See, the system works!

[sabotabby]

A bunch of white people have absolved themselves of any wrongdoing. The going value of black lives has been reconfirmed—which is to say, non-existent. You can kill a dog and face more legal scrutiny than cops who kill black children. And another black child is dead for holding a BB gun. It's fucking open season.

American police have killed 996 people this year. If a street gang did this, we'd consider it a pressing concern. But these guys get paid by your taxes and called heroes so it's okay.

There's a thing at the American consulate at 6 tonight. Guess I'll go. I'm feeling pretty disheartened at the moment.

Comments

[smhwpf.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

As disgraceful as it is predictable.

In situations like these, rioting seems an entirely reasonably response.

[sabotabby]

I think property destruction and targeted violence are absolutely ethically justified. Pragmatically, I think both are a terrible idea. They're going to bust out the whole military-industrial apparatus to make sure that the protesters know their place.

[eyelid.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's anything useful or good about rioting. Busting up a random business-in one's own neighborhood, no less- does nothing to punish bad cops/prosecutors.

But I also don't think the rioting has anything to do with the problems here- or that it's anything like as bad as institutionally-protected murder.

[sabotabby]

I think if there hadn't been riots, or the threat of riots, it wouldn't have gotten to the point of being brought before a grand jury. But at this point, it's just going to get people killed.

[begundan.livejournal.com]

I think property destruction and targeted violence are absolutely ethically justified.

I especially enjoy when utterances like this come from people who in real life wouldn't touch a fly and are demonstrably capable of affection, compassion and mercy. I wonder why some people can't comprehend how top Nazi officials (let's cut straight to Godwin, shall we) could love their children and design genocides at the same time. It seems to me perfectly within the realm of human capacity.

[kryss-labryn.livejournal.com]

I fail to see how you've addressed her comment you've quoted...

[begundan.livejournal.com]

I'm not fond of people who call for violence without being able to execute it or fully feel its effects. Actual bullies and thugs at least have a good gut feeling about the business and its possible scenarios and repercussions. They can do some local damage, but that's about it. But those who call for violence from behind a keyboard out of theoretical considerations are responsible for much of the bloodbath that the twentieth century has been. I used to think that lefty blogs were all fun and games -- well, I still do -- but nowadays I am inclined to think that I would swiftly flee a country in which sabotabby has taken over the means of production.

[frandroid.livejournal.com]

I'll be there to show solidarity. If I have time I'll make a "STOP CARDING NOW" sign, and if I have even more time (hey, I just realized I have a cardboard box by my desk), the other side will say "FUCK RACIST POLICE". Hey, I have a black marker. Anything is possible...

[sabotabby]

I never know what to put on signs. I'll just show up and shiver; it's fucking cold. They've asked white people to STFU anyway.

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and you know they made this announcement at night hoping that they could stir up additional trouble to point out as justification. I hate this place so much.

[sabotabby]

The fact that they called in the National Guard before announcing the verdict—and then delayed for hours to build up tension and anger—says a lot.

[marlowe1.livejournal.com]

I feel like I should go to Ferguson. As a white guy I am less likely to get my ass kicked by the cops and there is less chance of tear gas. Hopefully this will mean mandatory cameras for police officers now so at least they have to defend what they do.

[sabotabby]

If I were anywhere close/didn't have to work, I'd go down and engage in some hardcore respectability politics.

As it is, I'm going to tonight's demo. They've asked that white people STFU, so I'll just be a presence there, but it's better than staying home, I guess.

[misslynx.livejournal.com]

On the rate of US police killings, this post from Jim C. Hines has some interesting stats comparing it to other countries... And on who gets killed the most. Which will surprise no one.

[sabotabby]

It's not surprising, but I have a thing for charts and graphs. They make things very apparent.