Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Lestat de Lioncourt · 06-23-2003, 12:39 PM

I never heard about this and it is completely news to me, so I figured it must be new news to others as well so here it is:

Race Riots in Benton Harbor:
Blacks Burn Their Own Town

Quote:

The citizens of Benton Harbor, over 90% of whom are black, responded to the death of a black, speeding, drug dealing, dangerous, fleeing-to-elude criminal who happened to be black by burning down homes and businesses, vandalizing cars, stabbing and shooting innocent people, and attacking firefighters who tried to put the fires out.

The mainstream media have also failed to report that the black rioters specifically targeted white drivers in the area and let blacks pass through unharmed. The rioters would shout "White! White!" and point to the offending vehicle, whereupon the black mob would trash the car, or the fire truck, or the police vehicle, which happened to have white occupants.

What else is new...

First its the Watts riots after Rodney King, then in Cleveland, OH and now some remote town in Michigan.

Quote:

Jesse Jackson visited the town Friday, allegedly to help restore peace. According to the Associated Press, Jackson told a gathering of 200 that they should "turn tragedy into triumph" and stated "we'll turn this crisis into an opportunity."

The type of opportunities for which Mr. Jackson is most famous are racial shakedowns which result in large donations to his organization and/or the award of lucrative business opportunities to his family and friends.

Well hey, no riot would be complete without Jesse "Blackmail/Extortionist/Race Baiting" Jackson coming to town to ask the local businesses and government, "What's in your wallet!?!"

Quote:

Black rioters claim that prior "unanswered" deaths of black citizens at the hands of police helped to feed their burning and looting this week.

Yeah...just one excuse after another in order to rationalize the asinine behavior of blacks in order to justify their destruction.

Hell, let's all riot!

My excuse, PC!

Lestat

Evangelion · 06-23-2003, 12:41 PM

Was there a point to any of this?

Evangelion · 06-23-2003, 12:43 PM

My, my. And from a racist Website, too. However did I guess?

Ooooh, maybe it was the "Blacks burn their own" thing that gave it all away.

Ya think?

Lestat de Lioncourt · 06-23-2003, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Evangelion
My, my. And from a racist Website, too. However did I guess?

Ooooh, maybe it was the "Blacks burn their own" thing that gave it all away.

Ya think?

My, my...what an intelligent response to a factual event

As if labeling the site 'racist' will make it all go away.

Lestat

PS. And since when does reporting the facts make one 'racist?'

Autonemesis · 06-23-2003, 12:56 PM

The riots were the straw that broke the camel's back. In interviews I have read, the residents all cited years of mistreatment by the police of the upper-middle-class town across the river, long before this fatal car chase incident. Their beef centers on the police leaving their jurisdiction to harrass the blacks, who don't and can't afford to live in the tonier digs across the river. Most residents feel the chase and the death of the driver was totally unnecessary, since the police knew who the offender was and where he lived, and who he lived with (a relative, grandfather if I recall correctly). The police could have come by to arrest him at their leisure. Instead, they undertook a fatal high speed chase.

Lestat de Lioncourt · 06-23-2003, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Evangelion
Was there a point to any of this?

Try reading the article and the valid points the editor brings to light whereas the lack of thorough and accurately reported media coverage is concerned.

This story sort of reminds me of the Wichita Murders. Ever hear of that one? If you have, good for you. But it's likely the majority of those who frequent this site haven't...and you wonder why.

Lestat

Lestat de Lioncourt · 06-23-2003, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Autonemesis
The riots were the straw that broke the camel's back. In interviews I have read, the residents all cited years of mistreatment by the police of the upper-middle-class town across the river, long before this fatal car chase incident. Their beef centers on the police leaving their jurisdiction to harrass the blacks, who don't and can't afford to live in the tonier digs across the river. Most residents feel the chase and the death of the driver was totally unnecessary, since the police knew who the offender was and where he lived, and who he lived with (a relative, grandfather if I recall correctly). The police could have come by to arrest him at their leisure. Instead, they undertook a fatal high speed chase.

I see, so you're saying then it was okay for them to riot? That they were justified in their ignorantly asinine behavior because of their 'perceptions' of what they 'think and feel' happened in the past is a legitimate justification for the harm and destruction they did in the present?

In this interview, did they "cite" each and every occurance over these so-called years of mistreatment? How many occurances does it take to justify the barbarism witnessed in this small town? How many innocent people hurt and how much property destroyed will it take to make all these 'perceived' past wrongs alright again?

I mean really, when are we going to cease with this political correctness that gives way to one excuse after another when it comes to minorities rioting thereby causing further harm, unnecessary deaths and endless destruction that not only costs those who did the rioting but the rest of the community and the city itself!?!

Lestat

PS. One officer, the one who knew the suspect, did in fact break it off because it was too dangerous. It was the other officer, who is also (half) black, was the one who continued the pursuit to its deadly end. Besides, if the terd bird wasn't going 120mph eluding the police he'd still be alive today. It was his fault, plain and simple.

Derec · 06-23-2003, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Autonemesis
The police could have come by to arrest him at their leisure. Instead, they undertook a fatal high speed chase.

Even if that were so, it is the fact that he fled from police of his own free will and is 100% responisble for getting himself killed. Not the policemen, not the "Man".
It is also a fact that the riots were criminal and wrong. Being a "minority" is no excuse for violent and criminal behavior.

UMoC

P.S.: Since the rioters tageted whites are they going to be charged under "hate crimes" laws?

Lestat de Lioncourt · 06-23-2003, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UglyManOnCampus
Even if that were so, it is the fact that he fled from police of his own free will and is 100% responisble for getting himself killed. Not the policemen, not the "Man".
It is also a fact that the riots were criminal and wrong. Being a "minority" is no excuse for violent and criminal behavior.

UMoC

P.S.: Since the rioters tageted whites are they going to be charged under "hate crimes" laws?

Thank you! Finally someone with some sense and sensibilities (i.e., common sense) responds.

Lestat

Monkeybot · 06-23-2003, 02:30 PM

I don't think this was simply about the police chase -- as Autonemesis mentions, it was probably just the straw that broke the camel's back.

Having personally been to Benton Harbor about three years ago, I can safely say that I'd probably riot if I had to live there. Sorry, I'm not trying to make light of the situation, but... When I went through, I saw whole streets of tiny, dilapidated homes, some simply abandoned, with boarded-up doors and windows. At times, it felt like a ghost town, even though I knew there were people living there. I think it's hard to fathom exactly how far in poverty these people were if you haven't seen it yourself. I can safely say that I hope I saw the worst part of Benton Harbor, because it was pretty damn bad.

Now, I am not saying that this excuses rioting, or that it's OK to kill people if you're poor, or bla bla bla bla bla. I'm just saying that having seen the poorest parts of Benton Harbor for myself, I can understand the incredible frustration that must result from the intolerable conditions there. In other words, it ain't rocket science to figure out that miserable conditions lead to increased frustration.

Again, there is a big difference between explaining the riots and excusing them. In other words, the riots have already happened. The damage has been done. The only way any good will come of this situation is if it leads us to a better understanding of the poverty and frustration the citizens of Benton Harbor were dealing with, and take steps to prevent it.

Simply treating Benton Harbor as a town full of petulant children is not an optimal solution, and the Adversity people should really be ashamed of themselves for not promoting a more responsible viewpoint.

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06-23-2003, 12:41 PM	#2
Evangelion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Walsall, UK Posts: 1,490	Was there a point to any of this?

06-23-2003, 12:43 PM	#3
Evangelion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Walsall, UK Posts: 1,490	My, my. And from a racist Website, too. However did I guess? Ooooh, maybe it was the "Blacks burn their own" thing that gave it all away. Ya think?

06-23-2003, 12:56 PM	#5
Autonemesis Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: I've left FRDB for good, due to new WI&P policy Posts: 12,048	The riots were the straw that broke the camel's back. In interviews I have read, the residents all cited years of mistreatment by the police of the upper-middle-class town across the river, long before this fatal car chase incident. Their beef centers on the police leaving their jurisdiction to harrass the blacks, who don't and can't afford to live in the tonier digs across the river. Most residents feel the chase and the death of the driver was totally unnecessary, since the police knew who the offender was and where he lived, and who he lived with (a relative, grandfather if I recall correctly). The police could have come by to arrest him at their leisure. Instead, they undertook a fatal high speed chase.

06-23-2003, 02:30 PM	#10
Monkeybot Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,102	I don't think this was simply about the police chase -- as Autonemesis mentions, it was probably just the straw that broke the camel's back. Having personally been to Benton Harbor about three years ago, I can safely say that I'd probably riot if I had to live there. Sorry, I'm not trying to make light of the situation, but... When I went through, I saw whole streets of tiny, dilapidated homes, some simply abandoned, with boarded-up doors and windows. At times, it felt like a ghost town, even though I knew there were people living there. I think it's hard to fathom exactly how far in poverty these people were if you haven't seen it yourself. I can safely say that I hope I saw the worst part of Benton Harbor, because it was pretty damn bad. Now, I am not saying that this excuses rioting, or that it's OK to kill people if you're poor, or bla bla bla bla bla. I'm just saying that having seen the poorest parts of Benton Harbor for myself, I can understand the incredible frustration that must result from the intolerable conditions there. In other words, it ain't rocket science to figure out that miserable conditions lead to increased frustration. Again, there is a big difference between explaining the riots and excusing them. In other words, the riots have already happened. The damage has been done. The only way any good will come of this situation is if it leads us to a better understanding of the poverty and frustration the citizens of Benton Harbor were dealing with, and take steps to prevent it. Simply treating Benton Harbor as a town full of petulant children is not an optimal solution, and the Adversity people should really be ashamed of themselves for not promoting a more responsible viewpoint.

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