This will be my last reply to this topic, because its derailing the thread entirely away from the original discussion. PM me if you wish to continue our conversation. Or even start another thread, but as of now, it makes no sense to have an off topic debate that goes in circles.
Danger said:
Of course you have a collective voice. That is what Sharpton is. You call him and demand he apologize when he's wrong or you fully withdraw support. It is that simple.
No we do not have a collective voice. Why do you think many different political representatives exist in America? Why do you think sub divisions exist in political parties? Because people think different things. There are more black leaders than Al Sharpton. He just happens to be the one that the media loves to pander to the most.
Im sure if the media decided to follow another black figure, that person would become popular in an instant. But of course they wont do that. Plenty of black people have called out Al Sharpton, but he has supporters. Plenty of public figures have supporters and nay sayers. So please dont be ignorant and act like an entire group of people have to admonish one person just to be taken seriously as a group.
Just because some white people are silly tea partiers, does not mean Im going to criticize the entire white community for not standing up against the tea party and the things I dont like about it. Im not ignorant enough to assume a diverse group of people have a singular voice. Dont be that ignorant yourself.
Until the investigation is finished, we do not know if anything was wrong. This is where you (and I originally) have prejudged everything despite the preponderance of false stories through-out the media. The media has a lot to be held accountable for here as well. During this whole thing they have been a huge problem using sensationalism and manipulation to provoke the angriest response from people.
We do know the PD did something wrong. Have you followed the news at all? Legal analysts, various other PDs and even the Florida State DA herself said the Sanford police made mistakes. So please stop pretending they did nothing wrong. Pay attention to those facts. They botched the investigation and didnt do some routine things they were supposed to do. End of story. Dont try and flip and turn focus on the media...right now in this section Im talking about how the Sanford PD screwed up.
If the feds acknowledge this, then so should you. The fact that they launched an investigation to begin with adds to my point.
Sure, those guys are equally part of the "blame game" and to be perfectly honest, they deserve criminal punishment in my opinion. I am not involved in a blame game but instead am trying to point out the problems that the black community needs to overcome, and that ONLY THEY can do. You can either recognize the problem, fix it and grow, or you can always point the finger at the other guy and never change.
The black community will overcome its problems in time...but you said we need to extend a hand. We cannot extend a hand when those in power keep killing innocent and unarmed people. We cannot extend a hand when those in power setup and falsely accuse innocent people. It has to start with those in power. When the people can see those in power are trying to work with them, then perceptions will change all around.
Dont be a hypocrite and talk about who does finger pointing, when thats what youve been doing here. It starts at the top. It started at the top years and years ago and has been allowed to continue. As I said, things cant get better until those who are supposed to protect and serve, actually protect and serve wholeheartedly.
You cant play the singular blame game when people like Michelle Malkin are trying to paint this dead kid as a thug, when he was an honor roll athlete who committed no proven crime the night of his killing. When national media outlets for the right are circulating fake pictures from a Neonazi website, which only perpetuate negative stereotypes against black people, things cant get better. So how about you look at both sides of the coin, because I know what needs to be done here.
Wasn't he walking back from watching a basketball game? And I know NOBODY who would be allowed to do that after a one day suspension, let alone ten. We are not talking a punishment for talking back or something, we are talking a two week suspension. I am honestly shocked that you or anyone would think this is ok or normal treatment for someone being punished for a suspension like that.
OMG READ THE FACTS OF THE STORY.
Trayvon was visiting his fathers house, and was watching the NBA All Star game with his little brother. At half time he decided to go to the store for snacks. He walked there and then was walking home when Zimmerman started this whole mess. Those are the facts.
You mean to tell me you didnt know any kids who were allowed to walk to the store when they were grounded? Because Im sure MANY people here know plenty of kids like that. This kid wasnt out hanging out in the street with people. He went the store and then tried to get back home in time for the rest of the game. Why am I even discussing this with you when you dont even have the facts straight?
And plenty of kids are allowed to watch tv even if they are grounded. They just wont be allowed to hang out with friends. And like I said before, its entirely possible that his dad let him watch the game with his little brother because its a once a year event, and why punish the little brother as well if he wants to watch the game AT HOME with his big bro. Its also possible that Trayvon was given the gift to watch tv for being on good behavior. When I used to get punished, if I was on good behavior and finished extra chores over a set period of time, Id be allowed an hour of tv or video games.
None of what I said is uncommon or way out there. Next time get your facts straight on the case. Either way, we should both stop jumping to conclusions about his punishment.
I don't assume that, I know that there is not enough solidarity to make the likes of Sharpton cut the bull$hit and restore credibility to complaints regarding racial issues.
Finally you get what I am saying. Public figures have supporters and naysayers. Doesnt matter who they are. You cant expect a whole group of people to rally behind a person or rally against a person.
However, if people in this country let the antics of Shaprton affect the reality of racial prejudice as whole...then such people are truly ignorant and blind. Just because Sharpton has goofed in the past does not negate the times he hasnt goofed. And his goofs do not negate the reality that America still has plenty of prejudice going on...be it racial, gender, sexual orientation, or religious prejudice.
Sure you can expect that. You don't need to be collectively in power to accomplish the feat of restoring credibility, they just need to stop feeding the Sharpton troll. It's great that some are taking them to task, but unfortunately it is not enough
Sharpton or no Sharpton, people in this country would question the credibility of racial prejudice complaints. This was happening before Sharpton and will happen after Sharpton lives his life. Denying racism has become the new racism in this country. Ignorance, willful or not, is what allows all forms of hate to continue in this country. And when some people have dismissive attitudes about what they themselves dont experience first hand, it only makes things worse.
Im apart of a majority group myself. Its a privileged group as well. I am a straight male. And I would have it no other way. Straight men have it a lot better in many areas of life than women or gays do. I wont deny this. I also wont dismiss a woman or gay dude's feelings of prejudice if he/she ever told me some of their experiences. I havent lived their life and itd be arrogant of me to argue with their feelings.
We don't have a publicized white group inciting racial wars whenever a white person gets shot by a black person. Hell a lot of that barely makes the news, including the recent one that happened only a few days ago (where the black guy was not arrested I might add).
No publicized white group? Whats the KKK then? What about the white nationalist groups that have descended upon Florida looking to stir the pot since the Martin case happened. Do your research.
The only ones trying to start a race war are the racist like the KKK or the new Panthers. Guys like Al Sharpton are simply telling black folks to stick together and protect their children. They arent telling them to harm anyone or start wars. Please show me quotes of the major leaders of the black community proclaiming "fighting words". The last major black leader to do that was Malcolm X. But he eventually saw the light and saw that violence wasnt the answer.
It seems you are merely threatened by black solidarity. If you can find me quotes that truly are trying to start a race war, Ill change my view of you.
Also, plenty of black folks get shot or killed by white people, usually police officers, and it barely or not make the news. The only times these stories make the news is when there is some form of profiling or racism that is obvious in those cases.