The Murder of Trayvon Martin

[agzg]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If k_s walks past you on the street at night with a business suit and a briefcase, you will probably react differently than if k_s walked past you on the street in Timbs, a beater, and XXXL pants that are sagging. Does this mean that one k_s is better than the other? No, but it does mean that one k_s will be PERCEIVED a different way.

Sure, perceived, fine. But shouldn't perceptions be challenged? Changing your appearance to fit what you think would make a white man more comfortable (keeping in mind that white Justin Bieber is not perceived the same in the exact same outfit) strikes me as counter intuitive - why not go about your business being a k_ass while wearing whatever you want to wear in your off time?

Clearly it's complicated. I just don't think it can be boiled down to "don't wear hoodies or you'll be perceived to be threatening/suspicious." If no black men wore hoodies, and they all wore suits, how long until it becomes "don't wear suits or you'll be perceived to be threatening/suspicious." Maybe it's an oversimplification on my part, but part of the message of "don't wear hoodies" is "don't be any color but white."

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by agzg

Sure, perceived, fine. But shouldn't perceptions be challenged? Changing your appearance to fit what you think would make a white man more comfortable (keeping in mind that white Justin Bieber is not perceived the same in the exact same outfit) strikes me as counter intuitive - why not go about your business being a k_ass while wearing whatever you want to wear in your off time?

Clearly it's complicated. I just don't think it can be boiled down to "don't wear hoodies or you'll be perceived to be threatening/suspicious." If no black men wore hoodies, and they all wore suits, how long until it becomes "don't wear suits or you'll be perceived to be threatening/suspicious." Maybe it's an oversimplification on my part, but part of the message of "don't wear hoodies" is "don't be any color but white."

Well, when I see white young men with the hood of their hoodie up (when it isn't cold or raining) and sagging pants, I always think "He looks like a police artist sketch of a wanted guy" It really doesn't matter what color he is when he's dressed like that to me. It's a "thug" look and anybody wearing it is going to be assumed to be a thug to me. Is that right? Probably not. I have noticed a difference in how I'm treated by salespeople in a store based on what I'm wearing. If I'm in jeans and a sweatshirt or t-shirt, they ignore me. If I'm shopping after work in a suit, I get lots of attention.

Not that anybody ever deserves to be killed over what they're wearing.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by agzg

Sure, perceived, fine. But shouldn't perceptions be challenged?

Challenging stereotypes/power structures/etc. often results in things like "dead kids" though ... I think, in that regard, we're speaking past each other.