Do you really think this article (Pg. 2) is racist?

Truth is not racist. Never has been. Never will be. Truth allows us to identify problems and fix them.

The irony of this issue lies in the fact that true racists have no fear of being called "racist". In fact, they bask in the shadow of that appellation while those who are not racist keep silent, fearing that saying words such as those found in this article will make them the target of the feared label. This is the power of "political correctness", to stifle free speech, speech needed to address society's problems.

Sad...

No this is not a racist article. It is a statement of fact and reality for many (most) that live the life of the lower income, inner city, across the tracks world. This violent, drug ridden, weapons everywhere, fatherless and often motherless world they live in is real. Part of the blame for this environment has to be owned by those who live there by choice and unfortunately even for those who have no choice. Also part of the blame lies with the political environment that our society has adopted and allowed to continue to where it has become an "I'm entitled and the government is responsible to provide it Society."

Is there a solution, yes, however, the solution is looked at by many (like the liberal Public Defender) as too hard, will take to long, and will become worse before it can begin to get better. Without implementing a solution, this part of our society (and it is part of our society whether we care to admit it or not), it will only get worse, and our government will continue to feed money to it hoping it will go away when enough has been given year after year after year. Yet, the facts are, even with the increase in welfare programs, extending unemployment, paying monthly to those for irresponsible behavior, poverty, inner city crime, children born without fathers has only increased over the years.

The Public Defender talks that Blacks are not capable of comprehending, reasonable deduction, emotion and care. We all know this is not true, even though our prison system indicates otherwise with the increase in the number of Blacks incarcerated. 12% of the population and 40% of criminal actions. We all know better, however, there are those who profit, make big money off the backs of those who live in this intolerable society. The Drug pushers, illegal arms sales/distribution, sex trafficking and also by government officials as well. How has this become tolerable for the masses, US, the people?

The solution will not be solved by politicians promising to provide more; this has been proven time and time again. Their solution is "I got you more spending passed, problem solved!" The solution begins with the liberal thoughts of the Public Defender, however, not necessarily in the manner that he believes.

It begins with the Black Community cleaning up after itself. But it can not and should not be done by them alone. However, it has to begin with affluent Blacks stepping up and first coming together themselves. Progress will not come as long as the Al Sharptons, Jesse Jacksons, Steve Harveys, Opra Winfreys, Allen Wests, Charlie Rangels and so many others walking on different sides of this issue....COME together and present a united Black Front.

It's past time blaming White Society for the hardships of the entire Black Race in this country. It's time for Al Sharpton to stop blaming me for the Slavery of 150 yrs ago. Sorry Charlie, I wasn't born until 1955, and oh by the way, your old ass wasn't there either. I do not owe any repriations to anyone today, besides I already pay with my tax dollars going to the welfare programs already in place. Monetary wise, I've alrady paid and paid in full! It's time to stop using slavery, Jim Crow, KKK, etc as an excuse for a Black teenager under 20 yrs old being a mother of 3 children from 3 different men; for a black youth who chooses to NOT do what a law enforcement officer tells him/her anytime and then when that youth becomes aggressive and challenges and/or physically assaults a police officer. It's time to stop blaming White Society for the 5 killings a day that take place in the Chicago inner city neighborhoods. BLAME solves nothing; Ferguson, MO is an example of that. Instead of Al Sharpton pouring gas on an already unfortunate situation and being responsible for more damages; inciting more racial conflict and baiting "it's the White Mans (cops) fault; he (and others) could have took the higher road to bring calm and helped to prevent the destruction of Black owned businesses in these black neighborhoods and stroking the flames of the Police is your enemy. The angry shout by the step-father "Let's burn this mutha down" did nothing to fix and solve perceived problems and issues in that community! Al Sharpton talks of marching with Dr. M.L. King, but he damn sure either forgot Dr. King's message or he just wanted what he seems to want today and that is to be in front of the camera and appear to be relevant. Well if you want to be "relevant", be relevant for the accomplishment of "Good", not a history of wrongfully inciting unrest by false claims of White abusing Black!

Our Society is filled with "bad" people, Black, White, Yellow, every damn color; We have bad cops, bad lawyers, even bad leaders in our military.....but they are of all colors. So instead of targeting one race (White) it's time to target "ALL" those that represent the bad aspects of our society. Their current actions have only made it worse and then they step back as if they had no responsibility for anything that happens.

Black Leaders coming together is not going to solve it ALL. WE "ALL" have to come together, bury the BS blaming the past and attack the problem of the present. This has to be a collective effort, a liberal effort, an effort to teach accountability, to teach responsibility, an effort to hold all accountable; a collective goal to responsibly help the poor to step up and become achievers in their life and not allowed to sit back and get my entitlement check in the mail.

The media, Congress, Politicians, talking heads and even Middle Class Americans portray poor America as Black America. This is far far from the truth and reality. But a poor Black America is what has "sold", has become the "Poster of the unfortunate" in this country. Poor America is not only a Black Issue, but it is if you listen to all those I just mentioned.

It is time for Those (of all Colors) who have lived in and got out of the inner city slums, ghettos, across the track communities have to come together and march back in there with the message, "it's time we clean this shit up once and for all; those who are against it, we're running you out of our communities and you will be held accountable for your actions. If you want a help up, you'll get it!" If you want to continue to live in fear in a drug infested, crime ridden, slum, you will have to do it somewhere else! We are taking charge of our communities, of our lives and join the rest of society that wants to live in peace, safety, and not fear for ourselves, our children as well as your children too!" It does not have to be in one community at a time, if "WE" all come together to make it happen. Why hasn't Sharpton, Jackson, Obama, Winfrey, West, Rangel, Politicians (etc) and those like them gone to those inner city neighborhoods in Chicago and other communities across the country. Fear is one reason, fear of failure, their "NEW" message not selling, not being relevant in those communities. Not will to stay the course to see change begin to take place; the effort is to tough for them to tackle on their own. So why not come together collectively? What can it hurt....what we're doing today in NOT accomplishing a damn thing.

Am I dreaming, yeah I may be! But until we stop blasting each other and blaming each other for the unacceptable fate that so many poor live in today...it's only going to get worse. And until we (Black/White/Brown, Tan, Yellow, Red, Green, Blue) decide collectively enough is enough, the view point of the the Liberal Public Defender will continue to be REALITY......not Racial.

SFC (Join to see), this is something of a mine field of a discussion thread. On the one hand, I can understand why many would see the article as racist. On the other hand, it was posted by Allen West, a black man.

If we take the attorney at his word, then I think he's basing his statements and opinions on the interactions he has with people in a courtroom setting. He says it's mostly blacks (90%?), a few Hispanics, a few whites, fewer Asians. And if we do take his statements as what he (the attorney) has experienced, then it kind of rings true to me. He would know. He's dealing with these folks - black white, Hispanic, Asian, etc. - all day every day.

That does not mean that ALL blacks are that way or that ALL whites, ALL Hispanics, etc., are a certain way. He's generalizing about the folks he interacts with day in and day out, and I don't doubt him or his observations. Again, though, I don't see him condemning an entire race (even though it may appear that way) ... Rather, I see him "condemning" (or commenting in a negative way on) the people he works with, and he's identifying them by race.

Bottom line, I can easily see how the article is perceived as racist, but I'm not sure it is.