The Black Lives Matter Distraction Ploy

Violence isn't the answer. Accountability is. This means the police officer who murders to the thug who does the same. I have in my head a deep sense of justice. It upsets me when I see things go on that I know should end. Where is the justice? Why are we going back and forth without anything changing for the better?

Democrats have ample blame in this mess. The media should be held accountable. Hate groups who only feed a one sided hate fest are also culpable. Police abusing their badge with no ramifications to their actions don't help any situation. Leadership only lets things take the course in a one sided fashion or they don't speak at all to make things better. Obama spoke once that I know of about the riots. It was a 2 minute piece that was buried into oblivion. He reminds me of Nero watching Rome burn. Too many Indians and not enough Chiefs.

originally posted by: American-philosopher
a reply to: HighFive

But should we also look at the fact that black people have higher interactions with the police then other races?? Should we look at the fact that a person like Chris Rock got pulled over multiple times in a seven week period? Should we look at the fact that we have black people asking the police what kind of car should we drive so we dont get pulled over??

AGAIN I completely agree...

The effects of over policing poor communities, the drug war, policing for profit, disparate sentences for blacks and whites..
All structural problems

I'm going to toss this out here, and will probably be eaten alive, even by members who typically agree with me.
Go gently, if you can, I've hurt my back while lifting a huge flower pot and am on pain killers since yesterday. (Yes I can point to this if the ladyinwaiting sharks show up to pick my bones) but it's on my mind a lot lately.

White people are afraid of black people.

There. I've said it.

The question is "Why" and who can fix it?

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic

originally posted by: Daughter2
About half of the officers charged were black - including the cop charged with murder.

It's not about the race of the officer, though. He's a cop. With the cop mindset. The problem is cops using violence against black civilians.

"Cop ... cop ... cop ... black civilian."

What about

Cop ... cop ... cop ... criminal. Puts it into a better perspective.

Freddie Gray was dealing heroin. Mike Brown was a common thug. The dude in NY was selling loosies. The last one is crap ... I know, but what was he doing when he wasn't selling?

Cops are pretty darn good at identifying criminals. Leave 'em alone, stay outta their way, let 'em do what they're paid to do.

People wanna get upset and burn the city they live in to the ground ... let 'em.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

I might have editorialized the title to start the discussion, but I'm not saying there isn't a huge difference in the way we police blacks and poor communities in general.

I'm pointing out there is a percentage of our population(racists) that miss the point when race is brought into the discussion.

The same people that scream about their rights, and government control when an illegal search or seizure happens to a white person,
Can look at the same situation happening to a black man, and say that thug ." Can't be handled with kid gloves, they take, they hurt, they destroy innocent lives and add nothing to the betterment of mankind" @ sea soul

originally posted by: Snarl
Freddie Gray was dealing heroin.

No, he wasn't. Did they arrest him for dealing heroin? No. He was illegally arrested for carrying a legal knife.

The dude in NY was selling loosies. The last one is crap ... I know, but what was he doing when he wasn't selling?

So, you're repeating a lie to color him with suspicion. You're part of the problem.

originally posted by: Snarl

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic

originally posted by: Daughter2
About half of the officers charged were black - including the cop charged with murder.

It's not about the race of the officer, though. He's a cop. With the cop mindset. The problem is cops using violence against black civilians.

"Cop ... cop ... cop ... black civilian."

What about

Cop ... cop ... cop ... criminal. Puts it into a better perspective.

Freddie Gray was dealing heroin. Mike Brown was a common thug. The dude in NY was selling loosies. The last one is crap ... I know, but what was he doing when he wasn't selling?

Cops are pretty darn good at identifying criminals. Leave 'em alone, stay outta their way, let 'em do what they're paid to do.

People wanna get upset and burn the city they live in to the ground ... let 'em.

This also proves the point of my OP
White people also get victimized by the police, stopped cuz they're young, beaten off camera.
It is not the place of police to dish out street justice, even when you are dealing with a criminal

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting

White people are afraid of black people.

The question is "Why" and who can fix it?

White people aren't afraid of black people. They're only afraid of the repercussions of not wanting to deal with black thugs. If there were 'no rules' for a couple of weeks ... I'm pretty sure there'd be a real change.

How many times have you wanted to smash your car into the a-hole who's driving like crap? You don't ... because you don't want to deal with the mess it creates. It doesn't matter who's driving the other car ... they're driving like an a-hole ... right up until the moment you 'see' who it is that's driving the other car. And then, it becomes a case of: oh ... a woman; oh ... a punk kid; oh ... another old geezer; etc.)

originally posted by: HighFive
I might have editorialized the title to start the discussion, but I'm not saying there isn't a huge difference in the way we police blacks and poor communities in general.

I'm pointing out there is a percentage of our population(racists) that miss the point when race is brought into the discussion.

I understand. But I'm not about to brush the systemic racism of the police departments under the carpet just so racists will join in. I'm not all that interested in bringing racists into the discussion or having their support. They're part of the problem.

The same people that scream about their rights, and government control when an illegal search or seizure happens to a white person, Can look at the same situation happening to a black man, and say that thug .

Agreed. IMO, those people aren't ever going to be helpful anyway.

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic
You're part of the problem.

That shoe doesn't fit.

I 'recognize' the problem ... and I avoid dealing with it ... just like most people.

a reply to: Snarl

White people aren't afraid of black people.

Yeah they are. I've wondered sometimes, Black people seem more willing to be hurt or die than we are. They are willing to risk more in a physical altercation than we are. Like, I would cooperate with cops because I don't want to be hurt, or wouldn't want to make matters worse by resisting arrest.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

I'm not asking you to brush systematic racism under the rug.

But as many posters on this thread have shown; you can avoid the real issues of police militarization/training/corruption/policing for profit, by focusing on how "terrible" black people are.

#all lives matter
#all rights matter

Cops are pretty darn good at identifying criminals. Leave 'em alone, stay outta their way, let 'em do what they're paid to do.

They are not paid to beat and kill people. They are not paid to cover up crimes by their fellow officers. That group becomes criminals not officers.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
a reply to: Snarl

White people aren't afraid of black people.

Yeah they are. I've wondered sometimes, Black people seem more willing to be hurt or die than we are. They are willing to risk more in a physical altercation than we are. Like, I would cooperate with cops because I don't want to be hurt, or wouldn't want to make matters worse by resisting arrest.

I've worked with black people all my life. I've found the opposite to be true. Black people are more afraid of whites than the other way around.

Every time I've ever brought a black person on-board as an employee, I've had to be very direct with them, in terms of enabling them, as members of the team. I have to show them their value to the organization. After that, I have to demonstrate they will be protected. Once those two things have happened (and I mean pegged) there's never any BS. And by that I mean they know who to avoid to preserve their reputation as a professional (just like everyone else does). The only trick is not hiring someone who has edged past someone else's scrutiny ... and if that happens ... correcting the situation with all due diligence.

And, I've served in combat with blacks. I would Not say blacks are more willing to be hurt or die. When s#t gets real ... no one 'is willing' to get hurt or die. You just do what you've gotta do. If shots had been fired at those rioters, my money says they would have scattered like roaches (and skin tone would have been the least of discriminators).

-Cheers

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
Yeah they are. I've wondered sometimes, Black people seem more willing to be hurt or die than we are. They are willing to risk more in a physical altercation than we are. Like, I would cooperate with cops because I don't want to be hurt, or wouldn't want to make matters worse by resisting arrest.

Maybe black people are just braver. More willing to stand for what they believe in. I've had a hell of a lot of respect for the peaceful protestors in Baltimore. They're out on the streets taking chances with their lives every night for something they believe in. Maybe they feel they have nothing to lose. Their lives (and their friends and family's lives) are in danger already and they're fighting it.

In truth, I'm not comfortable with the blanket statement that 'white people are afraid of black people'. I'm not afraid.

But I'm also not as brave as the peaceful protestors in Baltimore. I think it's because I feel I have something big to lose. My comfy home, family and security. Cops aren't shooting unarmed, mature, white women on the streets. I don't have to protest how cops treat my demographic.

originally posted by: HighFive
a reply to: Benevolent Heretic
But as many posters on this thread have shown; you can avoid the real issues of police militarization/training/corruption/policing for profit, by focusing on how "terrible" black people are.

#all lives matter
#all rights matter

I totally agree with your point, believe me. But if you wanted to discuss police militarization/training/corruption/policing for profit, without talking about race, I REALLY think you should have titled your thread differently. Your OP is really good, but the sensational title is going to draw certain people: those interested in the racial aspect of what's happening in the country today. People who are tired of talking about race probably aren't even going to open it to read it. (I hope they do, though.)

To address your actual concern, my feeling is that the police are policing the police. That's a huge problem. Over the years, and probably more so since 9/11, they have become more and more corrupt and drunk on the power of their authority. They are taking complete control of the behavior of the people. That's too big a problem and too ingrained for "the people" to DO anything about it without a LOT of bloodshed in the process. The only two ways for something to change would be:

1. The federal government steps in and demands that all cops conform to certain standards (wearing bodycams, training, and punishments for corruption and abuse of power). There must be negative consequences for when a cop kills someone that's unarmed and running away, by shooting him full of lead. Not compensated with 2 weeks off, paid. Someone outside the police department should be policing them because they've proven they can't or won't do it.

2. The people rise up. I believe if someone is being abused, they should stand up and fight back, if they can. We (white people) could be taking to the streets to fight generalized police corruption like the people in Baltimore are doing. That's a scary thought. If we aren't willing to take this step, we should work to elect people who will serve our interests and not let the local PDs abuse people like they do.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

True, true. I'm sure that's all a part of it. Maybe braver, maybe feel they have less to lose. Only thing I've ever seen my black GF's Afraid of, is getting their hair wet. True fact.

I don't think white people like admitting they are afraid of black people. But they are. Never say never or always in this case, but for the most part, yep. I've had jobs that required going to peoples homes at all hours of the day and night. Some neighborhoods, you would be an idiot to go into without escorts who are the topic of this very thread.
Some neighborhoods, Dominoes won't even deliver pizzas too. It's a fact of life as we know it.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

The first person to talk solutions, thank you.


The title is intentional.. To discuss how we police poor and black communities.
Police militarization/training/corruption/ policing for profit, police policing themselves, are clearly not racial issues as these problems exist in every city and suburb, democratic and republican controlled city councils.

I've laid out what I think the problems are and the financial incentives cities have to keep the current broken system, and the title was an open invitation for someone to argue that I'm wrong and black people are the problem.

And I've proved my point.
Look at some these posts, they completely avoid the topic of police misconduct, falsifying police reports, and policing the poorest and most vulnerable, to bash victims and thug mentality.

a reply to: HighFive

Look at some these posts, they completely avoid the topic of police misconduct, falsifying police reports,

Oh. That would be me. I'm off topic, and I shall take my leave. Just one more thing though -- there is a massive white elephant on the dining table, and at some point someone is going to have to acknowledge it, without fear of being called a racist. Sometimes a white elephant is just a white elephant.

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

I guess I agree to a point. But I don't think white people fear black people any more than black people fear white people... It's in our nature to be suspicious of or fear people different than we are. There are certainly neighborhoods where black people fear to tread at night, too.

The challenge for all of us is to go beyond that basal instinct, or whatever you want to call it, and use logic to prevent us from thinking that we SHOULD be afraid of each other. IMO.