tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post8864637289201941198..comments2024-01-04T04:31:00.481-05:00Comments on Mixed Race America: JudgmentJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261371053113519712noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post-68107268307996738092007-11-06T11:01:00.000-05:002007-11-06T11:01:00.000-05:00Thanks for the reassurance that I wasn't being ent...Thanks for the reassurance that I wasn't being entirely irrational. I actually have locked my doors in certain cities, and while driving through certain neighborhoods where I know that car jackings have taken place. And you are right--there is a difference between safety, especially as a woman at night, and random racial profiling. <BR/><BR/>I think I felt embarassed because it seemed like such a non-city reaction to have--honestly, the part of the city we were driving in wasn't a "bad" part--and I don't think I would have locked my door in the past (which may speak more to my own lack of common sense in some situations) and when I say the guy was approaching the drivers--he never actually made contact, he just would duck down and hold out his hand in pantomime, in a clear gesture that he was panhandling.<BR/><BR/>But yes, basic protection is important, and especially for women--because violence towards women is a very real issue.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13261371053113519712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post-23149985697976431402007-11-06T09:13:00.000-05:002007-11-06T09:13:00.000-05:00I am not sure I agree with your self-condemnation....I am not sure I agree with your self-condemnation. I think that people who lock their doors just because a person of color is walking past, regardless of any assessment, are dealing with (or need to deal with) an issue--or a set of issues. <BR/><BR/>That said, people do get carjacked in big cities. Women do get assaulted by men fairly frequently. If a man is approaching cars and seems to be behaving in an erratic manner, it makes some sense to act to protect oneself. <BR/><BR/>I can't quite believe someone who grew up in a city doesn't lock her doors all the time! I always do. THAT is the sign of too long in the South! ;-)<BR/><BR/>I'd give yourself a little bit of a break. Compassion IS important, but it really should not trump basic self-protection. I am not saying we should all be afraid of all people who are homeless, or who have mental illness, because I don't. Most people who live on the street would not harm you. But I do always think caution in most situations is useful and important, especially for women.Lesboprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09249806181782620274noreply@blogger.com