Is this a racist statement.?

Question

In the city where I live, the thirty year old son of a city councilwoman was stopped by a police officer for a burned out headlight on his car.
The son, immediatley called his mother, and said he was being racially profiled. The councilwoman immediately called the chief of police and complained about her son being racially profiled, and was worried that he would be shot or tased by some "white boy cop". the incident occured in a predominantly black neighborhood at two o'oclock in the morning.
do you think the term "white boy could be considered a racial slur in the context of the conversation? the councilwoman also said at a community forum that "black people can not be racist". Is that true?

This incident took place recently in Orlando, Florida. I think Orlandos city council would be glad to hear your opinions, and I am sure the Orlando Police department would be glad to hear from you also.
Here is the Mayors email [e-mail]
Here is the councilwomans [e-mail] [e-mail]
And the city police Dept.
[e-mail]

Thanks everyone for your answers.

Answer 1

Your statement quoted a Councilwoman as saying "black people can not be racist".

This is a statement of arrogance and overzealous pride. This is an opinoionated statement, not one based on fact.

African Americans can be racist, however it's a little complicated and all revolves around the definition of the word that is used in context with how it is intended. In our society, it is called Reverse Racism. Racism is the act of a majority putting down a minority (any minority...black, brown, red blue, green...you name it us human's have a colorful rainbow name for it, whatever it is) Where as an African American can not be racist they can be guilty of Reverse Racism...which is a lesser crime in the eyes of the Federal Courts. "No one really has time for that silly kind of argument", as one federal judge said about 10 years ago. I happen to believe that racism is racism, let's not candy coat it here. If it's good one its good for all.--sorry there went my Social political views, how dare I think about Socialism.

Now a "white boy cop" as you refered a quote that was said, that is a definitive example of Reverse Racism, Gender Specific Slander and Job Title Related Slander. One, it defines the --offender's--ethnic origin...two, boy denotes that male is not a man and therefore unable to properly do his job...three, cop is a derogitory term of police officer. Cop is slang and is not proper. While not every officer in America will take offense to the term, there are a select few who will, as they are not cops-they are Trained Police Officials who are employed by the city. (Police are city, Deputies are county) If this Councilwoman wishes to continue to be taken seriously by her fellow coworkers, not just the underlings below her that restore order and patrol crime, this Councilwoman needs to realize the error of her words and how she is counter productive to the movement she wishes to better for the next generation. If she is a Councilwoman, she is there because she was elected and represents the people of her area, which may or may not include those "white boy cops" as she so eloquently put it.

This Councilwoman needs to seriously take a look at what it is she is doing and why. Please do me a favor and post some sort of contact for this Councilwoman's office and the local News Paper for this Councilwoman's area so that I might write her office a letter of complaint. The squeaky wheel always gets the oil first before the quiet ones.

And to state a response to another posters "very strange" report. It is not very strange for an Officer to do their job, even if it means doing their job at 2 am. If a vehicle is not in proper street condition, by that I mean legal so that it would pass an inspection, then the officer has the right to pull the offender over, state the nature of his involvement and has the ability and jurisdiction to give a ticket for the offense. A single headlight on a vehicle that requires two by model specification is an infraction of the street legal law.and gives the Officer the jurisdiction and opportunity to pull a malfunctioning vehicle over. It does not matter how the Officer saw the single headlight, it matters that it was seen. Had the Officer seen the single headlight and not pulled the vehicle over, the Police Officer would be guilty of not properly doing his job.

Answer 2

White boy... was he white and a male? White boy seems fitting. Personally color is not relevant to the discussion.

But it's not a racist term.

Why would he stop him for a burned out headlight on his car at 2am? To see a Headlight, you have to be in front of the car you want to stop. Was the cop looking in his rear view and doing a vehicle inspection? Maybe a burned out tail light, you run the plates, find out if the car was stolen. But that's viewing a car from behind.

That's very odd.

You stated that he's in a black neighborhood, is that a racist term? Black neighborhood, why state what "skin color predominantly lives there"? It's overstating the obvious like "white boy cop", doesn't need to be said. Maybe the fact that he was black in a black neighborhood meant that he was looking to start trouble? Black on Black crime is more prevalent than Black on White crime.

What cop has time to stop people in the dead of night for a burned out headlight? (headlight is on the front of the vehicle)
Very strange.

I've seen cars with duct tape on turn signals... but I've never seen a cop stop anyone for that.

What do you think? Racial profiling or just a cop with nothing better to do at 2am besides pull people over in an all black neighborhood to write a ticket for a burned out 'headlight'?

Answer 3

That is what is wrong with America today. The black people are all screaming racism, and then yelling for racism to stop! If you will look closely, the blacks are the one with the racism attitude. The white's can't. Too many people would sue a white person for saying something derogatory about a black, but not the other way around....the councilwoman should be fired for her comments about white people, but she won't. She would sue for discrimination and collect from the city. We are in a no win situation.

Answer 4

I'm not very fond of the term "white boy." Joking or serious. It sounds like that guy was just using the whole racial profile crap to get the police in trouble and get some attention. I guess it's all on how someone views the "white boy" term. Some people say it isn't a racial slang and others say it is. I would consider it to be a racial slang.

The whole thing about black people not being racist, it is sooooo not true. Everybody has a choice on whether or not to be racist but it is also their choice to 100% go against it and not react to every little racial thing someone who IS racist says to them. But hey, I gotta admitt, the whole racist statement thing is a good question...I wasn't even sure on how to answer that one properly.

Answer 5

When used in a derogetory manner the term "white boy cop" is used in exactly the same racist manner that the councelwoman was worried about herself. Apparently this councelwoman is not in touch with her community. ANY person of any race, creed, or color can be a racist. All it takes is a discrimination against a person based solely on the color of their skin. Sounds like this woman based her concerns for her son strictly on the grounds that the cop was white. The driver was driving an illegal vehicle and the cop had every right to stop them

Answer 6

Well, for every race there are people who are racists. I think racism is a very bad thing to do. I never support racism. I think racism is wrong b/c people live in one world and get together called the human race. The incident about the white cop pulling out the black person is racism if it is found that the 30 year african american really didn't break any rules. pulling someone over b/c of skin color should not only be wrong, but it should be unacceptable in society. But if the person is pulled over b/c he broke the rules, then it is okay. Racism should not be the part of our society. So is crime.

Answer 7

Wow... yes of course calling a white policeman a "white boy cop" would be the same as calling an African-American policeman a "n.... boy cop" - yes of course it is racist! And black people can be as racist as anyone else, as many of my black friends would tell you. The notion that they "cannot be racist" is patently rediculous. The councilwoman should be recalled. Any city council member who uses her clout for such a petty purpose, then throws in racially motivated remarks, and by inference undermines her own police dept. should be removed from office IMMEDIATELY.

Answer 8

The trouble with this stuff is that it is so often third or tenth hand. Moms tend to overreact when protecting their sons and sons tend to milk that tendency, no matter what their age or race.

Still, I am white and I would resent being called a "white boy" in a racial context, just as I don't like being called "cracker". On the other hand, I feel I have to cut the other races more than a little slack for all the BS my lilly-white forefathers heaped on them.

Answer 9

To add to the the very politically correct answers from Fred S and Guitargadfly...another problem here is the mother is teaching her son racism ( a learned attitude) and this is so sad. I am somewhat guilty because my best friend is black, I am white, and we sometimes call each other my balck sister, my white sister, but, meant out of love. We need to get over the damn skin colour thing and get on with living a better life!

Answer 10

some black people are just as racist about things and it it sad the woman had to talk that way I have been stopped for a burned out headlight before so I don't see the problem if the kid wants to pull the race card I personally would give him a reason to I personally have no problem with people of any color or race, but believe all cases should be handled on a one on one basis