# "Black people must leave...." A Walmart incident. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 18, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887 "2010-03-18T14:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/81 "2010-03-21T19:34:57Z")
What the fuck are you two arguing about NOW? ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/82 "2010-03-21T19:36:37Z")
I don’t remember, but it felt really important at the time. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/83 "2010-03-21T19:40:15Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > What the fuck are you two arguing about NOW? Beats me, but I do know one thing: Black people must leave this thread RIGHT NOW. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/84 "2010-03-22T01:02:13Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I’m not sure. When the customer promptly gets the crap beaten out of him/her, is Wal-Mart liable for not having security protect them? > > I once fantasized about getting on the hospital P.A. on April 1st and announcing: > > "Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard and Dr. Fine! Report to Neurosurgery _on the double!!"_ > > “Oh, wiseguy! Woob-woob-woob-woob-woob-woob-woob-woob!!!” > > Someone would take it seriously, though. > [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I don’t get it. It appears to be a Three Stooges reference. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/85 "2010-03-22T13:32:04Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Beats me, but I do know one thing: > > Black people must leave this thread RIGHT NOW. I’m suing Cecil for this institutionalized racism. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/86 "2010-03-22T13:44:25Z")
> [@TheScogg](#): > > All I can say is, if this incident were enough to be so outraged as to never return to Wal-Mart, then racial relations sure have improved immensely in the last 40 years. Having a random teenager ask you to leave a store over a loudspeaker sure beats the hell out of having a fire hose turned on you and your family. The fact that things used to be worse doesn’t mean things are okay. You think 50 year old cancer patients should be grateful they didn’t die of cholera at 27? ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/87 "2010-03-22T13:56:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The fact that things used to be worse doesn’t mean things are okay. You think 50 year old cancer patients should be grateful they didn’t die of cholera at 27? yes ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/88 "2010-03-22T14:30:34Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Or do they simply let it go - in which case they are endorsing it by having a policy that racist jokes are no big deal and not worth doing anything about. Sounds like a reasonable policy to me. Every once in a while, I see a statement that makes me wish we had mandatory military service in this country. Or at least a program where people can go to get The Pansy beaten out of them. > [@The\_Facts](#): > > Yeah, they’re all _stupid_ becuase they’re black, that’s it. Let us know when you finally get it. It’s in aisle 5. > [@Rodgers01](#): > > the boy could face _up to a year in juvenile detention_ if convicted That’s not that shocking when you give weight to the “could” and “up to” in your sentence. That’s why we have judges. I’ll wait until the actual sentencing before I get outraged over that. > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The fact that things used to be worse doesn’t mean things are okay. You think 50 year old cancer patients should be grateful they didn’t die of cholera at 27? Well…yes. You don’t?😛 ETA: This boycott will never take off. Because everyone knows there are two places black people like to go. (NComfortableFW) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/89 "2010-03-22T14:30:59Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Last night while at Walmart this happened. > > One clerk was saying the PA is broken. Nothing happens. > The other clerk says that’s because a customer used the PA in another store. > They broke our PA ? How did they break our PA in another store? > No you have to punch in a code. > We have to punch in a code. That’s stupid! > No someone _whisper whisper whisper_. > > I was laughing to myself. I expect to see the “security code” posted on a label on the phones. So it will hardly be a secret. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/90 "2010-03-22T14:41:57Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > ETA: This boycott will never take off. Because everyone knows there are two places black people like to go. (NComfortableFW) Ah, makers of the [Bro Rape](http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=derrickcomedy#p/u/31/3zvTRQr7ns8) documentary! Every time I see a bro, I think of their video. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/91 "2010-03-22T15:44:22Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m suing Cecil for this institutionalized racism. I don’t think it’s institutionalized - see, **you with the face** is just some random kid who grabbed a post. The Straight Dope _should_ come in and apologize for his prank, though. (Just kidding. Probably.) ---
**Author:** ![dragoncat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@dragoncat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragoncat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/92 "2010-03-22T18:33:03Z")
> [@Telcontar](#): > > And, frankly, I’d call you silly for that too. The perp has been arrested. I made my post above before the arrest was made. I agree it’s over now, but before then, I wouldn’t have gone back there. That’s all I was saying, that I could agree with people who were offended. I wasn’t making any claims about how the teenager should be punished or Walmart’s level of responsibility. I don’t think it’s really appropriate to tell someone else what “should” or “shouldn’t” offend them about bigotry, even when it has few long-term ramifications. Individuals can choose not to patronize a store (or “boycott” it) for whatever reason they want. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/93 "2010-03-22T19:39:20Z")
> [@](#): > > All I can say is, if this incident were enough to be so outraged as to never return to Wal-Mart, then racial relations sure have improved immensely in the last 40 years. Having a random teenager ask you to leave a store over a loudspeaker sure beats the hell out of having a fire hose turned on you and your family. The reason things have improved in the last forty years is because people started speaking up and saying they didn’t like racism. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/94 "2010-03-22T19:42:10Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The reason things have improved in the last forty years is because people started speaking up and saying they didn’t like racism. You are exactly right. But that doesn’t justify defining racism so broadly that almost anything qualifies. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/95 "2010-03-22T19:42:25Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The fact that things used to be worse doesn’t mean things are okay. You think 50 year old cancer patients should be grateful they didn’t die of cholera at 27? > [@raindog](#): > > yes > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Well…yes. You don’t?😛 I’ve certainly never heard anyone express that sentiment. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/96 "2010-03-22T19:54:53Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Well, not completely. It still has to be usable by employees. Hey easy! I’ve already got a crush on you. You’re dangerously close to pushing me over the edge into stalking. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/97 "2010-03-22T20:02:23Z")
Hands off. I saw him first! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/98 "2010-03-22T20:17:59Z")
> [@](#): > > You are exactly right. But that doesn’t justify defining racism so broadly that almost anything qualifies. I agree. But telling black people to leave a store - that’s not made-up racism. That was a teenager using a racist prank to harass black people. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/99 "2010-03-22T20:24:46Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’ve certainly never heard anyone express that sentiment. Well, it’s just that I think _everyone_ ought to be grateful for not dying of cholera at a young age. The question is, **RNATB** , why do you think 50-yr old cancer patients are ungrateful pricks? Why do you hate cancer-ridden old\* people? \*Yeah, I said it. What? What? Yes, I know what you originally meant, and I understand your point perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887/100 "2010-03-22T20:50:19Z")
This reminded me of a funny incident where I once worked. It was a local marina, and the PA system was pretty loud (so it could be heard over the noise of people working on their boats). The manager had a daughter, who had a baby girl (which she put in a playpen in the office). Somehow, the telephone fell off the hook, and activated the PA system-for sevral minutes, all you heard was baby talk…"googahh…gaga…et.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-people-must-leave-a-walmart-incident/532887.md?page=6)