That is not racist. That is a statement of opinion and realistically made me laugh. It does not serve to advance one race over the other. It's a rather sexual comment but if you are intimidated by what he said maybe some self examination is in order.
No, that is very clearly racist - at least if we consider "black men" and "white men" as referring to race (which I do not really but it is the common vernacular).
RACISM: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
Pretty clear that he is telling the woman that the black race is superior in his statement, in their ability to "handle" her. The easiest way to tell is to flip everything, Banks being white, the woman being black, etc. Everyone would be crying "racism". So yes, it was a racist statement and in many ways very messed up, especially when added to the rest of his comments about cops in general + his behavior at the night club.
It was also funny. It was also a drunk young man who was mouthing off while trying to appear macho to a female.
The above facts should not really be in dispute.
The difference of opinion it seems is "what to do about it?". Some are of the view that the offenses were so egregious that they warrant his irredeemable dismissal from the program and the school should kick him back into the gutter from which he came.
My view, however, is that while yes, he comes from the gutter where such thinking and behavior as he expressed is common and widespread - but rather than sweep him back into that gutter,
help him to climb out of it. The most critical part of that being for him to first realize that he (and his mindset) was in one. It is a fact that not everyone wants to change and life does not give us limitless opportunities to do so.
In this case, however, I sincerely believe that both Banks and the world at large are better served by keeping him in the program (if he does what is required of him) so that he can be around the positive influences and learn new habits and new thinking. Pruitt seems to have a clear pattern of both fighting for kids and being
VERY loyal to them and at the same time, kick their asses and (actually) get in their face when needed. I think this kind of tough love, that demands Banks to "come up higher" but also doesnt throw him away, is the better answer. Maybe that's why many recruits see this staff like a family.
