Controversy Grows Over Houston Police Officers' "Ghetto Handbook"

Why is this posted in the "Crime" category? There was no crime committed here. The last time I checked the free expression of ideas, even if you find them distasteful, is still a permitted activity. There is no institutional racism in HISD; unless you count the racism of low expectations. The officer in question is married to a black woman. The Chief of HISD police is a black man. The supervisor mentioned in the story is a black man. Since none of these people seem to be offended or see the need to run to the PC police why is it considered racist?

IT WAS A JOKE! Get over it. Even if you find the joke in poor taste it certainly doesn't merit nationwide coverage.

"This publication was completely reprehensible and HISD condemns it in the strongest possible terms," Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra said in a written statement.
Saavedra has bigger problems than a private joke shared with co-workers. As of 2006 only 56% of HISD student could pass all of the state performance tests. I'm sure thing have changed a bit since I was in PS but I think that's still FAILING.

I understand the huge controversy that this has caused, and do believe it was in poor judgement to publish such a juvenile piece of literature. However, I can say, with certainty, having lived in the Houston area, and having gone to college just north of there in Huntsville, the average response to this article, while well founded in the dismay, have a fundamental disconnect with the culture of mainstream Houston. The city is such an interesting collage and mixture. Home of Swisha House and Dj Screw. Paul Wall, Fat Pat, Big Moe, South Park Mexican, Chamillionaire, Lil O... I cannot stress enough, thug culture and hip hop chopped and screwed reign king there. the lines are blurred across the board. Such a thing could, YES be used as a political tool, YES be a hot button issue in the main stream, AND YES appear reprehensible to the outside world. But in the same token, be a completely diverse non racisi issue. Seriously, the vast majority of white kids I used to kick it with in "H-town" used to speak fluent, as the media mas coined it "Ebonics". That was just how they talked, that was just how culture is there. It is so much more than just a  racial issue. All I am saying, in all honesty, this is one that I would caution everyone to use a little temperance onbefore rushing to devour whats presented at face value. Good post Brian

That is an interesting question, Pep, and worthy of further discussion. There is a difference between how racism/ discrimination/ stereotyping is handled, you're right. And that imbalance should be addressed

none of that Phrolen has anything to do with any society, in this case Houston, not being ethnically or racially intolerant.  Early Euroamerican Rock and Roll fans listened to music created by African musicians and still mimic what they think is African culture while paradoxically taking advantage of and maintaining White privilege.  They see no contradiction in White people listening to Black music and co-opting "inferior" African street negativity while maintaining the status quo.

Who you can question the anti-social potential of such a document is beyond me.  Such racially biased propaganda is precisely what encouraged the rapid spread of Judeophobic violence in Europe.  False writings such as the viciously anti-Jewish "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" and the German newspaper Der Sturmer which the Nuremburg Tribunal found generated a climate of anti-Jewish hatred and its publisher Julius Streicher guilty of genocide and executed him on that basis.  And the fact that this was created by police officaers should give anyone who gives a damn about social equality pause.  They distributed a document that depicts Africans in that community as incapable of speaking standard American English.  Any conscious African person with any self respect would find this action offensive.  And the fact that there are so many White Americans who do not or refuse to understand that is an embarrassment of national proportions.

The Smoking Gun has the booklet posted here.

It is, like one reader, stated, institutionalized racism...it is prevalent in Miss. where I lived and now in NY it is unfortunately here also.  That explains why, even in my small town, all the police and troopers are all of the majority Caucasian race.  Also, most troopers etc. come from the military, which explains why this career choice might be appealing.  It is  hard to transition to other civilian employment where you have to have social skills, be a team member, respect others' rights, etc.  Even worse, I have found the supposed "justice" system in my town totally crooked, as well.  It is better to trash a law-abiding citizen unfairly and wrongly accused of something than to rock the boat of your buddies.  That is another thing from MS, the good ol' boy network, it is alive and well, even in upstate NY....while some might argue not labeling everybody in the same way, by standing silent while others get mistreated, and not doing anything, you are an accessory, and are just as guilty, at least that is how somebody else might be charged if the shoe were on the other foot.....

The document in question is posted here: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0831073ghetto1.html

What is the big deal? There are dictionaries and books written on the subject of Ebonics. There are numerous musicians who have made a lot of money SINGING in Ebonics.

The document does nothing more than explain what a few Ebonics words mean. I'm sure that the authors thought it was FUNNY, not RACIST. This is similar to the "redneck" jokes which explain what "sho'nuf" means.

Lighten up! 

Having travelled extensively throughout the US including time spent in many major US cities where Afican Americans are a majority I can tell you one thing....as a canadian schooled man in my late 30's with a univarsity education I am often unable to make out what the hell people who speak in Ebonics are saying.  And that is not even limited to clacks.  White middle class kids are speaking this "language" of their Rap idols and I can't understand them either.  I say if your english is so bad that mainstream sociaty cannot understand your speech without the aid of a translation tool then you have bigger problems than being offended by an off-coulored joke.  Ebonics and its speakers are judged to be from a low status in society.  Just like the speech from the Appalacians was years ago.  Either way unless you can learn a way to earn a living in Rap you better start speaking a version of the English language that a prospective employer can understand.  Or you will be slinging rock for a living rather than singing about it.

What University did you go to EastVanRay?  Judging by the spelling in your comment section, I would demand my money back, unless you were an Appalachian English Major.

Actually EatVanRay, I would hope you would see I am joking, I too know how hard it is typing in these comments sections, I make spelling mistakes all the time, requiring countless editing. By the way you make some very valid points in your comments. Bill Cosby once said The Black People are sterotyping what took decades to erase, and now is coming bhack with a vengance. I hope you do not take offence, Comedy is something  I cannot avoid.

Wow!  I was tired last night and didn't proof read (no excuse for laziness).  Reading this morning I am quite embarrassed by my unprofessional presentation.  I didn't major in English but maybe a refresher course at the University of Compton would be beneficial, Aight?

Oh come on now, we all make spelling mistakes, so no apologies necessary, glad to see you have a sense of humour, and not take offence