African American
Related: About this forumIn the past few weeks we've seen a white woman murdered with a high powered automobile...
We've seen an anxious white woman, who was a drunk driving suspect, being assuaged by a police lieutenant, telling her that cops "only shoot black people," and lastly there we've seen a white nurse who was brutally arrested by a cop because she had the temerity to do her job, follow appropriate rules and abide by the law.
And in all three cases, the outrage on behalf of these victims by decent people everywhere was swift, sympathetic and vocal. That was as it should have been, of course.
However, I wonder if the same would have been the case had in each of those cases had the only difference been the victim was black or brown. Because we've seen plenty of outrageous injustices inflicted upon black and brown people by white authorities and others over recent years without it resonating at all... Especially when it seems that the only people expressing that outage were black and brown people along with a relatively negligible number of white allies.
As we've just seen in the previously mentioned cases, white lives and the lives of white women in particular DO matter. But we also have to ask ourselves, when in this country will the lives of black (and brown) people also matter commensurately and concurrently?
That's of course the message of Black Lives Matter... Which was actually a warning to all whites: What has happened to us, can happen to you as well.
Anyone out there listening?
bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)77yo white woman
brush
(58,016 posts)exboyfil
(18,029 posts)The white woman shot by the police officer in Minneapolis. Contrast the reaction to that of the 14 year old passenger in a car that was driving away from a party who was shot and killed by a police officer. The term ghetto lottery is used more than once by those commenting on the Fox News website. Two unjustified shootings with decidedly different reactions.
irisblue
(34,405 posts)Mark Ch4 v 9 👂👂👂👂
lunasun
(21,646 posts)that day from his beating, would the outrage be the same or would we be hearing how he smoked pot in HS ?? Unpopular stance here that day but like you I see the difference . Just can't help it.
Also what if the two police in the helicopter had died while policing a BLM demonstration, not a WP march ? I think the reaction would have been different also to those deaths.
All of a sudden changes that are good and people becoming awake but why?
Yes until it happens in thier community or to people that look like them,some will never see it coming . I consider this an advantage though , most POC knew trump was going to be a horrible POTUS way before Election Day.
Someone white was talking to me about how such a large percent of men voted for trump . I said only 5% or less of black men voted trump. Did they say smart move or good for them ? The person's answer? Oh I wasn't thinking of them ...
Look at the concern all of a sudden with drugs , and passing out anti overdose kits as opposed to prison terms but guess it has to hit a certain neighborhood to be a concern not just a crime.
It should always have been a concern even if it wasn't next door to people. Oh well now it is see how that works?
BLM can only warn people and try to enlighten
zentrum
(9,866 posts)Same with missing Black children.
PatrickforO
(15,126 posts)Then the racist comments would start.
We'd hear about black on black violence.We'd hear justifications for the cops. Somebody would bring up something from the victim's past that supposedly would make the brutality OK, because, hey, she messed up before! The whole litany.
It's pretty sick. And now they're going to have military gear. This is getting fucking scary.
Lulu KC
(4,967 posts)And I am hearing/seeing more people pointing it out, and the counter-arguments (all lives matter, blue lives matter) getting jumped on for the lack of logic (not to mention compassion). Persistence.
TNNurse
(7,159 posts)I have been taking part in a local FB discussion with nurses and law enforcement about this incident. I am a retired RN. The law enforcement people seem to be bragging about what a good relationship there is locally with law and hospitals. The nurses comment that she knew her job, protected her patient and his rights. I pretty much just said he was wrong and she was right and that he reacted with anger when his power was threatened.
He and that guy in Cobb County GA do not belong in law enforcement.
Leith
(7,856 posts)We all remember the names Natalee Holloway and JonBenet Ramsey. How many know who Erica Pratt was? There's your point exactly.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)Emphatically NO. The drunk driving suspect if black would have been immediately thrown to the ground and handcuffed, dress or not. The white nurse got off 'easy'. If it had been a black nurse she damn sure would have been subject to more violence and possibly hit with their restraining clubs...and Ms. Heyer suffered the ultimate penalty for not being a white racist and her death stands witness to that. I was horribly saddened and angered by that act of hate and wish I could....well never mind that. She and the nurse are RESISTERS, 1st class. The drunk woman? Just lucky she got a white racist as the officer of the peace that stopped her from possibly killing herself or other or both.
AmeriKKKa and it most obvious double standards when it comes to women and POC. That's why I don't understand black people and women kissing the ass of the idiot-potus.
relayerbob
(7,069 posts)raven mad
(4,940 posts)As well as writing letters, posting on my FB page, here, twitter, etc. BLM is a GOOD thing. Period.