What would you do? (Week 10)

In the segment where the black woman was discrimated against in the store, ABC hired a woman to play a store clerk at an upscale botique, an actor to play a security guard, and a black woman to play a shopper. The store clerk would approach the customer and ask her to leave because "her type" couldn't afford that kind of clothing in this type of store. She also made several comments about how she was worried because "her kind of people" steal from this store all the time. Several customers stood up and said something, however the ones who were the most vocal were the other minorities in the store.

I personally was offended by this segment because of my upbringing. When I was younger, my parents weren't very wealthy, so I grew up on the east side. I'm used to shopping in places where I'm the minority, and therefore, until I went to St. Jude in sixth grade, I never really noticed race. I believe if I were in that situation, I would've said something, but I probably would have gone further and called the authorities because that type of discrimination is illegal, immoral , and should be punished by law.

Turning Japanese

On St. Patrick's Day, Senator Charles Grassley made the first statement to the AIG executives that really speaks to the level of crime which they have committed. "But I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little bit better toward them if they'd follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say, I'm sorry, and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide." While he was much more blunt than I think most would be in his statement, I feel like he reflected the feelings of the American people very well. Right now, we're stressed. There is a global market meltdown going on all around us and we are all victims of it, meanwhile, the CEO's who are responsible for it are making bank despite their wrongdoings. It is with all sincerity that I tell the AIG, Bear Stearns, Fannie, and Freddy that you are not welcome here. Please, go to Japan so that they can tell you what to do with yourself after this. In the words of Father Wilmoth, "You are a disgrace to your family."