# Is Shaun King (Daily Kos writer & Black Lives Matter activist) really white? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 19, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271 "2015-08-19T16:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/101 "2015-08-20T16:51:28Z")
> [@Gent](#): > > 4.) Finally, there’s the leader of a movement, Mr. King, fabricating a story deemed impactful to his message. As Mr. King’s family and childhood friends relayed, Mr. King was not beaten by white students in high school because he was black. **In fact, he was beaten by black students in high school because he was a white guy, dating a black woman.** Pretty important distortion, don’t you think? These lies are common place, meant to make a movement credible. Think about all the other lies that we haven’t found proof to discredit! Once again, link please, because there’ve been just the opposite claims put forward by people who claim they grew up him. Such a claim is also inconsistent with police claims that it was “one-on-one” fight. Incidentally, not claiming I accept this claim of this severe beating by multiple persons, but I’d like to know where you’re getting the claim and exactly who this family member was. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/102 "2015-08-20T16:52:58Z")
Here are baby pics and childhood pics of King with mother and brother. [http://louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-19-at-1.56.44-PM.png](http://louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-19-at-1.56.44-PM.png) Looks like a white kid to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/103 "2015-08-20T16:56:29Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > **In addition, King’s brother, Russ King — who is also white — has told Pate that their dad is in fact the man in the mugshots.** You’ll note that his and his brother Russ King look dramatically different which would be far more consistent with the idea that they have different fathers but the same mother than if they had the same two biological parents. It also certainly makes sense that Russ King would not want to claim that his mother cheated on his father or “air the family’s dirty laundry”. I actually agree with John Mace that we should wait for Shaun King to address the issue which CNN reports he’s going to do. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/104 "2015-08-20T16:58:48Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > I actually agree with John Mace that we should wait for Shaun King to address the issue which CNN reports he’s going to do. Dolezal promised to address her issue too. Then canceled the appearance. And “air the family’s dirty laundry”? That’s after his claim that not one of his siblings has the same two parents? That train has sailed. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/105 "2015-08-20T17:03:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s also a nit-pick of little import. It lists both his parents as white, so that’s the same thing as listing him as white. It’s a nitpick of little import, sure. Except that it was an incorrect statement made without knowledge or evidence. I would hope that **D’Anconia** would admit that he was incorrect, but he seems determined to dodge and ignore. Nitpick or not, minor or not, no one should get to make shit up and call it fact without challenge. ---
**Author:** ![Gent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gent)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/106 "2015-08-20T17:08:26Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Once again, link please, because there’ve been just the opposite claims put forward by people who claim they grew up him. Such a claim is also inconsistent with police claims that it was “one-on-one” fight. > > Incidentally, not claiming I accept this claim of this severe beating by multiple persons, but I’d like to know where you’re getting the claim and exactly who this family member was. Mediate, CNN, etc. They’re reporting on Don Lemon’s interview. Lemon does not get specific as to who the family members (plural) are. He just states, “family members and friends”. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/107 "2015-08-20T17:13:44Z")
> [@Gent](#): > > I very clearly explained why the BlackLivesMatter movement was without substance. I must have missed that. And I’ve read the whole thread! Although your utter lack of understanding what the movement’s meant to address probably doesn’t help matters. ---
**Author:** ![Gent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gent)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/108 "2015-08-20T17:20:00Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > In your view, which is more susceptible to reform through grassroots political action: police departments, or street gangs? > > And abortion has nothing to do with anything, here. I’m glad this post didn’t get lost in the shuffle. Any discussion on this subject is a good think, so I embrace your question. We’ll put aside, for a second, our disagreement on the relevance of abortion. Police departments aren’t the problem. It’s a magician’s diversion trick. The problems are within black community groups, and weak, politically correct politicians. These politicians fear addressing gangs because of the racial component involved. Meanwhile black community groups refuse to address this topic because it involves accountability. Most of these silly movements are motivated by money, and delusions of being a part of a movement that parallels the civil rights movements of the 60s and 70 (back when those group were impactful because they cared). It’s total bullshit. Can you imagine the impact that a group like BlackLivesMatter could have if they target gangs? If they publicly denounced gangs, calling them out for the destruction they’ve caused, while concentrating on outreach to children who are target by gangs - we could literally end the violence. Imagine if they stressed accountability and nobility amongst African American fathers? Education? It can be done. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/109 "2015-08-20T17:23:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s also a nit-pick of little import. It lists both his parents as white, so that’s the same thing as listing him as white. Could you point out where it lists his parent’s race? There’s a picture of his purported birth certificate [here at slopes.com](http://m.snopes.com/2015/08/19/shaun-king/); where do you see his parent’s race listed? Also, I note that the BC says the copy was made on 30 July 2015… for whom? Can anyone just request anyone else’s BC in Kentucky? ETA: I see that **John** has already acknowledged his error. ---
**Author:** ![Gent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gent)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/110 "2015-08-20T17:26:59Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > I must have missed that. And I’ve read the whole thread! Although your utter lack of understanding what the movement’s meant to address probably doesn’t help matters. Perhaps it is you who needs help understanding. The “movement” was predicated on bullshit. Their end triumph is the value of black life in America. It started as an issue of police brutality (again, bullshit). I very clearly explained why they are devoid of credibility. You have comprehension and denial problems. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/111 "2015-08-20T17:32:52Z")
Clearly, but not convincingly. Just because you assert something does not make it true. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/112 "2015-08-20T17:33:21Z")
> [@Alkash](#): > > Rachel Dolezal is black. > Bruce Jenner is a woman. > Elizabeth Warren is native American. > War is peace. > Slavery is freedom. > > Adding Shaun King to the list won’t hurt anyone. Actually, according to Ben Carson, Obamacare is slavery 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/113 "2015-08-20T17:42:18Z")
> [@Gent](#): > > Mediate, CNN, etc. They’re reporting on Don Lemon’s interview. Lemon does not get specific as to who the family members (plural) are. He just states, “family members and friends”. I don’t see a link for your claim that family members claim a group of black kids beat him up for dating a black girl. Please provide the link. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/114 "2015-08-20T17:48:07Z")
> [@Gent](#): > > I’m glad this post didn’t get lost in the shuffle. Any discussion on this subject is a good think, so I embrace your question. We’ll put aside, for a second, our disagreement on the relevance of abortion. > > Police departments aren’t the problem. It’s a magician’s diversion trick. The problems are within black community groups, and weak, politically correct politicians. These politicians fear addressing gangs because of the racial component involved. Meanwhile black community groups refuse to address this topic because it involves accountability. Most of these silly movements are motivated by money, and delusions of being a part of a movement that parallels the civil rights movements of the 60s and 70 (back when those group were impactful because they cared). It’s total bullshit. > > Can you imagine the impact that a group like BlackLivesMatter could have if they target gangs? If they publicly denounced gangs, calling them out for the destruction they’ve caused, while concentrating on outreach to children who are target by gangs - we could literally end the violence. Imagine if they stressed accountability and nobility amongst African American fathers? Education? > > It can be done. Police departments aren’t _the_ problem, but they are _a_ problem. There is no singular _the_ problem. What’s more, they are a problem that can, at least in theory, be solved by political pressure. Secondly, what makes you so sure that the reason politicians (and police) don’t do more to fight gang violence isn’t the lack of political power of the mainly poor, mainly black victims? By way of tying your theories and mine together, consider the case of [CeaseFire](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/interrupters/chicago-drops-ceasefire-from-anti-violence-strategy/), a Chicago community anti-gang initiative. In spite of the reduction in violence in the neighborhoods CeaseFire worked in, the city chose not to renew their contract…because the police didn’t like it: > [@](#): > > Last year, the city of Chicago signed a one-year contract with CeaseFire Illinois to cover two new neighborhoods, Lawndale and Woodlawn, in addition to the 19 other communities its interrupters were patrolling in the city using state and foundation funding. By its own assessment, CeaseFire cut shootings in these two neighborhoods by nearly 38 percent and killings by almost 29 percent. > > … > > But CeaseFire had at times a tense relationship with Chicago police officers, who were wary of collaborating closely with people they’d arrested in the past. Last year, Chicago police said they’d received tips that some interrupters had slipped back into criminal activity. Tio Hardiman, CeaseFire’s Illinois director, told FRONTLINE at the time that six of CeaseFire’s 300 outreach workers and interrupters had returned to crime. > > CeaseFire had another setback when Hardiman himself was arrested and charged with domestic violence this summer. The charges were later dropped. Hardiman has since left CeaseFire and is currently running for governor of Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/115 "2015-08-20T17:53:57Z")
Wow, when did GD go completely down the shitter? The new recruits are dragging this place down to the level of youtube comments. Fighting ignorance? More like wallowing in it. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/116 "2015-08-20T18:04:08Z")
> [@Gent](#): > > The problems are within black community groups, and weak, politically correct politicians. These politicians fear addressing gangs because of the racial component involved. Agreed on the subject of weak politicians. Look what happened when Senator Kirk proposed arresting 18,000 members of the Gangster Disciples. Bobby Rush called it “upper-middle-class, elitist white boy solution to a problem he knows nothing about.” After being called a racist by a racist(!), Kirk backed off. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/117 "2015-08-20T18:05:05Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > **In addition, King’s brother, Russ King — who is also white — has told Pate that their dad is in fact the man in the mugshots.** I asked you before, do you have a cite for this? It’s not in your cites, and I can’t find it in the news. I think it would have been picked up if the brother had actually made a statement. I see it on twitter without a cite as well. Where are you getting this from? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/118 "2015-08-20T18:07:20Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The correct answer is “Why does it matter?” I agree. It doesn’t. Now, if he misrepresented himself as \*Human \*and was really a alien- maybe. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/119 "2015-08-20T18:10:02Z")
> [@camille](#): > > I asked you before, do you have a cite for this? Did you notice that the sentence you bolded is not mine, but from the article I cited? ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/120 "2015-08-20T18:24:26Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Did you notice that the sentence you bolded is not mine, but from the article I cited? Sorry, I didn’t realize your second post was a quote from the NY Post. But it wasn’t in your first cite on page 1 of this thread, and it isn’t in the original blog story by Pate, or in any other news story as being verified as a statement from Shaun King’s brother. The only thing Pate says in her blog story is that she has"connected" Jeffrey King with Shaun’s brother Russ. What does that even mean? Why would his brother give a statement directly to someone like Pate? And again, she doesn’t say that in her blog. There are a lot of unverified “facts” being spread around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271.md?page=7)