Injustice is terrible. Period. I am totally wowed, amazed, and grateful that the six officers have been charged in Baltimore. Justice will be done like with the officer that shot the man in the back.
That being said, I don't understand why, when atrocities like this happen, protests and marches can evolve into terrible rioting. Fortunately this doesn't always happen, but it seems so wasteful to me when it does. From L.A. after the ruling about Mr. King, to Ferguson, and now Baltimore. I don't grasp the logic of burning down, looting, and basically destroying your own backyard where you live and shop.
Standing up for your fellow man is admirable but should be done with peaceful and lawful means. Didn't the great Dr. Martin Luther King teach us all that?
We, my husband and I, are a minority in this country as well. We are honestly the last minority that some people in this country think it's okay to discriminate against and treat as second-class citizens. It's not right to treat anyone different because you might not understand their struggle or lives. I am in agreement for justice and equality for us all as our Constitution guarantees.
I just don't see the need in destruction when people are wronged. Yes, there is an undeniable issue with some law enforcement in this country. It's not every single officer by any means.
I guess I am just missing something. Just because our (husband and my) community is not granted equality, yet, we don't go burning down the Wal-Mart, Sams, Publix, Bi-Lo, CVS, Walgreens, or God forbid, City Cafe. So, what gets accomplished by that happening?
Can someone clue us in?
Richard Smith
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I don't think many of us condone riots. Not even when rioting, looting and burning takes place at the win or loss of a football, hockey, baseball or basketball game.
That said, many people who evoke the name of Dr. King really don't know much about him. Here's a quote by Dr. King that explains, not justify, the emotions of the rioters when the system fails to do its job and horrible injustices continue to take place in a society and nation that parades itself as a fair, just and equal society. Dr. King was not a one dimensional individual. None of us are. He was more complex (we all are) than just one or two purposely selected speeches.
Mr. Gray died a gruesome, hateful, diabolical and painful death. But he's not the first, and unless there's serious sweeping changes, reform and more all across this nation he most certainly won't be the last. Today it's Freddie Gray and Baltimore. Tomorrow it could be me, you our town or anyone and any town anywhere in America. Who will be left when they come for you?
Dr. King's quote on riots, rioting and the injustices and frustration that often leads to violent protest: "But 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. And what is it America has failed to hear?...It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity." — “The Other America,” 1968.
Brenda Washington
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During the month of April 2015, 15 black men died at the hands of other blacks in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Five additional homicides involved the death of white victims, including those at the hands of black men. No police officers were involved in any of those deaths. No riots, no looting, no burning, no Al Sharpton, and no demonstrators chanting "no justice, no peace" followed those black-on-black deaths.
At the same time, Baltimore breaks into riots, looting, and burning over the death of one black man with an extensive criminal history simply because his death happened to involve Baltimore police officers.
Mya Lane
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Richard asked for a clue as to what the rioting and destruction in Baltimore et al, accomplished. The answer should be obvious -- think about what was stolen and therein lies the answer -- flat screen TVs, $200 tennis shoes, et al, including.....wait for it.......drugs. Decent people honestly caring about the dead and perceived injustice [as in Ferguson] do not riot...peaceably assemble or march, yes. Riot, no.
Oh yes, mustn't forget. Notoriety and publicity is also sought. All groups with an agenda of their own seek those last two and completely disregard, even disparage, those with thoughts and opinions differing from their own, whether political or social. Tolerance for the opinions of others is seemingly beyond their own narrow goals.
Roland Smith
Hixson