Why all the killing?
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 41,538
We all have reactions to, and most of us have opinions with regard to the many various killings that are the subject of all the numerous reports we've read and seemingly endless threads we posted on here. But maybe instead of simply responding, perhaps it is time to start asking the right question, some of the answers to which might lead to solutions. Good detective work, good science, good research, all start with asking the right questions. So let's see some good questions that might lead to some useful answers as to how to lessen all the killing going on, not just in Dallas, not just in the US, but all over.
Here's the question that came to my mind today:
If black people in America were not being killed without reason by some (emphasis some) law enforcement officers or killed when other measures could have been taken first, would the tragic shooting deaths of five police officers who we're just doing their job in Dallas on 7/7/16 have occurred? (Don't read between the lines. I'm just asking the question.)
Here's the question that came to my mind today:
If black people in America were not being killed without reason by some (emphasis some) law enforcement officers or killed when other measures could have been taken first, would the tragic shooting deaths of five police officers who we're just doing their job in Dallas on 7/7/16 have occurred? (Don't read between the lines. I'm just asking the question.)
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/police-shootings/
Now, how many violent, high risk altercations do police officers have every year? I'd imagine the majority of those end peacefully. Sometimes the officers have no choice, and yes, sometimes the officers make mistakes and a tragedy occurs. You are dealing with high risk, high stress situations; human error will play a factor. But unfortunately that doesn't fit into a inflammatory narrative.
we will find a way, we will find our place
That is the simple answer to a simple question
Why does mental illness lead to violence and murder to a far greater extent than in other Western countries?
Why is there such distrust of government and figures of authority in general amongst citizens?
Why do citizens seem to have no faith in the ability of law enforcement to protect them and believe the answer to this is to have a fully armed citizenry?
Is there any true sense of community in America? Do you feel a bond of kinship with your fellow American that gives their life added value to you?
Does it mean anything to be American or has the lack of shared heritage led to a fractured society where your fellow American means no more to you than a citizen of any other nation?
Do Americans see violence and premature death as simply a part of modern life? Have you become so desensitised to it as to barely register news stories concerning such incidents?
Do Americans ever look at their country and culture through objective eyes and view it in relation to other countries? Do they see aspects of other countries which they envy and do they recognise the faults of their own country?
Do Americans believe your country has the ability to change? If you have no faith in your government, what possible hope for you have for bringing positive change?
If indeed there is no faith in government, what exactly is it that the average American wants? Is there actually any clear view on the kind of country you want to have?
There seems to be an acknowledgement of a serious problem with racism. In a country where everyone but the native Americans can trace their roots to a foreign country, how can this be? How can a supposedly advanced country have such horrifically outdated views towards black people in particular?
When parents get that first sight of their newborn child and as they watch them grow up, do they envisage them buying a gun in preparation for the eventuality of them being the victim of a violent crime? Does this thought not sicken them and mobilise the nation to change their children's future?
I could go on but I'd likely piss people off...
Thank you!
Where do we go from here? It sounds like a line from a lyric from long ago song in the 70's that I used to say.
Ok, where do we go from here....? I have a thought process of if we have a problem come up with a solution, some may make sense some may not. I'll tackle this problem which is large from the black prospective. Clearly what that young man did in killing those police officers in revenge/anger ISIN'T the solution. What will probably come from those shootings will be officers who may not hesitate to protect themselves and their fellow officers. A officer may say "don't you move" and just an eye blink and he may feel threatened and that doesn't matter if you are black or white. So the end result of that shooting affects us all.
So solutions....if at sometime in your experiences you have been through police brutality or profiling BECOME part of that problem. What I mean is become a police officer, probation officer or a transit officer. Then do so with complete integrity by that I mean if one of you fellow officers is clearly doing something unlawful have the courage to speak up, end it or go to your superiors. I know this very very difficult which probably takes far more courage than Ali refusing to fight a war in Vietnam. However, sometimes in this life it takes ONE then another then another to break this divide that seems to get further and further between races. In time the community will look up to you and may say that man or woman is trying to make a positive difference that benefits us all in the end.
Another solution.....if in your past you have come across injustice in the court or falsely accused of a crime become a lawyer.....encourage your children to become lawyers. Do so with extreme INTEGRITY to put forth as an example of one who is there to preserve justice and put an end to the injustices we ALL may face from time to time.
I'd rather try concepts such as these rather than violence with force, it gets us nowhere. In fact it ends up putting us all backwards to a time in American history where things race wise was far worse. America does not ever need to go there been there done that.....lets expound on positive things/solutions to move this country forward so we can live in harmony and peace.
As far as a white perspective crap my brain hurts I'm STILL trying to figure out what song that rock lyric comes from......Where Do We Go From Here? Where's Brian or Who Princess when one needs them?
Peace to all.
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Why isn't there more support and less critiquing from whites when it comes to black protests? What I mean by that is, if we can all agree that Black Lives Matter, even if only under the blanket statement that All Lives Matter... why can't there be a white movement on behalf of black lives? Out of fear of repercussions? Welcome to their world.
G - is it this?
It's kind of coming back to me even though I've goggled it and I get today type songs. The next line went something like ...... ...... ..... And it rhymed with "here" ex fear or dear or clear. Help this is driving me NUTS!
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Let the games begin.
OMGOODNESS that's the type of interaction from police I was talking about. That's simply outstanding THIS message should be broadcasted across this nation now.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)