racism, duh.

[keryx]

When we think black people "loot" and white people "find food at the grocery store", I think it's pretty obvious that there's still racism.

I hope the "I don't see why mentioning only non-white peoples' race is racist" folk from feminist saw that.

Comments

[cutegaychick.livejournal.com]

I was watching the looting last night and yelling at the tv "PLEASE SHOW SOME WHITE PEOPLE LOOTING!!!" Cause I'm not so thrilled with the idea that the entire world is watching and thinking that it's just the blacks who are pillaging.

But as my wife pointed out, it probably is just the blacks who are pillaging because the white people have left. This is Louisiana. The people with enough money or support (the white people) got out when they had the chance. The only people still there are the ones who are too poor or alone to leave. And they're mostly all black.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

There are a reasonable number of white people in the still photos around the internets (including still photos of people "finding supplies", aka looting). But you figure the people who have conflicts with the police, etc. are the ones who generally do - because they have less money and position to begin with.

[chubbyninja.livejournal.com]

apparently, that part of louisiana is about 85% black, so by chance alone, most of the looters will be black.

As a white boy, though, let me be first to say that if a hurricane ever destroys my home and puts me chest deep in water, i will be "finding" the hell out of some groceries.

[cutegaychick.livejournal.com]

First off, I do draw a distinction between stealing items necessary for survival (food, water, batteries, diapers) and stealing stereo equipment, jewelry and slot machines.

I've been struggling for the last hour (I should probably do some work here instead) with how to suggest, without sounding any more racist than absolutely necessary, that blacks may truly be more likely to loot (random stuff, not groceries) than whites, especially in Mississippi/Louisiana. They're poorer, more disenfranchised, more oppressed and probably more likely to be carrying around generations worth of fear and anger and resentment.

Cricket could probably work up a good social justice discussion here. All I can think is that when you keep people impoverished and oppressed for long enough and then the laws and machinations that have kept them down are suddenly gone, what the hell do you think is going to happen?

Not that there's any good excuse for it. Also, I did notice that the rescuers floating around on boats and rafts all night chopping people out of attics with axes are all just as black as the people breaking into jewelry stores.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

when you keep people impoverished and oppressed for long enough and then the laws and machinations that have kept them down are suddenly gone, what the hell do you think is going to happen?

A pretty logical point.

[cutegaychick.livejournal.com]

*stammer*
*blush*

[suzy-hendrix.livejournal.com]

According to Snopes, the photographer defended the statements saying that he'd actually seen the "looters" looting and had watched the "finders" pick the groceries that were already floating away in the water.