Yes, I hope those resources give you some ideas. I love sharing this stuff, haha. I hate that I dont' do it enough.
I want to join too! I'll buy it.
Black Lives Matter
- Thread starter gouis
- Start date
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
A crime reference number so I could claim the cost of a phone and a new Walkman back off my insurance company. That’s literally it in my entire lifetime...
jaycee
Well-Known Member
lol - i meant the royal we but point taken
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Haha! Yes that too. To be honest the first modern police force, the met in London, was set up in response to the particular set of circumstance that existed in the mid 19th century with the rapid industrialisation of the UK and the unprecedented population redistribution into rapidly growing cities that couldn’t accommodate it. Let’s be honest that does not exist anymore in the western world, we’ve gone through it. We really have to have a long hard look into how we prevent/investigate/punish crime and what even crime is. I don’t think it looks like most modern police forces.
Bull Shannon
Well-Known Member
This past week has been hard. Today feels the hardest. I’d consider myself especially leery of slacktivism; I know many people’s efforts start and end with their social media. I live in Portland; I’m very familiar with the idea that some people are more interested in looking virtuous than acting with virtue.
That said, it makes me really sad to see people turn on one another over the instagram blackout. Of all the days since last Monday, this has been the one where I’m most convinced nothing will change. If we focus on the people trying to do something and simply tell them they’re wrong…that just seems like what the cops want right now: infighting.
I’m half black. I pass as white. I don’t get hassled by cops or followed by shopkeepers, though I’ve seen both happen to my own dad, firsthand. I grew up in the white suburbs of Arizona, and had no connection to the black side of my family. People tell me I’m too white in my demeanor to possibly be “of color.” I have a really difficult relationship my with identity, and feel constantly pulled between polarities; some people would tell me I have no right to identify as a person of color, while others would say I’m shirking my responsibilities as a person of color by not speaking up more.
That said, it makes me really sad to see people turn on one another over the instagram blackout. Of all the days since last Monday, this has been the one where I’m most convinced nothing will change. If we focus on the people trying to do something and simply tell them they’re wrong…that just seems like what the cops want right now: infighting.
I’m half black. I pass as white. I don’t get hassled by cops or followed by shopkeepers, though I’ve seen both happen to my own dad, firsthand. I grew up in the white suburbs of Arizona, and had no connection to the black side of my family. People tell me I’m too white in my demeanor to possibly be “of color.” I have a really difficult relationship my with identity, and feel constantly pulled between polarities; some people would tell me I have no right to identify as a person of color, while others would say I’m shirking my responsibilities as a person of color by not speaking up more.
Teeeee
Well-Known Member
There are people who don't understand what #blackouttuesday is about. I don't think that means they are coming from a bad place. There are also people that are using it correctly. I've seen so many influencers using it correctly. And linking to resources and ways to donate. That can't be bad, can it?
For those that are not using it correctly, maybe we can kindly educate them?
And I have no problem with all the black tiles. I understand that it is diluting the #blacklivesmatter hashtag. So, again, let's educate why that is not helpful and steer people trying to do the right thing towards the correct way.
Educate.
For those that are not using it correctly, maybe we can kindly educate them?
And I have no problem with all the black tiles. I understand that it is diluting the #blacklivesmatter hashtag. So, again, let's educate why that is not helpful and steer people trying to do the right thing towards the correct way.
Educate.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
I mean...I got mugged for my iPod when I was in college but a policeman was nearby and caught the guy who did it. Other people were around and nobody helped out. My mom was held up at knifepoint at Grand Central Station when she was pregnant with me and a policeman was able to safely diffuse the situation. I understand that police have been given way too much power and suffer no consequences most of the time for their dangerous actions. And my experiences in no way represent the majority of what the police do and the abhorrent things a lot of them do. But that's why I asking what it should be replaced with as I am pretty unaware/uneducated in the entire subject. I'm looking forward to reading what @GritNGlitter recommended though! Downloaded The End of Policing and will start reading it tonight.
Dtknuckles
Well-Known Member
Primarily it’s about moving all that money that goes into policing into proactive things like access to housing and mental health support.
Edit: all that money that goes into war and policing could improve access to education as well.
dhodo
Well-Known Member
Can you explain what it is about to me?
I understand the points made by black artists (and others) I have seen who take issue with the top down industry created day rather well. I don't understand much about what it is supposed to be from the originators ("the industry"?) other than them not working or maybe not selling? I'm not even sure of that.
I agree that it isn't something to attack or get upset with people who are well meaning in their use of it, but I don't get it and I don't get how it helps. All of the people/companies, like VMP, who have used it as an excuse to make statements and donate money are obviously doing a good thing, but I still don't see what that has to do with the blackout other than being the same day.
Dtknuckles
Well-Known Member
I wrote in a project in grad school that school and the education system is the most universal government invention in all people’s lives. Imaging if at every school you had access to a social worker, MH counselor, lower student to teacher ratios, more opportunities to explore extra curricular activities. School sights could be built into the center piece of a community. I know it a pie in the sky idea. I’ve worked in poor schools in East LA next to section 8 housing and currently in one in a wealthy suburb. The difference is stark.
the one I work at now has 4 MH workers (including me) 3 academic counselors. For a school of 1600.
not so much in the East LA middle school I worked at. They had a lot more gang problems and poverty at that school.
you wonder why there is two different outcomes.
Also Ed is usually the first institution that faces cuts. It’s gonna happen in every state this year.
the one I work at now has 4 MH workers (including me) 3 academic counselors. For a school of 1600.
not so much in the East LA middle school I worked at. They had a lot more gang problems and poverty at that school.
you wonder why there is two different outcomes.
Also Ed is usually the first institution that faces cuts. It’s gonna happen in every state this year.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I understand that aspect of it--shifting a lot of resources to way more important things. I was more confused about entirely getting rid of any sort of police. I don't know of any nation that doesn't have any sort of police presence. Disarmed and demilitarized police, yes and I'm all for that, but can't think of any countries that have no police force.
Ed Selley
Active Member
I'm not going to lie, when I was held up at knifepoint many years ago, I was pretty fucking grateful that the Police turned up.
MikeH
Well-Known Member
I think the idea stems from a few things:
1) get rid of white noise, ads, etc and attempt to have all social media spotlight what is going on right now.
2) amplifying black voices and have everyone use their platform to post petitions, donation links and other important information to let people know how they can help out with the movement
It's sad, but interrupting social media is a way to get a lot of peoples' attention nowadays.
dhodo
Well-Known Member
I agree that companies should be respectful and stop pushing ads and stuff that seem tone deaf in this time, at least for this week. I hope they do it more than one day. Not sure what that really accomplishes other than not making them look like they don't care, though.
As for the second part, I guess I'm not the target demo, because I feel like that happened on the social media I participate in a few days ago. But if that isn't true for everyone and today helps someone living under a relative rock see more and be motivated to help, then that is great.
I still see how black artists are frustrated that it is coming from an industry that has very frequently preyed off of black artists instead of having their best interests at heart, though. I hope people see some of that message too.
Teeeee
Well-Known Member
First, thank you for asking! So many people are afraid to admit when they don't know something. But it's important to admit that, especially when it comes to BLM and race. The questions and discussions are how we all learn together.
I think Mike got it. It was to center black voices. To get rid of the food posts, the vacation posts, the stores, etc. To highlight black voices, causes, communities, art, etc.
I think it also makes a powerful visual statement. (As long as it doesn't dilute the BLM hashtag). I know that my nieces will grab their parents' phones and scroll through IG. I imagine lots of kids do. I'm also betting the kids seeing these tiles will prompt questions and discussions. That's a good thing.
I do not know all of the nuances so I'm going to research and learn more.
Here is the site:
#TheShowMustBePaused
www.theshowmustbepaused.com
BazookaTooth
Well-Known Member
as i have a soft spot for most somali things and the country generally, i was sad to read about this the day after it had happend and im so happy for this lady now.
Minneapolis seems to be such an important hub for Somalis and have a huge Somali community and this seems to be an important place.
www.gofundme.com
Minneapolis seems to be such an important hub for Somalis and have a huge Somali community and this seems to be an important place.
Donate to Save Mama Safia’s Kitchen, organized by Saida Hassan
Family and friends we need your help! Mama Safia opened her doors December 1, 2018 with little… Saida Hassan needs your support for Save Mama Safia’s Kitchen
MikeH
Well-Known Member
As to the 2nd part, I agree with ya. I had already seen a lot of videos and content about the protests and movement on my feed. But not everybody follows the same types of accounts. Other than that, it's mostly a shallow gesture it seems (not that it is bad that people are posting it using the appropriate hash tags)...which is why at least VMP donating $25k is more than just virtue signaling. But it does draw more attention to the cause and the hope is that people will actually use this to change, instead of just issuing some statement. As I mentioned earlier--actions speak louder than words. Companies should hire more POC in positions of power, give better royalties to artists, have better representation across the board in all roles, etc. It's not enough for companies to just post a black square and move on.
When I worked for the juvenile justice program in grad school, 80% of all children in a juvenile facility were black. In Louisiana, black people make up about 30% of the population. When we gave these children psychological exams, the white children (which only made up 20%) were SEVEN times more likely to score at significant on a trauma and mental instability than their black counterparts. We did extensive testing of our survey instruments to make sure they weren't biased towards white children and against black children. We found that these instruments were not biased, which leads to just one conclusion. White kids only get put in juvenile facilities when there are significant mental issues. Black kids get put into juvenile facilities because their families don't have the money to pay for justice. The juvenile facility make up here in LA is based largely on a racist system where justice is available for anyone that can pay for it. And the laws that these kids are popped on, like say, drug laws, are also largely set up to keep black and brown people in prisons.
I really think that we need to start with a review of our laws, specifically those that are applied unequally. Then we have to look first at the juvenile system, starting with judges that put black and brown children in prisons for offenses that they don't put white children in prison for. This is how children fall into the trap of the for profit prison system--which also should be abolished. The problem isn't the just police, they just happen to be the enforcement branch of this whole messed up, racist system.
I used to have a lot of police friends, and I know I was happy when they showed up after some dude broke a chair over my buddy's head. But then I don't know much about you, @MikeH, but I'm white, so that's the system also working in my favor. The anecdotes of some police doing what we prefer just aren't enough to validate a system built on oppression and suppression.
Because I also remember when a friend joined the SJPD because he sincerely wanted to give back to his community. One night he confessed to me that he wasn't racist enough to do the job as it's designed. He didn't suspect every Latino or black dude was up to something or carrying drugs. I was 25 and too stunned to do what I wish I had--implore him to quit. Up until that point I'd had some friends racially profiled, and I believed the "a few bad apples" idea. I still only understood racism as a personal feeling rather than a system of power. It didn't change my view of police and policing overnight, but it definitely opened my eyes and enabled me to more fully open my mind as I delved further into history, racism, policing, and social justice study.
jaycee
Well-Known Member
Just to be clear. I wasn't suggesting in my post whether the police are necessary or not.
The point was and is to consider why the police are needed? and to be clear why that need manifests itself / how the need is enforced and perpetuated? sorry i didn't make that clearer by posing the question.
I've been mugged multiple times. 48th and Baltimore in Philly. Broken Kneecap. In Pittsburgh growing up, got jumped. Concussion. Some meth-heads in Portland stealing shit from the Goodwill truck outside of my apt. in the middle of the night. Broken wrist. Last year a drunk guy almost ran over me in an intersection and when I cussed him out he got out and started a physical altercation with me.
Does that c.v. of crimes being committed against me (4 assaults in this case) explain the need for the police? or is it a manifestation of the system that the police are there to enforce and promote?
I don't know a definitive answer but the point of my original post was to consider "need" not what the police are there for?
and not that it's relevant to the question but the police have never intervened and helped me or my people in any way. in 2 of those 4 incidents when they became involved they did nothing