Just another f-ing Wednesday in America. [seattletimes.com]
Listen to the 911 call [soundcloud.com] “You listen to that 911 call. He says right in there that I’m not doing anything,” Ragland said about the store owner’s call. “But that’s all it takes in America — for you to be black, and to be somewhere you’re not supposed to be. And where you’re supposed to be is not up to you. It’s up to somebody else’s opinion.”
UPDATE Yesterday, five days after the above Seattle Times article was published, both the Kirkland Police Department and the restaurant owner gave formal apologies to Byron Ragland. [cbsnews.com]
I encourage everyone to read the comments below, in particular my interaction with a pugnacious member of our community. My take away from this above story is no surprise, but an admiration for Byron Ragland. His response is exactly how I am replying to one of the commentators. I'm going to roll my eyes, get up, and leave.
Just another Wednesday in America.
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8 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.It seems to me the real failing here is with the cops. They should have just dropped it (and apologized to Ragland and the two others he was supervising) as soon as they ascertained the facts of the matter. It's under review by the police dept to determine whether or not protocol was followed?! Shouldn't they have a ready answer to that question? If their own police dept finds protocol was indeed followed, then it seems to me they need to be put under review by the Dept of Justice.
bingst
Level 8
Nov 21, 2018
1
It sounds like he was supervising the visit of a mother and son and from the 911 call the owner didn't note that he was with anyone. So most likely he was giving them some time alone but within his line of sight. I can understand why the workers found him suspicious, I can't say whether or not a 911 call would have been made if he was white but the owner didn't outright say he was black until asked. I think the main factor is that he went into an establishment and didn't buy anything and seemed to be sitting alone which is a little odd. I can't guarantee that the call would have been made if he was white, but since he was black that definitely ups the odds in America.
mattersauce
Level 7
Nov 21, 2018
0
I am angry and ashamed as a resident of the western Washington. This shows you that the racism isn't something individual, but deeply ingrained in our social consciousness and in our culture. There is so much that needs to be done.
AtheistReader
Level 7
Nov 21, 2018
1
I could see this happening here where I live (Southern Ohio). But Seattle! I was there last year for a week and found it to be one of the most cosmopoltian, diverse, and accepting cities I've visited. There is probably more to this story than noted here.
bigpawbullets
Level 9
Nov 21, 2018
0
No. It's just that stupid. Nothing other than the fact that racism isn't something particular to individuals. Hell, if anyone cares to dig deep inside, I have racist views about the world that I could not completely get rid of. We need to acknowledge this, rather than be in denial.
If morons want to reduce themselves to junk science about wolves in order to defend their racism, misogyny and general assholery let them. This country runs on racism and it is important those that support the system out themselves. Looks like one just did.
DoctoralZombie
Level 7
Nov 21, 2018
2
All that I can say is that Americans are afraid of their own shadow, now! And another point of note...people cannot ‘read’ a situation, or they harbor an overriding notion that people are out to get them or will bring some kind of ill will! And African Americans do have a real challenge...by just being different to white people! No wonder people are shooting up places, which is done by mostly white people! They are shut out...isolated! They will ‘blast,’ their way to acceptance! ‘You will know who I am, now!’ And it is fashionable to buy and own a gun! And why own a gun, just to look at! If a person becomes distraught enough...then just take your ‘deadly toy,’ out and shoot up a few people, and illuminate your psychic pressure! We are loosing our connectiveness, to other humans! Even our own relatives...there seems no way to resolve hurts and injustices...some people must be discarded to the garbage heap! But, this lack of understanding and reasoning and conciliatory adjustment is killing us! That is just my rant...if I am attacked, I will do something, but I am completely baffled as to why people are calling the police on black people...even children, for just looking...
Freedompath
Level 9
Nov 21, 2018
0
Reasons why there's no fucking way I would ever move to America:
-Shit health care.
-The fucked up gun thing.
-Fucking racists.
MrBeelzeebubbles
Level 7
Nov 21, 2018
5
I can’t blame you! It is our social order that is going to ‘hell in a handbasket!’
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