Why Some of Us Will Not, Cannot, and Do Not Post about Baltimore

[ellenrr]

In today’s world, when anything of note happens, the place to discuss it is social media. There is a hashtag, a trending topic, a status to be made and shared. The importance of these platforms in situations of civilians versus the state is not to be underestimated. The ability to share information accurately from the frontline, without the filter imposed by authorities is one of the only ways we have to discern the truth.

However the ubiquity and constant nature of social media means that it is quite frankly exhausting. It is draining and demoralizing to scroll through reams and reams of the hurt done to our communities by white people, as well as to see the reactions of other white people to this state-sanctioned violence. But many Black people feel that they have a duty to keep posting and to keep engaging and to keep pushing past the deep pit of sickening hopelessness that opens up any time we are reminded that in the eyes of so many, a broken CVS window is worth more sadness and outrage than the broken spine of a young, Black man.
Some Black folks, however, keep quiet on social media, even when situations reach their peak. This is not a sign of apathy or disinterest. It is not because we just don’t care. It is not complicit silence.

It is because we are close to our breaking point. The mental toll of posting about state-sanctioned violence against people of color is monumental. It doesn’t seem to matter how many people peacefully protest online or scream and shout their throats raw in the streets crying for justice, the status quo just keeps rolling.



http://www.forharriet.com/2015/04/why-some-of-us-will-not-cannot-and-do.html#axzz3YmfnUtiI

[Spitfire of ATJ]

1. There are white supremacists who see that CVS window broken and eagerly ask, "Now?"....

They've been arming up for a race war for YEARS.

They actually believe someone is going to give them a green light to shoot black people on sight.

[ellenrr]

4. yeah, bec. white supremacists need a reason to be white supremacists...

Black people think they have the right to walk down the street, or drive a car, or LIVE --
that gives white supremacists all the "justification" they need.

[tblue37]

2. KnR. nt

[KingCharlemagne]

3. A very wise DUer screen-named 'Feral Child' posted this sage observation during

the height of unrest in Ferguson, at a time when I was contemplating going to Ferguson to join the resistance. It resonated so much with me that I have saved it and quote it from time to time, mostly to remind myself not to advocate that others take up armed struggle if I am unwilling to do so myself.

Like all oppressed people through-out history, they (black people) realize that a mob can't over-run a cohesive force of well-armed, government supported troops, no matter how poorly trained and disciplined those soldiers may be.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014945402

[ellenrr]

5. it's pretty obvious that the military force of the mightiest country on earth

cannot be defeated by what the post calls a "mob".

I'm pretty sure no one is suggesting this is a possibility.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. People thought the same of that other mightiest military force in the world....

[ellenrr]

8. yeah.. the situations are very comparable. LOL..nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. They do seem to love to stand in a line.

[KingCharlemagne]

13. I guess it depends on what one means by 'defeated,' but yeah that seems

to be Feral Child's point in the quote I copied above.

However, the final paragraph of the extract you posted suggests that some people may in fact be considering the possibility:

It is because we are close to our breaking point. The mental toll of posting about state-sanctioned violence against people of color is monumental. It doesn’t seem to matter how many people peacefully protest online or scream and shout their throats raw in the streets crying for justice, the status quo just keeps rolling. (Emphasis added)

[madashelltoo]

6. For me . . . Weary.

Bone weary. Soul weary. Tired of crying. Tired of yelling, "This is not fair . . . not right at all." Tired of being tired of talking to folks who could not care less. Scared of what's at the end of my rope when ignorance tries to convince me that it's all my imagination.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

9. That's why the 1% think it's okay for you to have a doobie.

[ellenrr]

11. me too. I'm tired. and I'm going to commit civil disobedience...

not telling anyone else what to do - but for me, after 50 years of being a social activist - like Phil Ochs, "I ain't marching anymore."
it is the right thing to put my body where my mouth is, and get arrested.

no, this won't "solve the problem" anyone than anything else does---
but at least I will do something that in my heart justifies my being on this earth.

[Farmbrook]

12. Thank you for your Statement - You echo my sentiments

I feel tired, disgusted, hopeless and helpless. But like someone said on the thread, it is time to put our bodies on the line because too many of our brethren are dying needlessly and doing nothing is just as bad.

[lostnfound]

14. I feel an obligation, as a white person, to speak up about it loudly and often to other whites.

You and 'your communities' should NOT have to face this alone.
I don't know what to DO about it, but I am sick and so angry that racist, brutal or stupid individuals are making this unjust courage continue into the 21st century.
I am furious that these dumbass Neanderthals keep hurting people and hurting our society so much by propagating these horrible injustices and the. Getting away with it.
Most white business people that I talk to are also disgusted and sick of it, too. You are not alone. Many of us keep quiet because we don't feel qualified to talk about it, but it doesn't mean they don't agree.

I personally didn't need the video evidence - i've been suspicious of the stories from the cops for years - but I'm glad there's video evidence in so many cases lately, because I think it's opening up some eyes.