This is my challenge to those in power, white, or black, If you don't agree with how people react to oppression, instead of giving them labels, GIVE THEM JUSTICE!
PR
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
The New N-Word.
Thug! President Obama said it, and Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings said it. But I notice that this word is exclusively applied to young Black men and women. But is it fair to characterize young people who are the effect reacting to a cause? Young Black people who are tired of being ignored and marginalized, and brutalized with impunity? What amazes me is the fact that the perpetrators in uniform who murder black men without probable cause are NEVER referred to as "thugs". But since the beginning of time Black people who have stood up and protested peacefully or otherwise have always been demonized. Sometimes by other Black people who did not agree with their methods.
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Yes, I believe that the people who are setting fires, looting and causing other damage are THUGS, with a capital T. They appear to be caught up in the moment--they don't give a hoot, nor a holler, about Freddie Gray. There are peaceful demonstrators in Baltimore--they are the ones for whom I have respect. They are the ones who will get the attention of the city fathers--not these thugs or hoodlums. Yes, the young people are "reacting", but they are, in my opinion, going about it in the wrong way--if a National Guardsman or a Police Officer shoots one of them--will there be an outpouring of empathy? Not sure that I could empathize with someone stealing or vandalizing or causing fires.
ReplyDeleteNO. I don't empathize with those who are committing crimes. But what we must understand that to those who are on the outside looking in there is no differentiation between peaceful protesters and looters. To them each an every one of them are "thugs". Not everyone in that crowd deserves a negative label.
DeleteAre you saying that not everyone in the crowd of looters and vandals deserve negative labels? Why not? We are, as my grandmother said, known by the company we keep. This is not Hurricane Katrina where people were breaking into grocery stores--after all, people had to eat and feed their children--no problem there for me. There was also a young man who stole a bus and picked up others enroute to who-knows-where--no problem there for me. However, there were other people who were breaking into electronic stores and carrying out TVs bigger than they were--they were thugs--in fact, some of them were gang leaders--and they couldn't even hook up the TVs because there was no electricity. (?) Pure thug. As far as thug being the new "n" word--I NEVER call my people that word. However, many of them--young and old--refer to themselves in that manner. I'm not one of them.
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm saying that those who are NOT involved in the lawlessness are being perceived as being a part of the "bad" crowd
ReplyDeleteWe can tell the difference because we try to, most people do not! From what I've seen the word thug is being applied the same way the the N word is in reference to the same people. Not your intention, but others seem to have a venemous application of the word
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