Dallas judge criticized for racially charged quote

[newtothegame]

Source: Associated Press

DALLAS – The top municipal judge in Dallas faces calls for his resignation over a racially charged column he wrote in a weekly newspaper.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090318/ap_on_re_us/judge_racial_comments

[Bolo Boffin]

1. That's the quote?

"black folks have been cleaning up white folks' messes for hundreds of years"

That's what he's in trouble for?

[newtothegame]

2. Yes, the paper column was to praise reform efforts of the city's first black prosecutor.

That's where he went with it, and people are calling for his head.

[WriteDown]

3. Typical Dallas politics

Don't forget that we had a problem down here when a city council member referred to some agency as a black hole and was met with outrage when another city council member thought it was a racist comment. I believe there was actual laughter in the city council meeting.

[newtothegame]

4. True. I'm not exactly sure why this judge brought race into it.

Couldn't he have just focused on the good job the prosecutor was doing, regardless of his race?

[WriteDown]

5. Exactly...

Here's the link to that old story. I think there is still video all over the web too.

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/dallas-county-meeting-turns-ra.html

[newtothegame]

6. Right. Considering the outrage that would have come out if the judge saying it had been white, why..

would a black judge even want to go there?

[No Elephants]

19. Have a lot of white judges in Texas been asked to resign over their racially charged

remarks or has no white judge in Texas ever made one?

[No Elephants]

18. I''m guessing this is by far not the first "racially charged" remark made by a Texas judge. How

others have been asked to resign, I wonder?

Know the answer to that one offhand by any chance, do ya, Boy?

[WriteDown]

23. Want to supply some evidence of that?

Or do you just want to throw around accusations? Can't remember judges of any color making similar comments in large venue.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. I found it odd they called this "racially charged"

when it is the truth.

[newtothegame]

8. I'd say anytime you bring race into a conversation where race is irrelevant, it's "racially charged"

[No Elephants]

20. Who gets to judge when it is irrelevant and when it isn't?

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[singingbiscuit]

11. Yeah, if only

we were living in that parallel universe you must be referring to, where the ruling caste blacks actually made all those messes that the undercaste whites had to clean up since they'd been brought here in chains. In this world, however ...

[WriteDown]

14. sound like you're posting from a "white hole"

see post #5.

[Ian David]

13. Because white people were once slaves and servants to black people?

You make no fucking sense.

I wondered what happened to Collin Quinn since they canceled "Tough Crowd."

Welcome to DU.

[MellowDem]

22. It's the truth, huh?

So you agree with the judge that "black people have been cleaning up white folks' messes for hundreds of years". You do realize that that is a bigoted statement? You might want to reevaluate your own bigotry and prejudices. Who is the judge to speak for all blacks (or whites for that matter)? It's bigotry pure and simple.

The judge definitely should resign. I wouldn't want such an ignorant and bigoted individual in such a place of power. I'm surprised how some people feel so comfortable stating their bigotry and prejudice, not to mention ignorance, on this board. The double standard is staggering.

[Butch350]

9. I don't think the Judge meant anything racial...

...let's not be too quick to call people racists - I think some people say stupid things without thinking, (i've done it), and
I really think SOME people mean well and are not racists, just verbally stupid it at times.

[Ian David]

12. "black folks have been cleaning up white folks' messes for hundreds of years."

Well, yes.

That's why we elected Obama President.

To clean-up George W. Cracker's mess.

[noiretextatique]

15. while basically true, he should have had the sense

not to say that publically.

[Mr Generic Other]

16. oh brother, the judge is black and he is commenting on another black official

and how he has cleaned up the mess he found when he entered office.
personally i think its funny.

[No Elephants]

17. Is this the first judge in Texas who's been asked to resign over an allegedly

racist remark? Cause I'd bet BIG money this sure is not the first judge in Texas to make one or to act in a racist way--even while in court.

That said, it's about time people of all races hesitated more before flaming and/or claiming some kind of superiority on the basis of race. Granted, history would give plenty of justification for wanting to lift up a race that has long been treated as inferior, even sub-human, but this guy is a judge.

[rainbow4321]

21. Last time it was the phrase "black hole"

That caused racially charged headlines in local media. I forget which local official said it and who complained but the phrase "down a black hole" was used in referencing some money issue and the person who used the phrase caught hell for using the color black. No, not kidding. As if the city and county don't have bigger issues to worry about.

[LanternWaste]

25. John Wiley Price was the one to take offense...

John Wiley Price was the one to take offense at the "black hole" remark. Although I admire and respect him for what he's done for South Dallas, I am compelled to believe that Price was a bit too quick to call out racism in that particular instance.

[tyrant888]

24. If nothing else, it was incredibly stupid.

[knixphan]

26. nobody disputes the truth of the statement

But as we all know, politics is more about judgment and timing than truth.

[MellowDem]

27. I dispute the 'truth' of the statement...

Such a generalized statement in and of itself cannot be true. It's bigoted. To me, it's the implication that blacks are cleaning up everything and only whites are to blame, when we all know that both blacks and whites are making messes and both blacks and whites are working together to clean up those same messes. Shit, it's like he WANTS to create a racial divide, and he's a freakin' judge!

But please, do tell me, how is such an ignornant, bigoted statement 'truth'? Obviously it is to you, and for all the wrong reasons.

[knixphan]

28. no intent to piss you off there.

The 'truth' is a general historical slavery-related comment, and nobody is assuming he really means 'ALL' blacks and 'ALL' whites. A racial divide isn't the only possible end result of that statement - but I'll be the first to say it's not the greatest idea to say it publicly from a power position.

I'm not a bigot, nor out to blame you for slavery. It's all good.

[BreweryYardRat]

29. I'm getting the sense that it was intended as a humorous remark.

And that people of both races are taking it too seriously.