News-Record.com

You know the answer. Heck, even the racists who post here know the real answer.
Derek did not have blue eyes, blonde hair or come from an upper middle class white family. The same folks who will tell you they are not racist, because they sent money to "Save the Children", don't even know that Derek was killed, much less care about it. While they will not publicly say it, Derek is nothing to them. To them he is but a statistic--you know, all that "black on black" crime over in 'their' neighborhood. Rather than feel sympathy for Derek's family, they would rather tell you how great THEY are. They will tell you they are not racist because one of their neighbors is black and 'he's a nice guy'. They will claim they are not racist because they have 'black friends', of which none have EVER set foot in their home.

I am ashamed that these racist, right wing, folks are of my race.
Derek's death is every bit as terrible as Eve Carson's.
His life was just as valuable as Eve Carson's.
Until people acknowledge that, the racism in their hearts will continue to grow and fester.
The university did a great job of letting the public know about this---it was the public that refused to acknowledge it.

While some will react to this, clinging to the belief, that somehow they are NOT racists, others will freely admit that it is a daily challenge to not be drawn into the pit of hatred. We are all flawed, and we are all in this together. Some are working toward eradicating racism and some are just stuck in denial of it.

We should all be stunned at any unnatural death of a young person. Stunned to the point of action.
Unfortunately it has to come in the form of a blonde haired, blue eyed, attractive white person for some to even get upset.

So, for those who feel compelled to put up smokescreens, defending themselves, just stop a moment. Stop and imagine that Derek was your son. Then quietly go about your daily routine, remembering that you can make a difference.

Deaths, even murders, on college campuses are not extremely rare. They happen quite a bit.

I'm not saying that the last post is completely wrong.

However, I think that Eve Carson got more attention because:

a. she was the student body president
b. ..... at Chapel Hill and
c. her murder was a completely random act.

See if any of the following names ring a bell:

Jessica Faulkner
Joey McClure
Stephen Harrington
Richard Anderson
Lili Wang
Elizabeth Harris
Latrese Curtis
Benita Smith
Abjihit Mahalo

All were in the University of North Carolina system when they were murdered. Some even had blonde hair and blue eyes.

None has the name recognition of Eve Carson. That's not all racism.

Why is Derek not worthy of this same treatment? See the first response to your letter, especially the third sentence or basically the entire first paragraph.

About 22,000 dead in Myanmar from a killer cyclone. I'm willing to bet the coverage on the UNC murder will eclipse that one as well.

Knachelle,

Thanks for not coming right out and saying "racists." The effort is appreciated.

I'd suggest that if Derek's killers went rollin' in his SUV and were dumb and newsworthy enough to get themselves recorded on an ATM camera (which makes for a very TV-worthy news), more attention might be given. As it is, the N&R says "Police have no suspects and no motive in the crime." What else do you want them to say? "Slain man remains slain, update at 11?" Not much more to do than wait until the criminals screw up and get found. And if they're caught and it's discovered that a parole officer was a drunk and repeatedly neglected her duties in handling the parolees and that neglect likely contributed to Derek's death then I'm sure there will be more news then. But for now there's not much to talk about. Sorry.

You also wrote:
"I am baffled by the lack of attention shown not only by the university but by the community as a whole."

And I'll reply, "You first." Meaning not so much you, of course, because you did write this LTE, but your community as a whole to these types of incidents. 94% after all.

Roger

"I have a burning question as to why A&T (as well as the Greensboro media) are not acknowledging the death of Derek Hodge II."

Before you go on another typical loose cannon rant about racists you perceive who post here, read the above sentence from the letter Demon Deacon.

The writer is asking why A&T and the Greensboro media didn't acknowledge Mr. Hodge's death. It did not ask why N&R LTE bloggers acknowledge his death. If you perceive this as a racist act then direct your well tuned ire towards these entities, especially the media.

Speaking for myself I have read about both murders and find it tragic anytime young people promise die prematurely, from murder, accidents, illnesses whatever. I feel sorrow for their families. However as I didn't know either of these people and am no longer part of a university community I didn't attend vigils for either.

Perhaps you should include John Robinson as one of your racist bogeymen:

http://blog.news-record.com/staff/jrblog/2008/05/unequal_murder.shtml

They are the ones who control the N&R content, not people who blog here.

I'll wager to bet there is some apathy within the "community" in which you live Ms. butler . . . but to shower everyone racist who does not step to your ideals . . . is pathetic.

Propetually race baiting . . . the fact is and I'll bet a black guy capped this victim too . . .

Get to the root of that statistic . . . and then get back to us.

"...but your community as a whole to these types of incidents"

I rest my case!

"your community as a whole"

Says it all. White racism pure and simple.

Roger, using that logic, I guess you think slaves should have bound together and just broken their chains and changed their lot in life prior to emancipation. Like most conservatives, you think the plight of the African American is all their fault. Your Bullsh_t may make you feel better about yourself, but who do you think you're fooling here? (Besides J.Peterman & Dan).
*********************************
Earnestine,
It is estimated 90,000+ Iraqis have died at our hands, in recent conflict. You won't find that on the front pages either.

Black on black crime is old news....
Maybe that is why.

Sad but maybe some truth to it.
My heart goes out to the young man's family.

To: THE LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE

. . . can't no one here figure out what you are so mad about all the time. Why are you so angry and a race baiter? Look at the black truth and help everyone out instead of blaming everything on the color of white bread, white toilet paper, white salt, white socks, white 300-years-a-freak'n-go . . .

You need some deep therapy . . . you fool, you do know everybody doesn't hate everybody.

(I hear there is a Pastor job in Chicago open)

Greensboro's blogging race baiter strikes again!
http://tinyurl.com/5wnbw9
http://tinyurl.com/5ebu7d

Peterman,
As the Nicholson character said in the well known movie A Few Good Men,
"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH".
Your defensive posture speaks volumes about your character. No surprises, with.

Hugh,
How's that Iran thing working out for you? You told us that we were amassing troops for an incursion into Iran...light years ago!
You revealed before, on this blog, that you get your political news from Popular Mechanics, so where do you get your info today?
Would it be "Soldier of Fortune" or "Guns and Ammo"? Hugh, I'm just keeping it real. Keeping it real.

"Hugh,
How's that Iran thing working out for you?"

A letter about the death of an A&T student morphs into attacking Iran.

Look at today's letter about TIMCO's employment practices, Demon Deacon morphed it into Bush being a fascist.

Kinda like a blind man shooting haphazardly into the air hoping a duck will fall some day. Meanwhile his mind atrophies from the angst of repeated failure.

When you have no clue nor an answer whatsoever, the answer is to bait and switch!!

Advice to Demon Deacon; don't go hunting with Dick Cheney, at least he can hit SOMETHING!!

Sometimes I feel guilty for laughing at TL Canadian ...he/she is such a sad little sack. But I just can't help it.

'guns and ammo' 'popular mechanics' = I just got my ass handed to me on a platter and am now babbling like an oafish idiot.

"Why are you so angry and a race baiter?"

That's easy Peterman, hard core Daily Kos/Huffington Post types are angry and race baiters to boot.

Neo, I don't feel guilt, I feel pity.

Maybe Demon Deacon will bait and switch back to abortion, here's a recent jewel:

THE LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE said:

If the "right to lifers" would do something they normally are opposed to
doing--------THINKING, then there would be no demand for abortions. But instead of promoting birth control, these zealots use abortion as their "front" in their war on women.
Posted on May 4, 2008 3:26 PM

Never mind many women are against abortion, hence zealots on the "front" in their war with themselves. The stupid quotes collection grows daily.

Now that Darryl (aka Sweet Pea) is long gone, there are no more Demon Deacon sycophants around. Solitude wreaks havoc on the mind.

Please let me start off by saying: At no point when I wrote the above statement did I mean for anyone to perceive my statement as a racist statement. Originally, I wrote this as an email to NCA&T. They addressed this concern with me directly. Several days later I received a call from the N&R requesting my permission to publish my thoughts. I agreed. I am not angry with the N&R. I am not blaming anyone of any race for anything. I did however pose a question. I live in Wake County; and they [Wake County] have not paid nearly as much attention to Derek’s murder as I feel they should have.

I will apologize for anyone taking my comments out of context; however, I will not apologize for being concerned about those students who seem to be ignored.

Thank you so much LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE. I think it would be best if everyone that has a negative remark took your advice:
“Stop and imagine that Derek was your son. Then quietly go about your daily routine, remembering that you can make a difference.”

Knachelle: "At no point when I wrote the above statement did I mean for anyone to perceive my statement as a racist statement."

THE LIBERAL CANADIAN: "Derek did not have blue eyes, blonde hair or come from an upper middle class white family. The same folks who will tell you they are not racist, because they sent money to "Save the Children",

Such a sad little sack...

Neocon summed it all up . . . in black and white.

Well said, Dan and Neo.

LC, I haven't had time to read PM since I bought the workshop manual for my decades old and true SUV. Got tired of paying the high labor costs around here so I do the work myself.

No need to read Guns and Ammo as I can go to the gun show to window shop.

Yep, I'm a year off on my prediction of an Iranian action. I don't have the patience our Military has. I still say it's coming. Stock piling aerial munitions and carrier/guided missile fleets in the Gulf are not tactics used for small scale urban warfare support.

Back to the topic at hand, you are a race baiter provocateur as evidenced by your posting history.

You must be friends with John Robinson because you routinely violate the TOS here and drive the debates into the gutter. It's no wonder the N&R won't allow comment on news articles, your rants would be an embarrassment there, instead of hidden away here in the LTTE.

Knachelle,

I didn't disagree with the questions you posed in your letter. But your response sparked some questions:

How did the News & Record intercept your email to A&T to know what your thoughts were?

"I live in Wake County; and they [Wake County] have not paid nearly as much attention to Derek’s murder as I feel they should have"

If there is a problem in Wake County, why are you addressing NCA&T and a Greensboro(Guilford County) newspaper? Why didn't you mention Wake County in your letter?

Instead you said this:

"why A&T (as well as the Greensboro media) are not acknowledging the death"

Wouldn't the News & Observer be a more appropriate newspaper to tackle problems in Wake County?

You might have a lawsuit available if you can prove how the newspaper intecerpted that email to A&T, though.

Knachelle,
Thank you for your kind words.

The posts of Dan, Peterman, Hugh and neocon illustrate precisely why this death was not publicized with the zeal of Eve Carson's death.

In the words of a very wise person, "They don't even know, that they don't know".

I'm beginning to think LC has self issues . . . read your own posts.

Seek help my friend and I'll pray for you . . . be part of God's plan . . . or rule Hades, your choice.

"The posts of Dan, Peterman, Hugh and neocon illustrate precisely why this death was not publicized with the zeal of Eve Carson's death."

Last time I checked Dan, Peterman, Hugh and neocon do not have a newspaper, magazine or radio station. If you have a beef about publicity then send an email to John Robinson, his blog addressed the issue. Send a letter to the News & Observer as well.

Talk about deflection.

I'm starting to think LC is John Robinson. How else to explain the lack of oversight from posted blog guidelines?

I'm starting to think LC is John Robinson. How else to explain the lack of oversight from posted blog guidelines?

LC I am an irregular poster here, but on far too many issues you begin by attacking other posters here. You accuse people of lying, of racism of every thing you can think of. I am beginning to believe you come here for no other reason. Your attitude reduces discussion to mere labels. It is difficult to have a civilized discourse here. Put aside your hatred and start by staying on topic and leave your personal issues out of the debate.