In Florida, a total of 46% of voters believe that "violent" describes black people extremely well, well, or moderately well. But large majorities believe that the words "dependable" and "hard working" also describe black people.If only they believed that in Washington, D.C. A "violent" but "dependable" and "hard-working" employee sounds like a dude due for big raise. Oh I forgot. I'm not supposed to be making jokes because Obama might lose. Ms. Holloway, get me a line to Al Sharpton, please.
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Marc has a great piece up looking at some recent swing-state polling. But amidst all the great numbers and analysis there is this lovely nugget:
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Damn, TNC...it's like you're trying to win the Internet five days before the election! XD
"My black employee is hard-working and dependable, but I'm afraid to make him mad because they might punch me in the face."
Being violent is hard work.
"Ms. Holloway, get me a line to Al Sharpton, please"
Ms Holloway: "Um, shouldn't you be in the lift?"
Pimps work hard, no?
James,
Well-played, sir.
This is possibly the most bizarre polling question ever posed. Essentially people are being asked if they see black people as dependable and hard-working (above the fold) or violent and irresponsible (below the fold). WTF?
And then there's this little caveat: "Hardworking" was always asked first, the remaining were randomized. Why?
Tessa, survey was commissioned by Monster.com, perhaps?
Violent, hard-working, dependable....hm...sounds like those Jersey boys who used to work the IT shop at the National Geographic back in the day. I say let's run with it ;]
Have you gone postal?
Wonder what those opinion polls would say about muslims?
Zic beat me to it. Violent, hard-working, and dependable sounds like a guy who works at the Post Office for 20 years and starts stockpiling a bunch of weapons to go in one day to finally "win" that argument he had with the boss about the 3% pay raise he didnt get and also take care of the co-workers in the bosses clique.
TNC,
Is there a Black Phone to call the caped crusader of "black" issues, Al Sharpton?
Haha. When do black people get to be surveyed about what white people are like?
When I think dependably violent, I think Woody Harrelson or Javier Bardem. Am I just hopelessly out of touch? Would I get laughed out of Pensacola?
Hm--two race riots in Florida in the last thirty years. (Miami '80 and St. Pete '96). Racial relations often extremely tense--dating back to Rosewood times. A state with a history of gun ownership and frontier justice that rivals that of Louisana, Texas and California; populated early on by militant Seminoles, escaped slaves and tough rednecks (who proudly called themselves "tough crackers" in my grandfather's time) hardy enough to survive the swamps, disease, predatory animals and each other--the fathers of our motley collection of current wackos and wingnuts.
Not to mention the explicit sex and violence of "dirty south" music, drug and car subcultures.
Can't say I'm surprised, sadly. Honestly. Florida is a cauldron of weirdos and retirees. Being from Baltimore, home of John Waters and Anthony "AJ / Black" Jones, I'm sure you can relate, homie. :D (PS - you better get another cell!)
PS that post was about perception, not whether or not the demo in question actually conforms to said perceptions. All those factors and historical clues help explain a conflicting set of perceptions, I'd guess. Just a guess though.
Violent, hard-working, dependable - what do you expect from those who think all black people are defensive linemen?