Ferguson, MO

[DrPhil]

I agree, AGDee.

As for how long the police took to release details, people are misinformed about the obligation of police to release certain details and the timeline of the release. When the community, domestic and international public, and social media and Internet are demanding answers, protesting, rioting, and jumping around the Internet--of course there will be errors in the details released. That is what happens when things are rushed to appease the people. That is what happens when people are instantly outraged, declaring a racist police state, and threatening all hell will break loose. I hope people learn that it is appropriate to hold police accountable but everything has a limit if you want more than a frantic half-assed job.

One of the things that bothers me the most is how some people in the community don't see how the looting and aggression are so cliche' and indicative of the victim mentality. Some people in these communities struggle to balance awareness of disadvantage and systemic inequalities with empowerment, liberation, and knowledge that they are not perpetual victims.

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

One of the things that bothers me the most is how some people in the community don't see how the looting and aggression are so cliche' and indicative of the victim mentality. Some people in these communities struggle to balance awareness of disadvantage and systemic inequalities with empowerment, liberation, and knowledge that they are not perpetual victims.

I almost went off an a reeeeaaallllyyyy good tangent but I am willing myself not to derail your thread.

I saw photos in a news article of citizens guarding local stores to deter looters. I thought that was pretty cool. There are certainly people in the community who know exactly what will not help and are doing their best to keep the peace (though it's a shame that they have to keep the rest of the community in check).

[DrPhil]

Yes, the people trying to stop the looting warms my heart.

There always has been and always will be many people who know. That's why my post said "some people." The problem is the people who know often let the not-knowing be the loudest and most consistent voices. It isn't just the media's fault, white people's fault, or structural inequalities---having a sense of agency includes having a sense of ownership so it can't always be everyone else's fault.

I normally don't talk about this around mixed company but there are some things highlighted in this thread and in other discussions of Ferguson and similar incidents that give me pause. I hope the police and the FBI are able to concentrate on what happened with Michael Brown.