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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums17 year old arrested for altering electronic road sign to display racist message
Teen charged with putting up racist message on Sumter road sign
Officers say a 17-year-old is responsible for putting up the racial slur.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/teen-charged-with-putting-up-racist-message-on-sumter-road-sign/vi-AASQK80
https://news.yahoo.com/south-carolina-road-sign-changed-170611290.html
HONK IF YOU HATE N*GGERS, the sign read on Saturday in Sumter, South Carolina
Police are on a search in South Carolina for the person who tampered with an electronic road sign, changing its text to display a racial slur.
The text on the sign, set up in the city of Sumter, was altered to display an offensive command that included the n-word. Sumter has a population of roughly 43,000 with a racial divide of roughly 49% Black and 44% white, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
https://news.yahoo.com/south-carolina-road-sign-changed-170611290.html
ProfessorGAC
(65,013 posts)I'm going to speculate that his parents are less than charming.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)As is the violence we are seeing.
Norbert
(6,039 posts)I've seen it. Some of us woke up and changed while other went off the deep end.
Hope he get court ordered help if it isn't too late.
North Shore Chicago
(3,315 posts)needs to be identified and ostracized for the remainder of his insignificant life. No meaningful career and no peace. Ever.
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(12,369 posts)Lancero
(3,003 posts)The death penalty is just wrong, but wanting to drive someone to suicide is perfectly acceptable.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)Racism is repugnant, there is no arguing otherwise. However, there has to be at least the possibility of atonement and forgiveness for those who sincerely repent of their racism. Otherwise why would they ever change if there's no way back? All your way will accomplish is to harden the attitude and push them further into their hate.
North Shore Chicago
(3,315 posts)First, my reply was out of initial anger (especially today), I stand by my anger but obviously I lacked nuance.
Two, I really am sick and tired of coddling those who behave in this fashion. Putting up with shit and putting up is all seemingly what
liberals are able to do. Meanwhile our house is burning down all around us. Getting tired if words are too tough and all we need is more understanding.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)But what separates us from them is that we don't act on emotion. We have to take a breath, take a step back, calm down. And who's coddling anyone? I never said anything about absolving this kid (or any racist) of guilt or giving them a pass. What I said was that the punishment should be proportional to the act committed.
Jailing someone for an assault makes sense. This kid didn't hurt or kill anyone. No doubt he thought it'd be funny to provoke people. The way forward here is to educate him and make him understand that even though no one was injured, his words and actions still caused harm, even if the effects aren't visible to the eye.
Racists have to be offered the chance to come back from their ways. If there is zero possibility of redemption, that discourages them from even trying to leave that lifestyle and belief system, because why bother? If you can't be forgiven for a sin, where is the incentive to stop committing it? For those who sincerely repent and make a good faith attempt to make amends, I don't see the harm in offering grace and forgiveness.
North Shore Chicago
(3,315 posts)I was you approximately 15 years ago.
You seem like an awesome person, please don't get as jaded as I am. Be well and thank you for the conversation.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)And I'm sorry that you're jaded, but I can't say I really blame you. It really does seem like we're in an express elevator to hell these days, but we have to hold out hope. There are good people here on DU and out there, fighting the good fight.
And we have to allow for the possibility of grace, forgiveness, and redemption for those who merit it. Not all will do so, but for those who do, we have to let them come back to the right side of history if they choose to repent of their ways and make amends as best they can.
Take care!
msfiddlestix
(7,281 posts)We do act on emotion just like all humans do, We're not super human in that regard.
Just calling up events in my lifetime starting with JFK and MLK's assassinations, then the Vietnam War
A whole lot of emotion drove us to direct action with demonstrations/protests/civil disobedience.
These were not merely academic concerns or disputes being expressed in solely in classrooms and debate forums.
I do not dispute or disagree with how we should deal with the issue of discussion, but I think we have to remember and bear in mind our own human nature "failings" (term of art in context) as we attempt to seek justice and address straight on the evils of racism.
I do agree generally with your final analysis.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)What I meant was that we can't allow our visceral responses to provoke us into acting violently, because that is how the other side behaves. I should have been more clear. Allowing a visceral response to provoke and propel peaceful, nonviolent protests and civil disobedience is perfectly okay, and has brought about positive change in the past.
I really should have been more clear, sorry about that.
msfiddlestix
(7,281 posts)Of course, in theory I totally agree. And it doesn't serve us well.
But as a totally exhausted human in this life long fight, I have on occasion entertained visions of these cretins getting hoisted by their own petard., and relished the image.
SouthernDem4ever
(6,617 posts)WTF happened?
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)Outright racism had become comparatively rarer, while the more subtle, more insidious racism had taken its place. At least, that was the case until TFG opened the floodgates and made it okay for them to crawl out from under their rocks.
But I would say that overall, people are less racist now than in the 70s, and more people are anti-racist than they were in the 70s. Back then, it was just the norm. Now it's seen as unacceptable in polite society and people push back, which probably wasn't the case in the 70s. I wouldn't really know, though, as I was born in '79. Just my take based on what I know of that era and what I've seen over the last several years.
SouthernDem4ever
(6,617 posts)I lived through those years and was looking at the struggle as progressing passed that point assuming by this millennium it would be a thing of the past looked back as a negative part of our history we overcame. Now I feel like we're back in the sixties starting all over again. The fight against racism is on many fronts, but the overall goal seems to have vanished or at least denied in our society. When half of our voting population thinks putting a white supremacist supporter in our highest office is a good idea, something has gone terribly wrong.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)Some will always look down on others for reasons of race, some will always hate others for reasons of race. It's like any other form of societal herpes, it will just never go away. It might go dormant, it might go underground, but it'll always come back in one way or another.
SouthernDem4ever
(6,617 posts)for the sake of the world.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)MyMission
(1,850 posts)I've said that before.
It seems to me that retraining people not to hate and not to blame is a good thing, for those who commit hate crimes and those who use hateful speech and hold racist or supremacist beliefs.
The violent crimes do require prison time, but when the effort is made to retrain people it usually has a good outcome. I've read about programs that do this. Like systematic desensitization, a technique used to help people with phobias, except it helps with hateful hearts.
The courts will sentence people to community service or driving school. As I write this I think we need a program to deal with civics and humanity and US history as part of a sentencing and treatment plan, for hate crimes and crimes where the offender might benefit from something like that.
Judicial reform is what I guess I'm suggesting. Lock them up! Has certainly become a popular saying and sentiment on both sides. But we do need to get beyond that. It's not the answer for everything, but sometimes it's needed.
This young man clearly has some talents to be able to pull off this hateful prank. I suspect that's how he thought if it, as a prank. He needs to be reprogrammed and redirected.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)But all the people advocating vicious and over the top punishments in this instance are not helping to solve the problem. I understand the visceral reaction, but we have to take a breath, take a step back, and calm down. Acting on emotion is what the other side does. We're better than that.
I agree with everything you said. Thank you!
TheFarseer
(9,322 posts)This is all on his parents/community. Not that he shouldn't be punished - He should. When I was 17, I didn't know a damn thing except what my parents and kids at school said.
LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)See Nicholous Sandmann. The absolute hatred is so intense on him, you would think he murdered someone or multiple someones. He didnt. He stood there and smirked at an individual of a protected class when he was 17. That was his crime.
North Shore Chicago
(3,315 posts)Skittles
(153,160 posts)Heck, I served in the military when I was 18. Kids these days have access to the internet so they get more viewpoints than their parents and peers.
Emile
(22,715 posts)Sad
multigraincracker
(32,675 posts)If you ask me. Lock him up in the county jail for a few months.
Response to multigraincracker (Reply #4)
Post removed
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)This place not really living up to its principles lately.
MarineCombatEngineer
(12,369 posts)BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)Between the people cackling over unvaccinated folks dying from Covid and those wishing painful deaths on pretty much any politician with an R after their name, there's plenty of harm-wishing going around. And let's not forget the grave dancing troupe that shows up after certain deaths.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)And theres another post in this thread doing that very thing.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)I'm beginning to understand the results of a poll CNN was talking about a few years ago. They ran a series called "The Divided States of America" in the height of the Trump administration. One of the questions was, "The country would be better off if all members of the opposing party just died. Do you agree?"
I was expecting that a higher proportion of Republicans would agree with that sentiment. To my surprise, that was not the case. It's been a while and I'm going by memory here, but I want to say about 15% of Republicans agreed with that statement, as opposed to like 20% of Democrats. That was quite an eye-opener.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)The poster yesterday who said that there were NEVER posts here wishing harm on those we disagree with blew my mind. I almost fell off the couch in disbelief.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)
Standford Prison Experiment:
The Woke side or The Racist side? If you got a bunch of red necks from the south and a bunch of Twitter see how much I hate my white skin posters; which side would be the more vengeful and cruel?
I wont answer, but I am leaning one way over the other by a notch.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Interesting.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)The Racist Side, as you put it, would direct their cruelty and vitriol towards non-whites and any they perceive as "race traitors." If Twitter has taught me anything, the Woke Side would direct theirs towards... well, pretty much anyone who didn't hold the same opinions as them. If you express an opinion on Twitter that isn't der ordnung, it's only a matter of time until someone tells you to kill yourself. So as a practical matter, pretty much identical. Funny, isn't it?
That experiment proved quite handily that a great many people have a dark side to them that rarely makes it to the service, but when it does...
UnderThisLaw
(318 posts)Id further argue that posts like that arent the most egregious examples
Response to Loki Liesmith (Reply #8)
Post removed
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)I mean, while you've got the kill squads out roaming the streets executing people, you may as well make a clean sweep of anyone else you don't like, right?
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)This thread is full of these gems, aint it?
ForgedCrank
(1,779 posts)for all of us to be pretty pissed off at what he did, but if everyone would think about it for just one minute they would come to the realization that they are giving this kid exactly what he wanted.
FFS, he's 17. I don't know if he's a real racist or not, but he's 17, and 17 year-olds live to piss off society, it's what they do. And most times, they never give a second thought to the idea that their behaviors and actions might have further reaching serious consequences.
I'm not saying let it go, but damn, calls to execute him or destroy his life forever are childish responses to childish behavior.
Thank God people didn't want to destroy my life to the stupid shit I did when I was a teenager. I don't think any of us would be here if that was the norm.
I trust that his parents are likely handling this appropriately. And the consequences for his actions will likely be a pretty solid life lesson. If we see him doing similar things in the future, I'll change my position on the matter.
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)From what I can see the only group that is displaying psychopathic and sociopathic tendencies are the racist/white supremacists. Its got nothing to do with whether I like them, they are a danger to everyone in the society that wants peace and prosperity. I want peace and prosperity for all. Racism/white supremacy is incompatible with peace and prosperity.
treestar
(82,383 posts)summary execution means no hearings, right?
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)Looks like this kid made the choice for himself, just like all the others I've seen. He knew what he was doing was harmful, but he did it anyway.
I take offense to the fact you would assume that I didn't know what a summary execution is. Privilege much?
treestar
(82,383 posts)what did that mean?
But the question was, who decides who does not deserve a hearing and what standard of behavior sustains that?
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)If you want to fantasize about that sort of thing, knock yourself out. But some of us aren't interested in behaving like the other side. He who gazes into the abyss, and all that...
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)It is what it is. You play your games and I'll play mine.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)You have allowed TFG and his minions to make you like them, in behavior and attitude if not in politics. That's very sad.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)Is it only the white racists you yearn to exercise this terroristic authoritarianism on? Or would you include everyone who is racist?
Just need to know what to prepare for in this fantasy regime you have going on.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)The attacks against Asians in some cities comes to mind.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)Conversely, my partner is Filipino.
His mother's ideas of pretty much every non-Filipino ever are . . . interesting. I'm white, and she still doesn't entirely like me. But as long as the commentary stays expressed in Tagalog, I do not care.
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)If you are not a filthy degenerate racist/white supremacist, you really have nothing to worry about, do you?
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)I'm just sayin. Used is fine.
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)What history books would you suggest? You know, just for my edification.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)20th century is good. Any authoritarian regime. Everyone goes with Germany, but that's lazy. A Chile would do.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)See the relevance of what was posted. You agree, why is it good advice.?
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)I should study authoritarian regimes to figure out why I should be OKAY with racist/white supremacists harming me and my family?
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Oh my.
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)You're begging me to respond to you. Inbox me.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)And my endeavors are very successful. Thank you.
WestIndianArchie
(386 posts)Good luck with your endeavors was a gesture of humanity. But, I guess it's a foreign concept to some these days.
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Remember that one? Perhaps I should put it on here so everyone can read your gesture of humanity.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)You should study history and see where your yearning for executions leads.
TheProle
(2,167 posts)Dr. Strange
(25,921 posts)Look, people are stupid. If you're a "filthy degenerate racist/white supremacist" then yes, you might be accused of this. The problem is you might be accused--even if you aren't one. You can be accused of being a Nazi for:
having a tattoo
losing hair to cancer
This is like saying if you're not a rapist, then you don't have to worry about being accused of rape.
Joe Biden might have some input on that one.
jcmaine72
(1,773 posts)You must feel awfully lonely in threads like these.
Dr. Strange
(25,921 posts)Actually the greater burden is when I have the explain the brilliance of literature like the Dune series to certain uncultured Philistines. I won't name names, though, so as not to embarrass Orrex.
MarineCombatEngineer
(12,369 posts)multigraincracker
(32,675 posts)he who is without sin cast the first stone.
dalton99a
(81,482 posts)NutmegYankee
(16,199 posts)No one is physically harmed, and the behavior is obviously childish. I contrast this with situations where people are intentionally killed or injured, which I consider "adult" crimes that deserve adult punishment
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,334 posts)Demovictory9
(32,454 posts)Chainfire
(17,536 posts)RAB910
(3,501 posts)Walleye
(31,017 posts)PatSeg
(47,421 posts)than they've been in decades. The defeated former president made it cool to hate again.
Walleye
(31,017 posts)PatSeg
(47,421 posts)"The forgotten man" is forgotten no more. I remember that from the book, "It Can't Happen Here" and Trump used it in his campaign speeches. Kind of a classic for populist politicians.
Walleye
(31,017 posts)PatSeg
(47,421 posts)People want to belong and will go where they can find acceptance.
treestar
(82,383 posts)probably trolling more likely. Wanting to get a rise out of people and knows this is how to do it.
Walleye
(31,017 posts)I still think the confederacy was never really defeated and it is enjoying a comeback
jcmaine72
(1,773 posts)actions.
That said, actions should have consequences. This young man should be required to take AND pass a course on understanding the history of racial inequity in our nation and the impact that systemic racism still has on our nation today.
EX500rider
(10,842 posts)Do you really think a black man stood any chance at all of being elected President in the '60's?
Mr. Ected
(9,670 posts)But you can punish the hell out of them for being foolish enough to get caught practicing it.
Trump made racists proud to be racist again. Maybe that could be the new slogan for him for 2024: MRPA
yardwork
(61,599 posts)Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)It's entirely possible he learned it from his parents, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it was an online community he's joined. Or both, for the double-whammy of disgusting.
yardwork
(61,599 posts)Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)Places like 4chan, 8chan, and the various other online hellholes are filled to the brim with teenagers who think they're being funny by behaving this way. They egg each other on and reinforce the attitudes.
PatSeg
(47,421 posts)If you're looking for hate, it is pretty easy to find these days. Kids who feel unappreciated and invisible can go online and find communities that will embrace them. Then they can find a group of people to look down on in order to build themselves up.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)It's a bunch of kids who are what one might call "losers" in real life. Socially awkward, self-esteem issues, the whole gamut of things that make kids outcasts among other kids. They end up at a place like 4chan, and suddenly they're safe and with their own kind. And then they lash out at all those they feel have wronged them. To them, the best thing they can do is provoke a reaction, because then they've been seen and acknowledged at long last.
It's really sad, honestly. That's no way to live.
PatSeg
(47,421 posts)in an often cold, indifferent world. This teen could have been neglected, ignored, and even bullied, and he may have found acceptance with the haters much like the incels.
Sympthsical
(9,073 posts)4chan is a start. Being a teenager, I guarantee he was bragging about it somewhere. Teenage boys rarely pull stunts like this for their own private shits and giggles.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)He needs to spend several years doing hard labor to the benefit of his community. Preferably wearing a sign for a to see indicating his behavior.
Walleye
(31,017 posts)jcmaine72
(1,773 posts)Walleye
(31,017 posts)jcmaine72
(1,773 posts)Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)No one died. No one was injured. He no doubt thought this was the height of humor, because there's little that teenagers love more than provoking adults. Racism is repugnant, but the knee-jerk reactions and extreme proposals for punishment in this thread are way, way over the top.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I have mine.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)But I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)however, understand that I am just as entitled to my opinion of the punishment that should be handed out to this "little darling" as you are to your opinion of my opinion.
I believe that some as you would describe "over the top and ridiculous" responses to these actors needs to take place in order to serve as an example to the many others who might consider similar activities and put the genie that TFG released back into the bottle.
You disagree, fine, that's life.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)And the "over the top and ridiculous" suggestions for punishment will do nothing but harden attitudes and drive them further into their beliefs. They thrive on the notion that they're persecuted. If you persecute them, all you're doing is validating that belief.
Is that to say that there should be no consequences? No, of course not. Actions always have consequences. But the consequences must be proportional to the act. "Making an example of them" is the same argument that supports the death penalty, and as we know, it has zero deterrent effect on crime. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Why would it be effective in this instance?
For this kid, he needs to be educated on how things like that impact real people in the real world, even if the harm can't be see with the naked eye. Odds are he thinks it was just a stupid prank, so making him understand the reality of his actions is the first step, not throwing him into prison for several years of hard labor.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)and as much as I do disagree with you I appreciate the civility of the exchange. That is and of itself is becoming a rare commodity.
Jedi Guy
(3,186 posts)And thank you as well. We may not all see eye-to-eye on every issue, but we're all DUers and on the same team. Take care!
ForgedCrank
(1,779 posts)the key to almost all racism, it has it's roots right there.
"They thrive on the notion that they're persecuted. If you persecute them, all you're doing is validating that belief."
That's may be the most simple and elegant way I've ever seen it written, and a lot of people could learn from that if they read it for exactly what it says. That statement contains not only the root cause, but also a solution.
I should also say that I don't believe we will ever be able to eliminate racism completely because it takes a certain level of intelligence and self-awareness to see racism for what it really is, and a lot of people are not capable of either. But we can make a significant difference by understanding it and being realistic.
Orrex
(63,208 posts)I suppose because a hood would be too obvious.
mountain grammy
(26,620 posts)This is so disgusting and disheartening but that's what happens when racists have their very own president for 4 years.
inthewind21
(4,616 posts)Am I the only one who instantly clued in to just WHERE this was done.
Aristus
(66,328 posts)BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)But you know that.
gay texan
(2,442 posts)Torchlight
(3,331 posts)and there was potential for it to have had really bad results.
The ongoing racism in this nation is a real drag; I wish these people would turn their attention towards doing good works rather than tearing them down.
How much good we could get done if we just put down our hatred and the self-righteousness that invariably follows.
gulliver
(13,180 posts)Worrisome
jcmaine72
(1,773 posts)BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Can someone do it with their phone or what?
LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)This thread has helped shine a light on some of those flaws.
Swede
(33,236 posts)Schools, work, and other places will google his name, and viola! a racist POS loses.