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[Musing from the ...]

That ditty, "eenie meenie minie mo, take a seat its time to go", has landed Southwest Airlines in court for offending two black women passengers.

click here

How can we ever hope to get past racial disharmony when lawsuits like this are allowed to enter our court system?

Do you think this suit has any merit or is it exactly the kind of thing that creates backlash and skepticism whenever racial discrimination claims are made?

[stotty203]

I agree. Take for example the lawsuits filed against several Credit Arms of Auto companies claiming that Minorities were charged higher rates on car loans than whites. Since I work for Nissan, I kept abreast of the one filed against NMAC, our credit arm. The report the plaintiffs used to "back up" their claim was an absolute joke. It did not even look at the possible difference in the customers' credit ratings, the year of car borrowed on, the term of the loan, down payment, etc; It just looked at what color the applicant was. In the end however, NMAC chose to settle because of all the protesting and picketing was giving them a ton of bad publicity, and since we are in the midst of a turnaround, it was deemed the best thing to do. That aside, granted there are still racists out there, I think it has gotten to the point that if you disagree with a minority on something, all they have to do is call you a racist, and that pretty much kills your side of the argument. It is very frustrating sometimes to even see some of these lawsuits make it to trial, and I think the ladies suing Southwest should be countersued for the legal fees Southwest encounters defending this ignorant suit. Then again Southwest may settle, because if it goes to trial, who knows what a jury will do, maybe award them 50 million?

[Digital Patriot]

Well, I'm 25, and I've never heard of the racial version before in my life. Perhaps it's because I'm not old enough.

That attendant is 22, and she has never heard the racist version either.

I think MM said it best:

.....exactly the kind of thing that creates backlash and skepticism whenever racial discrimination claims are made?

--cheers

[Eeyore]

It is truly unfortunate that this case was not dismissed. Because this is exactly the type of lawsuit that we need to have dismissed with prejudice. Judges should fine attorneys the maximum allowable fine for bringing suits like this to court. Most of the kids in my 12th grade classroom had never heard of the n-word version before.

Dismiss with prejudice, fine the lawyers, bring them up before their bar association. Southwest may find themselves needing to settle to avoid the publicity, but i truly hope they dig in and fight.

[Digital Patriot]

This is one subject that I find many conservatives AND liberals agreeing on. Now why can't we just get the lawyers to see it our way? :/

--cheers

[stotty203]

This is one subject that I find many conservatives AND liberals agreeing on.  Now why can't we just get the lawyers to see it our way?  :/

Why do you think?

As Puff daddy said so eloquently, it's all about the Benjamins. $$$$$$

[Abs like Jesus]

Anybody seen the Rob Schneider move, "The Animal"? I don't recall it being very worthwhile, but they have a character in it who introduces the theory of reverse racism in which white people will allow him to get away with anything he wants just so long as he doesn't sue them and what not. It's a clever and humorous take on a shady practice.

I think it's unfortunate that suits like these are allowed into courts or, at the very least, have a credible chance of winning. I think it is a disgrace and a blemish on all the civil rights activists sought to accomplish during those tumultuous times of our nation's history. I find it despicable that people will today take such wonderful principles, and actions, and exploit them in such a shameful way, all for a little monetary gain.

I'm sure respectable, sensible members from both white and black communities find this behavior reprehensible. I would hope the sentiments are especially strong within the black communites where the actions of the few can serve to discredit those of the many.

[Momof3]

I think the lawsuit is wrong but that is my opinion. I grew up with the ditty that the "N" word was used however my parents would not allow us kids to use that word. We were taught catch a tiger by the tail also.
I don't like the "N" word at all. But I do remember in the 70's we were called Honky's. I don't remember "whites" screaming racist or any law suits. If I am wrong please enlighten me.
I think these 2 women need to get over something that was not said meaning the "N" word. It was to me a clever ditty about them just sitting down and or finding a seat.
People today will file suits for anything to make a buck. And we wonder why it costs so much for car and health insurance???

[gandalfh]

Those women are looking for a meal ticket. I don't think any reasonable human being, regardless of color, would react the way they did.

I have a rather funny story to share on a similar subject. I was 5 years old and at the grocery store there was this very nice black lady. I remember my dad talking to her about where she was from and he showed me on a map. Anyway, every week we would chat with her about this and that and she was quite nice to talk to. Well, someone told me this very racist joke, I will not repeat it here, but it was about as objectionable as you can get. It was also quite funny and delivered a hell of a punch. At 5 years old, knowing a joke that really made people crack up was real ultimate power! Well, needless to say the nice lady at the grocery store was pretty shocked when I proudly shared my new joke with her and Dad had to explain to me what the joke actually meant, especially what the N word meant (I thought the N word referred to a kind of animal, haha!). So after that I didn't tell the joke to black people. Did I keep telling it to the rest of the people in the neighborhood? You bet! A 5 year old with a joke that people laughed at? Incredible!