Sheriff neighbor does not like Black people.

[nsxtasy]

I think there's some disagreement in this thread because of the way it started out. VampNSX (who deserves respect for everything he has done and said so far, IMO) came looking for advice. Some of the posters here have tried to explain how his sheriff neighbor might view the world, to help VampNSX deal with the situation. That doesn't prevent us from at the same time acknowledging that the sheriff neighbor is an ignorant racist, or disapproving of his attitude or his willingness to express it to someone else (which are two separate issues IMO, and both deplorable but for entirely different reasons).

As for what to do about it, while the sheriff neighbor has openly revealed his prejudice, there does not seem to be any reason to expect anything to happen as a result. So he is the sheriff; so what? Unless you have some reason to believe otherwise, I would expect that he will keep to himself and not cause any trouble for you. He might not be your best friend... but you probably wouldn't want him as a friend anyway. I would just shrug it off (while at the same time keeping his ignorance in mind in any future dealings with him).

As for how to "educate" him about his racism, I think the best thing is what you are already doing - showing him (as you already have, through your actions) that you do not share his racist view of the world, and letting him see that you and your tenants are living respectable lives that are inconsistent with his prejudices. But, like nkb, I doubt that he will ever change his attitudes (just being realistic here).

 

[len3.8]

Vamp, Are you going to tell your new tenants? Just wondering if you should or shouldn't. I don't think I would. I think I would just extend myself as much as possible to them and make sure that they get settled in. If at all possible, you can introduce them to the new neighbors..
Just a thought.

 

[steveny]

Well you are a cop and you are saying basically that if someone who dresses one way and is not the race you want him or her to be is a red flag to you. See what I mean this should not happen and it is not right. The part that bothers me the most is that Cops should not be doing this they are suppose to protect us not make us feel like we are the bad guys because we are not white people. I am not talking about all cops just the racist ones.

Reminds me of a show I watched a week or so ago. There was a gentleman dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. His body was covered in Tattoos and piercings, spiked bleach blond hair, he looked like a total punk. As it turns out he is a Air traffic controller at a major airport. I think the show was "airline" which I was watching. Just goes to show "you can't judge a book by it's cover".

 

[VampNSXX]

Vamp, Are you going to tell your new tenants? Just wondering if you should or shouldn't. I don't think I would. I think I would just extend myself as much as possible to them and make sure that they get settled in. If at all possible, you can introduce them to the new neighbors..
Just a thought.

I don't want to tell them because they like the place because its very quiet and they are looking for that. But I will tell them if there is any problems that they have to please tell me about it no matter what it is. The part that is messed up is that they love the place and the neighborhood and the last thing I want to tell them is that the guy next door is a racist. This weekend at one point I felt like telling her that I was not going to rent the place out no more just to not have to deal with it but then I thought why let a ignorant person ruin my plans and my tenets plans.

 

[flight]

I don't want to tell them because they like the place because its very quiet and they are looking for that. But I will tell them if there is any problems that they have to please tell me about it no matter what it is. The part that is messed up is that they love the place and the neighborhood and the last thing I want to tell them is that the guy next door is a racist. This weekend at one point I felt like telling her that I was not going to rent the place out no more just to not have to deal with it but then I thought why let a ignorant person ruin my plans and my tenets plans.

I think this is a good plan. You would have covered most of the bases and not let other people's ignorance dictate your plans. Kudos to you for standing up for what you believe in and supporting the family.

 

[LJSB]

Just from what I've read here I can't be so sure that new tenants race is a issue to this man.
I think you may be assuming too much about your neighbor the Sheriff.
I have several rental properties and on the day new tenants move in I hope for nothing but the best with every tenant. Sometimes I get lucky.
Every neighbor views the newcomers with some suspicion. It is rare to see someone welcome the new folks unless they are exactly like them.
People that have kids aren't always welcomed by folks that don't. Old people don't like college kids. Some blacks don't like blacks from Jamaica or Mexicans and on and on. Many don't like police.
Some people don't even like themselves and they don't like ANYBODY.
Wait six months or so and see who is shaking their head then. It may be you and for reasons you can't now foresee.
You sound like a nice man, don't let the bastards grind you down.(where's that Latin phrase?)

Prejudice is something most people possess in varying degrees.
It can be over color, religion, wealth, what college you went to etc. etc..
I'm guilty of it too, but I'm trying to be better. It's a lifetime of work.

Now on the lighter side:

Shouldn't a person who races cars be called a racist? :wink:

 

[jgtcnsx]

You are acknowledging that your first thought is to suspect them because of their race ...... sorry, that makes you a racist in my book. The part about - "they're not all bad ......" is quite a disturbing comment.

i agree with you d'cosse, just for him to say that. wheather your job made you look at hispanics or african americans that way, you still look at them as they would do bad before good. when you dont even now them.... actually i am goin to get off this subject cause i dont want to get to offensive to some peoples opinions, so im done with this thread.

 

[nsxtasy]

You sound like a nice man, don't let the bastards grind you down.(where's that Latin phrase?)

Illegitimi Non Carborundum.

 

[newby]

i agree with you d'cosse, just for him to say that. wheather your job made you look at hispanics or african americans that way, you still look at them as they would do bad before good. when you dont even now them.... actually i am goin to get off this subject cause i dont want to get to offensive to some peoples opinions, so im done with this thread.

Good advice....it's too bad we cannot discuss this like adults and be open to each other opinions. Race is such a touchy topic that it's very easy to go off on someone who doesn't share the same beliefs.

There were only a few people who understood what I was trying to say about how the job can influence your way of thinking (Flight....thank you) I don't need to justify myself to anyone, however here is another way to look at it.....

We have soliders fighting in Iraq. They are trying to weed out the good Arabs from the terrorists. Unfortunatly they take a second look at the good Arabs because they don't know. It's engrained in them to be cautious around these people. Now when they return to America...they will not just loose that "on guard" feeling when an Arab comes into the grocery store. It's not on a conscious level.
Unfortunatly that happens with cops as well. I cannot just forget everything I do on the job everytime the uniform comes off. I wish it was that easy.

It's a battle for me to not judge a book by it's cover. A few officers and I were recently talking about this (FYI one is black). We were discussing the good kids who are mixed with the bad groups. We know that some are good people, however when we see that group we cannot help but be more cautious. And these are high school kids (all races...but they dress alike) Flight was right when he said "perhaps not ideal, but normal nontheless"

NSXTASY made this great comment "As for what to do about it, while the sheriff neighbor has openly revealed his prejudice, there does not seem to be any reason to expect anything to happen as a result. So he is the sheriff; so what? Unless you have some reason to believe otherwise, I would expect that he will keep to himself and not cause any trouble for you."

We should be able to discuss this without bashing one another. I wish I was perfect....however I am not. I admit to my faults, yet I know I'm a good person who believes in the goodness of others.....

I'm out...

 

[PoohBEAR]

My neighbor is also a sheriff....hates my loud exhaust but likes to get a ride. hehee..what the heck? Anywho, I love em....what a character

 

[NetViper]

Racism is alive and well in the south. Coming from Toronto I never really experienced anything like it. Louisiana was really bad, but Georgia is just as bad. I knew lots of people that rented homes and would never consider renting to blacks no matter how rich/poor etc they were. It is pretty messed up. I don't see it getting better any time soon either. From what I see on the news everynight, it will only get worse. It is just sad.

Anyway, I wish all the best for your new tenants.

 

[jlindy]

Racism is alive and well in the south. Coming from Toronto I never really experienced anything like it. Louisiana was really bad, but Georgia is just as bad. I knew lots of people that rented homes and would never consider renting to blacks no matter how rich/poor etc they were. It is pretty messed up. I don't see it getting better any time soon either. From what I see on the news everynight, it will only get worse. It is just sad.

Anyway, I wish all the best for your new tenants.

Maybe he just really hates basketball. :smile: No really, that's terrible. In some ways we have come so far and others we have not.

 

[Dave Hardy]

Racism is alive and well in the south. Coming from Toronto I never really experienced anything like it. Louisiana was really bad, but Georgia is just as bad. I knew lots of people that rented homes and would never consider renting to blacks no matter how rich/poor etc they were. It is pretty messed up. I don't see it getting better any time soon either. From what I see on the news everynight, it will only get worse. It is just sad.

Anyway, I wish all the best for your new tenants.

If you're talking about rural Georgia, I'll have to defer as I have no experience. I was born and raised in Atlanta though, and see very little racism here. Sure, you have the isolated asshole who is ignorant, but by and large Atlanta is fairly colorblind, at least in regard to blacks and whites. I've come across 2 people in my life who made me cringe due to their racism. One was black and the other was white. They both "knew" that no good could come of the other race.

What I am seeing more of than anything is negative reactions to hispanics, by both blacks and whites. Ironically enough, it comes more from the blacks, who you would hope would know better due to their own life experiences.

I predict that hispanics will fairly quickly assimilate though, as other nationalities have in the past (Irish, Germans, etc.). The first generation suffers, but the next generation that is raised here is generally fine.

 

[VampNSXX]

Well if you are a cop and you cant handle it you should just do something else not take it out on people based on there color. I love how they say that most crimes are done by Hispanic and Black people. But they never mention that white people have done the most crimes to humanity in history. So just base on that I should hate the all white people? Yeah right I don't even hate the guy next door just hope that he just changes his mind one day.

 

[NetViper]

If you're talking about rural Georgia,

I am talking about Savannah. Sorry to stereotype the state. However, I have been from one side to the other, up and down in Louisiana, and it is ALL over there.

 

[LJSB]

I keep reading and re-reading your first post and I can't find the racist remark that this Sheriff deputy made. You interpreted that way but are you sure that's what he meant? Are you sure it wasn't the fact that they were kids and teenagers and not because of their race?

Is it possible that he knew these people from his job in the line of duty?

What did he say that made you feel threatened or that he would use his position/authority as a Sheriff to be unfair or harass you or these people?
Has he ever made remarks before to you or in your presence that were of a racist nature?
There seems to be some blanks that you haven't filled in to make the conclusions reached here.

It seems that it would be hard and is getting harder to be a law enforcement officer if you carry hate and prejudice in your heart and not be tolerant of diversity. Most police departments are changing and strive for diversity and balance and to reflect the communities they serve. The more and the sooner this happens the better for us all.

I'm just not convinced by what you have said that you have the right conclusion.

Huntington, California doesn't sound as progressive as Poughkeepsie, New York.

 

[D'Ecosse]

I keep reading and re-reading your first post and I can't find the racist remark that this Sheriff deputy made. You interpreted that way but are you sure that's what he meant? Are you sure it wasn't the fact that they were kids and teenagers and not because of their race?

Is it possible that he knew these people from his job in the line of duty?

I think those are excellent points Joe and illustrate that it is easy to draw different interpretations & conclusions based on one's perspective of the situation.

I would hope (expect?) that if the officer did have professional experience related to known problems, he would simply state that as a cause for concern to a prospective landlord?

Again, we're all just speculating - certainly not necessarily a counter-point to your suggestion.

 

[nsxtasy]

I keep reading and re-reading your first post and I can't find the racist remark that this Sheriff deputy made. You interpreted that way but are you sure that's what he meant? Are you sure it wasn't the fact that they were kids and teenagers and not because of their race?

Is it possible that he knew these people from his job in the line of duty?

While those other interpretations are possibilities, I would have interpreted the remark the same as VampNSX. The reason is, under any other interpretation of the sheriff's remark, he would follow it with an explanation of what he meant.

In a racially diverse block and neighborhood, I automatically assume that people are tolerant and respectful of others, because otherwise they would live elsewhere. His comment (and I interpret the shaking of his head as part of his comment) would just not make sense in an integrated neighborhood. If a neighbor said that to me, I would ask what he meant, just because there would be no reason for making the comment. Therefore, I would assume that these are the only blacks on VampNSX's entire block (and perhaps nearby blocks as well).

Racism (and similar, non-race-based prejudices) are often based on a wink and a nod. Decades ago, people would say what they mean, and use nasty pejorative terms in doing so. Now, racists often use implied terms and implied statements - such as rolling eyes, shaking heads, etc. And that is the ONLY way I would interpret the sheriff's reaction, since any other interpretation of his remark would be followed by an explanation of what he meant.

 

[VampNSXX]

I keep reading and re-reading your first post and I can't find the racist remark that this Sheriff deputy made. You interpreted that way but are you sure that's what he meant? Are you sure it wasn't the fact that they were kids and teenagers and not because of their race?

Is it possible that he knew these people from his job in the line of duty?

What did he say that made you feel threatened or that he would use his position/authority as a Sheriff to be unfair or harass you or these people?
Has he ever made remarks before to you or in your presence that were of a racist nature?
There seems to be some blanks that you haven't filled in to make the conclusions reached here.

It seems that it would be hard and is getting harder to be a law enforcement officer if you carry hate and prejudice in your heart and not be tolerant of diversity. Most police departments are changing and strive for diversity and balance and to reflect the communities they serve. The more and the sooner this happens the better for us all.

I'm just not convinced by what you have said that you have the right conclusion.

Huntington, California doesn't sound as progressive as Poughkeepsie, New York.

He does not even know them and he says something like that. what do you call that? no he does not know them because they live in the LA area and he is a cop in the area were he lives. I don't understand why some people think its ok to judge people based on the way they look. even on this forums people admit they do it.
I am just telling you guys what happen and I cant believe some of you guys are acting like I am the bad guy who is just taking it the wrong way.


I think you are a racist person. I bet you don't like me calling you that because you will say I don't even know you. Well my neighbor did not know them so if I call you that then its OK right?

 

[VampNSXX]

The bottom line to me is that you just cant judge someone one based on the way they look.

 

[nsxtasy]

I am just telling you guys what happen and I cant believe some of you guys are acting like I am the bad guy who is just taking it the wrong way.

I think pbassjo was just trying to make sure that you weren't taking it the wrong way (although I have explained in my previous post why I agree with your interpretation and not his).

One of the unfortunate aspects of racism, IMO, is that it's rarely discussed in public, and even more rarely discussed in a racially mixed group of people. I think many people are not racist, but are afraid to engage in discussions like these, for fear of being misinterpreted. I don't think Joe's remark justifies a negative response. I appreciate his willingness to contribute to this discussion (and FWIW, I do not think it warrants the negativity in your response).

VampNSX, you are not the bad guy. I appreciate the fact that you have not discriminated in renting out your house (and I understand that it's easy for a landlord of a small property to make rental decisions based on race, even though it's technically illegal). I appreciate the fact that you are trying to do the right thing for your tenants, and are more concerned with doing the right thing than on not offending your neighbor. And I appreciate the fact that you were willing to present the situation in a reasonable, respectful manner. Let's all try to continue discussing it in the same reasonable, respectful manner.

 

[LJSB]

I own four rental homes and 4 apartments.
I have whites, blacks, Mexicans and even FRENCH! :biggrin:

I have gotten the same response you described from one black neighbor when a white lady with 3 kids moved in.
He said "wow", "you rented to them?" shook his head and walked away. He did not give a explanation as Ken suggested he might and it never occurred to me he was being a racist.
I'm not trying to be cute, it did happen.

Ken you said "The reason is, under any other interpretation of the sheriff's remark, he would follow it with an explanation of what he meant".

Not necessarily and that alone is not enough to brand someone with the label racist. Racist are a blight on our society and "racist" is a serious brand to toss about lightly on anyone we suspect to be not as righteous and sensitive as we perceive ourselves to be.

I did not mean to offend you VampNSX, I was and am hoping you were wrong, it would be nicer if it were so and perhaps sadly you are right.
I don't think you are being " a bad guy" as you say.

Why don't you ask your neighbor what he meant and clear the air?
I would. Don't be accusing or nasty just direct and straight. He is your neighbor after all and if you have it right I bet he pulls in his horns from then on. It's harder than doing it on the web but I've got faith in you. :wink:

 

[newby]

Well if you are a cop and you cant handle it you should just do something else not take it out on people based on there color.

How come it's so easy to judge the difficult profession of Law Enforcement....yet I don't see you picking up an application at your local Police Department. Lord knows I did not get into the field for the money, I chose a career in Law Enforcement to make a difference. I was 12 credits away from my B.S. in Computer Engineering when I chose to add an additional year of school by changing my major to Criminal Justice. I stand strong for what I believe in and I feel (hope) that most of my fellow officers feel the same way. Maybe if more people like you "who have such noble values" would step up an serve....there wouldn't be so many vacancies that end up being filled with Joe Blow who gives the rest of us a bad name

I don't know how many times I have to say.....the momentary concern is on a subconscious level. That means it's not something I can turn on and off. It's a learned behavior. I do not make racist comments and I treat people equal. If a white man walks into a restaurant I'm eating at wearing full leather with tatoos and a scraggly beard.... I take second look. It's not always about race... I would give this rough biker looking guy the same fair shake I would give any other white, black, asian or hispanic man. However, in my field I'm trained to profile people in order to do my job correctly and safely. That doesn't mean racially profiling people...it just means that I'm going to be more concerned for my safety when someone I'm dealing with is (for example) wearing gang related clothing vs someone wearing a shirt and tie. I'm not saying every bad person dresses like a hoodlum....however I can only base my opinions on patterns.

NSXTASY hit the nail on the head (again) with this comment:
"One of the unfortunate aspects of racism, IMO, is that it's rarely discussed in public, and even more rarely discussed in a racially mixed group of people. I think many people are not racist, but are afraid to engage in discussions like these, for fear of being misinterpreted. I don't think Joe's remark justifies a negative response. I appreciate his willingness to contribute to this discussion (and FWIW, I do not think it warrants the negativity in your response)."

Some of us are just trying to explain ourselves...yet we get attacked.

VAMPNSX....I'm glad you brought this up. It has obviously brought our some personal expressions. Just try and be a bit more open to others opinions....

 

[LJSB]

VampNSX. I also am glad you brought this thread up. Good subject and scenario that needs discussion. Tough to be there on the real side of things. Second guessing is second nature on the net. Good luck.

 

[flight]

.....the momentary concern is on a subconscious level.

I think what newby is talking about is snap judgements, not predudices in the true sense of the word. He openly declares that he is believes he is wrong in his thoughts and wishes he did not think that. He does not act on them and understands that they are not accurate - that is what is important IMO. This is the difference between a racist/predudiced person and an average guy.

IMO this does not make someone truly predudiced - if it does, then I think everybody on Earth is. Who can HONESTLY say they have NEVER judged someone on appearance. I do not mean race only:

Ever seen an overweight person and thought "Why do people let themselves get like that - just greediness".

Ever seen a homeless person and thought "I'd give him money, but he'd probably buy drugs or alcohol."

Ever seen misbehaved child and thought "why the hell don't his/her parents discipline their kids?"

I think it is very important to try and understand people and give them a chance to explain themselves. Sometimes those explanations do not sit well at all (shoulda heard they ones I have listened to over the years), but hey, anger solves nothing.

To name a few I have been refused entry to primary schools, denied the purchase of a car, sworn out of a store and physically abused by police officers all in regards to my skin color and you know what I learned?

"Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding."
Mahatma Gandhi