Race Roundup

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Arkansas Pulls Hundreds Of 'Racist' License Plates

A series of hundreds of Arkansas-issued license plates are being pulled out of circulation over letter combinations that some claim are racist. "I couldn't imagine putting this on my car," motorist Alice Kunce said as she held up her "018-NGR" license plate.
Rapper Nas joins protest against racist Fox News

Nas joined MoveOn.org, ColorofChange.org as they protested Fox News’ ufair and unbalanced coverage of Sen. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama by hosts such as Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity. The protesters had a petition with over 600,000 signatures which they presented to Fox News. Fox news rejected the petition.
O'Reilly Wants Proof That FoxNews Is Racist: Read Your Own Columns, Bill

Yesterday on his Radio Factor, Bill O'Reilly tried as hard as he could to come up with something that proved the case those dang smear sites were making. That the Fox News channel is racist. He even brought on the ever brilliant, albeit Fox News consultant, Prof. Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, a real live African-American, to try to help him. Problem is, neither Bill nor Prof. Hill ever looked at the "Fox's Quarterback" (Bill's own egoless designation) himself.
Is 'black hole' really a racist term?

"America's educational institutions' dictionaries," she wrote, "define 'black' as harmful; hostile; disgrace; unpleasant aspects of life. 'White' is described as 'decent; honourable; auspicious; without malice.'" She's got a point: black sheep, dark humour, Black Tuesday -- the list goes on. But is the racial burden of word associations really so black and white? We've already learned that a proverbial white hole is worse than a black one. And there are others. Take casinos. Would you rather be holding a stack of white chips in your hand, or a stack of black chips? The black chip is worth $100; the white chip, $1.
Sex Pistol John Lydon denies racist attack on Bloc Party's Kele Okereke

Ageing punk John Lydon must be losing his memory - as well as his morals. The Sex Pistol denied racially abusing Bloc Party's Kele Okereke at a festival in Barcelona at the weekend. But Gruff Rhys of Mercury-nominated Neon Neon told MTV news: "It was horrific. Kele is a very brave man and what he said is exactly what happened."
Pinkberry Removes Racist Juice Gadgets from Stores

From Gothamist, Korean American-owned frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry recently pulled the Alessi Mandarin Juicer from its stores after Asian American customers complained that they didn't want to see one of the most enduring racist images ever while waiting in line for their dessert.
Racist tagger pleads guilty

An Illinois man admitted he spray-painted racial threats and epithets on the home of a black couple and their white friend, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

William Bowen, 25, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to conspiring to violate the civil rights of the three Collinsville, Ill., residents, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release. He faces up to 11 years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 31.
Racist attacks force Asian families to flee their homes

Three Asian couples and their terrified children were driven from their Dublin home after just a month because of alleged racial harassment. The young families had to leave an inner-city neighbourhood after tensions rose in the wake of an attack on their home. According to local sources, armed gardai had to escort the victims from their first-floor flat for their own safety as violence erupted in East Wall. One resident blamed the incident on a group of "thugs who don't like outsiders".
Racist sign investigated by San Ramon police

A prominent sign in a parking lot shared by private businesses and the post office was spray painted to say "Whites only." It is unknown when the sign was painted, but it was reported to police on Monday.