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Apr. 4th, 2009 02:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
openscarfThere is currently a lot of talking in Oakland and the Bay Area about racism, police brutality, the never ending murders, the ongoing war between the black community and the cops; and how to heal, how to come together.
I don’t know the long history in detail and all the stats. I am absolutely clueless as to what could save future lives, how to lift people up. I'm reluctant to speak up, even to write here. I think that people are unable to let go of the history. I think there are some very powerful influential people here (not politicians) that can affect some change. I don’t know if all the posts and words are going to lead to something; but I'm paying attention and trying to sense where and if I have a part.
There was a small group that claimed Lovell Mixon as a hero. I'm pretty certain the majority do not feel this, but it was hard to acknowledge. Did the media by reporting it, escalate the tensions? I don't know. I think the way the media reports the daily news is almost a joke.
Some say that every life is valuable, but I don’t feel compassion for Mixon; he was a grown man who brutally murdered 4 men who were cops and may have raped several children; the cops would have gotten him off the street. I don’t understand the thought that he killed them cause he didn’t want to go back to prison and that is noble? He belonged there. If I consider him as child I feel something more; but he wasn’t.
I think Johannes Mehserle should be held accountable for murder. He did it. But when a very peaceful protest turned stupidly violent by participants with different agendas, the statement was diluted to just another senseless violent night in Oakland.
I don’t condone police brutality;. I would guess that over the years, and still, it’s frightening to be a cop and be patrolling these neighborhoods where kids kill kids, men kill kids, kids kill men. The community is killing each other and anyone else who gets in the way. I imagine it’s terrifying to live there; head down, mouth shut. I try to get how people feel there is a war between the black community and the cops, but does everyone feel that way, or only those breaking the law? If the gang members are killing each other and whoever gets in the way, then how does the cop become part of the war? How do the people who have their heads down and mouths shut connect with the cops?
Witnesses are afraid to speak out to cops, because the murderers will go after them. From where I sit, the thugs have the power.
Today in the SF Chronicle, there is another story of how everyone knows who shot a 16 year old, but no witness will come forward.
I’m for gun control, social programs, education, outreach, I vote for every prop that supports these. (haven’t seen one for gun control). Do the programs exist? How do we get in there and do something? It sounds pretty trite, but how the hell do we save the children?
It is a beautiful gorgeous cool sunny radiant day today. I walked by the lake to the Farmers Market, which was brimming with people, kids, produce, great eats, drummers, crafts. People there just soaking it up like sponges, laying in the grass, sitting on the walls, kids splashing in the fountains. I bought bread, tomatos, drank coffee. I'm so thankful I have this, but it's impossible to push away what exists.
I don’t know the long history in detail and all the stats. I am absolutely clueless as to what could save future lives, how to lift people up. I'm reluctant to speak up, even to write here. I think that people are unable to let go of the history. I think there are some very powerful influential people here (not politicians) that can affect some change. I don’t know if all the posts and words are going to lead to something; but I'm paying attention and trying to sense where and if I have a part.
There was a small group that claimed Lovell Mixon as a hero. I'm pretty certain the majority do not feel this, but it was hard to acknowledge. Did the media by reporting it, escalate the tensions? I don't know. I think the way the media reports the daily news is almost a joke.
Some say that every life is valuable, but I don’t feel compassion for Mixon; he was a grown man who brutally murdered 4 men who were cops and may have raped several children; the cops would have gotten him off the street. I don’t understand the thought that he killed them cause he didn’t want to go back to prison and that is noble? He belonged there. If I consider him as child I feel something more; but he wasn’t.
I think Johannes Mehserle should be held accountable for murder. He did it. But when a very peaceful protest turned stupidly violent by participants with different agendas, the statement was diluted to just another senseless violent night in Oakland.
I don’t condone police brutality;. I would guess that over the years, and still, it’s frightening to be a cop and be patrolling these neighborhoods where kids kill kids, men kill kids, kids kill men. The community is killing each other and anyone else who gets in the way. I imagine it’s terrifying to live there; head down, mouth shut. I try to get how people feel there is a war between the black community and the cops, but does everyone feel that way, or only those breaking the law? If the gang members are killing each other and whoever gets in the way, then how does the cop become part of the war? How do the people who have their heads down and mouths shut connect with the cops?
Witnesses are afraid to speak out to cops, because the murderers will go after them. From where I sit, the thugs have the power.
Today in the SF Chronicle, there is another story of how everyone knows who shot a 16 year old, but no witness will come forward.
I’m for gun control, social programs, education, outreach, I vote for every prop that supports these. (haven’t seen one for gun control). Do the programs exist? How do we get in there and do something? It sounds pretty trite, but how the hell do we save the children?
It is a beautiful gorgeous cool sunny radiant day today. I walked by the lake to the Farmers Market, which was brimming with people, kids, produce, great eats, drummers, crafts. People there just soaking it up like sponges, laying in the grass, sitting on the walls, kids splashing in the fountains. I bought bread, tomatos, drank coffee. I'm so thankful I have this, but it's impossible to push away what exists.
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no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 02:28 pm (UTC)I've known a fair number of policeman in my life, mostly due to my involvement with youth sports. A few were neighbors. In most cases they're regular guys, family men, doing a job most of us would not consider. They care about the community.
Then there are the others. Some men were wired to be agressive and the badge gives them the power to act on it. They seek job for that reason. There was one man in particular, in my home town back east, that scared the crap out of me. He was a racist goon with many on the job complaints.
Those few cops drive a wedge between the police and community no good police work can dislodge. On mean streets the uniform becomes a symbol of the worst offenders and the people assume the guy wearing it can't be trusted. He gets no benefit of doubt and must earn trust.....while dealing with the community's worst people. Not an easy task.
The thugs that run those neighborhoods have no problem convincing the 'regular people' they cannot trust the police. They keep their mouth shut because they have no one to trust. Will the police protect them should they inform?
The radicals are the worst. They use hateful rhetoric to inflame the masses, turning simmering distrust and resentment into protest and violent action.
Let's hope Oakland avoids similar incidents in the near future. You don't need an escalation.