Are you suggesting that all kinds of closeted racist shop holders, restaurant owner, etc. can now finally act on their extreme views, all thanks to this beautiful and unexpected gift that was a decimating pandemic?

“Are “proof of vaccination” requirements functioning as de facto racial discrimination?”
– No. WTF?

“And what do you make of the comparison with voter ID laws?”
– I don’t know what you mean, but the suggestion strikes me as probably annoyingly political.

“In NYC, for example, the vaccination rate of black residents is lower than that of white residents, which is lower than that of Asian residents. There is a significant gap in vaccination rates between black/Hispanic residents and white/Asian residents.”
– My gut reaction is just to tell you to f&%@* off with this argument.
– Clearly, there is a rational practical reason why some places would reasonably choose to require proof of vaccination, which have to do with safety and saving lives, and not with racism.

“I’ve often heard that the problem with voter ID laws isn’t that showing ID to vote is wrong in principle, but that because certain racial minorities are less likely to have ID, it functionally discriminates against them. Isn’t that the same thing happening with these “proof of vaccination” requirements?”
– No, it absolutely is not. Again, it’s about practical safety concerns. Suggesting the equivalence seems like something a racist apologist might try to insinuate, though.
– And BTW, there are also issues with requiring showing ID to vote, that are not at all about discrimination or exclusion.

“Bars, restaurants, and other venues are now open only to the “vaccinated”, which translates to mostly white and Asian people and much fewer black and Hispanic people.”
– No it doesn’t. It clearly means vaccinated people, and that unvaccinated people are not welcome due to direct safety risks.

Can you explain in a believable way that this is not just an annoying disingenuous political argument?

I’m not saying racist shop owners now get to act on their racism; I’m not saying anyone is racist. I’m just saying that this system is, through no racist intention, resulting in effective discrimination of more non-white than not in most places since those non-white people are less likely to be vaccinated. Voter ID is just one analogy but I’ve often heard this argument that even if something is designed to be racist (SATs for example) if they negatively affect racial minorities more then there’s something problematic with them.

I of course recognize that the bigger issue is what’s driving the unequal vaccination rates.

No more so than restaurants and shops who will not serve vaccinated people. Or are they discriminating against Asians and whites, who you say are more likely to be vaccinated than others? (not that I’m doubting that)

I don’t see it as much different than refusing service to those who aren’t wearing shoes or shirts, although with your reasoning, I suppose the no-shirt no-service could be discriminatory toward women.

I don’t see it as discrimination. I see it as being protective of their employees and guests.

Yes

Only to those who wish them to be, just so they can have something to bitch about.

Not if everyone is required to provide the same poof.
What’s with the ID issue? You have to show ID to get registered.

So if everyone is required to show vaccinations proof to get on a plane, and more blacks are turned away than whites that’s discrimination? I’m not seeing it.

Absolutely not! ESPECIALLY not in NYC. FEMA had a huge set up there. It’s been available in drug stores, clinics, it’s free. NYC of all places has availability in walking distance or extremely inexpensive public transportation within short distances of everyone.

If you want to argue discrimination regarding poor rural areas in other places maybe I’ll go along with it.

And don’t forget – at least 2 people have been busted for being in possession of either fake vaccination IDs from China, or real ones (a pharmacist got caught). So will you now say it’s discrimination that maybe poor blacks can’t afford the fake ones or the genuine ones? In that case, I’m being discriminated against because I can’t afford a Ferrari because I’m on disability income. Sheesh, can we stop looking for problems? We have enough real ones already.

^Exactly!

It is the same vaccine whether you are white, black, asian, hispanic, etc

Everyone has an equal opportunity to get the vaccine. People’s choice to not get vaccinated has nothing to do with discrimination.

You are all over the place here.
VoterID, Vaccine, Asian, Black, White, hispanic, bars, restaurants, venues, etc.
Please don’t mix and make up some problem indiscriminately.