The Anniston Star l Sunday, November 24, 2013 l Page 6E
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY BANKRUPTCIES
DEATHS Vastie D. Batson, Florida K.C. Bearden, Anniston Ruth Elizabeth Bowman, South Carolina Roy Cecil Brand, Roanoke Retired Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Jerome Brown, Anniston Greg Allen Brown, Centre Helen Ruth Moses Robinson Burgett, Nauvoo William Ira Calaway, Cedar Bluff Charlie Calhoun, Talladega Roger Dale Calhoun, Moody Lois Howard Conaway, Anniston Karie E. Conley, Munford Lou Warren Cotney, Oxford Sydney Claire Daniel, Weaver Michael Dwight Duke, Piedmont James E. English, Anniston W. Timothy “Tim” Garrett Sr., Anniston Billie Greene, Anniston Johnny Smith Grindle, Gadsden Joyce Annie Gurley, Weaver Paul Harris, Talladega Elizabeth Hayes, Heflin Mary Cofield Hudson, Anniston Elizabeth Lue-Sunie Oneal Hayes, Heflin Geraldine Jennings, Centre Eula Cheatwood Johnson, Oxford William Jones Jr., Anniston Retired MSG Leon Lamison, Virginia Bertice Edwin “Bert” Latham, Cedar Bluff Alma Machovec, Oxford Angela Mason, Wadley JoAnn Haynes McAdams, Oxford
Thelma Gladys McElroy, Heflin Lindsey Moon, Roanoke Willie B. Moon, Wedowee Ronald “Big Bruh” Morris, Texas Billy Dwight Nelson, Anniston Doris Sikes Nix, Wedowee Lowell Thomas Owens, Oxford Daisy Pearson, Anniston Barbara McDonald Phillips, Alexandria Catherine Phillips, Talladega William “Bill” Herald Pool, Roanoke Jack Harold Satterfield, Lineville Ronald Ray Scoggins, Gaylesville William McArthur Skinner, Eastaboga Andrew “Andy” Skros, Wadley Jennifer Y. Smith, Woodland Claudie D. Stitts, Piedmont James H. “Jim” Studdard Sr., Lineville Mark Luke Tinsley, Talladega Ricky Traffanstedt, Piedmont Walter B. “Buddy” Vincent, Talladega Jason Watkins, Anniston Joyce Cronan Webb, Piedmont James R. Whitman Jr., Anniston Sandra Mae Wilbanks, Gaylesville Leland Franklin Williams, Spring Garden Jesse Paul Wood, Gaylesville
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year period. During that time, debtors are prohibited from starting or continuing collection efforts. The following bankruptcies declared by Calhoun County residents were recorded by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
• Paul Ferguson, Russell Drive, Weaver • David W. Hayden and Tonia A. Hayden, Jason Drive, Oxford • Quintella Noel, St. Charles Street, Anniston • Richard K. Coffman, Rockview Circle, Weaver • Roger A. Flint, East 7th Street, Anniston
Chapter 13
10 10 8
8
6
6
4
4
2
2
8 6
• Clayton Dewey Hicks III of Anniston to Buffie Lynn Provencio of Anniston • Jason Russell Sprayberry of Anniston to Paige McCullough Pruitt of Oxford • Leo Everett Noll of Eastaboga to Anita Charlene Cofield of Anniston • Billy George Hunter of Anniston to Jennifer Lynn Mears of Anniston • Michael Lee Edwin Woosley of Anniston to Torrie Elaine Evans of Anniston
Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 722 compared to 1025 last week. Receipts a year ago 1365.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 195.00 to 240.00; 300-400 lbs. 190.00 to 235.00; 400-500 lbs. 165.00 to 207.50; 500-600 lbs. 147.00 to 175.00; 600700 lbs. 112.00 to 130.00. Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 170.00 to 210.00; 300400 lbs. 163.00 to 195.00; 400-500 lbs. 142.00 to 165.00; 500-600 lbs. 137.00 to 162.50; 600-700 lbs. 127.00 to 140.00.
• Sunni G. Crow and Joseph M. Crow • Brittany Necole Rouse and Jayson Doyle Rouse • Landry Thomas Haynes and Sarah
Elizabeth Haynes • Regina Allen and Edward Austin Allen • Christy Michelle Gardner and Rex Jay Gardner
SLAUGHTER CLASSES:
Cows: Breakers 75.50 to 77.00; Boners 78.00 to 85.00; Lean 71.00 to 74.00. Bulls: Normal Dressing 54-58% 94.00 to 97.00; Low Dressing
WILLS PROBATED
• Nina D. Pounds • Clyde L. Davis Jr., McKee Street, Pied- • Barbara Jean Watmont kins • Randall C. Lemons, Brown Street, East- • Anne Morgan Mundy aboga • Carolyn Hall, Taylor Street, Piedmont
FORECLOSURES • Jessie Lusk and Frances Lusk, West Glen subdivision, 2nd addition, lot 6. • Byron L. Handy, Piedmont Land & Improvement Co., block 50, lots 17 and 18. • Marcus J. Thompson, Jennifer Thompson, Levi Langley and Helen J. Langley, Crestline subdivision, block G, lot 2.
EDITOR’S NOTE
12
• James Anthony Redwine of Anniston to Mary Agnes Morgan Person of Anniston • Nathan Wesley Formby of Anniston to Angela Delane Evans of Weaver • Robert William Christopher of Alexandria to Mary Thompson Vice of Alexandria • Justin Michael Bergstresser of Alexandria to Cassie Marie Austin of Anniston • Christopher Matthew Reed of Anniston to Shanika Nesha McClellan of Anniston
CATTLE SALE
DIVORCES
Chapter 7
RATE OF BANKRUPTCIES 12 12
MARRIAGE LICENSES
The material inside the Sunday Record is recorded by The Anniston Star from various institutions and government offices. The public records are published as they appeared on the documents obtained by the newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at igodwin@annistonstar.com.
Moss INCORPORATIONS • Michael K. Ponder • Gerald Lester Ashley • Party Central Tours LLC • GPA Auto LLP • Ella Mae Browning • Eddie Boling Backhoe Services LLC RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS • Iglesia Casa De Adoracion Anniston Here are food service establishments recent- • Therapeutic Health Serly inspected by the Calhoun County Health vices Department, along with scores. A score of 100 indicates the inspector found no deficiencies. Dissolved Potentially hazardous deficiencies (four- or • Trantham Trucking Co. five-point demerit items) are noted. These must Inc. be corrected immediately and inspectors say • Northeast Alabama Centhey are often corrected while the inspection ter for Community Initiais underway. Restaurants earning below 70 tives must raise their scores within seven days or face closure. The Anniston Star
NO MAJOR DEMERITS
COMMUNITY
• Anniston Inn & Suites, 6220 McClellan Blvd., Anniston — 98. • Winn-Dixie (Deli), 1408 Golden Springs Road, Anniston — 99. • Winn-Dixie (Market), 1408 Golden Springs Road, Anniston — 98. • Winn-Dixie (Seafood), 1408 Golden Springs Road, Anniston — 99. • Winn-Dixie (Bakery/Deli), 4920 U.S. 78, W., Oxford — 98. Check on your favorite teams with • Winn-Dixie (Market), 4920 U.S. 78, W., Oxford — 97.
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AnnistonStar.com ARRESTS
The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and charges are obtained from public records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
robbery. • Betty Gidley Paslay, 62: first-degree theft. • Jeremy Keith Goble, 36: possession of a controlled substance, possession/use of drug paraphernalia. Anniston • Verne Ross Jr., 31: possession of a conThe following felony arrests were reported trolled substance. by the Anniston Police Department (addressCalhoun County es not provided) during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. The following felony arrests were report• Jasmine Lene Porter, 22: second-degree ed by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office possession of a forged instrument. during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. • Tangela Lashay Smith, 34: third-degree Thursday.
• Christopher Montel Ball, 18, of Hobson City: destruction of state property. • Brandon Allen Woodard, 35, of Anniston: warrant of arrest-probationer. • Donrickus Levell Stewart, 27, of Anniston: order of arrest. • Jeremy Evan Nunnally, 34, of Anniston: third-degree burglary. • Joseph Donald Warren, 28, of Jacksonville: possession of a controlled substance. • Derick Wayne Smith, 31, of Anniston: two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
• Antonio Lapazs Redding, 43, of Anniston: trafficking cocaine.
Oxford
The following felony arrests were reported by the Oxford Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Erica Megan Billings, 36: second-degree theft of property. • Bobby Gene McDaniel, 51: fugitive from justice, using false I.D. to obstruct justice. • Kenneth Lane Hurst Jr., 29: first-degree manufacture of a controlled substance.
BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
Anniston
The following property crimes were reported to the Anniston Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries • Residence, 2600 block of Coleman Road: lawn care tools. • Residence, 2000 block of Woodland Avenue: game consoles, games. • Residence, 100 block of West 20th Street: space heater. • Residence, 700 block of South Marshall Street: household items, clothing. • Residence, 400 block of East 22nd Street: television, DVD player, DVDs.
• Residence, 4200 block of Whiteside Avenue: television. • Residence, 2100 block of Oakmont Avenue: tablet computer. • Residence, 600 block of Keith Avenue: televisions, remote controls. • Residence, 300 block of Rockwood Drive: television. • Residence, 2200 block of Christine Avenue: gas heaters. • Residence, 2000 block of Christine Avenue: washing machine. (Recovered 11-14-2013) • Residence, 500 block of Glen Addie Avenue: television. • Residence, first block of East 24th Street: electrical wire, copper pipes. • Residence, 1700 block of Cooper Avenue: clothing, heaters, kerosene lamps. • Residence, first block of East 24th Street: air conditioner, electrical wiring. • Residence, 200 block of Rockwood Drive: television, laptop
computer, game console. • Residence, 1100 block of West 49th Street: firearm, tablet computer, jewelry.
• Service station, 400 block of South Quintard Avenue: crank kit. • Specialty store, 1500 block of Noble Street: jewelry. • Construction site, 700 block of Thefts Golden Springs Road: vault-buggy • Unknown location, 400 block of trailer, strap set. Monsanto Road: bicycles, bike I.D. theft rack, navigation system. • Department store, 5500 block of • Residence, 2300 block of McKleMcClellan Boulevard: television. roy Avenue: unapproved charges. (Recovered 11-16-2013) Auto-related thefts • Department store, 5500 block of • Unknown location, 1800 block of McClellan Boulevard: television. • Residence, 200 block of Carol South Quintard Avenue: 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Circle: cash. • Residence, 1900 block of Moore • Parking lot, 5100 block of Post Oak Road: cell phone, cash. Avenue: firearm. • Residence, first block of North • Residence, 900 block of South Christine Avenue: 1988 Cadillac Virginia Avenue: cash. • Service station, 5700 block of Deville. McClellan Boulevard: diesel fuel. • Residence, 300 block of East • Department store, 5500 block of Glade Road: 2003 Ford Mustang. McClellan Boulevard: silverware (Recovered 11-19-2013) • Residence, 400 block of Hillyer set. (Recovered 11-19-2013) • Construction site, 5400 block of High Road: CDs, satellite radio. • Residence, first block of TimoCenterbrook Drive: utility trailer.
thy Terrace: clothing, shoes, tablet charger, bag, cash/coins.
Calhoun County
The following property crimes were reported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries
• Residence in Anniston: washing machine, air conditioners. • Residence, 1300 block of Pine Ridge Road, Wellington: computer, speaker dock, tools, DVDs, television, DVD player, floor jack.
Thefts
• Residence in Anniston: firearm. • Residence, 1600 block of Old Broadwell Mill Road, Jacksonville: aluminum wheels, radiator. • Unspecified location, 400 block
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The Anniston Star
Sunday, November 24, 2013 Page 7E
SUNDAY RECORD CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar
BLOTTER
PROPERTY TRANSFERRED • Kelly Morriss to Malcolm Morriss, Sagewood subdivision, lot 13, $10. • EvaBank to Michael Robert Leece, a parcel of land in section 6, township 15, range 6, $42,900. • K-Jon Properties LLC to Willow Point Homeowners Assoc. Inc., Willow Point subdivision, lots 1 and 32, $10. • Maxine K. Simpson to Emily Jane Johnston and Cecil Ray Johnston, fraction B/C of a parcel of land in section 7, township 13, range 10, $10. • Joanne Butler Pepper to Preston Foster Pepper, Overbrooke Forest subdivision, 2nd addition, lot 49, $10. • Dorothy P. DeBardeleben and Crowell Pate DeBardeleben to Lucinda L. Yonce Sanders, Glenwood Oaks subdivision, block 5, lot 1, $130,000. • Jason L. Lively to Lively Properties LLC, a parcel of land in section 15, township 14, range 8, $1. • U.S. Bank to Eric A. Heathcock, Sunset Heights, Cynthia Crescent addition, block 3, lots 18 and 19, $25,900. • Justin M. Ball and Kathryn B. Ball to Timothy Sanford and Naomi M. Sanford, Whites Gap Estates, 5th addition, block F, lots 15 and 16, $10. • CP-SRMOF II 2012-A Trust to Ramanjit Bhatti, Micou addition to the City of Anniston, block 1, lot 18, $19,000. • Roy Charles Richard Light to Christopher M. Rhodes, a parcel of land in section 36, township 15, range 7, $1. • Ronda S. Thomas to Jimmy Bush and Brenda Bush, Central City Terrace subdivision, block 3, lot 33, $1,500. • Curtistine Bentley to Jerry Wayne Langley, M.C. Sterne subdivision, block 4, lot 1, $10. • Paula E. Shipman Trupp to William A. Birt and Corella Ann Birt, Westwood subdivision, 2nd addition, lot 39, $10. • Wilburn D. Rollins and Sara A. Rollins to Wilburn D. Rollins Jr. and Paula F. Rollins, a parcel of land in
section 13, township 14, range 6, $10. • Danny Gene Bentley and Kathy L. Bentley to Wendy Bentley Jones and Walter Matthew Jones, a parcel of land in section 7, township 16, range 9, $10. • Betty Ann Bentley and Danny Gene Bentley to Betty Ann Bentley, Danny Gene Bentley, Kathy L. Bentley and Wendy Bentley Jones, a parcel of land in section 7, township 16, range 9, $10. • Steven Gay Bonner to Nathan Ray Tubbs and Tina Tubbs, a parcel of land in section 34, township 16, range 17, $10. • Claude Douglas Haynes to Gregory Mann and Lan Khong, S.E. Boozer Farm, block 6, lot 8, $10. • Jennifer Winfrey to Clearvue Opportunity XV LLC, a parcel of land in section 34, township 13, range 7, $3,600. • Stonecrest Income and Opportunity Fund I LLC to Aviola Communities Management LLC, a parcel of land in section 7, township 16, range 8, $601. • Anne D. Powers to Melanie Powers Williams, Club View Heights, block 551, lots 1 and 2, $1. • Mary L. Cable to Eloy Martinez Rodriguez, Reaves subdivision, block 9, lots 20-24, $10. • Joyce H. Allred to Marian Elaine Allred and Joyce H. Allred, Woodlawn Acres Land Division, lot 3. • Housing & Urban Development to Mary Fink, Dugger View subdivision, lots 7 and 8, $10. • First National Bank to C. Wayne Culver and Judith V. Culver, a parcel of land in section 31, township 15, range 6, $82,350. • Johnny Fomby and Tishunna Carter to Johnny Fomby and Tishunna Carter, Camelot subdivision, lot 15, $125,000. • John Neal Greene to Mike Rayner, Shannon Hills subdivision, block 7, lot 1, $10. • Lashoine D. Melton to Ronald Eugene Freeman and Carolyn L. Freeman, Berkshire Woods subdi-
vision, 2nd sector, block 2, lot 11, $130,000. • Edward A. Miller and Shu-Lan Miller to Edward A. Miller and ShuLan Miller, Lenlock subdivision, 2nd section, 2nd addition, block 9, lot 3, $10. • Rory L. Bonds to Patricia B. McLeod, a parcel of land in section 22, township 13, range 8, $10. • Robert T. Noone to William D. Findley and Heather N. Findley, Eagle Pass subdivision, block C, lot 1, $10. • Mary Frances Canale and Steve Canale to Mary Frances Canale, a parcel of land in section 26, township 15, range 9, $10. • Victor Ray-Estate to Lisa Ray Taylor, a parcel of land in section 24, township 14, range 8, $10. • Darla R. Buse to Michael J. Buse, a parcel of land in section 19, township 15, range 6, $10. • Darla R. Buse to Michael J. Buse, a parcel of land in section 19, township 15, range 6, $10. • Darla R. Buse to Michael J. Buse, a parcel of land in section 19, township 15, range 6, $10. • Cider Ridge Alabama LLC to Paul E. Smith and Donna H. Smith, Cider Ridge subdivision, phase 1 reassessment, block RB, lots 16RB and 17RB, $90,000. • Mark Anthony Edwards to Avery Properties LLC, a parcel of land in section 30, township 15, range 6, $135,000. • Wells Fargo Bank to Housing & Urban Development, Midway Land Co., lot 6, $1. • Family Trust U/W Cyrus S. Steed Jr. to Nicholas Thacker, a parcel of land in section 30, township 13, range 7, $10. • Thompson Properties LLC to Nicholas Thacker, a parcel of land in section 31, township 13, range 7, $10. • Lou Lindblom to David R. Trantham, Gerald Douglas Trantham and Troy Jason Trantham, Gladco Acres, lots 3-6, $1. • Jaime R. Lucas to Paul W. Lucas,
Quail Run subdivision, block B, lot 2, $10. • Paul W. Lucas and Ashley Lucas to Taylor B. Clopton, Quail Run subdivision, block B, lot 2, $10. • Patrick C. Daley and Amy Daley to Kenneth W. Currie and Charlene C. Currie, Ashton Place, phase 1, block A, lot 3, $10. • Tonja Ann Taylor to Daniel Keith Taylor, a parcel of land in section 36, township 16, range 8, $10. • Steed Brothers Rental to Nicholas Thacker, a parcel of land in section 30, township 13, range 7, $10. • Branch Banking & Trust Co. to Housing & Urban Development, Buckhorn subdivision, phase V, lot 24, $10. • PHH Mortgage Corp. to Housing & Urban Development, Whispering Oaks subdivision, 1st addition, lot 37, $10. • Bailey E. Hinds and Katherine D. Hinds to Paul W. Lucas and Ashley S. Lucas, Stovall Estates, block E, lot 3, $10. • Regions Bank to Kelli Bates, a parcel of land in section 14, township 14, range 8, $10. • John B. Bruce Jr. and Wendell P. Bruce to John B. Bruce Jr. and Wendell P. Bruce, Cider Ridge subdivision, phase 1 reassessment, block CS, lots 9CS, $291,540. • Cobblestone Glen Townhouses LLC to Jack Investment Partners LLC, a parcel of land in sections 32/33, township 16, range 8, $10. • Street Residential Construction Inc. to Jack Investment Partners LLC, Cobblestone Glen, lots 1 and 2, $ 10. • Donald A. Gay to Paula Brooks, Heirs of John W. Noble’s property, block 247, lot 1, $10. • Calhoun Development Co. Inc. to Reed Turner, Buckhorn subdivision, phase IX, lots 13 and 14, $10. • Reed Turner and Andrea R. Turner to Calhoun Development Co. Inc., Buckhorn subdivision, phase VI, 1st addition, lot 141, $10.
BLOTTER Continued from Page 6E
of Old Sulphur Springs Road, Wellington: firearm.
Auto-related thefts
• Residence in Anniston: ammunition and bag, clothing. • Residence in Anniston: combination player.
I.D. theft
• Terminal, 2000 block of Old Downing Mill Road, Anniston: credit card.
Oxford
The following property crimes were reported to the Oxford Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Thefts
• Residence, 200 block of Southside Drive: utility trailer. • Residence, Homewood Acres, Eastaboga: computer. • Department store, 700 block of Quintard Drive: undergarments. • Residence, 900 block of Church Street: firearm, keys.
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Young people say online slurs not OK but common BY CONNIE CASS
dez, 22. “They brush it off and five minutes later something else will come out. Why even bother?” Most young people say they aren’t very In the poll, young people said they were offended about the slurs and mean-spirless likely to ask someone to stop using ited videos mocking overweight people hurtful language on a social networking or gays or blacks that they encounter on site than face to face. social networking sites like Facebook and Alexandria Washington said she’s Twitter. accustomed to seeing men who wouldn’t “You can’t let those things get to you,” say offensive things to her in person post says 15-year-old Vito Calli, an immigrant pictures of “half-naked women in sexual from Argentina whose online friends tease positions,” followed by demeaning comhim with jokes about Hispanics. ments and slurs like “whore” and “ratchet.” In a notable shift, however, young peo“They’ll post anything online, but in ple are coming around to the idea that person it’s a whole different story,” said it’s wrong to contribute to this ugly side Washington, 22, a graduate student in Talof the Internet free-for-all, a poll released lahassee, Fla. Wednesday shows. There seems to be a desensitizing effect. A bare majority, 52 percent, of peoThose who report more exposure to disple ages 14 to 24 now say it’s never OK to criminatory images and words online are engage in discriminatory language, even less likely to say it’s wrong than those who when it’s just among friends who don’t rarely or never encounter it. really mean it. That’s up from 44 percent Context is crucial, too. Demeaned in 2011. groups sometimes reclaim slurs as a way of A stronger majority — nearly 6 in 10 — stripping the words of their power — like Matt Rourke/Associated Press say using slurs is wrong, even if you say the feminist “Bitch” magazine or gay rights you’re “just kidding.” Only about half were Vito Calli, a 15-year-old high school from Reading, Pa., whose family emigrated activists chanting “We’re here, we’re queer, from Argentina, says he is often teased online with jokes about Hispanics. so disapproving two years ago. get used to it!” Meanwhile, the share of young people Washington, who is African-American, who come across slurs online has held high school sophomore has tried to stop ans and bisexual people, and those aimed said on most days she doesn’t come across steady, according to the new poll from The labeling anything uncool either “gay” or racial slurs on social media. But she stumat the overweight. Associated Press-NORC Center for Public “retarded.” He’s finding that a difficult Maria Caprigno, who has struggled with bles upon bigoted words when race is in Affairs Research and MTV. habit to break. obesity since childhood, said seeing mean the news, such as surrounding President More than half of young users of YouYoung people say derogatory stuff is images on Facebook stings. But she thinks Barack Obama’s re-election, and finds Tube, Facebook and gaming communities most often posted online or texted on them hurtful in that serious context. the online world reflects the rest of U.S. such as Xbox Live and Steam say they cellphones to be funny or cool. Less than Likewise, Calli, the high school student society. sometimes or often encounter biased mes- a third believe a major reason people originally from Argentina, said he could “It’s still socially acceptable to comsages. use slurs is because they actually harbor stomach almost any name-calling but gets ment on someone’s weight and what Teens and 20-somethings say these hateful feelings toward the groups they are someone is eating,” said Caprigno, 18, of upset when someone uses a falsehood to slurs and taunting images they see online maligning. denigrate immigrants. Norwood, Mass. “We need to change that are mostly meant as jokes. The majority Most do see hateful thoughts as at least about our culture before people realize Jeffrey Bakken, 23, a producer at a video say they aren’t very offended when they a minor reason, however. game company in Chicago, said the bad posting stuff like that online is going to be see foul words online for women or gays — Some slurs are taken more seriously stuff online, especially slurs posted anonoffensive to someone.” or even the N-word for African-Americans. than others. Racial insults are not that Erick Fernandez of West New York, N.J., ymously, doesn’t define today’s young “Sometimes I make a couple of jokes likely to be seen as hurtful, yet a strong people. He says they actually are more says what people share online reflects the that might be offensive to someone and I majority — 6 in 10 — felt comments and committed to equal rights for minorities influence of song lyrics and music videos don’t even realize it,” said Calli of Reading, images targeting transgender people or and gays than previous generations. and movies. He doesn’t approve but feels Pa. “You forget there’s a person behind the Muslims are. “Kids were horrible before the Internet resigned to it. computer with actual feelings.” Almost as likely to be viewed as existed,” Bakken said. “It’s just that now it’s “I try to call some of my friends out on Because a friend chastised him, the mean-spirited are slurs against gays, lesbi- it, but it’s really to no avail,” said Fernanmore accessible to the public eye.” Associated Press
Poll at a glance: Overweight people, gays slammed most online Most teens and young adults on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites see them at least sometimes: slurs, offensive images or mean-spirited video clips that stigmatize groups of people. In a poll of Internet users ages 14 to 24 from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and MTV, young people take stock of the discriminatory words and images they see online:
• Latinos (32 percent) • Muslims (31 percent) • Women who dress or carry themselves in a masculine way (31 percent) • Transgender people (31 percent) Young people are more likely to view slurs or discriminatory images as mean-spirited rather than as a joke when they target: • Transgender people (63 percent say it’s most often meant to be hurtful) Who gets slammed online? • Muslims (60 percent) • The overweight (54 percent of young • Gay, lesbian or bisexual people (54 people see them targeted sometimes or percent) often) • The overweight (53 percent) • Gay, lesbian or bisexual people (50 • Men who dress or carry themselves in percent) a feminine way (53 percent) • African-Americans (46 percent) • Women (44 percent) Racial insults are less likely to be con• Men who dress or carry themselves in sidered intentionally hurtful. A majority a feminine way (42 percent) of young people say racial groups are • Immigrants (34 percent) maligned mostly in a joking way:
• African-Americans (64 percent say it’s most often meant as a joke) • Latinos (67 percent) • Asian-Americans (73 percent) What about sexism? A big majority — 7 in 10 — say demeaning comments, pictures and videos about women are mostly jokes, not meant to be hurtful. Women are about as likely to feel that way as men are. About 60 percent of those polled see the word “bitch” used against people online or in text messages at least sometimes. Fewer than 30 percent are very offended when it’s aimed at someone else. The poll ranked four possible reasons why people text or share discriminatory language: • They’re trying to be funny (53 percent think that’s a major reason) • They think it’s “cool” to use that lan-
guage (45 percent) • They don’t realize the language is offensive (32 percent) • They really hold hateful feelings about the group (30 percent) Although “hateful feelings” aren’t rated as a prime motive, a big majority of young people — 7 in 10 — say hatred is at least a minor reason for posting or texting slurs about a group. *** Young people seem jaded to a lot of the offensive stuff they see on the social network sites and online gaming communities. Fewer than half, for example, say they are very offended by online use of the N-word for African-Americans. But that doesn’t mean they think tweeting slurs or posting derogatory videos is all right. A majority say it’s never OK to use discriminatory language, even if you’re just kidding.