# New Deal Democrat and his views on race

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [March 21, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492 "2011-03-21T18:47:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/61 "2011-03-22T15:00:40Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> Fuji,
> 
> If you look at these charts, you can see that European countries usually have a low murder rate. The murder rate is a good way of estimating the entire crime rate because murders are more likely to come to the attention of the police. An interesting exception is Russia. I attribute the high murder rate in Russia to the economic and social dislocations that followed the fall of the Soviet Union.
> 
> [List of countries by intentional homicide rate - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate)
> 
> [Countries Compared by Crime \> Murders \> Per capita. International Statistics at NationMaster.com](http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita)

Well, why did you start by citing travel advisories, then?

Anyway, even from your own Wiki cite, I can see that for the decade 2001-2010, the USA had a higher homicide rate than Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia (!), the afore-mentioned Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. These are all sub-Saharan countries, with a combined population of approximately 280 million people.

I think your thesis might need a bit of work…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/62 "2011-03-22T15:02:56Z")

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> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#):
>
> Yeah, but **all** those countries have some blacks living there or passing through, or mentioned in a conversation. Their mere presence increases crime. We should have neutered them all a long time ago.

Not Ireland! You take that back!  
I kid, I kid. Half the cabbies in Cork are from Nigeria.

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**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/63 "2011-03-22T15:23:53Z")

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> [@Fuji](#):
>
> [ITALY](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1146.html#crime):
> 
> “CRIME: Be alert to the possibility of carjackings and thefts while you are waiting in traffic or stopped at traffic lights. This has been a particular problem in Catania, Sicily. Use particular caution driving at night on highways, when thieves are more likely to strike. Americans have reported break-ins of their rental cars during stops at highway service areas; thieves smash car windows and steal everything inside. Theft of small items such as radios, luggage, cameras, briefcases, and even cigarettes from parked cars is prevalent. Vehicles parked near beaches during the summer can be broken into and robbed of valuables. Lock car doors whenever you park, and do not leave packages in your car in plain view.”

Well the Italians are a swarthy folk…

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**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/64 "2011-03-22T15:25:10Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> The Northern social democrats were post capitalist.

This is as ignorant as your racism.

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**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/65 "2011-03-22T15:38:35Z")

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> [@villa](#):
>
> Well the Italians are a swarthy folk…

Hmm… I don’t know about that. They [all](http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/artist_biographies/images/Julius_Caesar_Biography_2.jpg) [look](http://legionarybooks.net/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Augustus.259105050_std.jpg) [white](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__dAttxoJ_XA/TFC6Lb82PzI/AAAAAAAAACM/Gnaq4fg6ri4/s1600/caligula1.jpg) to me.

Granted, [this guy](http://www.norgesgade14.dk/nxt_scanner/scanned-images/mario-original.jpg) looks a bit shifty, but so would anyone in that outfit.

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**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/66 "2011-03-22T15:47:37Z")

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> [@Fuji](#):
>
> Well, why did you start by citing travel advisories, then?
> 
> Anyway, even from your own Wiki cite, I can see that for the decade 2001-2010, the USA had a higher homicide rate than Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia (!), the afore-mentioned Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. These are all sub-Saharan countries, with a combined population of approximately 280 million people.
> 
> I think your thesis might need a bit of work…

The link that I gave you was right about Djibouti and Burkina Faso, probably wrong about most of the others, and certainly wrong about Kenya and Somalia. The authority I trust most on this is the State Department.

* * *

There is a high rate of crime in all regions of **Kenya** , particularly in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and coastal beach resorts. There are regular reports of attacks against tourists by groups of armed assailants.[1] However, the most common crime in Kenya is carjacking so the criminal can commit an armed robbery. “Snatch and run” crimes are becoming more common on city streets.

> **[Crime in Kenya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Kenya)**
>
> There is a significant crime rate in all regions of Kenya. Petty offences are the most common crime with stealing being the most reported crime. Robbery and theft are among the least cited criminal offences. Crime in Kenya is comparable to Tunisia, with a rate of 3.46 crimes per 100,000 people. However, crime in Kenya often goes unreported and police may lack the training or experience to effectively respond to crimes. Despite the reported low crime rate, Kenya faces significant challenges w...

The crime rate in **Djibouti** is low compared to industrialized countries.  
[http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/djibouti.html](http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/djibouti.html)

CRIME: Pervasive and violent crime is an extension of the general state of insecurity in **Somalia**. Serious, brutal, and often fatal crimes are very common. Kidnapping and robbery are a particular problem in Mogadishu and other areas of the south.

> **[404 - Page Not Found](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/404.html)**

Entrenched poverty in **Sierra Leone** has led to criminality. Visitors and resident U.S. citizens have experienced armed mugging, assault and burglary. Petty crime and pick pocketing of wallets, cell phones, and passports are very common especially on the ferry to and from Lungi International Airport. Law enforcement authorities usually respond to crimes slowly, if at all. Police investigative response is often incomplete and does not provide support to victims.

> **[404 - Page Not Found](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/404.html)**

Crime is a serious problem throughout **Cameroon** that increased in some areas of the country in 2010. U.S. citizens should exercise caution when traveling in Cameroon. Internet-based crime based in Cameroon is escalating rapidly, and U.S. citizens, including insurance companies and other institutions, should be extremely skeptical of any financial transactions that involve sending money for goods or services. Crimes against property, such as carjacking and burglaries, have often been accompanied by violent acts and have resulted in fatalities. All foreigners are potential targets for theft with possible attendant violence. Armed banditry has been a problem throughout all ten regions in Cameroon.

> **[404 - Page Not Found](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/404.html)**

CRIME: Pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and various types of scams are the most common forms of crime confronting visitors [in **Ghana**]. Travelers have reported these types of theft at crowded markets, beaches, parks, and tourist attractions. Incidences of violent crime, such as armed robbery, are on the rise, including reports of armed robberies in expatriate residential areas. Victims who resist attackers run a high risk of serious physical injury. Take security measures, such as traveling in groups and avoiding travel at night. Avoid travel in communal taxis.

> **[404 - Page Not Found](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/404.html)**

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to **Nigeria** and continues to recommend U.S. citizens to avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers; the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, Imo; the city of Jos in Plateau State; and Bauchi and Borno States in the northeast because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas. Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem throughout the country.

> **[404 - Page Not Found](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/404.html)**

CRIME: Minor street crime is very common in **Senegal** , particularly in cities. Most reported incidents involve pickpockets and purse-snatchers, who are especially active in large crowds and around tourists. Aggressive vendors, panhandlers and street children may attempt to divert the victim’s attention while an accomplice carries out the crime. To avoid theft, U.S. citizens should avoid walking alone in isolated areas or on beaches, particularly at night, lock their doors and close their windows when driving, and avoid public transportation. U.S. citizens should not walk on dark streets at night, even in groups.

> **[404 - Page Not Found](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/404.html)**

The crime rate in Burkina Faso is low compared to industrialized countries.  
[http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/burkina\_faso.html](http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/africa/burkina_faso.html)

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**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/67 "2011-03-22T15:55:10Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> The link that I gave you was right about Djibouti and Burkina Faso, probably wrong about most of the others, and certainly wrong about Kenya and Somalia.

Free translation: “I’m gonna find a cite that proves what I want it to prove, no matter HOW much I have to distort it or run down my own previous cites to do it!”

I especially love how it’s either the murder rate, the violent crime rate, or the “risk assessment” blurbs of the State Department that you cite, based ONLY on how well they “prove” your worthless, idiotic thesis.

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**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/68 "2011-03-22T16:06:13Z")

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> [@Borzo](#):
>
> I’m not sure if the should be given a new thread, but I have some questions. (This can be moved to GD for other people’s input, if the moderators wish, but I would like to hear NDD defense in this case.)
> 
> What if someone has the balls to do more studies on race, genetics, and intelligence, violence, etc. And what if these studies do in fact show that African-Americans have genes that result in lower levels of intelligence and higher levels of violence?
> 
> A) What do you, NDD, think we as a society should do? You make some suggestions in your quotes above - but can you further elaborate?

I think we should evaluate individuals as individuals, rather than as members of a race. I do not think we should discriminate on the basis of race _alone_,  
but that it is legitimate to discriminate on the basis of what correlates with race, when those qualities are relevant.

I have read people complaining that black students are more likely to be expelled from public schools than white students. That would bother me if it could be proven that blacks are not more likely to be unruly than whites, but it cannot be. In fact, black students are more likely to be discipline problems.

Also, we should not assume that black under representation in certain fields and professions is the result of racial discrimination if it can be proven that blacks are less likely to be qualified for those fields and professions.

Because blacks do have a much higher crime rate than whites, racial profiling is a legitimate way the police can proactively deal with crime.

If it can be proven that racial differences in intelligence and crime are primarily determined by genetics there should be an end to affirmative action, forced school busing, and AFDC, and a harsher criminal justice system. Those are directions the United States has been moving in since at least 1980.

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**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/69 "2011-03-22T16:24:58Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> I think we should evaluate individuals as individuals, rather than as members of a race. I do not think we should discriminate on the basis of race _alone_, but that it is legitimate to discriminate on the basis of what correlates with race, when those qualities are relevant.
> 
> I have read people complaining that black students are more likely to be expelled from public schools than white students. That would bother me if it could be proven that blacks are not more likely to be unruly than whites, but it cannot be. In fact, black students are more likely to be discipline problems.
> 
> Also, we should not assume that black under representation in certain fields and professions is the result of racial discrimination if it can be proven that blacks are less likely to be qualified for those fields and professions.
> 
> Because blacks do have a much higher crime rate than whites, racial profiling is a legitimate way the police can proactively deal with crime.
> 
> If it can be proven that racial differences in intelligence and crime are primarily determined by genetics there should be an end to affirmative action, forced school busing, and AFDC, and a harsher criminal justice system. Those are directions the United States has been moving in since at least 1980.

One more point: I am in favor of efforts to reduce economic inequality, but I think they should be made without reference to race or sex. The emphasis should be on strengthening labor unions, raising the minimum wage, and on a well financed public sector of the economy paid for by steeply progressive taxation, rather than on affirmative action programs. Affirmative action programs discriminate against white men, especially working class white men, and contribute to the fact that most of them vote Republican.

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**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/70 "2011-03-22T16:30:40Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> Because blacks do have a much higher crime rate than whites, racial profiling is a legitimate way the police can proactively deal with crime.

Have you not see that documentary\* with Tom Cruise about pro actively dealing with crime? Didn’t work out well did it? I think one of the bald fellas died.

- might be a movie

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**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/71 "2011-03-22T16:41:31Z")

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NDD:

I’m sure we can all forsee the fallout if such studies were to prove genetic differences. Some would suggest that _these studies not be done at all_, in case they do in fact prove this. They say that this would do more harm than good. I can forsee a many closet-racists come out of the closet, and become MORE racist, and LESS likely to judge individuals based on individual merits. I’m sure we can both agree that this would be bad.

How do you see the pros/cons upon society if this were to happen? How would you suggest we deal with it?

Also, you say:

> [@](#):
>
> Because blacks do have a much higher crime rate than whites, racial profiling is a legitimate way the police can proactively deal with crime.

Isn’t this judging individuals based on group behaviour, instead of on their own individual merits? Doesn’t this make your support of racial-profiling contradictory?

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**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/72 "2011-03-22T16:47:25Z")

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> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> In a recent thread, I was admonished that I shouldn’t say anything that implied that what another poster wrote might be indicative of racism. With that in mind, I will simply offer these quotes from New Deal Democrat without comment and let people form their own conclusions.

Wow, this is the best-supported pitting I’ve seen. You’ve nailed this guy to the wall.

> [@Borzo](#):
>
> I’m not sure if the should be given a new thread, but I have some questions. (This can be moved to GD for other people’s input, if the moderators wish, but I would like to hear NDD defense in this case.)
> 
> What if someone has the balls to do more studies on race, genetics, and intelligence, violence, etc. And what if these studies do in fact show that African-Americans have genes that result in lower levels of intelligence and higher levels of violence?
> 
> A) What do you, NDD, think we as a society should do? You make some suggestions in your quotes above - but can you further elaborate?
> 
> B) What do those that currently claim no such difference exists, and mock NDD for his backwards ways, suggest we do?

I’ll respond, albeit keeping it short.

Since race is really a construct, without scientific validity, what we should do is _ignore_ studies showing that and _laugh_ at their authors.

I’m dead serious. I’m white? What the hell is white? To paraphrase the immortal Samuel L. Jackson, “‘White’ ain’t no country I ever heard of! They speak English in ‘White’?!”

My Celtic ancestors would drop dead before they’d consider themselves the same race as their Norman oppressors, and the Normans wouldn’t have hesitated to call Celts a “race;” going farther back in time, both would have drawn steel on someone who called them Roman. And many, many different groups became amalgamated into the concept of “white” when certain Americans wanted to exclude other groups _but did not want to risk being outnumbered by them._ Thus the outcast and much-maligned Irish “race,” riddled with crime and poverty, “graduated” into the white mainstream, as did the swarthy Italians later on, gangsters and all.

Definitions of race _change_ because it’s _made up_.

.

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**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, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/73 "2011-03-22T16:48:26Z")

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As a person of Asian descent, I _demand_ that something be done about the shocking crime rates in the black, white, Hispanic and Native American communities.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/74 "2011-03-22T16:57:29Z")

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> [@Sailboat](#):
>
> Since race is really a construct, without scientific validity, what we should do is _ignore_ studies showing that and _laugh_ at their authors.
> 
> I’m dead serious. I’m white? What the hell is white? To paraphrase the immortal Samuel L. Jackson, “‘White’ ain’t no country I ever heard of! They speak English in ‘White’?!”
> 
> My Celtic ancestors would drop dead before they’d consider themselves the same race as their Norman oppressors, and the Normans wouldn’t have hesitated to call Celts a “race;” going farther back in time, both would have drawn steel on someone who called them Roman. And many, many different groups became amalgamated into the concept of “white” when certain Americans wanted to exclude other groups _but did not want to risk being outnumbered by them._ Thus the outcast and much-maligned Irish “race,” riddled with crime and poverty, “graduated” into the white mainstream, as did the swarthy Italians later on, gangsters and all.
> 
> Definitions of race _change_ because it’s _made up_.
> 
> .

The definitions of race vary. But that doesn’t mean there are no definitions. I am sure there are shared genetic features between those that identify themselves as African-American. My hypothetical suggestion is that a violence-gene or an intelligence-gene, or collection of genes, is found within these people.

To simplify: Imagine if we found the “violence gene”. Surveying the American population finds that 15% of people who identify themselves as non-African-American have the gene. But 85% of the people who identify themselves as African-American do carry the gene.

So WTF would you do now? Such results would clearly be meaningful - at the very least, because it would most certainly change the way society behaves and acts. How would/should we deal with such a revelation?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/75 "2011-03-22T16:59:24Z")

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> [@martu](#):
>
> Have you not see that documentary\* with Tom Cruise about pro actively dealing with crime? Didn’t work out well did it? I think one of the bald fellas died.
> 
> - might be a movie

Race profiling is considered by many to be a reason New York City has one of the lowest crime rate of any large city.

[http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25](http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25)

> **[New York Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout](https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ny/new-york/crime)**
>
> Most accurate 2021 crime rates for New York, NY. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in New York is 1 in 129 and property crime is 1 in 26. Compare New York crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on...

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**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/76 "2011-03-22T17:02:52Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> Race profiling is considered by many to be a reason New York City has one of the lowest crime rate of any large city.
> 
> [http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25](http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25)
> 
> [New York Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout](http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ny/new-york/crime/)

\<insert joke about Wall Street here\>

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/77 "2011-03-22T17:10:36Z")

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> [@Borzo](#):
>
> I am sure there are shared genetic features between those that identify themselves as African-American.

You can be sure of it all you like; that doesn’t mean it’s true.

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**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/78 "2011-03-22T17:13:41Z")

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> [@Borzo](#):
>
> The definitions of race vary. But that doesn’t mean there are no definitions. I am sure there are shared genetic features between those that identify themselves as African-American.

You’d be wrong, though. The Khoi-San ethnic group in Africa is (relatively) distinct from the Bantu groups that overran them, but descendants of both consider themselves African-American over here, having been misled by the widely-held illusion of race.

> [@Borzo](#):
>
> To simplify: Imagine if we found the “violence gene”. Surveying the American population finds that 15% of people who identify themselves as non-African-American have the gene. But 85% of the people who identify themselves as African-American do carry the gene.
> 
> So WTF would you do now?

The question is akin to, “What if gravity reverses itself? It COULD happen!”

So what? It’s not going to happen in either case. “Race” doesn’t consistently exist for this kind of “science” to prove things _about_. Just as with people who warn us of gravity’s impending reversal, the correct answer is to point at them and laugh.

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/79 "2011-03-22T17:16:52Z")

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> [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](#):
>
> Race profiling is considered by many to be a reason New York City has one of the lowest crime rate of any large city.
> 
> [http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25](http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25)
> 
> [New York Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout](http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ny/new-york/crime/)

Neither of those cites say a thing about racial profiling.

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**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-deal-democrat-and-his-views-on-race/575492/80 "2011-03-22T17:17:52Z")

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> [@martu](#):
>
> Have you not see that documentary\* with Tom Cruise about pro actively dealing with crime? Didn’t work out well did it? I think one of the bald fellas died.
> 
> - might be a movie

Well, now, one can certainly identify ideologies that correlate with crime. For instance, someone who believes that rich people don’t deserve to keep their money is obviously much more likely to steal than someone who rejects that notion. Ergo, the police ought to be keeping a close eye on **New Deal Democrat**. A few phone bugs and hidden cameras might be a good investment (to which he would have no objection, given his stated position that he sees no value in rules against that sort of thing).

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