Posted on 08/08/2002 8:16:39 PM PDT by Michael2001
In what appears to be a racially motivated attack, three watermelons were delivered to the office of Police Chief Earl Sanders last Thursday by a woman who spoke little English and likely was unaware of the racial significance, The Examiner has learned.
"She was allegedly paid by somebody, we don't know who, to deliver the watermelons," said Sgt. G. Williams of the department's Investigative Division. "She was asked who paid her but she couldn't, or wouldn't, say."
Watermelons have been used since the 19th century as racist tools against black Americans. Officers of the department expressed outrage, saying the incident strove to sow racial discord in an already tension-filled department attempting to rebuild its image in the wake of former chief Fred Lau's departure in July.
"This is very, very disturbing," said a black police inspector who asked to remain anonymous.
At Wednesday's police commission meeting, new Police Chief Earl Sanders, who is black, and Assistant Chief Alex Fagan, who is white, acknowledged the watermelon delivery but sought to play down the incident.
"Here's the bottom line: the watermelons were delivered by an Asian lady with a shopping cart last Thursday. The gift was sent anonymously and we had them returned. If anybody took offense, I haven't noticed," Fagan said.
He added there was no investigation planned and that the incident was "dead in the water."
"Brutal, absolutely brutal. I can't believe somebody would do something like that, in this city," another cop said.
Williams called the watermelon delivery a racist act and said he hopes the perpetrator is exposed. He said he had no idea who set the woman up but that some on the force would be looking into the issue.
I love watermelons. I'd be happy if someone did that to me. "I don't like your race or you, here's three watermelons as a sign of how much I hate you". I'd just hope they were seedless. Ever since I've tried seedless watermelons I can't go back :)
What is the insult anyway? I am not to naive here but am in the dark on this one.
What's a racist tool?
ps: You're an idiot if you don't understand how a Black person could be offended by such a "kind" offering.
I'd be leary of eating them since someone could inject something into them. Some will disagree and say that you could see if something had punctured the skin, but I wouldn't want to take a chance.
This story reveals that it got to some people and that's what the perp wanted. I'd have acted like I really enjoyed the melons and left the person scratching their heads in anger.
Watermelons are brutal?
Prejudicial, ignorant and offensive, sure. But "racist tool?"
Some on the force got it right. Blow it off. Don't even give it the dignity of a response. Others appear to want to scream and bluster and holler until what, more watermellons make their way to the new chief because of the publicity? Those reacting are as silly as those who pulled the stupid prank. That is, unless they are thinking about contacting Jesse Jackson or a trial lawyer to initiate a law suit watermellon growers or something.
You obviously were never into the spittin' contests?
Good thing there wasn't a politically correct movement then, or I guess we would have been really poor.
Black and Decker?????
It would have been another story, had it been Freaknik.......
And you say you're "not too nieve?
Sure, you drill a little hole, and then fill them with acetone and peroxide. Wait, that was the exploding light bulb topic...
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