Topic: Cincinnati Enquirer: Rampant Racism in the Comments Section

[thomasbw]

I am just amazed by the amount of racism on the Enquirer's new site.  Some examples:

   
hookster wrote:
The riots started over blacks feeling they have a right to run from the police.



45219er wrote:
When does the NAAWP come to town?

NotoObama:
I love to go to museums but I refuse to go to the FC.  The FC was the end result between the city's desire to give something to blacks so they would quite rioting, and the race hustlers desire to show they could bring home the bacon.  Nobody in their right mind would place a museum in that location, nor would they believe the "proposed" attendance figures.  Everyone involved knew up-front this place would not be able to support itself but they were too afraid to say anything critical out of fear the race card would be used on them.  Odd how the FC was born out of our new, politically correct, version of freedom.


Doogur:
I have been to the National Holocaust Museum in D.C. and wasn't impressed by that tour in the least. They just laid it on too thick and the depression factor was impossible to escape. I'd rather undergo root canal surgery with no novacaine than ever go through the Holocaust Museum again and I would bet the average Caucasian who has visited the Freedom Center might feel the same.

Overlord44 (reffering to the National Holocaust museum in DC)
I'd go if they let me smoke there.

Even the moderator, Carl Weiser asks: "Have you been to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center? If so, what did you think? If not, why not?

How do you feel about government aid to the center?"

Really.  Doesn't every single museum in this area get government aid? And all the arts organizations, and yet they single out this one place.

[C-Dawg]

The riots started over blacks feeling they have a right to run from the police.

OH MY GOD! These comments are just incredibly sad and dumb.

The FC was the end result between the city's desire to give something to blacks so they would quite rioting, and the race hustlers desire to show they could bring home the bacon.

Ah, I think it might have something to do with the Ohio River.

[xumelanie]

I've noticed the racism on the Enquirer's site along with the other news sites in town.  Very horrible and embarrassing to the city.  It reminds me of five year ago when my husband and I bought our first home in Pleasant Ridge.  People actually asked why we were moving into a neighborhood that has black people.  I could not believe it when people actually said this.

I've been to the Holocaust Museum in DC myself.  I can't believe someone was not be impressed with it.  This is a moment in history that should never be repeated.

[Jimmy_James]

"45219er wrote:
When does the NAAWP come to town?"

I'm not sure that this one is an example of racism.  It's certainly possible, maybe even probable, but just playing devil's advocate for a second,  I think a lot negative comments directed toward things like the NAACP are because some people are tired of special interest groups.  As a white male, I've noticed that some white males tend to make such comments, as they really have no group that tries to speak for them, not that they (or anyone) need to be spoken for.  I think some of this sentiment is due to feelings of exclusion which lead to resentment, an interesting psychological side effect of having legitimate organizations for every minority without any for the majority.  The only groups I know of that that purport to represent whites are blatantly racist and are shunned by most whites, as opposed to organizations like the NAACP which aren't preaching hatred.  Where does bitterness end and racism begin?  That's the real question. 

I've found that the type of person who criticizes the NAACP often is also the type of person who would make negative comments about peta, greenpeace, and other special interest groups with political agendas.  There's a segment of the population that believes these groups have a little too much power in our political system.  It's not necessarily race related, though the context of someone sending an anonymous note to the Enquirer right before the NAACP's convention certainly leads me to believe this be a case where it is race related.  I just think it's important to examine this type of accusation from all sides, that's all.

[Jimmy_James]

I've been to the Holocaust Museum in DC myself.  I can't believe someone was not be impressed with it.  This is a moment in history that should never be repeated.

That's an amazing museum and I couldn't agree more.  As for it never being repeated, sadly, similar things have happened before and since.  I agree with your sentiment though.

[Sherman Cahal]

Newspaper comment sections tend to be unmoderated and full of crap, to put it lightly.

[SFSpike]

Cincinnati doesn't have the monopoly on racism or jerks.  Unfortunately, it is pervasive across a much broader base of American society than one would think.  The entire argument about the museum is so ridiculous--the city and its residents should be so proud to have it as a testament to their part in the struggle against slavery.  Who could fault that?  And I think that the NAAWP has existed in this country for about 225 years, it's called Congress.
I better not say anymore before I get myself in trouble!

[unusualfire]

Only in Ohio. I've seen the comments and have replied a few times. If you goto other major newspapers message boards it's not NEARLY prevalent. I've seen a comment on the Enquirer board one time saying the poor economy is because of the failed loans given to blacks and other minority. People just have no clue.

[Jeffrey]

^
I dont know about that.  Not to get into a city vs city thing on which newspaper comments section is more racist, but the Dayton papers comments section (mostly unmoderated) can get pretty bad, but its usually a tad more veiled...those people type comments...

Ive re-posted some of those here on occasion, and there was a lot of negativity out there again with Obama's visit to town on Friday.

But I have to say that yes, the anonymity of the internet removes the inhibition, and people speak freely where you'd not hear them talking like this in real life....and that is the scary part.

[MyTwoSense]

Only in Ohio. I've seen the comments and have replied a few times. If you goto other major newspapers message boards it's not NEARLY prevalent. I've seen a comment on the Enquirer board one time saying the poor economy is because of the failed loans given to blacks and other minority. People just have no clue.

I hope you're be dramatic, because that comment is about as thought provoking and as accurate as the comments were criticizing! Try reading papers in Boston, DC, Seattle, Atlanta, Newark or NoLa to name a few.  Racists and ignorant people are everywhere!  Even here on UrbanOhio.

There are forumers here who says some off the wall straight racist sh*t on there local paper, but don't dare say those thing here.  why?  Because the newspapers are unmoderated, unlike UO.

[UncleRando]

I've viewed comment boards, on newspaper sites, in several different areas around the country, and have noticed that this kind of shenanigans is everywhere.  It's not just racism...all types of prejudices come out when people can post anonymously.  It's pretty depressing.

[thomasbw]

"45219er wrote:
When does the NAAWP come to town?"

The republican party's convention is in Minneapolis this year

[dmerkow]

City-data is another place that spends a lot of time in veiled comments.

I've noticed the racism on the Enquirer's site along with the other news sites in town.  Very horrible and embarrassing to the city.  It reminds me of five year ago when my husband and I bought our first home in Pleasant Ridge.  People actually asked why we were moving into a neighborhood that has black people.  I could not believe it when people actually said this.

Now that is really depressing . . .

[TheCOV]

Puhleeeeeez people.. idiots who spew racist remarks are not just in Cincinnati.  Jimmy James...I agree with your point of view about  basic apathy towards all special interest groups.  Describes me!

[ColDayMan]

Try Los Angeles Times' comments.  THEN get back to me on the "Only in Ohio" bullsh!t.

[SFSpike]

You're not kidding.  I've heard some racist things in San Francisco that would curl your hair.  And people will say things without batting an eye.  Sometimes when there is a great diversity it gives bigots a bigger palette. 
Unfortunately it is a world wide phenomenon. 

[David]

You should all check out a hilarious website/forum called StormFront

[unusualfire]

I actually seen alot of stuff on the yahoo message boards, but they shut that down. I can see why.

[Cincinnatus]

I'd rather read someone's opinionated post with outward pre-justice or racism versus covering up their real problem and sitting in denial.

Welcome to America.

[Jimmy_James]

"45219er wrote:
When does the NAAWP come to town?"

The republican party's convention is in Minneapolis this year

Careful with those quotes, dude.  I don't want people scanning through this thread to think that I said that.

[Cincinnatus]

"45219er wrote:
When does the NAAWP come to town?"

The republican party's convention is in Minneapolis this year

Careful with those quotes, dude.  I don't want people scanning through this thread to think that I said that.

lol

[SFSpike]

People can be the worst after a cocktail or two to "unwind".  At some social gatherings I've been to, statements that have come out of educated, traveled, cosmopolitan peoples' mouths are amazing.  Disappointing, but not terribly surprising, nor amusing.

Writing to a newspaper with racist sh#t anonymously is cowardly in the extreme.  If you are going to be a bigot, at least own it.

I question the editorial judgement of publishing the letters, as certainly they must get more than one or two letter a day, and they can't all be hateful.  Are they trying to stir up racial tension, make the populace sound ignorant and hick, or do they just not care? 

[thomasbw]

I would have to assume the editors are thinking "controversy generates readership"

[Time]

So I am not the only one battling the ignorance on the enquliar site?

[the pope]

So I am not the only one battling the ignorance on the enquliar site?

I believe its a losing battle on any newspaper site. The people don't comment at newspaper.com to have informed discussion, they log on to prattle away from their myopic viewpoint.

[thomasbw]

these are just typos, but in the enquirer website stated both:

1. The NAACP was founded in 2009
2. The NAACP has been around for 99 yaers [yes, years was mispelled]

[thomasbw]

oneyebat wrote:
It is a question not often talked-about out loud in politics, but I wonder how many black voters will vote for Barack Obama just because he is black and not because he the best candidate for our country?

Racist comes in all colors.

I just included this one because of the grammar

[thomasbw]

westside513 wrote:
Wait until Obama doesn't win....The sad part is, we'll be hearing why everyone is racist because they didn't vote for the black candidate and how nothing has changed and white peiple are the devil and blah, blah, blah......It will be the same story we always hear; it's someone elses fault. I didn't lose because I wasn't the best candidate and people see past my puppet strings, I lost because everyone hates black people. I got pulled over because I was racially profiled. I can't get out of the hood because.....I can't go to school because...I can't get a job because....get over it.
Of course there is racism but let me tell you, it goes both ways. If you ask me, the most racist people out there are the black folks that continue to point out how racist everyone is.

[thomasbw]

I am beginning to feel like my posts are sound like the Cincinnati Beacon.

[buckeye1]

Here's a good one from cleveland.com regarding the Twinsburg police officer being killed (wonder what shade of skin "those" people have?):

Posted by cleveland78 on 07/13/08 at 9:58PM
Twinsburg and Macedonia are becoming more and more like Bedford and Garfield Heights as those citizens move outward. My realtor told me years ago that she targets those areas when she has listings in Twinsburg and Macedonia as that's who is moving to the area. Hey, I know a lot of you won't like what I'm saying, but it's true. Northern Summit used to be a quiet area, but now Cuyahoga Cty folks are bringing their problems with them.

[C-Dawg]

^Well, I don't have the census data for those areas in front of me, but that comment most likely means one of three things:

1. They're non-white
2. They're poor
3. They're poor and non-white

Usually when discussing things like crime distributions, "those people" refers to people who are poor or minority. It can be classist or racist, but it's hard to infer with a vague statement like that. Either way, it's a fear of outsiders and stereotyping.

[Cincinnatus]

Ironic, I just read this article from City-Data ...

I say good for Simone. He took another scumbag off the street. Who knows what this guy could have been capable of. He payed the ultimate price for his crime.Simone should be commended for his bravery and action in this incident.

One other thing I have noticed is that the black leaders of this city have not said anything, but had Simone shot a black man they would have been calling it a racial shooting and would chastise him even though he did exactly what he was suppose to. They would be ready to hang him on Public Square.

Gotta love newspaper comments sections!

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/07/supercop_jim_simone_talks_abou.html

[MyTwoSense]

I'd rather read someone's opinionated post with outward pre-justice or racism versus covering up their real problem and sitting in denial.

Welcome to America.

What good does that do.  They won't say it to their face.

[tinkerbelle]

Welcome to America.

Word.

I have only been to the Cincinnati area a handful of times and I met a fair share of racist jerks. I'd like to give the area the benefit of the doubt though. Maybe my family happened to venture into too many Parmaesque sections and missed the ones where we were welcome?

Racism is not limited to just Cincy or Ohio for that matter. Heck, some of the worst cases of racial intolerance that I've experienced were in Pennsylvania (despite its Quaker roots). Also, it's interesting how many of the cities that are mentioned as the most liberal and open-minded ones are heavily white, percentage wise.

[tinkerbelle]

I didn't mean to quote my last post, sorry.