and yet this is our electoral and justice system and it is not new. I am not arguing with you sorrell and appreciate the balance you try to bring to this topic as I have also walked in those shoes.
But it really frustrates me that people play the tired old "system is not there to work for me" card. If people don't like the system then work each day to change it if they feel that strongly about it. I do not perceive that is the case with this issue that has blossomed around this shooting. What I feel has happened here is that a lot of people who take no interest or action in bettering what they feel is an unfair unjustly slanted American system have used this shooting in order to act in a lawless manner because they feel it will be excused because an unarmed black child was shoot in the back by abusive white law enforcement officer and that royaly Pizzes me off. What have any of those looting burning and throwing urine filled bottles done to change that fact if that is their perception?
Truth of the matter is IMO not one person who has looted, burned, mobbed or otherwise broken the laws thanks to this shooting has one danged bit of interest in any of the topics or specifics of this case that we have all spent weeks discussing and debating. They simply have an excuse now to act the way the want to and always have acted previously but now get to do it in front of CNN and Foxnews cameras with some sort of cloak of justification. It is frightening and disheartening to see how many buy into this carp. Again JMO
BBM
I've been politically active in my community. I've attended caucuses and have been elected as a delegate for my presidential candidate. During that process, I learned how disenfranchised some folks feel. I've learned how some folks have come to the point where they believe that no matter how hard they try, no one is there for them and no one has their back.
When apathy sets in, it's incredibly difficult to overcome it, especially when generational or cultural apathy has arisen due to decades of oppression.
Regarding the above bolded bit: I agree 100%. But we can't lump the law-abiding protesters in with the looters, the thugs, and the arsonists.
I think it behooves each and every one of us to listen to the legitimate protesters, even if they cry out in anger - even if they may seem to be misguided in their methods cos we think we know how a protest should be conducted, or we think we know what they oughta be doing 'stead of marching in the streets and complaining.
It's as if some folks are accusing the law-abiding protesters of being 'uppity'.
Personally speaking, this entire event has taught me that I don't know nearly as much as I thought I knew.
One thing I do know is this: I want to learn. I want to understand. I want to listen.
Learning, understanding, and listening can only occur in humility.