Men Chant 'Black Lives Matter' Before Viciously Attacking White Victims, Police Say

[Purveyor]

AKRON, OH (WOIO) -



A group of men chanting "Black Lives Matter" were accused of viciously beating up seven white victims in Akron early Sunday morning.

According to the police report, the attack happened around 12:30 a.m. in the area of Carroll and Goodkirk streets.

Police said seven white men were walking when they were approached by five black men and two white men, shouting, "Black lives matter."

The suspects started hitting them with bottles, punching and kicking the victims. One victim fell to the ground and was kicked in the head several times before losing consciousness. The suspects then took the victims' belongings before running off.

MORE...

http://www.cleveland19.com/story/32814897/men-chant-black-lives-matter-before-viciously-attacking-white-victims

[scscholar]

1. As if this happened

We know the media lies.

[Quantess]

2. I believe it. People are morons.

More violence. What's not to believe?

[NaturalHigh]

13. Do you have anything to support your statement?

It's getting coverage in multiple media outlets. I'm betting that it happened.

[Rex]

50. As if what happened? A group of men beat up some folks and took their stuff?

Are you saying that never happens?

[underthematrix]

3. This is wrong so very very wrong. But let's put that aside for a minute

If these seven individuals are charged and convicted of a felony, they can't vote in November. People need to keep this in mind at all times, no matter how angry they get. My motto is don't get mad. Get prepared! and VOTE BLUE!

[Enrique]

4. also, don't kick people in the head until they're unconscious

another thing for people to keep in mind.

[underthematrix]

5. well that's part of the very very wrong

I don't understand why some people have such critical thinking skills.

[melman]

6. You're implying they had a legitimate reason for this attack

[underthematrix]

7. What? There's was NOTHING in my original statement to indicate that. I wrote it was very very wrong.

What could possibly be right about attacking anyone? I'm more concerned about turning into felons and being unable to vote because they were too stupid to anticipate the consequences of their actions.

Given how we were brutalized as African Americans, I don't expect African Americans to attack someone because they share our beliefs.

Of course they could've been paid by the GOP. It does sound very suspicious

[Marengo]

11. Your primary concern is lost votes?

[underthematrix]

54. Yes because pretty much everything that happens is and can and often will be

politicized and tied of the election.

[Marengo]

60. And your primary reason to remind folks not to commit felonies is that they will lose voting rights?

[underthematrix]

65. Yep. That's right

[Marengo]

73. Haha! I understand you're joking, but you might to add the sarcasm tag for those who may not.

[NCTraveler]

89. I think you are making one of the most important points.

What you are really addressing is their possible loss of rights. These are a group who have dealt with overwhelming and systemic racism in society. Things like this often occur when people don't have hope. Now they have done this and their hope will diminish even further. It really is sad all the way around.

[Travis_0004]

56. If you dont want to be a felon, dont commot a felony

And in Ohio, a felon can vote, as long as they are out of prison, and assuming the felony wasnt for election fraud.

So if the facts are true, charge them, and gice them some time to reevaluate their lives.

[Marengo]

61. Apparently, the most important reason for us not to commit felonies is we may lose voting rights.

[underthematrix]

66. If someone commits a felony then they should be charged with a felony. That's

not hard

[cwydro]

8. Yeah, I would doubt if any are even registered to vote.

Such upstanding members of society.

[TipTok]

9. *insert sarcastic look of surprise here*

[KMOD]

47. Damn.

You have that whole trump supporter impersonation down pat.

[TipTok]

71. Is it really so far outside the bounds of probability...

... that someone would use the rhetoric of BLM as an excuse/justification for violence?

[romanic]

10. Solidarity.

[MrScorpio]

12. Everyone who was born, raised and educated in this country has been conditioned to be anti-black

But only the people who would have no qualms about that conditioning would be the first to use something like this in order to justify those internalized feelings.

[NaturalHigh]

14. One doesn't have to be anti-black to condemn this sort of behavior.

[MrScorpio]

15. It's got nothing to do with the behavior in itself, of course it should be condemned...

And, if they're guilty, I hope that they're prosecuted. But that's not the point.

It has everything to do with over-emphasizing this incident by associating it with black people in general and Black Lives Matter as a movement.

There's nothing about the movement which makes it an objective to assault and rob white people. The rational conclusion here is that BLM activism had nothing to with the robbery and the assault at all, in spite of reports by the media that the alleged robbers shouted out "black lives matter."

However, that won't stop some people from blaming BLM for this incident. It's those people who are letting their own anti-black conditioning do the reasoning for them.

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. That's my impression as well.

We don't really know for certain whether or not those words were actually said, or said seriously if the victims are remembering correctly or telling the truth.

But that's not really relevant, because, as you note, simply saying "black lives matter" doesn't make you a part or representative of the core body of the BLM movement. But people are going to make that connection anyway.

[treestar]

19. This is true

Just because they were chanting that does not mean they have anything to do with BLM.

Kind of similar to their saying ISIS inspired them when they never met with anyone and didn't get any financial help from them.

[Lurker Deluxe]

24. Of coarse

If anyone on the right commits any crime and has ever played pinochle and used the word "trump" that shows that they are supported 100% by the republican party and its leaders and speak directly for them.

And all crimes committed at an event sponsored by democrats are right wing paid agitators who are attempting to make us look bad.

The very first response to a comment in this thread shows that out, this never happened it was all a lie by the media. Black people never commit crimes, and constantly profiled, and the prisons are full of innocent people because every single white person in this country is racist.

I (a white man) was born, bred, and raised to discriminate against black people since my birth. The only reason I did not know this is because I am a blue collar hunter and am to fucking stupid to realize it ... until someone told me how I really feel.

[Whiskeytide]

38. Please don't fall for that false equivalency ...

... Most of us liberals don't condone violence in any situation. The BLM movement has made it clear that it is NOT about retribution or "getting back" at cops or the institutional racism in our society. It's about equal justice, and changing the perceptions that foster that unequal treatment. Anyone who uses the phrase "Black Lives Matter" to justify violence either grossly misunderstands it, or is being disingenuous.

On the other hand, if a group DOES promote violence as a means to an end, and someone invokes it's name in the commission of some violent act, that does logically relate the two. If someone claims that ISIS or the Klan motivated their assault on someone, that makes sense. And the Trump campaign HAS promoted violence against protesters and "others" - even Trump himself at his rallies has done so, and further failed to condemn it afterwards. So if someone wearing a Trump shirt and yelling "Trump rules" attacks someone, well, that IS on Trump.

It's not about black v white. It's about black v 300 years of institutional oppression. As white guys, we should recognize that and support the movement.

And, as much as some in the media and on the political landscape want to make BLM the equivalent of a hate group, it's simply not. It's the exact opposite. Don't fall for their scam.

[TipTok]

72. If someone came in blasting in a crowd while chanting "KKK"...

... I suspect some folks wouldn't go through the same mental gymnastics to distance the shooter from the group.

[NaturalHigh]

75. No, that would be universally recognized as a hate crime.

[Cal Carpenter]

85. So you're saying the KKK and BLM are comparable

in terms of advocating violence.

Got it. Your message is clear. (And fucking disgusting, ftr)

[TipTok]

101. Just pointing out that logical and ethical standards should be maintained across the board...

... regardless of who we are talking about.

Same thing as when folks will do mental gymnastic backflips across a football field of broken glass to excuse the behavior of someone with a (D) after their name but would crucify that same person if it ended with an (R).

As an afterthought, the KKK example might not be perfect as the Klan has actual rules and requirements for entry along with leadership, policy, chapters etc...

Anyone who claims association with BLM is part of the group...

YMMV

[loyalsister]

20. I had exactly that conversation recently

It was with someone who supressed it until Michael Brown was killed. They used stereotypes as the reason for violence and riots among people of color, while absolving white people of any and all contributions and oversight of the a racist system. I was too mad to come up with a good response. May I use your summary?

[MrScorpio]

43. I can dig it

Go for it.

[snooper2]

63. I graduated high school in 93 and don't remember this shit going on, Everybody was getting along

Cruising the strip listening to Beastie Boys and Warren G...

I think these new generations growing up with the Intertubes at their fingertips are re-inforcing stereotypes and false memes that these fucking idiots are latching on to. Instead of having to drive to hang out with people they are just in their little worlds with their little ass smart phone.

[MrScorpio]

64. Actually, we're seeing so many bad things happen because we have so much social media today

Even without cameras in the past, hooligans were hooligans, cops were violent and bigoted and everyone was conditioned to viscerally fear non-white people.

None of this is new at all.

[NuclearDem]

74. [citation needed]

[MrScorpio]

95. I don't have all day to put on a white supremacy workshop

By the way, I'm not referring to white supremacy, as in the klan or nazis. I'm referring to the sociological definition of an ideology that favors and standardizes whiteness and inherently classifies non-whiteness as non-standard and inferior.

Besides, it should be pretty damn obvious about a country which is so overtly white identified, white centered and white run, in spite of having a black president today.

If anyone wanted to, they can assess the amount of anti-black bias that they retain for themselves. But study after study has shown that anti-black bias is even a problem for black people, as a form of internalized racism which starts at school age, such as with the black doll/white doll study.

There are educators that anyone can refer to such as Robin DiAngelo, Caroline Heldman, Jane Elliott and Allan Johnson, who are all white, by the way.

Not to mention the fact that I've posted on this very topic, time and time again.

Really. Citations are all around you, if you bother to refer to any of them.

[NuclearDem]

97. The burden of proof is on the person who makes the claim.

You made the claim that everyone born and raised in the United States is educated from birth to hate black people. That's an extraordinary claim, and considering I wasn't raised and educated to hate black people, I'm a little bit skeptical and require some evidence for it. You don't get to just do a drive-by "everyone's racist" and write off any questions with "educate yourself, shitlord."

If it really is a case of "study after study" and such a prevalent phenomenon, you should have no problem providing evidence. Otherwise, I'm going to assume it's bullshit.

[MrScorpio]

100. I gave you some references, which would allow you to do the assessment for yourself.

If you refuse to take it from there, why should I care?

It's not like I've been to only person to make that statement, by the way. It's a fairly common one. Also, I really have no reason to value your skepticism whatsoever, simply because you haven't provided any valid reason at all why I should believe otherwise.

Of course, your response itself plays within the framework of an example of what I've been talking about:



It's not my job as a person of color to teach you anything, especially when all you're going to do is continue to refute every point that I make.

I just don't want to play that game.

Clearly, your inability or unwillingness to grasp my point is wholly your problem, not mine.

[geek tragedy]

16. should be prosecuted as hate criminals, if things happened as alleged.

but this is a single incident and this shouldn't be used to smear BLM

[loyalsister]

21. Hate crimes are motivated by personal characteristics of the victims

How do you call this a hate crime without demonizing BLM if the alleged motivating factor is race?

[geek tragedy]

22. because they aren't BLM activists, just some randos on the street who uttered the

phrase "Black Lives Matter" while committing thuggery

BLM is a movement that opposes violence

[loyalsister]

29. I know they do

BLM was formed around a pursuit of racial justice. If shouting the rallying cry of that pusuit is considered evidence to justify a charge of a hate crime, how can you argue that it would not demonize BLM?

[geek tragedy]

31. it indicates that race was a motivation for the attack nt

[loyalsister]

32. But doesn't demonize every single person who says it?

How?

[geek tragedy]

35. I apologize, but I truly don't understand what you're arguing.

Context is everything.

Black Lives Matter is all about protesting violence against black people.

If some people twist that into an justification for violence, that doesn't de-legitimize the movement.

[loyalsister]

36. People are already calling BLM a hate group

Using their name to justify a hate crime charge that is not connected to them can be easily reinterpreted to support an argument that confirms the white supremacits assertion that BLM means only BLM. Codifying it in a court decision would bring great joy to white supremacists.

[geek tragedy]

37. If someone said "Praise Jesus" while setting fire to a mosque, that would be evidence

of a hate crime, imo. Same thing.

It's not a reflection of BLM, but rather the motive of the bad actors.

[loyalsister]

40. Christianity was not established in response to recent filming of violent oppresssion

That is what inspired the formation of BLM. And, that is exactly why both active and passive white supremacists say "all lives matter" and want them to go away.
If using the words Black Lives Matter is legally connected to a hate crime toward white people, the prosecutor will have helped the KKK achieve the goal of discrediting them.

[geek tragedy]

41. it's not a judgment on BLM, it's just noting that the alleged goons had race on their mind

when they attacked the white guys.

We're repeating ourselves

[loyalsister]

42. If those goons saying it are racist, why not everyone who says it?

That is how sterotypes and guilt by association gain traction. It is also what haters count on to keep white people who have some reservations about racism on their side. Enabling them is not helpful.

[tritsofme]

69. So in the interest of combatting stereotypes, the racial motivation of the attack should be ignored?

So as to not sully the name of BLM? Is that really what you're arguing?

It unfortunate that these goons tried to appropriate BLM, that doesn't mean they should get a pass, and that should be obvious to anyone.

[loyalsister]

70. If you feel certain that they were racially motivated

specifically because they uttered the words Black Lives Matter you are defending and perpetuating the beliefs of Rush Limaugh and others who call BLM a hate group just because they are finally trying to introduce white people to the idea that "Black Lives Matter" and use those word as a rallying cry.

Turning it into evidence of hateful motivation translates it into what Rush Limbaugh and other defenders of racism have been saying all along.
Only someone who believes that saying Black Lives Matter is or can be an expression of anti-white hate would try to justify turning this into a hate crime.

[tritsofme]

77. That's nonsense. They allegedly said the phrase as they were carrying out the attack.

Why do you suppose they uttered that phrase while carrying out a vicious attack?

Those attackers don't represent BLM in any way, they appear to have appropriated the phrase in the course of carrying out a racially motivated attack. You are being incredibly obtuse, I very much doubt you would be on such a search for nuance if the racial aspect of this story was reversed.

[loyalsister]

84. I just have a clear understanding of the impact of language and it's manipulation

Do you deny that racists and their enablers believe that BLM means white lives dont? Do you really not see that that belief would be given credibility if using it is considered evidence of anti-whiteness?

[tritsofme]

96. Yes, you are right. It's unfortunate these goons did anything to seemingly validate BLM opponents

Although I think your lecture would be better directed at the attackers, as they are the ones giving credibility, not those of us who refuse your denial and simply point out that this appears to be a racially motivated attack.

The way to deal with something like this is to disassociate and condemn the attackers as not representing anything to do with BLM, not deny that the attack was problematic and likely racially motivated.

[NaturalHigh]

79. If they were looking to beat up white people just because they were white...

then it was a hate crime.

I would imagine you already know this but are going to incredible lengths to try to minimize the actions of these criminals.

[Travis_0004]

57. If they were looking to attack a white person it is a hate crime

And they should be charged as such.

[NaturalHigh]

58. Exactly. It's not that hard to comprehend.

[loyalsister]

68. Really?

Your wording sounds like anytime a white person gets attacked it is a hate crime. The Poor, poor dominant majority suffers so.

Because people are likely to commit violent crimes against people in their immediate circle, white people are more likely to look to attack white people.

[Humanist_Activist]

78. That's not what he said, do you enjoy making things up?

I absolutely hate dishonesty, if you can't argue honestly, then don't argue at all.

It seems simple, if perpetrators are trying to attack people of a certain race, that would be a hate crime. Its the motivation of the perpetrators that matter, not the race of the victim.

[DashOneBravo]

94. +1

[TipTok]

103. Textbook example of "No true Scotsman..."

Perfect...

[geek tragedy]

105. You'd have a point if this were a BLM rally nt

[TipTok]

108. Are you suggesting that the only time anyone can be associated with a group...

... is if they are physically attending a rally at that exact moment?

[geek tragedy]

111. no I'm saying that someone should actually be associated with the group before

people say they're associated with that group.

[TipTok]

112. Who determines 'official' membership in a group like BLM?

[geek tragedy]

113. try using some common sense and basic logic.

did they do anything that indicated they were activists in the movement? No.
were they at an event sponsored or organized by the movement? No.
is there any indication of any past activity or behavior on their parts that they were activists in the movement? No.

[TipTok]

114. So...

How many hours of activism at an officially sanctioned BLM event (whatever that is) are required before they get their membership cards and decoder rings?

BLM is like Occupy or other groups with no leadership, policy, requirements for membership etc.. etc.. ad naseum...

If they claim association with the group, then they are part of the group since no one can define what a 'true' BLM member is.

This is the same garbage that gets pulled out for terror attacks inspired by Islam. They weren't 'really' Muslim and it had nothing to do with it and how dare you even ask?!

[geek tragedy]

115. so it's your claim that any person who says"Black Lives Matter" thereby automatically

becomes a member of that movement.

Sensible.

[TipTok]

116. Who is going to argue?

Otherwise you get drivel like much of this thread where only the pure angels are part of the group... Except when they aren't... but sometimes they are...

Depends who you ask and if they agree with what they did or not.

[geek tragedy]

117. here's a radical thought:

use an evidence-based approach to see if these guys are actual activists rather than just assuming they are.

But no, certain agendas don't allow for that.



We see you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7485500

Not surprised to see the kind of person who calls Tamir Rice a criminal taking an anti-BLM position.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

18. There are, in all groups and segments, those who are unreasonably quick to aggression

They need to removed from the general population for the good of all. Maybe they're cops, gang members or have mental issues. Maybe they belong to a religious group or a certain family. Justice must, by definition, be indivduated. I'm sure in some cases there are root causes for some of those who are quick to violent aggression. Those causes need work as well.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

23. That's sad. The worst that I've experienced from African American males in my area...

... are some "cold shoulders" because I'm white. It's pretty obvious after seeing them treat other AA's kindly.

The other weird phenomenon is being delayed in various ways. I made a small purchase at a nearby gas station the other day as an AA male was being served by the clerk. He was buying a single large can of beer. He looked around and saw me and another white guy behind him. Then he proceeded to make various requests of the clerk that kept her busy for a minimum of 10 minutes. For example, he slowly dug out 13 cents from his pocket to get only paper bills in return. He slowly put the bills in his wallet. Then he requested that the clerk put the beer in a bag. Then he decided to get cigarettes. That was followed by another slow money exchange. Then he wanted lottery tickets, with explanations on how they're played. On and on. I knew what he was doing. After it was over, the line was quite long and he grinned at us like he was proud of himself.

It wasn't a crime, of course, but I just wish that kind of nonsense would stop. I have no idea if that sort of thing happens in other parts of the country, but it's certainly not the first time that I've experienced it here.

I noticed the other day that there's two anti-white hate groups in my area, but no known anti-black groups.

[philosslayer]

25. Wow

One of the more ridiculous and tone deaf posts I've seen in quite awhile.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

26. In what way? I know that African Americans have struggles.

If I didn't, I wouldn't be as patient when dealing with such ridiculous behavior that accomplishes nothing but creating resentment.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

27. I was also hospitalized by white rednecks in my area after I didn't agree...

... with them during their anti-AA and anti-Obama rants. At least I think that's why I was mugged and beaten.

During my dizzy walk home from the hospital (police found me unconscious and had me transported there by ambulance), I passed through a mostly AA neighborhood and only received comments such as "Sheeeit!" when they saw my face and my clothes covered in dried blood. They didn't offer to help me, but I also didn't ask for help. I'm thankful that none of them assaulted me, however. The assault came from white racist rednecks, and that was the only time something like that has happened to me.

I'm just saying that I'm sick of the obvious animosity based on skin color around here. I treat everyone as an equal and return kindness with kindness.

[Purveyor]

33. It is getting markedly worse as per my personal observations. I don't

even want to detail my encounter today in the Xfininty store with their "customer service" representative.

I'm not done with her either...

[Bobbie Jo]

28. I've seen random white people

exhibiting the same "behavior."

That you attribute this to some kind of race-related thing is just bizarre.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

30. It's based on what I've observed here.

It's a definite pattern. It's not something that makes me anti-AA. As I indicated in my post, it might be behavior that's more common in this area and not others. AA females don't behave that way around here.

I've seen whites in my area hold up lines too, but not nearly as frequently. The ones who do it tend to be old people, but that observation doesn't make me anti-elderly either.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

34. They really want to claim BLM is about being anti-White.....

I see it more as an extension of this:

[tonyt53]

39. Likely happened - the fight, that is. Somebody in the group that got its ass kicked made a reference

to BLM when they saw the four black guys.

[Lazy Daisy]

45. That was my first thought

Someone made a remark and got an ass whoopin' for it. You know those who got a beat down aren't going to tell the police "I did this or that, or said this or that" You know they told the police they were just walking down the street minding their own business.

I don't condone violence, but I don't think these guys just randomly walked up to people and started chanting and beating them.

[lostnfound]

44. Kermit likes to bribe

For some reason I find myself recalling this story:

https://origins.osu.edu/print/47

Kermit Roosevelt orchestrated what he later termed "a counter-coup" against Mossadegh. With help from Britain's MI6, Roosevelt distributed a quarter-million dollars in bribes to mobilize hundreds of pro-Shah mercenaries, who stormed into the streets chanting anti-government slogans and staged violent clashes with Mossadegh's supporters. Meanwhile, General Zahedi and right-wing military officers moved to restore order, rounding up Tudeh Party militants, arresting Prime Minister...

But that kind of stuff never happens anymore.

[Purveyor]

46. "Never happens anymore"... Did you forget the sarcasm tag?

[IVoteDFL]

48. I could kick the shit out of someone tomorrow and shout

"make America great again. Donald Trump!" Doesn't mean anything for the ass stain, but this will haunt BLM, though it was probably little more than a robbery.

I will not stop standing for BLM because of a few most likely unaffiliated individuals.

[Rex]

49. 'A group of men'

Could have stopped right there. Without reading the story, let me guess they beat up some folks. Took their shit.

I guess people can relate this to BLM...however I recall almost daily groups of men and not just here in America, doing horrible things in the name of XYZ-flavor of the day-cokevspepsi...this is not something new.

IMO, this is the media trying to keep up the bullshit that BLM is a hate group. Gotta validate their paychecks.

[melman]

51. Fascinating thread

In it, we learn that when a group of white people are violently attacked and robbed -

- it probably didn't happen

- if it did, then the worst thing is the assailants might not be able to vote

- it's all about ant-black conditioning

- what's really important is how it reflects on BLM so let's not even think of calling this a hate crime

- the victims probably just mouthed off and got their asses kicked

[Marr]

52. Yeah.

It's this sort of purely agenda-driven thinking that makes it hard to take some people seriously. The biases are so over the top and openly expressed, it's almost comedic.

[Purveyor]

53. Pretty good assessment, indeed. eom

[ileus]

55. That's our white guilt talking...

It's makes us feel better.

[NaturalHigh]

59. Yep, that seems to be the gist of it.

[NuclearDem]

76. Welcome to the world of Social Justice™

[LongtimeAZDem]

92. Sums it up perfectly (nt)

[mythology]

99. I consider it highly likely they were attacked

But I find it odd that a mixed group would be going around chanting black lives matter while beating up a group of whites. Maybe it happened like that, maybe it didn't. I'm skeptical because it doesn't make much intuitive sense.

I don't think it reflects on the larger BLM movement as this isn't something they promoted. Somebody committing violence while wearing a Trump make American great again hat can be traced back to Trump's own words.

[NaturalHigh]

62. I'm saddened to see so many making excuses for these criminals.

Not terribly surprised, though.

[Bobbie Jo]

67. Agenda.

Not sure why anyone would want to pick this particular fight, but there it is.

Again.

I stand with BLM, regardless of the ATTEMPTS to connect this group with violence and the ridiculous concept of "white racism."

[NuclearDem]

80. Anti-white racism does exist.

Non-white people are just as capable of being racist as white people are. The "non-whites can't be racist because power dynamics" nonsense is a hilariously transparent attempt for bigots to use a special pleading fallacy to justify their own hate.

[NaturalHigh]

82. Thanks for clarifying that.

Of course you'll likely get blasted by the "but sociologists say" crowd.

[NuclearDem]

83. Dictionary definitions apparently only apply when they're convenient.

When the dictionary doesn't comply, the definition gets twisted to suit our ends.

[TipTok]

107. *but several sociologists say*

FTFY...

[NaturalHigh]

109. Believe me, I've been informed of that many times.

[Bobbie Jo]

91. Respectfully disagree to an extent

Sure, non-whites can be "anti-white," but the "white racism" some claim is not even in the same ballpark when I comes to the institutional construct of racism toward black people in this country. Not even close.

To me, white people who claim racism are in the same category as those who scream, White Lives Matter and All Lives Matter.

It's dismssive and ridiculous. White lives have ALWAYS mattered.

The OP has an agenda.

[NuclearDem]

93. Racism is racism.

The power dynamics definition of racism serves only to imbue certain groups with privileges not afforded to others based solely on their skin color; white people are inherently racist by birth due to things people with a similar pigment did a hundred years ago, and non-whites are completely incapable of being racist regardless of what they say or do.

Original sin racism was used to justify, among other things, the African slave trade by suggesting that Africans deserved it for being the descendants of Ham. It's being used now to justify hatred against white people by suggesting they're the descendants of those who benefited from that slave trade, whether they did or not.

It also makes me question whether any of these movements, by creating such different standards for different groups, are actually interested in equality. The existence of this "power dynamics racism" meme suggests that they don't.

[NaturalHigh]

104. Anyone who doesn't understand that is being intentionally obtuse.

Everyone understands that a person of any color can be racist; some just don't want to accept it.

[TipTok]

110. It comes across more as "It's our turn now"...

[UMTerp01]

81. This is horrible

This kind of violence in the name of "BLM" is horrible. I don't understand how people can be so violent. How do you attack a random group of people?

[vdogg]

86. Two of these guys are white

I'm confused.

Edit: If you read the article it appears the actual motive for the event was robbery. It seems that shouting BLM was a throw away line.

[Purveyor]

87. Wannabe's I suppose... eom

[Calculating]

88. What's up with the two white guys>?

I suspect this had nothing to do with BLM, and it was just a group of thugs out robbing people. They probably just shouted the BLM lines for kicks.

[NCTraveler]

90. What a bunch of fucked up reporting.

Look at the headline in the video at the link.

"Black Lives Matter Attack"

Fuck the media.

[Moosepoop]

98. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

The seven accused have been arrested and charged, but they have not yet been tried, let alone convicted. There is no news so far that they have given confessions, or been given attorneys, or entered pleas of guilty or not guilty.

The reporting is minimal -- we have Channel 19 relaying what the police report apparently says, but without a link to the actual document in order to read it for ourselves. No quotes from police or victims. The victims' side of the story is represented, but not that of any of the accused. There are usually two sides to every story, and often the truth lies somewhere in the middle. As of now, we only have one side.

We have knowns, and unknowns.

We know that two groups, consisting of seven men each, were in a physical altercation shortly after midnight. Let's call them Group A (the white men) and Group B (the mostly black men).

Group A says that Group B approached them while chanting "Black Lives Matter" and then proceeded to beat and rob them.

The police apparently believe Group A, and arrested Group B.

What we don't know is what Group B has to say.

Missing from the reporting:

Did this happen on the sidewalk? In the street? At a park? In a parking lot?

Were Group A and Group B known to each other prior to this event, or total strangers?

Had there been any prior incidents between any members of the two groups? If so, when? Within the same 24 hours?

Who threw the first punch? Who took it?

What "belongings" did Group B steal from Group A? Wallets? Cell phones? Sneakers? Candy bars?

Were there any independent witnesses? Is there video?

Did Group B just happen to run into Group A face-to-face, or did they follow them or cross the street to approach them, etc?

What, if anything, was said by anyone involved other than "Black lives matter"?

How long/how many times was this being "chanted"? Once? Twice? Three times? For six blocks? In unison?

Group A is from Akron, Group B is from nearby Canton. How did the police know where in Akron to look for the Canton guys after they ran from the scene?

This whole incident may be just as alleged, and the accused may indeed be violent marauding thugs.
Or... there might be another side to the story that hasn't been heard yet.

I'd really like to read the police report. I'd also like to hear what Group B has to say, from them or from their attorneys.

In the meantime, they're innocent until proven guilty. At least, I think that's how it's supposed to work?

[NaturalHigh]

106. As has been pointed out to me in other situations...

this is not a court of law. We're allowed to have our own opinions and believe the media reports or not.

[Moosepoop]

120. Of course! You are free to believe any media reports you come across

regardless of the degree of information they may actually contain. Lots of people make assumptions based on little information. I prefer to have more of an informed opinion, but that's just me.

[NaturalHigh]

121. If the stories of all seven victims match...

I would say that's quite a bit of information.

[Moosepoop]

122. Yes, if.

But we don't know what their individual stories are. We also don't know what the other seven stories are.

I find it odd that there hasn't been any further reporting on this. Still no news of the accused appearing in court for the preliminary proceedings. Normally on such a widely publicized story, there is continued coverage of every single step along the way through the judicial system. I'll keep watching for any updates.

[stonecutter357]

102. this had nothing to do with BLM.

[librechik]

118. +100

[uponit7771]

119. +1, I dont see that in the story either, if they were calling out they love the Republican party I..

... see that people would make the connection either.