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  • kabrahamson19

    Like many have said, Taryvon Martin was killed because he was a black man. Why is it that people of a different race are always at fault or found guilty? Racism is still a huge issue in our society today. I thought it was supposed to have come to an end decades ago. It is incredibly sad that people still think racism is still okay in our society. Trayvon Martin was shot because he was a black man, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, who looked “suspicious’. It makes me sick that people give people of different races these stereotypes. When it comes to the criminal system and how they treat people because of the color of their skin is disturbing.  I found this blog very interesting, thanks!
     

  • epitz33

    I think that it is sad that it takes cases like Trayvon Martin’s for some people to recognize the danger of the idea of “The Black Man as Dangerous.”  Having this image in the minds of people in our society results in narrow minded people who fear certain groups or individuals and then blind to other things.  We have people who fear a black man, yet engange in numerous other actions or behaviors or associate with people who are may put them at great risks.  The color of someone’s skin should not determine fear.  It should be the actions and assosiations of an individual.  “The Black Man” is stigmatized by being dangerous for nothing more than what he looks like and not by his character or behaviors.  This is when it is obviously unfair and extremely dangerous.  The fear of “The Black Man as Dangerous” puts a target on their backs.  The individuals who supposedly put others in fear, are the exact people who have to fear the most.

  • JaimieBeavers

    This is a very powerful article. The line that just shocked me by it’s truth was, “the Criminal-Black Man is always guilty.” SO powerful. It took me until my Criminal Justice class to realize how true this idea is – even still today. It’s truly upsetting knowing these men are being convicted of crimes simply because of their race. America is supposed to have gone so far away from racism but that does not seem to be the case.

    •  @JaimieBeavers thank you Jamie — knowledge is power and i know you will pass it on

  • Panyia

    For over a year now since I have been immerse into Sociology I am becoming more regretful of my lack of enthusiasm for history class.  As I read The New Jim Crow book and as I become more aware of how people of color are treated by the criminal justice system I am even more regretful for not taking history class seriously.   I don’t think it is fully my fault for not being interested though because I felt I had no relation to the history that I was being taught.  Being a part of Nancy’s class and learning about the evolution of slavery into mass incarceration have shown me how connected I am to our country’s  history.  This is why now I want to know more about our country’s history, particularly about the history of how Black Americans were marginalized, criminalized, and incarcerated because it is here that I realized how I, as a kid, bought into the idea, unconsciously, that black people are “bad people”.  But after taking my first Sociology class, I saw the color line much clearer.  My next step is to see even more things I haven’t realized so that I may be able to move more steps away from the stereotypes/labels that has become a part of our society. 

    •  @Panyia thanks so much for this comment Panyia — we are really  often “discouraged” from knowing history..
       
      Because if we do learn, we are inclined to stop repeating it — just as you say..

  • PegRapp

    Thanks McKenzie for speaking up.  It is only when lots of people, not just people of color, call people on this stuff when it happens that will hopefully eventually change the stereotypes.  It’s sad that in the meantime, we have to teach our children to watch their backs.
     

  • McKenzieDaul

    Since this idea is so deeply rooted it is hard to know how to even start changing this issue, and when people of color try to speak out, once again society puts that criminal label on them. Before I began at St. Kate’s, I never realized these issues that are taking place everyday all around me. Sadly, I think that is true for most. It always confuses me though how such harsh acts of hatred are put towards people just because of their skin color. A country that is supposed to be over racism is so far from that. I believe it is my job to continue talking to family, friends, coworkers, etc. to educate and help them to realize and take a closer look at the society and system. A difficult and complex topic but one I will continue to explore. 

  • pmlarsonmiller

    “The Black Man as Dangerous is a lethal idea, ironically, not to those who perpetrate and fear, but especially to those to whom it is attached.”
     
    I am seeing ever more clearly how the marginalization of victims of color is intertwined with the criminalization of people of color. If you believe the criminal archetype of the African American man, for example, how could you possibly empathize with someone who looks like that man? Destructive stereotypes of black on white crime are so deeply rooted, people overlook victims of color, and if FORCED to look at them, there is an attempt to justify it with political jargon or through criminalizing the victim.
    I am VERY apprehensive of the negative campaign ads we will be seeing; not so much regarding the ads themselves, but the ignorant people who will soak them up and continue to perpetuate negative racial discourse and stereotypes.

    •  @pmlarsonmiller This — “the marginalization of victims of color is intertwined with the criminalization of people of color.”
       
      Sad but true
       
       

  • KayWhitlock

    Nancy, amen and endless gratitude.  This is powerful and essential reading.
     
    Thank you for running it down so clearly.
     
    These are the themes that dominate the Republican/Right strategies, and they will go into overdrive from now until the 2012 elections – and beyond.  This is the Southern Strategy, write large.

    •  @KayWhitlock thank you Kay
       
      yes Southern Strategy in BOLD NEON. yes it will get worse — those who laugh at the GOP and/or the romney candiacy should look twice, There will be Hundreds of  millions in negative campaign ads..

      • KayWhitlock

         @nancy a heitzeg Anybody who thinks the Rethugs are imploding and we’ve got this one in the bag needs to think again.  We need to work this election like our own lives depend on it.  Because they do.  Donate!  Walk precincts and wards!  Make phone calls! 

        •  @KayWhitlock Yes and the ALEC ews is too little too late — 23 states already with voting restrctions

        • KayWhitlock

           @nancy a heitzeg Yeah – and supposedly bailing on “Stand Your Ground,” while the ALEC member organization NRA continues to promote those laws.  Public relations to try to regain support from major companies who left them in the wake of Trayvon Martin.

  • Anyone who wants to read more on the manufactured Kony scandal should go here: https://criticalmassprogress.com/2012/03/25/the-white-savior-industrial-complex/ and here: https://criticalmassprogress.com/2012/04/11/wikileaks-kony-2012-creators-invisible-children-spied-for-uganda/

      • @nancy a heitzeg
        Excellently done Nancy.  Trayvon Martin was killed by a culture of white supremacy that devalues, degrades and demonizes black bodies.  I can’t believe those frauds at Invisible Children are releasing a “sequel.”  They need to have their 501c3 status revoked for creating political propaganda.
         

        •  @Seeta Thank you seeta
           
          yes the Invisible Children Scam is political propaganda at its’ worst — the initial appeal is frightening.. I hope NOTHING happens on April 20

        •  @Seeta among my many annoyances with IC — i recently noticed what has to be the intentional stealing of movement symbols.. First the Shephard Fairy themes — then the Triangle after the info leaked about their homophobic connections.. The 99% language of Occupy. Now “Cover the Night — ripping off feminists who have been Taking Back the Night for decades,.
           
          Disgusting –

        •  @nancy a heitzeg yep…they are pros, like good white colonialists and imperialists, of cultural appropriation.  This org is such a joke — run by five white males with shady ties religious fundamentalists.  Virtually their entire budget is spent on creating these propaganda films which aim to increase US militarization in Uganda.  And don’t even get me started on homophobe Jason Russell.  He should read this:        “Homophobes May Have Unacknowledged Attraction to Same Sex” https://criticalmassprogress.com/2012/04/09/homophobes-may-have-unacknowledged-attraction-to-same-sex/

        •  @Seeta yes he should read it..
           
          .i won;t start either on the naked melt-down..Yeah dehydration Right

        •  @nancy a heitzeg LMAO

        • KayWhitlock

           @Seeta  @nancy a heitzeg But what do you REALLY think, Seeta?!
           
          Well said.  Time to just say it plain:  frauds.
           
          The devaluing, degradation, and demonizing of black bodies.
           
           

    • KayWhitlock

       @nancy a heitzeg Tupac lives!  The hologram performance…
       
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgiEIeTFRwM

      •  @KayWhitlock  @nancy a heitzeg I heard about this! Crazy!!

      •  @KayWhitlock wow  — we could use some Tupac :)

        • KayWhitlock

           @nancy a heitzeg We could also use some holograms of Fannie Lou Hamer and Malcolm.  And. And. And. 

        •  @KayWhitlock that’s right :) Huey P

        • KayWhitlock

           @nancy a heitzeg Ella Baker!

        • PegRapp

           @KayWhitlock  @nancy a heitzeg Assata Shakur!
          (Great column BTW – my 25 yr old son was picked up at 6am in front of his house in Harlem a few months ago — no justification. Spent two days in jail. He himself couldn’t believe what was happening although he’s been schooled to be prepared for it. It was a hard lesson for him. When I explained to white liberal friends, they kept pressing me with, Yeah, but what did he do (to bring this on himself)? I wanted to punch them out. :).  It’s got to stop.

        •  @PegRapp  @KayWhitlock Oh Peg — sorry about your son :(
           
          Yes It Must Stop

        •  @PegRapp  @KayWhitlock  @nancy a heitzeg So sorry this happened, PegRapp.  A painful lesson that I wish he did not have to learn or experience.  

        • KayWhitlock

           @PegRapp  @nancy a heitzeg I am so sorry this happened to your son, PegRapp.  What makes it all the more reprehensible is that this is so commonplace. 

        •  @PegRapp Sorry to hear that your son had to experience that. And yeah…I hear you on wanting to punch out the well-meaning (usually white) liberal folks who always think that people of color have somehow *done* something that warrants such treatment rather than recognizing that the system is racist.

        • KayWhitlock

           @Vikki  @PegRapp amen.

        •  @Vikki  @PegRapp Amen Vikki — great as always to see you