Well it seems that with all of the "freedom of speech and opinions" boasted about in this land that all sides could be heard or read here on the fray. This however is a deception. "The Fray" deletes and tampers with posts which are shall we say "not PC or envogue"? Some of my posts as well as selected others posting here get deleted because it is "claimed" that they have nothing to do with the topic. Yet I have seen postings and replies that were abusive, vulgar, and not even related to the topic being posted against those of us who do not " subscribe or march to the tune of the PC culture" and these posts have not been removed.

Is this double-standard? YES! Is this bias? YES! And does this relate somewhat to this current topic? YES! It relates because this case with the "R & B perverted courtjester" is being defended by many in the media and here for that matter, for his actions on the grounds of "skin color". Debate that fact with them and you get automatically labelled and/or deleted. Land of Freedom of Speech? Equality? Respect? and Justice??? GET REAL!

Do you mind if I ask for the source of your racial anger, redleopard? I've read some of your other posts, many of which are civil and interesting. But anything on the race topic-- you become rabid and profane!! It's almost schizophrenic.

Did you have some bad experience with a black person that has created such animosity? Correct me if I am wrong, but I'm guessing that you are an immigrant from one of the Commonwealth nations. At times you say things like to "you Americans," or "I hate all Americans," etc. The only reason I bring this up is because I find it so strange that you have so much disdain for "people of color" and seem more aggrieved than the average caucasian American, and you seem to be out to be a defender of all white people as if every American is in a race war. You hate racial divisions, but seem to promote it as well by taking sides and criticizing all white people who defend blacks for any reason.

It also seems that you cannot acknowledge any injustices against black people or people of color which makes me wonder if 1) you know nothing about reality of racism in America or 2) you lack empathy for others. If it is true that you were raised with Christian values, then I don't see how that plays out in your world view or statements.

I do agree with you that many (but not all) black people in America have kneejerk reactions and blame white people for their problems. That's lazy and irresponsible. I believe that those that shed or never had such attitudes tend to be those that relate better with others and progress in life. Perhaps that's why you will see West Indians or African immigrants progressing so well in America since they don't have that chip to bear. But that doesn't negate the fact that injustices occur. Likewise, citizens in former colonies overseas who address their problems without blaming the "colonialists" or "imperialists" tend to progress.

I have a white mother and black father, whom I both love, and so I like to think I am objective when it comes to issues of race and race relations. Like you, I have lived overseas and faced both acceptance and discrimination from people of all nationalities. Unlike you, I appreciate diversity and tolerance because that is who I am and my life experience. I don't see that as a liability but you appear to.

I hope you are not going to hurl insults at me, because I prefer civil discussions. But I just don't understand your anger.

Also, why do you use the term "whitey"? In all my years in the US I've never once heard any black person or "person of color" (what-ever that means) use that term to refer to a caucasian.

I'm a Caucasian and I am here to tell you that the term "whitey" is most definitely sometimes used by at least some black folk.

I was at a local burger joint in Pasadena, CA, some years back. It was a Friday night and apparently on that night of the week it was typically a hang-out for African-American high school students. I was sitting with a group of my Caucasian friends, and there happened to be a couple of other table of white folk. I and several others at my table distinctly saw and heard a young African American man rhetorically ask in an indignant fashion, "Who made it Whitey night here?" I found the remark amusing as well as bemusing because it seemed like the place was usually fairly integrated, i.e. the usual SoCal Caucasian/Asian/Hispanic/Afric­an American mix generally patronized the place, so I didn't understand what the guy's grousing was about.

I've been similarly referred to on several other occasions by other African Americans in the Pasadena area for no good reason.

For you, ChristineATL, to imply that such racist lingo isn't common place just because you haven't heard it, is extremely naive. For instance, I've never seen any gay bashing myself, but I know for a fact that it goes on, and I would never claim that it doesn't, just because I haven't seen it myself.

Uncle Squinky-- I won't dispute that. I wouldn't want my mother called that, either. I'm not African-American and, you are correct, I probably I am naive about a lot of derogatory lingo that goes round. I don't care to defend any of that.

I just noticed that redleopard uses that term "whitey" very liberally and I find it offensive, as I do most of his race-related posts. I probably shouldn't bother to understand him.