It's one thing to be vigilant of strange or unrecognized people in your neighborhood. But when the only thing making them "suspicious" is the fact that they're black and you don't recognize them, things can quickly go south. Literally. As in, the way things were for generations in the notoriously, racially prejudice, bigoted south, birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan.
But what about when the same attitude that birthed hate groups like the KKK are still seen on display, in this day? Despite all the talk of progress and change, the truth is, there are many whites harboring deep fear and hatred of black men. It manifests itself in different ways at different times, but it's all too real.
It's actually the exact same mindset held by self appointed neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, the night he decided to needlessly escalate a harmless situation, leading to the death of a young man who didn't deserve to die.
On Monday when Jennifer Mays posted on a Bowleys Quarters neighborhood Facebook page that she'd seen three black men walking in the street, she probably had no idea how far things would go.
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| Comments like this always seem to get thumbs up from white racists. |
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| No category for violent, hateful, white racist. |
Commenter Rob Bartosch, said they should just be shot. After all, they were black weren't they? And you know how these things go. One minute they're walking in the street, the next thing you know, they're raping your infant grand children.I'm not sure if we should be surprised by this kind of logic from a man who appears to be a school teacher. Always illuminating to learn more about the kind of people put in charge of educating and molding young minds. Wonder what he teaches his children?
But Bartosch wasn't alone in suggesting a "shoot first ask questions later" solution.
Wild Dogs Come In Packs
Mark Wodarski chimed in as well: "only way to resolve the issue is just shoot em." Adding, "I'm always ready for them fuckers." Note, at this point it's not clear just what the issue is, but apparently Mark already has the perfect solution.Craig Stitley defended the notion of shooting black men for walking in the street. Referring to having a right to defend yourself from "threats." Again, no one has pointed out even in the slightest what sort of threatening or criminal behavior the young men might have been displaying, but we see white fright is in full effect.
And you thought ISIS were the only uncivilized savages?As we speak, these individuals are a part of our community. Living, working and shopping alongside us, harboring homicidal thoughts towards young black men.
Yes white people we hear you. Yes white America we hear you. Yes white people living in the Baltimore area we hear you. This is how so many of you speak when you think you're alone among yourselves and you think no one else will know.
It's your freedom to freely express yourself. It's also our freedom to put you out there when you do, and let the world know. No one should be ashamed for how they feel. Say it loud, say it proud!
Stitley even referred to going after the black men as "hunting." Because after all, that's what you do with animals isn't it?
Who's To Blame For The Hate That Hate Made?
Reading through many of the other comments as seen on the attached screenshots, it clear there's a strong element of fear. Most of it was already there, but some of it can be seen stirring up as a mild hysteria begins to grip the group.This is the same way things happen to a black defendant in the criminal justice system. The worse, most exaggerated fears are stirred up, even when there's no evidence or foundation in reality for such. White people often think the worse of black men.
Is it sad that there are still so many thinking this way today? Perhaps. But it's reality. A reality black men like myself have to live with and face each and everyday.
At times this thinking extends itself to potential employment situations.
Before we're even hired, before our true qualifications and experience is considered, we're often given a demerit because we're black. The thinking witnessed in this neighborhood exchange is prevalent in boardrooms, at cocktail parties, and in patrol cars from coast to coast.
I'll never forget the first time, as a young black man, simply walking home from work late one night, when I was stopped at gunpoint by a police man asking me where I was going. Yes, at gunpoint! For what? Walking.
Never mind I had a job, something so many whites accuse us of not wanting. Each time you're subject to a false arrest or trumped up charge, even if you should beat it, it makes your prospects for future or continued employment that much harder. But racially prejudice white people don't want to know about that. It's far easier to simply say there's a whole bunch of us that are unemployed. Never mind the complex reasons why. Who cares!
It is beyond the scope of this article to list all of the great many cases of people shot and killed, for no other reason than walking while black. The denialists and apologists will take the lack of citation for ammunition, but their chosen ignorance will not obscure the truth of what's happened far too many times.
Unfortunately, even in 2015, way too many black men, though they now live, because of white hate, are themselves future dead men walking.
Occasional media critic, researcher, independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government under the guise of law enforcement. Although closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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