Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond)
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@BShark I have never heard that before. I hate violence! But I hate what happened to mr Floyd even more. I would’ve been arrested if I’d have been there. I couldn’t stand there and watch that. That’s murder. Then there’s the dumbass gal in the park, the man in the gym, the vigilantes, The people hanging an effigy of the Kentucky gov. A Supreme Court judge in New Jersey asked a alleged rape victim IF she tried to close her legs. I’m done. What a shitty world.
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@Crimsonorblue22 said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@BShark I have never heard that before. I hate violence! But I hate what happened to mr Floyd even more. I would’ve been arrested if I’d have been there. I couldn’t stand there and watch that. That’s murder. Then there’s the dumbass gal in the park, the man in the gym, the vigilantes, The people hanging an effigy of the Kentucky gov. A Supreme Court judge in New Jersey asked a alleged rape victim IF she tried to close her legs. I’m done. What a shitty world.
Had not heard about that last one and only shit.
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We continue to militarize the police and allow them to do as they please. They often get little to no repercussions for their actions. Only a fool believes the police are actually here to protect and serve, it is a business that makes money. The same goes for the prison system, they don’t want to rehabilitate anyone. They want you back so they collect more money. @BShark i usually enjoy most of MLKs opinions and teachings, I’m just not sure that pertains to a ton 60 years later. I honestly don’t think this was race triggered. Just an A$$hole cop thinking he’s tough with 3 others. They all 4 should without question be charged with murder if there is any decency left in our judicial system.
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Don’t get me wrong, there are many great police men. I know several. But not these guys!
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We have a problem: https://twitter.com/cnn/status/1266315061221613569?s=21
I don’t even know what to say. This is what we get when the “leader of the free world” repeatedly calls the press the “enemy of the people.” (Specifically CNN) This video is one of the many reasons that rhetoric is just not ok. I’m not saying he CANT say it. He’s free to say what he wants, but man is it irresponsible.
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@benshawks08 Oh cool. His response is “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” can’t see what could go wrong there.
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@Crimsonorblue22 Yes I wasn’t meaning to insinuate that all cops are bad, one of my good friends is a State Trooper. I’m just saying they are a business not a non profit, they have to make money.
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Rough few days for America.
If you support folks that murder people, you are disgusting. If you rationalize it, if you make excuses, if you try to explain it, you are disgusting.
If you support folks that loot, burn and destroy others property, you are disgusting. If you rationalize it, if you make excuses, if you try to explain it, you are disgusting.
I support police. I support the right to protest. But I support neither disgusting position outlined above. Supporting police and supporting protest have nothing to do with this week’s events.
Of course, the murderous thugs are worse. But murder is murder and one must look to blame the folks that do it and hold them accountable. But this is what I’ve said all along. It’s what I said when the OP cop murdered an innocent teenager. It’s what I say now. It’s what I said when inner city carnage claims the life of innocent inner-city citizens nightly. It’s what I say now.
I value life. I want murder to stop.
There is not one solution. There is not one point of blame.
But one thing is undeniable - murderers make the choice to pull the trigger, thrust a knife, or stuff their knee into a person’s throat. Looters, arsonists, and those that cause carnage, make the same choice.
Personal responsibility. Not excuses. Value life. This is really the only true answer.
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@HighEliteMajor the people in power need to take personal responsibility for the systematic oppression that has caused such vitriol’s anger to fester in communities of color all over the country. The Hate U Give. That anger is being stirred by the leader of the country on his twitter account every day. Reports that white supremacists are infiltrating peaceful protests to instigate violence against people of color. It is very clear to me who the “thugs” in this situation are. They carry very big guns and hate in their hearts. Anger is a reaction, hate is a continuous state of being. Take responsibility for your own self, your own actions, your own support of an absolute disgrace of a president before demanding others take responsibility for themselves. Try looking inward just once. Maybe it’s too hard because you know you won’t like what you see.
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Ask yourself how long it would take to arrest a black man if video evidence even suggested he murdered a police officer. Would it be days? What about all his friends who watched and helped? Would they still be walking free or would they be in custody? The system is broken. Peaceful protests have failed to motivate people in power to fix it. How pissed off were folks when Kaep kneeled? What could be more peaceful. The destruction of property is sad. Hard to watch. Frightening. The state sponsored destruction of life is intolerable. They are not equivalent.
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Read this thread from a KU great: https://twitter.com/nickcollison4/status/1266442651668287490?s=21
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Good guy Nick. I am going to donate too.
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When it’s okay for your political party to be racist, rape and sexual assault others it really shows that you just don’t care.
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Saying they’re thugs doesn’t mean they are racist and Trump or Obama are ok with rape and sexual assault. Is that what u mean?
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@Crimsonorblue22 Biden and Clinton are both sexual predators, they get no flack for it. Both have also made racist comments. If you are against that stuff, I can’t see why you’d support either. It’s always the lesser of two evils friends.
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@kjayhawks So you agree the entire system is messed up? I think Obama was wrong to use that word. Biden was the least of the democratic candidates.
Neither are on the same level as trump. If you can’t see that, you are willfully blind and ignorant.
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@kjayhawks They get plenty of flack for it if you listen to the right people.
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@benshawks08 yes the system is messed up. But there can’t be any gray areas. Either you support racism and sexual assault or you don’t! I don’t!
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@kjayhawks The entire world is grey friend. I work hard everyday to be anti racist. And agree that we all should speak up against racism whenever and wherever we see it. Hopefully my posts on this board reflect that. If not I’m glad to be held accountable for it because I know I’m not perfect and have systematically embedded biases I have not yet overcome. Glad you feel the same.
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@kjayhawks has Biden’s been proved? I’m not a Clinton fan but I think it was consensual. He’s a liar. So are you leaving trump out?
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@Crimsonorblue22 most of the republicans haven’t been proven either. If you are gonna denounce opposition have the guts to do the same to your own party.
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@kjayhawks Clinton is a what? I voted republican for presidents till trump came a long, not that it’s your business. Clinton is a liar, doesn’t matter what party to me, I hate liars, in real life too.
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@Crimsonorblue22 Biden is liar and god awful handsey, I wouldn’t be shocked if his accusers were telling the truth. I personally think just about all politicians are liars.
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What happened to George Floyd is why Colin Kaepernick chose to kneel during the national anthem. Why did it take Derek Chauvin 4 days to be arrested with that evidence out there?
Colin Kaepernick chose a nonviolent way to protest an injustice he saw. He was ignored, ridiculed, and the media (both sides) ignored Kaepernick’s message and turned his protest into something political instead of addressing the social issues at play.
Even while still preaching and advocating nonviolence, Dr. King addressed the tactics and advocacy of violence by other Civil Rights leaders such as Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael during an interview with Mike Wallace. During the interview, Dr. King gave his view on what riots represent, “I think that we’ve got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard. And, what is it that America has failed to hear?”
At the time, Dr. King said it was the economic inequality between black and white. Today, it’s ignoring the systemic racism of legal inequality between law enforcement and the black community that’s leading to most of these riots.
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For anybody wondering about the “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” quote’s origins, it does have an extremely racist history. It was first used in the 1967 by former Miami Police Chief, Walter Headley about cleaning up the slums of Miami. It was also used by former Alabama Governor George Wallace during his 1968 presidential campaign.
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Here’s a good article for any white folks who are angry, upset, but not sure what to do about it. For people who want to take “personal responsibility” for their role in our society.
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If only white people posted more Instagram stories about race, then everything will be ok.
I swear by the end of this critical race theory is going to be more dangerous than COVID.
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@FarmerJayhawk So in your opinion, white people learning and seeking understanding of racism, it’s origins, and it’s current impact is bad? That seems helpful. Glad you’re doing your part.
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@benshawks08 said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@FarmerJayhawk So in your opinion, white people learning and seeking understanding of racism, it’s origins, and it’s current impact is bad? That seems helpful. Glad you’re doing your part.
I’m not going to let CRT, which dehumanizes people and when taken to its logical conclusion, ends with anarchy and then authoritarianism, dictate my thoughts and actions.
I’ve been fighting for immigration, police, and criminal justice reform since I could vote. I’m proud of that. Sorry I’m being # hash tag PRAWBLUMATIK
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@FarmerJayhawk Tell me more about why you think understanding the origins of “whiteness” and the history of racism is not important work for white people to do. Is racism an issue of importance for you? Are you angered by the actions of the officers in Minneapolis? I’m really just trying to understand where you are coming from and know you have a history of fully explaining your stance. Where are you at in your head right now?
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Doing anything mindfully because you are a particular race may highlight a problem, and it may exacerbate it. But it doesn’t fix it.
I think a lot of people are tired of having to talk about race. And a lot of people feel they have to talk about it and/or should because of systemic inequality.
We tried to not see color, and that may have worked a little. We have tried equal opportunity and that might have worked a little. I don’t think it’s too late to grant some land and a modern day mule (maybe a Toyota Yaris) to every descendant of a slave. Either that or go with some sort of socialist agenda that grants free shit to all. I don’t know.
The scars of slavery need to be acknowledged and a concensus that we need to move past it aggressively needs to be acknowledged by all. The festering needs to stop. Bring the NAACP to the table and negotiate reparations. Let’s get this shit straight officially, so we can move on from it as one nation.
Once we address the backdrop of social inequality rooted in slavery, we can tackle separately the actions of racist assholes like this police officer and remove the powder keg behind it.
This doesn’t fix everything, but it gets us further down the road. Acknowledge, come to consensus, move on as a desired thing by all to achieve resolution, try not to go back. Rinse, repeat.
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@approxinfinity Failing to recognize your own position in society as a white person is one of many reasons racism continues to be one of the biggest problems in America. White people have a responsibility to step up right now and reckon with the disparity the current system has created.
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@approxinfinity Maybe you weren’t saying what I thought you were with the original shorter post.
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@benshawks08 I’m tired of being identified as a white person. That doesn’t mean I don’t acknowledge that I am afforded certain privileges for being white. I’m just saying it’s f’ing exhausting, demeaning and unfair for everyone to be forced inside a box that is their race and have others look at them as their race being their primary characteristic. The very same thing that people resent on one side is the thing they are asking the other side to willingly embrace for themselves. It’s nonsensical.
At the heart of a position of privilege is finances. It’s something that can be resolved via agreement, whereas emotions and prejudices cannot. I would also argue that emotions and prejudices are reactive whereas addressing finances is proactive. So let’s get a number on the table financially and square that part of it up. The rest hopefully follows, albeit with a long tail.
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@approxinfinity That exhaustion you feel is what black people go through every moment of their life. It’s why we as white people have to do it. Racial disparity still exists no matter a persons finances. If a black person speaks, their voice is automatically racialized. So we as white people have to racialize our voice as well. To not, is to assume that white is the norm and anything else is divergent and different.
I agree it’s not fun. It’s exhausting. It’s frustrating. We can’t just buy our way out of our racist past and present. I totally agree that finances are a huge issue but perceptions, thoughts, and emotions can’t be bought. It takes work to shift those. Work that is exhausting and frustrating and in no way simple.
In order for there to be true equality, white people have to give up power. That’s going to be painful. People on the bottom asking those with it to step back and take a walk in their shoes is never nonsensical. That’s empathy. And it’s the least they can ask for.
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@benshawks08 said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@FarmerJayhawk Tell me more about why you think understanding the origins of “whiteness” and the history of racism is not important work for white people to do. Is racism an issue of importance for you? Are you angered by the actions of the officers in Minneapolis? I’m really just trying to understand where you are coming from and know you have a history of fully explaining your stance. Where are you at in your head right now?
I’m all for reading history and gaining an understanding of the world. However, CRT is the exact wrong lens for anyone to view what is obviously a horrific crime through. A theory that boils people down to their skin color and as one of its tenets says that to be of a particular race, you have to hold a specific set of views, is societal poison. A theory that accepts no dissent, no conversation except on its terms, and if you question it you’re obviously mentally defective at best is horrible for society. A theory and worldview that has an anchor of life is all about hierarchies and struggles for power foments those exact things. I’ve seen it when brought to these conclusions at Evergreen State College and Yale. We’ve seen it in the press the last couple days with certain segments of the population encouraging the riots and “burn it all (meaning mostly minority-owned businesses) down” in the name of “justice.”
I stand with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) who marched with Dr. King, “Rioting, looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive. History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that we all deserve.”
“Our work won’t be easy — nothing worth having ever is — but I strongly believe, as Dr. King once said, that while the arc of the moral universe is long, it bends toward justice.”
My focus has been and always will be on equality and equalizing everyone’s opportunities in society (i.e. equality instead of equity). Are we there yet? Of course not. But I’m tired of being told this is inadequate and shows my “privilege.” I want the boot of the state off the neck of the black community, the brown community, and everyone else. Don’t put the weight of the state behind or on top of anyone. Respect all our individuality and rights equally, and follow the liberal ordering of society.
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@FarmerJayhawk said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@benshawks08 said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@FarmerJayhawk Tell me more about why you think understanding the origins of “whiteness” and the history of racism is not important work for white people to do. Is racism an issue of importance for you? Are you angered by the actions of the officers in Minneapolis? I’m really just trying to understand where you are coming from and know you have a history of fully explaining your stance. Where are you at in your head right now?
I’m all for reading history and gaining an understanding of the world. However, CRT is the exact wrong lens for anyone to view what is obviously a horrific crime through. A theory that boils people down to their skin color and as one of its tenets says that to be of a particular race, you have to hold a specific set of views, is societal poison. A theory that accepts no dissent, no conversation except on its terms, and if you question it you’re obviously mentally defective at best is horrible for society. A theory and worldview that has an anchor of life is all about hierarchies and struggles for power foments those exact things. I’ve seen it when brought to these conclusions at Evergreen State College and Yale. We’ve seen it in the press the last couple days with certain segments of the population encouraging the riots and “burn it all (meaning mostly minority-owned businesses) down” in the name of “justice.”
I stand with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) who marched with Dr. King, “Rioting, looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive. History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that we all deserve.”
“Our work won’t be easy — nothing worth having ever is — but I strongly believe, as Dr. King once said, that while the arc of the moral universe is long, it bends toward justice.”
My focus has been and always will be on equality and equalizing everyone’s opportunities in society (i.e. equality instead of equity). Are we there yet? Of course not. But I’m tired of being told this is inadequate and shows my “privilege.” I want the boot of the state off the neck of the black community, the brown community, and everyone else. Don’t put the weight of the state behind or on top of anyone. Respect all our individuality and rights equally, and follow the liberal ordering of society.
Ok, but if you agree we aren’t at equality yet then that is inadequate, right? How long have we been working towards equality? I’m tired of people doing everything they can to make sure we don’t “go too far.” Yes it sucks to be constantly reminded of the privilege we hold as white people but certainly it doesn’t compare to being constantly reminded that you don’t matter as much as people of another race.
The people in power ARE NOT “respecting all our individuality and rights equally” and have no intention of giving up that power if they are not forced to do so. To be clear, I think destroying property and “burning it all down“ with respect to businesses is wrong. That doesn’t mean I can’t empathize with why people feel the need to do such things. Peaceful protests have happened after every majorly covered instance of police violence and very little has changed. Police are more militarized than ever and the president is advocating the shooting and brutalization of folks out protesting. As far as I know, the penalty for looting is not and should not be death.
I’m tired of white people being tired. We’ve ignored the plight and tacitly accepted inequality for too long. I’m taking action by reading black voices, voting, donating time, donating money, Supporting community events, calling elected officials, VOTING, having tough conversations with my family, and calling out racism whenever and wherever I see it. If these things upset, frustrate, or exhaust white folks, I’m guess I’m ok with that.
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@benshawks08 There’s a difference between accepting guilt for something you didn’t do and being sympathetic. I’m sympathetic and always have been, but that’s because it’s who I am. Other people aren’t as sympathetic. And that’s who they are. You can’t force adults to be sympathetic. And it’s dangerous to try to. I’m not exhausted for being sympathetic, I pride myself on that. I’m exhausted for being blamed.
Articles entitled “Hey white people” can f right off.
That article mentioned that a disproportionate number of COVID victims were black. Finances will always be at the heart of black-white racial tension in this country. Health insurance, higher education, property, and a chance to pursue the same American dream.
People are quick to dismiss the notion of throwing money at the problem. To me, dismissing pursuing the financial side is a willingness to wallow in self loathing and resentment as a nation rather than attempting to find a way we can move on. As you said, white people need to give up power. Money is power and influence. More and more people of color are taking office. I would say that we are heading on the right track there.
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@approxinfinity said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@benshawks08 There’s a difference between accepting guilt for something you didn’t do and being sympathetic. I’m sympathetic and always have been, but that’s because it’s who I am. Other people aren’t as sympathetic. And that’s who they are. You can’t force adults to be sympathetic. And it’s dangerous to try to. I’m not exhausted for being sympathetic, I pride myself on that. I’m exhausted for being blamed.
Articles entitled “Hey white people” can f right off.
That article mentioned that a disproportionate number of COVID victims were black. Finances will always be at the heart of black-white racial tension in this country. Health insurance, higher education, property, and a chance to pursue the same American dream.
People are quick to dismiss the notion of throwing money at the problem. To me, dismissing pursuing the financial side is a willingness to wallow in self loathing and resentment as a nation rather than attempting to find a way we can move on. As you said, white people need to give up power. Money is power and influence. More and more people of color are taking office. I would say that we are heading on the right track there.
Well all the guilt I have is for things I haven’t done! Slavery wasn’t my fault, I have no guilt for that. However, have I seen dramatic inequality by race and not acted? Yep. That’s the guilt I have and honestly it doesn’t get me anywhere. I’m not asking people to feel guilt. I’m asking people to take action. Living in guilt is exactly what you said, “wallowing in self loathing.”
Why is it dangerous to work to get folks to feel? To feel empathy and sympathy enrich my life and if we don’t encourage others to engage those feelings, what the hell are we doing?
Blame is a funny thing. So many people NEED someone to blame in almost every situation. I personally try to not be like that. Instead I’m trying to understand where people are coming from and what is motivating their action or a lack there of. That may not have come across in my recent posts. My biggest issue I think is that for so long racism has been a problem that black people have had to deal with and most white people (especially sympathetic ones like you and me) haven’t. But racism is white peoples problem. We are the one benefiting from systems admittedly we (as in you and I) didn’t create. But to me, if a person isn’t fighting to change those systems right now, then they are part of the problem.
I know you are a sympathetic person and I have a lot of respect for you based on what I’ve read in your posts. I hope you don’t think this exchange is changing that. It’s interesting to me that being called white is so upsetting to you. I wonder who is really wallowing in self loathing here? I’m not ashamed of being white. I have no guilt for being white. I have unearned power due to my race and feel responsible to use that power to make change where I can and give up that power wherever I can to empower voices not as readily heard as mine.
I’m pretty sure I agreed that the financial issue you brought up is a real one and money and power definitely go hand and hand. I’m not dismissing your idea as it’s a good one. And I do agree it’s the right place to start. I’d be hesitant to connect the reparations to a direct connection to slavery as a big part of slavery was a lack of ancestral tracing due to rape, family separatism etc. And honestly, with my partner being a part of the Potawatomi tribe, the US government doesn’t have a great track record regarding things like blood quantum, ancestral heritage and the like.
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@approxinfinity said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@benshawks08 There’s a difference between accepting guilt for something you didn’t do and being sympathetic. I’m sympathetic and always have been, but that’s because it’s who I am. Other people aren’t as sympathetic. And that’s who they are. You can’t force adults to be sympathetic. And it’s dangerous to try to. I’m not exhausted for being sympathetic, I pride myself on that. I’m exhausted for being blamed.
Articles entitled “Hey white people” can f right off.
That article mentioned that a disproportionate number of COVID victims were black. Finances will always be at the heart of black-white racial tension in this country. Health insurance, higher education, property, and a chance to pursue the same American dream.
People are quick to dismiss the notion of throwing money at the problem. To me, dismissing pursuing the financial side is a willingness to wallow in self loathing and resentment as a nation rather than attempting to find a way we can move on. As you said, white people need to give up power. Money is power and influence. More and more people of color are taking office. I would say that we are heading on the right track there.
Here’s why throwing money at this particular issue won’t solve anything long term, it would just be a bandaid on a bullet holes. How many times have we seen people that don’t have much money win the lottery and end up broke shortly thereafter? How many athletes have ended up broke shortly after their playing careers? How people did you see on social media buying dumb stuff with their stimulus check instead of using it for its intended purpose?
If you really want to use money to create real change that will have a long term positive impact, use that money to invest in infrastructure of black communities. Invest in black businesses, build police precincts in black communities and hire black officers from those communities to be stationed at those precincts, invest in schools that have up to date technology staffed with black teachers from those same communities. Probably the most important thing would be don’t allow gentrification to happen when those communities start changing and forcing the black people out to find another neighborhood to live in because that just restarts the cycle again.
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@Crimsonorblue22 - “What a shitty world”
Interestingly enough, that was the original lyric for Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. They just weren’t sure how many records it would sell.
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Update: I will be voting this next election, for Biden obviously. Holy crap is Trump incompetent.
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@benshawks08 said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@FarmerJayhawk said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@benshawks08 said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
@FarmerJayhawk Tell me more about why you think understanding the origins of “whiteness” and the history of racism is not important work for white people to do. Is racism an issue of importance for you? Are you angered by the actions of the officers in Minneapolis? I’m really just trying to understand where you are coming from and know you have a history of fully explaining your stance. Where are you at in your head right now?
I’m all for reading history and gaining an understanding of the world. However, CRT is the exact wrong lens for anyone to view what is obviously a horrific crime through. A theory that boils people down to their skin color and as one of its tenets says that to be of a particular race, you have to hold a specific set of views, is societal poison. A theory that accepts no dissent, no conversation except on its terms, and if you question it you’re obviously mentally defective at best is horrible for society. A theory and worldview that has an anchor of life is all about hierarchies and struggles for power foments those exact things. I’ve seen it when brought to these conclusions at Evergreen State College and Yale. We’ve seen it in the press the last couple days with certain segments of the population encouraging the riots and “burn it all (meaning mostly minority-owned businesses) down” in the name of “justice.”
I stand with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) who marched with Dr. King, “Rioting, looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive. History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that we all deserve.”
“Our work won’t be easy — nothing worth having ever is — but I strongly believe, as Dr. King once said, that while the arc of the moral universe is long, it bends toward justice.”
My focus has been and always will be on equality and equalizing everyone’s opportunities in society (i.e. equality instead of equity). Are we there yet? Of course not. But I’m tired of being told this is inadequate and shows my “privilege.” I want the boot of the state off the neck of the black community, the brown community, and everyone else. Don’t put the weight of the state behind or on top of anyone. Respect all our individuality and rights equally, and follow the liberal ordering of society.
Ok, but if you agree we aren’t at equality yet then that is inadequate, right? How long have we been working towards equality? I’m tired of people doing everything they can to make sure we don’t “go too far.” Yes it sucks to be constantly reminded of the privilege we hold as white people but certainly it doesn’t compare to being constantly reminded that you don’t matter as much as people of another race.
The people in power ARE NOT “respecting all our individuality and rights equally” and have no intention of giving up that power if they are not forced to do so. To be clear, I think destroying property and “burning it all down“ with respect to businesses is wrong. That doesn’t mean I can’t empathize with why people feel the need to do such things. Peaceful protests have happened after every majorly covered instance of police violence and very little has changed. Police are more militarized than ever and the president is advocating the shooting and brutalization of folks out protesting. As far as I know, the penalty for looting is not and should not be death.
I’m tired of white people being tired. We’ve ignored the plight and tacitly accepted inequality for too long. I’m taking action by reading black voices, voting, donating time, donating money, Supporting community events, calling elected officials, VOTING, having tough conversations with my family, and calling out racism whenever and wherever I see it. If these things upset, frustrate, or exhaust white folks, I’m guess I’m ok with that.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I’m working toward equality every single day and am proud of what I’ve accomplished in that regard so far in changing public policy. I just get tired of other whites who don’t know me (most of whom are whiter than myself, since I have a Native great grandparent) that my efforts aren’t adequate.
And I still believe every worldview that doesn’t feel inequality is adequate is a poisonous mind virus that’ll tear society apart at the seams because its logical conclusions lead to some very, very scary stuff like depriving people of their own individual identities (like under CRT you’re not really black unless you hold the right views about race.) It’s a deeply pessimistic, cynical, and arguably paranoid view of society that never prescribes any real solutions (because it can’t, it says so explicitly in the theory under the banner of there being no such thing as objective truth). As an example, this quote directly from a CRT text, “Third, CRT questions liberalism and the ability of a system of law built on it to create a just society. An interest convergence critique posits that white elites will tolerate or encourage racial advances for blacks only when such advances also promote white self-interest.” Liberalism, understood as a societal code with equal protection under law, is the highest ideal. I’ll have nothing to do with CRT’s poison. And I admit that makes me analogous to the Klan under CRT but I really don’t care. My record speaks for itself.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5fbQ1-zps I believe a lot of what this saying, not everyone that’s white has privilege.
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I hear folks all over saying there needs to be an “honest” conversation. I’ve tried that. I tried it here. But whenever the conversation gets uncomfortable, or it strays into territories that leftists see as off limits, the conversation ends.
Remember, police have to have a high presence in high crime areas or the good citizens will be the victims. If there is not high crime, then there is not a high police presence. That’s how it works. When police see, day after day, black men committing horrible crimes, which is a fact in the inner city. It’s an undeniable fact. The lesser of those cops take the brutality route. Day after day, the same thing.
Policing in high crime areas is not nice. Policing attracts man folks that are on power trips and that have violent tempers. The worst sort of personality one might think for the job. In some situations, their aggressiveness may save lives.
But it’s why you have police brutality. Because you have many of the wrong personalities in police work. And they can’t control themselves based on what they see day to day.
There are many pieces to this puzzle. One is that the inner city black culture, the same stuff I have railed against, has to change. That’s one piece. And until there is some sort of moral foundation, that piece will never end.
A small sampling from Minneapolis, this one from the last September. And right, you see crap like this regularly.
Of course, my thread that pretty much devolved into anything but a discussion. There is no discussion when you challenge a leftist, even if the purpose and concern is to protect the lives and safety of the good inner city folks. It doesn’t matter. You say “race”, the leftist convulses.
Folks act in cultures. Many sub-cultures are grouped by race. This is one. The destructive inner city black culture.
But guess which else is one – the cop culture. This is a huge issue that is part of the problem. But see the leftists will only acknowledge “culture” when it works for them. An important distinction when it comes to rationality.
Until the the self-inflicted issues are address in the inner city, all the money thrown that way won’t do any good. The way people think and approach life is the only thing that keeps folks from killing and maiming.
https://kubuckets.com/topic/9118/inner-city-culture/24
Here’s a post I made in this topic when asked what I’d do in the inner city -
@Kcmatt7 At the core, this starts with acknowledging the problem. That’s the impasse. Until the problem is ID’d and acknowledged, you can’t attack it. The fact is it is an inner city culture of violence. Changing culture takes a long time.
First identify “inner city safety zones.”
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Public steps to involve the churches and faiths. Get people to church in these zones. The church is a huge factor in turning this around.
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Public steps to encourage and foster marriage. Inner city safety zones that reward folks for marriage and self sufficiency. But more, public efforts to discuss and call out the “baby mama” culture. This is the real enemy. 75% single mother births among blacks. Worse among inner city blacks. Much higher than other races or cultures.
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The president has to take the lead. I felt Obama missed an historic opportunity. Trump obviously can’t do it. We need another president to make this job one. The first domestic priority. The one where the most lives are lost/destroyed.
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Have special inner city safety zone courts that expedite prosecutions, warrants, and labeling of threats.
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We have hate crime legislation that leads to outrageous results. Use that logic. Huge sentences for crimes in inner city zones were the real violence is occurring. Drive by and shoot a little black child on a porch, life in prison regardless of whether there is a death. Wear a mask in a crime, 5 more years. Robbery, any kind, 40 years. Develop a ridiculously strict sentencing structure for inner city safety zones.
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Inner city gang affiliation prosecuted as RICO crimes. Increase sentences for inner city safety zones. You go to jail for being in a criminal gang. Just for affiliation.
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Stop and frisk permitted in inner city zones of all males. Horrible? Discriminatory? Yes on both counts. Too bad. Males are 95% of the problem.
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If you have a felony conviction for anything violent, or you are an ID’d gang member by the safety zone courts, inner city zone warrants automatically issued for random searches of home and auto. Inner city courts can order drug treatment without a trial. 90 day commitments.
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In inner city safety zones, curfews strictly enforced. Cars pulled over after 10:00. People off the streets. Only to and from work and a few other exceptions. Businesses close at 9:00.
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Posting of army style officers that walk a beat in these areas. In pairs. No female cops in these areas. No male cops under 200 pounds. Much higher pay. Elite training. Federal involvement in supporting/training.
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Air surveillance, like a war zone.
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Massive use of food kitchens. Free meals in all inner city safety zones. No one starves. No one steals for food. Involvement of churches is a must.
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Partnership program for schools with suburban districts. Vouchers (money) for “tuition” and transport. Partnership programs include working families so inner city kids can live with suburban families during the week and attend school there. Work with the suburban private schools too.
These are tax dollars I’m willing to pay.
Of course, this is all discriminatory. I want to discriminate IN FAVOR of protecting good inner city folks. I noticed that over 70% of Baltimore residents were in favor of police air surveillance while the ACLU says it’s discriminatory. That should tell everyone something. The majority of inner city folks aren’t part of the culture. They want safety, security, and the ability to succeed.
These thugs are the enemy. Try to change their hearts and minds, but attack the criminals is they won’t change. Culture change takes time.
This isn’t perfect. It’s a discussion point. I am just sickened by the violence and the loss of lives that no one values.
Just off the top of my head. I know, impossible. But you asked.
I’ve also posted this before. I want a high quality police force. Pay officers $120,000 year or whatever is high for an area. Attract better people. It seems simple, but better people make better decisions. The “cop” mentality – I’m the boss, I’m in control, I have power – is a high contributor. The cop culture. Personally, I think non-cops should be in charge of cops. Folks that understand the law. Folks that aren’t part of the culture.
To change certain elements of the police requires non-police to be in charge. And when the shroud of the cop culture is lifted, the many, many excellent officers will be able to change that culture.
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@HighEliteMajor I’m going to try real hard to engage in conversation that doesn’t immediately turn you off. I am disagreeing with you but that doesn’t mean it’s not dialogue.
Do you honestly believe further militarizing The police and increasing the discriminatory actions of those more militarized police will fix this problem? This is the least logical plan I have ever seen. Those tactics are the exact reason for these protests and your solution is do more of it? Are you listening at all to the people on the streets this week crying out to be heard?
We agree that cop culture is an issue. My brother is a police officer and I noticed changes in the way he thinks and talks after about 3 months. I just don’t understand how a person can see cops on a power trip and then think providing that culture with unlimited resources and power is the way forward. It doesn’t matter how much you pay a person. If you tell them their job is to as you say discriminate every day and give them military style weapons and resources to do so, you are creating power hungry racists. Humans just aren’t capable of the extraordinary level of compartmentalization that would entail.
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@HighEliteMajor said in Racial Truths and Untruths and the Search for Justice while Doing Justice (previously titled To Infinity and Beyond):
I hear folks all over saying there needs to be an “honest” conversation. I’ve tried that. I tried it here. But whenever the conversation gets uncomfortable, or it strays into territories that leftists see as off limits, the conversation ends.
Remember, police have to have a high presence in high crime areas or the good citizens will be the victims. If there is not high crime, then there is not a high police presence. That’s how it works. When police see, day after day, black men committing horrible crimes, which is a fact in the inner city. It’s an undeniable fact. The lesser of those cops take the brutality route. Day after day, the same thing.
Policing in high crime areas is not nice. Policing attracts man folks that are on power trips and that have violent tempers. The worst sort of personality one might think for the job. In some situations, their aggressiveness may save lives.
But it’s why you have police brutality. Because you have many of the wrong personalities in police work. And they can’t control themselves based on what they see day to day.
There are many pieces to this puzzle. One is that the inner city black culture, the same stuff I have railed against, has to change. That’s one piece. And until there is some sort of moral foundation, that piece will never end.
A small sampling from Minneapolis, this one from the last September. And right, you see crap like this regularly.
Of course, my thread that pretty much devolved into anything but a discussion. There is no discussion when you challenge a leftist, even if the purpose and concern is to protect the lives and safety of the good inner city folks. It doesn’t matter. You say “race”, the leftist convulses.
Folks act in cultures. Many sub-cultures are grouped by race. This is one. The destructive inner city black culture.
But guess which else is one – the cop culture. This is a huge issue that is part of the problem. But see the leftists will only acknowledge “culture” when it works for them. An important distinction when it comes to rationality.
Until the the self-inflicted issues are address in the inner city, all the money thrown that way won’t do any good. The way people think and approach life is the only thing that keeps folks from killing and maiming.
https://kubuckets.com/topic/9118/inner-city-culture/24
Here’s a post I made in this topic when asked what I’d do in the inner city -
@Kcmatt7 At the core, this starts with acknowledging the problem. That’s the impasse. Until the problem is ID’d and acknowledged, you can’t attack it. The fact is it is an inner city culture of violence. Changing culture takes a long time.
First identify “inner city safety zones.”
-
Public steps to involve the churches and faiths. Get people to church in these zones. The church is a huge factor in turning this around.
-
Public steps to encourage and foster marriage. Inner city safety zones that reward folks for marriage and self sufficiency. But more, public efforts to discuss and call out the “baby mama” culture. This is the real enemy. 75% single mother births among blacks. Worse among inner city blacks. Much higher than other races or cultures.
-
The president has to take the lead. I felt Obama missed an historic opportunity. Trump obviously can’t do it. We need another president to make this job one. The first domestic priority. The one where the most lives are lost/destroyed.
-
Have special inner city safety zone courts that expedite prosecutions, warrants, and labeling of threats.
-
We have hate crime legislation that leads to outrageous results. Use that logic. Huge sentences for crimes in inner city zones were the real violence is occurring. Drive by and shoot a little black child on a porch, life in prison regardless of whether there is a death. Wear a mask in a crime, 5 more years. Robbery, any kind, 40 years. Develop a ridiculously strict sentencing structure for inner city safety zones.
-
Inner city gang affiliation prosecuted as RICO crimes. Increase sentences for inner city safety zones. You go to jail for being in a criminal gang. Just for affiliation.
-
Stop and frisk permitted in inner city zones of all males. Horrible? Discriminatory? Yes on both counts. Too bad. Males are 95% of the problem.
-
If you have a felony conviction for anything violent, or you are an ID’d gang member by the safety zone courts, inner city zone warrants automatically issued for random searches of home and auto. Inner city courts can order drug treatment without a trial. 90 day commitments.
-
In inner city safety zones, curfews strictly enforced. Cars pulled over after 10:00. People off the streets. Only to and from work and a few other exceptions. Businesses close at 9:00.
-
Posting of army style officers that walk a beat in these areas. In pairs. No female cops in these areas. No male cops under 200 pounds. Much higher pay. Elite training. Federal involvement in supporting/training.
-
Air surveillance, like a war zone.
-
Massive use of food kitchens. Free meals in all inner city safety zones. No one starves. No one steals for food. Involvement of churches is a must.
-
Partnership program for schools with suburban districts. Vouchers (money) for “tuition” and transport. Partnership programs include working families so inner city kids can live with suburban families during the week and attend school there. Work with the suburban private schools too.
These are tax dollars I’m willing to pay.
Of course, this is all discriminatory. I want to discriminate IN FAVOR of protecting good inner city folks. I noticed that over 70% of Baltimore residents were in favor of police air surveillance while the ACLU says it’s discriminatory. That should tell everyone something. The majority of inner city folks aren’t part of the culture. They want safety, security, and the ability to succeed.
These thugs are the enemy. Try to change their hearts and minds, but attack the criminals is they won’t change. Culture change takes time.
This isn’t perfect. It’s a discussion point. I am just sickened by the violence and the loss of lives that no one values.
Just off the top of my head. I know, impossible. But you asked.
I’ve also posted this before. I want a high quality police force. Pay officers $120,000 year or whatever is high for an area. Attract better people. It seems simple, but better people make better decisions. The “cop” mentality – I’m the boss, I’m in control, I have power – is a high contributor. The cop culture. Personally, I think non-cops should be in charge of cops. Folks that understand the law. Folks that aren’t part of the culture.
To change certain elements of the police requires non-police to be in charge. And when the shroud of the cop culture is lifted, the many, many excellent officers will be able to change that culture.
I find it interesting that food and education are the last two steps of your plan. I’m glad they are there but they have to be the top priority.
You start with marriage and church which are great for some people but are not viable solutions for a big block of people. Not believing in god and being a single parent does not make someone a bad person.
I agree Obama could have done more. I think the immense pressure of being the first black president made him shy away from directly taking on problems with racism and an opportunity was missed. Why can’t trump do it? I agree he can’t but I know at least originally you were a big supporter. Has that changed? Or was this not really that important of an issue in 2016?
I strongly disagree with the idea that putting more people of color in prison for longer periods of time is going to somehow fix violence in inner cities. How many people get out of prison after long sentences and are changed for the better? I would argue focusing on the humanity all people, even (Maybe even especially) the ones committing crimes is a better way forward. I’m thinking mental health resources, counseling, job training, community involvement. I’ve met gang members and most join because they are looking for a sense of community and belonging. Find ways to give folks that and direct the energy of young people toward the public good. If you take a charismatic 18 year old and throw him in prison for 30 years, you’ve missed an opportunity to foster leadership and change in a community.
As for number 7. As far as I know, inner cities are still part of America even if they do vote blue. I wonder how many of these ideas you’d submit to yourself?
Overall, I just fundamentally disagree with most of this “plan.” A bigger hammer hitting more often is just going to cause more push back and violence. Deescalation is the key and all most of those points are going to do (besides rob people of their freedom) is cause a more violent and angered response. We have to stop thinking about PEOPLE as enemies. People are human beings and I’m always weary of what treating them as anything different does to their humanity as well as that of the enforcers.
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Here is an article showing some of the emotional toll of some of HEMs tactics: https://theathletic.com/1845455/2020/06/01/i-remember-you-crying-encountering-racism-by-staffers-at-the-athletic/
