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The Unlearned Lesson from Ferguson, Missouri
Townhall.com ^ | August 12, 2015 | Allen West

Posted on 08/12/2015 4:01:24 AM PDT by Kaslin

There was a remembrance march held in Ferguson, Missouri that was supposed to be peaceful in nature. It started as such but ended differently.

I must first ask, why was there a remembrance march for the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown? Was the intention to mark how the community in Ferguson has turned the corner and made improvements to address the real issues underlying the problems in the community?

I have no time to play a politically correct game but will ask, why was there a protest march to remember a young black man who assaulted a store owner, robbed a store, and assaulted a police officer and attempted to take away his weapon? I am quite sure asking that question will draw the ire of a certain group of people more interested in being victims than resolving the issue at hand. After all, there was a quote from Booker T. Washington that aptly describes these present day purveyors of dependency, not self-reliance. Here are Washington’s words, “There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs.”

What was the purpose of marching with upside down American flags, a symbol of distress?

Actually, that was a somewhat appropriate measure because America is in distress when it comes to the state of our inner cities and urban environments. The unlearned lesson of Ferguson, Missouri is not about protest marches remembering the tragedy of Michael Brown, it should have been about the restoration of three very important aspects of the black community that are in dire need.

First, in the year that has passed since the original Ferguson incident, what has happened with the growth of minority owned, small businesses in the community? One of the key aspects of urban economic restoration has to do with entrepreneurial spirit and growth. The one year protest should have brought this issue to light and sought out policy solutions, such as former Rep. Jack Kemp’s urban economic empowerment zones. How do we reinvigorate Ferguson with the capital necessary to rebuild businesses that the local population can see as a matter of pride? Sadly, when nightfall came, the violence came, too, and there was more looting of businesses in Ferguson. Consider the abysmal black teenager unemployment rate and you will realize why these young people are busy shooting each other, disrespecting the rule of law and law enforcement officers, and destroying businesses – where they should be working.

Second, if you want to have economic revitalization in the inner city, then we need to have better education opportunities. So where were the placards and signs asking for better schools, school choice, charter schools, and opportunities that come only by way of education? Not every kid needs to go onto college, but every kid needs to have a viable skill that enables them to be contributing and productive members of society. These skills need to be focused on the local economic and business needs and ensure the next generation of workers are developed. This does not mean just throwing out a $15 minimum wage panacea which relegates those to believe that frying French fries in a fast food restaurant is a career endeavor. That is the insidious political band aid over a sucking chest wound approach. Why is there not a discussion about skills development and tradesmanship?

In the year since the death of Michael Brown, how many jobs skills development centers have opened in Ferguson? Again, perhaps if the young folks there had to wake up early and be off to a job or a workforce development center they would not have had a desire to be out shooting at each other. Perhaps 18-year old friend of Michael Brown, Tyrone Harris Jr., would not be sitting in a hospital recovering from gunshot wounds resulting from his firing upon law enforcement officers with a stolen handgun.

And that brings me to the third unlearned lesson from Ferguson – what happened to black Dads? I grew up in the inner city of Atlanta and my dad, Herman “Buck” West Sr., raised his first son, Herman West Jr., to seek out service to our nation as a Marine infantryman, following the example set by Dad, who served as a Soldier in World War II, my older brother served in Vietnam. Upon return, he became an Atlanta police officer – one who inculcated into me the lesson of respect and regard for authority. There are calls for a “day of disobedience” in Ferguson, and how many dads are supporting this? Fifty years ago the two parent black household was near 77%, today it is at 25%. Men are needed to raise young men and teach them the lessons of honor, character, and respect. Not saying that a single mom cannot do so, but the odds weigh heavily against.

Booker T. Washington had a three point agenda for the success of the black community under the horrific specter of segregation, Jim Crow, and lynchings – all Democrat policies of the day. He focused on education, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance to enable success for the blacks as individuals and the community as a whole. The policies supporting that agenda then are needed now more than ever.

The unlearned lessons from Ferguson, Missouri must continue to be addressed and elevated until resolved. I look forward to the day when the black community is celebrating the opening of more businesses, the reduction of unemployment, the creation of better inner city schools, the end of black on black murder and violent crime, and the restoration of the black family. Those pursuits are worthy of remembering, not every year, but every day. They represent a nobler endeavor, worthy of the exertions and energy of the black community…and the legacy passed on to subsequent generations.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: blackcommunity; economicgrowth; fatherlessness; ferguson; urbancities

1 posted on 08/12/2015 4:01:24 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

“Why was there a remembrance march for the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown? Was the intention to mark how the community in Ferguson has turned the corner and made improvements to address the real issues underlying the problems in the community?

I have no time to play a politically correct game but will ask, why was there a protest march to remember a young black man who assaulted a store owner, robbed a store, and assaulted a police officer and attempted to take away his weapon?”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV)

9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.


2 posted on 08/12/2015 4:20:18 AM PDT by Eccl 10:2 (Prov 3:5 --- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding")
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To: Eccl 10:2

“.......why was there a protest march to remember a young black man who assaulted a store owner, robbed a store, and assaulted a police officer and attempted to take away his weapon?”..........

It’s on odumbo’s bucket list for each anniversary. Keep the natives restless and perhaps, just perhaps a civil riot will ensue and then he can call for Marshal Law.


3 posted on 08/12/2015 4:52:23 AM PDT by DaveA37
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To: Kaslin

The unlearned lesson is why on earth would a community allow people to protest in the dark until 3 AM?

If they want to protest, it should be done in broad daylight. That way when people start shooting, it is a whole lot easier to see who they are.


4 posted on 08/12/2015 4:56:27 AM PDT by finnsheep
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To: DaveA37
It’s on odumbo’s bucket list for each anniversary.

It wouldn't surprise me a bit for him to declare a Trayvon/Brown Day. Maybe it would be called "Ferguson Day."

It would feature marches and free shopping, a/k/a looting--community smash and grabs.

5 posted on 08/12/2015 5:22:20 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Kaslin

George Soros’s $33Mil bankrolled Ferguson demonstrations/national protests
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3267179/posts

George Soros funds Ferguson protests, hopes to spur civil action
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3246975/posts

Leaked List Shows Ferguson Protesters Paid by Soros Front Group
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3291703/posts


6 posted on 08/12/2015 5:48:19 AM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
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To: Kaslin

The unlearned lesson is that you must FIRST, FOREMOST AND FOREVER have, nurture and promulgate the TRUTH.

This ‘Ferguson’ mess is simply a LIE.

That’s it in the nutshell.

Say it, love it, deal with it.


7 posted on 08/12/2015 6:13:38 AM PDT by Flintlock (Our soapbox is gone, the ballot box stolen--we're left with the bullet box now.)
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To: Jack Hydrazine; Flintlock
#factsdontmatter
8 posted on 08/12/2015 6:36:10 AM PDT by Old Sarge (I prep because DHS and FEMA told me it was a good idea...)
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To: Old Sarge

Bingo!


9 posted on 08/12/2015 8:29:25 AM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
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To: Kaslin
How do we reinvigorate Ferguson with the capital necessary to rebuild businesses that the local population can see as a matter of pride?

"We" don't. "We" CAN'T. That is something the denizens of Ferguson must do for themselves. The best "we" can do is quit handing out 'gibsmedat'. Using the tax code for social engineering is a fool's errand.

So where were the placards and signs asking for better schools, school choice, charter schools, and opportunities that come only by way of education?

What's wrong with the schools they have? Lack of funds? Hardly. The schools are lousy in part because the STUDENTS are lousy. A community which views learning negatively will not learn.

what happened to black Dads?

Big Daddy Gummint rendered them superfluous.

10 posted on 08/12/2015 8:39:12 AM PDT by NorthMountain ("The time has come", the Walrus said, "to talk of many things")
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To: Kaslin

I like Allen West. I will be the first to donate a dollar so he can buy a clue. Allen, most of the protesters are from out of town and are professional activists, usually for socialism or communism. The rest are pushing for a race war. (Hence the chanting “we are ready for war”). The communists are okay with that as they want to use the blacks as cannon fodder to get their revolution rolling. Then, some are there to just steal and loot, or sell drugs....


11 posted on 08/12/2015 1:59:32 PM PDT by Aut Pax Aut Bellum (I love my dog, but a .45 is man's best friend...)
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