re: Multiple victims shot at Riverchase Galleria

Do you think that the police heavy-handedness could be primarily in areas where there is a high degree of crime, and that it merely get's projected as being applied to the law abiding blacks nationwide?

I understand that there are cases in which good men and women of color have been treated differently at a road-side stop, but let's say you have a middle class black enclave in a city, are the police likely to treat it's people they same way that they might in a crime riddled inner-city?

quote:

---

Any idea why more of the black community does not just stand up and tell the dividers and the destroyers to shut up and go away?

---

I cannot speak for everyone, but they deserve their platform, just like any other group. The same can be said for the right-wing militia groups and white people. Not everything that BLM does is bad or wrong. My issue with them is that while they are screaming about racial injustice, police violence, gender inequality, and the deaths of black trans individuals, they need to step up and lead through action. Where are the BLM financial literacy classes, the BLM neighborhood clean ups, the BLM STEM drives, the BLM rewarding our children for high marks in school, etc. Unfortunately, the loudest voices are always the ones that are looking to bring divisiveness. Look at this thread. It has somehow turned into a white vs black chasm, when that was not the intent. At no point, should this thread have drifted into BLM, racism, or drug dealers. What has been lost is the death of a child and the parents and family members that will now have to continue their lives through misery and pain. No amount of suffrage will change that or the selfishness of the individual that fired into an innocent group of people.

My point is this. I have met shitty people from all demographics. More importantly, I have met more great people from those same demographics. Black people have had to deal with a century and a half of inequality. Many of those laws set the race back for generations. You have to remember that the majority of the US, at one point, was black and white, so if one group is enacting untenable impediments to success, then the damage to future generations becomes almost insurmountable. 1964 was only the beginning, because the Civil Rights Act has had to be amended due to shortcomings. Things have, definitely, gotten better for all races. We are moving in the right direction. However, the numbers suggest that, as a country, we still have a way to go.

I think if you speak to any group of middle class to upperclass African Americans you will hear a number of stories of profiling and heavy handness where it feels like it isn't warranted.

Just myself I have been held outside of my middle class residence by the police because of a neighbor calling even though all my identification has my address. I've been pulled over several times in my vehicle with just an ID check and no reason. My neighbor got the full you fit a description even though he has lived in this community for 15 years. This is a primarily white suburb. When I was younger I had several pistols aimed at me out side of Sloss Furnace "for trying to sneak in." I had several white friends with me who were told to halt but not a gunpoint. We weren't trying to sneak in.

A not insignificant number of black people I know can speak to an experience with the police or having the police called that seems unwarranted.

quote:

---

From my experience volunteering in lower income communities of all races they rarely see it as dividers causing problems. What the usually tell me is that most of the programs they need to improve the community, after school, sports, community centers, healthcare, rehabilitation etc need funding cause the people are there. It usually turns out the local or state government cuts funding and the communities can't raise the money themselves.

---

Excellent post.

Now how many of these people support the reduction of funding or support politicians who are strong pro-funding cuts?

They want to cut funding for those in need then they wonder why the poverty is leading to criminal activity.

This isn't a black thing, it applies to every American no matter the race.

quote:

---

I think if you speak to any group of middle class to upperclass African Americans you will hear a number of stories of profiling and heavy handness where it feels like it isn't warranted.

Just myself I have been held outside of my middle class residence by the police because of a neighbor calling even though all my identification has my address. I've been pulled over several times in my vehicle with just an ID check and no reason. My neighbor got the full you fit a description even though he has lived in this community for 15 years. This is a primarily white suburb. When I was younger I had several pistols aimed at me out side of Sloss Furnace "for trying to sneak in." I had several white7 friends with me who were told to halt but not a gunpoint. We weren't trying to sneak in.

A not insignificant number of black people I know can speak to an experience with the police or having the police called that seems unwarranted.

---

Fair enough.

Ah, so you are woke to Planned Parenthood.

That is the most downright wicked institution to ever exist in America. Yes, Margret Sanger would have been most pleased to have eradicated you and your race.

Unfortunately, some of my spiritual forefathers in the Presbyterian church had some unpleasant things to say about blacks too. I will look at their better sides and consider the times in which they lived, but mayan! Those are some painful things to read.

quote:

---

Margret Sanger would have been most pleased to have eradicated you and your race.

---

Unfortunately, those that do not know or understand the past are bound to repeat it.

quote:

---

Unfortunately, some of my spiritual forefathers in the Presbyterian church had some unpleasant things to say about blacks too.

---

Unfortunately, it was in vogue during those times. However, I'll never understand those attitudes. Regardless, of the times, it was wrong. That's why I do not buy the argument of "product of the age in which they lived." It's short-sighted and reckless. Any one knows that an erroneous act that is committed based on hatred is not right. However, what gets lost in this argument is how black people were sold into slavery by men that looked just like them. Roots has done a good job of convincing individuals that white people were hanging out in Africa with nets. Nothing could be more absurd.

quote:

---

even small criticisms (like Terry Crews) get hammered for it mercilessly. I see no one coming to their defense.

---

Nor will you. In today's climate of "GOTCHA," in 140 characters or less, irrationality rules. People are blinded by their hatred of anyone that disagrees with them. In my opinion, this is why the thumbs ups and likes have become the gold stars, of yesteryear, for adults.

quote:

---

Seriously, who do you think is actually racist on this board?

---

If you can't see it isn't simply about racism; it's about intolerance, understanding history the effects of poverty and letting go of negativity and bias against certain people...

There is really nothing to say.

I'm done with this conversation and future ones with you. I think I have learned all I need to.