Remove the Stigma of Bad Black Behavior that Hurts our Race

Rather than waiting until specifics about the Michael Brown case are known — such as autopsy results, detailed officer reports, toxicology or other details regarding his death — some Ferguson residents, Brown supporters and various hangers-on decided to act.

Learning nothing from the Trayvon Martin case, people took to the street with demands for “justice” and homemade protest signs. They were aided by a media seemingly excited about exploiting the narrative that Brown’s death was at the hands of a brutal and possibly racist cop in a militarized police force that cares little about black residents.

Ensuing nights after the shooting brought out the worst in people — including looting and burning businesses, vandalizing property and the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson seeking to “organize” the masses.

Regardless of one’s feelings about the Brown case, there’s a need for honest reflection about the behavior of people assembling in Ferguson, Missouri.

The self-destructive and self-defeating behavior on display in Ferguson was inexcusable. It’s a disservice to residents because it takes a sympathetic, accommodating view of the anti-social, regressive behaviors present during the riots, most of which were, unfortunately, committed by blacks.

Sympathizing with looting, vandalizing, personal violence and confrontation with law enforcement essentially excuses it, which emboldens perpetrators. Furthermore, this bad behavior is at the expense of law-abiding local residents whose lives were disrupted by this turmoil — the majority of whom are black.

Aside from being disgraceful, this dysfunction has severe economic consequences for the residents of Ferguson. While vandals reveled in self-created chaos, they made the case that opening businesses there may not be worth the risk.

All this stems from moral decay. There is a noticeable absence of moral values and ethical virtues in the nation as a whole these days, but it seems more concentrated in the inner cities, which are disproportionately populated by blacks. Churches have flunked their mission. The optics are devastating as the stigma associated with these incidents of violence and unrest are projected onto blacks as a whole, unfairly defining an entire race by the misdeeds of a relative few.

Whether the disruptive behaviors witnessed in Ferguson are from locals or self-seeking opportunists from other areas is really of no consequence. Regardless of race, class or residency, people shouldn’t hesitate to condemn bad behavior. But it seems too many whites won’t publicly condemn this condemnable behavior, even though they may earnestly desire to do so. Whites appear culturally conditioned these days to withhold honest commentary and astute observations on race, particularly about blacks. Common sense has been labeled “racist” by the racial grievance industry.

Compounding the problem is that the stigmas of these disgraceful activities and inverted morality behind them are projected onto blacks as a whole and are extremely difficult to overcome. To use a sports metaphor, blacks swallowed their whistle. We’ve forfeited our obligation of self-policing and society seems far too hesitant to publicly confront the conduct undermining the reputation of a race. This stunts our socio-economic progress.

A “soft bigotry of low expectations” is created when we refuse to denounce disruptive behaviors within our own community.

We too often excuse and remove the stigma of detrimental behavior, minimizing the shame that once accompanied dysfunctional, destructive activity. Counterproductive behavior is justified as the legacy of slavery and discrimination. We act as if we are a standard unto ourselves, separate and unaccountable from what society should expect — and actually demands — from other races.

Excusing inexcusable behavior has sullied our reputation and proved to many that we’ve spent our currency as a moral, cultural and political force. The bar is set so low that many aren’t shocked by what happened in Ferguson (or in Chicago, Detroit or other places).

And on the occasions bad behavior is called out, the predictable and reflexive reaction is that such critique is racist. Once again, the behaviors of a disproportionate few define blacks as a whole. The radicals perpetuate the very stereotypes that make them cringe.

Blacks aren’t done any favors when behaviors we’ve seen in Ferguson are excused by white enablers or black defenders. Racial solidarity and racial empathy unfortunately seem less important to these people than dealing with the tribulation of overcoming the stigma associated with undistinguished behavior.

Blacks have a moral obligation to reclaim values and dignity worthy of respect and admiration. It is likewise incumbent upon blacks, particularly the black middle class, to forthrightly and aggressively condemn attitudes and behaviors that thwart our progress and impugn our collective character.

Carry, I want to mention several things to you.

I have watched very closely the blacks who exist on the national stage.

Very very seldom do I see a black that has made it, who doesn’t carry a massive chip on their shoulder. On rare occurrences you see it. It will shake your belief in a possible end to racism in either direction.

I’m not convinced black officers are the answer.

There are very few blacks that don’t harbor resentment. The ones that do are considered Uncle Toms. Black officers wouldn’t be respected either.

Until blacks decide it’s time to move on, there’s no resolution to this.

Look Carry_Okie, do you think whites aren’t discriminated against too? I have been by whites. I have been by blacks. People are discriminating by nature. It is part of the natural selection process.

Thinking we can wipe it out is about as realistic as wiping out a man having a preference in certain women. It will never happen.

I give individuals the benefit of the doubt until they prove they can’t be trusted. I am observant none the less.

It’s human nature.

I do not hate blacks. It makes me happy to see a successful black family. I enjoy seeing happy well behaved black children, and realize they have good black parents.

That’s the best we can hope for in either direction.

Very very seldom do I see a black that has made it, who doesn’t carry a massive chip on their shoulder.

Very seldom do I see anyone who has made it past real adversity who doesn't carry baggage from the pain. I do.

I’m not convinced black officers are the answer.

I never implied that it was a panacea, but I do think it would help the community accept that a young thug deserved what he got, not always, but enough more often that I think it's probably a good idea.

There are very few blacks that don’t harbor resentment. The ones that do are considered Uncle Toms. Black officers wouldn’t be respected either.

That's just too blanket a statement for me.

Look Carry_Okie, do you think whites aren’t discriminated against too?

Sure, I've been "discriminated against" by just about every kind of person you can name. It's part of figuring people out with the minimal information we have when we meet.

I give individuals the benefit of the doubt until they prove they can’t be trusted.

I don't. If I'm on the streets of Oakland, CA, believe me, they have to show me that they're not a threat before my radar goes down. I'm looking for that opportunity, but until I see any sign of it it's set to full gain.

I do not hate blacks. It makes me happy to see a successful black family. I enjoy seeing happy well behaved black children, and realize they have good black parents.

I get pleased when I see signs of a Christian heart. I suspect we would both agree on that.

Very very seldom do I see a black that has made it, who doesn’t carry a massive chip on their shoulder.

Very seldom do I see anyone who has made it past real adversity who doesn't carry baggage from the pain. I do.

Yes, so do I. And yet, we have literally spent trillions trying to attone for past infractions against the black race. It is also fortgotten that the general populace at large is treated with prejudice in many instances by the same police that blacks claim only treat them in that manner. We have ventured into territory that has left the real infractions of racism in the dust, as more and more fantasy takes over where that reality left off.

What do they think the term cracker means? Is that a racial term? What do they think the term blondes are airheads, is an example of? What do they think the knock out game is an example of? What do they think the abduction and rapes of white women by black men is an example of? In none of these instances are whites doing the same things against blacks, and yet you hear this democratphic scream that they are treated more unfairly than others. It simply isn't true.

I can't remember the last time I saw a white person slamming black people in general. Right now I could find 100 videos easily, with black people trashing whites at length.

I’m not convinced black officers are the answer.

One concern I have here is that in large metropolitain areas, the standards have been so lowered to increase minority participation in the ranks of police agencies, that there are much higher levels of officer related crime than there used to be. There was a time that late bills, problems with certain crimes would have disqualified people. Today, that is no longer the case. Some officer serve right along side other officers who actually have a dated rap sheet. Not good. Not good at all IMO.

There are very few blacks that don’t harbor resentment. The ones that do are considered Uncle Toms. Black officers wouldn’t be respected either.

That's just too blanket a statement for me.

Have you evern seen Colin Powell uncork comments that made you think he harbored some deep seeted resentment? I have. I have also seen a number of other leading blacks that I would otherwise think were pretty fine upstanding people, exhibit this trait. Somewhere along the line, I had to admit that there was something driving these people not to respect good decent white folks out here. I didn't particularly like it, but absent any other explanation for their comments, I had to accept that this was more widespread than I had thought.

Look Carry_Okie, do you think whites aren’t discriminated against too?

Sure, I've been "discriminated against" by just about every kind of person you can name. It's part of figuring people out with the minimal information we have when we meet.

I agree. But when it happens to you, you don't attribute it to racsim almost exclusively. I'm sorry, but ethnic groups do. This is the point I was touching on. You don't look back on your life certain that your lack of success was the fault of everyone else, and not your own. Ethnic groups do, and they can look back every step of the way and find evidence of racism. Generally speaking, that isn't true.

I give individuals the benefit of the doubt until they prove they can’t be trusted.

That's an important response. I believe it is findamental that people observe this tactic, for self-preservation. When I said what I did here, I was thinking of one on one in social settings. I try to extend my hand in friendship. It pleases me to meet minority people who are sociable, and friendly. That's certainly the way I want to be towards them. Everyone deserves to be treated decently in this type of setting.

I do not hate blacks. It makes me happy to see a successful black family. I enjoy seeing happy well behaved black children, and realize they have good black parents.

I get pleased when I see signs of a Christian heart. I suspect we would both agree on that.

I'm sure we would too.

I admit to using some fairly blanket statements in my comments on this topic. I try to avoid that, but after watching literally thousands of examples, I have had to come up with some way of explaining what I have observed.

I'm not flawless, but I do try to be fair to people, regardless of race, gender, or religion.

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