Posted on September 2 at 11:27 p.m.Suggest removal

Mr. West visited a predominately black neighborhood, with a documented history of violence and shared his thoughts and fears about his experience. The same can be said for a group of young black men, visiting a biker bar on the West side. The animosity filled atmosphere might well be intimidating to them, as would probably be the case visiting a taco stand on the South side. Unfortunately this is our reality in this day and age. On a recent midday shopping trip to a local mall, I entered a high end women's hand bag store, which shall remain nameless. Immediately, all eyes were on me. I found that ever step I took I was being watched. At least 4 times in 15 minutes I was asked if I had been helped or if I could be assisted with what I was looking for. I assured the multiple clerks that I was just looking. I am sure they failed to notice that I was in fact carrying a hand bag of the same brand but I was equally as certain that even if they had noticed, they might assume that my intentions were not to peruse their wares but rather something much more dishonest. I decided to leave as I overheard one of the clerks say to the other that she needed to go to the bank but that she would wait until all of the shoppers had left the store... Imagine my surprise when I looked up to find that I was the only person in the store. I was deeply offended but could not foresee any acceptable resolution in returning to confront the manager about the way that I had been treated. Instead I chose to walk away with my dignity intact, remembering that these young ladies were simply regurgitating the preconceived notions they were indoctrinated with from birth. I did have to check myself to ensure that I was not just assuming that my ethnicity was an issue for the clerks in the first place. It is my opinion that Mr. West was pointing out that he too had been indoctrinated with the same preconceived notions, indicating that perhaps he has learned something very valuable through this experience. Most assuredly he will again visit Bobo’s as he pointed out in the end that he had overcome his irrational fear. I appreciate his column for all that it was and hope that more contributors in all forms of media will continue to step out of their comfort zone to write something that creates such passion from their readers.

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Posted on September 2 at 10:30 a.m.Suggest removal

Here are a few facts for all of you. My uncle Bobo, Mr. Ozell Pope, was laid to rest on April 12, 2009. Several of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews are graduates of the University of Oklahoma and there will be many more to follow. We are a proud family of scholars, athletes, and now business professionals who strive to be honest, open minded, hard working, tax-paying, law abiding, productive members of our communities. We welcome the exchange of ideas and the free flow of information all the while recognizing that some folks just weren't raised right! Mr. West is certainly entitled to his own opinion, however wrong he might be. I can assure you that my Uncle Bobo would tell you that if you're scared, then you should probably stay home. We regret that there happened to be a drive by shooting at this location. We also regret that Roger Dale Stafford went on a rampage in the steakhouse so many years ago and that Phillip and Nancy Garrido kidnapped young Jaycee Lee Dugard and held her hostage as a sex slave in a backyard shed for 18 years. Sadly, and far too often, people hurt others with their actions. I hardly think that anyone should hold an entire community responsible for the actions of a few or worse make an ignorant assumption about who people are based on where they live. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Mr. West and thank you for opening the door for more open communication on this topic. Rest in Peace Uncle and thank you for being such an incredible human being that from beyond you are still able to motivate us. I guess Grandma must have raised you right!!!! Now, enough of all this jaw jacking … let’s focus on some football! BOOMER SOONER!!!

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