posted April 29, 2015 12:32 PM            

Violence obviously is not the answer, but remaining silent is not either. Being silent, obeying the law, and giving out love hasn't done much to aid in the destruction of the system that hinders life in all areas for blacks. Protests happen when the oppressed's voice is not heard, so we cannot expect this to change unless society makes the changes and really listens to this voice.

I'm not arguing that we should loot and destroy our cities, but why is that we are more concerned about a CVS getting destroyed than thousands of innocent blacks being slaughtered?

When people are pushed to their absolute limits, this is bound to happen, and anger will manifest in a multitude of ways. Some will protest peacefully, others may take measures that are more counterproductive. It is shame that we have come to this point in the first place, but the US has failed to address the correlation between race and poverty. We have failed to address the needs of the black community at virtually every level, in all areas of life.

The Supreme Court's decision with the Voting Right's Act has allowed for racially fueled voting districts across the US, racially motivated laws can pass with ease, our middle class is falling apart, and the poor are only falling into a deeper hole. And no one cares because it is so easy to ignore minorities.

Our nation cannot get body camera laws to pass, and some legislation is being made to ban people from recording police officers, which really is disturbing when you stop and think about it. When the system is against you and was founded on racist principles, how can you not feel angry? Why wouldn't people want to express their anger?

I chose that particular quote about MLK jr in my previous thread for a reason. Unfortunately, racists were the ones to kill him. They tried to bomb him, not to mention kill his family, all for demanding equality and an end to racial discrimination. The FBI, of all people, threatened him. This to me, is the more important terrorism to address, much more important than a cop car. And we wonder why black people have developed anger over this?

I've seen too many racists claim we are in a post-racial US, yet the next breath out of us is questioning our black president's legitimacy. When American Sniper came out, conservatives were praising the glorification of violence and praise of murder, yet did not give one care about Selma, a movie with a great purpose and message. How much clear does it have to be that we live in a nation with contrasting idols and two worldviews that cannot coexist?

Why it is wrong to be angry? I do not condone violence and want the protests to be peaceful. But you know what I want, ANSWERS. That is what I want. I know exactly why this system still exists. What I really want to know is what it will take to dismantle this system within my lifetime.

The real heroes will always be the Eric Garners, Trayvon Martins, Michael Browns, and Freddie Grays. The true criticism I have is the fact there is not the same outrage for black women being unjustly murdered, this needs to be given a platform as well.

I've known too many people that have been victims of racial profiling, all with varying levels of consequences. To be born a certain race and have to worry about not coming home at night is troubling.

posted April 29, 2015 12:47 PM            

THIS is the answer. Period. We agree

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posted April 29, 2015 12:49 PM            

We really don't. They are manufactured for low information people who don't think for themselves.

In America, or the America we used to have, each person is free and can do what he wants.

Look at Ben Carlson. His mother was a maid and she made him read and watch no TV.

He is a person who serves God and has amazing values.

THAT IS THE ANSWER. NO LOOTING, BURNING AND DESTROYING.

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posted April 29, 2015 12:52 PM            

Look at Allen West.

Look at many, many people who did not let race STOP THEM.

They knew they were Americans and FREE to do what they wanted as an American.

YOU are on the side of those people who take away dignity of people by acting like they have no choice but to be a poor victim.

THEY DO!

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posted April 29, 2015 12:55 PM            

Very few people I know or have known care about race.

Even if people do, YOU have to make your own way.

If you are hated for something as stupid as race, it is the problem of the bigot.

No person should own what a bigot thinks and become a victim.

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posted April 29, 2015 12:58 PM            

"Systems are broken because people are broken and if systems are fixed without hearts being changed the result will be a legalistic attempt that will lack long term results."

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posted April 29, 2015 12:59 PM            

We have major problems as a nation. Yesterday Ferguson burned. Tonight ‪#‎Baltimore‬ burns. Tomorrow it will be another city in our homeland. Watching the coverage I’m hearing yet another version of a nauseatingly familiar narrative. Violence by police reciprocated by violence by the community, reciprocated by violence by police reciprocated by…. It seems fruitless to continue to analyze, condemn, and respond to these dreadful episodes. “Frustration, anger, tension boiling over, upset and unfortunate” are words we hear from Baltimore residents. When it comes to law enforcement, race, poverty, education, immigration we always talk about fixing “broken” systems. We resolve to legislate for education, job creation, and systemic overhaul. These are helpful and definitely needed BUT we have done all of these things ad nauseum and look at us!! Without a change of heart these attempts fail us. So what can we say? What can we do? Systems are broken because people are broken and if systems are fixed without hearts being changed the result will be a legalistic attempt that will lack long term results. Our problems are wholistic and common to the human heart. Hatred, prejudice, exploitation, pride, self righteousness, secrecy, and rebellion, manifest itself in the explosions we’ve seen over the last year, the last century, and the last millennia.

posted April 29, 2015 01:36 PM            

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posted April 29, 2015 01:56 PM            

Police have thrown tear gas, which is unacceptable. They also herded a bunch of students right into the chaos, and didn't keep them safe at all. The kidnapping of Joseph Kent (no one has updated about this) by the police is very disturbing as well. The media wants to paint a certain picture so it meets an agenda, but what the media fails to show you is the police intentionally trying to rile people up through excessive force.

Very few people I know or have known care about race.

And that is why, ladies and gentleman, systemic racism still exists. The Civil Rights movement took us in the right direction, but look at all of the hurdles we still face. Racism is brought up as a thing of yesteryear and people will find any excuse to as why our society is not racist.

Until people truly race about the rights of all citizens, we are going to continue this negative discourse where the majority rules all and the minorities continue to be marginalized.

Here is my point again, CVS has insurance and can replace all of the damaged goods can be replaced. It has no heartbeat or feelings. But Freddie Gray? He is never coming back. If you are in your feelings about slim jims and chips, realize they can be replaced. A human life, however, cannot.

Whether someone chooses to commit vandalism or sing kumbaya at the protest, blacks are still 21 times more likely to get shot by the police. Did blacks CHOOSE for this?

Why are black people being subjected to high amounts of poverty, poor health, and gunned down by police men far more than other people? How is victim blaming going to end systemic racism? Is it No one choose this, especially not being murdered. Freddie Gray. Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and countless others did not choose to be victims.

This is what society needs to deeply reflect upon. The oppressed start to speak out, and boy do we get uncomfortable:

posted April 29, 2015 01:59 PM            

Further more, the MILLIONS of people of racial minorities who ARE doing incredible things is the story that should be told.

I cited a few above but there are millions of everyday citizens of racial minorities who are cops, teachers, business people, on and on and on and on.

Don't tell a false story like an ignorant sheeple

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posted April 29, 2015 02:04 PM            

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posted April 29, 2015 02:08 PM            

You want to call me names, take it to Hearth and Home. Discourse properly. I want to have a fruitful discussion here.

The powers that be, support and promote racism, who are the powers that be? White men.

The narrative being spun right now by the media fits the agenda of the powers that be, to keep minorities down.

Giving a flying crap about humanity doesn't make me a sheep. I am unapologetically outspoken about these issues and will never keep quiet. A sheep is someone who abides and lives within the system that marginalizes minorities and fails to take action. Those who refuse to acknowledge the issue, are the worst sheep of all.

Quoting two people doesn't refute the hundreds of years of racism that this country has allowed for. The fraternity incident, "hang an n word by a tree," that happened a month ago shows how little we have accomplished. Blacks facing greater socioeconomic barriers and massively greater deaths at the hands of police is another. If racism didn't exist, why does this story keep repeating itself?

Minorities doing incredible things doesn't negate the limitations they face. Having them being cops, teachers, business people, etc., doesn't change the fact they face massive discrimination. They still face limitations in the employment sphere, which really isn't that important to discuss in light of Baltimore.

posted April 29, 2015 02:29 PM            

No, it is irrespective of color. There are people who GAIN from the victimhood of others because it is to their own best interest/ideology

They get people who have no critical thinking( i.e sheeple) to go along.

Without critical thinking, one believes what one reads and hears.

This country will be/is lost when people cannot think for themselves and see deeper roots.

The country really IS lost. One day, people will wake up and it will be too late.

People like Bella have every freedom. They can go to school. They have free speech. They are not oppressed. They are not persecuted but they don't PROTECT it, so they will lose it.

It is pitiful but it is how it is.

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posted April 29, 2015 09:27 PM            

And they'll still have things to put up with that are hard for others to understand (such as needing to use someone white or otherwise "respectable" to help front for you if you own a business, at least if you want to up your chances to succeed, will find it harder to get loans, and even the everyday stuff like Driving While Black, which btw is why you get more minorities in prison for drug offenses, because they get searched a lot more readily than others). Or put another way:

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/15/straight-white-male-the-lowest-difficul ty-setting-there-is/

quote:

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Dudes. Imagine life here in the US — or indeed, pretty much anywhere in the Western world — is a massive role playing game, like World of Warcraft except appallingly mundane, where most quests involve the acquisition of money, cell phones and donuts, although not always at the same time. Let’s call it The Real World. You have installed The Real World on your computer and are about to start playing, but first you go to the settings tab to bind your keys, fiddle with your defaults, and choose the difficulty setting for the game. Got it?

Okay: In the role playing game known as The Real World, “Straight White Male” is the lowest difficulty setting there is.

This means that the default behaviors for almost all the non-player characters in the game are easier on you than they would be otherwise. The default barriers for completions of quests are lower. Your leveling-up thresholds come more quickly. You automatically gain entry to some parts of the map that others have to work for. The game is easier to play, automatically, and when you need help, by default it’s easier to get.

Now, once you’ve selected the “Straight White Male” difficulty setting, you still have to create a character, and how many points you get to start — and how they are apportioned — will make a difference. Initially the computer will tell you how many points you get and how they are divided up. If you start with 25 points, and your dump stat is wealth, well, then you may be kind of screwed. If you start with 250 points and your dump stat is charisma, well, then you’re probably fine. Be aware the computer makes it difficult to start with more than 30 points; people on higher difficulty settings generally start with even fewer than that.

As the game progresses, your goal is to gain points, apportion them wisely, and level up. If you start with fewer points and fewer of them in critical stat categories, or choose poorly regarding the skills you decide to level up on, then the game will still be difficult for you. But because you’re playing on the “Straight White Male” setting, gaining points and leveling up will still by default be easier, all other things being equal, than for another player using a higher difficulty setting.

Likewise, it’s certainly possible someone playing at a higher difficulty setting is progressing more quickly than you are, because they had more points initially given to them by the computer and/or their highest stats are wealth, intelligence and constitution and/or simply because they play the game better than you do. It doesn’t change the fact you are still playing on the lowest difficulty setting.

You can lose playing on the lowest difficulty setting. The lowest difficulty setting is still the easiest setting to win on. The player who plays on the “Gay Minority Female” setting? Hardcore.

And maybe at this point you say, hey, I like a challenge, I want to change my difficulty setting! Well, here’s the thing: In The Real World, you don’t unlock any rewards or receive any benefit for playing on higher difficulty settings. The game is just harder, and potentially a lot less fun. And you say, okay, but what if I want to replay the game later on a higher difficulty setting, just to see what it’s like? Well, here’s the other thing about The Real World: You only get to play it once. So why make it more difficult than it has to be? Your goal is to win the game, not make it difficult.

Oh, and one other thing. Remember when I said that you could choose your difficulty setting in The Real World? Well, I lied. In fact, the computer chooses the difficulty setting for you. You don’t get a choice; you just get what gets given to you at the start of the game, and then you have to deal with it.

So that’s “Straight White Male” for you in The Real World (and also, in the real world): The lowest difficulty setting there is. All things being equal, and even when they are not, if the computer — or life — assigns you the “Straight White Male” difficulty setting, then brother, you’ve caught a break

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posted April 29, 2015 09:50 PM            

In instances like these, there actually shouldn't be "sides". It's either justice for All or justice for None. It really is that simple!

Bella is absolutely right that many police officers are abusing their authority and taking lives unnecessarily. This is not a *figment* of anyone's imagination here. It's happening!

Things should be handled peacefully. But anger is absolutely normal!

Ami also has a point that everyone is free to go after their dreams and live a successful life - Black People certainly included! There are plenty of Blacks whom aren't struggling or living in the ghetto and I agree that *those* examples are the ones that need to be shown more often. Absolutely!

Being an Independent Thinker is absolutely essential, here. It needs to be in our DNA! A nation that always "follows" creates an atmosphere of acceptable evil - the Holocost, Slavery, etc.

If Fox News is telling you that Black Men being shot down like dogs is no big deal and that's the only way you stay informed...you are MISLED.

If Urban Radio is telling you that all White People are hateful & racist and that's the only way you stay informed...you are MISLED.

People are sheep themselves and don't even realize it! Go with your own instincts and not what you've been told. Do you personally know Black People? White People? Gays? Christians? If you typically stay inside your own little box with people who are only exactly like you who haven't experienced anything outside of where you grew up...it's time for you to STFU!!! You are totally capable of being a helpful citizen of our society but instead you sit back on your false deep-seated beliefs. B*tch about what you don't have, whine about what others do have, with no intention of striving to be your own PERSONAL BEST. And some of you hate on your neighbor instead of loving on them - and in the name of Jesus, you say?? Noooo...I come from a God-fearing family and such behavior is just despicable.

Matthew 25/40: "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

^^Even if someone is less fortunate than us. We do not treat them like garbage. We lift them up! For how we treat them, is how we treat the Lord himself. And so...how are we then treating God, if we are heartless as these young boys are killed by officers on the street who vowed to protect them???

Just awful. That's how.

Some of these boys are thugs. Many of them are not! Some of them are a lost cause. Many of them (like many white boys who receive the benefit of the doubt) are misguided yet wonderful souls who simply need direction!

If you're from a Trailer Park and on food stamps yourself, umm....why exactly do you hate the family in the Hood who gets them as well?? Makes not a damn bit of sense! STOP LETTING THE MEDIA TURN YOU AGAINST THOSE WHO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THINGS IN COMMON WITH. Class is a huge divide, not just race.

posted April 29, 2015 10:09 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by BellaFenice:

The true criticism I have is the fact there is not the same outrage for black women being unjustly murdered, this needs to be given a platform as well.

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I've read this from you before and I absolutely agree.

Black Women's issues are often invisible. Why?? I still do not understand.

posted April 30, 2015 01:42 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ami Anne:
[b]People like Bella have every freedom. They can go to school. They have free speech. They are not oppressed. They are not persecuted but they don't PROTECT it, so they will lose it.

It is pitiful but it is how it is.

---

It is NOT about me, it is about the thousands of minorities who live in poverty that are not only being slaughtered by police, but have several limitations and harder hills to climb. When people are not on the same playing field freedom is not equal for all.

I KNOW I am not oppressed, which is why I am involved in several social advocacy groups and use my voice to help those who are oppressed. Why in gods name do you think I've posted about Baltimore so much? I want to dismantle the systemic racism in the US, not contribute to it.

So what is it about free speech that I am not protecting? Racism? Classism? Bigotry? Ignorance? Hate?

It is really that much of an imposition to you that I want to live in a world where racism and classism are dismantled? That my best friend, who is black, doesn't have to be racially profiled when walking at the street at night? Or that innocent people like Freddie Gray do not have to die unjust deaths anymore?

Do you have any black friends? Have you personally experienced racial discrimination? Being privileged often keeps you from looking behind your back and seeing the issue.

posted April 30, 2015 01:44 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by LovelyAries86:
I've read this from you before and I absolutely agree.

Black Women's issues are often invisible. Why?? I still do not understand.

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It perplexes me, and nothing I could write now really would do this issue justice. I've posted articles before but the how and why are still inexplicable.