General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAbout the "both sides" argument for the Covington Catholic student disgraceful public display.
Their excuse doesn't make sense. They claim that Black Muslims next to them were shouting racist remarks and that gave their kids the right to taunt an American Indian who was their to protest for his own cause? Did they seriously, just blame the nearest black person and thought no one would notice that they're using the fall back excuse so overused by white racists?
Does anyone see where their frightening logic can lead to?
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Baitball Blogger
(46,576 posts)Four black people shouting their truth, and the Christian white kids began to surround them and it became a hostile situation. Phillips tried to diffuse the situation and the kids did not disperse. They focused their anger and hatred on Phillips.
This quote from Phillips is excellent:
Phillips said the students who derided him Friday were motivated by fear of different people.
"The Black Israelites, they were saying some harsh things, but some of it was true, too," Phillips said. "These young, white American kids who were being taught in their Catholic school, their doctrine, their truth, and when they found out there's more truth out there than what they're being taught, they were offended, they were insulted, they were scared, and that's how they responded. One thing that I was taught in my Marine Corp training is that a scared man will kill you. And that's what these boys were. They were scared."
Phillips said the clash in Washington D.C. means "that we've got a lot of work to do" in educating people about Native Americans and racism.
At the same time, he said he's encouraged by how technology has allowed the message to be spread.
- - -
He also said it was the chaperones' fault for allowing it to get out of hand.
I agree.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)What were the "harsh things" that they were saying?
yardwork
(61,418 posts)There are lots of people in the U.S. who say and do things that others don't agree with. It's called the First Amendment.
You seem to be saying that it was ok for dozens of young men to bully a peaceful, elderly man who did nothing to provoke their attack - just because some other group may have been rude to the dozens of young men wearing Make America Great Again hats?
Do you have any idea how silly this sounds?
The excuse being floated by parents and educators also sounds very racist and Trumpsterish, but honestly, mostly it just sounds silly.
justgamma
(3,660 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)We have a long history of this kind of domino effect in these kinds of situations.
Haven't you seen the videos of the Little Rock Nine, James Meredith and the Greensboro lunch counter protesters being shouted at by white people and then going out and taunting, harrassing and humiliatiing groups of Asians, Native Americans and handicapped people in response?
That's perfectly normal and appropriate behavior, so what's the big deal?
Baitball Blogger
(46,576 posts)You know that poem, "first they came for the socialist, but I did not speak because I was not a socialist.."
Trump has taken it to the next level and they are attacking all of us who do not fit into their tight, gated communities.
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)They were trolling minorities at one of Americas most sacred places. They were spoiling for a fight.
Baitball Blogger
(46,576 posts)The fact that they surrounded the group of black men, when they could have walked away, is indicative of their intentions.
And at the Lincoln memorial. What an irony.
dalton99a
(81,073 posts)yardwork
(61,418 posts)The hats tell me everything I need to know.
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)snowybirdie
(5,191 posts)are now giving the boys a pass because "they were attacked first". Also. saying it's anti-Catholic, as well. Another case of MAGAs twisting facts, a la Charlottesville!
Baitball Blogger
(46,576 posts)But I was not taught in the US. I think the old world values were retained better overseas.
yardwork
(61,418 posts)It's laughable for anybody who calls themselves educators or parents to try that excuse.
I've raised children. It's a fundamental, basic tenet of parenting that "two wrongs don't make a right."
"Just because Johnny said something mean to you is no excuse for you to forget your upbringing and attack him. And you absolutely have no right to attack Susie just because Johnny was rude to you!"
Attacking an innocent bystander and excusing it because somebody else got into an argument with you is sociopathic.
This excuse deserves ridicule.
snowybirdie
(5,191 posts)FB posts excusing these awful kids! One kids mother has started it. Awful!
yardwork
(61,418 posts)Paladin
(28,204 posts)I hear the school is considering expelling some of them. It can't happen soon enough to suit me. The only up-side is how bad it makes the pro-birth movement look.
flotsam
(3,268 posts)Since the school was founded because they want their religion respected, shouldn't they be more sensitive to the religious ceremonies of others. How is this not a hate crime based on religion?