What is wrong with the Mayor of Baltimore?

[erin1715]

I'm well aware that's true. I am curious how you think the media could or should have access to all those living rooms and kitchens to "allow me to see it"? While I'm normally one to point out how lax our media has gotten and how lazy and constructed the coverage is, I think suggesting the media is somehow hiding that piece of the narrative is a bit beyond the pale.

Still, it would have been very helpful as this whole mess started to spiral out of control if there were quite a few of those moms out there, visual reminder and deterrent to all the rest of the knuckleheads out there. I know plenty of moms who would have stormed down there, grabbed their kid and chewed out any of their kid's friends they saw and warned them they better get their butts back home pronto. Like I said even a dozen moms on the scene might have made a huge difference. I'm sure the actions of the clergy who courageously made efforts to calm things down helped avoid more carnage.

I loved seeing that mother drag her son out of there, but I think what a majority of those thugs need is FATHERS going down there and ripping their sons a new one. In fact, I'd go so far as to say if they had a strong male role model in their lives then they wouldn't even be violently rioting to begin with. I agree that mothers are a strong influence and commend that woman for what she did, but what is missing in boys' lives especially is their fathers. I think we (general we) need to address the family unit and poverty issue, and then perhaps we can protest peacefully.

 

[disney4us2002]

"Patently ridiculous" would be to operate under the assumption that the only issues that affect predominantly black communities are racial in nature. The NOI has members living in those neighborhoods. Al Sharpton is an activist for civil rights. Police brutality is a civil rights issue and, in this case, it is affecting the people NOI and Sharpton represent. That is why they've involved themselves. Again, the only place I've seen a racial spin put on it is here.

It seems the president sees this as a racial issue...

"As National Guard troops responded to rioting in Baltimore, President Barack Obama said Tuesday that there have been too many troubling police interactions with black citizens across American in what he called "a slow-rolling crisis." But he said there was no excuse for rioters to engage in senseless violence."

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/28919925/obama-no-excuse-for-violence-in-baltimore

 

[eliza61]

Really? And do you really think it's "police vs. impoverished community"?

The police don't leave their families to go to work everyday just so they can gang up on the impoverished. They are doing their job trying to protect the citizens from drug dealers, murderers, etc. Its the most "Monday morning quarterbacked" job around.

it is most definitely the police brutality. the police do not protect my sons. they harass and abuse them. police brutality in Philadelphia is legendary. I trust the drug boys a hell of a lot more than the police.
I know for a fact that a cop could shoot my son dead for no other reason than he is black and wears dreads. they will never be punished, they will lie and protect each other at most they will retire with full benefits.

My kid could be in our house, open the door and a cop could shoot him dead and simply say he felt "threaten" and in three days that would be the end of the investigation. He would not be fired, reprimanded, charged and if he is white he damn sure would not see a minute of jail time. at most he would get 3 days desk duty.

In Philadelphia African American boys are now told NOT to wear head phones in both ears. why? because if the cops say something and you don't hear them they will use whatever force that they want to and say the kid was resisting arrest.


Yes it is really the police vs the poor.

Martin luther King said it best
" A riot is the voice of the unheard".

This young adults know full well not a darn thing will happen to those cops in Baltimore. Freddie gray is simply just another black N word dead.

They leave their families and go to work because it's a good paying job with benefits. they don't protect a darn person in my community.

My heart cries about what is happening in Baltimore but I am in no way surprised. when you have an entire segment of your population that firmly believes that cops are just as bad as the criminals, who believe that they have nothing to be peaceful about, you get violence.

Baltimore is simply the second city it has happen to. this summer it will be another city.

 

[aaarcher86]

Ah. I was wondering when you'd show up in this thread!

 

[abk96]

it is most definitely the police brutality. the police do not protect my sons. they harass and abuse them. police brutality in Philadelphia is legendary. I trust the drug boys a hell of a lot more than the police.
I know for a fact that a cop could shoot my son dead for no other reason than he is black and wears dreads. they will never be punished, they will lie and protect each other at most they will retire with full benefits.

In Philadelphia African American boys are now told NOT to wear head phones in both ears. why? because if the cops say something and you don't hear them they will use whatever force that they want to and say the kid was resisting arrest.

If this is there job, they can keep it.

Yes it is really the police vs the poor.

I know about Philly. I live there. And what your saying is so untrue.

How about the police who have lost their lives here. They'll never get their pension, right. And for what?? Protecting people who don't care.

Makes me sick! This is typical philly talk.

 

[cabanafrau]

I agree with you to a point, but your post ignores an ever-growing attitude of defiance against police and the willingness of some to deliberately injure or kill police. Not only is that behavior and attitude tolerated, it is encouraged by some. That needs to stop.

How did I ignore it? I specifically said we not only need to get control of our police doing the job of protecting and serving, but society has to step up, and give true witness and/or assistance when they see or hear crimes being committed. I cited the actions of the infamous mom hauling her kid's butt out of there as a start of that attitude. I work with law enforcement nearly daily. I believe I do understand a great deal about the idiots who are defying our laws, thwarting our police and bamboozling their families, friends and neighbors into believing it's right and necessary to keep quiet about their illegal activities.

It's heartbreaking to watch parents and significant others sit in a courtroom, hear pieces of the puzzle their child or spouse has either hidden or mislead them about, see unequivocal evidence spelling out the truth of the crimes and the light bulb above their heads click on just as they hear the reality of their family member spending either a tremendous amount of time or the rest of their lives in prison. You can bet your bottom dollar every one of those parents and spouses wishes they had taken a harder line with their loved one earlier, made them face the music earlier when the consequences weren't so high.

Our police also have to be held to high standards, which cannot be forgotten or taken for granted. My experience is the good ones far outnumber the bad apples. We just have to be very selective in pruning our trees.

 

[eliza61]

Ah. I was wondering when you'd show up in this thread!

I actually stayed away yesterday because I know the dis is uniformly pro police. I'm not staying long. remember my perspective is from a minority mother who has witnessed the things police have done to her son's, husbands and brothers.

I just always wonder how many African American young men will die before a light bulb goes off and says, "hum maybe we do have a problem".

Now we are learning that Baltimore has had a long simmering problem (at least 5 years) of complaints about police brutality. I guess they're just now figuring it out.

Sad that it takes a riot before anyone believes the reports

 

[abk96]

Maybe you don't want police in your neighborhood Eliza. I'll gladly take more in our neighborhood. We give up police in our neighborhood to let them go into the most violent areas to patrol.

God bless our police and Fire fighters.

 

[erin1715]

And about those gangs who supposedly came together against the rioting - seriously, how low are our expectations of people that we can look at that and say wow, even those violent, drug dealing, murderous groups are coming together to try to stop the violence!

I admit that at first I also thought, man that is really something for these two gangs who hate each other to come together. Then the more I thought about it, the guys in these gangs are a big part of why these people have no morals!! They are contributing to the rioting indirectly by doing what they do every day in these neighborhoods. They corrupt young boys by inducting them into their gangs. So no, I'm not impressed by the gangs coming together.

 

[Judique]

it is most definitely the police brutality. the police do not protect my sons. they harass and abuse them. police brutality in Philadelphia is legendary. I trust the drug boys a hell of a lot more than the police.
I know for a fact that a cop could shoot my son dead for no other reason than he is black and wears dreads. they will never be punished, they will lie and protect each other at most they will retire with full benefits.

......snipped a lot out......

Baltimore is simply the second city it has happen to. this summer it will be another city.

Philly is a very short ride up the road from Charm City. And you are right - it could happen anywhere.

And pardon me if I am wrong about this or mistaken about which poster, but didn't your sister retire from a police force?

 

[wvjules]

I actually stayed away yesterday because I know the dis is uniformly pro police. I'm not staying long. remember my perspective is from a minority mother who has witnessed the things police have done to her son's, husbands and brothers.

This isn't about being pro police. Neighborhoods are being destroyed. Lives are being destroyed. Tell me...is that OK with you?

 

[eliza61]

Philly is a very short ride up the road from Charm City. And you are right - it could happen anywhere.

And pardon me if I am wrong about this or mistaken about which poster, but didn't your sister retire from a police force?

Yep. My sister and my dad. LOL and they tell me stories of the way some cops operate in NYC. She has told her nephews many times exactly how little recourse they have.

 

[eliza61]

This isn't about being pro police. Neighborhoods are being destroyed. Lives are being destroyed. Tell me...is that OK with you?

Not at all and if you listen to the African American media outlets you will see the vast majority are calling for peace
But we understand the anger.

Like I said, basically after this nothing will change. Baltimore will not even address that they could possibly have a police brutality problem. Freddie Grey's family at most will get a settlement from the city of Baltimore, nothing will happen to the cops unless the justice department possibly brings civil rights charges against them and this summer another unarmed African American will get killed by police and we'll start the entire cycle all over again.

Tell me was there ever a post decrying the way Mr. Grey was treated???

 

[wvjules]

Actually, pull out the police and NG and let them destroy their neighborhoods. Police aren't wanted there anyway.

 

[cabanafrau]

Point taken. I didn't mean to suggest it is the media's job to be in the homes of everyone to allow such a thing. However, I do believe at your level of intelligence you understood what I was driving at but you wanted to point out my flaw or over sight in my explanation. Thank you!

Carry on now!

I thought your point was the media narrative not speaking to the many parents who were parenting their lunkheads. I agree with you, no doubt several of these kids probably went home last night and got their ears blistered. I sure hope so.

I wasn't pointing out an oversight to dig at you, just questioning what you expected the media to do?

 

[luvsJack]

I actually stayed away yesterday because I know the dis is uniformly pro police. I'm not staying long. remember my perspective is from a minority mother who has witnessed the things police have done to her son's, husbands and brothers.

I just always wonder how many African American young men will die before a light bulb goes off and says, "hum maybe we do have a problem".

Now we are learning that Baltimore has had a long simmering problem (at least 5 years) of complaints about police brutality. I guess they're just now figuring it out.

Sad that it takes a riot before anyone believes the reports

This is definitly one area where Eliza and I have always agreed. There is a different mind set when a cop is dealing with a young black man. Believe it if you want to but I know its true and both of my sons are white. When younger ds was with his best friend (who is black) they were stopped for stupid reasons and treated differently. DS was fearful of things getting well out of hand. Not to the point of shooting here, but too far for a couple of teen boys just out riding around. I can certainly see where she would fear for her sons in a big city like Philly and having to deal with the police there. And btw, HERE, it has nothing to do with the race of the officer.

 

[abk96]

This is definitly one area where Eliza and I have always agreed. There is a different mind set when a cop is dealing with a young black man. Believe it if you want to but I know its true and both of my sons are white. When younger ds was with his best friend (who is black) they were stopped for stupid reasons and treated differently. DS was fearful of things getting well out of hand. Not to the point of shooting here, but too far for a couple of teen boys just out riding around. I can certainly see where she would fear for her sons in a big city like Philly and having to deal with the police there. And btw, HERE, it has nothing to do with the race of the officer.

Are you from Philly too?

If not you have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to this city.

We have one of the best departments around. They have lowered the murder rate here drastically. Hard work and dedication sure pays off.

 

[eliza61]

Actually, pull out the police and NG and let them destroy their neighborhoods. Police aren't wanted there anyway.

So that's our choice.
Let them beat our brains in or they don't do their jobs??

How about this, how about you ask why the cops aren't wanted. How about the cities address police brutality from the start so maybe folks don't think that it matters?

No one wants to do that though?

 

[abk96]

Yep. My sister and my dad. LOL and they tell me stories of the way some cops operate in NYC. She has told her nephews many times exactly how little recourse they have.

What a disgrace!

 

[Dakota731]

Actually, pull out the police and NG and let them destroy their neighborhoods. Police aren't wanted there anyway.

Amen! Then I'm sure then everything will be coming up roses in Baltimore and Philadelphia! All the black young men will be safe and lead productive lives and be fine upstanding young citizens. Give me a break. To act like none of these kids are selling drugs, robbing hard-working citizens or shooting rival gangs but the cops are just pulling them out of their homes and killing them is ludicrous. If that was the case, Al Sharpton would be in Baltimore every week and you'd have your headline news every night. Not to mention all the civil rights lawyers would come out of the woodwork to sue the cops and the city.