At least one of the "demands" of the "Black Lives Matter" controversy makes perfect sense. We need to cut down on the rate of incarceration in the US. The US now has 2.3 million Americans in prison, mostly male. Its rate of incarceration is 14 times the rate in Japan.
But of course this is about HUMAN LIVES not black lives. And white middle-aged males are suffering disproportionately to a higher death rate.
,
Moreover, beyond this, much of the "Black Lives" movement seems incoherent at best, perhaps a new form of reverse racism at worst. Consider the first of seven demands made by blacks at the University of Missouri:
"We demand that University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a hand-written apology to Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exits, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demands. ..."
Yet this humiliating apology was not enough. The second demand was for the president's removal.
This reminds me of Queen Mary's burning of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer at the stake.
She demanded that Cranmer renounce his old religion and accept Catholicism, she had him parade around the nation expressing his repentance and conversion.
Then she burned him anyway.
But of course this is about HUMAN LIVES not black lives. And white middle-aged males are suffering disproportionately to a higher death rate.
,
Moreover, beyond this, much of the "Black Lives" movement seems incoherent at best, perhaps a new form of reverse racism at worst. Consider the first of seven demands made by blacks at the University of Missouri:
"We demand that University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a hand-written apology to Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exits, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demands. ..."
Yet this humiliating apology was not enough. The second demand was for the president's removal.
This reminds me of Queen Mary's burning of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer at the stake.
She demanded that Cranmer renounce his old religion and accept Catholicism, she had him parade around the nation expressing his repentance and conversion.
Then she burned him anyway.
1
Back in the old days, the Soviets would sow dissension in the US by broad-casting about what a raw-deal blacks were getting from whites (divide alliances, no matter how tenuous). They also made ties with revolutionary black leaders.
The US took steps, after the Civil Rights movement, to patch things up with Affirmative Action and a variety of social programs. More black women were hired in the workplace, also. Black men? Not so much.
Here we are decades later. Do black lives matter in the US? Well we have and will have had our first black President. I think that's something.
The US took steps, after the Civil Rights movement, to patch things up with Affirmative Action and a variety of social programs. More black women were hired in the workplace, also. Black men? Not so much.
Here we are decades later. Do black lives matter in the US? Well we have and will have had our first black President. I think that's something.
1
The unavoidable irony Edsall avoids but illustrates by deliberate omission is this:
(Caveat: I am a Black attorney in Washington DC, so I say this with deep sadness)
Every socio-economic indicator used to measure quality of life in the United States of America, according to a recent national study shows during the Obama presidency that African Americans are enduring the sharpest decline in quality of life metrics and suffering the worst levels of unemployment, starvation, homelessness, mass incarceration, violence and loss of wealth as a community than any other racial or ethnic group in the USA.
The last time this was the case was during the era of American Slavery.
Let me repeat this. The Black community during the Obama presidency is suffering at levels and to an extent unseen in the United States since slavery.
Yet the liberal elite are rubbing their chins, grasping snifters of brandy and wondering whether Black lives matter to Obama's replacement. Why not ask (using actual facts, as opposed to conjecture from campaign soundbytes of unelected) why Black lives don't seem to matter to the current occupant of the White House?
Because that would be too much honesty for the NYT, and since the Obama WH communications office vets content for this newspaper through the NYT Washington Bureau, valid criticism of Barack Obama for neglecting Blacks until he was politically safe would never make print.
(Caveat: I am a Black attorney in Washington DC, so I say this with deep sadness)
Every socio-economic indicator used to measure quality of life in the United States of America, according to a recent national study shows during the Obama presidency that African Americans are enduring the sharpest decline in quality of life metrics and suffering the worst levels of unemployment, starvation, homelessness, mass incarceration, violence and loss of wealth as a community than any other racial or ethnic group in the USA.
The last time this was the case was during the era of American Slavery.
Let me repeat this. The Black community during the Obama presidency is suffering at levels and to an extent unseen in the United States since slavery.
Yet the liberal elite are rubbing their chins, grasping snifters of brandy and wondering whether Black lives matter to Obama's replacement. Why not ask (using actual facts, as opposed to conjecture from campaign soundbytes of unelected) why Black lives don't seem to matter to the current occupant of the White House?
Because that would be too much honesty for the NYT, and since the Obama WH communications office vets content for this newspaper through the NYT Washington Bureau, valid criticism of Barack Obama for neglecting Blacks until he was politically safe would never make print.
6
Regarding Mr. Edsall's "restorative justice" comments, it seems he has it down to a zero-sum game. Why must it be an either/or proposition? Discipline tailored to the child and infraction seems a far better plan that a one-size-fits-all agenda. Whichever plan you choose, some will inevitable fall through the cracks, simply because we should be talking about a complete wardrobe, not just socks or T-shirts. There will be questions of fairness, though there are plenty of those right now and always have been. Judges, at least those not handcuffed by arbitrary sentencing rules, do this everyday. Letting students clearly know what is expected of them (and what is not acceptable) is necessary; ensuring they understand that is vital.
1
Yet again, the NYT mentions Mrs. Clinton's views on this matter, while failing to mention those of Bernie Sanders, who has been on the money on this issue for decades. Why is it that this bias continues here? Mrs. Clinton will be more of the same, tweedle dum/tweedle dee, though she is mouthing more progressive views of late due to the threat of Bernie.
Please do an honest job of reporting here in the "paper of record"...
Please do an honest job of reporting here in the "paper of record"...
4
The following assertion by Edsall says it all: "A fundamental premise of restorative justice is that defiant students who disrupt classes should be treated with empathy – as children harmed by poverty, racism, and discrimination — rather than as offenders."
Our public schools are already a haven for dysfunctional students that are not only a learning problem to themselves, but also a hindrance to all the other students in their class. If we can't even get establish the ability to get a sound education as the basic foundation of a strong, productive life, we will continue to doom our most vulnerable children to lives of lesser achievement, frustration and often a path to a marginal, even criminal, existence.
Good parents inherently want the best education possible for their children. Thus the focus on being in a good town or school district or going to great lengths to get their child in a private or charter school.
None of these issues of criminality will be addressed long term until we address the disparity availability of good education AND the need to isolate dysfunctional children that can't or don't want to learn from those that do.
11/11/15 at 6:03
Our public schools are already a haven for dysfunctional students that are not only a learning problem to themselves, but also a hindrance to all the other students in their class. If we can't even get establish the ability to get a sound education as the basic foundation of a strong, productive life, we will continue to doom our most vulnerable children to lives of lesser achievement, frustration and often a path to a marginal, even criminal, existence.
Good parents inherently want the best education possible for their children. Thus the focus on being in a good town or school district or going to great lengths to get their child in a private or charter school.
None of these issues of criminality will be addressed long term until we address the disparity availability of good education AND the need to isolate dysfunctional children that can't or don't want to learn from those that do.
11/11/15 at 6:03
3
I will take the Black Lives Matter movement seriously when more Black fathers start caring about their Black children.
JD
JD
5
I think what we are missing is the fact that ever since girls started having babies at a young age without marriage, and then expecting the government to take care of them, academic failure and behavior has become abyssmal. Now, many kids are on the cell phones during class according to a substitute teacher who formerly taught science for 35 years. Until. Black lives matter to the father and mother who brought them into this world, they will believe that they are owed all to bow down to their anger. Who wants to teach anymore no matter what the makeup of the class is as far as race. Not too many. The problem is government creates jobs for disaffected and underlined younger people while expecting way too much compensation when the only skill level is being on a tablet and going to meetings. Does anyone in government actually make a difference other than using government credit cards and getting bonuses, while !overpaid idiotswith free healthcare in government mjobs rom the VA to the IRS run things!
2
Not a single mention of Bernie Sanders. How can I take this seriously?
3
It is disturbing (but unfortunately not surprising) to me that Edsall doesn't mention Bernie Sanders once in the entire piece.
This seems to be NY Times policy: either ignore, dismiss or denigrate Bernie Sanders' candidacy.
How can this be a legitimate analysis if it ignores the second most popular candidate for the Democrats?
This seems to be NY Times policy: either ignore, dismiss or denigrate Bernie Sanders' candidacy.
How can this be a legitimate analysis if it ignores the second most popular candidate for the Democrats?
4
The real question is, do lives matter. The movement calling itself Black Lives Matter, is probably less relevant to the candidates and to the discussion. Lives matter, including police lives, black lives, white lives, those who serve their community and those who live in it. Yes.
1
There is such a thing as bad behavior, behavior that infringes on others. How to deal with it is the question. I can acknowledge that a student is acting out because of a deep sense of injustice at the system (what an abstraction) but that person's behavior may be disruptive and threatening and should stop.
But you can also point to democrats that stand for harsh policing. None of that is mentioned here, and is absolutely critical.
It is interesting that the "Black Lives Matter" movement gathered steam at the tail end of the Obama Presidency. It is as if Obama's most faithful political bloc had deferred their demands and expectations for six or more years, but had given up on his pledge to be patient, and push for progress together with all Americans facing similar problems.
The question ultimately come down to is this: Will Democrats be able to hold this coalition together as their disparate interest groups: Blacks, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Women, White Males, LBGY ? all have different concerns that they want addressed now rather than later!
The question ultimately come down to is this: Will Democrats be able to hold this coalition together as their disparate interest groups: Blacks, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Women, White Males, LBGY ? all have different concerns that they want addressed now rather than later!
1
Elizabeth, I am a Black attorney who lives in Washington DC and works on Capitol Hill. I graduated from law school and moved here for work about 7 months before Obama took office in 2009.
I would like to correct something that you said, because in seven years and over 9,250,000 printed words later, the NYT has never, in any way shape or form addressed the racial deception of the Obama presidency in the Black community. Ever.
The "demands" and "expectations" Obama created in the Black community as "Candidate Obama" the tearful "historic" moment on election night with civil rights "leaders" crying tears of joy and excitement for the future were not deferred by the Black community. Obama avoided them, wholesale at every point in his presidency where public support for the Black community would have endangered his chances to be re-elected.
There are scores of examples from Obama's first term. The Troy Davis execution in Georgia, and the shameful night Obama went to bed early and Davis was put to death for a murder many legal experts now suspect he not only did not commit, but was found guilty and put do death as a result of racial profiling gone terribly wrong. I serve the homeless through legal clinics here in DC. I have never seen Barack Obama in the 3 poorest Black communities in Washington DC, nearly 7 years in. The inconvenient truth (that the NYT will never admit) is wealth, fame and ego matter more to Obama than the lives of ordinary Black people.
I would like to correct something that you said, because in seven years and over 9,250,000 printed words later, the NYT has never, in any way shape or form addressed the racial deception of the Obama presidency in the Black community. Ever.
The "demands" and "expectations" Obama created in the Black community as "Candidate Obama" the tearful "historic" moment on election night with civil rights "leaders" crying tears of joy and excitement for the future were not deferred by the Black community. Obama avoided them, wholesale at every point in his presidency where public support for the Black community would have endangered his chances to be re-elected.
There are scores of examples from Obama's first term. The Troy Davis execution in Georgia, and the shameful night Obama went to bed early and Davis was put to death for a murder many legal experts now suspect he not only did not commit, but was found guilty and put do death as a result of racial profiling gone terribly wrong. I serve the homeless through legal clinics here in DC. I have never seen Barack Obama in the 3 poorest Black communities in Washington DC, nearly 7 years in. The inconvenient truth (that the NYT will never admit) is wealth, fame and ego matter more to Obama than the lives of ordinary Black people.
4
The great tragedy of our society has been that respect for each other has been made through out our history a black/white issue. Neither should it be a Liberal or Conservative one or even a rich/ poor one. When will we grow up to become the people and society lives up to our Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther KIng's I Have a Dream speech. Sigh.
2
You have published my comments over 100 times with several NYT picks I Wrote an opinion piece on the police today which was published by you and contained no objectionable words and criticized them for their recent nationwide brutality. I made an analogy between the police protecting brutal officers and the Catholic Church protecting priests I think my comment was removed.if it was approved by you and then flagged because of my opinion which contained no expletives or incorrect facts,just an opinion, that raises a huge issue about your committment to freedom of expression. Could you please respond to me. Thanks
How much does any person's life matter (black, white, whatever) to politicians, police, government workers, corporations, or just about anyone. Human beings are basically selfish people centered on their own survival and, if possible, happiness. Yes, there are social workers who want to do good for their fellow man. And others in religious work. But these are feel good endeavors. People generally don't care about anyone except themselves even though there are exceptions. Problem is -- including the writer of this opinion -- they can't admit it.
2
Unruly students have been a part of the educational system for as long as there has been a system.
Unfortunately, what used to be handled with detention, is now handled with a suspension. What used to be handled with a suspension is now handled by an arrest. Suspensions and arrests are not effective education tools.
These changes went hand in hand with changes to our criminal codes; mandatory minimums, draconian sentences for nonviolent crimes, etc.
This is the essence of what has been described as the school to prison pipeline.
While many assume that lower crime rates are a result of these changes, it's just as likely that lower crime rates were due to the improvements to our economy before the 20008 crash. This would seem to be borne out by the uptick in crime rates that have roughly corresponded with our economic decline.
If our crime rates are tied to the economy as opposed to our level of incarcerations, reversing some of the harsh new rules are justified.
Let's restore detentions and suspensions to what they were before we ratcheted up the penalties for childhood misbehavior.
Let's eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and allow judges to determine sentencing on a case by case basis.
Let's take the money that will be saved by reducing our prison population and plough it back into education.
Our goal should be to produce a generation of intelligent, law abiding citizens, not to fill our prisons and say look how safe we are because these prisoners are behind bars.
Unfortunately, what used to be handled with detention, is now handled with a suspension. What used to be handled with a suspension is now handled by an arrest. Suspensions and arrests are not effective education tools.
These changes went hand in hand with changes to our criminal codes; mandatory minimums, draconian sentences for nonviolent crimes, etc.
This is the essence of what has been described as the school to prison pipeline.
While many assume that lower crime rates are a result of these changes, it's just as likely that lower crime rates were due to the improvements to our economy before the 20008 crash. This would seem to be borne out by the uptick in crime rates that have roughly corresponded with our economic decline.
If our crime rates are tied to the economy as opposed to our level of incarcerations, reversing some of the harsh new rules are justified.
Let's restore detentions and suspensions to what they were before we ratcheted up the penalties for childhood misbehavior.
Let's eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and allow judges to determine sentencing on a case by case basis.
Let's take the money that will be saved by reducing our prison population and plough it back into education.
Our goal should be to produce a generation of intelligent, law abiding citizens, not to fill our prisons and say look how safe we are because these prisoners are behind bars.
1
A couple of hyperbolic comments needing fact checking mar this otherwise thoughtful piece:
“During the 1960s race riots, police would kill dozens of young black men in a single night, but the public barely noticed”. Pinkerton's right. I didn’t notice. Tell us when and where?
Matusow "worries ‘about the ability of the right to make a few videos and turn some portion of the amorphous middle in the direction of the police. I have acquired great respect for the ability of bad men to manipulate the public.’” – A few videos? Only on the Right? That did it, alright, those four or five right wing videos “damaged the political left.” Some damage.
A couple other questions:
Since the schoolgirl refused to listen to the teacher, refused to leave, refused to listen to the policeman, how would “restorative justice policies .... to replace suspension or expulsion of defiant students” would have allowed the classroom to continue to function?
And aren’t “restorative justice polices” meant to replace “zero-tolerance” policies. And weren’t those dreamt up by the educational establishment, that hot-bed of right wing fanaticism, to prevent the disparity in black children’s punishment rates?
If we can stop the hyperbole, quit calling names, maybe we can have the beginnings of an honest discussion about crime, punishment, and “restorative justice policies”. However, as the Left now sees this as a path to electoral victory, I’m not betting on it. Sad. Really sad.
“During the 1960s race riots, police would kill dozens of young black men in a single night, but the public barely noticed”. Pinkerton's right. I didn’t notice. Tell us when and where?
Matusow "worries ‘about the ability of the right to make a few videos and turn some portion of the amorphous middle in the direction of the police. I have acquired great respect for the ability of bad men to manipulate the public.’” – A few videos? Only on the Right? That did it, alright, those four or five right wing videos “damaged the political left.” Some damage.
A couple other questions:
Since the schoolgirl refused to listen to the teacher, refused to leave, refused to listen to the policeman, how would “restorative justice policies .... to replace suspension or expulsion of defiant students” would have allowed the classroom to continue to function?
And aren’t “restorative justice polices” meant to replace “zero-tolerance” policies. And weren’t those dreamt up by the educational establishment, that hot-bed of right wing fanaticism, to prevent the disparity in black children’s punishment rates?
If we can stop the hyperbole, quit calling names, maybe we can have the beginnings of an honest discussion about crime, punishment, and “restorative justice policies”. However, as the Left now sees this as a path to electoral victory, I’m not betting on it. Sad. Really sad.
6
I am very tired of this either/or conversation about race, violence and so called liberal softness towards discipline. Of course we should not be beating others no matter what their color to make a point whether it is in the class room living room or on the street. Children should be taught the value of education and respecting teachers which as a society we do not do very well. Parents need to show common cause with teachers and police officers unless there is evidence of their stepping over the line into violence. Streets and classrooms can not be allowed to turn into places of conflict. How can we live together this way?
Ateacher or police officer will in most cases not turn to violence if society does not support violence, but honors the rights and dignity of people. This includes children though disrespect and violence can not be tolerated. This loss of respect for each other has been the driving force behind the use of violence and the unravelling of society. Discipline in the classroom and in dealing with each other is not a loss of freedom, but allows us to find a new sense of freedom and respect for ourselves.
Ateacher or police officer will in most cases not turn to violence if society does not support violence, but honors the rights and dignity of people. This includes children though disrespect and violence can not be tolerated. This loss of respect for each other has been the driving force behind the use of violence and the unravelling of society. Discipline in the classroom and in dealing with each other is not a loss of freedom, but allows us to find a new sense of freedom and respect for ourselves.
1
The sad truth is that too many parents aren't able to impart much to those children they brought into the world as they are working, or on their cell phones buying drugs. Things are not well for the majority of kids growing up as those that shouldn't have any children are having too many, and they are able to justify this by having stupid shows like teen mothers and sister wives. All of this is supported by government transfers for each child and their food and healthcare. These people are all idiots and the networks should do a show about how many resources these people use up!
2
CHERRY-PICKING Edsall cleverly picks and chooses assumptions and proves them, reaching the conclusion, not surprisingly, that the GOP's got it all right and the Democrats all left. Ahem, I meant to say, wrong. So he lines up his straw men so he can compare cherries with strawberries. Gee, I meant to say lemons. No doubt we've got some sort of political fruit salad mixed up out there. And it ain't ambrosia.
Videos show unarmed black males, including adolescents and a child, being shot to death by police. And unarmed black women being verbally and physically abused by police. There is no Rodney King action by police officers using force to subdue without resorting to deadly force. If there are videos demonstrating equal brutality toward Caucasians, why has the GOP not found them and placed them on the Internet to demonstrate equal treatment? Because THEY CAN'T! Such videos can't be taken because the same brutality does not exist.
Zero tolerance teaches defiance and ignorance and has no place in schools. Children learn by exhibiting typical behaviors as they develop and are guided by supportive adults through the process of being socialized and cooperative. The original intent of the Founding Fathers was to establish schools so that there would be an informed electorate that could understand the issues facing the country and take part in the political debate, thus supporting the national goals.
Capital punishment, costly GOP fun, costs more than life in prison!
Videos show unarmed black males, including adolescents and a child, being shot to death by police. And unarmed black women being verbally and physically abused by police. There is no Rodney King action by police officers using force to subdue without resorting to deadly force. If there are videos demonstrating equal brutality toward Caucasians, why has the GOP not found them and placed them on the Internet to demonstrate equal treatment? Because THEY CAN'T! Such videos can't be taken because the same brutality does not exist.
Zero tolerance teaches defiance and ignorance and has no place in schools. Children learn by exhibiting typical behaviors as they develop and are guided by supportive adults through the process of being socialized and cooperative. The original intent of the Founding Fathers was to establish schools so that there would be an informed electorate that could understand the issues facing the country and take part in the political debate, thus supporting the national goals.
Capital punishment, costly GOP fun, costs more than life in prison!
As a former Ferguson resident, I got to see "Black Lives Matter" up close & personal. I saw good, kind-hearted neighbors surrounded in their vehicles in the middle of the street, cursed and spit at just because they were white. I also saw black police officers and beloved black neighbors who chose not to protest viciously targeted and harassed, one to the point that protestors broke into their home and threatened to kill their family!
So I'm sorry, but this lifelong liberal Democrat will not be supporting any candidate or party than panders to this "movement." I have seen it for what it really is and that is RACIST.
So I'm sorry, but this lifelong liberal Democrat will not be supporting any candidate or party than panders to this "movement." I have seen it for what it really is and that is RACIST.
9
This racist and violent movement does not help the cause of minorities in this country. Frankly I hate the 'black lives matter movement' because it is responsible for violence against the police. I don't care for people who want to complain, hurt others all the while demanding things they haven't earned. The 'black lives matter' movement couldn't matter any less.
8
The "Black Lives Matter" movement isn't any more responsible for violence against the police than the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion is responsible for the killing of abortion doctors by anti-abortion zealots. Just because the criminal and unhinged decide to gravitate toward a social movement doesn't stand as evidence of that movement's inherent depravity.
1
I expect a better analysis of the effects of crime on politics in the 1960's through 1990's than what's in this article. The fact of the matter is that the sharp rise in crime rates during that period directly impacted not just the poor and inner-city minorities but also large swathes of middle-class America that dwelt or worked in urban areas. Rising crime rates, as well as the occasional race riot, made hitherto stable, inter-ethnic neighborhoods unsafe and led to white flight to the suburbs. Rising property crime in urban core areas chased away businesses and mass entertainment into suburban office parks and arenas. These were all felt by voters in their direct lives, not simply as stories in the newspaper or the 11:00 news.
Contrast all this with the situation today. Even if the misnamed "Ferguson effect" is assumed to exist, the rise in crime rates is almost invariably locked into poor and minority neighborhoods in select urban areas. The crime might make the nightly news in urban markets the way it has for decades, but almost none of the viewers are directly affected by it - the way they are not affected by poor school discipline or a rise in welfare cases or Food Stamp usage. Barring an actual increase in violent or property crime in the suburbs or affluent urban areas, the travails of poor and minority America will remain abstractions to most white voters, merely reinforcing their preconceived notions but not changing the political landscape.
Contrast all this with the situation today. Even if the misnamed "Ferguson effect" is assumed to exist, the rise in crime rates is almost invariably locked into poor and minority neighborhoods in select urban areas. The crime might make the nightly news in urban markets the way it has for decades, but almost none of the viewers are directly affected by it - the way they are not affected by poor school discipline or a rise in welfare cases or Food Stamp usage. Barring an actual increase in violent or property crime in the suburbs or affluent urban areas, the travails of poor and minority America will remain abstractions to most white voters, merely reinforcing their preconceived notions but not changing the political landscape.
1
I don't think black lives or Black Lives Matter are relevant to the presidential candidates at all. I would say each candidate is being careful not to get caught in the buzzsaw of saying or doing anything that can be construed as racist which is why Bernie Sanders allowed that "activist" to shout him down as his campaign event; but beyond that, there is nothing else to do. Politicians know that blacks vote Democratic no matter who is on the ticket so no effort is required to win blacks over or encourage them to vote; Republicans know the black vote is a lost cause so they don't even try.
Black lives matter, protests against administrations in universities and other contemporary rights movements presuppose that racism is the root of the social and economic problems that face the Black community. The issue is a matter of degrees. Does anyone believe that if every bit of overt and covert racism were wiped out of society that somehow black on black crime would disappear, that broken families, poor education, and general subpar outcomes would evaporate? Instead, these movements place the priority on what is the small part of the problem. Black lives matter and if one truly believes it, then being an apologist for issues around broken families, lack of education, and a set of damaged cultural norms would be the focus. Are these items affected by generations of racism, quite possibility but fixing these issues should be the central theme not blaming society and institutions.
2
Restorative justice. What big words to capture the learning that should be going on in so many children's homes when they are toddlers. Forcing this on already cash strapped school districts can only take resources away from students who actually went to school that day to learn. It seems to me that the problems with education start early, so early that to ensure a fair playing field by circling up high school kids to talk about why they shouldn't be talking on cell phones in class, feels like using my kitchen fire extinguisher on a forest fire. School needs to be there for kids who want to learn and follow the rules otherwise we fail many more kids than just the ones who end up en route to prison from multiple expulsions. Why not focus resources on early childhood interventions and education, extending the school year to cover the now useless summer break, and providing parenting resources to parents who want it and support to infants, toddlers and the very young who have parents who don't even know that they need help either because of their own poor upbringing, drugs, or just disinterest.
2
The "paradoxes confronting liberalism" are: 1) eventually you run out of spending other peoples' money; and 2) you have to maintain bad situations so you have a putative excuse to spend that money, though it never makes things better, only worse - e.g., public schools. What Liberals need are courses in Logic, the Free Market and why stealing other peoples' money is the real definition of "greed."
4
When racial issues were extreme, the American people eventually did the right thing. The Civil War was largely fought to end slavery. The civil rights movement was dedicated to ending segregation. America has also fought a war on poverty, has aggressively fought for voting rights, and has done much to end discrimination. We have a shameful history of mistreating blacks, but we have made substantial efforts to end racism. As for Black Lives Matter, the call to action is a whole different thing. Standing up for the rights of the guy who robbed my sister creates divided loyalties. I don't want the cops to mistreat the guy. But he shouldn't have robbed my sister in the first place.
14
No one should rob anyone. But just because one black guy robbed your sister doesn't make all black guys bad. That logic would mean we assume every white teen male might go on a shooting rampage in high school, fault their family structure or the music they listen to.
Obviously we have not made substantial efforts to end racism, because it still exists.
Obviously we have not made substantial efforts to end racism, because it still exists.
1
The road to hell is paved with good intentions and the idea of implementing "restorative justice" seems like its widening the road. How does relaxing disciplinary standards in minority schools help students acquire the skills they need to succeed in the workplace? Until we do away the concept of victimization and a welfare system that effectively allows unwed mothers to wed the government instead of the fathers of their children things aren't going to get better.
To me this isn't a political issue, but a recipe for disaster.
To me this isn't a political issue, but a recipe for disaster.
16
Good and fair article. I think that the latest hoax at Berkeley High School, by a black student, and restorative justice will be tested. The disproportionate punishment for black students in school mirrors the black crime rate. Imagine that? I think you will see a much more diverse black and Hispanic voting pattern in the future and it will reflect their education and economic level and not their skin color. Right now the Democratic party owns the rich elite and poor voter and the Republicans own the white middle class and Rich evangelicals. These demographic patterns will shift as the population ages. Just for the record; Police officers kill twice as many white as blacks even though blacks commit slightly more violent crimes (and most crime is black on white, followed by black on black). Every life matters (including police officers) and when that comes into question, you will see spikes in crime in cities such as NY, which held the title of safest city for quite some time. Then, you will see a shift in voting patterns again. This cycle will never change and probably shouldn't. A shift to left or right over a long period of time is what is beautiful about this country. Again, good article and thanks.
5
Liberalism prospers most when the citizens are earning a very good living and feeling very safe. Black lives matters reminds many older citizens of an earlier, angrier, more militant, and more violent period in black civil rights evolution here. People cannot help worry that race riots and the violence and violent rhetoric of the black panthers and the ISIS-like violence of the Mau-Mau's in the 60's and 70's may be beginning to be repeated. The movement appears Mao-ist and Soro-ist. For instance there is no likening black lives matter to the traditionally respected leaders of the black civil rights movement, Martin Luther King.
And, as to this piece suggesting that if crime rises between now and the election, things will go less well for Clinton, some prize for noting the obvious should be awarded. Less complimentary is neglecting to note that crime has already been rising rather notably. So, it might have been better to have said that unless crime starts reversing its trend, Clinton will be hurt by black lives matters.
And, as to this piece suggesting that if crime rises between now and the election, things will go less well for Clinton, some prize for noting the obvious should be awarded. Less complimentary is neglecting to note that crime has already been rising rather notably. So, it might have been better to have said that unless crime starts reversing its trend, Clinton will be hurt by black lives matters.
7
'Historically, the crime issue has been a winner for Republicans and a loser for Democrats. Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush all profited from portraying their Democratic adversaries as soft on crime.'
I also remember the Spiro T Agnew phenomena. And, I've resented the scare tactics used by politicians to garner votes.
But, as my parents warned me, I have grown a bit conservative myself as I've aged. And, I'm appalled that children are allowed to act out in a classroom. Period. Something has gone terribly wrong. When one or two children can disrupt the learning process for all the other students and the teacher--who already has twice as many students as he or she can reasonable teach--is told not to remove the student, no one will receive an education.
That is not liberalism. That is a broken system. My concern is beyond words.
I also remember the Spiro T Agnew phenomena. And, I've resented the scare tactics used by politicians to garner votes.
But, as my parents warned me, I have grown a bit conservative myself as I've aged. And, I'm appalled that children are allowed to act out in a classroom. Period. Something has gone terribly wrong. When one or two children can disrupt the learning process for all the other students and the teacher--who already has twice as many students as he or she can reasonable teach--is told not to remove the student, no one will receive an education.
That is not liberalism. That is a broken system. My concern is beyond words.
11
It's so interesting that the question of how to maintain public safety gets framed in terms of race. I wish Mr. Edsall had included consideration of corporate and executive (largely white male) crime, which in many ways compromises our safety far more than the kind of crime he discusses, though it's not so in-your-face. Volkswagen anyone? Enron? Banks facilitating the housing boom and bust? I wonder how people would respond if police stormed Exxon offices and tased the execs after the revelation of their manipulation of climate change information, a crime surely, and with far-reaching consequences.
2
The truth is that most women don't make good mothers when it comes to nurturing their children. They grow up either coddled or emotionally abuse and neither situation produces well adjusted children who can cope with the environment if other troubled kids at school or succeed academically! Things are. Ad according to all those who have retired in the last 10 years! You hear few people say they want to teach, and the ones that do, I feel!sorry for actually because it is a very stressful, unfulfilling job in this day and age!
Why does this op-ed not even mention how much Bernie Sanders is oriented towards Black Lives Matter and how this is a good thing? His name is not mentioned once, yet the Clinton campaign is repeatedly.
Sanders actually cares about Black Lives, Clinton simply wants to re-orient their Lives and Votes to herself, thus turning systemic racism into a liberal political football.
Sanders actually cares about Black Lives, Clinton simply wants to re-orient their Lives and Votes to herself, thus turning systemic racism into a liberal political football.
7
Despite the lack of authenticity among many political campaigners who do and say the right thing only to win votes, there's a rule that would make that wool-over-eyes strategy mute. It's a rule that rises above all others. A rule that once valued, made mainstream, and obsessively practiced by the majority, if not across the board, would instantly do away with the need for all other rules including the ongoing frustrating drive for equality and fair treatment expressed via the "black lives matter" movement. It's the Golden Rule. It's the rule that directs us to "treat others the way we ourselves want to be treated." An idealization? For sure. But nonetheless something to individually and collectively aim for. Something that would make all the difference.
2
Just quickly. If Black Lives really did matter to the Presidential Campaign, much more vigorous steps would be taken to ensure the voting process was fair and equal.
It is no great secret that in some states, certain steps have been taken to complicate and obfuscate the electoral process.
Crime statistics are one thing. Equal rights at the polls is another.
It is no great secret that in some states, certain steps have been taken to complicate and obfuscate the electoral process.
Crime statistics are one thing. Equal rights at the polls is another.
1
Teachers face all kinds of obstacles when instructing their students. Disruptive students are one of the impediments to learning for all attendees. Separating non-performing students from the attentive,well-behaved pupils helps somewhat. But if the students respond to rewards ( a more positive approach) for good behavior, that is the approach that the schools should establish. Punitive policies in education rarely work in the long run. Schools are for learning foremost.They should not be institutions for punishment run like juvenile hall.
3
The police do not treat low-income whites all that well either. This would be an income or class issue except that affluent blacks also risk mistreatment at the hands of the police, whereas affluent whites do not. The ideal slogan from the standpoint of accuracy (although not from the standpoint of brevity and punch) might be "Black and poor lives matter". But acknowledging that this is not solely a black problem might make the racist play on the slogan more difficult.
5
Hillarys' right. Black men are being killed at a rate that far outpaces any other group. Unfortunately they are being killed by other black men.
17
Stella blue you are absolutely correct and it is heartbreaking that people ignore the overwhelming majority of murdered black men while focusing only on a tiny fraction that fit their political narrative. Unfortunately, to democrats black lives matter far less than black votes.
13
Good analysis, but seemingly oblivious to the fact that Clinton is not the only Democrat running, even while noting her rhetorical "evolution", something her main opponent doesn't have to finesse.
11
Restorative Justice is a fine idea, but picture for a moment, the classroom teacher with a disruptive student and 30 other students whose learning has and continues to be disrupted by the one disrupter. This teacher cannot just stop teaching and spend the day helping the disrupter, without abandoning learning for the remaining 30, and her school isn't going to provide a person to deal with the disrupter. What she needs, right now, is to have the disrupter REMOVED so 30 students don't waste their day. She has a big enogh job doing the teaching without being expected to admister Social Justice and abandon the rest of her class.
15
"A fundamental premise of restorative justice is that defiant students who disrupt classes should be treated with empathy – as children harmed by poverty, racism, and discrimination"
This is good as long as it applies equally to white students exhibiting the EXACT same non compliant behaviour as the sudent of color
This is good as long as it applies equally to white students exhibiting the EXACT same non compliant behaviour as the sudent of color
4
Votes or crime? I see it as a very easy choice.
2
Restorative justice & school zero tolerance policies are not mutually exclusive but rather go hand in hand. School zero tolerance policies clearly state that bringing drugs, weapons, starting fires or engaging in threats & intimidation on school campuses is against the law & not tolerated. This is far different on the spectrum of misbehavior than a girl refusing to leave the classroom because she was upset about her mother's death & subsequent emotional upheaval that followed. The South Carolina high school student was not posing a threat to anyone but rather, I argue, the incompetent school personnel who were unqualified to deal with her pain & defiance.
Restorative justice for those who are clearly not familiar with criminal law, is a philosophy of dealing with non-violent first time offenders who have broken the law by allowing for the criminal to take responsibility for their actions by making amends to their victims, allowing for them to learn from their mistakes. This is far different than asking a teen who's breaking a classroom rule what's wrong, sending them to the counselor or calling home to find out what's at the root of the behavior. Black Lives Matter's movement was based on the anger & outrage that people in authority are not listening, validated or addressing their feelings of being oppressed in schools, by police or by the criminal justice system. Politicians & their wealthy benefactors need to spend money into sensitivity training& public awareness.
Restorative justice for those who are clearly not familiar with criminal law, is a philosophy of dealing with non-violent first time offenders who have broken the law by allowing for the criminal to take responsibility for their actions by making amends to their victims, allowing for them to learn from their mistakes. This is far different than asking a teen who's breaking a classroom rule what's wrong, sending them to the counselor or calling home to find out what's at the root of the behavior. Black Lives Matter's movement was based on the anger & outrage that people in authority are not listening, validated or addressing their feelings of being oppressed in schools, by police or by the criminal justice system. Politicians & their wealthy benefactors need to spend money into sensitivity training& public awareness.
3
What we are seeing in the Democratic Party is a realization that the response to bad behavior and criminal acts needs to be re-examined. Three examples.
In the case of the death penalty, how can anyone be for it when we have found so many individuals on death row who were innocent of the crime? It is unacceptable to execute an innocent person. The "mistakes happen" line does not apply in this case. Here in Illinois the death penalty was abolished for precisely this reason.
When it comes to nonviolent criminals, should an individual be in jail because police found too much marijuana in his/her pocket? What's wrong with a fine? Or why is it illegal in the first place?
And finally, that poor girl in the South Carolina school. The police officer is lucky she didn't suffer a head injury. Why were cell phones allowed in the school in the first place? Or why couldn't an officer — preferably a female — intercept the girl after class and confiscate the phone? Also, how interesting was the class? It certainly didn't keep this girl's attention.
In the case of the death penalty, how can anyone be for it when we have found so many individuals on death row who were innocent of the crime? It is unacceptable to execute an innocent person. The "mistakes happen" line does not apply in this case. Here in Illinois the death penalty was abolished for precisely this reason.
When it comes to nonviolent criminals, should an individual be in jail because police found too much marijuana in his/her pocket? What's wrong with a fine? Or why is it illegal in the first place?
And finally, that poor girl in the South Carolina school. The police officer is lucky she didn't suffer a head injury. Why were cell phones allowed in the school in the first place? Or why couldn't an officer — preferably a female — intercept the girl after class and confiscate the phone? Also, how interesting was the class? It certainly didn't keep this girl's attention.
2
Black Lives Matter doesn't move justice forward with stuff like semi-militant demonstrations and heckling politicians. What could work is reaching out to the downtrodden poor majority in US prisons - whites! We heard this week how poor whites are committing suicide at high rates, and we know that they are the majority in prison (even though the rate of incarceration is higher for blacks). Justice and civil rights are needed across the board, not just for blacks. If the poor people in America would abandon the blacks vs whites vs hispanics positioning (that allows them to be marginalized) they could have real impact on politics, fairness and opportunity.
6
Black or white lives matter only for race baiters. Which tax and policy reforms will actually help the poor seems to matter to very few.
As least there are four Republican candidates who would eliminate the job killing payroll taxes to help workers.
As least there are four Republican candidates who would eliminate the job killing payroll taxes to help workers.
6
"Black men across this country are being killed at a rate that far outpaces any other group. We must address the role race continues to play in America in order to reform our criminal justice system and move the nation forward."
What is missing from this statement that this killing is predominantly being done by other black men. Please tell me how going soft on crime is going to solve this problem.
What is missing from this statement that this killing is predominantly being done by other black men. Please tell me how going soft on crime is going to solve this problem.
19
A very thoughtful article. Thank you.
Given the demographics today, it is not all that surprising that Republicans seek the vote of "white" voters and Democrats seek the support of "non-white" voters. What is lacking in this context is the voting patterns of East and South Asians who represent a growing minority of non-white voters. As well, "hispanic" is an ethnic, not a racial, category more akin to native Americans, another group ignored by the white/black/hispanic focus.
Another issue to be investigated is the gender divide, in the contest of possible gender identification with "race," as opposed to purely skin colour, in the aggregate data noted. One would believe that race "trumps" gender and income issues today, largely because the media focus on it. Please note the coverage given to police killing of "blacks," especially when they are killed by "white" police officers, and more especially when certain demagogues use these incidents for political and personal advantage. When a six-year old "white" boy (Jeremy Mardis) is killed by "black" police officers, however, there is no presidential hand-wringing, not NYT editorials decrying the incident as racially motivated. How the NYT would howl if "white" demagogues had descended on the scene.
The upcoming presidential election might be the last won by Republicans, given the inexorable demographics at work, but if this transpires it may well be due to the emphasis on race compared to income and gender issues.
Given the demographics today, it is not all that surprising that Republicans seek the vote of "white" voters and Democrats seek the support of "non-white" voters. What is lacking in this context is the voting patterns of East and South Asians who represent a growing minority of non-white voters. As well, "hispanic" is an ethnic, not a racial, category more akin to native Americans, another group ignored by the white/black/hispanic focus.
Another issue to be investigated is the gender divide, in the contest of possible gender identification with "race," as opposed to purely skin colour, in the aggregate data noted. One would believe that race "trumps" gender and income issues today, largely because the media focus on it. Please note the coverage given to police killing of "blacks," especially when they are killed by "white" police officers, and more especially when certain demagogues use these incidents for political and personal advantage. When a six-year old "white" boy (Jeremy Mardis) is killed by "black" police officers, however, there is no presidential hand-wringing, not NYT editorials decrying the incident as racially motivated. How the NYT would howl if "white" demagogues had descended on the scene.
The upcoming presidential election might be the last won by Republicans, given the inexorable demographics at work, but if this transpires it may well be due to the emphasis on race compared to income and gender issues.
9
Black lives matter most to Democrats during elections. But I, like many other African Americans feel shortchanged by the promise of CHANGE and YES WE CAN that was Obama's mantra in 2008. I guess we should have asked for more clarity that the change promised was going to be to our benefit. But ultimately it was naivety on our part. We make up less than 15% of the population of this country and ultimately pervasive racism and discrimination are not problems that the majority (white America) can relate to. The statistics in the article confirm what I, as a student of history have long known: Perspective is most influenced and shaped by experience.
On the other side, Blacks have to unify in more positive ways. BLM bothered me from the start. I lost my father to street violence in the early 80's before I was even a year old, as well as uncles and cousins to drugs and violence. I grew up in the South Bronx where violence and dysfunction was a way of life and continues to be for less, but still too many. Perhaps if BLM when we are harming each other, our children, and our communities we could get the politicians to still care about our lives after Election Day.
On the other side, Blacks have to unify in more positive ways. BLM bothered me from the start. I lost my father to street violence in the early 80's before I was even a year old, as well as uncles and cousins to drugs and violence. I grew up in the South Bronx where violence and dysfunction was a way of life and continues to be for less, but still too many. Perhaps if BLM when we are harming each other, our children, and our communities we could get the politicians to still care about our lives after Election Day.
19
Perspective, as you say, is most influenced and shaped by experience. It would no doubt come as a surprise to many that in my almost all white family, those of us who have spent much of our volunteer time working with minorities grew up in the deep South in the days of separate and definitely not equal. We were close to and cared for by amazing women of color. Women who were our "rock" and example of true character when our personal lives were messy, when we were children and adults.
But, I hope, as you say that Blacks will unify in more positive ways. I'm sure there are plenty of mentors in your community, but more wouldn't hurt. And as white communities also start to deteriorate more and more we ALL need to work on Change and Hope. It won't come over night. But if each of us who care can change one or two lives for the better by tutoring or other mentoring, there is Hope!
But, I hope, as you say that Blacks will unify in more positive ways. I'm sure there are plenty of mentors in your community, but more wouldn't hurt. And as white communities also start to deteriorate more and more we ALL need to work on Change and Hope. It won't come over night. But if each of us who care can change one or two lives for the better by tutoring or other mentoring, there is Hope!
I'll stick with what I know something about. Restorative Justice measures are time consuming and require substantial training time for teachers and students.
Very few school districts have invested anything close to enough time and money to see if such measures work on a large scale. LA Unified has required reduced suspensions, without providing the training that might help reduce disruption.
One disruptive child can stop classroom education for an entire class. When that student can't be removed, they can and often do stop classroom education, day after day. The focus ought to be on the students who want to learn, Black, Asian or bright green.
Suspensions do not cause children to fail at school. Children who are suspended generally aren't doing well in school and are often failing, suspended or not.
In California, we spend a limited amount of money on education. We have a limited amount of time to teach. Pulling time and resources away from teaching the students who want to learn has a very real negative effect.
Very few school districts have invested anything close to enough time and money to see if such measures work on a large scale. LA Unified has required reduced suspensions, without providing the training that might help reduce disruption.
One disruptive child can stop classroom education for an entire class. When that student can't be removed, they can and often do stop classroom education, day after day. The focus ought to be on the students who want to learn, Black, Asian or bright green.
Suspensions do not cause children to fail at school. Children who are suspended generally aren't doing well in school and are often failing, suspended or not.
In California, we spend a limited amount of money on education. We have a limited amount of time to teach. Pulling time and resources away from teaching the students who want to learn has a very real negative effect.
27
Let those who want "restorative justice" in their schools have it. Let those who don't want disruptive students adversely affecting their education the opportunity to opt out to a charter school with more strict discipline.
The real lesson children need to learn at an early age is that actions have consequences.
The real lesson children need to learn at an early age is that actions have consequences.
3
For many New York City public school teachers, life is precarious during school hours. My cousin still has a bum knee from ten years ago when she intervened in a student brawl -- yes, there are teachers who still do that -- and was hurled to the side. And she was a well-respected, experienced teacher for whom her special-ed kids had formed a protective circle to see her to her car on most days.
Unless you've been there, you can't say, "Let the students talk things over."
And unless you live in, say, my neighborhood, you don't know what it's like to be kept awake for hours most nights listening to grown men behave like foul-mouthed teenagers with particularly big lungs.
Yes, it's the economy. We need jobs for our undereducated populations.
But they wouldn't be undereducated if their parents (read: too often, their single mothers) had only the number of babies they could properly rear and teach, so that when they were ready for school they'd be ready to learn.
Teachers and police have it far harder than comfortable liberals realize.
I know. I used to be one of them, until I moved to my current neighborhood. Calling 311 and 911 at 3AM several times a week has a way of waking you up.
Unless you've been there, you can't say, "Let the students talk things over."
And unless you live in, say, my neighborhood, you don't know what it's like to be kept awake for hours most nights listening to grown men behave like foul-mouthed teenagers with particularly big lungs.
Yes, it's the economy. We need jobs for our undereducated populations.
But they wouldn't be undereducated if their parents (read: too often, their single mothers) had only the number of babies they could properly rear and teach, so that when they were ready for school they'd be ready to learn.
Teachers and police have it far harder than comfortable liberals realize.
I know. I used to be one of them, until I moved to my current neighborhood. Calling 311 and 911 at 3AM several times a week has a way of waking you up.
6
Interesting...no analysis of the GOP side. Edsall is careful analyst who seems to embrace Center Left values but if you take him seriously then you would have thought that Hillary would be cleaning out President Cruz garage by now.
One man(or woman), one vote, just like Asians, Hispanics, and Caucasians. That is how much black lives matter.
1
It seems to me liberals have no problem with the use of the police power ala John Doe investigations or sicking the IRS, EPA, FEC & SEC with their police powers on opponents with whom they disagree. Their brutality is selective and reinforces their desire for political hegemony. Consider the suggestion that RICO be applied to climate change deniers. Similar;y, consider the silence surrounding the violence in Chicago.
3
There was a lot in this stew of a column, crime and policing, mass incarceration, student discipline even war and peace but the conclusion is simple make the 2016 election about race and racial issues and lose. Talking about these issues during the primaries is all right, and I am not diminishing their importance; however, in a general election these issues will divide the electorate by race instead of appealing to moderate white voters. I hope that by then Secretary Clinton will heed John Carville’s advice to her husband in 1992 that “It’s the economy stupid.”
The most disturbing statistic in Mr. Edsall’s column was the 32 percent drop in conservative and moderate white voters in the Democratic fold. Unless the Democratic Party wins at least the moderates back the best we can hope for in the near term is more gridlock. This country is not governable when one party wins the presidency with 51% of the vote and the other party has a lock on the house. I know people on the left are passionate about the issues of mass incarceration, police violence and race but minorities and liberals are not a big enough majority yet, to win elections on these issues. Liberals have to realize that this country is divided and polarized and they need to be practical or hand the whole thing over to the Republicans.
The most disturbing statistic in Mr. Edsall’s column was the 32 percent drop in conservative and moderate white voters in the Democratic fold. Unless the Democratic Party wins at least the moderates back the best we can hope for in the near term is more gridlock. This country is not governable when one party wins the presidency with 51% of the vote and the other party has a lock on the house. I know people on the left are passionate about the issues of mass incarceration, police violence and race but minorities and liberals are not a big enough majority yet, to win elections on these issues. Liberals have to realize that this country is divided and polarized and they need to be practical or hand the whole thing over to the Republicans.
2
I have personally observed decisions made in criminal court based on race, on a stereotype that all African-American men are by definition violent. I have seen police lie to cover themselves. I have seen police and prosecutors concoct criminal charges when no crime was committed. Yes, African-Americans are far more likely to be targeted, but poor powerless Caucasians are also sucked in. The criminal justice system is replete with overinflated egos who care only about winning, and show little concern for the lives they are destroying. We put police, prosecutors, and judges on a pedestal, assuming every decision they make is correct. As a result, we have the greatest number of human beings locked up in cages of any country in the world. And we call ourselves The Land of the Free?
All Americans should heed the Black Lives Matter movement, not only because they make valid points about racial oppression, which we as a country should not tolerate, but also because that same oppression can easily extend to other disfavored individuals and groups.
All Americans should heed the Black Lives Matter movement, not only because they make valid points about racial oppression, which we as a country should not tolerate, but also because that same oppression can easily extend to other disfavored individuals and groups.
2
Liberals and Democrats need to be very careful about condemning the police in every case where they are accused of brutality. If the police diminish their presence and allow small acts of vandalism and mayhem the result will be fear and resentment. Nothing will cause a backlash to the Right than personal insecurity. Nobody wants to return to the way New York City was in the seventies with fear of mugging and iron bars covering every business. It is very dangerous of the Left to assume that every black criminal is a victim of white racist injustice. For the majority of people having safer living conditions is worth the occasional injustices committed by the police. Perfect justice, perfect policing and perfect behavior is unattainable. Just remember the old saw "a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged".
3
These Edsall pieces are turning into longer, better footnoted David Brooks ''opinions.''
Starting, for example, with a false dichotomy--that Democrats favor reform of mass incarceration and Republicans do not. That is not supported by facts.
Republican presidential aspirant and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently told an interviewer that first time drug offenders in our state are now assigned a year of mandatory counseling/treatment at a cost of $24k per year. Christie noted that the cost to incarcerate the same person would be more than double that. A very large proportion of our prison population is in for drug offenses, which are prosecuted more vigorously against blacks than whites.
Other Republicans, such as Bush, Paul and Fiorina support the end of mass incarceration through sentencing reform, so Edsall's logic teeters from the outset.
Edsall should be reading about the history of racism on campus at the University of Missouri and of the outrageously racist behavior of some at places like Yale (he could start with the NYT.) He denigrates Black Lives Matter, but fails to grasp the obvious truth they protest.
There is a younger generation, imperfect as it may be, that simply does not accept the racially divisive politics on which Edsall dwells. His opinions would be more interesting if he allowed his world view to adapt to the changes all around him.
Starting, for example, with a false dichotomy--that Democrats favor reform of mass incarceration and Republicans do not. That is not supported by facts.
Republican presidential aspirant and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently told an interviewer that first time drug offenders in our state are now assigned a year of mandatory counseling/treatment at a cost of $24k per year. Christie noted that the cost to incarcerate the same person would be more than double that. A very large proportion of our prison population is in for drug offenses, which are prosecuted more vigorously against blacks than whites.
Other Republicans, such as Bush, Paul and Fiorina support the end of mass incarceration through sentencing reform, so Edsall's logic teeters from the outset.
Edsall should be reading about the history of racism on campus at the University of Missouri and of the outrageously racist behavior of some at places like Yale (he could start with the NYT.) He denigrates Black Lives Matter, but fails to grasp the obvious truth they protest.
There is a younger generation, imperfect as it may be, that simply does not accept the racially divisive politics on which Edsall dwells. His opinions would be more interesting if he allowed his world view to adapt to the changes all around him.
1
Black lives don't matter at all to Republicans.
Black lives matter to some Democrats more than to others, but all Democrats know that the black vote is theirs to lose, which is why Republicans are suppressing voter rights all over the country with the help of the Republican U.S. Supreme Court.
Black lives matter to some Democrats more than to others, but all Democrats know that the black vote is theirs to lose, which is why Republicans are suppressing voter rights all over the country with the help of the Republican U.S. Supreme Court.
18
'Black Lives Matter' will really mean what it purports to say if it attempts to address the fact that almost 3/4ths of firearm homicides in the US are committed by blacks and Hispanics, primarily in low income neighborhoods. In a number of large urban areas the percentage increases to 90% or more. NYC has had an average of 22 shootings week for the year to date, in spite of some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Others are more concerned about mass shootings which tend to happen in middle class settings, accidental shootings, etc., everything but the largest contributor to the homicide rate in the country. 'Black Lives Matter' seems to have taken on the same behavior of see no shootings, hear no shootings, speak no shootings.
24
I'm not sure that the usual left-right dichotomy is the best lens with which to view current public/political affairs.
I think a better analysis begins with Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy which led to the Republican Party becoming a Southern dominated Whites Only party. The story then goes to demographic changes, increased racial diversity, the wealth divide under which many more whites have found their standard of living severely reduced (no jobs at the former local factory, methamphetamine as a growth industry).
A better analysis would look at current politics as the last gasp of White Supremacy. What happens at Mizzou will eventually go all the way down the Mississippi River.
I think a better analysis begins with Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy which led to the Republican Party becoming a Southern dominated Whites Only party. The story then goes to demographic changes, increased racial diversity, the wealth divide under which many more whites have found their standard of living severely reduced (no jobs at the former local factory, methamphetamine as a growth industry).
A better analysis would look at current politics as the last gasp of White Supremacy. What happens at Mizzou will eventually go all the way down the Mississippi River.
27
Let's consider our newly militarized police departments in the context of the BLM movement. Police departments all around the country were looking like state militias at the very time young black men were being killed with abandon by police. As an aside, when a white child was tragically killed by marshals last week, the marshals were arrested and charged with murder. Eric Gardner was "murdered" by members of the NYPD, allowed to expire by EMT's standing by and watching, yet nothing followed. I use this as an example because it was seen world wide, and it was murder. As we all know there were many more killed, but the BLM movement was born of need, and Democrats responded. Certainly all lives matter, but it feels as though young black men have targets on their backs, and no one should live with that fear in this country.
10
Eric Gardner was killed by being morbidly overweight, along with his being a career low level criminal who became outraged that he was being arrested because he was, gasp, breaking the law. He resisted arrest and died from the completely avoidable struggle.
It's funny that there are no black lives matters marches and protests for the black children murdered in the street due to black gangs and gun violence. I guess those black lives don't actually matter. Just the propaganda ones.
It's funny that there are no black lives matters marches and protests for the black children murdered in the street due to black gangs and gun violence. I guess those black lives don't actually matter. Just the propaganda ones.
1
You are so wrong. One wonders if you would survive if pulled to the ground while held in a choke hold. If you could support a family without having an education. You, like he, would do what you had to do to put food on your children's table. This was not a capital crime, and the punishment should always fit the crime...murder was not on the table. You are extremely judgemental, and have little grace.
'The critical factor that will test the viability of the Democratic Party’s liberalized stance on law enforcement and incarceration will be the trends in crime and arrests over the next 12 months leading up to the Election Day."
This is likely why Obama is holding off on prison releases for a year... he wants to get past election day. He doesn't want his party (or himself) to pay the price for a spike in crime. Sadly, many of those who are released will have no livelihood other than crime.
It is almost inevitable that the crime statistics will embarrass the Democrats.
This is likely why Obama is holding off on prison releases for a year... he wants to get past election day. He doesn't want his party (or himself) to pay the price for a spike in crime. Sadly, many of those who are released will have no livelihood other than crime.
It is almost inevitable that the crime statistics will embarrass the Democrats.
6
Why is this question even being asked except to create a faux-opinion piece? The long answer and the short answer is the same: Not At All!
It’s interesting that amid this movement left on crime and public disobedience, we see an uptick in violent crimes in parts of the U.S. – Tom’s claim that they’ve diminished steadily since the 1990s ignores the fact that this trend has been reversing of late in some of our most violent urban concentrations. Why Democrats expect to see support even from their base on this issue given the realities is … curious. After all, it’s not in Scarsdale and Bel Air that we expect to see increases in violent crime rates, but in the Fergusons, the Newarks (NJ), the Chicago South Sides, the East L.A.s; and the victims aren’t the Kochs or Trumps, but regular people living in impoverished communities who overwhelmingly vote Democratic.
The notion of “restorative justice” as applied to student misconduct in schools also seems pretty distant from the iconic image of the African American mother’s assertive approach to discipline in the home.
I strongly favor this movement left in terms of incarceration and better police training and supervision, despite my positioning decidedly right of the center ideological line. But I wonder how much this issue of Black Lives Matter really affects the election beyond a desire to see policing less racist, more balanced and professional in our poorest communities.
It seems to me that Republicans could benefit from a rational approach to our most impoverished, normally-Democratic voters on this issue of violent crime and more balanced policing.
The notion of “restorative justice” as applied to student misconduct in schools also seems pretty distant from the iconic image of the African American mother’s assertive approach to discipline in the home.
I strongly favor this movement left in terms of incarceration and better police training and supervision, despite my positioning decidedly right of the center ideological line. But I wonder how much this issue of Black Lives Matter really affects the election beyond a desire to see policing less racist, more balanced and professional in our poorest communities.
It seems to me that Republicans could benefit from a rational approach to our most impoverished, normally-Democratic voters on this issue of violent crime and more balanced policing.
10
OF COURSE . . .
...but, not with rhetoric. I was ashamed to see Sen. Bernie Sanders being criticized by the folks form the "Black Lives Matter" campaign ... because Bernie has a long history of walking the walk ... a risky demonstration during the Civil Rights Movement.
Doesn't anyone learn know history anymore ... it was just 50 years ago.
Talk is cheap.
...but, not with rhetoric. I was ashamed to see Sen. Bernie Sanders being criticized by the folks form the "Black Lives Matter" campaign ... because Bernie has a long history of walking the walk ... a risky demonstration during the Civil Rights Movement.
Doesn't anyone learn know history anymore ... it was just 50 years ago.
Talk is cheap.
8
It seems that those in power that have little risk in having a run in with the police do not fear them. They see the police as their protectors. However, if you are driving with a taillight bulb recently burned out, watch out. When did it become routine to shoot a citizen in the back for simply not obeying a police officer when the citizen knows more about the Bill of Rights then the bullying officer? We live in a small Connecticut town, one racked with police misdoings. To get pulled over is like traveling through the Gaza Strip. A minor infraction and you are threatened with having your car towed etc.. etc… Yesterdays high school losers are now armed. When did it become acceptable to shoot first? I don't remember Officer Malloy on Adam 12 blowing people away on each episode. We won't even start on the perpetual fraud with "disabled officers", and hey, work for 20 years and the state will support you and your family for the next 35-40 years. Imagine sending your black 16 year old son out for his first solo drive after getting his license, better get him a bullet proof vest.
4
The 'lock-em-up' experiment was tried and 20 years later the consequences are found to be unacceptable. That's how experiments work - test the hypothesis, measure the outcome. Now having seen the experiment's results, its time to change the formula, try a new alternative. Nothing wrong with learning from trial and error, its not brain surgery. No need for drama.
1
We have "free college" for all now and people cannot pay for their loans.
They can let criminals out of jail for minor offenses and they will go back to what they know so where will we be?
They can let criminals out of jail for minor offenses and they will go back to what they know so where will we be?
There are ideas in this column which have merit - at least in theory. But one reason conservatives take such exception to columns like this is because they are so one sided. The overwhelming source of black killings is other blacks - not the police. Surely this fact deserves mention. Equally important, white liberals have a strong prediliction toward universally excusing, or turning a blind eye toward minority violence regardless of the facts. The Ferguson case is a prime example. Clearly the police officer acted within his rights in shooting the black teenager. (The fact that the teenager was unarmed is irrelevant given the totality of the facts in the case.) Even the Justice Department, which so badly wanted to prosecute, couldn't make a case to do so. Yet white liberals as a group never apologized for convicting the police officer before the facts were in. "Hands up, don't shoot" in this particular case was both a hollow phrase and a horrific act of injustice to the officer, who also had rights. Yes, consider "restorative" justice in the schools - but don't throw out the entire system of justice in this country simply because facts in any given case don't support the narrative of white liberals.
13
Racial divisiveness has surged in the past several years."Activists" and the media have depicted Black Americans, as a group, as different than other Americans.They have portrayed them as lacking educational and work skills,with broken families, and suffering "mass incarceration".
This has increased the negative stereotyping to the detriment of Black Americans.
When the goal should be unifying Americans with less focus on racial differences, the result has been the opposite.
This has increased the negative stereotyping to the detriment of Black Americans.
When the goal should be unifying Americans with less focus on racial differences, the result has been the opposite.
4
I remember the 60's. You can work with police; I've done it and crime went down. Fight them and bring Beirut level violence home. Kids don't know better, but search YouTube for "kids cops computers cut crime" to see a former crack house.
1
Americans are influenced more by what they 'see,than by what they do not.In what may be termed 'negative issues such as poverty,addiction,homelessness,unemployment,'crime,pregnancy and such,the first image shown,if one is shown at all,is that of a Black or Brown American.Consequently,the perception to those with shallow, casual,or incomplete,'news comprehension or available formats,form erroneous images and interpretations,of societal 'problems.First impressions,do matter and are sustained.Correspondingly,when politicians assert and employ these false depictions,many Americans fall prey to this ruse.'Law enforcement and 'crime, have such positive connotations,that it would seem hard to oppose those applying ostensible punitive 'justice.Manipulation,'practiced insincerity,of these social tendencies,is one of the menacing and ominous faults of the American Experiment.
The election will not be won and lost by a small but loud vocal minority but watch out for the silent majority backlash. The Kentucky governor election and the 2014 midterms were just a sign of what will happen. Many folks are voting who did not vote before who are motivated by anger about the direction of our country, There is an explosion coming below the surface that will surface in the next election.
11
On the Faux News channel, carnival barker and propagandist extraordinaire Sean Hannity had a segment last night on the Black Lives Matter movement.
His Republican interpretation of BLM ?
White Lives Matter
Mr. Hannity refused to accept the basic premise of the BLM movement that 400 years of institutional White Privilege, racism, segregation, lynching, judicial mistreatment and systematic economic redlining of African Americans is a residual problem.
Mr. Hannity's Republican-sponsored view was that 'All Lives Matter' and that BLM is a form of reverse racism, a new form of affirmative action and a persecution of whites.
In other words, Up Is Down, in the rich Republican tradition of inverting reality.
In the Republican universe, it's the poor white Christian guy who's been a terrible victim.
Forget America's 400-year historical record of documented White Privilege and white supremacy.
Pay no attention to videotapes - white people are under siege !
Whites R Us: GOP 2015
His Republican interpretation of BLM ?
White Lives Matter
Mr. Hannity refused to accept the basic premise of the BLM movement that 400 years of institutional White Privilege, racism, segregation, lynching, judicial mistreatment and systematic economic redlining of African Americans is a residual problem.
Mr. Hannity's Republican-sponsored view was that 'All Lives Matter' and that BLM is a form of reverse racism, a new form of affirmative action and a persecution of whites.
In other words, Up Is Down, in the rich Republican tradition of inverting reality.
In the Republican universe, it's the poor white Christian guy who's been a terrible victim.
Forget America's 400-year historical record of documented White Privilege and white supremacy.
Pay no attention to videotapes - white people are under siege !
Whites R Us: GOP 2015
62
Blacks are 13% percent of the community and commit 50% of the crimes.
This idea that there is systematic racism is moronic. There are rules that everyone has to follow. Black people complain endlessly when they are expected to follow the same rules as white folks.
Once a person with average intelligence steps out of his own liberal echo chamber, it is easy to see that there is no place in the world that offers more opportunities to black people than the United States.
Actual Africans, who are by the way black, absolutely cannot stand African-Americans. If you were to simply swap out all African-Americans for actual black Africans, 99% of the supposed racism would evaporate over night.
This idea that there is systematic racism is moronic. There are rules that everyone has to follow. Black people complain endlessly when they are expected to follow the same rules as white folks.
Once a person with average intelligence steps out of his own liberal echo chamber, it is easy to see that there is no place in the world that offers more opportunities to black people than the United States.
Actual Africans, who are by the way black, absolutely cannot stand African-Americans. If you were to simply swap out all African-Americans for actual black Africans, 99% of the supposed racism would evaporate over night.
4
Christians. Conservatives and all whites too. Let us not forget the poor oppressed bankers subject to relentless class warfare. Even the good Dr Carson is picked on for embellishing his bio. This all part of a mantra which tells us to be afraid. Helping to create fear then exploiting it is what the Hannity's do.
1
Mos - you are describing what could be called Black Privilege.
It may be wrong to make this into a left/right dichotomy. Underlying the issue of stability in society is the difference between people who think you can coerce people to behave properly, whatever that means, and people who think there are other ways to address bad behavior.
The right has glommed on to the authoritarian approach, but I don't see how it is conservative. Do conservatives really want to empower government that much?
Back in the 1960s, there was a rebellion against the Vietnam War and societal restrictions. The Republicans took advantage of excesses by anti-war demonstrators and hippies who flouted the rules of society. I fear that the campus unrest at Yale and Missouri will allow them to repeat that success.
The right has glommed on to the authoritarian approach, but I don't see how it is conservative. Do conservatives really want to empower government that much?
Back in the 1960s, there was a rebellion against the Vietnam War and societal restrictions. The Republicans took advantage of excesses by anti-war demonstrators and hippies who flouted the rules of society. I fear that the campus unrest at Yale and Missouri will allow them to repeat that success.
1
Americans are increasingly averse to the use of force or the threat of violence. There is the clear danger that the demonstrations and protests will cross the line and be seen as violent and threatening. I was in Newark in the 60s ; I saw the violence and felt the fear triggered by the riots. I heard first hand accounts of the role of outside professional organizers. The demonstrations and riots in the 60s triggered the conservative backlash that put the 0.1 percent in power. IT could happen again.
4
You shouldn't have police in schools, but neither should you have disruptive children in schools. If kids need help, send them to a clinic. If they're looking for trouble, let them find it in the streets. But don't burden classes with miscreants or ask teachers to act like therapists. That's just a waste of everybody's time and money.
22
This article confuses two entirely issues: equality before the law, and racial discrimination. Racial discrimination is a blight on our society, but cannot be solved by changing the law to favor minorities. The same rules, the same methods of enforcement must apply to all citizens equally.
If the rules are antiquated, they should be revised and be administered fairly and professionally to one and all, regardless of race.
If the rules are antiquated, they should be revised and be administered fairly and professionally to one and all, regardless of race.
6
BLM does not seek to change the rules for minorities. Rather, it seeks for the rules to be applied evenly in black communities as it is in white communities. Read Matt Tiabbi's The Divide to learn how differently white Americans are treated when they'd commit a crime than Black Americans are treated. Read about the small infractions that send the poor to jail. Read about the arrest quotas placed upon officers in poor black cities like Ferguson. We do not have equal justice for blacks in America, just as we do not have equal education or opportunity.
1
How much do black lives matter? Geez, I would hope as much as everyone else's lives. Is this what it has come to? We now must "choose" and declare what lives matter over others for sake of political expediency and patronization? It's disgusting pandering. And, anyone who thinks Hillary--were she not campaigning-- would "care" about black lives as much as she does now is a fool.
10
It seems that it's acceptable to impose severe punishment on those who are deemed outside the mainstream culture of the United States. That means African Americans, the handicapped, the poor, etc. As long as the punishment affects the outsiders and is mitigated for those who are part of the accepted culture it's fine. Once it begins to hit those whom we deem valuable because of their race or skin color we consider changing it. We can see it in the death penalty cases, the overreaction to the "Black Lives Matter" movement, and the fact that the public is especially quick to call for imprisonment of those who have even a hint of criminality about them: an arrest where the charges were dismissed or unfounded comes to mind.
Both parties have been guilty of this sort of demonization. Both parties have contributed to the problems that exist between the races. They aggravate them at the peril of unity and the sense that we are all in this together. If we want a country where only a small number have decent lives we're doing a great job accomplishing it with our policies on penalizing people, stigmatizing them, and putting them outside the pale.
Both parties have been guilty of this sort of demonization. Both parties have contributed to the problems that exist between the races. They aggravate them at the peril of unity and the sense that we are all in this together. If we want a country where only a small number have decent lives we're doing a great job accomplishing it with our policies on penalizing people, stigmatizing them, and putting them outside the pale.
1
It's no surprise the Democratic Party is losing moderate to conservative whites. As democrats pursue more liberal policies, as they are being forced to do by their left wing, they will continue to chase them away.
If liberal policies do best when things are going well, no one in his right mind would vote for a liberal job growth program. They might be able to take advantage of a low crime rate, but economically they are doomed.
If liberal policies do best when things are going well, no one in his right mind would vote for a liberal job growth program. They might be able to take advantage of a low crime rate, but economically they are doomed.
6
The problem, Mr. Edsall, is the majority-minority election strategy outlined in your article has led the once dominant Democratic Party into true minority status.
At the state level, Republicans hold majorities in 68 or 98 state legislatures and 32 governorships.
At the Federal level, from 1930 to 1994 Democrats held the House majority in 60 of 64 years. Since 1994, Republicans have held the majority in all but 4 years. Republicans also dominated the U.S. Senate in 14 of 22 years and Republicans have nominated the majority of Justices serving on the Supreme Court since 1968.
Therefore, the falloff in white voters shouldn’t be taken as a positive for Democrats, but rather, as significant contributing factor to the Democratic Party’s demise at the state and federal levels of government.
At the state level, Republicans hold majorities in 68 or 98 state legislatures and 32 governorships.
At the Federal level, from 1930 to 1994 Democrats held the House majority in 60 of 64 years. Since 1994, Republicans have held the majority in all but 4 years. Republicans also dominated the U.S. Senate in 14 of 22 years and Republicans have nominated the majority of Justices serving on the Supreme Court since 1968.
Therefore, the falloff in white voters shouldn’t be taken as a positive for Democrats, but rather, as significant contributing factor to the Democratic Party’s demise at the state and federal levels of government.
7
A lot can be explained by the GOP's "fear of the other". I remember back in the 60s/70s when the Vietnam war divided the country and the Dems (Johnson notwithstanding) were vilified as appeasers and the Reps appeared to be the tough guys - but in an epiphany I realized that the Republican tough and control-the-situation stance actually resulted from their fear of the communists, and the Dems worried less, they were the braver ones. The same sort of thing seems to be going on here; the GOP fears minorities (not just because of their growing demographics, but that is of course part and parcel of it especially for the party leaders) and needs to impose a paternalistic kind of control whereas the Dems are more motherly.
GOP policies are written out of fear and a need for control - and they stoke those fears to convince people to support their politicians. A theme of the Black Lives Matter movement is that it is wrong, misguided, and morally bankrupt to project those fears on blacks and other minorities - just because of the color of their skin. But the right and left alike make the mistake of imposing a logic of punishment on these situations that is not valid in the context of the lives of those being targeted.
GOP policies are written out of fear and a need for control - and they stoke those fears to convince people to support their politicians. A theme of the Black Lives Matter movement is that it is wrong, misguided, and morally bankrupt to project those fears on blacks and other minorities - just because of the color of their skin. But the right and left alike make the mistake of imposing a logic of punishment on these situations that is not valid in the context of the lives of those being targeted.
7
So correct!
Just watched An American President again...
The Pres. (played by Michael Douglas )says (I quote loosely) "Republicans are only interested in 2 things...telling you what to be afraid of, and who to blame for it".
That was 20 years ago or so, and it is even more true today.
Just watched An American President again...
The Pres. (played by Michael Douglas )says (I quote loosely) "Republicans are only interested in 2 things...telling you what to be afraid of, and who to blame for it".
That was 20 years ago or so, and it is even more true today.
1
Ironic that Democrats seem to want more and more centralized power, big government, but don't want to support police officers serving their community on the ground level.
5
I for one am tired of the " Black lives matter " movement, the examples I have seen show that a mob type mentality is governing that movement. How about Red Lives, or Yellow Lives or heaven forbid White Lives Matter.
I for one feel it is important to view our population as a whole.
The divisivness that these concepts create is a problem that will be hard pressed to resolve. The leaders of these movements are almost universally extremists, yet as Goldwater said in 64 " Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice ", I get it. But that doesn't make it correct.
I for one feel it is important to view our population as a whole.
The divisivness that these concepts create is a problem that will be hard pressed to resolve. The leaders of these movements are almost universally extremists, yet as Goldwater said in 64 " Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice ", I get it. But that doesn't make it correct.
7
I'm concerned that politicians are reacting to the behavior of Black Lives Matter instead of reacting to the racism that persists 60 years after Plessy v. Ferguson was overturned and 50 years after the passage of civil rights legislation. The real question for candidates isn't whether black lives matter or not: denying the importance of black lives is akin to denying global warming. The real question is what steps would each candidate take to move us closer to the unity the Supreme Court and US Congress envisioned a half-century ago.
7
Good article. But the Obama administration DID NOT decide "to release more than 6000 federal drug nonviolent offenders." The release is the result of a unanimous decision by the U.S. Sentencing Commission last year to modestly reduce drug penalties and to apply those reductions retroactively. Releases were delayed for one year in order to ensure a smooth and safe transition. No individual went free automatically. Rather, in every case, a sentencing judge evaluated public safety factors before approving an individual's release. Unfortunately, inaccurate reporting here and elsewhere has fed the false claims of reform opponents that this was a brazen move by the Obama Administration to release "violent criminals." Nothing could be further from the truth. <br/><br/>Jeremy Haile<br/>Washington, DC
47
Jeremy Haile, The Federal Sentencing Project - If I legally sell a gun that is then used to kill a person there are those who want me to share the blame. If I sell narcotics that results in drug overdoses that murder people I'm a "federal drug nonviolent offender." Or is that "further from the truth" and that some of those 6000 are not purveyors of narcotics that could have murdered people?
While I admire your use of data showing demographic differences between the Democrats and the GOP, you miss the thrust of social justice movements like Black Lives Matter. These are not just demonstrations against police abuse. They have embraced a series of real reforms, some of which you've mentioned; ending school to prison pipeline, introducing restorative justice to schools and neighborhoods, changing drug laws, moving away from mandatory sentencing among many others.
These shouldn't be partisan issues. They call are a call for a basic justice and fairness. They have presented their case with uncontrovertibly video evidence, court testimony and careful documentation by scholars. They also have the simple pragmatic virtue of changing policies that haven't worked and replacing them with those with greater promise and a lower price tag.
Black Lives Matter has highlighted the disproportionate impact of laws and policies that have wrecked devastation on communities of color without any real positive impact on crime rates in those same neighborhoods. To pursue a new approach in response to a well articulated community need should be common sense and basic democracy, not partisan politics. If the GOP is serious about courting the minority vote they have every opportunity to embrace these changes. They're certainly embracing treatment over incarceration in all white suburbs that are being ravaged by heroin, so they can do the same for the inner city. Will they is the question?
These shouldn't be partisan issues. They call are a call for a basic justice and fairness. They have presented their case with uncontrovertibly video evidence, court testimony and careful documentation by scholars. They also have the simple pragmatic virtue of changing policies that haven't worked and replacing them with those with greater promise and a lower price tag.
Black Lives Matter has highlighted the disproportionate impact of laws and policies that have wrecked devastation on communities of color without any real positive impact on crime rates in those same neighborhoods. To pursue a new approach in response to a well articulated community need should be common sense and basic democracy, not partisan politics. If the GOP is serious about courting the minority vote they have every opportunity to embrace these changes. They're certainly embracing treatment over incarceration in all white suburbs that are being ravaged by heroin, so they can do the same for the inner city. Will they is the question?
56
drspock - "They have embraced a series of real reforms, some of which you've mentioned; ending school to prison pipeline, introducing restorative justice to schools and neighborhoods, changing drug laws, moving away from mandatory sentencing among many others."
Embraced reforms - reforms for actions after a crime has been committed - what is needed is the reformation of actions leading up to the crimes. Perhaps there should be more concentration on not acting up in school, not violating the law by taking/selling drugs or committing any crime for which there is a mandatory sentence. Doesn't that make more sense and make us all much safer?
Embraced reforms - reforms for actions after a crime has been committed - what is needed is the reformation of actions leading up to the crimes. Perhaps there should be more concentration on not acting up in school, not violating the law by taking/selling drugs or committing any crime for which there is a mandatory sentence. Doesn't that make more sense and make us all much safer?
As a high school teacher in a urban school with at risk students for 10 years I am qualified to respond. I put out of the classroom 4 students yesterday for disrupting my lesson about Imperialism in Africa in the 19th century. They were up and out of their seats, talking out to students, making jokes, and foremost stopping the learning process of the rest of the students. After they left I was able to finish the lesson and the learners were able to complete their assignment. Those that left all have f's for the last grading period. They are not interested, do not turn in work and daily disrupt the classroom. The ones interested in learning should not have their education continually ruined by class clowns.
81
These are questions to be better informed, I have no other agenda by asking them:
How did you get them to leave the classroom?
What do you do if/when they refuse to leave?
When they leave, where do they go for the rest of the day?
Are they welcome back the next day, or is there some other consequence for their disruptive behavior?
( I live in a small CT town, my 7th grade son has to do an after school detention tomorrow just for having turned in one assigned late...the kind of disruption you describe does not happen much here.)
How did you get them to leave the classroom?
What do you do if/when they refuse to leave?
When they leave, where do they go for the rest of the day?
Are they welcome back the next day, or is there some other consequence for their disruptive behavior?
( I live in a small CT town, my 7th grade son has to do an after school detention tomorrow just for having turned in one assigned late...the kind of disruption you describe does not happen much here.)
Sad that there are so many students who don't understand what will really improve their lives and not every teacher has the time or energy to work with the disruptive students. I have to say, though, that I was totally inspired to meet a teacher from a New York City public school five years ago who told me that he considered it his most important work to try to connect with those troubled students and do everything he could to turn them around. Society is very fortunate to have even a few like him.
At our school we have 3 desks at the back of each classroom which we call Buddy spots. The teachers sends students to one of the other teachers buddy spots. The teacher talks with them later in the day and they usually start over in the class the next day. It usually doesn't change anything, but at least you can remove them from the room. Sometimes they won't go and we have to evacuate the room and the principal or social workers have to convince them to leave the room. Nothing physical, these kids are big.
2
We need to not be so divisive and generalize so much. Most conservatives are not racist. Many got disillusioned with today's liberalism. Most whites are not racist. Most blacks are good people. Most Mexicans and Asians are good people. Most policemen I know are good people. We need to start with that and fix what is wrong. The War on Drugs and mass incarceration were wrong. Pot possession should carry a minimal fine and no jail time. Petty traffic violations a small fine. Restorative justice does not usually work. The problem is in the home where parents will defend a child's bad actions, blame teachers and society, and yet not get involved in their schools. Good children and teachers suffer. Some kids deserve to be expelled. But we should also bring back the trades, even in junior high, and expand sports. Kick out the kids who bully and fight so the good kids have a chance. If Black Lives Matter is not taken seriously by many of us who looked up to Dr. King and lived equality, it is because they don't take black on black crime seriously and they blame social problems entirely on whites. They are disruptive and disrespectful. To fix poor black problems, you need to start in the black communities and rid them of gangs so the good people there feel safe. To do that they must work with and trust the police. Encourage education and respect. This is how it worked for most middle class blacks who are now our neighbors, coworkers, and close friends.
74
Most white Americans don't think they are racist because they believe in equality. While that is a good thing, and certainly an improvement on the attitudes of the past, it is not enough. And that point is where many liberal and conservative whites part ways. Conservatives tend to believe that as long as the law states that people are equal that is enough. Liberals argue there must not just be equality in law, but equality in fact, or at the very least in opportunity.
African-Americans do not have equality of opportunity in this country, and until this country does something about it, African-Americans are well within their rights to complain about institutional racism. It astonishes me that so many whites don't seem to understand what institutional racism is or just how pervasive and damaging it is. Frankly, it all comes down to a lack of empathy.
If more whites thought about just how hard most African-Americans lives are, and how little we as a society have done for them, things would change. As long as whites continue to engage in victim blaming, institutional racism will continue.
African-Americans do not have equality of opportunity in this country, and until this country does something about it, African-Americans are well within their rights to complain about institutional racism. It astonishes me that so many whites don't seem to understand what institutional racism is or just how pervasive and damaging it is. Frankly, it all comes down to a lack of empathy.
If more whites thought about just how hard most African-Americans lives are, and how little we as a society have done for them, things would change. As long as whites continue to engage in victim blaming, institutional racism will continue.
@Kate-"If more whites thought about just how hard most African-Americans lives are, and how little we as a society have done for them, things would change"... If you had ever been at the opposing receiving end of Affirmative Action policies, I would bet you would never make that statement. Black Lives Matter ignores the struggles of individuals of other races, and presents the challenges that African Americans face as being purely caused by racism. Police brutality, poverty, mass incarceration, and drug addiction are collective issues that affect all communities. And even if it affects African Americans more than other races, being divisive and blaming these issues on "institutional racism" is not going to solve the issue for the benefit of all Americans. This I believe, and rightfully so, leads many individuals to have a callous attitude to the Black Lives Matter movement. We are all Americans and we can't move forward as racial subgroups. It is time that BLM recognizes that all lives really do matter.
1
The whole reason for Affirmative Action is because white people oppressed minorities for generations and PREVENTED them from getting the educations they deserved. That harm CAN'T be erased quickly. And yet, as soon as Affirmative Action started showing how successful it was, white Americans almost immediately began complaining that it wasn't fair because THEY were losing out.
All lives DO matter, but African-Americans have been, and continue to be oppressed in ways most white people can't seem to wrap their minds around. And for the record, I'm white and I'm apparently one of the few that's learned to check my privilege.
All lives DO matter, but African-Americans have been, and continue to be oppressed in ways most white people can't seem to wrap their minds around. And for the record, I'm white and I'm apparently one of the few that's learned to check my privilege.
The sooner Black people quit expecting special treatment and not getting it leading to confrontation and animosity with the rest of the public the sooner this Nation can get on with solving the real problems it faces. Stagnant wages, crime, mental health issues, immigration reform, term limits for politicians, health care. Black lives matter but no more or less than yellow, red, brown or white lives. Get over it!
31
We all live in the same nation and YOU will never experience rest or peace so long as twenty percent of our population is targeted by bias (like that you expressed here). You think if you "prick them they do not bleed?" BTW I am not black but I do think and I do feel for my fellow human beings. I pray to God that we never "get over" fighting injustice.
2
Maybe when you take care of your mental health problems, you will start to see things more in line with reality.
2
I think you're confusing "special treatment" with equal treatment. Black and Brown Americans are objectively treated worse than their White counterparts in this society. Just because we have other issues to address does not mean we can not or should not address racial injustice. "Get over it!" ... Spoken like someone who's never faced systemic oppression. Black Americans and their allies are fed up and demanding real change--so get over it.
3
FBI Director Comey's recent unsupported speculation that arrests were down due to the "Ferguson effect" is clearly ambiguous on its face. If Comey is correct, there are at least two possible explanations. One is that police officers are simply refusing to arrest criminals. Another is that Ferguson has made police officers more cautious about racially motivated stops. The media, and this column, fail to directly challenge the basis for such statements and ignore the obvious ambiguity.
Prof. Matusou's respect for the "the ability of bad men to manipulate the public" is less worrisome than the media's willingness to encourage and support the efforts of bad men to manipulate the public.
Prof. Matusou's respect for the "the ability of bad men to manipulate the public" is less worrisome than the media's willingness to encourage and support the efforts of bad men to manipulate the public.
9
Of course bad persons are completely capable of demagoguery and manipulation. but we are not facing a few "bad persons". We are facing an organized campaign over several decades to acquire and manipulate the media on behalf of the 0.1% and on behalf of corporate power. It is ironic that huge power centers of enormous corporations are characterized as good while huge power centers of unions have been characterized as bad. Except that the corporations own the media and therefore have controlled the characterizations of unions. The loudest bullhorns win.
6
For the Republicans, not at all. For the Democrats, they only matter to the extent that Blacks will come out to vote for them. After the election, Democrats - who don't want to antagonize the wealthy interests they primarily serve - lose their "equality" and "justice" rhetoric and go about doing what they have to do to maintain as much white dominance as is possible. They will throw a few crumbs here and there, but the Democratic Party has long abandoned any real commitment to justice, transformation, and liberation.
The only candidate in the race who has taken principled positions on these issues, for decades, is Bernie Sanders. And who, typical of writers at the NYT, was ignored in this piece. Apparently he is not running for president? That's news to me...
The only candidate in the race who has taken principled positions on these issues, for decades, is Bernie Sanders. And who, typical of writers at the NYT, was ignored in this piece. Apparently he is not running for president? That's news to me...
30
The core issue raised by Mr Edsall is whether the BLM demonstrations, or similar demonstrations by African Americans re the use of police force to maintain public order will affect the outcome of the political races.
The answer is yes.
The form of the BLM demonstrations alienate the majority of American voters. The majority of American voters are not African American. BLM does not represent other minorities nor do other minorities advocate on behalf of BLM. If anything, BLM is more akin to the Weather Underground of the 1960s and 70s; eg, a fringe political movement whose actions caused many to conflate all social protest with the fringe. This just doesn't work well for social change.
More to the point, BLM focuses its anger on white bias and asserts that the police are merely the state arm of white racism. You cannot hope to win the support of people when your thesis is that those people (eg, the white majority) are inherently racist. To the extent that such movements as BLM focus on the single theme of bias on the part of whites, it will fail as a political movement for change.
That is a simple political reality.
The answer is yes.
The form of the BLM demonstrations alienate the majority of American voters. The majority of American voters are not African American. BLM does not represent other minorities nor do other minorities advocate on behalf of BLM. If anything, BLM is more akin to the Weather Underground of the 1960s and 70s; eg, a fringe political movement whose actions caused many to conflate all social protest with the fringe. This just doesn't work well for social change.
More to the point, BLM focuses its anger on white bias and asserts that the police are merely the state arm of white racism. You cannot hope to win the support of people when your thesis is that those people (eg, the white majority) are inherently racist. To the extent that such movements as BLM focus on the single theme of bias on the part of whites, it will fail as a political movement for change.
That is a simple political reality.
27
Such a natty issue. The reality is that crime is down. No one talks about this reality and we have a frightened armed electorate barricading themselves in their homes with an ever increasing arsenal, ready to shoot first and ask questions later.
There was a time in my life when I thought we spent too little time getting to the root of what causes crime and how to rehabilitate offenders. On an emotional level that fantasy still exists for me. But the reality is we have brutal repeat offenders--witness the 9 year old boy shot in gang turf war in Chicago. What kind of human targets a child to get even with an older sibling? This crime is horrific and the person or persons who committed it are mentally ill. Perhaps beyond rehabilitation by current techniques.
There is a fine argument unmentioned in this article. Is crime down because of the tough stance on criminals adopted over the last 15 years? If so, it will be difficult to convince anyone, Right or Left that the Democratic stance is viable.
I recognize minorities are targeted unfairly. George Zimmerman should have gone to jail for life for what he did. And he has proven this since by his behavior. And yet he is free and Trayvon Martin is dead.
I understand the discipline issue in schools and teachers frustrations. It's narrow line that keeps teachers in control of a classroom full of potential violence from teenagers who have the body of an adult and temperament of a child.
No one answer applies.
There was a time in my life when I thought we spent too little time getting to the root of what causes crime and how to rehabilitate offenders. On an emotional level that fantasy still exists for me. But the reality is we have brutal repeat offenders--witness the 9 year old boy shot in gang turf war in Chicago. What kind of human targets a child to get even with an older sibling? This crime is horrific and the person or persons who committed it are mentally ill. Perhaps beyond rehabilitation by current techniques.
There is a fine argument unmentioned in this article. Is crime down because of the tough stance on criminals adopted over the last 15 years? If so, it will be difficult to convince anyone, Right or Left that the Democratic stance is viable.
I recognize minorities are targeted unfairly. George Zimmerman should have gone to jail for life for what he did. And he has proven this since by his behavior. And yet he is free and Trayvon Martin is dead.
I understand the discipline issue in schools and teachers frustrations. It's narrow line that keeps teachers in control of a classroom full of potential violence from teenagers who have the body of an adult and temperament of a child.
No one answer applies.
6
Excellent and balanced analysis of the differences of thought between various ethnic and political groups in terms of how we address crime and punishment (restorative justice). Also spot on is the manipulation of the issues by our politicians in order to secure power.
There is definitely a middle ground which should be our goal, one that takes violence off the street, but allows for rehabilitation of those that can be rehabilitated. Decriminalization of many non-violent "crimes" and release of those previously incarcerated for those offenses.
There is definitely a middle ground which should be our goal, one that takes violence off the street, but allows for rehabilitation of those that can be rehabilitated. Decriminalization of many non-violent "crimes" and release of those previously incarcerated for those offenses.
1
Most of this analysis is beside the point. Fighting violent crime and drug crime is overwhelmingly a state function. When a drug dealer or a murderer is arrested, most often it is by state law enforcement, not federal. And the number of inmates in state prisons far outnumbers those in federal prisons. So it isn't the President who leads the way in justice reform. It is the governors. And, generally speaking, the states whose justice systems are most abusive are led by Republican governors. What Hillary thinks will have some costructiive effect. But not a lot.
2
Only a fool would fail to see the consequences of "restorative justice" and being completely unprepared to handle working life after school. There is no "group discussion" in the work force, you are fired if you don't toe the line and that is it. Can liberals really not see that those who cannot function in an orderly manner in school will overwhelmingly turn out as the twenty something unemployeds that liberals blame on corporate America or worse yet as gangbangers that kill other gangbangers that liberals blame on the police and America itself. Liberals will continue to cheer this politically correct rank insanity until it walks up and bites them in the form of a street robbery perpetrated on them. And then they will blame the cops for not being there...
15
Jordan misses the point. Students are not yet in the work force. They are still being trained and disciplined (taught).
1
For Jordan: would you consider working with one "problem child" after school? Although I recognize the truth of what you wrote, if restorative justice is not widely "deployed," the social fabric will ravel faster and faster if communities do not unite to educate all children (to say nothing of feeding them - never forget that one child in four in this country goes to bed hungry), there is very little hope for a good future for all of us.
Laughable to see the liberal professor complain that about short video clips being taken out of context by "the right". Sorry to tell the esteemed academic this, but the "mainstream" media does this all the time to demonize conservatives.
13
Is Mrs. Clinton the only Democratic candidate? The fact that she does not have a complete criminal justice reform platform speaks volumes to me. That you use her hodgepodge of positions as presumably the only Democratic candidate instead of the more comprehensive platforms of either Mr. Sanders or Mr. O'Malley, speaks volumes about you.
14
The policies followed in this country over the last several decades, with respect to law enforcement, arise from widespread fear of ethnic minorities. The zero tolerance policies, the massive incarceration of blacks and Hispanics, and the militarization of police tactics, all betray the same feeling that young black and Hispanic men represent a threat to the safety of the community.
The use of state coercion to control ethnic minorities, as if they were alien to the community, poses a serious threat to democracy. Not only does this approach to law and order fracture the society; it also convinces blacks and Hispanics that the government is their enemy rather than their representative. State officials merely reinforce this conclusion when they enact measures designed to limit minority political influence through restrictions on voting.
This is not, however, the whole story, as indicated by the problem of discipline in public schools. The idea of "restorative justice" offers a more nuanced approach to dealing with misbehavior, certainly one far superior to a policy that converts student misdeeds into crimes. But the innovation should not be employed to strip school authorities of their control over discipline or to encourage students to believe that they can avoid the consequences of their rule violations. Teachers must treat students with respect, based on a deep concern for their welfare. But no student benefits if instructors lose their legitimate authority.
The use of state coercion to control ethnic minorities, as if they were alien to the community, poses a serious threat to democracy. Not only does this approach to law and order fracture the society; it also convinces blacks and Hispanics that the government is their enemy rather than their representative. State officials merely reinforce this conclusion when they enact measures designed to limit minority political influence through restrictions on voting.
This is not, however, the whole story, as indicated by the problem of discipline in public schools. The idea of "restorative justice" offers a more nuanced approach to dealing with misbehavior, certainly one far superior to a policy that converts student misdeeds into crimes. But the innovation should not be employed to strip school authorities of their control over discipline or to encourage students to believe that they can avoid the consequences of their rule violations. Teachers must treat students with respect, based on a deep concern for their welfare. But no student benefits if instructors lose their legitimate authority.
2
The growing intolerance of violence is the main reason so many men are in jail. Local district attorneys are much more ikely to indict violent criminals for felonies than they were in the 60s and 70s, This has produced a very high rate of incarceration in the US.
3
At least some special ed approaches to school disciplines problems both achieve school management goals and support the student -- there are effective techniques for kids who don't respond the way we would prefer to the usual, and easier, approaches. I had trouble reading this column because I thought it ignored the issue of whether previous attitudes towards policing were fair and appropriate, and glossed over the question of what good a punitive approach with students is if the approach is ineffective and the results do not lead to improved outcomes. I think the piece rests on a lot of inadequately explored assumptions about the status quo ante.
1
An example of a special ed technique I have seen be effective with struggling students is collaborative problem solving.
At the end of the day, the problem is still economics.
In an era when white teenagers routinely listen to rap, and eagerly embrace other aspects of African-American culture, it is only our growing economic divide that is perpetuating these racial prejudices.
Ever since St. Ronnie despoiled the memories of Chaney, Goodman, Schwerner (by appearing in the city in which they were murdered to champion "the cause" of states' rights), conservatives have used deliberately coded language, specifically intended to perpetuate racial hated, coupled to an emphasis on trivial yet insanely divisive cultural issues (like abortion), as a front for their assault on the stakeholder capitalism that had made America the envy of the planet in the years preceding the Reagan "devolution".
Racism continues to exist in America in the year 2015, 150 years after the martyrdom of Abraham Lincoln, because the party of Reagan elected to use racially coded language in its effort to turn America into an oligarchy - just as it was in the South in the era of the loathsome Confederacy (a rich man's battle but a poor man's war).
Let me strongly suggest that in the years 2016 and beyond, if you restore a spirit of economic justice and respect for the contributions of ordinary workers and ordinary Americans, Republican and Democrat, you fix everything. But to do this, we have to first call out the coding and coders "with the last full measure of devotion".
In an era when white teenagers routinely listen to rap, and eagerly embrace other aspects of African-American culture, it is only our growing economic divide that is perpetuating these racial prejudices.
Ever since St. Ronnie despoiled the memories of Chaney, Goodman, Schwerner (by appearing in the city in which they were murdered to champion "the cause" of states' rights), conservatives have used deliberately coded language, specifically intended to perpetuate racial hated, coupled to an emphasis on trivial yet insanely divisive cultural issues (like abortion), as a front for their assault on the stakeholder capitalism that had made America the envy of the planet in the years preceding the Reagan "devolution".
Racism continues to exist in America in the year 2015, 150 years after the martyrdom of Abraham Lincoln, because the party of Reagan elected to use racially coded language in its effort to turn America into an oligarchy - just as it was in the South in the era of the loathsome Confederacy (a rich man's battle but a poor man's war).
Let me strongly suggest that in the years 2016 and beyond, if you restore a spirit of economic justice and respect for the contributions of ordinary workers and ordinary Americans, Republican and Democrat, you fix everything. But to do this, we have to first call out the coding and coders "with the last full measure of devotion".
17
And let me guess, you (or some other leftist) get to be the person who gets to do the "decoding". Wouldn't that be a job everyone wants, the job of being able to put words in peoples' mouths, regardless of what they actually said?
4
I'll have to print this out and reread. I understand the pragmatic approach that is part of blended learning, yet, I think it's been over used.
The real question is: "do white lives matter more?" Comey's Deputy came out with public statements of concern about the Black Lives Matter movement and then cited the nation's growing heroine, meth, and prescription drug epidemics as a reason to crack down on the movement. It must have escaped him that each of these epidemics are overwhelmingly driven by white users and distributors. Meanwhile police and their unions have been busy trying to insist that black parents and families allow the police to kill and physically abuse their children with no questions or consequences. They make their grotesque statements about police impunity while claiming disingenuously that they stand for better community policing. The system is heading towards a breaking point as the alternate realities lived by whites and blacks are increasingly exposed and more people realize America's legal infrastructure rests upon the morally bankrupt assumption that black/brown skin equals criminality.
51
Amen to that!
Bravo, Rockc! You have not spared the truth. The country cannot move forward until the Right (funny word in this context) recognizes that slavery is over and that "we the people" must move forward together.
The action of the University of Missouri football team, although it will be condemned by many, is symbolic far beyond what players and coach likely imagine. Non-violent resistance. To be applauded.
The action of the University of Missouri football team, although it will be condemned by many, is symbolic far beyond what players and coach likely imagine. Non-violent resistance. To be applauded.
Exactly.Some Americans are keenly aware of this phenomena,yet remain silent out of detached obligation or disinterest,sadly.Yet,if the reverse(i.e.'reverse discrimination)were 'in-play,they would scream to high heaven.They white kid recently and sadly killed by black cops in Mississippi was treated very,'Very,differently from Tamir Rice,gunned down by white cops.African Americans aren't 'crazy.We see this and those who don't,do so at America's peril...
The Democrats are making a big mistake appealing to the more radical elements of black greivance. Many of their arguments sound unhinged. This debacle at Mizzou is a great example.
Here's the problem the Dems are going to have schools & crime touch people intimately. So as crime rises & schools become more chaotic it will be the Dems that get blamed.
Here's the problem the Dems are going to have schools & crime touch people intimately. So as crime rises & schools become more chaotic it will be the Dems that get blamed.
29
Nah, their operatives in media will paint this picture as the fault of the GOP, because they prevented the Dems from capitulating even more to the most radical elements in their circle.
How do you explain that crime rates have been declining since the 1980's, yet prison populations have increased? How do you explain that the majority of crimes committed in this country are committed by whites, living in the suburbs? How do you explain the militarization of police forces in every community in the country, including wholly white environs?
Get the right wing media fed propaganda out of your head. Pick up a book that provides actual facts about who's committing crime and stop listening to equally ignorant pundits, doling out sound bites, like heroin pushers doling out smack in New Hampshire.
Think, critique then conclude.
#whitemindsareaterriblethingtolose
Get the right wing media fed propaganda out of your head. Pick up a book that provides actual facts about who's committing crime and stop listening to equally ignorant pundits, doling out sound bites, like heroin pushers doling out smack in New Hampshire.
Think, critique then conclude.
#whitemindsareaterriblethingtolose
1
It doesn't occur to you that crime declined because the criminals were in jail? And, I suggest that you take a look at FBI crime statistics to see who is committing the crimes.
1
Considering the fact that over 90% of blacks will vote for the Democrat then I doubt it will matter much.
How can it when the Democrats have the black vote?
How can it when the Democrats have the black vote?
2
Republican candidates running for the highest office in America has a lot to learn about winning the Presidency by studying the campaigning approaches of the last two candidates,first John McCain and later on, Mitt Romney, who wrongly presumed that if they got the 61% of White votes, they could win the Presidency.
But they were totally wrong .
They did get almost 61% of the White votes .But lost.
Obama trounced them handsomely with the least minimum White votes than any president in the history of this country.
Now, these figures should trigger a wake-up call among the current Republican candidates .
But watching last night's debate on tv, it was quite obvious they (except Jeb Bush and John Kasich) did not get the message loud and clear.
They should take a hard look at Mitt Romney's campaign where he kept on talking about self-deportation of the immigrants and losing almost all the Hispanic votes.
On the contrary , both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have embraced 'Black Lives Matter' movement because they know who are the most passionate voters at present and will be in the future.
Now, this is not a wild guess but a fact driven prediction that the current crop of Republican presidential candidates has almost a zero to 1% chance of capturing the Oval office unless they make dramatic changes to their campaign tactics by going after same Demographic that Hillary and Bernie are aiming at.
I'd have given the same advice to Mitt Romney and John McCain, but in Vain,..tkb
But they were totally wrong .
They did get almost 61% of the White votes .But lost.
Obama trounced them handsomely with the least minimum White votes than any president in the history of this country.
Now, these figures should trigger a wake-up call among the current Republican candidates .
But watching last night's debate on tv, it was quite obvious they (except Jeb Bush and John Kasich) did not get the message loud and clear.
They should take a hard look at Mitt Romney's campaign where he kept on talking about self-deportation of the immigrants and losing almost all the Hispanic votes.
On the contrary , both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have embraced 'Black Lives Matter' movement because they know who are the most passionate voters at present and will be in the future.
Now, this is not a wild guess but a fact driven prediction that the current crop of Republican presidential candidates has almost a zero to 1% chance of capturing the Oval office unless they make dramatic changes to their campaign tactics by going after same Demographic that Hillary and Bernie are aiming at.
I'd have given the same advice to Mitt Romney and John McCain, but in Vain,..tkb
Percentages matter less than numbers. The truth is that republicans stayed home. Obama got 5 million less votes in 2012 than in 2008. If the same number of Republicans had the same numbers show as in 2008 they likely would have won.
As for the election itself, people read too much into what is actually the norm. With rare exceptions a party rarely gets more, or less, than two terms with the presidency before the country grows tired of them and gives the other guys a chance.
There are exceptions but they are very rare. In fact, the presidency has changed hands in a fairly regular pattern.
Obama - Democrats 8 years
Bush - Republicans 8 years
Clinton - Democrats 8 years
Reagan/Bush - Republicans 12 years
Carter - Democrats 4 years
Nixon/Ford - Republicans 8 years
And on and on.
That is why I openly laugh in the face of those who keep telling me that republicans are in trouble, they have lost 4 of the previous 6 election cycles. As if that were a big deal. If the republican win in 2016, which as I show above historically is by far the most likely thing to happen. then they can crow about the winning 4 of 6 election cycles thing as historically they should take 2016 and 2020.
As for the election itself, people read too much into what is actually the norm. With rare exceptions a party rarely gets more, or less, than two terms with the presidency before the country grows tired of them and gives the other guys a chance.
There are exceptions but they are very rare. In fact, the presidency has changed hands in a fairly regular pattern.
Obama - Democrats 8 years
Bush - Republicans 8 years
Clinton - Democrats 8 years
Reagan/Bush - Republicans 12 years
Carter - Democrats 4 years
Nixon/Ford - Republicans 8 years
And on and on.
That is why I openly laugh in the face of those who keep telling me that republicans are in trouble, they have lost 4 of the previous 6 election cycles. As if that were a big deal. If the republican win in 2016, which as I show above historically is by far the most likely thing to happen. then they can crow about the winning 4 of 6 election cycles thing as historically they should take 2016 and 2020.
1
Sure, let's have everyone pandering to competing special interest groups.
Black lives do matter, but just as in the Civil Rights struggle, their concerns are being dismissed by conservative white voters.
20
The Republican Party is all about looting the United States to benefit the super rich and most powerful international corporations. They don't care about the middle class or poor, except to get them to vote against their own interests by inciting them with hot button issues involving race, religion, and immigration.
So it is possible to distinguish groups that the GOP cares less about than others, but ultimately we should remember George Carlin's famous statement: "They do not care about you."
So it is possible to distinguish groups that the GOP cares less about than others, but ultimately we should remember George Carlin's famous statement: "They do not care about you."
48
Nothing has so benefitted the Super Rich than the Federal Reserve making money available for loans to speculators for near zero interest rates for now 8 years and continuing. This isn't a GOP tool. But the 1% are benefitting , no doubt of that.
3
Why do americans insist on differentiating people so much? African, hispanics, chinese, whites... I have heard that in other countries in ordinary street talk but you do it at an official level.
14
Hi Luis,
It is because of our history of slavery and the ongoing structural inequality, based on race.
It is because of our history of slavery and the ongoing structural inequality, based on race.
3
It is cold political calculation. Democrats want to divide us into competing spec ail interest groups. It is their get-out-the-vote strategy.
1
I think we have to distinguish between Black Lives Matter and Black lives matter. The concept, Black lives matter, should be a truism in a pluralistic society the same way Jewish lives matter, or women's lives matter, are truisms. The movement, Black Lives Matter, is the Occupy of 2015. Unfortunately, in our polarized political ecosystem, a portion of the politicenti thinks that to acknowledge that Black lives matter would mean they side with Black Lives Matter, which would be political suicide, and they would rather use Black Lives Matter as a wedge with their know-nothing (not Know Nothing; we'd have to say Catholic lives matter in that case) backers, and cannot engage in a rational or honest conversation on the concept. Very sad.
13
This is a terrific column covering the left moving Democrats - HRC in particular - as it embraces the BLM movement. I wish it had substantially more on the problems the LA teachers face as the LA school system embraces "restorative justice" which to my conservative ears sounds like codling and certain to backfire. Also more should have focused on HRC's motivation for her highly vocal, emotional support of BLM associated issues.
Is it necessary for HRC to take this approach? After all, the Democrats own the black vote as the GOP has treated BLM - not with hostility - but rather with benign neglect. GOP leaders do recognize the impact of early on incarceration of black youth and its stigmitizing effect and do seek an alternative. It doesn't matter electorially because the GOP knows it won't get the black vote. HRC know this to; what she is up to is an attempt to garner an Obama type turnout of black voters for herself by broadcasting unmitigated support of BLM.
And this could backfire on her too with some white liberals and Democrat moderates who aren't so keen on passivity towards riots and undisaplined youth running amuck in schools. Sounds like an opening for the GOP to exploit.
Is it necessary for HRC to take this approach? After all, the Democrats own the black vote as the GOP has treated BLM - not with hostility - but rather with benign neglect. GOP leaders do recognize the impact of early on incarceration of black youth and its stigmitizing effect and do seek an alternative. It doesn't matter electorially because the GOP knows it won't get the black vote. HRC know this to; what she is up to is an attempt to garner an Obama type turnout of black voters for herself by broadcasting unmitigated support of BLM.
And this could backfire on her too with some white liberals and Democrat moderates who aren't so keen on passivity towards riots and undisaplined youth running amuck in schools. Sounds like an opening for the GOP to exploit.
10
Perhaps take the time to learn about "restorative justice" before equating it with coddling. In my neighborhood, a young teenager vandalized a community garden. Instead of issuing her a ticket, we used restorative justice. She and her parents talked with the gardeners. The teen was helped to see how her actions hurt others. She then paid back the community by doing service projects in the garden and around the neighborhood. That is how it works in schools too -- no one is coddled and no one "gets away" with misbehavior. Student are helped to understand how their actions have had a negative impact and are then asked to help repair the damage.....
Oh, I'm a teacher in a public high school.
Oh, I'm a teacher in a public high school.
36
I'm not sure that everybody knows HRC to be something other than the Human Rights Campaign.
So Ann - maybe your school in Colorado isn't quite the same as one in Bed Sty or South Bronx. And a "community garden", however ownership you might feels towards it, is nowhere as personal as your home's garden. Wonder how magnanimous you'd feel if this clearly misunderstood youth had entered your property and destroyed your garden instead. From experience and many comments here I gather that everyone's a liberal until they get punched in the face or robbed at gunpoint.
1
Ah, another picture with a black fist raised in protest. But whites are outraged too, by our criminal injustice system.
Edsall might take a look at the many whites of all ages we've seen pushing for minority civil rights, and who are seen marching in street protests against police brutality and bias.
Many street protests contain many whites and people of all races. This is under reported. The media and TV especially, focus mostly on people from the minority groups who have been treated with bias.
But many whites support BLS. This needs to be discussed by our sociologists and political scientists to give a complete picture.
Edsall might take a look at the many whites of all ages we've seen pushing for minority civil rights, and who are seen marching in street protests against police brutality and bias.
Many street protests contain many whites and people of all races. This is under reported. The media and TV especially, focus mostly on people from the minority groups who have been treated with bias.
But many whites support BLS. This needs to be discussed by our sociologists and political scientists to give a complete picture.
9
Black lives matter! All lives matter! Therein, is the dualism W.E.B. DuBois won so much approbation for identifying in "The Souls of Black Folk." DuBois first points out that individual experience and group experience interconnect--and in America, are often at odds regarding race.
Republicans say we all have the same individual experience, black or white. People from ethnic groups who have experienced historic discrimination say the institutional and social barriers that inhibit equality and opportunity are group barriers; these entangle individuals. They see injustice as a group act, with individual effects.
As group acts, injustice, oppression, state violence, disenfranchisement, wage inequality and women's rights, are concealed and denied by using logic and criteria that hides the group acts real intentions: disparate sentencing, restricted opportunities tied to income (including housing, education!), barriers to voting and access to abortions (and state ordered probes!).
Republicans say work harder to overcome, the tough thrive. Groups targeted for injustice (as Ferguson, MO targeted its African-American community as a revenue source through its police and justice system) remember the secret letter Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man was given, its admonition to keep this "boy running." Ellison's Invisible Man opens envelopes in endlessly, before reaching the final message. The envelopes? "Them's years," his grandfather says.
Republicans say we all have the same individual experience, black or white. People from ethnic groups who have experienced historic discrimination say the institutional and social barriers that inhibit equality and opportunity are group barriers; these entangle individuals. They see injustice as a group act, with individual effects.
As group acts, injustice, oppression, state violence, disenfranchisement, wage inequality and women's rights, are concealed and denied by using logic and criteria that hides the group acts real intentions: disparate sentencing, restricted opportunities tied to income (including housing, education!), barriers to voting and access to abortions (and state ordered probes!).
Republicans say work harder to overcome, the tough thrive. Groups targeted for injustice (as Ferguson, MO targeted its African-American community as a revenue source through its police and justice system) remember the secret letter Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man was given, its admonition to keep this "boy running." Ellison's Invisible Man opens envelopes in endlessly, before reaching the final message. The envelopes? "Them's years," his grandfather says.
35
"The public has become more adverse to the use of force by government." I hope that's true... or, at least, I hope the public has become more *averse* to it. Good grief, where are the NYT proofreaders?
27
Of course, Black Lives Matter! Voters need more information to understand what's really threatening them. To understand this is key to unlocking solutions to inequality that exists in our society on many levels. But to discuss these issues in substantive way, is left to a few lonely public figures, with one of the most consistent ones being Bernie Sanders. Civil rights being at the heart of this matter has been a way of life for him. While Sanders marched for civil rights in his youth, Hiliary Clinton was campaigning for Goldwater in hers. Income inequaltiy is right behind this. Yes, we have a fundamental difference of views on how to handle crime from the left or the right. Those on the right seems not to be able to connect the dots between civil rights and income disparities. People with fundamentally racist views, do not understand that their financial well being is threatened by the same forces that threaten civil rights. Crime and income inequality is at the heart of our crime problem. Bill Clinton was on the front line of take away their welfare, make "em work for lower wages, or throw them in jail mentality. He signed on for NAFTA. Bernie Sanders understands the connection full well. I see no other candidate that has a firm a grasp on this. I'm not comfortable that there is only mention of Clinton here in this article, completely ignoring Sanders who represents the left more solidly then any other. Media seems obsessed with chairs on the deck while we sink.
78
Black Lives should matter to whoever becomes president. That person cannot get elected without their support or that of other minorities. Black Lives should matter to poor whites and a middle class that has been shrinking. The way back to better times will be traveled together. We are one nation and we will only succeed when we truly are united and resolute to effect the kinds of fundamental changes that will once and for all remove the barriers left since the Civil War was won by the north. Those barriers affect every aspect of Black and white lives, from what we learn in our schools to how the economy works. BLM and Moral Monday are central, each in their own way, to change.
Abandoning strict zero tolerance policies won't do. They need to be abolished. Hillary Clinton has not shown any willingness to do that. In fact, she has shown more swagger than she has understanding and a willingness to reform. She stands in stark contrast to Sanders, who in spite of having been given a much rougher time, was immediate in coming up with what remains the most far reaching plan for racial justice.
We have a long way to go, but we will only reach that destination once most of us are on board, as fellow travelers.
---
I've spent the past year writing essays on precisely this topic. It is nearest and dearest to my heart.
The precariat and the new civil rights movements: http://tinyurl.com/np2vhbc
My riff on MLK's Three Evils of Society speech: http://tinyurl.com/mqzu2rh
Abandoning strict zero tolerance policies won't do. They need to be abolished. Hillary Clinton has not shown any willingness to do that. In fact, she has shown more swagger than she has understanding and a willingness to reform. She stands in stark contrast to Sanders, who in spite of having been given a much rougher time, was immediate in coming up with what remains the most far reaching plan for racial justice.
We have a long way to go, but we will only reach that destination once most of us are on board, as fellow travelers.
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I've spent the past year writing essays on precisely this topic. It is nearest and dearest to my heart.
The precariat and the new civil rights movements: http://tinyurl.com/np2vhbc
My riff on MLK's Three Evils of Society speech: http://tinyurl.com/mqzu2rh
32
The following is an excerpt from my essay on FBI Director Comey's two major speeches this year. More than any other official, he exemplifies the issues politicians are facing on the left, for a myriad of reasons, those are the same issues we all face as Americans who, all, are affected by racial politics and ingrained racism, conscious and subconscious:
"FBI Director James Comey has given two major speeches on policing and racial justice this year. He spoke at his old alma mater, the University of Chicago Law School, on October 23rd . The speech he gave last February was a more formal, policy-oriented one. This latest address was more personal and less polished in content and formulation.
Both talks reveal different facets of a deeply flawed grasp of America’s racial gap and the nature of a police state network he is a part of and its place in America’s metropoleis and at the Federal level. Comey’s speeches also offer insight into a familiar white blindness to prejudice that is buried under a thin veneer of superficial pseudo-enlightenment."
Read the rest here:
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/10/fbi-director-comeys-biased-truths-on-po...
"FBI Director James Comey has given two major speeches on policing and racial justice this year. He spoke at his old alma mater, the University of Chicago Law School, on October 23rd . The speech he gave last February was a more formal, policy-oriented one. This latest address was more personal and less polished in content and formulation.
Both talks reveal different facets of a deeply flawed grasp of America’s racial gap and the nature of a police state network he is a part of and its place in America’s metropoleis and at the Federal level. Comey’s speeches also offer insight into a familiar white blindness to prejudice that is buried under a thin veneer of superficial pseudo-enlightenment."
Read the rest here:
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/10/fbi-director-comeys-biased-truths-on-po...
21
I thought when that slogan took shape, it actually meant, black lives ALSO matter. But then it morphed into, in the minds of some 'black lives matter MORE', which led to some saying "all lives matter," which goes without saying.
An unspoken reality here is that blacks tend to be more violent, which has at least a LITTLE to do with police using more force, rather reflexly, against black young men. Along the way, some, or many racist cops instinctively use more force on blacks, firing at them unnecessarily. Even if such unnecessary firings are rare, it would be seen as regular leading to intense discontent among blacks & liberal whites.
If I could suggest, black leaders ought to recognize the greater propensity for violence among black young men and advise, counsel them to refrain from becoming violent. The sad reality is the victims of black violence also are fellow blacks. If police withdraw from high crime areas, perhaps the "Ferguson effect," it would only create more black victims. And it serves no one.
A not unrelated factor is that the extremely high unemployment rate among black youths. I would repeat: subsidize $3/hour to inner-city youths & pay employers $3/hour for hiring ex-felons. This won't solve the unemployment problem, but it would make a dent and reduce recidivism, which would be a great help to society.