Update: I have access to private information about this incident, and I no longer want to call this a hate crime. A crime may have occurred, but it may not have been a hate crime, at least not according to information I now have. I really don’t want to say any more publicly, but I’m putting this temporarily on the top of the page because I need to protect the integrity of bigWOWO. It was a hard decision because I’m doing this based on privileged info. If you want to discuss or learn more, we can talk by phone. You all know where to reach me.
Apologies for the initial words. I was just going off the media reports, and either they got it wrong, or they were misled. Either way, I can’t stand behind the story at this time.
Edit 8/07: The news media stands by their story and say that they have a newsreel documenting everything that was said. The other party says it’s wrong but says he no longer wants to rock the boat. I believe the media people, who have been very forthcoming and open. I’m not mad at anyone, just stating that the information presented by the victim indicates this clearly isn’t a hate crime. I hope he sets the record straight, but the world won’t end if he doesn’t.
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what the fuck, man? Same old shit. Racist losers always feel tough in packs. I hope they catch these assholes and that the justice system works out there. None of this, “well, boys will be boys” slap on a wrist for these losers.
I hope so. They haven’t caught or identified these guys yet. Portland is not a very big town, so hopefully it’ll be easy.
As an interesting aside, when I type “Bao Vuong Hate Crime” into Google, KATU comes up first. bigWOWO comes up second, and then Stormfront comes up third. Third, which is incredible. You know you’re rattling the cages when the web version of the KKK is talking about you.
Hey All,
Sorry for the retraction. A crime, but possibly not a hate crime–the reporters messed up their story. I’ll still show for the rally, but this blog post will disappear shortly.
well, no point in crying “wolf!” then. Sometimes, you have to judge slowly—and just for these reasons. Do what you have to do, no point in rushing to judgement and getting folks inflamed over something that isn’t what we think it is.
Thanks, Mojo. Thanks for understanding.
This has been a nightmare of epic proportions. I was on the phone for three hours yesterday, and was on the phone for an hour this morning (during work hours no less).
Long story short–I can’t stand behind this. From what I now gather, it’s clearly not a hate crime.
Hey, no need to thank me. You’re doing the right thing as a blogger and activist because your integrity does matter. Otherwise, how could you have any credibility? If it isn’t something to rally behind, then that’s just how it is.
we’ve all experienced racist tauntings, some of us have even been physically harmed. So of course, there will be a knee jerk reaction, which is the danger, on our part when we hear of a fellow brother or sister being attacked. Much like my response. It’s an emotional, visceral, reaction because we know what it’s like being a target.
Mojo,
I’m chalking this one up as a lesson learned. Man, I can’t tell you how much time on the phone and over e-mail this has taken up. Someone finally brought bigWOWO to a standstill.
Plus, I’m losing reputation points here. People expect minorities to be a part of the team, but if the hate crime doesn’t exist…like you said, “that’s just how it is.”
My response was the same as yours. It makes me mad when bad stuff happens. But when there is no hate crime, we have to call it as we see it. I guess we should move on.
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