No, and no. Don’t ascribe adult prejudices and perceptions to the actions of a child; they haven’t had time to be taught that yet. Would you ask the same question if the roles had been reversed? If not, ask yourself why not. BTW, I’m causasian. Have been for most of my life, for what it’s worth.
Lawrence’s mother had an affair with an Ecuadorian. Lawrence will meet him in later years. Since most Ecuadorians are at least partly Indian (Native American), I don’t know why he’s drawn so dark – most Ecuadorians I know are not, even if they have the straight black hair and facial features of Indians.
Lawrence’s comment wasn’t to encourage Michael to steal. Rather, he thought (as MOST kids would) that it was crazy to go back into the store to return it because….. he might get caught. Lawrence is in no way portrayed as an instigator. It actually took great fortitude and loyalty for him to accompany Michael on what must be a frightening mission.
I got a call one time from a mother who had caught her child stealing from my store (I was a manager of a grocery store at the time). She said she was making the kid bring the goods back and wanted me to make an impression so he wouldn’t do it again. When they came in I took a sheet of paper and “took a statement” from him, and then made him sign it. He could barely write his name. I told him I would have to give it to the police and we would do whatever they said. He was to report to me every time he came in the store until we got it “resolved”. With the mother’s permission, this went on for about a month. When I told the kid he was going to be let off for good behavior he looked really relieved. I doubt seriously he ever shoplifted again.
I’m not getting involved in all the comments regarding race so far. I think they’re irrelevant. My first reaction was the Lawrence should keep his mouth shut, or else he’s going to find himself in trouble quickly.
My first thought was that it was a black kid encouraging the white kid to steal and he saw nothing wrong with that and as a matter of fact he has a problem with him returning the stolen goods. It’s not playing the race card, thats the way some people perceive blacks to be. People always say “playing the race card” whenever it’s brought to their attention that something is “perceived to be racist.” Sorry to break it to you but that’s the reality because everything is black and white and society makes it so. This is a comic strip, it is created by an adult who obviously interjected his own prejudices into the comic … whether it was consciously done or not. And why does everything have to integrate Obama into story? You can’t ready anything without nowadays without someone inevitably interjecting Obama into it. Bad enough to listen to the talking heads but this comic strip is taking it a bit to far.
Rickmac and Susie – take the log out of your eye before talking about the splinter in another’s – or you could cast the first stone……
A single mother’s life is hard enough and blaming the “black” friend is just a load of manure. Everyone knows that the white kids are more likely to get a pass on their indiscretions. All kids make mistakes – some get caught early and get turned around, others don’t get caught early and either go to jail or into politics
According to Wikipedia: “Connie was previously married to Peter Landry, who was for many years assumed to be Lawrence’s father, but in a retcon storyline in the summer of 1998, Connie revealed that she had met Brazilian doctor Pablo da Silva after university while they were both working in Ecuador as part of a travelling medical team; Connie had become pregnant and assumed that Pablo would return to Canada with her but, when he did not, she decided to raise their son alone.”
Most Brazilians are a mix of Portuguese, native tribal people, and imported African slaves.
pouncingtiger over 12 years ago
Punishment for Lawrence is upcoming.
bluskies over 12 years ago
No, and no. Don’t ascribe adult prejudices and perceptions to the actions of a child; they haven’t had time to be taught that yet. Would you ask the same question if the roles had been reversed? If not, ask yourself why not. BTW, I’m causasian. Have been for most of my life, for what it’s worth.
Karig89 over 12 years ago
I think I read before he is half Hispanic half white, but I could be wrong!
slug_queen over 12 years ago
Half black, half white. Not unlike someone else we know.
arye uygur over 12 years ago
Lawrence’s mother had an affair with an Ecuadorian. Lawrence will meet him in later years. Since most Ecuadorians are at least partly Indian (Native American), I don’t know why he’s drawn so dark – most Ecuadorians I know are not, even if they have the straight black hair and facial features of Indians.
psychlady over 12 years ago
And we wonder why kids are so confused today!!And why they think they are entitled to whatever they want!
sharklungs over 12 years ago
Lawrence has a future as a bank CEO.
cdward over 12 years ago
Lawrence’s comment wasn’t to encourage Michael to steal. Rather, he thought (as MOST kids would) that it was crazy to go back into the store to return it because….. he might get caught. Lawrence is in no way portrayed as an instigator. It actually took great fortitude and loyalty for him to accompany Michael on what must be a frightening mission.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 12 years ago
steeling is wrong. having a conscience, and the will to put things right makes him better than most. BETTER THAN MOST
js305 over 12 years ago
I got a call one time from a mother who had caught her child stealing from my store (I was a manager of a grocery store at the time). She said she was making the kid bring the goods back and wanted me to make an impression so he wouldn’t do it again. When they came in I took a sheet of paper and “took a statement” from him, and then made him sign it. He could barely write his name. I told him I would have to give it to the police and we would do whatever they said. He was to report to me every time he came in the store until we got it “resolved”. With the mother’s permission, this went on for about a month. When I told the kid he was going to be let off for good behavior he looked really relieved. I doubt seriously he ever shoplifted again.
ArtCreator over 12 years ago
Why? because he turns gay in the future? He was kidding about Michael taking the scarf.
lightenup Premium Member over 12 years ago
I’m not getting involved in all the comments regarding race so far. I think they’re irrelevant. My first reaction was the Lawrence should keep his mouth shut, or else he’s going to find himself in trouble quickly.
J Short over 12 years ago
No, it was Bush’s fault.
celeconecca over 12 years ago
do you think there are any store managers who would do this nowadays?
hotmamared57 over 12 years ago
My first thought was that it was a black kid encouraging the white kid to steal and he saw nothing wrong with that and as a matter of fact he has a problem with him returning the stolen goods. It’s not playing the race card, thats the way some people perceive blacks to be. People always say “playing the race card” whenever it’s brought to their attention that something is “perceived to be racist.” Sorry to break it to you but that’s the reality because everything is black and white and society makes it so. This is a comic strip, it is created by an adult who obviously interjected his own prejudices into the comic … whether it was consciously done or not. And why does everything have to integrate Obama into story? You can’t ready anything without nowadays without someone inevitably interjecting Obama into it. Bad enough to listen to the talking heads but this comic strip is taking it a bit to far.
hippogriff over 12 years ago
ArtCreator: Turns gay? Discovers maybe, but the maliglya (sp) is the shape it is before that age.
route66paul over 12 years ago
Rickmac and Susie – take the log out of your eye before talking about the splinter in another’s – or you could cast the first stone……
A single mother’s life is hard enough and blaming the “black” friend is just a load of manure. Everyone knows that the white kids are more likely to get a pass on their indiscretions. All kids make mistakes – some get caught early and get turned around, others don’t get caught early and either go to jail or into politics
iced tea over 12 years ago
I believe it was a great lesson for both boys. It could happen with any child regardles of their race.
Shikamoo Premium Member over 12 years ago
Kids are kids. Lawrence is honest about his thoughts. He’ll learn along with Michael the difference between right and wrong.
dtegtmeier51 over 12 years ago
According to Wikipedia: “Connie was previously married to Peter Landry, who was for many years assumed to be Lawrence’s father, but in a retcon storyline in the summer of 1998, Connie revealed that she had met Brazilian doctor Pablo da Silva after university while they were both working in Ecuador as part of a travelling medical team; Connie had become pregnant and assumed that Pablo would return to Canada with her but, when he did not, she decided to raise their son alone.”
Most Brazilians are a mix of Portuguese, native tribal people, and imported African slaves.
fhhuber over 12 years ago
Racism is taught, not genetic. Quit teaching it to your kids.
astar15 over 12 years ago
Uh yeah to all of ya.
gleeviolette over 12 years ago
Um…. he’s a kid. Race has nothing to do with it. : )