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Racial attack at SFPD? (Aisan woman delivers watermelons to black Chief of Police)
The Examiner ^ | 08/08/2002 | RICHARD BYRNE REILLY

Posted on 08/08/2002 8:16:39 PM PDT by Michael2001

In what appears to be a racially motivated attack, three watermelons were delivered to the office of Police Chief Earl Sanders last Thursday by a woman who spoke little English and likely was unaware of the racial significance, The Examiner has learned.

"She was allegedly paid by somebody, we don't know who, to deliver the watermelons," said Sgt. G. Williams of the department's Investigative Division. "She was asked who paid her but she couldn't, or wouldn't, say."

Watermelons have been used since the 19th century as racist tools against black Americans. Officers of the department expressed outrage, saying the incident strove to sow racial discord in an already tension-filled department attempting to rebuild its image in the wake of former chief Fred Lau's departure in July.

"This is very, very disturbing," said a black police inspector who asked to remain anonymous.

At Wednesday's police commission meeting, new Police Chief Earl Sanders, who is black, and Assistant Chief Alex Fagan, who is white, acknowledged the watermelon delivery but sought to play down the incident.

"Here's the bottom line: the watermelons were delivered by an Asian lady with a shopping cart last Thursday. The gift was sent anonymously and we had them returned. If anybody took offense, I haven't noticed," Fagan said.

He added there was no investigation planned and that the incident was "dead in the water."

"Brutal, absolutely brutal. I can't believe somebody would do something like that, in this city," another cop said.

Williams called the watermelon delivery a racist act and said he hopes the perpetrator is exposed. He said he had no idea who set the woman up but that some on the force would be looking into the issue.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
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What's the big deal? As I see it the guy got three free watermelons.

I love watermelons. I'd be happy if someone did that to me. "I don't like your race or you, here's three watermelons as a sign of how much I hate you". I'd just hope they were seedless. Ever since I've tried seedless watermelons I can't go back :)

1 posted on 08/08/2002 8:16:39 PM PDT by Michael2001
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To: Michael2001
I assume this is sarcasm, right? Right?
2 posted on 08/08/2002 8:20:36 PM PDT by Cleburne
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To: Michael2001
Yeah... give'em to me.

What is the insult anyway? I am not to naive here but am in the dark on this one.

3 posted on 08/08/2002 8:20:36 PM PDT by smoking camels
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To: Michael2001
Watermelons have been used since the 19th century as racist tools against black Americans.

What's a racist tool?

4 posted on 08/08/2002 8:27:09 PM PDT by RippleFire
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To: Michael2001
Just to quell any curiosity, this is fmr chief Fred Lau:

ps: You're an idiot if you don't understand how a Black person could be offended by such a "kind" offering.

5 posted on 08/08/2002 8:27:39 PM PDT by Dakmar
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To: smoking camels
It's an old euphamism regarding ignorant N's hanging out in the watermellon patch. I realize that this is likely an instigated insult, but I think it's much smarter to ignore things like this and demonstrate that you have more class that the fool that sent the insult.

I'd be leary of eating them since someone could inject something into them. Some will disagree and say that you could see if something had punctured the skin, but I wouldn't want to take a chance.

This story reveals that it got to some people and that's what the perp wanted. I'd have acted like I really enjoyed the melons and left the person scratching their heads in anger.

6 posted on 08/08/2002 8:29:21 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
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To: Michael2001
Where's the Onion credit for this unbelievable article? That reminded me of a hospital I once worked at in Texas where the vast majority of the employees were black. One time, watermelon was the special dessert served in honor of Juneteenth in the cafeteria by the manager of the cafeteria who was also black. I (one of the few white employees) was the one who was embarassed, not them - they loved it!
7 posted on 08/08/2002 8:29:54 PM PDT by Moonmad27
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To: Michael2001
Somebody sends me a loaf of white bread, I'm gonna slather it with mayonaise, throw on a couple slices of ham, and the media will never be the wiser.
8 posted on 08/08/2002 8:31:19 PM PDT by Mensch
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To: Dakmar
A cop had better have a little thicker skin than that. If you have such thin skin that a few watermelons would cause you injury, maybe you better try another line of work.
9 posted on 08/08/2002 8:31:35 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
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To: Michael2001
Can Muttly get some brutal and offensive watermelons too? Muttly like watermelons, but is suspicious of unsolicited gifts from S.F., on general principles.
10 posted on 08/08/2002 8:32:07 PM PDT by PoorMuttly
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To: Michael2001
"Brutal, absolutely brutal."

Watermelons are brutal?

11 posted on 08/08/2002 8:32:34 PM PDT by AM2000
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To: Michael2001
"Racist tool?"

Prejudicial, ignorant and offensive, sure. But "racist tool?"

Some on the force got it right. Blow it off. Don't even give it the dignity of a response. Others appear to want to scream and bluster and holler until what, more watermellons make their way to the new chief because of the publicity? Those reacting are as silly as those who pulled the stupid prank. That is, unless they are thinking about contacting Jesse Jackson or a trial lawyer to initiate a law suit watermellon growers or something.

12 posted on 08/08/2002 8:32:54 PM PDT by bluefish
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To: Michael2001
Ever since I've tried seedless watermelons I can't go back :)

You obviously were never into the spittin' contests?

13 posted on 08/08/2002 8:33:03 PM PDT by cinFLA
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To: Michael2001
When I was a dirt poor (white) kid growing up in the south, we grew watermelons in the open spaces between the stalks in the corn field. My mama would drive around the countryside with us three kids and sell watermelons out of the trunk of the car for 50 cents each--about the only cash money we had during the summer.

Good thing there wasn't a politically correct movement then, or I guess we would have been really poor.

14 posted on 08/08/2002 8:33:53 PM PDT by JoeFromCA
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To: RippleFire
What is a racist tool?

Black and Decker?????

15 posted on 08/08/2002 8:33:59 PM PDT by Chad Fairbanks
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To: Moonmad27
watermelon was the special dessert served in honor of Juneteenth in the cafeteria

It would have been another story, had it been Freaknik.......

16 posted on 08/08/2002 8:34:36 PM PDT by ErnBatavia
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To: Michael2001
Would someone please deliver to me some Irish whiskey? I won't take offense.
17 posted on 08/08/2002 8:36:29 PM PDT by doug from upland
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To: smoking camels
...am in the dark on this one.

And you say you're "not too nieve?

18 posted on 08/08/2002 8:36:45 PM PDT by rightofrush
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To: AM2000
I wonder what his reaction would be if someone sent him fried chicken, black eyed peas, ham hocks, and sweet potato pies?

LOL
19 posted on 08/08/2002 8:37:01 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
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To: Michael2001
Watermelons have been used since the 19th century as racist tools against black Americans.

Sure, you drill a little hole, and then fill them with acetone and peroxide. Wait, that was the exploding light bulb topic...

20 posted on 08/08/2002 8:37:23 PM PDT by Liberty Tree Surgeon
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