General Discussion

Stinky The Clown

(67,799 posts) Sat Aug 12, 2017, 06:02 PM Aug 2017

I think calling today's events a "race riot" is very wrong.

What I saw today was a bunch of white supremacists, neo nazis, klanners, and trump supporters (wait, is that redundant?) demonstrating, and a mix of counter demonstrators lined up against them.

What I did NOT see was a "race riot".

In my view, in 2017, the term "race riot" carries a shit ton of connotational baggage that has little or nothing to do with today's events. In my view, it changes the focus to people who should not be the focus of today's events.

Yes, I understand that white supremacists are concerned with race. True enough. But when you call events like today's "race riots" you conjure up images not connected to what's going on in Charlottesville.

9 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I think calling today's events a "race riot" is very wrong. (Original Post) Stinky The Clown Aug 2017 OP

Who is calling it a race riot? dhol82 Aug 2017 #1

On the internet. Including right here on DU. Stinky The Clown Aug 2017 #3

Ok. Had not seen it called that. dhol82 Aug 2017 #6

I had the same thought. But I'm not sure we're right. nolabear Aug 2017 #2

I know what you mean. I waited hours to post this as I thought about it. Stinky The Clown Aug 2017 #4

It was textbook terrorism YCHDT Aug 2017 #5

Yup. nt dhol82 Aug 2017 #7

They called them race riots loyalsister Aug 2017 #8

I didn't see a race riot JustAnotherGen Aug 2017 #9

dhol82

(9,353 posts)

1. Who is calling it a race riot?

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Aug 12, 2017, 06:09 PM

Aug 2017

Did not see that on the news.

Stinky The Clown

(67,799 posts)

3. On the internet. Including right here on DU.

Reply to dhol82 (Reply #1)

Sat Aug 12, 2017, 06:25 PM

Aug 2017

Mostly, I think it was well meaning. I just see it as wrong.

dhol82

(9,353 posts)

6. Ok. Had not seen it called that.

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Reply #3)

Sat Aug 12, 2017, 06:33 PM

Aug 2017

Can't see how anyone would have thought it was well meaning to call it that.
Sounds more like trigger words.

nolabear

(41,963 posts)

2. I had the same thought. But I'm not sure we're right.

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Aug 12, 2017, 06:12 PM

Aug 2017

Heaven knows it was the whitest thing that ever whited on both sides, but it was about "White supremacy" and that's pretty race oriented. On the other other hand that term is so connected to black folks it...hell, I just don't know.

Stinky The Clown

(67,799 posts)

4. I know what you mean. I waited hours to post this as I thought about it.

Reply to nolabear (Reply #2)

Sat Aug 12, 2017, 06:29 PM

Aug 2017

In the end, as you noted, the term is connected, for better or worse, to black people. That may well not be fair, but that is, it seems to me, how it is.