Dear Larry: I just had to write to ask for your opinion of what I think is the dumbest thing yet to come from a California legislator. It is not yet a law, but knowing the nuts who exist in this state, I am sure the lousy actor governor will sign it into law.
A bill is being proposed to make it against the law to have a hanging rope, commonly called a noose. If the law passed, someone who used a noose or a picture of a noose to intimidate another person could be put in jail for a year plus fined $5,000. The bill is defining having a noose as a hate crime.
The lawmaker wants to call this a hate crime because blacks were lynched in times past, and supposedly, white supremacists display the knotted rope as a symbol for intimidation.
Larry, I can't believe reasonable people can't see this is a dumb idea. When blacks were slaves, they were whipped. Does that mean we will make it illegal to show pictures of whips?
What about guns? Far more blacks were killed with guns than anything else. Does that mean it should be illegal to show guns, thus making it a hate crime?
What about a picture of a white robe, Confederate flag, Confederate money, a rebel hat, or an ax handle because they were displayed against blacks during the bus boycotts?
Sheriff Bull Connor used dogs to attack civil rights protestors. Does that mean that displaying any sign with a picture of a snarling guard dog should be made into a hate crime because someone may feel bad we were attacked?
Yes, I said we.
I am an African-American, and I can see this is an idea that is going too far.
Larry, when will we stop being so sensitive? Blacks are free. If anyone stands in our way, we can call the police. If the police violate the law, there are laws and ways we can find justice.
Don't people know we finally have arrived? We now have a black president. He is the leader of America. What more do some people want?
I would appreciate your comments. — R.S.
Dear R.S.: I believe most people who have been hurt by the stain of discrimination never will let it go. They even see discrimination when none is intended.
This is like the cases of some people who have experienced bad marriages. After they have divorced and are dating others, they are still very sensitive. They "wear their emotions on their sleeves." Even little things that remind them of their old relationships cause them to overreact and become irrational.
People who were subjected to the old days of discrimination are not the best judges of what laws are now appropriate. They "wear their emotions on their sleeves."
I believe the lawmaker who is proposing this law should update her thinking. As you correctly said, this is a new day.
To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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Another complete nonsense idea from my home state of California. Why am I not surprised? Maybe we can file this alongside the proposed ban on black automobiles. (They absorb too much heat, causing the driver to run the A/C more, contributing to global warming, says the state Air Resources Board.) This state is like a bowl of granola - what isn't fruits and nuts, is flakes.
Comment: #1
Posted by: Matt
Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:42 PM
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Oh dear -- does this mean we can't play Hangman anymore?
Or the song "Gallows Pole?" A centuries-old folk song from the British Isles about a woman (presumably Caucasian!) about to be hanged! How about the Leadbelly (Black!) version, or the Led Zeppelin (White!) rendition? Oh, wait, Led Zep still owes Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie (both Black!) for "When the Levee Breaks."
Last Halloween, down the street from my (Black!) stepson's house, there was a Black mannequin hanging from a tree. And yes, the owner of the house (and the tree!) is Black.
Yeesh.
Comment: #2
Posted by: VAdame
Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:48 PM
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I don't think the proposed law is ridiculous at all and I find it disturbing that people are making light of it. If you actually read, Assembly Bill 412, only carries a one-year jail sentence and $5,000 fine for intimidation from hanging a noose on a victim's property or at a school, park or workplace. I think that coming onto someone's property and hanging a noose SHOULD definitely be prohibited. Further, noose-hanging also shouldn't be done in places like schools, parks, or workplaces where it can be seen by citizens and would conjure feelings of anguish and intimidation amongst African-American people (in public places where they should be able to travel freely without such feelings). People can still hang nooses on their own property if they choose to, just not on the victim's property or in schools, parks, and places of business.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Jennifer
Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:22 AM
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Re: Jennifer. I'm just curious - can you make me aware of any rash of noose-hanging-on-other-people's-property going on in the Golden State? This isn't the Deep South or any other area of the country with centuries of racially-charged history behind it, at least in regard to blacks. Why was this law necessary? Don't we already have laws on the books which prohibit trespassing and any other behavior which amounts to threats or intimidation? Frankly I'd say our state Assembly appears to have too much time on its hands if it has the opportunity to consider this nonsense. Which is interesting since the Assembly (and the Senate, and the Governor) so rarely passes a budget that is balanced or even on-time.
Comment: #4
Posted by: Matt
Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:10 AM
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Re: Matt
I live in Cali too, just northeast of Sacramento! I love this state for the lovely weather, diverse landscapes, diverse plant and animal life, diverse cultures, and activities and entertainment available. I hope I don't have to move ..... but sadly the state is nearly bankrupt! Cali already has the highest (or nearly the highest, anyway) taxes in the country and they plan extensive tax raises for the near future, during a recession of all things! Meanwhile, they give illegals welfare, healthcare, free education and 170 mil in state grants for college every year. Illegals get gov. freebies in this state that I and the majority of citizens are denied. Don't get me wrong, I feel that immigration is absolutely necessary for the success of this country (as an economist and CPA by trade, and considering the stats), and I think that many hispanics, and Mexicans in particular, have greatly benefitted this country. I have zero problem with legal, tax-paying immigrants. I do have a problem with our state rewarding people for breaking our laws, and cutting every program (healthcare and education in particular) for its own citizens, while insisting on continuing welfare programs for those that are not even legal citizens. In addition, our state has sanctuary cities, often does not prosecute criminals if they are illegal so that they don't get deported (endangering actual citizens - there have been a number of rapes and murders in this state from illegals who were career criminals, but were not properly prosecuted for their previous crimes due to their illegal status), and does not fine businesses for hiring illegals (lowing wages and working rights for everyone). Moreover, whenever these inconsistencies of logic are pointed out, those in support of these welfare and aid programs for illegals immediately throw out the big R word ...... racist. Racist because you don't want illegal behavior to be rewarded at the expense of law abiding citizens ..... huh? Since they are unable to respond with logic, their tactic is to put others in a position of needing to defend themselves and thus completely diverting the topic. Interestingly, with all that said, most of my Mexicans friends (who are citizens) don't agree with Cali's policies in this regard, either.
Comment: #5
Posted by: SarahM
Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:14 PM
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Re: SarahM. Absolutely correct in every way. And actually, I live in Sacramento. You're probably not all that far from me.
Comment: #6
Posted by: Matt
Wed Apr 1, 2009 12:14 AM
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