The Dominant White Response to Baltimore Shows Why Black Residents are Justified

[Zaac]

The Dominant White Response to Baltimore Shows Why Black Residents are Justified in their Anger

...
It's in the defense of that property - those CVS stores owned by faceless individuals and those police cars being bashed in - that we've seen the strongest response from the dominant element of society. Social media is a good indication, but certainly not the only one. There, on sites like Facebook and Twitter, folks have spoken up about Freddie Gray for the first time. They've not come to the defense of the oppressed. Rather, they've spoken up in condemnation of those "animals," "thugs," and "criminals" who are "destroying their own city."

It's some combination of historical illiteracy and racial animus that drives the response. The prevailing white view has been tragically non-curious from an intellectual perspective. Rather than asking what might cause a people to risk life and limb in an effort to smash to bits their own neighborhoods, we've responded with a stupid, incredulous look on our faces. "Look at them," we've said. "Burning down their own city." We understand that we would never do something like that - not even when our favorite hockey team failed to win Lord Stanley's Cup. But we fail to ask that critical next question - if these people, who are in so many ways like us, would do something that we wouldn't think of doing, what must the conditions be like to drive that behavior?

To put all of the blame on the lack of historical literacy of white folks in America would be letting too many off the hook. Even if they don't know about the history of red-lining, the effects of the drug war, and how Jim Crow has shape-shifted into the modern criminal justice apparatus, many of these people would be unmoved if their eyes would open. Simply put, for them, it's racial animus that drives the boat.

But white Americans, many by their own choosing, are painfully unaware of the historical context in which a mostly-black protest in Baltimore might take place. What are these people so mad about? we ask, as if the answers are too complicated to be discerned from one extended reading of anything by Ta-Nehisi Coates or Greg Howard.

As a white man, I'm in little position to pass judgment on the behavior of people so beaten down that they have little hope. I'm certainly not in a position to offer the tired white liberal tripe, asking black folks in places like Baltimore to sit quietly and trust the system, waiting for me and those like me to rescue them through legitimate democratic means. While rioting, looting, and lighting stuff on fire is certainly not a productive way to achieve equality and real civil rights, I won't lie to these people and tell them that by doing so, they're undermining progress that might have been made through legitimate protesting.

That's because I understand the unfortunate reality that powers this kind of destructive protesting. That is - these people are aware in a way I can never be aware, that whether they choose to jump on cars, sing Civil Rights hymns, hold signs, or stage peaceful letter writing campaigns to their local congressperson, the situation is going to stay mostly the same.

...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/...-Black-Residents-are-Justified-in-their-Anger

 

[Doubting Thomas]

...
It's in the defense of that property - those CVS stores owned by faceless individuals and those police cars being bashed in - that we've seen the strongest response from the dominant element of society. Social media is a good indication, but certainly not the only one. There, on sites like Facebook and Twitter, folks have spoken up about Freddie Gray for the first time. They've not come to the defense of the oppressed. Rather, they've spoken up in condemnation of those "animals," "thugs," and "criminals" who are "destroying their own city."

And rightfully so, because these thugs ARE destroying their own city. If the "oppressed" want more economic opportunities, then they need attract and keep businesses. Burning and Looting buisnesses already there will do neither. Perhaps their black mayor, the black police chief, and predominately black city council, and all the other Democrats who've been running the city for the past few decades, should take the time to explain this common sense fact to the folks. :BangHead:

 

[Darrell C]

I would suggest ignoring this thread. It does not deserve a response and will only...

...justify the OP.


God bless.

 

[Crabtownboy]

It is obvious that many white folk do not want to address the root causes of the rage held in many black communities. This only ensures that this is going to happen again and again. Until those causes are corrected nothing good will happen.

 

[Revmitchell]

It is obvious that many white folk do not want to address the root causes of the rage held in many black communities. This only ensures that this is going to happen again and again. Until those causes are corrected nothing good will happen.

As it now turns out the rage is feigned. It is simply political operatives sent out to stir people up with false information and bus rioters, thugs, and criminals in to areas in which they do not even live wile people like the mayor tells the police to stand down and give them space to destroy property. When they get to the community in which they do not even live we have actual residents of these communities stand a line in front of police officers and local businesses.

The word and facts are out and most likely Valerie Jarrett is the driving force behind the political riots.

 

[Zaac]

It is obvious that many white folk do not want to address the root causes of the rage held in many black communities. This only ensures that this is going to happen again and again. Until those causes are corrected nothing good will happen.

100% correct CTB.:thumbsup:

 

[Crabtownboy]

As it now turns out the rage is feigned. It is simply political operatives sent out to stir people up with false information and bus rioters, thugs, and criminals in to areas in which they do not even live wile people like the mayor tells the police to stand down and give them space to destroy property. When they get to the community in which they do not even live we have actual residents of these communities stand a line in front of police officers and local businesses.

The word and facts are out and most likely Valerie Jarrett is the driving force behind the political riots.

Wow! You are really out of touch.

I expect you are out of touch with the minority community where you live as well.

 

[matt wade]

It is obvious that many white folk do not want to address the root causes of the rage held in many black communities. This only ensures that this is going to happen again and again. Until those causes are corrected nothing good will happen.

I'll address the root cause of the rage held in the black communities. It stems from the fact that the black communities are racist. They feel they are entitled to things that other hard working Americans are not. They feel they are owed something, instead of trying to earn something. It lies in the fact that black communities are violent and drug infested. It comes from a blame everyone else for their problems mentality.

That's the root cause and you can stick your retort where the sun don't shine.

 

[Zaac]

I'll address the root cause of the rage held in the black communities. It stems from the fact that the black communities are racist. They feel they are entitled to things that other hard working Americans are not.

Perhaps we should tell that to the Native Americans as we give them back their land that the white man took. And white privilege does seem to blind folks into thinking that Blacks are lazy while Whites are hardworking. But that's one of those stereotypes that white people like to tell themselves. Classic case of the white superiority complex.

They feel they are owed something, instead of trying to earn something.

Right because everyone knows that all the white people in America earned what they have.

It lies in the fact that black communities are violent and drug infested. It comes from a blame everyone else for their problems mentality.

Where are the drugs coming from? White communities are violent and drug infested too. Might as well accept the facts.

That's the root cause and you can stick your retort where the sun don't shine.

Classy.

But your attempt to insult me doesn't change the truth.

 

[matt wade]

Perhaps we should tell that to the Native Americans as we give them back their land that the white man took. And white privilege does seem to blind folks into thinking that Blacks are lazy while Whites are hardworking. But that's one of those stereotypes that white people like to tell themselves. Classic case of the white superiority complex.



Right because everyone knows that all the white people in America earned what they have.



Where are the drugs coming from? White communities are violent and drug infested too. Might as well accept the facts.


Classy.

But your attempt to insult me doesn't change the truth.

I'm not concerned with distorted "truth" from racists.

 

[Zaac]

I'm not concerned with distorted "truth" from racists.

Yes, history shows that the white privileged aren't concerned about much other than themselves. Explains their fascination with the current GOP.

 

[matt wade]

Yes, history shows that the white privileged aren't concerned about much other than themselves. Explains their fascination with the current GOP.

History shows blacks aren't concerned with much other than a violent culture. Explains their fascination with guns, gansta rap, gangs, drugs, and riots.

 

[Zaac]

History shows blacks aren't concerned with much other than a violent culture.

Odd.
Whites killed the Native Americans.
Whites rioted in Boston Harbor.
Whites murdered, lynched, beat and brutalized Blacks during slavery and Jim Crow and continue to do so today.
Whites burned down black communities because they were doing better than the white ones.
Whites were in charge of the race riots in Chicago, Atlanta, East ST. Louis, Tulsa and Rosewood.

Gosh it doesn't take much digging to see who has really been violent in American History. I understand that the whitewashing of textbooks may not have revealed some stuff to you. But the truth is out of the bottle. And it ain't pretty.

Explains their fascination with guns, gansta rap, gangs, drugs, and riots.

WOnder how the fascination of young white kids with these things are explained as they are the reason why those things are popular and profitable.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

And rightfully so, because these thugs ARE destroying their own city. If the "oppressed" want more economic opportunities, then they need attract and keep businesses. Burning and Looting buisnesses already there will do neither. Perhaps their black mayor, the black police chief, and predominately black city council, and all the other Democrats who've been running the city for the past few decades, should take the time to explain this common sense fact to the folks. :BangHead:

Nope. Too logical. It's gotta be Whitey's fault.

 

[carpro]

Really stupid, as well as inaccurate. OP.

Some of the loudest voices condemning the senseless violence were black.

I'm sure they are familiar , on a first hand basis, with all types of racial prejudice. Yet they do not choose to buy into the poor me, I'm black victimology.

The OP writer is an idiot, just looking to excuse viloence in the name of...violence. Race is just a handy excuse.

 

[padredurand]

Odd.
Whites killed the Native Americans.
Whites rioted in Boston Harbor.
Whites murdered, lynched, beat and brutalized Blacks during slavery and Jim Crow and continue to do so today.
Whites burned down black communities because they were doing better than the white ones.
Whites were in charge of the race riots in Chicago, Atlanta, East ST. Louis, Tulsa and Rosewood.

Gosh it doesn't take much digging to see who has really been violent in American History. I understand that the whitewashing of textbooks may not have revealed some stuff to you. But the truth is out of the bottle. And it ain't pretty.

WOnder how the fascination of young white kids with these things are explained as they are the reason why those things are popular and profitable.

And yet THREE of the arrested police officers are black.

Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., 45, who joined the police department in 1999, drove the transport wagon. He had been directed to deliver Gray to the central booking facility.

At one point, Goodson parked the van to check on his prisoner.

"Despite stopping for the purpose of checking on Mr. Gray's condition, at no point did he seek nor did he render any medical assistance for Mr. Gray," Mosby said.

Goodson returned to the driver's seat and headed toward central booking with Gray still unsecured. After several blocks, the officer called dispatch to say he needed to check on his prisoner. He requested additional units.

Another officer arrived and, with Goodson, went to the back of the wagon. Gray requested help and said he could not breathe. One officer asked Gray if he needed a medic. Twice, Gray said he needed medical assistance. The officer helped lift Gray from the floor to a bench in the van.

Again, the officers failed to restrain Gray or request medical assistance. Goodson then responded to a separate call for assistance in an arrest.

"Despite Mr. Gray's obvious and recognized need for medical assistance, Officer Goodson in a grossly negligent manner chose to respond ... with Gray still unsecured by a seat belt in the wagon, without rendering or summoning medical assistance," Mosby said.

At the next stop, Goodson was met by Miller and three other officers. He walked to the back of the wagon to check on Gray. Goodson and the other officers saw that Gray was unresponsive.

Still, Goodson picked up a new prisoner and drove to a police station to drop him off. He failed to restrain Gray for at least the fifth time, Mosby said. Gray was no longer breathing.

Goodson is charged with one count of second-degree depraved-heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence), manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence) and misconduct in office.

CNN legal analyst Sonny Hostin said the depraved-heart murder charge appeared to indicate the prosecutor believes Goodson was "one of the worst actors" in Gray's death.

"Depraved heart means he intentionally, willfully and deliberately acted with depraved indifference to human life," she said.

Sgt. Alicia D. White, 30, an officer since 2010, was present during one of the stops to check on Gray's condition. White and two other officers saw that Gray was unresponsive on the floor of the wagon.

White, who was responsible for investigating two citizen complaints related to Gray's arrest, spoke to the back of the prisoner's head.

When Gray did not respond, White allegedly did nothing. She had been advised that Gray needed a medic but made no effort to assess his condition.

"Despite Mr. Gray's seriously deteriorating medical condition, no medical assistance was rendered or summoned for Mr. Gray at that time by any officer," Mosby said.

Later, White and two other officers attempted to remove Gray from the wagon. He was no longer breathing. A medic later determined Gray was in "cardiac arrest and ... critically and severely injured."

Gray was rushed to the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center, where he underwent surgery. On April 19, he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

"The manner of death, deemed a homicide by the Maryland State Medical Examiner, is believed to be the result of a fatal injury that occurred while Mr. Gray was unrestrained by a seat belt in the custody of the Baltimore Police Department wagon," Mosby said.

White is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.


Officer William G. Porter, 25, who joined the force in 2012, responded when Goodson asked for additional units to check on Gray. The prisoner told Porter he could not breathe. Porter asked Gray if he needed a medic. Gray said "yes" twice. The officer helped lift Gray to a bench but did not assess his condition or call for medical assistance. Porter also was present later when Goodson picked up another prisoner, and White and others discovered that Gray was unresponsive.

Porter is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.

 

[Alcott]

"While rioting, looting, and lighting stuff on fire is certainly not a productive way to achieve equality and real civil rights..."

What kind of a anti-black racist is this writer to say that?

 

[Zaac]

"While rioting, looting, and lighting stuff on fire is certainly not a productive way to achieve equality and real civil rights..."

What kind of a anti-black racist is this writer to say that?

White people were the first to riot in this country and have rioted far more than anyone else. What were they trying to achieve with their riots?

 

[Zaac]

And yet THREE of the arrested police officers are black.

So? Changes nothing.

 

[Alcott]

White people were the first to riot in this country and have rioted far more than anyone else. What were they trying to achieve with their riots?

Oh, the "native Americans" never rioted?