It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Open thread: Is Domelights a racist cop website?
Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pm - by Alan Tu. Filed under: Community, Crime.
(Update: 7/21/09 The website domelights is blocking non-members from viewing its discussion forums. It has also disabled its registration page. So some links below no longer work. Also, The Philadelphia Police Department has blocked domelights on its computers in an effort to prevent on-duty officers from accessing it.)
The operator of Domelights.com is warning his readers that the website could go offline soon. The website has become a popular site for police officers to vent on nearly any subject. Some of that venting has angered largely African-American law enforcement officers and the NAACP. Here’s what Domelights founder McQ posted this morning.
Due to the lawsuit, there is a very real possibility that I may have to suspend service on Domelights.com. This may happen with little or no warning, depending upon the circumstances.
This is in NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM an admission of liability or wrongdoing on my part. In fact, I CATEGORICALLY deny any wrongdoing on my part. I did not make racist posts. I did not maintain the website on city time/equipment. I did not create a hostile environment in my workplace via the website or any other means.
On Wednesday, three organizations the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers and the local chapters of the National Black Police Association and the NAACP filed a lawsuit alleging that some of Domelights.com’s writers are posting while on duty and this has created “racially harassing and hostile work environment” for black officers. Named in the suit are McQ and the Philadelphia Police Department.
While being a racist cop is not against the law, the Complaint argues that police officers should be held to a higher standard of conduct when they are on duty and expressing themselves in a public forum. Here’s an excerpt from the lawsuit.
Click image read Complaint
In addition to being racially offensive, the conduct of these Police Officers, including Sgt. “McQ,” constitutes conduct unbecoming of a Philadelphia Police Officer, and is contrary to Depart policies and regulations that apply to all Police Officers, as law enforcement officials, to avoid engaging in racially offensive speech or conduct in public. There is no First Amendment Safe Harbor for racially discriminatory conduct against African Americans that takes place at, is connected to, and creates a hostile environment in, the workplace. Moreover, a Police Officer is subject to a higher standard of conduct and speech while on duty, as well as whenever such sworn Police Officer is in a public forum.
We want to know what you think of Domelights.com.
You better visit the soon before it goes offline.
Here are some useful links. The main page and then I’ve linked to a few forums that I thought were worth checking out.
Discussion titled “What every white person should know, the truth?”
Discussion on Barack Obama becoming the first black president.
Is this a racist website?
July 17th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I’m pretty sure that the site itself wasn’t intended to be a haven for racism. That negative stuff was brought by racist users, who happen to be police officers. (Nothing new under the sun…)
Not much different from other message boards/forums, but one would think that police officers would exercise restraint in making any racist views known.
Then again, they’re only human, right?
This just makes them look bad, or in the case of many Black/Latino communities, WORSE.
July 17th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
At least a site like this provides a forum to discuss race relations, an anonymous one at that, at least as far as I can tell.
These are sentiments many of us have: black, white, brown and yellow alike. There is racism and then there is observation of daily life in Philadelphia. There is race and then there is culture. I think the cops of this site confuse the two.
The comments on domelights.com are typical of any comment board of almost any news outlet.
The cops have a right to their site. They shouldn’t do it on the public dime. End of argument.
July 17th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
why is it that everytym white people vent it racist but when black people vent an make movies clowning white people making us look like fools its ok sure they were segragated an were slaves but so was everyother race of the world espcially jews who got it the worst but u dont see the complaining bout everything
July 17th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I think it’s unfair to call the entire site “racist”.
There are certainly a few posters who made racist comments, but to me it seems like 99% of the comments are just harsh criticisms.
Disagreeing with a black person does not mean you are racist…99% of the comments I’ve seen on that site are NOT RACIST. They’re certainly not nice, but calling a black person a name like “idiot” or “he deserves this”, “she deserves that”, does not make it a racist comment.
As a white person, what offends me personally, are organizations with all black members that DO NOT allow WHITE members.
If I made an organization called “The White Anglo-Saxon Police Officers Club”, I’d be called a racist.
Yet, it’s perfectly ok to have a “Black Police Officers of America Club”.
Double Standards - that’s what it is.
These types of organizations just prolong racism - If you create a group of individuals of the same ethnicity and do not allow others to join, you’re sending a message.
The ironic part is, in the city of Philadelphia, there are just as many (if not, more) African Americans who are racist, than whites.
If it’s one thing I’ve learned from the media, it’s this:
Only white people can be racist.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
That website is out of control they harass everyone that doesnt agree with them. You have to be in the Good Ole Boys Club. Dont disagree with them or your banned. Then for the next 4 or more years they still post harassment about you and your family and nothing but lies to make their day. The trouble started when non cops flew in and took root. Like a grade school class of spoiled little boys teasing other. But when you hold a job as a police officer you cant be racist or sexist.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Don’t, er, “unload your service weapon” on the messenger. Racism is ugly, but legal. Lawsuits like this do nothing to address the root problems and ultimately create more of the very disharmony they seek to alleviate.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
McQ is the owner of domelights, he should have put a stop to this years ago. He can control what is posted. He could have filters that would delete the posts before they were sent. The few in the group that caused the problems should have been banned. If anyone read what was posted about the police woman that is involved in the suit you would see why they are getting sued. I cant even print what they called her! They cut everyone up white black woman..just got caught!
July 18th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
The message being sent here is that whites don’t have the right to be racist, or even speak critically about blacks.
July 19th, 2009 at 3:47 am
when you remove the all black cop org. then you can talk about removing a web site that is 1% racist.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:04 am
The Black cop org came into existence because they were being disrespected on the job. Had specific problems attributed to their race. You can’t stop a cop from being a racist; but he can be made to suppress his feeling at work. That’s where the Commish & Mayor failed the Dept. It’s a very volatile situation with potential for violence among the officers. Morale must be very low. And the Phila PD has lost all respect in the eyes of the citizens. And it’s their own fault. It’s that “cop mentality”. No other job would allow this.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Monica Yant Kinney wrote an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about cops and civilian employees of the PPD parking illegally. The response on Domelights was predictable, but one respondent went so far as to print her home address. Message sent and received. This site is not being properly monitored by its creator and has become a forum for those who think they are above the law, not those who simply wish to enforce it. What goes around comes around. Those who make threats deserve what they get.
July 21st, 2009 at 3:16 am
@ Jesse:
Jesse, how did you learn your history? From watching Barney the Purple Dinosaur? Yes peoples in various locations around the world, and at different times, were enslaved. The Sumerians had slaves, the Egytians had slaves, etc.; the slaves would do the work that had to be done. Hell, the Romans had slaves too. But during their holiday of Saturnalia, they would give all their slaves their unconditional freedom. Therein is the big difference between ancient-world slavery and how it was practiced in America. Here, slaves were bought and sold for PROFIT! Now as far as Jews not complaining goes, spray-can a swastika on a synagogue and see what happens. They’ll want someone’s head on a silver plate. What do Jews say? They say “Never Again” and I don’t blame them!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
right on with the words of wisdom and truth
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:13 am
I ran into domelights when googling after work the days news on the kids and the pool bump. I live in the southwest and no nothing about your city, but when I started reading the posts at domelights, I was saddened at the NUMBER of comments which leaned racist. Hard to tell what life experiences the writers come from, but the venom was apparent in more than a handful of the commenters. Is this a symptom of a bigger problem? Only those involved in the police org. can answer that one. I hope they find a way to vent their issues.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
Why is it the white cops are always being shot and killed on the job. Could it be they respond better than a black cop or do the black cops just make the white cops first in so blacks won’t get hurt. Years ago under Rizzo Administration there was one color which was BLUE. Maybe you should have Creative Steps run PPD and give all blacks a trip to Disneyland or membership in The Valley Swim Club.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 am
Loretta, you’re a fake commenter pretending to be a racist, right?
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Loretta. What is your point as it relates to the website domelights.com?
July 24th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I live in the south, but came from the West and came across the website when CNN reported the lawsuit. I read the posts and really had no problem with them. I am a white female and believe that blacks are a lot mroe racist than whites and they can be, because they are allowed to get away with it. Why is it that they can call white people names, harass them and nothing is ever done about it. God forbid when a white person calls a black person a name b/c then all hell will break loose and we are called a racist. I am sick and tired of the blacks crying over their ancestors pasts.. they shouldn’t have sold their own into slavery then! GET OVER IT! It is the year 2009, not 1810! and why cant we have a club that ONLY has whites in it.. OH I KNOW because if we do, we will be called racists, but whats new right?! People are tired of your whining and crying.. why dont the blacks clean up their acts and get an education and clean up their neighborhoods and live like the rest of us in this world!
July 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
TO GARY…
No the message isn’t that whites can’t be racist, its that Philadelphia Cops and Fireman can’t express racist views in public.
And I agree. Our Cops and Fireman are SUPPOSE to be held to higher standards, and represent the BEST that our country and city have to offer. Not some LOW LIFE racist scum.
They give ALL philly cops a bad name, and philly fireman.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
TO LORETTA
You are an idiot. I know plenty of black officers who risk their lives on the PFD, and PPD every day, to suggest that they do not put it all on the line like their white counterparts is ignorant and INDEED racism.
You do not KNOW them, or ever WORKED with them to make that idiotic statment.
BTW, there was an officer who was black who was SHOT in the face, remember him? The President had him sit in at the State of the Union address.
There are MORE white cops than blacks, that is why you see the disparity in numbers.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
To DOWN SOUTH:
Of course you have no problem with a website implying that minorites kill cops, and only minorities, or a website that has racist content in it.
You just made a racist post. When you imply ALL BLACKS are something is prejudice and racist.
Both whites and blacks have criminals, and ignorant ppl, you are a prime example of that.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
This has been a very interesting conversation. I would like to raise some additional points:
1) Posts on domelights.com have raised serious questions as to whether or not police officers in Philly have sufficient training in handling diverse communities. A competent communicator is able to express frustrations, opinions and ideas without engaging in namecalling or abusive language. Are they evaluated on the basis of cultural competences? Why not?
2) If these comments express the true feelings of officers on the force, chances are good these biases or prejudices seep out while they are on the job. What process is in place to evaluate an officer’s biases and measure its effect? You can be racist; you can’t let it keep you from doing your job. As a diversity trainer, I have found very few people able to hide their true feelings. Trying to hide racism is like trying to sweep crumbs under a kitchen table. Eventually, the dirt shows.
3) If there is hidden bias and hostility among police officers, it puts the lives of all police officers at risk. How does a young Hispanic man encountering the police for the first time know if he has met a good officer or a closet racist? It is this uncertainty that creates so many cultural collisions and mishaps.
If racism is allowed to flourish within a police department, that validates the cultural filter of communities of color.
The thinking is “You can’t trust the police. They are out to get you.” If racists cops are allowed to patrol the streets, then they are right.
A police department will not win the battle against crime if it can’t gain the trust of the people they serve.
The entire community suffers as a result, not just minorities.
oin.
July 25th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
ALL of this was written about in a book in the mid-90’s–> CIVIL WAR II: The Coming Breakup of America.
It can be read completely free on the Scribd.com website.
The paragraphs will jump out at you as you read what’s happening right now.
July 26th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
TO LINDA:
Great post.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Can we simply unite and recognize that regardless of the color of their skin, most cops are shitheads that aren’t fit to wear a badge, let alone carry a deadly weapon?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I applaud Linda’s attempt to rationalize the situation, but I believe most of the comments in question are not typical of the conversation on Domelights throughout it’s 9+ year history.
August 6th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Most police didnt have time for domelights and the trash some troll would post. But when the harassment and threats hit real time or should I say the real world. Then the site should have been closed down years ago. Posting names and address for hate purposes, to threaten or intimidate to cause bodily harm to others. This is where the line should have been drawn! McQ stood by and watched and joined in! Just do a search on google or any other search, of threats harassment and domelgihts. The proof is in the posts! Get the ones that did the posting and drag them into court so McQ doesnt have to take the fall out from the others. I feel he may have had his hands tied with that site, you never know who the posters are in real life..maybe brass!
August 14th, 2009 at 8:53 am
NO, domelights is not rcists! it is a place where all police and ppl interested in police can come to get more involve, let off steam, let go of stress…………..if there are racist here who can help it, it was open to the public………..no matter how long we try race will always be a part of our lives.
Thanks McQ for all yo8 did I support you and domelights!
September 11th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
MCQ did nothing to stop the posts and even joined in on the child like fun..of cutting people up! One black female officer was not even burried and they were attacking her in posts about her son and how she raised him! That is a DISGRACE! They cut up anyone that is not like them ! And then they threaten to cause fear! Get the ones that made the threats and NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! About time someone pulled the plug and turned the domelights off!
September 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
If you believe that “Domelights” was a racist (pro white, anti-black) forum, then you have not had the displeasure of reading the far worse comments posted on THEE RANT, http://theerant.yuku.com/forums/58
This forum is a fine example of how racist members of the NYPD actually are.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
You know what..Domelights was a window into the PPD and PFD - lots of rumors, and FACTS about layoffs, etc.
Supposedly they city is setting up to ax 740 cops this week… and I’d love to be able to go over to “the dome” to get the real facts on what the criteria to get laid off is… so that I can tell if my friends on the force are going to be getting laid off.
And for every racist comment on the site - there were plenty of positive comments about good officers - be they black, white, green, or purple.
August 5th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
It all boils down to this: One of the most UNFORTUNATE problems that plagues our society is that there is a certain percentage of black people who act in such a way (refusal to conform to the accepted ways of society) as to make people of other cultures dislike/avoid/fear them. UNDERSTAND that the ‘percentage’ of black people who act this way is substantially high enough to leave people of other cultures no choice but to FEEL A CERTAIN WAY towards blacks in general. Its certainly a real tragedy for black people as a whole. Today, i truly believe that most whites are NOT raised to hate blacks, compared to years ago. Most whites feel how they do based on THEIR OWN personal experiences with this percentage of blacks. IT IS HUMAN NATURE TO feel a certain way, dislike/avoid/fear something/someone, including people, that they associate negative PERSONAL experiences. My VERY 1ST 5 EXPERIENCES W/BLACK PEOPLE were very negative & traumatic&SINCE have not improved! How ELSE should i feel?