N.C. county commissioner says blacks live in 'moral sewer'

[NFS4]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The mayor of North Carolina's largest city on Thursday criticized a fellow Republican, a county commissioner who sent an e-mail saying urban blacks "live in a moral sewer," but stopped short of asking the commissioner to resign.

Bill James, 48, made the statement in a bulk e-mail he sent Tuesday to some 1,300 people as he discussed challenges facing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.

James said he chose to use "hot and direct" rhetoric to discuss social problems among urban blacks "because politically correct, namby-pamby terminology won't work and hasn't worked."

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory said Thursday that he tired long ago of commissioner James' "half-truths and distortions on many issues."

Asked if he thought James should resign, McCrory paused for several seconds.

"All I can say is that as mayor I did not reappoint him to the chairmanship of a committee because I felt he was more interested in making press statements than finding solutions," he said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I took my own action as mayor."

James also drew the wrath of County Manager Harry Jones, who is black. Jones sent an e-mail Wednesday to James expressing outrage at the comments. Jones said he hoped other board members would speak out against James' rhetoric.

"I sometimes feel very strongly that through silence, you could be perceived as being supportive of comments that people make," said Jones, who requested an apology.

The Charlotte Observer first reported James' comments and Jones' response in Thursday's editions.

McCrory said James isn't held accountable for his comments because he is in a safe political district.

"One of things that causes this kind of problem are the safe gerrymandered districts where Republicans and Democrats can say anything to their constituents without fear of any retribution," McCrory said. "It allowed him to make these sewer statements, which belong in the sewer."

James, who was unopposed last month when he won a fifth term representing a district in suburban southern Mecklenburg County, did not return telephone messages Thursday.

In an e-mail response to Jones, however, James was undeterred.

He wrote that "to solve a problem you have to discuss it openly and there is no doubt that the urban core is a moral sewer full of promiscuity that leads to illegitimate kids and a continuing cycle of poverty which no one wants to address."

In his original e-mail, James said teachers can't reach the children who grow up in the "moral sewer."

"That immorality impacts negatively the lives of these children and creates an environment where education is considered 'acting white' and lack of education is a 'plus' in their world," he wrote. "Count on the Democrats and the media to try and ignore that debate as well."

James' comments about blacks and gays have stirred controversy in the past and may have hurt Republicans in the November elections, when Democrats swept the board's three at-large seats.

Some Republicans said James was at least partially to blame because comments he made before the election were viewed as racially inflammatory.

The board's six Democrats issued a statement Wednesday saying they are committed "to building bonds of racial trust in Mecklenburg County," and criticizing James for "sowing seeds of racial division."

 

[AFB]

hahahahaha

He should try going to an urban neighbourhood and see where that comment gets him.

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

He should try going to an urban neighborhood and see where that comment gets him.

Why? Blacks can't have a civilized discussion without descending into violence? You are implying that he would be physically assaulted aren't you?

I guess it's true that only Bill Cosby and Chris Rock can make these statements.

 

[scorp00]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

He should try going to an urban neighborhood and see where that comment gets him.

Why? Blacks can't have a civilized discussion without descending into violence? You are implying that he would be physically assaulted aren't you?

I guess it's true that only Bill Cosby and Chris Rock can make these statements.

A lot of them can't. I lived and worked in Charlotte for a semester. The company I worked for had been there for 60 years and the neighborhood had gone downhill severely. It was a few miles outside of the city and surrounded by black neighborhoods. Sometimes there would be shell casings on the ground on company property. I had numerous black people ask for money as I was getting out of my car to go into work. Co-worker said to not come to work at night without a loaded gun.

 

[datalink7]

He should have just mentioned you, NFS4, and then he would have been correct.





😉😛

 

[DanceMan]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

He should try going to an urban neighborhood and see where that comment gets him.

Why? Blacks can't have a civilized discussion without descending into violence? You are implying that he would be physically assaulted aren't you?

I guess it's true that only Bill Cosby and Chris Rock can make these statements.

I think there is a difference -- Bill Cosby and Chris Rock never said anything about blacks being in a 'moral sewer'. They have, and rightly so, stated the problems in their own community and that the black community could do better. But, I have never heard them state that the black community is immoral.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Couldn't figure out from the article, is Bill James, black?

It appears he is not, if that's the case he just signed his political death warrant...

 

[Vic]

I disagree. IMO the difficulty that the black community has in general with the greater society is that they continue to believe that ALL their problems stem from racism against them, and don't take responsibility for their own actions. And this means, of course, that anyone who dares to criticize them is, of course, a racist. Which is bullsh!t.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: scorp00

A lot of them can't. I lived and worked in Charlotte for a semester. The company I worked for had been there for 60 years and the neighborhood had gone downhill severely. It was a few miles outside of the city and surrounded by black neighborhoods. Sometimes there would be shell casings on the ground on company property. I had numerous black people ask for money as I was getting out of my car to go into work. Co-worker said to not come to work at night without a loaded gun.

Nice generalization based on an anecdote... :roll:

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: scorp00

A lot of them can't. I lived and worked in Charlotte for a semester. The company I worked for had been there for 60 years and the neighborhood had gone downhill severely. It was a few miles outside of the city and surrounded by black neighborhoods. Sometimes there would be shell casings on the ground on company property. I had numerous black people ask for money as I was getting out of my car to go into work. Co-worker said to not come to work at night without a loaded gun.

Nice generalization based on an anecdote... :roll:

LOL, the inner city hospital where I worked @ was a nightmare, step outside during the evening or night shift & you can hear gunfire in the background (the handgun fire wasn't too bad, but the rifle fire & shotgun blasts were a little spooky). Our windows got shot out regularly, the exterior walls all had bullet holes/chips in them. The average car thefts were 3 a week from the parking lot, some days they'd lose 2 or three in the same day.

I'd freaking leave @ 8am & get propositioned by hookers & crack dealers, screaming from the sidewalks.

I've also found shell casings in the parking lot, they were from a .45.

 

[daveshel]

Originally posted by: scorp00

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

He should try going to an urban neighborhood and see where that comment gets him.

Why? Blacks can't have a civilized discussion without descending into violence? You are implying that he would be physically assaulted aren't you?

I guess it's true that only Bill Cosby and Chris Rock can make these statements.

A lot of them can't. I lived and worked in Charlotte for a semester. The company I worked for had been there for 60 years and the neighborhood had gone downhill severely. It was a few miles outside of the city and surrounded by black neighborhoods. Sometimes there would be shell casings on the ground on company property. I had numerous black people ask for money as I was getting out of my car to go into work. Co-worker said to not come to work at night without a loaded gun.

I lived and worked there for more than a year in the early 1990s and I recall the venom even then over the busing decision and the percieved harm it did to their schools.

 

[DanceMan]

Originally posted by: Vic
I disagree. IMO the difficulty that the black community has in general with the greater society is that they continue to believe that ALL their problems stem from racism against them, and don't take responsibility for their own actions. And this means, of course, that anyone who dares to criticize them is, of course, a racist. Which is bullsh!t.

Well, if he had said that black people need to take more responsibility for their actions, and be more supportive of education, I would agree and have no problem with that, no matter what the skin color. However, what he is basically saying here is that urban blacks have a lower moral standard that say, urban white people. That's painting *every* urban black person as having low moral standards, and that's where I see his statement as racist. Also, although I don't believe that racism is the cause of all problems, I don't rule it out as a factor either.

 

[ericb]

For the person who asked then no, James is white. In terms of blacks in Charlotte I would say "our" inner city problem is no where the level of bigger cities like Detroit, Chicago, New York, etc. Of course violence is up, more black drop outs, murder and drug use in low income neighborhoods is up and gangs are popping up in the city but it's not that bad. Yet. Personally I agree that he signed his political death warrant except that he is known to be like this and say things very un-PC. Despite the backlash he may get more votes the next election because of stunts like this.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Vic
I disagree. IMO the difficulty that the black community has in general with the greater society is that they continue to believe that ALL their problems stem from racism against them, and don't take responsibility for their own actions. And this means, of course, that anyone who dares to criticize them is, of course, a racist. Which is bullsh!t.

Your imaginary view of what they believe is the BS. Do you have any evidence most black people think ALL their problems stem from racism or don't take responsibility for their own actions?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: DanceMan
Well, if he had said that black people need to take more responsibility for their actions, and be more supportive of education, I would agree and have no problem with that, no matter what the skin color. However, what he is basically saying here is that urban blacks have a lower moral standard that say, urban white people. That's painting *every* urban black person as having low moral standards, and that's where I see his statement as racist. Also, although I don't believe that racism is the cause of all problems, I don't rule it out as a factor either.

Which I why I said that "I disagree" with what Mr. James said. Perhaps I should have been more clear.

Originally posted by: Infohawk
Your imaginary view of what they believe is the BS. Do you have any evidence most black people think ALL their problems stem from racism or don't take responsibility for their own actions?

Which is why I said "in general". I was NOT trying to say that ALL black people believe that ALL their problems stem from racism. I believe quite the opposite, but thanks again for generalizing my statements. I was saying that the black community in general tends to play the race card first instead of looking to their own responsibility. If a black criminal got caught in the act of a crime, fired at police while attempting to escape, and then got shot himself by the police, the "black community" would wage protests against racism across the city and would glorify the criminal as a victim, would they not? Do they not? Would the "white community" react the same way, if the criminal was white and the officer who shot him was black? Of course not. They would condemn the criminal.

This is the REAL problem that blacks the greater black community in general. Call it imaginary all you wish, you only stand in the way of the solution.

Evidence? Look at the recent self-defense case in CO. A clear-cut case of justified self-defense, the "black community" in the area had to stage protests against racism, completely ignoring the fact that the evidence (that we have) shows that the killing was justifiable self-defense, and that the black couple initiated the attack against the white man.
My case closed.

 

[Zebo]

pffft. turn on springer sometime.All White, all trash. My experiance with blacks is basically they are very admirable. Don't take sh1t no matter from whom. Whites tend to cower both professionally and socially and kiss ass something I can't stand.

I agree with moose though, he's done.

 

[ntdz]

well, blacks do commit more crimes and such than other races. In that sense it can be considered a "moral sewer".

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ntdz
well, blacks do commit more crimes and such than other races. In that sense it can be considered a "moral sewer".

Whites commit more crimes...they just have better representation when they get put on trial 😉

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ntdz
well, blacks do commit more crimes and such than other races. In that sense it can be considered a "moral sewer".

Whites commit more crimes...they just have better representation when they get put on trial 😉

A lot of good it did for Peterson. What about O.J.?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ntdz
well, blacks do commit more crimes and such than other races. In that sense it can be considered a "moral sewer".

Whites commit more crimes...they just have better representation when they get put on trial 😉

A lot of good it did for Peterson. What about O.J.?

There are exceptions to every rule. The OJ and Peterson cases got a LOT of spotlight. 99.9% of crimes committed don't get that kind of media attention.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

He should try going to an urban neighborhood and see where that comment gets him.

Why? Blacks can't have a civilized discussion without descending into violence? You are implying that he would be physically assaulted aren't you?

I guess it's true that only Bill Cosby and Chris Rock can make these statements.

If someone walked up to you and told you that you lived in a "moral sewer", I doubt you would take it kindly.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ntdz
well, blacks do commit more crimes and such than other races. In that sense it can be considered a "moral sewer".

Whites commit more crimes...they just have better representation when they get put on trial 😉

A lot of good it did for Peterson. What about O.J.?

Peterson was guilty the day his name was on the news.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ntdz
well, blacks do commit more crimes and such than other races. In that sense it can be considered a "moral sewer".

Whites commit more crimes...they just have better representation when they get put on trial 😉

A lot of good it did for Peterson. What about O.J.?

Peterson was guilty the day his name was on the news.

Yeah, but you live in a moral sewer. So take that!

 

[RZaakir]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
Your imaginary view of what they believe is the BS. Do you have any evidence most black people think ALL their problems stem from racism or don't take responsibility for their own actions?

Which is why I said "in general". I was NOT trying to say that ALL black people believe that ALL their problems stem from racism. I believe quite the opposite, but thanks again for generalizing my statements. I was saying that the black community in general tends to play the race card first instead of looking to their own responsibility. If a black criminal got caught in the act of a crime, fired at police while attempting to escape, and then got shot himself by the police, the "black community" would wage protests against racism across the city and would glorify the criminal as a victim, would they not? Do they not? Would the "white community" react the same way, if the criminal was white and the officer who shot him was black? Of course not. They would condemn the criminal.

This is the REAL problem that blacks the greater black community in general. Call it imaginary all you wish, you only stand in the way of the solution.

Evidence? Look at the recent self-defense case in CO. A clear-cut case of justified self-defense, the "black community" in the area had to stage protests against racism, completely ignoring the fact that the evidence (that we have) shows that the killing was justifiable self-defense, and that the black couple initiated the attack against the white man.
My case closed.[/quote]

Your logic is still flawed. Outside of a huge array of other social factors that you're probably not aware of, you're assuming that a few people in the street represent a whole community. Just because they claim to speak for the black community doesn't mean that they actually do. Those people don't have anything better to do than be activists. Most black people are too busy being productive citizens to have time to make dumb ass quotes on the 6 o'clock news. The same flaw applies to your CO argument. There is little evidence of any widespead black sentiment there.

 

[RZaakir]

As for the moral sewer statement, this guy is seriously kidding himself if he thinks that blacks are significantly more promiscuous than whites. The real difference is with kids that result from this sex and that is more of an economic thing (having less to lose by having a kid, lack of funds for an abortion). There is definitely a problem here, but relative morality ain't it.