You are very off base on this one. Trying to rationalize what this guy did is ridiculous, In my book his actions paint him as an “unreliable witness”. When I read about this story what suprized me most was that the shooter was black. It is my understanding that the killer in this sort of workplace/school shooting, at least up until now, has been a white male whole people stereotypically describe as a loner or odd. I’m sure the kids involved in the Columbine shootings, that guy who killed two people in a New Mexico office last month, and all the other workplace shooters had grievances too. The real problem here isn’t racism, the real problem here is whatever is causing people to increasingly lash out in this fashion, that is what those in the psychiatric community should figure out. The man went on a rampage, he took out his issues not just on those who he felt wronged him but whoever was at hand, I mean he killed his union rep who was trying to help him. I am just glad that when you were faced with racism iback n that bathroom back in medical school you took a more sane course of action!

Dr. O:

Does racism still exist? I answer with a resounding YES! Did it happen as the man stated it did in this case? I believe it did. However, because of the circumstances, was his decision to go on a killing rampage about racism? I don’t think so.

I do not doubt there were hangings and other racially charged incidences. He was a black man who was hated upon, and on top of that he dated a white woman, which made them even angrier.
There are steps this man could have taken to deal with the racism in his company-when he found out that his union rep wasn’t helping him, he could have gone over his head. When that didn’t work, I would have gone to corporate, If that didn’t work he could have gone to the news, Budweiser wouldn’t want any of that negative publicity and would have tried to handle the matter. He could of sued for Work place harrassment, won, been compensated and never looked back at a company that caused him so much turmoil. He tolerated these people’s actions. However, after being caught on tape stealing, and told to either resign or be fired, he snapped. He didn’t start a blood bath until AFTER he lost his job. He hurt his own case. If he had done this as an employee, then I would be more apt to believe it was about racism. He knew that these people were after him, why would he steal to give them reason?

Maybe the firing incident made him lose all common sense and in his mind, he had nothing else to lose and he saw it as them making good on their threat to get rid of the *n* and he went on a rampage, but he he walked into them getting rid of him by stealing.

Racism is still running rampang, but I feel because the race card is played too much and too often, It hurts people with valid cases of racism, when others throw the race card and its basis is shaky. He truly probably was having to deal with that on a daily basis – but to only exert himself AFTER he was caught doing something wrong, makes his accusations seem invalid.

In light of Ms. Sherrod’s case, there truly needs to be a forum on race relations.

In my opinion “Racism” is most definitely alive and practiced each day. We in the more affluent areas of the country may not experience as such but it is there hiding behind closed doors, around the water coolers, in the privacy of the homes and wherever else it could happen rest assured it is going on. Many of our sisters and brothers throughout this country are faced with it more than they want to admit. It is reported but is it really dealt with in sincerity, do we really get satisfaction after “race relations” meetings, I don’t know, I hardly think so but until we as a people begin to treat each other as human beings and as God would have us “LOVE” one another we will not begin to experience life as He wants us to. There are those of us who are able to bear the pain but then there are those who aren’t as strong and reach the end of their rope and take drastic measures as did Mr. Thornton. I in no way condon what he did because taking someone’s life is certainly not going to slove anything. It does, however, make us wake up and think what else do we have to do to stop this madness. My heart goes out to each family affected and especially to his soul because I know that God was not pleased with his actions. All I could do when hearing it was pray and ask, Lord, what can we do to make this world better for all who share in this journey called life?? You who are in the field of medicine who deal with emotions, let’s continue to keep the doors of communiction open and maybe just maybe we will make the difference whether it be in a small way or on a larger magnitude, I am keeping the Faith.

There you go, looking for ways to justify his barbaric behavior. Things will never change until blacks can learn to accept responsibility for their actions and admit when they’re wrong. You’re just looking for an audience. And you call yourself a doctor? Your should be discouraging this type of violence,not egging it on or looking for ways to exploit it. You should be ashamed of yourself.

There is no controversy here. Murder is murder. You are not speaking for African Americans, but instead you are speaking for yourself.
If you think its ok to kill someone because you think they “discriminated” against you, you’re the one who needs to see a psychiatrist.

So, go ahead. Tell your crowd that the next time their child gets suspended or expelled from school for vandalism or fighting – tell them its ok. Don’t punish them,don’t teach them right from wrong. Just blame it on the whites. Can you be any more ignorant?

If I was black, I’d be angry right now. I would want to stand up and show why I’m better than that mass murderer,not support him. If you support him or condone his actions, you are as much of a lowlife as he was.
“Dr O”, MLK would have kicked you in the face for enabling this kind of behavior. That was never his vision. From one accomplished person to another, I thought that you would have been able to understand that. I think you know it’s wrong,that’s why it bothers me.

I can go to the a trailer park and preach about the benefits of doing meth,and I might even draw a decent crowd. The vast majority of Americans,black or white, aren’t very intelligent. Exploitng that for your little circus show here is detestable.

Another shrink on board.
1st. Violence is inexcusable. There are ways of protesting, complaining, resolving this. It would have made an interesting case with the current administration and Justice Department.
2nd. Obviously racism exists. Most non-minorities can only imagine what it’s like to be singled out for someone’s wrath because of being different.
3rd. Feeling impotent in the face of racism leaves you either enraged or depressed.
It’s amazing how many people feel empowered to pull a “Mel Gibson” and not expect any consequences now. The Birther’s even feel that they don’t have to follow military orders for deployment if they’re soldiers. The election of an African American President and the the economic situation seem to have combined to frighten/anger people. Illegal Immigrants, African-Americans, and probably Native Americans are being made the targets more and more.

It comes down to maturity. You could call me any name you want, and it might be upsetting and hurtful,but it could never be used as an excuse for my own actions. Let’s say you were to call me a lying thief every day,does that mean I have to turn in to one? Of course not,because I have the free will to choose my outcome in life. And just as planets have stronger gravitational pulls than moons, strong parenting would prevent outside negative influences from taking over their childrens lives.

What would you do if you had a friend who was speeding,and when stopped he said “You only pulled me over because I’m black”. If I were you, I’d be angry,because in this example your friend is using the issue of racism for his own personal,selfish reasons. Would you tell him that was wrong,or would you just make another excuse for him? Ever hear the term “police your own”? It means that if someone,who represents you or what you stand for does something to embarass you,that you step in and tell them to knock it off. I hear too many “alpha” African Americans out there who preach about racism,but very few who take proactive steps to encourage other blacks to push themselves to achieve their goals in life.

I was walking around a supermarket last week,and saw two young African American children kicking around a box on the floor,while the parent just sat there and did nothing. She should have got up,and corrected her children. Without good parental guidance,they will respond to outside influences,or succumb to feelings of worthlessness. Or,they’ll come across someone like you who makes excuses for their behavior,then use you like a crutch.

Although there are real victims of racism and hate crimes out there, there are many cases in which the claim of racism is simply false. Do you remember that woman who got punched by police,then everyone tried to say it was a racial issue? No. She got punched because she swung at the cop. Cause and effect. Maybe she learned her lesson.

Its a rough world,regardless of what color,race or religion you are. You can sit there and complain about it,or rise above it to become successful and productive.

Omar chose to give in to an evil life of crime. If you’re going to pick someone to use as an example of a victim of racism,pick someone a little higher on the food chain.

Racism truly exist & I don’t understand why anyone thinks that it doesn’t. The election of Barack Obama as president didn’t end racism. The U.S. wanted to show the world that an African American could be elected president & this would make everybody feel good. The true color of whites is revealing itself after they woke & said what have we done? Everything that the President does is under close scrunity. No president has ever been subjected to this type of scrutiny. Open your eyes & observe.

racism indeed does still truly exist,i truly was in the same situation as omar the pressure is truly to much to bear but with God’s help I am dealing with it in the right way by getting legal advice since barack’s election the whites are coming out of the closet to show just how they really feel. I am not by all mean a racist by something need to be done in the workplace to stop this sort of behavior or you will get more killings.