[NoLibZone]

“There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery.

Then look around and see somebody White and feel relieved.”

-- Jesse Jackson The Color of Suspicion

By Jeffrey Goldberg
Published: June 20, 1999 http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/20/magazine/the-color-of-suspicion.html

[wbill]

Then look around and see somebody White and feel relieved

True enough, but I think it's more situational...

Put yourself at an ATM, it's getting dark, or maybe just a little bit after. You see a young black gentleman wearing a hoodie and ghetto-bag trousers. He's slowly walking towards the ATM, and looking around furtively. His hands are jammed in his pockets.

What are you thinking? Would make my trigger finger itch.

Now, let's restate that. Same ATM, Same Time, Same person. Only this time, he's wearing a polo shirt and khakis, and he's striding purposefully towards the ATM. He's got an ATM card in one hand, and maybe a laptop bag or a cell phone in the other.

Would you give him more than a second look?