Just going out on a limb here, but I'm not sure bullwhip guy had any sinister intentions.  It's the week before Hallowwen - I'd be willing to bet he was acquiring pieces for an Indiana Jones costume and happened to think it was a cool/funny thing to have.  I doubt he bought it for the racial symbolism and was carrying it around to intimidate blacks and Obama voters.  Of all my 20 something white male friends and acquaintances, more than half at least thought about being Indy and not one of the them considered what that particular object might mean to someone who's black.  Not because they're evil ignorant racists, but because different objects mean different things to different people.  

EXILEINPGH... good point and i thought of it as well, HOWEVER... i know a cocky, sinister-looking guy when I see one and to see one with a bullwhip, well... I'm sure you understand my suspicions.

It's interesting how people can explain away strange behavior.  Of course, it's unusual to see a bullwhip being carried on a subway, and when you combine it with a sinister demeanor, it's easy to see how it's percieved as threatening.  It's not like tensions aren't high anyway now

I wouldn't worry about that, what you may have observed was a leather person, who mistook your attention to his whip as an invitation to the game.  Something others refer to as fore play.  Not all violence is hate related, some has love or lust (depending on your point of view) as the central core.

Interesting point Keith. You and your readers should take this test below that is suppose to measure your perception of different races. It was a link in the Times the other day, very interesting:

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo

SCORPIOPISCES... I appreciate your Scorpio perspective, however, THIS WAS NOT IT.

LOL.

BEEGEE... Thnx!

Do what you suggest, and whites will say we're "rioting" even though our man won

"EXILEINPGH... good point and i thought of it as well, HOWEVER... i know a cocky, sinister-looking guy when I see one and to see one with a bullwhip, well... I'm sure you understand my suspicions."

Yes, there's something about certain people when you can just tell they are up to no good, that they harbor hatred and want you and everyone else to know it. I don't remember any little red thing on Indy's whip, do you?

Just asking:  What are the odds that the Sumter, South Carolina Halloween shooting was racially motivated?  Last night, Quentin Patrick (22 yo) shot and killed a 12 year old who knocked on his door for trick or treating.   The papers say a family, coming from a downtown event, decided to stop in a neighborhood to do some actual trick or treating.  Three of them were shot from inside the house.  It just reminded me of the Louisiana shooting of the Japanese exchange student in the '90s.  I'm hoping that being in "the wrong neighborhood" won't be a death sentence for folks this year.  I'm hoping I'm so very, very wrong.

It is disturbing that you would encourage/incite/suggest that people  fill the streets for a few days to show their continued outrage at historical attrocities. I overheard a local policeman state that they are preparing for riots win or lose. As a grown-up I have to point out that people get hurt when they riot and as someone who has the microphone, so to speak, it is irresponsible of you to appeal to the basest part of a person's nature and advocate a violent repsonse to perceived ills or as a means of happy expression. I am reading these blogs because of the direct link today from the MSN homepage and I am interested in hearing the voices of rising leadership in the African-American world. I am a white art teacher (I teach every child in every class in the school) in the rural south and for years I have witnessed that most of the overt racism in the classroom occurs between black children calling each other names, with the attending drama and hurt feelings. It is apparent that they learn this disrespect at home and in their neighborhood and I can do little to convince them of the futility of putting each other down. Real change will have to come from within your culture and you leaders have a big responsibility and opportunity to begin modeling more articulate and thoughtful responses to your concerns.

ART4LIFE... I appreciate your comment, but let me clear something up: I am NOT suggesting for anyone to RIOT. I'm suggesting that the only possible way to START bringing an end to OVERT racism like hanging nooses or dragging black men from cars or beating black men down in the street or being called a *** by a car full of white guys in San Diego, is to collectively pour into to the streets, as a concerned and fed-up group of anyone [race not important] and DEMAND a change.  It won't happen overnight, it may not happen in a decade, but at least a national outcry would spawn some type of awareness and change.

It's interesting that you visualized black people going into the streets and being violent. That's very interesting.

As far as your black on black dysfunction in the classroom... well, I've also witnessed black on black crazy. That's not news. But, like you stated, it's important people rebuild their communities from within. I have suggested that on many of occasions. Maybe if you would peruse my blog history you'll see that.

But I have to admit: I get a little nervous when a person describes themselves as white and then informs me of what I need to do, as a black so-called leader, to really help my own people.  I appreciate your concern and I hear you, but I'm wondering if you hear yourself.

I guess there are several approaches to changing the consciousness of people. I don't agree that the ONLY way to stop overt racisim is to pour into the street. I think education, time, and these kinds of discussions that bring opposing opinions and misunderstandings to light are proceeding and slowly developing the awareness and change we ALL desire. It is a slow process, but it is happening. I did not say anything about black people in the street being violent. But I did visualize that a few days of everyone who is concerned and fed-up pouring into the streets demanding change could turn into a riot. It seems like a scenario that could become highly charged. Maybe that wouldn't happen.

Because of my role in the classroom, I am very interested in encouraging my students to rise above the failures of their parents' society and I hope that by making issues explicit, we can examine our thinking for bias, inconsistency, fear, etc. I hope to be part of the change. I hear myself as I hear your response to me. I deliberately told you my perspective to hear your response, hoping to examine my view in the light of your world view.

I didn't mean to make you nervous or "tell you what to do". I guess the time isn't ripe for discussion, yet. My bad.

>> I don't remember any little red thing on Indy's whip, do you?<<

The little red thing is usually found on the end of the kind of play bullwhips you buy in, for example, Ann Summers.  To make the 'crack' noise, I believe.  

It occurs to me, given the discussion, that I possibly should have said more.  

My earlier comment was just for info, not to offer a defensive for bullwhip guy, as I have no idea what  he was up to. Like scorpiopisces my first thought was BDSM, though I think the red tassle at the end makes it unlikely.  

It does sound like he was delibrately being intimidating, whether that was oppurtunistic (since he was making a costume and had it to hand) or delibrate, I can't really guess.

ART4LIFE... I'm ALWAYS ready for this type of discussion.  I'm only pointing out certain types of statements that get in the way of flow and honest discourse.  For an example, you said:   "Real change will have to come from within your culture and you leaders have a big responsibility and opportunity to begin modeling more articulate and thoughtful responses to your concerns."

Now, that sounds like you're suggesting I'm not articulate enough, or thoughtful enough, by encouraging all people to pour into the streets and bring national attention to racism of every kind and tone.  I think internal change is necessary, and day to day transformation is a must, but that happens all over this country. I taught children [and I know many other teachers who teach] and self-value is a paramount concern for all.  So, again, while the intimate and community empowerment is happening, a day out of the year to pour into the streets sounds justified to me.

Hi Keith,

 There is definately no place for racism in the world.  That being said, I understand that an effigy of Sarah Palin was hung by a citizen somewhere out West.  Is that racism against women?  I agree that enough is enough.  However, in the horrible realities of our world, you can only do so much.  The guy with the bullwhip (whose intentions we don't really know) seems comical.  If he had tried to use it on you I would have been the first one at your side to defend you.  I would advise you to relax and not allow fear to grip you.  You could set off your own firestorm.

I thought about an incident that Keith would call New York crazy...

Many years ago, I was on the F train coming from Manhattan back to Queens.  It was fairly late (around 10'ish) and I was one of 5 other passengers in the car.  This man boarded the train-and he was wearing middle eastern garb-and he looked like he was possessed!  He started doing karate chops at the air and kicking the poles in the middle of the car.  He started yelling that he hated ni****s.  Of course I was immediately offended and ready to get my box cutter out!  But my anger turned into amusement as he started doing more Jackie Chan moves up and down the car and yelling 'hi-YAH!".  I realized that he was a typical New York nut.

But back to reality...

We DO have reason to be concerned because there are people who do act out.  Timothy McVeigh hated people of color and the government and he blew up a federal building.  That is an extreme example, but if someone can go that far, it's not a stretch for someone to use a bullwhip on someone for being black, an Obama supporter or just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  I may not agree with Palin but it's an awful thought that someone would want to hang her, as some would want to lynch Obama.  Most probably wouldn't want to do harm to these people but there are some who would go there.

I must say this struck a nerve with me. At my office it is okay to dress up for halloween and I was expecting ppl to be ghosts, witches, ect. What blew me away was we had a staff member walking around with NOOSE around her neck. She was approached by only 1 person that it could be seen  offensive! I was appalled and told her that i felt it was inappropriate for the work place and I was offended. I was told that I CHOOSE to see it in a negative way. I thought i was in the twilight zone because NO ONE thought it would be offensive! I was told to dig deeper into myself to find out why it REALLY bothered me!! OMG!! She continued to wear it all day. and I was approached by half the office and urged that I should understand that she didnt mean it in THAT WAY! WTF!

One day it would be nice to read something that wasn't centered around every person being racist.  I don't think any of the writers in this publication remember how Joe Biden went after Clarence Thomas in the judicial hearings during his nomination process.  Nobody cared then because he wasnt the right kind of african american.  If there was no racism on either side, we could pick between candidates, not based on race, but based on ideas.

Seriously, you all might think Keith is a bit paranoid, but I think he is on to something.  My husband, a confident black man who wears a suit on occasion, has definitely experienced more intense reactions from racist individuals within the past two weaks.

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me...

I don't think Biden went after Thomas because he was black. I think he went after Thomas (and he didn't, really) because he was, and is, UNQUALIFIED.

There has been a rise in racial tension. In my hometown of Cincinnati my (white) middle school friend is losing her good, kind, pay-on-time (black) tenants because of folks driving by in recent weeks shouting "Niggers get out", etc.  Needless to say, they don't feel safe in their home.

Art4Life, conversation is always good.  But Keith was actually pretty patient with the tone of presumption in your post.  Look a little bit into someone's background before you presume to lecture them on what they need to do!  Unfortunately, from your reply, you can't hear the arrogance in your own statement, and then you wonder why no one wants to talk to you about race.  If you're a woman, try substituting women everywhere you referred to black people, and pretend the comment's coming from a man. Maybe that will help.

So if I think Obama is UNQUALIFIED, am I just an ignorant person?  If I think Thomas was QUALIFIED and if I was sickened at the way Biden handled those proceedings (which I watched and apparently you didnt), am I just an ignorant person?  If there is a white person to be scared of, its Joe Biden.

You can find stupid folks in every corner of the world.  If the guy had just purchased the whip, why wasn't it in a bag or wrapped or something?  We have an upcoming situation here in Missouri.  The KKK is coming to town to speak on the campus of Lincoln University. . .a once all black college that opened it doors to all students in the 70s.  However, the vast majority of dorm students are black.  My friends and I are putting our money on the brothers.  While I understand that free speech is for everyone, this situation is really stretching the boundaries. . .

I'm suprised that in my post I sound presumptuous and arrogant. But I have listened to the two responses and I am considering them. I am bossy because I am a 53 year old mother/teacher who cares, has gifts and has had to be responsibile for my words and actions and I can tell by your picture that you are a younger generation person with gifts and responsibilites in learning to work your gifts. I posted because I disagreed with encouraging mass, emotional street displays at this time. You stand by your opinion. I hear that y'all don't appreciate being told a different opinion if it is from a white person. Nor do you appreciate me telling you what to do unless I do background research on you. This is not an issue of color for me. And I only mentioned color twice: African-American leaders responsibility (which is not different than any other culture's responsibiity to their society and safety) and black school children's "crazy black on black" behavior (which is behavior unique to them amongst the other cultures respresentesd in the average public school classroom.)

I have to tell you that it seems that you presume I'm talking about race when I was trying to talk about the merits and consequences of civil disobedience. This leads me to think that we cannot talk about differences of opinion unless we are the same color, have the same background, and pretty much think alike. So, I think the posters who called my presumptuous/arrogant are colorblind.