I've just read this in the Racialicious blog:

Racism as a life style choice

Listening to people rationalize their racism is both hilarious and infuriating. This week, Carmen posted a link to a RaceWire posting about an article that explored one white woman's journey into racism. (...)

This woman moved to a cheap, affordable neighborhood in a not-so-great area. She was aware of minor crime issues in the neighborhood. And yet, she is shocked when her personal items were stolen.

The article does not indicate an armed robbery. The article does not indicate forced entry into her home. The article summarizes the missing items as follows: a ladder, a folding chair, a weed whacker, a Volkswagen carburetor and a scooter. I am going to make a reasonable assumption - these items were left either outside of the house, or in a garage.

So, in sum, Cathy Salustri decided all black people are "fucking lowlifes" because she was the victim of petty property theft.

Maybe it is just me, but I was expecting a little something more to her story. A dramatic account of sexual assault, prolonged street harassment, an armed robbery. (...)

I agree with Latoya. It's ridiculous to say "Oh, f*ck, I'm a good person, I don't want to be a racist, but they made a racist out of me. I had no option."

But I think Latoya's post missed a huge point. I don't know if she meant this - I think probably not - but her words gave me the impression that if Cathy Salustri were victim of something more serious, as a sexual assault, her "involuntary racism" would be justified.

I read Racialicious on a regular basis, so I'm pretty sure that she doesn't believe that. She probably was so disgusted with the hole matter, she missed this. So, I thought it was worth to share my thoughts here, trying to add a little to her post - which you really should check out, by the way.

There's no excuse for racism. It doesn't matter the situation - there isn't. I know black and Latino neighborhoods are more dangerous (and I may even agree with the fact that Latino men are more used to cat-call). I know there's a good percentage of criminals within the black and Latin communities (although I don't know if they are more or less than white criminals).

But the truth is these neighborhoods, these criminals, aren what they are not for being black or Latin people. The reasons why this happens is because black and Latin people are minorities, who have to endure not only racism and discrimination, but poverty - which is caused, to a great extent, by racism and discrimination.

Of course none of the above are excuses or justifications for committing crime. But we all know crime rates have much to do with poverty; when you have adequate opportunities, you can achieve a decent life - in both senses of the word. When you have a decent life - food on the table, an adequate job, school for your kids - you seldom become a criminal.

What I'm trying to say is black and Latino neighborhoods are among the worst neighborhoods because people who live there are among those with the worst opportunities (if any). Not because the people who live there are members of an specific race.