Pantagraph.com | WTF | Officer suspended over 'Ghetto Handbook'

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Po-Po wrote on Oct 28, 2007 3:30 PM:

" Maaan, dis is redikuluss! I am da PoPo an I thank dis is smooove-up jurnk! Erryone dun knows dat dis slanguage is fo'real. Why dey gots to be tripin on da jakes an puttin on da brakes. If you know what this says, then you must have learned it somewhere. Chances are; You probably learned it from someone that is saying that they are offended that the book was written. Give e a break! IMO: The NCAA or NAACP are the biggest racists there are. "

Me Myslef, and I wrote on Sep 7, 2007 12:29 PM:

" HE'S MARRIED TO A BLACK WOMAN! "

"Left of Center" wrote on Sep 6, 2007 11:26 PM:

" This is too funny, does anyone know where I can obtain a copy of this"handbook"? Ha, ha, ha. Me and all of my mixed race friends have been getting a good laugh about this subject, we're dying to get ahold of a copy. Can anyone help? "

the UN-ghetto wrote on Sep 3, 2007 11:42 PM:

" The police officer should have not distributed the booklets while on duty. Police officers are sworn to protect ALL citizens, and to enforce the law. How do you expect these officers to protect those that they show a lack of respect to? How do you expect these young people to behave and learn to respect these police officers if they are being insulted and mistreated? I am disappointed, but not surprised, at how many of you truly believe that white males do not have any rights. This is totally ridiculous! If you mean that they have no right to insult and denigrate others while in public service, well, yeah, I guess you're right. But, as private citizens, you are free to engage in any racist behavior you desire, as long as you do not break the law. BTW, i'm not letting some young black people off the hook. They can say whatever they want in personal settings, but they should know that the best way to succeed is to communicate so that all may understand them. This comment was written by a black man. "

Re: I'm sorry wrote on Sep 3, 2007 1:20 PM:

" Don't knock other people for how the speak or write. For example, your letter.. Messaging not messageing. Abbreviate not hyponate (I think you were trying for hyphenate? which is wrong...) want to be not wont "

Ask Mikey wrote on Sep 3, 2007 11:16 AM:

" Freedom of expression is a basic First Amendment right for individuals. I am tired of hearing about folks getting "outraged" over such minute things thereby making the issue bigger than it really is. Having said that, the officer(s) involved did use poor judgement in hooking their humor up with the school and official business. The chief is right to correct this action administratively. As for Carol Mims Galloway, she should stop grandstanding in a clear attempt to help her campaign for a seat on the school board. The schools and students need board members interested in fairness and rule of law, not someone who engages in divisiveness for personal gain. "

YadaYada wrote on Sep 3, 2007 9:32 AM:

" I don't know the answer, but, did or did not the book accurately portray the language and culture prevalent in the hood? Because people in the hood constantly and proudly contrast themselves from the rest of society; they work very hard at being different, creating their own language, morals and mores. It is an axiom, the harder a group works at being different, the more they invite derision. I'll bet every rapper knows and freely uses the contents of that Ghetto Handbook and purposely uses it to sell their product (songs?) to the hoodless kids who pay good money to buy that junk. It seems it's O.K. for the homies to be financially rewarded for advocating killing women and cops, but the system must not allow them to be dissed. "

reader wrote on Sep 3, 2007 9:20 AM:

" To Reader:You are right about the WHITE MALE.I am one of them.And you are right they have no rights. "

JT wrote on Sep 3, 2007 5:23 AM:

" I agree with Hoot. My guess is that no one commenting on here has seen the handbook. "

Da Rail Splitter wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:53 PM:

" Four score an' seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon dis here continent uh new nation: conceived in liberty, an' dedicated ta da proposition dat all men iz created equal. in the hood "

Hoot wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:20 AM:

" It greatly amuses me to see how people read a brief article in the newspaper, then assume they know all the relevant facts. None of us has seen the handbook. None of us know all the circumstances. Post your comments all you want, but our opinions are meaningless without having the facts. "

reader wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:19 AM:

" I think you need to know how some people talk,nothing wrong with that .How come others can say what they want in songs and it is ok. "

Axe me wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:39 AM:

" I was axed by a black friend on how to handle a upcoming job interview a while back. Before I got into the basics of his question I stop him cold and told him that if he ever used the word "axe" instead of the proper "ask" during his interview he may as well just stay home. I don't think in his mind that he said anything wrong. "

GHETTO HANDBOOK ANCIENT wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:29 AM:

" ANOTHER OLDER EXAMPLE: Handbook for Teaching in the Ghetto School - 1968 "

LEO wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:20 AM:

" and its apparently fine with you if your loving neighbor can't write a sentence or speak proper english, can't get a job to pay the bills, so he steals from your house and deals drugs from your street corner. But hey, it takes all kinds to make the world go round and be interesting for you. You should still love him as you love yourself. "

READER wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:45 AM:

" I'm sick of all the discrimination crap. If you want to get right down to it, the " WHITE MALE " is the most discriminated ethnic group in this country. They have " NO " rights. "

reverse racisim wrote on Sep 2, 2007 6:35 AM:

" White people are fast becoming victims of it. When someone gets preferental treatment just because of there race it is racisim. I still have not seen a white entertainment television channel when do you think that will start? Or maybe the NAAWP I bet that would fly. "

Oh Well.. wrote on Sep 2, 2007 4:03 AM:

" I wonder if "My Beezness" or " My Keeds " made it in his book? "

Ya-YA sister wrote on Sep 2, 2007 2:00 AM:

" What we have here is a direct result of society at large being on the defensive all of the time; afraid that some one is insulting or talking about them. We need to remember that there is always regional accents that affects language as well. I live in the great state of Texas, but grew up in Illinois. I can assure you that the black community here absolutely does not speak the same as the black community there. Neither does the white community...how about "I'm fixin to" or "I carried her to the store"? Here "fixin to" means getting ready to do something and "carried" means give a ride to some one. Those phrases do not come from the poor whites either...those come directly from our cattle ranchers. See? "

let's think... wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:57 PM:

" I'm guessing that this booklet was not put together for the right reasons, helpful reasons that so many of you automatically claim. I'm guessing that those who contributed did so as a joke, as a way to highlight and put down a group they do not personally like. that is what's wrong about this. so all of your screaming about how this is not offensive, get a clue. if i put together a book about how to translate some of the ridiculous comments made on this site, you'd all be screaming at how offensive and wrong it is, too. i might start by saying that the comments here portray b-n residents as a narrow-minded, uncultured, racist, self-righteous group with its collective head stuck in the sand. "

I'm sorry... wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:41 PM:

" that some people think this funny. but the sad part is it's TRUE. wake up people this is how these kids talk. it's not funny but its true. they don't care about proper english. look they have text messageing contsest at state fairs which hyponate every word you can. kids today dont care. if they wont to be stupid, let them. and we can all laugh at them for it.............sound familiar? "

I'm Sorry... wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:37 PM:

" T "

Chappelle wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:38 PM:

" Maaaan all it waS, was a joke! It's not like the guy was doing a school shooting...he was passing out literature. I'm sure the school library has something more offensive than what was distributed. "

respond to Pontiac Guard wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:17 PM:

" Very, Very good comments. What you have written makes more sense than anything I have heard or read yet. Good job. "

confused wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:43 PM:

" Its ok for some people to talk "slang" but its NOT ok for someone to write a book describing it? That is not right. Lets start kicking kids out of school for speaking ebonics or "jive" talking as it was called in my day. Some people want to be different than the norm and when some one else writes a book describing it, they are fired. I hope he sells the book and makes millions and then sues for wrongful termination and makes even more. "

Hate comes in all colors and yours are showing wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:40 PM:

" I have read seriously's comments and the individuals who responded. To the one who thinks seriously needs to visit the projects in Peoria..Does it then go to follow that an African-American officer, raised in said projects go on a call to Grandview Drive and ask for a dictionary of anglo terms or an hispanic officer have dictionaries for the white and black cultures as well? Diversity means to be reasonable and open-minded..not bigoted...Oh, while I am at it..I am married to a Jew...maybe we should include a dictionary for his culture as well. And to Vance: You might want to do a little more research. Not all of the families in the United States were slave owners..my own family fought against slavery from the moment they set foot on this soil in the early 1700's. To label all American's responsible for the travesty of slavery is as about as absurd as labeling all German's responsible for the holocaust. Tolerance and understanding..hmmmmm...not such a new concept. "

OK Pontiac Guard wrote on Sep 1, 2007 5:43 PM:

" This is a test (just for fun). Tell the civilian free world what "toss his salad" means. Part A of test is to get it right; Part B is to explain it without being censored! "

moonie wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:50 PM:

" hey did any one bother to say anything to the authorities about SPANISH hand book "

reader wrote on Sep 1, 2007 3:39 PM:

" It's just a book .Get over it. "

I agree with.. wrote on Sep 1, 2007 2:42 PM:

" Billy Bob, had the booklet's title been more appropriate, then maybe it would have been more acceptable. I do not disagree with having a guidebook to help officers understand the "language" because it helps them understand the "code words" being used to disguise possible illegal activity. Not having actually seen the booklet, I can not tell you whether I would agree with how it was put together. There are ways to be professional about it without being degrading. Titling it the Ghetto Handbook was not appropriate-even if that is what the officers call it off the record. To: Leo, I don't think Cosby and other leaders mean for all African Americans to be doctors just respectable members of the community who take care of their children, homes, cars, get an education etc...I'm not saying that there aren't any because I know there are but there are plenty who aren't as well. "

Suspension wrote on Sep 1, 2007 2:14 PM:

" This cop was suspended WITH pay too. Like a vacation for him really. "

To LEO wrote on Sep 1, 2007 12:52 PM:

" While I respect community leaders such as Bill Cosby, and those who do encourage people to succeed, not everyone was destined to be a doctor. It takes all of us in this earthly society to make the world go 'round. In all of our ethnic and cultural diversity. Wouldn't this be a boring world if we were all the same? If we looked, and dressed, and walked, and talked, and ate the same...where would be the spark? We tell our kids to dare to be different, and to love each other, and to treat our neighbor as we would want to be treated. Because our neighbor was created in the image of God, as well. "

Censorship? wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:25 AM:

" Sounds like the school board wants everybody, even the cop on the street to be as ignorant and uninformed as they are. School boards are up-tight self serving bullies to me. With that kind of racial mix in that school I would consider it an aid to the cop, not a hindrance. Welcome to the real world of the modern high school and life in general in this country. It's here to stay. I'm a child of the 60's and we got some pretty cool slang out of that period and it endures today. "

Need to know... wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:23 AM:

" I just need to know...who the baby momma is? "

Love It wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:18 AM:

" Or Leave It "

Re: Vance wrote on Aug 31, 2007 11:24 PM:

" I know I wasn't around 450 years ago, and neither was the majority of our family. Why should we have to pay for what was a common practice back in that time frame. Everyone should be treated equal, and we shouldn't be punished for what happened that long ago. Just like the Afraican Americans were treated horribly, so are the unborn babies that gets aborted each day and year. It just seems that each generation or century has some group that gets abused and hurt. "

Good Thinking wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:40 PM:

" Good thinking on behalf of the Officer. I hope he gets fired. He can publish that book and sell it on the internet to other people who find this hilarious and be a millionaire, which I'm sure is more than the Houston Police pay! I'd buy a copy for five bucks. "

Vance wrote on Aug 31, 2007 9:33 PM:

" To LTD, and the other idots, Black people were held in bondage over 400 hundred years in this country and treated worst than animals. This country was built from free slave labor. Fifty years does not make-up for the mal-treatment of another race. The Jews, Chinese,etc., came to this country voluntarily. so their is no comparison. This society is racist, and their is no changing it. Just read the degrading comments some of you have made. But I must remember, some of you do not have common sense to know right from wrong. "

nonjudgmental linguist wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:34 PM:

" There are over a half a million words in the English language. Those of you who fear people who speak differently should remember that some of the most lyrical and enobling were stolen from ifidels and barbarians. "

ITS SO SIMPLE wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:47 PM:

" You ever think that that Ebonics might be some of the reason why these people are still in the Ghetto? Anyone that wants to actually apply themselves can move from that inviroment. So if your in the ghetto its because you made the choice to be there. I can't feel sorry for a race that won't do what it takes to lift itself up. It has to cry unfair treatment and expect society to take care of them. How pathetic!!!! "

BOBBY wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:35 PM:

" This is a typical knee jerk reaction from the liberal do gooders that hold hard working industrious citizens to an unrealistic standard. If the schools would quit coddling and add discipline and respect to the curriculum we would not need police officers in our schools. They have made the police out to be a joke to the student body. Suspension of the District officials is what needs to happen. "

that language wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:59 PM:

" has nothing to do with race and everything to do with having NO class. Trash comes in many colors. "

OH YEAH!!!! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 5:50 PM:

" Why you be "frontin'".....I can't understand what you are yapping about....Speak straight up english please. "

LEO wrote on Aug 31, 2007 4:59 PM:

" The great Bill Cosby said it best, "They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English," he exclaimed. "I can't even talk the way these people talk: 'Why you ain't,' 'Where you is' . . . And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the father talk. . . . Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. . . . You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth!" "

Lincoln Resident on 3rd street wrote on Aug 31, 2007 4:56 PM:

" Where can you buy this Book I need it to understand some of these kids nowdays !!!!! "

Robin wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:49 PM:

" I think it's a great idea. It would help EVERYONE understand "their language" if we had a dictionary on it. It isn't a slap in the face it's a honest problem you have no idea what their saying half the time and I think they like it that way. "

LDT wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:32 PM:

" I like how the lady (Carol Galloway) insists that the officer involved should be STRICTLY PUNISHED OR EVEN FIRED. Oh by the way....I am running for school board too. I also thought that it was funny that the school district had 202000 students and they were 60% hispanic and 30% black. Whites make up aprox 37.4% of the overall population. Blacks make up 25.3%. With a school district that is 10% of the overall population of the city, I am surprised that would truly be 90% minority students. I also am a little sick of the NAACP and other African American groups that constantly claim discrimination. Yes. I admit that bad things happened to blacks 150 years ago. And even as recent as 50 years ago. However, bad things have happened to many ethinc groups. The Jews, the chinese, the Irish, the Italians. All major groups in the US had some sort of bad thing happen to them in history while they were finding there place in the US. How come it is pretty much only the blacks that still complain about it? "

To snoop dogg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:21 PM:

" Fo Rizzle. You spizzle the trizzle "

lulz wrote on Aug 31, 2007 2:57 PM:

" What they were trying has already been done: UrbanDictionary.com "

**** wrote on Aug 31, 2007 2:47 PM:

" i have taken diversity training in fact i am a certified diversity trainer and nowhere in that training does it talk about ebonics. but if you look at today's youth that is the language they speak. i do not see how it is offensive to anyone. i think they should teach this. i support the officer who passed this out. maybe if you could understand the language u might be able to figure more crimes. "

Big Texas Boo Boo wrote on Aug 31, 2007 2:33 PM:

" "Houston, you have a problem" Probable cause: small thinking for a big state. "

So... wrote on Aug 31, 2007 2:16 PM:

" we can teach Ebonics as a "second language" course, but when an officer passes out a booklet explaining ebonics for fellow officers it's racism? How in the heck does that work?!?!? And trust me I NEVER come to the defense of a cop, but dang this is crazy. "

Spook wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:44 PM:

" I would encourage you all to not read this book, as it will probably make you dumber after you are done. "

Larry wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:43 PM:

" Jeff Foxworthy and Larry "the cable guy" use redneck language all the time and no one says anything to them because it's funny, as is this. He has a redneck dictionary! Git R Done!!! Definition: To do something productive or to accomplish a task. "

RATM wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:28 PM:

" Not too many people around here (of any race) speak proper English, so stop picking on the African American community. If I have to hear one more person say things like "I SEEN this movie" or "I have to WARSH my car", I'm going to scream! "

! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:25 PM:

" AMEN, SERIOUSLY!! "

TO: SERIOUSLY??? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:24 PM:

" Real diversity training would HAVE to include language lessons like the ones found in this book. Open your eyes, and maybe even your EARS. You have probably never stepped foot into a poor black neighborhood. Do yourself a favor, go to the south side of Peoria and strike up some conversations with anyone you see roaming around the Taft homes and you will immediately see a reason that officers need a translator, and a language reference guide. "

I'm Offended wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:20 PM:

" As a middle class white person, I'm offended by the school board's actions. This is a racist reaction on their part, and he should sue their pants off. "

TO: SERIOUSLY??? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:19 PM:

I dont get it wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:15 PM:

" I grew up in neighborhoods where people really talk like that. So, what's the problem? They want to be able to talk like that, but have us act like they aren't really talking like that? "

BILLY BOB wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:14 PM:

" If the officer had called the pamphlet something different like "A guide to commonly used ebonic phrases" or "A short dictionary of ebonic terms and phrases" or "Interrpeting common ebonic language" he might have just as easily got his point across and would not be in trouble. But he called it "Ghetto Handbook" which is denegrating to some people. So his choice of words got him in trouble. The information in the book may be very helpful and informative to those that need assistance in understanding the culture. Especially if you are intending on iterfacing with groups that commonly use these terms. Don't label the officers as racists when they are only attempting to create a better communications betwen cultures. Call them racially insensitive and uninformed. "

hello wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:52 PM:

" Just talk proper english, they teach you that in school. "

This is crazy! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Stop speaking in a stupid, made up speech that no properly taught American can understand. Until then, people will need a translation. I applaud these folks for at least attempting to understand this rubbish. "

Da Po' Po' wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:42 PM:

" I love it when people tell me they pay my salary. GUESS WHAT..........I PAY MY OWN SALARY! My taxes are the same as yours and that same amout goes towards public servant salary. Don't give me that line.........just a word to the wise :) "

to: SERIOUSLY wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:34 PM:

" Racism is alive in BN but not only the Whites are guilty so are the blacks! "

hmm wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:20 PM:

" Definitions of common words that are used amongst a certain sect of people is not wrong. Where was it stated that these terms are only used by blacks? Whites live a ghetto life and speak the ebon, too...as well as asians and mexicans. Why is it always a racial issue with black people? You never hear the others complain about racism (unless it has to do with immigration, of course). "

Snoop Dogg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:16 PM:

" There is a "Ghetto Bible". There were requests to include "Ebonics" in our common language. There are police trainings for Spanish. The police should have training for ghetto language. I'm a minority and I'm not offended by this police training materials. "fo shizzle my nizzle, rollin on dubs" "

Pontiac Guard wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:01 PM:

" I can't tell you how many times I have had to ask an inmate to speak English. They come off the streets, both black and white, and have this language all their own. I see absolutly nothing wrong with what this cop did. Unless the booklet was fasioned in such a way, as to make fun of these individuals (i.e. comic book), what is the problem? When I hired into the Department of Corrections, we were given a short, 45 minute class on "prisoner language" (a.k.a. the prisoners dictionary). How many of you can tell me what a "rappie" is? How about a "shorty"? These 2 very common words are used by todays youth, not just the criminal element of society. In the 70s we had words, and phrases like "far out", "solid", and "groovy." The 80s brought "rad", "bogus", "awsome", "bad", "stoked", "boss" etc... The 2 words above are common slang words used by kids today. By just reading this article, I don't see anything wrong with what this cop did. "

SERIOUSLY??? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 11:50 AM:

" I find it very peculiar that all of you leaving comments are so ill-informed of the African- American community. I would even venture to say that not one of you is black. I may not be black or even a minority, but I sure as heck won't put a minority down. I have not experience the racism that abounds in our society, and this story is just another example that promulgates hatred. To the officers that published this...GROW UP...and take some diversity training classes...or move to white suburbia! "

Fyi wrote on Aug 31, 2007 11:24 AM:

" I seriously doubt that taxes collected in a 90% minority area pay the bills associated with those areas that they live in...must be coming from the rest of the state. 60% foreign content is un-acceptible. "

Unfamiliar.... wrote on Aug 31, 2007 11:11 AM:

" You are unfamiliar with the terms because they are made up. If these people would attempt to educate themselves and use correct spoken english, then I doubt that we would have a problem right now. When you don't want people to understand you or know what you're doing, you're going to speak in a different language or some type of code. Same thing. "

Oh yeah???? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:43 AM:

" Frankly I'd like to get a copy of it. I'm sure it'd be hilarious. "

makes sense to me wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:34 AM:

" i've never understood how you can mis-pronounce the work "ask". its very doubtful that the students these officers are dealing will speak propper english. i wish i had a booklet that explained why some people deliberately speak jargon. "

cake and eat it too wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:32 AM:

" African-Americans were screaming a few years ago that Ebonics should be accepted into the maintstream education and vocablary accepted and recognized in our schools. I myself am unfamiliar with these terms and as officers working in the community it is vital that they know. I see it as just another form of language to learn. Would NCAA complain if these officers carried around Miranda rights in various languages ? Come on people. I find the people who pull the racist card firs and most are often times themselves the racist. You can't have your cake and eat it too. "

Just me wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:24 AM:

" Not so funny now....is it? People seriously need to grow up. Idiot!! "

Saluki wrote on Aug 31, 2007 9:58 AM:

" What a crock of crap! What in the heck is wrong with trying to learn Ebonics? He was probably just trying to improve his communication skills with these kids. "

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