Unfathomable: Church Massacre

[Anesthesia Fine]

If we're going to discuss racism, shouldn't we discuss it in ALL its forms?

When a church group full of black people have been mowed down by a white supremacist, it's not really the time to shout BUT WHAT ABOUT RACISM TOWARD WHITE PEOPLE.

 

[Dizlvr]

Black shooter = thug
Muslim shooter = terrorist
White shooter = mentally ill

...

I think there is something wrong mentally with anyone that is capable of murdering people, does't matter what color or creed they are.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

THE ONLY reason they voted for Obama was because of the color of his skin?????? Of course McCain and Palin had nothing to do with that decision.

You clearly missed the point.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

When a church group full of black people have been mowed down by a white supremacist, it's not really the time to shout BUT WHAT ABOUT RACISM TOWARD WHITE PEOPLE.

Disagree. If racism is the topic (edit: and maybe that shouldn't BE the topic, but if it is), then you discuss the topic. You don't get to cherry pick which angles are okay and which are not. If the goal is to reduce racism, you have to attack the root causes.

 

[cabanafrau]

When a church group full of black people have been mowed down by a white supremacist, it's not really the time to shout BUT WHAT ABOUT RACISM TOWARD WHITE PEOPLE.

Actually, if the concern is truly to work to remove racism one must address racism, full stop. To do otherwise ensures an unending conflict, i.e., the Middle East.

 

[usd2bmd]

This whole thing is just sickening to me...mostly because it has happened before and will happen again. We have come a long way but we have so far to go to make this country a safe place for everyone in it. Jon Stewart had some painful truths about it. "But what blows my mind is the disparity of response between when we think people that are foreign are going to kill us and us killing ourselves."

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

 

[JaneBanks]

Here's the thing, there is no racism against white people. Of course, someone can be a bigot against a white person but racist? No.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I do not get the logic where suggesting that mental illness sparked this tragedy equates to denial of racism. Racism is a cancer in this country. Unchecked mental illness is as well. Together they are the makings of tragedy and horror. This killer may well cling to his racist views until the day he dies. He may also be mentally ill for the duration of his life as well, similar to someone like Charles Manson.

I wasn't referring to you specifically, or anyone--I didn't even pay attention to names, I just saw numerous posters basically denying that there is society wide racism still at play in our country.

I do believe this is a multi faceted problem. Racism is a big part of it. Racism that is allowed to go on and be displayed in many ways in the US without being talked abut much, while being denied, etc.
I also think the huge number of easy to obtain and cheap firearms is another.
Lack of good care for mental illness, and tendencies to prescribe psychotropic drugs long term and not follow up with regular talk therapy and a lack of good studies to understand the long term impact of these drugs, is another facet.

Given that the major stated reasons for this attack by the terrorist were racial and that it is so reminiscent of past racial hate crimes and the climate in which it occurred (seriously, the confederate flag flies over the SC state house!), well, yes, the conversation will focus largely on that particular cause. Add in that gun control cannot be discussed much here and the conversation on the DIS is going to focus even more so on the racial motivations.

 

[Mkrop]

Black shooter = thug
Muslim shooter = terrorist
White shooter = mentally ill

...

Really??? All day yesterday I have heard all of these nouns online and on the news to describe this white murderer. Why...because he was/is all three.


I just read an article saying that we throw mental illness around to masquerade the racism, the misogyny, the homophobia etc when killings occur. I dont know why it seems that some people need it to be either or...I would think that most of these thug terrorist killers are most likely mentally ill as well and that is just another factor in the piece of the puzzle to find out why something this tragic occurred, what made them kill when others have the hate in their hearts but dont act on them.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Two words: MENTAL HEALTH

I agree - but the second component has to be gun control. How can we continue to allow severely mentally disturbed individuals to own firearms? Hell you have to pass a test to drive a car - how about SOME restrictions as to who has a gun. Pass treatment, and a doctor signs off you can get a gun.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

Actually, if the concern is truly to work to remove racism one must address racism, full stop. To do otherwise ensures an unending conflict, i.e., the Middle East.

Fair enough, but if I were a churchgoer, I would likely be okay going to my Wednesday night prayer meeting. In the US, white churches haven't been bombed or shot up on the regular. No one is spray-painting "CRACKER" or "HONKY" on the walls of midwest mega-churches. I'm a middle-aged middle-class white lady. The only people crossing the street to avoid me are possibly teenagers, in case I tell them to stand up straight.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I must be one of the few people that think evil is real without needing justification of mentally ill or poor parenting raising. It is easier for a lot of people to swallow
such things thinking that mental illness dominates someone instead of evil though. Just like you can't teach morality, you can't always put a bow on evil person and situation.

When we have American on American violence, we want to resort to feel better labels. When it is non American on American violence, we want to kick their *** and give them the needle and show America doesn't take this. Think Bin Laden. Now a days it seems more likely an American is going to die at the hands of another American than a terrorist attack.

 

[cabanafrau]

Black shooter = thug
Muslim shooter = terrorist
White shooter = mentally ill

...

Is the mental illness factor only important in regards to Sandy Hook? If that shooter's fixation had been racism and his slaughter had reflected that obsession, would it then be irrelevant to discuss mental illness? Remember, in this scenario he is selecting the victims based on his racial bias, the mental health status remains equivalent to the day he shot up the school. Because the victim pool changed is what's at the core of the murders different? I don't think so.

 

[eliza61]

Really??? All day yesterday I have heard all of these nouns online and on the news to describe this white murderer. Why...because he was/is all three.


I just read an article saying that we throw mental illness around to masquerade the racism, the misogyny, the homophobia etc when killings occur. I dont know why it seems that some people need it to be either or...I would think that most of these thug terrorist killers are most likely mentally ill as well and that is just another factor in the piece of the puzzle to find out why something this tragic occurred, what made them kill when others have the hate in their hearts but dont act on them.

Really,

Never ever will you hear of an Black man killing someone and then having a "mental illness" excuse. EVER.

I totally agree with every thing else but in the media, mental illness is only ever use to describe a caucasian perpertrator.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I agree - but the second component has to be gun control. How can we continue to allow severely mentally disturbed individuals to own firearms? Hell you have to pass a test to drive a car - how about SOME restrictions as to who has a gun. Pass treatment, and a doctor signs off you can get a gun.

Gun laws prevented him from LEGALLY purchasing a firearm. He obtained it ILLEGALLY! The same way most criminals do. He says, that he stole it. Others claim, it was a gift from his father. Either way, the gun wasn't legal.

 

[TLSnell1981]

B

Really,

Never ever will you hear of an Black man killing someone and then having a "mental illness" excuse. EVER.

I totally agree with every thing else but in the media, mental illness is only ever use to describe a caucasian perpertrator.

Baloney.

 

[Muushka]

I believe that this is was a racist slaughter.

Because this animal is the definition of racist, the term 'racist' should not be bantered about, but reserved for animals such as this.

In addition to his being a racist, he is also mentally disturbed.

He does not represent white people.

When I think about exactly what happened, each and every time, I have to fight back the tears.

May the people who have lost loved ones have comfort that they are with their King.

 

[lauradis]

I agree - but the second component has to be gun control. How can we continue to allow severely mentally disturbed individuals to own firearms? Hell you have to pass a test to drive a car - how about SOME restrictions as to who has a gun. Pass treatment, and a doctor signs off you can get a gun.

How can we allow severely mental disturbed individuals to roam free in society to do any harm?

He didn't buy a gun it was a gift from his father.

speaking of cars he could have used his car to run over people instead of shooting people with the present his father gave him.

 

[JaneBanks]

They are now saying he bought the gun himself with the money his father gave him for his birthday.

 

[Mkrop]

Really,

Never ever will you hear of an Black man killing someone and then having a "mental illness" excuse. EVER.

I totally agree with every thing else but in the media, mental illness is only ever use to describe a caucasian perpertrator.

So no black person has ever used and successfully used a mental illness defense after they committed murder????