Al Sharpton is upset at news stations and highway departments using the term "black ice" to describe dangerous driving conditions. He said to reporters in New York City that the wording is racial and derogatory and that he will call in watchdogs at the A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union) if the term is not changed or it's use discontinued.
In current form, "black ice" is used to describe water that freezes on the surface of black pavement that cannot be seen as it is the same color as the pavement. It is dangerous to drive on and is responsible for thousands of traffic accidents and fatalities each year.
"They be saying that black ice is slippery and meaning that my people are slippery like thiefs. It's nothing more than the white man trying to keep the black man down again."
When asked what the condition should be called, Sharpton said "that's up to you. But don't be calling it no black ice or colored ice or negro ice or nigger ice. I thinks I'm gonna has to have a beer summit with the President to discuss this racist language type thing and takes care of it myself."
