# Bias against ghetto dwellers **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 25, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857 "2003-01-25T14:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/161 "2003-01-26T04:37:52Z")
Yes, they are only my opinions. I don’t care how much you say my experiences are limited, they’re not. I’m not afraid of any words in any forum and you’re showing your childishness again. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/162 "2003-01-26T04:40:21Z")
I believe you mean I’m behaving childishly. And I don’t think opinions based on life experience are stupid. I think opinions based on bigotted thinking that can be easily disproved are stupid. Now, are we having a debate here or not? If we are then “because I said so” is not an effective debating tactic. Not addressing the data given to you is also not a very good debate tactic. You have made several assertions in this thread, none of which you have backed up with even the slightest bit of evidence. All of which I believe are stupid. I’ve given my reasons why I think they are stupid and have given some evidence to support my position. You have not. If you ask me, your blantant disregard for the data presented to you is quite childish. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/163 "2003-01-26T04:44:33Z")
Ok **Biggirl** , how would you like me to prove my life experiences? > [@](#): > > I believe you mean I’m behaving childishly. Did I use incorrect English? I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/164 "2003-01-26T04:48:59Z")
> [@](#): > > You’re really behaving childish. Boys and girls, who wants to come up to the board and correct this sentence for poor, clueless **x-ray**? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/165 "2003-01-26T04:51:18Z")
X-ray: On this “most blacks are lazy” thing. I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but what I think you are saying is that most of the blacks you have know appear to be lazy. Then you are assuming that you’ve known enough of a x-section of the population to generalize. Taking that a bit further-- do you think most blacks have been lazy throught the last, say 100 yrs or so? Or do you think that it’s only recently that they have become increasingly lazy? What about white kids growing up in a similar environment to a lot of urban blacks-- poor, one parent households. Do you think those white kids are any more or less lazy than the blacks you have known? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/166 "2003-01-26T04:51:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I didn’t blame the cops, by the way. I blamed people like you. I can’t believe you think people like me are the reason a disproportionate amount of blacks are in jail. It figures. If more blacks took responsibility for thier own actions maybe this wouldn’t be the case. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/167 "2003-01-26T04:52:46Z")
I have no idea how you would go about proving your stupid, bigotted opinions, especially since I do not believe your opinions can be proven since they are — repeat after me-- stupid and bigotted. [sub]What? Me fail English? Unpossible![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/168 "2003-01-26T04:55:13Z")
> [@](#): > > On this “most blacks are lazy” thing. I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but what I think you are saying is that most of the blacks you have know appear to be lazy. Then you are assuming that you’ve known enough of a x-section of the population to generalize. I think I’ve known, met, or come in contact with enough (and met many people with experiences to come to my same conclusion) to generalize. > [@](#): > > Taking that a bit further-- do you think most blacks have been lazy throught the last, say 100 yrs or so? Or do you think that it’s only recently that they have become increasingly lazy? What about white kids growing up in a similar environment to a lot of urban blacks-- poor, one parent households. Do you think those white kids are any more or less lazy than the blacks you have known? Sorry, I can’t answer any of these questions. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/169 "2003-01-26T04:56:15Z")
> [@](#): > > I have no idea how you would go about proving your stupid, bigotted opinions, especially since I do not believe your opinions can be proven since they are — repeat after me-- stupid and bigotted. Then why keep asking me to? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/170 "2003-01-26T04:58:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\*Then why keep asking me to? \*\* Because this is Great Debates and not In My Humble Opinion. Do try to keep up. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/171 "2003-01-26T04:59:10Z")
That might be your dumbest response yet. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/172 "2003-01-26T05:11:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\*That might be your dumbest response yet. \*\* Right backatcha X. Perhaps you should take some time to learn of the different forums of the SDMB and the function of each. Or perhaps you can keep going the way you are with your fingers in your ears and your hands over you eyes. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/173 "2003-01-26T05:12:24Z")
Oh brother. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/174 "2003-01-26T05:22:53Z")
Where art thou? ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/175 "2003-01-26T05:23:08Z")
x-ray, you are no gentleman. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/176 "2003-01-26T06:52:42Z")
Excuse me please…I’m lost! Could somebody help me find my way back to the Great Debates forum? I seem to have wandered off into some damned pit thread by mistake.😕 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/177 "2003-01-26T09:22:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > Sorry, it doesn’t fit the definition of racism. Main Entry: rac·ism Pronunciation: 'rA-"si-z&m also -"shi- Function: noun Date: 1936 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination Sounds pretty close to me > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > Good to see you admit we all do it. So, you’re only concerned whether I’m aware of it or not? I already said I was. \*\* Um…yeah…being aware of the problem is a good start. The implication is that once you are aware of the problem you should take steps to correct it. You should not simply say “I know it’s a problem” and continue the behavior. And I don’t think you are getting it anyway. Even if statistically, blacks tend to be more ignorant, less educated, or whatever, that does not mean that you should imediately disqualify a job applicant who is black. I had a black manager who was a complete workaholic. I guess that disproves your theory. Unless of course he was “one of the good ones”. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/178 "2003-01-26T11:16:54Z")
Oddly enough, in my job for the past year, with the exception of me, all the white folks have quit or been fired. The 2 black guys we’ve gotten as replacements have done just fine. you know, it would be nice if we could get some of the more rational posters from SF, like John Joy Tree or a few others to try being here. Of course, they are just as tired of having to defend they’re filth as we are of hearing it… ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/179 "2003-01-26T15:48:35Z")
> [@](#): > > 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race I never wrote or implied that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities . To the contrary, I responded that I wasn’t sure if the reasons were genetic or cultural, but that I leaned toward cultural. That also means I don’t necessarily think that racial differences produce an **inherent** superiority of a particular race. > [@](#): > > Sounds pretty close to me nope. > [@](#): > > And I don’t think you are getting it anyway. Even if statistically, blacks tend to be more ignorant, less educated, or whatever, that does not mean that you should imediately disqualify a job applicant who is black. If I only have time to see one of two applicants with equal resumes, and one is black ,one is white, it’s a great reason to disqualify the one who is black. > [@](#): > > I had a black manager who was a complete workaholic. I guess that disproves your theory. Unless of course he was “one of the good ones”. Sorry, one person does not disprove anything. I guess he was one of the good ones. Good for him. He’s also probably one of the ones who doesn’t blame the large black prison population on “people like me”. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857/180 "2003-01-26T17:26:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\*I don’t know if I’m right about this **John Mace** , but I think it’s mostly cultural. I know one thing I’m certain of that is cultural among many black areas in the U.S. is doing poorly in school. Many young blacks think it “isn’t cool” or think you’re being an Uncle Tom if you get good grades. Unfortunately, parents don’t do enough to encourage good grades or discourage bad grades. In schools in Manhattan, many people think the answer is more money for education. However, statistics show that most young Asians are excelling in the same schools. Of course it was very un-P.C. for anyone to point this out, so no mind is payed to it. Asian households are very conducive to children getting good grades in the same neighborhoods. > > How does one change the culture? I think it’s up to responsible black adults to admit there is a difference between us and not just call any one who points out the differences a racist. \*\* Care to prove any of this? Or is all of this an assumption based on prejudice? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-against-ghetto-dwellers/150857.md?page=10)