Do you think race is a factor in this case? (see article)

I’d say yes, but then what is the argument for the smiley face killers victims? most of whom are white college males

I hadn’t heard of it, but I rarely hear about big events.
The article mentions that all of the women were poor, as well as black. I genuinely wonder if their economic status the reason why people haven’t heard about it. Seems like rich people get a lot more attention than poor people.

Another theory: Maybe the same as in the one I cited above, authorities refuse to piece the killings/deaths together and are treating them as individual crimes only.

At least a major news outlet is covering it now, thank goodness. Will that shame Nancy Grace and her ilk into covering it, though?

I don’t know much about the case but I do know that there are very many incidences that we know very little about and if the media doesn’t pick up on something or the family doesn’t broadcast it, the law will keep quiet. The last thing that local law enforcement or national law enforcement want is to spread panic. It’s a fine line… “Hey there may be someone in the area randomly killing and eating people with no particular M.O. so keep your eyes out, but please continue to frequent local businesses at night”. ~_~

No, I don’t look for racism everywhere like a lot of people do.

It is pretty unbelievable that something like this is not on national news. I hate to think it is racist but you have to figure if they were pretty, middle class white women, it would be getting a lot of press!

Does it also have something to do with the fact that women are poor, have unsavory backgrounds? If they were white women from the same background, would it be different?

There is no doubt, sad as it may be, that one’s value to society hinges on a lot of often shallow values.

Yea. Like @rooeytoo said, if it were attractive White women, people would have heard about it.

Well, might be race related, but I also think the fact that some victims were prostitutes and drug abusers probably affects the reporting, and being poor as well. In southern towns black on black crime, and crime in poor black neighorhoods is kind of ignored like a matter of course many times by locals. Still, the national media can decide to pick up the story or not pick it up. I’ve mentioned this before, but seems to relate so I will mention it again, there were 2 school shooting in Memphis schools last year that I am aware of, and just outside of Memphis in MS a parents came onto a schoolbus waving a gun. All poor black neighborhoods. Local news does carry it, but I don’t think the national news pays that much attention.

I just learned about this a couple minutes before getting to this post. In fact the article is still in my browser. I think @rooeytoo put it pretty well.

lack of coverage is either lot draw, or disinterest

we are all the same race: human

to claim otherwise is irrational

@BBQsomeCows There is a difference between race and species.

There are races within the human species.

Here is the wiktionary entry for race, in case you need to brush up on your definitions.

So…what else is new?

It’s a wonder Obama hasn’t been blamed for this~

@BBQsomeCows
Some day, hopefully soon, it will be regarded like any other four letter word.
@Sarcasm
But unlike cultural differences, which add value, the idea of race carries nothing but division in its wake. Why do I need to know it was a black man, white man, yellow man who committed the deed or made any decision for that matter? When an A, or an AB blood transfusion will not suffice across racial divisions, perhaps then I will consider race to be an issue. Until that day it’s bigotry plain and simple.

@SeventhSense I see your point when talking about crime, I don’t want it pointed out a black man shot someone (unless he is still on the loose), and then we conveniently leave off what color someone is when it is a white man committing a crime. But, I do get annoyed when people assume racism or prejudice when someone describes someone as black, hispanic, Asian, or white. If I am describing someone there is nothing wrong with detailing those things I think as long is it is not linked to behavior. Like if I am in a crowded room and I tell my girlfriend, “the guy I am waiting for is 6’4”, black, and wearing a black coat. I just don’t see anythng wrong with that. Yet, I find people seem afraid now, or offended by using these words as descriptive terms. I have met many people similar to you of late, who seem to want to completely ignore real differences in characteristics. I am not sure what I think about the whole thing. In my observance people who want to ignore race, culture, ethnicity have good intentions, but make it more difficult to have open dialogue on race issues. I think they think the less you talk or acknowledge it, the less it exists. I come from a community where we embraced our differences, and were proud of our backgrounds. We were able to laugh at ourselves. Not sure what is better. Please feel free to correct any assumptions I may have made, or clarify your point of view.

I have met many people similar to you of late, who seem to want to completely ignore real differences in characteristics.
Well let me start by saying you are barking up the wrong tree on the wrong planet if you imagine I’m politically correct.
I can’t speak for others but I have no desire to ignore real differences in characteristics which is why I used the term cultural differences. It’s great that someone makes corned beef and cabbage and someone else makes black eyed peas and ham hocks. It’s the fabric of our society and adds to it’s beauty. Yes we’re different and that’s great. And there’s nothing wrong with pointing out the tall black guy or the white guy with freckles. It’s actually racism that makes a big deal out of that. It just makes sense. But there has also been a tremendous history of casual references meant to undermine people through labeling. We still have to be sensitive.

The difficulty and barriers are erected when we indicate the African/American, Latino or Asian that are not our own issues but something other. What is more helpful?
A. Children’s health is a priority in this town or
B. There are black families having some troubles on the south side of the city?

Approach A. could care less about race because your simply a member of the human race and deserving of basic necessities. Meanwhile B. would tie it up with other issues which place conditions upon the help and erect further barriers and create more obfuscation. As if all people didn’t want their families to be happy healthy and safe and are nor deserving of these basic human rights.

We need to eliminate race conscientiousness when it comes to basic human rights while maintaining cultural differences. Slowly as the playing field is leveled we are being desensitized to the petty stuff as the big stuff is addressed.

And speaking of the raising some hackles through casual conversation. It is deeply ingrained in some people this idea of race and negative distinction. I was looking at an apartment once in a nice area and I was told by the Realtor- “There is the ‘other element’ here”. I was just completely like “What? Plutonium?!” I could care less what race my neighbor’s are but only in how well they maintain their property, how loud they play music and if they are decent people. They could be Klingons for all I care.
But when race can still affect property values, we have much work left to do.

@SeventhSense GA. :). I agree. I am just annoyed lately by what is around me and something you had said started me going. Thanks for the long answer, I enjoyed it.

@JLeslie
You know it’s funny. I’m such a visual person I didn’t realize it was you until just now JL. I was convinced I was talking to some guy with a tie died avatar. :)~ Maybe all of our conversations are just with ourselves imagining there’s another.

@SeventhSense I know what you mean. When people change their avatar I frequently don’t realize it is someone I have been talking to for months on many threads. For that matter I don’t pay that much attention anyway to who is who, I kind of take each question as they come. My avatar is supposed to be a tie-dye snow flake thingy :).

Rock on Sugar Magnolia