For those of you familiar with the Evan Carroll post from earlier this week, here is is response to all of us who are critical of his 2 down, 49,000 to go post: Evan Carroll 18 hrs · Edited · So many people are outraged at my lack of sympathy with the deceased NYPD officers, or my re-framing of the conflict to one of institutional racism and police oppression. In the past few years Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, and Houstons own Jordan Baker were murdered by police. These unarmed victims and their families and communities have the entirety of my sympathy, and I stand with them in solidarity. Aside from my purported lack of sympathy, people are questioning my stance regarding the police. Personally, Ive never been anything but a “peaceful protester.” I have no criminal violations whatsoever. By any definition imaginable, Im an outstanding citizen. That doesnt mean that I disown the reaction of oppressed communities to systemic violence. Cops are not being brought to justice and moreover Im seeing the methods of peaceful protest and electoral reform fail. Thus far, Ive watched the police evict Occupy Houston with batons in hand; and, just weeks ago, I saw them shut down a protest which comprised a community in mourning over the death of Eric Garner. The police did this by arresting people for interfering with the duties of a police officer. While I dont know the details of the case, I saw the arrests by HPD: in every case, those were unarmed individuals acting peacefully. Im not content with the current state of affairs and have picked the side of the people. While Id prefer to end with a quote from someone more radical, Ill leave with this one and hope it better connects with my audience > Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. - John F. Kennedy, Jr. If peaceful revolution has been made impossible: if neither Jeb Bush nor Hillary Clinton spells “peaceful revolution” electorally, and everything from feeding the homeless to politically organizing in parks has been made illegal, will you stand with the current state of affairs regardless of injustice or embrace JFKs inevitable? Do I wish every police officer dead? No. I wish theyd turn in the badge and cease being police officers and join the people. That is not realistic. For now, the focus must be on the systemic issues the police enshrine in society and how to best resolve those issues. I dont want to make this further about me. Im just another white guy who wrote something you dont like online. Turn to the voices of Ferguson and the local African American community and know that I stand with them. Sincerely, Evan Carroll I again reflect that he has his right of opinion, but when you go public like this you are open to criticism. Yes you have the RIGHT to your opinion, but you have the RESPONSIBILITY to weigh the potential outcomes of your words. Stating that 2 down and 49,000 to go is not a responsible post. just my opinion.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:32:20 +0000
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