Tag: #BlackLivesMatter

Questions Remain In The Aftermath Of The Conservative White Christian Terrorist Bomber

Mark Conditt, the terrorist bomber from Texas, blew himself up as a SWAT team surrounded him. We know little about him except he was a  conservative white Christian man who harbored antiabortion views yet murdered two African Americans from prominent families and injured multiple others.

  1. Why didn’t the bombings receive widespread coverage, despite Austin Police asking for the public’s help,  until two white men were injured last Sunday?
  2. It appears Mark Conditt had ties to Austin, Texas, what were those ties?
  3. Who was the package or packages addressed to that exploded at the FedEx facility in Schertz, Tx?
  4. Can his friends or family tell us more about him?
  5. Was he employed, unemployed or a student?
  6. Did he belong to a radicalized far-right group?
  7. Is there evidence he was not working alone?
  8. How could a person who claims to be pro-life murder innocent people?

America is at a crossroads. Do we make America white by minimizing the crimes of white men and incarcerate people of color?  Or do we make America great by labeling African countries “shitholes”  or the Muslim religion terrorist?

Why do we label members of #BlackLivesMatter who protest violence terrorists or Black Identity Extremists? Why do we continue to label white conservative Christians, the overwhelming perpetrators of domestic terrorism,  mentally ill or lone wolf members of a hate group?   Why aren’t conservative white Christians labeled terrorists when they terrorize Americans?  

We need a national discussion of these double standards.   We need to break down the barriers that separate us and recognize most of us yearn for the same things:  peace and love as well as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

What do you think?

Austin, Texas: Serial Bomber Maybe Targeting Minorities

Since March 2,  there were four bombings in Austin Texas.   Austin police Chief Manley believes the bomber is a professional serial bomber and the attacks were  “meant to send a message.” Police don’t know how many bombers.

Two African Americans killed after parcel bombs left on their doorsteps exploded.  The first explosion occurred on March 2 followed by two more bomb explosions ten days later.   The latest bombing occurred yesterday on Sunday, March 18, 2018, injuring two white males when they encountered a suspicious package on the side of the road.  Their injuries were not life-threatening.

Deceased victims in Austin Bombings
Deceased victims in Austin Bombings

Nelson Linder, president of the local NAACP chapter,  told NBC News that the two murdered  African American victims– Anthony Stephan House, 29, and Draylen William Mason, 17 — were connected to prominent African-American families and attended the same Methodist Church.

The perpetrators remain at large.  Austin police asked the public for help in apprehending those involved.  But how could the public assist if the bombings are only now getting news coverage?

The city is on high alert with residents asked to remain indoors and report any suspicious packages.

Suspicious Package
Suspicious Package

Could this be race-related terrorism?  It’s unclear.   Police believe the bombings could be race-related.  The two white victims injured are perhaps accidental.  #AustinBombings

Texas explosions: ‘Serial bomber’ suspected in Austin blasts – BBC News

Three parcel bombs left on doorsteps have killed two people and injured two others since early March.

Investigators say they have seen similarities in all four cases.

“We are clearly dealing with what we expect to be a serial bomber at this point,” Austin police chief Brian Manley said at a news conference on Monday.

“We have seen similarities in the devices that exploded here last night and the other three devices.”

Sunday night’s victims suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to hospital after encountering a suspicious device on the side of a road in a residential area, police said.

The latest blast came hours after officials announced a new $100,000 (£71,000) reward for information.

The cash reward is on top of an existing $15,000 being offered by the state’s governor.

The two men killed earlier this month were African Americans and police have not ruled out racism as a possible motive.

Editors Note:  This post was completely revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness as more information became available.  

Let’s Move Beyond The Social Construct Of Race

Labels of a white supremacist society

All Lives Can’t Matter Until #BlackLivesMatter

So much division and violence in the world today. I guess that has always been the case throughout history. The difference is we are more knowledgeable than our ancestors. We know despite the differences in the color of our skins, we all belong to the human race.

Race is a social construct created by behavioral scientists to study different groups. Such knowledge may shock you, but race is not genetic. In other words, there is no Black or African gene, no Asian gene, no Native American gene, no Anglo-Saxon white gene or Latino gene. Civilization began in Africa, the racial differences we see among each other are due to geographic differences and are not genetic.

Many do not believe or even know of this. I recall an anecdotal study where a racially diverse class had DNA samples of their students analyzed. The findings were astonishing to the students. One would think black people are more closely related to each other than to other racial groups and the same for Asians and whites. But that was not the finding. It turned out you could not predict based on phenotype. A black female student was just as likely to find her genes more closely related to that of a white male than her black classmates. Race did not predict the relationship between genotypes.

Unfortunately, US history is tainted, and myths have become facts in the minds of the ignorant. We have kids, mostly white males who believe the white race is under attack and at risk of genocide. They blame people of color for their problems and believe violence is the only solution to save the white race from extinction. So they go out and randomly murder innocent people and children in public places to induce fear and become infamous.  Later, they may even get a book deal or a movie.

According to reports, there were 18 high school shootings so far this year, about one mass shooting a week, most committed by men, white men spewing racist jargon they picked up on Fox News and the over 900 protected terrorist white supremacist groups in the US.

Ironically, many of these groups are pro-life and vehemently declare “All Lives Matter.” But all lives cannot matter until Black Lives Matter. These terrorist white supremacist groups don’t see or care to understand. These groups, as well as many whites, take offense at the thought that Black Lives Matter.  Think about that for a moment.

Why do white men get away with murder? At least that is the opinion of many people of color.  Seems every other ethnic group or organization is heavily surveilled by the US government and labeled a threat except white terrorist groups euphemistically called hate groups.  Our society downplays their terrorism, calling it hate or mental illness.   While gun control is important, objectivity, consistency in enforcement and interpretation of the law and justice are more important.  At the moment,  white men are rewarded for murder.

Lord, help us to appreciate our differences as well as our shared values and ancient ancestry. Let us look to nature as a model of diversity. And marvel at how seamlessly and beautifully nature accommodates. It’s time we move beyond race and ascend to a higher level of thought that brings us together as one human race.  A race that values the lives of our children, our loved ones and each other.

Below are two videos.  The first video is short and touches on the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida where 17 people were murdered. The last video is a classic– Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Experiment by Jane Elliott

What Are Colleges Doing To Protect Black Students From Alt Right White Violence

Seems weekly and sometimes daily, we are hearing  more and more of young  white men exercising their 2nd amendment right to bear arms and  murder innocent unarmed black students (similar to police officers) in the name of white supremacy.

These  white students are often shown sympathy by MSM.  And the US criminal system is often hesitant to label their crimes acts of terror.  Instead, these acts of domestic terrorism are made to appear as isolated incidents performed by “lone wolves.”

Isolated incidents  happening all over the country on a frequency unheard of before Trump became #POTUS and Sessions Attorney General. Many occur on college and university campuses and even high schools where students should feel safe and not at risk of violence from hateful white terrorist students.

Have you heard any colleges talk of policies to protect Black and Muslim students from the upsurge in violence of alt white hate groups on their  campuses.  These weaponized white hate groups are stealing black children’s future in blatant acts of terror performed on campuses of many leading  American higher education institutions.

Can you imagine the uproar if some black group murdered a white student?

Trump and most white Americans labeled #BlackLivesMatter movement a hate group for protesting #policebrutality.   Yet no labels for alt right groups,  majority violent and on a mission of genocide.  This again is a demonstration of the disparity of justice  omnipresent in the US.

If colleges thought the murder of black students by  alt white students mattered, there would be more done to protect students of color.  Instead we get meaningless apologizes and talk of tough justice after the fact.  What do you think?  Is law and order trumpeted by Trump only for PoC?

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Normalized #PoliceBrutality Stirs Thoughts Of End Of Life Decisions

With Trump in the White House, the KKK and other white supremacists holding key positions in his regime, particularly,  Jeff Sessions as Attorney General one must plan.  Sessions recently issued a memo doubling down on non-violent drug offenses, code word for war on black communities.

Today, standard practice is for police officers to murder in cold blood black men, women and children during traffic stops. Stops initiated and escalated by cops who then claim fear for their lives as heavily armed, trained public servants who are hired to serve and protect the community.  These officers murder unarmed innocent black ppl for broken tailgates, flat tires or for being black.  Following orders, cooperation and respect do not seem to protect PoC from so-called ‘lone’ cops bent on killing a negro in the name of white supremacy or just because they can get away murder.

Within police departments, lone cops are prevalent; their culture dominant and pervasive not only in PDs but also police unions across the country.  When a black person encounters these types during a traffic stop, it’s hard to tell the difference between so-called good cops (a dinosaur these days) and bad cops (growing exponential in numbers).  One should presume they are all bad cops as on a whim, these officers of the law can abuse their power and murder innocent unarmed Americans without consequence.

It is times like this black people must consider end of life decisions.  Get your estates in order as well as decide how do you want to be murdered by a cop, white man or white woman?   Will you cry and plead for your life to no avail?  Or will you make them really fear you?  You’re gonna die anyway!

 

Proud Suicide Bomber Soldier Unit in Gaza
Proud Suicide Bombers Soldier Units in Gaza

Colin Kaepernick: How Can I Be Proud Of A Country That Oppresses People Like Me?

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.  -Martin Luther King Jr.

 

If America wants respect, then it’s time for America to respect all its citizens.

Recently, Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers Quarterback, did not stand for the national anthem.

Why? To protest and call attention to dead Black people. The daily unnecessary and arbitrary killing of Black persons and other People of Color,  by police officers sworn to protect and serve all Americans.

Kaepernick said the murder and oppression of Black people were bigger  than football.

Kaepernick wished to call attention to a system of corruption, that not only affects Black sport players, but also their fans.

Murder is murder, right?  No, in the USA, it depends on the color of your skin, your religion,  and your wallet as well as your badge.

Football and other sports fans, and NFL executives, were up in arms. Many angrily protested how dare Colin Kaepernick exercise his constitutional rights? They called him a traitor. They said he insulted the men and women who fought for his freedom.

Yet those fans and NFL executives did not care about the message or the dead Black bodies. They were not interested in a dialogue about change in a system that elevates Whites by oppressing PoC.

For these so-called “patriots”, including news announcers, the message was unimportant because the system of structural racism (which is the foundation of America) is vital for the survival of white supremacy.

Some fans have called Kaepernick a hypocrite, as he has done very well by benefiting from the American Dream. Yet this includes freedom of expression, but fans and some NFL executives seem bent on denying and punishing Kaepernick for exercising his constitutional right.

Fortunately, many of those that really fought for our country’s freedom agree and support Kaepernick’s right and message.  #VeteransForKaepernick

U.S. Veterans Explain Why They’re Standing With Colin Kaepernick:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/veterans-colin-kaepernick_us_57c71aafe4b078581f10ba24

U.S. Veterans Are Coming To Colin Kaepernick’s Defense In Droves:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/veterans-for-kaepernick_us_57c6d704e4b0a22de09325f4

 

Hypocrisy And Double Standards

Then there was Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte who embarrassed his country by committing perjury, plus offending Brazilians. Yet once again, white Americans defended Mr Lochte’s right to conduct criminal activities, by saying he was only 30 years old, a kid who was drunk, to give him a break and make his extreme international embarrassment excusable.

Why? Because he has White privilege, the ultimate hypocrisy and double standard in America that is offensive to justice and getting stronger.

Contrast this with Gabby Douglas, the Black gold medalist Olympian gymnast, who was demonized for not smiling enough or placing her hand over her heart during the National Anthem. White Americans were more angry about her action than those of Ryan Lochte, whose motive was purely selfish and criminal.

There is a reason many Black athletes and other Americans may not want to acknowledge the national anthem. An anthem written by Francis Key Scott to celebrate the victory of Fort McHenry. An anthem that celebrates slavery and was written by a racist slave owner who believed blacks were sub-humans. Would you stand for a song that celebrates your oppression?

Where’s the debate on Francis Scott Key’s Slave-Holding Legacy? Smithsonian

http://buff.ly/2bVO7uj.

Slavery and the national anthem: The surprising history behind Colin Kaepernick’s protest. CNN

http://buff.ly/2bM1N7O

 

The American Dream For People Of Color

Black athletes are reminded they are products of the American dream because of their income, not their liberty,  their freedom or their protection under the American constitution.  A design that considers them second class citizens. One that respects their athletic skills and ability to entertain, but not them as human beings.

At any time, Colin Kaepernick, Gabby Douglas or any other Black celebrity athlete, entertainer or professional can be put in their places as second class citizens and terrorized into submission by police for no other reason but the color of their skin.

As NFL executives  support the Police to shoot first and ask questions later, the next hashtag could be one of their top Black NFL players who appeared to be threatening to a cop.  Why wouldn’t you too take sides and protect your team?

Disappointingly, the NFL executives short sightedness in not fighting for the rights and protection of their players, and Black fan base, make them part of the problem that stole millions of lives under false narratives. In 2015, at least 1,100 people were killed in police custody. As of September 2, 2016, 723 people were killed by police officers.

The Counted: people killed by police in the United States

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counted-police-killings-us-database#

Black athletes are unable to voice their concerns of the violence and discrimination that they, their family, friends and culture are subjected to on a daily basis.

Aren’t we all Americans with the same constitutional rights to the American Dream?  Or are we not as many White Americans and many brainwashed Blacks say?

 

Colin Kaepernick Protest

Kaepernick being biracial is deeply affected by police brutality, a violence without accountability or consequences.

Colin Kaepernick is a hero and role model. What he did was a simple gesture of brilliance. Whites may not have heard the message, but the overwhelming majority of People of Color heard and understood.

In his car, Colin Kaepernick knows he too could be stopped for not being White and subjected to demeaning, degrading and dehumanizing behaviors by police officers. Behaviors that could lead to  his imprisonment or even his death.

As Colin pointed out, this problem is bigger than football. I applaud him for risking his career, and life, to raise awareness and call attention to this growing epidemic crisis. Now other Black athletes need to join him and maybe America will finally listen. There are elephants in the room, and unless we stop ignoring them, this country will implode.

Colin Kaepernick is probably more patriotic than his critics because he expects more from this country. He believes this country can live up to its promises that all people are created equal and protected under the constitution.

Kaepernick protests the oppression and murder of people of color by police officers