Ferguson Anonymous

[Mighty AC]

Maybe the Black citizens of Ferguson might consider doing something even more extreme if they want changes, like say, voting.

There is some truth to that statement. I'd like to see why a black suburb is being systematically mistreated by a white government. Why aren't the majority voting? I think this would make an excellent documentary subject for a Morgan Spurlock type.

[Hal 9000]

There is some truth to that statement. I'd like to see why a black suburb is being systematically mistreated by a white government. Why aren't the majority voting? I think this would make an excellent documentary subject for a Morgan Spurlock type.

Assuming they are. Having a police car slow down and tell people to get off the road is not really mistreatment. Police do that all the time, I've had it happen to me.

I think the initial contact was probably innocent, I think Wilson soon suspected something and I think Brown overrated - then all hell broke loose.

[Mighty AC]

Assuming they are. Having a police car slow down and tell people to get off the road is not really mistreatment. Police do that all the time, I've had it happen to me.

I think the initial contact was probably innocent, I think Wilson soon suspected something and I think Brown overrated - then all hell broke loose.

They charged a man with damaging government property for bleeding on uniforms while he was being beaten by multiple officers. They are on tape threatening to shoot protesters. The public reports long standing issues with respect, mistreatment and condescension. Argus makes the point that some of this could be resolved if more of the black community voted. I think there is some truth to this, but I'd like to know what is stopping them from voting and why nobody is trying to tap into this community for political gain.

Also going back to the OP, one of the demands made by Anonymous was the creation of laws to ensure situations like this are dealt with judiciously and uniformly across the nation. Even if a community isn't voting in their best interest (90% or more of Repubs for example) laws should be in place to ensure police forces are there to serve and protect, not intimidate and control. When the cops cross the line we need to know that they aren't being investigated by their friends. So despite their questionable style, some of the Anonymous demands are necessary and will be beneficial.

[Hal 9000]

They charged a man with damaging government property for bleeding on uniforms while he was being beaten by multiple officers. They are on tape threatening to shoot protesters. The public reports long standing issues with respect, mistreatment and condescension. Argus makes the point that some of this could be resolved if more of the black community voted. I think there is some truth to this, but I'd like to know what is stopping them from voting and why nobody is trying to tap into this community for political gain.

Also going back to the OP, one of the demands made by Anonymous was the creation of laws to ensure situations like this are dealt with judiciously and uniformly across the nation. Even if a community isn't voting in their best interest (90% or more of Repubs for example) laws should be in place to ensure police forces are there to serve and protect, not intimidate and control. When the cops cross the line we need to know that they aren't being investigated by their friends. So despite their questionable style, some of the Anonymous demands are necessary and will be beneficial.

Without sounding racist (which I'm not), the black community embraces the culture of aggression and intimidation. You see it everywhere from the poorest inner city people to the NBA/NFL players to the biggest hip hop stars like Fiddy, Snoop, Diddy. Changes in the black community have to begin in the black community.

As the cop said last night, the police reacted to what was happening on the streets - these protesters were shooting at each other for christ sakes.

[guyser]

Without sounding racist (which I'm not), the black community embraces the culture of aggression and intimidation.

Yes well....one could have a field day with the old " Im not racist because...."

But you do step in it when you say as much above , then reference

Snoop.

Have you any idea of this guy?

Who could he harm, intimidate, harass? 5 year olds?

[Hal 9000]

Yes well....one could have a field day with the old " Im not racist because...."

But you do step in it when you say as much above , then reference Have you any idea of this guy?

Who could he harm, intimidate, harass? 5 year olds?

We can speak on the culture of the police force, but to question the black community is off limits? Maybe this is part of the problem.

Have a look at the shootings over a long weekend in Chicago and tell there isn't a problem.

[Wilber]

No one will listen to Anonymous demands and they will not be benificial. It amazes me that the same people are willing to accept the same kind of conduct they are accusing the police of, from a group that is completely anonymous. A cyber Star Chamber in fact.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Wilber

[guyser]

We can speak on the culture of the police force, but to question the black community is off limits?

How did you come to that conclusion? Did someone else say something?

[Hal 9000]

How did you come to that conclusion? Did someone else say something?

It's pretty obvious. Do you disagree?

[Mighty AC]

We can speak on the culture of the police force, but to question the black community is off limits? Maybe this is part of the problem.

They seem to be questioning the black community quite a bit.

Ferguson Stats

Black Population - 63% yet they account for:

86% of police stops

92% of police searches

93% of all arrests

However, despite more blacks being stopped and arrested, more whites are caught with contraband.

Contraband was found 22 percent of the time when the driver was black and 34 percent when the driver was white. - http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-stops-in-ferguson-what-are-the-numbers/article_012cf751-9cec-5733-8025-09e03abb9d86.html

For me the most problematic stat is having a 90% white police force in a community that is two thirds black. Poverty is a more accurate predictor of crime than race. Maybe blacks make up the vast majority of the low SES population and as a result should account for most of the stops, searches and arrests. If this is the case, then the appearance of institutionalized racism could be minimized by having a police force that more closely resembles the racial demographics of the community.

Edited August 19, 2014 by Mighty AC

[Big Guy]

...

Poverty is a more accurate predictor of crime than race.

...

I agree. I think a large part of the unrest and initial rioting is poverty.

“Still, St. Louis’ 20 percentage point gap between the unemployment rate of African Americans and white Americans is the largest of any city in America, according to the Census. So, the fact that protests against the treatment of black Americans have erupted there is not a coincidence.”

http://fortune.com/2014/08/15/ferguson-income-inequality/

[Mighty AC]

I agree. I think a large part of the unrest and initial rioting is poverty.

“Still, St. Louis’ 20 percentage point gap between the unemployment rate of African Americans and white Americans is the largest of any city in America, according to the Census. So, the fact that protests against the treatment of black Americans have erupted there is not a coincidence.”

Interesting article. So the question is why is there a 20% gap between white and black employment? Is it racism or could it be a skills shortage for low SES areas? If it's the latter, I'm sure training programs are far cheaper and more effective at breaking the cycle of poverty than filling the jails and arming the police to the hilt.