Ferguson, Janay Rice, Judgment

Hopefully people will read this and think, not just glance at the words, find something to get riled up over and start an uproar. Let's start with Ferguson. An unarmed black person was shot by an officer. No he didn't deserve to be shot because of the robbery at the store. We really don't know the whole story, forensics and objective evidence. Is it impossible to think everybody could wait until the Grand Jury hands down the decision? Will it bring back the dead man? Back when I was growing up in Phila. and surrounding suburbs it was common knowledge that you went to the hospital prior to being booked at the station. It didn't matter if you were black, white, green, or blue. I personally had a recent experience with an officer. Apparently I ignored a "no U turn" sign. While apologizing for not seeing the sign I was threatened with losing my license and being required to be re-certified (no I'm not 80 yrs. old.) I also accidentally touched the officers hand which was on the door of his car. He was on one side, I was on the other. I was threatened with being charged with assault on an officer. I'm not black or a person of color. I can certainly get behind any movement which is trying to put a stop to aggressive police practices, etc. By making it a racial thing, you muddy up the issue and lose many supporters. I see what protesters are doing. Maybe they aren't the majority. Then again, I didn't own any slaves and most people today have no close ties to slavery to be using that as justification for bad behavior. My children were fairly typical. One son received a speeding ticket on his way to school. As he walked back to his car he called the cop a "Pompous ass." Not a wise choice. He received four additional tickets for completely bogus reasons. Since he isn't a person of color, nobody came rushing out to claim racism. In fact, I explained to him he should learn not to be confrontational with an officer since they have the power to ruin and or kill you. Make a choice. Is you building your ego worth the possible consequences? The first point is, wrong is wrong and people of all races have to deal with this stuff daily. Next, why are parents teaching their children to have a chip on their shoulder when dealing with authority? Such guidance will probably lead to more trouble then its worth. Why give people ammunition to use against you? Act right, be courteous. You may still have issues but you maintain your personal integrity. In the end, that's all you can be sure of. Eventually others will realize YOU are not the problem and be willing to support you. Now Janay Rice and domestic violence. As much as the media claim they are not blaming her for what happened, they are. They are questioning her judgement and ability to make her own decisions. Janay says it was the first time she has been hit by her husband. Why won't people believe her? Have they seen her bloodied, bruised? No people should not hit other people because they are angry. Men and women should both be expected to keep that in mind. The NFL is full of super aggressive, super macho, hard hitting men. That is their culture. Now, let's say, as Janay told the commissioner, she spat on her husband during the argument. Then in the elevator she lunges toward him. Maybe it was reflex that he raised his fist and hit her. I'm not sure if the punch or her hitting her head on the rail knocked her out. Again, its not right for people to act that way toward people they love. Alcohol and emotion are a dangerous mix. He should not have hit her. He's obviously a strong man. But what if it was the first time and the alcohol reduced his judgement enough so reflex took over and ....boom. Now the media is saying Janay is brainwashed, doesn't know she's a victim, is protecting her abuser and coming to all sorts of unfounded conclusions and giving her unwanted advice. Let her know she has public support if she needs it and butt the hell out. By using her experience to advance your cause (which may be a good cause) is wrong. She didn't sign up for that and people should respect her decisions. Neither the public or the government should be minding your personal business to this degree. If any of my twitter followers read this I hope you have a better understanding of who I am and what I stand for. People make judgments daily about all types of things and people. They often base these judgments on incomplete information. We all have a responsibility to become informed about all things and people. As individuals we can only show by our actions what kind of people we are.

What Is Racial Equality for You?

First, I have to say, if I had been a slave back in the day I would be annoyed at the people today who are trying to get ahead using my hard work and life experience as an excuse for them getting something for nothing. Slavery was not invented by the Europeans who took natives back to America. Tribes within Africa sold there enemies (also black) to the Europeans. From back in Roman times and before, slaves were the norm. They built the pyramids, served the kings and nobility, entertained the masses in fights to the death, etc. Black people have no lock on slavery. Stop acting like because things were done wrong in the past you are entitled to a free pass for bad behavior because its your culture. This should be a a strategy, wrong is wrong no matter what your color, sexual orientation, religion, gender. If one group stopped acting like they were the only people being mistreated the country may find a way to unite and actually affect change. As long as one group feels they are they only people being mistreated there will be divisions in our country. That makes us all weaker and more vulnerable to any sector that can unite behind a common cause. If police are using force excessively they are not just doing it with black people. Trust me, I've seen it with all people. What is happening though is some want the retroactive compensation for all the wrongs committed against them at the cost of others rights. It doesn't seem to matter to some that many people are struggling. It only matter that one group gets what they want, no matter if innocent people pay for their advances. That causes resentment and the cycle repeats. To all the protesters is Ferguson I ask "What does racial equality mean to you?" What do you need to see or feel before you feel you are not being persecuted? Do you have any responsibility for spreading the negative image of Ferguson? Michael Jackson said, I'm starting with the man in the mirror. Maybe, just maybe we should all be looking at ways we, as individuals, can adjust our actions to make the world better for everyone. Don't be so self absorbed. In unity there is strength. At the rate things are going, we are doomed to destroy ourselves while fighting for personal victories.

Who's Who of Victims

    Yes both are victims.  Obviously Trayvon died.  That fact does not automatically lead you to the conclusion that George Zimmerman is the bad guy or maniac he has been portrayed as in the media.  If you look and listen to original statement and reports from immediately after officers arrived on the scene and yes, even the recording of the dispatcher, you should see how the story has changed.  It seems are more interested in sensationalism not fact finding.
      George Zimmerman's call to the police mentioned a suspicious black man.  He did not, as reported, use the "N" word but reporting he did got the fire started quickly.  He stated that these punks always get away.  He's right.  For whatever reason it seems by the time officers are able to respond to reports, the perpetrators are gone.  How many of us have witnessed a crime, called and waited thirty or more minutes for an officer to show up.  Perhaps George was only following the person to keep hm in sight and to be able to give the responding officer a chance to stop and question him.
      Of course for events to have unfolded differently everyone would have had to step back and been objective and not looking for a cause to rally around.  What disturbs me is the immediate branding of this incident as a hate crime and racial profiling.  That give the accuser the upper hand since the then accused has to fight on many different fronts.  I question why the father of Trayvon was permitted to speak to the girl who was talking to Trayvon on the phone prior to being questioned by the police.  Even people who originally saw things differently have since changed recollections.  Did they feel pressured by the forces calling for Zimmerman's head?
      I certainly do not feel Trayvon's family is overstating their loss.  They are grieving and want to find some value to the senseless death of a young man, their son.  The community however just wants blood.  They have no business being involved in any way aside from emotional support for the family.  It only adds to the sadness.  As long as people continue to add personal agenda to actual situations the problem will continue.  As long as you cannot trust the media to present objective reports people will be on the defense. 
     We should all care about the truth remembering we are not going to be right all the time and it may be the truth is somewhere in the middle.  It should  not be a winner take all mentality.  Everyone can win if truth prevails and we acknowledge mistakes but don't expect payment for the mistakes in perpetuity.