Fighting Racism and Discrimination

Al Roker

@Marcyaz (35316)

United States

January 13, 2016 4:44pm CST

Al Roker of The Today Show was with his son, they were waiting for a cab when a New York city cab driver passed them up in favor of a white man. This is definitely discrimination This was the second refusal violation of this particular cab driver. The cab driver was fined five hundred dollars. Al Roker had filed a complaint in November citing racial reasons. I think the cab driver should have been fined more than the five hundred dollars. What do you think was the fine high enough of not?

12 people like this

14 responses

****DANIELLE****

@VivaLaDani13 (60812)

• Perth, Australia

17 Jan 16

I'm not sure if fining him will really help this sort of situation. He wont really learn anything from it. He is just ignorant. I mean sure it will have an impact on how he will work in the future but wont change how he thinks.

2 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

18 Jan 16

@VivalaDani13 It may not change his thinking but it will hurt him in the long run and make him think twice about his actions in the future.

2 people like this

@kaka135 (14994)

• Malaysia

14 Jan 16

I am not sure how much he should be fined, but it's sad to know there are still discrimination all around.

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@kaka135 (14994)

• Malaysia

15 Jan 16

@Marcyaz I remember reading something like "global village" when I was younger. It seems it's impossible for every global citizen to treat each other as his own family, though we are all human beings.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

15 Jan 16

@kaka135 In this case Al and his son were treated less than a citizen, to just be ignored like that.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@kaka135 It is sad that such discrimination still exists and was so obvious.

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

15 Jan 16

I think that each time it should go up. ANd, that amount is a good place to start.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

15 Jan 16

@celticeagle Good thought yes it should increase each time it happens and then there should be a stopping point when the person should face jail time.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

15 Jan 16

@celticeagle Very true and then maybe end up in jail for a long, long time.

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

15 Jan 16

@Marcyaz ....Yes, the dim witted need a couple times and then they can do jail time.

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@gr8nana6 (6614)

• Conyers, Georgia

13 Jan 16

I can't believe that Racism still exists now a days. That is ridiculous and the driver should have been terminated in my opinion

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@gr8nana6 Yep racism still exists today and I am thinking the same as you the can driver should have been terminated and fined both.

1 person likes this

@gr8nana6 (6614)

• Conyers, Georgia

14 Jan 16

@Marcyaz I totally agree, in this day and age it is outrages to treat someone like that just because the color of their skin.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

26 Mar 16

I don't have enough information to comment. Were the black man and white man equally well dressed, etc.?

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

26 Mar 16

@TheHorse It wasn't said if how they were dressed and that should not have made any difference as one person was waiting with his son.

@Plethos (13718)

• United States

14 Jan 16

maybe he just hates al roker. im surprised he was fined, because you have to prove he did it on the grounds of racism. as a cab driver, he can choose his customers. maybe the "white" guy didnt have luggage and roker did, its a quick pick up when one has no luggage. or maybe he just didnt see roker. or maybe roker has a reputation as a bad tipper. fine or not, id like to know how they proved he was racist in his decision. id like to see the roker report and the investigation report.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@Plethos Al and his son were in line next for this cabbie to pick up and since this cabbie has done this before to someone else it was enough proof for the courts I am sure.

1 person likes this

@Plethos (13718)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@Marcyaz - now im going to probably sound racist saying this, but was the cab driver a foreigner? arab or muslim of sorts? it could be a cultural thing.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@Plethos Yes he was but he is not in his country now, is he? You can read about it online for yourself.

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@marguicha (230350)

• Chile

5 Feb 16

I hope that all people (and not only celebs) get justice when there is discrimination. In my country, as in many countries, there is also a discrimination that affects people that are workers. It is a shame.

@SIMPLYD (90717)

• Philippines

15 Jan 16

The fine should be higher than that . However , in whatever way , there should be no racism anywhere in the world , because we are all children of God .

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

15 Jan 16

@SIMPLYD Yes, we are all children of God and no one should be treated like that.

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@Teep11 (7673)

• United States

14 Jan 16

That's so disheartening. It still exist and yes, the cab driver should've been fined more, he has to be fair and that wasn't fair at all.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@Teep11 No it wasn't fair to do such a thing and shouldn't have happened. It is very disheartening to know that this racism still exists.

@LadyDuck (502427)

• Italy

14 Jan 16

I would have fined at least 2,000 dollars and suspended the license for 2 months.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@LadyDuck Now this is what I like to hear a large fine and license suspended.

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@simone10 (54180)

• Louisville, Kentucky

14 Jan 16

I don't know about how much he should have been fined but agree that this was racial discrimination. Kudos to Al Roker for filing a complaint and not letting this go by.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

simone10 This was definitely racial discrimination and I also say Good for Al for not letting this go by the wayside and since the cabdriver has done this before and been fined once I think he should have been fined more than what he was fined.

@amadeo (111937)

• United States

13 Jan 16

we not sure if there is a set price on this.Any fine is good.Not sure if we got the whole story here?just saying

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jan 16

@amadeo Well if you think there is more to the story then go on line and check it out for yourself, just saying.

@PainsOnSlate (21845)

• Canada

15 Jan 16

I'm just glad they can be fined. I agree with you this needs to stop but there will always hateful people.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

16 Jan 16

@PainOnSlate Yes at least something was done and it was the pocketbook which must have hurt, it does need to be stopped but like you said there will always be hateful people around.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382068)

• Rockingham, Australia

20 Mar 16

I don't think the fine was high enough but a fine isn't going to change this person's point of view. Probably nothing in his lifetime will change his viewpoint.