George Floyd

[Szdfan]

I could be wrong and I know I am looking at this through my eyes, but I do not see racism in this death, but abuse of power. This is why i do not call it terrorism. It would not fit the accepted definition well. It does fit into abuse of power. One who has authority misuses it and abuses those of lesser power.

If more comes out and shows the officer was racist, I can accept that, but until there is evidence of that, I will not jump to that conclusion.

That is consistent with your working definition of racism. If racism is only malice intent, then we must consider the heart condition of every perpetrator. I am not a person of color, but I imagine they often grow weary of carefully investigating the heart of every one who acts against them. At some point action is action, data is data and dead people are dead regardless of intent.

And I also think it’s a distinction without a difference. Racism is not just about belief or what’s in someone’s heart. It’s also how power is exercised regardless of intent.

[RZehr]

[Racism is not just about belief or what’s in someone’s heart. It’s also how power is exercised regardless of intent.

This sounds like a new political and malleable redefinition of the term in order to harness it’s emotional power for non-race based causes.

But I admit I’m not quite certain I fully understand what you are saying.

[Wade]

I could be wrong and I know I am looking at this through my eyes, but I do not see racism in this death, but abuse of power. This is why i do not call it terrorism. It would not fit the accepted definition well. It does fit into abuse of power. One who has authority misuses it and abuses those of lesser power.

If more comes out and shows the officer was racist, I can accept that, but until there is evidence of that, I will not jump to that conclusion.

That is consistent with your working definition of racism. If racism is only malice intent, then we must consider the heart condition of every perpetrator. I am not a person of color, but I imagine they often grow weary of carefully investigating the heart of every one who acts against them. At some point action is action, data is data and dead people are dead regardless of intent.

And I also think it’s a distinction without a difference. Racism is not just about belief or what’s in someone’s heart. It’s also how power is exercised regardless of intent.

But is that not racism in its self?! The very thing so many are thinking they are speaking against...

[Robert]

And I also think it’s a distinction without a difference. Racism is not just about belief or what’s in someone’s heart. It’s also how power is exercised regardless of intent.

If it turns out that he hated blacks and did this because he was black, then that is racism. if he did it because he is a jerk and power crazed, the color of the victim was not the cause, thus not racism.

Not all white on black or black on white crime is racist. Some of it is just criminal.

[Robert]

Wise words.

[video][/video]

[AnthonyMartin]

And I also think it’s a distinction without a difference. Racism is not just about belief or what’s in someone’s heart. It’s also how power is exercised regardless of intent.

If it turns out that he hated blacks and did this because he was black, then that is racism. if he did it because he is a jerk and power crazed, the color of the victim was not the cause, thus not racism.

Not all white on black or black on white crime is racist. Some of it is just criminal.

I think it's fear based on race that drives much of this. It's the fear of the black individual, based on historical racist abuse of power, that drives behavior that escalates the white individual's fear to clutch the purse tighter or continue escalating violent measures to restrain, or being quicker to pull the trigger.

Is fear based on race "racism"? This seems more a system and culture problem than one individual's hate of another's race.

Edit:. I think it's also fear that drives the looting and destruction.

[Biblical Anabaptist]

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/ ... hurch.html

[MaxPC]

Police brutality had absolutely nothing to do with all the looting that was done in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
People take opportunities to do the evil in their hearts and try to justify it or blame- a hurricane was no justification for looting- but neither is the police brutality and it certainly makes it worse the response. Why can't they see that?

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
"A Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love and Other Preachings".

[barnhart]

If it turns out that he hated blacks and did this because he was black, then that is racism. if he did it because he is a jerk and power crazed, the color of the victim was not the cause, thus not racism.

Not all white on black or black on white crime is racist. Some of it is just criminal.

But what if there is a long established pattern and good data showing inconsistent law enforcement interaction. For example multiple studies show that the numbers of white folks using illicit drugs is roughly the same as black folks, yet the data of who is prosecuted and jailed tell a different story. Do we have to examine the hearts of each individual person in the justice system and law enforcement to determine if racism is a problem?

[Robert]

For example multiple studies show that the numbers of white folks using illicit drugs is roughly the same as black folks, yet the data of who is prosecuted and jailed tell a different story. Do we have to examine the hearts of each individual person in the justice system and law enforcement to determine if racism is a problem?

This would be a systemic issue. Since the Chief of Police in Minneapolis is African-American, This suggests there is not systemic racism in the administration of the department. This is why I am saying it would only be racism if it is shown that this officer/s was/is racist. I see no reason not to charge them with negligent homicide and murder. What they did was wrong. Burning down cities will not bring him back. It will only harm more minorities who live in those cities.