighborhood. Imagine you have to walk to get help from a gas station. Imagine in one direction there are a group of black youths. Imagine in the other direction there are a group of white youths. (Imagine your cell phone doesn’t work).
Do you walk towards the black youths or the white youths?
Comments (102)
This is why I have a cell phone and a AAA card.
whichever group seems the most calm.
@whas_go0d - I agree
@whas_go0d - I third that.
I would lock myself in the car, pray for help and hope they didn’t notice me.
Darn you, Dan! Fine. If I knew where the closest gas station was, I’d go in that direction. Otherwise, whichever group seems calmest as whas_good says. I might even ask them for directions if I didn’t feel too threatened.
it depends on their clothing and how their demeanor is. Hardly anyone would seem friendly to me during the night. Honestly, if it came to it I would walk past the white group (as long as they aren’t dressed like wangstas)
It depends on how they are dressed,but I honestly would not mind asking either group where the nearest gas station is.
i go with the theme: depends on how they’re dressed. now doesn’t THAT bring up a whole ‘nother issue?
for me … i mean …”do you have your pants around your hips or knees?”
i call it “pant profiling”
i would run into either direction screaming at the top of my lungs “help! i’m being chased by a ghost!” waving my arms above my head. then i will see WHICH of them are safe to cross…
@MCTCanadian - @seedsower - @whas_go0d - @SamsMom1004 - @saintvi - Im not stupid to NOT know from which way I came.. or else I wont be driving.Hahaha Also, I wouldnt be timid. I would go up to whichever group is closest… And it may be the blacks because if you ask for help,they will more than likely…jusgt LIKE the whites, give you directions,or a lift.
Its not hard to communicate with anubody…Even if they were to be bad youth, trust in them and they honor that.
Sheeez seriously, now. Hahha
Oh and Dan…What would YOU do????? (Hahah WWDD?)
@momma2babies34@revelife - hahaha
It totally depends how they are acting. And like some of the others, I might even ask them for directions or help. It’s about attitude, not race.
Well Dan you are going for the hot buttons, I said you would not.
I read too many crime statistics, anyone who does that will profile big time. If all else is equal, i would do what Jesse Jackson admits he would do. the white guys.
But honestly I have little reason to be afraid I have a cell phone and a permit to carry.
Wow. No one has answered which one based just on the criteria you set. I’d walk past the white group, probably.
Walking on ice.
Like everyone is saying. The way the group is acting and dresses influences my decisions. If the black youths are all gangstered out and the white kids are wearing polo’s, I pick the white kids. But either way, at night, I’d be scared enough to crap my pants, no matter what color they are.
Funny note: while you’re busy walking past the group of kids that looks less menacing, the other group will steal your car. hhaha
How are they dressed? Which state is this desolate neighborhood in? Are they sober? Are there any females in the group? You are leaving out lots of details.
Even something as simple as geography matters. If this desolate neighborhood is in a state like Mississippi or Alabama, I’ll walk toward the black folk, with all else being equal. If it’s in New York or California, I’ll walk to the white folk.
I’d probably wait it out in the car ’til one of the groups moved.
Why? Because I’m uber paranoid at night. X_x
I think I might just sit in the car and wait till the sun comes up.
Dan dear… come read my post please.
Yeah, screw that. Neither one. I don’t trust people.
Round my home when I’m not at college, there are no youths in the middle of the night… and very few groups of blacks… because, unfortunately, my city is not particularly diverse…. back in Lynchburg, the black group would probably give me better directions if I’m downtown, but I highly doubt I’d be threatened either way.
ps. no one has actually answered the question….hahahaha.
Well I’d just be stuck because I’m sort of afraid of things in the dark and people scare me. I wouldn’t walk past either group.
Where I live? I would lock my self in the trunk and wait for the tower to come take me. Seriously. But in an effort to keep my racial point of view alive…the opular thing would be the white kids…because, after all, they’re white and they are good, white kids, right? If the next corner had Mexicans on it…that’s where I would run because for a few buck they could get their cousin Chuey to come and fix the car for me!
Forget it…I would rather walk down a dark alley by myself. They’re all criminals to me.
RYC: I know you were being sarcastic…I think I’m just becoming overly sensitive these days.
I would go past the black kids because in Oregon there would be fewer of them.
@Little_Lady27 - I have to agree. Groups of people scare me, despite age, race, socioeconomic background, etc. It is a known fact that people in groups behave below their individual intelligence levels…
do they have guns?
hah.
depends on how they’re dressed
I hate this. A lot.
This hypothetical situation is only applicable to people who’ve never been a racial minority before. I’d hope that which ever “choice” they made, they learn that people are people and be a little less effing ignorant.
Plus, if there’s that many people out on the street at night: you’re not in a bad hood. Two groups, just hanging out at each corner? And the city is diverse enough to have them be of different racial backgrounds? Sounds like an urban utopia. I’d go to whichever group is closest.
I live in cities. I travel alone often. I’m not naive. I’ve taken self defense classes. The most important thing I learned from them is that I may have to defend myself against people I know. That’s who is most apt to hurt you. Not some random clump of guys, chilling out on the corner of their own neighborhood, minding their own business.
that question doesn’t give me enough information to answer the question.
I guess my usage of the word “desolate” is not shared by everybody.
To answer the question, it would depend on which direction held a closer gas station, and possibly what KIND of neighborhood I was in. Though honestly, if it’s a bad neighborhood does it really matter?
Did you ever consider that if you approach a group of black or white youths like they might rob you, they will?
If you think I’m gonna fucking rob your dumb ass, I may as well pancake bitch herb. I caught me a herb that aint got no loot, what the fuck!
My body is but a vessel for my convictions. Every time I walk around CI I walk ready to die. Surprisingly however, I don’t. Not wanting to die, just, this may be it, oh well.
I suppose I should scurry around instead. That always helped tremendously. Those few seconds before a robbery are when someone gauges if you will roll over or not and that often decides if you are going to get robbed or not. It is supposed to be fast and easy, no one wants a challenge. In, out, done, or not if that isn’t there.
@nkleyva - Before anyone gets into arms…my husband is Mexican.
flip a coin. i know more punk ass white kids than black kids anyway.
Well if I walk toward the black youths I take and pull out of my trunk my case of Bud Light …..if I walk toward the white youths I take my tire iron out of the trunk……..then again I doubt you would see a group of both on opposit ends hanging out without shooting each other……so I guess I could go the the white group and tell them the black youths think they suck thus a rumble and I am free to go any way I want……
It’s true that most of those who responded to this question did not actually ANSWER the question..
The first few said “depends on how they are dressed”i call that BSMost people will SAY that but when in the situation they will walk past the white youths.Personally.. and honestly I am not afraid of groups.. as a black female I am not threatened by groups of black guys (as this question is obviously getting at)I would walk past either group.. i guess it depends on which gas station looks like it would be more helpful.A question with a better answer would be .. if there were one guy lingering on the corner…my answer would be the white guy..-adieu, stace
i would walk past the white group.
you can call me racist but you would too.
My first inclination is to say white. BUT I have a big booty….and I do well around black people. I have a little bit of sista in me.
um… most people are dodging the question like, “well, it all depends on (insert anything so I don’t sound racist).” Honestly, I would walk past the white kids. I’m not saying that my feelings would be right, but it’s true. Everyone is at least a little bit racist, but they don’t want to admit it. I think we should admit it and then see what we we can do about it, or how to fix it.
I would really have to observe both groups before making a decision.
It depends on how they are acting.
However, I will say this: One night I was lost in the ghetto and went down a side street. There was a group of about 10 black kids in the road, each with their bikes, so they had obviously met up there. When they saw my car, they moved very slowly out of the way and just stared at me. I realized the street was a dead end and turned around at the end, and when I had to go past them again, I admit I felt a little threatened even though they hadn’t really done anything and I was wondering, if they were white, would I have felt safer? I really don’t know.
@WordFlyerJosh - Thats how I feel.. Im not threatened.
@nkleyva - IS HE LEGAL?? Just a calm question…
What it comes down to is that a lot of people would be afraid of a group of youths, period.
But if these hypothetical people were older- say, in their thirties- I think commenters’ opinions may change. At least a bit.
Towards the station with the cheaper gas of course!
Oh lawd, you need to read race, crime and the law. Randall Kennedy.
Uh, It depends on how baggy the clothes are. And visible drugs.
i don’t have a cell phone. i carry a flare gun.
but in all honesty, i walk in whichever direction seems most sensible. i.e. which way is closest to a freeway exit, which way is better lit, which way has a major intersection close by.
if i go in the direction of the black kids, if they are all wearing similarly colored t-shirts, i don’t make eye contact.
if i go in the direction of the white kids, i feel safe because that probably means i’m near a mall.
Do you walk towards the black youths or the white youths?
Depends. Does the white youth have shaved heads and Nazi armbands?
All things being equal, I’d go to the white kids.
BUT, if the white kids had pants around their ankles and red bandannas on their heads, and the black guys were in suits and ties, I would probably ask the black men. It’s not a race thing, I just come from a city where one doesn’t take unnecessary risks (I grew up in DC). Like Trunthepaige said, when even Jesse Jackson admits he breathes a sigh of relief when the footsteps behind him belong to a white man and not a black one, it just makes sense to understand demographics and know who the most likely criminals are.
this is like a mind game =)
if i walk to the white side, it may seem racist against white people, but if i walk towards black people it seems as if i would only walk towards my race. that’s why i say if there is a middle walkway i’d walk down this way i can pass by both groups.
and chyeah man, i have a cell phone so i’m all goody in the hoody.
If all things were equal I’d walk past the black kids because I am black and live in the South. I’d be nervous to walk past the white kids. However, if things weren’t equal, I would walk past the calmest group, the direction toward the closest gas station, or toward the better neighborhood.
From what he told me he is! LOL! Or at least he became legal when we married! Yes, he’s legal.
That depends on what they’re saying and wearing. Probably the black youths.
Well, it also depends on what I’m wearing. If my legs/ass are hanging out or I’m in heels with at least my shins showing, I’ll walk past the white guys. If my breasts are showing, or if I’m generally pretty well covered, I’ll walk past the black guys.
What are youths doing in the middle of desolation anyway? Why would you construct a neighborhood in desolation?
There’s nothing cool with groups of youths that are just *there*. Not threatened by either of them, I’ll take my chances either way.
The odds of either group going after someone like me are small. Muggings don’t happen to people if they seem like tough targets. No worries.
The only difference in the scenario is skin colour. I would go to the nearest gas station regardless of which youth group, black or white, is in. If I had to pick (just to answer the question), I’d walk towards the black group.
OH WAIT!!!!… My wife?!?!?!
Hahahah Dan! I am not married!
Yes, I know after 50 something comments, I have to come back and be a wise butt.
Oh wait, Im straight too.
I think.
I’m neither a black nor a white. top of the mind answer is walk towards the white youths coz my boyfriend is white. but then i’m thinking, i’ll prolly walk towards the group from which i get a smile.
@whas_go0d -
Yeah, I’m with you there.
The white group.
Black kids can fight.
And use guns.
White kids are pansys.
Usually when a group of white kids congregate in the middle of the night, they’re most likely finishing up they’re heroin injections or just finished beating the crap of some minority and are still looking to have some fun.
Now when a group of black kids congregate in the middle of the night, they’re preparing to roll some dice or spark up a blunt.
I think I’m headed over to the black kids with a few singles in one hand and a lighter in the other. Then just for the hell of it, I’d tell them the pack of white kids over there said something about their mamas.
@A_Birds_Eye_View - i did
weigh out my options: 1. sleep it out until morning. 2. as i wait, i can survey either side for attitudes, appearance, influence of alcohol (maybe). 3. take option #1 because everything look clearer at light of day. If I really care about my safety, I won’t make make quick decisions based on race, rather evaluate the severity of my situation and how well I’m equip to get myself out of it. Urban jungle or woodsie jungle — keeping calm, being rational and a lot of common sense can keep you alive.
If there’s anyone on a cell phone in either group, I’ll walk toward that one because more than likely I’m going to need a telephone to alert my mother that I’m going to be late.
Unless, that is, I was in one of the bad neighborhoods. In those neighborhoods, it’s predominately black folks. BUT I would not walk past either one, because it’s a bad neighborhood and crime happens whether the person is black or white.
I’d stay right where I was and let them come to me.
You didn’t describe their attire and how they looked, and their physical manner of ‘hanging out on a street corner’.
So I can’t really say. I might just sit in my car with the doors locked trying to call some one to come and save me.
Well where i’m from you have crazy black kids and crazy white kids.. so I dont know.. If i went the black way.. id probably get a bunch of negative comments (i know from experience) If I went the white way I’d get some crazy comments as well.. it depends on where you live, what sex you are…etc… I think this is why alot of people can’t answer this question. If you look like your scared.. which ever way you go your going to get trouble.
Either way, you are going to make me sound racist. My first instinct is stay inside the car and wait for help because I’m too scared for my safety. Hey, I’m a girl the thought of getting rape and being kill afterward is very common. If no one will come look for me, forcing me to go out get help then, I will most likely walk pass the group who is more better behave and well dressed.
i’ll be honest. white youths.
Well, where I live…I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking past either group because both groups would be just as likely to mug me. Depending on how bad my situation was, I might just sit tight in my car and wait. If I was forced to walk past one group…my first inclination would be to walk past the white kids because psychologically, we’re more comfortable around people who are similar to us. But the black kids might be safer. Just depends. Sorry, but I would watch them all for a bit to see what they’re doing, how they’re acting, and I WOULD judge them on how they were dressed.
Fortunately I always plan out my routes, especially if it involves night driving, and I’d know where the nearest gas station was. Plus I’ve got a fully charged cell phone
honestly, i’d walk towards the black kids.
in my personal experience white kids are mostly bastards, and black kids have mostly been nice.
mexicans however, i would not walk past them at all. but that’s because around here most gangbangers are mexican.
What’s wrong with all the people who say “it depends”?
The point of the example is: given that all factors being equal/factored out, which group do you walk past?
At least the cell phone people had a legitimate (but also, stupid) out.
Do you guys take SATs and add-in “it depends” options or make up choice G when there is only A-E?
hahaha i agree with seedsower!! i mean… you never know, the black youths can be wearing abercrombie and the white kids can be wearing sean jean or other things like that.
I have never seen blacks making trouble. There are only very few here. I think I’d take that side.
Or I’d wait in the car till some side leaves.
@GrumpyBear54 - ha! that’s the best answer, I think. Only a few people have actually answered the question, which is interesting in and of itself =)
It depends on which direction the “help” is, that is the direction I would go.
The woman should hide until everyone goes away. Then sneak to the station. I got a flat at 2:30 am on a desolate highway. I hid when I saw headlights in between changing the tire.
Then about another 5 miles my car overheated, I got some water from a birdbath in front of a school. That was enough to get me to the gas station.
Being a woman sometimes makes you feel “hunted”.
I guess carrying around a hornet’s nest might be useful. I have a couple. The hornets are dead, but they are inside.
Walk past them like you know all their mamas.
There’s way too many variables in that situation for me to give you a proper answer.
Probably the black group.
Most serial killers, statistically, are young, attractive, white men.
I would go whatever distance has the shortest distance to a gas station. If I didn’t know where the gas station was I would go up to the kids and ask.
Someone mentioned no one’s actually answered the question, and they’re right. People are just pussy-footing aroudn the question by saying ‘oh I have a cell phone’ or ‘depends how they’re dressed/how they act/the location/etc’ and, may favorite, ‘neither’. So I’ll answer the damn question.
If I absolutely HAD to choose….I’d walk by the black youth, but that’s probably because of my own odd fears and experiences. I’m white and…I tend to find white men more…scarey I guess and unpredictable. It always seems like when it comes to rape, murder, pedophilia, stalking, etc 90% of the time it’s some creepy old white dude OR some young white guy who has serious mental issues or is just belligerently drunk.
Now, taking the area, clothing, and demeanor into account, yes my decision could be swayed, same with if I had my cell phone on me. But really it doesn’t matter what race it is, anyone is capable of anything. But again, in just answering this question blindly, my initial decision would be to take my chances with the black youth.
in the first scenario i would walk past the indians, being indian. in the second i would walk past the white. since i’m a ridiculously pale indian
If they were women, it wouldn’t bother me to walk past either group. If they were men, I’d camp in the car with the doors locked.
I’d just yell “HELP” and see which one will come to me..
The black youths.
How can this neighborhood be desolate with so many people around?
well seeing as i live in manchester, white guys can be some pretty crazy ass drunks aaaand equally racist, id chance on crossing the black guys…and had it been the original scenario the asians…but all in all youve got a high chance of trouble.
@Irish_Russian -
bahahahahaha
XD
I’m lazy. I’d walk to the nearest station, or take a nap till someone came lookin for me. LOL
I’ll be honest, I’d go for the white kids. I am admittedly more comfortable around them because I have never been around many black people. Catholic schools equals lots of white kids, plenty hispanic, but very few black. Nothing against them, just naturally more comfortable aroudn white.
I would have my dead phone up to my ear blabbering away as I passed the calmer group and then, nonchalently, ask them for directions, before continuing to blabber away on the phone.
Any group of men (white, black, indian, green, blue I don’t care) hanging around at night is sketchy in my book. I would stay in my car until they left, or until the morning…
Usually I tell my boyfriend where I’m going and when I’ll be there… that way if I’m ever in this situation he knows to come out and look for me!
I’d go towards who has the friendliest looking individuals. I admit, I WOULD judge them, without a doubt. But I’d pick which kids looked friendlier, which ones looked safer.
Well it does depend a bit on how the people seem, but 9 times outta 10 I’d go for the whities. Sorry, but lots of black people in an area=>more crime.
There’s also the fact that I grew up with mostly white people, so that’s what I’m used to.
well, I’d probably walk whichever way looks more populated. But I always have pepper spray in my purse, and a small blade in my boot on the weekends.
Yeah, that’s right, I’m hard. haha
It depends on what the groups were wearing, and how they were acting. Like… if the whites are dressing all gangster, and they’re trash talking, smoking/drinking and acting like idiots, and the blacks are just standing around, talking, and just acting normal, I’d walk past them. If the case was reversed, than I would walk past the whites. And if both were acting like idiots…than I’d walk past the whites, b/c in most of my experiences, people like that tend to not bother the people that have the same skin tone as much.
If they were all male, I’d be scared either way. And you’re right BirdsEye, no one has answered…and I guess I’m jumping on that bandwagon.
white youths.
Either way, it’s dangerous for a woman to be trapped in an unknown neighborhood at night, stranded.
I can’t even drive yet, but if such a situation happened to me in the future, I really don’t know… But I must ashamedly admit that I probably would go to the white youths. I’m so sorry.But then again, it really depends.