Comments on: Crazy Adventures in Racism in Southwestern Pennsylvania

By: Sick, Sick, Sick « Out Of My Mind

Sick, Sick, Sick « Out Of My Mind — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:13:49 +0000

[...] Pennsylvania was repeatedly cited during the presidential campaign as a stronghold of racist attitudes, and even Rep. John Murtha, [...]

By: qwstnevrythg.com » Pennsylvania teacher’s aide said Obama would be shot

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:58:53 +0000

[...] Pennsylvania was repeatedly cited during the presidential campaign as a stronghold of racist attitudes, and even Rep. John Murtha, [...]

By: gsekse

gsekse — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:04:11 +0000

I think you would be surprised how often someone randomly says, “I’ll kill ‘em” or “yer a dead man” or …

I’m hoping and rather expecting that his comment was spoken without thought. “the 80%” often do that. For that matter, we all do it at one point or another. Kids get exposed to many things on a day to day basis, they understand more than we give credit for and deal with more shit then we know. It’s part of what makes you, “you” and me, “me”.

I still like to live where ideas are batted about with abandon and people don’t take everything so seriously. It’s that over reaction that leads to grumpy emails sent to DJ because of some comic he wrote. Other comic artists get calls for their death, ie: drawing mohammed.

We live in an “in your face” sort of country, and if we can keep political correctness in check, I hope to see it remain that way. Words are way better than hangings, gun battles, and other such argument endings.

By: Nate Piekos

Nate Piekos — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:48:10 +0000

DJ Wrote:
there’s an 80% chance I’d get the same type of mind on the phone at the busline

Doesn’t matter. We’re not talking about the racism issue — we’re talking about the bus driver discussing murder in front of a busload of kids.

gsekse wrote:
Actually, he might get replaced by worse. When we are at work, it would be nice not to be fired for every little thing we do.

Sorry, I don’t buy it. If he’s replaced by worse, then you deal with that when it comes. As far as “every little thing” — I doubt the people who hired him would accept endorsement of murder infront of children as “every little thing”.

By: gsekse

gsekse — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:24:04 +0000

Actually, he might get replaced by worse. When we are at work, it would be nice not to be fired for every little thing we do. Your kids are learning things, sometimes the good learning comes from bad things. The reality is that if a kid sees a friend die, the child learns that he is not immortal and that actions can be fatal. I strongly believe that this desire to “over-protect” our children is actually hurting them.

“I don’t let them outside unless I’m watching them every minute” Huh?

My parents tossed me outdoors and told me to return at dinner time during the summer. Lunch was handed to me in a bag. (not always but sometimes)

“My teacher expressed an opinion that I didn’t like so I got him/her to fired/reprimanded”

I recall some of the most interesting teachers I met, had strong opinions and permitted arguments about them. I learned the art of discussion and opposing ideas from those “wild minded” instructors. (and I didn’t always agree with them either)

We must teach our children to live in the world they are in, not to exist in a fantasy world that doesn’t really exist.

By: DJ Coffman

DJ Coffman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:55:29 +0000

Nate, it crossed my mind. This just happened yesterday and we kinda laughed it off and thought we’ll bake him cupcakes. Who knows, maybe it’ll turn one guy around. BUT I did think about calling the busline and reporting this, but the thought crossed my mind, there’s an 80% chance I’d get the same type of mind on the phone at the busline and it could turn into shady things in these parts. The last thing I want is someone mucking with my house or property in some shady way to get back at me for them losing their job. He’s on my shitlist though, and that’s not a good place to be.

By: Nate Piekos

Nate Piekos — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:48:26 +0000

I can’t believe you aren’t reporting the bus driver for saying this stuff. In my neck of the woods, he’d have lost his job for discussing people being murdered in front of a busload of kids.

By: Jamie Fickes

Jamie Fickes — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:18:13 +0000

It’s prevalent everywhere, all across southern PA, I think.
Our county (Lancaster) is notoriously conservative, but with a strong “contingent of liberals”. I saw a lot of McCain lawn signs pop up in the past couple of weeks. Then I heard a lot more “discussion” in stores about Obama the terr-ist. (yes, that’s how they say it.)
The things people latch on to is amazing. How any can look at John McCain and Sarah Palin and say “Hey, you know what? I think they would be better for this country.” is a bit beyond me. I’ve given it a chance, I didn’t make up my mind right away, but I did research.
I watched McCain in the debates and he just looked like a pissed off old lion trying to get himself alpha status by any means necessary.

If the racists only will vote for a “white” candidate, they will quickly see that our “ethnic” communities outnumber them by quite a bit and will hopefully come out to vote in two weeks (at least in Pennsylvania).

By: John McCain is a racist. | The Personal Blog of Frank Frisina - Writer/Poker Player

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:33:18 +0000

[...] DJ Coffman touches on this a little bit while documenting his own observations of racism in southwestern Pennsylvania. It’s a good read check it [...]

By: Adam Black

Adam Black — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:58:35 +0000

Now you’ve made me want to draw a picture of you going “full Coffman” on someone.

“In a world…full of racism…only one man can make a difference…This Summer…get ready to go…FULL COFFMAN!”

Oh, and: racism is for sucks. Down here, it’s all about how awful the Mexicans are. *sigh*.