Secrets of the City

holy crap. Your quote form the article doesn’t do the story justice.

From your quote, I might have thought that they were concerned he was conducting an unauthorized survey or something. Instead, he was just doing what plenty of other people do while waiting for someone.

They continued to harass him even after he cooperated with them, and his lunch date (a white woman who worked at the mall) came and confirmed to the security guard that he was waiting for her.

A case of “Shopping While Black?”

I had a friend whose family is of Indian (think curry, not maz)decent who told me that when he went shopping, he was often followed around the store by security personnel.

He would sometimes go with his blue eyed, blonde wife (a citizen of Canada, BTW) to the Immigration Center in Bloomington to work on some paperwork needed.

Because of his race, the staff there instantly assumed HE was the non-citizen (and likely Arab) and treated him rudely and with suspicion, while all smiles and sunshine for the pretty white woman.

I’d love to see a flash mob descend on MOA where they sit on benches, drink coffee, and write in journals.

One other interesting (but not surprising) thing: in the Strib comments on the article, there are an awful lot of people who seem to think that it’s the taxpayer who is going to have to pay out any settlement to this “greedy whiner looking for an easy payout.”

The Strib comments continue to astonish me inasmuch as people that stupid have figured how to use computers.

I think that now a days if you are in a high profile location; take notes, look somewhat fidgety and keep checking your watch…it’s safe to say someone is going to come ask you some questions.

I don’t see this as being that big of a deal. The lawsuit is frivolous…from the article I don’t even believe he was detained, simply asked some questions and evaluated.

since when are black people allowed into the MOA? I mean, president is one thing, the PGA is one thing…but no the mall!

some of this is reminiscent of Seth Rogen’s “relationship” with the swarthy kiosk operator in Observe & Report. Dark humor. Yes, that’s racist.

Why would I blow up the Chik-Fil-A? The shit’s fucking delicious!

They have counter-terrorism agents at malls now? I thought mall cops have a tough enough time just trying to be toy cops. Now they have to be toy homeland security guys too?

If their mothers only knew they were doing that sort of thing…they’d be aghast. Aghast I tell you!

If the Rubber Gun Patrol happens to catch Achmed the Suicide Bomber hangin’ out at Bloomingdale’s we can only hope those brave fellows are extra cautious when calling it in on their walkie-talkies.

Let’s be careful out there.

Honestly you don’t think the largest temple to capitalism in the western hemisphere has a counter terrorism force? I suppose their not running facial recognition when you walk through the door either?

Ever since they shut down CTU those people have to work somewhere! I for one welcome these earnest, clever folks, although “[d]espite the high-profile and high-risk nature of its duties, it is frequently infiltrated by double agents, and several times has been attacked or seized by terrorist forces.”

It’s always a proud moment in journalism when the allegations in a Complaint (the one-sided document that initiates a lawsuit) are reported as fact.

Something tells me there is more to this story. If it was pure harassment, why did the security officer prepare an incident report in the first place? And why exactly did she call back-up? To intensify the unlawful harassment, right?

If someone is going to accept legal pleadings as the truth, then that person should be consistent and view Norm Coleman as another victim of unlawful discrimination.

Actually the West Edmonton Mall in Canada has more square footage. Typical America arrogance just ignores anything that would disturb their idea of being the biggest and best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Edmonton_Mall

I would almost always believe a citizen’s word over a cop covering their ass.

why did the security officer prepare an incident report in the first place?

Because they probably have to write up any interaction they have with the public.

And why exactly did she call back-up?

Because he challenged her exlanation, and wasn’t bending over and taking it like he was supposed to.

I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been acousted by The Man for Sketching While Black.

I was approached by MOA security for vitually the same stuff. (I’m white.)

Unless you were there, it’s a tough call on who to believe.

The more I read about shenanigans like this going on in malls, etc., the more I’m inclined to just order from online merchants, if I don’t need it right away. No parking problems, no hassles from security pigs, no rude salespeople. Just point, click & ship from the comfort of home. Plus, no sales taxes, and many places offer free shipping.

Another radical.

Why don’t we all organize a form of civil disobedience at the MOA? We could all bring notebooks and pens and look around “suspiciously” as we take notes.

Half of us are journos or some form of media practitioner anyway.

Better yet, why don’t you do it and if we witness you get harassed and we’ll split the $100K you sue them for equally?

Sold. I’m not black, but I could allege an “anti-bushy eye brow” sentiment.

Ooh, good plan! I won’t ruin it by participating. I’m very innocent looking!!!

On the plus side, if you need something sneaky done, ask me. I’ll put on khakis and a sweater set and breeze on in to pull whatever prank is needed.

“and wasn’t bending over and taking it like he was supposed to.”

This guy seems to have risen to hero status with Dave.

You want him to get $100K?

Fine by me, if he can prove the case, and State Dept. of Human Rights seems to think he has a reasonable claim to put forth.

While we all know how ok to target people because of race, think about someone like me who happen to be Blak/Muslim/Émigré/Not-so-affluent. On daily basis, we deal with being sigled out by not only uniformed cops(MPD) but also some regular people who think they are doing it for the greater good to protect the country inside enemy.

@mslmblkimmgrnt

Now you’re you’re just bragging about your oppression.