Opinion Talk

By VKR

April 11, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Double Standard.

By mike

April 11, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

sounds like the truth was told to the group that needs it most.

By ONE America

April 11, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Let’s be honest: Were Arrington a WHITE judge, addressing WHITE defendants, and he asked that all BLACKS leave the room, what would have happened?

It would have made the news all around the world. Al Sharpton would be calling for his job, publicly, repetitiously, and in high volume…

Please note that I feel for Judge Arrington.

He is obviously a very sincere man, whose heart is genuinely burdened. He simply made an error in judgement. An error, I should point out, that he likely would NOT have made, had the Black-Community not so vehemently blasted Bill Cosby for “Airing their dirty laundry in front of white folks”.

Here’s a clue, people: EVERYBODY knows about the problems in the community. Everyone has a television…Everyone watches the news.

Ignoring problems publicly, refusing to have an open dialog, can only cause further friction.

After such a long march toward “equality”, why choose segregation now???

By liberalextremist

April 11, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

What I have discovered, is that “white” people just don’t get it. Not all “white” people but some of you just don’t get it. You don’t get our religious experiences, you don’t get our background, and you really don’t get our struggles (present and past). And the fact of the matter is, You don’t want to get it. I completely understand. I applaud Judge Arrington. It has to be tough walking into the courtroom where 99% of the defendants are black. He was tired of being sick and tired and made a quick decision. These defendants needed to be told the truth, whether in front of “white” folk or in front of all in the courtroom. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, if you really care. If you don’t, oh well keep it moving.

In this case, it is you “white” people who are playing the race card. Unfortunately for black folk, You damned if you do, you damned if you don’t. Many applauses Judge Arrington.

By kip

April 11, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

To ONE America. Nice job and I couldn’t agree more. I would add to this that the media is partially culpable for glamarizing the thug life. Case in point…I’m watching the local CBS evening news and they flip to the lead story about the Easter celebration and “the highlight of the day was the appearance and presentation of TI”. When thugs like this (or Dallas Austin or pick any one of them that are arrested on a weekly basis as reported in the AJC) are deified in the media and held up as role models to the black community when they are actually involved in VERY serious crimes and should be reflected for what they are: criminals. I still love the whole Dallas Austin thing where he gets thrown in jail in the Middle East for cocaine possession (a VERY serious crime there) and he gets released by begging for a call from Senator Orrin Hatch who coincidentally is a singer and Dallas has pressed CDs for him. HILARIOUS!

By BT fan

April 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

One America is correct, Jessie, Cynthia(ajc) and Jessie would be all over this. In due respect for Judge Arrington, he is trying to be the Sheriff and Judge in the “wild, wild, West. He wants kids,where a majority has no father, off the streets into schools etc. he means well, but Metro Atlanta is out of control with drugs, murder and being the nation #1 city in bank robberies.

By Reality Bytes

April 11, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure how much of the judges message will sink into the boneheads of those thugs, but I’m glad the message was given - and applaud the judge for delivering it. He’s getting heat for it, but that will pass. Unfortunately in todays world a message like that CANNOT be given by anyone without getting some heat for it. Only mollycoddling is apropos, and really doesn’t accomplish anything. And as much heat as this judge is getting, I shudder to think of the heat a white judge would get for delivering this message to the very same black thugs. Granted there are plenty of white people that need the message too, but the judge delivered the message to the criminals he sees. I find it disturbing the judge is getting heat for telling these guys what their parents should have, and the criminals are barely being mentioned and even somewhat being made out to be victims of the judges scolding.

By Boots

April 11, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

I’m a fan of Arrington, but referring to these lawless young thugs as an “underclass” demands an explanation.

For whatever reason, they fall behind in school, so they misbehave as a mask to their deficiencies.

The frustration begins to mount as their inability to read or do math threatens to embarrass them in front of their peers —- particularly, the girls.

They end up dropping out of school and with no marketable skills can’t find a job, even if they wanted one, and end up hanging out on street corners trying to sell a little weed for some walking-around money.

They make a little money selling the weed and pick up a Saturday Night Special and then they’re off to the races —- robbing, stealing, shooting, killing and if they don’t get killed themselves, end up in prison.

Joining the “underclass” begins with a series of bad decisions and poor judgement —- often going back generations —- that, unless there is an attitudinal shift, is destined to rob generation after generation of any prospect of getting up and out of the underclass.

Hard work, sacrifice, postponement of the gratification and acceptance of personal responsibility are the steps that must be climbed to attain the full benefits of living in this wonderful country.

By James

April 11, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

I am a caucasian male and I don’t have a problem with what he did.
A good manager never chastises a subordinate employee in front of other employees, a smart officer never chews out an enlisted man in front of his peers and a wise minister never preaches directly at husbands with their wives in the audience. If you force someone to lose face you have lost your point and made an enemy.

By Darlene Milhouse

April 11, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

This system we call just is “just not right”. When Bill Cosby address the issue it is criticized, when Judge Arrington speaks about it is is criticized. Now the Bible has been speaking about this for decades and no one is still listening. We are to disciplie our childre. Having time out and conversation is what has us at this cross road, of not putting the foot where it needs to be put. I totally agree with Judge Arrignton, our children are out of control. And we are responsible for getting them back in line and on the right path. We have lost focus on family, I apprecate a strong black man speaking out. Society has lost the meaning of family values. America let’s be America again. Too many of our children are lost, we work two jobs, and trying to gain more, more more, ignoring the cries for love and attention the children are screaming for in thier ACTIONS- Wake Up! I notice more concern for pets than children- what is really going on?

By gbj

April 11, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

I don’t think he did anything wrong. Mr. Arrington thank you because somebody need to stand up and give them a good talking to or a slap on the head to wake them up. These young people just live to hang out, dropping out of school no education fighting robbing just a treat to themselves and other people, These young folks don’t care about life.Instead of the parents raisng them they become friends with them and then no control at all.

Again Thanks to you Mr. Arrington for a least trying to get a point across.

By Truth Teller

April 11, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

The problem Judge Arrington is trying to address is so wide-spread that there are jokes about it: * “The television networks received complaints that there weren’t enough blacks and hispanics on television so the Fox network has agreed to show America’s Most Wanted twice a week.”*

That’s not a funny joke —- but until the community gets mad as hell about the loss of young black males to the streets —- many in a puddle of blood —- and young girls getting pregnant and having the humongous task of trying to raise a child as a child —- then this sociological disaster will continue to spiral downward as our streets are turned into killing fields.

Lay you racial sensibilities aside and face the facts —- your young men are being killed off in neighborhoods that have become war zones and your young women are being harnessed to a life of poverty and depravation by their bad decisions to have a baby by a man who won’t be a father.

This sucks and must stop!

By Willie

April 11, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

I am offended!! It is not the Judge’s role to do what he did. If he wants to be a social worker then leave the bench. Join the church of Rev. White and do good things for the black community. I am so sick of that term black community. So many people had to be bussed across town to schools and now we are talking about black communities. Maybe if the residents of a black community became more American than African some of the tension would be gone. Maybe if the leaders of a black community would teach MLK’s principles then we would not use the Jesse Jacksons, Al Sharptens, Rev Whites, and the racist org called the NAACP. I am for equal opportunity and equal access. I refuse to accept blame for what happened in the past. If a white judge did that, the tax payers would pay through their a$$.

By Lex

April 11, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

This is plain and simple to me—-I do not care how you want to address any, and I mean any type of person on encouraging them to get their life together! If you escort whites out of the courtroom, escort blacks out of the courtroom or hang upside and do backward flips..it does not matter. ..What matters is someone who cares enough to take the time to advise a person on ways to improve their life and contribute to a having a better society, hey I’m all for it! Let just stick with the basics here, real simple.

By Lex

April 11, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

This is plain and simple to me—-I do not care how you want to address any, and I mean any type of person on encouraging them to get their life together! If you escort whites out of the courtroom, escort blacks out of the courtroom or hang upside and do backward flips..it does not matter. ..What matters is someone who cares enough to take the time to advise a person on ways to improve their life and contribute to a having a better society, hey I’m all for it! Let just stick with the basics here, real simple.

By Not Politically Correct

April 11, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Could it be that blacks just want to whine and complain and blame others for the collapse of their communities and society?

There is absolutely no reason why blacks cannot have a full bite at the apple.

As a taxpayer, my back aches from bending over backwards to accomodate your needs —- and I tired of it.

Many have responded to the challenge and now enjoy the benefits of living in the U.S.

But for too many, that pathway is too difficult and requires too much sacrifice and work —- when Oprah and Jerry Springer are calling.

If you choose to sit at home while I get up early and come home late then, bro, you’re on your own. I’m tired of carrying you.

But you know, I’ll probably have to continue to support your sorry butt while you sit in a prison cell.

By GS

April 11, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

I commend Judge Arrington for the message he gave the defendants. The way he went about it wasn’t quite right, but I forgive him because it’s obvious he made the decision with his well-intentioned heart. As he wrote today he will give the message in front of anybody from here on out.

I hate to flame, but for Not Politically Correct who doesn’t want to accomodate [black] needs…you’ll wonder what could have been done earlier if you ever get mugged (or worse) by a future-less black young man. They have cars, you know. We are all in this together.

By Not Politically Correct

April 11, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

G.S. —- It’s one thing to offer a helping hand for a while —- like, let’s say 45 years —- but, it quite another thing to continue to support, enable, behavior patterns that are not constructive.

And, as far as being mugged by a young black man —- well, that’s the problem. Many would rather not work and take mine than to work and buy their own.

But, the new gun laws are going to level the playing field. The thugs will not be the only ones packing.

It’s a shame it had to come to this, but, in Atlanta, where thugs and hoodlums shoot people for target practice, you have to take care of yourself.

By SmyrnaDawg

April 11, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

So liberalextremist, you would not have had any issues if a white judge removed all the ‘black’ folks from the courtroom?

Tell the truth now…..

By GS

April 11, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Not Politically Correct- I am frustrated, too. I only wish I were smart enough to have the answer.

By Not Politically Correct

April 11, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

It just seems like chaos follows when those with no pride in themselves and their communities take over and when these same folk try to elect political leaders.

My word, this contagion has spread from Atlanta to Fulton county to DeKalb and Clayton and now the little town of Lithonia.

Looks like the Metro is going to hell in a handbasket while the leaders juke and jive.

By kip

April 11, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Boots, you need an explanation on “underclass” and “for whatever reason, these thugs fall behind in schools”? IT’S THE PARENTS! Or perhaps lack of parenting that is the problem. Bill and the Judge have gotten it right. Everyone wants to focus on HOW the Judge delivered the message, but no one wants to LISTEN to the message. Both Bill and the Judge are saying the same things, it’s time to be accountable for your actions, it’s time to focus on the family unit and it’s time parents of these criminals start PARENTING to keep them out of trouble. I’d be interested to see whether TI’s mom or dad have done time…

By Not Politically Correct

April 11, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

G.S. —- One thing would be to stop being concerned about the sensibilities of the black male.

He needs to be called out —- and publicly —- for his irresponsible and criminal behaviors.

What the heck to I care about his feelings. He broke the freakin’ law. He’s pulling the community down.

He ought to be ashame and humiliated for not taking advantage of the opportunities that are available —- opportunities that MLK and others have died and sacrificed for.

He’s squandering opportunity and that should be a crime.

Political correctness is costing the lives of young black males and their victims.

Stop it.

Make it real. Tell it like it is!

By Boots

April 11, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Kip —- You’re absolutely correct.

But as long as excuses are made for children having children and children raising children —- nothing is going to change.

When you’re the child of a teenage mother, you don’t receive proper parenting because you are being raised by a child and now the child of the teenage mother is a teenage mother and the cycle goes on and on and on.

Generation after generation of children raising children alone —- and that’s how you get into the mess we’re in.

Graduate from high school.

Don’t get pregnant until you marry and don’t marry until you’re at least 21 years old.

Those simple steps will break the cycle of poverty in this country.

By Halle

April 11, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I agree with his message but think it could’ve been handle differently. Young black males are headed down the wrong path with no concern for others. As a teacher in a predominantly black school, I see the disregard for life on a daily basis. It’s definitely not all but a few bad apples will ruin the entire batch. I place much of the blame on the lack of guidance from parents. Parents need to take responsibility for their children and stop letting them run wild. Parents on the other hand want us to not only teach subject matter material but also morals and life lessons that should start at home. People wonder why the public school system is in such disrepair.

By Mike

April 11, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

I think only a black man, maybe only a black judge could say the things he said without being charged with racial bias. Too bad more black leaders won’t do this, for fear they’ll offend the audience.

By coj

April 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

There are some very thought provoking comments on this tread. But many of the things many of you talk about was addressed by the Judge to the black defendents in his court. And if he ordered his court cleared of non-blacks, so he could personally address blacks, so what! What’s with this attack on Arrington? Are you either a black who doesn’t want his or her feelings hurt because you got caught or are you a white person who was offended that he or she couldn’t hear a proud black man speak from his heart to those who really lack direction in life other than drugs, sex and thugdom? This controversy is just media hype and we are all playing in to it.

By Boots

April 11, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Listen up! And, what I’m about to say is based on 40 years of experience working with “at-risk” kids —- mostly black.

A mother trying to raise a child is tough. But a single mother trying to raise a teenage boy is nearly impossible.

If the mother is trying to work and support the family —- the streets call and try as she might, a strapping teenage boy cannot be managed by his mother unless he wants to be managed by his mother.

For most, the mother yells and screams and threatens and the teenage boy does damn well what he pleases and what he pleases usually gets him in trouble with the law.

What you say of Judge Arrington is correct, to a point. Young black men need male role models and unfortunately, “my baby’s daddy” ain’t no where to be found.

Black women have to stop having babies out of wedlock because a child cannot raise a child —- and a child needs a father participating with the child.

By liberalextremist

April 11, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

To SmyrnaDog, If a white judge had the best interest of the defendents at heart, I would have no problem with that judge removing all the black people from the court and asking the white defendents, “Why in the world are you all acting up, with all the resources available to you to succeed?” Not one problem at all. All black people are not monolithic, we all don’t think alike. But “white” people made a non-issue (like this one) an issue! Judge Arrington cared. End of story.

By BT fan

April 11, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Boots, you left out one important element in your evaluation…FAMILY VALUES DO NOT EXIST IN majority of homes and inner city in Atlanta area…70% do not have a father, this is were the WORK SHOULD BEGIN . Family values is backbone of this country and without support in household, exclude govt. subsides, it will dwindle.

By truth-be-told

April 11, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

mr. arrington was shooting straight from the hip. this is what he sees in his courtroom everyday. he was only keeping it real for those who needed to hear it. and “NO” race did not have anything to do with it!! let the truth be told!!!

By Bud

April 11, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

This was a giant double standard. If a white judge had done this, and told the african-americans to leave the room, Jesse Jackson would be down here screaming for his head.

This is very parallel to Obama and his the so-called “Reverand” Wright. If a white preacher had made the same bigotted and anti-american remarks that Wright did, and a white politician had claimed “ignorance” of those remarks (after giving his preacher a campaign position and attending his church for 20 years…yet he knew nothing of these remarks) Blacks would be screaming racism at the top of their lungs and demanding that the white politician withdraw from the race.

America is full of a double standard these days. Chock Full of it and its infuriating. Blacks have a free pass to say whatever they want, yet whites are held to a ridiculous standard. It is alright to be a racist and be black, yet a white man can’t even comment on race without being called a racist.

Absolutely ridiculous. And you know what? The media is enabling this. They don’t call out blacks enough for this. Where is all of the hateful spew from Cynthia Tucker on this? Oh that’s right…she won’t say anything because she’s really a racist at heart herself.

By Boots

April 11, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

B.T. —- You are absolutely correct!

By Boots

April 11, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

B.T. fan —-

Family values are so important and a father’s presence in the home is so important —- but how do we convey the sense that monogamy, family values, responsibility and fidelity are important when the leaders —- the community role models —- and I don’t have to name names, but you know the prominent black leaders who have been womanizers and fathered children out of wedlock.

This is so important and the basis for the restoration of the family —-not only in the black, but all communities.

Keep it real! Stop the B.S.

Men you are a worthless piece of excrement if all you can do is spread your seed throughout the community without accepting the responsibility of fatherhood in all it’s ramifications!

Be a man. Get a job. Earn an honest living. Love you wife and family. Forget your homies. Work, come home, spend time with your family and by so doing, participate in the restoration of the community and society.

By Dwayne

April 11, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Two out of every three black babies are born to a single mother and that’s because of racism. The majority of black teens drop out of school and it’s because of racism. Black men are killing each other and it’s because of racism. The vast majority of prison inmates are black and that’s because of racism. Do you see a trend here?

People from other countries easily assimilate into our society because they don’t blame racism for their refusal to study, work, obey the law and marry the mother of their children.

If Martin Luther King were alive, I think he would be very disapointed.

By Poor Righteous Teacher

April 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

I am a high school teacher at an urban school in Atlanta. I see the same things Judge Arrington sees - and I am equally ashamed and angered by it. I see young African American males throwing away their educational opportunities and further reinforcing age-old stereotypes that white America has for African Americans. In my opinion, most whites lack the compassion to do what Judge Arrington did. They’d rather sit back and watch us self-destruct then talk smack about how morally corrupt African Americans are on blogs like this. He did that only out of concern for his people, not because he harbors prejudice towards whites. Goodness gracious, when we as African Americans take a stand to try to uplift OURSELVES, we are seen as racist (even though we lack the political and economic power to be so - but i digress). When we don’t take a stand we are being lazy do-nothings who only want to blame everything on the white man.

And Bud,Willie and SmyrnaDawg you clearly miss the point. Judge Arrington did not deny any white person the right to go to school, get a job or access to housing, etc., i.e. the very things that define racism. All he did was clear the room and told these wayward young men what you know you wish all blacks would tell their children. Your juvenile analyses shows how little you understand history and politics.

Just remember this, whatever benefits African Americans will by extension help all America. Rather than criticize you should applaud.

By saywhat

April 11, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

I think it just shows the hypocrisy of the double standard in race when a JUDGE can order people out of the court room because of the color of their skin. How dare he? If this were a white judge ordering blacks out - this would have already been on national news with the “Reverend” Jesse Jackson and his cronies (and AL Sharpton) - along with Nightline - down in ATL calling for “Justice” - It is ironic that most of the bigotry today comes from blacks

By CHA

April 11, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

To answer ONE America; If a White Judge cleared the court of Black People; except for himself, he just might have an empty courtroom… When was the last time you attended a criminal court session or had to appear in court; now days it is almost always a Poor Black or White experience exclusively. Life is not what you think it is…

By td

April 11, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Just another example of black racism and prejudice. As a white man, it’s hard to make it these days with blacks telling you what you can say and what courtroom you can sit in.

When will this oppression at the hands of the black man end?

By givemeabreak

April 11, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

What I want to know is… who is the whiney a$$ that called the press? Most likely someone that took issue with the truth the judge was speaking!

Kudos Judge Arrington, maybe I’ll buy your book off amazon…