Ive bit my tongue about this whole Ferguson thing as long as I can. Racism is a difficult topic due to my having many friends of a different color than myself, as well as the fact that its very hard to truly empathize the life of another. My mom raised me to be color blind, something I am thankful for since anything else would be stupid. For anyone who disagrees here, let me suggest a short read: Dr. Seusss The Sneetches. Yes, its a childrens book about prejudice and its just that simple. If you post anything suggesting otherwise unfriend me now so I dont have to because your opinion is not worthy of my contemplation. I am a person of facts. The facts here were so strong that those forced to determine this young policemans fate for a second time, couldnt even go for a lesser charge of any kind. Forensics that prove he didnt have his hands up as some now proven liars stated. Yes, the whole Hands up, Dont shoot is a farce. A lowly paid policeman asks someone to move out of the middle of the road as he walked. A man who had not fired his gun ever as he worked in a predominantly black neighborhood. Mr. Brown immediately attacked the officer in his vehicle. After a struggle in which he grabbed the officers gun, two shots were fired. One hit Mr. Brown who then walked off. The policeman gave chase as is his job to do. Mr. Brown then turned and came toward him verbalizing further violence. The officer then fired on him. These are facts stated by black witnesses. I dont say African-American because I dont call myself a German-American. We are Americans and I only say black or white as a simplification for referral. I often hear my black friends refer to white people for the same reason. We are all fine with this since we arent caught up in prejudice nor the political correctness needed for those who fear the reality of such small differences as dark or light skin color. Additional facts: Policeman are not trained to shoot in the leg. They are trained to never pull their weapon unless they are in fear for their lives. Then they are trained to kill. This is a fact. How many out there would ask for less of our policemen? What would your solution have been if you were in his place and Mr. Brown had been white? Mr. Brown is being shown as a smiling sweet person and being called a teen...a gentle giant. He was in fact an 18 year old young man who, the same day, stole from a store and then became violent with the much smaller store owner who tried to stop him. This is on film. He was a criminal and very likely not a good person. Does that mean he deserved to be shot? Hardly but then no one has said that. But lets at least accept him for the person he was. Facts. The truth. Then the usual low lifes flock on the scene or comment who are motivated by money and power. Those who claim to represent the black man but in fact, have set them back many years. Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, you know of whom I speak. Those who couldnt hold a candle to the great Martin Luther King. The media hasnt been much more responsible here nor even our politicians. The N.Y. Times published the police officers home address. This is an example of a good lawsuit IMO since it jeopardizes his familys life. I am seeing many FB posts asking why the police didnt do more last night. The same police that so many said acted too military style during the first demonstrations. Damned if you do and damned if you dont. I have to admit I wouldnt have acted with the same discipline if I were the one in charge but they held their ground amid over 100 shots fired, 12 cars burned, and 25 businesses set on fire and mostly responded with tear gas...a non lethal response. Only 60 arrests, which was far less than the previous Ferguson riots. If they had acted with force Id be seeing the same BS from the same posters tonight. Ill turn that around...why did our president wait until an hour after the announcement to give his Lets demonstrate in peace speech? He had to know most would already be gone and in the streets. Why didnt Eric Holder, weeks ago, say Lets wait and let justice prevail as he visited Ferguson? I was actually glad the national guard wasnt called out and am reminded of Kent State. But can also state that the people blamed Nixon for not calling out the National Guard years ago during riots then though they now blame the Missouri governor rather than our current president. How does looting the stores within your own neighborhood send a message? These are opportunists and criminals. I find it ironic that they focused once again on the store in which Mr. Brown stole from that day as if this was somehow his fault. Meanwhile, those who imo are misguided, but good people, tried to demonstrate peacefully asked others not to destroy their own neighborhood. This is my take. Is equality commonplace in our country? Hell no. Its only been 50 years since the South was doing irreprehensible things that required federal intervention. Thats one generation. Do some policemen act with prejudice? Of this I am certain. The problem is that we need true leaders fighting for equality who address real instances, real issues, at the right times. Leaders who speak candidly to both their own race as well as the white population in terms of responsibility. Situations such as Ferguson only further divide the races in this country. Affect the irresponsible media and persuade them to simply state the news/facts as they are supposed to. The facts. The truth. Patience. Make equality among our races an important issue rather than reactionary. The same needs to be done with females and equal pay, etc. Hell, we are paying more attention to Muslim rights, atheists, etc...name a cause, now than one of our oldest issues. One the white man caused in the first place I might add. Remember that while we were forming our constitution stating equality for all, many were buying slaves and setting the course for situations such as this today. The responsibility comes from all sides in this present day, not just the white side, nor the black, in this United States of America. I appreciate Eric Holders values and desires, but question his tactics. I question the socio-economic advantage of those in criminal trouble, which reflects on blacks, but also on whites. This reminds me of the Trayvon Martin case in which the media tried to say it was a white/black issue when in fact it was a Latino/Black issue. When someone stupidly ignored the polices instructions not to further follow Mr. Martin. A Latino who had fought for black rights in his community but yet racially profiled an innocent Mr. Martin. Who was then brutally attacked by Mr. Martin and responded within his rights, yet was forced due to politics, to be tried. A tragic outcome for Mr. Martin and his family, but one which should not have been taken to court based on Mr. Martins over the top response in beating George Zimmermans head into the sidewalk. These are not the moments to enact change. Whites could riot in reaction to black on white violence that happens daily. Focus on a continual effort of true equality from all sides. As Ive felt before, it starts in the family, as my Mom raised me. I think of my kids. They had friends in daycare which they innocently called chocolate in their very young years. Some who were their very best friends and when they saw them in public years later, hugged with enthusiasm while their parents stood across from me undoubtedly thinking the same thing I was. What a great moment of truth. Kids who recognized the difference in color just as they mentioned Latinos who spoke with an accent, Asians with different features, boys who acted differently than my girls. Kids see the differences but dont think its bad, or scary, or above/beneath them, until socialization shows its ugly effect. I have often wondered at which point I would have to step in and re-educate my kids on prejudice. To counter that which they are inevitably taught by others. Again, this starts in the family, and it must be taught by all races. I wonder what good will come from all of this. I hope that someone steps up and forges a path that makes it all worthwhile.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 08:37:11 +0000