"A Nation Divided, Sports United" ~ The Equality & Other Issues Thread

[theman]

What do you think the protests are about?

I know Kaepernick started his over Brown. I know other players have been unable to say why they were protesting. It seems their message is not very effective.

[fallguy]

What do you think the protests are about?

I know Kaepernick started his over Brown. I know other players have been unable to say why they were protesting. It seems there message is not very effective.

You don't see anything systemic in what the protests are commenting on the way you do black men being poor fathers?

[theman]

What do you think the protests are about?

I know Kaepernick started his over Brown. I know other players have been unable to say why they were protesting. It seems there message is not very effective.

You don't see anything systemic in what the protests are commenting on the way you do black men being poor fathers?

I probably see the same problem the protesters do. What I do not see is a path to a solution.

Up until 150 years ago slavery was legal in this country. That was a bad. It broke up black families. It taught black men that violence was a way to get what you want. Each generation has learned that from the prior one. However, slavery has ended. Over half a million white men died fighting to liberate the slaves in this country. But the legacy lives on.

Did racism persist after the war? Of course. Are there still racist today? Sure. Is it racism keeping down the black man? No. How do we know? Well, the country can not be that racist if it elected a black man president, unless you want to assume the democrats stole the election. In addition to that, black immigrants tend to do better than African Americans born in this country.

In the 1960 one fifth of African Americans under the age of eighteen were living in households with a mother and no father. Today that number is over two thirds. You will be hard press to find anyone who think race relations were better in the sixties than today. Now this is a societal trend as now40% of white children are born out of wedlock.

Now I am not saying that marriage is a cure all. However, the benefits of marriage are well documented if not well advertised. Married men are less likely to be addicted to alcohol or drugs, they are less likely to be delinquents, they are less likely to be arrested and live longer. Children also do much better when raced by both parents. They do better in school and are less likely to be molested.

So I repeat, I hear that there is inequality in the United States. But unless people take personal responsibility that will not change. I have a lady friend who is a teacher at a VoTech. It is amazing how many students of all races refuse to put in effort to improve their lot. When teachers offer to stay after school to give extra help to the student and the student refuses does the student's lack of education lay with the teacher or the student. Also, very few parent get involved with their child's education. Those who do tend to have children who do better.

[kyphi]

What do you think the protests are about?

I know Kaepernick started his over Brown. I know other players have been unable to say why they were protesting. It seems their message is not very effective.

How do you know this?

[Trippinskarlo]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

[truth18]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

[theman]

What do you think the protests are about?

I know Kaepernick started his over Brown. I know other players have been unable to say why they were protesting. It seems their message is not very effective.

How do you know this?

wikipedia

[3D Chess]

I know Kaepernick started his over Brown. I know other players have been unable to say why they were protesting. It seems their message is not very effective.

How do you know this?

wikipedia

Oh that bastion of truth.

Watch on YouTube

[Trippinskarlo]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I kinda wish some players would vocalize this more or push for a solution as opposed to just identifying the problem. Like say they will kneel until new protocols are put in place on how violent police can be. Than people can do something together instead of be so split. Don't even make it a political issue, just that new training is needed to prevent unarmed deaths etc.

[CavemanDoctor]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I'll add to this:

Very stringent psychological testing as part of hiring, and regular psych test checkups. These people literally hold the lives of the masses in their hands. Need to step up the barriers to entry.

[CavemanDoctor]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I kinda wish some players would vocalize this more or push for a solution as opposed to just identifying the problem. Like say they will kneel until new protocols are put in place on how violent police can be. Than people can do something together instead of be so split. Don't even make it a political issue, just that new training is needed to prevent unarmed deaths etc.

A couple thoughts. You don't need to have all the solutions in order to identify a problem. These are athletes, not political scientists, sociologists, or attorneys. Identifying a problem is a great first step. Using their spotlight to bring that identification more exposure is a great second step, and that's what they're doing. We should admire them for that.

Believe it or not, a *very large* chunk of the population does not realize there is a problem in the United States with police brutality. They need to be made aware of it, otherwise all the brilliant solutions in the world will fall on deaf ears.

[theman]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I would also include better education of the public starting with children. Get Officer Friendly into the schools where students can learn that police are their friends not the enemy. Teach the keeps that police are trying to keep everyone safe and if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to worry about. Do as you are told and you can move along.

But police violence is far from being the top problem facing the African American community. It stinks; it is something that shouldn't happen but it is a freak thing that happens. It is like Gordon Hayward's injury; it stinks. But it is a rare thing that happens. There is no reason to ban dunking or to think all ally-oops are dangerous.

I am extremely disappointed with obama on the issue of race relations. He could have helped race relations in this country tremendously. But, instead, he seems to have put them back nearly fifty years. He and Michelle should have been held up as a model for the black community, get an education, get a job, get married, have children, raise your children. But instead we get "The Cambridge police acted stupidly" and allegations of racism when people oppose state mandated health insurance.

[CavemanDoctor]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I would also include better education of the public starting with children. Get Officer Friendly into the schools where students can learn that police are their friends not the enemy. Teach the keeps that police are trying to keep everyone safe and if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to worry about. Do as you are told and you can move along.

Sorry but that's BS. You're getting very close to victim-shaming. Inner city students think the police are their enemy because the police, at alarming rates, act like their enemy. Not the other way around.

[kyphi]

Register to vote and then do it. Do a bit of homework about the candidates' platform instead of an automatic R or D vote. Then hold that person to his word if elected.

Disclaimer: This is not aimed at the poster above. I'll even and1 the dude (I use dude even for women. That's not true; I use dudess' )

[fallguy]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

Also thoughts and prayers.

[truth18]

Guys what is the solution though? I am all for actively righting wrongs but what are the steps to take to do that? Realistic things that can actually be voted on, or new government policys. Police cams? Cj reform?

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I kinda wish some players would vocalize this more or push for a solution as opposed to just identifying the problem. Like say they will kneel until new protocols are put in place on how violent police can be. Than people can do something together instead of be so split. Don't even make it a political issue, just that new training is needed to prevent unarmed deaths etc.

I can link right now but Google Malcolm Jenkins' work on the issue. He pushes for all of the above and has also become directly involved with the Philadelphia police.

[Curmudgeon]

It's a very, very complicated issue. I'd start with fewer weapons on the street, but of course the NRA won't allow that. There are some "bad apple" cops who need to be weeded out, but I'm guessing that at least some of these shootings occur because the police officer in question, even if he or she is a well-trained decent human being, is afraid of being shot first. Another factor is that police work has become too high tech and impersonal. Police violence rarely occurred when cops walked a beat and knew everyone in the neighborhood.
But there are many, many other issues, starting with the fact that policemen are taught to profile racially. If they see a Black kid in a White neighborhood they are trained to be suspicious. The racism is systemic, not just a trait of individual police officers.

[truth18]

Depends on what the issue is.

On the issue of police violence:

Highly increased funding

Reformation of training procedures

Reformation of de-escalation tactics

More mutual communication between the community and the police

Better accountability at the administrative/higher up levels

Independent prosecution for police misconduct instead of district attorneys

Consistent enforcement and severe punishment for bodycam misconduct or incompetence

Head down to your local law enforcement office or community organizers/protest groups to see how you can help today.

I would also include better education of the public starting with children. Get Officer Friendly into the schools where students can learn that police are their friends not the enemy. Teach the keeps that police are trying to keep everyone safe and if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to worry about. Do as you are told and you can move along.

Sorry but that's BS. You're getting very close to victim-shaming. Inner city students think the police are their enemy because the police, at alarming rates, act like their enemy. Not the other way around.

You guys realize it's not just inner city youth and black people that undergo police brutality, right? Things are disproportionate for people of color but this stuff will help all of us.

I grew up in an affluent part of Cambridge and the cops still regularly followed me home for no reason when I was growing up. They put a light on my face after trailing me outside of my own god damn house a few years back when I was home for the weekend.

[theman]

Sorry but that's BS. You're getting very close to victim-shaming. Inner city students think the police are their enemy because the police, at alarming rates, act like their enemy. Not the other way around.

What you attack or fight a police officer you are not a victim you are a criminal. Stop making it sound like police go into poor neighborhoods, round up all the black people and execute them.

What is the alarming rate that police act like the enemy? What percentage of the time do police officers violate someone's civil rights verse help the situation? Are you saying police should just stay out of the ghetto all together? Would that make it a safer place?

[CavemanDoctor]

It's a very, very complicated issue. I'd start with fewer weapons on the street, but of course the NRA won't allow that. There are some "bad apple" cops who need to be weeded out, but I'm guessing that at least some of these shootings occur because the police officer in question, even if he or she is a well-trained decent human being, is afraid of being shot first. Another factor is that police work has become too high tech and impersonal. Police violence rarely occurred when cops walked a beat and knew everyone in the neighborhood.
But there are many, many other issues, starting with the fact that policemen are taught to profile racially. If they see a Black kid in a White neighborhood they are trained to be suspicious. The racism is systemic, not just a trait of individual police officers.

Police violence didn't rarely occur back then. It likely occurred even more. There is just more exposure these days, largely for technological reasons.

And while I won't claim that the majority of cops are "bad apples," there is undoubtedly a 'blue wall of silence' in most police departments around the country that makes it trivially easy for those "bad apples" to do whatever they want unencumbered.

It's an institutional thing, agreed. Not an individual cop thing.