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I'm failing to comprehend where the issue is here. In order to aid in my comprehension, I will in this post summarize the events that occurred as I understand them.
1) Black judge recognizes that black people in the United States of America are more likely to be socially disadvantaged are as a consequence or as a parallel to this more likely to possess a lower standard of education and more likely to turn to crime. Black judge concludes that this is a problem that needs to be addressed first and foremost by black Americans.
2) Black judge recognizes that he is part of a small group of people uniquely positioned to address the situation, since he is able to say things that would be considered socially unacceptable coming from his white colleagues, and is able to recognize and address black Americans who are participating in this culture of crime in a way that his black peers in other professions may not.
3) Black judge decides to take advantage of this position and exercise his right to address his people after the duties of his office have been fulfilled and as a citizen rather than a figure of authority.
4) Black judge decides that this is an issue that is best addressed in relative privacy, and as a consequence of that decision requests that anyone who is not related to the issue as he perceives it (ie anyone who isn't black) to leave the room so that he may do so.
This is the chain of events as I understand it based on the video and articles posted. Is this a case of racism because he asked the non-blacks to leave the room? Or is it racist because he chose to address the issue at all?
Race is clearly a key component here, but race issues and racism are not the same thing. It was my understanding that the fact that black Americans tend to be economically and socially disadvantaged is more or less irrefutable. Given that there is a distinct black culture and that from an outside perspective (viewing black entertainment and keeping a casual eye on the news and on crime statistics) this appears to be perpetuated at least in part by black Americans themselves, I don't see where this judge choosing to address the issue is racist. Is it a fallacy to assume that things like rap music that promotes crime and violence and continually uses racial slurs promotes racial barriers?
I just don't understand what the fuss is here.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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