What are your thoughts on the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the protests, the riots, everything going in on the US right now?

[forefortifive]

36 minutes ago, iAlwaysSingLive said:

See how far calling everyone racist gets you. Bye.

See how far you're concerned with being called a racist vs actual racism.

[redacted statement]

26 minutes ago, aspireone said:

See how far you're concerned with being called a racist vs actual racism.

People can be concerned about multiple things at once.

[forefortifive]

2 hours ago, iAlwaysSingLive said:

People can be concerned about multiple things at once.

Actual racism that's been happening for centuries, and the specific intance of police brutality  causing the ****** of someone from the very oppressed black community>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>you're fear of being called a racist.

 

 

 

But sure, go on and make this specific instance of raising awareness of racism and police brutality be about YOURSELF and you're fear of being called racist.

 

[britney_rocks]

20 hours ago, DonoDotto said:

Before I write my essay @JordanMillerId just like to point out the difference in tone between a more respectful political thread like this thread, as opposed to your "Trump the monster dump fire" threads. Youve written about not wanting this place to turn into Exhell again while simultaneously, perhaps unknowingly, being partially responsible for creating the toxic environment that fosters Exhell. If you yourself dont practice what you preach, nobody else will respect or practice what you preach.

Anyways, heres a great opportunity for me to write out all my thoughts on this subject and see what I actually think overall. This is more for myself than for anyone else to read, not expecting people to read through an entire essay...

My Thoughts by DonoDotto

I think youd be hard pressed to find a single person who is genuinely not disgusted or disturbed by the video of the cop choking a man to death. Virtually everyone agrees that it is horrific and outrageous. I think its dishonest when people pretend that someone not supporting aspects of the public's reaction to the video is equivilant to them not supporting justice for George Floyd, for example:

I think something very important to note, which so many people dont even take into account, is that white and other races in the US are victims of police brutality as well. In fact, white people make up a majority of victims of police brutality in the US.

Yet for some reason, its only seen as relevant by the public when a black person is the victim.

Black people are more likely to be victims of police brutality on a "percentage of US population" - "percentage of victims of police brutality by race" ratio.

There could be an endless number of reasons why this is the case. Not everything comes down to racism.

And its important to acknowledge that there are a plethora of instances where police force is necessary and justified- even when the result is unfortunately deadly. 

But for every black person unjustifiably killed by a policeman, how many white people unjustifiably killed by a policeman is the public entirely ignoring simply because it doesnt fit into the "cops hate blacks" talking point? 

The fact that the general public only seems to care about a victim of police brutality when they can [seemingly] blame the death on racism discounts from the legitimacy and universality of the cause they purport to be advocating for. If "black lives matter" was a subsection of a more widespread "hold police accountable" movement, then "black lives matter" would, without a doubt, have far more supporters.

Contrary to what many mistaken and misled people seem to believe, the past few paragraphs describe what most people mean when they say "all lives matter". No doubt the vast majority of people using that phrase are not the hateful, racist monsters that many BLM supporters have made them out to be. You just havent given them the benefit of the doubt insofar as to even listen to them before judging and labelling them. You wrongly assume they are entirely discounting every aspect of your cause simply because they are not in agreement with some or many aspects of it.

I happen to believe that nothing short of being physically attacked is enough to justify violence or rioting. My ancestors and my people were the victims of rioting and pogroms for centuries simply on account of their being "Jewish". Their livlihoods destroyed, many of their lives taken. For centuries. In dozens of countries around the world.

Rioting is an expression of the most barbaric and indecent aspects of mankind. It is indiscriminate, excessive, merciless, and therefore unquestionably unjustified.

Justice is "an eye for an eye", not "an eye for everyone's eyes and ears and legs, even and especially countless completely innocent people who had nothing even remotely to do with what happened".

The amount of people negatively affected and hurt by these riots will likely number in the hundreds of thousands/millions. In what world does one person's outrage justify the hurting of another innocent human being? Those trying to justify such cruel actions are in need of some serious soul searching. Ive read lots of people saying "theyre doing it because theyre hurting". Even if that were the case, one person's hurt never justifies the hurting of another completely unrelated person.

Blocking streets can and does kill. There are countless incidents of ambulances and police cars not arriving in time to save people because the roads were being blocked by protestors (not necessarily in the recent protests, but in road-blocking protests in general). Who gave supposed protestors the right and authority to even potentially decide who lives or dies?

Furthermore, the second an incident like this occurs, the entire "protest" loses any ounce of legitimacy it may have ever had:

In what world is it justified or okay for a mob to lynch a human being? Moreover, the hypocrisy of people supposedly protesting against police violence turning around and lynching a human being cannot even be described with words.

Youre protesting against people arbitrarily deciding who is worthy of living or dying while arbitrarily deciding who is worthy of living or dying yourselves? A man's life was taken. In a protest against that, there are those who find it appropriate to take more lives? The savagery and injustice exhibited here is equally as disturbing as the case that spurred the movement to begin with. 

Will this person be commemorated or remembered (if he was killed)? Will the entire world know his name? Will the entire world be equally as outraged at a man being lynched to death? 

Since it doesnt fit the agenda of certain powerful and influencial people- the answer to those questions is unfortunately a firm "no". And I find that absolutely despicable.

In conclusion, Id just like to bring up a point that I find worthy of mentioning in this context.

In general, during corona, "stay at home" is synonymous with the left, and "reopen" is synonymous with the right.

The difference between people's reactions and judgements regarding something they support as opposed to something they dont support is both astounding and very telling:

People who wanted nothing more than to provide for their families, survive, and not fall into an endless downward spiral in life were branded by millions with nasty names such as "grandma and grandpa killers", "flat earthers", "murderers", "right wing nut jobs".

For countless people, returning to normal or reopening is a matter of life and death for a plethora of reasons- whether it be earning money to pay for their prescriptions, or staying afloat and not living on the street, or putting food in their families' mouths. Not to mention that hundreds of suicides are occuring as a result of the hopeless predicament many have found themselves in.

Now that theres a cause that the people who were trashing the "reopen" demonstrators support, all of a sudden corona has become nonexistent. Social distancing is irrelevant. Mass gatherings is irrelevant. The inevitable results that mass riots and protests will have on the spread of Covid-19 is immeasurable, yet people are silent- because this cause they support, while the other cause they hate for no reason more than because it's associated with the right.

The hypocrisy, the tone-deafness, the lack of self-awareness, and the silence revolving around it all is sickening. I pray that tons of people will start taking a good look in the mirror from now on, if not now then 1 or 2 or 5 years from now.

That is all for now.

Give this man a medal, and a job here at exhale so we can at least have in unbiased point of view. Looking at you Jordan. 

[Greek_Fan]

Hey guys. I’m looking for a photoshopped photo of the cop that killed George Floyd with the head of ******

Saw it on Instagram and can’t find it since then

Any help? 

[forefortifive]

5 hours ago, britney_rocks said:

Give this man a medal, and a job here at exhale so we can at least have in unbiased point of view. Looking at you Jordan. 

unbiased point of view = I have an ******* opinion.

 

Sorry, but racism has caused centuries of violence against the oppressed IN PROTECTION OF THR POWERFUL.

I repeat, CENTURIES

Protests and Rioting are MORE THAN JUSTIFIED at this point.

Protests and Rioting was justified During the stonewall riots giving rise to Pride, and it is justified with the plight of the black community

[GMFlop]

This protest is no longer about BLM but terrorists using BLM as an excuse to cause terror in the country. But of course a lot of people are too blind to see that. 

[forefortifive]

2 minutes ago, GMFlop said:

This protest is no longer about BLM but terrorists using BLM as an excuse to cause terror in the country. But of course a lot of people are too blind to see that. 

As opposed to the Terrorism brought by the US, especially the US police to the black community?

To the Terrorism the US has brought all over the world with most impacted being POC?

 

A lot of people are too blind to see that? This THING you're talking abou is the narrative being pushed by maimstream media, by CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Breitbart etc. It's what the elite wants to be established as the status quo. It's what the most powerful man on earth wants to push as.

This kind of rhetoric of protest losing its purpose and just being an excuse to cause terror has been a rhetoric in the 60s, the 30s etc.

And yet, the Terror by the police are just..... Ignored huh

[Britney'sFrappuccino]

Well as Noam Chomsky said, ANTIFA is a gift to the far right. When it comes down to violent protests, the more ruthless side historically wins. More ruthless side= right wing. He said you can't blame black people for being frustrated but all the white people joining in...I guess they are disenfranchised and sad but still...

Also, the sexism of protesting for the men while the women hardly get a mention. I hope Jacob Blake's victim does not drop her case.

[CaulkDestroyer]

How can you be "respectful and thoughtful" Jordan when there are people on both ends being ******** for what they believe? I know you want this to be a forum that can do both but in these times, I think it's  blind hope and not realistic. I'm afraid to speak up because I love this forum. It's fun, pop music and celebs. Once politics come in, we either start hating each other or the thread gets locked, so what's the point? You seem super liberal democrat, so why would you bait any other party to express themselves when you've been pushing your agenda on the main page the whole time?    @Jordan Miller 

[fays1]

I fully support BLM so ill only talk about what I disagree with them on.

1) Stop talking about anarchy and socialism. Stop using BLM to promote socialism and anarchy. If you want the majority of the country to support you and actually create change, you should remove politics from it. Not because im against socialism, I actually do kinda support it, but strategically its stupid to link BLM with it.

2) Yes white privilege exist, but stop using it as a way to shut up people and shame them.

[PuertoRicosFinest]

George Floyd died of a deadly dose of Fentanyl in his system.  He was yelling “I can’t breathe” before he was even put on the ground.  The media knew this and held back that footage that was later released after the riots.  Black people are being gaslighted into thinking what they see in movies is real.  Blacks kill blacks more than any other race.  They kill every other race more too.  Time to face the facts. **** your feelings.

[LFurbish89]

Y'all are WILD. Anyone read the articles this week about the gender reveal party that sparked widespread fires in California?
A white couple celebrating themselves have caused more property damage than all BLM protests combined. 

I guess being a Britney fan and being ignorant aren't mutually exclusive. Sad.

[GMFlop]

This thread aged so well...

[Michaelgiftos]

I have mixed feelings on all of it honestly. I support the message of the movement at the core and support the right to protest. Being half black I had the talk growing up about the way I had to act if ever in a situation with police, and I’m sure I will do the same with my kids one day. But at the same time, I feel as if the looting and violence in these cities is doing nothing to help, if anything it just destroys our cities, economies, businesses, and discredits the importance of the movement. 

[PuertoRicosFinest]

BLM new slogan should be: “Why is the grass greener on your side?!” 

[Britney'sBish]

Here's what I'm going to say on the issue.

We have gay rights thanks to the protests at Stonewall.

So I'm definitely not against protests or riots.

 

However targeting stores and looting is stupid.

Standing in the middle of the road and blocking traffic is stupid, I don't feel bad for anyone getting run over.

They should be targeting police precincts, court houses, mayor's offices, and congress to actually get the point across.

 

Things need to change with the Police Force and there needs to be far stricter qualifications.

Those with anxiety disorders, PTSD, or any mental health issues should automatically be excluded.

A degree should be a requirement.

Those who served in the military should NOT automatically get preferential treatment.

Any officer found to be in violation of the law they swore an oath to uphold should automatically face a double penalty for said crime, and banned from any Police work in the country.

 

Any judge found giving out harsher penalties for the same crime based on one's skin color should be ousted immediately, and banned from service anywhere else in the country.

[Puppy]

44 minutes ago, Britney'sBish said:

Here's what I'm going to say on the issue.

We have gay rights thanks to the protests at Stonewall.

So I'm definitely not against protests or riots.

 

However targeting stores and looting is stupid.

Standing in the middle of the road and blocking traffic is stupid, I don't feel bad for anyone getting run over.

They should be targeted police precincts, court houses, mayor's offices, and congress to actually get the point across.

 

Things need to change with the Police Force and there needs to be far stricter qualifications.

Those with anxiety disorders, PTSD, or any mental health issues should automatically be excluded.

A degree should be a requirement.

Those who served in the military should NOT automatically get preferential treatment.

Any officer found to be in violation of the law they swore an oath to uphold should automatically face a double penalty for said crime, and banned from any Police work in the country.

 

Any judge found giving out harsher penalties for the same crime based on one's skin color should be ousted immediately, and banned from service anywhere else in the country.

Exactly, I'm all about equal rights and heck as an Asian american, I too experienced racism but I'm not gonna use that to start being political and go on a violent rampage because I'm just angry and need to find a way to vent out my feelings which I feel is what most people are doing hench why riots happen. Imagine if the Britney fans did this for freebritney, would anyone take us seriously? or worst it's gonna reflect badly on her and make the situation worst just like what the protestors are doing, 

[Britneylandia]

I’ll just say that the “right wing” is disgusting in every country. 

[setlimitations]

On 6/1/2020 at 3:51 PM, JustWendy said:

 

Kellyanne, why are you pretending like you have not seen the thousands of police brutality videos against black folks and their allies from *these* riots alone?

The white people who infiltrated the protests damaging public and private property? Policemen destroying their own cars? And white supremacists trying to instigate fear and chaos while carrying assault weapons, intimidating BLM protesters?

Have you not seen Fox News and pro-nationalist media alike trying to normalize the "accidental" killing of George Floyd? Of course you have. And you agree with them.

As as you have seen seen protesters peacefully chanting "don't shoot"... and then getting shot. Some peaceful protesters are getting their masks pulled down and getting pepper sprayed right in their eyes. Some cops are dressing like protesters and trying to incite violent action. We've all seen it because thank God, everyone has a camera in their phones. Your racist president and his racist totalitarian policies, which you're low-key trying to normalize with fancy talking, is advocating for the killing of these people, who just want to stop getting ******** in the street, kinda like that one country he always *****es about.

Riots happen for a reason. Yes, destruction is bad, but sometimes violence is necessary for change.  

Focusing on the looters is the racist conservative media's strategy to condemn the movement as a whole. Stonewall had looters too, but now gay rights are taken seriously. ****, the Boston tea party destroyed the goods of businesses, and that got you a country.

But sure Kellyanne, you keep doing your whataboutism. It's so appalling it's almost funny.

PS: I'm glad your like-minded friends are supporting your posts. At leas now we can single you all out. 

 

I am a new member here, but supported his post.  I understand your point and his point as well...however, being from the city where Breonna Taylor #SAYHERNAME was ******** and seeing how bad the looting and protesting has actually gotten, my thought is that there has to be a better way.   But when you think about it, after so much time (meaning black history in the US in general), what really can be the better way?  It is honestly a scary feeling not knowing if you are going to make it to work safely, and home safely because of the protests, road blocking,  and riots. The same as it is scary for an african american to get pulled over just for their skin color.   I guess what i am trying to say is that it is not so black & white (literally and figuratively speaking),  everyone needs to look at it as a whole.  We have to understand also that there are peaceful protestors protesting for the right reasons, and the ones who  only join in the protesting in order to have a reason to steal (black and white protestors).  How do we differentiate between them and their purpose for being there?  I am 100% a #BLM supporter, but I shouldn't fear for my life just getting to work and back, just like they shouldn't fear for their life just for the color of their  skin.  From what I gathered from his post he is saying that one injustice doesn't make another injustice ok "two wrongs don't make a right".