Re-Posted for KPete ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

Michael Brown is dead and he could be any of us –even me.

“Give Me your tired rhetoric, your poor attempts at pacification, your yearning to yell logical fallacies…”


Give it to me. Or what did the uncouth Ferguson cop say on CNN to the African American protesters, “Bring it you f—g animals!” Tell me all about “absentee fathers” Joseph Epstein—because you’re an expert on Black people if I ever saw one (shandeh!). Please say, “What you (people) need to do…” (Thanks for the paternalism) and “What you need to tell your people is to stop…….” Tell me all about how Black men are far more likely to commit this crime or that crime…and hold a mirror to my face about Black on Black crime vs. white on Black crime. Tell me about myths of low IQ’s, poor academic performance, a failed attempt at instilling pride through Black history and Afrocentric culture; please tell me everything about what you might feel to be the “real” root cause. Rap music, the “n” word, drugs, liquor—give me your tired rhetoric, your poor attempts at pacification, your yearning to yell logical fallacies. You might well be Black, or white, or brown or “yellow” but it is all nonsense and distraction because let’s put it in terms you can understand, Michael Brown is dead and he could be any of us –even me.



oh, there is more, much more, bring tissue:
http://afroculinaria.com/2014/08/18/ferguson-my-thoughts-on-an-american-flashpoint/

[rustydog]

1. KNR Thank you

We need more of this here on DU.

[Kali]

2. any time you hear "what you need to do"

you can bet your bottom dollar the asshole saying it isn't going to do jack shit to help you do what they think you need to do, much less what actually needs doing.

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. More ...

when someone tells you what you should do/be doing ... they are announcing that it is you that is the problem; not them or their inaction.

[JDPriestly]

49. Inaction -- what action would you like to see?

[1StrongBlackMan]

50. Regarding racism? I can think of a number of first steps ...

1) For white people to stop telling Black folks what is/is not racism.
2) For white people to stop trying to tell Black folks what we need to do to make/allow white folks not be racist.
3) For white folks to tell other white folks to stop telling Black folks what is/is not racism. And continue doing so, until it stops.
4) For white people to tell other white folks to stop trying to tell Black folks what we need to do to make/allow white folks not be racist. And continue doing so until it stops.

That would be a good start.

What actions are you offering?

[Blue_Tires]

3. I've bookmarked that guy's blog

great stuff...

[sheshe2]

4. Bookmarked.

[Grey]

5. Excellent article. Thank you.

[rustydog]

6. When you read the whole piece

I am at a loss for words. I wish I had his writing ability. There is so much to say and it is so easy to curse, yell and be demeaning. THIS was written so intelligently, do emotionally, so well.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Whew...powerful. Sharing. Thank you. K&R n/t

[hfojvt]

22. I'd be curious

If anybody wants to answer, why this message of hate is so popular.

But only answer for yourself. Why YOU liked it, not why "anybody with two brain cells would like it" or "anybody who is not a racist would like it"

Granted, I did not read the entire thing, but the snip posted in the OP just reeked to me of hatred, vile irrational hatred. Maybe it gets much better, I'd be happy to read some part of it that you think is excellent, but otherwise having tasted a sip of hatred, I am not all that eager to drink an entire bottle of more.

[1StrongBlackMan]

25. What did you find hateful about the OP, snipet or otherwise? eom.

[hfojvt]

34. Perhaps you could tell me

what you like about it, before we start arguing about what I do NOT like about it. What is the point the writer is making which you find so appealing? Or list five excellent points.

What does make Shakespeare and Beethoven great?

[1StrongBlackMan]

36. It accurately reflects my life experience ...

and the gamut of emotions when I am confronted with injustice in general, and racism, in particular.

But more to your question:

1) This:

I cannot convey to you how debasing it is to be expected, by convention of racialized submissive behavior to offer conciliatory pardons and excuses for Michael Brown’s less savory choices and behavior (or those of disaffected youth looting in his community for that matter). What is clear is that he will not be tried by me or anyone else for alleged misdeeds prior to his death. What is further clear is that he was not worthy of death for the activities behind said allegations nor for walking in the street. The same country where some white folk are celebrating their “right,” to bear firearms in Targets and Starbucks and pointing rifles at Federal agents (a la Cliven Bundy) without reproach, dares lecture Black America about the legalized lynchings of its sons for petty theft or perceived slights against police and governmental authority. The same country where people are thrilled by movies about white collar crime on Wall Street and the theft of millions on the same, has robbed people of their savings is the same country where “stop and frisk” jukes the stats uptown while the real crooks downtown go wild and unrestrained after their rape of the American dream.

He provides a reason for being pissed ...

2) This:

What this post is not—is an indictment of all law enforcement—of any ethnicity. That’s as ridiculous as indicting every Black male as a criminal. I don’t think that most people feel that way, we well understand the social contract. They want to be able to trust law enforcement, they want to be able to support and depend on them. We have witnessed the militarization of law enforcement in convergence with a reverse, alleged declaration of war on whites. What’s wrong with this picture? And, why is the 24 hour news cycle media not calling this for what it is—a recipe for social dissolution built on 7 years of sustained, celebrated, financially rewarded hate speech churned out against you-know-who and all those that look like you-know-who.

But effective channels his anger ...

3) This:

If you really believe in “the good Black,” let me offer you a cautionary personal tale. A few years ago, a friend of mine was taking to me to synagogue on the commemoration of Tisha B’Av. He’s white, I am obviously of a certain “continental origin” and a car almost hit us on the passenger side of the vehicle. I was the passenger; the person in the car was driving erratically. I said nothing—but I grimaced and frowned. My friend got agitated, but did not drive in an aggressive fashion.

The unmarked car suddenly put on a siren and we the driver began to glare at me—through me—with a look of absolute disdain. He was ready for reprisal. We were pulled over—not on the side of the road, but into a parking lot. He got out of the car, pulled his gun and told my white friend, “TELL YOUR PASSENGER TO PUT HIS F—G HANDS UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND NOT TO MOVE THEM! YEAH MOTH–KER YOU’RE SO G–DAMNED BAD! WHAT’S THAT MOTH—KER, A GUN?”

He provides a specific reason for being pissed (one that too many PoC can add to) ...

4) And, this:

I am trying to be hopeful. I see Americans of all colors putting their hands up saying “Don’t shoot.” Solidarity is spreading from rally to rally; there are new kids on the block—and they don’t want the bitter fruit of the past. The old canards that this is a race war a la Mo Brooks have no truth here—we are embracing anyone who will embrace us, loving anyone who will love us, respecting anyone who will respect us, and we want desperately to believe that we—in our protest, in our pursuit of justice through the courts of law, in our demands for information—are the epitome of what it means to be American.

Add yet he maintains hope.

[CreekDog]

39. why are you afraid to explain what you think is hateful about it?

you said it was hateful, he said it was not and asked you why it was hateful.

you turn around and tell him you won't explain why it's hateful, you ask him to prove it isn't.

sounds like someone either has no case to make or is afraid to make it.

so you just shot your credibility here, well, what remained of it.

and when it comes to race, you're always doubting or arguing that racism against black people is proven or a thing. if you actually admit that racism against blacks is real, you say it's the same as racism against whites --well one group is the majority or didn't you notice?

[CreekDog]

26. the message isn't anti white

why are you offended when we talk about racism?

why are you offended when we talk about feminism or gender equality?

why are you baiting others in this thread as if they posted or supported a racist message --they didn't. the OP is anti racism.

why are you continually fighting with progressives here over progressive issues?

[hfojvt]

33. I didn't say anything about racism

I said it was hateful.

You could explain why you think it is a good message. But you choose to ask me a bunch of leading questions.

Baiting? I asked some people some questions. Some people that I know and an open question.

The answers to your questions, as I believe them, would be
I am not
I am not
and
I am not.

If asking questions is equal to fighting, then why are you fighting with me?

[1StrongBlackMan]

37. Hating racism and injustice and willful ignorance regarding both ...

is a good thing.

[hfojvt]

42. Not by my standards

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022244131

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=228358

The hater is not hating abstract concepts, he/she is hating people, people that he/she condemns with a label.

[1StrongBlackMan]

48. You still have not pointed to the "Hate" in the OP.

[OneGrassRoot]

30. I highly recommend reading the entire piece...

Last edited Tue Aug 19, 2014, 07:08 PM - Edit history (1)

It's long, but I think there is a good chance you'll come away not feeling there is hate involved at all. I didn't. I didn't read the excerpt first, so I'm reading the excerpt now having read the entire post and don't see any hatred.

[kpete]

8. I thank you

and my fingers thank you

Stay Strong
and Peace,
kpete

[hfojvt]

23. I will ask you the same question.

Since you said "peace" and yet are enamored of this piece which seems to be advocating anything but peace.

What do you think is so great about this message of hate?

[1StrongBlackMan]

24. Message of hate??? ...

Wow. I'm pretty sure we read different OP's, or have vastly differing world views.

Help me out ... what particularly did you find hateful about this OP.

[CreekDog]

44. it's what that poster always does

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2317429

there are many, many more posts like this.

[CreekDog]

29. you know what's a message of hate?

this was.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4981971

[gollygee]

31. It repeats hateful statements (like the "bring it, you animals" thing the police officer said)

However only the quotes are hateful. Perhaps you are confusing "hateful" with "angry." It is angry, and rightly so.

[janlyn]

32. Are you effing serious!!

My God!!! You say you were either to lazy or lack the attention span to read more than the snippet you claim is filled with hate!!
What effing Gall!!
You try to turn the blame back at the OP and the person who wrote such an eloquent and beautiful article, without even bothering to read it!!!
You and people like you are bullies, who are so afraid to admit that what happened to Michael Brown is not a one off! That this kind of bigotry goes on every single fucking day!!
You and people like you are the virus that has always caused such hatred towards whatever group you decide is not worth the simple human dignities of your fellow worthy humans!!
You and people like you are the ones who looked the other way, rather than admit wrongs have been done!!

I don't apologize to you for my language and anger, only my fellow DU ers who also see the truth!!

[janlyn]

38. The fact that you think what I said to you is hateful,

rather than angry explains your lack of comprehension in reading the small snip you say you read. I see no reason to try to explain any further to someone who chooses to be so self centered.

[Number23]

46. I want to drip melted chocolate over this post and eat it with a marshmallow

Perfect. Every freaking word. Perfection.

You and people like you are the virus that has always caused such hatred towards whatever group you decide is not worth the simple human dignities of your fellow worthy humans!!

[janlyn]

47. thank you,

I thought for sure I would get pulled in front of the jury for the first time on that one.I don't like to get angry, which makes me even angrier! But he deserved every single word!!!

[bettyellen]

41. you seem to not realize it is about peace and justice for people of color..... or you do

and those things (like equality for women- which always angers you too, and is shown in that embarrassing link above) do not matter to YOU. Those things do matter to true progressive though.

[Number23]

45. Lord PLEASE, let it be soon...

[LoisB]

10. Marvelous.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, 1StrongBlackMan and kpete.

[Laelth]

12. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[calimary]

13. Great one, 1StrongBlackMan.

"Give me your tired rhetoric..."

It's VERY painful. Everybody huffed and puffed when Barack Obama - excuse me, PRESIDENT Barack Obama said about the Trayvon Martin case - that if he'd had a son, and one that age, it could as easily have been his son (or even HIM, at a younger age). But it made total sense to me. He nailed it.

It just feels awful. And shameful, 1SBM. I feel so bad about this! I feel so bad every time I see our President disrespected - chiefly because he was caught "presidentin' while black." If he were white he wouldn't have this much trouble, although Bill Clinton didn't have it that easy, either, as I recall.

I find myself marveling (not in a good way) at the coverage - and proof of short-term memory. NOBODY talks about the other L.A. Riots - in Watts in the early 60s. They refer to the L.A. Riots of the Rodney King story. But I can remember them, even though I was a kid back then. The photo I saw posted here yesterday - a young black woman holding up a sign that read "I Cannot Believe I STILL Have To Protest This Shit!" - it just makes me shake my head. I can't believe it either. Anymore than I can believe I still have to protest this shit when it comes to a woman's right to choose. That's one small way this 60-something white woman can relate.

It can really be discouraging to observe, and wrap one's mind around, what has NOT progressed, what has NOT moved, what has NOT changed, what has NOT improved. In all this time. In the 21st Century forcryingoutloud. Makes me wonder how many decades - or maybe centuries - we will STILL have to protest this shit.

[1StrongBlackMan]

19. I can't calm credit. This was all KPete. eom.

[jtuck004]

14. Only when you are strong enough not to have to ask anymore will it stop.

"Please don’t shoot!

Please!

Please!!

PLEASE!!!"

[logosoco]

15. KNR this is a must read for everyone.

This is already an emotional time for me...my son is in Tanzania with the Peace Corps. He welcomed the destination because, as a scientist, he sees it as the birthplace of humanity. How far away from that notion we have come.

Many times this past week I cry to see the people i know reveal their racist attitudes. Knowing my son is in the home of an African family, where they are welcoming him and they are all learning from one another.

My wish is for Obama to come here to Missouri, and know that in his last two years on the job, he can do something NOW to make the change he wanted to make in the beginning. It can happen. I don't know how, but I know it can. And Mike Brown's family will feel somewhat better knowing his death was not a waste.

[Stonepounder]

16. If anyone but a cop

had yelled "Bring it you f--g animals" he would have probably been fired on the spot. Hell, if a politician had yelled it he probably would have been impeached, or at least lost his next election. But, if you are a cop.....

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. No, I suspect that particular cop will be unemployed soon ...

and then, the Black community will really need to be on the look out. Because his firing will be because of those "F@#%ing animals"; not his actions.

[tea and oranges]

17. k&r Thank you

That's a moving blog post. I wish every American could read it.

[octoberlib]

20. This blog is fantastic. Thanks for posting!

[chervilant]

21. This :

“They harassed us in blue by day and in white by night.”

I am filled with an inchoate rage. I cannot understand the hate, the bigotry, the murder.

[1StrongBlackMan]

28. But look above ...

apparently, it is the OP that drops with hate and bigotry, worthy of rage.

[JustAnotherGen]

27. Beautiful

Off to read more!

[janlyn]

43. Thank you 1SBM and kpete,

I don't cry easily, stiff upper lip and all that, but that made me cry!! What a wonderful and sad blog!! Wonderful in it's eloquence and clarity and sad that it has to be written at all!! and to you both!!

[freshwest]

51. K&R Worthy words worth sharing.