State of Emergency: Baltimore Edition

[DeadPresident]

Something people need to realize is that behaviour like this is symptomatic of something much, much larger imbedded in the psyche of an entire generation. Is behaving like this acceptable? No chance. Should people be asking themselves what could cause people to feel like this is a viable option? Absolutely. America has a very fraught racial history, and one that will continue to affect the country for several more generations. The way to engage this topic is to actually discuss things and to listen to what the grievances are, not to dismiss the actions along with what creates them.

It's easy to say these are just thugs, and in all likelihood a number of them are taking advantage of the situation, but beneath that there are legitimate concerns - it would be wise for people to start paying attention to them.

 

[CaptainWagner]

The worst part about this is that all these rioters, who couldn't care less about Freddie Grey, or police brutality, or racial tensions, are making everything worse for themselves. It's stuff like this that fuels stereotypes and the cycle of violence.

 

[DeadPresident]

The worst part about this is that all these rioters, who couldn't care less about Freddie Grey, or police brutality, or racial tensions, are making everything worse for themselves. It's stuff like this that fuels stereotypes and the cycle of violence.

That's definitely one way of reading it. But, people should look a little further. Few people decide to participate in antisocial behaviour rationally or without some kind of stimulus. If people want it to stop or if they want to engage it beyond "Those silly people must stop doing bad things!" they need to ask themselves what people must be on the receiving end of to feel like this is how they want to express themselves.

 

[CaptainWagner]

That's definitely one way of reading it. But, people should look a little further. Few people decide to participate in antisocial behaviour rationally or without some kind of stimulus. If people want it to stop or if they want to engage it beyond "Those silly people must stop doing bad things!" they need to ask themselves what people must be on the receiving end of to feel like this is how they want to express themselves.

There is clearly a major social problem that causes things like this. But my point was that it's sad that these riots spurning from the calls for justice for Freddie Grey, ultimately cause damage to the cause held by the original protestors.

 

[chaseter]

It's easy to say these are just thugs, and in all likelihood a number of them are taking advantage of the situation, but beneath that there are legitimate concerns - it would be wise for people to start paying attention to them.

You are right.

They are IDIOTIC thugs.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

Looting is a lot like terrorism. They'll claim they're doing it because of an injustice, but they're hurting innocent people in the process, not the actual guilty party.

 

[craigdbfan]

At what point does one stop blaming society for bringing them down and instead as an individual choose to do something about it?

How many immigrants from all over the world come with literally nothing to America and build an amazing life for themselves here?

These excuses are nothing more than exactly that. Excuses.

 

[Destructus86]

There is no solution to this. This is beyond help.

The solution involves protesting in non-violent ways. Seeking a solution through political pressure to ensure a peaceful transition into true social change. It starts with police cameras but it doesn't end there.

We have to deal with this situation in an intelligent manner and open dialogue not through violence.

Obviously any attempt at peaceful protesting is highjacked by violent individuals so protests, even peaceful ones for now should stop and representatives should be presented on the subject to discuss methods of controlling police brutality. Collect signatures, talk to the senate, speak with house parties and use any other political means to put the pressure on for fast change.

 

[Victarion]

I didn't expect it would get that bad after nightfall.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Did she really say this?

Has she heard his rhetoric?
[YT]ZfMsc5YRn1o[/YT]

Is this why the police hands were tied to just receive rocks and bottles?
So the Nation of Islam could "keep the calm and peace"?
Nice job!

My understanding was that they joined forces with the Christian church community and took to the streets to help calm things down.

I mean, that came from a Christian Pastor on the ground, who was apparently at Gray's funeral, and was on all the news networks last night.

 

[Schlosser85]

At what point does one stop blaming society for bringing them down and instead as an individual choose to do something about it?

How many immigrants from all over the world come with literally nothing to America and build an amazing life for themselves here?

These excuses are nothing more than exactly that. Excuses.

Thisx1,000.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

At what point does one stop blaming society for bringing them down and instead as an individual choose to do something about it?

How many immigrants from all over the world come with literally nothing to America and build an amazing life for themselves here?

These excuses are nothing more than exactly that. Excuses.

What do you mean by "society"? I think the criticism is pretty much pointed at the establishment.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I mentioned on Facebook that people need to stop having that "Us" Vs "Them" mentality. Not all cops are corrupt and racist, not all black people are thugs and criminals. As a black person, I am ashamed of my people, the ones looting, burning down buildings in the community. This solves nothing and only shoots ourselves in the foot by reinforcing negative stereotypes about black people. Peaceful protest in the face of injustice is ALWAYS the best course of action. Hopefully the city of Baltimore can recover from all these senseless violence and looting.

 

[Dr. Evil]

So if these riots continue for another several weeks, I wonder how this affects the WWE event, Payback on May 17th that takes place in Baltimore?

 

[ThePhantasm]

CNN: Tensions remain high in Baltimore, but there are still signs of compassion

http://cnnuslive.cnn.com/Event/Baltimore_Riot

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

So if these riots continue for another several weeks, I wonder how this affects the WWE event, Payback on May 17th that takes place in Baltimore?

It'd probably get cancelled, or they'll wrestle without a crowd (not going to happen). The Baltimore Orioles are going to play tonight, in an empty stadium. So, that could be a sign that WWE might need to make changes.

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

At what point does one stop blaming society for bringing them down and instead as an individual choose to do something about it?

How many immigrants from all over the world come with literally nothing to America and build an amazing life for themselves here?

These excuses are nothing more than exactly that. Excuses.

True. Asian, white, black, latino, etc... can apply for financial aid at equal opportunity. Once you obtain a degree/complete training programs, there are more career options for everyone. In fact there are even more minority based programs for help in paying for school. Myself? I don't have a rich family. I work and took out student loans in order to continue education. There is no upper hand or privilege at all. It is a choice to get up and the morning, complete classes, go to work... and repeat. Anyone can make the choice.

Others can stay at home, collect welfare, and never strive for education and a career. But in the end, they will be stuck in that life if they choose not to do something about it. It actually IS a choice in many cases.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

True. Asian, white, black, latino, etc... can apply for financial aid at equal opportunity. Once you obtain a degree/complete training programs, there are more career options for everyone. In fact there are even more minority based programs for help in paying for school. Myself? I don't have a rich family. I work and took out student loans in order to continue education. There is no upper hand or privilege at all. It is a choice to get up and the morning, complete classes, go to work... and repeat. Anyone can make the choice.

Others can stay at home, collect welfare, and never strive for education and a career. But in the end, they will be stuck in that life if they choose not to do something about it. It actually IS a choice in many cases.

You paint the rosey picture without acknowledging the very real problems at every step of those ladder rungs.

A woman in American can get that degree and still earn 75 for every dollar a man gets and end up on a lower part of the middle class and unable to support herself and a child if an emergency happens.

Where is the society that has talked about equal pay for woman for 40 years going to stop blaming her for being a single mom and pay her the same wage?

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

Whether a degree gets you a $40,000 job or a $100,000 job to live off of; it is still better than not working and being on welfare, living in section 8, etc. I've seen people who just complained about being on welfare and "broke" get a good bit of tax return money and they don't use it for bills. They use it for tv's, ipads, new Jordan's...

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Whether a degree gets you a $40,000 job or a $100,000 job to live off of; it is still better than not working and being on welfare, living in section 8, etc. I've seen people who just complained about being on welfare and "broke" get a good bit of tax return money and they don't use it for bills. They use it for tv's, ipads, new Jordan's...

What percentage of people on welfare do you think don't have jobs? The majority?


The fact you think living off 40,000 with medical bills, student loans, and a child is something shows you have no idea how hard society makes it for everyone in all classes. You just want to broadbrush an entire part of society as some welfare state.

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

I'm referring to the segment that makes it a lifestyle choice. Also, many of those who work while on welfare have low wage and low hour customer service jobs. This is not a career. Hold that low wage job, while also going to school. Yes $40,000 is enough for a living wage.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

True. Asian, white, black, latino, etc... can apply for financial aid at equal opportunity. Once you obtain a degree/complete training programs, there are more career options for everyone. In fact there are even more minority based programs for help in paying for school. Myself? I don't have a rich family. I work and took out student loans in order to continue education. There is no upper hand or privilege at all. It is a choice to get up and the morning, complete classes, go to work... and repeat. Anyone can make the choice.

Others can stay at home, collect welfare, and never strive for education and a career. But in the end, they will be stuck in that life if they choose not to do something about it. It actually IS a choice in many cases.

Isn't getting to that point one of the problems, though? As in actual graduation of high school. Not to mention where you can go if your school is a crappy one. It'd be a level playing field if everyone started from the same points...but that's not the case. It's probably impossible for it to be the case, but different people have different options before them. It's harder to make those decisions in, for lack of a better term, tougher schools.

I think there's some truth to what you're saying, but I think there's more to it. Alot more.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I'm referring to the segment that makes it a lifestyle choice. Also, many of those who work while on welfare have low wage and low hour customer service jobs. This is not a career. Hold that low wage job, while also going to school. Yes $40,000 is enough for a living wage.

Lifestyle choices can be a flimsy term when you talk about illnesses, children, expensive rent, etc.

I think you're painting too broad a brush, and making it sound too simple.

 

[The Question]

"It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

[Victarion]

Does that mean that those "unheard" using the riot will continue to be "unheard" and are doomed to continue on as the "unheard" until conditions are improved?