The Black Body Count Rises as Chicago Police Step Back

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Applies to all ethnicities, a fact of human interactions.

And much more complicated than you simplistically suggest.

We are talking about whites and blacks in the USA and it is really that simple, people need to stop thinking they are better than everyone else

and see the human race. Everyone can do their small part to collectively strive to better race relations.

How we got here goes deep and is complicated but the solution is not.

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Race quotas.

Every time a [fill in color] woman is promoted over a white male because she's a [fill in color] woman, that's discrimination.

Every time a white person (or Asian for that matter) is rejected at a university because the university wants more [fill in color] students, that's discrimination.

Discrimination is discrimination whether it's supposedly for a good cause or not.

Whether John Smith was white or black or brown is completely irrelevant to my life. So why should it affect me that John Smith was promoted, but now Company X wants someone of a different skin tone, so I can no longer be promoted?

In essence. The very notion that organizations or institutions are promoted to differentiate people based exclusively on their skin color is, by definition, systemic discrimination.

I can't think of any other openly enforced system on the books today that actually differentiates people based exclusively on skin color. Not one.

When you stop following the far right/social justice left mantra of people as somehow belonging to specific color-based groups rather than being individuals, the entire idea of racism becomes a little obsolete. I believe that's what MLK fought for, no?

Why can't the WOC be promoted because she's the best one for the job? Outside of Teddy bringing up an instance which I agree isn't right, this doesn't happen so much that it actually puts a dent in what white men own.

I posted it here a while ago, but it's like this. If you replaced every single white person with a POC, it's like 2% of the population is affected. I don't think anyone should be hired based on skin color but merit. But once again, this is what happens when your entire society's foundation is built on racism.

And MLK fought for equal rights for everyone. I think we should all be judged as an individual, but when things like what was posted right below you are allowed, and the same folks who say they're against racism but stay silent, are part of the problem.

So, let's see if anyone is going to step up and say this is wrong, because I'm pretty sure this is a ignorant and racist generalization.

Oriz, you're up.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

"Look around you, look at three other people. One of you, one in four, will be doing meth in the next year." That was my intro to Hawaii. And I think you may have fallen victim. Since when did Dylan Noble kill black people? I think you are mixing your perps/victims my good man! Dylan Noble, your wife's favorite video signature, got himself wasted because he failed to follow instructions from the police. Sorry, bro, not everyone wants to kill blacks, as much as you might want to wish it to be true.

Oh, and to add... Blm bothers me because they are a cancer in society today. So much hatred and violence that has thus far failed to make any positive changes.

If he wanted to commit suicide by cop, why didn't he just go shoot up a police station? Or resist arrest? Or better yet, go kill white people? Nope, he went for elderly black people, and even with that being his target, the judge asked for sympathy for HIS family. I mean, you have a guy who murdered 10 people in cold blood, that's going against the rules to the highest power and he STILL gets to draw breath. White people here should be furious he's still alive, since I've seen the comments towards black people who were killed for selling loose cigs and owning back child support. Simply put, white mass murderers don't draw the same kind of outrage that black folks who might/might not be criminal do.

Here's what you don't get. It's not that we sit back and compare racism all day. We have other things to do that are way more important. It's when white people scream at the top of your lungs about how WE are supposed to live our lives. When we see us being shot and killed by the police for almost nothing(or nothing at all, just ask those cats on the bridge) and you tell me it's nothing to be worried about but then white folks go shoot up a theater, kill about 18 people, and the cops are like, watch his head putting him in the car, how am I supposed to feel about it? When black folks tear up a city because of racial injustice, it's looting and rioting. When white folks tear a city up for a game, it's kids letting off steam. football player takes a knee at a game during the anthem, it's disrespectful, even though the anthem was written by a well know racist. When white folks go in on the president and make racial comments, it's free speech. Just like my membership in BLM has people upset, because protesting about black lives matter and the police issue has people more upset than a VP candidate who refuses to denounce a full fledge member of the KKK. BLM is more deplorable than the KKK, and we've never killed a single soul.

You should ask yourself why BLM upsets you so much. Because if there was a breast cancer event, would you go and say All Cancers Matter?

Edited September 14, 2016 by LFEHFN

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

"Look around you, look at three other people. One of you, one in four, will be doing meth in the next year." That was my intro to Hawaii. And I think you may have fallen victim. Since when did Dylan Noble kill black people? I think you are mixing your perps/victims my good man! Dylan Noble, your wife's favorite video signature, got himself wasted because he failed to follow instructions from the police. Sorry, bro, not everyone wants to kill blacks, as much as you might want to wish it to be true.

Oh, and to add... Blm bothers me because they are a cancer in society today. So much hatred and violence that has thus far failed to make any positive changes.

You think that's bad? Man, you know how many times in my life I've had to explain I'm not a thug? That I don't do/sell drugs? That I'm not going to rob the person I'm talking to? I'm a freaking retiree and I still have to shave, have a clean cut appearance, and dress like I'm going to church everyday, even when I'm not going to work. But don't think I'm immune to it here:

This Sunday, I went looking for a haircut. My normal spot was full so I went up the street to a barber shop in the middle. This place was empty, not a single person inside, but the sign said open. I rang the bell and the barber came out and asked could he help me. I said I wanted a haircut. He looked me right in the eyes and said, he's busy with appointments. So I left. Luckily J doesn't know which one I went to, she doesn't tolerate it at all.

Got my Dylan's mixed up, my bad. And for your joking I really wish folks weren't out to kill black folks. But when you got cops who can line up on a bridge and execute black people fleeing a natural disaster and folks think it's appropriate to make racially charged comments about it in a thread, I'm going to be cautious.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Why is Oriz up? What about the rest of us that know that you are wrong, in general? This video lays out some facts that you don't want to admit, just like you have openly said that "black-on-black" crime doesn't exist, so of course, this makes it racist in your book.

Let's face it... When POC are committing 75% of the crimes with 13% of the population, there is a problem. And it's NOT racism. The problem is criminals refusing to obey the law. I'm proud of you for being in the minority of your minority. I wish more of your color would be so bold, then we wouldn't be having these conversations.

The video is in no way racist, other than it goes against what you wish we're the truth. And that is a fact, Jack.

So, let's see if anyone is going to step up and say this is wrong, because I'm pretty sure this is a ignorant and racist generalization.

Oriz, you're up.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

I know it's a heck of a drive, but come on over, anytime, and my wife will cut your hair. For free. And I will entertain you while she does it. Might even offer you a room-temperature beer.

You think that's bad? Man, you know how many times in my life I've had to explain I'm not a thug? That I don't do/sell drugs? That I'm not going to rob the person I'm talking to? I'm a freaking retiree and I still have to shave, have a clean cut appearance, and dress like I'm going to church everyday, even when I'm not going to work. But don't think I'm immune to it here:

This Sunday, I went looking for a haircut. My normal spot was full so I went up the street to a barber shop in the middle. This place was empty, not a single person inside, but the sign said open. I rang the bell and the barber came out and asked could he help me. I said I wanted a haircut. He looked me right in the eyes and said, he's busy with appointments. So I left. Luckily J doesn't know which one I went to, she doesn't tolerate it at all.

Got my Dylan's mixed up, my bad. And for your joking I really wish folks weren't out to kill black folks. But when you got cops who can line up on a bridge and execute black people fleeing a natural disaster and folks think it's appropriate to make racially charged comments about it in a thread, I'm going to be cautious.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Why can't the WOC be promoted because she's the best one for the job? Outside of Teddy bringing up an instance which I agree isn't right, this doesn't happen so much that it actually puts a dent in what white men own.

I posted it here a while ago, but it's like this. If you replaced every single white person with a POC, it's like 2% of the population is affected. I don't think anyone should be hired based on skin color but merit. But once again, this is what happens when your entire society's foundation is built on racism.

And MLK fought for equal rights for everyone. I think we should all be judged as an individual, but when things like what was posted right below you are allowed, and the same folks who say they're against racism but stay silent, are part of the problem.

So, let's see if anyone is going to step up and say this is wrong, because I'm pretty sure this is a ignorant and racist generalization.

Oriz, you're up.

Sorry marvin .. This you tube is right on and the BLM movement is the black version of the KKK

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Why is Oriz up? What about the rest of us that know that you are wrong, in general? This video lays out some facts that you don't want to admit, just like you have openly said that "black-on-black" crime doesn't exist, so of course, this makes it racist in your book.

Let's face it... When POC are committing 75% of the crimes with 13% of the population, there is a problem. And it's NOT racism. The problem is criminals refusing to obey the law. I'm proud of you for being in the minority of your minority. I wish more of your color would be so bold, then we wouldn't be having these conversations.

The video is in no way racist, other than it goes against what you wish we're the truth. And that is a fact, Jack.

You do realize that we're in a stats class right?

The video does what every single white person/black GOP member does. Why is crime the ONLY thing you want to talk about? Do we have a right to say we don't want to be treated like animals? And black on black crime doesn't exist, unless you're going to say that white on white crime is a thing as well.

The video is flat out WRONG. BLM doesn't kill anyone. I'm not a killer, nor are the members. And who's denying facts? We hear about crime stats EVERY DAY in this forum. Even when a white person kills people, someone trots them out. Which is weird being that this forum is 98% white. I could give a more accurate number if I had the full number of forum members, but anyway. And it's not 75%

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-43

Total number 27.8 percent of crime being committed by blacks here in this country. 69.4% committed by whites. What's up with all that white on white crime? How would you feel if every day that's how you were greeted? Man I had a hard day at work. But what about all that white on white crime tho? I mean, you have to understand how demeaning that is, especially when it's the ONLY subject you want to discuss, in a space with only 2 other black people, who have degrees, who work, and are so far removed from the stereotype it's a shame. Hate welfare, hate not working, still in school, and check black and white people on racism. We should be y'all buddies, but we are constantly reminded of black on black crime, why? Because we're black?

Why Oriz? Because he made a point to say he doesn't see the racism. Let me post a video with the title saying White Guys with Guns Kill People and post some recent mass shootings. Think it would fly?

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Of course it would fly. Because by and large, whites kill more whites than any other nationality. Well, DUH. Who kills the most? Who commits the majority of murders? Someone who KNOWS the victims. And it stands to reason that white victims know the white thug that kills them. Same as black on black. It's a fact, Jack. The same way as you hurt the ones you love the most. I don't hurt you, because we are not close IRL. But if we were, I'd have more power to hurt you, amirite?

I wish I could just let you go. I really do. Because deep down, I like you, and think you are a good person. So I can't stop trying to help you see reality. You are black. I am white. But at the end of the day, we are the same. We both try to overcome the evil in our world. We both care. And that may well be our weakness. Caring. One day, maybe, we can meet on a playing field that is level. One can only hope.

I have never killed anyone. But I expect that if I ever did, it would be whitey. Can't see myself killing a black person. Can you see yourself killing a white person?

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

I'm curious... Why do you feel the need to burden yourself with all the blacks in the USA today? Why not just worry about what YOU do? Have done? Why try to champion the race that will inevitably fail you? There are tons of whites living on welfare, who don't try, who don't care, and who commit crimes against humanity. But you don't see me defending them. Why not just be you for a change? No one here thinks poorly of you. No one things you are a criminal. Why put yourself in a position to defend those who aren't up to your standard? Who refuse to go to the lengths that you do? Who aren't honorable and respectable? Just... Quit it. Be you. Stop trying to protect those who don't deserve it. You are a cut above. Be proud of it. Keep striving to be #1. BE YOU. You are NOT the norm. Believe me.

[OriZ 3,157]

Ewwwwwww room temperature beer.

[JayJayH 546]

You do realize that we're in a stats class right?

The video does what every single white person/black GOP member does. Why is crime the ONLY thing you want to talk about? Do we have a right to say we don't want to be treated like animals? And black on black crime doesn't exist, unless you're going to say that white on white crime is a thing as well.

The video is flat out WRONG. BLM doesn't kill anyone. I'm not a killer, nor are the members. And who's denying facts? We hear about crime stats EVERY DAY in this forum. Even when a white person kills people, someone trots them out. Which is weird being that this forum is 98% white. I could give a more accurate number if I had the full number of forum members, but anyway. And it's not 75%

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-43

Total number 27.8 percent of crime being committed by blacks here in this country. 69.4% committed by whites. What's up with all that white on white crime? How would you feel if every day that's how you were greeted? Man I had a hard day at work. But what about all that white on white crime tho? I mean, you have to understand how demeaning that is, especially when it's the ONLY subject you want to discuss, in a space with only 2 other black people, who have degrees, who work, and are so far removed from the stereotype it's a shame. Hate welfare, hate not working, still in school, and check black and white people on racism. We should be y'all buddies, but we are constantly reminded of black on black crime, why? Because we're black?

Why Oriz? Because he made a point to say he doesn't see the racism. Let me post a video with the title saying White Guys with Guns Kill People and post some recent mass shootings. Think it would fly?

Honestly, if I were you I'll concede that I'd be pretty fed up with the "what about black on black crime!?" argument. The point I'm trying to make is not that police brutality isn't a thing. It is. It affects Americans of all skin colors, and perhaps especially blacks and Hispanics. This again can be attributed to the fact that people in poorer neighborhoods have far more encounters with police than people in middle and upper class neighborhoods - And a disproportionate number of blacks and Hispanics live in poorer neighborhoods. While many Hispanic families have heads of households making less than minimum wage due to immigration status (estimated 18%), income disparities for black Americans can easily be attributed in large due to historic injustices. I'm not sure that I've ever met a single person who seriously disputes that.

But frankly, BLM's tactics and strategy is akin to setting itself up for that sort of argumentation from the other side. You can speak up against police brutality and people will listen. Or, you can do what BLM, the media and campus activists have been doing for the past few years - Politicize an issue that has no one political home. Make the case that we have an epidemic of gestapo police officers indiscriminately murdering black people for target practice. If you make a case for the apocalypse, don't expect the other side to answer with reason and deep insight.

What I miss from BLM is pan-political appeal, self reflection and intelligent debate - Kind of what I spent 20 years missing from the religious right on most social issues.

But this is how polarized we are as a nation today. Arguing with people on the far left/far right is generally like speaking to a wall.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Of course it would fly. Because by and large, whites kill more whites than any other nationality. Well, DUH. Who kills the most? Who commits the majority of murders? Someone who KNOWS the victims. And it stands to reason that white victims know the white thug that kills them. Same as black on black. It's a fact, Jack. The same way as you hurt the ones you love the most. I don't hurt you, because we are not close IRL. But if we were, I'd have more power to hurt you, amirite?

I wish I could just let you go. I really do. Because deep down, I like you, and think you are a good person. So I can't stop trying to help you see reality. You are black. I am white. But at the end of the day, we are the same. We both try to overcome the evil in our world. We both care. And that may well be our weakness. Caring. One day, maybe, we can meet on a playing field that is level. One can only hope.

I have never killed anyone. But I expect that if I ever did, it would be whitey. Can't see myself killing a black person. Can you see yourself killing a white person?

No, it wouldn't. Because I know for a fact that threads that talk about the other end of the spectrum are an issue. I've seen it time and time again. In fact, that heroin thread is the ONLY one I've seen that's gotten past page two without making it about black people. NB tried but for once it was a thread that had ACTUAL dialogue.

I'm curious... Why do you feel the need to burden yourself with all the blacks in the USA today? Why not just worry about what YOU do? Have done? Why try to champion the race that will inevitably fail you? There are tons of whites living on welfare, who don't try, who don't care, and who commit crimes against humanity. But you don't see me defending them. Why not just be you for a change? No one here thinks poorly of you. No one things you are a criminal. Why put yourself in a position to defend those who aren't up to your standard? Who refuse to go to the lengths that you do? Who aren't honorable and respectable? Just... Quit it. Be you. Stop trying to protect those who don't deserve it. You are a cut above. Be proud of it. Keep striving to be #1. BE YOU. You are NOT the norm. Believe me.

You mean it's not thrown on me daily? Because I'm positive here that's ALWAYS brought up. We can't even have a conversation about black people WITHOUT one of you throwing it out there. Hell,we can't even talk about white people without someone using it to bring the convo back to black people. And I'm sorry, but my race isn't failing me. I'm proud to be black, that's the problem. This country has taught my people to hate themselves, so much that we don't want to be around each other. It's sickening.

You're not defending them because you have the PRIVILEGE of not having to. When's the last time someone threw welfare stats in your face when you complained about something? Or drug stats? Or crime for that matter. Black people in suits and ties with zero criminal intent have to have this discussion about crime EVERY SINGLE TIME. It's done so much that someone wrote an article about it, and it's fitting for VJ:

Us: Black Lives Matter seeks to end the abuse by the state against—

You: First, your people need to address black-on-black crime!

Us: Let’s discuss the inequities in education, employment, housing—

You: Let’s talk about black-on-black crime!!!

Us: It looks like the Zika virus is spreading to—

You: It’s not spreading as fast as black-on-black crime!

Us: Have you seen this black woman who went missing?

You: She probably took a wrong turn in y’all’s black-on-black crime and got lost.

So, ask yourself this. Why do you think we need reminding of crime when we both grew up in it? Janelle(I'm ashamed to say) had it worse that me. And I grew up in the #1 most dangerous city in the USA for a couple years straight. I've lost friends to drugs, gang violence, and just apathy for life. I joined the military TO GET AWAY FROM CRIME. To do something better. And after all of that, if I even think out loud about racism or discrimination, I have to deal with? You guessed it. Black on black crime.

More from that article:

What is your fixation with black-on-black crime? You repeatedly being it up as if black people aren’t aware of violence in our communities. Contrary to what you apparently hypothesize at the secret, global white-people meetings after you share banana-bread recipes and Pinterest posts, black people aren’t home cabbage-patching and clanking together Champagne glasses filled with grape Kool-Aid every time another black man falls victim to a violent crime by someone of the same race. It bothers us, too, but here is the thing:

There is no such thing as black-on-black crime.

I will concede that black people do commit crimes against other black people. I will even concede that white people commit violence against other white people more than we do—but not by much.

Almost every day, an advocate of the alt-right (pronounced “nee-yo not-zee”) sends me a hate-filled email diatribe on how lazy, shiftless black people are ruining America. The cornerstone of their argument rests on the statistic that 90 percent of black people who are murdered are murdered by other blacks. That fact would give me pause or make me feel ashamed if I didn’t know that the same 2013 FBI report (the latest year for which statistics are available) goes on to say that 83 percent of white victims of murder were killed by white people.

We know about the killings in those neighborhoods. Did you know they march every Friday night about it in Chicago? But that video has been taken down off YT. Which is odd. And it's crazy to think we're not aware of what's going on when it's us who's the most affected by it.

[JayJayH 546]

Us: Black Lives Matter seeks to end the abuse by the state against—

You: First, your people need to address black-on-black crime!

Us: Let’s discuss the inequities in education, employment, housing—

You: Let’s talk about black-on-black crime!!!

Us: It looks like the Zika virus is spreading to—

You: It’s not spreading as fast as black-on-black crime!

Us: Have you seen this black woman who went missing?

You: She probably took a wrong turn in y’all’s black-on-black crime and got lost. (HAHA, love it)

I completely agree with you in that we need dialogue. Dialogue, and dialogue only, can solve any of this. I do understand your frustration as far as arguing certain topics and the replies that you get. However, here's what it sounds like from the other side:

Us: Statistics don't show an epidemic of —

You: That's just your white privilege speaking! Shut up whitey!

Us: Let’s discuss the inequities in education, employment, housing—

You: It's because white supremacy!

Us: It looks like the Zika virus is spreading to—

You: It’s not spreading as fast as racism, xenophobia, white supremacy, Islamophobia, transphobia, sexism and homophobia!

Us: Have you seen this woman who went missing?

You: Why do we only care about it when a white woman goes missing??

Trolls exist everywhere. They're on the far left, they're on the far right, and their only function is to try to get a reaction. The fringes of the alt right and social justice warrior brigades probably are your stereotypical 40-year-old in mom's basement. Or maybe 16-year-olds with nothing better to do. The problem in society today is that political statements have largely turned into out-of-context internet memes and 140 character trolling tweets. The vast majority of our political interactions happen with people whom we either don't know or don't see face-to-face, or both.

But even without trolls, memes and tweets. I do think that identity politics and this immense fixation on race - Even on race related issues, is counter-productive at best, incredibly dangerous at worst.

Edited September 14, 2016 by JayJayH