Serious Issue - ALL groups deserve equal treatment.

[snoochie]

I've just read the thread about a young woman who was assaulted at a concert. Based on the information in the article, it was clear that there was not enough information to decide whether or not the attack warranted the label 'hate crime'.

However, it was notable that if the situation were reversed, it could be argued that more liberals would be defending the victim rather than labeling her as untrustworthy, dumb, etc. I also think that if the situation were reversed, there would most likely be more people sympathetic to labeling the attack a hate crime than predisposed to dismiss it as such.

Another issue which came up recently, due to the confederate flag issue, was whether it's acceptable to people on this forum to use terms like 'redneck', 'hick', 'white trash', etc.

I think we really do need to address this problem. IMO it is a problem, because it seems we've become desensitized to issues if they affect a group which we perceive as not having to deal with a particular problem on a regular basis.

In the interest of fairness, which I think we all try to strive for in the Democratic party, I think we should try to treat all groups equally.

[Isome]

1. I believe it IS important to be fair to everyone and every group.

However, my perspective as a Black woman, who has more than a few stories, is that there's a tendency towards hyperbole when people of color aren't in agreement about a charge of racism (in that instance the claim of a hate crime).

As for the Dean flag flap, I found no racism or bigotry. I did find it insulting that those defending Dean couldn't imagine an opposite scenario and their probable reactions to it.

We certainly should discuss the elephant herd in the room.

[snoochie]

2. I guess I should divulge...

I'm Hispanic, in case that affects how anyone views my post.

[loyalsister]

3. fairness vs. equality

They aren't exactly the same. Sometimes you have to treat people differently in order to be fair. Affirmative action is an example. It is reasonable IMO to try to even the playing field by treating people slightly differently. ADA is another example. People with disabilities could not go nearly as many places as they can now without this requirement that their special needs be recognized.

I didn't see the thread about the assault that you referred to.
I do, however think that we have developed a terrible habit of demonizing people from the south. I have come to despise words like "redneck" and "hick" as much as the "n" word. I think that there are people who have been left out and ignored because we don't like their attitudes about race. As ugly as some of those attitudes are, it seems that there may be some larger issues to consider given the status of health care and education.