Agitator In Chief
On Twitter: @BaltoSpectator
"No notice is taken of a little evil, but when it increases it strikes the eye." ~ Aristotle
For decades incidents of crimes committed by cops and the ensuing cover ups that almost always comes with them, were largely relegated to the realm of urban legend and oral history in the black community. Everyone knew it happened on a frequent basis. If you were black and didn't find yourself on the receiving end, you probably were an eye witness. If not, you certainly knew others that were. America has a rich tradition of racist policing.
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| Many more faces could be added to this list. |
For a black person in America, there's just simply no escape of this painful fact.
Most people are unaware the first forces resembling an organized police department were actually slave patrols. Their purpose was never public safety, but rather to keep the niggers [escaped slaves] in their place. Back on the plantation. Just like it is now with the projects and other "black neighborhoods" of today.
The very roots of this country was built on an inherently racist foundation. The so-called majority [white people] never had a problem with their ilk enslaving and brutalizing black people. They didn't then and they sure as hell don't now.
It is for this reason all of the racial disparities, so well studied and documented, persisted for so long in America'a so called judicial system. And to this day continues to happen at a disturbing rate, and doesn't seem like it's going to stop.
Despite increased awareness and the ability to instantaneously search and find tons of examples, despite all the social media sharing, a lot of folk would be surprised to learn a majority of white Americans still believe there isn't racism anymore. They think discrimination in law enforcement and the courts is made up, make believe complaint. They say we're just whining.
Don't believe me? Take an informal poll of ALL of your white friends and family. Ask this simple question; do you believe black people are treated worse than white people by the police? If they're being honest, you'll see for yourself.
In my decades of keenly observing the American people, I've discovered for many, this country's racism is so prevalent, so deeply ingrained in the very fabric of our society, it seems normal. They've grown so used to it, they don't even realize it for what it is.
It's hard to say which is more troubling; the openly racist, backwards bigot, or the folk so conditioned they sincerely feel racism is no longer an issue.
Another category are those who find any discussion of race at all to be "racist." I find these most amusing.
Deep in their hearts, white Americans know black people have long been exploited, brutalized and abused. It's systemic. It's institutional. But thinking about this is very uncomfortable, much less having a frank, honest conversation about it.
It's for this reason, a person attempting to have an honest conversation on the subject is often met with harsh derision.
They come face to face with a reflexive, instinctive, knee jerk reaction of defensive deflection.
Our lack of the ability to keep it real with each other instead of insulting, invalidating or shutting each other down is at the heart of why we're not nearly as far as we should be by now.
Liberty and justice for all? Where? Here??? Sounds good. Maybe one day. I'm still waiting...
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"As long as I continue to breathe, as long as there's injustice in this world, I will use the voice that God has given me to speak against it."
-- James MacArthur
-- James MacArthur
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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