Racial Stereotypes

[WinePusher]

I've heard many apologists for Trayvon Martin in the media bring up issues regarding racial profiling. They'll either say something like:

1) Had Zimmerman been black and had Martin been white then Martin would have been convicted and sentenced to prison.

or

2) Had Trayvon Martin been white instead of black, Zimmerman would have never followed him in the first place.

These two statements are stereotypes. They imply that the only reason why Zimmerman was suspicious of Martin was because of his race, and the first implies that the criminal justice system is biased against blacks.

But the real question is why do these stereotypes exist in the first place. My opinion is that a racial stereotype exists because many members of a certain ethnic group behave or act a certain way, and this trait/feature is extrapolated to the entire ethnic group.

Questions:

1) If you were walking alone in a dark alley and saw a group of hooded black men walking your way, would you be scared?

2) If you were walking alone in a dark alley and saw a group of teenage girls walking your way, would you be scared?

3) Do you yourself engage in racial profiling and stereotyping in your everyday life?

[Danmark]

Where do the Scriptures say that such a problem can be or should be solved through government action? Maybe they are more results oriented and would like to see an answer to the question I posed at the end of last post. What objective measure do we use to determine when "affirmative action" or any of these programs has had any significant positive effect?

I find this baffling beyond belief. As if you need a specific scripture from 2000 - 3000 years ago that that has the words 'affirmative action' in it. The NT in particular, as well as passages in the Jewish Bible, tell us to care for our fellow man, to be fair, to redress grievances, to care for the poor and those that are shunned due to poverty or race or tribe. But you need some specific verse that tells you specifically how to implement this admonition to love and to be fair?

I'm astonished. I suppose I shouldn't be. This is just another example in a long line that tells me this version of Christianity is absolutely bankrupt of moral authority.

[Danmark]

Well, for the last 60 years, with all of these programs, the absentee father problem has nearly doubled and ballooned to 72% among blacks. So, maybe we should try something else.

We haven't tried it. At least you have not; your church has not. My father, a devout evangelical [and political conservative] did. He developed friendships with those incarcerated. He became a father to men in prison. They loved him and looked up to him. Not one man he became a 'father' to ever committed another crime or was returned to prison.

He tried it. He made a difference. Where are these Christian men today? Spouting nonsense about their private theories of right wing conservatism and condemnation?

Has any Christian conservative on this list actually gone into a prison and developed a lasting, long term relationship with a prisoner. My father did. He did it while sitting in a wheel chair, in addition to raising five of his own children. Forget about government. What have you done to be a brother to your neighbor?

[Goat]

Well, for the last 60 years, with all of these programs, the absentee father problem has nearly doubled and ballooned to 72% among blacks. So, maybe we should try something else.

We haven't tried it. At least you have not; your church has not. My father, a devout evangelical [and political conservative] did. He developed friendships with those incarcerated. He became a father to men in prison. They loved him and looked up to him. Not one man he became a 'father' to ever committed another crime or was returned to prison.

He tried it. He made a difference. Where are these Christian men today? Spouting nonsense about their private theories of right wing conservatism and condemnation?

Has any Christian conservative on this list actually gone into a prison and developed a lasting, long term relationship with a prisoner. My father did. He did it while sitting in a wheel chair, in addition to raising five of his own children. Forget about government. What have you done to be a brother to your neighbor?

It sounds like your father 'walked the walk'... and incorporated the better parts of Christianity into his life. I think he took Matthew 25 very seriously.

[Danmark]

Well, for the last 60 years, with all of these programs, the absentee father problem has nearly doubled and ballooned to 72% among blacks. So, maybe we should try something else.

We haven't tried it. At least you have not; your church has not. My father, a devout evangelical [and political conservative] did. He developed friendships with those incarcerated. He became a father to men in prison. They loved him and looked up to him. Not one man he became a 'father' to ever committed another crime or was returned to prison.

He tried it. He made a difference. Where are these Christian men today? Spouting nonsense about their private theories of right wing conservatism and condemnation?

Has any Christian conservative on this list actually gone into a prison and developed a lasting, long term relationship with a prisoner. My father did. He did it while sitting in a wheel chair, in addition to raising five of his own children. Forget about government. What have you done to be a brother to your neighbor?

It sounds like your father 'walked the walk'... and incorporated the better parts of Christianity into his life. I think he took Matthew 25 very seriously.

Thank you, Goat. He was a special person. This same guy who once had a letter published in 'Seattle' magazine, critical of their cover story about gays [He wrote 'I know Seattle has a sewer system, but I don't want a picture of it on the cover of my magazine.'] would tell me stories of the local Jews who volunteered to work on Christmas and Christmas Eve, for Christian businessmen so the Christians could be home with their families. I always respected him and the fact despite his ultra conservative biases [he disliked FDR and Truman], he knew what was right, acted on it, and had a sense of fairness that transcended his own politics.

[bluethread]

Well, for the last 60 years, with all of these programs, the absentee father problem has nearly doubled and ballooned to 72% among blacks. So, maybe we should try something else.

We haven't tried it. At least you have not; your church has not. My father, a devout evangelical [and political conservative] did. He developed friendships with those incarcerated. He became a father to men in prison. They loved him and looked up to him. Not one man he became a 'father' to ever committed another crime or was returned to prison.

He tried it. He made a difference. Where are these Christian men today? Spouting nonsense about their private theories of right wing conservatism and condemnation?

Has any Christian conservative on this list actually gone into a prison and developed a lasting, long term relationship with a prisoner. My father did. He did it while sitting in a wheel chair, in addition to raising five of his own children. Forget about government. What have you done to be a brother to your neighbor?

It sounds like your father 'walked the walk'... and incorporated the better parts of Christianity into his life. I think he took Matthew 25 very seriously.

Thank you, Goat. He was a special person. This same guy who once had a letter published in 'Seattle' magazine, critical of their cover story about gays [He wrote 'I know Seattle has a sewer system, but I don't want a picture of it on the cover of my magazine.'] would tell me stories of the local Jews who volunteered to work on Christmas and Christmas Eve, for Christian businessmen so the Christians could be home with their families. I always respected him and the fact despite his ultra conservative biases [he disliked FDR and Truman], he knew what was right, acted on it, and had a sense of fairness that transcended his own politics.

Hold it. When did I criticize private charity? Do you know of a government program that does what your father did?

[Danmark]

Well, for the last 60 years, with all of these programs, the absentee father problem has nearly doubled and ballooned to 72% among blacks. So, maybe we should try something else.

We haven't tried it. At least you have not; your church has not. My father, a devout evangelical [and political conservative] did. He developed friendships with those incarcerated. He became a father to men in prison. They loved him and looked up to him. Not one man he became a 'father' to ever committed another crime or was returned to prison.

He tried it. He made a difference. Where are these Christian men today? Spouting nonsense about their private theories of right wing conservatism and condemnation?

Has any Christian conservative on this list actually gone into a prison and developed a lasting, long term relationship with a prisoner. My father did. He did it while sitting in a wheel chair, in addition to raising five of his own children. Forget about government. What have you done to be a brother to your neighbor?

It sounds like your father 'walked the walk'... and incorporated the better parts of Christianity into his life. I think he took Matthew 25 very seriously.

Thank you, Goat. He was a special person. This same guy who once had a letter published in 'Seattle' magazine, critical of their cover story about gays [He wrote 'I know Seattle has a sewer system, but I don't want a picture of it on the cover of my magazine.'] would tell me stories of the local Jews who volunteered to work on Christmas and Christmas Eve, for Christian businessmen so the Christians could be home with their families. I always respected him and the fact despite his ultra conservative biases [he disliked FDR and Truman], he knew what was right, acted on it, and had a sense of fairness that transcended his own politics.

Hold it. When did I criticize private charity? Do you know of a government program that does what your father did?

I agree I am not aware you ever have. I also agree that tho' gov'mint does not and cannot institute love, personal relationships, and self sacrifice, the government institutions I've worked with certainly encourage it.

My beef is with those who complain about criminals and the incarcerated and the obvious cause and effect relationship between unwanted and uncared for children and high incarceration rates, yet do nothing about it personally. In one respect I was in error when I alluded to the expectation that a Christian should not need a specific admonition or 'call' to do the right thing, but should be able to figure out certain helpful actions by general moral principles outlined in the Bible.

There is one very specific moral action that [among others] that the Bible demands; visiting those in prison.

Hebrews 13:3 ESV

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

Matthew 25:35-46 ESV

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ...

Psalm 69:33 ESV
For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

Psalm 102:20 ESV
To hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,

Isaiah 61:1 ESV
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Psalm 146:7 ESV
Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; . . . .
http://www.openbible.info/topics/prisoners

[bluethread]

There is one very specific moral action that [among others] that the Bible demands; visiting those in prison.

Your point is well taken and there are some who do just that. Specifically, Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministries. Given my location and workload, it is nearly impossible for me to do this personally. Given our societies obsession with entertainment and leisure, there should be more of this instead, among Yeshua's followers. To be fair to those who are spending personal time doing other charitable work, though there is a commonality in the passages you quoted, similar lists could also be gathered for the other things mentioned, ie. caring for widows and orphans.

The bottom line is the means and motivation. I believe private efforts to encourage social interdependence and community beats public efforts that encourage dependence on government largess taken from others by force and the reinforcement of racial stereotypes in the process.

[Danmark]

There is one very specific moral action that [among others] that the Bible demands; visiting those in prison.

Your point is well taken and there are some who do just that. Specifically, Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministries. Given my location and workload, it is nearly impossible for me to do this personally. Given our societies obsession with entertainment and leisure, there should be more of this instead, among Yeshua's followers. To be fair to those who are spending personal time doing other charitable work, though there is a commonality in the passages you quoted, similar lists could also be gathered for the other things mentioned, ie. caring for widows and orphans.

The bottom line is the means and motivation. I believe private efforts to encourage social interdependence and community beats public efforts that encourage dependence on government largess taken from others by force and the reinforcement of racial stereotypes in the process.

Yes. It's a dilemma. Ideally the necessary good works would come from individuals motivated by nothing but love and the hope to help people be reborn [I say that in it's general, rather than theological sense].

But there isn't enough of it in the private sector and I agree even if the public sector spent the money, the ministry we are talking about perhaps can only be effective when the recipient sees there is zero motivation other than to help. No pay check, no opportunity to proselytize; nothing but genuine concern for a brother.

I meet so many fine people, people who would be excellent mentors, fathers, big brothers to those imprisoned, but they either do not have the time or the inclination. Some of the very best candidates for this, the guys who I think would be great father figures to these damaged children we have in our prisons don't see these folks as redeemable. These men have great, solid values, but have a sort of 'us vs. them' mind set. I know if I could just get them to go with me to the jail, introduce them to some of these kids . . . but . . . I too do more talking than acting.

[bluethread]

I meet so many fine people, people who would be excellent mentors, fathers, big brothers to those imprisoned, but they either do not have the time or the inclination. Some of the very best candidates for this, the guys who I think would be great father figures to these damaged children we have in our prisons don't see these folks as redeemable. These men have great, solid values, but have a sort of 'us vs. them' mind set. I know if I could just get them to go with me to the jail, introduce them to some of these kids . . . but . . . I too do more talking than acting.

The principle of "to he who has much, more will be given" seems to work both ways. Those who have the least amount of free time, seem to have a hard time finding more, and those with too much time on their hands seem to be able to find a myriad of ways to waste it. That is why I am a minimalist. It seems the larger the organization the less truly effective it is. If we all took a lesson from our pets and made sure not to soil our own area, there might be less need to take care of someone else's.