Viewer's Commentary on "Racism In Elevator" video

blog video about YouTube vid "Racism on Elevator".

**I normally try to keep personal exchanges private but I had to share this message in response to a user who commented scathingly on this video. I hope the following adds clarity.**


"I'm a little disappointed by your words posted on my video. I recognize your sergeant logo on YouTube, and respect the semblance of love you have for Black people. By "justifiable paranoia" that is not to say that the fearful among us should overreact by, e.g., pulling out a gun or Tazer and claiming self defense without provocation. That would be immoral and call it something else. Justifiable paranoia is a matter of self preservation. This aspect of human nature is related to fight or flight. But I digress.

A person has the right to not trust you--especially if you're a stranger. The White woman's reactions were highly exaggerated in this comedic presentation. But art imitates life imitates art, right?? The untrained mind--such as a youth or immigrant--might actually believe that hers is the typical reaction. The only RACIST I could discern from the "Racism in Elevator" video is the male. He spent the larger part of his monologue berating this White woman. Would the actors have done this skit with a male companion to the White female? Would the Black male actor behave that way in real life? I doubt these.

Regarding your comment about the well-dressed man in a suit; car remotes; and pedestrian aversion: I would hate to be that White who in the interest of racial sensitivity is slain or mugged because they let their guard down so not to appear racist. Tsk, tsk.

1) Can't judge a book by its cover, you know that. The way a person is dressed says something, yet has nothing to do with a person's character. As an example, I could tell you a story about a man or woman who looked [sexually] clean but gave HIV or another disease to multiple partners. I drive trucks for a living. I've been blue-collar most of my work life. I dress in work clothes and look like a truck driver (i.e., coveralls, work boots). Sometimes my attire is bummy. Yet, I'm one of the most intelligent and friendly persons I know. Might I jack someone on the street? No, but a stranger has the right to be cautious. People in business suits--some of whom are well off--rip people off every hour of the day, my friend. Likewise, a hotel maid making $7/hr. getting little tips (if any) can be the most honest and upstanding.

2) For every car remote I've used: hit the unlock button twice to unlock all doors, and hit the lock button just once to lock all doors. If a person hits the lock button more than once--so what? I do not even have to be the person they mistrust. While we're in the building, someone else is looking inside their vehicle (and mine) and wanting to jack it. I don't know where you're from, sir, but I'm from Detroit; born and raised. But whether you were living in the inner city or not is besides the point. Crime spills everywhere, affects everyone directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, my brothers and sisters have higher crime rates. Sadly, we are also the primary victims of this higher crime rate.

3) Pedestrian aversion is the same principles: we don't know each other. Why the hell do you care if a person crosses paths with you on the street? Are you looking to ask directions? I like the elbow room anyway. The person might avoid you because they think you're someone else or they may just feel like crossing the damn street, change of routine.

Lastly, I just blogged about this coincidentally. Look at the people who have gone on these shooting rampages over the past 10-15 years. Almost all of them quiet, loners, whatever. But no one knew they were ticking time bombs. Among the highest body counts (32 in Va./13 in NY) were caused by two Asian males. On the flip side, Asians have the lowest crime rates in America both in numbers and percentage. No one expected these disgruntled gunmen in NIU; Columbine; D.C. snipers; Virginia Tech; Binghamton; etc. to snap as they had. Never let your guard down is all I can express. That is not to say that these unsung victims let their guard down--rather, they were trapped. We as spectators and survivors can only learn from these painful events. What about this honey bucket who killed these little girls and women in Pennsylvania a few years ago at the Amish school? Something similar to that just happened in Scandinavia or another region. You'll notice that the murderers are almost always male. What about a female co-worker or peer? God forbid she is not the next psycho killer. But look at Iraq. Many of the suicide bombers have been women either distraught by the war-related loss of a loved one or recruited forcefully from mental institutions. "

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• elevator
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[moderatepopulist]

I misspoke when I said the thing about remote controlled power locks... I meant to embellish that some ppl lock their doors twice by pressing the button twice. But this could be for any number of reasons. However, if I was the reason that's okay because they don't know me, and i do similar things to safeguard myself and belongings.

[Zaphodox]

But you have to be carefull how you look at that statistic:

The logical danger is to think that [the high crime rate] is because they are black rather than because society *treats* them as black. There is no genetic predisposition for black people to be criminal thugs. There is however a HUGE social disposition.

Just look at hip-hop culture. Sorry to say but it has done more damage to black culture and racial equality than anything since the days of slavery.

[worriedaboutlife]

I appreciate this video.. look.. speaking as a very paranoid person I sometimes think that white people like me need to see a black person say something like this on you tube everyday.. it's not just I have had bad experiences with black people - and good ones - it's that growing up I have always felt such a feeling of hatred from balck people towards me.. you know I don't want to say anything more than that.. because I've probably pissed you off already..but fear ain't racism hate is

[lilryguy89]

@debbaOfTheFlanders oh yeahh, i can see that now haha

[debbaOfTheFlanders]

@lilryguy89 looks like a big-rig cabine (very bigtruck incase you dont know bigrig's)

[lilryguy89]

is this guy filming his commentary from within a wind tunnel?

[PokemonScizor]

A really sad thing is that people's brain automatically gives them a fear stimulant when it comes to things that are different. For example, it is in the genes of a white person to be afraid of a black person. However, we can use our brain to overcome that fear, and even put it aside entirely. Either way, it is still genetically determined, and its only been a few generations that different races are living together. So it'll take time for the genes to evolve :), maybe next generation

[ocarter61]

Your phrasing of the word "justifiable" is my concern with your commentary. It suggest a right or wrong with the video. That is a dangerous world to live in don't you think?

[911luidao]

He is in an 18wheeler bed

[dman71215]

I wonder if that rodney king beating or the lynching in S.Carolina last year (2010), would be considered justifiable self-defense. You're moron. Maybe Hitler was justifiably paranoid when he wanted to get rid of all the Jews and non Aryan groups from this planet. I mean the truth of the matter is that an argument of any point can be made to sound intelligent and well thought out even if it's ridiculous.

[iMeGAMaN227]

I see what your saying

But in the video what the guy was saying is that if it was a white man in the elevator she wouldn't have do anything but it was a black man so she clutched her purse

What your saying is that she should clutch her purse because the time we live in. But that's not what the video is trying to say