Baltimore riots after Freddie Gray funeral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the riots in Baltimore that occurred following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody. Participants explore the motivations behind the riots, the societal context, and the implications of police response, while addressing broader issues of race, justice, and community dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that anger and protesting are justified, but they question the effectiveness of rioting and looting, suggesting these actions are counterproductive.
  • Others propose that rioters may feel they have exhausted official channels for change, leading to their actions.
  • There are claims that societal decay is influenced by multiple major issues, and a comprehensive solution is necessary, though its feasibility is doubted.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the connection between the riots and the Freddie Gray protest, asserting that many community members disapprove of the violence.
  • Concerns are raised about the historical context of protests and the differences in societal conditions faced by various groups during past movements compared to the current situation.
  • Participants discuss the perception of police mistreatment and question whether there has been any real improvement over time in addressing these issues.
  • Some contributions highlight the economic disparities and systemic issues that may influence the actions of protesters and rioters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus on the motivations behind the riots or the effectiveness of the protests. Disagreements exist regarding the justification of the riots and the historical context of protests.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the motivations of rioters and the effectiveness of past protests. The conversation reflects a complex interplay of social, economic, and historical factors that are not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying social movements, race relations, community responses to injustice, and the dynamics of protest and violence in urban settings.

  • #121
Muti said:
What is issue with most of peoples here... I admit most of peoples are very knowledgeable and that is why it is their right to ridicule anyone based on their thinking that being more knowledgeable they have a right. Preaching freedom of speech and unable of to listen to anything they consider wrong. Wow ... Lastly if we have a few more of such enlightened peoples we may have first no animals left in this world because animals can not solve mathematics and physics question. Then ...

I must say that people today are just too damn sensitive. Vehement disagreement is not ridicule and freedom of speech also includes the right to ignore that speech or just walk away shaking your head.
 
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  • #122
nsaspook said:
freedom of speech also includes the right to ignore that speech or just walk away shaking your head.
Thank you for enlightening me. Next time I will not be sensitive rather I just walk away shaking my head...
 
  • #123
Esnas said:
Thank you, JakeBrodskyPE, for what appears to me to be your honest thoughts on the conversation that I raised above. I can certainly see that "state of mind", despair, anger and a belief that things have not gotten better would be the background for the recent destruction in Baltimore. I've only been to Baltimore once many years ago to visit a Black friend who had finished his graduate degree at Oxford (in England) so I guess that he does not count. I know no other people in Baltimore (that I am aware of). I assume that you do know "many people in West Baltimore" who were part of the protest group. Am I correct in paraphrasing you to say that these people have (1) no ambition, (2) have a culture of utter despair and (3) lack drive? I'm not sure what a "religious sense of duty" would look like. This is enough for now and I've only dealt with your first paragraph! Maybe the second paragraph next time. I shall continue to read your responses carefully but I cannot guarantee that we will arrive at the same meaning.

I'm not sure what the point of your reply was. If you would like to suggest an alternate point of view, please do so.
 
  • #124
JakeBrodskyPE said:
I'm not sure what the point of your reply was. If you would like to suggest an alternate point of view, please do so.
The point was to confirm from you that I had correctly understood your first paragraph. I did this by paraphrasing what seemed to be conveyed in your first paragraph. I was simply waiting for that confirmation and/or an expansion of the points that you already made in that paragraph. Generally, I prefer to take things very slowly. A few points at a time.
 
  • #125
JakeBrodskyPE said:
I am going to say things that may get taken the wrong way, so please read carefully:

I am "privileged." Most who post here are of that ilk. We're privileged because we grew up in reasonably whole families, in communities that cared for us, and that we were able to learn the lessons our society cares most about. At one point in our lives, my parents and I were on welfare. The difference between us and many people in West Baltimore is that we had ambition, a religious sense of duty, and a feeling that we weren't going to stay this way.

This was your first paragraph. My response to that paragraph is above #119. Did I correctly paraphrase what you said?
 
  • #126
This thread has been going in circles and is now getting personal, closed.
 

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