It's a tough question that I am undoubtedly unqualified to answer. Do you ask people to ignore a likely innocent remark at the risk of letting a real racist go unchecked? Did those young men really think JoMal was being a racist when he said "You boys be careful"? Or did they know they were busting a good man's chops over basically nothing. Sometimes I wonder. And then I wonder if I even have the right to wonder.
The reference to my situation has been brought up several times, but it is what was inferred by the exchange I think is more important. These kids were about eight years old or so at the time. Where did he learn to react to the term "boy" in such a way? It was implanted by his parents, no doubt. While zero tolerance for blatant racism is needed, how was this at all thought to be a racist comment? Because his parents told him it was. But I also want you to think about how this situation differed from the coaches situation and how THAT kid handled it.
As was mentioned, these many years later I can still recall the incident very clearly. I also will never use that term as I used it ever again, even for non-black kids. That kid, for all his evident rudeness, made his feelings clear immediately. Had that football player done the same, we probably would not be having a discussion about it.
2. Jemagee has caught a lot of flack in his short time. And while I, from my admittedly limited exposure to him, think Derek has him pretty much pegged, I do believe jemagee adds more to the board than he takes away. The board is much more lively with two comic foils, and although he sometimes seems close to the kind of meltdown that would precipitate an exile from a staggering fifth message board, I hope he can stick it out. Because he at least makes me feel smart once in a while. 
As I have found out, posters here tend to find my irritating, needling commentary amusing....when directed at someone else on the board.
