[Rags123]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Please reread the report from the Grand Jury. Darren Wilson was called to that incident of stealing some small items and Michael Brown was described, including his shoes or socks were yellow.

I know you are talking about racial profiling. THAT is a very big problem and we all know why although we are not supposed to bring it up.

I know that since Ferguson that the smiles I give everybody in public places where we usually stop to pee and eat were not returned by a lot of blacks in the last week on our journey to Ohio. THAT makes me think that race relations are going the WRONG direction.

The presentation of this situation is driving us all apart.

And why can we not discuss racial profiling. If an important discussion is to take place, everything should be on the table. This is a one sided conversation, and that is what makes it a divider. Do we ever hear the truth. We hear about cops killing black youth..that is it. Is that ll that is happening...I think not, but some will not engage in REAL conversation because it is not comfortable and good conversation ending up with solutions is normally not all that comfy.

[janmcn]

All hell is about to break out in New York City, on the very night that the Christmas tree lighting will take place at Rockefeller Center.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by tomwed

The Charles Barkley Rant on Ferguson Grand Jury Decision That You Won’t Believe You’re Just Now Hearing

click here I think you will find a lot of common ground with Charles Barkley. I admire the man for saying what he thinks, while knowing he will upset some kids with blinders on.

Saw his remarks referred to as incendiary by a black lawyer. But on a national level embarassing and demeaning the police is just fine. She made his point....

I have been talking about people do NOT want a REAL conversation on this..it will make many feel uncomfortable, and his point is well taken. If you are black and speak up and say something deragatory about your race, you will be called an "Uncle Tom" and chastised at every turn.

Let's have a conversation about our police...weigh both good and bad. Let's also discuss crime rates with blacks and see if there is actually no justification to profile as is being said, which to me is just stupid because it is an unproven statement...you can call the arrest rate high, but I ask again....how many of those arrested are guilty.

There is an industry based on racism and they are not about to allow it to be destroyed

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by janmcn

All hell is about to break out in New York City, on the very night that the Christmas tree lighting will take place at Rockefeller Center.

Does that make you proud ? How does that make you feel ? All of this based on lies.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Rags123

Saw his remarks referred to as incendiary by a black lawyer. But on a national level embarassing and demeaning the police is just fine. She made his point....

I have been talking about people do NOT want a REAL conversation on this..it will make many feel uncomfortable, and his point is well taken. If you are black and speak up and say something deragatory about your race, you will be called an "Uncle Tom" and chastised at every turn.

Let's have a conversation about our police...weigh both good and bad. Let's also discuss crime rates with blacks and see if there is actually no justification to profile as is being said, which to me is just stupid because it is an unproven statement...you can call the arrest rate high, but I ask again....how many of those arrested are guilty.

There is an industry based on racism and they are not about to allow it to be destroyed

Did you listen to what Barkley said for yourself? click here When you click here it will take you to the podcast and you can hear it.
I think it is a good starting point for a conversation in a high school classroom.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Did you listen to what Barkley said for yourself? click here
I think it is a good starting point for a conversation in a high school classroom.

I agree,...it took days to have him even interviewed. The only way you knew what he said was online where he was ripped. I thought it was great that today he got some prime time, but it will be short lived.

[tomwed]

Could someone give me a link to the Grand Jury Report? I'd like to read it.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Whether we care to admit it or not, there are two sets of standards used by LEOs. Talk to most black men and you'll find they are much more routinely stopped than their white counterparts regardless of neighborhood, dress or age. Ask your teenage grandkids how often they are stopped by LEOs while walking down the street. Ask a black teenage boy the same question. You might be saddened by the answer.

Yes, the behavior in Ferguson is unexcusable but it is understandable. Do any of you really believe that Off. Wilson would have treated three white boys walking in the street the same way as he did Brown? (Remember, he did not know about the shoplifting incident.)

Are you sticking to the statement, "he did not know...."

All the information I read, he did know about the robbery and had a description of Mike. The police radio transmission are on the record.

Am I missing something??

Thanks

[dewilson58]

I was in Ferguson over the weekend.

There are a lot of good people there. The media is showing the 1%.

I do believe the Hands-up, Don't shoot is agenda is hurting any chance for improvements in Ferguson or any where in the US.

Seems like another broken child from another broken family.

[eweissenbach]

As To BTKs original post, yes this Has gotten way to much national attention, too many people without a grasp of the facts commenting ON BOTH SIDES. I have seen reports that make rioters seem justified, and I have seen distorted facts about protesters that make them ALL appear to be looters and vandals. It is true that our justice system seems to be weighted against African-Americans, and in many parts of the country blacks are unfairly targeted. This causes animosity in the black community, and to some degree precipitates some of the legitimate protest (again, not the looting, rioting, and vandalism) in Ferguson and other locales. My understanding is, correct me if this is wrong, that the city is more than 50% black, but the police department is all, or very nearly all, white. I would submit that that is an unhealthy situation. I have read widely conflicting reports of how the incident went down in the first place, and would not pretend to know the facts. I do know that mistakes and over reactions were made by all parties in the aftermath. It is easy for whites to dismiss this as a bunch of black thugs out of control, and I presume it is easy for some blacks to feel justified, but neither view is going to help us understand the deep-seated problems and keep them from recurring in the future. Everyone needs to examine their actions. Like most things it ain't all that black and white.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

I was in Ferguson over the weekend.

There are a lot of good people there. The media is showing the 1%.

I do believe the Hands-up, Don't shoot is agenda is hurting any chance for improvements in Ferguson or any where in the US.

Seems like another broken child from another broken family.

Do the good people there seem upset or angry? Did you see the races interacting positively? Is this where you are from?

[Rags123]

Not sure why I am even posting this, but perhaps because the fear I feel is probably coming through in my posts. There is a post on another thread about listening to both sides on issues, and I could not agree more. That may surprise folks who THINK they know how I feel, but it is true to a fault sometimes.

I very seldom, if ever, talk about myself or what I did before retired, but it is germaine to know that I spent many years at a fairly high level involved in something that we do not talk about on here (yes it was legal, just frowned upon here)

In that role and in that world, I was exposed to what happened in the 60's regarding race in a unique manner. I will just say that I left my job under protest because I felt the black population was being set up to be used as pawns. I still feel that they have been "used" in that way, and the "users" are expanding that in our time. I am speaking in very general terms here on purpose.

This is not a blanket condemnation by any means, because much of that "usage" (my word) has become so institutionalized, but what is happening now harkens me back to that day.

That day was when misinformation was the key way to control. There are many who have a vested interest in the black community and insuring they are portrayed as victims. MLK was the closest to understanding whT was happening but he was cut short. I really believe that if somehow, someway, we can present facts ...ALL OF THEM, even the uncomfortable ones and do it in a rational way, we will be ok.

Problem is, MLK understood that and he understood the rule of law. My bet is he would be on CNN applauding the police while gathering facts, while teaching those who are preaching race ON BOTH SIDES to just listen. We do not have that today....we are so sheparded by our instant, and most times uninformed media, and so called leaders (who, trust me have a vested interest in all if this is) that with that void of men or women we are on the precipice of disaster.

Some actually want and desire this divide..they have interest in having it exist..you decide who that is, but if you honestly listen to both sides..if you honestly read both sides, I think you will see the direction is focused on the negative. We have NO leaders to steer us clear.

Sorry..just had to say this once and for all and will bid my adieu.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Rags123

Not sure why I am even posting this, but perhaps because the fear I feel is probably coming through in my posts. There is a post on another thread about listening to both sides on issues, and I could not agree more. That may surprise folks who THINK they know how I feel, but it is true to a fault sometimes.

I very seldom, if ever, talk about myself or what I did before retired, but it is germaine to know that I spent many years at a fairly high level involved in something that we do not talk about on here (yes it was legal, just frowned upon here)

In that role and in that world, I was exposed to what happened in the 60's regarding race in a unique manner. I will just say that I left my job under protest because I felt the black population was being set up to be used as pawns. I still feel that they have been "used" in that way, and the "users" are expanding that in our time. I am speaking in very general terms here on purpose.

This is not a blanket condemnation by any means, because much of that "usage" (my word) has become so institutionalized, but what is happening now harkens me back to that day.

That day was when misinformation was the key way to control. There are many who have a vested interest in the black community and insuring they are portrayed as victims. MLK was the closest to understanding whT was happening but he was cut short. I really believe that if somehow, someway, we can present facts ...ALL OF THEM, even the uncomfortable ones and do it in a rational way, we will be ok.

Problem is, MLK understood that and he understood the rule of law. My bet is he would be on CNN applauding the police while gathering facts, while teaching those who are preaching race ON BOTH SIDES to just listen. We do not have that today....we are so sheparded by our instant, and most times uninformed media, and so called leaders (who, trust me have a vested interest in all if this is) that with that void of men or women we are on the precipice of disaster.

Some actually want and desire this divide..they have interest in having it exist..you decide who that is, but if you honestly listen to both sides..if you honestly read both sides, I think you will see the direction is focused on the negative. We have NO leaders to steer us clear.

Sorry..just had to say this once and for all and will bid my adieu.

Thank you Rags. You are right.We all need to try to do better. It is so hard to not be drawn into this mess. We are all heading the wrong direction. We need to remember Martin Luther King and what he stood for. We need to bring up uncomfortable issues and talk about them. And be the change we seek.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by Rags123

Does that make you proud ? How does that make you feel ? All of this based on lies.

I was referring to the Eric Garner case. It makes me very sad. I guess one's feelings are directly related to the color of your skin.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

I was referring to the Eric Garner case. It makes me very sad. I guess one's feelings are directly related to the color of your skin.

Who is Eric Garner? AND of course one's feelings are not related to the color of your skin.

Now I know. Eric Garner was the man asphyxiated by police when resisting arrest for selling illegal cigarettes? Wasn't he a very large man who was flailing against the police? I am sure they meant to subdue him not kill him. Or am I wrong?