Quote(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/History/Jacksonville-Race-Riots/i-8Sh7NRq/0/14c71d05/L/RHC069_front_-L.jpg)
The protests and riots taking place across the country following the murder of George Floyd are nothing new. Neither is the simple request by people of color to be treated equally and to be allowed an inclusive seat at the table of economic opportunity. Here are a few examples from Jacksonville's past showing that the fight to suppress and eliminate institutional racism has and will always be part of the city's legacy.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/4-racial-protests-and-riots-from-jacksonvilles-past/
I feel everyone should be treated equally. The way we do things now needs to change. I know the sheriff is against it, but we need a citizen's review board. We need to have every officer equipped with a bodycam, and punish those who have several incidences where they for what ever reason, had their cameras off. This would help get rid of bad cops. I do however, feel that the vast majority of the time, police will be shown to have reason to take whatever means they take to control the situation. I would like to see the "get on the ground" order for non felony stops stopped. There are many times that shoot to kill is unnecessary.
Agree, Snaketoz. I agree with Mr. Floyd's brother, who does not find looting necessary and asked the rioters why they were doing that if he wasn't even doing it in his own community. Peaceful protestors are within their rights, and it sickened me to see what was done to this human being in the first place. But laying waste to the land and to people's businesses that put food on their table is not going to solve anything, and is taking the focus off the real issue. With all that adrenaline, and possibly some energy drinks and who knows what else...makes people crazy. This is not how you get a point across. I disagree with this coalition that is helping raise bail money for the rioters. If you're gonna play high-stakes poker, you'd better be able to ante up, yourself. There's all kinds of injustice in the world for all kinds of people and laying waste to your home or somebody else's is not productive. There are adult ways to handle this that speak louder than frenzy. (If I had ever been anywhere near this out of control as a child, for example, my mother would have put an immediate stop to it if my father didn't get to me first). As a remembrance to Mr. Floyd, get your point across with dignity and civility - which, I know is not how he died - but remember when others go low, you go high. Let that be your memorial for him. Lift up his family. As always, I speak from my heart, with hope. I hope I have expressed that in a way that is not offensive to anyone. I know people are hurting.
Quote from: sandyshoes on June 02, 2020, 11:33:05 AM
Agree, Snaketoz. I agree with Mr. Floyd's brother, who does not find looting necessary and asked the rioters why they were doing that if he wasn't even doing it in his own community. Peaceful protestors are within their rights, and it sickened me to see what was done to this human being in the first place. But laying waste to the land and to people's businesses that put food on their table is not going to solve anything, and is taking the focus off the real issue. With all that adrenaline, and possibly some energy drinks and who knows what else...makes people crazy. This is not how you get a point across. I disagree with this coalition that is helping raise bail money for the rioters. If you're gonna play high-stakes poker, you'd better be able to ante up, yourself. There's all kinds of injustice in the world for all kinds of people and laying waste to your home or somebody else's is not productive. There are adult ways to handle this that speak louder than frenzy. (If I had ever been anywhere near this out of control as a child, for example, my mother would have put an immediate stop to it if my father didn't get to me first). As a remembrance to Mr. Floyd, get your point across with dignity and civility - which, I know is not how he died - but remember when others go low, you go high. Let that be your memorial for him. Lift up his family. As always, I speak from my heart, with hope. I hope I have expressed that in a way that is not offensive to anyone. I know people are hurting.
People riot when their football team wins the Super Bowl. So what should we reasonably expect them to do after years and years of this sort of thing - and after their attempts at peaceful protest have been ridiculed and punished?
I'm not endorsing rioting - but I *think* I can maybe sort of understand why frustration and anger might lead to riots. And yeah, there will always be bad actors who use civil unrest to forward their own agendas. And yeah, mob mentality leads to people doing bad things.
As a university educated, middle class white male, I think it's probably best that I do less talking and more listening right now. In any event, I try to remember that I shouldn't let things like rioting distract from the reasons why people are protesting and rioting.
Adam Reply #3: No argument here.
I wouldn't be quick to loop protestors and those who are rioting and looting as the same. Not everyone we see on the streets is out there for the same reason. Viewing them as one of the same only takes away from the main issue.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 02, 2020, 02:25:23 PM
I wouldn't be quick to loop protestors and those who are rioting and looting as the same. Not everyone we see on the streets is out there for the same reason. Viewing them as one of the same only takes away from the main issue.
By the sheriff's and mayor's own accounts they are not one and the same. According to Sheriff Williams, there were about 3,000 protesters at the peaceful afternoon demonstration, and about 400 who remained in the evening when things went down. Of those 400, "most of this group remained peaceful, but as the evening progressed, there were several instances of thrown rocks and bottles." This all tracks with what I saw when I was there that afternoon and night.
Sunday was different, apparently in part due to the arrival of folks from out of town. Williams says it was a small number. Weapons were found which was part of the reason for the curfew. Regardless of how it's sliced, the destruction was from a small fraction of the total number of people who were protesting.
https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20200602/sheriff-more-than-70-arrested-at-least-5-officers-injured-in-weekend-unrest-following-jacksonville-protests
Great history lesson!
BTW, the group doing this stuff appears to be a huge conglomerate - of different organizational names. It's the same core group of people, but they go by ANTIFA, JCAC, Take Em Down Jax, and a few others by now. Google their names and follow the leads to their other Facebook pages. They even put names of the wrong group on one FB page. Easy to track. I'm sure the FBI can track where they're staying, what bus companies and rental cars have done a brisk business in the past few days. On talk radio yesterday, a caller asked why everything had to come down to race, why is it all black or all white. When a group calls itself BLM, aren't they the ones setting that boundary? We know there are peaceful protestors and then the violent "actors". I would think the peaceful protestors would start telling the "actors" to get lost and stop undermining their cause. (Peacefully, of course). Also heard on same talk radio (WOKV) asking why there is no outrage with our regularly-occurring black on black violence. Why isn't that just as painful as it is when a non-black murders a black. (Yes this case was horrendous, there was torture in my opinion). Also there was another person kneeling on his back - you could not see him in the photos the media have been showing all week. Mr. Floyd was not struggling to get up, I don't know what prompted the police to overdo their handling of this, but it looks like they were scared. The woman who was so scared of a black man bird-watching in her neighborhood that she is practically strangling her own beloved dog when she yanks it back by the leash while she nervously dials the police was obviously scared. Everybody needs to stop being scared and over-reacting. Whatever race you are, if the police tell you to stop, STOP. Hopefully they won't try to hurt you like they did the 2 white ladies they told to stand up after the police pushed them down. These paid actors need to be run out of town, the true voices of our own community need to be heard, and people need to listen to each other. I'll stop right here.
Quote from: sandyshoes on June 03, 2020, 11:24:26 AM
BTW, the group doing this stuff appears to be a huge conglomerate - of different organizational names. It's the same core group of people, but they go by ANTIFA, JCAC, Take Em Down Jax, and a few others by now. Google their names and follow the leads to their other Facebook pages. They even put names of the wrong group on one FB page. Easy to track. I'm sure the FBI can track where they're staying, what bus companies and rental cars have done a brisk business in the past few days. On talk radio yesterday, a caller asked why everything had to come down to race, why is it all black or all white. When a group calls itself BLM, aren't they the ones setting that boundary? We know there are peaceful protestors and then the violent "actors". I would think the peaceful protestors would start telling the "actors" to get lost and stop undermining their cause. (Peacefully, of course). Also heard on same talk radio (WOKV) asking why there is no outrage with our regularly-occurring black on black violence. Why isn't that just as painful as it is when a non-black murders a black. (Yes this case was horrendous, there was torture in my opinion). Also there was another person kneeling on his back - you could not see him in the photos the media have been showing all week. Mr. Floyd was not struggling to get up, I don't know what prompted the police to overdo their handling of this, but it looks like they were scared. The woman who was so scared of a black man bird-watching in her neighborhood that she is practically strangling her own beloved dog when she yanks it back by the leash while she nervously dials the police was obviously scared. Everybody needs to stop being scared and over-reacting. Whatever race you are, if the police tell you to stop, STOP. Hopefully they won't try to hurt you like they did the 2 white ladies they told to stand up after the police pushed them down. These paid actors need to be run out of town, the true voices of our own community need to be heard, and people need to listen to each other. I'll stop right here.
QuoteAs a university educated, middle class white male, I think it's probably best that I do less talking and more listening right now. In any event, I try to remember that I shouldn't let things like rioting distract from the reasons why people are protesting and rioting.
QuoteAdam Reply #3: No argument here.
With all due respect, maybe you should take your own advice.
Quote from: sandyshoes on June 03, 2020, 11:24:26 AM
On talk radio yesterday, a caller asked why everything had to come down to race, why is it all black or all white. When a group calls itself BLM, aren't they the ones setting that boundary?
Because from a systemic perspective, BL don't matter and they haven't throughout our country's history. There would be no need for any of this if there were no institutional racism.
QuoteWe know there are peaceful protestors and then the violent "actors". I would think the peaceful protestors would start telling the "actors" to get lost and stop undermining their cause. (Peacefully, of course).
This has been happening. A lot has been captured on tv the last few days. It's hard to miss it, unless one isn't looking for it.
QuoteAlso heard on same talk radio (WOKV) asking why there is no outrage with our regularly-occurring black on black violence. Why isn't that just as painful as it is when a non-black murders a black.
This is a red herring that takes away from the real issue at hand. Nevertheless, you have people outraged about black on black, white on white, etc. violence. Those who make these points aren't investing their time in truly looking at the issue of institutional oppression or how our policies directly create built environments that stimulate the violence we complain about. For those in my industry (urban planning), we definitely have to take a look and better understand how our decisions play a role on social outcomes.
Quote(Yes this case was horrendous, there was torture in my opinion). Also there was another person kneeling on his back - you could not see him in the photos the media have been showing all week. Mr. Floyd was not struggling to get up, I don't know what prompted the police to overdo their handling of this, but it looks like they were scared. The woman who was so scared of a black man bird-watching in her neighborhood that she is practically strangling her own beloved dog when she yanks it back by the leash while she nervously dials the police was obviously scared. Everybody needs to stop being scared and over-reacting. Whatever race you are, if the police tell you to stop, STOP. Hopefully they won't try to hurt you like they did the 2 white ladies they told to stand up after the police pushed them down.
This would be great, and if we reach this point (which includes changing a lot more than how police tend to respond to incidents involving black males), there would be no need for groups like BLM.
QuoteThese paid actors need to be run out of town, the true voices of our own community need to be heard, and people need to listen to each other. I'll stop right here.
Definitely agree that there are groups, both conservative and liberal, doing things to cause chaos and take focus away from the core issue. There are also opportunist out there for themsevles to take advantage of the current environment (ex. looters). We aren't robots, so it's irrational to put everyone out in the street in the same boat. However, I do think a large part of the community (as fractured as it is) is being heard. The real question will be if we as a whole, are listening or really care about ending systemic racism. If so, November could be transformational. If not, things will get visibly worse before they get better.
Field #9: The quote in the middle is not my post. I am not a college educated white male.
Lake: I have not seen local footage of "our" peaceful protestors in Jax shutting down the actors. Can you share it please?
Everyone on this forum is expressing their frustration with the events of the day. I am no different. I'm just not going out to loot a store or march around town looking to start violence. I can use words, just as all of you, on this forum. Mine just seem to inflame some sensitive types.
Expecting issues in San Marco tonight?
Quote from: sandyshoes on June 03, 2020, 06:14:38 PM
Lake: I have not seen local footage of "our" peaceful protestors in Jax shutting down the actors. Can you share it please?
Here's a story mentioning peaceful protestors denouncing others.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/06/02/demonstrators-return-to-duval-county-courthouse-for-peaceful-protest/
QuoteEveryone on this forum is expressing their frustration with the events of the day. I am no different.
I'm not expressing my frustration with the events of the day. From the black male perspective, nothing is new, other than more people are now realizing that systemic and institutional racism is actually a thing. From that perspective I have hope that there will finally be change for the future.
QuoteI'm just not going out to loot a store or march around town looking to start violence.
I don't loot or start violence either. However, I'm happy to see more people visibily peaceful protesting for equality.
QuoteI can use words, just as all of you, on this forum. Mine just seem to inflame some sensitive types.
Words and opinions are fine. This is just a forum where one should expect others will challenge many assumptions and stereotypes.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 03, 2020, 08:50:41 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 03, 2020, 06:23:13 PM
Expecting issues in San Marco tonight?
I expect as many issues as David Dorn references.
Yeah, only some black lives matter
Most of San Marco is on fire right now. Antifa took over the whole thing and what was a peaceful march turned into a Lenny Curry nightmare.
NOT.
Escalating Protest Folk and at least one Rioter progress:
NFL Shad informed City Of Jacksonville Waterway Downtown Facility Dock no longer available for the Tiny Yacht.
Jax NFL Yacht takes up way too much space, demand by others with lesser size vessels, the 99% of Regional boat owners, demand access to coveted Downtown Waterfront Docks, even if rarely used.
Avondale Shoppes Burn, rather than Shoppes Owners on scene to " Defend", at least one Business Owner encouraged entry and result, while musing over Justice and Insurance/ Agreed Value settlement.
Residential areas Good.
Tongue In Cheek Journalistic ..... oh shucks, I forget the Term
Quote from: Florida Power And Light on June 03, 2020, 09:52:36 PM
Escalating Protestor and at least one Rioter progress:
NFL Shad informed City Of Jacksonville Waterway Downtown Facility Dock no longer available for the Tiny Yacht.
Jax NFL Yacht takes up way too much space, demand by others with lesser size vessels, the 99% of Regional boat owners, demand access to coveted Downtown Waterfront Docks, even if rarely used.
Avondale Shoppes Burn, Residential areas Good.
Bro, what?
I feel like we're both having a stroke when you post sometimes...
What happened to the yacht? What happened in Avondale? I was just by there a few hours ago and nothing was going on
Quote from: Florida Power And Light on June 03, 2020, 09:52:36 PM
Escalating Protest Folk and at least one Rioter progress:
NFL Shad informed City Of Jacksonville Waterway Downtown Facility Dock no longer available for the Tiny Yacht.
Jax NFL Yacht takes up way too much space, demand by others with lesser size vessels, the 99% of Regional boat owners, demand access to coveted Downtown Waterfront Docks, even if rarely used.
Avondale Shoppes Burn, rather than Shoppes Owners on scene to " Defend", at least one Business Owner encouraged entry and result, while musing over Justice and Insurance/ Agreed Value settlement.
Residential areas Good.
Tongue In Cheek Journalistic ..... oh shucks, I forget the Term
Quote from: thelakelander on June 03, 2020, 12:12:01 PM
If so, November could be transformational. If not, things will get visibly worse before they get better.
Yeah, all we gotta do is vote in the guy who... helped author the 1994 "Tough On Crime" bill.
No wait! Biden sucks, but we can vote in a bunch of good democrats... who historically receive lots of funding from police unions...
It's almost like the politicians don't really work for the interest of the people. Black, white, brown, they don't care. The only color that seems to matter in America is green
If you want legislation passed to change things, you make that your platform and vote people into office, both local and national, willing to change things. This is way bigger than Biden and Trump. In regards to those two, at their age, VP should be a major concern. Don't forget about local elections either. They tend to directly impact you more.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 03, 2020, 08:50:41 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 03, 2020, 06:23:13 PM
Expecting issues in San Marco tonight?
I expect as many issues as David Dorn references.
Apparently it was a very peaceful march. Extremely encouraging... I have no idea who David Dorn is... please enlighten me...
Most of these marches and protests have been peaceful.
Quote from: MusicMan on June 03, 2020, 09:43:54 PM
Most of San Marco is on fire right now. Antifa took over the whole thing and what was a peaceful march turned into a Lenny Curry nightmare.
NOT.
That is happening in many other cities though... Luckily our government is anti-anarchist (that can't be said for NY). Jax has a history of peaceful protest; the worst day one (after the peaceful protest) was driven by out of town agitators with tons of funding. The riots are obviously heavily astroturfed (piles of 'riot ready' bricks in many cities etc).
On the other side of I-10 Santa Monica, CA, wow....Very impressive footage of surging anarchy there. This is something out of an action movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3w80wo-Zq0
Quote from: I-10east on June 04, 2020, 08:48:06 AM
Quote from: MusicMan on June 03, 2020, 09:43:54 PM
Most of San Marco is on fire right now. Antifa took over the whole thing and what was a peaceful march turned into a Lenny Curry nightmare.
NOT.
That is happening in many other cities though... Luckily our government is anti-anarchist (that can't be said for NY). Jax has a history of peaceful protest; the worst day one (after the peaceful protest) was driven by out of town agitators with tons of funding. The riots are obviously heavily astroturfed (piles of 'riot ready' bricks in many cities etc).
Where do you think these bricks are coming from?
Quote from: JaxAvondale on June 04, 2020, 10:05:55 AM
Quote from: I-10east on June 04, 2020, 08:48:06 AM
Quote from: MusicMan on June 03, 2020, 09:43:54 PM
Most of San Marco is on fire right now. Antifa took over the whole thing and what was a peaceful march turned into a Lenny Curry nightmare.
NOT.
That is happening in many other cities though... Luckily our government is anti-anarchist (that can't be said for NY). Jax has a history of peaceful protest; the worst day one (after the peaceful protest) was driven by out of town agitators with tons of funding. The riots are obviously heavily astroturfed (piles of 'riot ready' bricks in many cities etc).
Where do you think these bricks are coming from?
It's been debunked, but I wouldn't waste my time with this.
The vast majority of protestors are peaceful protestors with a goal in mind. There is a small percentage of people that are extreme and it appears that there are some people that are agitators working to undercut the protests by fueling the flames of the detractors.
If you cannot see this while also claiming that all cops aren't bad, and you don't recognize the internal hypocrisy, then there is no help for you.
Quote from: sandyshoes on June 03, 2020, 11:24:26 AM
BTW, the group doing this stuff appears to be a huge conglomerate - of different organizational names. It's the same core group of people, but they go by ANTIFA, JCAC, Take Em Down Jax, and a few others by now. Google their names and follow the leads to their other Facebook pages.
I've covered two of these marches and was downtown during the riot on Saturday night and have met a number of the people in the local organizations. I can confirm that neither JCAC or Take Em Down Jax are synonymous with Antifa. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee is an African-American group that does community organizing and hosts protests and marches. Take Em Down Jax is a group dedicated to removing Confederate monuments. Some of the same people are involved in both and other groups such as the Northside Coalition. Antifa has become something of a boogeyman but as far as I can tell none of these protests have had anything to do with Antifa.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 04, 2020, 11:20:19 AM
Quote from: sandyshoes on June 03, 2020, 11:24:26 AM
BTW, the group doing this stuff appears to be a huge conglomerate - of different organizational names. It's the same core group of people, but they go by ANTIFA, JCAC, Take Em Down Jax, and a few others by now. Google their names and follow the leads to their other Facebook pages.
I've covered two of these marches and was downtown during the riot on Saturday night and have met a number of the people in the local organizations. I can confirm that neither JCAC or Take Em Down Jax are synonymous with Antifa. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee is an African-American group that does community organizing and hosts protests and marches. Take Em Down Jax is a group dedicated to removing Confederate monuments. Some of the same people are involved in both and other groups such as the Northside Coalition. Antifa has become something of a boogeyman but as far as I can tell none of these protests have had anything to do with Antifa.
It amazes me how much the name "Antifa" has struck a nerve. Yesterday, I saw a post on Nextdoor referencing an "Antifa" rally in San Marco and for residents to be caution.
Any excuse to not address the real issue and reason there are protests in the first place.
Do people remember that "Antifa" is short for ANTI FAscist?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 04, 2020, 12:33:46 PM
Do people remember that "Antifa" is short for ANTI FAscist?
Antifa promotes the ideologies of anarchism and communism, which ARE non-fascist ideologies, but just because something isn't a particular bad thing doesn't mean that it's a good thing in itself.
That said, theere doesn't seem to be much substantial evidence that these riots are instigated by antifa themselves. Antifa has become a bogeyman lately. Some people just like to break stuff, and if they see somebody else having fun smashing a window with no repercussions, they are all too happy to join in. A lot of people are pent-up after all this COVID pandemic inaction, some people wanna smash stuff for funsies despite the consequences or effects on other people
It's worth considering that Antifa is not an organization, as such - it's more of a movement. It is very decentralized and has little in the way of leadership, owing to the libertarian outlook of its members. People can form local groupings or even just do things in the name of Antifa.
Also, Antifa's main thing is to go and either counter-protest or use physical violence to disrupt 'fascists'. They don't generally tend to focus on things like rioting for the hell of it, etc. That's not to say that there are no Antifa-affiliated people involved in the rioting. But I bet it's more likely to be your garden-variety anarchists.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 03, 2020, 08:50:41 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 03, 2020, 06:23:13 PM
Expecting issues in San Marco tonight?
I expect as many issues as David Dorn references.
Finally found out who David Dorn was... he apparently does not fit the current outrage...
https://youtu.be/FI_F-8lfuik
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 05, 2020, 11:11:11 AM
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 03, 2020, 08:50:41 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 03, 2020, 06:23:13 PM
Expecting issues in San Marco tonight?
I expect as many issues as David Dorn references.
Finally found out who David Dorn was... he apparently does not fit the current outrage...
https://youtu.be/FI_F-8lfuik
I mean, it made national news.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1223386
Quote from: Tacachale on June 05, 2020, 11:14:51 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 05, 2020, 11:11:11 AM
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 03, 2020, 08:50:41 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 03, 2020, 06:23:13 PM
Expecting issues in San Marco tonight?
I expect as many issues as David Dorn references.
Finally found out who David Dorn was... he apparently does not fit the current outrage...
https://youtu.be/FI_F-8lfuik
I mean, it made national news.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1223386
Thanks Taca... It just seems that the small amount of time the broadcast networks have spared for the victims of these riots, their insistent chorus of "mostly peaceful, mostly peaceful" starts to sound more like damage control than factual reporting.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 05, 2020, 11:31:16 AM
their insistent chorus of "mostly peaceful, mostly peaceful" starts to sound more like damage control than factual reporting.
It's all a part of the
regularly scheduled mental programming
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 05, 2020, 01:13:10 PM
I finally experienced the delays with the "instant" firearm background check system. I knew the delays were big due to covid but with the riots, it took like 6 hours! I think people in the home invasion field may need to focus on businesses going forward. All the homeowners are armed now...too dangerous :)
Did you actually buy a gun because you're worried about home invasion?
It's incredibly important in active shooter situations to engage the shooter(s), the sooner the better.
Four Drones doing their thing @ San Marco " Reflective Walk".
We must assume " Friendly", and if not, we can only speculate why not sequestered/ removed.
On the Gun Thing.
I recall a Smith And Wesson Ad- a reprint.
Man raking leaves in the front yard, Adoring family, Wife/ Mom and two children in the background.
A Semi Auto handgun on dad's hip.
I don't recall the wording. Need to dig through my storage.
The image , raking Fall leaves suggested a sordid Northerly Bad Crime Area.
Ha!
Early Summer Magnolia leaf pile.
Loved this:
Quotehttps://www.news4jax.com/sports/2020/06/05/jaguars-wr-chris-conley-let-this-be-a-movement-not-just-a-moment/
"Watching the events starting with Ahmaud Arbery, the video when it got released. I sat in my house upstairs in my office and I just began to cry because I saw someone who looked like me, someone who looked like my brother, someone who looked like my friends get shot down and fall on the street like an animal. That hurt me, because I've seen it time and time again, so forgive me if I'm long-winded, but I'm going to get through this. The events of the last few months have culminated and shook the nation for many opening their eyes to something the marginalized have pointed out the whole time. What I and others know is that these atrocities have been foreshadowed. They have been allowed to manifest because of years of systemic indoctrination and oppression. I urge you today, brothers and sisters, to know this history, study it, seek it, because through it, though it may make you uncomfortable, it will lead towards change. George Santayana said, 'those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.' The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King said, 'We are not makers of history. We are made by it.' We cannot allow comfortability with revisionist history to disarm our minds and weaken our convictions. A confederate monument sits a couple of blocks from here, praising the south's dark past. Our revisionist history would tell us that it's there to honor men fighting for states' rights. But true history would tell us that, in the Cornerstone Address, Alexander Stevens said that our states are built on the fact that the negro is inferior, and slavery and subordination is its normal and natural state. That's true history. This monument sits a block from where the Ax Handle Saturday happened in Jacksonville. A block from it, reminding people in this city of what's happened to them. True history would remind people that not only Confederate sympathizers butchered black people in the streets, but police joined them too.
Revisionist history is what allows us to believe that systemic racism isn't real or that racism in it of itself is only isolated incidents. Not instilled by government back segregation. Not instilled by a history of bias in policing. Revisionist history is what allows people to say, 'yes, these things happened, but that was the past. Can't we just move on?' Richard Rothstein said, "let bygones be bygones isn't a legitimate wish if we wish to call ourselves a constitutional democracy.' Protests like this one and peaceful protests across the country are fighting for our Constitution. They're fighting for our democracy, so I plead that everyone out there will get out and they would demonstrate, they would do it peacefully. And to those people that are trying to detract from this movement, who are trying to add on and instill hate and riots, we won't let you hijack this moment. We won't let you do it.
Fighting inequality that allows 20% longer sentences on average for African American men. Fighting inequality that allows black adolescents to be 18 times more likely to be charged as adults. Everybody look around at the kids here, man. A black adolescent is 18 times more likely to be charged and convicted as an adult. That's what we're fighting today. We're fighting inequality that would allow this league to marginalize and to leave players in 2016 when they stood up and said that there was a problem. That's what we're here to fight today. That's what you're all here for today.
Today, we say no more. Today, we see a nation that can't await change, a city that won't sit still or be quiet. Today, I'm surrounded by brothers and sisters of every color who rallied together to echo the cries of George Floyd. To echo the cries of Breonna Taylor. To echo the cries for Ahmaud Arbery and the countless others like them. Today, we're encouraged. Today, we're embolden. Today, we know that that change will come. Today, I am surrounded by you and I pray for you that you would abound in love and knowledge and deep insight, like Philippians 1:9 says. This is a marathon and not a sprint. Every woman and child and man can sustain this for more than just a moment and make sure this is a movement. Right now, I challenge all of you to learn this history, to learn our country's true history, not so that it makes you comfortable but so that you can be empowered to go out and make true change. So that you can go out, as they say, and you can beat them at the ballot. So, you can weaponize the voters in this city to get people who will truly represent each and every one of us. Voters can do this right now. Movements like this can do this right now.
I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you to my black brothers and sisters who are out here. I want to say thank you to my white brothers and sisters who are out here. I want to say thank you to every single child who is out here, younger person who is out here because you're seeing an example of what the future can be. You're seeing an example of the future that's fighting for you, right now. I'm fighting for you. When I saw that video, I saw you. I saw you. I saw you. I saw all of you. Thank you to all of you. This is only the beginning. Don't let people rile you up. Don't let people tell you that you're not worth it. When they say Black Lives Matter, they're saying Black Lives Matter because they're hurt right now. We're not saying they matter more. I hope everyone here knows that. But let's show it. This is only the beginning here in Jacksonville. Let's make sure that we maintain this momentum so this is not a moment and this is a movement."
The status quo hasn't worked for a long time. Things need to change.
I pray that Lenny Curry follows through on this promise, and that real change comes to both Jacksonville and the nation.
(http://snipboard.io/YvZdyn.jpg)
Also thought this quote was incredibly prescient.
By saying nothing, whether you intend to or not, you're saying something.
(http://snipboard.io/ytNrvI.jpg)
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 05, 2020, 01:34:15 PM
Quote from: Adam White on June 05, 2020, 01:20:11 PM
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 05, 2020, 01:13:10 PM
I finally experienced the delays with the "instant" firearm background check system. I knew the delays were big due to covid but with the riots, it took like 6 hours! I think people in the home invasion field may need to focus on businesses going forward. All the homeowners are armed now...too dangerous :)
Did you actually buy a gun because you're worried about home invasion?
OIC. I was wondering if there had been an uptick in home invasions in San Marco or something.
I have been around guns since I was a kid, so not really. I don't "worry" about a home invasion but certainly am prepared. And two decent sized dogs is a pretty good alarm system :)
I could care less about being robbed but some of the senseless violence associated with home invasions is pretty disturbing. A few years ago our elderly next door neighbor had their front door kicked In when they were home. Luckily, he took off when he realized someone was home. But you just never know.
I have always been a rifle or shot gun guy but I must admit the random shooter psychos have made me consider handgun training for both us and possibly carrying. But...we haven't pulled the trigger on that idea yet :)