Community› The Bump Month Clubs› March 2015 Moms
March 2015 Moms
New Discussion

Ferguson *NBR*

2»

Re: Ferguson *NBR*

  • salmphilsalmphil member
    Peledreamsofrain said:

    I just want to express my love for this group, BTW. There is a similar thread being discussed on TK, and it's devolved into insults and a lot of racism. It's so nice to discuss important and impactful issues in an intelligent and constructive way.

    In short, M15 is the shit.

    This. I kinda dig you gals. :)
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • hetispagettihetispagetti member
    earthian said:

    MissyCee said:

    I absolutely believe the right decision was made. Brown attacked the officer and tried to take his gun, evidence proves this. The evidence also shows that Brown was approaching the office when he was shot the subsequent times. The officer defended himself against a criminal who IMO had every intention of causing serious harm or killing him. Also, if Brown had been a white man or Wilson had been black, this would not even be a story. People used their fake outrage to justify wild criminal behavior, like looting. Black people don't want to be stereotyped as thugs and yet they go about acting like thugs, it's just ridiculous.

    I'm not ok with the bolded.
    Me neither!! I'm from the UK so haven't had the huge news about it but now getting more about what's happening! From what I have heard its people of all races that are looting! Not to sure how to feel about it all tbh as had many different reports from different sides! I just hope things get sorted soon.
    Report Reply
  • mangomimosamangomimosa member
    @etoille‌ You're right, I just meant I strongly believe the officer would have been exonerated either way-- actually having a trial to determine that is indeed a different outcome than a shady grand jury.

    And re: attacking cops/prep to die -- I see what you're saying & I definitely don't think the only/right way to neutralize a threat is death. And it is not ok to give cops a carte blanche without any checks/balances in the system, because then you end up with people dying for rolling their eyes or whatnot. But I do think - generally speaking - cops can be in a tough position when attacked. If they feel their life/others lives are in danger, deadly force may be justified. And when an individual disobeys & attacks a cop, they are relying on that cop's perception of the level of threat. In the real (non-ideal, imperfect) world, I do think attacking a cop should be done with extreme caution & awareness that death is a possible consequence. That is what I meant by "be prepared to die." I think it's just the reality of our current system - not ideal, but realistic.
    Report Reply
  • beatlesgal4beatlesgal4 member
    Agreed about M15 being awesome.

    I don't know what to think of the situation... it is incredibly unfortunate no matter how you look at it. I could see how it could be an officer defending himself against a threat within his right, and I could see how it was excessive force. It's just something I don't feel comfortable making an ultimate decision about without having all the facts, like many of you ladies. But it's insanely unfortunate, regardless of what truly played out.

    I am white and have grown up without seeing much racial tension around me. That doesn't mean it isn't there. I believe many people deal with racial profiling, unnecessary stereotypes/judgments, and fearing for their safety more often than I will ever know. 

    My brother-in-law and his son are black, and are extra careful in certain situations about things like their facial expressions, the way they move, and the way they speak. One example I can think of off the top of my head was the two of them leaving an NFL game before the end of the game (so not huge crowds yet) and walking to our car where we picked them up with several cop cars around. Maybe nothing would happen, but had they jaywalked, started running really fast, or made any sudden movements, etc., it may have *potentially* resulted in the police getting out and interacting with them to see what's up. (Note: interaction sometimes has a negative connotation; in this case, I don't mean it in any negative way. Just to say they might have gotten out to check on things.) If you read this and end up rolling your eyes, I must say I would have at one point done the same. It sounds like over-thinking things or blowing things out of proportion or "playing the race card." And many times, black men acting like that doesn't end up with a different outcome than if it were anyone else. But sometimes it does, and so my BIL is very careful to try to avoid anything of the sort, just in case. And he teaches his son to do the same. Being around these two as well as other friends has made me realize that this is a good idea. You just never know what could go down. I strongly believe that black men have to be more careful and more aware of little things like this than others. And no, it isn't all the time, but to be safe, better be careful. I'm not saying that everyone shouldn't be careful in the way they act. It's just common sense. But *sometimes* white men can leave an NFL game (or insert situation here) and maybe get away with a little more horseplay/yelling/cheering on the way to their car. It sucks, but research shows that it is true.

    I used to never see things like this. Now I do. That is my fault (and a fault of our society in general) for being accustomed to things and not seeing minor differences like that. But they are there. If you are doubting that this is true, I really do understand, but maybe just look around for it, keeping an open mind. Sometimes I do think people are overreacting, and making things about race when they're not. But often, it is an underlying factor. It really is.

    I don't think Michael Brown's case should be used to represent all racial tension, but I understand how some people see it that way at the moment, and feel very hurt over the whole outcome. I don't think rioting is ever okay, but I do admire the peaceful protesters that are there and all over, trying to be heard. This is being looked at as a straw that broke the camel's back, which sucks because whatever the outcome was going to be, people were going to view it as a great step forward or backward for racial discrimination. I do understand it, given what some people have to face constantly that I am lucky to not have to deal with. But it just sucks because there was more to this case than just race, and there is way more to racial discrimination than this one case. I do hate it when people say things like, "they're playing the race card." Most people (not all) who say things like that have no idea what it's like, and won't. Just like I won't. You can't change the way someone perceives something; you can't change someone's feelings. Dismissing them as obsolete because it's "the race card" is not okay. People are hurting over all of this. While I see both sides of the story, I can't deny this. It's a tender, raw time for many people.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • MrsPope1770MrsPope1770 member
    beatlesgal4 said:

    Agreed about M15 being awesome.


    I don't know what to think of the situation... it is incredibly unfortunate no matter how you look at it. I could see how it could be an officer defending himself against a threat within his right, and I could see how it was excessive force. It's just something I don't feel comfortable making an ultimate decision about without having all the facts, like many of you ladies. But it's insanely unfortunate, regardless of what truly played out.

    I am white and have grown up without seeing much racial tension around me. That doesn't mean it isn't there. I believe many people deal with racial profiling, unnecessary stereotypes/judgments, and fearing for their safety more often than I will ever know. 

    My brother-in-law and his son are black, and are extra careful in certain situations about things like their facial expressions, the way they move, and the way they speak. One example I can think of off the top of my head was the two of them leaving an NFL game before the end of the game (so not huge crowds yet) and walking to our car where we picked them up with several cop cars around. Maybe nothing would happen, but had they jaywalked, started running really fast, or made any sudden movements, etc., it may have *potentially* resulted in the police getting out and interacting with them to see what's up. (Note: interaction sometimes has a negative connotation; in this case, I don't mean it in any negative way. Just to say they might have gotten out to check on things.) If you read this and end up rolling your eyes, I must say I would have at one point done the same. It sounds like over-thinking things or blowing things out of proportion or "playing the race card." And many times, black men acting like that doesn't end up with a different outcome than if it were anyone else. But sometimes it does, and so my BIL is very careful to try to avoid anything of the sort, just in case. And he teaches his son to do the same. Being around these two as well as other friends has made me realize that this is a good idea. You just never know what could go down. I strongly believe that black men have to be more careful and more aware of little things like this than others. And no, it isn't all the time, but to be safe, better be careful. I'm not saying that everyone shouldn't be careful in the way they act. It's just common sense. But *sometimes* white men can leave an NFL game (or insert situation here) and maybe get away with a little more horseplay/yelling/cheering on the way to their car. It sucks, but research shows that it is true.

    I used to never see things like this. Now I do. That is my fault (and a fault of our society in general) for being accustomed to things and not seeing minor differences like that. But they are there. If you are doubting that this is true, I really do understand, but maybe just look around for it, keeping an open mind. Sometimes I do think people are overreacting, and making things about race when they're not. But often, it is an underlying factor. It really is.

    I don't think Michael Brown's case should be used to represent all racial tension, but I understand how some people see it that way at the moment, and feel very hurt over the whole outcome. I don't think rioting is ever okay, but I do admire the peaceful protesters that are there and all over, trying to be heard. This is being looked at as a straw that broke the camel's back, which sucks because whatever the outcome was going to be, people were going to view it as a great step forward or backward for racial discrimination. I do understand it, given what some people have to face constantly that I am lucky to not have to deal with. But it just sucks because there was more to this case than just race, and there is way more to racial discrimination than this one case. I do hate it when people say things like, "they're playing the race card." Most people (not all) who say things like that have no idea what it's like, and won't. Just like I won't. You can't change the way someone perceives something; you can't change someone's feelings. Dismissing them as obsolete because it's "the race card" is not okay. People are hurting over all of this. While I see both sides of the story, I can't deny this. It's a tender, raw time for many people.
    Loved the comment just because I agree. Like I said before, the racism thing is such a huge concept that I just can't address it the way I would like on here. I took a course that basically focused on racism and white privilege last year. Before then, I had NO IDEA how real it was. White privilege is so real--and part of it is that many white people truly don't know it exists. After the course, my eyes were really opened. I will say that I do think some people take the concept to the extreme, but generally this is something that anyone who hasn't been educated on it, whether by schooling or life experience, wouldn't understand. I do think everyone has the responsibility to present themselves in the way they would like to be viewed, but black people can have a hard time even in a three piece suit.

    It is such a huge thing and I can't do it justice in a post on TB.
    Report Reply
  • lianeskilianeski member
    so many angles and opinions and soooo much information for the GJ and way too much misinformation by the media...

    sad to say, but there are still many in this country who think it's ok to assault a cop and it appears that mr. brown did indeed assault this officer prior to him getting out of his squad car.  so if a jury of 12 says there wasn't enough evidence to bring charges against the officer for wrongdoing, then i have to go with their judgement as i have not heard all the evidence and simply don't have time to read it all.

    the moral of this story for me is: hold your children in high enough regard that you teach them not only how to respect authority, but how to earn respect from those in positions of authority over them... that may be you, or a teacher, or a cop, or even their boss...  in the end, those who give respect, earn respect, but first you need to know what respect really means. those who are respectful did not burn, loot or vandalize anything after the verdict was announced.  those who are respectful, who want to open up discussions of fairness and law, protested peacefully.  those who are respectful, find ways to value the opinions and thoughts of others even when they disagree without making inflammatory statements (something i wish the media could learn to do).  those who are respectful of the GJ and the process they endured for weeks are trying to be understanding that they came to the best decisions they could with all the evidence available.  i truly believe that until we learn to respect each other and stop labeling each other, we will not see any progress in this country.  It's up to us to teach our kids and help them to make the differences we have failed to make so far.
    Report Reply
  • ers23462ers23462 member
    Many of us were not there on the scene when Michael Brown was shot, all we know is what the media has told us. The grand jury was presented with evidence that we were not and came to the best conclusion possible. While injustices do occur, I sincerely think the rioting and looting solves nothing... That it defeats the protests' purposes. If officers would wear the body cams, I think that would help with accountability and help curb many problems. Most officers do their job well and without issues, but like with any organization there will be some bad apples. Some people are taught to fear or hate officers... So they treat them rudely and cry foul when an officer questions them legitimately. Things on both sides need to change.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"