Quote:
Originally posted by Kimmie1913
Hijacked it is!
We are in agreement on so many points. I absolutely agree that the most important thing is to rebuild the fabric and character of the African American community. Assimilation has been a double edged sword, bringing opportunity and, in other ways, destruction of the lynchpins of AfAm society. I believe in our attempts to be like "mainstream" America we have lost our sense of values. We have steadily moved away from the strong family and extended family, routinely put instant gratification above all else and have become thoroughly self centered.
Although I will debate and discuss disenfranchisement, I am not saying this is my priority issue or that I think this is OUR priority issue. But if you ask me about it, I can discuss it and tell you what I think. That does not mean that I would not say that the "bottom line is we need to get ourselves in order." I think we have turned parenting of our kids over to the media, who has them convinced they are supposed to be in Manolo Blahniks and Platinum at 15. Our collective priorities are out of whack. Our house is in great disarray- I absolutely agree with you on that, Soror.
Yes, I know the statistics reflect that Af Am's are being arrested and convicted for crimes at a disproportionately high rate. (I cannot speak as to whether we are committing crimes at a disproportionately high rate.) We should not be committing crimes at all. That does not belie the fact that I do believe that the criminal justice system seeks out Black people to interrogate, arrest and prosecute. While I think that we need to address why we are committing crimes in the first place, I will not stop speaking out against the injustices that do go on in the system. I do not see the things as either/or (either I work on the community or I speak out against the bias)
As to your racial profiling comment- hoe would you determine when it makes sense to be fair and when not. And who it is okay to treat poorly and who not?
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See that's the thing...everything is not always fair...Its like this...if I get pulled over because I "fit the profile" of someone...and its not me...assuming there's no physical brutality etc... all I had to deal with was inconvenience. I think its stupid to not pull a car over on the NJ TPK if (hypothetically) 95% of the drug trafficers are black males driving certain cars from certain states....I think that's good police work. Just like I think its not wise to NOT pull Arab men out of the line at the AIrport when they fit the profile for the terrorists! Of course I'm generalizing here...but I hope you see my point.
If I have to suffer some inconvenience in the interest of justice...so be it. If you're not carrying drugs on the turnpike or weapons on the plane...why be concerned?
I know there are corrupt cops, judges etc. out there that will just target people because of their race...but I sincerely feel they are in the minority. Bottom line..don't go to a drug infested area driving your Bentley with 86 gold teeth if you don't want to "fit the profile" of someone doing something they aint got not business!
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