Vancouver, 2011. Because a hockey team lost. pic.twitter.com/c6JvmMsRts
— @red3blog (@red3blog) November 25, 2014
Oh we riot alright. Over stupid crap that doesn’t even matter. And here are the photos to prove it, destruction of property and pointless mayhem included.
–
Last night, after the announcement was made that Darren Wilson, the officer who shot and killed Mike Brown in Ferguson, MO would not be indicted, people protested. A few looted (usually looters are not, in any way, associated with protesters – for the record), and some committed property damage. People are angry, people are hurt. Racism is so profoundly woven into our society that justice is having trouble being served.
In fact, you can read the thoughts of protestors here, in this open letter.
Twitter lit up with accusations of Black people being violent, and folks asking why, if white people don’t riot when we’re upset, that Black people do.
Well, that supposition is complete and utter BS. White people riot quite regularly, and over the truly important things in life (read the sarcasm here, please), like sports teams losing (or winning!), surf competitions and pumpkin festivals.
Yes, white people, we rioted about pumpkins.
A Twitter user called @Red3Blog collected a list of ridiculous white people riots, and now they’ve been saved in a Storify, where you can view the photos and the commentary.
Please head over there and share it with your friends, especially the ones who are making comments about rioters.
Keene, NH, 2014. Because pumpkins. pic.twitter.com/W8DylRMEAu
— @red3blog (@red3blog) November 25, 2014
BECAUSE PUMPKINS
Wait, were these riots started by white people to bring attention to white issues? Does anyone have any evidence that these were only white people rioting except that there are no visible minorities in the pictures chosen to put on display? Why the race-baiting?
“Yes, white people, we rioted about pumpkins.”
Where do you come off thinking you have the right to say ‘we’ and speak for all white people?
Usually I am one to make a “not all X” comment at the drop of a hat, but you must admit that the assertion “We do things like that” is as justified as the assertion “They do things like that.” In terms of illegal generalisations, I mean.
Where did I say “they do things like that”? Where did I generalize? All I’m doing is defending whites from an ignorant statement that tried to incorrectly portray them all as rioters.
Again, read the statement “Yes, white people, we rioted about pumpkins.”
What was meant by ‘we’?
He’s not saying you, specifically, said those things. He’s saying the media or society in general says these things.
Saying ‘You must admit…” the comment was replying to mine, trying to justify the use of the author’s “we”. I don’t care what the media says, it has nothing to do with either this article or my post. The article’s ‘white people rioting’ statement is both arrogant and wrong.
D.R. Bartlette got me right. You did not say such a thing. But it was said by others, it is in the air these days (and always has been). Those things were said, and we heard them, and though we may have disapproved we (probably) did not protest. So I think it is only fair that when for once something is said against “us” we let it slip. In this case it is easy too: Slurs or generalizations only really hurt when they feed off the public subconscious, when in the darkest corner of our minds we feel there might… Read more »
Actually I was annoyed (not outraged) that the police had shot a teenager in the back after the policeman lost a fist fight, which was how it was presented at first. Then I realized the bias in the media, saw the footage of Mike Brown conducting a strong arm robbery, read parts of the autopsy report that said he had fought he officer in side of his car, was high, had consumed alcohol and was shot in the front as the officer backed up. No reason to be outraged, Mike Brown wanted a fight that day (for whatever reason) and… Read more »
Sarah, don’t tell someone if they were outraged or not – I think that’s up to the individual to decide. No, we know by now that the latest riots are not about Michael Brown – the protestors may reference him but that’s not the point. What truthfully happened between the police and Mr. Brown is something we may never know the answer to. Yes white people riot as well, however, its typically because of some sheer stupidity, not a statement on race relations. That being said, and I’m not speaking for all law enforcement personnel, if you assault or attempt… Read more »
Rowdy celebration does not equal riot…
So when white people cause property damage, it’s just a “rowdy celebration” but when black people do, it’s a “riot.” This kind of double standard illustrates the problem perfectly, thank you.
I was outraged by the shooting at first, but after reading what took place based on evidence presented it would be difficult to find him guilty of anything. But hey don’t let the truth get in the way of some rioting. Yes there are big problems in all western societies with respect to discrimination and privilege but rioting doesn’t help your case – only further justify peoples already established opinions.
You probably weren’t really outraged to begin with. I am outraged by the callousness that the police of Ferguson has shown to its citizens. I am outraged by the history of disconnect that has been shown. If you think that the riots are solely about Michael Brown you really missed the point.
The problem is, as always, that good people protest, but bad people smash and loot. Quite independently, but at the same time. In the same street. How can that be helped? By hierarchically centralizing the protest, so that there is an authority which can enforce standards of peaceful behaviour? By not protesting at all? Or maybe even outlawing all kinds of protests? Would you recommend that? This truly is a bummer. Even if a protest movement stays non-violent it will invariably still get hijacked and co-opted by organized extremist groups, which destroys its credibility. We had long-running student protests in… Read more »