This comment by Paul on the post I, Too Am Jordan Davis
Do you think it’s possible that you are missing a point here? I agree that young black men are viewed with suspicion and fear more than any other group in society, and that’s unfortunate and wrong; I hope it can be addressed and corrected. But do you think the whole thing is attributable to skin color, or even to cultural difference? I don’t see Oprah Winfrey cruising around blaring bass. I don’t see Neil Degrasse Tyson wearing his pants down below his ass and sauntering defiantly across the street, daring someone to say something. You even say you made a conscious choice to smile and appear more “respectful.” I mean, you can’t ignore the effrontery of music that rattles every car within 100 feet: it IS obnoxious, pretty much to the point of being threatening–no matter what the intention is, it says to others “I dare you to say something.” I’m not saying it validates racism; hell, white kids do it too. But doesn’t it bother you that disrespectful behavior in the name of “keeping it real” gives idiot racists fuel for their hatred? And it ends up hurting you, as a responsible and intelligent person. It ends up getting a nice kid like Trayvon Martin killed.
I know there are reasons kids have difficulty being respectful, especially black kids in a society that doesn’t seem to respect them, but that doesn’t mean they get a pass, it means they need attention. Society needs to step up to give them a slap on the wrist followed by help and understanding that they can be good citizens and find happiness. We should address it even sooner with free preschool and youth programs.
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http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/keyword/loud-music http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2011/01/13/six-most-idiotic-attempts-to-blame-musicians-for-violent-events-or-the-tucson-tragedy-was-caused-by-a-crazy-person-not-by-drowning-pools A few links for you to look at. Different types of music have been historically blamed for violence, specifically metal music. Part of a productive conversation is exchanging points of view and learning from each other. That is not “pushing back” but part of the process of learning and accepting each other. If you go back to the original article you will see another comment by Paul explaining his view and emphasis on the VOLUME issue with which I agree. All this has nothing to do with the critically important issue on which we all agree. And that… Read more »
You raise good points. However, to be fair to Paul who wrote the comment he was specifically talking about the volume of the music and not which kind of music. Clearly blasting music of any kind is obnoxious and disrespectful of others. I do not care what kind of music it is, it still makes me uncomfortable when it is very loud in the car next to me and can’t wait to get away. Clearly also, no one is justifying shooting people because they play very loud music but being considerate of others is all good and a win win… Read more »
That may be the case for you, but last I checked I’ve enver heard any confrontation(s) or shootings/killings over loud Rock music, or Pop/Techno/Alternative Music…….. he mentioned Hip-Hop/Rap as well in his comment and rather than play dozens by naming the many rock groups that have lyrics and personas that could be considered just as disturbing, I reiterate that Nobody has ever blamed the aforementioned genres as fatctors or reasons for the violence that individuals that Do Not Look Like Me for acting Violent, Belligerent, Disrespectful or “Suspicious”— if they really are Thought of that way. I will simply just… Read more »
I sincerely wonder if this commenter would say this to those who listen to Gothic or Punk Rock……… the kind of guys (and girls) that love to get involved in Mosh Pit Jumping and electric guitar playing; the People that go to any Indie Concerts and huddle around RVs and tour buses and Never, EVER get accused of Loitering, ‘being Suspicious”, being Loud, Conbative, Disrespectful with their Gagues and Multiple Piercings………… Oh, Did I just Stereotype and Profile a Group of People????/ This is EXACTLY what African Americans, mostly Black Males, go though on a Daily and Nightly basis…… This… Read more »
Does it, though? I do not feel threatened in the slightest by loud music, nor do I find the sagging of one’s pants to be disrespectful or unkempt. I can understand how loud music is often annoying and at times disruptive, but threatening? I do not know a single person that listens to loud music as a “Come at me, bro” or “I dare you” type of thing. They listen to it at such a volumebecause they enjoy the music and the feel of the bass. That’s not to say it’s not a possibility, but I see no evidence pointing… Read more »