The Murder of Trayvon Martin

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Yes, you can.

(No shade) I obviously disagree, but I'm curious why you feel that way. IIRC, I've seen you post to aspirants telling them to dress/speak appropriately when seeking membership in GLOs or face rejection. Why wouldn't the same hold true outside of the Greek world?

I think that, ESPECIALLY in the AA community, we should mindful of these things so that we're not "setting people back xx years" (for lack of a better phrase).

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Exactly and that is the problem.

You have a freedom but you ALSO have a responsibility.

Part of what bothers me about our younger kids coming up today is that some are not being TAUGHT that they are already stereotyped by looks alone and BY ACTING OUT those stereotypes they further along those stereotypes.

Yep.

And like DrPhil said, this side "issue" is taking away from the situation at hand, but what do we expect from a former "shock" journalist?

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Restating one more time: No, I don't think that a hoodie caused his death or that a mini-skirt invites rape.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

(No shade) I obviously disagree, but I'm curious why you feel that way. IIRC, I've seen you post to aspirants telling them to dress/speak appropriately when seeking membership in GLOs or face rejection. Why wouldn't the same hold true outside of the Greek world?

I think that, ESPECIALLY in the AA community, we should mindful of these things so that we're not "setting people back xx years" (for lack of a better phrase).

But isn't giving in to the way white people think you should dress setting people back xx years? Why should one dress for the comfort of white people, or people in general?

When certain items of clothing are "ok" for Justin Bieber to wear, but not "ok" for Trayvon Martin, doesn't that say more about the problem than "young black men should not wear hoodies because it makes them look 'hood'?"

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by agzg

Why should one dress for the comfort of white people, or people in general?

We are already at a disadvantage and negatively stereotyped just by the color of our skin. Add onto that what we are wearing and then how it's worn. Finally, take said us and put us into a public situation and and watch how we act. Does it increase or lessen the stereotypes that non blacks have towards us?

In most cases it doesn't even matter what we wear, but I think part of the issue is the attitude of those who play right into the stereotypes by acting out in public and do nothing BUT reinforce what non blacks believe about us.

Still, at the end of the day it gives no one the right to chase another down and kill them just because they 'fit the description'.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by agzg

But isn't giving in to the way white people think you should dress setting people back xx years? Why should one dress for the comfort of white people, or people in general?

If you want to make it in a "white man's world," you sometimes have to dress the part. As long as we're a power minority, it's something we have to deal with.

When certain items of clothing are "ok" for Justin Bieber to wear, but not "ok" for Trayvon Martin, doesn't that say more about the problem than "young black men should not wear hoodies because it makes them look 'hood'?"

Yes, it is a problem. That's nothing new.

ETA: Bieber is on Access Hollywood right now wearing "urban" attire (including a hoodie). Speak of the devil...

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

IIRC, I've seen you post to aspirants telling them to dress/speak appropriately when seeking membership in GLOs or face rejection.

Originally Posted by agzg

But isn't giving in to the way white people think you should dress setting people back xx years? Why should one dress for the comfort of white people, or people in general?

When certain items of clothing are "ok" for Justin Bieber to wear, but not "ok" for Trayvon Martin, doesn't that say more about the problem than "young black men should not wear hoodies because it makes them look 'hood'?"

This exactly.

[DrPhil]

"I'll be damn gag me with a spoon."

~ Greg Nice, Nice & Smooth, Hip Hop Junkies