StatCounter

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Backlash


Let me get this straight. Protesters march in Dallas against police shooting black people. Police get shot. This will not end well.

First of all, there are police who use excessive force. Secondly, they don't just shoot black people. Thirdly, shooting cops is not the answer.

Since most cops are serious professionals who use proper procedures odds are those cops shot in Dallas were not the bad guys.

Cops everywhere are going to be extremely twitchy. If you are driving along and get pulled over by the police be extra careful. Roll down your window and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Do not make any sudden movements. Pay attention to the police officer's commands. This is serious business. After Dallas they will be much more likely to respond aggressively to any perceived threat.

Order is not kept by the police. There aren't enough police to come close to doing that. Order is kept by most people following the rules and minding their own business. When that social contract breaks down the riots will only stop when the rioters are exhausted.

Heck, there aren't even enough military troops to impose order. The government can concentrate a lot of force in a limited area, like a single city. They cannot respond that way to a large number of major cities in revolt. That's why the race riots of the 60s went on until they burned themselves out.

Studies done after the 60s riots pointed to economic disparity as being at the root of the unrest. Those reports were buried as there was no political will to do anything about that problem. The divide between the haves and the have nots has gotten a lot larger in recent years. Yes, it's been bad for people of color, but poor whites are doing worse now too.

Class is something rarely talked about in America. We'd like to think that we all have the potential to be upwardly mobile. Sadly, upward mobility in this country is mostly a myth. Education used to be a path to a better life, but that's much harder to do today. The high cost of education combined with global trading networks makes it difficult to get ahead. Even if you do move upward, the odds are very long that you'll crack the glass ceiling to the upper levels that actually have the power.

Those who want to frame the struggle in terms of black & white are using the old divide and conquer technique. Poor blacks and poor whites have a lot more in common than they'd care to admit. To the elite they are fodder units, little more. For that matter, most of the cops on the beat are working class folk struggling to get by. The elite don't respect them either. After all, we've seen quite clearly that laws are only for poor folk.

Just because the anger in America is misplaced doesn't mean you can't get caught in the crossfire. Keep your head down folks. The backlash is getting ugly.

-Sixbears

16 comments:

  1. It would help immensely if the media would quit fanning the flames by reporting gossip before they have the facts.

    Didn't the SCOTUS make a ruling that shouting fire/inciting a riot is not protected by the First Amendment?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Media outlets have focused on being first rather than being right.

      Delete
  2. before,on,and after November fourth

    stay home

    no matter whom wins it may get ugly

    Wildflower

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The country is so divided right now. Does not look good at all.

      Delete
  3. America is a very sick society and it's unfortunately bound to get worse...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm afraid you are right. This is a very unhappy land.

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. True, but it only takes one side to start violence. What does one do after turning the other cheek?

      Delete
  5. I am a peace loving man, but an actually smart enough to keep weapons at hand.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Obama and his ilk WANT a race war, so they can blame whites and trot out martial law. It's going to happen sooner or later, I think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope not. Too many losers if that happens -of every race and religion.

      Delete
  7. I'm staying out of big cities. Long hot summer?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I totally agree with Gorges! There are those who think this long, hot summer of racial unrest will bring on martial law to the extent that Obama will continue to be president, with no election being held! Need new immigrants, Canada?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you looked into Canada? It's hard to get in. At least it's right next door and I get in on my passport for 6 months. After that I'll just be another illegal. :)

      This looks to be a crazy election year, but I don't see Obama hanging on past his due date. Maybe I'm an optimist.

      Delete
  9. Thank you for posting this fantastic post. I'm a long time reader but I've never actually left a comment.
    I've bookmarked your website and shared this on my Facebook.

    Many thanks again for a really good article!

    ReplyDelete