Posted by JJ Lipari on July 27, 1999 at 19:38:34:
Just an observation from a middle aged parent:
Whenever a rock concert or event attended by mostly white middle class teenagers ends in fighting, rioting, looting, arson, etc (not to imply that these things were being done by the majority of kids there), the media doesnt make a big deal out of it. Yes, it is reported, but all the talk shows and editorials dont make it out to be the End of Civilization and Evidence That Our Country is Going to Hell.
BUT, if the event were one attended by minority teenagers (especially blacks), say a soul music or "rap" concert and a fight between 2 people broke out or a window were to be broken, the response would be far, far different. The National Guard would be called out, hundreds would be arrested, the newspapers would call it the race riot of the century, and on and on.
There is a double standard in this country and people refuse to acknowlege it. And before you jump down my throat, I'm white, in case you ask.