Black Lives Matter? Eh?

[TitoFan]

If we just let the message stand on its own, I really do not see anything wrong with it.

As much as Thomas Jefferson's words are revered and memorized... if we're really objective we can see they didn't really include blacks at all. In fact, they probably didn't include the "merciless Indian Savages" either, many of whom were probably justifiably scared and disturbed about the encroachment of the white man.

The Declaration of Independence is just that... a document of separation of the early colonists from British rule. The part about "...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" could've just as easily been left out.... as I'm pretty certain that the Creator didn't just bestow those "unalienable rights" to some and not to others. In retrospect, it sounds pretty... but apparently didn't apply to black slaves or native Indians.

The Pledge of Allegiance, again.... grandiose in its verbiage.... but in retrospect just a pipe dream, as the history of the U.S. when seen without any filters clearly shows that "liberty and justice" wasn't really for all, but for certain people and not others.




I separate myself from the arguments that normally occur because I don't want to get simple, sensible words to get swept up by the harsh disagreements that usually develop.

Some facts that I feel must be stated:

- Not all people who follow or support the Black Lives Matter movement are violent leftists or anarchists, wanting to loot, riot.... or even defund the police.

- The actions of a misguided few should NOT be used to cancel out the powerful, meaningful message being communicated by the rest.

- Blacks are not looking for token gestures like the re-branding of pancake syrups or cautionary messages on old classic movies.

- MOST blacks are not looking to play the victim card, wanting to demand what is unjust.



So why do arguments always devolve like this?

I keep thinking of the aliens observing from nearby spaceships..... laughing their asses off..... watching how we humans can't even come to agreements on the simplest and most basic of things.

[El Kabong]

So why do arguments always devolve like this?

Because there's a MASSIVE difference between the WORDS "Black Lives Matter" & the ORGANIZATION Black Lives Matter.


The organization IS fucking worthless and their actions are harming and killing MORE Black people.

[TitoFan]

So why do arguments always devolve like this?

Because there's a MASSIVE difference between the WORDS "Black Lives Matter" & the ORGANIZATION Black Lives Matter.


The organization IS fucking worthless and their actions are harming and killing MORE Black people.

Does that invalidate the message though?

I care less about the actions of a twisted few than I do about the underlying truths we must all face.

It's time we stop judging the whole barrel from a few bad apples.

[El Kabong]

Does that invalidate the message though?

I care less about the actions of a twisted few than I do about the underlying truths we must all face.

It's time we stop judging the whole barrel from a few bad apples.

What message? Whose message?


The "twisted few" are the very loudest these days.


A few bad apples was all that was wrong in the police, and yet we're supposed to defund/abolish them? Who will provide law and order then?

[TitoFan]

Does that invalidate the message though?

I care less about the actions of a twisted few than I do about the underlying truths we must all face.

It's time we stop judging the whole barrel from a few bad apples.

What message?

The message that something must be done to stop the racial profiling that is resulting in racist police abuse throughout the States.... and that just maybe something should start being done about the racial disparities that persist to this day.

THAT message.



Whose message?

The message of decent black people who, like you and me, have the right to protest and complain if society needs fixing because they are being deprived of the standard of living (lack of fear) that you and I enjoy.


The "twisted few" are the very loudest these days.

So don't listen to them. Listen to the ones who have a legitimate beef.


A few bad apples was all that was wrong in the police,


We'll agree to disagree. It's may more than "a few bad apples". It's systemic.

and yet we're supposed to defund/abolish them? Who will provide law and order then?


I've said repeatedly I don't agree with defunding the police. Serious black protesters don't agree either. Please stop assigning the crazy arguments of a few to the whole bunch.

I will continue arguing in my own way, because I know deep down you know where I'm coming from.

[TitoFan]

I'm also going to continue posting what I posted several posts above, so it won't be neglected.


Some facts that I feel must be stated:

- Not all people who follow or support the Black Lives Matter movement are violent leftists or anarchists, wanting to loot, riot.... or even defund the police.

- The actions of a misguided few should NOT be used to cancel out the powerful, meaningful message being communicated by the rest.

- Blacks are not looking for token gestures like the re-branding of pancake syrups or cautionary messages on old classic movies.

- MOST blacks are not looking to play the victim card, wanting to demand what is unjust.

[Spicoli]

What I see day to day is the expression and idea of BML doing nothing but instilling confidence and pride in both many people of color as well as respect and reflection in many white folk. But also I've personally seen some really good friends go out of their way to twist the phrase BML into a "oh yeh really GOTCHA" moment by sighting random incident after random incident of racial violence. It's really pathetic and honestly would seem to come from some underlying racial hang up to put it mildly. Now the new twist over a couple of weeks is to simplistically cast anyone believing in and those who declare black lives matter as some radical un American socialist when frankly to own wrongs and admit uncomfortable truths and ensure justice across the board, for all, is ideally as American as it gets. For me anyways and I've been on both sides of many issues.

[El Kabong]

The message that something must be done to stop the racial profiling that is resulting in racist police abuse throughout the States.... and that just maybe something should start being done about the racial disparities that persist to this day.

THAT message.

We agree on that. The HOW of that is certainly up for discussion as well as the amount of and type of violence experienced by certain communities and WHY that is the case.

So don't listen to them. Listen to the ones who have a legitimate beef.
The loud ones are given the microphones and cameras and drive political debate, that's the issue.


I've said repeatedly I don't agree with defunding the police. Serious black protesters don't agree either. Please stop assigning the crazy arguments of a few to the whole bunch.

Again, the loud ones have the pull politically and certain politicians are feeding that fire. I'd much rather we all return to reason.


We agree more than not on this subject. I wish people were able to have conversations on these topics, but as you've heard or will hear that officer say, the people who want to talk get pushed to the sidelines.

[Beanz]

So why do arguments always devolve like this?

Because there's a MASSIVE difference between the WORDS "Black Lives Matter" & the ORGANIZATION Black Lives Matter.


The organization IS fucking worthless and their actions are harming and killing MORE Black people.

Spoken like a true extremist.

Grow up.

[El Kabong]

So why do arguments always devolve like this?

Because there's a MASSIVE difference between the WORDS "Black Lives Matter" & the ORGANIZATION Black Lives Matter.


The organization IS fucking worthless and their actions are harming and killing MORE Black people.

Spoken like a true extremist.

Grow up.

BLM is a slush fund for the DNC.