Asked during the YouTube debate whether he was "black enough," Barack Obama replied, "When I'm catching a cab in Manhattan..." Obama was making a wry reference to the widely-held notion that blacks--and especially black males--have difficulty getting cabs in major cities. Years ago African-American scholar Cornel West wrote that when he wears his casual or "cool" attire, cabs routinely pass him by. West complained that they only pick him up when he's in a suit. So the paradigm of the racist cabbie has become a standard citation in the portrait of America as a racist society.
This subject has been well studied, both in New York and Washington D.C., and there's no doubt that cabdrivers are indeed more reluctant to pick up black men. Yet here is a wrinkle in the civil rights narrative: most of the cabdrivers in New York and D.C. are not white. They are either nonwhite immigrants or they are African American. So why would a cabdriver from Pakistan or NIgeria refuse to pick up a black man? Why would African American cabbies in Chicago drive by a wildly-gesticulating Obama?
One possible explanation is that they have internalized white racism. I find this an unlikely explanation because the discrimination is not aimed at all African Americans but is more specifically targeted. Cabs are more hesitant to pick up black males than black females. Cabs are apparently willing to stop for Cornel West when he looks like a Princeton professor and not when he doesn't. A more likely explanation for the behavior of cabdrivers is that they are reluctant to pick up black males because this group, alas, has the highest violent crime rate in the country. Some studies show that black males are roughly 10 times more likely to be arrested and convicted of violent crimes than young white males. On any given day nearly one in four young black males is in prison, on probation, or on parole. This sad data is cited and footnoted in my book The End of Racism.
I interviewed a number of cabdrivers for that book, and here is what they told me. Driving a cab is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, because drivers are routinely picking up people they don't know. The law requires cabdrivers not to discriminate, and yet it seems that cabbies of all backgrounds are willing to circumvent the law when they believe there is a risk to their security. Cabdrivers know that the average black male is not a criminal, but given what they perceive to be the increased likelihood of being mugged or held up by a member of this group, they don't want to take a chance. My conclusion is that this kind of discrimination is hard to eradicate because it's not based on mere prejudice; it is also based on behavioral differences between groups.
Does Barack Obama--who likes to be considered Mr. Straight Talk--have the guts to address this issue? I highly doubt it. Here's what I'd like to hear him say: of course the law-abiding black male who can't get a cab has a right to be angry, just as the law-abiding Muslim has a right to object to being considered by airport security to be a possible terrorist. (As a brown-skinned native of India, I too am sometimes mistaken for a Middle Eastern Muslim and given the full-body search.) But the legitimate anger that we minorities feel is best directed not at cabdrivers and airline security personnel, who are only trying to exercise caution, but rather at criminals and terrorists who give African Americans and Muslims a bad name.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. I'm surprised that Obama used his experience trying to get a cab in Manhattan rather than his hometown of Chicago. Was he implying that New Yorkers are more racist than Chicagoans or was it just a subtle shot at Hillary?
Barry M Kaplan at 12:10PM on Jul 25th 2007
2. Well, what do you know? There's some straight talk. It's true that rules should be in place, where pertinent and practical, to attempt to protect minorities from suffering from the sorts of true perceptions held by the likes of cab drivers. What's not true is that the very understandable behavior of individual cab drivers is racist, or that it somehow creates a black eye for American society, as D'Souza aptly points out. If Obama has wry feelings about the difficulty of getting a cab as a black man, he should expound on those feelings in a speech to the black caucus, or perhaps in a speech about the collapse of the black family. In other words, if he doesn't like that people are aware of the poor behavior of black American men, he should work on improving the behavior of black American men - not smearing his own country. Don't expect it anytime soon, though.
Brett at 12:11PM on Jul 25th 2007
3. The reason cabdrivers don't want to pick up black men is they are notorious non tippers. It is as simple as that. Cabbies need tips to supplement their income just like waiters, bellmen, etc. Show a cabby some green and he doesn't care what color you are.
Margaret Bruce at 12:40PM on Jul 25th 2007
4. It's awfully easy to expound on generalities. That still does not address the fact that I, as a Black man, can be routinely dismissed as a rapist/drug abuser/violent criminal at a glance and I'm supposed to just suck it up and walk. Save the crap and let me know when you'll give up your cab and walk with me. And no, Obama should not address it to a Black caucus; all of the candidates should address to GENERAL forums - not special interest groups.
John at 12:26PM on Jul 25th 2007
5. Obama and the myth of a viable U.S. Presidential candidate. More to it than racist cabbie and social attitudes and perceptions of young American voters emotional displays idealistic we are all equal in society, maybe in the sight of God.
Obama shows extreme naivete and political weakness when he says he would go the directyl speak with Presidents of belligerent Nations. Obama has no idea of political reality and it is obvious to the majority of American people. Obama girl may help with young voters and Hollywood celebrities but not for those who recognize what is meant by National Leadership.
Alan Klaus at 12:26PM on Jul 25th 2007
6. Obama myth of viable Presidential candidate is exposed when he say he would go to other Nations and talk with their Presidents.
Obama maybe young and appealing to Hollywood celebrities and younger voters, but Obama shows lack of experience and character for competent National Leadership.
Alan Klaus at 12:33PM on Jul 25th 2007
7. I used to be in the food service industry. I delivered pizzas. What does this have to do with cabbies so called "racists attitudes"? Let me explain. Cabbies, like pizza delivery people, make a majority of their money from tips. Blacks are without a doubt the absolute worst tippers. Ask any cabbie which ethnic groups tip the best. I assure you they will tell you white males followed by hispanics. Ask which ones tip the worst they will probably tell you blacks.
Its not a matter of race its economics. Its common courtesy. Don't say they tip poorly because they are poor. Many times I delivered to expensive homes where black families lived and they gave absolutely no tip. By the same token I delivered to homes where there were poor whites or poor mexicans and they tipped generously.
If blacks want to be respected they should remember that cabbies have families to support. If they see two fares on the street and one is white and the other is black they will go to the white fare because he is more likely to tip. Try this, if you are black start tipping. Tip your waitress. tip your cabbie. tip the pizza guy. Quit being a cheap bastard or quit complaining. Its economics not racism. Maybe its time these cheap jerks should change their behavior.Quit cblaming the cabbies and the people your victimize. When you short change them you make them want to seek out a better class of clietele. then you label them racists when clearly its your fault.Libereal journalists start asking people how much they tip then you'll better understand why even minorities don't want to pick up black fares.
michael w at 12:41PM on Jul 25th 2007
8. Obama seems like a nice, open, honest forthcoming, relaxed, confident charismatic, friendly, smart.... did I mention smart?... guy.
'Course he's not... what is it again... republican... that's the word I was lookin' for. A few of these comments appear to, unintentionally, be of the, "D'ya SEE what we're like?", variety...
... well, yea... I see what you're like... do you?
pboyfloyd at 12:51PM on Jul 25th 2007
9. I agree as long as Gov. Romney speaks for ALL Mormoms, and Mayor Guliani speaks for ALL Italians (especially the Mafia)and those that committ incest, Thompson can speak for ALL actors and May Dec. Weddings you get the drift. This country is so obsessed with race that little can be done BUT only Blacks can pull the race card. Bakke didn't pull it. The author of this blog is dead into it but it will not be considered that. He sounds just like my Indian neighbor who is a wonderful person and even though his dark skinned son has been stopped by the police several times on the same pretext in which they stop blacks he still has internalized the thoughts of the majority of Ameicans and bought into the stereotypes.
Lloyd at 12:59PM on Jul 25th 2007
10. Its a shame that everything in this country is based on race because this country was built by racism. This is a racist country and will always be a racist country. D'Sousa is merely trying to promote his book based on like many other ethnic groups today are also doing is by "piggy backing" off of "Black" social issues. What does D'souza have to say about his own ethnic background? Because he certainly does not have the experience to talk about Black. He only knows what he was taught when he got off the boat into this country, just like all of the foriegn people that come to the USA a told certain lies and sterotypes about Black men and women. Get a life D'Souza. Study your own people.
Leslie at 1:21PM on Jul 25th 2007
11. Michael w and Margaret Bruce clearly have their head in the sand. How easy it is for you to paint broad strokes based on your false reality about a group of people and dismiss them just as easily. Victims? Why are you so threatened by blacks? First, do your job and do it well and you will be compensated appropriately. White people complain more than blacks about service and will be very quick to ask for an item to be removed from the bill, even if it was their own mistake. Trust me, I am black but the MAJORITY of my friends are white or asian. How many blacks friends do you have? Quit thinking your superior and check your own inadequacies. Your comments are sick.
Jillian at 1:07PM on Jul 25th 2007
12. I have talked to cab drivers - they're happy with the Japanese tourists because they always tip - however they have told me that blacks try to get out of paying. They will pick up someone who looks successful, whether or not they're black. It has more to do with a perceived willingness to pay the cab fare than anything else.
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What were the forces behind 9-11?
http://iamthewitness.com/DarylBradfordSmith_ZionSummary.html
looksbooks54 at 1:38PM on Jul 25th 2007
13. So now D.D. you are saying you are in favor of profiling? It is O.K. for a cabbie to not pick me up, a middle-aged black male who has never once been arrested because he believes I am more likely to mug him than a white male? Better yet why don't we allow the police to stop me and tear my car apart on the side of the road, leaving me there putting my belongs back into my car after finding nothing, without an apology, and then every cabbie that drives by and witnesses the scene, me being harassed by the police because of the color of my skin, can use that to strengthen their own internalized racism assuming since the police are searching my car I am a criminal. I ask you D.D. when test show that when young black children are asked to pick a "good" doll they choose a white one over a black one, is this just the children reacting to statistics or do you think the undercurrent of racism which unfortunately still exsist in America has permeated their thinking? You ever study why so many black males are in jail or do you believe that's just the way "those people" are? You do your masters proud. Geo
Geo at 1:39PM on Jul 25th 2007
14. To looksbooks54 the statement "blacks try to get out of paying" is insulting. Are you insinuating that when I or any black person take a cab we always run and don't pay? Thank you for so eloquently proving my point on the undercurrent of racism in this country. I have never stolen a thing. Yet as far as you and the cabbie are concerned I am a criminal. Thank you, Geo
Geo at 1:48PM on Jul 25th 2007
15. This column is quite accurate, and thoughtful. The one deficiency I thought of as I read it has been addressed by numerous posting prior to mine: tipping and the willingness to pay a bill.
Cabbies from Nigeria and Bangladesh may have fears of being robbed at knifepoint by one of their fares. They may also fear being cheated out of the cost of a taxi ride by someone employing the quick exit method, or of being given a 20-cent tip by someone who really should have taken the bus.
John at 1:54PM on Jul 25th 2007