Very often on the news, I'll hear an announcer say something like,
"The subject was a black male, about 200 lbs. and about six feet tall,
etc." Is that wrong? Is that a racial slur? Or is it simply a fact?

If the description is offered as part of an appeal to help locate somebody who
is suspected of a crime, that's completely legitimate. You also hear, "The
suspect is a white male, 35-40 years of age, with a shaved head and heavily
tattooed." In such a case, the description *is* the news.

On 13 Nov 2004 02:30:24 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Very often on the news, I'll hear an announcer say something like,
"The subject was a black male, about 200 lbs. and about six feet tall,
etc." Is that wrong? Is that a racial slur? Or is it simply a fact?

If the description is offered as part of an appeal to help locate somebody who
is suspected of a crime, that's completely legitimate. You also hear, "The
suspect is a white male, 35-40 years of age, with a shaved head and heavily
tattooed." In such a case, the description *is* the news.

Exactly, and providing a description is not a racial slur.

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Exactly, and providing a description is not a racial slur.

Do you describe your white neighbors as white? Honest answer, please.....

On 13 Nov 2004 17:50:18 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Exactly, and providing a description is not a racial slur.

Do you describe your white neighbors as white? Honest answer, please.....

If someone were to ask me, "What color are your neighbors?" I would
give them their country of origin. No, I don't describe my neighbors
as 'white'.

[Note: Is my first sentence punctuated correctly?]

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 13 Nov 2004 17:50:18 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Exactly, and providing a description is not a racial slur.

Do you describe your white neighbors as white? Honest answer, please.....

If someone were to ask me, "What color are your neighbors?" I would
give them their country of origin. No, I don't describe my neighbors
as 'white'.

[Note: Is my first sentence punctuated correctly?]

John H


I would ask them why that was important to them or anyone.

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 17:23:18 -0500, "JimH" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .
On 13 Nov 2004 17:50:18 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Exactly, and providing a description is not a racial slur.

Do you describe your white neighbors as white? Honest answer, please.....

If someone were to ask me, "What color are your neighbors?" I would
give them their country of origin. No, I don't describe my neighbors
as 'white'.

[Note: Is my first sentence punctuated correctly?]

John H


I would ask them why that was important to them or anyone.


Well, I suppose I was giving Chuck the benefit of the doubt. I'm
assuming it's just a legitimate question and not another attempt to
show how 'racist' I am.

I suppose they call Bill Cosby a *real* racist!

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!