How do you know this was because you were white and not because you brought your baby to court? In a Bjorn? Perhaps the arbitrator didn't approve of the baby's presence, or thought the Bjorn posed a risk of hip dysplasia and you should have had an Ergo or a Maya wrap?

Clearly, this is an early Festivus post!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, this is not about racism. This is about bigotry and/or prejudice -- assuming that you are correct, and that the reason the arbitrator did not dismiss your ticket is that you are white. (And of course, people are welcome to chime in and explain to you that even though you think that this is a clear example of bigotry, they know better, and there were actually well-intentioned, rational reasons for the arbitrator's behavior -- just as people usually do when other people talk about their personal experiences with racism, sexism, ableism, etc.)

Anybody can be bigoted and have prejudices. But there is no such thing as racism against white people in the US.

Can we just address OP's issue without making pronouncements about whether people who are not white can be racist? That's such a distraction from the issue.

OP, welcome to the world of African-Americans. Maybe you were discriminated against because you were white. Maybe there was another reason for your treatment. You don't really know, do you? It's stressful, isn't it? Imagine having to deal with that all the time.

And if you were discriminated against for racial reasons -- which would have been absolutely WRONG -- how often have you been in this situation since then? Have you noticed it on a regular basis at work or at school or when you walk into a store? So, yes, if you were discriminated against (and we still don't know for sure if you were), that was wrong but on the whole being white is a big ticket to a better life -- at least in not having to worry about your acceptance by those in power on a regular basis.

Every nine years, apparently. OP, I am white and I am embarrassed by your post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

Uhhhhh...... Because more black people violated traffic laws and hAd to go to court that day! Most were speed camera tickets so no racial profiling there. Unless of course the cameras are able to se driver race.

Very good OP! You're so close to getting it, we're almost there. Now tell me: in which neighborhoods are the cameras? And who decides where cameras are located?

if you need help, here is a map.

http://www.photoenforced.com/dc.html#.VJiNp14ALk

Well obviously you were the only one that could pay, so kudos

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

....... because nine years ago DC was majority African-American? So therefore yes there were probably more black people in traffic court?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

Uhhhhh...... Because more black people violated traffic laws and hAd to go to court that day! Most were speed camera tickets so no racial profiling there. Unless of course the cameras are able to se driver race.

How do you know they were speed camera tickets? Traffic court is for all kinds of tickets -- most given by actual police officers.

I know because most everyone's case had the photographic images those cameras take

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

Uhhhhh...... Because more black people violated traffic laws and hAd to go to court that day! Most were speed camera tickets so no racial profiling there. Unless of course the cameras are able to se driver race.

How do you know they were speed camera tickets? Traffic court is for all kinds of tickets -- most given by actual police officers.

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

Uhhhhh...... Because more black people violated traffic laws and hAd to go to court that day! Most were speed camera tickets so no racial profiling there. Unless of course the cameras are able to se driver race.

OP, you are playing the race card, which makes me cry foul. Sorry, but race does not in any way explain what happened to you. Stop relying on your race to explain everything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

I hope you give this some thought OP. The PP is right on the money.

WOW. Even those speed cameras can tell what color you are and give send summonses to more blacks!

Sorry, no. Not everyone in traffic court is there due to speed cameras. You have to request a date.

I'm so confused.

In what way did the arbitrator abuse her power?
In what way was she racist? Are white people entitled to get out of speeding tickets?
Was OP entitled to be called first?
Is it automatically racism if well-dressed white OP with Bjorn-carried baby loses?

I'm lost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oh honey. this is not proof of racism. Even if you are right that it happened because you are white. "racism" is about there being more black people in the room than white. Why do you think that was so?

I hope you give this some thought OP. The PP is right on the money.

WOW. Even those speed cameras can tell what color you are and give send summonses to more blacks!

The grotesque sense of entitlement that pervades this post has me convinced it's probably the work of a troll but sadly 99% of the women on DCUM actually think this way.

PP - Thanks for sharing your story. Whether it was prejudiced, racism, reverse racism, bigotry, whatever, it is a shame this happened. Who knows what was in the mind of this arbitrator. Maybe she just thought you could afford it and others couldn’t (which certainly doesn’t make it right, but who knows what she was thinking).
I, too, have been the “recipient” of poor treatment by someone of a different race. Blatant discrimination. I’m not going to go into the details - Lord knows others here would not empathize, but it is sad when it happens. And, it has happened more than once. But, I have moved beyond that. I know that the individuals who treated me poorly were just that - individuals. I do not hold it against the entire race of people. I know it was not something I did, but a result of the hate in the heart of the individual with which I interacted.
I hope the letter you sent had some effect.