When we first moved to street we live on some kids started throwing rocks and sticks at our car.  They ran by quickly in between our carport and the  house thinking nobody was seeing them do it.  Then I walked outside and caught them and they told me I had no right to say anything to them because we had not lived on that street long enough. (These kids looked about 10 or 12 years old)  I walked across the street to talk to their mother about what they were doing and her reply to me was, "Well, maybe you just don't like black people." She told me that coming over there to her house meant I was some type of racist and I told her, "Lady I don't care if your kids are white, black or purple or orange, I don't want them throwing rocks at my vehicle again.  I hated to do it...but it ended up that I got the local authorities involved because it continued to happen the rest of the week and when I would get in my car to go to work they would throw rocks over and say something profane.
198738
get a cell  phone  and video camera and record the  kids in the act  u already told authorities and the parents  of the kids  so now  take  pic and  install video camera with real time capabilities survalence cams etc all around the out side  of your  house and car , take  pics  of the condition of the car now , and each day if u find a rock near your car pic it  up and  place in a plastic  bag , when u pick it  up   use  a tissue  or  cloth  to do so  using as lil pressure as u can  to pick it  up .  after a week of taping  etc  , review  the tape  if u see where the kids were throwin the rocks at  u etc , call the cops tell them u got it on tape  show them  that u have  some of the rocks etc , make  sure u make an extra  copy of the tape cause the cops may not do anything ,  if there is damage to the car take  more  pics ,  then take the parents  to small claims  court  or even  file a civel law suit  against  the parents  of the kids that r  doing this .
432427
I remember those days and God Bless them. Back then there was no fear of seriel killer or child molester because whether we new it or not the neighborhood watched out for us. When I was a child my parents busted my butt when I did wrong and I am a better person for it. God help this generation where the state and local governments have stepped in a taken the right to discipline away from parents, yet they act baffled when one of those young people do things that those of my generation would have never considered. Life was good back then, I wish we could have those days back.
583939
When I was a teenager..my parents went out of town and as usual I decided to act an ass...a friend of mine invited some dudes over and we hung out 4 a while...Around 9:00 my grandparents we on their way to pick me up so I could go to school....When I got back home the next morning BOTH of my parents cars were gone out of the drive way..Keep in mind these are tight cars..2 Chryslers...come to find out 2 of the boys stole the keys the night before and went joy riding...Yea HUGE oooops moment, and I was soooo scared. But in the end we got our cars back and they got in trouble....
549594
Well, I am neither bi-racial or multiracial, but I notice being white I still face discrimination sometimes.  Some people automatically assume I am racist, even though I am so far from it.  For example, the other day at work a Hispanic couple (their race doesn't matter to me, but it illustrates the point) came up to pay for their dinner with a credit card.  Our policy is that we ask everyone for I.D. when they are paying with a card.  It's for their protection, but also because we have seen cases of fraud.  Anyhow, he seemed a little irritated, but he showed me, finished the bill and left.  About 20 minutes later his wife called and spoke to my manager and said that I was being racist asking for I.D. because they were Hispanic.  My manager explained that asking for I.D. is a company policy and that I was only doing what I was told.  She told them next time they came in that they would receive a free dinner.  However, when she hung up, she came and told me she had watched me when they were paying and that I had done absolutely nothing wrong, and that if those people ever came in again to let her know so that she would ask them to leave.  It kinda bothered me because I know I am not racist in the slightest, but I just laughed it off because I knew it was their ignorance and not mine.  Gosh, sorry for making this so long.
578145
It's defnitely taught.  I've worked in preschools, and I can tell you for certain that kids ages three and four do not know racism.  They are all friends with whoever seems fun to be friends with.  They are naturally curious about their differences, and that used to produce some very funny situations, but they are not judgmental or racist, and it does not affect their desire to be friends with someone.\n\nLater, some kids learn to hate, to find safety in what they know and to fear what they do not, and to use derogatory words to put down people who are not like them.  Racists are frightened, ignorant fools who have sadly taken on the behavior of those they've been influenced by.
167284
It is really sad to see how much intolerance there is in America.  I am embarrassed at some of the responses people give to questions like this.  In my life I have spent time around white, black, Asian, Indian and Mexican people.  I have met people on welfare, people who drive ugly cars, people who beat their kids, molesters, drug users etc.  I have also met hard workers, loving parents, clean cut, well mannered people from every background.  Reading some of these answers made me think.  I tried to think of the dirtiest, low lives that I knew of and I was surprised to find that they all happened to be white or born here.  The houses on my street that have immaculate yards and hardest workers living in them happen to be Hispanic families. Hatred is an ugly thing.  Prejudice is also ugly.  Ignorance is dangerous.  Jesus loves us all no matter what color we are...even when we judge and put down and hate, God forgives us.  Laws are funny things.  They change constantly.  Sometimes laws are fair and right.  Sometimes they are unjust and need to be adapted.  I believe there will always be hatred, intolerance and stupidity.  But I know that there are also people here that have love, understanding, fairness and God in their hearts.  Knowing that helps.
189545
Its not just the USA its worldwide and me personally hate that crap! I brought my kids up to not discriminate against any race. Just walk away,,they only discriminate against you cause they r jealouse,,,kill them with kindness,,it works trust me they say something negative,,you smile and say "Thank You",,dont let it show that it bothers you or they will continue,,,trust me hun,,Karma will bite those people in the butt and someday they will learn!!!!!
131532
Nice question. I wouldn't even know where to begin with answering this one there are so many issues tied up in this. Firstly are we talking UK here? I'm guessin yes. When you say "urban" are you talking inner city/ethnic minorities generally/Black youth specifically cos it all makes a difference. Also- who is doing the misunderstanding? Is it the general population cos if it's a case of the general population misunderstanding white youth that's absolutely nothing new, if it's the general public misunderstanding Black youth that's also nothing new but they're very different issues. I live in South London (arguably an area of the country with the worst reputation and some of the highest street crime rates- and an area where the stereotypes of hoodie-wearers are rife). I'm 21 (so not too far from the teens and at times  and in certain situations I still consider myself to be 'youth'). For me 11-16 is a really big age gap. If I see an 11-14 year old boy walking down the street in a hoodie my impressions of him will be different than if he's 15/16. It also depends on his demeanour- maybe I can read these things better because I'm of that age and culture and not long out of school? To give a good example the other day I was packing my car boot outside my house and I had to go back to get some more stuff. There was a young Black boy (I'd say about 12/13) walking down the street towards me with a hoodie and tracksuit. I decided that he wasn't a risk so I left my car boot open and went and got the rest of my stuff. As I was coming back to the car and he was walking off past it I thought to myself 'would I have left the car boot open if he was taller? or older? or with a group of friends? or if he looked angry or on a mission to do something bad?' I don't know. It's interesting. A couple months ago in a similar example we were unloading some drinks that we'd just bought from the car (getting ready for a party) and there were two young white girls (about 15) walking past, singing and acting silly (no hoodies). Anyway, I waited by the car til they had passed before I went inside. It was night time maybe that had something to do with it? I don't know. It's interesting because I don't have any schema that consider young white girls to be more criminal than young Black boys (and in fact dominant ideology actually works the opposite way) so as far as I'm concerned it must have been the particular circumstances and I guess that's my answer to your question. It depends. In terms of change, wow there's so much. A really good start would be breaking down barriers between young and older people- exposing them to each other's lives and cultures so they can understand there's nothing to fear and that the other should be respected (this goes both ways). Respect was my next one. Particularly young people need to recognise that their elders should be shown respect regardless of how 'deserving' they are in our eyes. I've seen and experienced some severe violence from older people towards youth (mostly on the buses) and it's just not on but maybe it should start with the youngers? Maybe we should learn to be the 'bigger man' and show respect. Take up our roles in society as the next, capable generation and start to ensure that the path we've laid will be walked by generations to come and when we're older respect for your elders will be a given (like it was back in the day). (I always write essays on here so I'm gonna stop right there- boy I could go on and on, do get in contact if you want any more!!)
547700
Hmmmmmmmm.  I do not know.  My daughter got butt grabbed by a boy at school.  She was mad, but said "he is Latin, I think it is in his culture.  Maybe it wasn't meant as bad as I think", she did slap him..but I am still angry.  She wouldn't report him to the school, cuz it is a private school and he is poor and there on scholarship.  She didn't want him to lose his scholarship.  I still don't think it is a culture thing, I think the kid was just trying to get away with something.  I will see what people say about this.
564521
This goes back to when I was 9 or 10.  A neighbor boy who I wasn't "friends" with, but just an acquaintance that was in a group of playmates all near the same age that lived close by, stole a couple of toys of mine.  Sort of insignificant now, but they were Matchbox cars that I had bought by saving my allowance, so it was "pride of ownership" thing.  When I found them at his home, I screamed at him "I hope you die" and ran back home.\nGot a talking to from my parents because the boy had cancer and in those days, it pretty much meant he wasn't going to make it.  I ended up apologizing to the boy, but it has stuck with me all these intervening 40 years.
400220
I hate that...Your mom was great to try to teach you something that is of highest importance...It is a good thing murder is against the law...I wiuld have to consider it for that woman who stopped you...Just kidding about the violence...I do hate it though...
262590
That is something I wish I could begin to comprehend. It is not good for the child. Plus it can be traumatizing. \nIts often not safe. I do not know how many times I have seen small children running around close to a busy street with the parent so wrapped up in what they are protesting to not notice how close their children are to the cars. What if something were to happen?\nPlus what if your child grows up having different beliefs then you? All you are teaching them is that if they believe something different you are going to fight them.\nAnd why expose them to the things that happen at some protests.\n\nMy children are worth a whole lot more then that to me!!!
321647
i'm  white and i listen to rap. last night i was driving home late and had a rap song blasting "had the moon roof open " so everyone around me herd it. this car with black girls pulls up next to me. usually i turn it down for some reason when anyone pulls up next to me. this time i didnt.. well next thing i know they were rocking out to what was playing on MY car sterio
557949
Years ago I would have had to say yes on this one only because of the way I was brought up. We lived in the Bronx in an Italian Neighborhood (I'm Italian)and we as kids were trained (brainwashed) to hate black people and spanish people. The N* word was part of our everyday language and the stereotypes abounded. This was also true for the Spanish who we had an S* word for. On the other hand we(the italians) were called a G* word by the black community and the Spanish Community. It was only after my childhood and teen years where I began to explore the outside realms of my neighborhood that I realized a very important concept. The color of skin was unimportant. People were people. I do not use this as a racial slur but just to prove my point. Black people didn't eat watermelons all the time or spanish people weren't lazy and on welfare.The stereotyping that our parents labeled all the races with didn't hold water. This began my road to recovery from racism. When I joined the service I learned a very important thing and that was that we all bleed the same and that teamwork no matter what color your skin was,was essential.Respect your fellow man. I now continue to love my fellow man no matter what race or creed. Race should not ever ever be a factor for hatred, or slander nor should anything else be. We are all on this world together and we all belong to one race... The Human Race. God Bless
339990
I've often wondered that myself. Certain people believe in never hitting their kids & some people believe in doing whatever is necessary to get their kids to act right. Depends on your personal views.
180827
I dont feel really comfortable answering questions about race relations in othr countries anymore. Quite often you get attacked and the asker comes back at you with comments like who are you to bash our country etc etc...so I will just comment on mine. Im 41 and from Australia. I have a black mother and white father. Ive seen racism from both sides of the street. Our present Government refuses to make any apology for past tragedies to our indigenous people, or for the many generations taken away from their families simply because of Assimilation Policy. Which means get them into white culture, breed out the colour, get rid of em. There were and still are many ongoing problems from historical and current policy. With that said we do have Indigenous groups and factions that are one sided too. Our big problem here is Immigration Policy. We have so many problems with boat people, detention centres for illegals etc its a nightmare. We have some problems with race riots here which are disturbing. There were riots in a Sydney suburb of mainly Indigenous people and boy the media carried it on for months and months and it resulted in some losses to that community, changes in the powers and controls of the police etc. Then we had another incident not long ago re some Middle Easterns and it was all over the news again. But you know hardly anything, in my opinion, was done about this because the Government and police are scared to take action against these groups. I dont know its all so confusing. Its horrible and I just wish we could all get along and not judge each other. Thats probably not much of an answer to your question...sorry
203080
It's pretty sad but many people were raised that way. They were taught an early age to dislike other races because the parents felt that they were different or inferior, or whatever silly reson people have to hate races. Other people don't understand the lifestyles of other cultural groups, so they automatically think that group is the cause of a lot problems, and in turn have a vendetta against them. It all starts at home though. If there weren't so many ignorant parents teaching their kids to hate generation after generation then racism would decrease signifigantly.